The Catholic tradition has long upheld that prayers, especially through the Holy Mass, can aid the souls in purgatory. But can these holy souls reciprocate and help us in return? The remarkable story of a humble woman named Monica, set in Paris in 1817, might just offer an answer.

Monica, a cleaning lady of modest means, was deeply devoted to her faith. Despite her financial struggles, she always managed to set aside a small amount of her earnings to have Masses offered for the souls in purgatory. Her devotion was steadfast, even when she had little money for herself.

One day, Monica fell ill and was admitted to a hospital for the poor, where she stayed for six weeks. Upon her discharge, she discovered that her job had been given to someone else, leaving her destitute. With only 20 francs to her name, she was faced with a difficult decision: should she spend her last bit of money on a Mass for the souls in purgatory or save it for her own survival?

Despite her desperate situation, her faith triumphed. Monica offered her last 20 francs for the Mass, placing her trust in Divine Providence. After the Mass, she prayed fervently, asking God not to abandon her in her hour of need. With no money left, Monica ventured out in search of work, filled with both faith and anxiety.

As she walked along, a tall, noble-looking young man approached her. He asked if she was seeking work, to which she replied, “Yes.” He gave her an address, instructing her to visit the lady of the house, assuring her she would find employment. Before Monica could thank him, the man vanished into the crowd.

Perplexed by how the stranger knew of her plight, Monica made her way to the address. Upon arriving, she encountered a maid who had just left her position. Monica proceeded to the house, where a noblewoman answered the door. Monica shared her story, hoping the lady might need a new maid. The woman, puzzled, wondered aloud who could have sent Monica to her home, as she had just dismissed her previous servant.

Then, something remarkable happened. Monica’s eyes fell upon a portrait in the room, and she exclaimed, “That is him, madam! That is the young man who spoke to me as I left the Mass and gave me this address.”

The noblewoman gasped and fainted. When she regained consciousness, she embraced Monica, overwhelmed with emotion. The portrait was of her son, who had died two years earlier. The noblewoman, realizing that her son had appeared to Monica to guide her to the house, said, “This is due to the Mass you had said for his liberation from purgatory.” She welcomed Monica into her home, not as a maid, but as a cherished companion, offering her a permanent place in the household.

This incredible story demonstrates how the souls in purgatory, through God’s grace, can show gratitude to those who pray for them. Monica’s act of charity and faith was rewarded in a way she could never have imagined, offering a profound example of how the spiritual works of mercy can bear fruit.