Do souls know when Masses are said for them?
Mônica, a very good and pious young woman, was convinced that they do.
She was a poor servant who earned her bread serving in the homes of the rich—simple, full of faith, content with the treatment and the small wage she received, for God had made her self-sacrificing, and she knew that one can serve Him in any occupation.
But one day she fell ill and had no choice but to be admitted to the hospital for the poor. After six weeks she was discharged; she had, however, lost her job and did not know where to take refuge, weak and without resources. A single silver coin was her entire fortune; yet her heart was full of trust in God. She took her coin and had a Holy Mass celebrated for the souls in Purgatory, so that they might obtain for her a good position. She attended the Mass devoutly. And that message reached its destination…
As she was leaving, she met a gentleman who approached her, greeted her, and said:
“I have learned that you are looking for a job; here is the address of a house where you will be received.” He then gave her the name of the street and the number of the house, and disappeared.
Mônica remained perplexed, not knowing what to think or how to explain it all. How could that gentleman know she was looking for employment, since she had told no one of her distress?
She went at once to the indicated street and house. She explained what she sought, and immediately the lady of the house hired her for domestic service.
The next day, while cleaning, she began to look at the portraits hanging on the wall. Suddenly, astonished, she exclaimed:
“Madam, who is that gentleman portrayed there? He is precisely the gentleman who, as I was leaving Mass, gave me your address.”
“What!” exclaimed the lady. “That is my son, whom I had the misfortune of losing a short time ago!”
The news of the Mass had reached Purgatory so quickly that, when Mônica left the church, the personal reply was already waiting for her at the door.
The departed soul had obtained from God permission to come and thank his benefactress and repay her charity
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