[Saint Catherine of Genoa ~ XV-XVI Century; born: Genoa, Republic of Genoa/ died: Genoa, Republic of Genoa; (aged 62-63); Mystic; Spiritual Writer]
Appendix A
THE Saint must here be understood to mean that the souls in purgatory cannot recollect the specific reasons of the pains they suffer ; that they cannot say, " I have done such and such sins, for which I deserve to be here." She cannot mean absolutely that they do not know that the pains they suffer are in punishment for their sins. For besides such ignorance being scarcely conceivable, it is contrary to her own express statement in chapter vii., where she says, that " that which causes the souls in purgatory most pain, is the seeing in themselves a thing displeasing to God ; and the being conscious that it has been admitted against so much goodness."
Appendix B
THERE is a difference of opinion among theologians as to the nature of that purification which the souls undergo in purgatory. From what are they purified ? from the guilt of sin, or simply from imperfections? If from imperfections, in what sense do they become perfect? In that they are intrinsically improved ; or is it merely that they have bettered their condition before God?
Bellarmine goes so far as to maintain that the culpa or guilt of venial sin is remitted in purgatory. To Calvin's objection to Matt. xii. 32 being quoted in favour of purgatory, because there Our Lord is speaking of sin being remitted in the world to come quoad culpam, whereas purgatory only remits sin quoad pcenam, he replies, " that at least venial sin is remitted in purgatory quoad culpam "
He says that the true opinion is St. Thomas's, that the guilt of venial sin, culpas vemales, is remitted in purgatory by an act of love and patient endurance.
Image: Gabriele Dell'Otto - Dante's Divine Comedy