,this ,e-text was prepared by ,juliet ,sutherland1 ,joshua ,hutchinson1 ,charles ,franks1 and the ,online ,distributed ,proofreading ,team4 ,,purgatory3 ,doctrinal1 ,historical and ,poetical1 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,j4 ,,sadlier ,,lo6 ,,purgatory6 ,,doctrine ,,blest1 ,,engarlanded ,,with ,,legends ,,wild1 ,,historic ,,lore ,,and ,,poetry',s ,,fair ,,flowers6 ,bring my soul out of prison1 that ,i may praise thy name3 the just wait for me1 until thou reward me4 ,ps4 ,,cxli #h4 ,,dedication ,,to ,,the ,,gracious ,,memory ,,of ,,my ,,dearly-,,beloved ,,son1 ,,rev4 ,,francis ,x4 ,,sadlier1 ,s4,j4 ,,whose ,,tender ,,devotion ,,to ,,the ,souls in ,purgatory ,,led ,,him ,,to ,,take ,a ,,deep ,,and ,,active ,,interest ,,in ,,the ,,progress ,,of ,,this ,,work1 ,,but ,,who ,,was ,,not ,,permitted ,,to ,,see ,,its ,,completion1 ,,being ,,called ,,hence1 ,,scarcely ,,three ,,months ,,after ,,his ,,ordination1 ,,in ,,the ,,middle ,,of ,,the ,,month ,,consecrated ,,to ,,those ,holy ,souls1 ,november #adth1 #ahhe4 ,r4 ,i4 ,p4 ,,introduction ,i have written many books and translated many more on a great variety of subjects1 nearly all of which1 ,i thank ,god now with all my heart1 were more or less religious1 at least in their tendency2 but the circle of these my life-long labors seems to me incomplete4 ,one link is wanting to the chain1 and that is a work specially devoted to the souls in ,purgatory4 ,this omission ,i am anxious to supply while the working days of my life are still with me1 for1 a few more years1 at most1 and for me the night cometh when no man can work4 ,as we advance into the vale of years and journey on the downward slope1 we are happily drawn more and more towards the eternal truths of the great untried world beyond the grave4 ,foremost amongst these stands out more and still more clearly1 in all its awful reality1 the dread but consoling doctrine of ,purgatory4 ,when we have seen many of our best beloved relatives1 many of our dearest and most devoted friends--those who started with us in the freshness of morning on the road of life1 which then lay so deceitfully fair and bright before them and us--they who shared our early hopes and aspirations1 and whose words and smiles were the best encouragement of our feeble efforts--when we have seen them sink1 one by one1 into the darkness of the grave1 leaving the earth more bleak and dreary year by year for those who remain--then do we naturally follow them in spirit to those gloomy regions where one or all may be undergoing that blessed purification which prepares them for the eternal repose of ,heaven4 ,of all the divine truths which the ,catholic ,church proposes to her children1 assuredly none is more acceptable to the pilgrim race of ,adam than that of ,purgatory4 ,it is1 beyond conception1 dear and precious as one of the links that connect the living with the vanished dead1 and which keeps them fresh in the memory of those who loved them on earth1 and whose dearest joy it is to be able to help them in that shadowy border-land through which1 in pain and sorrow1 they must journey before entering the ,land of ,promise1 which is the ,city of ,god1 seated on the everlasting hills4 ,when ,i decided on adding yet another to the many books on ,purgatory already existing even in our own language1 ,i1 at the same time1 resolved to make it as different as possible from all the others1 and thus fill up a void of which ,i have long been sensible in our ,english ,purgatorial literature4 ,doctrinal works1 books of devotion1 e have in abundance1 but it is1 unhappily1 only the pious1 the religiously- inclined who will read them4 ,knowing this1 and still desirous to promote devotion to the ,holy ,souls by making ,purgatory more real1 more familiar to the general reader1 ,i thought the very best means ,i could take for that end would be to make a book chiefly of legends and of poetry1 with enough of doctrinal and devotional matter to give a substantial character to the work by placing it on the solid foundations of ,catholic dogma1 patristic authority1 and that1 at the same time1 of the latest divines and theologians of the ,church1 by selections from their published writings4 ,i have divided the work into five parts1 viz43 ,doctrinal and ,devotional1 comprising extracts from ,suarez1 ,st4 ,catherine of ,genoa1 ,st4 ,augustine1 ,st4 ,gertrude1 ,st4 ,francis de ,sales1 of the earlier and middle ages2 and from ,archbishop ,gibbons1 ,very ,rev4 ,fa di ,bruno1 ,father ,faber1 ,father ,muller1 ,c4,s4,s4,r41 ,father ,binet1 ,s4,j41 ,rev4 ,j4 ,j4 ,moriarty1 and others4 ,the ,second ,part consists of ,anecdotes and ,incidents relating to ,purgatory1 and more or less authentic4 ,the ,third ,part contains historical matter bearing on the same subject1 including ,father ,lambing's valuable article on ,the ,belief in a ,middle ,state of ,souls after ,death amongst ,pagan ,nations4 ,the ,fourth ,part is made up of ,thoughts on ,purgatory1 from ,various ,authors1 ,catholic and non- ,catholic1 including ,cardinals ,newman1 ,wiseman1 and ,manning2 the ,anglican ,bishops ,jeremy ,taylor and ,reginald ,heber1 ,dr4 ,samuel ,johnson1 ,william ,hurrell ,mallock1 ,count de ,maistre1 ,chateaubriand4 ,the ,fifth and last part consists of a numerous collection of legends and poems connected with ,purgatory4 ,many of these are translated from the ,french1 especially the ,lgendes de l',autre ,monde1 by the well-known legendist1 ,j4 ,colin de ,plancy4 ,in selecting the legends and anecdotes1 ,i have endeavored to give only those that were new to most ,english readers1 thus leaving out many legends that would well bear reproducing1 but were already too well known to excite any fresh interest4 ,in the poetical section ,i have represented as many as possible of the best-known poets1 from ,dante down1 and some poems of rare beauty and merit were translated from ,french and ,canadian poets by my daughter1 who has also contributed some interesting articles for the historical portion of the work4 ,as may be supposed1 this book is the fruit of much research4 ,the collection of the material has necessarily been a work of time1 the field from which the gleanings were made being so vast1 and the selections requiring so much care4 ,as regards the legendary portion of the work1 whether prose or poetry1 the reader will1 of course1 understand that ,i give the legends precisely for what they are worth2 by no means as representing the doctrinal belief of ,purgatory1 but merely as some of the wild flowers of poetry and romance that have grown1 in the long lapse of time1 from the rich soil of faith and piety1 amongst the ,catholic peoples of every land--intensified1 in this instance1 by the natural affection of the living for their dear departed ones1 and the solemn and shadowy mystery in which the dead are shrouded when once they have passed the portals of eternity and are lost to mortal sight4 ,some of these legends1 though exceedingly beautiful1 will hardly bear close examination in the light of ,catholic dogma4 ,of this class is ,the ,faithful ,soul1 of ,adelaide ,procter1 which is merely given here as an old ,french legend1 nearly connected with ,purgatory1 and having really nothing in it contrary to faith1 though in a high degree improbable1 but yet from its intrinsic beauty and dramatic character1 no less than the subtle charm of ,miss ,procter's verse1 eminently worthy of a place in this collection4 ,the same remark applies more or less to some of ,colin de ,plancy's legends1 notably that of ,robert the ,devil's ,penance1 and others of a similar kind1 as also ,t4 ,d4 ,mc,gee's ,penance of ,don ,diego ,rias and ,calderon's ,st4 ,patrick's ,purgatory--the two last named bearing on the same subject4 ,nevertheless1 they all come within the scope of my present work and are1 therefore1 presented to the reader as weird fragments of the legendary lore of ,purgatory4 ,taken altogether1 ,i think this work will help to increase devotion to the ,suffering ,souls1 and excite a more tender and more sensible feeling of sympathy for them1 at least amongst ,catholics1 showing1 as it does1 the awful reality of those purgative pains awaiting all1 with few or no exceptions1 in the after life2 the help they may and do receive from the good offices of the living1 and the sacred and solemn' duty it is for ,christians in the present life to remember them and endeavor to relieve their sufferings by every means in their power4 ,to answer this purpose ,i have made the dead ages unite their solemn and authoritative voice with that of the living1 actual present in testimony of the truth of this great ,catholic dogma4 ,the ,saints1 the ,fathers1 the ,doctors of the ,church in the ages of antiquity1 and the prelates and priests of our own day all speak the same language of undoubting faith1 of solemn conviction regarding ,purgatory1--make the same earnest and eloquent appeal to the faithful on behalf of the dear suffering souls4 ,even the heathen nations and tribes of both hemispheres are brought forward as witnesses to the existence of a middle state in the after life4 ,nor is ,protestantism itself wanting in this great and overwhelming mass of evidence1 as the reader will perceive that some of its most eminent divines and secular writers have joined1 with no hesitating or faltering voice1 in the grand ,credo of the nations and the ages in regard to ,purgatory4 ,what remains for me to add except the earnest hope that this book may have the effect it is intended to produce by bringing the faithful children of the ,church to think more and oftener of their departed brethren who1 having passed from the ,militant to the ,suffering ,church1 are forever crying out to the living from their darksome prison--,have pity on us1 have pity on us1 at least you who were our friends1 have pity on us1 for the hand of the ,lord is heavy upon us6 ,,table ,,of ,,contents ,,introduction ,,part ,i4 ,,doctrinal ,,and ,,devotional4 ,doctrine of ,suarez on ,purgatory ,st4 ,catherine of ,genoa on ,purgatory ,extracts from the ,fathers on ,purgatory ,verses from the ,imitation ,thomas ,kempis4 ,st4 ,augustine and his ,mother1 ,st4 ,monica ,st4 ,gertrude and the ,holy ,souls ,st4 ,joseph's ,intercession for the ,faithful ,departed ,st4 ,francis de ,sales on ,purgatory ,cardinal ,gibbons on ,purgatory ,archbishop ,hughes on ,purgatory ,archbishop ,lynch on ,purgatory ,purgatory ,surveyed ,father ,binet1 ,s4 ,j4 ,father ,faber on ,devotion to the ,holy ,souls ,why the ,souls in ,purgatory are called ,poor ,mullcr4 ,appeal to all ,classes for the ,souls in ,purgatory ,by a ,paulist ,father4 ,the ,souls in ,purgatory ,rev4 ,f4 ,x4 ,weninger1 ,s4 ,j4 ,popular ,view of ,purgatory ,rev4 ,j4 ,j4 ,moriarty4 ,extracts from ,catholic ,belief ,very ,rev4 ,fa ,di ,bruno1 ,d4,d4 ,purgatory and the ,feast of ,all ,souls ,alban ,butkr4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,,anecdotes ,,and ,,incidents4 ,the ,fruit of a ,mass ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,faith of a ,pious ,lady ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,pay what ,thou ,owest ,ave ,maria4 ,,via ,,crucis ,footsteps of ,spirits4 ,strange ,incidents ,footsteps of ,spirits4 ,true ,story of the ,de ,profundis ,ave ,maria4 ,confidence ,rewarded ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory ,anecdote of the ,de ,profundis ,strange ,occurrence in a ,persian ,prison ,life of ,st4 ,john the ,almoner4 ,a ,swiss ,protestant ,converted by the ,doctrine of ,purgatory ,catechism in ,examples4 ,the ,dead ,hand ,ave ,maria4 ,a ,beautiful ,example ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,how to ,pay ,one's ,debts ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,faith ,rewarded ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,apparition of a ,citizen of ,arles ,histoire des ,spectres4 ,countess of ,strafford ,vie de ,monsgr4 de la ,mothe4 ,marquis de ,civrac ,une ,commune ,vendenne4 #ahc ,gratitude of the ,holy ,souls ,ave ,maria4 ,strange ,incident ,ave ,maria4 ,,part ,,iii4 ,,historical4 ,doctrine of ,purgatory amongst the ,pagan ,nations of ,antiquity ,rev4 ,a4 ,a4 ,lambing4 ,devotion to the ,dead amongst ,american ,indians ,superstitious ,belief amongst ,american ,indians ,remembrance1 of the ,dead amongst the ,egyptians ,remembrance of the ,dead throughout ,europe ,a4 ,t4 ,sadlier4 ,part ,i4 ,remembrance of the ,dead throughout ,europe ,a4 ,t4 ,sadlier4 ,part ,,ii4 ,prayer for the ,dead in the ,anglo-,saxon ,church ,dr4 ,lingard ,singular ,french ,custom ,voix de la ,verit ,devotion to the ,holy ,souls amongst the ,early ,english ,a4 ,t4 ,sadlier ,doctrine of ,purgatory in the ,early ,irish ,church ,walsh ,prince ,napoleon's ,prayer ,helpers of the ,holy ,souls ,lady ,g4 ,fullerton ,the ,mass in ,relation to the ,dead ,o',brien ,daniel ,o',connell1 ,funeral ,oration on ,rev4 ,t4 ,n4 ,burke1 ,o4,p4 ,indulgence of the ,portiuncula ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,catherine of ,cardona ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,the ,emperor ,nicholas ,praying for his ,mother ,anecdotes ,chrtiennes4 ,pius ,,vi41 ,funeral ,oration on ,rev4 ,arthur ,o',leary1 ,o4,s4,f4 ,rev4 ,arthur ,o',leary1 ,o4,s4,f41 ,funeral ,oration on ,rev4 ,m4 ,d',arcy ,de ,mortuis4 ,our ,deceased ,prelates4 ,archbishop ,corrigan ,,part ,,iv4 ,,thoughts ,,of ,,various ,,authors ,,on ,,purgatory4 ,purgatory ,cardinal ,newman ,our ,debt to the ,dead ,cardinal ,manning ,purgatory ,cardinal ,wiseman ,reply to some ,misstatements about ,purgatory ,archbishop ,spalding ,count de ,maistre on ,purgatory ,what the ,saints thought of ,purgatory ,chteaubriand on ,purgatory ,mary and the ,faithful ,departed ,brother ,azarias4 ,dr4 ,johnson on ,prayer for the ,dead ,the ,doctrine of ,purgatory ,burnett4 ,mallock on ,purgatory ,boileau-,despraux and ,prayer for the ,dead ,all ,saints and ,all ,souls ,mrs4 ,sadlier4 ,leibnitz on the ,mass as a ,propitiatory ,sacrifice ,extracts from ,a ,troubled ,heart ,eugnie de ,guerin and her ,brother ,maurice ,passages from the ,via ,media ,newman4 ,all ,souls ,from the ,french4 ,an ,anglican ,bishop ,praying for the ,dead ,purgatory of ,dante ,mariotti4 ,month of ,november ,mary ,e4 ,blake4 ,litany of the ,departed ,acolytus4 ,all ,souls' ,day ,mrs4 ,sadlier4 ,cemeteries ,opinions of ,various ,protestants ,some ,thoughts for ,november ,,part ,v4 ,,legendary ,,and ,,poetical4 ,dies ,ir ,authorship of the ,dies ,ir ,dante's ,purgatorio ,hamlet and the ,ghost ,shakespeare4 ,calderon's ,purgatory of ,st4 ,patrick ,the ,brig o' ,dread ,scott4 ,shelley and the ,purgatory of ,st4 ,patrick ,on a ,great ,funeral ,aubrey de ,vere4 ,morte d',arthur ,tennyson4 ,guido and his ,brother ,collin de ,plancy4 ,berthold in ,purgatory ,collin de ,plancy4 ,legend of ,st4 ,nicholas ,collin de ,planey4 ,dream of ,gerontius ,newman4 ,st4 ,gregory ,releases the ,soul of ,trajan ,mrs4 ,jameson4 ,st4 ,gregory and the ,monk ,legend of ,geoffroid d'lden ,the ,queen of ,purgatory ,faber4 ,the ,dead ,priest before the ,altar ,rev4 ,a4 ,j4 ,ryan4 ,memorials of the ,dead ,r4 ,r4 ,madden4 ,a ,child's ,requiescat in ,pace ,eliza ,allen ,starr4 ,the ,solitary ,soul ,ave ,maria4 ,story of the ,faithful ,soul ,adelaide ,procter4 ,genrade1 the ,friend of ,st4 ,augustine ,de ,plancy ,st4 ,thomas ,aquinas and ,friar ,romanus ,de ,plancy4 ,the ,key that ,never ,turns ,eleanor ,c4 ,donnelly4 ,a ,burial ,thomas ,davis4 ,hymn for the ,dead ,newman4 ,the ,two ,students ,de ,plancy4 ,the ,penance of ,don ,diego ,riaz ,mc,gee4 ,the ,day of ,all ,souls ,eliza ,allen ,starr4 ,message of the ,november ,wind ,eleanor ,c4 ,donnelly4 ,legend of the ,time of ,charlemagne ,the ,dead ,mass ,the ,eve of ,st4 ,john ,sir ,walter ,scott4 ,request of a ,soul in ,purgatory ,all ,souls' ,marion ,muir4 ,the ,dead ,octave ,cremasie ,a ,,requiem ,sir ,walter ,scott4 ,penance of ,robert the ,devil ,de ,plancy4 ,all ,souls' ,eve ,commemoration of ,all ,souls ,harriet ,m4 ,skidmore4 ,the ,memory of the ,dead ,faber4 ,the ,holy ,souls4 ,author of ,christian ,schools and ,scholars4 ,the ,palmer's ,rosary ,eliza ,allen ,starr4 ,a ,lyke ,wake ,dirge4 ,all ,souls' ,day ,lyra ,liturgica4 ,the ,suffering ,souls4 ,e4 ,m4 ,v4 ,bulger4 ,the ,voices of the ,dead4 ,m4 ,r4 in ,the ,lamp4 ,the ,convent ,cemetery4 ,rev4 ,a4 ,j4 ,ryan4 ,one ,hour after ,death4 ,eliza ,allen ,starr4 ,a ,prayer for the ,dead4 ,t4 ,d4 ,mc,gee4 ,the ,de ,profundis ,bell4 ,harriet ,m4 ,skidmore4 ,november4 ,anna ,t4 ,sadlier4 ,for the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,all ,souls' ,eve4 ,our ,neighbor4 ,eliza ,allen ,starr4 ,old ,bells4 ,o ,holy ,church4 ,harriet ,m4 ,skidmore4 ,an ,incident of the ,battle of ,bannockburn4 ,sir ,walter ,scott4 ,pray for the ,martyred ,dead4 ,in ,winter4 ,eliza ,allen ,starr4 ,oremus4 ,mary ,e4 ,mannix4 ,funeral ,hymn4 ,a4 ,t4 ,sadlier4 ,chant ,funbre4 ,nisard4 ,requiescat in ,pace4 ,harriet ,m4 ,skidmore4 ,the ,feast of ,all ,souls in the ,country4 ,anna ,t4 ,sadlier4 ,requiem ternum ,t4 ,d4 ,mc,gee4 ,,appendix4 ,association of ,masses and ,stations of the ,cross4 ,extracts from ,the ,catholic ,review of ,new ,york4 ,a ,duty of ,november4 ,the ,texas ,monitor4 ,purgatorial ,association4 ,catholic ,columbian4 ,the ,holy ,face and the ,suffering ,souls4 ,when will they ,learn its ,secret8 ,baptist ,examiner4 ,,part ,i4 ,,doctrinal ,,and ,,devotional4 ,but now1 brethren1 if ,i come to you1 speaking with tongues3 what shall ,i profit you1 unless ,i speak to you either in revelation1 or in knowledge1 or in prophecy1 or in doctrine8 --,,st4 ,,paul1 ,i4 ,,cor4 ,,purgatory3 ,,doctrinal ,,and ,,devotional4 ,,doctrine ,,of ,,suarez ,,on ,,purgatory4 ,,the ,,place4 ,it is a certain truth of faith that after this life there is a place of ,purgatory4 ,though the name of ,purgatory may not be found in ,holy ,scripture1 that does not matter1 if we can show that the thing meant by the name can be found there2 for often the ,church1 either because of new heresies1 or that the doctrine of the faith may be set forth more clearly and shortly1 gives new and simple names1 in which the mysteries of the faith are summed up4 ,this is evident in the cases of the ,holy ,trinity1 the ,incarnation1 and the ,holy ,eucharist4 ,the doctrine of ,purgatory is proved by3--the ,old ,testament1 the ,new ,testament1 the ,councils of the ,church1 especially those of ,florence and of ,trent1 the ,fathers and ,tradition1 and by theological reasons4 ,,where ,,purgatory ,,is4 ,nothing is said in ,holy ,scripture about this place1 nor is there any definition of the ,church concerning it4 ,the subject1 therefore1 comes within the range of theological discussion4 ,theologians1 however1 suppose ,purgatory to be a certain corporeal place1 in which souls are kept till they pay fully the debt which they owe4 ,it is true that they do not in themselves need a corporeal place1 since they are spirits2 but yet1 as they are in this world1 they must1 of necessity1 be in some corporeal place--at any rate1 with regard to substantial presence4 ,thus we see that ,god1 in ,his providence1 has made definite places for the ,angels1 according to the difference of their states4 ,gehenna is prepared for the devil and his angels1 whereas the empyreal ,heaven is made for the good angels4 ,in this way1 it is certain that the souls1 paying their debt1 are kept in a corporeal place4 ,this place is not heaven1 for nothing that is defiled enters there2 nor is it hell1 for in hell there is no redemption1 and from that place no souls can be saved4 ,,pain ,,of ,,loss ,,and ,,sense4 ,the pain of loss is the want of the vision of ,god and of the whole of our everlasting beatitude4 ,the pain of sense is the suffering of punishment specially inflicted over and above the loss of the beatitude of ,heaven4 ,we must assert that the souls in ,purgatory suffer the pain of loss1 tempered by hope1 and not like the souls in hell1 which have no hope4 ,in the pain of sense we can distinguish two things4 ,there is the sorrow which follows closely the want or delay of the vision of ,god1 and has that for its object4 ,there is also another pain1 as it were outward1 and this is proportioned to the sensible pain which is caused in us by fire1 or any like action1 contrary to nature and hurtful to it4 ,that in ,purgatory this sorrow does follow the loss of ,god is most certain2 for that loss1 or delay1 is truly a great evil1 and is most keenly felt to be such by those souls that with all their strength love ,god and long to see ,him4 ,therefore1 it is impossible for them not to feel the greatest sorrow about that delay4 99 99 99 99 99 ,we must assert that1 besides the pain of loss and the sorrow annexed to it1 there is in ,purgatory a proper and peculiar pain of sense4 ,this is the more common judgment of the scholastics2 and seems to be received by the common judgment and approbation of the ,church4 ,indeed1 the equity of the avenging justice of ,god requires this4 ,the sinner1 through inordinate delight in creatures and affection for them1 deserves a punishment contrary to that delight2 and if in this life he has not made full satisfaction1 he must be punished and freed by some such pain as this1 which we call the pain of sense4 ,theologians in common teach this1 and distinguish a proper pain of sense from the sorrow caused by the want of the vision of ,god4 ,thus they distinguish spiritual pains1 such as sorrow for the delay of the vision1 and remorse of conscience1 from corporeal pains1 which come from the fire1 or any other instrument of ,god4 ,these corporeal pains we comprehend under the pain of sense4 99 99 99 99 99 ,whether1 besides the fire1 other corporeal things1 such as water and snow1 are used as instruments for punishing the souls is uncertain4 ,bede says that souls in ,purgatory were seen to pass from very great heat to very great cold1 and then from cold to heat4 ,st4 ,anselm mentions these punishments disjunctively4 ,he says1 or any other kind of punishments4 ,we cannot1 therefore1 speak of this with certainty4 ,,the ,,pain ,,of ,,loss4 ,in this matter we may look at the pain of loss as well as the pain of sense4 ,it is certain that the pain of loss is very sharp1 because of the greatness of the good for which they wait4 ,true1 it is only for a time2 yet it is rightly reckoned1 as ,st4 ,thomas taught1 a greater evil than any loss in this life4 ,he and other theologians with him mean that the sorrow also which springs from the apprehension of this evil is greater than any pain or sorrow here4 ,hence1 they conclude that the pain of loss in every way exceeds all pains of this life2 for they think1 as ,i have already noted1 that this sorrow pertains to the pain of loss1 and therefore they join this pain with privation1 that the punishment may be greater in every way4444 ,the vision of ,god and the beatitude of heaven are such that the possession of them1 even for a day1 could exceed all goods of this life taken together and possessed for a long time4444 ,therefore1 even a short delay of such a good is a very heavy sorrow1 far exceeding all the pains of this life4 ,the ,holy ,souls well understand and weigh the greatness of this evil2 and very piercing is the pain they feel1 because they know that they are suffering through their own negligence and by their own fault4444 ,there are1 however1 certain things which would seem to have power to lessen their pain3 #a4 ,they are certain of future glory4 ,this hope must bring them much joy2 as ,st4 ,paul says1 rejoicing in hope4 7,roms4 xii4 #ab47 #b4 ,there is the rightness of their will1 by which they are conformed to the justice of ,god4 ,hence1 it follows that1 in a certain sense1 their pain is voluntary1 and thus not so severe4 #c4 ,by the love of ,god they not only bear their punishment1 but rejoice in it1 because they see that it is the means of satisfying ,god and being brought to ,heaven4 #d4 ,if they choose1 they can turn their thoughts from the pain of delay1 and give them very attentively to the good of hope4 ,this would bring them consolation4 ,,the ,,pain ,,of ,,sense4 ,it is the common judgment of theologians1 with ,st4 ,augustine1 ,st4 ,thomas1 and ,st4 ,bonaventure1 that this pain is bitterer than all pain of this life4444 ,theologians1 in common with ,st4 ,thomas and ,st4 ,bonaventure1 teach that the pain of ,purgatory is not in any way inflicted by devils4 ,these souls are just and holy4 ,they cannot sin any more2 and1 to the last1 they have overcome the assaults of the devils4 ,it would not1 therefore1 be fitting that such souls should be given into their power to be tormented by them4 ,again1 when the devils tempt wayfarers1 they do it because they hope to lead them into sin1 however perfect they may be2 but they could have no such hope about the souls in ,purgatory1 and so would not be likely to tempt them4 ,besides1 they know that their temptations or harassings would have an effect not intended by them1 and would bring the souls from ,purgatory to ,heaven more quickly4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is the common law that souls in ,purgatory1 during the whole time that they are there1 cannot come out from the prison1 even if they wish2 ,the constant closing of the prison-doors is a part of the severity of their punishment4 ,so teach ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom1 ,st4 ,athanasius1 and ,st4 ,augustine4444 ,the reason for this is the law of the justice of ,god4 ,the souls of the lost are kept in prison by force and against their will4 ,the souls in ,purgatory stay there willingly1 for they understand the just will of ,god and submit to it4 ,this law1 however1 can be sometimes dispensed with2 and so ,st4 ,augustine holds it to be probable that there are often true apparitions of the ,holy ,souls by the permission of ,god4444 ,it is true that1 as a rule1 these are apparitions of souls1 who1 by a special decree of ,god1 are suffering their ,purgatory somewhere in this world4444 ,one thing1 however1 we must note in these cases4 ,when such a permission is given1 the pain of the soul is not interrupted4 ,this is not only seen from the visions themselves1 but is what reason requires4 99 99 99 99 99 ,here occurs the question whether the ,holy ,souls pray for us and can gain anything for us by merit of congruity1 or1 at least1 impetrate it for us1 as others prefer to say4 ,some have said that they do not thus pray for us1 because it is not fitting to their state1 in that they are debtors and1 as it were1 kept in prison for their debts2 and also because they do not see ,god1 and so do not know what is done here4 ,they might know such things by special revelations1 but revelations of this kind are not due to their state4 ,but surely their penal state does not necessarily hinder the ,holy ,souls from praying for1 and impetrating for us4 ,they are holy and dear to ,god2 and they love us with charity1 remembering us1 and knowing1 at least in a general way1 the dangers in which we live2 they understand also how greatly we need the help of ,god3 why1 then1 should they not be able to pray for us1 even though in another way they are paying to ,god their debt of punishment8 ,for we also in this life are debtors to ,god1 and yet we pray for others4444 ,besides1 we may well believe that the ,holy ,angels make revelations to the souls in ,purgatory about their relatives or friends still living on this earth4 ,they will do this for the consolation of the ,holy ,souls1 or that they may know what to ask for us in particular cases1 or that they may know of our prayers for them4 ,,st4 ,,catharine ,,of ,,genoa ,,on ,,purgatory4 ,this ,holy ,soul1 while still in the flesh1 was placed in the purgatory of the burning love of ,god1 in whose flames she was purified from every stain1 so that when she passed from this life she might be ready to enter the presence of ,god1 her most sweet love4 ,by means of that flame of love she comprehended in her own soul the condition of the souls of the faithful in ,purgatory1 where they are purified from the rust and stain of sins1 from which they have not been cleansed in this world4 ,and as in the purgatory of that divine flame she was united with the divine love and satisfied with all that was accomplished in her1 she was enabled to comprehend the state of the souls in ,purgatory1 and thus discoursed concerning it3 ,as far as ,i can see1 the souls in ,purgatory can have no choice but be there2 this ,god has most justly ordained by ,his divine decree4 ,they cannot turn towards themselves and say1 ',i have committed such and such sins for which ,i deserve to remain here2' nor can they say1 ',would that ,i had refrained from them1 for then ,i should at this moment be in ,paradise2' nor again1 ',this soul will be released before me2' or1 ',i shall be released before her4' ,they retain no memory of either good or evil respecting themselves or others which would increase their pain4 ,they are so contented with the divine inspirations in their regard1 and with doing all that is pleasing to ,god in that way which he chooses1 that they cannot think of themselves1 though they may strive to do so4 ,they see nothing but the operation of the divine goodness which is so manifestly bringing them to ,god that they can reflect neither on their own profit nor on their hurt4 ,could they do so1 they would not be in pure charity4 ,they see not that they suffer their pains in consequence of their sins1 nor can they for a moment entertain that thought1 for should they do so it would be an active imperfection1 and that cannot exist in a state where there is no longer the possibility of sin4 ,at the moment of leaving this life1 they see why they are sent to ,purgatory1 but never again2 otherwise they would still retain something private1 which has no place there4 ,being established in charity1 they can never deviate therefrom by any defect1 and have no will or desire save the pure will of pure love1 and can swerve from it in nothing4 ,they can neither commit sin nor merit by refraining from it4 99 99 99 99 99 ,there is no peace to be compared with that of the souls in ,purgatory1 save that of the saints in ,paradise1 and this peace is ever augmented by the inflowing of ,god into these souls1 which increases in proportion as the impediments to it are removed4 ,the rust of sin is the impediment1 and this the fire continually consumes1 so that the soul in this state is continually opening itself to admit the divine communication4 ,as a covered surface can never reflect the sun1 not through any defect in that orb1 but simply from the resistance offered by the covering1 so1 if the covering be gradually removed1 the surface will by little and little be opened to the sun and will more and more reflect his light4 ,so it is with the rust of sin1 which is the covering of the soul4 ,in ,purgatory the flames incessantly consume it1 and as it disappears the soul reflects more and more perfectly the true sun1 who is ,god4 ,its contentment increases as this rust wears away1 and the soul is laid bare to the divine ray2 and thus one increases and the other decreases until the time is accomplished4 ,the pain never diminishes1 although the time does2 but1 as to the will1 so united is it to ,god by pure charity1 and so satisfied to be under ,his divine appointment1 that these souls can never say their pains are pains4 ,on the other hand1 it is true that they suffer torments which no tongue can describe nor any intelligence comprehend1 unless it be revealed by such a special grace as that which ,god has vouchsafed to me1 but which ,i am unable to explain4 ,and this vision which ,god revealed to me has never departed from my memory4 ,i will describe it as far as ,i am able1 and they whose intellects our ,lord will deign to open will understand me4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the source of all suffering is either original or actual sin4 ,god created the soul pure1 simple1 free from every stain1 and with a certain beatific instinct towards ,himself4 ,it is drawn aside from ,him by original sin1 and when actual sin is afterwards added this withdraws it still farther1 and ever1 as it removes from ,him1 its sinfulness increases because its communication with ,god grows less and less4 99 99 99 99 99 ,since the souls in ,purgatory are freed from the guilt of sin1 there is no barrier between them and ,god save only the pains they suffer1 which delay the satisfaction of their desire4 ,and when they see how serious is even the slightest hindrance1 which the necessity of justice causes to check them1 a vehement flame kindles within them1 which is like that of hell4 ,they feel no guilt1 however1 and it is guilt which is the cause of the malignant will of the condemned in hell1 to whom ,god does not communicate ,his goodness2 and thus they remain in despair and with a will forever opposed to the good-will of ,god4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the souls in ,purgatory are entirely conformed to the will of ,god2 therefore1 they correspond with ,his goodness1 are contented with all that ,he ordains1 and are entirely purified from the guilt of their sins4 ,they are pure from sins because they have in this life abhorred them and confessed them with true contrition2 and for this reason ,god remits their guilt1 so that only the stains of sin remain1 and these must be devoured by the fire4 ,thus freed from guilt and united to the will of ,god1 they see ,him clearly according to that degree of light which ,he allows them1 and comprehend how great a good is the fruition of ,god1 for which all souls were created4 ,moreover1 these souls are in such close conformity to ,god and are drawn so powerfully toward ,him by reason of the natural attraction between ,him and the soul1 that no illustration or comparison could make this impetuosity understood in the way in which my spirit conceives it by its interior sense4 ,nevertheless1 ,i will use one which occurs to me4 ,let us suppose that in the whole world there were but one loaf to appease the hunger of every creature1 and that the bare sight of it would satisfy them4 ,now man1 when in health1 has by nature the instinct for food1 but if we can suppose him to abstain from it and neither die1 nor yet lose health and strength1 his hunger would clearly become increasingly urgent4 ,in this case1 if he knew that nothing but this loaf would satisfy him1 and that until he reached it his hunger could not be appeased1 he would suffer intolerable pain1 which would increase as his distance from the loaf diminished2 but if he were sure that he would never see it1 his hell would be as complete as that of the damned souls1 who1 hungering after ,god1 have no hope of ever seeing the bread of life4 ,but the souls in ,purgatory have an assured hope of seeing ,him and of being entirely satisfied2 and therefore they endure all hunger and suffer all pain until that moment when they enter into eternal possession of this bread1 which is ,jesus ,christ1 our ,lord1 our ,saviour1 and our ,love4 99 99 99 99 99 ,i will say1 furthermore3 ,i see that as far as ,god is concerned1 ,paradise has no gates1 but he who will may enter4 ,for ,god is all mercy1 and ,his open arms are ever extended to receive us into ,his glory4 ,but ,i see that the divine essence is so pure--purer than the imagination can conceive--that the soul1 finding in itself the slightest imperfection1 would rather cast itself into a thousand hells than appear1 so stained1 in the presence of the divine majesty4 ,knowing1 then1 that ,purgatory was intended for her cleansing1 she throws herself therein1 and finds there that great mercy1 the removal of her stains4 ,the great importance of ,purgatory1 neither mind can conceive nor tongue describe4 ,i see only that its pains are as great as those of hell2 and yet ,i see that a soul1 stained with the slightest fault1 receiving this mercy1 counts the pains as nought in comparison with this hindrance to her love4 ,and ,i know that the greatest misery of the souls in ,purgatory is to behold in themselves aught that displeases ,god1 and to discover that1 in spite of ,his goodness1 they had consented to it4 ,and this is because1 being in the state of grace1 they see the reality and the importance of the impediments which hinder their approach to ,god4 99 99 99 99 99 ,from that furnace of divine love ,i see rays of fire dart like burning lamps towards the soul2 and so violent and powerful are they that both soul and body would be utterly destroyed1 if that were possible4 ,these rays perform a double office2 they purify and they annihilate4 ,consider gold3 the oftener it is melted the more pure does it become2 continue to melt it and every imperfection is destroyed4 ,this is the effect of fire on all materials4 ,the soul1 however1 cannot be annihilated in ,god1 but in herself she can1 and the longer her purification lasts the more perfectly does she die to herself1 until at length she remains purified in ,god4 ,when gold has been completely freed from dross1 no fire1 however great1 has any further action on it1 for nothing but its imperfections can be consumed4 ,so it is with the divine fire in the soul4 ,god retains her in these flames until every stain is burned away1 and she is brought to the highest perfection of which she is capable1 each soul in her own degree4 ,and when this is accomplished1 she rests wholly in ,god4 ,nothing of herself remains1 and ,god is her entire being4 ,when ,he has thus led her to ,himself and purified her1 she is no longer passible1 for nothing remains to be consumed4 ,if1 when thus refined1 she should again approach the fire she would feel no pain1 for to her it has become the fire of divine love1 which is life eternal and which nothing mars4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and thus this blessed ,soul1 illuminated by the divine ray1 said3 ,would that ,i could utter so strong a cry that it would strike all men with terror1 and say to them3 ,o wretched beings6 why are you so blinded by this world that you make1 as you will find at the hour of death1 no provision for the great necessity that will then come upon you8 ,you shelter yourselves beneath the hope of the mercy of ,god1 which you unceasingly exalt1 not seeing that it is your resistance to ,his great goodness which will be your condemnation4 ,his goodness should constrain you to ,his will1 not encourage you to persevere in your own4 ,since ,his justice is unfailing1 it must needs be in some way fully satisfied4 ,have not the boldness to say3 ',i will go to confession and gain a plenary indulgence1 and thus ,i shall be saved8' ,remember that the full confession and entire contrition which are requisite to gain a plenary indulgence are not easily attained4 ,did you know how hardly they are come by1 you would tremble with fear and be more sure of losing than of gaining them4 ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,fathers4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,these extracts are purposely different from those quoted by the learned author of ,purgatory ,surveyed1 in that portion of his treatise herein comprised4 ,,st4 ,,cyprian #a writes3 ,our predecessors prudently advised that no brother1 departing this life should nominate any churchman his executor2 and should he do it1 that no oblation should be made for him1 nor sacrifice offered for his repose2 of which we have had a late example1 when no oblation was made1 nor prayer1 in his name1 offered in the ,church4 #b ,footnote #a3 ,ep41 xlvi41 p4 #aad4 ,footnote #b3 ,cardinal ,wiseman commenting upon this passage1 says3 ,it was considered1 therefore1 a severe punishment1 that prayers and sacrifices should not be offered up for those who had violated any of the ecclesiastical laws4--,lectures on the ,catholic ,church4 ,lecture xi41 p4 #ei4 ,,origen1 who wrote in the same century as ,cyprian1 and some two hundred years after ,christ1 speaks as follows1 in language the most distinct1 upon our doctrine of ,purgatory3 ,when we depart this life1 if we take with us virtues or vices1 shall we receive reward for our virtues1 and shall those trespasses be forgiven to us which we knowingly committed2 or shall we be punished for our faults1 and not receive the reward of our virtues8 ,neither is true3 because we shall suffer for our sins and receive the reward of our virtues4 ,for if on the foundation of ,christ you shall have built not only gold and silver and precious stones1 but also wood and hay and stubble1 what do you expect when the soul shall be separated from the body8 ,would you enter into ,heaven with your wood1 and hay1 and stubble1 to defile the ,kingdom of ,god2 or on account of those encumbrances remain without1 and receive no reward for your gold and silver and precious stones8 ,neither is this just4 ,it remains1 then1 that you be committed to the fire1 which shall consume the light materials2 for our ,god1 to those who can comprehend heavenly things1 is called a consuming fire4 ,but this fire consumes not the creature1 but what the creature has himself built--wood1 and hay1 and stubble4 ,it is manifest that1 in the first place1 the fire destroys the wood of our transgressions1 and then returns to us the reward of our good works4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,homil4 xvi al4 xii4 in ,jerem4 ,t4 iii4 p4 #bca1bcb4 ,,st4 ,,basil1 or a contemporary author1 thus writes1 commenting on the words of ,isaiah3 ,through the wrath of the ,lord is the land burned2 the things which are earthly are made the food of a punishing fire2 to the end1 that the soul may receive favor and be benefited4 ,he continues3 ,and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire4 7,ibid47 ,this is not a threat of extermination2 but it denotes expurgation1 #a according to the expression of the ,apostles3 ,if any man's works burn1 he shall suffer loss1 but he himself shall be saved1 yet so as by fire4 7#a ,cor4 iii4 #ae47 #b ,footnote #a3 ,cardinal ,wiseman in commenting upon this passage1 says3 ,now1 mark well the word purgation here used4 ,for it proves that our very term of ,purgatory is not modern in the ,church4--,lectures on the ,catholic ,church4 ,lecture xi41 p4 #fj4 ,footnote #b3 ,com4 in ,c41 ix4 ,isai4 ,t4 ,i41 p4 #eed4 ,the following is from ,,st4 ,,ephrem1 of ,edessa3 ,my brethren1 come to me1 and prepare me for my departure1 for my strength is wholly gone4 ,go along with me in psalms and in your prayers2 and please constantly to make oblations for me4 ,when the thirtieth day #a shall be completed1 then remember me3 for the dead are helped by the offerings of the living4 ,if also the sons of ,mathathias1 who celebrated their feasts in figures only1 could cleanse those from guilt by their offerings who fell in battle1 how much more shall the priests of ,christ aid the dead by their oblations and prayers8 #b ,footnote #a3 ,the very day1 says ,cardinal ,wiseman1 observed by the ,catholic ,church with peculiar solemnity1 in praying and observing ,mass for the dead4 ,archbishop ,corrigan1 of ,new ,york1 in announcing to the clergy of his diocese the death of ,his ,eminence the late ,cardinal ,mc,closkey1 speaks as follows3 ,the reverend rectors are also requested to have solemn services for the soul of our late beloved chief pastor1 on the seventh and thirtieth day4 ,footnote #b3 ,in ,testament4 ,t4 ii41 p4 #ccd4 p4 #cga1 ,edit4 ,oxen4 ,thus speaks ,,st4 ,,gregory of ,nyssa3 ,in the present life1 ,god allows man to remain subject to what himself has chosen2 that1 having tasted of the evil which he desired1 and learned by experience how bad an exchange has been made1 he might feel an ardent wish to lay down the load of those vices and inclinations1 which are contrary to reason2 and thus1 in this life1 being renovated by prayers and the pursuit of wisdom1 or1 in the next1 being expiated by the purging fire1 he might recover the state of happiness which he had lost4444 ,when he has quitted his body1 and the difference between virtue and vice is known1 he cannot be admitted to approach the ,divinity till the purging fire shall have expiated the stains with which his soul was infected4 ,the same fire1 in others1 will cancel the corruption of matter and the propensity to evil4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,orat4 de ,defunctis4 ,t4 ii41 p4 #ajff1 #ajfg1 #ajfh4 ,,st4 ,,cyril of ,jerusalem3 ,then 7in the ,liturgy of the ,church7 we pray for the holy ,fathers and ,bishops that are dead2 and1 in short1 for all those who are departed this life in our communion2 believing that the souls of those1 for whom the prayers1 are offered1 receive very great relief while this holy and tremendous victim lies upon the altar4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,catech4 ,mystag41 ,v4 ,n41 ix41 x41 p4 #cbh4 ,,st4 ,,epiphanius writes3 ,there is nothing more opportune1 nothing more to be admired1 than the rite which directs the names of the dead to be mentioned4 ,they are aided by the prayer that is offered for them1 though it may not cancel all their faults4 ,we mention both the just and sinners1 in order that for the latter we may obtain mercy4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,haer4 ,,iv4 ,lib4 ,,lxxv41 ,t4 i41 p4 #iaa4 ,,st4 ,,augustine speaks as follows3 ,the prayers of the ,church1 or of good persons1 are heard in favor of those ,christians who departed this life not so bad as to be deemed unworthy of mercy1 nor so good as to be entitled to immediate happiness4 ,so also1 at the resurrection of the dead1 there will some be found1 to whom mercy will be imparted1 having gone through these pains1 to which the spirits of the dead are liable4 ,otherwise it would not have been said of some with truth1 that their sin shall not be forgiven1 neither in this world nor in the world to come 7,matt4 xii41 #cb7 unless some sins were remitted in the next world4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,de ,civit4 ,dei41 ,lib4 ,,xx1 c4 xxiv41 p4 #dib4 ,in another passage he comments on the words of ,st4 ,paul3 ,if they had built gold and silver and precious stones1 they would be secure from both fires2 not only from that in which the wicked shall be punished for ever1 but likewise from that fire which will purify those who shall be saved by fire4 ,but because it is said he shall be saved1 that fire is thought lightly of2 though the suffering will be more grievous than anything man can undergo in this life4 ,let us hear ,,st4 ,,jerome3 #a ,as we believe the torments of the devil1 and of those wicked men who said in their hearts there is no ,god1 to be eternal1 so1 in regard to those sinners who have not denied their faith1 and whose works will be proved and purged by fire1 we conclude that the sentence of the ,judge will be tempered by mercy4 ,footnote #a3 ,comment4 in c4 xv41 ,isai41 ,t4 ii41 p4 #dib4 ,st4 ,jerome thus speaks in his letter to ,paula1 concerning the death and burial of her mother1 ,eustochium3 ,from henceforward there were no wailings nor lamentations as are usual amongst men of this world1 but the swarms of those present resounded with psalms in various tongues4 ,and being removed by the hands of the bishops1 and by those placing their shoulders under the bier1 while other pontiffs were carrying lamps and wax tapers1 and others led the choirs of psalmodists1 she was laid in the middle of the church of the cave of the ,saviour4444 ,psalms resounded in the ,hebrew1 ,greek1 ,latin1 and ,syriac tongues1 not only during the three days intervening until she was laid under the church and near the cave of the ,lord1 but through the entire week4 ,,st4 ,,ambrose has many passages throughout his works1 as ,dr4 ,wiseman remarks4 ,thus he quotes ,st4 ,paul's ,first ,epistle to the ,corinthians 7iii41 #e73 ',if any man's works burn he shall suffer loss2 but he shall be saved1 yet so as by fire4' ,he will be saved1 the ,apostle said1 because his substance shall remain1 while his bad doctrine shall perish4 ,therefore1 he said1 yet so as by fife1 in order that his salvation be not understood to be without pain4 ,he shows that he shall be saved indeed1 but he shall undergo the pain of fire1 and be thus purified1 not like the unbelieving and wicked man who shall be punished in everlasting fire4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,comment4 in ,i ,ep4 ad ,cor41 ,t4 ii42 in ,app1 p4 #abb4 ,the following is from his funeral oration on the ,emperor ,theodosius3 ,lately we deplored together his death1 and now1 while ,prince ,honorius is present before our altars1 we celebrate the fortieth day4 ,some observe the third and the thirtieth1 others the seventh and the fortieth4 ,give1 ,o ,lord1 rest to ,thy servant ,theodosius1 that rest which ,thou hast prepared for ,thy ,saints4 ,may his soul thither tend1 whence it came1 where it cannot feel the sting of death1 where it will learn that death is the termination1 not of nature1 but of sin4 ,i loved him1 therefore will ,i follow him to the land of the living2 ,i will not leave him1 till1 by my prayers and lamentation1 he shall be admitted to the holy mount of the ,lord to which his deserts call him4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,de obitu4 ,theodosii4 ,ibid41 pp4 #aaig-h2 #abjg-h4 ,he thus concludes his letter to ,,st4 ,,faustinus on the death of his sister3 ,therefore ,i consider her not so much to be deplored as to be followed by our prayers1 nor do ,i think that her soul should be saddened with tears1 but rather commended to the ,lord in oblations4 ,for our flesh cannot be perpetual or lasting2 it must necessarily fall in order that it may rise again--it must be dissolved in order that it may rest1 and that there may be some end of sin4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,st4 ,ambr41 p4 #ci1 ad ,faustini1 t4 #b1 p #idd1 ed4 ,ben4 ,in his funeral oration upon his brother ,satyrus1 he cries out3 ,to ,thee now1 ,o omnipotent ,god1 ,i commend this innocent soul1--to ,thee ,i offer my victim4 ,accept graciously and serenely the gift of the brother--the sacrifice of the priest4 ,footnote #a3 ,de excessu frateris satyri1 ,no4 #hj1 p4 #aace4 ,in his discourse on the deceased ,emperor ,valentinian the ,younger1 murdered in #cib3 ,give the holy mysteries to the dead4 ,let us1 with pious earnestness1 beg repose for his soul4 ,lift up your hands with me1 ,o people1 that at least by this duty we may make some return for his benefits4 #a ,joining him with the ,emperor ,gratian1 his brother1 dead some years before1 he says3 ,both blessed1 if my prayers can be of any force6 ,no duty shall pass over you in silence4 ,no prayer of mine shall ever be closed without remembering you4 ,no night shall pass you over without some vows of my supplications4 ,you shall have a share in all my sacrifices4 ,if ,i forget you let my own right hand be forgotten4 #b ,footnote #a3 ,st4 ,ambr4 de obitu ,valent1 ,no4 #ef1 t4 #b1 p #aahi1 ed4 ,bened4 ,footnote #b3 ,ibid41 ,no4 #gh1 p4 #aaid4 ,it was not in vain1 says ,,st4 ,,chrysostom1 that the apostles ordained a commemoration of the deceased in the holy and tremendous mysteries4 ,they were sensible of the benefit and advantage which accrues to them from this practice4 ,for1 when the congregation stands with open arms as well as the priests1 and the tremendous sacrifice is before them1 how should our prayers for them not appease ,god8 ,but this is said of such as have departed in faith4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,hom4 #c in ,phil41 t4 n41 p4 #bag ed4 ,montfauc4 ,,st4 ,,augustine again says3 ,nor is it to be denied that the souls of the departed are relieved by the piety of their living friends1 when the sacrifice of the ,mediator is offered for them1 or alms are given in the ,church4 ,but these things are profitable to those who1 while they lived1 deserved that they might avail them4 ,there is a life so good as not to require them1 and there is another so wicked that after death it can receive no benefit from them4 ,when1 therefore1 the sacrifices of the altar or alms are offered for all ,christians1 for the very good they are thanksgivings1 they are propitiations for those who are not very bad4 ,for the very wicked1 they are some kind of comfort to the living4 ,in another of his works he says that prayer for the dead in the holy mysteries was observed by the whole church4 ,he expounds the thirty- seventh ,psalm as having reference to ,purgatory4 ,the words3 ,rebuke me not in thy fury1 neither chastise me in thy wrath1 he explains as follows3 ,that you purify me in this life1 and render me such that ,i may not stand in need of that purging fire4 ,,arnobius speaks of the public liturgies3 ,in which peace and pardon are begged of ,god for kings1 magistrates1 friends and enemies1 both the living and those who are delivered from the body4 ,to these few extracts1 which space permits1 might be added innumerable others from ,st4 ,clement of ,alexandria1 ,st4 ,athanasius1 ,st4 ,paulinus1 ,st4 ,eusebius1 ,lactantius1 ,tertullian1 ,st4 ,caesarius of ,arles1 ,st4 ,bernard1 ,venerable ,bede1 ,st4 ,thomas ,aquinas1 and so on down to our own immediate time4 ,their testimony is most clear not only as regards the custom of praying for the dead1 but the actual doctrine of ,purgatory1 as it is now understood in the ,church4 ,they are1 in fact1 in many cases most explicit upon this point1 obviously referring to a middle state of suffering and expiation1 and thus refuting by anticipation the objections of those who claim that the primitive ,christians prayed indeed for the dead1 but knew nothing of ,purgatory3 a contradiction1 it would seem1 as prayer for the dead1 to be available1 supposes a place or state of probation4 ,but1 even where the mention made by the ,fathers of prayer for the dead does not refer expressly to a place of purgation1 it is no more a proof that they did not hold this doctrine than that those modern ,catholic authors disbelieve in it1 who suppose this middle state of suffering to be admitted by their readers4 ,or even1 which rarely happens1 if they be silent altogether upon the subject1 it no more infers their ignorance of such a belief than the same silence to be noted in theological and religious works of our own day4 ,it proves no more than that they are at the time engaged in treating of some other subject4 ,the following1 which may serve as a conclusion to these extracts1 is the solemn decision of the ,council of ,trent in regard to this doctrine3 ,the ,church1 inspired by the ,holy ,ghost1 has always taught1 according to the ,holy ,scriptures and apostolic tradition1 that there is a ,purgatory1 and that the souls there detained receive comfort from the prayers and good works of the faithful1 particularly through the sacrifice of the ,mass1 which is so acceptable to ,god4 ,in the thirteenth ,canon of the sixth session1 it decrees that1 if any one should say that a repentant sinner1 after having received the grace of justification1 the punishment of eternal pains being remitted1 has no temporary punishment to be suffered either in this life or in the next in ,purgatory1 before he can enter into the ,kingdom of ,god1 let him be anathema4 ,in the third ,canon of the twenty-fourth session1 it defines that the sacrifice of the ,mass is propitiatory both for the living and the dead for sins1 punishments and satisfactions4 ,,verses ,,from ,,the ,,imitation4 ,,thomas ,a ,,kempis4 ,trust not in thy friends and neighbors1 and put not oft thy soul's welfare till the future2 for men will forget thee sooner than thou thinkest4 ,it is better to provide now in time and send some good before thee than to trust to the assistance of others after death4 ,if thou art not solicitous for thyself now1 who will be solicitous for thee hereafter4 ,did'st thou also well ponder in thy heart the future pains of hell or ,purgatory1 methinks thou would'st bear willingly labor and sorrow and fear no kind of austerity4 ,who will remember thee when thou art dead8 and who will pray for thee8 ,now thy labor is profitable1 thy tears are acceptable1 thy groans are heard1 thy sorrow is satisfying and purifieth the soul4 ,the patient man hath a great and wholesome purgatory4 ,better is it to purge away our sins1 and cut off our vices now1 than to keep them for purgation hereafter4 ,if thou shalt say thou are not able to suffer much1 how then wilt thou endure the fire of ,purgatory4 ,of two evils1 one ought always to choose the less4 ,when a ,priest celebrateth1 he honoreth ,god1 he rejoiceth the ,angels1 he edifieth the ,church1 he helpeth the living1 he obtaineth rest for the departed1 and maketh himself partaker of all good things4 ,i offer to ,thee also all the pious desires of devout persons2 the necessities of my parents1 friends1 brothers1 sisters1 and all those that are dear to me2 444 and all who have desired and besought me to offer up prayers and ,masses for themselves and all theirs1 whether they are still living in the flesh or are already dead to this world4 ,,st4 ,,augustine ,,and ,,his ,,mother1 ,,st4 ,,monica4 ,in the beautiful account given by the great ,st4 ,augustine of the last illness and death of his holy mother1 ,st4 ,monica1 we find some touching proofs of the pious belief of mother and son in the existence of a middle state for souls in the after life4 ,the holy doctor had been relating that memorable conversation on heavenly things which took place between his mother and himself on that moonlight night at the window in the inn at ,ostia1 immortalized by ,ary ,schaeffer in his beautiful picture4 ,to this what answer ,i made her ,i do not well remember4 ,but scarce five days1 or not many more1 had passed after this before she fell into a fever3 and one day1 being very sick1 she swooned away1 and was for a little while insensible4 ,we ran in1 but she soon came to herself again1 and looking upon me and my brother 7,navigius71 that were standing by her1 said to us like one inquiring3 ,where have ,i been8 then1 beholding us struck with grief1 she said3 ,here you shall bury your mother4 ,i held my peace and refrained weeping2 but my brother said something by which he signified his wish1 as of a thing more happy1 that she might not die abroad but in her own country2 which she hearing1 with a concern in her countenance1 and checking him with her eyes that he should have such notions1 then looking upon me1 said3 ,do you hear what he says8 then to us both3 ,lay this body anywhere2 be not concerned about that2 only this ,i beg of you1 that wheresoever you be1 you make remembrance of me at the ,lord's altar4 ,and when she had expressed to us this1 her mind1 with such words as she could1 she said no more1 but lay struggling with her disease that grew stronger upon her4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and now behold the body is carried out to be buried1 and ,i both go and return without tears4 ,neither in those prayers1 which we poured forth to ,thee when the sacrifice of our ransom was offered to ,thee for her1 the body being set down by the grave before the interment of it1 as custom is there1 neither in those prayers1 ,i say1 did ,i shed any tears4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and now1 my heart being healed of that wound in which a carnal affection might have some share1 ,i pour out to ,thee1 our ,god1 in behalf of that servant of ,thine1 a far different sort of tears1 flowing from a spirit frighted with the consideration of the perils of every soul that dies in ,adam4 ,for1 although she1 being revived in ,christ1 even before her being set loose from the flesh and lived in such manner1 as that ,thy name is much praised in her faith and manners2 yet ,i dare not say that from the time ,thou didst regenerate her by baptism1 no word came out of her mouth against ,thy command4444 ,i1 therefore1 ,o my ,praise and my ,life1 the ,god of my heart1 setting for a while aside her good deeds1 for which with joy ,i give ,thee thanks1 entreat ,thee at present for the sins of my mother4 ,hear me1 ,i beseech ,thee1 through that ,cure of our wounds that hung upon the tree1 and that1 sitting now at ,thy right hand1 maketh intercession to ,thee for us4 ,i know that she did mercifully1 and from her heart forgive to her debtors their trespasses3 do ,thou likewise forgive her her debts1 if she hath also contracted some in those many years she lived after the saving water4444 ,and ,i believe ,thou hast already done what ,i ask1 but these free offerings of my mouth approve1 ,o ,lord4 ,for she1 when the day of her dissolution was at hand1 had no thought for the sumptuous covering of her body1 or the embalming of it1 nor had she any desire of a fine monument1 nor was solicitous about her sepulchre in her own country3 none of these things did she recommend to us2 but only desired that we should make a remembrance of her at ,thy altar1 at which she had constantly attended without one day's intermission1 from whence she knew was dispensed that ,holy ,victim by which was cancelled that handwriting that was against us 7,coloss4 ,,ii471 by which that enemy was triumphed over who reckoneth up our sins and seeketh what he may lay to our charge1 but findeth nothing in ,him through whom we conquer4 ,who shall refund to ,him that innocent blood ,he shed for us8 ,who shall repay ,him the price with which ,he bought us1 that so he may take us away from ,him8 ,to the sacrament of which price of our redemption ,thy handmaid bound fast her soul by the bond of faith4444 ,let her1 therefore1 rest in peace1 together with her husband1 before whom and after whom she was known to no man2 whom she dutifully served1 bringing forth fruit to ,thee1 in much patience1 that she might also gain him to ,thee4 ,and do ,thou inspire1 ,o ,lord1 my ,god1 do ,thou inspire ,thy servants1 my brethren1 ,thy children1 my masters1 whom ,i serve with my voice1 and my heart1 and my writings1 that as many as shall read this shall remember1 at ,thy altar1 ,thy handmaid ,monica with ,patricius1 formerly her husband4 ,let them remember1 with a pious affection1 these who were my parents in this transitory life1 my brethren under ,thee1 our ,father1 in our ,catholic ,mother1 and my fellow-citizens in the eternal ,jerusalem1 for which the pilgrimage of ,thy people here below continually sigheth from their setting out till their return4 ,that so what my mother made her last request to me may be more plentifully performed for her by the prayers of many1 procured by these1 my confessions1 and my prayers4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,conf4 ,b4 ,,ix4 ,chs4 ,,xi4-,,xiii4 ,,st4 ,,gertrude ,,and ,,the ,,holy ,,souls4 ,in the ,life and ,revelations of ,st4 ,gertrude we find many instances of the efficacy of prayers for the dead and how pleasing to ,god is devotion to the souls in ,purgatory4 ,from these we select the following4 ,our ,blessed ,lord once said to the ,saint3 ,if a soul is delivered by prayer from ,purgatory ,i accept it as if ,i had myself been delivered from captivity1 and ,i will assuredly reward it according to the abundance of my mercy4 ,the religious also beheld many souls meeting before her to testify their gratitude for their deliverance from ,purgatory1 through the prayers which had been offered for her1 and which she had not needed4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as ,st4 ,gertrude prayed fervently before matins on the blessed night of the ,resurrection1 the ,lord ,jesus appeared to her full of majesty and glory4 ,then she cast herself at ,his feet1 to adore ,him devoutly and humbly1 saying3 ,o glorious ,spouse1 joy of the angels1 ,thou who hast shown me the favor of choosing me to be ,thy spouse1 who am the least of ,thy creatures6 ,i ardently desire ,thy glory1 and my only friends are those who love ,thee2 therefore ,i beseech ,thee to pardon the souls of ,thy special friends #a by the virtue of ,thy most glorious ,resurrection4 ,and to obtain this grace from ,thy goodness1 ,i offer ,thee1 in union with ,thy ,passion1 all the sufferings which my continual infirmities have caused me4 ,then ,our ,lord1 having favored her with many caresses1 showed her a great multitude of souls who were freed from their pains1 saying3 ,behold1 ,i have given them to you as a recompense for your rare affection2 and through all eternity they will acknowledge that they have been delivered by your prayers1 and you will be honored and glorified for it4 ,she replied3 ,how many are they8 ,he answered3 ,this knowledge belongs to ,god alone4 ,as she feared that these souls1 though freed from their pains1 were not yet admitted to glory1 she offered to endure whatever ,god might please1 either in body or soul1 to obtain their entrance into that beatitude2 and ,our ,lord1 won by her fervor1 granted her request immediately4 ,footnote #a3 ,this seems to refer1 says the author of the ,saint's life1 to the souls in ,purgatory4 ,some time after1 as the ,saint suffered most acute pain in her side1 she made an inclination before a crucifix2 and ,our ,lord freed her from the pain1 and granted the merit of it to these souls1 recommending them to make her a return by their prayers4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on ,wednesday1 at the elevation of the ,host1 she besought ,our ,lord for the souls of the faithful in ,purgatory1 that ,he would free them from their pains by virtue of ,his1 admirable ,ascension2 and she beheld ,our ,lord descending into ,purgatory with a golden rod in ,his hand1 which had as many hooks as there had been prayers for their souls2 by these ,he appeared to draw them into a place of repose4 ,she understood by this1 that whenever any one prays generally1 from a motive of charity1 for the souls in ,purgatory1 the greater part of those who1 during their lives1 have exercised themselves in works of charity1 are released4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on another occasion1 as she remarked that she had offered all her merits for the dead1 she said to ,our ,lord3 ,i hope1 ,o ,lord1 that ,thou wilt frequently cast the eyes of ,thy mercy on my indigence4 ,he replied3 ,what can ,i do more for one who has thus deprived herself of all things through charity1 than to cover her immediately with charity8 ,she answered3 ,whatever ,thou mayest do1 ,i shall always appear before ,thee destitute of all merit1 for ,i have renounced all ,i have gained or may gain4 ,he replied3 ,do you not know that a mother would allow a child who was well clothed to sit at her feet1 but she would take one who was barely clad into her arms1 and cover her with her own garment8 ,he added3 ,and now1 what advantages have you1 who are seated on the shore of an ocean1 over those who sit by a little rivulet8 ,that is to say1 those who keep their good works for themselves1 have the rivulet2 but those who renounce them in love and humility1 possess ,god1 who is an inexhaustible ocean of beatitude4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on one occasion1 while ,mass was being celebrated for a poor woman who had died lately1 ,st4 ,gertrude recited five ,pater ,nosters1 in honor of ,our ,lord's five wounds1 for the repose of her soul2 and1 moved by divine inspiration1 she offered all her good works for the increase of the beatitude of this person4 ,when she had made this offering1 she immediately beheld the soul in heaven1 in the place destined for her2 and the throne prepared for her was elevated as far above the place where she had been1 as the highest throne of the seraphim is above that of the lowest angel4 ,the ,saint then asked ,our ,lord how this soul had been worthy to obtain such advantage from her prayers1 and ,he replied3 ,she has merited this grace in three ways3 first1 because she always had a sincere will and perfect desire of serving ,me in religion1 if it had been possible2 secondly1 because she especially loved all religious and all good people2 thirdly1 because she was always ready to honor ,me by performing any service she could for them4 ,he added3 ,you may judge1 by the sublime rank to which she is elevated1 how agreeable these practices are to ,me4 ,a certain religious died who had always been accustomed to pray very fervently for the souls of the faithful departed2 but she had failed in the perfection of obedience1 preferring her own will to that of her superior in her fasts and vigils4 ,after her decease she appeared adorned with rich ornaments1 but so weighed down by a heavy burden1 which she was obliged to carry1 that she could not approach to ,god1 though many persons were endeavoring to lead her to ,him4 ,as ,gertrude marvelled at this vision1 she was taught that the persons who endeavored to conduct the soul to ,god were those whom she had released by her prayers2 but this heavy burden indicated the faults she had committed against obedience4 ,then ,our ,lord said3 ,behold how those grateful souls endeavor to free her from the requirements of ,my justice1 and show these ornaments2 nevertheless1 she must suffer for her faults of disobedience and self-will4 444 ,then the ,saint beheld her ornament1 which appeared like a vessel of boiling water containing a hard stone1 which must be completely dissolved therein before she could obtain relief from this torment2 but in these sufferings she was much consoled and assisted by those souls1 and by the prayers of the faithful4 ,after this ,our ,lord showed ,st4 ,gertrude the path by which the souls ascend to heaven4 ,it resembled a straight plank1 a little inclined2 so that those who ascended did so with difficulty4 ,they were assisted and supported by hands on either side1 which indicated the prayers offered for them4 99 99 99 99 99 ,one day ,st4 ,gertrude asked ,our ,lord how many souls were delivered from ,purgatory by her prayers and those of her sisters4 ,the number1 replied ,our ,lord1 is proportioned to the zeal and fervor of those who pray for them4 ,he added3 ,my love urges me to release a great number of souls for the prayers of each religious1 and at each verse of the psalms which they recite1 ,i release many4 99 99 99 99 99 ,when ,mass was offered for the deceased ,brother ,hermann1 his soul appeared to ,st4 ,gertrude all radiant with light1 and transported with joy4 ,then ,gertrude said to ,our ,lord3 ,is this soul now entirely freed from its sufferings8 ,our ,lord answered3 ,he is already free from much suffering1 and no human being can form an idea of his glory2 but he is not yet so perfectly purified as to be worthy to enjoy ,my presence1 though he is approaching nearer and nearer to this purity by the prayers which are offered for him1 and is more and more consoled and relieved4 ,,st4 ,,joseph',s ,,intercession ,,for ,,the ,,faithful ,,departed4 7,from ,le ,propagateur de la ,devotion a ,saint ,joseph47 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales says3 ,we do not often enough remember our dead1 our faithful departed4 ,thus