THE POLISH PRINCE (True Purgatory Story)

A Polish prince who, for some political reason, had been exiled from his native country bought a beautiful castle and property in France.
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Unfortunately, he had lost the Faith of his childhood and was at the time of our story engaged in writing a book against God and the existence of a future life.
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Strolling one evening in his garden, he came upon a poor woman weeping bitterly. He questioned her as to the cause of her grief.
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“Ah! Prince,” she replied, “I am the wife of Jean [John] Marie, your former steward, who died two days ago. He was a good husband to me and a faithful servant to Your Highness. His sickness was long and I spent all our savings on the doctors, and now I have nothing left to get Masses said for his soul.”
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The Prince, touched by her grief, said a few kind words and, though professing no longer to believe in a future life, gave her some gold coins to have Masses said for her husband’s soul.
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Some time after, it was again evening, and the Prince was in his study working feverishly at his hook.
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He heard a loud rap at the door and without looking up called out to the visitor to come in. The door slowly opened and a man entered and stood facing the Prince’s writing table.
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On glancing up, what was not the Prince’s amazement to see Jean Marie, his dead steward, looking at him with a sweet smile.
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“Prince, ” he said, “I come to thank you for the Masses you enabled my wife to have said for my soul. Thanks to the saving Blood of Christ, which was offered for me, I am now going to Heaven, but God has allowed me to come and thank you for your generous alms. “
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He then added impressively: “Prince, there is a God, a future life, a Heaven and a Hell. “
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Having said these words he disappeared.
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The Prince fell upon his knees and poured forth a fervent Credo ( I believe in God.. “).
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Why We Should Pray for the Souls in Purgatory
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“The Holy Souls are eager for the prayers of the faithful which can gain indulgences for them. Their intercession is powerful. Pray unceasingly. We must empty Purgatory!” — Saint Padre Pio

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