Purgatory is the gold mine of the Roman Catholic priests. But purgatory would be of little value were it not for the magical distinction between mortal and venial sin, because it is impossible to make money out of the Bible teaching there is no distinction between sins; that hell for all eternity is for unbelievers and heaven for believers in the saving power of Jesus Christ. 

Souls safely in heaven do not need the masses of priests on earth and souls in hell cannot be released by the ministrations of priests, nor by the burning of candles before shrines of the Virgin Mary and the saints. But, if there are sins (venial sin) that make a man not good enough for heaven, and yet not bad enough for hell, it is necessary to invent a place where those who die with venial sins unforgiven must go to be purged. Then the gold begins to shine, for it is easy to say, as priests do, that these souls in purgatory cannot help themselves, nor will God help them, but that they can be helped by a priest on earth. 

The fire of purgatory, which is supposed to burn for the souls of good-departed Roman Catholics, keeps the pots boiling in the priest's kitchen, as the Italian people say. 

In another tract we have revealed that priests in the U.S.A. make over twenty-two million dollars as personal income by celebrating masses for dead Roman Catholics. They make much more with the following inventions. 

The Brown Scapular

In order to stay less time in purgatory Roman Catholics are urged to purchase and wear the scapular of Mary of Mount Carmel. The brown scapular consists of two small pieces of woolen stuff, joined to each other by two strings so that one piece may hang over the breast and the other over the back of the wearer. The scapular is to be worn continually day and night. In the Sabbatine Bull issued by Pope John 22nd (1316-1334) to promulgate the Sabbatine Privilege granted to the wearers of the dark brown scapular, which his holiness (the pope) said had been made known to him in an apparition from our Lady, we read: "I, the Mother of God, shall descend into purgatory on the Saturday after death and whomsoever (the scapular wearers) I shall find in purgatory I shall free."

The scapular, people are told, "is a perpetual safeguard from all manner of perils, as well by sea as by land; a protection and a defense against fire, thunder and lightning; many tempests have been appeased by the scapular; many fires have been quenched; many sorts of infirmities have been cured: grievous contagions have been overcome; the devils have been put to flight and it is the most speedy and efficacious remedy against witchcraft, fascinations and enchantments that can be found."

After reading about the magic power of the scapular no one will wonder why every Roman Catholic wears it. The Scapular Apostolate Carmelite National Shrine of Our Lady of the Scapular, 33 E. 12th St., N.Y., N.Y., claims a world-wide membership of over 20,000,000 members. Each Roman Catholic buys a new scapular at least once a year. The offering is twenty cents, but usually one dollar is given. The Carmelite Fathers have the sole rights of blessing and selling the scapulars, but they grant a generous commission to the local priest who solicits his people to join the confraternity. The local priest sends in (or should) to the general headquarters of the Confraternity 20¢ for each scapular sold, and may keep for himself the offering given over 20¢. There are about 25 million Roman Catholics in the U.S.A. (the church of Rome claims over 30 million); few of them may not purchase the scapular, but a great majority will use more than one every year, some may give less than one dollar, some will give more. The yearly offerings for the brown scapular may reach twenty million dollars (there are several other kinds). 

Purgatory Society

There is also the invention of the Purgatory Society, which has been introduced only since 1856. I will quote from its manual: "Many worry about what provision for masses will be made for them after death. Will any masses be said for them? Why not you, yourself answer this question and settle this important matter during your life time by becoming a member of the Purgatorian Society? Living as well as deceased persons may become members at any time during the year. The year begins with the day of enrollment. Absent persons may be enrolled by mail. The annual contribution is fifty cents. During the year contributions may be sent as often as a person wishes to do so." 

This society has millions of members, because it includes living and dead persons and friends, as long as someone sends the name and keeps up the annual payment. I must confess that I have not been able to secure a financial report of this society; it must have a fabulous income, as most of the pious Roman Catholics enroll not only themselves, but their living and dead friends and relatives, by sending, not only 50 cents per name, but generally one dollar, or more. 

All Souls Day

On November 2nd the priests celebrate All Souls Day. Special black envelopes are distributed and sent by mail to all Roman Catholics who are urged to remember their dead on November 2 by enclosing an offering for each relative or friend deceased and a general offering for those who have no friends. 

There are various kinds of envelopes and forms; usually they have blank spaces for names of the deceased and a suggestion to give five dollars, or at least one dollar for each name. The pastor of the local church will pray for eight days in a special service (Ottavarium) and celebrate one mass for all those people (called a big mass) and keep the entire offering for himself. In some dioceses the offering, or part of it, goes to the church. It means an offering of several thousands of dollars. It seems fantastic, but it is a fact. 

The Archbishop of Winnipeg, Canada, Mons. A. Sinnot. was not satisfied with the above offering, but dared to ask for another one in a letter under date of March 1, 1944. He urged the Roman Catholic mothers to guarantee their sons in the army salvation from purgatory by the payment to him (in monthly installments) of $40.00 for prayers and masses. "What better guarantee," he wrote, "for any boy exposed to all hazards of war! A guarantee, should he be killed, that he will go at once to his Maker to be with Him for all eternity." 

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly; that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." I Timothy 4:1-3.

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to his works." II Cor. 11:13-15.

"Mystery, Babylon the great, the Mother of Harlots and abominations of the earth." Rev. 17:5.

"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Rev. 18:4.

"And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." Rev. 18:24.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, whether they be of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." I John 4:1.

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." I Peter 1:18-19.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." I Timothy 2:5.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matt. 7:21. 

"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:40.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9,10.