the ,church1 like a good mother1 recalls to us the thought of the dead when we have forgotten them1 and therefore she consecrates the month of ,november to the memory of the dead4 ,this pious and salutary practice of praying for an entire month for the dead takes its rise from the earliest ages of the ,church4 ,the custom of mourning thirty days for the dead existed amongst the ,jews4 ,the practice of saying thirty ,masses on thirty consecutive days was established by ,st4 ,gregory1 and ,innocent ,,xi4 enriched it with indulgences4 ,god has made known to me1 says the venerable sister ,marie ,denise de ,martignat1 that a devotion to the death of ,st4 ,joseph obtains many graces for those who are agonizing1 and that1 as ,st4 ,joseph did not at once pass into heaven--because ,jesus ,christ had not opened its gates--but descended into ,limbo1 it is a most useful devotion for the agonizing1 and for the souls in ,purgatory1 to offer to ,god the resignation of ,st4 ,joseph when he was dying and about to leave ,jesus and ,mary in this world1 and to honor the holy patience of this great ,saint waiting calmly in ,limbo until ,easter-day1 when ,jesus ,christ1 risen and glorious1 released him4 ,and if ,st4 ,joseph consoles the souls in ,purgatory1 none will be so dear to him as those who were devout to him in life1 and zealous in spreading a devotion to him4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,de ,,sales ,,on ,,purgatory #a ,footnote #a3 ,consoling ,thoughts of ,st ,francis de ,sales4 ,arranged by ,rev4 ,father ,huguet4 ,pp4 #ccf-g4 ,the opinion of ,st4 ,francis de ,sales was that from the thought of ,purgatory we should draw more consolation than pain4 ,the greater number of those1 he said1 who fear ,purgatory so much1 do so in consideration of their own interests and of the love they bear themselves rather than the interests of ,god2 and this happens because those who treat of this place from the pulpit usually speak of its pains and are silent in regard to the happiness and peace which are found in it4444 ,when any of his friends or acquaintances died1 he never grew weary of speaking fondly of them and recommending them to the prayers of others4 ,his usual expression was3 ,we do not sufficiently remember our dead1 our faithful departed2 and the proof of it is that we do not speak enough of them4 ,we turn away from that discourse as from a sad subject4 ,we leave the dead to bury their dead4 ,their memory perishes from us with the sound of their funeral-bell4 ,we forget that the friendship which ends even with death1 is never true1 ,holy ,scripture assuring us that true love is stronger than death4 ,he was accustomed to say that in this single work of mercy the thirteen others are assembled4 ,is it not1 he said1 in some manner1 to visit the sick1 to obtain by our prayers the relief of the poor suffering souls in ,purgatory8 ,is it not to give drink to those who thirst after the vision of ,god1 and who are enveloped in burning flames1 to share with them the dew of our prayers8 ,is it not to feed the hungry1 to aid in their deliverance by the means which faith suggests8 ,is it not truly to ransom prisoners8 ,is it not truly to clothe the naked1 to procure for them a garment of light1 a raiment of glory8 ,is it not an admirable degree of hospitality1 to procure their admission into the heavenly ,jerusalem1 and to make them fellow-citizens with the ,saints and domestics of ,god8 ,is it not a greater service to place souls in heaven than to bury bodies in the earth8 ,as to spirituals1 is it not a work whose merit may be compared to that of counselling the weak1 correcting the wayward1 instructing the ignorant1 forgiving offenses1 enduring injuries8 ,and what consolation1 however great1 that can be given to the afflicted of this world1 is comparable with that which is brought by our prayers to those poor souls which have such bitter need of them8 ,,cardinal ,,gibbons ,,on ,,purgatory4 ,the ,catholic ,church teaches that1 besides a place of eternal torments for the wicked and of everlasting rest for the righteous1 there exists in the next life a middle state of temporary punishment1 allotted for those who have died in venial sin1 or who have not satisfied the justice of ,god for sins already forgiven4 ,she also teaches us that1 although the souls consigned to this intermediate state1 commonly called ,purgatory1 cannot help themselves1 they may be aided by the suffrages of the faithful on earth4 ,the existence of ,purgatory naturally implies the correlative dogma--the utility of praying for the dead2 for the souls consigned to this middle state have not reached the term of their journey4 ,they are still exiles from heaven1 and are fit subjects for divine clemency4 ,is it not strange that this cherished doctrine should be called in question by the levelling innovators of the sixteenth century1 when we consider that it is clearly taught in the ,old ,testament2 that it is1 at least1 insinuated in the ,new ,testament2 that it is unanimously proclaimed by the ,fathers of the ,church2 that it is embodied in all the ancient liturgies of the ,oriental and ,western ,church2 and that it is alike consonant with our reason and eminently consoling to the human heart8 99 99 99 99 99 ,you now perceive that this devotion is not an invention of modern times1 but a doctrine universally enforced in the best and purest ages of the ,church4 ,you see that praying for the dead was not a devotion cautiously recommended by some obscure or visionary writer1 but an act of religion preached and inculcated by all the great ,doctors and ,fathers of the ,church1 who are the recognized expounders of the ,christian religion4 ,you see them1 too1 inculcating this doctrine not as a cold and abstract principle1 but as an imperative act of daily piety1 and embodying it in their ordinary exercises of devotion4 ,they prayed for the dead in their morning and evening devotions4 ,they prayed for them in their daily office1 and in the sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,they asked the prayers of the congregation for the souls of the deceased1 in the public services of ,sunday4 ,and on the monuments which were erected to the dead1 some of which are preserved even to this day1 epitaphs were inscribed1 earnestly invoking for their souls the prayers of the living4 ,how gratifying it is to our ,catholic hearts1 that a devotion so soothing to afflicted spirits is1 at the same time1 so firmly grounded on the tradition of ages4 ,that the practice of praying for the dead has descended from apostolic times is also evident from the ,liturgus of the ,church4 ,a ,liturgy is the established form of public worship1 containing the authorized prayers of the ,church4 ,the ,missal1 or ,mass-book1 for instance1 which you see on our altars1 contains a portion of the ,liturgy of the ,catholic ,church4 ,the principal ,liturgies are3 ,the ,liturgy of ,st4 ,james the ,apostle1 who founded the ,church of ,jerusalem2 the ,liturgy of ,st4 ,mark the ,evangelist1 founder of the ,church of ,alexandria1 and the ,liturgy of ,st4 ,peter1 who established the ,church in ,rome4 ,these ,liturgies are called after the ,apostles who compiled them4 ,there are1 besides1 the ,liturgies of ,st4 ,chrysostom and ,st4 ,basil1 which are chiefly based on that of ,st4 ,james4 ,now1 all these ,liturgies1 without an exception1 have prayers for the dead1 and their providential preservation serves as another triumphant vindication of the venerable antiquity of this ,catholic doctrine4 ,the ,eastern and the ,western churches were happily united until the fourth and fifth centuries1 when the heresiarchs ,arius1 ,nestorius and ,eutyches withdrew millions of souls from the centre of unity4 ,the followers of these sects were called1 after their founders1 ,arians1 ,nestorians1 and ,eutychians1 and from that day to the present the two latter bodies have formed distinct communions1 being separated from the ,catholic ,church in the ,east1 just as the ,protestant churches are separated from her in the ,west4 ,the ,greek ,schismatic ,church1 of which the present ,russo-,greek ,church is the offspring1 severed her connection with the ,see of ,rome in the ninth century4 ,but in leaving the ,catholic ,church1 these ,eastern sects retained the old ,liturgies1 which they use to this day4444 ,during my sojourn in ,rome1 at the ,ecumenical ,council1 ,i devoted a great deal of my leisure time to the examination of the various ,liturgies of the ,schismatic churches of the ,east4 ,i found in all of them formulas of prayers for the dead almost identical with that of the ,roman ,missal3 ,remember1 ,o ,lord1 ,thy servants who are gone before us with the sign of faith1 and sleep in peace4 ,to these1 ,o ,lord1 and to all who rest in ,christ1 grant1 we beseech ,thee1 a place of refreshment1 light1 and peace1 through the same ,jesus ,christ our ,lord6 ,not content with studying their books1 ,i called upon the ,oriental ,patriarchs and ,bishops in communion with the ,see of ,rome1 who belong to the ,armenian1 the ,chaldean1 the ,coptic1 the ,maronite1 and ,syriac rites4 ,they all assured me that the ,schismatic ,christians of the ,east among whom they live have1 without exception1 prayers and sacrifices for the dead4 ,now1 ,i ask1 when could those ,eastern sects have commenced to adopt the ,catholic practice of praying for the dead8 ,they could not have received it from us since the ninth century1 because the ,greek ,church separated from us then1 and has had no communion with us since that time1 except at intervals1 up to the twelfth century4 ,nor could they have adopted the practice since the fourth or fifth century1 inasmuch as the ,arians1 ,nestorians1 and ,eutychians have had no religious communication with us since that period4 ,therefore1 in common with us1 they received this doctrine from the ,apostles4444 ,i have already spoken of the devotion of the ancient ,jewish ,church to the souls of the departed4 ,but perhaps you are not aware that the ,jews retain to this day1 in their ,liturgy1 the pious practice of praying for the dead4 ,yet such in reality is the case4 ,amid all their wanderings and vicissitudes of life1 though dismembered and dispersed1 like sheep without a shepherd1 over the surface of the globe1 the children of ,israel have never forgotten or neglected the sacred duty of praying for their deceased brethren4 ,unwilling to make this assertion without the strongest evidence1 ,i procured from a ,jewish convert an authorized ,prayer-book of the ,hebrew ,church1 from which ,i extract the following formula of prayers which are prescribed for funerals3 ,departed brother6 mayest thou find open the gates of heaven1 and see the city of peace and the dwellings of safety1 and meet the ministering angels hastening joyfully towards thee6 ,and may the ,high ,priest stand to receive thee1 and go thou to the end1 rest in peace1 and rise again into life6 ,may the repose established in the celestial abode444 be the lot1 dwelling1 and the resting place of the soul of our deceased brother 7whom the spirit of the ,lord may guide into ,paradise71 who departed from this world1 according to the will of ,god1 the ,lord of heaven and earth4 ,may the ,supreme ,king of ,kings1 through ,his infinite mercy1 hide him under the shadow of ,his wings4 ,may ,he raise him at the end of his days1 and cause him to drink of the stream of ,his delights6 ,i am happy to say that the more advanced and enlightened members of the ,episcopalian ,church are steadily returning to the faith of their forefathers1 regarding prayers for the dead4 ,an acquaintance of mine1 once a distinguished clergyman of the ,episcopal communion1 but now a convert1 informed me that hundreds of ,protestant clergymen in this country1 and particularly in ,england1 have a firm belief in the efficacy of prayers for the dead1 but for well-known reasons they are reserved in the expression of their faith4 ,he easily convinced me of the truth of his assertion1 particularly as far as the ,church of ,england is concerned1 by sending me six different works published in ,london1 all bearing on the subject of ,purgatory4 ,these books are printed under the auspices of the ,protestant ,episcopal ,church2 they all contain prayers for the dead1 and prove1 from ,catholic grounds1 the existence of a middle state after death1 and the duty of praying for our deceased brethren4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,see ,path of ,holiness1 ,rivington's1 ,london3 ,treasury of ,devotion1 ,ibid2 ,catechism of ,theology1 ,masten1 ,london4 ,to sum up3 we see the practice of praying for the dead enforced in the ancient ,hebrew ,church1 and in the ,jewish synagogue of to-day4 ,we see it proclaimed age after age by all the ,fathers of ,christendom4 ,we see it incorporated in every one of the ancient ,liturgies of the ,east and of the ,west4 ,we see it zealously taught by the ,russian ,church of to-day1 and by that immense family of schismatic ,christians scattered over the ,east4 ,we behold it1 in fine1 a cherished devotion of two hundred millions of ,catholics1 as well as of a respectable portion of the ,episcopal ,church4 ,would it not1 my friend1 be the height of rashness and presumption in you to prefer your private opinion to this immense weight of learning1 sanctity1 and authority8 ,would it not be impiety in you to stand aside with sealed lips1 while the ,christian world is sending up an unceasing ,de profundis for departed brethren8 ,would it not be cold and heartless in you not to pray for your deceased friends1 on account of prejudices which have no grounds in ,scripture1 tradition1 or reason itself8 99 99 99 99 99 ,oh6 far from us a religion which would decree an eternal divorce between the living and the dead4 ,how consoling is it to the ,catholic1 to think that1 in praying thus for his departed friend1 his prayers are not in violation of1 but in accordance with1 the voice of the ,church2 and that as1 like ,augustine1 he watches at the pillow of a dying mother1 so1 like ,augustine1 he can continue the same office of piety for her soul after she is dead1 by praying for her4 ,how cheering the reflection that the golden link of prayer unites you still to those who fall asleep in the ,lord1 and that you can still speak to them and pray for them64444 ,oh6 it is this thought that robs death of its sting and makes the separation of friends endurable4 ,and if your departed friend needs not your prayers1 they are not lost1 but1 like the rain absorbed by the sun1 and descending again in fruitful showers on our fields1 they will be gathered by the ,sun of ,justice1 and they will come down in refreshing showers of grace upon your head4 ,cast thy bread upon the running waters2 for1 after a long time1 thou shalt find it again4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,faith of our ,fathers1 chap4 xvi4 ,,the ,,doctrine ,,of ,,purgatory4 ,,archbishop ,,hughes4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,answer to nine objections made4 ,the ,catholic ,church does not believe that ,god created any to be damned absolutely1 notwithstanding their co-operation with the means of salvation which were secured to them by the death of ,jesus ,christ2 nor any to be saved absolutely1 unless they co-operate with those means4 ,hence she has ever taught the doctrine which is inculcated in ,scripture1 that heaven may be obtained by all who shall apply the means which the ,saviour of the ,world has left in ,his ,church for that end3 in a word1 that every man shall be judged according to his works4 ,this doctrine is consonant with the justice which must belong to the ,deity4 ,she knows ,god is too pure to admit anything defiled into ,his heavenly abode 7,apoc4 xxi4 #bg72 and yet too just and merciful to punish a slight transgression with the same severity as is due to an enormous crime4 ,now1 suppose two men to sin against ,god at the same time1 the one by the deliberate murder of his father--for the case is possible--and the other1 by a slight1 almost inadvertent1 falsehood2 and suppose1 further1 that they are both to appear before ,god the next moment to answer for the deeds done in the flesh1 ,i ask whether it is consistent with the idea we have of divine justice to think that both will be condemned to the same everlasting punishment8 ,if it be1 then there is no more moral turpitude in parricide than in telling a trivial falsehood1 which injures no one1 but still is offensive and displeasing to ,god4 ,but if it be not consistent with divine justice1 then you must admit the distinction of guilt1 and consequently of punishment4 ,now1 that ,god exacts a temporary punishment for sin1 after the guilt and eternal punishment are remitted1 appears from the testimony of ,his ,sacred ,word4 ,st4 ,paul teaches that the death of the body is a punishment which the sin of our first parent entailed on his progeny2 and yet many who have been regenerated by baptism from that original guilt1 nevertheless die before they have committed any actual sin whatever4 ,the children of ,israel had to leave their bones in the wilderness1 after the forty years' sojournment1 as a punishment1 inflicted by the ,almighty ,himself1 for sins which ,he had expressly forgiven them4 ,num4 xiv4 #bj1 #bb4 ,david was forgiven his sin--and yet he was punished for it1 by the death of his child1 whom he loved most tenderly4 ,he sinned by numbering his people2 and although it was forgiven him1 he had still to choose his punishment--either war1 famine1 or pestilence4 ,if such be the dispensation of ,god to ,his creatures in this world1 why may it not be also after death8 ,will you say it is because the body is the medium of suffering in this life8 ,this is not exactly true--the body1 indeed1 is the medium1 in many instances1 through which the soul is made to suffer4 ,but ,god inflicted no corporal chastisement on ,david by taking his child--it was the king's soul that was touched1 and felt1 and suffered4 ,does not the soul remain susceptible of suffering after death2 and may not ,god1 conformably with the examples here laid down1 extend to it in a future state the same salutary dispensation1 for ,his own just and merciful purposes8 ,but you will ask what ,scripture ,i can quote to show that ,he really does so4 ,now1 suppose ,i were to refer you to the same rule1 and demand from you the text by which you feel warranted to profane the ,sabbath1 and sanctify the ,sunday in its stead--what will you have to answer in reply8 ,surely if the authority of the ,catholic ,church is sufficient to authorize your practice in the one case1 it is equally so with regard to my belief in the other4 ,but our situations are very different2 because ,i admit the authority of the ,church in both instances1 and ,i shall prove that her doctrine of ,purgatory1 so far from opposing1 is grounded on ,scripture4 ,whereas you reject the ,church1 you make1 as you say1 the ,scripture the only rule of your faith2 and yet when the ,scripture says1 ,thou shalt keep holy the ,sabbath day1 you say ,i will not sanctify the ,sabbath1 but ,i will sanctify the day after4444 ,this tenet of belief is proved by every text of ,scripture in which it is implied that ,god will render to every man according to his works4444 ,if the word ,purgatory has anything in it peculiarly offensive1 you will not be the less a ,catholic for rejecting it1 and using the ,scriptural word prison1 provided you admit that such a place exists2 in which ,god after having forgiven the guilt and temporal punishment of their sins1 causes the souls of the imperfect just to undergo1 nevertheless1 a temporary chastisement1 as ,david did in this life1 before admitting them into the realms of felicity4 ,now1 if this be so1 is it not rational to believe that the mercy of ,god will be moved by the prayers of ,his faithful servants on earth1 who intercede in behalf of their departed brethren8444 ,in a word1 the economy of ,god to ,his creatures even in this life is consistent with the doctrine of ,purgatory4 ,,purgatory ,,and ,,what ,,we ,,owe ,,to ,,the ,,dead4 ,,archbishop ,,lynch4 ,the infallible ,church1 the spouse of the ,holy ,ghost1 the ,pillar and ,ground of ,truth and the true teacher of the doctrine of ,christ1 has1 in the distribution of her feasts and festivals1 set apart one day in the year1 the second of ,november1 in favor of the suffering souls in ,purgatory4 ,she calls on all her children to assemble around her sacred altars1 to assist and pray at the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass for the deliverance from ,purgatory of the souls of those who1 whilst dying in peace with ,our ,lord1 still had debts to pay to ,his infinite justice4 ,these debts were contracted by the commission of mortal sin1 whose grievous fault1 though removed by the ,sacrament of ,penance1 yet left on the soul a debt which was not sufficiently atoned for1 or by the commission of venial sin not sufficiently repented of4 ,purgatory is one of the great consoling doctrines of the ,church of ,christ4 ,only the pure and perfect can enter ,heaven2 and how few persons leave this earth of temptation1 sin1 and trouble in that state of purity and perfection6 ,if there were not a place of purification1 how few could go straight to ,heaven6 ,nearly the whole human race would be deprived forever of the beatific vision of ,god4 ,god has chosen this way of exhibiting ,his justice and mercy3 ,his justice1 by exacting the last particle of debt2 and ,his mercy1 by saving the poor repentant sinner4 ,god rewards every one according to his works4 ,some are imperfect through want of pure intention1 through carelessness1 vanity1 or other causes1 like the hay and stubble adhering to gold and precious stones which dull their lustre4 99 99 99 99 99 ,oh1 how few are perfect1 and how few do penance in proportion to their sins6 ,how few1 in their dealing with their fellow-men1 giving measure for measure1 goods equal to the money paid for them1 or services equal to the pay received6 ,how many fail in charity1 in words and actions6 ,how many prayers said carelessly and without thought1 even at the most solemn times6 ,these will have to be repeated1 as it were1 in ,purgatory4 ,how many will suffer from their want of charity and mercy to the poor1 and failing to pay their just dues to ,god's ,church for the spiritual favors they receive from it6 ,if we give you1 says ,st4 ,paul1 spiritual things1 you should administer to us temporal things4444 ,all spiritual writers agree that the pains of ,purgatory are intense1 yet the souls are satisfied to suffer till the last debt is paid4 ,they would not wish to enter ,heaven with stains on their souls4 ,god1 in ,his great mercy1 has permitted some souls suffering in ,purgatory to appear to friends on earth to solicit their prayers and ,masses1 and to pay their debts4 ,this the ,lives of the ,saints and ,ecclesiastical ,history at all times attest4 ,in these days when faith is fading from some minds1 even in the ,church1 it behooves especially the ,bishops to remind the faithful of their duties and obligations to their departed friends4 ,it is thought by some that an expensive funeral1 with its many carriages1 and a grand monument over the grave1 will satisfy all the requirements of decency and of family love4 ,alas6 if the dead could only speak from their graves1 they would cry out and say1 ,all these monuments and this worldly pageantry only crush us4 ,they only satisfy the vanity of the living1 but in no way alleviate our sufferings in ,purgatory4444 ,but the ,bishops must1 from time to time1 remind the people of their duty towards ,god's servants suffering in ,purgatory4 ,in olden times1 when faith1 love1 and affection were stronger than now1 devotion towards the souls in ,purgatory showed itself in numerous foundations in favor of the souls in ,purgatory4 ,churches and canonries where ,masses were celebrated every day by canons and monks1 benefices for the education of poor students1 hospitals for the care of the sick1 periodical distribution of alms to the poor1 to have rosaries and other prayers said and pilgrimages made for the souls in ,purgatory4 ,all these have been swept away by the ruthless hand of the civil power1 wishing to reform the ,church2 and even at the present day1 when the ,christian soul is about to appear before the judgment-seat1 there are legal impediments in the way of his making by will donations for prayers or ,masses4 ,therefore1 my dear people1 whilst you are well make provision for your own soul4 ,do not entrust it to the care of others who cannot love you more than you love yourselves4 99 99 99 99 99 ,this doctrine of ,purgatory has always been taught in the ,church and handed down from bishops and priests to their successors in the sacred ministry1 and by the voice of the people4 ,stand fast1 and hold the tradition you have learned1 whether by word or by our epistle4 7,,ii4 ,thess4 ii4 #ad47 ,now prayers and ,masses for the dead are to be found in every ancient liturgy of the ,church4 ,there is no ,oriental liturgy without prayers for those who have departed in peace4 ,the ,apostolic ,constitutions--the most ancient and genuine work--speak largely of prayers for the dead1 for the conversion of sinners4 ,there are religious congregations and pious associations specially devoted to the relief of the souls in ,purgatory4 ,st4 ,vincent de ,paul ordered the priests of his congregation never to go to meals without first saying the ,de ,profundis for the souls in ,purgatory4 ,the ,church ends all the prayers of the divine office with3 ,may the souls of the faithful departed1 through the mercy of ,god1 rest in peace4 ,one may turn away with a sad thought from a tomb on which is not engraved3 ,may he rest in peace1 or on which a cross--the emblem of our hope in ,god and in a happy resurrection--does not figure4 ,we exhort you1 beloved children in ,christ1 to entertain an earnest charity towards the souls in ,purgatory4 ,you loved them during life2 do not let it be said3 ,out of sight1 out of mind4 ,love them in death or1 living1 wishing earnestly to go to ,god4 ,this charity will greatly help yourselves4 ,if a cup of cold water given to a servant of ,god shall not go without its reward1 how much more a cup of celestial grace1 that will shorten the time in the flames of ,purgatory of a soul that most ardently longs to see ,god1 who desires it ,himself with great love1 and will reward those who shorten the exile of ,his dear servants4 ,those1 says ,st4 ,alphonsus ,liguori1 who succor the souls in ,purgatory will be succored in turn by the gratitude of those whom they have relieved1 and who enjoy sooner1 by their prayers1 the beatific vision of ,god4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,council of ,trent1 under the inspiration of the ,holy ,ghost1 has made decrees on the subject which bind the consciences of the faithful4 ,in the ,thirteenth ,canon of the ,sixth ,session it decrees that if any one should say that a repentant sinner1 after having received the grace of justification1 the punishment of eternal pains being remitted1 has no temporary punishment to be suffered1 either in this life or in the next1 in ,purgatory1 before he can enter into the ,kingdom of ,god1 let him be anathema4 ,though ,king ,david was assured1 after his sincere repentance1 that his sin was forgiven1 yet the ,prophet told him that he had still to suffer by the death of his child4 ,in the ,twenty-fourth ,session and ,third ,canon the ,holy ,council defines that the ,sacrifice of the ,mass is propitiatory1 both for the living and the dead1 for sins1 punishments1 satisfactions1 and for other necessities1 according to ,apostolic traditions2 and the ,bishop1 when he ordains1 places the patena and chalice1 with the bread and wine1 in the hands of the young priest and says to him3 ,receive the power to offer to ,god the ,sacrifice of the ,mass1 as well for the living as for the dead1 in the name of the ,lord4 ,amen4 ,the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass is1 therefore1 the most powerful means of relieving the souls in ,purgatory2 next is the fervent performance of the ,stations of the ,cross1 to which so many indulgences are attached2 then other indulgenced prayers2 for example1 the ,rosary4 ,alms to the poor is another powerful means4 ,blessed are the merciful1 for they shall obtain mercy4 ,there is another means which our ancestors loved--to educate a student for the priesthood4 ,st4 ,monica rejoiced1 on her death-bed1 that she had a son to remember her every day at the altar4 ,if you have not a son you can adopt one1 or subscribe1 according to your means1 to the ,students' ,fund4 ,it is the custom in many places--and we wish that it should be introduced where it is not--to receive the offerings of the people on ,all ,souls' ,day1 or the ,sunday previous1 or subsequent1 and the proceeds to be computed and ,masses offered up accordingly4 ,we attach the indulgences of the ,way of the ,cross to certain crucifixes1 and thus enable persons who cannot conveniently visit the ,church to make the ,stations there1 to gain the indulgences of the ,stations by reciting fourteen times the ,our ,father and ,hail ,mary1 with a ,glory be to the ,father1 etc41 for each ,station1 and five ,our ,fathers and ,hail ,marys in honor of the five ,adorable ,wounds1 with one for the intentions of the ,pope4 ,,purgatory ,,surveyed4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,published by ,burns ,oates1 ,london4 ,,father ,,binet1 ,s4 ,j4 ,the following passages are taken from a most excellent and valuable work1 ,purgatory ,surveyed1 edited by the late lamented ,dr4 ,anderdon1 ,s4 ,j41 being by him disposed1 abridged1 or enlarged1 from a treatise by ,father ,binet1 a ,french ,jesuit1 published at ,paris in #afbe1 at ,douay in #afbg1 and translated soon after by ,father ,richard ,thimbleby1 an ,english member of the ,society of ,jesus4 ,says ,dr4 ,anderdon in his preface3 ,the alterations ventured upon in this reprint1 consist chiefly in the mode of punctuation1 which1 being probably left to a ,french compositor1 are anomalous1 and often perplexing4 ,some expressions1 so obsolete as to prevent the sense being clear1 and in the same degree lessening the value of the book to the general reader1 have been exchanged for others in more common use4444 ,let us earnestly hope that1 at this moment1 on the threshold of the month specially dedicated by the ,church to devotion on behalf of the ,holy ,souls1 the joint work of ,fathers ,binet and ,thimbleby may produce an abundant harvest of intercession4 ,if1 during their own brief time of trial1 they were inspired to put together and to enforce such powerful motives to stir up the faithful to this devotion1 will they not now rejoice in the re-production of their act of zeal and charity8 ,during the two hundred and fifty years which have elapsed since the first publication of the ,french work1 many changes and revolutions have taken place in the histories of those spots of earth1 known as ,france and ,england4 ,but the ,history of ,purgatory is ever the same2 happiness and unhappiness combined2 both unspeakably great2 long detention1 perhaps1 or perhaps swift release1 according to the degree of faith and charity animating the ,church militant4 ,may we now1 and henceforth1 realize in act1 in habitual practice1 and1 all the more1 from the considerations given in the following pages1 the immense privilege of holding1 to so great a degree1 the keys of ,purgatory in our hands4 ,believe it1 it is one of the first rudiments1 but main principles1 of a ,christian1 to captivate his understanding1 and so regulate all his dictamens1 that they be sure to run parallel with the sentiments of the ,church4 ,and this ,i take to be the case when the question is started about ,purgatory fire1 which ,i shall ever reckon in the class of those truths1 which cannot be contradicted without manifest temerity2 as being the doctrine generally preached and taught all over ,christendom4 ,you must1 then1 conceive ,purgatory to be a vast1 darksome and hideous chaos1 full of fire and flames1 in which the souls are kept close prisoners1 until they have fully satisfied for all their misdemeanors1 according to the estimate of ,divine justice4 ,for ,god has made choice of this element of fire wherewith to punish souls1 because it is the most active1 piercing1 sensible1 #a and insupportable of all others4 ,but that which quickens it1 indeed1 and gives it more life1 is this3 that it acts as the instrument of ,god's justice1 who1 by ,his omnipotent power1 heightens and reinforces its activity as ,he pleases1 and so makes it capable to act upon bodiless spirits4 ,do not1 then1 look only upon this fire1 though in good earnest it be dreadful enough of itself2 but consider the ,arm that is stretched out1 and the ,hand that strikes1 and the rigor of ,god's infinite justice1 who1 through this element of fire1 vents ,his wrath1 and pours out whole tempests of ,his most severe and yet most just vengeance4 ,so that the fire works as much mischief1 #b as ,i may say1 to the souls1 as ,god commands2 and ,he commands as much as is due2 and as much is due as the sentence bears3 a sentence irrevocably pronounced at the high tribunal of the severe and rigorous justice of an angry ,god1 and whose anger is so prevalent that the ,holy ,scripture styles it a day of fury4 ,now1 you will easily believe that this fire is a most horrible punishment in its own nature2 but you may do well to reflect also on that which ,i have now suggested2 that the fury of ,almighty ,god is1 as it were1 the fire of this fire1 and the heat of its heat2 and that ,he serves ,himself of it as ,he pleases1 by doubling and redoubling its sharp pointed forces2 for this is that which makes it the more grievous and insupportable to the souls that are thus miserably confined and imprisoned4 ,footnote #a3 i4e41 apprehended by the senses ,footnote #b3 i4e41 ,not implying injury1 far less injustice2 but simply punishment and suffering ,they were not much out of the way1 that styled ,purgatory a transitory kind of hell1 because the principal pains of the damned are to be found there2 with this only difference1 that in hell they are eternal1 and in ,purgatory they are only transitory and fleeting3 for1 otherwise1 it is probably the very same fire that burns both the ,holy ,souls and the damned spirits2 and the pain of loss is1 in both places1 the chief torment4444 ,now1 does not your hair stand on end8 does not your heart tremble1 when you hear that the poor souls in ,purgatory are tormented with the same1 or the like flames to those of the damned8 ,can you refrain from crying out1 with the ,prophet ,isaias3 ,who can dwell with such devouring fire1 and unquenchable burnings8 ,heavens6 what a lamentable case is this6 ,those miserable souls1 who of late1 when they were wedded to their bodies1 were so nice and dainty1 forsooth1 that they durst scarce venture to enjoy the comfortable heat of a fire1 but under the protection of their screens and their fans1 for fear of spoiling their complexions1 and if1 by chance1 a spark had been so rude as to light upon them1 or a little smoke1 it was not to be endured3444 --,alas6 how will it fare with them1 when they shall see themselves tied to unmerciful firebrands1 or imbodied1 as it were1 with flames of fire1 surrounded with frightful darkness1 broiled and consumed without intermission1 and perhaps condemned to the same fire with which the devils are unspeakably tormented8 7,pages #d-g47 99 99 99 99 99 ,good ,god6 how the great ,saints and ,doctors astonish me when they treat of this fire1 and of the pain of sense1 as they call it6 ,for they peremptorily pronounce that the fire that purges those souls1 those both happy and unhappy souls1 surpasses all the torments that are to be found in this miserable life of man1 or are possible to be invented1 for so far they go444 ,thus they discourse3 ,the fire and the pains of the other world are of another nature from those of this life1 because ,god elevates them above their nature to be instruments of ,his severity4 ,now1 say they1 things of an inferior degree can never reach the power of such things as are of a higher rank4 ,for example1 the air1 let it be ever so inflated1 unless it be converted into fire1 can never be so hot as fire4 ,besides1 ,god bridles ,his rigor in this world2 but1 in the next1 ,he lets the reins loose and punishes almost equally to the desert4 ,and1 since those souls have preferred creatures before their ,creator1 ,he seems to be put upon a necessity of punishing them beyond the ordinary strength of creatures2 and hence it is that the fire of ,purgatory burns more1 torments and inflicts more1 than all the creatures of this life are able to do4 ,but is it really true that the least pain in ,purgatory exceeds the greatest here upon earth8 ,o ,god6 the very statement makes me tremble for fear1 and my very heart freezes into ice with astonishment4 ,and yet1 who dare oppose ,st4 ,augustine1 ,st4 ,thomas1 ,st4 ,anselm1 ,st4 ,gregory the ,great8 ,is there any hope of carrying the negative assertion against such a stream of ,doctors1 who all maintain the affirmative1 and bring so strong reasons for it8444 99 99 99 99 99 ,but for ,thy comfort1 there are ,doctors in the ,catholic ,church that cannot agree with so much severity2 and1 namely1 ,st4 ,bonaventure1 who is very peremptory in denying it4 ,for1 what way is there1 says this holy ,doctor1 to verify so great a paradox1 without sounding reason1 and destroying the infinite mercy of ,god8 ,i am easily persuaded there are torments in ,purgatory far exceeding any in this mortal life2 this is most certain1 and it is but reasonable it should be so2 but that the least there should be more terrible than the most terrible in the world cannot enter into my belief4 ,may it not often fall out that a man comes to die in a most eminent state of perfection1 save only1 that in his last agony1 out of mere frailty1 he commits a venial sin1 or carries along with him some relic of his former failings1 which might have been easily blotted out with a ,pater ,noster1 or washed away with a little holy water2 for ,i am supposing it to be some very small matter4 ,now1 what likelihood is there1 ,i will not say1 that the infinite mercy of ,god1 but that the very rigor of ,his justice1 though you conceive it to be ever so severe1 should inflict so horrible a punishment upon this holy soul1 as not to be equalled by the greatest torments in this life2 and all this for some petty fault scarce worth the speaking of8 ,how6 would you have ,god1 for a kind of trifle1 to punish a soul full of grace and virtue1 and so severely to punish her as to exceed all the racks1 cauldrons1 furnaces1 and other hellish inventions1 which are scarce inflicted upon the most execrable criminals in the world8 7,pp4 #i-aa47 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is not the fire1 nor all the brimstone and tortures they endure1 which murders them alive4 ,no1 no2 it is the domestical cause of all these mischiefs that racks their consciences and is their crudest executioner4 ,this1 this is the greatest of their evils2 for a soul that has shaken off the fetters of flesh and blood1 and is full of the love of ,god1 no more disordered with unruly passions1 nor blinded with the night of ignorance1 sees clearly the vast injury she has done to herself to have offended so good a ,god1 and to have deserved to be thus banished out of ,his sight and deprived of that ,divine fruition4 ,she sees how easily she might have flown up straight to heaven at her first parting with her body1 and what trifle it was that impeded her4 ,a moment lost of those inebriating joys1 seems to her now worthy to be redeemed with an eternity of pains4 ,then1 reflecting with herself that she was created only for ,god1 and cannot be truly satisfied but by enjoying ,god1 and that1 out of ,him1 all this goodly machine of the world is no better than a direct hell and an abyss of evils4 ,alas6 what worms1 what martyrdoms1 and what nipping pincers are such pinching thoughts as these4 ,the fire is to her but as smoke in comparison to this vexing remembrance of her own follies1 which betrayed her to this disgraceful and unavoidable misfortune4 ,there was a king who1 in a humor gave away his crown and his whole estate1 for the present refreshment of a cup of cold water2 but1 returning a little to himself and soberly reflecting what he had done1 had like to have run stark mad to see the strange1 irreparable folly he had committed4 ,to lose a year1 or two years 7to say no more71 of the beatifical vision for a glass of water1 for a handful of earth1 for the love of a fading beauty1 for a little air of worldly praise1 a mere puff of honor--ah6 it is the hell of ,purgatory to a soul that truly loves ,god and frames a right conceit of things4 7,pp4 #ad1 #ae47 99 99 99 99 99 ,confusion is one of the most intolerable evils that can befall a soul2 and1 therefore1 ,st4 ,paul1 speaking of ,our blessed ,saviour1 insists much upon this1 that ,he had the courage and the love for us all to overcome the pain of a horrible confusion1 which doubtless is an insupportable evil to a man of intelligence and courage4 ,tell me1 then1 if you can1 what a burning shame and what a terrible confusion it must be to those noble and generous souls1 to behold themselves overwhelmed with a confused chaos of fire1 and such a base fire which affords no other light but a sullen glimmering1 choked up with a sulphureous and stinking smoke2 and in the interim to know that the souls of many country clowns1 mere idiots1 poor women and simple religious persons1 go straight up to heaven1 whilst they lie there burning--they that were so knowing1 so rich and so wise2 they that were counsellors to kings1 eminent preachers of ,god's word1 and renowned oracles in the world2 they that were so great divines1 so great statesmen1 so capable of high employments4 ,this confusion is much heightened by their further knowing how easily they might have avoided all this and would not4 ,sometimes they would have given whole mountains of gold to be rid of a stone in the kidneys or a fit of the gout1 colic or burning fever1 and for a handful of silver they might have redeemed many years' torments in that fiery furnace2 and1 alas6 they chose rather to give it to their dogs and their horses1 and sometimes to men more beasts than they and much more unworthy4 ,methinks this thought must be more vexing than the fire itself1 though never so grievous4 ,and yet there remains one thought more1 which certainly has a great share in completing their martyrdom2 and that is the remembrance of their children or heirs which they left behind them2 who swim in nectar and live jollily on the goods which they purchased with the sweat of their brows1 and yet are so ungrateful1 so brutish1 and so barbarous that they will scarce vouchsafe to say a ,pater ,noster in a whole month for their souls who brought them into the world1 and who1 to place them in a terrestrial paradise of all worldly delights1 made a hard venture of their own souls and had like to have exchanged a temporal punishment for an eternal4 ,the leavings and superfluities of their lackeys1 a throw of dice1 and yet less than that1 might have set them free from these hellish torments2 and these wicked1 ungrateful wretches would not so much as think on it4 7,pp4 #ca-cc47 99 99 99 99 99 ,before ,i leave off finishing this picture1 or put a period to the representation of the pains of ,purgatory1 ,i cannot but relate a very remarkable history which will be as a living picture before your eyes4 ,but be sure you take it not to be of the number of those idle stories which pass for old wives' tales1 or mere imaginations of cracked brains and simple souls4 ,no2 ,i will tell you nothing but what ,venerable ,bede1 so grave an author1 witnesses to have happened in his time1 and to have been generally believed all over ,england without contradiction1 and to have been the cause of wonderful effects2 and which is so authenticated that ,cardinal ,bellarmine1 a man of such judgment as the world knows1 having related it himself1 concludes thus3 ,for my part ,i firmly believe this history1 as very conformable to the ,holy ,scripture1 and whereof ,i can have no doubt without wronging truth and wounding my own conscience1 which ought readily to yield assent unto that which is attested by so many and so credible witnesses and confirmed by such holy and admirable events4 ,about the year of our ,lord #fij1 a certain ,englishman1 in the county of ,northumberland1 by name ,brithelmus1 being dead for a time1 was conducted to the place of ,purgatory by a guide1 whose countenance and apparel was full of light2 you may imagine it was his good ,angel4 ,here he was shown two broad valleys of a vast and infinite length1 one full of glowing firebrands and terrible flames1 the other as full of hail1 ice1 and snow2 and in both these were innumerable souls1 who1 as with a whirlwind1 were tossed up and down out of the intolerable scorching flames1 into the insufferable rigors of cold1 and out of these into those again1 without a moment of repose or respite4 ,this he took to be hell1 so frightful were those torments2 but his good ,angel told him no1 it was ,purgatory1 where the souls did penance for their sins1 and especially such as had deferred their conversion until the hour of death2 and that many of them were set free before the ,day of ,judgment for the good prayers1 alms1 and fasts of the living1 and chiefly by the holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,now this holy man1 being raised again from death to life by the power of ,god1 first made a faithful relation of all that he had seen1 to the great amazement of the hearers1 then retired him self into the church and spent the whole night in prayer2 and soon after1 gave away his whole estate1 partly to his wife and children1 partly to the poor1 and taking upon him the habit and profession of a monk1 led so austere a life that even if his tongue had been silent1 yet his life and conversation spake aloud what wonders he had seen in the other world4 ,sometimes they would see him1 old as he was1 in freezing water up to his ears1 praying and singing with much sweetness and incredible fervor2 and if they asked him1 ,brother1 alas6 how can you suffer such sharp and biting cold8 ,o my friends1 would he say1 ,i have seen other manner of cold than this4 ,thus1 when he even groaned under the voluntary burden of a world of most cruel mortifications1 and was questioned how it was possible for a weak and broken body like his to undergo such austerities1 ,alas6 my dear brethren1 would he still say1 ,i have seen far greater austerities than these3 they are but roses and perfumes in comparison of what ,i have seen in the subterraneous lakes of ,purgatory4 ,and in these kinds of austerities he spent the remainder of his life and made a holy end1 and purchased an eternal paradise1 for having had but a sight of the pains of ,purgatory4 ,and we1 dear ,christians1 if we believed in good earnest1 or could but once procure to have a true sight or apprehension of them1 should certainly have other thoughts and live in another fashion than we do4 7,pp4 #dd-df47 99 99 99 99 99 ,now1 would you clearly see how the souls can at the same instant swim in a paradise of delights and yet be overwhelmed with the hellish torments of ,purgatory8 ,cast your eyes upon the holy martyrs of ,god's ,church1 and observe their behavior4 ,they were torn1 mangled1 dismembered1 flayed alive1 racked1 broiled1 burnt--and tell me1 was not this to live in a kind of hell8 ,and yet1 in the very height of their torments their hearts and souls were ready to leap for joy2 you would have taken them to be already transported into heaven4 ,hear them but speak for themselves4 ,o lovely cross1 cried out ,st4 ,andrew1 made beautiful by the precious ,body of ,christ1 how long have ,i desired thee1 and with what care have ,i sought thee6 and now1 that ,i have found thee1 receive me into thine arms1 and lift me up to my dear ,redeemer6 ,o death1 #a how amiable art thou in my eyes1 and how sweet is thy cruelty6 ,your coals1 said ,st4 ,cecily1 your flaming firebrands1 and all the terrors of death1 are to me but as so many fragrant roses and lilies1 sent from heaven4 ,shower down upon me1 cried ,st4 ,stephen1 whole deluges of stones1 whilst ,i see the heavens open and ,jesus ,christ standing at the right side of ,his ,eternal ,father1 to behold the fidelity of ,his champion4 ,turn1 exclaimed ,st4 ,lawrence1 oh6 turn1 the other side1 thou cruel tyrant1 this is already broiled1 and cooked fit for thy palate4 ,oh1 how well am ,i pleased to suffer this little ,purgatory for the love of my ,saviour6 ,make haste1 ,o my soul1 cried ,st4 ,agnes1 to cast thyself upon the bed of flames which thy dear ,spouse has prepared for thee6 ,oh1 cried ,st4 ,felicitas1 and the mother of the ,machabees1 ,oh1 that ,i had a thousand children1 or a thousand lives1 to sacrifice them all to my ,god4 ,what a pleasure it is to suffer for so good a cause6 ,welcome tyrants1 tigers1 lions1 writes ,st4 ,ignatius the ,martyr2 let all the torments that the devils can invent come upon me1 so ,i may enjoy my ,saviour4 ,i am the wheat of ,christ2 oh1 let me be ground with the lions' teeth4 ,now ,i begin indeed to be the disciple of ,christ4 ,oh1 the happy stroke of a sword1 might ,st4 ,paul well exclaim1 that no sooner cuts off my head1 but it makes a breach for my soul to enter into heaven4 ,let it be far from me to glory in anything1 but in the ,cross of ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,let all evils band against me1 and let my body be never so overloaded with afflictions1 the joy of my heart will be sure to have the mastery1 and my soul will be still replenished with such heavenly consolations that no words1 nor even thoughts1 are able to express it4 ,footnote #a3 ,from the author's text1 it seems doubtful whether this sentence is to be attributed to ,st4 ,andrew or ,st4 ,cecilia4 ,you may imagine1 then1 that the souls1 once unfettered from the body1 may1 together with their torments1 be capable of great comforts and divine favors1 and break forth into resolute1 heroical1 and even supercelestial acts4 99 99 99 99 99 ,but there is yet something of a higher nature to be said4444 ,we have all the reason in the world to believe that ,god1 of ,his infinite goodness1 inspires these holy souls with a thousand heavenly lights1 and such ravishing thoughts1 that they cannot but take themselves to be extremely happy3 so happy that ,st4 ,catherine of ,genoa professed she had learnt of ,almighty ,god that1 excepting only the blessed ,saints in heaven1 there were no joys comparable to those of the souls in ,purgatory4 ,for1 said she1 when they consider that they are in the hands of ,god1 in a place deputed for them by ,his holy providence1 and just where ,god would have them1 it is not to be expressed what a sweetness they find in so loving a thought3 and certainly they had infinitely rather be in ,purgatory1 to comply with ,his divine pleasure1 than be in ,paradise1 with violence to ,his justice1 and a manifest breach of the ordinary laws of the house of ,god4 ,i will say more1 continued she3 it cannot so much as steal into their thoughts to desire to be anywhere else than where they are4 ,seeing that ,god has so placed them1 they are not at all troubled that others get out before them2 and they are so absorbed in this profound meditation1 of being at ,god's disposal1 in the bosom of ,his sweet providence1 that they cannot so much as dream of being anywhere else4 ,so that1 methinks1 those kind expressions of ,almighty ,god1 by ,his prophets1 to ,his chosen people1 may be fitly applied to the unhappy and yet happy condition of these holy souls4 ',rejoice1 my people1' says the loving ,god2 'for ,i swear unto you by ,myself1 that when you shall pass through flames of fire1 they shall not hurt you3 ,i shall be there with you2 ,i shall take off the edge1 and blunt the points1 of those piercing flames4 ,i will raise the bright ,aurora in your darkness2 and the darkness of your nights shall outshine the midday4 ,i will pour out ,my peace into the midst of your hearts1 and replenish your souls with the bright shining lights of heaven4 ,you shall be as a paradise of delights1 bedewed with a living fountain of heavenly waters4 ,you shall rejoice in your ,creator1 and ,i will raise you above the height of mountains1 and nourish you with manna and the sweet inheritance of ,jacob2 for the mouth of the ,lord hath spoken it3 and it cannot fail1 but shall be sure to fall out so1 because ,he hath spoken it' 7,pp4 #fa1 #fb74 99 99 99 99 99 ,but let not this discourse cool your charity2 lest1 seeing the souls enjoy so much comfort in ,purgatory1 your compassion for them grow slack1 and so continue not equal to their desert4 ,remember1 then1 that notwithstanding all these comforts here rehearsed1 the poor creatures cease not to be grievously tormented2 and consequently have extreme need of all your favorable assistance and pious endeavors4 ,when ,christ ,jesus was in ,his bitter agony1 sweating blood and water1 the superior part of ,his soul enjoyed ,god and ,his glory1 and yet ,his body was so oppressed with sorrow1 that ,he was ready to die1 and was content to be comforted by an ,angel4 ,in like manner1 these holy souls have indeed great joys2 but feel withal such bitter torments1 that they stand in great need of our help4 ,so that you will much wrong them1 and me1 too1 to stand musing so long upon their joys1 as not to afford them succor4 7,p4 #hj47 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the history of the incomparable order of the great ,st4 ,dominic1 it is authentically related that one of the first of those holy1 religious men was wont to say1 that he found himself not so much concerned to pray for the souls in ,purgatory1 because they are certain of their salvation2 and that1 upon this account1 we ought not1 in his judgment1 to be very solicitous for them1 but ought rather to bend our whole care to help sinner1 to convert the wicked1 and to secure such souls as are uncertain of their salvation1 and probably certain of their damnation1 as leading very evil lives4 ,here it is1 said he1 that ,i willingly employ my whole endeavors4 ,it is upon these that ,i bestow my ,masses and prayers1 and all that little that is at my disposal2 and thus ,i take it to be well bestowed4 ,but upon souls that have an assurance of eternal happiness1 and can never more lose ,god or offend ,him1 ,i believe not1 said he1 that one ought to be so solicitous4 ,this certainly was but a poor and weak discourse1 to give it no severer a censure2 and the consequence of it was this1 that the good man did not only himself forbear to help these poor souls1 but1 which was worse1 dissuaded others from doing it2 and1 under color of a greater charity1 withdrew that succor which1 otherwise1 good people would liberally have afforded them4 ,but ,god took their cause in hand2 for1 permitting the souls to appear and show themselves in frightful shapes1 and to haunt the good man by night and day without respite1 still filling his fancy with dreadful imaginations1 and his eyes with terrible spectacles1 and withal letting him know who they were1 and why1 with ,god's permission1 they so importuned him with their troublesome visits1 you may believe the good ,father became so affectionately kind to the souls in ,purgatory1 bestowed so many ,masses and prayers upon them1 preached so fervently in their behalf1 stirred up so many to the same devotion1 that it is a thing incredible to believe1 and not to be expressed with eloquence4 ,never did you see so many and so clear and convincing reasons as he alleged1 to demonstrate that it is the most eminent piece of fraternal charity in this life to pray for the souls departed4 ,love and fear are the two most excellent orators in the world2 they can teach all rhetoric in a moment1 and infuse a most miraculous eloquence4 ,this good ,father1 who thought he should have been frightened to death1 was grown so fearful of a second assault1 that he bent his whole understanding to invent the most pressing and convincing arguments to stir up the world both to pity and to piety1 and so persuade souls to help souls2 and it is incredible what good ensued thereupon4 7,pp4 #hb- #hd47 99 99 99 99 99 ,is there anything within the whole circumference of the universe so worthy of compassion1 and that may so deservedly claim the greatest share in all your devotions and charities1 as to see our fathers1 our mothers1 our nearest and dearest relations1 to lie broiling in cruel flames1 and to cry to us for help with tears that are able to move cruelty itself8 ,whence ,i conclude there is not upon the earth any object that deserves more commiseration than this1 nor where fraternal charity can better employ all her forces4 7,p4 #hf47 99 99 99 99 99 ,st4 ,thomas tells us there is an order to be observed in our works of charity to our neighbor2 that is1 we are to see where there is a greater obligation1 a greater necessity1 a greater merit1 and the like circumstances4 ,now1 where is there more necessity1 or more obligation1 than to run to the fire1 and to help those that lie there1 and are not able to get out8 ,where can you have more merit1 than to have a hand in raising up ,saints and servants of ,god8 ,where have you more assurance than where you are sure to lose nothing8 ,where can you find an object of more compassion1 than where there is the greatest misery in the world8 ,where is there seen more of ,god's glory1 than to send new ,saints into heaven to praise ,god eternally8 ,lastly1 where can you show more charity1 and more of the love of ,god1 than to employ your tears1 your sighs1 your goods1 your hands1 your heart1 your life1 and all your devotion1 to procure a good that surpasses all other goods2 ,i mean1 to make souls happy for all eternity1 by translating them into heavenly joys1 out of insupportable torments8 ,that glorious ,apostle of the ,indies1 ,st4 ,francis ,xavier1 could run from one end of the world to the other1 to convert a soul1 and think it no long journey4 ,the dangers by sea and land seemed sweet1 the tempests pleasing1 the labor easy1 and his whole time well employed4 ,good ,god6 what an advantage have we1 that with so little trouble and few prayers1 may send a thousand beautiful souls into heaven1 without the least hazard of losing anything8 ,st4 ,francis ,xavier could not be certain that the ,japanese1 for example1 whom he baptized1 would persevere in their faith2 and1 though they should persevere in it1 he could have as little certainty of their salvation4 ,now1 it is an article of our faith1 that the holy souls in ,purgatory are in grace1 and shall assuredly one day enter into the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 7,pp4 #ia1 #ib47 99 99 99 99 99 ,we read in the life of ,st4 ,catherine of ,bologna1 444 that she had not only a strange tenderness for the souls1 but a singular devotion to them1 and was wont to recommend herself to them in all her necessities4 ,the reason she alleged for it was this3 that she had learned of ,almighty ,god how she had frequently obtained far greater favors by their intercession than by any other means4 ,and the story adds this3 that it often happened that what she begged of ,god1 at the intercession of the ,saints in heaven1 she could never obtain of ,him2 and yet1 as soon as she addressed herself to the souls in ,purgatory she had her suit instantly granted4 ,can there be any question but there are souls in that purging fire who are of a higher pitch of sanctity1 and of far greater merit in the sight of ,god1 than a thousand and a thousand ,saints who are already glorious in the ,court of ,heaven4 7,p4 #ajb47 99 99 99 99 99 ,cardinal ,baronius1 a man of credit beyond exception1 relates1 in his ,ecclesiastical ,annals1 how a person of rare virtue found himself dangerously assaulted at the hour of his death2 and that1 in this agony1 he saw the heavens open and about eight thousand champions1 all covered with white armor1 descend1 who fell instantly to encourage him by giving him this assurance3 that they were come to fight for him and to disengage him from that doubtful combat4 ,and when1 with infinite comfort1 and tears in his eyes1 he besought them to do him the favor to let him know who they were that had so highly obliged him3 ,we are1 said they1 the souls whom you have saved and delivered out of ,purgatory2 and now1 to requite the favor1 we are come down to convey you instantly to heaven4 ,and with that1 he died4 ,we read another such story of ,st4 ,gertrude2 how she was troubled at her death to think what must become of her1 since she had given away all the rich treasure of her satisfactions to redeem other poor souls1 without reserving anything to herself2 but that ,our ,blessed ,saviour gave her the comfort to know that she was not only to have the like favor of being immediately conducted into heaven out of this world1 by those innumerable souls whom she had sent thither before her by her fervent prayers1 but was there also to receive a hundred-fold of eternal glory in reward of her charity4 ,by which examples we may learn that we cannot make better use of our devotion and charity than this way4 7,pp4 #ajd1 #aje47 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,church ,triumphant1 to speak properly1 cannot satisfy1 because there is no place for penal works in the ,court of ,heaven1 whence all grief and pain are eternally banished4 ,wherefore1 the ,saints may well proceed by way of impetration and prayers2 or1 at most1 represent their former satisfactions1 which are carefully laid up in the treasury of the ,church1 in lieu of those which are due from others2 but1 as for any new satisfaction or payment derived from any penal act of their own1 it is not to be looked for in those happy mansions of eternal glory4 ,the ,church ,militant may do either2 as having this advantage over the ,church ,triumphant1 that she can help the souls in ,purgatory by her prayers and satisfactory works1 and by offering up her charitable suffrages1 wherewith to pay the debts of those poor souls who are run in arrear in point of satisfaction due for their sins4 ,had they but fasted1 prayed1 labored1 or suffered a little more in this life1 they had gone directly into heaven2 what they unhappily neglected we may supply for them1 and it will be accepted for good payment1 as from their bails and sureties4 ,you know1 he that stands surety for another takes the whole debt upon himself4 ,this is our case2 for1 the living1 as it were1 entering bond for the dead1 become responsible for their debts1 and offer up fasts for fasts1 tears for tears1 in the same measure and proportion as they were liable to them1 and so defray the debt of their friends at their own charge1 and make all clear4 7,pp4 #aag1 #aah47 99 99 99 99 99 ,i am in love with that religious practice of ,bologna1 where1 upon funeral days1 they cause hundreds and thousands of ,masses to be said for the soul departed1 in lieu of other superfluous and vain ostentations4 ,they stay not for the anniversary1 nor for any other set day2 but instantly do their best to release the poor soul from her torments1 who must needs think the year long1 if she must stay for help till her anniversary day appears4 ,they do not1 for all this1 despise the laudable customs of the ,church2 they bury their friends with honor2 they clothe great numbers of poor people2 they give liberal alms2 but1 as there is nothing so certain1 nothing so efficacious1 nothing so divine1 as the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass1 they fix their whole affection there1 and strive all they can to relieve the souls this way2 and are by no means so lavish1 as the fashion is1 in other idle expenses and inopportune feastings1 which are often more troublesome to the living than comfortable to the dead4 ,but you may not only comfort the afflicted souls by procuring ,masses for them1 nor yet only by offering up your prayers1 fasts1 alms-deeds1 and such other works of piety2 but you may bestow upon them all the good you do1 and all the evil you suffer1 in this world4444 ,if you offer up unto ,god all that causes you any grief or affliction1 for the present relief of the poor languishing souls1 you cannot believe what ease and comfort they will find by it4 7,pp4 #abc-abe74 99 99 99 99 99 ,the world has generally a great esteem of ,monsieur d',argenton1 ,philip ,commines2 and many worthily admire him for the great wisdom and sincerity he has labored to express in his whole history4 ,but1 for my part1 ,i commend him for nothing more than for the prudent care he took here for the welfare of his own soul in the other world4 ,for1 having built a goodly chapel at the ,augustinians in ,paris1 and left them a good foundation1 he tied them to this perpetual obligation1 that they should no sooner rise from table1 but they should be sure to pray for the rest of this precious soul4 ,and he ordered it thus1 by his express will1 that one of the religious should first say aloud3 ,let us pray for the soul of ,monsieur d',argenton2 and then all should instantly say the psalm ,de ,profundis4 ,gerson lost not his labor when he took such pains to teach little children to repeat often these words3 ,my ,god1 my ,creator1 have pity on ,thy poor servant1 ,john ,gerson4 ,for these innocent souls1 all the while the good man was dying1 and after he was dead1 went up and down the town with a mournful voice1 singing the short lesson he had taught them1 and comforting his dear soul with their innocent prayers4 ,now1 as ,i must commend their prudence who thus wisely cast about how to provide for their own souls1 against they come into ,purgatory1 so ,i cannot but more highly magnify their charity1 who1 less solicitous for themselves1 employ their whole care to save others out of that dreadful fire4 ,and sure ,i am1 they can lose nothing by the bargain1 who dare thus trust ,god with their own souls1 while they do their uttermost to help others2 nay1 though they should follow that unparalleled example of ,father ,hernando de ,monsoy1 of the ,society of ,jesus1 who1 not content to give away all he could from himself to the poor souls1 while he lived1 made them his heirs after death2 and1 by express will1 bequeathed them all the ,masses1 rosaries1 and whatsoever else should be offered for him by his friends upon earth4 7,pp4 #aca-acb47 99 99 99 99 99 ,it will not be amiss here to resolve you certain pertinent questions4 ,whether the suffrages we offer up unto ,god shall really avail them for whom we offer them2 and whether they alone1 or others also1 may receive benefit by them8 ,whether it be better to pray for a few at once1 or for many1 or for all the souls together1 and for what souls in particular8 ,to the first ,i answer3 if your intention be to help any one in particular who is really in ,purgatory1 so your work be good1 it is infallibly applied to the person upon whom you bestow it4 ,for1 as divines teach1 it is the intention of the offerer which governs all2 and ,god1 of ,his infinite goodness1 accommodates ,himself to the petitioner's request1 applying unto each one what has been offered for its relief4 ,if you have nobody in your thoughts for whom you offer up your prayers1 they are only beneficial to yourself2 and what would be thus lost for want of application1 ,god lays up in the treasury of the ,church1 as being a kind of spiritual waif or stray1 to which nobody can lay any just claim4 ,and1 since it is the intention which entitles one to what is offered before all others1 what right can others pretend to it2 or with what justice can it be parted or divided amongst others1 who were never thought of8 ,and hence ,i take my starting-point to resolve your other question--that if you regard their best advantage whom you have a mind to favor1 you had better pray for a few than for many together2 for1 since the merit of your devotions is but limited1 and often in a very small proportion1 the more you divide and subdivide it amongst many1 the lesser share comes to every one in particular4 ,as if you should distribute a crown or an angel #a amongst a thousand poor people1 you easily see your alms would be so inconsiderable1 they would be little better for it2 whereas1 if it were all bestowed upon one or two1 it were enough to make them think themselves rich4 ,footnote #a3 ,a gold coin of that period so called because it was stamped with the image of an angel4 ,now1 to define precisely1 whether it be always better done1 to help one or two souls efficaciously1 than to yield a little comfort to a great many1 is a question ,i leave for you to exercise your wits in4 ,i could fancy it to be your best course to do both2 that is1 sometimes to single out some particular soul1 and to use all your powers to lift her up to heaven2 sometimes1 again1 to parcel out your favors upon many2 and1 now and then1 also to deal out a general alms upon all ,purgatory4 ,and you need not fear exceeding in this way of charity1 whatsoever you bestow2 for you may be sure nothing will be lost by it4 ,and ,st4 ,thomas will tell you1 for your comfort1 that since all the souls in ,purgatory are perfectly united in charity1 they rejoice exceedingly when they see any of their whole number receive such powerful helps as to dispose her for heaven4 ,they every one take it as done to themselves1 whatsoever is bestowed upon any of their fellows1 whom they love as themselves2 and1 out of a heavenly kind of courtesy1 and singular love1 they joy in her happiness1 as if it were their own4 ,so that it may be truly said1 that you never pray for one or more of them1 but they are all partakers1 and receive a particular comfort and satisfaction by it4 7,pp4 #acb-acd47 99 99 99 99 99 ,it would go hard with many1 were it true that a person who neglected to make restitution in his life-time1 and only charged his heirs to do it for him in his last will and testament1 shall not stir out of ,purgatory till restitution be really made2 let there be never so many ,masses said1 and never so many satisfactory works offered up for him4 ,and yet ,st4 ,bridget1 whose revelations are1 for the most part1 approved by the ,church1 hesitates not to set this down for a truth which ,god had revealed unto her4 ,nor are there wanting grave divines that countenance this rigorous position1 and bring for it many strong reasons and examples1 which they take to be authentical3 and the law itself1 which says that if a man do not restore another's goods1 there will always stick upon the soul a kind of blemish1 or obligation of justice4 ,and since the