# No Purgatory? Reflections on Day 18 of 33 Days to Merciful Love
*2019-04-10*

> Bill Young explores the theme “Mystics Hidden Among Us,” reflects on St. Teresa of Calcutta’s teachings about love and purgatory, and invites listeners to a DIY retreat on Divine Mercy.

## Day 18 Overview

Today is Thursday, April 11, and we’re on day 18 of our 33‑day “Days of Merciful Love” retreat. The day’s theme is “Mystics Hidden Among Us,” taken from a reflection by Emily Griffin. The Scripture readings are Genesis 17:3‑9 and John 8:51‑59. The reflection asks us to consider who most exemplifies Christ’s way in our lives—often it’s not a famous saint but ordinary people we encounter daily.

## Mystics in Everyday Life

Griffin reminds us that mystics are among us all the time, though we rarely recognize them. Their humility and simple devotion—prayer, fasting, solitude, service—often go unnoticed, yet they transform lives quietly. When they receive extraordinary gifts, they still move through the crowd unnoticed. The key is to look for the deep love and service that flow from a life rooted in the Trinity.

## St. Teresa’s Insight on Purgatory

St. Teresa of Calcutta (the Little Flower) wrote to her sister Pauline about offering herself to Divine Mercy. She described how love floods the soul, purifying it so completely that there is no need to fear purgatory. Teresa taught that the fire of divine love is more sanctifying than any temporal punishment. She warned that fearing purgatory harms God, because it shows a lack of trust in His mercy. When we place our whole trust in Jesus, He continually purifies us, sparing us the “fire” of purgatory.

## Why We Pursue the DIY Retreat

Our DIY retreat prepares us for the consecration on Divine Mercy Sunday. By deepening our trust in God’s love, we aim to avoid the need for purgatory altogether. The retreat includes prayer, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and reflection on the merciful love that sustains us. We’ll meet again this Friday at St. David’s Catholic Church in South Florida for the Stations of the Cross followed by the next phase of the retreat.

## Closing Prayer

We concluded with a series of prayers invoking the Holy Trinity, the Our Father, Hail Mary, the Apostles’ Creed, and a heartfelt litany of Divine Mercy, affirming our trust in God’s endless compassion.

*When we place our whole trust in Divine Mercy, love itself becomes the fire that purifies us, sparing us from purgatory.*