Christus monet vnam infirmam, quod sit stabilis in paciencia, quia pro vtilitate sue anime ei dispensatur infirmitas. Et declarat, quod indulgencie ecclesiarum Rome maiores sunt apud Deum et vtiliores animabus, quam homines credunt.
The Value of Suffering and Indulgences
Christ comforts a sick woman, explaining that her suffering is for her soul's benefit and clarifying the profound spiritual efficacy of Roman indulgences.
A noblewoman from Sweden, who had been ill in Rome for a long time, said with a slight smile while the bride was listening, "The rumor is that in this place there is absolution from both guilt and punishment." But nothing is impossible for God. “For I am the one who experiences the suffering.” Then, the next morning, the bride heard a voice in her spirit saying to her: "My daughter, this woman is dear to me, both because she has lived devoutly in herself and because she has raised her daughters for me." But she hasn't yet felt as much compunction in her sufferings as the pleasure she had—and would have continued to have—in her sins, had she not been restrained by my love. Since I, God, provide for everyone in both health and sickness as I see is best for each person, I shouldn't be provoked or judged by anyone, even in the smallest matters, but rather feared and honored everywhere. Tell her also that the indulgences of the churches in Rome are greater in God’s eyes than they appear, because those who come to these indulgences with a perfect heart will receive not only the forgiveness of their sins, but also eternal glory. Even if someone were to die a thousand times for God, they still wouldn't be worthy of the least bit of the glory given to the saints. And even though a person couldn't live for thousands of years, still, because infinite punishment is owed for infinite sins—which it's impossible for a human to satisfy or fulfill in this life—many things are relaxed through indulgences, and the most severe and longest-lasting penalty is changed into a very small one. Those who leave this world having received indulgences with perfect love and true compunction are released not only from their sins but also from their punishments; for I, God, will not only grant my saints and chosen ones what they ask, but I will double and centuple it because of their love. So, encourage this sick woman to be patient and steady, because I will do for her what is most useful for her salvation.
A Vision of Judgment and Mercy
Birgitta witnesses the soul of the woman being defended by Saint James before the Judge, resulting in her salvation through faith and desire.
Saint Birgitta saw this soul rising, looking like fire. Several Ethiopians met it, and at the sight of them, the soul was terrified and began to tremble. And immediately, it seemed as if a most beautiful virgin came to her aid, who said to the Ethiopians, "What business do you have with this soul, who belongs to the family of the new bride of my Son?" And immediately the Ethiopians, fleeing, followed from a distance. When the soul arrived at judgment, the Judge asked, "Who will answer for this soul, and who is her advocate?" And suddenly, blessed James seemed to be present, saying, "Lord, I am bound to answer for her." As I recall, she was in great labor twice. O Lord, have mercy on her, because she wanted to, but could not." The Judge asked, "What is it that she wanted to do but couldn't?" James replied, "She wanted to serve you with her whole heart, but she couldn't because she was held back by the illness that overtook her." Then the Judge said to the soul: "Go, for your faith and your will will save you." And immediately the soul left the presence of the Judge, exulting and shining like a star, while everyone standing by said: "Blessed are You, God, who are, who were, and who are to come, You who do not remove Your mercy from those who hope in You."
Read the original Latin
Domina quedam de Suecia, cum longo tempore in Roma infirmaretur, dixit quasi subridendo sponsa audiente: "Fama", inquit, "est, quod in hoc loco est absolucio a culpa et a pena.
Sed Deo nichil est impossibile. Penam enim experior ego." Tunc subsequente mane sponsa audiuit in spiritu vocem dicentem sibi:
"Filia, hec mulier grata est michi, et quia deuote vixerat in se et quia filias suas enutriuit michi. Sed adhuc non tantam contricionem habuit in penis, quantam delectacionem habuit et habuisset in peccatis, nisi caritate mea refrenata fuisset.
Ergo, quia ego Deus vnicuique prouideo in sanitate et in infirmitate, sicut vnicuique expedire video, ideo nec in minimis verbis ab aliquo irritari vel iudicari debeo, sed vbique timeri et venerari.
Dic eciam ei, quod indulgencie ecclesiarum vrbis Rome maiores sunt apud Deum, quam sonant, quia hii, qui perfecto corde veniunt ad istas indulgencias, non solum remissionem peccatorum habebunt sed eciam gloriam eternam.
Nam homo, eciam si millesies se occideret pro Deo, non esset condignus ad minimam gloriam, que datur sanctis.
Et licet homo non sufficit viuere ad tot milia annorum, tamen, quia pro infinitis peccatis infinita debentur supplicia, que homini impossibile est satisfacere et implere in hac vita, ideo propter indulgencias relaxantur multa, et grauissima pena et longissima commutatur in minimam.
Et hii, qui habitis indulgenciis cum caritate perfecta et contricione vera decedunt de mundo, soluuntur non solum a peccatis sed eciam a penis, quia ego Deus non solum dabo sanctis et electis meis, que petunt, sed et duplicabo et centuplicabo propter caritatem.
Ideo moneas istam infirmam ad pacienciam et stabilitatem, quia ego faciam ei, quod vtilius sibi est ad salutem."
Huius domine animam vidit sancta Birgitta ascendentem sicut igneam. Cui occurrerunt plures Ethiopes, a quorum conspectu anima quasi perterrita facta est et quasi tremula.
Et statim videbatur quasi virgo pulcherrima venire ei in auxilium, que dixit Ethiopibus: "Quid vobis cum anima ista, que est de familia noue sponse filii mei?"
Et statim Ethiopes fugientes sequebantur alonge. Cumque anima venisset ad iudicium, dixit iudex: "Quis respondebit pro anima ista et quis est aduocatus eius?"
Et statim videbatur beatus Iacobus adesse dicens: "Ego, Domine, teneor respondere pro ea. Nam bis in magnis laboribus fuit ad memoriam meam. O Domine, miserere ei, quia voluit et non potuit."
Cui iudex: "Quid est, quod voluit et non potuit?" Cui Iacobus: "Voluit", inquit, "seruire tibi toto corde sed non valuit, quia infirmitate preuenta retardabatur." Tunc iudex ait ad animam:
"Vade, quia fides tua et voluntas tua saluabit te." Et statim anima egressa est a conspectu iudicis exultans et quasi stella splendens omnibus astantibus dicentibus:
"Benedictus sis tu, Deus, qui es et eras et eris, qui non amoues misericordiam tuam a sperantibus in te."
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