fault lies wholly at his door1 he cannot1 say they1 have the least reason to complain of the severity of ,god's justice1 but must accuse his own coldness and extreme neglect of his own welfare4 ,nay1 even those that are of the contrary persuasion1 yet maintain that it is not only much more secure1 but far more meritorious1 to satisfy such obligations while we live1 than to trust others with it1 let them be never so near and dear to us4444 7,pp4 #adj1 #ada47 99 99 99 99 99 444 ,i have just cause to fear that all ,i can say to you will hardly suffice to mollify that hard heart of yours2 and1 therefore1 my last refuge shall be to set others on1 though ,i call them out of the other world4 ,and first1 let a damned soul read you a lecture1 and teach you the compassion you ought to bear to your afflicted brethren4 ,remember how the rich glutton in the ,gospel1 although he was buried in hell-fire1 took care for his brothers who survived him2 and besought ,abraham to send ,lazarus back into the world1 to preach and convert them1 lest they should be so miserable as to come into that place of torments4 ,a strange request for a damned soul6 and which may shame you1 that are so little concerned for the souls of your brethren1 who are in so restless a condition4 ,in the next place1 ,i will bring in the soul of your dear father1 or mother1 to make her own just complaints against you4 ,lend her1 then1 a dutiful and attentive ear2 and let none of her words be lost2 for she deserves to be heard out1 while she sets forth the state of her most lamentable condition4 ,peace6 it is a holy soul1 though clothed in flames1 that directs her speech to you after this manner3 ,am ,i not the most unfortunate and wretched parent that ever lived8 ,i that was so silly as to presume that having ventured my life1 and my very soul also1 to leave my children at their ease1 they would at least have had some pity on me1 and endeavor to procure for me some ease and comfort in my torments4 ,alas6 ,i burn insufferably1 ,i suffer infinitely1 and have done so1 ,i know not how long2 and yet this is not the only thing that grieves me4 ,alas1 no6 it is a greater vexation to me to see myself so soon forgotten by my own children1 and so slighted by them1 for whom ,i have in vain taken so much care and pains4 ,ah1 dost thou grudge thy poor mother a ,mass1 a slight alms1 a sigh1 or a tear8 ,thy mother1 ,i say1 who would most willingly have kept bread from her own mouth1 to make thee swim in an ocean of delights1 and to abound with plenty of all worldly goods8 444 ,who will not refuse me comfort1 when my own children1 my very bowels1 do their best to forget me8 ,what a vexation is it to me1 when my companions in misery ask me whether ,i left no children behind me1 and why they are so hard-hearted as to neglect me84444 ,i was willing to forget my own concerns to be careful of theirs2 and those ungrateful ones have now buried me in an eternal oblivion1 and clearly left me to shift for myself in these dread tortures1 without giving me the least ease or comfort4 ,oh1 what a fool was ,i6 had ,i given to the poor the thousandth part of those goods which ,i left these miserable children1 ,i had long before this been joyfully singing the praises of my ,creator1 in the choir of ,angels2 whereas now ,i lie panting and groaning under excessive torments1 and am like still to lie1 for any relief that is to be looked for from these undutiful1 ungracious children whom ,i made my sole heirs4444 ,but am ,i not all this while strangely transported1 miserable that ,i am1 thus to amuse myself with unprofitable complaints against my children2 whereas1 indeed1 ,i have but small reason to blame any but myself8 since it is ,i1 and only ,i1 that am the cause of all this mischief4 ,for did not ,i know that in the grand business of saving my soul1 ,i was to have trusted none but myself8 did ,i not know that with the sight of their friends1 at their departure1 men used to lose all the memory and friendship they had for them84444 ,did ,i not know that ,god ,himself had foretold us1 that the only ready way to build ourselves eternal tabernacles in the next world1 is not to give all to our children1 but to be liberal to the poor84444 ,i cannot deny1 then1 but the fault lies at my door1 and that ,i am deservedly thus neglected by my children4444 ,the only comfort ,i have left me in all my afflictions1 is1 that others will learn at my cost this clear maxim3 not to leave to others a matter of such near concern as the ease and repose of their own souls2 but to provide for them carefully themselves4 ,o ,god6 how dearly have ,i bought this experience2 to see my fault irreparable1 and my misery without redress6 7,pp4 #adf-adi47 99 99 99 99 99 ,one must have a heart of steel1 or no heart at all1 to hear these sad regrets1 and not feel some tenderness for the poor souls1 and as great an indignation against those who are so little concerned for the souls of their parents and other near relations4 ,i wish1 with all my soul1 that all those who shall light upon this passage1 and hear the soul so bitterly deplore her misfortune1 may but benefit themselves half as much by it as a good prelate did when the soul of ,pope ,benedict ,,viii1 by ,god's permission1 revealed unto him her lamentable state in ,purgatory4 #a ,for so the story goes1 which is not to be questioned3 ,this ,pope ,benedict appears to the ,bishop of ,capua1 and conjures him to go to his brother1 ,pope ,john1 who succeeded him in the ,chair of ,st4 ,peter1 and to beseech him1 for ,god's sake1 to give great store of alms to poor people1 to allay the fury of the fire of ,purgatory1 with which he found himself highly tormented4 ,he further charges him to let the ,pope know withal1 that he did acknowledge liberal alms had already been distributed for that purpose2 but had found no ease at all by it because all the money that had been then bestowed was acquired unjustly1 and so had no power to prevail before the just tribunal of ,god for the obtaining of the least mercy4 ,the good ,bishop1 upon this1 makes haste to the ,pope1 and faithfully relates the whole conference that had passed between him and the soul of his predecessor2 and with a grave voice and lively accent enforces the necessity and importance of the business2 that1 in truth1 when a soul lies a burning1 it is in vain to dispute idle questions2 the best course1 then1 is to run instantly for water1 and to throw it on with both hands1 calling for all the help and assistance we can1 to relieve her2 and that ,his ,holiness should soon see the truth of the vision by the wonderful effects which were like to follow4 ,all this he delivers so gravely1 and so to the purpose1 that the ,pope resolves out of hand to give in charity vast sums out of his own certain and unquestionable revenue2 whereby the soul of ,pope ,benedict was not only wonderfully comforted1 but1 questionless1 soon released of her torments4 ,in conclusion1 the good ,bishop1 having well reflected with himself in what a miserable condition he had seen the soul of a ,pope who had the repute of a ,saint1 and was really so1 worked so powerfully with him1 that1 quitting his mitre1 crosier1 bishopric1 and all worldly greatness1 he shut himself up in a monastery1 and there made a holy end2 choosing rather to have his ,purgatory in the austerity of a cloister than in the flames of the ,church suffering4 7,pp4 #aej1 #aea47 ,footnote #a3 ,baronius1 ,an4 #ajbd4 99 99 99 99 99 ,i wish1 again1 they would in this but follow the example of ,king ,louis of ,france1 who was son to ,louis the ,emperor1 surnamed the ,pious4 ,for they tell us #a that this ,emperor1 after he had been thirty-three years in ,purgatory1 not so much for any personal crimes or misdemeanors of his own as for permitting certain disorders in his empire1 which he ought to have prevented1 was at length permitted to show himself to ,king ,louis1 his son1 and to beg his favorable assistance2 and that the king did not only most readily grant him his request1 procuring ,masses to be said in all the monasteries of his realm for the soul of his deceased father1 but drew thence many good reflections and profitable instructions1 which served him all his life-time after4 ,do you the same2 and believe it1 though ,purgatory fire is a kind of baptism1 and is so styled by some of the holy ,fathers1 because it cleanses a soul from all the dross of sin1 and makes it worthy to see ,god1 yet is it your sweetest course1 here to baptize yourself frequently in the tears of contrition1 which have a mighty power to cleanse away all the blemishes of sin2 and so prevent in your own person1 and extinguish in others1 those baptismal flames of ,purgatory fire1 which are so dreadful4 7,pp4 #aea1 #aeb47 ,footnote #a3 ,baronius1 ,an4 #hgd4 99 99 99 99 99 ,what shall ,i say of those other nations1 whose natural piety led them to place burning lamps at the sepulchres of the dead1 and strew them over with sweet flowers and odoriferous perfumes4 #a ,do they not put ,christians in mind to remember the dead1 and to cast after them the sweet incense of their devout sighs and prayers1 and the perfumes of their alms-deeds1 and other good works8 ,footnote #a3 ,herod lib4 #b4 ,it was very usual with the old ,romans to shed whole floods of tears1 to reserve them in phial-glasses1 and to bury them with the urns1 in which the ashes of their dead friends were carefully laid up2 and by them to set lamps1 so artificially composed as to burn without end4 ,by which symbols they would give us to understand1 that neither their love nor their grief should ever die2 but that they would always be sure to have tears in their eyes1 love in their hearts1 and a constant memory in their souls for their deceased friends4444 ,they had another custom1 not only in ,rome but elsewhere1 to walk about the burning pile where the corpse lay1 and1 with their mournful lamentations1 to keep time with the doleful sound of their trumpets2 and still1 every turn1 to cast into the fire some precious pledge of their friendship4 ,the women themselves would not stick to throw in their rings1 bracelets1 and other costly attires1 nay1 their very hair also1 the chief ornament of their sex2 and they would have been sometimes willing to have thrown in both their eyes1 and their hearts too4 ,nor were there some wanting1 that in earnest threw themselves into the fire1 to be consumed with their dear spouses2 so that it was found necessary to make a severe law against it2 such was the tenderness that they had for their deceased friends1 such was the excess of a mere natural affection4 ,now1 our love is infused from ,heaven2 it is supernatural1 and consequently ought to be more active and powerful to stir up our compassion for the souls departed2 and yet we see the coldness of ,christians in this particular2 how few there are who make it their business to help poor souls out of their tormenting flames4 ,it is not necessary to make laws to hinder any excess in this article2 it were rather to be wished that a law were provided to punish all such ungrateful persons as forgot the duty they owe to their dead parents1 and all the obligations they have to the rest of their friends4 7,pp4 #aef-aeh47 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is a pleasure to observe the constant devotion of the ,church of ,christ in all ages1 to pray for the dead4 ,and first1 to take my rise from the ,apostles' time1 there are many learned interpreters1 who hold that baptism for the dead1 of which the ,apostle speaks1 #a to be meant only of the much fasting1 prayer1 alms-deeds1 and other voluntary afflictions1 which the first ,christians undertook for the relief of their deceased friends4 ,but ,i need not fetch in obscure places to prove so clear an ,apostolical and early custom in ,god's ,church4 ,footnote #a3 ,cor4 xv #bi4 ,you may see a set form of prayer for the dead prescribed in all the ancient liturgies of the ,apostles4 #a ,besides1 ,st4 ,clement #b tells us1 it was one of the chief heads of ,st4 ,peter's sermons1 to be daily inculcating to the people this devotion of praying for the dead2 and ,st4 ,denis #c sets down at large the solemn ceremonies and prayers1 which were then used at funerals2 and receives them no otherwise than as ,apostolical traditions1 grounded upon the ,word of ,god4 ,and certainly1 it would have done you good to have seen with what gravity and devotion that venerable prelate performed the divine office and prayer for the dead1 and what an ocean of tears he drew from the eyes of all that were present4 ,footnote #a3 ,liturgia utrinque1 ,s4 ,jacobi1 ,s4 ,math41 ,s4 ,marci1 ,s4 ,clem4 ,footnote #b3 ,epist4 ,i4 ,footnote #c3 ,s ,dion4 ,eccles4 ,hier4 ,c4 #g4 ,let ,tertullian #a speak for the next age4 ,he tells us how carefully devout people in his time kept the anniversaries of the dead1 and made their constant oblations for the sweet rest of their souls4 ,here it is1 says this grave author1 that the widow makes it appear whether or no she had any true love for her husband2 if she continue yearly to do her best for the comfort of his soul4 444 ,let your first care be1 to ransom him out of ,purgatory1 and when you have once placed him in the empyrean heaven1 he will be sure to take care for you and yours4 ,i know your excuse is1 that having procured for him the accustomed services of the ,church1 you need do no more for him2 for you verily believe he is already in a blessed state4 ,but this is rather a poor shift to excuse your own sloth and laziness1 than that you believe it to be so in good earnest4 ,for there is no man1 says ,origen1 but the ,son of ,god1 can guess how long1 or how many ages1 a soul may stand in need of the purgation of fire4 ,mark the word ages2 he seems to believe that a soul may1 for whole ages--that is1 for so many hundred years--be confined to this fiery lake1 if she be wholly left to herself and her own sufferings4 ,footnote #a3 ,tertull4 ,de cor4 mil4 c #c2 ,de monogam1 c4 #aj4 ,it was not without confidence1 says ,eusebius1 of reaping more fruit from the prayers of the faithful1 that the honor of our nation1 and the first ,christian ,emperor1 ,constantine the ,great1 took such care to be buried in the ,church of the ,apostles1 whither all sorts of devout people resorting to perform their devotions to ,god and ,his ,saints1 would be sure to remember so good an emperor4 ,nor did he fail of his expectation2 for it is incredible1 as the same author observes1 what a world of sighs and prayers were offered up for him upon this occasion4 ,st4 ,athanasius #a brings an elegant comparison to express the incomparable benefit which accrues to the souls in ,purgatory by our prayers4 ,as the wine1 says he1 which is locked up in the cellar1 yet is so recreated with the sweet odor of the flourishing vines which are growing in the fields1 as to flower afresh1 and leap1 as it were1 for joy1 so the souls that are shut up in the centre of the earth feel the sweet incense of our prayers1 and are exceedingly comforted and refreshed by it4 ,footnote #a3 ,st4 ,augustine's views on this subject may be seen from the extract elsewhere given1 from his ,confessions1 on the occasion of the death of his mother1 ,st4 ,monica4 ,we do not busy ourselves1 says ,st4 ,cyril1 with placing crowns or strewing flowers at the sepulchres of the dead2 but we lay hold on ,christ1 the very ,son of ,god1 who was sacrificed upon the ,cross for our sins3 and we offer ,him up again to ,his ,eternal ,father in the dread ,sacrifice of the ,mass1 as the most efficacious means to reconcile ,him1 not only to ourselves1 but to them also4 ,st4 ,epiphanius stuck not to condemn ,arius for this damnable heresy amongst others1 that he held it in vain to pray for the dead3 as if our prayers could not avail them4 ,st4 ,ambrose prayed heartily for the good ,emperor ,theodosius as soon as he was dead1 and made open profession that he would never give over praying for him till he had1 by his prayers and tears1 conveyed him safe to the holy mountain of ,our ,lord1 whither he was called by his merits1 and where there is true life everlasting4 ,he had the same kindness for the soul of the ,emperor ,valentinian1 the same for ,gratian1 the same for his brother ,satyrus and others4 ,he promised them ,masses1 tears1 prayers1 and that he would never forget them1 never give over doing charitable offices for them4 ,will you honor your dead8 says ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom2 do not spend yourselves in unprofitable lamentations2 choose rather to sing psalms1 to give alms1 and to lead holy lives4 ,do for them that which they would willingly do for themselves1 were they to return again into the world1 and ,god will accept it at your hands1 as if it came from them4 7,pp4 #afb-aff47 ,st4 ,paulinus1 that charitable prelate who sold himself to redeem others1 could not but have a great proportion of charity for captive souls in the other world4 ,no2 he was not only ready to become a slave himself to purchase their freedom1 but he became an earnest solicitor to others in their behalf2 for1 in a letter to ,delphinus1 alluding to the story of ,lazarus1 he beseeches him to have at least so much compassion as to convey1 now and then1 a drop of water wherewith to cool the tongues of poor souls that lie burning in the ,church which is all a-fire4 ,i am astonished when ,i call to mind the sad regrets of the people of ,africa when they saw some of their priests dragged away to martyrdom4 ,the author says they flocked about them in great numbers and cried out3 ,alas6 if you leave us so1 what will become of us8 ,who must give us absolution for our sins8 ,who must bury us with the wonted ceremonies of the ,church when we are dead8 and who will take care to pray for our souls8 ,such a general belief they had in those days1 that nothing is more to be desired in this world than to leave those behind us who will do their best to help us out of our torments4 7,pp4 #afg-h47 99 99 99 99 99 ,almighty ,god has often miraculously made it appear how well ,he is pleased to be importuned by us in the souls' behalf1 and what comfort they receive by our prayers4 ,st4 ,john ,climacus writes1 #a that while the monks were at service1 praying for their good father1 ,mennas1 the third day after his departure1 they felt a marvellous sweet smell to rise out of his grave1 which they took for a good omen that his sweet soul1 after three days' purgation1 had taken her flight into heaven4 ,for what else could be meant by that sweet perfume but the odor of his holy and innocent conversation1 or the incense of their sacrifices and prayers1 or the primitial fruits of his happy soul1 which was now flown up to the holy mountain of eternal glory1 there enjoying the odoriferous and never-fading delights of ,paradise8 ,footnote #a3 ,in #d1 gradu scal4 ,not unlike unto this is that story which the great ,st4 ,gregory relates of one ,justus1 a monk4 #a ,he had given him up at first for a lost creature2 but1 upon second thoughts1 having ordered ,mass to be said for him for thirty days together1 the last day he appeared to his brother and assured him of the happy exchange he was now going to make of his torments for the joys of heaven4 ,footnote #a3 ,dial4 c4 #ee1 lib4 #d4 ,pope ,symmachus and his ,council #a had reason to thunder out anathemas against those sacrilegious persons who were so frontless as to turn pious legacies into profane uses1 to the great prejudice of the souls for whose repose they were particularly deputed by the founders4 ,and1 certainly1 it is a much fouler crime to defraud souls of their due relief than to disturb dead men's ashes and to plunder their graves4 7,pp4 #afh-i47 ,footnote #a3 #f ,synod41 ,rom4 ,st4 ,isidore delivers it as an apostolic tradition and general practice of the ,catholic ,church in his time1 to offer up sacrifices and prayers1 and to distribute alms for the dead2 and this1 not for any increase of their merit1 but either to mitigate their pains or to shorten the time of their durance4 ,venerable ,bede is a sure witness for the following century2 whose learned works are full of wonderful stories1 which he brings in confirmation of this ,catholic doctrine and practice4 ,st4 ,john ,damascene made an elegant oration on purpose to stir up this devotion2 where1 amongst other things1 he says it is impossible to number up all the stories in this kind which bear witness that the souls departed are relieved by our prayers2 and that1 otherwise1 ,god would not have appointed a commemoration of the dead to be daily made in the unbloody ,sacrifice of the ,mass1 nor would the ,church have so religiously observed anniversaries and other days set apart for the service of the dead4 ,were it but a dog1 says ,simon ,metaphrastes1 that by chance were fallen into the fire1 we should have so much compassion for him as to help him out2 and what shall we do for souls who are fallen into ,purgatory fire8 ,i say1 souls of our parents and dearest friends2 souls that are predestinate to eternal glory1 and extremely precious in the sight of ,god8 ,and what did not the ,saints of ,god's ,church for them in those days8 ,some armed themselves from head to foot in coarse hair-cloth2 others tore off their flesh with chains and rude disciplines2 some1 again1 pined themselves with rigorous fasts2 others dissolved themselves into tears2 some passed whole nights in contemplation2 others gave liberal alms or procured great store of ,masses2 in fine1 they did what they were able1 and were not well pleased that they were able to do no more1 to relieve the poor souls in ,purgatory4 ,amongst others1 ,queen ,melchtild #a is reported to have purchased immortal fame for her discreet behavior at the death of the king1 her husband2 for whose soul she caused a world of ,masses to be said1 and a world of alms to be distributed1 in lieu of other idle expenses and fruitless lamentations4 ,footnote #a3 ,luitprand1 c4 #d1 c4 #g4 ,there is one in the world1 to whom ,i bear an immortal envy1 and such an envy as ,i never mean to repent of4 ,it is the holy ,abbot ,odilo1 who was the author of an invention which ,i would wittingly have found out1 though with the loss of my very heart's blood4 ,reader1 take the story as it passed1 thus3 #a ,a devout religious man1 in his return from ,jerusalem1 meets with a holy hermit in ,sicily2 he assures him that he often heard the devils complain that souls were so soon discharged of their torments by the devout prayers of the monks of ,cluny1 who never ceased to pour out their prayers for them4 ,this the good man carries to ,odilo1 then ,abbot of ,cluny2 he praises ,god for ,his great mercy in vouchsafing to hear the innocent prayers of his monks2 and presently takes occasion to command all the monasteries of his ,order1 to keep yearly the commemoration of ,all ,souls1 next after the feast of ,all ,saints1 a custom which1 by degrees1 grew into such credit1 that the ,catholic ,church thought fit to establish it all over the ,christian world2 to the incredible benefit of poor souls1 and singular increase of ,god's glory4 ,for who can sum up the infinite number of souls who have been freed out of ,purgatory by this invention8 or who can express the glory which accrued to this good ,abbot1 who thus fortunately made himself procurator-general of the suffering ,church1 and furnished her people with such a considerable supply of necessary relief1 to alleviate the insupportable burthen of their sufferings8 ,footnote #a3 ,sigeb4 in ,chron4 ,an4 #iih4 ,st4 ,bernard would triumph when he had to deal with heretics that denied this privilege of communicating our suffrages and prayers to the souls in ,purgatory4 ,and with what fervor he would apply himself to this charitable employment of relieving poor souls1 may appear by the care he took for good ,humbertus1 though he knew him to have lived and died in his monastery so like a ,saint1 that he could scarce find out the fault in him which might deserve the least punishment in the other world2 unless it were to have been too rigorous to himself1 and too careless of his health3 which in a less spiritual eye than that of ,st4 ,bernard1 might have passed for a great virtue4 ,but it is worth your hearing1 that which he relates of blessed ,st4 ,malachy1 who died in his very bosom4 ,this holy ,bishop1 as he lay asleep1 hears a sister of his1 lately dead1 making lamentable moan1 that for thirty days together she had not eaten so much as a bit of bread4 ,he starts up out of his sleep2 and1 taking it to be more than a dream1 he concludes the meaning of the vision was to tell him1 that just thirty days were now past since he had said ,mass for her2 as probably believing she was already where she had no need of his prayers4444 ,howsoever1 this worthy prelate so plied his prayers after this1 that he soon sent his sister out of ,purgatory2 and it pleased ,god to let him see1 by the daily change of her habit1 how his prayers had purged her by degrees1 and made her fit company for the ,angels and ,saints in heaven4 ,for1 the first day1 she was covered all over with black cypress2 the next1 she appeared in a mantle something whitish1 but a dusky color2 but the third day1 she was seen all clad in white1 which is the proper livery of the ,saints4444 ,this for ,st4 ,bernard4 ,but ,i cannot let pass in silence one very remarkable passage1 which happened to these two great servants of ,god4 ,st4 ,malachy had passionately desired to die at ,clarvallis1 #a in the hands of the devout ,st4 ,bernard2 and this1 on the day immediately before ,all ,souls' ,day2 and it pleased ,god to grant him his request4 ,it fell out1 then1 that while ,st4 ,bernard was saying ,mass for him1 in the middle of ,mass it was revealed to him that ,st4 ,malachy was already glorious in heaven2 whether he had gone straight out of this world1 or whether that part of ,st4 ,bernard's ,mass had freed him out of ,purgatory1 is uncertain2 but ,st4 ,bernard1 hereupon1 changed his note2 for1 having begun with a ,requiem1 he went on with the ,mass of a bishop and confessor1 to the great astonishment of all the standers-by4 ,footnote #a3 ,clairvaux4 ,st4 ,thomas of ,aquin1 that great champion of ,purgatory1 gave ,god particular thanks at his death1 for not only delivering a soul out of ,purgatory1 at the instance of his prayers1 but also permitting the same soul to be the messenger of so good news4 7,pp4 #afi-agd47 99 99 99 99 99 ,and now1 we are come down to the fifteenth age1 where the ,fathers of the ,council of ,florence1 both ,greeks and4 ,latins1 with one consent1 declare the same faith and constant practice of the ,church1 thus handed down to them from age to age1 since ,christ and ,his ,apostles' time1 as we have seen2 viz41 that the souls in ,purgatory are not only relieved1 but translated into heaven1 by the prayers1 sacrifices1 alms1 and other charitable works1 which are offered up for them according to the custom of the ,catholic ,church4 ,nor did their posterity degenerate1 or vary the least1 from this received doctrine1 until ,luther's time2 when the holy ,council of ,trent thought fit again to lay down the sound doctrine of the ,church1 in opposition to all our late sectaries4 ,and ,i wish all ,catholics were but as forward to lend their helping hands to lift souls out of ,purgatory1 as they are to believe they have the power to do it2 and that we had not often more reason than the ,roman ,emperor to pronounce the day lost2 since we let so many days pass over our heads1 and so many fair occasions slip out of our hands1 without easing1 or releasing1 any souls out of ,purgatory1 when we might do it with so much ease4 7,p4 #age47 ,,on ,,devotion ,,to ,,the ,,holy ,,souls4 ,,father ,,faber4 ,although we are mercifully freed from the necessity of descending into hell to seek and promote the interests of ,jesus1 it is far from being so with ,purgatory4 ,if heaven and earth are full of the glory of ,god1 so also is that most melancholy1 yet most interesting land1 where the prisoners of hope are detained by their ,saviour's loving justice1 from the ,beatific ,vision2 and if we can advance the interests of ,jesus on earth and in heaven1 ,i may almost venture to say that we can do still more in ,purgatory4 ,and what ,i am endeavoring to show you in this treatise is1 how you may help ,god by prayer1 and the practices of devotion1 whatever your occupation and calling may be3 and all these practices apply especially to ,purgatory4 ,for although some theologians say that in spite of the ,holy ,souls placing no obstacle in the way1 still the effect of prayer for them is not infallible2 nevertheless1 it is much more certain than the effect of prayer for the conversion of sinners upon earth1 where it is so often frustrated by their perversity and evil dispositions4 ,anyhow1 what ,i have wanted to show has been this3 that each of us1 without aiming beyond our grace1 without austerities for which we have not courage1 without supernatural gifts to which we lay no claim1 may1 by simple affectionateness and the practices of sound ,catholic devotion1 do great things1 things so great that they seem incredible1 for the glory of ,god1 the interests of ,jesus1 and the good of souls4 ,i should1 therefore1 be leaving my subject very incomplete if ,i did not consider at some length devotion to the ,holy ,souls in ,purgatory2 and ,i will treat1 not so much of particular practices of it1 which are to be found in the ordinary manuals1 as of the spirit of the devotion itself4 99 99 99 99 99 ,by the doctrine of the ,communion of ,saints and of the unity of ,christ's mystical body1 we have most intimate relations both of duty and affection with the ,church ,triumphant and ,suffering2 and ,catholic devotion furnishes us with many appointed and approved ways of discharging these duties toward them4444 ,for the present it is enough to say that ,god has given us such power over the dead that they seem1 as ,i have said before1 to depend almost more on earth than on heaven2 and surely that ,he has given us this power1 and supernatural methods of exercising it1 is not the least touching proof that ,his ,blessed ,majesty has contrived all things for love4 ,can we not conceive the joy of the ,blessed in ,heaven1 looking down from the bosom of ,god and the calmness of their eternal repose upon this scene of dimness1 disquietude1 doubt and fear1 and rejoicing in the plenitude of their charity1 in their vast power with the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 to obtain grace and blessing day and night for the poor dwellers upon earth8 ,it does not distract them from ,god1 it does not interfere with the ,vision1 or make it waver and grow misty2 it does not trouble their glory or their peace4 ,on the contrary1 it is with them as with our ,guardian ,angels--the affectionate ministries of their charity increase their own accidental glory4 ,the same joy in its measure may be ours even upon earth4 ,if we are fully possessed with this ,catholic devotion for the ,holy ,souls1 we shall never be without the grateful consciousness of the immense powers which ,jesus has given us on their behalf4 ,we are never so like ,him1 or so nearly imitate ,his tender offices1 as when we are devoutly exercising these powers4444 ,oh6 what thoughts1 what feelings1 what love should be ours1 as we1 like choirs of terrestrial angels1 gaze down on the wide1 silent1 sinless kingdom of suffering1 and then with our own venturous touch wave the sceptred hand of ,jesus over its broad regions all richly dropping with the balsam of ,his saving ,blood6 99 99 99 99 99 ,oh6 how solemn and subduing is the thought of that holy kingdom1 that realm of pain6 ,there is no cry1 no murmur2 all is silent1 silent as ,jesus before ,his enemies4 ,we shall never know how we really love ,mary till we look up to her out of those deeps1 those vales of dread mysterious fire4 ,o beautiful region of the ,church of ,god4 ,o lovely troop of the flock of ,mary6 ,what a scene is presented to our eyes when we gaze upon that consecrated empire of sinlessness and yet of keenest suffering6 ,there is the beauty of those immaculate souls1 and then the loveliness1 yea1 the worshipfulness of their patience1 the majesty of their gifts1 the dignity of their solemn and chaste sufferings1 the eloquence of their silence2 the moonlight of ,mary's throne lighting up their land of pain and unspeechful expectation2 the silver-winged angels voyaging through the deeps of that mysterious realm2 and above all1 that unseen ,face of ,jesus which is so well remembered that it seems to be almost seen6 ,oh6 what a sinless purity of worship is here in this liturgy of hallowed pain6 ,o world6 ,o weary1 clamorous1 sinful world6 ,who would not break away if he could1 like an uncaged dove1 from thy perilous toils and unsafe pilgrimage1 and fly with joy to the lowest place in that most pure1 most safe1 most holy land of suffering and of sinless love6 99 99 99 99 99 ,but some persons turn in anger from the thought of ,purgatory1 as if it were not to be endured1 that after trying all our lives long to serve ,god1 we should accomplish the tremendous feat of a good death1 only to pass from the agonies of the death-bed into fire--long1 keen1 searching1 triumphant1 incomparable fire4 ,alas6 my dear friends2 your anger will not help you nor alter facts4 ,but have you thought sufficiently about ,god8 ,have you tried to realize ,his holiness and purity in assiduous meditation8 ,is there a real divorce between you and the world1 which you know is ,god's enemy8 ,do you take ,god's side8 ,have you wedded ,his interests8 ,do you long for ,his glory8 ,have you put sin alongside of our dear ,saviour's ,passion1 and measured the one by the other8 ,oh6 if you had1 ,purgatory would but seem to you the last1 unexpected1 and inexpressibly tender invention of an obstinate love which was mercifully determined to save you in spite of yourself6 ,it would be a perpetual wonder to you1 a joyous wonder1 fresh every1 morning--a wonder that would be meat and drink to your soul2 that you1 being what you are1 what you know yourself to be1 what you may conceive ,god knows you to be1 should be saved eternally6 ,remember what the suffering soul said so simply1 yet with such force1 to ,sister ,francesca3 ,ah6 those on that side the grave little reckon how dearly they will pay on this side for the lives they live6 ,to be angry because you are told you will go to ,purgatory6 ,silly1 silly people6 ,most likely it is a great false flattery1 and that you will never be good enough to go there at all4 ,why1 positively1 you do not recognize your own good fortune when you are told of it4 ,and none but the humble go there4 ,i remember ,maria ,crocifissa was told that although many of the ,saints while on earth loved ,god more than some do even in heaven1 yet that the greatest saint on earth was not so humble as are the souls in ,purgatory4 ,i do not think ,i ever read anything in the lives of the ,saints which struck me so much as that4444 ,but we not only learn lessons for our own good1 but for the good of the ,holy ,souls4 ,we see that our charitable attentions toward them must be far more vigorous and persevering than they have been2 for that men go to ,purgatory for very little matters1 and remain there an unexpectedly long time4 ,but their most touching appeal to us lies in their helplessness2 and our dear ,lord1 with ,his usual loving arrangement1 has made the extent of our power to help them more than commensurate with their inability to help themselves4444 ,st4 ,thomas has taught us that prayer for the dead is more readily accepted with ,god than prayer for the living4 ,we can offer and apply for them all the satisfactions of our ,blessed ,lord4 ,we can do vicarious penance for them4 ,we can give to them all the satisfaction of our ordinary actions1 and of our sufferings4 ,we can make over to them by way of suffrage1 the indulgences we gain1 provided the ,church has made them applicable to the dead4 ,we can limit and direct upon them1 or any one of them1 the intention of the ,adorable ,sacrifice4 ,the ,church1 which has no jurisdiction over them1 can yet make indulgences applicable or inapplicable to them by way of suffrage2 and by means of liturgy1 commemoration1 incense1 holy water1 and the like1 can reach efficaciously to them1 and most of all by her device of privileged altars4 4444 ,all that ,i have said hitherto has been1 indirectly1 at least1 a plea for this devotion2 but ,i must come now to a more direct recommendation of it4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is not saying too much to call devotion to the ,holy ,souls1 a kind of centre in which all ,catholic devotions meet1 and which satisfies more than any other single devotion our duties in that way2 because it is a devotion all of love1 and of disinterested love4 ,if we cast an eye over the chief ,catholic devotions1 we shall see the truth of this4 ,take the devotion of ,st4 ,ignatius to the glory of ,god4 ,this1 if ,i may dare to use such an expression of ,him1 was the special and favorite devotion of ,jesus4 ,now1 ,purgatory is simply a field white for the harvest of ,god's glory4 ,not a prayer can be said for the ,holy ,souls1 but ,god is at once glorified1 both by the faith and the charity of the mere prayer4 ,not an alleviation1 however trifling1 can befall any one of the souls1 but ,he is forthwith glorified by the honor of ,his ,son's ,precious ,blood1 and the approach of the soul to bliss4 ,not a soul is delivered from its trial but ,god is immensely glorified4 99 99 99 99 99 ,again1 what devotion is more justly dear to ,christians than the devotion to the ,sacred ,humanity of ,jesus8 ,it is rather a family of various and beautiful devotions1 than a devotion by itself4 ,yet see how they are all1 as it were1 fulfilled1 affectionately fulfilled1 in devotion to the ,holy ,souls4 ,the quicker the souls are liberated from ,purgatory1 the more is the beautiful harvest of ,his ,blessed ,passion multiplied and accelerated4 ,an early harvest is a blessing1 as well as a plentiful one2 for all delay of a soul's ingress into the praise of heaven is an eternal and irremediable loss of honor and glory to the ,sacred ,humanity of ,jesus4 ,how strangely things sound in the language of the ,sanctuary6 yet so it is4 ,can the ,sacred ,humanity be honored more than by the ,adorable ,sacrifice of the ,mass8 ,and here is our chief action upon ,purgatory4444 ,devotion to our dearest ,mother is equally comprehended in this devotion to the ,holy ,souls1 whether we look at her as the ,mother of ,jesus1 and so sharing the honors of ,his ,sacred ,humanity1 or as ,mother of mercy1 and so specially honored by works of mercy1 or1 lastly1 as1 in a particular sense1 the ,queen of ,purgatory1 and so having all manner of dear interests to be promoted in the welfare and deliverance of those suffering souls4 ,next to this we may rank devotion to the ,holy ,angels1 and this also is satisfied in devotion to the ,holy ,souls4 ,for it keeps filling the vacant thrones in the angelic choirs1 those unsightly gaps which the fall of ,lucifer and one-third of the heavenly host occasioned4 ,it multiplies the companions of the blessed spirits4 ,they may be supposed also to look with an especial interest on that part of the ,church which lies in ,purgatory1 because it is already crowned with their own dear gift and ornament of final perseverance1 and yet it has not entered at once into its inheritance as they did4 ,many of them also have a tender personal interest in ,purgatory4 ,thousands1 perhaps millions of them1 are guardians to those souls1 and their office is not over yet4 ,thousands have clients there who were especially devoted to them in life4 ,will ,st4 ,raphael1 who was so faithful to ,tobias1 be less faithful to his clients there8 ,whole choirs are interested about others1 either because they are finally to be aggregated to that choir1 or because in life-time they had a special devotion to it4 ,marie ,denise1 of the ,visitation1 used to congratulate her angel every day on the grace he had received to stand when so many around him were falling4 ,it was the only thing she could know for certain of his past life4 ,could he neglect her1 if by the will of ,god she went to ,purgatory8 ,again1 ,st4 ,michael1 as prince of ,purgatory1 and ,our ,lady's regent1 in fulfilment of the dear office attributed to him by the ,church in the ,mass for the ,dead1 takes as homage to himself all charity to the ,holy ,souls2 and if it be true1 that a zealous heart is always a proof of a grateful one1 that bold and magnificent spirit will recompense us one day in his own princely style1 and perhaps within the limits of that his special jurisdiction4 ,neither is devotion to the ,saints without its interests in this devotion for the dead4 ,it fills them with the delights of charity as it swells their numbers and beautifies their ranks and orders4 ,numberless patron saints are personally interested in multitudes of souls4 ,the affectionate relation between their clients and themselves not only subsists1 but a deeper tenderness has entered into it1 because of the fearful suffering1 and a livelier interest1 because of the accomplished victory4 ,they see in the ,holy ,souls their own handiwork1 the fruit of their example1 the answer to their prayers1 the success of their patronage1 the beautiful and finished crown of their affectionate intercession4 99 99 99 99 99 ,another point of view from which we may look at this devotion for the dead1 is as a specially complete and beautiful exercise of the three theological virtues of faith1 hope1 and charity1 which are the supernatural fountains of our whole spiritual life4 ,it exercises faith1 because it leads men not only to dwell in the unseen world1 but to work for it with as much energy and conviction as if it was before their very eyes4 ,unthoughtful or ill-read persons almost start sometimes at the minuteness1 familiarity1 and assurance with which men talk of the unseen world1 as if it were the banks of the ,rhine1 or the olive-yards of ,provence1 the ,campagna of ,rome1 or the crescent shores of ,naples1 some place which they have seen in their travels1 and whose geographical features are ever in their memory1 as vividly as if before their eyes4 ,it all comes of faith1 of prayer1 of spiritual reading1 of knowledge of the lives of the ,saints1 and of the study of theology4 ,it would be strange and sad if it were not so4 ,for1 what to us1 either in interest or importance1 is the world we see1 to the world we do not see8 ,this devotion exercises our faith also in the effects of the sacrifice and sacraments1 which are things we do not see1 but which we daily talk of in reference to the dead as undoubted and accomplished facts4 ,it exercises our faith in the communion of ,saints to a degree which would make it seem impossible to a heretic that he ever could believe so wild and extravagant a creed4 ,it acts with regard to indulgences as if they were the most inevitable material transactions of this world4 ,it knows of the unseen treasure out of which they come1 of the unseen keys which open the treasury1 of the indefinite jurisdiction which places them infallibly at its disposal1 of ,god's unrevealed acceptance of them1 and of the invisible work they do1 just as it knows of trees and clouds1 of streets and churches--that is1 just as certainly and undoubtingly2 though it often can give others no proof of these things1 nor account for them to itself4444 ,it exhibits the same quiet faith in all those ,catholic devotions which ,i mentioned before as centering themselves in this devotion for the dead4 99 99 99 99 99 ,neither is this devotion a less heroic exercise of the theological virtue of hope1 the virtue so sadly wanting in the spiritual life of these times4 ,for1 look what a mighty edifice this devotion raises2 lofty1 intricate1 and of magnificent proportions1 into which somehow or other all creation is drawn1 from the little headache we suffer up to the ,sacred ,humanity of ,jesus1 and which has to do even with ,god ,himself4 ,and upon what does all this rest1 except on a simple1 child- like trust in ,god's fidelity1 which is the supernatural motive of hope8 ,we hope for the souls we help1 and unbounded are the benedictions which we hope for in their regard4 ,we hope to find mercy ourselves1 because of our mercy2 and this hope quickens our merits without detracting from the merit of our charity4444 ,for the state of the dead is no dream1 nor our power to help them a dream1 any more than the purity of ,god is a dream1 or the ,precious ,blood a dream4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as to the charity of this devotion1 it dares to imitate even the charity of ,god ,himself4 ,what is there in heaven or on earth which it does not embrace1 and with so much facility1 with so much gracefulness1 as if there were scarcely an effort in it1 or as if self was charmed away1 and might not mingle to distract it8 ,it is an exercise of the love of ,god1 for it is loving those whom ,he loves1 and loving them because ,he loves them1 and to augment ,his glory and multiply ,his praise4444 ,to ourselves also it is an exercise of charity1 for it gains us friends in heaven2 it earns mercy for us when we ourselves shall be in ,purgatory1 tranquil victims1 yet1 oh6 in what distress6 and it augments our merits in the sight of ,god1 and so1 if only we persevere1 our eternal recompense hereafter4 ,now if this tenderness for the dead is such an exercise of these three theological virtues1 and if1 again1 even heroic sanctity consists principally in their exercise1 what store ought we not to set upon this touching and beautiful devotion8 99 99 99 99 99 ,look at that vast kingdom of ,purgatory1 with its empress-mother1 ,mary6 ,all those countless throngs of souls are the dear and faithful spouses of ,jesus4 ,yet in what a strange abandonment of supernatural suffering has ,his love left them6 ,he longs for their deliverance2 ,he yearns for them to be transferred from that land1 perpetually overclouded with pain1 to the bright sunshine of their heavenly home4 ,yet ,he has tied ,his own hands1 or nearly so4 ,he gives them no more grace2 ,he allows them no more time for penance2 ,he prevents them from meriting2 nay1 some have thought they could not pray4 ,how1 then1 stands the case with the souls in the suffering ,church8 ,why1 it is a thing to be meditated on when we have said it--they depend almost more on earth than they do on heaven1 almost more on us than on ,him2 so ,he has willed it on whom all depend1 and without whom there is no dependence4 ,it is clear1 then1 that ,jesus has ,his interests there4 ,he wants ,his captives released4 ,those whom ,he has redeemed ,he now bids us redeem1 us whom1 if there be life at all in us1 ,he has already ,himself redeemed4 ,every satisfaction offered up to ,god for these suffering souls1 every oblation of the ,precious ,blood to the ,eternal ,father1 every ,mass heard1 every communion received1 every voluntary penance undergone2 the scourge1 the hair- shirt1 the prickly chain1 every indulgence gained1 every jubilee whose conditions we have fulfilled1 every ,de ,profundis whispered1 every little alms doled out to the poor who are poorer than ourselves1 and1 if they be offered for the intention of these dear prisoners1 the interests of ,jesus are hourly forwarded in ,mary's ,kingdom of ,purgatory4444 ,there is no fear of overworking the glorious secretary of that wide realm1 the blessed ,michael1 ,mary's subject4 ,see how men work at the pumps on ship-board when they are fighting for their lives with an ugly leak4 ,oh6 that we had the charity so to work1 with the sweet instrumentality of indulgence1 for the ,holy ,souls in ,purgatory6 ,the infinite satisfactions of ,jesus are at our command1 and ,mary's sorrows1 and the ,martyr's pangs1 and the ,confessor's weary perseverance in well- doing6 ,jesus will not help ,himself here1 because ,he loves to see us helping ,him1 and because ,he thinks our love will rejoice that ,he still leaves us something we can do for ,him4 ,there have been ,saints who have devoted their whole lives to this one work1 mining in ,purgatory2 and1 to those who reflect in faith1 it does not seem1 after all1 so strange4 ,it is a foolish comparison1 simply because it is so much below the mark2 but on all principles of reckoning1 it is a much less work to have won the battle of ,waterloo1 or to have invented the steam-engine1 than to have freed one soul from ,purgatory4 ,,why ,,the ,,souls ,,is ,,purgatory ,,are ,,called ,,poor ,,souls4 ,,father ,,muller1 ,c4,s4,s4,r4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,charity to the ,holy ,souls in ,purgatory ,we have just seen that the ,jews believed in the doctrine of ,purgatory2 we have seen that their charity for the dead was so great that the ,holy ,ghost could not help praising them for it4 ,yet for all that1 we may assert in truth that the people of ,god under the ,old ,law were not so well instructed in this doctrine as we are1 nor had they such powerful means to relieve the souls--in ,purgatory as we have4 ,our faith1 therefore1 should be more lively1 and our charity for the souls in ,purgatory more ardent and generous4 ,a short time ago a fervent young priest of this country had the following conversation with a holy ,bishop on his way to ,rome4 ,the ,bishop said to him3 ,you make mementoes now and then1 for friends of yours that are dead--do you not8 ,the young priest answered3 ,certainly1 ,i do so very often4 ,the ,bishop rejoined3 ,so did ,i1 when ,i was a young priest4 ,but one time ,i was grievously ill4 ,i was given up as about to die4 ,i received ,extreme ,unction and the ,viaticum4 ,it was then that my whole past life1 with all its failings and all its sins1 came before me with startling vividness4 ,i saw how much ,i had to atone for2 and ,i reflected on how few ,masses would be said for me1 and how few prayers4 ,ever since my recovery ,i have most fervently offered the ,holy ,sacrifice for the repose of the pious and patient souls in ,purgatory2 and ,i am always glad when ,i can1 as my own offering1 make the 'intention' of my ,masses for the relief of their pains4 ,indeed1 dear reader1 no one is more deserving of ,christian charity and sympathy than the poor souls in ,purgatory4 ,they are really ,,poor souls4 ,no one is sooner forgotten than they are4 ,how soon their friends persuade themselves that they are in perfect peace6 ,how little they do for their relief when their bodies are buried6 ,there is a lavish expense for the funeral4 ,a hundred dollars are spent where the means of the family hardly justify the half of it4 ,where there is more wealth1 sometimes five hundred or a thousand1 and even more1 dollars are expended on the poor dead body4 ,but let me ask you what is done for the poor living soul8 ,perhaps the poor soul is suffering the most frightful tortures in ,purgatory1 whilst the lifeless body is laid out in state1 and borne pompously to the graveyard4 ,you must not misunderstand me3 it is right and just to show all due respect even to the body of your deceased friend1 for that body was once the dwelling-place of his soul4 ,but tell me candidly1 what joy has the departed1 and1 perhaps1 suffering soul1 in the fine music of the choir1 even should the choir be composed of the best singers in the country8 ,what consolation does the poor suffering soul find in the superb coffin1 in the splendid funeral8 ,what pleasure does the soul derive from the costly marble monument1 from all the honors that are so freely lavished on the body8 ,all this may satisfy1 or at least seem to satisfy1 the living1 but it is of no avail whatever to the dead4 ,poor unhappy souls6 how the diminution of true ,catholic faith is visited upon you while you suffer1 and those that loved you in life might help you1 and do not1 for want of knowledge or of faith6 ,poor unhappy souls6 your friends go to their business1 to their eating and drinking1 with the foolish assurance that the case cannot be hard on one they knew to be so good6 ,oh1 how much and how long this false charity of your friends makes you suffer6 ,the venerable ,sister1 ,catherine ,paluzzi1 offered up1 for a long time1 and with the utmost fervor1 prayers and pious works for the soul of her deceased father4 ,at last she thought she had good reason to believe that her father was already enjoying the bliss of ,paradise4 ,but how great was her consternation and grief when ,our ,lord1 in company with ,st4 ,catherine1 her patroness1 led her one day1 in spirit1 to ,purgatory4 ,there she beheld her father in an abyss of torments1 imploring her assistance4 ,at the sight of the pitiful state the soul of her father was in1 she melted into tears2 she cast herself at the feet of her ,heavenly ,spouse1 and begged ,him1 through ,his precious ,blood1 to free her father from his excruciating sufferings4 ,she also begged ,st4 ,catherine to intercede for him1 and then turning to ,our ,lord1 she said3 ,charge me1 ,o ,lord1 with my father's indebtedness to ,thy justice4 ,in expiation of it1 ,i am ready to take upon myself all the afflictions ,thou art pleased to bestow upon me4 ,our ,lord graciously accepted this act of heroic charity1 and released at once her father's soul from ,purgatory4 ,but how heavy were the crosses which she1 from that time1 had to suffer1 may be more easily imagined than described4 ,this pious sister seemed to have good reason to believe that her father's soul was in ,paradise4 ,yet she was mistaken4 ,alas6 how many are there who resemble her6 ,how many are there whose hope as to the condition of their deceased friends is far more vain and false than that of this religious1 because they pray much less for the souls of their departed friends than she did for her father4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is related in the life of ,st4 ,mary ,magdalen of ,pazzi1 that one day she saw the soul of one of her deceased sisters kneeling in adoration before the ,blessed ,sacrament1 in the church1 wrapped up in a mantle of fire1 and suffering great pains1 in expiation of her neglecting to go to ,holy ,communion on one day1 when she had her confessor's permission to communicate4 ,the ,venerable ,bede relates that it was revealed to ,drithelm1 a great servant of ,god1 that the souls of those who spend their whole lives in the state of mortal sin1 and are converted only on their death-bed1 are doomed to suffer the pains of ,purgatory to the day of the last judgment4 ,in the life and revelations of ,st4 ,gertrude we read that those who have committed many grievous sins1 and who die without having done due penance1 are not assisted by the ordinary suffrages of the ,church until they are partly purified by ,divine ,justice in ,purgatory4 ,after ,st4 ,vincent ,ferrer had learned the death of his sister ,frances1 he at once began to offer up many fervent prayers and works of penance for the repose of her soul4 ,he also said thirty ,masses for her1 at the last of which it was revealed to him that1 had it not been for his prayers and good works1 the soul of his sister would have suffered in ,purgatory to the end of the world4 ,from these examples you may draw your own conclusion as to the state of your deceased friends and relatives4 ,rest assured that the judgments of ,god are very different from the judgments of men4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in heaven1 love for ,god is the happiness of the elect2 but in ,purgatory it is the source of the most excruciating pains4 ,it is principally for this reason that the souls in ,purgatory are called poor souls1 they being1 as they are1 in the most dreadful state of poverty--that of the privation of the beatific vision of ,god4 ,after ,anthony ,corso1 a ,capuchin ,brother1 a man of great piety and perfection1 had departed this life1 he appeared to one of his brethren in religion1 asking him to recommend him to the charitable prayers of the community1 in order that he might receive relief in his pains4 ,for ,i do not know1 said he1 how ,i can bear any longer the pain of being deprived of the sight of my ,god4 ,i shall be the most unhappy of creatures as long as ,i must live in this state4 ,would to ,god that all men might understand what it is to be without ,god1 in order that they might firmly resolve to suffer anything during their life on earth rather than expose themselves to the danger of being damned1 and deprived forever of the sight of ,god4 #a ,footnote #a3 #a ,aunal4 ,pp4 ,capuc41 ,a4,d4 #aedh4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the souls in ,purgatory are poor souls1 because they suffer the greatest pain of the senses1 which is that of fire4 ,who can be in a poorer or more pitiful condition than those who are buried in fire8 ,now1 this is the condition of these poor souls4 ,they are buried under waves of fire4 ,it is from the smallest spark of this purgatorial fire that they suffer more intense pains than all the fires of this world put together could produce4444 ,could these poor souls leave the fire of ,purgatory for the most frightful earthly fire they would1 as it were1 take it for a pleasure- garden2 they would find a fifty years' stay in the hottest earthly fire more endurable than an hour's stay in the fire of ,purgatory4 ,our terrestrial fire was not created by ,god to torment men1 but rather to benefit them2 but the fire of ,purgatory was created by ,god for no other purpose than to be an instrument of ,his justice2 and for this reason it is possessed of a burning quality so intense and penetrating that it is impossible for us to conceive even the faintest idea of it4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the year #aaej it happened that1 on the ,vigil of ,st4 ,cecilia1 a very old monk1 one hundred years of age1 at ,marchiennes1 in ,flanders1 fell asleep while sacred lessons were being read1 and saw1 in a dream1 a monk all clad in armor1 shining like red-hot iron in a furnace4 ,the old man asked him who he was4 ,he was told that he was one of the monks of the convent2 that he was in ,purgatory1 and had yet to endure this fiery armor for ten years more1 for having injured the reputation of another4 99 99 99 99 99 ,another reason why these holy prisoners and debtors to the divine justice are really poor is because they are not able1 in the least1 to assist themselves4 ,a sick man afflicted in all his limbs1 and a beggar in the most painful and most destitute of conditions1 has a tongue left to ask for relief4 ,at least they can implore ,heaven2 it is never deaf to their prayer4 ,but the souls in ,purgatory are so poor that they cannot even do this4 ,those cases in which some of them were permitted to appear to their friends and ask assistance are but exceptions4 ,to whom is it they should have recourse8 ,is it1 perhaps1 to the mercy of ,god8 ,alas6 they send forth their sighs in plaintive voices4444 ,but the ,lord does not regard their tears1 nor heed their moans and cries1 but answers them that ,his justice must be satisfied to the last farthing4 99 99 99 99 99 ,oh1 what cruelty6 ,a sick man weeps on his bed and his friend consoles him2 a baby cries in his cradle and his mother at once caresses him2 a beggar knocks at the door for an alms and receives it2 a malefactor laments in his prison1 and comfort is given him2 even a dog that whines at the door is taken in2 but these poor1 helpless souls cry day and night from the depths of the fire in ,purgatory3 ,have pity on me1 have pity on me1 at least you1 my friends1 because the hand of the ,lord hath smitten me2 and there is none to listen6 ,oh1 what great cruelty1 my brethren6 ,but it seems to me that ,i hear these poor souls exclaim3 ,priest of the ,lord1 speak no longer of our sufferings and pitiable condition4 ,let your description of it be ever so touching1 it will not afford us the least relief4 ,when a man has fallen into the fire1 instead of considering his pains1 you try at once to draw him out or quench the fire with water4 ,this is true charity4 ,now1 tell ,christians to do the same for us4 ,tell them to give us their feet1 by going to hear ,mass for us2 to give us their eyes1 by seeking an occasion to perform a good work for us2 to give us their hands1 by giving an alms for us1 or by often making an offering for the 'intention' of ,masses in our behalf2 to give us their lips1 by praying for us2 to give us their tongue1 by requesting others to be charitable to us2 to give us their memory1 by remembering us constantly in their devotions2 to give us their body1 by offering up for us to the ,almighty all its labors1 fatigues1 and penance4444 ,we read in the ,acts of the ,apostles1 that the faithful prayed unceasingly for ,st4 ,peter when he was imprisoned1 and that an ,angel came and broke his chains and released him4 ,we1 too1 should be good angels to the poor souls in ,purgatory1 and free them from their painful captivity by every means in our power4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the time of ,st4 ,bernard1 a monk of ,clairvaux appeared after his death to his brethren in religion1 to thank them for having delivered him from ,purgatory4 ,on being asked what had most contributed to free him from his torments1 he led the inquirer to the church1 where a priest was saying ,mass4 ,look6 said he2 this is the means by which my deliverance has been effected2 this is the power of ,god's mercy2 this is the saving ,sacrifice which taketh away the sins of the world4 ,indeed1 so great is the efficacy of this ,sacrifice in obtaining relief for the souls in ,purgatory1 that the application of all the good works which have been performed from the beginning of the world1 would not afford so much assistance to one of these souls as is imparted by a single ,mass4 ,to illustrate3 ,the blessed ,henry ,suso made an agreement with one of his brethren in religion that1 as soon as either of them died1 the survivor should say two ,masses every week for one year1 for the repose of his soul4 ,it came to pass that the religious with whom ,henry had made this contract1 died first4 ,henry prayed every day for his deliverance from ,purgatory1 but forgot to say the ,masses which he had promised2 whereupon the deceased religious appeared to him with a sad countenance1 and sharply rebuked him for his unfaithfulness to his engagement4 ,henry excused himself by saying that he had often prayed for him with great fervor1 and had even offered up for him many penitential works4 ,oh1 brother6 exclaimed the soul1 blood1 blood is necessary to give me some relief and refreshment in my excruciating torments4 ,your penitential works1 severe as they are1 cannot deliver me4 ,nothing can do this but the blood of ,jesus ,christ1 which is offered up in the ,sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,masses1 ,masses--these are what ,i need6 99 99 99 99 99 ,another means to relieve the souls in ,purgatory is to gain indulgences for them4 ,a very pious nun had just died in the convent in which ,st4 ,mary ,magdalen of ,pazzi lived4 ,whilst her corpse was exposed in the church1 the ,saint looked lovingly upon it1 and prayed fervently that the soul of her sister might soon enter into eternal rest4 ,whilst she was thus wrapt in prayer her sister appeared to her1 surrounded by great splendor and radiance1 in the act of ascending into heaven4 ,the ,saint1 on seeing this1 could not refrain from calling out to her3 ,farewell1 dear sister6 ,when you meet your ,heavenly ,spouse1 remember us who are still sighing for ,him in this vale of tears6 ,at these words our ,lord ,himself appeared1 and revealed to her that this sister had entered heaven so soon on account of the indulgences gained for her4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,vita ,s4 ,magd4 de ,pazzi1 ,l4 ,i41 chap1 xxxix4 ,very many plenary indulgences can be gained for the souls in ,purgatory1 if you make the ,stations of the ,cross4 ,the merit of this exercise1 if applied to these souls1 obtains great relief for them4 ,we read in the life of ,catherine ,emmerich1 a very pious ,augustinian nun1 that the souls in ,purgatory often came to her during the night1 and requested her to rise and make the ,stations for their relief4 ,it is also related in the life of the venerable ,mary of ,antigua1 that a deceased sister of her convent appeared to her and said3 ,why do you not make the ,stations of the ,way of the ,cross for me8 ,whilst the servant of the ,lord felt surprised and astonished at these words1 ,jesus ,christ ,himself spoke to her1 thus3 ,the exercise of the ,stations is of the greatest advantage to the souls in ,purgatory2 so much so that this soul has been permitted by ,me1 to ask of you its performance in behalf of them all4 ,your frequent performance of this exercise to procure relief for these souls has induced them to hold intercourse with you1 and you shall have them for so many intercessors and protectors before ,my justice4 ,tell your sisters to rejoice at these treasures1 and the splendid capital which they have in them1 that they may grow rich upon it4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after ,st4 ,ludgarde had offered up many fervent prayers for the repose of the soul of her deceased friend ,simeon1 ,abbot of the monastery of ,toniac1 ,our ,lord appeared to her1 saying3 ,be consoled1 ,my daughter2 on account of thy prayers1 ,i will soon release this soul from ,purgatory4 ,o ,jesus1 ,lord and ,master of my heart6 she rejoined1 ,i cannot feel consoled so long as ,i know that the soul of my friend is suffering so much in the ,purgatorial fire4 ,oh6 ,i cannot help shedding most bitter tears until ,thou hast released this soul from its sufferings4 ,touched and overcome by this fervent prayer1 ,our ,lord released the soul of ,simeon1 who appeared to ,ludgarde all radiant with heavenly glory1 and thanked her for the many fervent prayers which she had offered up for his delivery4 ,he also told the ,saint that1 had it not been for her fervent prayers1 he should have been obliged to stay in ,purgatory for eleven years4444 ,peter1 the venerable ,abbot of ,cluny1 relates an event somewhat similar4 ,there was a monk at ,cluny1 named ,bernard ,savinellus4 ,one night as he was returning to the dormitory1 he met ,stephen1 commonly called ,blancus1 ,abbot of ,st4 ,giles1 who had departed this life a few days before4 ,at first1 not knowing him1 he was passing on1 till he spoke1 and asked him whither he was hastening4 ,bernard1 astonished and angry that a monk should speak1 contrary to the rules1 in the nocturnal hours1 and in a place where it was not permitted1 made signs to him to hold his peace2 but as the dead abbot replied1 and urged him to speak1 the other1 raising his head1 asked in amazement who he might be4 ,he was answered1 ,i am ,stephen1 the ,abbot of ,st4 ,giles1 who have formerly committed many faults in the ,abbey1 for which ,i now suffer pains2 and ,i beseech you to implore the lord ,abbot1 and other brethren1 to pray for me1 that by the ineffable mercy of ,god1 ,i may be delivered4 ,bernard replied that he would do so1 but added that he thought no one would believe his report2 to which the dead man answered1 ,in order1 then1 that no one may doubt1 you may assure them that within eight days you will die2 he then disappeared4 ,the monk1 returning to the church1 spent the remainder of the night in prayer and meditation4 ,when it was day1 he related his vision to ,st4 ,hugo1 who was then abbot4 ,as is natural1 some believed his account1 and others thought it was some delusion4 ,the next day the monk fell sick1 and continued growing worse1 constantly affirming the truth of what he had related1 till his death1 which occurred within the time specified4 99 99 99 99 99 ,besides prayer and other acts of devotion we can offer up for the poor souls1 we may especially reckon alms-deeds2 for since this is a work of mercy1 it is more especially apt to obtain mercy for the poor souls4 ,but not the rich alone can give alms1 but the poor also1 since it does not so much depend on the greatness of the gift4 ,of the poor widow who gave but one penny1 ,our ,lord said2 that she had given more than all the rich who had offered gold and silver1 because these offered only of their abundance1 whilst the poor widow gave what she saved from her daily sustenance4444 ,the venerable servant of ,god1 ,father ,clement ,hoffbauer1 of the ,congregation of the ,most ,holy ,redeemer1 who died in ,vienna in the year #ahbj1 and whose cause of beatification has already been introduced1 once assisted a man of distinction in death4 ,a short time afterwards the same man appeared to his wife in a dream1 in a very pitiable condition1 his clothes in rags and quite haggard1 and shivering with cold4 ,he begged her to have pity on him1 because he could scarcely endure the extreme hunger and cold which he suffered4 ,his wife went without delay to ,father ,hoffbauer1 related her dream1 and asked his advice on this point4 ,the confessor1 enlightened by ,god1 immediately understood what this dream meant1 and what kind of assistance was especially needed and asked for by this poor soul4 ,he accordingly advised her to clothe a poor beggar4 ,the woman followed the advice1 and soon after her husband again appeared to her1 dressed in a white garment1 and his countenance beaming with joy1 thanking her for the help which she had given to him4 99 99 99 99 99 ,we can assist the poor souls not only by prayers1 devotions1 exterior works of penance1 alms-deeds1 and other works of charity1 but we can also aid them by interior mortifications4 ,everything which appears to us difficult1 and which costs us a sacrifice1 the pains of sickness1 and all the sufferings and troubles of this life1 may be offered up for these poor souls444 ,the only son of a rich widow of ,bologna had been murdered by a stranger4 ,the culprit fell into her hands1 but the pious widow was far from taking revenge by delivering him up to the hands of justice4 ,she thought of the infinite love of our ,saviour when ,he died for us upon the cross1 and how ,he prayed for ,his executioners when dying4 ,she1 therefore1 thought that she could in no way honor the memory of her dear son better1 and that she could do nothing more efficient for the repose of his soul1 than by granting pardon to the culprit1 by protecting him1 and by even adopting him as her son and heir to all her riches4 ,this heroic self-denial1 and the sacrifice which she thereby offered to ,our ,lord in memory of ,his bitter ,passion1 was so pleasing to ,god1 that1 in reward thereof1 ,he remitted to her son all the pains of ,purgatory4 ,the happy son then appeared to his mother in a glorified state1 at the very moment when he was entering heaven4 ,he thanked her for having thus delivered