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The Amazing Secret of the Souls in Purgatory: An Interview with Maria Simma

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I have always wanted to know more about Purgatory, but there isn't much information on it out there. When I came across this book, I read it with great interest. According to this woman, Purgatory is where souls go to be cleansed of sin. They initially see God (or at least the light of God) when they die, and all they want to do is be embraced by Him. However, they must first have their souls cleansed in Purgatory. The type of suffering that takes place in Purgatory is the soul's burning desire to be with God. Angels often come to Purgatory to comfort the souls, and we can help them by praying for them. It is made clear in this book that the souls in Purgatory do not want to come back to earth, as their future is much more certain than anyone's on earth. They also have a lot more knowledge than the living do. However, they do envy the living, because the living still have time to change their ways and gain merits with God. By the time a soul gets to Purgatory, it is helpless and depends on the prayers of others. People who believe in Jesus Christ, and are truly sorry for their sins, will be saved from hell. Satan is real, and he wants us to turn away from God. This book not only teaches us to reject Satan and sin, but it also tells us to make every moment count in life. Life is a gift that should not be wasted!

"The Amazing Secret of the Souls in Purgatory" by Sister Emmanuel of Medjugorje. Book's subtitle is "An Interview With Maria Simma". Queenship Publishing company, Goleta, CA 1997.

This is a very short (58 pages) book, relating the interview of Maria Simma, a devout Catholic, who, for many years, has visits from the souls in Purgatory. These souls will ask Maria Simma to have prayers said for them: a Mass, or a Rosary, or the Stations of the Cross. The author, Sister Emmanuel, interviewed Maria Simma through an interpreter, and," for the sake of brevity and clarity" (page 3), Sister Emmanuel summed up some of Maria's answers.

This book is not a summary of the Church's doctrine on the issue of Purgatory. Rather, the book recounts the answers of Maria Simma to the questions asked by Sister Emmanuel. That Maria Simma has been visited by the souls from Purgatory is confirmed by incidents (not fully documented in this book) of a deceased person relating details to Maria Simma, and her telling the family of the deceased these details. Maria would have all the details concerning the field, or the exact amount of money, or the property and..."the family would be staggered to discover that she knew all these details". (p. 38)

For anyone wanting to discover what Purgatory is like, this small book gives a description of that place by one woman who has had visions for most of her life. Maria must be approaching her 90s, since she was listed as 82 in the year of publication (1997).

The last few pages are a call to prayer for the souls in Purgatory by the author, Sister Emmanuel. The book is well worth the small price, and ... delivered the book quickly.

This illuminating interview of a simple Austrian woman, who God graced with the charism of communicating with souls from purgatory, will motivate you to have Masses said, without delay, for your deceased relatives and friends as well as for those unfortunate souls in purgatory who have no one to pray for them. Maria Simma is a highly credible mystic, well known in her native country for finding the living relatives of souls who have appeared to her and implored her to have their relatives make reparations for the wrongs they have done. She has, in numerous instances, possessed information that no one in her capacity could have obtained, but from the decedent himself. It is a short book, but makes the important point that God is so holy that we must be perfectly purified to be in his Divine presence. Contrary to what one of the other reviewers stated, there are two types of pain in purgatory: the pain of separation from God; and the pain of sense (physical suffering). Make no mistake, it is a place of excruciating suffering. Almost all theologians teach that the souls in hell and the souls in purgatory suffer the action of the same fire. The same fire, says St. Gregory, torments the damned and purifies the elect. In my opinion, the quintessential book on purgatory is "Purgatory", by the 19th century French theologian, Fr. F.X. Shouppe, S.J. Amazon sells it. Thank you.

This book clarifies what exactly Purgatory is, as well as God's purpose for this place or state of being. This small book takes the form of an interview with a question and answer format. Its easy to read, informative and worth every penny.

Ever wanted to get a short, non-complicated, clear answer about purgatory? Most books deal with theology, opinions of it existence and more spiritual reasons for purgatory. This book just answers in everyman's language some basic questions. By giving examples of souls in purgatory and giving us the sin that most people commit that leads us there, it also helps us see where we might end up. At the end of the book, it gives us ways to help those in purgatory to be released into heaven. If you couldn't help those you love while they were alive, it gives us a way to help them now.

Sr. Emmanuel NEVER disappoints - this is a lovely, unaffected book that tells a beautiful message. We all know someone in Purgatory - maybe someday we'll have an address there ourselves! Maria Simms gives her information and thoughts in a simple and direct manner. The book is written in conversational style and is so easy to read that you feel you are there. Even small children will pick up on the points in an instant and without scaring the wits out of them.

I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS HIGHLY ENOUGH AND NO READER WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.

I would also recommend Medjugorje - the 90's to you - also by Sr. Emmanuel. Another inspired book that gives you a feeling of being treasured by Heaven long after you have finished it.

This booklet has a tremendous amount of information on the subject of "life after death" in general; not being of the Catholic faith, I was ignorant of many of the details of what purgatory meant, and with clarity and simple but profound words, Maria Simma explains the basics of it. It made much sense to me, and this little volume will be very enlightening to anyone who has had a "near-death" type of experience, "visitations", or anything that has given one a glimpse of another dimension, and needs insight into the mysteries of it.
It will also point out the urgent need for prayer, and Maria explains of her visitations from people of other religions, that "anyone who lives his faith well is happy".

There is a piety and goodness that shines from Maria Simma on these pages, and her testimony is most inspiring; she was 82 when this was written in 1997, living in a mountain village in Austria, and the way she relates her spiritual history is direct and with much humility; part of the praise must also go to Sister Emmanuel of Medjugorje, for asking Maria pertinent and intelligent questions. There is a tiny photograph of both of them, with radiant smiles, that is a joy to behold.
Full of wisdom and faith, this small book has greatly blessed me.

Does Purgatory exist? What evidence is there? Do you need to believe in it? Do children go to purgatory? What sins most cause people to go to there? Why are we compelled to know about this interim state? Why is it important to pray for the dead, as Christ commanded in The Bible? * This Interview with Maria Simma, visited by scores of suffering dead souls, is as close to the horse's mouth as one could want. Human prayers and sacrifices are the only hope for these tortured souls. She unveils a wonderful mystery created by God for merciful and logical reasons. Few have access to this amazing knowledge. An underwelling and uplifting teaching for Christians of every denomination and faith.

One can never receive enough information regarding the afterlife. This book reminds us how we can help those who most need our prayers, the living and deceased. It is important to not forget our deceased loved ones and to pray for them everyday as we would for our own needs. You will not be disappointed with the purchase of this book.

This is a remarkable little book that grabs your attention and holds on to it. This simple peasant woman, Maria Simms in one, two and three syllable words presents a picture of Purgatory that is enlighting and comforting without being overly intimidating and frightening. That's quite a feat rarely achieved by the most educated among us. Maria's natural honesty is apparent from page one and inspires trust in the stories she relates about the poor souls in Purgatory.

Without cheap theatrics Maria conveys the reality and the necessity of Purgatory. She leaves no doubt that it is a place that you will not want to stay in, but at the same time you realize it is a place that you are glad exist because it gives you hope and the assurance that you will one day be in Heaven. People don't leave Purgatory to go on to Hell....the destination is Heaven.

It's a good read. You won't be sorry for buying this book.