Introduction After speaking about the Universal Judgment (cf. T19/2 Monday after Invocavit), Caracciolo introduces the topic of the destination of souls once they leave earthly life (three destinations: 1. Heaven; 2. Hell; 3. Purgatory).
Division (see above) 1) First part: God punishes and purifies souls in several places, but there are five main ones: 1. infernus inferior (reference to Psal. 85, 13) = Purgatory, close to Hell; 2. Mount Etna (reference to Gregory the Great, Dial. 4); 3. The so-called “St Patrick’s Purgatory”, in Ireland; 4. On earth, by water (reference to Gregory the Great, Dialogue: story of Cardinal Pascasio and the bishop of Capua); 5. On earth, by fire. 2) Second part: the punishment of Purgatory is greater than any other suffering on earth (references to Augustine and Decretum Gratiani). 3) Third part: four quaestiones: 1. Do the souls in Purgatory know where their bodies are buried and by whom? No, they don’t. (references to Augustine and Decretum Gratiani); 2. Can the souls in Purgatory know if someone is praying for them? Yes, they can know it: a. by divine revelation: b. by talking to other souls who have arrived in Purgatory; c. by remembering the prayers said during earthly life; d. by feeling relieved of suffering. 3. Can the burial site cause suffering to the soul? No, it can’t (reference to Augustine); 4. Is it useful for the souls in Purgatory to have their bodies buried near churches or near the graves of good people? Yes, it is: everyone should aspire to be buried near those churches in which there are many graves and many rites are performed (references to Augustine and Decretum Gratiani), and this for two reasons: a. Benefit from the prayers of the Saints and other souls related to that church; b. Benefit from the prayers of the people who go to that church (reference to Gregory the Great, Dialogue).
Conclusion
Quaestio: Is it right to mourn the souls in Purgatory? No, it isn’t, because their condition is better than that of the living, as the souls in Purgatory are no longer subject to sin and have guaranteed access to Heaven.