him from the sufferings of ,purgatory much sooner than any other good work could have effected it4 99 99 99 99 99 ,those who give themselves up to immoderate grief at the loss of beloved friends1 should bear this in mind also3 instead of injuring their health by a grief which is of no avail to the dead1 they should endeavor to deliver their souls from ,purgatory by ,masses1 prayers1 and good works2 nay1 the very thought that they thus render to the souls of their beloved friends the greatest possible act of charity1 will console them and mitigate their sorrow4 ,for this reason ,st4 ,paul exhorts the ,thessalonians not to be afflicted on account of the departed1 after the manner of heathens who have no hope4 99 99 99 99 99 ,thomas ,cantipratensis relates of a certain mother1 that she wept day and night over the death of her darling son1 so much so that she forgot to assist his soul in ,purgatory4 ,to convince her of her folly1 ,god one day permitted her to be rapt in spirit1 and see a long procession of youths hastening towards a city of indescribable beauty4 ,having looked for her son in vain for some time1 she at last discovered him walking slowly along at the end of the procession4 ,at once her son turned towards her1 and said3 ,ah1 mother1 cease your useless tears6 and if you truly love me1 offer up for my soul ,masses1 prayers1 alms-deeds1 and such like good works4 ,then he disappeared1 and his mother1 instead of any longer wasting her strength by foolish grief1 began henceforth to give her son proofs of a true ,christian and motherly love1 by complying with his request4 7,l4 ,,ii4 ,appar41 #e1 #ag47 ,among the appointments to the ,italian ,episcopate made by our ,holy ,father ,pope ,pius ,,ix4 was that of an humble and holy monk1 hidden away in a poor monastery of ,tuscany4 ,when he received his ,bulls he was thrown into the greatest affliction4 ,he had gone into religion to be done with the world outside2 and here he was to be thrown again into its whirlpool4 ,he made a novena to ,our ,blessed ,lady1 invoking her help to rid him of the burden and the danger4 ,meantime1 he wrote a letter to the ,see of ,rome setting forth reasons why he ought not to be asked to accept1 and also sending back the ,bulls1 with a positive noluit1 but ,rome would not excuse him4 ,then he went in person to see the ,pope1 and to implore leave to decline1 which he did1 even with tears4 ,among other reasons1 the good monk said that of late he had a most miserable memory4 ,that is unfortunate1 said the ,holy ,father1 for after your death1 if you continue so1 no one will ever refer to you as ,monsignor -----1 of happy memory6 but that will be no great loss to you4 ,then1 seeing the intense grief of the nominated ,bishop1 the ,holy ,father changed his tone and said3 ,at one time of my life ,i1 also1 was threatened with the loss of my memory4 ,but ,i found a remedy1 used it1 and it has not failed me4 ,for the special intention of preserving this faculty of memory ,i have said every day a ',de ,profundis' for the souls in ,purgatory4 ,i give you this receipt for your use2 and now1 do not resist the will of him who gives you and the people of your diocese his blessing4 ,it is a new revelation that our ,holy ,father ,pius ,,ix4 was ever threatened with loss of memory4 ,of all his faculties of mind there was not one that excited such general astonishment as his wonderful memory4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the following incident took place at ,dole1 in ,france3 ,one day1 in the year #afbi1 long after her death1 ,leonarda ,colin1 niece to ,hugueta ,roy1 appeared to her1 and spoke as follows3 ,i am saved by the mercy of ,god4 ,it is now seventeen years since ,i was struck down by a sudden death4 ,my poor soul was in mortal sin1 but1 thanks to ,mary1 whose devoted servant ,i had ever striven to be1 ,i obtained grace1 in the last extremity1 to make an act of perfect contrition1 and thus ,i was rescued from hell- fire1 but by no means from ,purgatory4 ,my sufferings in those purifying flames are beyond description4 ,at last ,almighty ,god has permitted my guardian angel to conduct me to you in order that you may make three pilgrimages to three ,churches of our ,blessed ,lady in ,burgundy4 ,upon the fulfillment of said condition1 my deliverance from ,purgatory is promised4 ,hugueta did as she was requested2 whereupon the same soul appeared in a glorified state1 thanking her benefactress1 and promising to pray for her1 and admonishing her always to remember the four last things4 ,the ,greek ,emperor ,theophilus was1 after his death1 condemned to the pains of ,purgatory1 because he had been unable to perform the penances which1 towards the end of his life1 he had wished to perform4 ,his wife1 the pious ,empress ,theodora1 was not satisfied with pouring forth fervent prayers and sighs for the repose of his soul1 but she also had prayers and ,masses said in all the convents of the city of ,constantinople4 ,besides this1 she besought the ,patriarch ,st4 ,methodius1 that for this end he would order prayers to be said by both the clergy and the people of the city4 ,divine mercy could not resist so many fervent prayers4 ,on a certain day1 when public prayers were again offered up in the church of ,st4 ,sophia1 an ,angel appeared to ,st4 ,methodius1 and said to him3 ,thy prayers1 ,o ,bishop1 have been heard1 and ,theophilus has obtained pardon4 ,theodora1 the ,empress1 had1 at the same time1 a vision1 in which our ,lord ,himself announced to her that her husband had been delivered from ,purgatory4 ,for your sake1 ,he said1 and on account of the prayers of the priests1 ,i pardon your husband4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the life of ,blessed ,margaret ,mary ,alacoque it is related that the soul of one of her departed sisters appeared to her1 and said3 ,there you are1 lying comfortably in your bed2 but think of the bed on which ,i am lying1 and suffering the most excruciating pains4 ,i saw this bed1 says the ,saint1 and ,i still tremble in all my limbs at the mere thought of it4 ,the upper and lower part of it was full of red-hot sharp iron points1 penetrating into the flesh4 ,she told me that she had to endure this pain for her carelessness in the observance of her rules4 ',my heart is lacerated1' she added1 'and this is the hardest of my pains4 ,i suffer it for those fault-finding and murmuring thoughts which ,i entertained in my heart against my superiors4 ,my tongue is eaten up by moths1 and tormented1 on account of uncharitable words1 and for having unnecessarily spoken in the time of silence4 ,would to ,god that all souls consecrated to the service of the ,lord could see me in these frightful pains6 ,would to ,god ,i could show them what punishments are inflicted upon those who live negligently in their vocation6 ,they would indeed change their manner of living1 observing most punctually the smallest point of their rules1 and guarding against those faults for which ,i am now so much tormented4' ,,appeal ,,to ,,all ,,classes ,,for ,,the ,,souls ,,in ,,purgatory4 ,,by ,a ,,paulist ,,father4 ,my daughter is just now dead2 but come1 lay thy hand upon her1 and she shall live4--,st4 ,matt4 ix4 #ah4 ,such was the entreaty made by the ruler to our ,lord in the ,gospel1 and such are the words that the ,lord says to us during the month of ,november1 in behalf of the poor souls in ,purgatory4 ,these souls have been saved by the ,precious ,blood1 they have been judged by ,jesus ,christ with a favorable judgment1 they are ,his spouses1 ,his sons and daughters--,his children4 ,he cries to us3 ,my children are even now dead2 but come1 lay your hands upon them1 and they shall live4 ,what hand is that which our ,lord wants us to lay upon ,his dead children8 ,brethren1 it is the hand of prayer4 ,now1 it seems to me that there are three classes of persons who ought to be in an especial manner the friends of ,god's dead children2 three classes who ought always to be extending a helping hand to the souls in ,purgatory4 ,first1 the poor1 because the holy souls are poor like yourselves4 ,they have no work-- that is to say1 the day for them is past in which they could work and gain indulgences and merit1 the money with which the debt of temporal punishment is paid2 for them the night has come when no man can work4 ,they are willing to work1 they are willing to pay for themselves1 but they cannot2 they are out of work1 they are poor1 they cannot help themselves4 ,they are suffering1 as the poor suffer in this world from the heats of summer and the frosts of winter4 ,they have no food2 they are hungry and thirsty2 they are longing for the sweets of heaven4 ,they are in exile2 they have no home2 they know there is abundance of food and raiment around them which they cannot themselves buy4 ,it seems to them that the winter will never pass1 that the spring will never come2 in a word they are poor4 ,they are poor as many of you are poor4 ,they are in worse need than the most destitute among you4 ,oh6 then1 ye that are poor1 help the holy souls by your prayers4 ,secondly1 the rich ought to be the special friends of those who are in ,purgatory1 and among the rich we wish to include those who are what people call comfortably off4 ,god has given you charge of the poor2 you can help them by your alms in this world1 so you can in the next4 ,you can have ,masses said for them2 you can say lots of prayers for them1 because you have plenty of time on your hands4 ,again remember1 many of those who were your equals in this world1 who1 like yourselves1 had a good supply of this world's goods1 have gone to ,purgatory because those riches were a snare to them4 ,riches1 my dear friends1 have sent many a soul to the place of purification4 ,oh6 then1 those of you who are well off1 have pity upon the poor souls in ,purgatory4 ,offer up a good share of your wealth to have ,masses said for them4 ,do some act of charity1 and offer the merit of it for some soul who was ensnared by riches1 and who is now paying the penalty in suffering2 and spend some considerable portion of your spare time in praying for the souls of the faithful departed4 ,and lastly1 sinners and those who have been converted from a very sinful life ought to be the friends of ,god's dead children4 ,why8 ,because1 although the souls in ,purgatory cannot pray for themselves1 they can pray for others1 and these prayers are most acceptable to ,god4 ,because1 too1 they are full of gratitude1 and they will not forget those who helped them when they shall come before the throne of ,god4 ,because sinners1 having saddened the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus by their sins1 cannot make a better reparation to it than to hasten the time when ,he shall embrace these souls whom ,he loves so dearly1 and has wished for so long4 ,because sinners have almost always been the means of the sins of others4 ,they have1 by their bad example1 sent others to ,purgatory4 ,ah6 then1 if they have helped them in1 they should help them out4 ,you1 then1 that are poor1 you that are rich1 you that have been great sinners1 listen to the voice of ,jesus2 listen to the plaint of ,mary during this month of ,november2 ,my children are now dead2 come lay thy prayers up for them1 and they shall live4 ,hear ,mass for the poor souls2 say your beads for them2 supplicate ,jesus and ,mary and ,joseph in their behalf4 ,fly to ,st4 ,catherine of ,genoa and beg her to help them1 and many and many a time during the month say with great fervor3 ,may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of ,god rest in peace4--,five-,minute ,sermons for ,low ,masses4 ,,the ,,souls ,,in ,,purgatory4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,from the ,original1 ,short and ,practical ,sermons for every ,feast of the ,ecclesiastical ,year4 ,,rev4 ,f4 ,h4 ,,weninger1 ,s4,j41 ,d4,d4 ,on the ,feast of ,all ,souls1 and whenever we are reminded of ,purgatory1 we cannot help thinking of the dreadful pains which the souls in ,purgatory have to suffer1 in order to be purified from every stain of sin2 of the excruciating torments they have to undergo for their faults and imperfections1 and how thoroughly they have to atone for the least offences committed against the infinite holiness and justice of ,god4 ,it is but just1 therefore1 that we should condole with them1 and do all that we can to deliver them from the flames of ,purgatory1 or1 at least1 to soothe their pains4444 ,the fire of ,purgatory1 as the doctors of the ,church declare1 is as intense as that of the abode of hell2 with this difference1 that it has an end4 ,yea6 it may be that to-day a soul in ,purgatory is undergoing more agony1 more excruciating suffering than a damned soul1 which is tormented in hell for a few mortal sins2 while the poor soul in ,purgatory must satisfy for millions of venial sins4 ,all the pains which afflict the sick upon earth1 added to all that the martyrs have ever suffered1 cannot be compared with those in ,purgatory1 so great is the punishment of those poor souls4 ,we read1 how once a sick person who was very impatient in his sufferings1 exclaimed2 ,o ,god1 take me from this world6 ,thereupon the ,angel ,guardian appeared to him1 and told him to remember that1 by patiently bearing his afflictions upon his sick-bed1 he could satisfy for his sins1 and shorten his ,purgatory4 ,but the sick man replied that he chose rather to satisfy for his sins in ,purgatory4 ,the poor sufferer died2 and behold1 his ,guardian ,angel appeared to him again1 and asked him if he did not repent of the choice he had made of satisfying for his sins in ,purgatory1 by tortures1 rather than upon earth by afflictions4 ,thereupon the poor soul asked the angel3 ,how many years am ,i now here in these terrible flames8 ,the ,angel replied3 ,how many years8 ,thy body upon earth is not yet buried2 nay1 it is not yet cold and still thou believest already thou art here for many years6 ,oh1 how that soul lamented upon hearing this4 ,great indeed was its grief for not having chosen patiently to undergo upon earth the sufferings of sickness1 and thereby shorten its ,purgatory4 99 99 99 99 99 ,upon earth1 persons who anxiously seek another abode or another state of life1 often know not whether1 perhaps1 they may not fall into a more wretched condition4 ,how many have forsaken the shores of ,europe1 with the bright hope of a better future awaiting them in ,america8 ,all has been disappointment6 ,they have repented a thousand times of having deserted their native country4 ,now does this disappointment await the souls in ,purgatory upon their deliverance8 ,ah6 by no means4 ,they know too well that when they are released heaven will be their home4 ,once there1 no more pains1 no more fire for them2 but the enjoyment of an everlasting bliss1 which no eye hath seen nor ear heard2 nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive4 ,such will be their future happy state4 ,oh6 how great is their desire to be there already4 ,another circumstance which especially intensifies hope in the breast of man1 is intercourse--union with those who are near and dear to him4 ,how many1 indeed1 have bid a last farewell to ,europe1 where they would have prospered2 but oh1 there are awaiting them in another land their beloved ones--those who are so dear1 and in whose midst they long to be6 ,oh1 what a great source of desire is not this1 for the poor souls in ,purgatory to go to heaven6 ,in heaven they shall find again those whom they have loved and cherished upon earth1 but who have already preceded them on their way to the heavenly mansion4444 ,there is still another feature1 another circumstance which presents itself in the condition of the poor souls in ,purgatory3 ,i mean the irresistible force or tendency with which they are drawn towards ,god2 their intense longing after ,him1 their last aim and end4444 ,oh1 with what intense anxiety and longing is not a poor soul in ,purgatory consumed1 to behold the splendor of its ,lord and ,creator6 ,but1 also6 with what marks of gratitude does not every soul whom we have assisted to enter heaven pray for us upon its entrance6 ,therefore1 let us hasten to the relief of the poor suffering souls in ,purgatory4 ,let us help them to the best of our power1 so that they may supplicate for us before the throne of the ,most ,high2 that they may remember us when we1 too1 shall one day be afflicted in that prison house of suffering1 and may procure for us a speedy release and an early enjoyment of a blissful eternity4 99 99 99 99 99 ,when it will be your turn one day to dwell in those flames1 and be separated from ,god1 how happy will you not be1 if others alleviate and shorten your pains6 ,do you desire this assistance for your own soul8 ,then begin in this life1 while you have time1 to render aid to the poor souls in ,purgatory4444 ,he who does not assist others1 unto him shall no mercy be shown2 for this is what even-handed justice requires4 ,hence1 let us not be deaf to the pitiful cries of the departed ones4444 ,what afflicts those poor1 helpless souls still more1 is the circumstance that1 despite their patience in suffering1 they can earn nothing for heaven4 ,with us1 however1 such is not the case4 ,we1 by our patience under affliction1 may merit much1 very much indeed1 for ,paradise4444 ,i well remember a certain sick person who was sorely pressed with great sufferings4 ,wishing to console him in his distress1 ,i said3 ,friend1 such severe pains will not last long4 ,you will either recover from your illness and become well and strong again1 or ,god will soon call you to himself4 ,thereupon the sick man1 turning his eyes upon a crucifix which had been placed for him at the foot of his bed1 replied3 ,father1 ,i desire no alleviation in my suffering1 no relief in my pains4 ,i cheerfully endure all as long as it is ,god's good pleasure1 but ,i hope that ,i now undergo my ,purgatory4 ,then1 stretching forth his hands towards his crucifix he thus addressed it1 filled with the most lively hope in ,god's mercy3 ,is it not so1 dear ,jesus8 ,thou wilt only take me from my bed of pain to receive me straightway into heaven6 99 99 99 99 99 ,we find in the lives of all the saints a most ardent zeal in the cause of these poor afflicted ones4 ,for their relief they offered to ,god not only prayers1 but also ,masses1 penances1 the most severe sicknesses1 and the most painful trials1 and all this as a recognition and a practical display of the belief which they cherished--that they who have slept in ,christ are finally to repose with him in glory4444 ,because all that we perform for the help and delivery of the poor souls in ,purgatory1 are works of ,christian faith and piety4 ,such are prayer1 the august sacrifice of the ,mass1 the reception of the holy sacraments1 alms-deeds1 and acts of penance and self-denial4444 ,remember1 dear ,christians1 that we1 too1 shall be poor1 helpless1 and suffering souls in ,purgatory1 and what shall we carry with us of all our earthly goods and treasures8 ,not a single farthing4 99 99 99 99 99 ,we read1 in the life of ,st4 ,gertrude1 that ,god once allowed her to behold ,purgatory4 ,and1 lo6 she saw a soul that was about issuing from ,purgatory1 and ,christ1 who1 followed by a band of holy virgins1 was approaching1 and stretching forth his hands towards it4 ,thereupon the soul1 which was almost out of ,purgatory1 drew back1 and of its own accord sank again into the fire4 ,what dost thou8 said ,st4 ,gertrude to the soul4 ,dost thou not see that ,christ wishes to release thee from thy terrible abode8 ,to this the soul replied3 ,o ,gertrude1 thou beholdest me not as ,i am4 ,i am not yet immaculate4 ,there is yet another stain upon me4 ,i will not hasten thus to the arms of ,jesus4 ,a ,,popular ,,view ,,of ,,purgatory4 ,,rev4 ,j4 ,j4 ,,moriarty1 ,,ll4,d4 ,purgatory is a state of suffering for such souls as have left this life in the friendship of ,god1 but who are not sufficiently purified to enter the kingdom of heaven--having to undergo some temporal punishment for their lighter sins and imperfections1 or for their grievous sins1 the eternal guilt of which has been remitted4 ,in other words1 we believe that the souls of all who departed this life--not wicked enough to be condemned to hell1 nor yet pure enough to enjoy the ,beatific ,vision of ,god--are sent to a place of purgation1 where1 in the crucible of suffering1 the lighter stains of their souls are thoroughly removed1 and they themselves are gradually prepared to enter the ,holy of ,holies --where nothing defiled is permitted to approach4 99 99 99 99 99 ----,there are many venial faults which the majority of persons commit1 and for which they have little or no sorrow--sins which do not deprive the soul of ,god's friendship1 and yet are displeasing to ,his infinite holiness4 ,for all these we must suffer either in this life or the next4 ,divine justice weighs everything in a strict balance1 and there is no sin that we commit but for which we shall have to make due reparation4 ,faults which we deem of little or no account the ,almighty will not pass unnoticed or unpunished4 ,our ,blessed ,saviour warns us that even for every idle word that man shall say he shall render an account in the day of judgment4 ,we know full well that no man will be sent to hell merely for an idle word1 or for any venial fault he may commit2 consequently there must be a place where such sins are punished4 ,if they be not satisfied for here upon earth by suffering1 affliction1 or voluntary penance1 there must be a place in the other life where proper satisfaction is to be made4 ,that place cannot be either heaven or hell4 ,it cannot be heaven1 for no sufferings1 no pain1 no torment is to be found there1 where ,god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes1 where death shall be no more1 nor mourning nor weeping4 ,it cannot be hell1 where only the souls of those who have died enemies of ,god are condemned to eternal misery1 for out of hell there is no redemption4 ,there must be1 then1 a ,middle ,place where lighter faults are cleansed from the soul1 and proper satisfaction is rendered for the temporal punishment that still remains due4 ,the punishment of every one will vary according to his desert4 99 99 99 99 99 ,our ,divine ,lord warns us to make necessary reparation whilst we have the time and opportunity4 ,make an agreement with thy adversary quickly whilst thou art in the way with him2 lest1 perhaps1 the adversary deliver thee to the judge1 and the judge deliver thee to the officer1 and thou be cast into prison4 ,amen ,i say to thee1 thou shalt not go out from thence till thou pay the last farthing4 7,st4 ,matthew1 v41 #be1 #bf47 ,this expresses the doctrine of ,purgatory most admirably4 ,the ,scriptures always describe our life as a pilgrimage4 ,we are only on our way4 ,we have to meet the claims of ,divine justice here before being called to the tribunal of the everlasting ,judge2 otherwise1 even should we die in ,his friendship and yet have left these claims not entirely satisfied1 we shall be cast into the prison of ,purgatory2 and ,amen1 ,i say unto thee that thou shalt not go out from thence until thou pay the last farthing4 99 99 99 99 99 ,our ,saviour declares 7,st4 ,matthew1 xii4 #cb17 that whoever shall speak a word against the ,son of ,man1 it shall be forgiven him2 but he that shall speak against the ,holy ,ghost1 it shall not be forgiven him1 either in this life or in the world to come2 which shows1 as ,st4 ,augustine says in the twenty-first book of his work1 ,the ,city of ,god1 that there are some sins 7venial of course7 which shall be forgiven in the next world1 and that1 consequently1 there is a middle state1 or place of purgation in the other life1 since no one can enter heaven having any stain of sin1 and surely no one can obtain forgiveness in hell4 ,the testimony of ,st4 ,paul is very clear on this point of doctrine3 ,for no man can lay another foundation but that which is laid2 which is ,jesus ,christ4 ,now if any man build on that foundation1 gold1 silver1 precious stones1 wood1 hay1 stubble3 every man's work shall be made manifest2 for the day of the ,lord shall declare it1 because it shall be revealed by fire2 and the fire shall try every man's work1 of what sort it is4 ,if any man's work abide1 which he had built thereupon1 he shall receive a reward4 ,if any man's work burn1 he shall suffer loss2 but he himself shall be saved1 yet so as by fire4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the ,first ,epistle of ,st4 ,peter 7,chap4 iii4 #ah1 #ai71 we learn that ,christ being put to death1 indeed1 in the flesh1 but brought to life by the spirit1 in which also ,he came and preached to those spirits who were in prison4 ,our ,blessed ,saviour1 immediately after death1 descended into that part of hell called ,limbo1 and1 as ,st4 ,peter informs us1 preached to the spirits who were in prison4 ,this most certainly shows the existence of a middle state4 ,the spirits to whom our ,lord preached were certainly not in the hell of the damned1 where ,his preaching could not possibly bear any fruit2 they were not already in heaven1 where no preaching is necessary1 since there they see ,god face to face4 ,therefore they must have been in some middle state--call it by whatever name you please-- where they were anxiously awaiting their deliverance at the hands of their ,lord and ,redeemer4 ,belief in ,purgatory is more ancient than ,christianity itself4 ,it was the belief among the ,jews of old1 and of this we have clear proof in the ,second ,book of ,machabees1 xii41 #dc4 ,after a great victory gained by that valiant chieftain1 ,judas ,machabeus1 about two hundred years before the coming of ,christ1 ,judas making a gathering1 he sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to ,jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead1 thinking well and justly concerning the resurrection4444 ,it is1 therefore1 a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead1 that they may be loosed from their sins4 ,it is customary1 even in our days1 in ,jewish synagogues1 to erect tablets reminding those present of the lately deceased1 in order that they may remember them in their prayers4 ,surely1 if there did not exist a place of purgation1 no prayers nor sacrifices would be of any avail to the departed4 ,we find the custom of praying1 of offering the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass for their spiritual benefit1 more especially on their anniversaries1 an universal practice among the primitive ,christians of the ,eastern and ,western ,churches1 of the ,greek1 ,latin1 and ,oriental ,rites4 ,even if we did not find strong warrant1 as we do1 in the ,scriptures1 the authority of ,apostolic ,tradition would be amply sufficient for us2 for1 remember1 we ,catholics hold the traditions1 handed down from the ,apostles1 to be of as much weight as their own writings4 444 ,hence it is that we have recourse to sacred tradition as well as to ,scripture for the proof of our teaching4 ,with reference1 then1 to the doctrine of ,purgatory1 we are guided by the belief that prevailed among the primitive ,christians4 ,that the custom of praying for the dead was sanctioned by the ,apostles themselves1 we have the declaration of ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom3 ,it was not in vain instituted by the ,apostles that in the celebration of the tremendous mysteries a remembrance should be made of the departed4 ,they knew that much profit and advantage would be thereby derived4 ,tertullian--the most ancient of the ,latin ,fathers1 who flourished in the age immediately following that of the ,apostles--speaks of the duty of a widow with regard to her deceased husband3 ,wherefore also does she pray for his soul1 and begs for him1 in the interim1 refreshment1 and in the first resurrection1 companionship1 and makes offerings for him on the anniversary day of his falling asleep in the ,lord4 ,for unless she has done these things1 she has truly repudiated him so far as is in her power4 ,all this supposes a ,purgatory4 ,the measure of the pain1 says ,st4 ,gregory ,nyssa1 is the quantity of evil to be found in each one4444 ,being either purified during the present life by means of prayer and the pursuit of wisdom1 or1 after departure from this life1 by means of the furnace of the fire of purgatory4 99 99 99 99 99 ,not only deeply instructive1 but also eminently consoling is the doctrine of ,purgatory4 ,we need not mourn as those who have no hope1 for those nearest and dearest who have gone hence and departed this life in the friendship of ,god4 ,how beautifully our ,holy ,mother the ,church bridges over the terrible chasm of the grave6 ,how faithfully and tenderly she comes to our aid in the saddest of our griefs and sorrows6 ,she leaves us not to mourn uncomforted1 unsustained4 ,she chides us not for shedding tears over our dear lost ones--a beloved parent1 a darling child1 a loving brother1 affectionate sister1 or deeply-cherished friend or spouse4 ,she bids us let our tears flow1 for our ,saviour wept at the grave of ,lazarus4 ,she whispers words of comfort--not unmeaning words1 but words of divine hope and strength--to our breaking hearts4 ,she pours the oil of heavenly consolation into our deepest wounds4 ,she bids us cast off all unseemly grief1 assuring us that not even death itself can sever the bond that unites us2 that we can be of service to those dear departed ones whom we loved better than life itself2 that we can aid them by our prayers and good works1 and especially by1 the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,thus may we shorten their time of banishment1 assuage their pains1 and continue to storm ,heaven itself with our piteous appeals until the ,lord deign to look down in mercy1 open their prison doors1 and admit them to the full light of ,his holy presence1 and to the everlasting embrace of their ,redeemer and their ,god4 ,,extracts ,,from ,,catholic ,,belief4 ,,very ,,rev4 ,,fa ,,di ,,bruno4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,catholic ,belief1 or1 ,a ,short and ,simple ,exposition of ,catholic ,doctrine1 by ,very ,rev4 ,joseph ,fa ,di ,bruno4 ,d4 ,d41 ,rector- ,general of the ,pious ,society of ,missions of the ,church of ,san ,salvatore in ,onde1 ,ponte ,sisto1 ,rome1 and ,st4 ,peter's ,italian ,church in ,london4 ,american ,edition1 edited by ,father ,lambert1 author of ,notes on ,ingersoll1 c4 ,as works of penance have no value in themselves except through the merits of ,jesus ,christ1 so the pains of ,purgatory have no power in themselves to purify the soul from sin1 but only in virtue of ,christ's ,redemption1 or1 to speak more exactly1 the souls in ,purgatory are able to discharge the debt of temporal punishment demanded by ,god's justice1 and to have their venial sins remitted only through the merits of ,jesus ,christ1 yet so as by fire4 ,the ,catholic belief in ,purgatory rests on the authority of the ,church and her apostolic traditions recorded in ancient ,liturgies1 and in the writings of the ancient ,fathers3 ,tertullian1 ,st4 ,cyprian1 ,origen1 ,eusebius of ,csarea1 ,arnobius1 ,st4 ,basil1 ,st4 ,ephrem of ,edessa1 ,st4 ,cyril of ,jerusalem1 ,st4 ,gregory of ,nyssa1 ,st4 ,ambrose1 ,st4 ,epiphanius1 ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom1 ,st4 ,jerome1 ,st4 ,augustine4 ,it rests also on the ,fourth ,council of ,carthage1 and on many other authorities of antiquity4 ,that this tradition is derived from the ,apostles1 ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom plainly testified in a passage quoted at the end of this chapter1 in which he speaks of suffrages or help for the departed4 ,st4 ,augustine tells us that ,arius was the first who dared to teach that it was of no use to offer up prayers and sacrifices for the dead2 and this doctrine of ,arius he reckoned among heresies4 7,book of ,heresies1 ,heresy #ec;d47 ,there are also passages in ,holy ,scripture from which the ,fathers have confirmed the ,catholic belief on this point4 ,st4 ,paul1 in his first epistle to the ,corinthians1 chap4 iii4 #aa-ae1 writes3 ,for other foundations no one can lay1 but that which is laid2 which is ,christ ,jesus4 ,now1 if any man build upon this foundation1 gold1 silver1 precious stones1 wood1 hay1 stubble2 every man's work shall be manifest2 for the day of the ,lord shall declare it1 because it shall be revealed in fire2 and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is4 ,if any man's work abide1 which he hath built thereupon1 he shall receive a reward4 ,if any man's work burn1 he shall suffer loss2 but he himself shall be saved1 yet so as by fire4 ,the ancient ,fathers1 ,origen in the third century1 ,st4 ,ambrose and ,st4 ,jerome in the fourth1 and ,st4 ,augustine in the fifth1 have interpreted this text of ,st4 ,paul as relating to venial sins committed by ,christians which ,st4 ,paul compares to wood1 hay1 stubble1 and thus with this text they confirm the ,catholic belief in ,purgatory1 well known and believed in their time1 as it is by ,catholics in the present time4 ,in ,st4 ,matthew 7chap4 v4 #be1 #bf7 we read1 ,be at agreement with thy adversary betimes1 whilst thou art in the way with him2 lest1 perhaps1 the adversary deliver thee to the judge1 and the judge deliver thee to the officer1 and thou be cast into prison4 ,amen1 ,i say to thee1 thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing4 ,on this passage1 ,st4 ,cyprian1 ,bishop of ,carthage1 a ,father of the third century1 says3 ,it is one thing to be cast into prison1 and not go out from thence till the last farthing be paid1 and another to receive at once the reward of faith and virtue3 one thing in punishment of sin to be purified by long-suffering and purged by long fire1 and another to have expiated all sins of suffering 7in this life72 one in fire1 at the day of ,judgment to wait the sentence of the ,lord1 another to receive an immediate crown from ,him4 7,epist4 iii47 ,our ,saviour said3 ,he that shall speak against the ,holy ,ghost1 it shall not be forgiven him in this world1 nor in the world to come4 7,st4 ,matt4 xii4 #cb47 ,from this text ,st4 ,augustine argues1 that ,it would not have been said with truth that their sin shall not be forgiven1 neither in this world1 nor in the world to come1 unless some sins were remitted in the next world4 7,de ,civitate ,dei1 ,book xxi4 chap4 #bd47 ,on the other hand1 we read in several places in ,holy ,scripture that ,god will render to every one 7that is1 will reward or punish7 according as each deserves4 ,see1 for example1 in ,matthew xvi4 #bg4 ,but as we cannot think that ,god will punish everlastingly a person who dies burdened with the guilt of venial sin only1 it may be an idle word1 it is reasonable to infer that the punishment rendered to that person in the next world will be only temporary4 ,the ,catholic belief in ,purgatory does not clash with the following declarations of ,holy ,scripture1 which every ,catholic firmly believes1 namely1 that it is ,jesus who cleanseth us from all sin1 that ,jesus bore the iniquity of us all1 that by ,his bruises we are healed1 7,isaias iii41 #e72 for it is through the blood of ,jesus and ,his copious ,redemption that those pains of ,purgatory have power to cleanse the souls therein detained4 ,again1 the ,catholic belief in ,purgatory is not in opposition to those texts of ,scripture in which it is said that a man when he is justified is translated from death to life2 that he is no longer judged3 that there is no condemnation in him4 ,for these passages do not refer to souls taken to ,heaven when natural death occurs1 but to persons in this world1 who from the death of sin pass to the life of grace4 ,nor does it follow that dying in that state of grace1 that is1 in a state of spiritual life1 they must go at once to ,heaven4 ,a soul may be justified1 entirely exempt from eternal condemnation1 and yet have something to suffer for a time2 thus1 also1 in this world1 many are justified1 and yet are not exempt from suffering4 ,again1 it is not fair to bring forward against the ,catholic doctrine on ,purgatory that text of the ,apocalypse1 ,rev4 xix4 #ac3 ,blessed are the dead1 who die in the ,lord4 ,from henceforth now1 saith the ,spirit1 that they may rest from their labors3 for their works follow them1 for this text applies only to those souls who die perfectly in the ,lord1 that is1 entirely free from every kind of sin1 and from the stain1 the guilt1 and the debt of temporal punishment of every sin4 ,catholics believe that these souls have no pain to suffer in ,purgatory1 as is the case with the martyrs and saints who die in a perfect state of grace4 ,it is usual to bring forward against the ,catholic belief in ,purgatory that text which says3 ,if the tree fall to the south1 or to the north1 in what place soever it shall fall1 there shall it be4 7,eccles4 xi4 #c47 ,this text confirms and illustrates the truth that1 when death comes1 the final doom of every one is fixed1 and that there is no possibility of changing it2 so that one dying in a state of mortal sin will always remain in a state of mortal sin1 and consequently be rejected forever2 and one dying in a state of grace and friendship with ,god1 will forever remain accepted by ,god and in a state of grace1 and in friendship with ,him4 ,but this text proves nothing against the existence of ,purgatory2 for a soul1 although in a state of grace1 and destined to heaven1 may still have to suffer for a time before being perfectly fit to enter upon the eternal bliss1 to enjoy the vision of ,god4 ,some might be disposed1 notwithstanding1 to regard this text as opposed to the ,catholic doctrine of ,purgatory by saying that the two places alluded to in the texts are heaven and hell4 ,but this interpretation ,catholics readily admit1 for at death either heaven or hell is the final place to which all men are allotted1 ,purgatory being only a passage to heaven4 ,this text surely does not tell against those just ones under the ,old ,law who died in a state of grace and salvation1 and who1 though sure of heaven1 had yet to wait in a middle state until after the ,ascension of ,jesus ,christ2 neither1 therefore1 does it tell against ,purgatory4 ,christ's ,redemption is abundant1 plentiful as ,holy ,scripture1 says 7,ps4 cxxix4 #g71 and ,catholics do not believe that those ,christians who die guilty only of venial the practice of the ,catholic ,church to offer prayers and other pious works in suffrage for the dead1 as is amply testified by the ,latin ,fathers2 for instance1 ,tertullian1 ,st4 ,cyprian1 ,st4 ,augustine1 ,st4 ,gregory2 and amongst the ,greek ,fathers1 by ,st4 ,ephrem of ,edessa1 ,st4 ,basil and ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom4 ,st4 ,chrysostom says3 ,it was not without good reason ordained by the ,apostles that mention should be made of the dead in the tremendous mysteries1 because they knew well that1 these would receive great benefit from it 7on the ,first ,epistle to ,philippians1 ,homily iii47 ,by the expression tremendous mysteries1 is meant the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,st4 ,augustine says3 ,it is not to be doubted that the dead are aided by the prayers of ,holy ,church and by the salutary sacrifice1 and by the alms which are offered for their spirits1 that the ,lord may deal with them more mercifully than their sins have deserved4 ,for this1 which has been handed down by the ,fathers1 the universal ,church observes4 7,enchirid1 ,vol4 v41 ,ser4 #agb47 ,the same pious custom is proved also from the ancient ,liturgies of the ,greek and other ,eastern ,churches1 both ,catholic and ,schismatic1 in which the ,priest is directed to pray for the repose of the dead during the celebration of the ,holy ,mysteries4 ,,purgatory ,,and ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,all ,,souls4 ,,alban ,,butler4 ,by ,purgatory no more is meant by ,catholics than a middle state of souls2 namely of purgation from sin by temporary chastisements1 or a punishment of some sin inflicted after death1 which is not eternal4 ,as to the place1 manner or kind of these sufferings nothing has been defined by the ,church2 and all who with ,dr4 ,deacon except against this doctrine1 on account of the circumstance of a material fire1 quarrel about a mere scholastic question1 in which a person is at liberty to choose either side4444 ,certainly some sins are venial1 which deserve not eternal death4 ,yet if not effaced by condign punishment in this world must be punished in the next4 ,the ,scriptures frequently mention those venial sins1 from which ordinarily the just are not exempt1 who certainly would not be just if these lesser sins into which men easily fall by surprise1 destroyed grace in them1 or if they fell from charity4 ,yet the smallest sin excludes a soul from heaven so long as it is not blotted out4444 ,who is there who keeps1 so constant a guard upon his heart and whole conduct as to avoid all sensible self-deceptions8 ,who is there upon whose heart no inordinate attachments steal2 into whose actions no sloth1 remissness1 or other irregularity ever insinuates itself8444 ,the ,blessed ,virgin was preserved by an extraordinary grace from the least sin in the whole tenor of her life and actions2 but1 without such a singular privilege1 even the saints are obliged to say that they sin daily4444 ,the ,church of ,christ is composed of three different parts3 the ,triumphant in ,heaven1 the ,militant on earth1 and the ,patient or ,suffering in ,purgatory4 ,our charity embraces all the members of ,christ4444 ,the ,communion of ,saints which we profess in our ,creed1 implies a communication of certain good works and offices1 and a mutual intercourse among all the members of ,christ4 ,this we maintain with the ,saints in heaven by thanking and praising ,god for their triumphs and crowns1 imploring their intercession1 and receiving the succors of their charitable solicitude for us3 likewise with the souls in ,purgatory by soliciting the divine mercy in their favor4 ,nor does it seem to be doubted but they1 as they are in a state of grace and charity1 pray for us2 though the ,church never address public suffrages to them1 not being warranted by primitive practice and tradition so to do4 444 ,st4 ,odilo1 abbot of ,cluni1 in #iih1 instituted the commemoration of all the faithful departed in all the monasteries of his congregation on the #ast of ,november1 which was soon adopted by the whole ,western ,church4 ,the ,council of ,oxford1 in #abbb1 declared it a holiday of the second class1 on which certain necessary and important kinds of work were allowed4 ,some dioceses kept it a holiday of precept till noon2 only those of ,vienne and ,tours1 and the order of ,cluni1 the whole day3 in most places it is only a day of devotion4 ,the ,greeks have long kept on ,saturday sevennight before ,lent1 and on ,saturday before ,whitsunday1 the solemn commemoration of all the faithful departed2 but offer up ,mass every ,saturday for them4444 ,the dignity of these souls most strongly recommends them to our compassion1 and at the same time to our veneration4 ,though they lie at present at a distance from ,god1 buried in frightful dungeons under waves of fire1 they belong to the happy number of the elect4 ,they are united to ,god by ,his grace2 they love ,him above all things1 and amidst their torments never cease to bless and praise ,him1 adoring the severity of ,his justice with perfect resignation and love4444 ,they are illustrious conquerors of the devil1 the world and hell2 holy spirits loaded with merits and graces1 and bearing the precious badge of their dignity and honor by the nuptial robe of the ,lamb with which by an indefeasible right they are clothed4 ,yet they are now in a state of suffering1 and endure greater torments than it is possible for any one to suffer1 or for our imagination to represent to itself in this mortal life4444 ,st4 ,csarius of ,aries writes3 ,a person1 says he1 may say1 ,i am not much concerned how long ,i remain in ,purgatory1 provided ,i may come to eternal life4 ,let no one reason thus4 ,purgatory fire will be more dreadful than whatever torments can be seen1 imagined1 or endured in this world4 ,and how does any one know whether he will stay days1 months1 or years8 ,he who is afraid now to put his finger into the fire1 does he not fear lest he be then all buried in torments for a long time4444 ,the ,church approves perpetual anniversaries for the dead2 for some souls may be detained in pains to the end of the world1 though after the day of judgment no third state can exist4444 ,if we have lost any dear friends in ,christ1 while we confide in ,his mercy1 and rejoice in their passage from the region of death to that of life1 light1 and eternal joy1 we have reason to fear some lesser stains may retard their bliss4 ,in this uncertainty let us earnestly recommend them to the divine clemency4444 ,perhaps1 the souls of some dear friends may be suffering on our account2 perhaps1 for their fondness for us1 or for sins of which we were the occasion1 by scandal1 provocation1 or otherwise1 in which case motives not only of charity1 but of justice1 call upon us to endeavor to procure them all the relief in our power4444 ,souls delivered and brought to glory by our endeavors will amply repay our kindness by obtaining divine graces for us4 ,god ,himself will be inclined by our charity to show us also mercy1 and to shower down upon us ,his most precious favors4 ',blessed are the merciful1 for they shall obtain mercy4' ,by having shown this mercy to the suffering souls in ,purgatory1 we shall be particularly entitled to be treated with mercy at our departure hence1 and to share more abundantly in the general suffrages of the ,church1 continually offered for all that have slept in ,christ4 ,,part ,,ii ,,anecdotes ,,and ,,incidents4 ,we know them not1 nor hear the sound ,they make in treading all around3 ,their office sweet and mighty prayer ,float without echo through the air2 ,yet sometimes1 in unworldly places1 ,soft sorrow's twilight vales1 ,we meet them with uncovered faces1 ,outside their golden pales1 ,though dim1 as they must ever be1 ,like ships far-off and out at sea1 ,with the sun upon their sails4--,,faber4 ,,the ,,fruit ,,of ,a ,,mass4 ,the incident we are about to relate and which1 in some way1 only the price of the first ,mass paid for1 reminds us of another which seems to be also the fruit of a single ,mass given under the inspiration of faith4 ,this fact is found in the life of ,st4 ,peter ,damian1 and we are happy to reproduce it here1 in order to tell over again the marvels of ,god in those ,he loves1 and to make manifest that charity for the poor souls brings ever and always its own reward4 ,peter1 surnamed ,damian1 was born in #ihh1 at ,ravenna1 in ,italy4 ,his family was poor1 and he was the youngest of several children4 ,he lost his father and mother while still very young1 and was taken by one of his brothers to his home4 ,but ,damian was treated there in a very inhuman manner4 ,he was regarded rather as a slave1 or1 at least1 as a base menial1 than as the brother of the master of the house4 ,he was deprived of the very necessaries of life1 and1 after being made to work like a hired servant1 he was loaded with blows4 ,when he was older1 they gave him charge of the swine4 ,nevertheless1 ,peter ,damian1 being endowed with rare virtue1 received all with patience as coming from ,god4 ,this sweet resignation on the part of a child was most pleasing to the ,lord1 and ,he rewarded him by inspiring him to a good action4 ,one day the little ,damian1 leading his flocks to the pasture1 found on the way a small piece of money4 ,oh6 how rejoiced he was6 ,how his heart swelled within him6 ,he clapped his hands joyfully1 thinking himself quite rich1 and already he began to calculate all he could do with his money4 ,suggestions were not wanting1 for he was in need of everything4 ,nevertheless1 the noble child took time to reflect2 a sudden shadow fell on the fair heaven of his happy thoughts4 ,he all at once remembered that his father1 his poor mother who had so loved him1 might be still suffering cruel torments in the place of expiation4 ,and despising his own great necessities1 and generously making the sacrifice of what was for him a treasure1 ,damian1 raised above himself and his wants by the thought of his beloved parents1 brought his money to a priest1 to have the ,holy ,sacrifice offered for them4 ,that generous child had obeyed a holy inspiration1 and this good deed of his was quickly rewarded4 ,fortune suddenly changed with him4 ,he was taken by another of his brothers1 who took all possible care of him4 ,seeing that the child had such excellent dispositions1 he made him begin to study4 ,he sent him first to ,florence1 then to a famous school in ,parma1 where he had for his master the celebrated ,ivo4 ,the brilliant qualities of ,damian were rapidly developed1 and soon he became professor where he had been a pupil4 ,he afterwards gave up the world and became a religious1 and was1 in course of time1 not only a remarkable man1 but a great saint4 ,he was charged by the ,holy ,see with affairs the most important1 and died clothed in the ,roman purple4 ,he is still a great light in the ,church1 and his writings are always full of piety and erudition4 ,the little ,damian1 then1 might well think that he possessed a treasure in his little coin1 since with it he purchased earthly honors and heavenly bliss4 ,we all of us have often had in our hand ,damian's little piece of money1 but have we known how to make a treasure of it8 ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory1 #ahgg4 ,,the ,,faith ,,of ,a ,,pious ,,lady4 ,in the course of the month of ,july of last year1 said a zealous member of our ,association for the ,souls in ,purgatory1 ,i was accosted by one of our associates who told me1 with an exuberance of joy1 ',ah6 we have great reason to thank the souls in ,purgatory2 ,i beg you to unite with us in thanking them for the favor they have just done us4' ',indeed8 ,well6 ,i am very happy to hear it4 ,has anything extraordinary happened to you8 ,tell me1 if you please1 what seems to cause you so much joy8' ,then our fervent associate--a young man of a mild and pleasing aspect1 usually somewhat reserved1 but of gentlemanly bearing--said1 in a tone of deep emotion3 ',i am rejoiced to tell you1 in the first place1 that ,i have the happiness of still having my good mother4 ,god seems to leave her on the earth to complete the work of her purification1 for she is always sick and suffering1 and1 as she says herself1 there is neither rest nor peace for her here below2 nevertheless1 she resigns herself so patiently to the sufferings and tribulations which weigh so heavily upon her that it does me a twofold good every time ,i see her1 for ,i love her as my mother1 ,i venerate her as a saint4 ',one day1 then1 last week1 finding herself a little stronger1 she thought she would take a short drive1 being in the country for her health4 ,the drive seemed really to do her good2 the beauty of the country1 and still more1 the fresh1 pure air1 appeared to revive her1 and altogether she enjoyed her drive immensely4 ,her heart1 as well as her mind1 was changed1 for you know there is often a sickness of the head1 as of the body4 ,she already began to flatter herself with the hope of a speedy recovery1 when1 in the midst of the drive which was having so beneficial an effect1 the horse1 from some unknown cause1 suddenly took fright1 and1 taking the bit between his teeth1 started off at a fearful pace4 ',imagine the terror of my poor mother6 ,on either side the road was a broad1 deep ditch1 and the rough1 uneven soil caused the carriage to jolt fearfully1 which was another great danger2 and1 as it so often happens in the country1 the road was deserted1 and no one to be seen who might give any assistance4 ',to crown all1 it happened that the servant who drove my mother1 in his efforts to restrain the horse in his headlong flight1 had the misfortune to break the reins1 which were their only chance of guiding the animal in his mad career4 ',ah6 how can ,i describe the feelings of my poor dear mother1 already so sick and so feeble2 in fact1 she was almost dead with fright4 ,she thought every moment that she was going to be thrown into the ditch1 or dashed against the stake paling which bordered the road on either side4 ,she was nearly in despair1 when all at once the thought occurred to her to promise a ,mass for the ,souls in ,purgatory1 if the horse stopped4 ',and what do you think8--,ah6 ,i am still so agitated myself1 that ,i can hardly tell it6--,but1 wonderful to relate1 that horse1 in the wild excitement of his flight1 without so much as a thread to restrain him1 who could not have been stopped by any natural cause whatsoever1--that horse stopped immediately1 and one might say1 suddenly1 as though a barrier were placed before him6 ',it were utterly impossible to express my mother's joy and gratitude4 ,her life will henceforth be but one long act of thanksgiving2 for1 without that unlooked-for help it had certainly been all over with her4 ,oh1 ,i beseech you help me to thank ,heaven for so great a favor4' ,this example will serve to show still more clearly that ,god is pleased to manifest ,his power1 even for the slightest service rendered to those whom ,he deigns to call ,his ,beloved of ,purgatory4--,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory4 #ahgg4 ,,pay ,,what ,,thou ,,owest4 ,when the fathers of the ,society of ,jesus first established their order in ,kentucky1 a wealthy and respected ,catholic citizen of ,bardstown1 ,mr4 ,s----1 sought admission among them1--although his age and lack of a thorough preparatory education offered obstacles to his success4 ,he entered the ,novitiate1 only to be convinced that it was too late for him to become a priest1 as had been prudently represented to him at the outset4 ,however1 his love for the ,society had been strengthened by his short stay in the sanctuary of the community1 and he resolved to devote himself to the service of the ,fathers in another way4 ,he determined to secure a suitable residence1 and found a college1 which1 as soon as it was in a flourishing condition1 he would turn over to the ,society4 ,with this object in view1 ,mr4 ,s---- made diligent inquiries1 and advertised in various county newspapers for a suitable residence in which to begin his good work4 ,one of his advertisements received a prompt reply from the executors of an estate in ,c---- ,county4 ,the property offered for sale was unencumbered1 its broad lands under high cultivation1 the mansion in good repair1 etc4 ,accompanied by a friend1 ,mr4 ,s---- hastened to visit the plantation4 ,he found one wing of the house occupied by the overseer and his family1 and observed with pleasure that the advertisement seemed not to have exaggerated the value of the estate4 ,mr4 ,s---- and his friend tarried over night1 and were assigned separate apartments1 which the administrators had ordered to be kept in readiness for the reception of prospective purchasers4 ,although greatly fatigued by a long ride on horseback over ill-kept roads1 neither of the gentlemen could sleep1 on account of a wearisome1 incessant knocking in an adjoining room4 ,each believing the other to be sound asleep1 forbore to awake his tired companion1 but when they met at an early breakfast1 they both1 as in one breath1 inquired of the farmer's wife the cause of the continuous tapping in the adjoining apartment4 ,mrs4 ,f---- exchanged a significant glance with her husband1 and a sort of grim smile overspread the face of the latter4 ,after a moment's hesitation1 he declared that he and his wife1 and the servants on the estate1 had in vain tried to find out the cause4 ,all who slept in those two rooms heard the noise1 and could not sleep4 ,both husband and wife assured their guests that the knocking took place in the apartment always occupied1 during her lifetime1 by ,mrs4 ,g----1 the late owner of the estate2 furthermore1 that the disturbance was unknown before her death4 ,mr4 ,s---- and his companion naturally became more and more interested1 and after suggesting all the ordinary causes of unusual and mysterious knocks1 such as rats1 cats1 chipmunks1 creaking doors1 broken shutters1 and the like1 rode off with ,mr4 ,f---- to make a thorough examination of the estate4 ,the two gentlemen rode all over the plantation1 conferred with the executors and some lawyers1 and after inspecting the house thoroughly1 sat down to a dinner that was highly creditable to the hostess1 who seemed anxious concerning the disclosures of the morning4 ,when night came on1 the visitors were shown to the same rooms they had previously occupied4 ,in the morning each spoke again of his inability to get any refreshing sleep1 and as they rode back to ,b----1 talking over dreams1 visions1 and other supernatural occurrences1 they asked themselves1 might not this knocking have a supernatural cause8 ,concluding it might have1 they considered it would be well to lay the case before the ,rev4 ,father ,q----2 at least1 they could go1 and tell him of their journey into ,c---- ,county1 and also of the mysterious knocking1 if it seemed to come in naturally2 for each felt a little dread of being laughed at as too credulous4 ,in the course of their conversation with the ,father1 the full details of what they had learned and had personally experienced were related4 ,father ,q---- seemed to consider the occurrence quite easily accounted for by some physical cause2 but when the gentlemen recalled to his attention the circumstance of ,mrs4 ,g----'s death1 he appeared to take another view of the matter4 ,finally1 it was decided that ,father ,q---- and a brother priest should accompany ,mr4 ,s---- and his friend to the plantation1 for a personal investigation4 ,soon after their arrival at the mansion the priests1 preceded by the servants of the family1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,f----1 and the two visitors1 repaired to the mysterious chamber4 ,when a little ,holy ,water had been sprinkled about the room1 there was a cessation of the knocking1 and after reciting some prayers1 ,father ,q---- inquired1 in ,latin1 of whatever spirit might be there the cause of the disturbance4 ,he was distinctly answered in the same tongue that the soul of ,mrs4 ,g---- could not rest in peace1 because of an uncancelled debt to the shoemaker1 ,mr4 ----4 ,the interlocutor was assured that the matter should be attended to at once4 ,thereupon the knocking re-commenced and continued4 ,all were painfully surprised1 but thanked ,god that it would be so easy a matter to settle the debt4 ,the ,rosary was then recited by the assembly1 most of whom had supposed that the priests were present to bless the house4 ,without delay1 ,mr4 ,s4 and ,father ,q---- repaired to the shop of the village shoemaker1 and begged him to present any bill that he might have against the estate of the late ,mrs4 ,g----4 ,the shoemaker said that he did not believe there was anything due to him1 for payments had always been made very punctually4 ,however1 he ran over his account-book1 and declared that he found nothing4 ,in sorrowful surprise1 the two friends then took their departure1 telling the shoe dealer that if1 at any time1 he should find aught against the property1 to inform them without delay4 ,on his return home1 the shoemaker related to his mother what had happened in the shop4 ,after reflection1 she asked if he had looked over his father's accounts4 ,certainly not1 he said4 ,she then remarked that the request was only half complied with1 for ,mrs4 ,g---- had long been his father's customer4 ,after dinner1 they repaired to the attic1 and1 searching out the old ledgers1 went over them carefully4 ,to their surprise they found a bill of twelve dollars and a half1 for a pair of white satin slippers 7probably ,mrs4 ,g----'s wedding shoes71 which1 in the midst of various affairs1 had remained unsettled4 ,a messenger was sent with all speed to the mansion4 ,on the way he chanced to meet ,father ,q---- and ,mr4 ,s----4 ,the bill1 with interest1 was paid on the spot1 and1 returning to the house1 they learned from the astonished and delighted tenants that the rappings had suddenly and entirely ceased4 ,shortly after1 ,mr4 ,s---- became the owner of the estate1 the heirs of which1 preferring to live in ,europe1 had permitted its sale1 in order to divide and enjoy the proceeds4 ,as ,mr4 ,s---- had planned1 a college was there founded1 and before long it was under the control of the ,society of his aspirations and his enthusiastic love4--,ave ,maria1 ,nov4 #ae1 #ahhd4 ,,the ,,via ,,crucis ,in ,november1 #ahdi1 ,prince ,charles ,lwenstein ,wertheim ,rosenberg died4 ,a lady who filled a subordinate office in his family as governess1 communicated to the author the incidents which follow4 ,at the prince's deathbed1 which she was permitted to visit1 she made a vow to say certain prayers daily for the repose of his soul1 in accordance with a wish which he had expressed4 ,when the family was residing at the castle of ,henbach on the ,maine1 it was this lady's habit to spend a short time every evening in the private chapel4 ,after one of those visits1 about three months after the prince's death1 she retired to rest1 and in the course of the night had a singular dream4 ,she was in the chapel1 kneeling in a tribune2 opposite to her was the high altar4 ,she had spent some time in prayer1 when suddenly1 on the steps of the altar1 she saw the tall figure of the deceased prince1 kneeling with great apparent devotion4 ,presently he turned towards her1 and in his usual manner of addressing her1 said3 ,dear child1 come down to me here in the chapel2 ,i want to speak to you4 ,she replied that she would gladly1 but that the doors were all locked4 ,he assured her that they were all open4 ,she went down to him1 taking her candle with her4 ,when she came near him1 the prince rose to meet her1 took her hand1 and1 without speaking1 led her to the altar1 and they both knelt down together4 ,they prayed for some time in silence1 then he rose once more1 and standing at the foot of the altar1 said3 ,tell my children1 my dear child1 that their prayers and yours are heard4 ,tell them that ,god has accepted the ,via ,crucis #a which they have daily made for me1 and your prayers also4 ,i am with ,god in ,his glory1 and ,i will pray for all those who have so faithfully prayed for me4 ,as he spoke1 his face seemed lighted up as with the glory usually painted round the head of a saint4 ,with a farewell look he vanished1 and she awoke4 ,footnote #a3 ,way of the ,cross1 more commonly called the ,stations of the ,cross4 ,at breakfast she appeared agitated4 ,she sat beside the prince's granddaughter1 ,princess ,adelaide ,lwenstein1 afterwards married to ,don ,miguel of ,portugal4 ,this lady asked her what was the matter4 ,she related her dream1 and then begged to know what prayers the princesses had offered for the repose of his ,highnesses' soul4 ,they were the ,via ,crucis4--,footsteps of ,spirits4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,published by ,burns ,lambert of ,london4 ,,strange ,,incidents4 ,when the ,benedictine ,college at ,ampleforth1 in ,yorkshire1 was building1 a few years ago1 one of the masons attracted the attention of the community by the interest which he took in the incidents of their daily life4 ,he had to walk from a village three miles off1 so as to be at the college every morning by six o'clock4 ,he was first much pleased with the regularity of the community1 whom he always found in the church1 singing the ,hours before ,mass1 on his arrival in the morning4 ,by degrees he was taught the whole of the ,catholic doctrine1 and was received into the ,church4 ,none of his family1 however1 would follow his example4 ,exposure to cold and wet brought on an illness1 of which he died1 in a very pious manner4 ,a short time after his death1 his wife was one morning sweeping about the open door of her house1 when her husband walked in1 and sat down on a seat by the fire1 and began to ask her how she did4 ,she answered that she was well1 and hoped he was happy where he was4 ,he replied that he was1 at that time2 that1 at first1 he had passed through ,purgatory1 and had undergone a brief purification2 but that1 when this was ended1 he had been taken to the enjoyment of the bliss of ,god in heaven4 ,he remained talking to her some little time longer1 then he bade her farewell1 and disappeared4 ,the woman applied to a ,catholic priest for instruction2 and it was found that1 although she had never in her life read a ,catholic book1 nor conversed about the ,catholic religion with any one1 she had acquired a complete knowledge of the doctrine of ,purgatory from that short interview with her husband4 ,she1 too1 became a ,catholic4 ,the author was told this story by one who was a member of the community of ,ampleforth at the time4 ,a missionary priest at ,b---- 7in ,england71 a very few years ago1 promised to say ,mass for a woman in his congregation who had died4 ,among other engagements of the same kind1 he unconsciously overlooked her claim upon him4 ,by and by her husband came to him1 and begged him to remember his promise4 ,the missionary thought that he had already done so4 ,oh6 no1 sir1 the man replied2 ,i can assure you that you have not2 my poor wife has been to me to tell me so1 and to get you to do this act of charity for her4 ,the priest was satisfied of his omission1 and immediately supplied it4 ,soon after1 the poor man returned to thank him1 at the woman's desire4 ,she had told her husband that now she was perfectly happy in heaven2 her face1 which had appeared much disfigured at her first visit1 was surrounded with a halo of light when she came again4 ,this anecdote reached the author through a common friend of his own and of the missionary4 ,a similar anecdote is told of a nun in the ,english convent of ,bruges1 between thirty and forty years ago4 ,a relation of ,canon ,schmidt had died in the house1 and ,miss ,l----1 another nun1 much attached to her1 saw her friend one night in a dream4 ,she seemed to come with a serious countenance1 and pointed to the ,office for the ,dead in an office-book1 which she appeared to hold in her hand4 ,her friend was much perplexed1 and consulted ,miss ,n----1 a third nun1 who suggested that perhaps ,miss ,l---- had not said the ,office three times1 as usual1 for her deceased sister4 ,miss ,l---- was nearly sure that she had2 but as she had a habit of marking off this obligation as it was discharged1 it could be easily ascertained4 ,on examining her private note-book1 it turned out that she had not said the three ,offices4 ,miss ,n----'s sister1 who was educated in the same convent1 told the author this little story1 and afterwards was good enough to revise his narrative of it4 ,so that this account is virtually her own4 ,though seeming to have passed through two channels on its way to this book1 that is1 through the author's memory and his friend's1 yet having1 submitted to the latter a written memorandum of the narrative1 and received and adopted his friend's corrections1 the story is as authentic as if it had passed through only one intermediate channel4 ,for there is no doubt that the value of a story diminishes rapidly with every additional hand through which it passes4-- ,footsteps of ,spirits1 #aac-ad4 ,a ,,true ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,de ,,profundis4 ,one evening in the month of ,july1 #ahd--1 a happy group were gathered in the wide porch of a well-known mansion in ,prince ,george's ,county1 ,maryland4 ,a little ,catholic church had been recently built in the village of ,l---- by the zealous and wealthy proprietor of ,monticello1 and as the means of the newly-formed congregation were too limited to support a resident pastor1 one of the ,reverend ,fathers from ,georgetown kindly came out once a fortnight to celebrate ,mass and administer the ,sacraments4 ,on the eve of the favored ,sunday1 ,doctor ,j---- took his carriage to the railway station and brought back the ,reverend ,father named for that week's services2 and his visit was always looked for with delight by all the household at ,monticello1 domestics and children1 but by none so much as by three recent converts to our holy faith1 who often took occasion to propound to their amiable and learned guest any doubts on religious questions that had arisen during the course of the intervening weeks4 ,on the evening above mentioned1 the priest who came was an ,italian ,jesuit1 the ,reverend ,father ,g----4 ,he held his little audience entranced with a fund of edifying stories and interesting replies to the questions asked4 ,the calm serenity of the night1 the gentle1 refreshing breeze that came from a neighboring wood of pine-trees1 the beautiful glitter of the flitting glow-worm1 and the rich perfume wafted from the purple magnolia grandiflora--all added to the enchantment4 ,the doctor broke the charm by saying3 ,reverend ,father1 we shall be obliged to leave early to-morrow morning4 ,the carriage will be ready for you at #f o'clock4 ,is it a long drive to the church8 asked ,father ,g----4 ,no2 only four miles1 answered the doctor2 but there will be many confessions to hear and1 perhaps1 some baptisms to administer2 hence1 unless the work is begun early1 ,mass will not be over before #ab o'clock4 ,i hope1 then1 replied the ,father1 smiling1 that you will not fail to awake betimes4 ,as to that1 rejoined the doctor1 when ,i have to arise at any particular time1 ,i recite a ,de ,profundis for the relief of the suffering souls1 and ,i am sure of awaking promptly at he right hour4 ,i can easily credit that1 said ,father ,g----4 ,it is a pious practice which was recommended to me by the late ,dr4 ,ryder1 of ,georgetown1 when ,i was at the ,college1 said the host2 and ,i have never found that any one to whom ,i taught the practice failed to find it truly efficacious4 ,if it would not detain you too long beyond your customary hours1 said ,father ,g----1 ,i would add to my long list of anecdotes one more on the ,de ,profundis4 ,all present besought the priest to favor them2 in truth1 the worthy household never wearied of pious conversation4 ,it happened1 began the good priest1 with religious modesty1 that about twenty years ago ,i accompanied a number of prominent members of our ,society who had been summoned to the ,mother ,house1 in ,rome1 on business of importance4 ,the ,fathers carried with them precious documents from their several provinces2 and1 besides the purse necessary to meet their current travelling expenses1 certain contributions from churches as ,peter's ,pence1 and donations for the ,general of the ,society4 ,our way lay across the ,apennines1 and we were numerous enough to fill a large coach4 ,we knew that the fastnesses of the mountains were infested by outlawed bands1 and we had been careful to select an honest driver4 ,before setting out1 it was agreed that we should place ourselves under the protection of the ,holy ,souls by reciting a ,de ,profundis every hour4 ,at a given signal1 mental or vocal prayer1 reading or recreation1 would be suspended1 and the psalm recited in unison4 ,luigi1 the driver1 had been instructed1 in case of any apparent danger1 to make three distinct taps on the roof of our vehicle with the heavy end of his whip4 ,we travelled the whole day undisturbed1 without other interruptions than those called for by the observance of our itinerary4 ,just as the evening twilight began1 we reached the summit of a lofty mountain4 ,the air was cool1 the scenery wild and majestic1 and each of us seemed absorbed in the pleasant glimpses of the receding landscapes1 when we were startled by three ominous knocks on the roof of our coach4 ,before we could ask any questions1 ,luigi had given his horses such blows as nearly made them throw us out of the vehicle1 and sent the animals running at a break-neck speed4 ,we looked1 we listened1 and1 to our amazement and horror1 beheld about a dozen bandits on either side of the road1 with arms uplifted1 and holding deadly weapons1 as if ready and determined to strike with well-aimed precision4 ,but1 strange to say1 they all remained as motionless as statues1 until we had gone on so far as to leave them a mere speck on the descending horizon4 ,each one of our party had kept exterior silence1 but inwardly put his trust in the ,most ,high4 ,at last1 ,luigi halted4 ,his horses were white with foam1 and panting as if they would never breathe naturally again4 ,a miracle6 cried ,luigi1 signing himself with the mystic ,sign2 may ,god and ,our ,lady be praised6 ,i tell you1 ,fathers1 it is a miracle that we are not dead men6 ',indeed1 a very special protection of ,divine ,providence said the superior pro tem42 'and we must all thank ,god with our whole hearts4' ',i tell you1' broke in ,luigi1 'those were horrible men2 ,i never saw any look fiercer4' ',then1 as soon as your horses are able1 we had better move on4 ,shall you be obliged to change them before we get to our proposed stopping- place8' asked the superior4 ',oh1 we must not stop to change6 we should be tracked by some of their spies4 ,we had better go on2 and1 as the road descends gently1 ,i think this team will make the remainder of the route4' ',well1' said our superior1 as we re-entered the coach1 'we must all offer a ,mass in thanksgiving to-morrow2' to which we all heartily assented1 and found subject for conversation the rest of the way in recalling the particulars of our wondrous escape4 ,holy obedience afterwards stationed me1 continued the ,reverend ,father1 at the ,ges4 ,about two years later1 ,i was called upon to instruct a prisoner condemned to capital punishment4 ',he appears to have been a desperate man1' said the jailer1 as he drew aside the enormous bolts of iron that held fast the door of a corridor leading to a dismal dungeon2 'now1 however1 he is a little subdued2 he even seems contrite at times1 and ,i hope he will die penitent4' ,i visited the prisoner several times2 he was always glad to see me1 but it cost him a great effort to open his heart1 and make a full confession4 ,his birth and parentage1 and advantages for a liberal education1 should have brought him to a widely-different destiny4 ,he had loved adventure naturally1 but had taken a wrong direction4 ,he might have become a famous military man1 whereas he was only a rough1 desperate highwayman4 ,to win him to ,god1 ,i began to listen to narratives of his wild brigand exploits4 ,i affected to be interested in these daring adventures1 and then succeeded in pointing out to him the sin that abounded in each and every act4 ,one day1 as he was speaking of the latest years of his life1 ,i was greatly surprised to hear him recount the identical incident with which ,i began my story4 ,he described to me in the most graphic terms the wonderful manner in which his hands and those of his comrades had been held by an invisible1 irresistible power1 saying that they had returned to their mountain haunts perfectly dismayed2 that some of them appeared to have a vague and conscientious alarm1 though revelry and song soon banished such misgivings4 ,he told me that they knew the carriage was full of ,jesuit priests1 and that they had been promised a great pecuniary reward by a prominent member of the ,freemason ,society if they should succeed in seizing our luggage4 ,i then made known to my penitent my share in that providential escape2 he at once fell on his knees1 wept long and bitterly1 and finally asked my forgiveness4 ,i prepared him for his dreadful end1 and believe he died at peace with ,god1 so great is the mercy of ,jesus to the contrite soul1 'even though his sins be as scarlet4' ,i asked his permission to narrate the particulars of his portion of the story1 and he gladly gave it1 hoping to merit something for his sin-burdened soul by that act of humility4 ,we were all much impressed by the ,reverend ,father's narrative1 and as we bade one another good-night1 the doctor remarked that a kind deed performed for others was sure to merit a blessing in return1 even though it were so small a favor as that gained by his favorite practice of saying the ,de ,profundis4 ,yes1 said ,father ,g----1 charity never fails4--,ave ,maria1 ,nov4 #bdth1 #ahhc4 ,,confidence ,,rewarded4 ,the following fact took place in ,montreal1 ,canada1 some three or four years since4 ,we shall leave the zealous member of our association who related it to us to tell his own story3 ,one morning1 said he1 coming back from ,mass1 ,i saw ,mr4 ,c----1 who was also coming out of the church4 ,he was a worthy man1 fearing ,god and fulfilling his duties faithfully and conscientiously4 ,i said to myself3 ',there is a man who deserves to belong to our association4' ,for is it not always a favor when ,god deems us worthy to do something for ,him8 ,i approached and asked him if he would not like to become a member of our association4 ',what association8' ',the ,association of the ,way of the ,cross and ,masses4 ,it is to relieve the dead by prayer and alms1 two powerful means4' ',ah6 ,i knew nothing of it4 ,what has to be done8' ',it suffices to make the ,way of the ,cross once a week and pay for a ,mass once a month4' ',i love the souls in ,purgatory1' he said1 'and ,i do all ,i can to relieve them4 ,but1 you see1 things are not going well with me just now4 ,i have been a long time sick1 and am hardly able yet to discharge my ordinary duties4' ,at these words ,i cast my eyes on the speaker1 and saw what ,i had not before noticed1 that he looked pale and worn4 ,he went on3 ',as for paying anything1 it would be impossible for me to do it2 ,i have contracted debts1 and if my ill health should continue1' he added1 in a faltering voice1 ',i shall be obliged to sell my little house4' ,then he stopped1 his heart evidently full1 and tears in his eyes4 ',but ,providence watches over you1 and nothing happens without ,god's good leave4 ,if a single hair of our head cannot fall unless ,he will it1 what have you to fear8 ,do something for ,god whilst you can4 ,if you are liberal to ,him1 ,he will be more so towards you4 ,do you remember the promise ,our ,lord made to ,st4 ,gertrude8 ',i will give an hundred-fold1' said ,he1 'for all thou shalt do for my beloved ones in ,purgatory4' ,this promise was not for ,st4 ,gertrude alone2 it was likewise for you4 ,for one dollar that you give1 you will gain ten2 and if you are resolved to help the poor souls all you can1 they will get you health to do it4' ',ah6 what you say touches me much1 and truly ,i know not what to do4' ,after a moment's hesitation1 he quickly resumed3 ',well1 sir1 although ,i am actually in distress1 ,i am going to try2 it may be the best means of getting out of it4' ',yes1 try2 we run no risk when we make the ,holy ,souls our debtors4' ,at these words1 he drew from his pocket a small purse which contained only half a dollar4 ',there is all my wealth1 and ,i am happy to share it with you1' and he gave me the stipend for a ,mass4 ',i will perhaps put myself to some inconvenience in giving you that sum1 trifling though it be2 but1 blessed be ,god6 ,i will bear with the inconvenience1 thinking that those who suffer much more than ,i will obtain some relief in their cruel torments4 ,i will also pray for them1 and that they may obtain for me the resignation which is so pleasing to ,god4' ,when ,i saw the noble sentiments of this man1 ,i shook him by the hand1 warmly thanked him1 and reminded him that ,god was always touched by such acts1 and that ,he knew how to reward them4 ,from that moment1 strange to say1 that frail1 delicate man began to recover his strength1 work came back to his shop1 and everything grew brighter around him4 ,and1 as an additional reward from ,heaven1 he was animated by a new zeal for the ,holy ,souls1 for he not only paid his own little contribution regularly1 but he also collected the money for as many ,masses as he could on one side and another4 ,six or seven months thus passed away amid ever increasing prosperity1 when one day he said to me in presence of several persons3 ',last autumn1 before ,i gave my name to the ,association for the ,souls in ,purgatory1 ,i was so sick and so discouraged that ,i thought ,i should die2 but when ,i had paid for my first ,mass1 from that moment1 as all may see1 my health began to return1 and with it my courage4 ,to-day1 as you see1 ,i am perfectly well4 ,moreover1 ,i have found means to pay off one hundred and fifty dollars of debt1 and to have fifty dollars' worth of repairs made to my little house4 ,how has all that been done8 ,i know not3 for you will admit that1 by a poor shoemaker such as ,i1 who works at his bench and without even an apprentice1 after such a hard winter1 and without any advance before me1 to find means1 despite all that1 to provide for the support of his family and pay two hundred dollars over and above1 is something extraordinary4 ',but ,i know well to whom ,i owe it all2 hence1' he added1 with a smile1 'that has given me new zeal4 ,now1 ,i work not only for myself2 every evening ,i go out collecting for our good ,souls in ,purgatory1 and1 blessed be ,god6 ,i have got one hundred and fifty dollars for the ,association of ,masses4 ,have ,i not1 sir8' he added1 addressing the treasurer1 who was present4 ',yes1 you have1 indeed1 collected one hundred and fifty dollars1 perhaps something more1 by twenty-five cents here and twenty-five cents there1 with a perseverance and a zeal beyond all praise1 and well deserving of the favors you have received4' ',ah6' said this worthy man1 so admirable in his simplicity and the fervor of his conviction1 'it is that ,i still desire something2 ,i now expect that they will make me better1' and he sighed4 ,thus was this good man rewarded for his confidence in the ,souls in ,purgatory1 and such was his gratitude to them4--,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory1 #ahgg4 ,,anecdote ,,of ,,the ,,de ,,profundis4 ,i once heard an anecdote of a good priest who was in the habit of saying the ,de ,profundis every day for the ,souls in ,purgatory1 but1 happening one day to omit it1 either through inadvertence or press of occupation1 he was passing through a cemetery about the close of day1 when he suddenly heard1 through the hushed silence of the lonely place and the solemn evening's hour1 a mournful voice repeating the first words of the beautiful psalm--,de ,profundis clamavit ,domini--then it stopped1 but the priest1 as soon as he had recovered from the first shock1 and remembering with bitter self-reproach his omission1 took up the words where the supernatural voice had left off1 and finished the recitation of the ,de ,profundis1 resolving1 as he did so1 that1 for the time to come1 nothing should prevent him from reciting it every day1 and more than once in the day1 for the benefit of the dear suffering ,souls4 ,a ,,strange ,,occurrence ,,in ,a ,,persian ,,prison4 ,there is a very strange story concerning ,purgatory related by ,st4 ,john the ,almoner1 ,patriarch of ,alexandria1 in the end of the sixth and the beginning of the seventh century4 ,a little before a great mortality which took place in that city1 several inhabitants of the ,island of ,cyprus were carried off to ,persia and cast into a prison so severe that it was called the ,oblivion4 ,some of them1 however1 succeeded in making their escape and returned to their own country4 ,a father and mother1 whose son had been carried off with the others1 asked them for tidings of their son4 ,alas6 said they1 your son died on such a day2 we ourselves had the sad consolation of giving him burial4 ,the poor parents hastened then to have a solemn service performed for the repose of his soul2 this they had done three times every year1 continuing in prayer for the same intention4 ,but1 marvellous to relate6 one day this son1 so much regretted1 so fondly remembered1 came knocking at their door and threw himself into their arms4 ,he had been supposed dead for four years1 yet was really alive1 he whom the other prisoners had buried having had a great resemblance to him1 that is all4 ,how6 is it really thou1 dear son8 ,oh6 how we mourned for thee6 ,three times every year we had a solemn service for thee4 ,on what days8 eagerly demanded the son4 ,on the holy days of ,christmas1 ,easter1 and ,pentecost4 ,precisely6 he exclaimed2 on those very days ,i saw1 each time1 an officer radiant with light1 who came to me and taking off my chains1 opened the doors of my prison4 ,i went forth into the city1 walked wherever ,i wished1 without any one appearing to notice me2 only1 in the evening1 ,i always found myself miraculously chained in my dungeon4 ,it was the fruit of your good prayers1 and if ,i had been in ,purgatory1 they would have served at the same time to relieve me2 ,i beseech you not to forget me when the good ,god shall see fit to call me to ,himself4--,leontius1 ,life of ,st4 ,john the ,almoner4 ,a ,,swiss ,,protestant ,,converted ,,by ,,the ,,doctrine ,,of ,,purgatory4 ,i have somewhere read1 says a ,catholic writer1 that a ,swiss ,protestant was converted to the true religion solely on account of our having the consoling doctrine of ,purgatory1 whereas ,protestants will not admit of it4 ,he was a ,lutheran somewhat advanced in age1 and he had a brother who passed for a worthy man1 as the world goes1 but had also the misfortune of being a ,protestant4 ,he fell sick1 and notwithstanding the care of several physicians1 died1 and was buried by a ,protestant minister of ,berne4 ,his death was a terrible blow to the brother of whom ,i speak4 ,hoping to dissipate his grief he tried travelling1 but the thought of his brother's eternal destiny pursued him everywhere4 ,he one day1 on board a steamer1 made the acquaintance of a ,catholic priest1 with whom he entered into conversation4 ,confidence was soon established between them2 they spoke of death1 and the afflicted traveller asked the priest what he thought of it4 ,what ,i think is this1 replied the priest3 ,when a man has perfectly discharged all his duties to ,god1 his neighbor and himself1 he goes straight to heaven2 if he have not discharged them1 or have neglected any of those which are essential1 he goes straight to hell2 but if he have only to reproach himself with those trifling faults which are inseparable from our frail nature1 he spends some time in ,purgatory4 ,at these words the listener smiled with evident relief and satisfaction2 he felt consoled4 ,sir1 cried he1 ,i will become a ,catholic1 and for this reason3 ,protestants only admit of heaven and hell2 but1 in order to get to ,paradise1 one must have nothing wherewith to reproach himself4 ,now1 although my brother was a good man1 he was by no means free from those slight faults of which you spoke just now4 ,he will not be damned for these faults1 but they will prevent him from going to heaven2 there must1 therefore1 be an intermediate place wherein to expiate them2 hence1 there must be a ,purgatory4 ,i will be a ,catholic1 so as to have the consolation of praying for my brother4--,the ,catechism in ,examples1 pp4 #ada-b4 ,,the ,,dead ,,hand4 ,,sister ,,teresa ,,margaret ,,gesta was struck by apoplexy on the #dth of ,november1 #ahei1 without any premonitory symptoms to forewarn her of her danger2 and1 without recovering consciousness1 she breathed her last at four o'clock in the afternoon of the same day4 ,her companions were plunged into the deepest sorrow1 for the ,sister was a general favorite2 but they resigned themselves to the will of ,god4 ,whilst lamenting the death of one who had been to them a model1 comforter1 and mother1 they consoled themselves by the remembrance of the virtues of which she was a splendid example1 and of which they never tired speaking4 ,twelve days had passed since her death4 ,some of the ,sisters felt a certain kind of dread of going alone to the places frequented by the departed one2 but ,sister ,anna ,felix ,menghini1 a person of a lively and pleasant disposition1 often rallied them1 good-humoredly1 on their fears4 ,about ten o'clock in the forenoon1 this same ,sister ,anna1 having charge of the clothing1 was proceeding to the work-room4 ,having gone up- stairs1 she heard a mournful voice1 which at first she thought might be that of a cat shut up in the clothes-press4 ,she opened and examined it carefully1 but found nothing4 ,a sudden and unaccountable feeling of terror came over her1 and she cried out3 ,jesus1 ,mary1 what can it be8 ,she had hardly uttered these words when she heard the same mournful voice as at first1 which exclaimed in a gasping sob3 ,o my ,god1 how ,i suffer6 ,the religious1 though surprised and trembling1 recognized distinctly the voice of ,sister ,teresa2 she plucked up courage and asked her ,why8 ,on account of poverty1 answered the voice4 ,what6 replied ,sister ,anna1 and you were so poor6 ,not for me1 was answered1 but for the nuns4444 ,if one is enough1 why two8 and if two are sufficient1 why three8444 ,and you--beware for yourself4 ,at the same time the whole room was darkened by a thick smoke1 and the shadow of ,sister ,teresa1 moving towards the exit1 went up the steps1 talking as it moved4 ,sister ,anna was so frightened that she could not make out what the spirit said4 ,having reached the door1 the apparition spoke again3 ,this is a mercy of ,god6 ,and in proof of the reality1 with its open hand it struck the upper panel of the door near the frame1 leaving the impression of the hand more perfect than it could have been made by the most skillful artist with a hot iron4 ,sister ,anna was like ,balthasar3 ,then was the ,king's countenance changed1 and his thoughts troubled him2 and the joints of his loins were loosed1 and his knees struck one against the other4 7,dan41 v4 #f74 ,she could not stir for a considerable time2 she did not even dare to turn her head4 ,but at last she tottered out and called one of her companions1 who1 hearing her feeble1 broken words1 ran to her with another ,sister2 and presently the whole community was gathered round in alarm4 ,they learned in a confused manner what had taken place1 perceived the smell of burnt wood1 and noticed a whitish cloud or mist that filled the room and made it almost dark4 ,they examined the door carefully though tremblingly1 and recognized the fac-simile of ,sister ,teresa's hand2 and1 filled with terror1 they fled to the choir4 ,there the ,sisters1 forgetting the need of food and rest1 remained in prayer till after sunset1 abandoning everything in their anxiety to procure relief for their beloved ,sister ,teresa4 ,the zealous ,minorite ,fathers1 who have the spiritual direction of the convent1 learning what had happened1 were equally earnest in offering prayers and sacrifice1 and in singing the psalms for the dead4 ,many of the faithful likewise assembling1 not through idle curiosity1 but out of genuine piety1 joined in the recitation of the ,rosary and other prayers1 though the deceased ,sister was almost entirely unknown to the people4 ,her observance of the rule was very strict1 and she scrupulously avoided all intercourse with people outside her convent4 ,but still large numbers crowded to join in those devotions for her4 ,sister ,anna1 who was more worn out by excitement than the other religious1 was directed to retire early the following night4 ,she herself confesses that she was fully resolved next day to remove1 at any cost1 the obnoxious marks of the hand4 ,but ,sister ,teresa appeared to her in a dream1 saying3 ,you intend to remove the sign which ,i have left4 ,know that it is not in your power to do so1 even with the aid of others2 for it is there by the command of ,god1 for the instruction of the people4 ,by ,his just and inexorable judgment ,i was condemned to the dreadful fires of ,purgatory for forty years on account of my condescension to the will of some of the nuns4 ,i thank you and those who joined in so many prayers to the ,lord for me2 all of which ,he was pleased in ,his mercy to accept as suffrages for me1 and especially the ,seven ,penitential ,psalms1 which were such a relief6 ,and then1 with a smiling countenance1 she added3 ,oh6 blessed rags1 that are rewarded with such rich garments6 ,oh6 happy poverty1 that brings such glory to those who truly observe it6 ,alas6 how many suffer irreparable loss1 and are in torments1 because1 under the cloak of necessity1 poverty is known and valued by few6 ,finally1 ,sister ,anna1 lying down as usual on the night of the #aith1 heard her name distinctly pronounced by ,sister ,teresa4 ,she awoke1 all in a tremor1 and sat up1 unable to answer4 ,her astonishment was great when1 near the foot of the bed1 she saw a globe of light that made the cell as bright as noonday1 and she heard the spirit say in a joyful voice3 ,on the day of the ,passion ,i died 7on ,friday71 and on the day of the ,passion ,i go to glory4444 ,strength in the ,cross6444 ,courage to suffer6444 ,then1 saying three times ,adieu6 the globe was transformed into a thin1 white1 shining cloud1 rose towards heaven1 and disappeared4 ,the zealous ,bishop of the diocese having heard of these events1 instituted the process of examination on the #bc;d of the same month4 ,the grave was opened in presence of a large number of persons assembled for the occasion2 the impression of the hand on the door was compared with the hand of the dead1 and both were found to correspond exactly4 ,the door itself was set apart in a safe place and guarded4 ,many persons being anxious to see the impression1 it was allowed to be visited1 after a certain lapse of time1 and with due precautions1 by such as had secured the necessary permission4--,ave ,maria1 ,nov4 #ag1 #ahhc4 ,a ,,beautiful ,,example4 ,the following fact is related by the ,treasurer of the ,association for the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,he himself was personally cognizant of the circumstances of the case4 ,we leave him to speak3 ,mr4----1 said he1 was one of our first and most fervent associates4 ,his devotedness for good works is well known1 so that he is everywhere regarded as an acquisition in all pious enterprises4 ,his exemplary conduct rendered him1 moreover1 one of the most precious auxiliaries of the work4 ,hence his zeal1 instead of slackening1 did but go on increasing2 and whereas1 in the beginning1 his collection amounted only to some dollars1 after a while he often brought me forty or fifty dollars for the suffering souls4 ,may ,heaven bless that fervent associate1 and may his example serve as a lesson to the indifferent6 ,during eighteen months1 or two years1 this pious and zealous member brought me every six months1--with other moneys1--the sum of fifteen dollars which was thus periodically sent him2 and each time that ,i asked him whence this money came1 he answered that he knew nothing of it himself2 that it was sent him by a worthy man without further information1 and so he brought it to me without asking1 or knowing anything more4 ,desirous of getting to the bottom of this mystery1 ,i resolved to try and find out what it meant4 ,i1 one day1 asked ,mr4----4 to tell me the name of this generous protector of the poor souls1 for ,i was going to hunt him up4--',oh6' said he1 'it is ,such-a-one2 he lives a long way off1 towards ,hochelaga1 #a but1 indeed1 ,i cannot tell you the exact place4' ,footnote #a3 ,a suburban town or village of ,montreal1 situated1 like the city1 on the banks of the ,st4 ,lawrence4 ,such vague information embarrassed me no little4 ,i1 nevertheless1 took the ,city ,directory1 but1 alas6 there were fully twenty-five persons of the same name4 ,resolved1 however1 to put an end to this uncertainty1 ,i proceeded1 with the little information ,i had1 to the place indicated to me2 ,i arrive at a house bearing the name of the new benefactor of our work4 ,i go in at a venture2 it was a little shoe-store1 scarcely fifteen feet square1 somewhat gloomy and not over-clean1 owing1 probably1 to the nature of the business carried on there2 the whole appearance of the place was1 indeed1 very unlike one where much money could be made4 ,going in1 ,i perceived sitting in the farther end of the store1 a man whose face was so expressive of goodness1 so open and so calm1 that only a good conscience could leave so gracious an imprint on the features1 and ,i said to myself3 ',that is he4'--,then ,i asked aloud3 ',you are ,mr4 ,such-a-one8'--,that is my name1' he answered1 with a pleasant smile4--',but is it you who has sent us every six months for two years1 the sum of fifteen dollars1--thirty dollars a year1--for the ,souls in ,purgatory1 apart from your regular contribution8'--',yes1' said he1 quietly1 and still with the same smile on his lips4--',ah6' said ,i1 'we are very grateful to you1 and the ,holy ,souls will surely be mindful of you4 ,i suppose you have a great compassion for those poor souls who suffer so much1 and that that inspires you with zeal1 and so you make up this sum amongst your friends and neighbors2--or they1 perhaps1 bring it to your house1 quarter by quarter1 as is done elsewhere8'--',no6' said he1 still very quietly1 'no1 it is my own little share4'--',how6 your own little share8' and instinctively ,i cast a glance around the little store1 which seemed hardly to justify the giving of such a sum4 ',how6 your little share8 but we find it a very large and generous one1 and we are happy that your zeal and charity make it seem to you so small4 ,heaven will bless you for it4 ,still there must be something hidden under these gifts1 so often repeated2 the ,holy ,souls must have done you some favor4 ,please tell me1 then1 what induces you to give so handsome a sum every year1 without being asked8' ',well1 ,i will not conceal from you that the ,souls in ,purgatory have visibly protected me2 and to make known to you1 in a few words1 all my little history1 ,i must tell you that1 two or three years ago1 ,i heard people speak so favorably of the ,association for the ,souls in ,purgatory--,i heard so much about it1 indeed1 that from that day forward1 ,i placed all my little business under the care of the ,suffering ,souls1 and ever since1 ,i am happy to tell you1 to the credit of those holy ,souls1 that my affairs go1 as if they were on wheels6 7,these are his own words47 ,i give my thirty-three dollars a year without any injury to myself2 on the contrary1 all goes the better for it4 ,my store is not much to look at1 but it is well filled1 and all that is in it is my own4 ,apart from that1 and what is still better1 ,i have not a penny of debt4' ,he then added1 in a lower tone3 ',i have1 moreover1 the happiness of honoring in that way the thirty-three years of labors and sufferings which ,our ,divine ,lord spent on earth4 ,that thought does my poor heart good4 ',ah1 sir1' said he1 with an impulse of true faith which made my heart thrill--',ah1 sir1 if men believed more1 they would do wonders1 and the word of ,our ,lord never fails1 and ,he has said that the more one gives the more they receive1 for charity never makes any one poor2 only we must give without distrust1 and without speculation4' ,i warmly shook hands with this admirable man1 and returned home as charmed with my visit as delighted with so much faith4 ,then ,i said to myself3 ',there is a fine example to follow4 ,how many others might have no debts1 if they knew how to make sacrifices for the dear ,suffering ,souls6'--,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory1 #ahgg ,,how ,,to ,,pay ,,one',s ,,debts4 ,speaking just now of that generous man who had no debts1 we called to mind an example that teaches a pretty way of paying debts4 ,we are about to furnish the receipt1 so that no one may complain1 giving to each the chance of making use of it4 ,in divulging this secret we shall certainly pass for the least selfish man in the world2 for1 to furnish every one with the means of paying their debts1 is it not to procure for each the opportunity of enriching himself8 ,but1 dear reader1 laying aside all thanks1 hasten only to profit by the receipt1 and we shall1 each of us1 have obtained our object4 ,we take this secret from the ,chronicles of the good ,friars ,minors1 an authority to which no one can take exception4 ,the ,blessed ,berthold belonged to the great ,franciscan family4 ,his fine talents and rare virtues had caused him to be appointed a preacher of the ,order4 ,the ,sovereign ,pontiff1 seeing all the good that ,berthold was destined to do by his eloquent sermons1 had given him power to grant to each of his hearers1 an indulgence of ten days2 which was a great privilege for the faithful1 as well as a mark of esteem and distinction for himself4 ,friar ,berthold1 then1 had preached a most moving sermon on alms-giving1 and had granted the ten days' indulgence to all who were present4 ,amongst the audience was a lady of quality who1 owing to a reverse of fortune1 was in great distress and loaded with debt4 ,she had hitherto been content to suffer in silence1 being prevented by a false shame from making her condition known2 but overcome by the enthusiastic charity of the good father1 she went privately to him to explain how she was situated1 giving him thus an opportunity of putting in practice what he had so eloquently preached4 ,but ,friar ,berthold1 who1 like his father ,st4 ,francis1 had chosen poverty for his lady and mistress1 could not come to her relief4 ,nevertheless1 as poverty1 in the man who suffers and endures it voluntarily for the love of ,god1 becomes strength and even riches1 ,berthold1 strong in his sacrifice and rich in his poverty--,berthold1 inspired by the ,holy ,ghost1 repeated to her what ,peter of old1 inspired by ,god1 said to the lame man at the gate of the ,temple who had asked him for alms3 ,silver and gold have ,i none1 but that which ,i have ,i will give unto thee4 ,he then assured the lady that she had gained ten days' indulgence by being present at his preaching1 and he added3 ,go to such a banker in the city4 ,hitherto he has busied himself much more about temporal riches than spiritual treasures1 but offer him in return for the donation he will give you1 to make over to him the merit of this indulgence1 so that the pains awaiting him in ,purgatory may be diminished4 ,i have every reason to think1 continued the good ,father1 that he will give you some assistance4 ,the poor woman1 full of that faith which is so powerful1 went as she was told1 in all simplicity4 ,god touched the heart of the rich man1 who received her kindly4 ,he asked her how much she expected to receive in exchange for her ten days' indulgence4 ,feeling herself animated by an interior strength1 she replied3 ,as much as it weighs in the balance4 --,well6 said the banker1 here is the balance4 ,write down your ten days' indulgence1 and put the paper in one scale2 ,i will place a piece of money in the other4 ,o prodigy6 the scale with the paper in it does not rise1 but the other does4 ,the banker1 much amazed1 puts in another piece of money1 but the weight is not changed2 he puts in another1 then another2 but the result is still the same1 the paper on which the indulgence is written is still the heaviest4 ,the ,banker puts down then five1 ten1 thirty pieces1 till there was as much as the whole amount which the lady required for her present needs4 ,then only did the two scales become equal4 ,the banker1 struck with astonishment1 saw in this marvel a precious lesson for him2 he was at length made sensible of the value of the things of heaven4 ,the poor ,souls understand it still better1 as1 for the slightest earthly indulgence they would give all the gold in the world4 ,you1 then1 who have no money to give for the ,souls in ,purgatory--you1 too1 who have financial difficulties on your shoulders1 offer up indulgences for the poor ,souls1 and they will make themselves your bankers2 they will pay you double1 nay1 a hundred-fold for whatever you have put in the scale of the balance of mercy4 ,they will pay you not only in spiritual treasures1 but even in temporal wealth1 which will procure for you the double advantage of paying your debts here below1 and those of the other world4--,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory1 #ahgg4 ,,faith ,,rewarded4 ,one day1 in the month of ,july1 relates a zelator of the ,association1 #a ,i met one of our members4 ,he was a man of an amiable disposition1 and remarkable for his piety and his devotion to good works4 ,he was a merchant of good standing1 engaged in a respectable business4 ,like many others1 however1 he had seen bad days2 and to the commonplace question1 ',how goes business8' he replied3 ',ah6 badly enough2 ,i can hardly pay expenses1 and ,i am doubly unfortunate4 ,i had a house which brought me in two or three hundred dollars a year1 and ,i have had the misfortune of being unable to rent it this year1 so that1 losing on all sides1 ,i find myself a good deal embarrassed4'--',will you allow me1' said ,i1 'to give you a little advice8 ,promise some ,masses for the ,souls in ,purgatory in case you have the good fortune to rent your house4 ,it will be1 as it were1 the tithe of your rent4 ,we too often forget that we owe to ,our ,lord a part of what ,he gives us so freely4 ,it is1 nevertheless1 only an offering that we make ,him of ,his own goods2 and1 at the same time1 an act of gratitude for that ,he has deigned to give it to us4 ,furthermore1 it is an act of homage1 an acknowledgment of ,his supremacy4 ,and we shall derive the more profit from it according as we do it with a good heart4 ,besides all that1 you have the additional happiness of assisting your relatives and friends who are suffering in the flames of ,purgatory4' ,footnote #a3 ,for the ,relief of the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,this little exhortation seemed to strike him to whom it was addressed1 and1 as if awaking from a long lethargy1 he suddenly said3 ',why did ,i not think of that before8 ,i promise1' added he1 'five dollars for the ,souls in ,purgatory1 if ,i find a tenant4' ,this eagerness to do good1 this species of regret for not having done it sooner1 this pious disposition which makes us desire to relieve those who are in affliction1 must have been very pleasing to ,god1 for1 within the week1 the gentleman came to me with his five dollars1 and said1 smiling3 ',i lose no time1 you see1 in keeping my promise4'--',why1 have you already rented your house8'--',yes1 a manufacturer from the country who had just had the misfortune of being burned out1 saw my house by chance1 came to ask my terms1 and we agreed at once4 ,he is to take possession next week4' ,a week passed1 even a month1 then two1 and no tenant1 when ,i happened again to meet my friend1 whom ,i almost suspected of having forgotten his promise4 ',ah6' said he1 ',i am worse off than ever1 and ,i was so sure of having rented my house4'--' ,how6 did that person not come back1 then8'--' ,no1 and ,i thought him such an honest man6 ,the disappointment has been a great loss to me4'--',write to him1 then1 threatening to make him responsible for the whole rent4 ,but1 better than that1 wait still1 and have confidence2 the ,holy ,souls cannot fail to bring the matter to a favorable issue4 ,it is1 perhaps1 a want of faith on your part which has delayed the fulfillment of the contract4' ,three days had scarcely passed when ,i again saw our ,associate4 ',this time1' said he1 ',i come to pay2 my tenant has arrived4'--',but he has made you lose five or six weeks' rent4'--',not so2 he is1 just as ,i thought1 an honorable1 upright man4 ,he arrived two days ago4 ,it was ,i that hired your house1' said he1 'and ,i come to take possession of it4'--',mr4----1' said ,i1 ',i am very glad1 but ,i expected you sooner4'-- ',it is true ,i was to have come before now1 but was prevented from doing so by important business4 ,how long is it since ,i rented your house8'-- ',just nine weeks4'--',it is only right1 then1 that ,i should pay you for the time ,i have made you lose2' then handing me a sum of money1 'there1' said he1 'is the amount coming to you2 and now1 my family arrive to-morrow1 so we take possession at once of your house1 and your rent shall be paid regularly4' ,so there is an end to my anxiety1 and you cannot believe how happy ,i am in bringing you the trifling sum ,i promised2 but while keeping my promise1 ,i thank you very sincerely for the confidence wherewith you inspired me in the ,holy ,souls4 ,may ,god bless you for it6--,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory1 #ahha4 ,,apparition ,,of ,a ,,citizen ,,of ,,aries4 ,,lecoyer1 in his ,tales of ,ghosts and ,apparitions1 #a relates a historical occurrence which had great publicity4 ,in the reign of ,king ,charles ,,iv4 of ,france1 surnamed the ,fair1 the last king of the first branch of the ,capets1 who died in #acbc1 the soul of a citizen1 some years dead and abandoned by his relations1 who neglected to pray for him1 appeared suddenly in the public square at ,aries1 relating marvellous things of the other world1 and asking for help4 ,those who had seen him in his lifetime at once recognized him4 ,the ,prior of the ,jacobins1 a man of saintly life1 being told of this apparition1 hastened to go and see the soul4 ,supposing at first that it might be a spirit that had taken the form of this citizen1 he took1 with lighted tapers1 a consecrated host1 which he held out to it4 ,but the soul immediately showed that it was really there itself1 for it prostrated itself and adored ,our ,lord1 asking naught else but prayers which might deliver it from ,purgatory1 to the end that it might enter purified into heaven4 ,footnote #a3 ,histoires des ,spectres et des ,apparitions4 ,,the ,,countess ,,of ,,strafford4 ,the ,countess of ,strafford1 before her conversion to the ,catholic faith1 went often to see ,monseigneur de la ,mothe1 ,bishop of ,amiens1 and her conversations with him always made the deepest impression on her mind4 ,but what touched her more than all was a sermon which he preached on the feast of ,st4 ,john the ,baptist1 in the chapel of the ,ursulines in ,amiens4 ,after hearing this discourse1 she felt within her a lively desire to believe as did the preacher who had so much edified her4 ,she still had some doubts1 however1 on the ,sacrifice of the ,mass and ,purgatory4 ,she went to propose them to the holy ,bishop1 who1 without disputing with her or openly attacking her prejudices1 deemed it his duty to speak thus to her1 in order to undeceive her3 ,madam1 you know the ,bishop of ,london and have confidence in him8 ,well1 ,i beg you to ask him what ,i am going to tell you3 ,the ,bishop of ,amiens has told me a thing that surprised me2 he says that if you can deny that ,st4 ,augustine said ,mass and prayed for the dead1 and particularly for his mother1 he himself will become a ,protestant4 ,this advice was followed4 ,the ,bishop of ,london made no reply1 but contented himself with saying to the bearer of the letter that ,lady ,strafford had been breathing a contagious atmosphere which had carried her away1 and that anything he could write to her would probably not remedy the evil4 ,this silence on the part of a man whom she had trusted implicitly1 finished opening the eyes of ,lady ,strafford1 and she soon after made her abjuration at the hands of the ,bishop of ,amiens4--,vie de ,monsgr4 de la ,mothe4 ,,the ,,marquis ,,be ,,civrac4 7,from une ,commune ,vendenne47 ,the belief that the living friends may be of use to their friends in the grave1 has in it ,i know not what instructive and natural which one meets in hearts the most simple and unsophisticated4 ,a pious peasant woman of ,la ,vende kneeling on the coffin of her good master1 the ,marquis de ,civrac1 cried out3 ,o my ,god1 repay to him all the good he has done to us6 ,does not this fervent cry of grateful affection signify3 ,my ,god1 some rays are perchance wanting in the crown of our benefactor2 supply them1 we beseech ,thee1 in consideration of our prayer and all he has done for us8 and this is precisely the consoling doctrine of ,purgatory4 ,,gratitude ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,souls4 ,rev4 ,james ,mumford1 ,s4,j41 born in ,england in #afje1 and who labored for forty years for the cause of the ,catholic ,church in his native country1 wrote a remarkable work on ,purgatory2 and he mentions that the following incident was written to him by ,william ,freysson1 a publisher1 of ,cologne4 ,may it move many in their difficulties to have recourse to the ,holy ,souls4 ,one festival day1 when my place of business was closed1 ,i was occupying myself in reading a book which you had lent me1 and which was on ,the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,i was absorbed in my subject when a messenger came and told me that my youngest child1 aged four years1 showed the first symptoms of a very grave disease4 ,the child rapidly grew worse1 and the physicians at length declared that there was no hope4 ,the thought then occurred to me that perhaps ,i could save my child by making a vow to assist the ,suffering ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,i accordingly repaired at once to a chapel1 and1 with all fervor1 supplicated ,god to have pity on me2 and ,i vowed ,i would distribute gratuitously a hundred copies of the book that had moved me in behalf of the suffering souls1 and give them to ecclesiastics and to religious to increase devotion to the ,holy ,souls4 ,i had1 ,i acknowledge1 hardly any hope4 ,as soon as ,i returned to the house ,i found the child much better4 ,he asked for food1 although for several days he had not been able to swallow anything but liquids4 ,the next day he was perfectly well1 got up1 went out for a walk1 and ate as if he had never had anything the matter with him4 ,filled with gratitude1 ,i was only anxious to fulfill my promise4 ,i went to the ,college of the ,jesuit ,fathers and begged them to accept as many copies of the work as they pleased1 and to distribute them amongst themselves and other communities and ecclesiastics as they thought fit1 so that the suffering souls1 my benefactors1 should be assisted by further prayers4 ,three weeks had not slipped away1 however1 when another accident not less serious befell me4 ,my wife1 on entering the house one day1 was suddenly seized with a trembling in all her limbs1 which threw her to the ground1 and she remained insensible4 ,little by little the illness increased1 until she was deprived of the power of speech4 ,remedies seemed to be in vain4 ,the malady at length assumed such aggravated proportions that every one was of opinion she had no chance of recovery4 ,the priest who assisted her had already addressed words of consolation to me1 exhorting me to ,christian resignation4 ,i turned again with confidence to the souls in ,purgatory1 who had assisted me once before1 and ,i went to the same church4 ,there1 prostrate before the ,blessed ,sacrament1 ,i renewed my supplication with all the ardor with which affection for my family inspired me4 ,o my ,god6 ,i exclaimed1 ,thy mercy is not exhausted3 in the name of ,thy infinite bounty1 do not permit that the recovery of my son should be paid by the death of his mother4 ,i made a vow this time1 to distribute two hundred copies of the holy book1 in order that a greater number of persons might be moved to intercede for the suffering souls4 ,i besought those who had already been delivered from ,purgatory to unite with me on this occasion4 ,after this prayer1 as ,i was returning to the house1 ,i saw my servants running towards me4 ,they told me with delight that my wife had undergone a great change for the better2 that the delirium had ceased1 and she had recovered her power of speech4 ,i at once ran on to assure myself of the fact3 all was true4 ,very soon my wife was so perfectly recovered that she came with me into the holy place to make an act of thanksgiving to ,god for all ,his mercies4--,ave ,maria4 ,a ,,strange ,,incident4 ,a young ,german lady of rank1 still alive to tell the story1 arriving with her friends at one of the most noted hotels in ,paris1 an apartment of unusual magnificence on the first floor was apportioned to her use4 ,after retiring to rest she lay awake a long while1 contemplating1 by the dim light of a night-lamp1 the costly ornaments in the room1 when suddenly the folding-doors opposite the bed1 which she had locked1 were thrown open1 and1 amid a flood of unearthly light1 there entered a young man in the garb of the ,french navy1 having his hair dressed in the peculiar mode la ,titus4 ,taking a chair and placing it in the middle of the room1 he sat down1 and drew from his pocket a pistol of an uncommon make1 which he deliberately put to his forehead1 fired1 and fell back as if dead4 ,at the moment of the explosion the room became dark and still1 and a low voice said softly3 ,say an ,ave ,maria for his soul4 ,the young lady1 though not insensible1 became paralyzed with horror1 and remained in a kind of cataleptic trance1 fully conscious1 but unable to move or speak1 until1 at nine o'clock next day1 no answer having been given to repeated calls of her maid1 the doors were forced open4 ,at the same moment the power of speech returned1 and the poor young lady shrieked out to her attendants that a man had shot himself in the night1 and was lying dead on the floor4 ,nothing1 however1 was to be seen1 and they concluded that she was suffering from the effects of a dream4 ,not being a ,catholic1 she could not1 of course1 understand the meaning of the mysterious command4 ,a short time afterwards1 however1 the proprietor of the hotel informed a gentleman of the party that the terrible scene witnessed by the young lady had in reality been enacted only three nights previously in that very room1 when a young ,french officer put an end to his life with a pistol of a peculiar description1 which1 together with the body1 was then lying at the ,morgue awaiting identification4 ,the gentleman examined them both1 and found them to correspond exactly with the description of the man and the pistol seen in the apparition4 ,whether the young officer was insane1 or lived long enough to repent of his crime1 is not known2 however1 the then ,archbishop of ,paris1 ,monseigneur ,sibour1 was exceedingly impressed by the incident4 ,he called upon the young lady1 and directing her attention to the words spoken by the mysterious voice1 urged her to embrace the ,catholic faith1 to whose teaching it pointed so clearly4--,ave ,maria1 ,august #ae1 #ahhe4 ,,part ,,iii4 ,,historical ,all the ages1 every clime ,strike the silver harp of time1 ,chant the endless1 holy story1 ,souls retained in ,purgatory4 ,freed by ,mass and holy rite1 ,requiem1 dirge and wondrous might1 ,a prayer which hut and palace send1 ,where king and serf1 where lord and hireling blend4 ,the vast cathedral and the village shrine ,unite in mercy's choral strain divine4 ,,historical4 ,,the ,,doctrine ,,of ,,purgatory1 ,,or ,a ,,middle ,,state1 ,,among ,,the ,,pagan ,,nations ,,of ,,antiquity4 ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,a4 ,a ,,lambing1 ,a4,m4 ,this very interesting article was originally published in the ,ave ,maria4 ,the attentive student of the mythology of the nations of antiquity cannot fail to discover many vestiges of a primitive revelation of some of the principal truths of religion1 although in the lapse of time they have been so distorted and mingled with fiction that it requires careful study to sift the few remaining grains of truth from the great mass of superstition and error in which they are all but lost4 ,among these truths may be reckoned monotheism1 or the belief in1 and the worship of1 one only ,god1 which the learned ,jesuit1 the ,rev4 ,aug4 ,thebaud1 in his ,gentilism1 has proved to have been the primitive belief of all nations4 ,it may not1 however1 be so generally known that the doctrine of ,purgatory1 or a future state of purification1 was also held and taught in all the religious systems in the beginning4 ,while a knowledge of this fact cannot add anything to the grounds of our faith as ,catholics1 it will not be wholly without interest1 and it will1 besides1 better enable us to give a reason for the faith that is in us4 ,it was left to ,martin ,luther to found an ephemeral religious system that should deny this dogma1 founded no less on revelation than on right reason2 but1 then1 logic has never been one of the strong points of ,protestants4 ,before turning my attention to the nations of the pagan world1 ,i shall briefly give the ,jewish belief on this point4 ,it may not generally be known that the doctrine of a middle state is not explicitly proposed to the belief of the ,jews in any of the writings of the ,old ,testament1 although it was firmly held by the people4 ,we depend for our knowledge of this fact mainly on the celebrated passage of the ,second ,book of ,machabees 7xii4 #dc-df74 ,the occasion on which the doctrine was stated was this3 ,some of the soldiers of ,judas ,machabeus1 the leader of the ,jewish armies1 fell in a certain battle2 and when their fellow-soldiers came to bury them1 they discovered secreted in the folds of their garments some parts of the spoils of one of the pagan shrines1 which it was not permitted them to keep4 ,after praying devoutly1 the sacred writer goes on to say that ,judas1 ,making a gathering1 sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to ,jerusalem for sacrifices to be offered for the sins of the dead1 thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection for if he had not hoped that they who were slain should rise again1 it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead4 ,and because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness had great grace laid up for them4 ,it is1 therefore1 a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead1 that they may be loosed from sins4 ,the ,catholic doctrine is thus briefly laid down in the ,catechism3 ,purgatory is a place of punishment in the other life where some souls suffer for a time before they can go to heaven2 or1 in the words of the ,catechism of the ,council of ,trent1 there is the fire of ,purgatory1 in which the souls of just men are cleansed by a temporary punishment in order to be admitted into their eternal country1 'into which nothing defiled entereth4' ,how far the pagan notions of a middle state harmonize with the ,christian doctrine the reader will be able to determine as we proceed4 ,i must premise by stating that almost all1 if not all1 the forms of paganism were two-fold1 containing a popular form of religion1 believed and practiced by the mass of the people1 and a more recondite form that was known only to the initiated1 whether this was the priestly caste1 as was generally the case1 or whether they were designated by some other name4 ,it should also be observed that the forms of religion were constantly undergoing changes of greater or less importance4 ,nor must we lose sight of the fact that different nations embodied the same idea under different terms4 ,the conception of the phlegmatic ,norseman would be different from that of the imaginative ,oriental1 and the language of the refined ,greek would be far other than that of the rude ,american savage4 ,but yet the same truth may be found to underlie all1 the outward garb alone differing4 ,turning first to ,egypt1 which is1 rightly or wrongly1 commonly considered the cradle of civilization1 we may sum up its teaching with regard to the lot of the dead1 and the middle state1 in these interesting remarks of a learned author3 ,the continuance of the soul after its death1 its judgment in another world1 and its sentence according to its deserts1 either to happiness or suffering1 were undoubted parts both of the popular and of the more recondite religion4 ,it was the universal belief that immediately after death the soul descended into a lower world1 and was conducted to the ,hall of ,truth 7or1 'of the ,two ,truths'71 where it was judged in the presence of ,osiris and the forty-two demons1 the ',lords of ,truth' and judges of the dead4 ,anubis1 'the director of the weight1' brought forth a pair of scales1 and1 placing on one scale a figure or emblem of ,truth1 set on the other a vase containing the good actions of the deceased2 ,thoth standing by the while1 with a tablet in his hand1 whereon to record the result4 ,according to the side on which the balance inclined1 ,osiris delivered the sentence4 ,if the good deeds preponderated1 the blessed soul was allowed to enter the 'boat of the sun1' and was conducted by good spirits to ,aahlu 7,elysium71 to the 'pools of peace1' and the dwelling place of ,osiris4444 ,the good soul1 having first been freed from its infirmities by passing through the basin of purgatorial fire1 guarded by the four ape-faced genii1 and then made the companion of ,osiris three thousand years1 returned from ,amenti1 re-entered its former body1 rose from the dead1 and lived once more a human life upon earth4 ,this process was reiterated until a certain mystic cycle of years became complete1 when finally the good and blessed attained the crowning joy of union with ,god1 being absorbed into the ,divine ,essence1 and thus attaining the true end and full perfection of their being4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,history of ,ancient ,egypt1 ,george ,rawlinson1 ,vol4 ,i41 pp4 #cbg-cbi4 ,it may be remarked that all systems of religion which held the doctrine of metempsychosis1 or the transmigration of souls1 should be considered as believing in a middle state of purgation1 since they maintained the necessity of the soul's further purification1 after death1 before it was permitted to enter into its final rest4 ,in the ever-varying phases through which ,buddhism1 the religion of all ,south-eastern ,asia1 has passed in its protracted existence1 it is difficult to determine with any degree of certainty1 precisely what its disciples hold2 but the belief in metempsychosis1 which is one of its fundamental doctrines1 must permit us to range it on the side of those who hold to the idea of a middle state4 ,certain it is1 they believe that the soul1 by a series of new births1 becomes1 in process of time1 better fitted for the final state in which it is destined for ever to remain4 ,the same may be said of the religion of the great body of the ,chinese2 for1 although they have their law-giver ,confucius1 their religion at present1 as far as it merits the name1 appears to be no more than a certain form of ,buddhism4 ,coming to the more western nations of ,asia1 we may remark that1 as their religions were evidently a corruption of primitive revelation1 less removed in point of time1 they must1 although they had already become idolatrous1 have embodied the idea of a future state of purgation1 notwithstanding that it is impossible to determine at this distant day1 the exact nature of their doctrines4 ,if1 however1 we turn from these to the doctrine of ,zoroaster1 our means of forming an opinion are more ample4 ,zoroaster1 or1 more correctly1 ,zarathustra1 the founder of the ,persian religion1 was born1 according to some accounts1 in the sixth century before our era1 while others claim for him an antiquity dating at least from the thirteenth century before ,christ4 ,be that as it may--and it does not concern us to inquire into it--this much is certain3 he was a firm believer in a middle state1 and he transmitted the same to his followers4 ,but1 going a step further than some1 he taught that the souls undergoing purification are helped by the prayers of their friends upon earth4 ,the ,zoroastrians1 says ,mr4 ,rawlinson1 were devout believers in the immortality of the soul and a conscious future existence4 ,they taught that immediately after death the souls of men1 both good and bad1 proceeded together along an appointed path1 to 'the bridge of the gatherer4' ,this was a narrow road conducting to heaven or paradise1 over which the souls of the pious alone could pass1 while the wicked fell from it into the gulf below1 where they found themselves in the place of punishment4 ,the good soul was assisted across the bridge by the ,angel ,serosh--'the happy1 well-formed1 swift1 tall ,serosh'--who met the weary wayfarer1 and sustained his steps as he effected the difficult passage4 ,the prayers of his friends in this world were of much avail to the deceased1 and greatly helped him on his journey4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,ancient ,monarchies4 ,vol4 ,,ii1 p #cci4 ,with regard to the opinions held by the ,greeks1--and the same may1 in general terms1 be applied to the ,romans1 whose religious views coincided more or less closely with those of their more polished neighbors1--it is difficult to form a correct idea4 ,not that the classic writers and philosophers have permitted the subject to sink into oblivion1--on the contrary1 they have treated it at considerable length1 as all classic scholars well know1--but while1 on the one hand1 as ,i remarked above1 there is a difference between the popular ideas and those of the learned1 there is also here a great difference of opinion between the various schools of philosophy4 ,not only so1 but it is difficult to determine how far the philosophers themselves were in earnest in the opinions they expressed2 and how far1 too1 we understand them4 ,the opinions of the people1 and much more1 those of the learned1 vary with the principal periods of ,grecian and ,roman history4 ,this much1 however1 may be safely held1 that1 while they drew their origin from ,central or ,western ,asia1 their religion must1 in the beginning1 have been that of the countries from which they came4 ,but truth only is immutable2 error is ever changing4 ,i shall not tax the patience of the reader by asking him to pass in review the more striking periods of the history of these famous nations1 but shall content myself with giving the views of a celebrated writer on a part1 at least1 of the question4 ,speaking of the opinions held by the ,greek philosophers regarding the future state of the soul1 ,dr4 ,dollinger says1 ,the old and universal tradition admitted1 in general1 that man continued to exist after death2 but the ,greeks of the ,homeric age did not dream of a retribution appointed to all after death1 or of purifying and penitential punishments4 ,it is only some conspicuous offenders against the gods who1 in ,homer1 are tormented in distant ,erebus4 ,in ,hesiod1 the earlier races of man continue to live on1 sometimes as good demons1 sometimes as souls of men in bliss1 or as heroes2 yet1 though inculcating moral obligations1 he does not point to a reward to be looked for beyond the grave1 but only to the justice that dominates in this economy4444 ,plato expressly ascribes to the ,orphic writers the dogma of the soul's finding herself in the body as in a sepulchre or prison1 on the score of previously contracted guilt2 a dogma indubitably ascending to a very high antiquity4 444 ,it is from this source that ,pindar drew1 who1 of the old ,greeks1 generally has expressed notions the most precise and minutely distinct of trial and tribulation after death1 and the circuits and lustrations of the soul4 ,he assigns the island of the blest as for the everlasting enjoyment of those who1 in a triple existence in the upper and lower world1 have been able to keep their souls perfectly pure from all sin4 ,on the other hand1 the souls of sinners appear after death before the judgment seat of a judge of the nether world1 by whom they are sentenced to a heavy doom1 and are ceaselessly dragged the world over1 suffering bloody torments4 ,but as for those whom ,persephone has released from the old guilt of sin1 their souls she sends in the ninth year back again to the upper sun2 of them are born mighty kings1 and men of power and wisdom1 who come to be styled saintly heroes by their posterity4 ,and1 again3 ,plato was the first of the ,greeks to throw himself1 in all sincerity1 and with the whole depth of his intellect1 upon the solution of the great question of immortality4444 ,he was1 in truth1 the prophet of the doctrine of immortality for his time1 and for the ,greek nation4444 ,the metempsychosis which he taught under ,orphic and ,pythagorean inspiration is an essential ingredient of his theory of the world1 and is1 therefore1 perpetually recurring in his more important works4 ,he connects it with an idea sifted and taken from popular belief of a state of penance in ,hades1 though it can hardly be ascertained how large a portion of mystical ornament or poetical conjecture he throws into the particular delineation of 'the last things1' and of transmigration4 ,he adopts ten grades of migration1 each of a thousand years2 so that the soul1 in each migration1 makes a selection of its life-destiny1 and renews its penance ten times1 until it is enabled to return to an incorporeal existence with ,god1 and to the pure contemplation of ,him and the ideal world4 ,philosophic souls only escape after a three-fold migration1 in each of which they choose again their first mode of life4 ,all other souls are judged in the nether world after their first life1 and there do penance for their guilt in different quarters2 the incurable only are thrust down forever into ,tartarus4 ,he attaches eternal punishment to certain particularly abominable sins1 while such as have lived justly repose blissfully in the dwelling of a kindred star until their entrance into a second life4 ,plato was clearly acquainted with the fact of the necessity of an intermediate state between eternal happiness and misery1 a state of penance and purification after death4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,the ,gentile and the ,jew1 ,vol4 ,i4 pp4 #cja-cbj4 ,the popular notion of ,charon1 the ferryman of the lower world1 refusing to carry over the river ,acheron the souls of such as had not been buried1 but leaving them to wander on the shores for a century before he would consent1 or rather before he was permitted by the rulers of the ,hades to do so1 contains a vestige of the belief in a middle state1 where some souls had to suffer for a time before they could enter into the abode of the blest4 ,but when it is said that the friends of the deceased could1 by interring his remains1 secure his entry into the desired repose1 we see a more striking resemblance to the doctrine that friends on earth are able to assist the souls undergoing purgation4 ,a remarkable instance of the popular belief in this doctrine is furnished in ,grecian history1 where the soldiers were encouraged on a certain occasion to risk their lives in the service of their country by their being told to write their names on their arms1 so that if any fell his friends could have him properly interred1 and thus secure him against all fear of having to wander for a century on the bleak shores of the dividing river4 ,nothing could better show the hold which this idea had on the minds of the people4 ,roman mythological ideas were1 as has been said1 nearly related to those of ,greece2 they underwent as great modifications1 while the opinions of her philosophers were equally abstruse1 varied1 and difficult to understand4 ,the author above quoted1 treating of the notion of the soul and a future state entertained by the ,roman philosophers1 proves their ideas to have been extremely vague and ill- defined4 ,still1 there were not wanting those who held to the belief of an existence after this life4 ,plutarch1 a ,greek1 has left us a view of the state of the departed4 ,the souls of the dead1 ascending through the air1 and in part reaching the highest heaven1 are either luminous and transparent or dark and spotted1 on account of sins adhering to them1 and some have even scars upon them4 ,the soul of man1 he says elsewhere1 comes from the moon2 his mind1 intellect1--from the sun2 the separation of the two is only completely effected after death4 ,the soul wanders awhile between the moon and earth for purposes of punishment--or1 if it be good1 of purification1 until it rises to the moon1 where the vou #a leaves it and returns to its home1 the sun2 while the soul is buried in the moon4 ,lucian1 on the other hand1 whose writings for the most part are a pretty faithful mirror of the notions in vogue among his contemporaries1 bears testimony to a continuance of the old tradition of the good reaching the ,elysian fields1 and the great transgressors finding themselves given up to the ,erinnys in a place of torment1 where they are torn by vultures1 crushed on the wheel1 or otherwise tormented2 while such as are neither great sinners nor distinguished by their virtues stray about in meadows as bodiless shadows1 and are fed on the libations and mortuary sacrifices offered at their sepulchres4 ,an obolus for ,charon was still placed in the mouth of every dead body4 #b ,here1 again1 we have both the belief in the existence of a middle state and of the assistance afforded to those detained there4 ,footnote #a3 ,mind ,footnote #b3 ,the ,gentile and the ,jew1 ,vol4 ,,ii41 p4 #adf4 ,the religion of the ,druids is so wrapped in mystery that it is difficult to determine what they believed on any point1 and much more on that of the future lot of the soul2 but as they held the doctrine of metempsychosis1 it is fair to class them among the adherents to the notion of a period of purgation between death and the soul's entrance into its final rest4 ,of the views of the sturdy ,norsemen1 on the contrary1 there can be no two opinions2 in their mythology the idea of a middle state is expressed in the clearest language4 ,the following passage from ,mr4 ,anderson1 places the matter beyond question4 ,i may first remark1 for the information of the general reader1 that by ,gimle is meant the abode of the righteous after the day of judgment2 by ,naastrand1 the place of punishment after the same dread sentence2 by ,ragnarok1 the last day2 ,valhal1 the temporary place of happiness to which the god ,odin invites those who have been slain in battle2 and ,hel1 the goddess of death1 whose abode is termed ,helheim4 ,with these explanations the reader will be able to understand the subjoined passage1 which expresses the ,norse idea of the future purgation of the soul4 ,after speaking of the lot of the departed1 the writer says3 ,but it must be remembered that ,gimle and ,naastrand have reference to the state of things after ,ragnarok1 the ,twilight of the gods2 while ,valhal and ,hel have reference to the state of things between death and ,ragnarok2-- a time of existence corresponding somewhat to what is called ,purgatory by the ,catholic ,church4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,norse ,mythology1 p4 #cic4 ,it would appear to be no exaggeration to claim the same belief in a middle state for the ,american ,indians1 in as far as it is possible for us to draw anything definite from their crude notions of religion4 ,a good authority on subjects connected with ,indian customs and beliefs says3 ,the belief respecting the land of souls varied greatly in different tribes and different individuals4 ,and1 again3 ,an endless variety of incoherent fancies is connected with the ,indian idea of a future life4444 ,at intervals of ten or twelve years1 the ,hurons1 the ,neutrals1 and other kindred tribes1 were accustomed to collect the bones of their dead1 and deposit them1 with great ceremony1 in a common place of burial4 ,the whole nation was sometimes assembled at this solemnity2 and hundreds of corpses1 brought from their temporary resting-places1 were inhumed in one common pit4 ,from this hour the immortality of their souls began4 ,this evidently implies a period during which the souls were wandering at a distance from the place of their eternal repose4 ,does the following passage throw any light upon it8 ,the reader must decide the point for himself4 ,most of the traditions1 continues the same writer1 agree1 however1 that the spirits1 on their journey heavenward1 were beset with difficulties and perils4 ,there was a swift river which must be crossed on a log that shook beneath their feet1 while a ferocious dog opposed their passage1 and drove many into the abyss4 ,this river was full of sturgeons and other fish1 which the ghosts speared for their subsistence4 ,beyond was a narrow path between moving rocks which each instant crushed together1 grinding to atoms the less nimble of the pilgrims who essayed to pass4 #a ,a vestige of the same belief seems to crop out in a custom of some of the tribes of ,central ,africa1 as appears from the remarks of a recent traveller4 ,when a death occurs1 says ,major ,serpa ,pinto1 the body is shrouded in a white cloth1 and1 being covered with an ox-hide1 is carried to the grave1 dug in a place selected for the purpose4 ,the days following on an interment are days of high festival in the hut of the deceased4 ,the native kings are buried with some ceremony1 and their bodies1 being arrayed in their best clothes1 are conveyed to the tomb in a dressed hide4 ,there is a great feasting on these occasions1 and an enormous sacrifice of cattle2 for the heir of the deceased is bound to sacrifice his whole herd in order to regale his people1 and give peace to the soul of the departed4 #b ,footnote #a3 ,the ,jesuits in ,north ,america1 ,francis ,parkman4 ,introduction1 pp4 #ha1 #ib4 ,footnote #b3 ,how ,i ,crossed ,africa1 ,vol4 ,i41 p4 #fc4 ,such a unity of sentiment on the part of so many nations differing in every other respect can only be attributed either