the Privilege of Rescuing Souls from Purgatory
Español Why Was St. Francis Granted the Privilege of Rescuing Souls from Purgatory? Among the many beautiful traditions surrounding the life of St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most intriguing concerns a special privilege he was believed to have received from Christ: that every year, on the anniversary of his death, he would descend into Purgatory and lead souls to the glory of Paradise. This tradition, preserved in The Little Flowers of St. Francis (I Fioretti), is particularly fascinating because it connects three important aspects of Franciscan spirituality: the stigmata, the profound conformity of Francis to Christ, and his spiritual fatherhood over the Franciscan family. But why was Francis granted such a privilege? The promise made on Mount Alverna. The account appears in the Third Consideration on the Sacred Stigmata, a section of The Little Flowers devoted to the mystical experience of St. Francis on Mount Alverna in September 1224. Continue reading after advertisement Gold-Pl...
