Saint Frances of Rome

The Angel brought Frances of Rome to the lowest level of Purgatory, to a a cavern filled with a roaring fire, its red-hot flames cutting through the black smoke that darkened the cave.

But as horrible as it was, Frances said it was not as hot as in Hell. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see bodies being plunged into what appeared to be a cauldron of raging fire, its flames enveloping them, pulling them down.

She was told that these were souls who had been guilty of committing serious sins, had confessed and were absolved of their sins by a priest, but had not satisfied the wrong done by their act against God.

In this vision, she was told that for each mortal sin committed and forgiven, a payment of seven years of reparation in Purgatory was necessary to erase it from the soul.

Since the damage done by each mortal sin affects the world differently, some more deadly and lasting, the length of time and punishment differs.

The type of pain and suffering measured out to each of these souls, was in proportion to the type of sin, the damage done by the sins, and the number of wounds inflicted on our Lord's Sacred Heart by these sins.

In this level,Frances of Rome found the Poor Souls of the Laity and Religious, alike.

Those of the Laity were souls who had led a life of sin, and converted toward the end of their lives.

Conversion to the Lord and His Church is God's gift to us, as only the Holy Spirit can convert men's hearts. As they had not paid their debt on earth, they had to clear the invoice due the Lord here in Purgatory.

 
The Souls of the Religious were those who had not kept the vows they had professed. No sooner had this been explained to her than  Frances of Rome saw the soul of a priest who was very well known.

He had a covering on his face, to try to hide the ugly blemish that had remained.

Now, this priest had led a truly priestly life, faithfully administering the Sacraments and pastoring his flock.

His only sin had been an intemperate need to gouge himself at mealtime, seeking his reward from God's creation rather than God alone.
You can discover more about Saint Frances of Rome in Bob and Penny Lord's book, Visions of Heaven Hell and Purgatory.

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