to a natural feeling inherent in man1 or to a primitive revelation1 which1 amid the vicissitudes of time1 has left its impress on the minds of all nations4 ,that the doctrine of a middle state of purification was a part of the primitive revelation cannot1 ,i think1 admit of reasonable doubt4 ,to the true servant of ,god1 this unanimity is another proof of the faith once revealed to the ,saints1 and1 at the same time1 an additional motive for thanking ,god for the light vouchsafed him1 while so many others are left to grope in the darkness of error4--,ave ,maria1 ,nov4 #ag1 #ahhc4 ,,devotion ,,to ,,the ,,dead ,,amongst ,,the ,,american ,,indians ,,of ,,the ,,early ,,jesuit ,,missions4 ,in the ,rlations des ,jsuites1 on their early missions in ,new ,france1 now ,canada1 we find many examples1 told in the quaint old ,french of the seventeenth century1 and with true apostolic simplicity1 of the tender devotion for the souls in ,purgatory cherished by all the ,indians of every tribe who had embraced ,christianity from the teaching of those zealous missionaries4 ,the few extracts we give below from the ,rlations will serve to show how deeply this touching devotion to the departed is implanted in our nature1 seeing that the doctrine of a place of purgation in the after life finds so ready a response in the heart and soul of the untutored children of the forest3 ,the devotion which they have for the souls of the departed is another mark of their faith4 ,not far from this assembly there is a cemetery1 in the midst of which is seen a fine cross2 sepulchres four or five feet wide and six or seven feet long1 rise about four feet from the ground1 carefully covered with bark4 ,at the head and feet of the dead are two crosses1 and on one side a sword1 if the dead were a man1 or some domestic article1 if a woman4 ,having arrived there1 ,i was asked to pray to ,god for the souls of those who were buried in that place4 ,a good ,christian gave me a beaver skin by the hands of her daughter1 about seven years of age1 and said to me1 when her daughter presented it3 ',father1 this present is to ask you to pray to ,god for the souls of her sister and her grandmother4' ,many others made the same request2 ,i promised to comply with their wishes1 but1 as for their presents1 ,i could not accept them4 ,some time ago1 when the ,christians of this place died1 their beads were buried with them2 this custom was last year changed for a holier one1 by means of a good ,christian who1 when dying1 gave her chaplet to another1 begging her to keep it and say it for her1 at least on feast days4 ,this charity was done to her1 and the custom was introduced from that time3 so it was that when any one died1 his or her rosary was given1 with a little present1 to some one chosen from the company present1 who is bound to take it1 and say it for the departed soul1 at least on ,sundays and ,festivals4--,journal of ,father ,jacques ,buteux in ,rlations1 ,vol4 ,,ii4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in one of the ,huron missions1 an ,indian named ,joachim ,annicouton1 converted after many years of evil courses and1 later1 of hypocritical pretense of conversion1 was murdered by three drunken savages of his own tribe1 but lived long enough to edify all around him by his pious resignation1 his admirable patience in the most cruel sufferings1 and his generous forgiveness of his enemies4 ,having given a touching account of his death1 the good ,father ,claude ,dablon goes on to say3 ,a very singular circumstance took place at his burial1 which was attended by all the families of the village1 with many of the ,french residents of the neighborhood4 ,before the body was laid in the earth1 the widow inquired if the authors of his death were present2 being told that they were not1 she begged that they might be sent for4 ,these poor creatures having come1 they drew near to the corpse1 with downcast eyes1 sorrow and confusion in their faces4 ,the widow1 looking upon them1 said3 ',well6 behold poor ,joachim ,annicouton1 you know what brought him to the state in which you now see him2 ,i ask of you no other satisfaction but that you pray to ,god for the repose of his soul4' 444 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is customary amongst the ,indians to give all the goods of the dead to their relatives and friends1 to mourn their death2 but the husband of ,catherine1 in his quality of first captain1 assembled the ,council of the ,ancients1 and told them that they must no longer keep to their former customs1 which profited nothing to the dead2 that1 as for him1 his thought was to dress up the body of the deceased in her best garments1 as she might rise some day1--and to employ the rest of what belonged to her in giving alms to the poor4 ,this thought was approved of by all1 and it became a law which was ever after strictly observed4 ,the body of his wife was then arrayed in her best clothes1 and he distributed amongst the poor all that remained of her little furniture1 charging them to pray for the dead4 ,the whole might have amounted to three hundred francs1 which is a great deal for an ,indian4-- ,rlations1 #afgc-d4 99 99 99 99 99 ,they #a have established amongst them a somewhat singular practice to help the souls in ,purgatory4 ,besides the offerings they make for that to the ,church1 and the alms they give to the poor1--besides the devotion of the four ,sundays of the month1 to which is attached an indulgence for the souls in ,purgatory1 so great that these days are like ,easter2 as soon as any one is dead1 his or her nearest relations make a spiritual collection of communions in every family1 begging them to offer all they can for the repose1 of the dead4--,rlations1 #afgg-h4 ,footnote #a3 ,the ,hurons of ,loretto1 near ,quebec4 ,,superstitious ,,belief ,,amongst ,,some ,,of ,,the ,,north ,,american ,,indians4 ,,cabral4 ,when they are asked what they think of the soul1 they answer that it is the shadow or living image of the body2 and it is as a consequence of this principle that they believe all animated in the universe4 ,it is by tradition that they suppose the soul immortal4 ,they pretend that1 separated from the body1 it retains the inclinations it had during life2 and hence comes the custom of burying with the dead all that had served to satisfy their wants or their tastes4 ,they are even persuaded that the soul remains a long time near the body after their separation1 and that it afterwards passes on into a country which they know not1 or1 as some will have it1 transformed into a turtle4 ,others give all men two souls1 one such as we have mentioned1 the other which never leaves the body1 and goes from one but to pass into another4 ,for this reason it is that they bury children on the roadside1 so that women passing by may pick up these second souls1 which1 not having long enjoyed life1 are more eager to begin it anew4 ,they must also be fed2 and for that purpose it is that divers sorts of food are placed on the graves1 but that is only done for a little while1 as it is supposed that in time the souls get accustomed to fasting4 ,the difficulty they find in supporting the living makes them forget the care for the nourishment of the dead4 ,it is also customary to bury with them all that had belonged to them1 presents being even added thereto2 hence it is a grievous scandal amongst all those nations when they see ,europeans open graves to take out the beaver robes they have placed therein4 ,the burial-grounds are places so respected that their profanation is accounted the most atrocious outrage that can be offered to an ,indian village4 ,is there not in all this a semblance of belief in our doctrine of ,purgatory8 ,,remembrance ,,of ,,the ,,dead ,,amongst ,,the ,,egyptians4 ,in ,egypt1 as all over the ,east1 the lives of women amongst the wealthier classes are for the most part spent within the privacy of their homes1 as it were in close confinement3 they are born1 live1 and die in the bosom of that impenetrable sanctuary4 ,it is only on ,thursday that they go forth1 with their slaves carrying refreshments and followed by hired weepers4 ,it is a sacred duty that calls them to the public cemetery4 ,there they have funeral hymns chanted1 their own plaintive cries mingling with the sorrowful lamentations of the mourners4 ,they shed tears and flowers on the graves of their kindred1 which they afterwards cover with the meats brought by their servants1 and all the crowd1 after inviting the souls of the dead1 partake of a religious repast1 in the persuasion that those beloved shades taste of the same food and are present at the sympathetic banquet4 ,is there not in this superstition a distorted tradition of the dogma by which we are commanded not to forget the souls of our brethren beyond the grave8-- ,annals of the ,propagation of the ,faith1 ,vol4 ,,xvii4 ,,remembrance ,,of ,,the ,,dead ,,throughout ,,europe4 ,,part ,i4 ,,anna ,t4 ,,sadlier4 ,hark6 the whirlwind is in the wood1 a low murmur in the vale2 it is the mighty army of the dead returning from the air4 ,these beautiful words occur in one of the ancient ,celtic poems quoted by ,macpherson and dating some thousand years later than ,ossian4 ,for the ,celts held to the doctrine of the immortality of souls1 and believed that their ethereal substance was wafted from place to place by the wind on the clouds of heaven4 ,amongst the ,highlanders a belief prevailed that there were certain hills to which the spirits of their departed friends had a peculiar attachment4 ,thus the hill of ,ore was regarded by the house of ,crubin as their place of meeting in the future life1 and its summit was supposed to be supernaturally illumined when any member of the family died4 ,it was likewise a popular belief that the spirits of the departed haunted places beloved in life1 hovered about their friends1 and appeared at times on the occasion of any important family event4 ,in the calm of a new existence1 ,side by side they sit who once mixed in battle their steel4 ,there is a poetic beauty in many of these ancient beliefs concerning the dead1 but they are far surpassed in grandeur and sublimity1 as well as in deep tenderness1 by the ,christian conception of a state of purgation after death1 when the souls of the departed are still bound to1 their dear ones upon earth by a strong spiritual bond of mutual help4 ,they dwell1 then1 in an abode of peace1 although of intense suffering1 and calmly await the eternal decree which summons them to heaven2 while the time of their probation is shortened day by day1 month by month1 year by year by the ,masses1 prayers1 alms-deeds and other suffrages of their friends who are still dwellers on earth1 living the old life2 and in its rush of cares and duties1 of pleasures and of pains1 forgetting them too often in all save prayer4 ,that is the reminder4 ,the dead who have died in the bosom of the ,holy ,church can never be quite forgotten4 ,the mighty army of the dead returning from the air might in our ,catholic conception be that host of delivered souls who1 after the ,feast of ,all ,souls1 or some such season of special prayer for them1 are arising upwards into everlasting bliss4 ,but it is our purpose in the present chapters to gather up from the byways of history occasions when the belief in prayer for the dead is made manifest1 whether it be in some noted individual1 in a people1 or in a country4 ,it is the low murmur of the vale going up constantly from all peoples1 from all times1 under all conditions4 ,in ,russia not only is prayer for the dead most sedulously observed by the ,catholic ,church1 but also in a most particular manner by the ,schismatic ,greeks4 ,the following details under this head will be1 no doubt1 of interest to our readers3 ,as soon as the spirit has departed1 the body is dressed and placed in an open coffin in a room decorated for the purpose4 ,numerous lights are kept burning day and night2 and while the relations take turns to watch and pray by the coffin1 the friends come to pay the last visit to the deceased4444 ,on the decease of extraordinary persons1 the ,emperor and his successor are accustomed to visit the corpse1 while the poor1 on the other hand1 never fail to lament at the door the loss of their benefactor1 and to be dismissed with handsome donations4 ,total strangers1 too1 come of their own accord to offer a prayer for the deceased2 for the image of a saint hung up before the door indicates to every passenger the house of mourning4444 ,the time of showing the corpse lasts in general only three or four days1 and then follow the blessing of the deceased1 and the granting of the pass4 ,the latter is to be taken literally4 ,the corpse is carried to the ,church1 and the priest lays upon the breast a long paper1 which the common people call 'a pass for heaven4' ,on this paper is written the ,christian name of the deceased1 the date of his birth and that of his death4 ,it then states that he was baptized as a ,christian1 that he lived as such1 and before his death1 received the ,sacrament--in short1 the whole course of life which he led as a ,greek ,russian ,christian4444 ,all who meet a funeral take off their hats1 and offer a prayer to ,heaven for the deceased1 and such is the outward respect paid on such occasions1 that it is not until they have entirely lost sight of the procession that they put on their hats again4 ,this honor is paid to every corpse1 whether of the ,russian1 ,protestant1 or ,catholic ,communions4444 ,after the corpse is duly prepared1 the priests sing a funeral ,mass1 called in ,russian clerical language1 panichide4444 ,on the anniversary of the death of a beloved relative1 they assemble in the ,church1 and have a panichide read for his soul4444 ,persons of distinction found a lamp to burn forever at the tombs of their dead1 and have these panichides repeated every week1 for1 perhaps1 a long series of years4 ,lastly1 every year1 on a particular day1 ,easter ,monday1 a service and a repast are held for all the dead4 ,the history of ,france1 like that of all ,catholic nations1 abounds in instances of public intercession for the dead1 the pomp and splendor of royal obsequies1 the solemn utterances of public individuals2 the celebrations at ,pre la ,chaise1 the magnificent requiems4 ,in a nation so purely ,catholic as it was and is1 though the scum of evil men have arisen like a foul miasma to its surface1 it does not surprise us4 ,we shall therefore select from its history an incident or two1 somewhat at random4 ,that beautiful one1 far back at the era of the ,crusades1 where ,st4 ,louis1 ,king of ,france1 absent in the ,east1 received intelligence of the death of ,queen ,blanche1 his mother4 ,the grief of the ,papal ,legate1 who had come to announce the news1 was apparent in his face1 and ,louis1 fearing some new blow1 led the prelate into his chapel1 which1 according to an ancient chronicler1 was his arsenal against all the crosses of the world4 ,louis1 overcome with sorrow1 quickly changed his tears and lamentations into the language of resignation1 and desiring to be left alone with his confessor1 ,geoffrey de ,beaulieu1 recited the office of the dead4 ,he was present every day at a funeral service celebrated in memory of his mother2 and sent into the ,west a great number of jewels and precious stones to be distributed among the principal churches of ,france2 at the same time exhorting the clergy to put up prayers for the repose of his mother4 ,in proportion with his endeavors1 continues the historian1 to procure prayers for his mother1 his grief yielded to the hope of seeing her again in heaven2 and his mind1 when calmed by resignation1 found its most effectual consolation in that mysterious tie which still unites us with those we have lost1 in that religious sentiment which mingles with our affections to purify them1 and with our regrets to mitigate them4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,michaud's ,hist4 of the ,crusades1 ,vol4 ,,ii41 pp4 #dgg-h4 ,in the ,instructions which ,st4 ,louis addressed on his death-bed to his son1 ,philip the ,bold1 is to be found the following paragraph3 ,dear ,son1 ,i pray thee1 if it shall please our ,lord that ,i should quit this life before thee1 that thou wilt help me with ,masses and prayers1 and that thou wilt send to the congregations of the kingdom of ,france1 to make them put up prayers for my soul1 and that thou wilt desire that our ,lord may give me part in all the good deeds thou shalt perform4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,these instructions were preserved in a register of the ,chamber of ,accounts4 ,see ,appendix to ,michaud's ,history of ,crusades1 ,vol4 ,,ii41 p4 #dga4 ,philip1 on the death of his father1 in a letter which was read aloud in all the churches1 begs of the clergy and faithful1 to put up to the ,king of kings their prayers and their offerings for that prince2 with whose zeal for religion and tender solicitude for the kingdom of ,france1 which he loved as the apple of his eye1 they were so well acquainted4 ,in the ,chronicles of ,froissart1 as well as in the ,grande ,chronique of ,st4 ,denis1 we read that the body of ,king ,john1 who died a prisoner in ,england1 was brought home with great pomp and circumstance1 on the first day of ,may1 #acfd4 ,it was at first placed in the ,abbey of ,st4 ,anthony1 thence removed to ,notre ,dame1 and finally to ,st4 ,denis1 the resting-place of royalty1 where solemn ,mass was said4 ,on the day of his interment1 the ,archbishop of ,sens sang the requiem4 ,thus did ,holy ,mother ,church welcome the exile home4 ,a pretty anecdote is that of ,marie ,lecsinska1 ,queen of ,louis ,,xv41 who1 on hearing of the death of ,marshal ,saxe1 a ,lutheran by profession1 and but an indifferent observer of the maxims of any creed1 cried out3 ,alas6 what a pity that we cannot sing a ,de ,profundis for a man who has made us sing so many ,te ,deums4 ,we cannot take our leave of ,france1 without noticing here the beautiful prayer offered up by the saintly ,princess ,louise de ,bourbon ,cond1 in religion ,sur ,marie ,joseph de la ,misricorde1 on hearing of the death of her nephew1 the ,duc d',enghien1 so cruelly put to death by the first ,napoleon4 ,falling1 face downwards1 on the earth1 she prayed3 ,mercy1 my ,god1 have mercy upon him6 ,have mercy1 ,lord1 on the soul of ,louis ,antoine6 ,pardon the faults of his youth1 remembering the precious ,blood1 which ,jesus ,christ shed for all men1 and have regard to the cruel manner in which his blood was shed4 ,glory and misfortune have attended his life4 ,but what we call glory1 has it any claims in ,thy eyes8 ,however1 ,lord1 it is not a demerit before ,thee1 when it is based on true honor1 which is always inseparable from devotion to our duties4 ,thou knowest1 ,lord1 those that he has fulfilled1 and for those in which he has failed1 let the misfortunes of which he has been at last the victim1 be a repararation and an expiation4 ,again1 ,lord1 ,i ask for mercy for his soul4 ,on the death of ,napoleon1 the murderer of this beloved nephew1 the same holy religious wrote to the ,bishop of ,st4 ,flour3 ,bonaparte is dead2 he was your enemy1 for he persecuted you4 ,i think you will say a ,mass for him2 ,i beg also that you say a ,mass on my behalf for this unfortunate man4 ,turning to the ,history of ,rome1 it will be of interest to take a glance at the pious ,confraternity della ,morte which was instituted in #aeea1 and regularly established in #aefj1 by ,his ,holiness1 ,pius ,,iv4 ,it was chiefly composed of citizens of high rank4 ,its object was to provide burial for the dead4 ,solemnly broke upon the balmy stillness of the ,roman nights1 all these years and centuries since its foundation1 its chanting of holy psalmody1 and its audible praying for the dead1 borne along in its religious keeping4 ,the glare of the waxen torches fell upon the bier1 the voices of the associates joined in the ,miserere1 and the ,church reached1 the corpse was laid there1 till the fitting hour1 when the ,requiem ,mass should be sung1 and the final absolution given1 preparatory to interment4 ,florence supplies us with a brilliant picture of that sixth day of ,july1 #adci1 the feast of ,saint ,romolo the ,martyr1 in the ninth year of the ,pontificate of ,pope ,eugenius ,,iv41 when long-standing differences between the ,greek and ,latin ,churches were brought to an end in a most amicable manner4 ,alas6 for the ,greeks1 that they did not accept the decisions of that day as final4 ,on the #bb;d of ,january1 #adci1 ,cosmo de ,medici1 then ,gonfaloniere of ,florence1 received the ,pope and his cardinals1 with a pomp and splendor unknown to the history of modern ,europe4 ,on the #abth of the following month came the ,patriarch1 ,joseph of ,constantinople1 and his bishops and theologians4 ,on the #aeth arrived the ,greek ,emperor1 ,john ,paleologus1 who was received at the ,porto ,san ,gallo by the ,pope and all his cardinals1 the ,florentine ,signory1 and a long procession of the members of the monastic orders4 ,a rare and very remarkable assemblage1 says a chronicler #a of the most learned men of ,europe1 and1 indeed1 of those extra ,european seats of a past culture1 which were even now giving forth the last flashes from a once brilliant light on the point of being quenched in utter darkness1 were thus assembled at ,florence4 ,footnote #a3 ,t4 ,a4 ,trollope1 in ,history of the ,commonwealth of ,florence1 ,vol4 ,,iii41 pp4 #acg-h4 ,this was the inauguration of the far-famed ,council of ,florence1 which had the result of settling the points at issue between the ,eastern and ,western ,churches4 ,the ,greeks confessed that the ,roman faith proceeded rightly 7prociedere bene71 and united themselves with it by the grace of ,god4 ,proclamation was accordingly made in the ,cathedral1 then called ,santa ,reparata1 that the ,greeks had agreed to hold and to believe the five disputed articles of which the fifth was1 ,that he who dies in sin for which penance has been done1 but from which he has not been purged1 goes to ,purgatory1 and that the divine offices1 ,masses1 prayers1 and alms are useful for the purging of him4 ,in the history of ,ireland1 as might be expected1 we come upon many instances wherein the dead are solemnly remembered from that period1 when still pagan1 and one of the ancient manuscripts gives us an account of certain races1 it calls them1 which were held for the souls of the foreigners slain in battle4 ,this was back in the night of antiquity1 and was no doubt some relic of the ,christian tradition which had remained amid the darkness of paganism4 ,but to come to the ,christian period4 ,the famous ,hugues de ,lasci1 or ,hugo de ,lacy1 ,lord of ,meath1 and one of the most distinguished men in early ,irish annals1 founded many abbeys and priories1 one at ,colpe1 near the mouth of the ,boyne1 one at ,duleek1 one at ,dublin1 and one at ,kells4 ,the ,canons of ,st4 ,augustine1 as we read1 in return for this gift1 covenanted that one of them should be constantly retained as a chaplain to celebrate ,mass for his soul and for those of his ancestors and successors4 ,we also read how ,marguerite1 wife of ,gualtier de ,lasci1 brother of the above1 gave a large tract in the royal forest of ,acornebury1 in ,herefordshire1 for the erection of a nunnery for the benefit of the souls of her parents1 ,guillaume and ,mathilda de ,braose1 who with their son1 her brother1 had been famished in the dungeon at ,windsor4 ,in the account of the death in ,spain of ,red ,hugh ,o',donnell1 who holds a high place among the chivalry of ,ireland1 it is mentioned that on his death- bed1 after lamenting his crimes and transgressions2 after a rigid penance for his sins and iniquities2 after making his confession without reserve to his confessors1 and receiving the body and blood of ,christ2 after being duly anointed by the hands of his own confessors and ecclesiastical attendants1 he expired after seventeen days' illness at the king's palace in ,simancas4 ,his body1 says the ancient chronicler1 was conveyed to the king's palace at ,valladolid in a four- wheeled hearse1 surrounded by countless numbers of the king's ,state officers1 council and guards1 with luminous torches and bright flambeaux of wax lights burning on either side4 ,he was afterwards interred in the monastery of ,st4 ,francis1 in the ,chapter1 precisely1 with veneration and honor1 and in the most solemn manner that any of the ,gaels had been ever interred in before4 ,masses and many hymns1 chants and melodious canticles were celebrated for the welfare of his soul2 and his requiem was sung with becoming solemnity4 ,on the death of the celebrated ,brian ,boroihme1 historians relate how his body was conveyed by the clergy to the ,abbey of ,swords1 whence it was brought by other portions of the clergy and taken successively to two monasteries4 ,it was then met by the ,archbishop of ,armagh1 at the head of his priesthood1 and conveyed to ,armagh1 where the obsequies were celebrated with a pomp and a fervor worthy the greatness and the piety of the deceased monarch4 ,in view of the arguments which are sometimes adduced to prove that the early ,irish ,church did not teach this doctrine of prayer for the dead1 it is curious to observe how in ,st4 ,patrick's second ,council he expressly forbids the holy sacrifice being offered up after death for those who in life had made themselves unworthy of such suffrages4 ,at the ,synod of ,cashel1 held just after the ,norman conquest1 the claim of each dead man's soul to a certain part of his chattels after death was asserted4 ,to steal a page from the time-worn chronicles of ,scotland1 it is told by ,theodoric that when ,queen ,margaret of ,scotland1 that gentle and noble character upon whom the ,church has placed the crown of canonization1 was dying1 she said to him3 ,two things ,i have to desire of thee2 and one of these was thus worded1 that as long as thou livest thou wilt remember my poor soul in thy ,masses and prayers4 ,it had been her custom in life to recite the office of the dead every day during ,lent and ,advent4 ,sir ,walter ,scott mentions in his ,minstrelsy of the ,scottish ,border a curious league or treaty of peace between two hostile clans1 by which the heads of each became bound to make the four pilgrimages of ,scotland for the benefit of those souls who had fallen in the feud4 ,in the ,bond of ,alliance or ,field ,staunching ,betwixt the ,clans of ,scott and ,ker this agreement is thus worded3 ,that it is appointed1 agreed and finally accorded betwixt honorable men1 the names are here mentioned1 ,walter ,ker of ,cessford1 ,andrew ,ker of ,fairnieherst1 etc41 etc41 for themselves1 kin1 friends1 maintenants1 assisters1 allies1 adherents1 and partakers1 on the one part2 and ,walter ,scott of ,branxholm1 etc41 etc41 etc4 ,for the staunching of all discord and variance between them and so on1 amongst other provisions1 that the said ,walter ,scott of ,branxholm shall gang1 or cause gang1 at the will of the party1 to the four head pilgrimages of ,scotland1 and shall say a ,mass for the unquhile ,andrew ,ker of ,cessford and them that were slain in his company in the field of ,melrose2 and1 upon his expence1 shall cause a chaplain to say a ,mass daily1 when he is disposed1 in what place the said ,walter ,ker and his friend pleases1 for the weil of the said souls1 for the space of five years next to come4 ,mark ,ker of ,dolphinston1 ,andrew ,ker of ,graden1 shall gang at the will of the party to the four head pilgrimages of ,scotland1 and shall gar say a ,mass for the souls of the unquhile ,james ,scott of ,eskirk and other ,scots1 their friends1 slain in the field of ,melrose2 and1 upon their expence1 shall gar a chaplain say a ,mass daily1 when he is disposed1 for the heal of their souls1 where the said ,walter ,scott and his friend pleases1 for the space of the next three years to come4 ,we may mention that the four pilgrimages are ,scoon1 ,dundee1 ,paisley1 and ,melrose4 ,this devotion of praying for the dead seems1 indeed1 to have taken strong hold upon these rude borderers1 who1 ,sir ,walter ,scott informs us1 remained attached to the ,roman ,catholic faith rather longer than the rest of ,scotland4 ,in many of their ancient ballads1 at some of which we have already glanced1 this belief is prominent4 ,the dying man1 or as in the case of ,clerk ,saunders1 the ghost begs of his survivors to wish my soul good rest4 ,this belief is intermingled with their superstitions as in that one attached to ,macduff's ,cross4 ,this cross is situated near ,lindores1 on the marsh dividing ,fife from ,strathern4 ,around the pedestal of this cross are tumuli1 said to be the graves of those who1 having claimed the privilege of the law1 failed in proving their consanguinity to the ,thane of ,fife4 ,such persons were instantly executed4 ,the people of ,newburgh believe that the spectres of these criminals still haunt the ruined cross1 and claim that mercy for their souls which they had failed to obtain for their mortal existence4 ,thus does the historian #a mention the burial of ,st4 ,ninian1 one of the favorite ,saints of the ,scots3 ,he was buried in the ,church of ,st4 ,martin1 which he had himself built from the foundation1 and placed in a stone coffin near the altar1 the clergy and people standing by and lifting up their heavenly hymns with heart and voice1 with sighs and tears4 ,footnote #a3 ,walsh's ,hist1 of the ,cath4 ,church in ,scotland4 ,in the treasurer's books which relate to the reign of ,james ,,iv4 of ,scotland1 there is the following entry for ,april1 #aejc3 ,the king went again to ,whethorn4 7,a place of pilgrimage47 ,while there he heard of the death of his brother1 ,john1 ,earl of ,mar1 and charged the priests to perform a 'dirge and soul ,mass' for his brother1 and paid them for their pains4 ,in ,montalembert's beautiful description of ,iona1 he mentions the tradition which declares that eight ,norwegian kings or princes1 four kings of ,ireland1 and forty-eight ,scottish kings were buried there1 as also one king of ,france1 whose name is not mentioned1 and ,egfrid1 the ,saxon ,king of ,northumbria4 ,there is the tomb of ,robert ,bruce1 the tombs of many bishops1 abbots1 and of the great chiefs and nobles1 the ,macdougalls1 ,lords of ,lorn2 the ,macdonalds1 ,lords of the ,isles2 the ,macleods1 and the ,macleans4 ,nowhere1 perhaps1 has death placed his seal on a more imposing assemblage1 of truly royal stateliness1 of astonishingly cosmopolitan variety4 ,in the midst of it all1 in the very centre of the burying-ground1 stands a ruined chapel1 under the invocation of ,st4 ,oran1 the first ,irish monk who died in this region4 ,the church was built by the sainted ,margaret1 the wife of ,malcolm ,canmore1 and the mother of ,st4 ,david4 ,its mission there was obvious4 ,from its altar arose to the ,most ,high1 the solemn celebration of the dread mysteries1 the psalm and the prayer1 for prince and for prelate1 for the great alike in the spiritual and temporal hierarchy4 ,the ,duke of ,argyle1 in his work on ,iona1 seems astonished to find that ,st4 ,columba believed in all the principal truths of ,catholic faith1 amongst others1 prayers for the dead1 and yet he considers that he could not be called a ,catholic4 ,the process of reasoning is a curious one4 ,mention is made in the history of ,scotland of a famous bell1 preserved at ,glasgow until the ,reformation4 ,it was supposed to have been brought from ,rome by ,st4 ,kentigern1 and was popularly called ,st4 ,mungo's ,bell4 ,it was tolled through the city to invite the citizens to pray for the repose of departed souls4 ,in the great cathedrals of ,scotland1 before the ,reformation1 private chapels and altars were endowed for the relief of the dead1 while in the cities and large towns1 each trade or corporation had an altar in the principal churches and supported a chaplain to offer up ,masses and prayers as well for the dead as for the living4 ,the following incident is related in the life of the lovely and so sadly maligned ,mary ,queen of ,scots4 ,in the early days of her reign1 when still struggling with the intolerant fury of ,knox and his followers1--it was in the ,december of #aefa--,mary desired to have solemn ,mass offered up for the repose of the soul of her deceased husband1 the youthful ,francis4 ,this so aroused the fury of the fanatics about her1 that they threatened to take the life of the priests who had officiated4 ,immediately after the ,requiem was over1 she caused a proclamation to be made by a ,herald at the ,market ,cross1 that no man on pain of his life should do any injury1 or give offense or trouble to her chaplains4 ,the poet ,campbell in his dirge for ,wallace1 makes the ,lady of ,elderslie1 the hero's wife1 cry out in the first intensity of her sorrow2 ,now sing you the death-song and loudly pray ,for the soul of my knight 'so dear4' ,we shall now leave the wild poetic region of ,scotland1 and with it conclude ,part ,first1 taking up again in ,part ,second the thread of our narrative1 which will wind in and out through various countries of ,europe1 ending at last with a glance at our own ,america4 ,,remembrance ,,of ,,the ,,dead ,,throughout ,,europe4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,in ,austria we find an example of devotion to the dead1 in the saintly ,empress ,eleanor1 who1 after the death of her husband1 the ,emperor ,leopold1 in #agje1 was wont to pray two hours every day for the eternal repose of his soul4 ,not less touching is an account given by a ,protestant traveller of an humble pair1 whom he encountered at ,prague during his wanderings there4 ,they were father and daughter1 and attached1 the one as bell-ringer1 the other as laundress1 to the ,church on the ,visschrad4 ,he found them in their little dwelling4 ,it was on the festival of ,st4 ,anne1 when all ,prague was making merry4 ,the girl said to him3 ,father and ,i were just sitting together1 and this being ,st4 ,anne's ,day1 we were thinking of my mother1 whose name was also ,anne4 ,the father then said1 addressing his daughter3 ,thou shalt go down to ,st4 ,jacob's to-morrow1 and have a ,mass read for thy mother1 ,anne4 ,for the mother who had been long years slumbering in the little cemetery hard by4 ,there is1 something touching to me in this little incident1 for it tells how the pious memory of the beloved dead dwelt in these simple hearts1 dwells in the hearts of the people everywhere1 as in that of the pious empress1 whose inconsolable sorrow found vent in long hours of prayer for the departed4 ,in the will of ,christopher ,columbus there is special mention made of the church which he desired should be erected at ,concepcion1 one of his favorite places in the ,new ,world1 so named by himself4 ,in this church he arranged that three ,masses should be celebrated daily--the first in honor of the ,blessed ,trinity2 the second1 in honor of the ,immaculate ,conception2 and the third for the faithful departed4 ,this will was made in ,may1 #aejf4 ,the body of the great discoverer was laid in the earth1 to the lasting shame of the ,spaniards1 with but little other remembrance than that which the ,church gives to the meanest of her children4 ,the ,franciscans1 his first friends1 as now his last1 accompanied his remains to the ,cathedral ,church of ,valladolid1 where a ,requiem ,mass was sung1 and his body laid in the vault of the ,observantines with but little pomp4 ,later on1 however1 the king1 in remorse for past neglect1 or from whatever cause1 had the body taken up and transported with great pomp to ,seville4 ,there a ,mass was sung1 and a solemn funeral service took place at the cathedral1 whence the corpse of the ,admiral was conveyed beyond the ,guadalquivir to ,st4 ,mary of the ,grottoes 7,santa ,maria de las ,grutas74 ,but the remains of this most wonderful of men were snatched from the silence of the ,carthusian cloister some ten years later1 and taken thence to ,castile1 thence again to ,san ,domingo1 where they were laid in the sanctuary of the cathedral to the right of the main altar4 ,again they were disturbed and taken on board the brigantine ,discovery to the ,island of ,cuba1 where solemnly1 once more1 the ,requiem for the ,dead swelled out1 filling with awe the immense assembly1 comprising1 as we are told1 all the civil and military notables of the island4 ,in the annals of the ,knight ,hospitallers of ,st4 ,john1 it is recorded that after a great and providential victory won by them over the ,moslem foe1 and by the fruits of which ,rhodes was saved from falling into the hands of the enemy1 the ,grand ,master ,d',aubusson proceeded to the ,church of ,st4 ,john to return thanks4 ,and that he also caused the erection of three churches in honor of ,our ,blessed ,lady1 and the ,patron ,saints of the city4 ,these three churches were endowed for prayers and ,masses to be offered in perpetuity for the souls of those who had fallen in battle4 ,this ,d',aubusson was in all respects one of the most splendid knights that ,christendom has produced4 ,a model of ,christian knighthood1 he is unquestionably one of the greatest of the renowned ,grand ,masters of ,st4 ,john4 ,there is a touching incident told in these same annals of two knights1 the ,chevalier de ,servieux1 counted the most accomplished gentleman of his day1 and ,la ,roche ,pichelle4 ,both of them were not only the flower of ,christian knighthood1 but model religious as well4 ,they died of wounds received in a sea fight off ,saragossa in #afcj1 and on their death-beds lay side by side in the same room1 consoling and exhorting each other1 it being arranged between them1 that whoever survived the longest should offer all his pains for the relief of his companion's soul4 ,we have now reached a part of our work1 upon which we shall have occasion to dwell at some length1 and notwithstanding the fact that it has already formed the subject of two preceding articles4 ,it is that which relates to ,england1 and which is doubly interesting to ,catholics1 as being the early record of what is now the chief ,protestant nation of ,europe4 ,to go back to those ,anglo-,saxon days1 which might be called in some measure the golden age of ,catholic faith in ,england1 we shall see what was the custom which prevailed at the moment of dissolution4 ,in the regulations which follow there is not question of a monarch nor a public individual1 nor of priest nor prelate1 but simply of an ordinary ,christian just dead4 ,the moment he expired the bell was tolled4 ,its solemn voice announced to the neighborhood that a ,christian brother was departed1 and called on those who heard it to recommend his soul to the mercy of his ,creator4 ,all were expected to join1 privately1 at least1 in this charitable office2 and in monasteries1 even if it were in the dead of night1 the inmates hastened from their beds to the church1 and sang a solemn dirge4 ,the only persons excluded from the benefit of these prayers were those who died avowedly in despair1 or under the sentence of excommunication4 444 ,till the hour of burial1 which was often delayed for some days to allow time for the arrival of strangers from a distance1 small parties of monks or clergymen attended in rotation1 either watching in silent prayer by the corpse or chanting with subdued voice the funeral service4444 ,when the necessary preparations were completed1 the body of the deceased was placed on a bier or in a hearse4 ,on it lay the book of the ,gospels1 the code of his belief1 and the cross1 the emblem of his hope4 ,a pall of linen or silk was thrown over it till it reached the place of interment4 ,the friends were invited1 strangers often deemed it a duty to attend4 ,the clergy walked in procession before1 or divided into two bodies1 one on each side1 singing a portion of the psalter and generally bearing lights in their hands4 ,as soon as they entered the church the service for the dead was performed2 a ,mass of requiem followed2 the body was deposited in the grave1 the sawlshot paid1 and a liberal donation distributed to the poor4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,lingard's ,antiquities of the ,anglo ,saxon ,church1 ,vol4 ,,ii1 pp4 #df-dg4 ,in the northern portico of the ,cathedral of ,canterbury was erected an altar in honor of ,st4 ,gregory1 where a ,mass was offered every ,saturday for the souls of departed archbishops4 ,we read that ,oidilwald1 ,king of the ,deiri1 and son of ,king ,oswald1 founded a monastery that it might be the place of his sepulture1 because he was confident of deriving great benefit from the prayers of those who should serve the ,lord in that house4 ,dunwald the ,thane1 on his departure for ,rome to carry thither the alms of his dead master1 ,king ,ethelwald1 ,a4,d4 #gfb1 bequeathed a dwelling in the market in ,queengate to the ,church of ,,ss4 ,peter and ,paul for the benefit of the king's soul and his own soul4 ,as far back as the days of the good ,king ,arthur1 whose existence has been so enshrouded in fable that many have come to believe him a myth1 we read that ,queen ,guenever ,,ii41 of unhappy memory1 having spent her last years in repentance1 was buried in ,ambreabury1 ,wiltshire4 ,the place of her interment was a monastery erected by ,aurelius ,ambrose1 the uncle of ,king ,arthur1 for the maintenance of three hundred monks to pray for the souls of the ,british noblemen slain by ,hengist4 ,upon her tomb was inscribed1 in rude letters of massy gold1 to quote the ancient chronicler1 the initials ,r4 ,g4 and the date #fjj ,a4,d4 ,in the ,saxon annals ,enfleda1 the wife of ,oswy1 ,king of ,northumbria1 plays a conspicuous part4 ,soon after her marriage1 ,oswin1 her husband's brother1 consequently her cousin and brother-in-law1 was slain4 ,the queen caused a monastery to be erected on the spot where he fell as a reparation for her husband's fratricide1 and as a propitiation for the soul of the departed4 ,this circumstance is alluded to by more than one ,english poet1 as also the monastery which ,enfleda1 for the same purpose1 caused to be erected at ,tynemouth4 ,thus ,harding3 ,queen ,enfled1 that was ,king ,oswy's wife1 ,king ,edwin1 his daughter1 full of goodnesse1 ,for ,oswyn's soule a minster1 in her life1 ,made at ,tynemouth1 and for ,oswy causeless ,that hym so bee slaine and killed helpeless2 ,for she was kin to ,oswy and ,oswin1 ,as ,bede in chronicle dooeth determyn4 ,the most eminent ,catholic poet of our own day1 ,sir ,aubrey de ,vere1 in his ,saxon legends1 likewise refers to it4 ,he describes first what ,gentlest form kneels on the rain-washed ground1 ,from ,giling's ,keep a stone's throw4 ,whose those hands ,now pressed in anguish on a bursting heart4 444 ,what purest mouth ,presses a new-made grave1 and through the blades ,of grass wind shaken1 breathes her piteous prayer8 444 ,oswin's grave it is1 ,and she that o'er it kneels is ,eanfleda1 ,kinswoman of the noble dead1 and wife ,to ,oswin's murderer--,oswy4 ,again1 describing the repentance of ,oswy3 ,one ,winter night ,from distant chase belated he returned1 ,and passed by ,oswin's grave4 ,the snow1 new fallen1 ,whitened the precinct4 ,in the blast she knelt1 ,she heard him not draw nigh4 ,she only beat ,her breast1 and1 praying1 wept4 ,our sin6 our sin6 ,so came to him those words4 ,they dragged him down3 ,he knelt beside his wife1 and beat his breast1 ,and said1 ',my sin6 my sin6' ,till earliest morn ,glimmered through sleet that twain wept on1 prayed on3-- ,was it the rising sun that lit at last ,the fair face upward lifted8 4444444 ,aloud she cried1 ',our prayer is heard3 our penitence finds grace4' ,then added3 ',let it deepen till we die4 ,a monastery build we on this grave3 ,so from this grave1 while fleet the years1 that prayer ,shall rise both day and night1 till ,christ returns ,to judge the world1--a prayer for him who died2 ,a prayer for one who sinned1 but sins no more6' ,in the grant preserved in the ,bodleian ,collection1 wherein ,editha the ,good1 the widow of ,edward the ,confessor1 confers certain lands upon the ,church of ,st4 ,mary at ,sarum1 occurs the following3 ,i1 ,editha1 relict of ,king ,edward1 give to the support of the ,canons of ,st4 ,mary's ,church1 in ,sarum1 the lands of ,secorstan1 in ,wiltshire1 and those of ,forinanburn1 to the ,monastery of ,wherwell1 for the support of the nuns serving ,god there1 with the rights thereto belonging1 for the soul of ,king ,edward4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,phillips' ,account of ,old ,sarum4 ,this queen was buried in ,westminster ,abbey1 her remains being removed from the north to the south side of ,st4 ,edward's shrine1 on the rebuilding of that edifice1 and it is recorded that ,henry ,,iii4 ordered a lamp to be kept burning perpetually at the tomb of ,editha the ,good4 ,it is related of the celebrated ,lady ,godiva of ,coventry1 the wife of the wealthy and powerful ,leofric1 that on her death-bed she bequeathed a precious circlet of gems1 which she wore round her neck1 valued at one hundred marks of silver 7about two thousand pounds sterling7 to the ,image of the ,virgin in ,coventry ,abbey1 praying that all who came thither would say as many prayers as there were gems in it4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,saxon ,chronicle1 ,strickland's ,queens of ,england ,before the ,conquest1 etc4 ,the following is an ancient verse1 occurring in an old ,french treatise1 on the manner of behaving at table1 wherein one is warned never to arise from a meal without praying for the dead4 ,this treatise was translated by ,william ,caxton4 ,priez ,dieu pour les trepasss1 ,et te souveigne en piti ,qui de ce monde sont passez1 ,ainsi que tu es obligez1 ,priez ,dieu pour les trepasss6 ,we subjoin a rough translation of the verse4 ,to ,god1 for the departed1 pray ,and of those in pity think ,who have passed from this world away1 ,as1 indeed1 thou art bound to do1 ,to ,god1 for the departed pray4 ,speaking of his early education1 ,caxton says3 ,whereof ,i humbly and heartily thank ,god1 and am bounden to pray for my father and mother's souls1 who in my youth set me to school4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,christian ,schools and ,scholars4 ,in #ajfg1 ,william the ,conqueror founded what was known as ,battle ,abbey1 which he gave to the ,benedictine ,monks1 that they might pray for the souls of those who fell in the ,battle of ,hastings4 ,speaking of ,william the4 ,conqueror1 it is not out of place to quote here these lines from the pen of ,mrs4 ,hemans3 ,lowly upon his bier ,the royal ,conqueror lay1 ,baron and chief stood near1 ,silent in war's array4 ,down the long minster's aisle ,crowds mutely gazing stream'd1 ,altar and tomb the while ,through mists of incense gleamed4 ,they lowered him with the sound ,of requiems to repose4 ,these stanzas on the ,burial of ,william the ,conqueror lead us naturally to others from the pen of the same gifted authoress on ,coeur de ,lion at the ,bier of his ,father4 ,torches were blazing clear1 ,hymns pealing deep and slow1 ,where a king lay stately on his bier1 ,in the ,church of ,fontevraud4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the marble floor was swept ,by many a long dark stole ,as the kneeling priests1 round him that slept1 ,sang mass for the parted soul4 ,and solemn were the strains they pour'd ,through the stillness of the night1 ,with the cross above1 and the crown and sword1 ,and the silent king in sight4 ,we forgive the ignorance of the gentle poetess with regard to the ,mass1 for the beauty and solemnity of the verse1 which is quite in keeping with the nature of the subject4 ,we read1 again1 of tapers being lit at the tomb of ,henry ,v41 the noble and chivalrous ,henry of ,monmouth1 for one hundred years after his death4 ,the ,reformation extinguished that gentle flame with many another holy fire1 both in ,england and throughout ,christendom4 ,we shall now pass on to another period--a far different and most troublous one of ,english history1 that of the ,reformation4 ,in the ,church of ,st4 ,lawrence at ,iswich is an entry of an offering made to pray for the souls of ,robert ,wolsey and his wife ,joan1 the father and mother of the ,dean of ,lincoln1 thereafter to be ,cardinal and ,chancellor of the ,kingdom4 ,an argument urged to show the ,protestantism of ,collet1 one of the ante-,reformation worthies1 is that he did not make a ,popish will1 having left no monies for ,masses for his soul2 which shows that he did not believe in ,purgatory4 ,the dying prayer of ,sir ,thomas ,more concludes with these words3 ,give me a longing to be with ,thee2 not for avoiding the calamities of this wicked world1 nor so much the pains of ,purgatory or of hell2 nor so much for the attaining of the choice of heaven1 in respect of mine own commodity1 as even for a very love of ,thee4 ,the unfortunate ,anne ,boleyn1 who during her imprisonment had repented and received the last sacraments from the hands of ,father ,thirlwall1 begs on the scaffold that the people may pray for her4 ,in her address to her ladies before leaving the ,tower1 she concludes it by begging them to forget her not after death4 ,in your prayers to the ,lord ,jesus forget not to pray for my soul4 ,in the account of the death of another of ,king ,henry's wives1 the ,lady ,jane ,seymour1 who died1 as ,miss ,strickland says1 after having all the rites of the ,catholic ,church administered to her1 we read that ,sir ,richard ,gresham thus writes to ,lord ,cromwell3 ,i have caused twelve hundred ,masses to be offered up for the soul of our most gracious ,queen4444 ,i think it right that there should also be a solemn dirge and high ,mass1 and that the mayor and aldermen should pray and offer up divers prayers for ,her ,grace's soul4 ,anne of ,cleves some two years before her death likewise embraced the ,catholic faith4 ,at her funeral ,mass was sung by ,bonner1 ,bishop of ,london1 and many monks and seculars attended her obsequies4 ,the infamous ,thomas ,cromwell1 converted1 as it seems evident from contemporary witnesses1 on his death-bed1 left what might be called truly a ,popish will4 ,after bequeathing money or effects to various relatives and friends1 he speaks of charity works for the health of my soul4 ,i will1 he says1 that my executors shall sell said farm 7,carberry71 and the money thereof to be employed in deeds of charity1 to prayer for my soul and all ,christian souls4 ,item4 ,i will mine executors shall conduct and hire a priest1 being an honest person of continent and good living1 to sing 7pray7 for my soul for the space of seven years next after my death4 ,item4 ,i give and bequeath to every one of the five orders of ,friars within the ,citie of ,london1 to pray for my soul1 twenty shillings4 444 ,he further bequeaths #bj to be distributed amongst poor householders1 to pray for his soul4 ,in this he closely resembled his royal master1 ,henry ,,viii41 who ordained that ,masses should be said for his soul's health while the world shall endure4 ,and after his death it was agreed that the obsequies should be conducted according to the observance of the ,catholic ,church4 ,church-bells tolled and ,masses were celebrated daily throughout ,london4 ,in the ,privy ,chamber1 where the corpse was laid1 lights and ,divine service were said about him1 with ,masses1 obsequies1 etc4 ,after the body was removed to the chapel it was kept there twelve days1 with ,masses and dirges sung and said everyday4 ,norroy1 king at arms1 stood each day at the choir door1 saying3 ,of your charity pray for the soul of the high and mighty prince1 our late sovereign lord and king1 ,henry ,,viii4 ,when the body was lowered into the grave we read of a ,de ,profundis being read over it4 ,god grant it was not all a solemn mockery1 this praying for the soul of him who was styled the first ,protestant ,king of ,england1 and who by his crimes separated ,england from the unity of ,christendom6 ,may these ,popish practices1 which were amongst those he in his ordinances condemned1 have availed him in that life beyond the grave1 whither he went to give an account of his stewardship6 ,the ,catholic ,queen1 ,mary1 after her accession to the throne1 caused a requiem ,mass to be sung in ,tower ,chapel for her brother1 ,edward the ,sixth4 ,elizabeth1 in her turn1 had ,mary buried with funeral hymn and ,mass1 and caused a solemn dirge and ,mass of ,requiem to be chanted for the soul of the ,emperor ,charles ,v4 ,with this period of spiritual anarchy and desolation we shall take our leave of ,england1 passing on to pause for an instant to observe the peculiar cultus of the dead in ,corsica4 ,it is represented by some writers as being similar to that which prevailed amongst the ,romans4 ,but as a traveller remarks1 it is a curious relic of paganism1 combined with ,christian usages4 ,thus the dirge sung by women1 their wild lamenting1 their impassioned apostrophizing of the dead1 their rhetorical declamation of his virtues1 finds its analogy among many of the customs of pagan nations1 while the prayer for the dead1 the relatives standing about the bed of death reciting the ,rosary1 the ,confraternity of the ,brothers of the ,dead coming to convey the corpse to the church1 where ,mass is sung and the final absolution given1 is eminently ,christian and ,catholic4 ,in the ,norwegian annals we read how ,olaf the ,saint1 on the occasion of one of his battles1 gave many marks of silver for the souls of his enemies who should fall in battle4 ,a traveller in ,mexico relates the following3 ,i remember to have seen1 he says1 on the high altar of the dismantled church of ,yanhuitlan a skull as polished as ivory1 which bore on the forehead the following inscription in ,spanish3 ',io soy ,jesus ,pedro ,sandoval2 un ,ave ,maria y un ,padre ,nuestro1 por ,dios1 hermanos6' #a ,footnote #a3 ,ferdinand ,gregorovius1 ,wanderings in ,corsica1 translated by ,alexander ,muir4 ',i am ,jesus ,pedro ,sandoval2 a ,hail ,mary and an ,our ,father for the love of ,god1 my brother4' ,i cannot conceive1 he continues1 anything more heart-rending than the great silent orbs of this dead man staring me fixedly in the face1 whilst his head1 bared by contact with the grave1 sadly implored my prayers4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,deux ,ans au ,mexique1 ,faucher de ,st4 ,maurice4 ,it would be impossible to conclude our olla podrida1 if ,i may venture on the expression1 of historical lore1 relating to the dead1 without referring1 however briefly1 to the two great deaths1 and consequently the magnificent obsequies which have marked this very year of #ahhe1 in which we write4 ,those of ,archbishop ,bourget1 of ,montreal1 and of ,his ,eminence1 ,cardinal ,mc,closkey1 of ,new ,york4 ,they were both expressions of national sorrow1 and the homage paid by sorrowing multitudes to true greatness4 ,on the #ajth of ,june1 #ahhe1 the venerable ,archbishop ,bourget died at ,sault-au-,recollet1 and was brought on the following morning to the ,church of ,notre ,dame1 ,montreal4 ,the days that ensued were all days of ,requiem4 ,psalms were sung1 and the office of the dead chanted by priests of all the religious orders in succession1 by the various choirs of the city1 by the secular clergy1 and by lay societies4 ,archbishops and bishops sang high ,mass with all the pomp of our holy ritual1 and the prayers of the poor for him who had been their benefactor1 mingled with those of the highest in the land1 and followed the beloved remains from the bed of death whence they were taken down into the funeral vault4 ,on the #ajth of ,october1 #ahhe1 ,his ,eminence the ,cardinal ,archbishop of ,new ,york passed peacefully away1 amidst the grief of the whole community1 both ,protestant and ,catholic4 ,again1 there was a very ovation of prayer4 ,the obsequies were marked by a splendor such as1 according to a contemporary journal1 had never before attended any ecclesiastical demonstration on this side of the water4 ,the clergy1 secular and religious1 formed one vast assemblage1 while layman vied with layman in showing honor to the dead1 and in praying for the soul's repose4 ,all that man could do1 says a prominent ,catholic journal1 to bring honor to his bier was done1 and in honor and remembrance his memory remains4 ,all that ,mother ,church could offer as suffrage for his soul has been offered4 ,that is wherein the real beauty of it all consists4 ,honor to the great dead may1 it is true1 be the splendid expression of national sentiment4 ,but in the eyes of faith it is meaningless4 ,other great men1 deservedly honored by the nations1 have passed away during this same year1 but where was the prayer1 accompanying them to the judgment-seat1 assisting them in that other life1 repairing their faults1 purging away sins or imperfections8 ,the grandeur that attended ,mgr4 ,bourget's burial and ,cardinal ,mc,closkey's obsequies consisted chiefly in that vast symphony of prayer1 which arose so harmoniously1 and during so many days1 for their soul's welfare4 ,devotion to the dead1 as we have seen1 exists everywhere1 is everywhere dear to the hearts of the people1 from those first early worshippers1 who1 in the dawn of ,christianity1 in the dimness of the ,catacombs prayed for the souls of their brethren in ,christ1 begging that they might live in ,god1 that ,god might refresh them1 down through the ages to our own day1 increasing as it goes in fervor and intensity4 ,we meet with its records1 written boldly1 so to say1 on the brow of nations1 or in out-of-the-way corners1 down among the people1 in the littleness and obscurity of humble domestic annals4 ,in the earliest liturgies1 in the most ancient sacramentaries1 there is the prayer for refreshment1 light1 and peace1 as it is now found in the missals used at the daily sacrifice1 on the lips of the priest1 in the prayers of the humblest and most unlettered petitioner4 ,it is the low murmur of the vale1 changing1 indeed1 at times into the thunder on the mountain tops1 amazing the unbelieving world which stands aloof and stares1 as in the instances but lately quoted1 or existing forgotten1 and overlooked by them1 but no less deep and solemn4 ,it is a ,requiem ternam pervading all time1 and ceasing only with time itself1 when the ,eternity of rest for the ,church ,militant has begun4 ,,prayer ,,for ,,the ,,dead ,,in ,,the ,,anglo-,,saxon ,,church4 ,,dr4 ,,lingard4 ,the ,anglo-,saxons had inherited from their teachers the practice of prayer for the dead--a practice common to every ,christian ,church which dates its origin from any period before the ,reformation4 ,it was not that they pretended to benefit by their prayers the blessed in heaven1 or the reprobate in hell2 but they had never heard of the doctrine which teaches that every soul of man1 passing out of the body1 goeth immediately to one or other of those places 7,book of ,homilies4 ,hom4 ,,vii4 ,on ,prayer74 ,and therefore assuming that ,god will render to all according to their works1 they believed that the souls of men dying in a state of less perfect virtue1 though they might not be immediately admitted to the supreme felicity of the saints1 would not1 at least1 be visited with the everlasting punishment of the wicked4 #a ,it was for such as these that they prayed1 that if they were in a state of imperfect happiness1 that happiness might be augmented2 if in a state of temporary punishment1 the severity of that punishment might be mitigated2 and this they hoped to obtain from the mercy of ,god1 in consideration of their prayers1 fasts1 and alms1 and especially of the oblation of the most ,holy ,victim in the ,sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,footnote #a3 ,some souls proceed to rest after their departure2 some go to punishment for that which they have done1 and are often released by alms-deeds1 but chiefly through the ,mass1 if it be offered for them2 others are condemned to hell with the devil4 7,serm4 ad4 ,pop4 in ,oct4 ,pent47 ,there be many places of punishment1 in which souls suffer in proportion to their guilt before the general judgment1 so that some of them are fully cleansed1 and have nothing to suffer in that fire of the last day4 7,hom4 apud4 ,whelock1 p4 #chf47 ,this was a favorite form of devotion with our ancestors4 ,it came to them recommended by the practice of all antiquity2 it was considered an act of the purest charity on behalf of those who could no longer pray for themselves2 it enlisted in its favor the feelings of the survivor1 who was thus enabled to intercede with ,god for his nearest and dearest friends1 and it opened at the same time to the mourner a source of real consolation in the hour of bereavement and distress4 ,it is true1 indeed1 that the petitioners knew not the state of the departed soul2 he might be incapable of receiving any benefit from their prayers1 but they reasoned1 with ,st4 ,augustine1 that1 even so1 the piety of their intentions would prove acceptable to ,god4 ,when ,alcuin heard that ,edilthryde1 a noble ,saxon lady1 lamented most bitterly the death of her son1 he wrote to her from his retreat at ,tours1 in the following terms3--,mourn not for him whom you cannot recall4 ,if he be of ,god1 instead of grieving that you have lost him1 rejoice that he is gone to rest before you4 ,where there are two friends1 ,i hold the death of the first preferable to that of the second1 because the first leaves behind him one whose brotherly love will intercede for him daily1 and whose tears will wash away the frailties of his life in this world4 ,be assured that your pious solicitude for the soul of your son will not be thrown away4 ,it will benefit both you and him--you1 because you exercise acts of hope and charity2 him1 because such acts will tend either to mitigate his sufferings1 or to add to his happiness4 ,footnote #a3 ,ep4 ,cli ,tom4 ,i1 p4 #bab4 ,but they did not only pray for others1 they were careful to secure for themselves1 after their departure1 the prayers of their friends4 ,this they frequently solicited as a favor or recompense1 and for this they entered into mutual compacts by which the survivor was bound to perform certain works of piety or charity for the soul of the deceased4 ,thus ,beda begs of the monks of ,lindisfarne that1 at his death1 they will offer prayers and ,masses for him as one of their own body2 thus ,alcuin calls upon his former scholars at ,york to remember him in their prayers when it shall please ,god to withdraw him from this world2 and thus in the multifarious correspondence of ,st4 ,boniface1 the apostle of ,germany1 and of ,lullus1 his successor in the ,see of ,mentz1 both of them ,anglo-,saxons1 with their countrymen1 prelates1 abbots1 thanes1 and princes1 we meet with letters the only object of which is to renew their previous engagements1 and to transmit the names of their defunct associates4 ,it is our earnest wish1 say the ,king of ,kent and the ,bishop of ,rochester in their common letter to ,lullus1 to recommend ourselves and our dearest relatives to your piety1 that by your prayers we may be protected till we come to that life which knows no end4 ,for what have we to do on earth but faithfully to exercise charity towards each other8 ,let us then agree1 that when any among us enter the path which leads to another life 7may it be a life of happiness71 the survivors shall1 by their alms and sacrifices1 endeavor to assist him in his journey4 ,we have sent you the names of our deceased relations1 ,irmige1 ,vorththry1 and ,dulicha1 virgins dedicated to ,god1 and beg that you will remember them in your prayers and oblations4 ,on a similar occasion we will prove our gratitude by imitating your charity4 ,such covenants were not confined to the clergy1 or to persons in the higher ranks of life4 ,england1 at this period1 was covered with gilds1 or associations of townsmen and neighbors1 not directly for religious purposes1 but having a variety of secular objects in view1-- such as the promotion of trade and commerce1 the preservation of property and the prosecution of thieves1 the legal defence of the members against oppression1 and the recovery of bots1 or penalties1 to which they were entitled2 but whatever might be their chief object1 all imposed one common obligation1 that of accompanying the bodies of f the deceased members to the grave1 of paying the soul-shot for them at their interment1 and of distributing alms for the repose of their souls4 ,as a specimen of such engagements1 ,i may here translate a portion of the laws established in the gild at ,abbotsbury4 ,if1 says the legislator1 any one belonging to this association chance to die1 each member shall pay one penny for the good of the soul1 before the body be laid in the grave4 ,if he neglect1 he shall be fined in a triple sum4 ,if any of us fall sick within sixty miles1 we engage to find fifteen men1 who may bring him home2 but if he die first1 we will send thirty to convey him to the place in which he desired to be buried4 ,if he die in the neighborhood1 the steward shall inquire where he is to be interred1 and shall summon as many members as he can to assemble1 attend the corpse in an honorable manner1 carry it to the minster1 and pray devoutly for the soul4 ,let us act in this manner1 and we shall truly perform the duty of our confraternity4 ,this will be honorable to us both before ,god and man4 ,for we know not who among us may die first2 but we believe that1 with the assistance of ,god1 this agreement will profit us all if it be rightly observed4 ,but the clerical and monastic bodies inhabiting the more celebrated monasteries offered guildships of a superior description4 ,among them the service for the dead was performed with greater solemnity2 the rules of the institute insured the faithful performance of the duty2 and additional value was ascribed to their prayers on account of the sanctity of the place and the virtue of its inmates4 ,hence it became an object with many to obtain admission among the brotherhood in quality of honorary associates2 an admission which gave them the right to the same spiritual benefits after death to which the professed members were entitled4 ,such associates were of two classes4 ,to some the favor was conceded on account of their reputation for piety or learning2 to others it was due on account of their benefactions4 ,instances of both abound in the ,anglo-,saxon records4 ,beda1 though a monk at ,jarrow1 procured his name to be entered for this purpose on the bead-roll of the monks at ,lindisfarne2 and ,alcuin1 though a canon at ,tours1 in ,france1 had obtained a similar favor from the monks at ,jarrow4 ,it belonged1 of right1 to the founders of churches1 to those who had made to them valuable benefactions1 #a or had rendered to them important services1 or had bequeathed to them a yearly rent charge #b for that purpose4 ,footnote #a3 ,when ,osulf1 ealdorman1 by the grace of ,god1 gave the land at ,stanhamstede to ,christ ,church1 he most humbly prayed that he and his wife1 ,beornthrythe1 might be admitted into the fellowship of ,god's servants there1 and of their lords who had been1 and of those who had given lands to the ,church4--,cod4 ,dipl4 ,i4 #bib4 ,the following is an instance of a rent charge given by ,ealburge and ,eadwald to ,christ ,church for themselves1 and for ,ealred and ,ealwyne forty ambres of malt1 two hundred loaves1 one wey1 c1 c42 and ,i1 ,ealburge1 she adds1 command my son ,ealwyne1 in the name of ,god1 and of all the saints1 that he perform this duty in his day1 and then command his heirs to perform it as long as ,christendom shall endure4 ,footnote #b3 ,i ,monast4 ,ang4 i4 #bgh4 ,a similar regulation is found among the laws of the gild in ,london4 ,and ye have ordained respecting every man who has given his 'wed' in our gildships1 if he should die1 that each gild brother shall give a 'genuine loaf' for his soul1 and sing a ditty1 or get it sung1 within thirty days4--,thorpe's ,laws of ,london ,gilds4 ,of all these individuals an exact catalogue was kept2 the days of their decease #a were carefully noted1 and on their anniversaries a solemn service of ,masses and psalmody was yearly performed4 #b ,it may be easily conceived that to men of timorous and penitent minds this custom would afford much consolation4 ,however great might be their deficiencies1 yet they hoped that their good works would survive them2 they had provided for the service of the ,almighty a race of men1 whose virtues they might in one respect call their own1 and who were bound1 by the strongest ties1 to be their daily advocate at the throne of divine mercy4 #c ,such were the sentiments of ,alwyn1 the caldorman of ,east ,anglia1 and one of the founders of ,ramsey4 ,warned by frequent infirmities of his approaching death1 he repaired1 attended by his sons ,edwin and ,ethelward1 to the abbey4 ,the monks were speedily assembled4 ,my beloved1 said he1 you will soon lose your friend and protector4 ,my strength is gone3 ,i am stolen from myself4 ,but ,i am not afraid to die4 ,when life grows tedious death is welcome4 ,to-day ,i shall confess before you the many errors of my life4 ,think not that ,i wish to solicit a prolongation of my existence4 ,my request is that you protect my departure by your prayers1 and place your merits in the balance against my defects4 ,when my soul shall have quitted my body1 honor your father's corpse with a decent funeral1 grant him a constant share in your prayers1 and recommend his memory to the charity and gratitude of your successors4 ,at the conclusion of his address the aged thane threw himself on the pavement before the altar1 and1 with a voice interrupted by frequent sighs1 publicly confessed the sins of his past years1 and earnestly implored the mercies of his ,redeemer4444 ,he exhorted the brethren to a punctual observance of their rule1 and forbade his sons1 under their father's malediction1 to molest them in possession of the lands which he had bestowed on the abbey4444 ,within a few weeks he died1 his body was interred with proper solemnity in the ,church2 and his memory was long cherished with gratitude by the monks of ,ramsey4 #d ,footnote #a3 ,according to ,wanly there is in the ,cotton ,library 7,dom4 ,a4 #g7 of the reign of ,athelstan1 in which the names of the chief benefactors of the ,church of ,lindisfarne are written in letters of gold and silver1 which catalogue was afterwards continued1 but not in the same manner 7,wanly1 #bdi74 ,this is probably the same book which was published in #ahda by the ,surtees ,society1 under the name of ,liber ,vit ,ecclesi ,dunelmensis4 ,it contains the names of all the benefactors of ,st4 ,cuthbert's ,church from its foundation1 and lay constantly on the altar for upwards of six centuries4 ,footnote #b3 ,according to ,wanly there is in the ,cotton ,library 7,dom4 ,a4 #g7 of the reign of ,athelstan1 in which the names of the chief benefactors of the ,church of ,lindisfarne are written in letters of gold and silver1 which catalogue was afterwards continued1 but not in the same manner 7,wanly1 #bdi74 ,this is probably the same book which was published in #ahda by the ,surtees ,society1 under the name of ,liber ,vit ,ecclesi ,dunelmensis4 ,it contains the names of all the benefactors of ,st4 ,cuthbert's ,church from its foundation1 and lay constantly on the altar for upwards of six centuries4 ,footnote #c3 ,thus when ,leofric established canons in the ,church of ,exeter1 he made them several valuable presents1 on condition that1 in their prayers and ,masses1 they should always remember his soul1 that it might be the more pleasing to ,god4 ,monas4 ,ang4 tom i4 p4 #bbb4 ,footnote #d3 ,hist4 ,rames1 p4 #dbg4 ,there were three kinds of good works usually performed for the benefit of the dead3 ,one consisted in the distribution of charity4 ,to the money1 which the deceased1 if he were in opulent or in easy circumstances1 bequeathed for that purpose1 an addition was often made by the contributions of his relatives and friends4 ,large sums were often distributed in this manner4 ,king ,alfred the ,great says in his will3 ,let there be given for me1 and for my father1 and for the friends that he prayed for1 and that ,i pray for1 two hundred pounds2 fifty among the ,mass-priests throughout my kingdom2 fifty among the servants of ,god that are in need1 fifty among lay paupers1 and fifty to the church in which my body shall rest4 #a ,archbishop ,wulfred in his will1 7an4 #hca7 made provision for the permanent support and clothing of twenty-seven paupers1 out of the income from certain manors which1 at his own cost and labor1 he had recovered for the ,church of ,canterbury4 ,frequently the testator bequeathed a yearly dole of money and provisions to the poor on the anniversary of his death4 ,thus the clergy of ,christ-church gave away one hundred and twenty suffles1 or cakes of fine flour1 on the anniversaries of each of their lords1 by which word we are probably to understand archbishops2 but ,wulfred was not content with his accustomed charity2 he augmented it tenfold on his own anniversary1 having bequeathed a loaf1 a certain quantity of cheese1 and a silver penny to be delivered to twelve hundred poor persons on that day4 ,of such dole some vestiges still remain in certain parts of the kingdom4 ,footnote #a3 ,cod ,diplom 7double ,s87 i4 #aae4 ,another species of charity1 at the death of the upper ranks1 was the grant of freedom to a certain number of slaves1 whose poverty1 to render the gift more valuable1 was relieved with a handsome present4 ,in the ,council of ,calcuith1 it was unanimously agreed that each prelate at his death should bequeath the tenth part of his personal property to the poor1 and set at liberty all bondmen of ,english descent1 whom the ,church had acquired during his administration2 and that each bishop and abbot who survived him1 should manumit three of his slaves1 and give three shillings to each1 for the benefit of the soul of the deceased prelate4 ,the devotions in behalf of the dead consisted in the frequent repetition of the ,lord's ,prayer1 technically called a belt of ,paternosters1 which was in use with private individuals1 ignorant of the ,latin tongue2 #b;d1 in the chanting of a certain number of psalms1 generally fifty1 terminating with the collect for the dead1 during which collect all knelt down1 and then repeated the anthem in ,latin or ,english3 ,according to ,thy great mercy give rest to his soul1 ,o ,lord1 and of ,thine infinite bounty grant to him eternal light in the company of the saints2 #a #c;d1 in the sacrifice of the ,mass1 which was offered as soon as might be after death1 again on the third day1 and afterwards as often as was required by the solicitude of the relatives or friends of the deceased4 ,no sooner had ,st4 ,wilfred expired than ,talbert1 to whom he had intrusted the government of his monastery at ,ripon1 ordered a ,mass to be celebrated1 and alms to be distributed daily for his soul4 ,on his anniversary the abbots of all the monasteries founded by ,wilfred were summoned to attend2 they spent the preceding night in watching and prayer1 on the following morning a solemn ,mass was performed1 and then the tenth part of the cattle belonging to the monastery was distributed among the neighboring poor4 ,footnote #a3 ,on the death of ,st4 ,guthlade1 his sister ,pega recommended his soul to ,god1 and sang psalms for that purpose during three days4 ,in like manner we find the ealdorman ,osulf1 for the redemption and health of his own soul1 and of his wife1 ,beornthrythe1 giving certain lands to the ,church of ,liming1 in ,kent1 under the express condition that every twelve months afterwards1 the day of their departure out of this life should be kept with fasting and prayer to ,god1 in psalmody and the celebration of ,masses4 ,it would appear that some doubt existed with respect to the exact meaning of this condition2 and a few years later the archbishop1 to set the question at rest1 pronounced the following decree3 ,wherefore ,i order that the godly deeds following be performed for their souls at the tide of their anniversary2 that every ,mass priest celebrate two ,masses for the soul of ,osulf1 and two for ,beornthrythe's soul2 that every deacon read two passions 7the narratives of our ,lord's sufferings in the gospels7 for his soul1 and two for hers2 and each of ,god's servants 7the inferior members of the brotherhood7 two fifties 7fifty psalms7 for his soul1 two for hers2 that as you in the world are blessed with worldly goods through them1 so they may be blessed with godly goods through you4 ,it should1 however1 be observed1 that such devotions were not confined to the anniversaries of the dead4 ,in many1 perhaps in all1 of these religious establishments1 the whole community on certain days walked1 at the conclusion of the matin service1 in procession to the cemetery1 and there chanted the dirge over the graves of their deceased brethren and benefactors4 ,respecting these practices some most extraordinary opinions have occasionally been hazarded4 ,we have been told that the custom of praying for the dead was no part of the religious system originally taught to the ,anglo-,saxons1 that it was not generally received for two centuries after their conversion1 and that it probably took its rise from a mistaken charity1 continuing to do for the departed what it was only lawful to do for the living4 ,to this supposition it may be sufficient to reply1 that it is supported by no reference to ancient authority1 but contradicted in every page of ,anglo-,saxon history4 ,others have admitted the universal prevalence of the practice1 but have discovered that it originated in the interested views of the clergy1 who employed it as a constant source of emolument1 and laughed among themselves at the easy faith of their disciples4 ,but this opinion is subject to equal difficulties with the former4 ,it rests on no ancient testimony3 it is refuted by the conduct of the ancient clergy4 ,no instance is to be found of any one of these conspirators as they are represented1 who in an unguarded moment1 or of any false brother who1 in the peevishness of discontent1 revealed the secret to the ears of their dupes4 ,on the contrary1 we see them in their private correspondence holding to each other the same language which they held to their disciples2 requesting from each other those prayers which we are told that they mutually despised1 and making pecuniary sacrifices during life to purchase what1 if their accusers be correct1 they deemed an illusory assistence after death4 ,a ,,singular ,,french ,,custom4 ,vernon is perhaps the only town in ,france wherein the ancient custom of which we are about to speak still exists4 ,when a death occurs1 an individual1 robed in a mortuary tunic1 adorned with cross-bones and tear-drops1 goes through the streets with a small bell in either hand1 the sound of which is sharp and penetrating2 at every place where the streets cross each other1 he rings his bells three times1 crying out in a doleful voice3 ,such-a-one1 belonging to the ,confraternity of ,st4 ,roch1 or the ,confraternity of ,st4 ,sebastian1 c41 c41 is recommended to your prayers4 ,he is dead4 ,the funeral will take place at such-an- hour4 ,then he rings again three times4 ,the first ,sunday of each month arrives4 ,then1 at the dawn of day the same individual goes again through the town1 ringing continuously1 knocking thrice at the door of each member of the confraternity1 and stopping at the corners of the streets1 he sings3 ,good people1 or good souls1 who sleep1 awake6 awake6 pray for the dead6 c4--,voix de la ,verit1 ,july #bb1 #ahdf4 ,,devotion ,,to ,,the ,,holy ,,souls ,,amongst ,,the ,,early ,,english4 ,,anna ,t4 ,,sadlier4 ,an ,english writer1 the gifted author of the ,knights of ,st4 ,john1 makes the following assertion as regards the people of her own nationality3 ,our ,catholic ancestors1 she says1 are said to have been distinguished above all other nations for their devotion towards the dead2 and it harmonizes with one feature in our national character1 namely1 that gravity and attraction to things of solemn and pathetic interest which1 uncontrolled by the influence of faith1 degenerates even into melancholy4 ,in view of this assertion1 it will be interesting to spend a few moments in gathering up the links of this most ancient and most touching devotion1 amongst a people who have collectively1 as it were1 fallen away from grace4 ,it is therefore our purpose to look backwards into that solemn and beautiful past of which heretical ,england can boast1 and behold her1 as ,carlyle beheld her in his ,past and ,present1 offering to the world the sublime spectacle of a people devout and faithful1 undisturbed by doubt1 tranquilized by the harmonious influence of religion1 and unharassed by the spirit of so called philosophic inquiry1 which1 misdirected1 is the true bane of ,english society at the present day4 ,this retrospection1 as we shall have occasion later on to recur to the subject of devotion to the dead in ,england1 must necessarily be both brief and cursory4 ,but even the merest outlines are of interest1 for they prove that prayer for the departed was no less the favorite devotion of the learned than of the simple1 and that it had its home in those ancient seats of learning1 ,oxford and ,cambridge and their dependencies1 from the very hour of their foundation4 ,of the ,founder of ,oxford1 it is said1 that prayer for the dead was one of his devotions of predilection4 ,it is not necessary here for us to follow him1 the great and good ,william of ,wykeham1 ,bishop of ,winchester1 and subsequently ,lord ,chancellor of ,england1 in the gradual unfoldings of that project of founding a ,university1 so dear to him from almost the moment of his elevation to the episcopate4 ,suffice that in the ,march of #acgi1 he laid the corner-stone of ,st4 ,marie's ,college of ,winchester1 ,oxenford4 ,it is with his great charity towards the ,holy ,souls that we are at present concerned1 and of this we have ample proof in the testimonies of his biographers4 ,here is one of them1 in the paragraph which follows3 ,there was another devotion which was most dearly cherished by ,wykeham1 and which is an equal indication of the singular spirituality of his mind1--we mean1 that for the suffering souls in ,purgatory4 ,it may be safely affirmed1 that this devotion1 so unselfish and unearthly in its tendencies1 carrying us beyond the grave1 and making us familiar with the secrets of the unseen world1 could never find a place in the heart of one who was engrossed by secular cares1 or the love of money4 ,its existence in any marked and special degree argues in the soul of its possessor a profound sense of sin1 a deep compassion for the sufferings of others1 and a habit of dwelling on the thoughts of death1 judgment1 and eternity4 ,moreover1 it is utterly opposed to anything of that mercenary or commercial spirit which exists among men of the world1 who like to see some large practical result even in matters of devotion4 ,we pray1 and are sensible of no return2 we spend our money in a ,requiem ,mass1 and there is nothing but trust in ,god's word1 and ,god's fidelity1 to assure us that the money is not thrown away4 ,every ,de ,profundis that we say is as much an act of faith as it is an act of charity2 and it has its reward4 ,we do not speak merely of the benefit reaped by the souls of the faithful departed2 but who can measure the effect of this devotion on a man's own soul1 bringing him 7as it does7 into communion with the world of spirits1 and realizing to him the worth of ,christian suffering1 and the awful purity of ,god8444 ,wykeham's heart was full of compassion for suffering1 and the dead shared his charity with the living4 ,never did he offer the ,holy ,sacrifice for the departed without abundant tears4 ,his reverence for the ,holy ,mysteries1 and the singular devotion with which he celebrated1 are often referred to by those who have written his life2 one of whom1 after speaking of his various charities1 thus continues3 ,not only did he1 as we have said1 offer his goods1 but also his very self1 as a lively sacrifice to ,god1 and hence1 in the solemn celebration of ,mass1 and chiefly at that part where there is made a special memorial of the living and the dead1 he was wont to shed many tears out of the humility of his heart1 reputing himself unworthy1 as he was wont to express it in speaking to his secretary1 to perform such an office1 or to handle the most sublime mysteries of the ,church4 ,from the same biographer we add to the foregoing a further testimony as to what a hold this devotion of predilection had taken upon the soul of the ,founder of ,oxford3 ,among his charities we accordingly find a great many which were solely directed to the relief of the suffering souls4 ,wykeham's benevolence had in it one admirable feature3 it was not left to be carried out after his death by his executors1 but all his great acts of munificence were performed in his own lifetime4 ,one of his first cares1 after his accession to the ,see of ,winchester1 was to found a chantry in the ,priory of ,southwyke1 near ,wykeham1 for the repose of the souls of his father and mother and sister1 who were buried within the priory church2 and in all his after foundations provisions were made for the continual remembrance of the dead2 and 7ever grateful to his early friends7 ,king ,edward ,,iii41 the ,black ,prince1 and ,king ,richard ,,ii4 were all commended to the charity of those who1 as they prayed for ,wykeham1 were charged at the same time to pray for the souls of his benefactors4 ,in ,winchester we read1 also1 of the ,college of the ,holy ,trinity1 endowed as a carnarie1 or charnel-house1 of the city4 ,the chief duties of the priests belonging to the chantry attached thereto were to bury the dead1 and keep up perpetual ,masses for the souls of the departed4 ,those ,colleges of ,winchester1 with their simple beauty and grandeur of design1 with their conventional rule of life1 the singing of ,matins1 and the daily chanting of the divine office by chaplains and fellows1 offer to us a very fair picture1 indeed4 ,but we observe that in the ,masses sung with note and chant1 there is one specially mentioned for the souls of the founder's parents1 and of all the faithful departed2 a second for the souls of ,king ,edward ,,iii41 ,queen ,philippa1 the ,black ,prince1 ,richard ,,ii41 ,queen ,anne1 and certain benefactors4 ,on the #bdth of ,july1 #adjc1 the saintly ,wykeham made his will4 ,he directed that his body should be laid in a chantry which he had himself founded1 and at the altar of which he was wont to offer up the ,holy ,sacrifice4 ,he desired that on the day of his burial1 to every poor person coming to ,winchester1 and asking alms1 for the love of ,god1 and for the health of his soul1 there should be given fourpence4 ,alms were likewise to be distributed in every place through which his body was to pass1 and large provision was made for ,masses and prayers for the repose of his soul4 ,he had1 besides1 made an agreement with the monks of ,st4 ,swithin's1 by which they were to offer three ,masses daily for his parents and benefactors in the chantry chapel2 the first of these was a ,mass of ,our ,lady1 to be said very early4 ,the boys attached to the ,college were1 moreover1 to sing every night in perpetuity1 either the ,salve ,regina or ,ave ,regina1 with a ,de ,profundis for his soul's repose4 ,so1 as the hour of his death drew near1 he who had concerned himself through life with the souls of the departed1 essayed to make provision for his own4 ,since that hour when he proceeded to the high altar of ,winchester ,cathedral1 escorted by the ,lord ,prior of ,winchester and the ,abbot ,hyde1 to celebrate his first ,pontifical ,mass1 the same constant memory of the dead had been with him1 as when kneeling he prayed aloud for the soul of his predecessor1 ,william de ,edyndon1 and bade the choir chant the ,de ,profundis1 while he himself recited the ,fidelium omnium conditor4 ,but leaving ,oxford and its pious founder1 we turn our gaze upon that ancient foundation of ,eton1 which was to serve as a preparatory school for the new establishment of ,king's ,college of ,cambridge1 which ,henry had in contemplation4 ,henry1 in his famous ,eton charter1 makes mention of his desire that this college shall be1 as it were1 a memorial of him1 and be composed of clerks1 who1 he says1 shall pray for our welfare whilst we live1 and for our soul when we shall have departed this life4 ,the ,pope1 ,eugenius ,,iv41 afterwards granted a plenary indulgence to all who should visit the ,college ,chapel of ,our ,lady of ,eton1 after ,confession and ,communion4 ,henry having visited the ,colleges of ,winchester1 first met there with ,william ,wayneflete1 with whom he was to be united in so warm and beautiful a friendship4 ,the ,master of ,winton1 as ,wayneflete then was1 is described as simple1 devout1 and full of learning4 ,but a short time after he was removed to ,eton1 and presently raised to the ,provostship4 ,among many beautiful and pious customs1 the memory of the dead was carefully preserved among the ,eton scholars1 and their verses on ,all ,souls' ,day were on the blessedness of those who die in the ,lord4 ,but ,wayneflete is1 of course1 chiefly identified with ,magdalen ,college1 ,oxford1 said to be the finest collegiate building in ,england1 and of which he was the founder4 ,it was1 in truth1 his dream1 and one which he was destined to see realized4 ,here is neither the place nor time to dwell upon its beauties4 ,the first stone was laid by the venerable ,tybarte1 its first president4 ,he was buried in the middle of the inner chapel1 and upon a cope1 preserved among the ancient church vestments1 is one upon which is worked the inscription1 ,orate pro anima ,magistri ,tybarte4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,pray for the soul of ,master ,tybarte4 ,among the rules and regulations of this new foundation was one which obliged the president1 fellows1 and scholars to recite1 while dressing1 certain prayers in honor of the ,blessed ,trinity1 and a suffrage for the founder4 ,daily prayers were offered up for the repose of the souls of the founder's father and mother1 those of benefactors of the college1 and for all the souls of the faithful departed4 ,these suffrages were to be made by every one1 at whatever hour of the day was most convenient4 ,there were many foundations of ,masses attached to this ,college of ,magdalen4 ,of these daily ,masses1 offered at the six altars of the chapel1 the early ,morrow ,mass was always said in the ,arundel ,chapel1 for the soul of ,lord ,arundel1 the chief benefactor of the institute4 ,another ,mass was to be said every day for souls of good memory1 including1 besides the two kings1 ,henry ,,iii4 and ,edward ,,iii41 his dear and never forgotten friends1 ,henry ,,vi41 ,lord ,cromwell1 and ,sir ,john ,fastolfe1 as well as ,king ,edward ,,iv4 ,other ,masses and prayers were said for other intentions4 ,the founder was to be especially remembered every quarter4 ,every day1 after ,high ,mass1 one of the demys was to say aloud in the chapel1 ,anima fundatoris nostri ,willielmi1 et animae omnium fidelium defunctorum1 per miscricordiam ,dei in pace requiescat4 #a ,the same prayer was to be repeated in the hall after dinner and supper4 ,footnote #a3 ,may the soul of our founder1 ,william1 and the souls of all the faithful departed1 through the mercy of ,god1 rest in peace4 ,but the life of the ,founder of ,magdalen1 the great ,bishop1 was drawing to a close4 ,we shall see by his will how firm his faith in that most ,catholic of all doctrines--,purgatory4 ,after various bequests1 he left a certain portion of his property for ,masses and alms-deeds for his own soul and the souls of his parents and friends4 ,on the day of his burial1 and on the thirtieth day from the time of his decease1 and on other appointed days1 his executors are charged to have #e1jjj ,masses said in honor of the ,five ,wounds of ,christ1 and the ,five ,joys of ,mary-- his favorite devotions--for the same intention4 ,his remains were buried at ,winchester1 in a tomb which he had prepared as a place of burial during his lifetime4 ,his was1 indeed1 the third chantry chapel in ,winchester1 the others being those of his predecessor4 ,this custom was common to all the great prelates of the time4 ,they prepared a place of sepulture during their life1 and there where they officiated at all solemn offices1 and so frequently celebrated requiems for the departed1 they knew that their remains were one day to be laid1 and prayers and the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass to be offered for themselves4 ,it was thus a constant reminder of death4 ,a ceremony connected with ,magdalen ,tower seems likewise to have had its origin in this pious custom of remembrance of the dead4 ,on the #ast of ,may1 says ,anthony ,wood1 the choral ministers of this house do1 according to ancient custom1 salute ,flora from the top of the tower1 at four in the morning1 with vocal music of several parts4 ,of course1 as a chronicler remarks1 it was not to salute ,flora that any ,catholic choristers thus made vocal the sweet air of ,may4 ,the sweet music of ,magdalen ,tower1 remarks the author of the ,knights of ,st4 ,john1 had a directly religious origin4 ,on the #ast of ,may the society was wont annually to celebrate the obit or ,requiem ,mass of ,king ,henry ,,vii41 who proved a generous benefactor to the ,college1 and who is still commemorated as such upon that day4 ,the requiem was not1 indeed1 celebrated on the top of the tower1 as ,mr4 ,chalmers1 in his history of the university1 affirms1 in total ignorance that a requiem is a ,mass1 and that a ,mass must be said upon an altar2 but it is probable that the choral service chanted on the #ast of ,may consisted originally of the ,de ,profundis1 or some other psalm1 for the repose of ,henry's soul1 and as a special mark of gratitude4 ,some semblance of the old custom is still kept up1 as ten pounds is still annually paid by the rectory of ,slimbridge1 in ,gloucestershire1 for the purpose of keeping up this ceremony4 ,such are a few brief glimpses of this belief in ,purgatory1 which was so dear to the hearts of ,englishmen1 in those centuries before the blight of heresy had fallen upon the ,island of the ,saints4 ,these hints upon the subject are given very much at random1 and will simply serve to show how prayer for the dead was a part of all ,christian lives in those ages of faith4 ,it was incorporated in the rules of every collegiate institute1 and more especially those two most notable ones of ,oxford and ,cambridge4 ,it entered into every man's calculations1 and was provided for in every ,will and ,testament4 ,had it been in our power to go backwards1 into a still more remote antiquity1 it would have been our pleasant task to find this belief in suffrage for the dead taking so vigorous root in every heart4 ,do we not find the ,venerable ,bede1 the ,father of ,english ,learning1 who was born in #fgc and died in #gcd1 asking that his name may be enrolled amongst the monks of the monastery founded by ,st4 ,aidan1 in order that his soul after death might have a share in the ,masses and prayers of that numerous community1 as he tells us himself in his ,preface to the ,life of ,st4 ,cuthbert4 ,this pious anxiety1 says ,montalembert1 to assure himself of the help of prayer for his soul after death is apparent at every step in his letters4 ,it imprints the last seal of humble and true ,christianity on the character of the great philosopher1 whose life was so full of interest1 and whose last days have been revealed to us in minute detail by an eye-witness4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,monks of the ,west1 ,vol v1 p #hi4 ,the passionate entreaties of ,anselm1 another of the shining lights of early ,anglo-,saxon days1 that the soul of his young disciple ,osbern be remembered in prayers and ,masses1 proves what value he attached to suffrages for the departed3 ,i beg of you1 he writes to his friend ,gondulph1 of you and of all my friends1 to pray for ,osbern4 ,his soul is my soul4 ,all that you do for him during my life1 ,i shall accept as if you had done it for me after my death4 444 ,i conjure you for the third time1 remember me1 and forget not the soul of my well-beloved ,osbern4 ,and if ,i ask too much of you1 then forget me and remember him4444 ,the soul of my ,osbern1 ah6 ,i beseech thee1 give it no other place than in my bosom4 ,and do we not read of those prayers for souls1 incessant and obligatory1 which were identified with all the monastic habits--thanks to that devotion for the dead which received in a monastery its final and perpetual sanction4 ,they were not content1 says ,montalembert1 even with common and permanent prayer for the dead of each isolated monastery4 ,by degrees1 vast spiritual associations were formed among communities of the same order and the same country1 with the aim of relieving by their reciprocal prayers the defunct members of each house4 ,rolls of parchment1 transmitted by special messengers from cloister to cloister1 received the names of those who had 'emigrated1' according to the consecrated expression1 'from this terrestrial light to ,christ1' and served the purpose of a check and register to prevent defalcation in that voluntary impost of prayer which our fervent cenobites solicited in advance for themselves or for their friends4 ,and1 of course1 this was many years1 even centuries1 before the ,feast of ,all ,souls was instituted by the ,abbot ,odilo and the monks of ,cluny in #iih4 ,english history1 like every other history1 furnishes us1 indeed1 with innumerable traits of this pious devotion to the ,holy ,souls4 ,obviously1 our space must prevent us from entering more deeply into the subject4 ,may the few scattered hints we have been enabled to throw out be of interest and profit to our readers6 ,,doctrine ,,of ,,purgatory ,,in ,,the ,,early ,,irish ,,church4 ,,walsh4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,ecclesiastical ,history of ,ireland4 ,rev ,j4 ,walsh4 ,coerced by the unvarying as well as unequivocal testimony of our writers1 our liturgies1 our canons1 ,usher was obliged to admit that the ancient ,irish had been in the constant practice of offering up the eucharistic sacrifice1 and that ,masses1 termed ,requiem ,masses1 used to be celebrated daily4 ,so interwoven is the doctrine of the eucharistic sacrifice with the records of the nation1 that the antiquarian himself should reject the antiquities of ,ireland if he had ventured on the denial of this practice 4444 ,admitting the practice of the ancient ,irish ,church1 ,usher strives to escape from the difficulty1 as well as attempts to deceive his readers1 by pretending that it had been only a sacrifice of thanksgiving1 offered as such for those souls who were in possession of eternal happiness1 and that it had not been believed or practiced in the ancient ,irish ,church as a propitiatory sacrifice4 4444 ,the ancient canons of the ,irish ,church as clearly point out as the firmament demonstrates the glory of ,god1 the doctrine of our ,church regarding the eucharistic sacrifice1 as one of thanksgiving1 and also one of propitiation4 ,in an ancient canon contained in ,d',achery's collection 7lib4 #b1 cap4 #bj71 the synod says3 ,the ,church offers for the souls of the deceased in four ways--for the very good1 the oblations are simply thanksgiving2 for the very bad1 they become consolations to the living2 for such as were not very good1 the oblations are made in order to obtain full remission2 and for those who were not very bad1 that their punishment may be rendered more tolerable4 ,here1 then1 is enunciated in plain terms1 the doctrine of the eucharistic oblation being a propitiatory sacrifice4 ,when offered for the first class of happy souls1 it is an offering of thanksgiving4 ,when offered for those whose lives were bad in the sight of ,heaven1 its oblation is a comfort to the faithful4 ,when offered for those who were not very good or very bad1 the object of its oblation was to render their state more tolerable1 and that full pardon would be at length accorded4 ,the framers of this canon give us also the doctrine of a middle state1 as a tenet also believed by the ,church of ,ireland4 ,another canon1 still more ancient1 and which is reckoned among those of ,st4 ,patrick1 is entitled ,of the ,oblation for the ,dead4 ,this canon is couched in the following words3 ,there is a sin unto death1 ,i do not say that for it any do pray4 ,this sin is final impenitence4 ,the ancient ,irish ,missal1 the ,cursus ,scotorum contains an oration for the dead3 ,grant1 ,o ,lord1 to him1 ,thy servant1 deceased1 the pardon of all his sins1 in that secret abode where there is no longer room for penance4 ,do ,thou1 ,o ,christ1 receive the soul of ,thy servant1 which ,thou hast given1 and forgive him his trespasses more abundantly than he has forgiven those who have trespassed against him4 ,an oration is also given for the living and the dead3 ,propitiously grant that this sacred oblation may be profitable to the dead in obtaining pardon1 and to the living1 in obtaining salvation2 grant to them 7living and dead7 the full remission of all their sins1 and that indulgence they have always deserved4 ,the liturgy usually called ,cursus ,scotorum was that which had been first brought to ,ireland by ,st14 ,patrick1 and was the only one that had been used1 until about the close of the sixth century4 ,about this period the ,gallican liturgy1 ,cursus ,gallorum was1 it is probable1 introduced into ,ireland4 ,the ,cursus ,scotorum is supposed to have been the liturgy originally drawn up and used by ,st4 ,mark the evangelist2 it was afterwards followed by ,st4 ,gregory ,nazianzen1 ,st4 ,basil1 and other ,greek ,fathers2 then by ,cassian1 ,honoratus1 ,st4 ,cassarius of ,aries1 ,st4 ,lupus of ,troyes1 and ,st4 ,germaine of ,auxerre1 from whom ,st4 ,patrick received it1 when setting out on his mission to ,ireland4 ,a copy of the ,cursus ,scotorum was found by ,mabillon1 in the ancient monastery of ,bobbio1 of which ,st4 ,columbanus was founder1 and which missal that learned writer believes to have been written at least one thousand years before his time4 444 ,it contains two ,masses for the dead2 one a general ,mass1 and the other ,missa ,sacerdotis defuncti 7,mass for a deceased priest74 ,,prince ,,napoleon',s ,,prayer4 ,this prayer1 in the handwriting of the ,prince ,imperial1 was found among the papers in his desk at ,camden ,palace4 ,in publishing it the ,morning ,post adds3 ,the elucidation of his character alone justifies the publication of such a sacred document1 which will prove to the world how intimately he was penetrated with all the feelings which most become a ,christian1 and which give higher hopes than are afforded by the pains and merits of this transitory life4 ,the following is a translation3 ,o ,god1 ,i give to ,thee my heart1 but give me faith4 ,without faith there is no strong prayer1 and to pray is a longing of my soul4 ,i pray1 not that ,thou shouldst take away the obstacles on my path1 but that ,thou mayst permit me to overcome them4 ,i pray1 not that ,thou shouldst disarm my enemies1 but that ,thou shouldst aid me to conquer myself4 ,hear1 ,o ,god1 my prayer4 ,preserve to my affection those who are dear to me4 ,grant them happy days4 ,if ,thou only givest on this earth a certain sum of joy1 take1 ,o ,god1 my share1 and bestow it on the most worthy1 and1 may the most worthy be my friends4 ,if thou seekest vengeance on man1 strike me4 ,misfortune is converted into happiness by the sweet thought that those whom we love are happy4 ,happiness is poisoned by the bitter thought3 while ,i rejoice1 those whom ,i love a thousand times better than myself are suffering4 ,for me1 ,o ,god1 no more happiness4 ,take it from my path4 ,i can only find joy in forgetting the past4 ,if ,i forget those who are no more1 ,i shall be forgotten in my turn1 and how sad the thought that makes me say1 ',time effaces all4' ,the only satisfaction ,i seek is that which lasts forever1 that which is given by a tranquil conscience4 ,o1 my ,god6 show me where my duty lies1 and give me strength to accomplish it always4 ,arrived at the term of my life1 ,i shall turn my looks fearlessly to the past4 ,remember it will not be for me a long remorse4 ,i shall be happy4 ,grant1 ,o ,god1 that my heart may be penetrated with the conviction that those whom ,i love and who are dead shall see all my actions4 ,my life shall be worthy of this witness1 and my innermost thoughts shall never make them blush4 ,that single line1 ,if ,i forget those who are no more1 ,i shall be forgotten in my turn1 is an epitome of what is taught us1 and what our own hearts feel in relation to the dead4 ,may the noble young heart that poured forth this beautiful prayer be remembered by ,christian charity now that he is amongst the departed6 ,,the ,,helpers ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,souls4 ,,by ,,lady ,,georgiana ,,illerton4 ,it has always seemed to me a particularly interesting subject of thought to trace as far back as possible the origin of great and good works1--to ascertain what were the tendencies or the circumstances which concurred in awakening the first ideas1 or giving the first impulses1 which have eventually led to results the magnitude of which was little foreseen by those destined to bring them about2 how much of natural character1 and what peculiar gifts1 united with ,god's grace in the formation of some of those grand developments of religion which have been the joy and the glory of the ,church4 ,what would we not give to know1 for instance1 at what page1 at what sentence1 of the volume of the ,lives of the ,saints which ,st4 ,ignatius was reading on his sick couch at the ,castle of ,loyola1 the thought came into his mind the ultimate development of which was the foundation of the ,society of ,jesus8 or when the blessed ,father ,clavers' soul was for the first time moved by a casual mention1 perhaps1 of the sufferings of the negro race8 or the particular disappointment at some ,parisian lady going out of town in the midst of her works of charity1 or at another being detained at home by the sickness of some relative1 which suggested to ,st4 ,vincent de ,paul the first idea of gathering together a few servant girls from the country1 to do with greater regularity1 if not more zeal1 the visiting amongst the poor which the ladies had undertaken1 and thus founding the ,order of the ,sisters of ,charity8 ,i suppose that every one who has done anything worth doing in the course of their lives could call to mind the moment when a book1 a sermon1 a conversation1 a casual word1 perhaps1--or1 if they have been so favored1 a direct inspiration from ,god in the hour of prayer1--has given the impulse--set fire1 as it were1 to the train lying ready in their hearts4 ,but long before this decisive time has come1 indications have existed1 thoughts have arisen1 feelings have been awakened1 which1 like the cloud big as a man's hand1 have foreshadowed the deluge of graces and mercies about to inundate their souls4 ,as an instance of these indications of a particular bias1 ,i was struck with the mention of a childish fancy in the early years of the foundress of the ,order of ,helpers of the ,souls in ,purgatory1--a new community1 which has sprung up during the last ten years1 and has a history well worth relating4 ,to many this fresh manifestation of the spirit of the ,church on earth1 and of its close affinity with the suffering ,church in ,purgatory1 has come as a wonderful blessing and consolation1 and inspired them with a grateful regard for these new oblates and victims of charity to the dead4 ,about thirty years ago a little girl in the town of ,n--1 in ,france1 had been much struck with the mention of ,purgatory4 ,it made a very great impression upon her4 ,she used to picture it to herself as a dark closet1 in which a little friend of hers who had lately died was perhaps shut up1 whilst she herself was playing in the garden and running after butterflies2 and she kept longing to open the door and let her out4 ,this little girl was subsequently educated in one of the ,convents of the ,sacred ,heart1 and learnt in that school lessons of self-devotion and ardent zeal for souls which were hereafter to bear fruit4 ,she has retained to this day an enthusiastic affection for the religious teachers of her childhood2 and devotion to the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus is one of the principal devotions of the order she has founded4 ,the thought which had occurred to her almost in infancy continued to haunt her in another form as she grew older4 ,she kept asking herself1 ,how could ,i help ,god8 ,he is our helper3 how can we help ,him8 ,he gives me everything3 how could ,i give ,him everything8 ,and the answer which grace put into her heart to these oft-repeated questions was always1 ,by paying the debts of the souls in ,purgatory4 ,the inevitable result of this thought was the desire to have wherewith to pay these debts4 ,for this object the necessity of a perfect life1 of a daily sanctification1 of an ever-increasing store of merits and satisfactions1 was obvious4 ,hence naturally arose the idea of the community-life1 of the practice of the evangelical counsels1 and of a meritorious1 arduous1 self-sacrificing charity towards the poor1 in order worthily to pray1 to act1 and to suffer for the souls in ,purgatory--to become1 as it were1 a co-operator with our ,lord1 by aiding ,his designs of mercy towards them1 whilst satisfying ,his justice by voluntary expiation4 ,this lady was not led by one of those startling bereavements which close a person's prospects of earthly happiness1 and leave them no object to live for but the hope of winning mercy at ,god's hands for some dear departed one2 or by the terrible anxiety about the state of some beloved soul which forces on the survivor the practice of a continual appeal to ,his compassionate goodness4 ,her zeal for the souls in ,purgatory was perfectly free from any earthly attachment2 it was as disinterested as possible1 and sprung up in her heart before she had known what it is to lose a friend or a relative1 before she had experienced the keen anguish of bereavement4 ,she was a happy1 contented girl1 living in a cheerful and comfortable home1 beloved by her family1 enjoying all innocent pleasures1 going occasionally into society1 and amusing herself like other young people2 devoted1 indeed1 to good works1 and taking the lead in the numerous charities existing in her native town4 ,but this was not to be her eventual mode of life4 ,it was good as far as it went2 but she had been chosen for the accomplishment of a special work1 and grace was continually urging her to its fulfilment4 ,on the #ast of ,november1 #ahec1 ,mdlle4 ---- was hearing vespers with her father and her mother in a church dedicated to ,our ,lady4 ,whilst the ,blessed ,sacrament was being exposed on the altar1 she felt a strong internal inspiration prompting her to form an association of prayers and offerings for the dead2 but1 afraid of being misled by her imagination1 she prayed earnestly that ,god would give her a sign that this was indeed ,his will4 ,as she was coming out of the church1 a friend of hers stopped her in the porch1 and of her own accord proposed that they should offer up jointly1 during the month set apart for special devotion to the souls in ,purgatory1 all their prayers and works for their relief4 ,this seemed to her a token that her inspiration had been a true one1 and that very evening an association was begun which by this time numbers not less than fifteen thousand members4 ,on the following day1 the #b;d of ,november1 during her thanksgiving after ,communion1 ,mdlle4 ---- was strongly impressed with the thought that there existed orders intended to supply every need in the ,church militant1 but none exclusively devoted to the relief of the suffering portion of the ,church1 and it appeared to her that she was called upon to fill up this void4 ,this idea seemed at the outset too bold a one4 ,she felt startled1 almost alarmed1 at its magnitude1 and earnestly entreated our ,lord to make known to her if such was indeed to be her mission4 ,she begged of ,him1 by ,his ,five ,sacred ,wounds1 to give her five indications of ,his will in this respect4 ,her prayers were heard1 and during the course of the years #ahed and #ahee these tokens were successively vouchsafed to her4 ,what she had asked for was1 #ast1 that the ,holy ,father should approve of in writing1 and give his blessing to1 the association of prayers set on foot on ,all ,saints' ,day 7on the #gth of ,july1 #ahed1 ,pius ,,ix4 wrote1 with his own hand1 at the bottom of the petition presented to him1 ,benedicat vos ,deus benedictione perpetua--may ,god bless you with an everlasting blessing72 #b;d1 that a great number of ,bishops should approve of this association2 #c;d1 that it should extend rapidly2 #dth1 that a few pious persons should co- operate in the scheme1 and devote themselves to works of charity in behalf of the souls in ,purgatory2 #eth1 that a priest might be met with who had previously formed a similar project4 ,in the month of ,july1 #ahee1 ,mdlle4 ---- thought of consulting the ,cur d',ars1 whom she had for the first time heard of a little while before4 ,the sanctity of this extraordinary man was beginning to be much spoken of1 not only in ,france1 but all over ,europe4 ,pilgrims flocked to the insignificant little town of ,ars1 seeking the advice and help of the poor cur--whose ascetic mode of life1 spiritual discernment1 heroic virtues1 and even miraculous gifts1 were gradually becoming known1 in spite of the desperate efforts he made to conceal them4 ,we can hardly imagine1 when reading his ,life1 that in the neighboring country of ,france1 and in our own day1 a man was actually living that we might have seen and spoken and gone to confession to1 the details of whose supernatural existence are like the marvels that we read of in the ,lives of the ,saints4 ,mdlle4 ---- felt persuaded that this holy priest was the instrument appointed by ,god to make her acquainted with ,his will1 and earnestly longed in some way or other to communicate with him4 ,she did not think of obtaining leave from her parents to go to ,ars4 ,it seemed to her that his answer to her question1 after he had considered the subject before ,god in prayer1 would be more unbiassed1 and carry greater weight with it1 than if she had spoken of it to him herself4 ,she did not wish to be influenced by any human considerations1 or to be tempted to say more than1 ,such is my thought and desire2 does it come from ,god8 ,with this view she began a novena1 and on the day it ended one of her friends called to tell her she was going to ,ars1 and to inquire if she could do anything for her4 ,on the #eth of ,august this friend sent her ,m4 ,vianney's answer3 ,tell her that she can establish1 as soon as she likes1 an order for the souls in ,purgatory4 ,the future foundress never had any personal communication with the ,cur d',ars1 and yet he always used to say1 ,i know her4 ,on the #cjth of ,october ,mdlle4 ---- entreated him to pray on ,all ,souls' ,day for her intention1 and on the #aath of ,november the ,abb ,t--1 his assistant in his extensive correspondence1 wrote to her as follows3 ,your edifying letter reached me at ,pont d',ain1 where our worthy ,bishop1 ,monseigneur ,chalandon1 was preaching a retreat4 ,this seemed expressly arranged by ,providence1 in order that ,i should speak to him of you and your pious projects4 ,on my return to ,ars1 on ,all ,souls' ,day1 ,i mentioned your wishes to my holy cur1 begging him to meditate on the subject in prayer before he gave me an answer4 ,three or four times since ,i have put to him the same question1 and always received the same answer4 ',he thinks that it is ,god who has inspired you with the thought of a heroic self-devotion1 and that you will do well to found an order in behalf of the souls in ,purgatory4' ,whether the good cur speaks in consequence of a divine enlightenment1 or whether he only expresses his own opinion and his own wishes1 which his tender devotion to the souls in ,purgatory would naturally incline in favor of your design1 neither ,i nor any of those most intimately acquainted with him can presume to say4 ,but you can remain certain of two things1--that he quite approves of your vocation to the religious life1 and of the foundation of this new order1 which he thinks will increase rapidly4 ,this is surely enough to confirm you in your intention1 which you will carry into effect whenever and wherever it will please ,god to open a way to it1 and you will then be the faithful instrument of ,his ,divine ,providence4 ,on the #beth of the same month ,m4 ,vianney sent a message to ,mdlle4 ---- in answer to a letter in which she had spoken of the obstacles which she foresaw on the part of her family4 ,the ,abb ,t---- writes3 ,if ,i have not written to you before1 it is because you particularly wished to have an answer after special prayer4 ,and now here is this much-wished-for answer4 ,the good cur has expressed himself as explicitly as possible4 ,i told him that you were troubled at the thought of a separation from your family more on their account than your own1 and also at relinquishing the many charitable works which you carry on in your parish4 ,to my great surprise1 he who generally very strongly recommends young people not to act against their parents' wishes1 but patiently to await their consent1 did not hesitate in advising you to proceed4 ,he says that the tears your parents are now shedding will soon be dried up4 ,do not1 then1 be afraid to let your heart burn with the love of ,jesus4 ,he will find a way of removing all the obstacles in your path1 and of making you an angel of consolation to ,his holy spouses1 the souls in ,purgatory4 ,the moon has no light in herself1 and only reflects that of the sun4 ,this is truly my case with regard to our saintly priest4 ,i will constantly remind him to pray for you1 and will unite my unworthy prayers to his1 that1 in the terrible struggle in your heart between nature and grace1 grace may remain victorious4 ,when this letter reached ,mdlle4 ----1 the principal difficulty she foresaw was already removed4 ,on the #bast of ,november1 the ,feast of the ,presentation of the ,blessed ,virgin1 her mother1 seeing that her heart was ready to break with the wish and the fear of broaching the subject so painfully interesting to them both1 had the pious courage to speak first1 and to give her full consent to her child's vocation4 ,both mother and daughter were struck some time afterwards at finding in a little prayer-book they had not seen before1 called ,the ,month of ,november ,consecrated to the ,souls in ,purgatory1 the following prayer1 appointed to be said on the #bast of ,november1 the very day on which they had made their sacrifice1 and uttered for the first time the bitter word separation4 ,o ,holy ,spirit6 who at divers times has raised up religious orders for the needs of the ,church ,militant2 ,o ,father of ,light6 full of compassion and zeal for the dead2 we implore ,thee to raise up also in behalf of the suffering ,church a new order1 the object of which will be to work day and night for the relief and the deliverance of the souls in ,purgatory2 whose intentions1 invariably dedicated to the dead1 will apply to them the merits of all their prayers1 fastings1 vigils1 and good works4 ,thou alone1 ,creating ,spirit1 canst achieve a work which will procure so much glory to ,god1 and for which we shall never cease to sigh and pray4 ,other difficulties failed not to arise4 ,some persons were of opinion that ,mdlle4 ---- ought to remain in the world for the very sake of the objects she had in view1 whereas her whole heart and soul were bent on consecrating herself without any reserve to our ,lord4 ,she was warned that her parents1 who had never been separated from their children1 would suffer terribly if she left them2 and finally1 her own health began to fail4 ,but whilst the world and the devil were multiplying the obstacles in her way1 the venerable ,cur d',ars spared neither advice nor encouragement to support her in her arduous struggle4 ,on the #bc;d of ,december his coadjutor writes3 ,divine ,providence always acts with sweetness and with power4 ,the consent of your good mother is an important step gained4 ,the good cur advises you not to go to ,paris until you have some means wherewith to begin your work4 ,you will do well to avail yourself of the interest you possess in your diocese to obtain some aid towards it4 ,the cur entirely approves of your becoming a religious4 ,it is quite possible that ,god may restore your health2 and he advises you to make a novena to ,st4 ,philomena4 ,the very day ,i received your letter1 ,monseigneur ,chalandon1 our worthy ,bishop1 came to ,ars1 to call on my holy cur4 ,i mentioned you to him4 ,he told me he had written to you4 ,he also says that you must not begin without some means and better health4 ,pray very hard that ,god may give you both4 ,i think the souls in ,purgatory ought to take this opportunity to prove that they have influence with ,god4 ,their interests are at stake in the removal of these obstacles4 ,mdlle4 ---- had asked to make this novena conjointly with ,m4 ,vianney2 and she soon received the following letter3 ,it is to-day1 the #ith of ,january1 that our much-wished-for novena is to begin4 ,the souls in ,purgatory are interested in the re-establishment of your health4 ,i am1 you know1 but the echo of our good and holy cur4 ,your director gives you excellent advice4 ,you might1 indeed1 as soon as you have means enough of support for one year1 go to ,paris for a while1 and come back again to forward the work in the same way you are doing now4 ,you say1 ',st4 ,vincent de ,paul used to begin his works with nothing4' ,so he did4 ,but then1 as my good cur observes1 ',st4 ,vincent de ,paul was a great saint6' ,according to ,m4 ,vianney's advice1 on the #aith of ,january1 #ahef1 the foundress went to ,paris1 where she met some persons who had1 like her1 resolved to devote themselves to the service of the souls in ,purgatory2 but who were quite at a loss how to proceed1 and had no means of support4 ,all sorts of crosses awaited this little band of ,helpers of the ,holy ,souls1 for such was the name they had taken4 ,not only were funds wanting for their establishment1 but they did not know where to apply for work1 and sufferings of every kind assailed them4 ,mdlle4 ---- experienced what always happens to generous souls at the outset of their enterprises1 when they have unreservedly devoted themselves to the service of ,god1 and are being tried like gold in the furnace4 ,blame and neglect became her portion4 ,nobody thought it worth their while to assist a little band of women1 whose heroic project had seemed admirable1 indeed1 in theory1 but was now declared to be impracticable4 ,they were considered as mere enthusiasts2 and1 indeed1 as was said by ,m4 ,desgenettes1 the venerable ,cur of ,notre ,dame des ,victoires1 they were truly possessed with the holy folly of the ,cross4 ,meantime they had to work for their bread1 and did work with all their might4 ,but it was not always that work could be obtained2 and trials without end beset the infant community1 lodged in an attic in the ,rue ,st4 ,martin4 ,every day1 as they asked their ,heavenly ,father for their daily bread1 they prepared themselves to receive with it their habitual portion of sufferings and privations--a fit noviceship for souls undertaking a work of heroic expiation4 ,mdlle4 ----1 who1 for the first time in her life quitted a home where she had known all the comforts of affluence1 had to undergo numberless privations4 ,illness combined with poverty to heighten their trials4 ,their ,divine ,master made them experience the kind of suffering which it was hereafter to be their special vocation to relieve4 ,the ,cur d',ars fully understood the nature of that training1 and never offered them any help but that of his advice and prayers4 ,he does not give you anything1 says a letter written on the #afth of ,march1 but he will ask ,st4 ,philomena1 his heavenly treasurer1 to put it into the hearts of those who could assist you to do so4 ,and1 indeed1 help used to come whenever the distress of the holy society became too urgent4 ,one day the foundress had not a single penny left1 and was1 to use a common expression1 at her wits' end4 ,but1 thank ,god1 there is something better than human wits or human ingenuity in such extremities2 and that is prayer4 ,the ,sister who acted as housekeeper placed her bills before the ,superioress1 and asked for money to buy food for the day4 ,mdlle4 ---- told her to wait a little1 and went out1 not knowing very well what to do next4 ,she entered a church1 threw herself on her knees before the ,blessed ,sacrament1 and prayed long and fervently4 ,as she was coming away she stopped before an image of our ,holy ,mother1 and clasping her hands1 exclaimed3 ,my ,blessed ,mother1 you must get me #ajj francs to-day4 ,i will take no refusal4 ,you cannot1 you never do forsake your children4 ,she went straight home1 and up the dingy stairs into the little room inhabited by the infant community4 ,the instant she opened the door her eyes fell on a letter lying on the table4 ,she opened it with a beating heart1 and found in it a note of #ajj francs4 ,there was no name2 not a word written on the cover4 ,the postman had just left it1 and to this day the donor of this sum1 or the place it came from1 has not been discovered4 ,another time eight sous was all that remained in the purse of the associates4 ,they agreed to lay out this money to advantage1 and accordingly employed it in purchasing a little statue of ,st4 ,joseph1 whom they instituted their treasurer4 ,the ,saint has fulfilled ever since the trust reposed in him2 but he often waits till the very last moment to supply the necessities of his clients4 ,i have seen this little image in their convents4 ,it is1 of course1 very dear to them4 ,one day1 when no needle-work was to be had1 and distress was threatening them1 a little girl came to their room1 and asked if they had finished the bracelets she had been told to call for4 ,finding she had mistaken the direction1 the child said3 ,you could have some of that work to do if you liked4 ,upon inquiry they found that the employment consisted in threading rows of pearls for foreign exportation2 that it was less fatiguing and better paid than needle-work1 and proved for some months a valuable resource4 ,on another occasion the sum of #ejj francs was required for some pressing necessity4 ,this time the foundress had recourse to our ,lady of ,victories4 ,having placed the matter in her hands1 she went to call on a person whom she thought might lend her this money1 but met with a decided negative4 ,she did not know any one else in ,paris to whom she could apply2 but on leaving the house she met a gentleman1 with whom she had no previous acquaintance1 who came up to her and said3 ,i think you are ,mdlle4 ----1 and that you have a special devotion for the souls in ,purgatory4 ,will you allow me to place this #ejj francs at your disposal1 and to recommend my intentions to your prayers8 ,meanwhile illnesses and trials continued to affect the little community4 ,the ,abb ,t---- writes from ,ars3 ,do not ask for miraculous cures4 ,m4 le ,cur complains that ,st4 ,philomena sends us too many people4 ,the next letter is full of kind encouragement3 ,m4 le ,cur only smiles when ,i tell him all you have to go through1 and he bids me repeat the same thing to you1 which he desired me to write to a good ,sister1 devoted to all sorts of good works and suffering cruel persecution4 ',tell her that these crosses are flowers which will soon bear fruit4' ,you have thought1 prayed1 taken advice1 and thoroughly weighed the sacrifices you will have to make1 and you have every reason to believe that in doing this work you are doing ,god's will4 ,the energy which ,he alone can give will enable you to accomplish what you have begun4444,m4 le ,cur has said to me several times1 in a tone of the strongest conviction1 ',their enterprise cannot fail to succeed2 but the foundress will have to experience what anxiety and what labor1 what efforts and what sufferings1 have to be endured ere such a work can be consolidated2 but1' he adds1 'if ,god is with them1 who shall be against them8' ,on the #bjth of ,june the ,superioress received another letter from the same good priest3 ,i feel deeply affected1 he writes1 at the thought of the many and severe trials which beset you4 ,tell your friend that the holy cur bids her not to look back1 but obey with courage the sacred call she has received4 ,the souls in ,purgatory must be enabled to say of you1 ',we have advocates on earth who can feel for us1 because they know themselves what it is to suffer4' ,and mind you go on praying to ,st4 ,philomena1 and begging of her to obtain for you the means necessary for the accomplishment of your holy projects4 ,the associates continued to pray1 to work1 and to suffer with patience and cheerfulness4 ,they received at last some unexpected assistance4 ,new members proposed to join them2 but it became then absolutely necessary to hire a house4 ,the ,superioress searched in every direction for a suitable one1 but without success4 ,it seems as if the words1 there was no room for them1 were destined to prove applicable to all religious foundations during their periods of probationary trial4 ,after having exerted herself1 and employed others in vain for a long time1 the ,superioress received a message from a holy man whose prayers she had asked1 desiring her to go to a particular part of the town1 and to await there some providential indication as to the abode she was seeking4 ,for several hours she paced up and down the streets of that part of ,paris1 praying interiorly1 but totally at a loss where to apply4 ,at last she accidentally turned into the ,rue de la ,barouillire1 and saw a house and garden with a bill upon it indicating that it was to be let or sold4 ,she immediately asked to go over it4 ,all sorts of difficulties1 apparently insurmountable ones1 stood in the way of the purchase4 ,they were overcome in a strangely unaccountable manner1 and the money which had to be paid in advance was actually forthcoming on the appointed day1 to the astonishment of all concerned4 ,the history of this negotiation1 and the wonderful answers to prayer vouchsafed in the course of it1 are very striking2 only the more we study the manifestations of ,god's ,providence with regard to works carried on in faith and simple reliance on ,his assistance1 the more accustomed we get to these miracles of mercy4 ,the ,helpers of the ,souls in ,purgatory took possession of their new home on the #ast of ,july1 #ahef1 and not long after began their labors amongst the poor4 ,an act of kindness solicited at their hands towards a sick and destitute neighbor soon after their arrival1 was the primary cause of their choosing as their particular line of charity attendance on the sick poor in their own destitute homes by day and by night also4 ,this1 together with their prayers1 their fasts1 and their watches1 is the continual sacrifice they offer up for the souls in ,purgatory4 99 99 99 99 99 ,before ,i go on with the history of the ,helpers of the ,holy ,souls in ,purgatory1 ,i must describe to you their house1--,no4 #af ,rue de la ,barouillire1--a very small and inconvenient one at the time of their installation1 but which has since been re-modelled according to the wants of the increasing community1 and an adjoining one added to it4 ,i have often visited this convent1 which soon becomes dear to those who would fain help the many beloved ones removed from their sight1 but feel the impotency of their own efforts1 their want of holiness1 of courage1 and of perseverance in this blessed work4 ,the sight of this religious house is very touching2 the inscriptions on the walls1 which are taken from the ,holy ,scriptures and the writings of the ,saints1 all bear reference to the state of departed souls1 and our duty towards them2 the quiet chapel where the ,office for the ,dead is daily said1 and a number of ,masses offered up4 ,the memorials of the saintly ,cur d',ars1 whose spirit seems to hover over the place1 gives a peculiar character to its aspect4 ,the nuns do not wear the religious dress1 but are simply dressed in black1 like persons in mourning4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on the #ahth of ,august1 #ahef1 ,monseigneur ,sibour1 the ,archbishop of ,paris1 came to visit and bless the new community4 ,it is a grain of mustard-seed1 he said1 which will become a great tree1 and spread its branches far and wide4 ,he approved of all that had been done since the house had been opened1 and allowed ,mass to be said every day in the chapel as soon as it could be properly fitted up1 which was the case on the ensuing #eth of ,november4 ,on the #hth of the same month the house was solemnly consecrated to the ,blessed ,virgin2 the keys were laid at the feet of her image1 and she was entreated to become herself the ,superioress of the congregation4 ,it was on the #bgth of ,december1 the feast of the disciple whom ,jesus loved1 the great apostle of charity1 that the foundress and five other ,sisters made their first vows4 ,a few days afterwards1 ,monseigneur ,sibour was about to sign a grant of indulgences for the work of the religious2 someone standing beside him said1 ,monseigneur1 the souls in ,purgatory are guiding your pen4 ,he smiled1 and made haste to write his name4 ,he little thought how soon he would be himself numbered with the dead4 ,it was on the #c;d of ,january1 #aheg1 that his tragical death took place4 99 99 99 99 99 ,on the #dth of ,august1 #ahei1 the holy ,cur of ,ars died2 but he lives in the hearts and in the memories of the community which owes so much to his prayers and his advice4 ,his name is frequently on their lips2 often has his intercession obtained for them miraculous cures4 ,every memorial of him is carefully preserved and venerated4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the course of the year #ahei1 on the ,feast of ,st4 ,benedict1 ,cardinal ,morlot sanctioned the institution of a third order of ,helpers of the ,souls in ,purgatory1 and the affiliation to it of honorary members4 ,the ladies of the third order engage to lead a practically ,christian life in the world1 to perform exactly all their religious duties1 and those of their state of life4 ,they promise1 in their measure1 to suffer1 act1 and pray for the dead1 and offer up their good works1 the sacrifices they may be inspired to make1 and the devotions prescribed by a simple and easy rule adapted to their condition1 for this object4444 ,on the day of the institution of the third order1 twenty-eight ladies joined it1 received the cross1 and made their act of consecration in presence of the ,archbishop4 ,the honorary members have been continually and rapidly increasing in number4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the new order has a special devotion to ,st4 ,joseph1 the great minister of ,god's mercy to all religious1 the particular protector of the souls in ,purgatory1 the foster-father of ,christ's poor1 and the helper of the dying4 ,he was himself once in limbo1 and knows what it is to wait4 ,it is scarcely necessary to speak of their devotion to the ,blessed ,virgin1 whom they have crowned as the ,queen of ,purgatory1 and invoke under the title of ,our ,lady of ,providence4 ,they specially keep the ,feast of the ,sacred ,heart1 those of ,st4 ,ignatius and ,st4 ,gertrude2 but ,all ,souls is of course the day of their most particular devotion4 ,the ,holy ,sacrament is exposed during the whole time of the ,octave4 99 99 99 99 99 ,and now1 to use words of ,pre ,blot1 of the ,society of ,jesus3 ,how consoling a thought it is that as the ,holy ,souls in ,purgatory1 in all probability1 and according to the opinion of the greatest theologians1 know what we do for them1 and pray for us1 they see these acts of charity2 they see these devoted women making themselves the slaves of the poor1 and sowing in tears1 that they themselves may reap in joy4 ,we cannot also but believe that the prayers of the ,holy ,souls1 and perhaps their influence1 contribute to the success of the mission carried on for their sakes and in their name amidst the poor and suffering4 ,several times when they have been invoked by the community1 wonderful cures have been vouchsafed and favors obtained4 ,instances of this kind have excited the astonishment of physicians1 and confirmed a pious belief in the efficacy of those prayers4 ,st4 ,catherine1 of ,bologna1 used to say1 ',when ,i wish to obtain some favor from the ,eternal ,father1 ,i invoke the souls in the place of expiation1 and charge them with the petition ,i have to make to ,him1 and ,i feel ,i am heard through their means4' ,let us1 then1 if we feel inspired to do so1 ask the prayers of the souls in ,purgatory2 but1 above all things1 let us pray for them1 and1 like these religious1 join to our prayers acts of self-denying charity towards the poor4 ,let us always remember1 that to the ,eternal ,lord of all things everything is present--the future as well as the past4 ,we call ,him the ,king of ,ages1 because the order of events depends wholly on ,his will1 and nothing in their course or succession can alter or change the effects of that will4 ,he looks upon what is to come as if it were present or already past4 ,in consideration of the prayers1 the suffrages1 and the good works of the ,church1 which ,he foresees1 ,he grants proportionate graces1 even as if those prayers and good works had been already offered up4444 ,amongst the ,helpers of the ,holy ,souls several have made great sacrifices to ,god in order to obtain mercy for souls long ago called away from this world4 ,we can all imitate their example4 ',oh6 if it was not too late6' is the cry of many a heart tortured by anxiety for the fate of some loved one who has died apparently out of the ,church1 or not in a state of grace4 ,we answer1 ',it is never too late4 ,pray2 act2 suffer4 ,the ,lord foresaw your efforts4 ,the ,lord knew what was to come1 and may have given to that soul at its last hour some extraordinary graces1 which snatched it from destruction1 and placed it in safety where your love may still reach it1 your prayers relieve1 your sacrifices avail4' ,i could not resist closing this letter with these sentences1 which have raised the hopes and stimulated the courage of many mourners4 ,i only wish this imperfect sketch of the ,order of ,helpers of the ,holy ,souls1 and of the nature of their work1 might prove a first though feeble step towards the introduction amongst us at some future day of a ,sisterhood which1 in the words used on his death-bed by ,father ,faber1 the great advocate amongst us of devotion to the ,holy ,souls in ,purgatory1 procures such immense glory to ,god4 ,,the ,,mass ,,in ,,relation ,,to ,,the ,,dead4 ,o',,brien #a ,footnote #a3 ,rev4 ,john ,o',brien1 ,a4,m41 ,prof4 of ,sacred ,liturgy at ,mt4 ,st4 ,mary's1 ,emmittsburg4 ,history of the ,mass and its ,ceremonies in the ,eastern and ,western ,churches4 ,the ,mass of ,requiem is one celebrated in behalf of the dead4444 ,if the body of the deceased be present during its celebration1 it enjoys privileges that it otherwise would not1 for it cannot be celebrated unless within certain restrictions4 ,masses of this kind are accustomed to be said in memory of the departed faithful1 first1 when the person dies--or1 as the ,latin phrase has it1 dies obitus seu deposifionis1 which means any day that intervenes from the day of one's demise to his burial2 secondly1 on the third day after death1 in memory of ,our ,divine ,lord's resurrection after three days' interval2 thirdly1 on the seventh day1 in memory of the mourning of the ,israelites seven days for ,joseph 7,gen4 i4 #aj72 fourthly1 on the thirtieth day1 in memory of ,moses and ,aaron1 whom the ,israelites lamented this length of time 7,numb4 xx42 ,deut4 xxxiv472 and1 finally1 at the end of the year1 or on the anniversary day itself 7,gavant41 ,thesaur4 ,rit4 #fb74 ,this custom also prevails with the ,orientals4 ,during the early days it was entirely at the discretion of every priest whether he said daily a plurality of ,masses or not 7,gavant41 ,thesaur4 ,rit4 p4 #ai74 ,it was quite usual to say two ,masses1 one of the occurring feast1 the other for the benefit of the faithful departed4 ,this practice1 however1 kept gradually falling into desuetude until the time of ,pope ,alexander ,,ii4 7,a4 ,d4 #ajfa-ajgc71 when that pontiff decreed that no priest should say more than one ,mass on the same day4 99 99 99 99 99 ,throughout the kingdom of ,aragon1 in ,spain 7including ,aragon1 ,valentia1 and ,catalonia71 also in the kingdom of ,majorca 7a dependency of ,aragon71 it is allowed each secular priest to say two ,masses on the #b;d of ,november1 the ,commemoration of all the ,faithful ,departed1 and each regular priest three ,masses4 ,this privilege is also enjoyed by the ,dominicans of the ,monastery of ,st4 ,james at ,pampeluna 7,benedict ,,xiv41 ,de ,sacrif4 ,missal ,romae1 ex4 ,congr4 de ,prof4 ,fide1 an4 #ahei editio1 p4 #aci74 ,this grant1 it is said1 