From the book "Purgatory Explained"
Part II, Chapter III
Consolation of the Souls -- St. Stanislaus of Cracow and the
Resuscitated Peter Miles

This contentment in the midst of the most intense suffering cannot be
explained otherwise than by the Divine consolations which the Holy
Ghost infuses into the souls in Purgatory. This Divine Spirit, by
means of faith, hope, and charity, puts them in the disposition of a
sick person who has to submit to very painful treatment, but the
effect of which is to restore him to perfect health. This sick person
suffers, but he loves his salutary suffering. The Holy Ghost, the
Comforter, gives a similar contentment to the holy souls. Of this we
have a striking example in Peter Miles raised from the dead by St.
Stanislaus of Cracow, who preferred to return to Purgatory rather
than to live again upon earth.

The celebrated miracle of this resurrection happened in 1070. It is
thus related in the Acta Sanctorum on May 7. St. Stanislaus was
Bishop of Cracow when the Duke Boleslas II governed Poland. He did
not neglect to remind this prince of his duties, who scandalously
violated them before all his people.

Boleslas was irritated by the holy liberty of the Prelate, and to
revenge himself he excited against him the heirs of a certain Peter
Miles, who had died three years previously after having sold a piece
of ground to the church of Cracow. The heirs accused the saint of
having usurped the ground, without having paid the owner. Stanislaus
declared that he had paid for the land, but as the witnesses who
should have defended him had been either bribed or intimidated, he
was denounced as a usurper of the property of another, and condemned
to make restitution. Then, seeing that he had nothing to expect from
human justice, he raised his heart to God, and received a sudden
inspiration. He asked for a delay of three days, promising to make
Peter Miles appear in person, that he might testify to the legal
purchase and payment of the lot.

They were granted to him in scorn. The saint fasted, watched, and
prayed God to take up the defense of his cause. The third day, after
having celebrated Holy Mass, he went out accompanied by his clergy
and many of the faithful, to the place where Peter had been interred.
By his orders the grave was opened; it contained nothing but bones. He
touched them with his crosier, and in the name of Him who is the
Resurrection and the Life, he commanded the dead man to arise.

Suddenly the bones became reunited, were covered with flesh, and, in
the sight of the stupefied people, the dead man was seen to take the
Bishop by the hand and walk towards the tribunal. Boleslas, with his
court and an immense crowd of people, were awaiting the result with
the most lively expectation. "Behold Peter," said the saint to
Boleslas; "he comes, prince, to give testimony before you.
Interrogate him; he will answer you."

It is impossible to depict the stupefaction of the Duke, of his
councilors, and of the whole concourse of people. Peter affirmed that
he had been paid for the ground; then turning towards his heirs, he
reproached them for having accused the pious prelate against all
rights of justice; then he exhorted them to do penance for so
grievous a sin.

It was thus that iniquity, which believed itself already sure of
success, was confounded. Now comes the circumstance which concerns
our subject, and to which we wished to refer. Wishing to complete
this great miracle for the glory of God, Stanislaus proposed to the
deceased that, if he desired to live a few years longer, he would
obtain for him this favor from God. Peter replied that he had no such
desire. He was in Purgatory, but he would rather return thither
immediately and endure its pains, than expose himself to damnation in
this terrestrial life. He then entreated the saint only to beg of God
to shorten the time of his sufferings, that he might the sooner enter
the abode of the blessed. After that, accompanied by the Bishop and a
vast multitude, Peter returned to his grave, laid himself down, his
body fell to pieces, and his bones resumed the same state in which
they had first been found. We have reason to believe that the saint
soon obtained the deliverance of his soul.

That which is the most remarkable in his example, and which should
most attract out attention, is that a soul from Purgatory, after
having experienced the most excruciating torments, prefers that state
of suffering to the life of this world; and the reason which he gives
for this preference is, that in this mortal life we are exposed to
the danger of being lost and incurring eternal damnation.