was first made either by ,pope ,julius or ,pope ,paul ,,iii41 and though often asked for afterwards by persons of note1 was never granted to any other country1 or to any place in ,spain except those mentioned4 ,for want of any very recent information upon the subject1 ,i am unable to say how far the privilege extends at the present day4 ,a movement is on foot1 however1 to petition the ,holy ,see for an extension of this privilege to the ,universal ,church1 in order that as much aid as possible may be given to the suffering souls in ,purgatory4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in case of a death occurring 7amongst the ,armenians7 ,mass is never omitted4 ,the ,armenians say one on the day of burial and one on the seventh1 fifteenth1 and fortieth after death2 also one on the anniversary day4 ,this holy practice of praying for the dead and saying ,mass in their behalf is very common throughout the entire ,east1 with schismatics as well as ,catholics4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as late as the sixteenth century1 a very singular custom prevailed in ,england--viz43 that of presenting at the altar during a ,mass of ,requiem all the armor and military equipments of deceased knights and noblemen1 as well as their chargers4 ,dr4 ,kock 7,church of our ,fathers1 ,,ii4 #ejg71 tells us that as many as eight horses1 fully caparisoned1 used to be brought into the church for this purpose at the burial of some of the higher nobility4 ,at the funeral of ,henry ,,vii41 in ,westminster ,abbey1 after the royal arms had first been presented at the foot of the altar1 we are told that ,sir ,edward ,howard rode into ,church upon a goodlie courser1 with the arms of ,england embroidered upon his trappings1 and delivered him to the abbots of the monastery 7ibid74 ,something similar happened at the ,mass of ,requiem for the repose of the soul of ,lord ,bray in ,a4 ,d4 #aeeg1 and at that celebrated for ,prince ,arthur1 son of ,henry ,,vii4 7ibid74 99 99 99 99 99 ,as the priest begins to recite the memento for the dead1 he moves his hands slowly before his face1 so as to have them united at the words in somno pacis4 ,this gentle motion of the hands is aptly suggestive here of the slow1 lingering motion of a soul preparing to leave the body1 and the final union of the hands forcibly recalls to mind the laying down of the body in its quiet slumber in the earth4 ,as this prayer is very beautiful1 we transcribe it in full4 ,it is thus worded3 ,remember1 also1 ,o ,lord6 ,thy servants1 male and female1 who have gone before us with the sign of faith and sleep in the sleep of peace1 ,n4 ,n42 to them1 ,o ,lord6 and to all who rest in ,christ1 we beseech ,thee to grant a place of refreshment1 light1 and peace2 through the same ,christ our ,lord4 ,amen4 ,at the letters ,n4 ,n4 the names of the particular persons to be prayed for among the departed were read out from the diptychs in ancient times4 ,when the priest comes to them now he does not stop1 but pauses awhile at in1 somno pacis to make his private memento of those whom he wishes to pray for in particular1 in which he is to be guided by the same rules that directed him in making his memento for the living1 only that here he cannot pray for the conversion of any one1 as he could there1 for this solely relates to the dead who are detained in ,purgatory4 ,should the ,holy ,sacrifice be offered for any soul among the departed which could not be benefited by it1 either because of the loss of its eternal salvation or its attainment of the everlasting joys of heaven1 theologians commonly teach that in that case the fruit of the ,mass would enter the treasury of the ,church1 and be applied afterwards in such indulgences and the like as ,almighty ,god might suggest to the dispensers of his gift 7,suarez1 ,disp41 xxxviii1 sec4 #h74 ,we beg to direct particular attention here to the expression sleep of peace4 ,that harsh word death1 which we now use1 was seldom or never heard among the early ,christians when talking of their departed brethren4 ,death to them was nothing else but a sleep until the great day of resurrection1 when all would rise up again at the sound of the angel's trumpet2 and this bright idea animated their minds and enlivened all their hopes when conversing with their absent friends in prayer4 ,so1 too1 with the place of interment2 it was not called by that hard name that distinguishes it too often now1 viz41 the grave-yard1 but was called by the milder term of cemetery1 which1 from its ,greek derivation1 means a dormitory1 or sleeping-place4 ,nor was the word bury employed to signify the consigning the body to the earth4 ,no1 this sounded too profane in the ears of the primitive ,christians2 they rather chose the word depose1 as suggestive of the treasure that was put away until it pleased ,god to turn it to better use on the final reckoning day4 ,the old ,teutonic expression for cemetery was1 to say the least of it1 very beautiful4 ,the blessed place was called in this tongue gottes-acker--that is1 ,god's field--for the reason that the dead were1 so to speak1 the seed sown in the ground from which would spring the harvest reaped on the day of general resurrection in the shape of glorified bodies4 ,according to this beautiful notion1 the stone which told who the departed person was that lay at rest beneath1 was likened to the label that was hung upon a post by the farmer or gardener to tell the passer-by the name of the flower that was deposited beneath4 ,this happy application of the word sleep to death runs also through ,holy ,scripture1 where we frequently find such expressions as ,he slept with his fathers1 ,i have slept and ,i am refreshed1 applied from the third ,psalm to our ,divine ,lord's time in the sepulchre2 the sleep of peace1 he was gathered to his fathers1 etc4 ,the prayers of the ,orientals for the faithful departed are singularly touching4 ,in the ,coptic ,liturgy of ,st4 ,basil the memento is worded thus3 ,in like manner1 ,o ,lord6 remember also all those who have already fallen asleep in the priesthood and amidst the laity2 vouchsafe to give rest to their souls in the bosoms of our holy fathers1 ,abraham1 ,isaac1 and ,jacob2 bring them into a place of greenness by the waters of comfort1 in the paradise of pleasure where grief and misery and sighing are banished1 in the brightness of the saints4 ,the ,orientals are very much attached to ancient phraseology1 and hence their frequent application of the bosom of ,abraham to that middle state of purification in the next life which we universally designate by the name of ,purgatory4 ,in the ,syro-,jacobite ,liturgy of ,john ,bar ,maadan1 part of the memento is thus worded3 ,reckon them among the number of ,thine elect2 cover them with the bright cloud of ,thy saints2 set them with the lambs on ,thy right hand1 and bring them into ,thy habitation4 ,the following extract is taken from the ,liturgy of ,st4 ,chrysostom1 which1 as we have said already1 all the ,catholic and schismatic ,greeks of the ,east follow3 ,remember all those that are departed in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life1 and give them rest where the light of ,thy countenance shines upon them4 ,but of all the ,orientals1 the place of honor in this respect must be yielded to the ,nestorians2 for1 heretics as they are1 too much praise cannot be given them for the singular reverence they show towards their departed brethren4 ,from a work of theirs called the ,sinhados1 which ,badger quotes in his ,nestorians and their ,rituals1 we take the following extract3 ,the service of third day of the dead is kept up1 because ,christ rose on the third day4 ,on the ninth day1 also1 there should be a commemoration1 and again on the thirtieth day1 after the example of the ,old ,testament1 since the people mourned for ,moses that length of time4 ,a year after1 also1 there should be a particular commemoration of the dead1 and some of the property of the deceased should be given to the poor in remembrance of him4 ,we say this of believers2 for1 as to unbelievers1 should all the wealth of the world be given to the poor in their behalf1 it would profit them nothing4 ,the ,armenians call ,purgatory by the name ,goyan--that is1 a mansion4 ,the ,chaldeans style it ,matthar1 the exact equivalent of our term4 ,by some of the other ,oriental ,churches it is called ,kavaran1 or place of penance2 and ,makraran1 a place of purification 7,smith and ,dwight1 ,i4 p4 #afi74 ,we could multiply examples at pleasure to prove that there is no church in the ,east to which the name of ,christian can be given that does not look upon praying for the faithful departed1 and offering the ,holy ,mass for the repose of their souls1 as a sacred and solemn obligation4 ,protestants who would fain believe otherwise1 and who not unfrequently record differently in their writings about the ,oriental ,christians1 can verify our statements by referring to any ,eastern ,liturgy and examining for themselves4 ,we conclude our remarks on this head by a strong argument in point from a very unbiased ,anglican minister--the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,john ,mason ,neale4 ,speaking of prayers for the dead in his work entitled ,a ,history of the ,holy ,eastern ,church1 general introduction1 ,vol4 ,i4 p4 #eji1 this candid-speaking man uses the following language3 ,i am not now going to prove1 what nothing but the blindest prejudice can deny1 that the ,church1 east1 west1 and south1 has1 with one consentient and universal voice1 even from ,apostolic times1 prayed in the ,holy ,eucharist for the departed faithful4 ,,funeral ,,oration ,,on ,,daniel ,o',,connell4 ,,rev4 ,,thomas ,,burke1 ,o4 ,p4 ,wisdom conducted the just man through the right ways1 and showed him the kingdom of ,god1 made him honorable in his labors1 and accomplished his works4 ,she kept him safe from his enemies1 and gave him a strong conflict that he might overcome2 and in bondage she left him not till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom1 and power against those that oppressed him1 and gave him everlasting glory4--,wisdom x4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,from the funeral oration preached at ,glassaevin ,cemetery1 in ,may1 #ahfi1 on the occasion of the removal of the remains of the ,liberator to their final resting place4 ,nor was ,ireland forgotten in the designs of ,god4 ,centuries of patient endurance brought at length the dawn of a better day4 ,god's hour came1 and it brought with it ,ireland's greatest son1 ,daniel ,o',connell4 ,we surround his grave to-day to pay him a last tribute of love1 to speak words of praise1 of suffrage1 and prayer4 ,for two and twenty years has he silently slept in the midst of us4 ,his generation is passing away1 and the light of history already dawns upon his grave1 and she speaks his name with cold1 unimpassioned voice4 ,in this age of ours a few years are as a century of times gone by4 ,great changes and startling events follow each other in such quick succession that the greatest names are forgotten almost as soon as those who bore them disappear1 and the world itself is surprised to find how short-lived is the fame which promised to be immortal4 ,the ,church alone is the true shrine of immortality--the temple of fame which perisheth not2 and that man only whose name and memory is preserved in her sanctuaries receives on this earth a reflection of that glory which is eternal in heaven4 ,but before the ,church will crown any one of her children1 she carefully examines his claims to the immortality of her gratitude and praise4 ,she asks1 ,what has he done for ,god and for man8 ,this great question am ,i come here to answer to-day for him whose tongue1 once so eloquent1 is now stilled in the silence of the grave1 and over whose tomb a grateful country has raised a monument of its ancient faith and a record of its past glories2 and ,i claim for him the need of our gratitude and love1 in that he was a man of faith1 whom wisdom guided in the right ways1 who loved and sought the kingdom of ,god1 who was most honorable in his labors1 and who accomplished his great works2 the liberator of his race1 the father of his people1 the conqueror in the undented conflict of principle1 truth and justice4444 4444,before him stretched1 full and broad1 the two ways of life1 and he must choose between them3 the way which led to all that the world prized--wealth1 power1 distinction1 title1 glory1 and fame2 the way of genius1 the noble rivalry of intellect1 the association with all that was most refined and refining--the way which led up to the council chambers of the nation1 to all places of jurisdiction and of honor1 to the temples wherein were enshrined historic names and glorious memories1 to a share in all blessings of privilege and freedom4444 ,before him opened another way4 ,no gleam of sunshine illumined this way2 it was wet with tears--it was overshadowed by misfortune--it was pointed out to the young traveller of life by the sign of the cross1 and he who entered it was bidden to leave all hope behind him1 for it led through the valley of humiliation1 into the heart of a fallen race1 and an enslaved and afflicted people4 ,i claim for ,o',connell the glory of having chosen this latter path1 and this claim no man can gainsay1 for it is the argument of the ,apostle in favor of the great lawgiver of old--,by faith ,moses denied himself to be the son of ,pharoah's daughter4 4444,into this way was he led by his love for his religion and his country4 ,he firmly believed in that religion in which ,he was born4 ,he had that faith which is common to all ,catholics1 and which is not merely a strong opinion nor even a conviction1 but an absolute and most certain knowledge that the ,catholic ,church is the one and the only true messenger and witness of ,god upon earth2 and that to belong to her communion and to possess her faith is the first and greatest of all endowments and privileges1 before which everything else sinks into absolute nothing 444 ,he was ,irish of the ,irish and ,catholic of the ,catholic4 ,his love for religion and country was as the breath of his nostrils1 the blood of his veins1 and when he brought to the service of both the strength of his faith and the power of his genius1 with the instinct of a true ,irishman1 his first thought was to lift up the nation by striking the chains off the ,national ,church4 ,and here again1 two ways opened before him4 ,one was a way of danger and of blood1 and the history of his country told him that it ever ended in defeat and in great evil4444 ,he saw that the effort to walk in it had swept away the last vestige of ,ireland's national legislature and independence4 ,but another path was still open to him1 and wisdom pointed it out as the right way4 ,another battle-field lay before him on which he could fight the good fight and vindicate all the rights of his religion and of his country4 ,the armory was furnished by the inspired ,apostle when he said3 444 ,having your loins girt about with truth1 and having on the breast-plate of justice1 and your feet shod with the preparation of the ,gospel of ,peace1 in all things taking the shield of faith4444 ,and take unto you the sword of the ,spirit1 which is the ,word4 ,o',connell knew well that such weapons in such a hand as his were irresistible-- that girt around with the truth and justice of his cause1 he was clad in the armor of the ,eternal ,god1 that with words of peace and order on his lips1 with the strong shield of faith before him and the sword of eloquent speech in his hand1 with the war-cry of obedience1 principle1 and law1 no power on earth could resist him1 for it is the battle of ,god1 and nothing can resist the ,most ,high4 99 99 99 99 99 444 ,he who was the ,church's liberator and most true son1 was also the first of ,ireland's statesmen and patriots4 ,our people remember well1 as their future historian will faithfully record1 the many trials borne for them1 the many victories gained in their cause1 the great life devoted to them by ,o',connell4 ,lying1 however1 at the foot of the altar1 as he is to-day1 whilst the ,church hallows his grave with prayer and sacrifice1 it is more especially as the ,catholic ,emancipator of his people that we place a garland on his tomb4 ,it is as the child of the ,church that we honor him1 and recall with tears of sorrow our recollections of the aged man1 revered1 beloved1 whom all the glory of the world's admiration and the nation's love had never lifted up in soul out of the holy atmosphere of ,christian humility and simplicity4 ,obedience to the ,church's laws1 quick zeal for her honor and the dignity of her worship1 a spirit of penance refining whilst it expiated1 chastening while it ennobled all that was natural in the man2 constant and frequent use of the ,church's holy sacraments which shed the halo of grace around his venerated head1--these were the last grand lessons which he left to his people1 and thus did the sun of his life set in the glory of ,christian holiness4 4444 ,in the triumph of ,catholic ,emancipation1 he pointed out to the ,irish people the true secret of their strength1 the true way of progress1 and the sure road to victory4444 ,time1 which buries in utter oblivion so many names and so many memories1 will exalt him in his work4 ,the day has already dawned and is ripening into its perfect noon1 when ,irishmen of every creed will remember ,o',connell1 and celebrate him as the common friend1 and the greatest benefactor of their country4 ,what man is there1 even of those whom our age has called great1 whose name1 so many years after his death1 could summon so many loving hearts around his tomb8 ,we1 to-day1 are the representatives not only of a nation but of a race4444 ,where is the land that has not seen the face of our people and heard their voice8 ,and wherever1 even to the ends of the earth1 an ,irishman is found to-day1 his spirit and his sympathy are here4 ,the millions of ,america are with us--the ,irish ,catholic soldier on ,india's plains is present amongst us by the magic of love--the ,irish sailor standing by the wheel this moment in far-off silent seas1 where it is night1 and the ,southern stars are shining1 joins his prayer with ours1 and recalls the glorious image and the venerated name of ,o',connell4 444 ,he is gone1 but his fame shall live forever on the earth1 as a lover of ,god and of ,his people4 ,adversities1 political and religious1 he had many1 and like a ,tower of strength ,which stood full square to all the winds that blew1 the ,hercules of justice and of liberty stood up against them4 ,time1 which touches all things with mellowing hand1 has softened the recollections of past contests1 and they who once looked upon him as a foe1 now only remember the glory of the fight1 and the mighty genius of him who stood forth the representative man of his race1 and the champion of his people4 ,they acknowledge his greatness1 and they join hands with us to weave the garland of his fame4 ,but far other1 higher and holier are the feelings of ,irish ,catholics all the world over to-day4 ,they recognize in the dust which we are assembled to honor1 the powerful arm which promoted them1 the eloquent tongue which proclaimed their rights and asserted their freedom1 the strong hand which1 like that of the ,maccabees of old1 first struck off their chains and then built up their holy altars4 ,they1 mingling the supplication of prayer and the gratitude of suffrage with their tears1 recall--oh6 with how much love--the memory of him who was a ,joseph to ,israel--their tower of strength1 their buckler1 and their shield--who shed around their homes1 their altars1 and their graves the sacred light of religious liberty1 and the glory of unfettered worship4 ,his praise is in the ,church1 and this is the pledge of the immortality of his glory4 ,a people's voice may be the proof and echo of all ,human fame1 but the voice of the undying ,church1 is the echo of everlasting glory1 and1 when those who surround his grave to-day shall have passed away1 all future generations of ,irishmen to the end of time will be reminded of his name and glory4 ,,the ,,indulgence ,,of ,,portiuncula4 ,towards the middle of the fourth century1 four pilgrims from ,palestine came to settle in the neighborhood of ,assisi1 and built a chapel there4 ,nearly two centuries after1 this little chapel passed into the hands of the monks of ,st4 ,benedict1 who owned some lots1 or portions of land1 in the vicinity1 whence came the name of ,portiuncula1 given first to those little plots of ground1 and afterwards to the chapel itself4 ,st4 ,bonaventure says that1 later still1 it was called ,our ,lady of ,angels1 because the heavenly spirits frequently appeared there4 ,st4 ,francis1 at the outset of his penitential life1 going one day through the fields about ,assisi1 heard a voice which said to him3 ,go1 repair my house6 ,he thought the ,lord demanded of him to repair the sanctuaries in which ,he was worshipped1 and1 amongst others1 the ,church of ,st4 ,damian1 a little way from ,assisi1 which was falling to decay4 ,he went to work1 therefore1 begging in the streets of ,assisi1 and crying out3 ,he who giveth me a stone shall have one blessing--he who giveth me two1 shall have two4 ,meanwhile1 ,francis often bent his steps towards the little chapel of the ,portiuncula1 built about half a league from ,assisi1 in a fertile valley1 in the midst of a profound solitude4 ,the place had great charms for him1 and he resolved to take up his abode there1 but as the little chapel was urgently in need of repair1 he undertook to do it1 following1 as he thought1 the orders he had received from ,heaven4 ,he made himself a cell in the hollow of a neighboring rock1 and there spent several years in great austerities4 ,some disciples1 having joined him1 inhabited caverns which they found in the rocks around1 and some built themselves cells4 ,this was the origin of the ,order of ,st4 ,francis4 ,the ,portiuncula1 or ,our ,lady of ,angels1 afterwards given to the holy penitent by the ,benedictine ,abbot of ,monte ,soubasio1 thus became the cradle of the three orders founded by the ,seraphic ,patriarch1 and is unspeakably dear to every child of ,st4 ,francis4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,the little chapel of the ,portiuncula is now inclosed beneath the dome of the great basilica of ,our ,lady of ,angels1 built to preserve it from the injuries of the weather4 ,it stands there still with its rough1 antique walls1 in all the prestige of its marvellous past4 ,i know not what perfume of holy poverty1 says a pious author1 exhales from that venerable chapel4 ,the pavement within is literally worn by the knees of the pious faithful1 and their repeated and burning kisses have left their imprint on its walls4 ,francis1 in the midst of his prodigious austerities1 living always in the greatest privation1 united1 nevertheless1 the most tender compassion for men and a marvellous love for poverty4 ,he prayed above all1 and with tears and groans1 for the conversion of sinners4 ,but one night--it was in ,october1 #abba--;,francis being inspired with a greater love and a deeper pity for men who were offending their ,god and ,saviour1 shedding torrents of tears1 macerating his body1 already attenuated by excessive mortifications1 hears1 all at once1 the voice of an ,angel commanding him to repair to the chapel of the ,portiuncula4 ,ravished with joy1 he rises immediately1 and entering with profound respect into the chapel1 he falls prostrate on the ground1 to adore the majesty of ,god4 ,he then sees ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 who appears to him1 accompanied by ,his ,holy ,mother and a great multitude of ,angels1 and says to him3 ,francis1 thou and thy brethren have a great zeal for the salvation of souls2 indeed1 you have been placed as a torch in the world and as the support of the ,church4 ,ask1 then1 whatsoever thou wilt for the welfare and consolation of nations1 and for ,my glory4 ,in the midst of the wonders which ravished him1 ,francis made this prayer3 ,our most holy ,father1 ,i beseech ,thee1 although ,i am but a miserable sinner1 to have the goodness to grant to men1 that all those who shall visit this ,church may receive a plenary indulgence of all their sins1 after having confessed to a priest2 and ,i beseech the ,blessed ,virgin1 ,thy ,mother1 the advocate of mankind1 to intercede1 that ,i may obtain this favor4 ,the merciful ,virgin interceded1 and ,our ,lord said to ,francis3 ,what thou dost ask is great1 nevertheless thou shalt receive still greater favors4 ,i grant it to thee1 but ,i will that it be ratified on earth by him to whom ,i have given the power of binding and loosening4 ,the companions of the ,saint overheard this colloquy between ,our ,lord and ,st4 ,francis2 they beheld numerous troops of ,angels1 and a great light that filled the ,church1 but a respectful fear prevented them from approaching4 ,next day ,francis set out1 accompanied by one of his brethren1 and repaired to ,perugia1 where ,pope ,honorius ,,iii4 then was4 ,the ,saint1 introduced to the ,pontiff1 repeated the order he had received from ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ ,himself1 and conjured him not to refuse what the ,son of ,god had been pleased to grant him4 ,but1 said the ,sovereign ,pontiff1 thou askest of me something very great1 and the ,roman ,court is not wont to grant such an indulgence4 ,most ,holy ,father1 replied ,francis1 ,i ask it not of myself2 it is ,jesus ,christ who sendeth me4 ,i come on ,his behalf4 ,wherefore the ,pope said publicly three times3 ,i will that thou have it4 ,the ,cardinals made several objections2 but ,honorius1 at length convinced of the will of ,god1 granted most liberally1 most gratuitously1 and in perpetuity1 this indulgence solicited so earnestly1 yet with so much humility1 but only during one natural day1 from evening till evening1 including the night1 till sunset on the following day4 ,at these words1 ,francis humbly bowed his head4 ,as he was going away1 the ,pope demanded of him3 ,whither goest thou1 simple man8 ,what assurance hast thou of that which thou hast obtained8 ,holy ,father1 he replied1 thy word is sufficient for me2 if this ,indulgence be the work of ,god1 ,he ,himself will make it manifest4 ,let ,jesus ,christ1 ,his holy ,mother and the ,angels be in that regard1 notary1 paper and witness2 ,i ask no other authentic act4 ,such was the effect of the great confidence he felt in the truth of the apparition4 ,the ,indulgence of the ,portiuncula had been two years granted1 and still the day when the faithful might gain it was not fixed4 ,francis waited till ,jesus ,christ1 the first ,author of a grace so precious1 should determine it4 ,meanwhile1 one night1 when ,francis was at prayer in his cell1 the tempter suggested to him to diminish his penances3 feeling the malice of the demon1 he goes into the woods1 and rolls himself amongst briers and thorns until he is covered with blood4 ,a great light shines around him1 he sees a quantity of white and red roses all about1 although it is the month of ,january1 in a very severe winter4 ,god had changed the thorny shrubs into magnificent rose-bushes1 which have ever since remained green and without thorns1 and covered with red and white roses4 #a ,angels1 who appeared then in great numbers1 said to him3 ,francis1 hasten to the church2 ,jesus is there with ,his holy ,mother4 ,at the same moment1 he was clothed in a spotless white habit1 and having reached the church1 after a profound obeisance1 he made this prayer3 ,our ,father1 ,most ,holy ,lord of heaven and earth1 ,saviour of mankind1 vouchsafe1 through ,thy great mercy1 to fix the day for the ,indulgence ,thou hast had the goodness to grant4 ,our ,lord replied that ,he would have it to be from the evening of the day on which the ,apostle ,st4 ,peter was bound with chains till the following day4 ,he then ordered ,francis to present himself to his vicar1 and give him some white and red roses in proof of the truth of the fact1 and to bring some of his companions who might bear testimony of what they had heard4 ,footnote #a3 ,we have received from ,rome1 says the editor of the ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory1 some leaves from these miraculous rose-bushes4 ,we will willingly give some to the devout clients of ,st4 ,francis4 ,the ,pope1 convinced by proofs so incontestable1 confirmed the ,indulgence with all its privileges4 ,the ,indulgence of the ,portiuncula1 was soon known throughout the whole world2 and the prodigies which were seen wrought every year at ,st4 ,mary of ,angels1 excited the devotion of the faithful to gain it4 ,many times there were seen there fifty thousand1 and even a hundred thousand persons assembled together from all parts4 ,meanwhile1 in order to facilitate the means of gaining an ,indulgence so admirable1 the ,sovereign ,pontiffs extended it to all the churches of the three ,orders of ,st4 ,francis1 and it may be gained by all the faithful indiscriminately4 ,of all ,indulgences1 said ,bourdaloue1 that of the ,portiuncula is one of the surest and most authentic that there is in the ,church1 since it is an ,indulgence granted immediately by ,jesus ,christ1 a privilege peculiar to itself1 and this ,indulgence has spread amongst all ,christian people with a marvellous progress of souls1 and a sensible increase of piety4 ,the ,indulgence of the ,great ,pardon has another very special privilege2 it is1 that it may be gained totus quotus--that is to say1 as often as one visits a church to which it is attached1 and prays for the ,sovereign ,pontiff2 and this privilege may be enjoyed from the #ast of ,august about two o'clock in the afternoon1 till sunset on the following day4 ,pope ,boniface ,,viii4 said that it is most pious to gain that ,indulgence several times for oneself2 for1 although by the first gaining of a plenary ,indulgence1 the penalty be remitted1 by seeking to gain it again1 one receives an augmentation of grace and of glory that crowns all their good works4 ,besides1 this ,indulgence can be applied to the ,souls in ,purgatory1 as it can be also gained for the living by way of satisfaction1 provided they be in the state of grace4 ,it was one day revealed to ,st4 ,margaret of ,cortona that the ,souls in ,purgatory eagerly look forward every year to the ,feast of ,our ,lady of ,angels1 because it is a day of deliverance for a great number of them4 ,while speaking of the ,indulgence of the ,portiuncula1 we are naturally disposed to say a few words in regard to the grievous outrage recently committed on that place1 venerated for more than six hundred years by all ,christian nations1 and manifestly chosen as the object of divine predilection by all the prodigies there wrought4 ,the ,italian government had unlawfully1 and in a sacrilegious manner1 possessed itself of the ,convent of the ,portiuncula2 and notwithstanding the protest of all the members of the ,order of ,st4 ,francis1 and the indignation excited by so arbitrary an act in every ,catholic heart1 those iniquitous men put it up for sale1 and actually sold it by public auction4 ,the ,minister ,general of the ,franciscan ,order1 unwilling that this brightest gem of the ,franciscan crown should fall into impious hands1 resolved to have it purchased for him by a lay person4 ,but how was this to be done1 when he had no revenue1 often not means enough for necessary expenses8 a grave question1 truly1 for the children of ,st4 ,francis1 who might have seen themselves bereft of the cradle of their ,order1 were it not that1 at the critical moment1 a man of a truly ,christian heart came forward and advanced the thirty-four thousand francs1 the price to which their precious relic had been raised4 ,thus1 ,god would not permit that so many memories connected with ,his servant ,francis should be effaced from the earth1 although they would still have lived in the hearts of his children1 and the ,friars ,minors are still the owners and possessors of that venerable sanctuary4 #a-- ,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory1 #ahha4 ,footnote #a3 ,nevertheless1 means must be taken to pay back this sum so seasonably advanced4 ,hence it is1 that at the request of the ,minister ,general of the ,franciscans1 ,father ,marie1 of ,brest1 has made a touching appeal to all friends of the ,order and of justice1 and has opened subscription lists wherever there are children of ,st4 ,francis1 and there are children of ,st4 ,francis all over the world4 ,these lists1 with the names of the pious donors1 shall be sent to ,assisium1 to be preserved there in the very sanctuary of the ,portiuncula4--,,ed4 ,,al4 ,,catherine ,,of ,,cardona4 ,catherine of ,cardona was born in the very highest rank4 ,she was but eight years old when she lost her father1 ,raymond of ,cardona1 who was descended from the kings of ,aragon4 ,catherine had already made herself remarkable by her love of prayer1 solitude1 and mortification1 and by her admirable fidelity to grace she had drawn down upon herself1 at an age still so tender1 the signal favor of ,heaven4 ,one day1 whilst absorbed in prayer in her little oratory1 her father appeared to her enveloped in the flames of ,purgatory1 and1 conjuring her to deliver him1 he said to her3 ,daughter1 ,i shall remain in this fire until thou hast done penance for me4 ,with a heart full of compassion1 ,catherine promised her father to satisfy the divine justice for him1 and the vision disappeared4 ,from that moment ,catherine1 rising above the weakness of her age and sex1 applied herself to those amazing austerities which have made her a prodigy of penance4 ,to open ,heaven to her father1 she freely sheds1 in bloody scourgings1 the first fruits of that virginal blood which is to flow for half a century in innumerable torments4 ,magnanimous child1 she is already the martyr of filial piety1 but her tears1 her mortifications1 her prayers have disarmed the divine justice and discharged the paternal debt4 ,raymond1 resplendent with the glory of the blessed1 appears again to his daughter1 and addresses her in these words3 ,god has accepted thy penance1 my daughter1 and ,i go to enjoy ,his glory4 ,by that penance1 thou hast become so pleasing to ,jesus ,christ that ,he has chosen thee for ,his spouse4 ,continue all thy life to immolate thyself as a victim for the salvation of souls2 such is ,his divine will4 ,with these words1 which filled the heart of ,catherine with joy unspeakable1 he goes to ,heaven to sing the mercies of his ,god1 and to intercede with ,him1 in his turn1 for the beloved daughter who was his liberator4 ,oh6 happy1 thrice happy ,catherine6 ,whilst accomplishing an act of filial piety1 she gained the title of ,spouse of ,christ1 and secured for herself a powerful intercessor in heaven4--,almanac of the ,souls in ,purgatory1 #ahha4 ,the life of the little ,catherine was so admirable that we cannot resist the desire of giving some extracts from it here4 ,it will be so much the more appropriate that her whole life was consecrated to the relief of the souls in ,purgatory and the salvation of men4 ,overwhelmed with the happiness of seeing herself chosen for the spouse of the ,god of ,virgins1 ,catherine consecrates herself entirely to ,him1 and promises inviolable fidelity to ,him4 ,rejoiced to belong to the same ,spouse as the ,agathas and ,agnesses1 she makes a vow of perpetual virginity1 and exclaims in the fullness of her bliss3 ,thou alone1 mine ,adorable ,beloved1 ,thou alone shalt reign over my heart1 ,thou alone shalt have dominion over it for all eternity6 ,then ,jesus invisibly places on her finger the marriage ring1 and endows with strength her who aspires only to die with ,him on the cross4 ,catherine1 who1 after the death of her father1 was placed under the care of the ,princess of ,salerno1 a near relative of her mother1 leads in the palace of the princess a life no less rigorous than that of the penitents of the desert2 but she will have no other witness of it than ,he by whom she alone desires to be loved4 ,condemned by her rank to wear rich clothing1 she values only the glorious vesture of the soul1 which is grace4 ,the hair-cloth that macerates her flesh is her chosen garment4 ,at that age1 when people allow themselves to be dazzled by the world1 ,catherine of ,cardona has trampled it beneath her feet1 and later on1 becoming entirely free from the slavery of the world1 she retires to the ,capuchin ,convent at ,naples1 and there prepares1 by a seclusion of twenty-five years1 to give to the great ones of the earth an example of the most sublime virtues4 ,called by the ,princess of ,salerno to share her disfavor with the king1 she hesitates not to quit her dear solitude1 and repairs to ,spain1 in #aeeg4 ,her presence at ,valladolid was an eloquent sermon1 and produced the happiest fruits in souls4 ,the ,princess died at the end of two years2 and ,philip ,,ii41 knowing the wisdom of ,catherine1 kept her at the ,court1 appointing her as governess to ,don ,carlos1 his son1 and the young ,don ,juan of ,austria1 afterwards the hero of ,lepanto4 ,in #aefb1 ,our ,lord1 in a vision1 says to ,catherine3 ,depart from this palace2 retire to a solitary cave1 where thou mayest more freely apply thyself to prayer and penance4 ,at these words1 the soul of ,catherine is inundated with joy1 and she feels that no worldly obstacle could restrain her4 ,she would fain set out forthwith1 but her spiritual guides opposed her doing so4 ,finally1 after many trials1 whilst she was in prayer1 before the dawn1 the crucifix she wore hanging from her neck1 suddenly rose into the air1 and said3 ,follow me6 ,she followed it to a window on the ground-floor2 and although it was fastened with great iron bars1 ,catherine1 without knowing how1 found herself in the street4 ,transported with joy at this new miracle1 she flew to the place where the ,hermit of ,alcada and another priest were waiting to conduct her to the desert4 ,seeing the heroic virgin1 they blessed ,him who had thus broken her chains4 ,in order that she might not be recognized they cut off her hair1 gave her a hermit's robe1 and set out without delay4 ,arriving at a small hill about four leagues from ,roda1 ,catherine said to her guides3 ,here it is that ,god will have me take up my abode2 let us go no farther4 ,after a careful search they discovered amongst thorny hedges difficult to get through1 a species of grotto sufficiently deep2 but the entrance thereto was so narrow1 and the roof so low1 that ,catherine1 who was of medium height and rather full figure1 could hardly stand upright in it4 ,the two guides of the holy recluse1 taking leave of her1 left her some instruments of penance1 and three loaves1 for all provision4 ,there it was that the daughter of the ,duke of ,cardona commenced1 in #aefb1 that admirable life which has been the wonder of all succeeding ages4 ,teresa1 the seraphic ,teresa1 who lived at that time not far from ,catherine's solitude1 cried out in a transport of admiration3 ,oh6 how great must be the love that transported her1 since she thought neither of food1 nor danger1 nor the disgrace her flight might bring upon her2 what must be the intoxication of that holy soul1 flying thus to the desert1 solely engrossed by the desire of enjoying there without obstacle the presence of her ,spouse6 ,and how firm must be her resolution to break with the world1 since she thus fled from all its pleasures6 ,st4 ,teresa adds that ,catherine spent more than eight years in this desert cave1 that after having exhausted the small provision of three loaves left her by the hermit who had served her as a guide1 she had lived solely on roots and wild herbs1 but that1 after several years1 she met with a shepherd1 who thenceforward faithfully supplied her with bread1 of which she1 nevertheless1 ate but once in three days4 ,the discipline which she took with a large chain lasted often for an hour and a half1 and sometimes two hours4 ,her hair-cloth was so rough that a woman1 returning from a pilgrimage1 having asked hospitality of her1 told me 7it is still ,st4 ,teresa who speaks71 that feigning sleep1 she saw the holy recluse take off her hair-cloth and wipe it clean1 for it was full of blood4 ,the warfare she had to sustain against the demons made her suffer still more than her austerities2 she told our sisters that they appeared to her1 now in the form of great dogs who sprang on her shoulders1 and now in that of snakes2 but do as they might1 they could not make her afraid4 ,she heard ,mass in a convent of the ,sisters of ,mercy1 a quarter of a league distant2 sometimes she made the journey on her knees4 ,she wore a tunic of coarse serge1 and over that a robe of drugget so fashioned that she was taken for a man4 ,nevertheless1 the fame of her sanctity soon spread everywhere1 and the people conceived so great a veneration for her that they flocked from every side1 so that1 on certain days1 the surrounding country was covered with vehicles full of people going to see her4 ,about this time1 says ,st4 ,teresa1 she was seized with a great desire to found near her cave a monastery of religious1 but being undecided in her choice of the order1 she postponed for a time the execution of her design4 ,one day while at prayer before a crucifix which she always carried about her1 ,our ,lord showed her a white mantle1 and gave her to understand that she was to found a monastery of barefooted ,carmelites4 ,she knew not till then that such an order existed1 as she had never heard it mentioned2 indeed1 we had then but two monasteries of reformed ,carmelites1 that of ,moncera and that of ,pastrana4 ,catherine was speedily informed of the existence of this last4 ,as ,pastrana belonged to the ,princess of ,eboli1 her former friend1 she set out for that town with the firm resolution of doing what ,our ,lord had enjoined her to do4 ,it was at ,pastrana1 in the church of our religious1 that the ,blessed ,catherine took the habit of ,our ,lady of ,mount ,carmel1 having no intention1 notwithstanding that act1 to embrace the religious life4 ,our ,lord conducted her by another way1 and she never felt any attraction towards that state4 ,what kept her away from it was the fear of being obliged through obedience to moderate her austerities and quit her solitude4 ,as she had worn man's apparel ever since she had been in the desert1 she would not now change it4 ,so1 in laying aside her hermit's robe1 and assuming that of ,carmel1 she took a habit like that of the barefooted ,carmelite monks1 and wore it till her last breath4 ,in this ,catherine was led by a very special way4 ,catherine had been preceded at ,pastrana by the account of the wonders which had marked the eight years she had spent in her cave2 she was thus greeted as a saint as soon as she appeared2 no one was surprised to see her in her ,carmelite habit1 a cowl on her head1 a white mantle on her shoulders1 a robe of coarse drugget1 and a leathern girdle4 ,god permitted the appearance of ,catherine at the court of ,philip ,,ii4 as a virgin with the heart of a man1 victorious over all the weakness1 of her sex1 and rivalling in her austerities the most famous penitents of the desert4 ,at the ,escurial1 she observed the same abstinence as in her hermitage2 there1 as in her cave1 she took but one hour's sleep1 and gave to prayer the rest of the time at her disposal4 ,from the ,escurial1 ,catherine returned to ,madrid4 ,from the carriage in which she rode1 she gave her blessing to the multitudes who crowded the road as she passed4 444 ,the ,nuncio1 having sent for her1 reproached her for wearing the apparel of a man1 and for taking it upon her to give her blessing1 like a bishop4 ,the humble virgin heard all prostrate on the ground4 ,when the ,nuncio had finished speaking1 she arose and justified herself with that holy simplicity peculiar to herself4 ,the legate of the ,holy ,see1 perceiving then that ,god was leading the ,blessed ,catherine by an extraordinary way1 left her at liberty to wear that costume1 blessed her1 and recommended himself to her prayers4 ,in ,madrid ,catherine again met ,don ,juan of ,austria1 who had been appointed ,generalissimo of the ,christian fleet directed against the ,turks4 ,he gave her the name of mother1 and regarded her as a ,saint4 ,after having given some wise counsel to the young prince1 she predicted to him that he should obtain a victory over the enemies of the ,christian name4 ,it was a happy day in the life of ,don ,juan on which he heard these prophetic words4 ,kneeling on the ground1 with clasped hands and tearful eyes1 the future liberator of ,christendom asked ,catherine's blessing1 and arose with a heart strengthened by an invincible hope4 ,the ,carmelites of ,toledo1 amongst whom she spent some time1 endeavoring to persuade her to diminish her austerities a little1 she replied in these memorable words1 which reveal to us the secret of her life3 ,when one has seen1 as ,i have1 what ,purgatory and ,hell are1 one cannot do too much to draw souls from one1 and preserve them from the other2 ,i may not spare myself1 since ,i have offered myself in sacrifice for them4 ,on the #gth ,october1 #aega1 ,catherine was warned by a light from above that the great combat against the ,turks was to take place that day4 ,she macerated herself with fearful rigor1 and offered herself as a victim to the anger of ,god1 justly indignant at the sins of ,his people4 ,she addressed to the ,saviour of men the most tender supplications1 when1 all at once1 seized with a holy transport1 she uttered in a distinct voice these words1 which were heard by several persons of the ,court3 ,o ,lord1 the hour is come1 help ,thy ,church2 give the victory to the ,catholic chiefs2 have pity on so many kingdoms which are ,thine own1 preserve them from ruin6 ,the wind is against us3 my ,god1 if ,thou order it not to change1 we perish6 ,some time after1 she cried out in a still stronger voice3 ,blessed be ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 ,thou hast changed the wind at the needful moment2 finish what ,thou hast begun6 ,after these words she prayed in silence for a long space of time4 ,then1 starting up joyfully1 she offered to ,god the most lively thanksgivings for the victory ,he had just granted to ,his ,church4 ,soon1 in fact1 the news of the victory of ,lepanto confirmed the miraculous vision of ,catherine4 ,don ,juan wrote immediately to the venerable ,catherine of ,cardona1 thanking her for her prayers1 and sent her1 as a memento1 some spoils taken from the enemy4 ,catherine having received1 at the ,court and elsewhere1 sufficient means to found her monastery1 regained her solitude in the month of ,march1 #aegb4 ,she lived there five years longer4 ,it has been considered as a supernatural thing that mortifications so extraordinary as hers had not ended her life sooner4 ,she died on the #aath of ,may1 #aegg4 ,one day1 says ,st4 ,teresa1 after having received communion in the church of this monastery 7that which ,catherine had founded71 ,i entered into a profound recollection1 which was soon followed by an ecstasy4 ,whilst ,i was thus ravished out of myself1 that holy woman appeared to my intellectual vision1 resplendent with light like a glorified body1 and surrounded by angels4 ,she said to me3 ',weary not of founding monasteries1 but rather pursue that work with ardor4' ,i understood1 albeit that she did not say so1 that she was assisting me with ,god4 ,this apparition left me exceedingly comforted1 and inflamed with the desire of working for ,our ,lord's glory4 ,hence1 ,i hope from ,his divine goodness and the powerful prayers of that ,saint1 that ,i may be able to do something for ,his service4 ,,the ,,emperor ,,nicholas ,,praying ,,for ,,his ,,mother4 ,heretics or ,schismatics care very little about contradicting themselves4 ,it is of the nature of the iniquity of lying4 ,the ,anti de la ,religion1 of ,march #a1 #ahea1 judiciously observes3 ,it is well known that the ,russian ,church pretends not to admit the doctrine of ,purgatory1 which one of its principal prelates set down as 'a crude modern invention4' ,nevertheless1 the manifesto recently published by the ,emperor ,nicholas1 on the death of his mother1 the ,grand ,duchess ,elizabeth1 ,duchess of ,nassau1 concludes with these words3 ',we are convinced that all our faithful subjects will unite their prayers with ours1 for the repose of the soul of the deceased4' ,how are we to reconcile this request for prayers with the denial of ,purgatory1 coming as it does from the mouth of the supreme pontiff of the ,church of ,russia8--,christian ,anecdotes4 ,,funeral ,,oration ,,on ,,pius ,,vi4 ,,rev4 ,,arthur ,o',,leary1 ,o ,s ,f4 ,thou hast lifted me up1 and cast me down4 ,my days are like a shadow2 that declineth1 and ,i am withered like grass2 but thou1 ,o ,lord1 shall1 endure forever4--,ps4 cii41 verses #aj1 #aa1 #ab4 ,yes6 ,o my ,god6 ,you lift up and you cast down2 you humble and you exalt the sons of men4 ,you cut off the breath of princes1 and are terrible to the kings of the earth4 ,it is then we know your power1 when1 by the stroke of death1 we feel what we are1 that our life is but as a shadow that declineth1 a vapor dispersed by the beams of the rising sun1 or as the grass which loses at noon the verdure it had acquired from the morning dew4 ,it is a truth of which we1 are made sensible upon this mournful occasion1 and in this sacred temple1 where the trophies of death are displayed1 and its image reflected on every side4 ,the mournful accents of the solemn dirge1 the sable drapery that lines these walls1 the vestments of the ministers of the sacred altar1 this artificial darkness which is a figure of the darkness of the grave2-- the tapers that blaze around the sanctuary to put us in mind that when our mortal life is extinct1 there is an immortal life beyond the grave1 in a kingdom of light and bliss reserved for those who walk on earth by the light of the gospel2--that tomb1 in which the tiara and the sceptre1 the ,pontifical dignity1 and the power of the temporal prince1 are covered over with a funeral shroud1--every object that strikes the eye1 and every sound that vibrates on the ear1 is an awful memento which reminds us of our approaching dissolution1 points out the vanity and nothingness of all earthly grandeur1 and convinces1 us that in holiness of life1 which unites us to ,god and secures an immortal crown in the enjoyment of the sovereign good1 consists the greatness as well as the happiness of man4 ,an awful truth exemplified in many great characters1 hurled from the summit of power and grandeur into an abyss of woe1 whose unshaken virtue supported them under the severest trials1 and whose greatness of soul shone conspicuous in their fall as well as in their elevation4 ,a truth particularly exemplified in ,his ,holiness ,pope ,pius ,,vi41 whose obsequies we are assembled to solemnize on this day--,pius ,,vi4 great in prosperity2 ,pius ,,vi4 great in adversity4 ,when his life is written by an impartial hand1 when his contemporaries are dead1 when history lays open the hidden and mysterious springs of the events connected with his reign1 and posterity erects a tribunal1 at which it is to judge1 without dread of giving offence1 then his virtues and wisdom will appear in their true light1 as the symmetry and proportion of those beautiful statues1 which are placed in the porticoes or entrance of temples and public edifices1 are better discovered1 and seen to a greater advantage at a certain distance4 99 99 99 99 99 ,though ,his life was spotless1 yet as the judgments of ,god are unsearchable1 as there is such a quantity of dross mixed with our purest gold1 such chaff with our purest grain1 our purest virtues tarnished with so many imperfections1 that on appearing in the presence of ,god1 into whose ,kingdom the slightest stain is not admitted1 who can say1 ,my soul is pure2 ,i have nothing to answer for8 as in our belief1 divine justice may inflict temporary as well as eternal punishments beyond the grave1 according to the quality of unexpiated offences1 let us perform the sacred rites of our holy religion for the repose of his soul4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,these extracts are taken from the funeral oration on ,pius ,,vi1 delivered at ,st4 ,patrick's ,chapel1 ,soho1 in presence of ,monsignore ,erskine1 ,papal ,auditor1 on the #ajth ,nov41 #agii4 ,,from ,,the ,,funeral ,,oration ,,on ,,the ,,rev4 ,,arthur4 ,o',,leary1 ,o4,s4,f4 ,,rev4 ,,morgan ,d',,arcy4 ,my brethren1 as it is ,god alone1 that searcher of hearts1 who can truly appreciate the merits of ,his elect1 as it belongs only to the ,holy ,catholic ,church1 that pillar and ground of truth1 to canonize them1 as we know that nothing impure can enter into heaven1 and that ,moses himself1 that great legislator1 and peculiar favorite of heaven1 was not entirely spotless in the discharge of his ministry1 nor exempt from temporal punishment at his death1 let us no longer interrupt the awful mysteries and impressive ceremonies of religion1 but1 uniting1 and1 as it were1 embodying our prayers and fervent supplications1 let us offer a holy violence to heaven2 while we mingle our tears with the precious blood of the spotless ,victim offered in sacrifice on our hallowed altar1 let us implore the ,father of ,mercies1 through the merits and passion of ,his adorable ,son1 our merciful ,redeemer1 to purify this ,his minister1 and admit him to a participation of the never-ending joys of the heavenly ,jerusalem4 ,may he rest in peace4 ,amen4 ,,de ,,mortuis4 ,,our ,,deceased ,,prelates4 ,from a ,sermon delivered by ,most ,rev4 ,,archbishop ,,corrigan1 of ,,new ,,york1 at the ,,third ,,plenary ,,council of ,,baltimore4 ,remember your prelates who have spoken the ,word of ,god to you4 ,heb4 c4 xiii4 v4 #b4 ,of the forty-six ,fathers who sat in the ,second ,plenary ,council1 only sixteen still survive4 ,more than this4 ,during the few years that have since elapsed not only have thirty bishops and archbishops gone to the house of their eternity1 but in several instances1 their successors1 too1 have passed away1 so that the ,solemn ,requiem offered this morning for the prelates who have died since the last ,council is chanted for forty-two consecrated rulers4 ,for these1 as it is a good and wholesome thought to pray for the dead1 we send up our sighs and our prayers in the spirit of fraternal charity1 and as a tribute of love and gratitude to our ,fathers in the faith who had the burden of the day and the heat1 and who now rest from their labors4 ,blessed are the dead who die in the ,lord4 ,from henceforth now1 saith the ,spirit1444 for their works follow them4 ,in the commemorative services and solemn supplications offered in this cathedral1 the first place1 dear brethren1 is deservedly due to your own lamented archbishops4444 ,besides these1 memory turns1 with fond regret1 to a long list of ,right ,reverend ,prelates1 who were all present at the late ,plenary ,council1 and who have since1 one by one1 passed away4444 ,as we repeat each well-known name1 hosts of pleasant memories come crowding on the mind just as by-gone scenes are awakened to new life by some sweet strain of once familiar music4 ,venerable forms loom up again before us with the paternal kindness1 the distinguished presence1 the winning ways we knew so well of old2 and while the vision lasts we seem to hear a still small voice saying3 ,to-day for me1 to- morrow for thee1 or the echo of the words spoken by the wise woman of ,thecua to the king on his throne3 ,we all die1 and fall down into the earth1 like waters that return no more4 ,star differeth from star in glory4 ,the bishops1 whose virtues we commemorate1 differed in gifts of mind1 in habits of thought1 in nationality1 in early training1 in personal experience1 in almost everything else but their common faith4 ,this golden bond united them to each other and to us4 ,there was still another point of resemblance and another link that bound them all together--the participation in the divine work of the ,good ,shepherd which was laid upon them all4444 ,,part ,,iv4 ,,thoughts ,,of ,,various ,,authors ,,on ,,purgatory4 ,the fuel justice layeth on1 ,and mercy blows the coals1 ,the metal in this furnace wrought ,is men's defiled souls4--,,southwell4 ,,thoughts ,,of ,,various ,,authors ,,on ,,purgatory4 ,,purgatory4 ,,cardinal ,,newman4 ,thus we see how1 as time went on1 the doctrine of ,purgatory was brought home to the minds of the faithful as a portion or form of penance due for post-baptismal sin4 ,and thus the apprehension of this doctrine1 and the practice of ,infant ,baptism1 would grow into general reception together4 ,cardinal ,fisher gives another reason for ,purgatory being then developed out of earlier points of faith4 ,he says3 ,faith1 whether in ,purgatory or in ,indulgences1 was not so necessary in the ,primitive ,church as now2 for then love so burned that every one was ready to meet death for ,christ4 ,crimes were rare2 and such as occurred were avenged by the great severity of the ,canons4444 ,the doctrine of post-baptismal sin1 especially when realized in the doctrine of ,purgatory1 leads the inquirer to fresh developments beyond itself4 ,its effect is to convert a ,scripture statement1 which might seem only of temporary application1 into a universal and perpetual truth4 ,when ,st4 ,paul and ,st4 ,barnabas would 'confirm the souls of the disciples1' they taught them 'that we must1 through much tribulation1 enter into the kingdom of ,god4' ,it is obvious what very practical results would follow on such an announcement in the instance of those who accepted the apostolic decision2 and1 in like manner1 a conviction that sin must have its punishment1 here or hereafter1 and that we all must suffer1 how overpowering will be its effect1 what a new light does it cast on the history of the soul1 what a change does it make in our judgment of the external world1 what a reversal of our natural wishes and aims for the future6 ,is a doctrine conceivable which would so elevate the mind above this present state1 and teach it so successfully to dare difficult things1 and to be reckless of danger and pain8 ,he who believes that suffer he must1 and that delayed punishment may be the greater1 will be above the world1 will admire nothing1 fear nothing1 desire nothing4 ,he has within his breast a source of greatness1 self-denial1 heroism4 ,this is the secret spring of strenuous efforts and persevering toil2 of the sacrifice of fortune1 friends1 ease1 reputation1 happiness4 ,there is1 it is true1 a higher class of motives which will be felt by the ,saints2 who will do from love what all ,christians who act acceptably do from faith4 ,and1 moreover1 the ordinary measures of charity which ,christians possess suffice for securing such respectable attention to religious duties as the routine necessities of the ,church require4 ,but1 if we would raise an army of devoted men to resist the world1 to oppose sin and error1 to relieve misery1 or to propagate truth1 we must be provided with motives which keenly affect the many4 ,christian love is too rare a gift1 philanthropy is too weak a material1 for that occasion4 ,nor is there an influence to be found to suit our purpose besides this solemn conviction1 which arises out of the very rudiments of ,christian theology1 and is taught by its most ancient masters1--this sense of the awfulness of post-baptismal sin4 ,it is in vain to look out for missionaries for ,china or ,africa1 or evangelists for our great towns1 or ,christian attendants on the sick1 or teachers of the ignorant1 on such a scale of numbers as the need requires1 without the doctrine of ,purgatory4 ,for thus the sins of youth are turned to account by the profitable penance of manhood2 and terrors1 which the philosopher scorns in the individual1 become the benefactors1 and earn the gratitude of nations4--,essay on the ,development of ,christian ,doctrine1 #a p4 #chf4 ,footnote #a3 ,nevertheless1 means must be taken to pay back this sum so seasonably advanced4 ,hence it is1 that at the request of the ,minister ,general of the ,franciscans1 ,father ,marie1 of ,brest1 has made a touching appeal to all4 ,,our ,,debt ,,to ,,the ,,dead4 ,,cardinal ,,manning ,the ,saints1 by their intercession and their patronage1 unite us with ,god4 ,they watch over us2 they pray for us2 they obtain graces for us4 ,our guardian angels are round about us3 they watch over and protect us4 ,the man who has not piety enough to ask their prayers must have a heart but little like to the love and veneration of the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus4 ,but there are other friends of ,god to whom we owe a debt of piety4 ,they are those who are suffering beyond the grave1 in the silent kingdom of pain and expiation--in the dark and yet blessed realm of purification2 that is to say1 the multitudes who pass out of this world1 washed in the ,precious ,blood1 perfectly absolved of all guilt of sin1 children and friends of ,god1 blessed souls1 heirs of the kingdom of ,heaven1 all but ,saints2 nevertheless1 they are not yet altogether purified for ,his kingdom4 ,they are there detained--kept back from ,his presence--until their expiation is accomplished4 ,you and ,i1 and every one of us1 will pass through that place of expiation4 ,neither you nor ,i are ,saints1 nor1 upon earth1 ever will be2 therefore1 before we can see ,god1 we must be purified by pain in that silent realm4 ,but those blessed souls are friends of ,god next after ,his ,saints2 and in the same order they ought to be the objects of our piety2 that is1 of our love and compassion1 of our sympathy and our prayers4 ,they can do nothing now for themselves3 they have no longer any ,sacraments2 they do not even pray for themselves4 ,they are so conformed to the will of ,god that they suffer there in submission and in silence4 ,they desire nothing except that ,his will should be accomplished4 ,therefore1 it is our duty to help them--to help them by our prayers1 our penances1 our mortifications1 our alms1 by the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,altar4 ,there may be father and mother1 brother and sister1 friend and child1 whom you have loved as your own life3 they may now be there4 ,have you forgotten them8 ,have you no pity for them now1 no natural piety1 no spirit of love for them8 ,do you forget them all the day long8 ,look back upon those who made your home in your early childhood1 the light of whose faces you can still see shining in your memories1 and the sweetness of whose voice is still in your ears--do you forget them because they are no longer seen8 ,is it1 indeed1 out of sight1 out of mind8 ,what an impiety of heart is this6 ,the ,catholic ,church1 the true mother of souls1 cherishes1 with loving memory1 all her departed4 ,never does a day pass but she prays for them at the altar2 never does a year go by that there is not a special commemoration of all her children departed on one solemn day1 which is neither feast nor fast1 but a day of the profoundest piety and of the deepest compassion4 ,surely1 then1 if we have the spirit of piety in our hearts1 the holy souls will be a special object of our remembrance and our prayers4 ,how many now are there whom we have known in life8 ,there are those who have been grievously afflicted1 and those who have been very sinful1 but1 through the ,precious ,blood and a death-bed repentance1 have been saved at last4 ,have you forgotten them8 ,are you doing nothing for them8 ,there may also be souls there for whom there is no one to pray on earth2 there may be souls who are utterly forgotten by their own kindred1 outcast from all remembrance2 and yet the ,precious ,blood was shed for their sakes4 ,if no one remember1 them now1 you1 at least1 if you have in your hearts the gift of piety1 will pray for them4--,internal ,mission of the ,holy ,ghost1 p4 #bdg4 ,,purgatory ,,cardinal ,,wiseman4 ,i need hardly observe1 that there is not a single liturgy existing1 whether we consider the most ancient period of the ,church1 or the most distant part of the world1 in which this doctrine is not laid down4 ,in all ,oriental liturgies1 we find parts appointed1 in which the ,priest or ,bishop is ordered to pray for the souls of the faithful departed2 and tables were anciently kept in the churches1 called the ,dyptichs1 on which the names of the deceased were enrolled1 that they might be remembered in the ,sacrifice of the ,mass and the prayers of the faithful4 ,the name of ,purgatory scarcely requires a passing comment4 ,it has1 indeed1 been made a topic of abuse1 on the ground that it is not to be found in ,scripture4 ,but where is the word ,trinity to be met with8 ,where is the word ,incarnation to be read in ,scripture8 ,where are many other terms1 held most sacred and important in the ,christian religion8 ,the doctrines are1 indeed1 found there2 but these names were not given1 until circumstances had rendered them necessary4 ,we see that the ,fathers of the ,church have called it a purging fire--a place of expiation or purgation4 ,the idea is precisely1 the name almost1 the same4 ,it has been said by divines of the ,english ,church1 that the two doctrines which ,i have joined together1 of prayers for the dead and ,purgatory1 have no necessary connection1 and that1 in fact1 they were not united in the ancient ,church4 ,the answer to this assertion ,i leave to your memories1 after the passages which ,i have read you from the ,fathers4 ,they surely speak of purgation by fire after death1 whereby the imperfections of this life are washed out1 and satisfaction made to ,god for sins not sufficiently expiated2 they speak1 at the same time1 of our prayers being beneficial to those who have departed this life in a state of sin2 and these propositions contain our entire doctrine on ,purgatory4 ,it has also been urged that the established religion1 or ,protestantism1 does not deny or discourage prayers for the dead1 so long as they are independent of a belief in ,purgatory2 and1 in this respect1 it is stated to agree with the primitive ,christian ,church4 ,but1 my brethren1 this distinction is exceedingly fallacious4 ,religion is a lively1 practical profession2 it is to be ascertained and judged by its sanctioned practices and outward demonstration1 rather than by the mere opinions of the few4 ,i would at once fairly appeal to the judgment of any ,protestant1 whether he has been taught1 and has understood that such is the doctrine of his ,church4 ,if1 from the services which he attended1 or the ,catechism which he has learned1 or the discourses heard1 he has been led to suppose that praying for the dead1 in terms however general1 was noways a peculiarity of ,catholicism1 but as much a permitted practice of ,protestantism4 ,it is a practical doctrine in the ,catholic ,church1 it has an influence highly consoling to humanity1 and eminently worthy of a religion that came down from heaven to second all the purest feelings of the heart4 ,nature herself seems to revolt at the idea that the chain of attachment which binds us together in life1 can be rudely snapped asunder by the hand of death1 conquered and deprived of its sting since the victory of the cross4 ,but it is not to the spoil of mortality1 cold and disfigured1 that she clings with affection4 ,it is but an earthly and almost unchristian grief1 which sobs when the grave closes over the bier of a departed loved one3 but the soul flies upward to a more spiritual affection1 and refuses to surrender the hold which it had upon the love and interest of the spirit that has fled4 ,cold and dark as the sepulchral vault is the belief that sympathy is at an end when the body is shrouded in decay1 and that no further interchange of friendly offices may take place between those who have lain down to sleep in peace and us1 who for awhile strew fading flowers upon their tomb4 ,but sweet is the consolation to the dying man1 who1 conscious of imperfection1 believes that even after his own time of merit is expired1 there are others to make intercession on his behalf2 soothing to the afflicted survivors the thought1 that instead of unavailing tears they possess more powerful means of actively relieving their friend1 and testifying their affectionate regret1 by prayer and supplication4 ,in the first moments of grief1 this sentiment will often overpower religious prejudice1 cast down the unbeliever on his knees beside the remains of his friend1 and snatch from him an unconscious prayer for rest2 it is an impulse of nature1 which for the moment1 aided by the analogies of revealed truth1 seizes at once upon this consoling belief4 ,but it is only like the flitting and melancholy light which sometimes plays as a meteor over the corpses of the dead2 while the ,catholic feeling1 cheering1 though with solemn dimness1 resembles the unfailing lamp which the piety of the ancients is said to have hung before the sepulchres of their dead4 ,it prolongs the tenderest affections beyond the gloom of the grave1 and it infuses the inspiring hope that the assistance which we on earth can afford to our suffering brethren1 will be amply repaid when they have reached their place of rest1 and make of them friends1 who1 when we in our turns fail1 shall receive us into everlasting mansions4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,lectures on the ,catholic ,church1 often called the ,moorfield ,lectures1 from being delivered in ,st4 ,mary's ,moorfields1 in the ,lent of #ahcf4 ,vol4 ,i41 ,lecture xi1 pp #fe1fh4 ,this lecture upon ,purgatory is an admirable exposition of the ,catholic doctrine1 supported by numberless testimonies from the ,fathers4 ,,reply ,,to ,,some ,,misstatements ,,about ,,purgatory4 ,,archbishop ,,spalding1 ,,of ,,baltimore4 ,the ,synod of ,florence1 says this writer1 #a was the first which taught the doctrine of ,purgatory1 as an article of faith4 ,it had1 indeed1 been held by the ,pope and by many writers1 and it became the popular doctrine during the period under review2 but it was not decreed by any authority of the universal1 or even the whole ,latin ,church4 ,in the ,eastern ,church it was always rejected4 ,footnote #a3 ,rev4 ,wm4 ,a4 ,palmer of ,worcester ,college1 ,oxford1 in his ,compendium of ,ecclesiastical ,history4 ,even admitting1 for the sake of argument1 that the ,council of ,florence was the first which defined this doctrine as an article of faith1 would it thence follow that the doctrine itself was of recent origin8 ,it could only be inferred that it was never before questioned1 and that1 therefore1 there was no need of any definition on the subject4 ,would it follow from the fact1 that the ,council of ,nice was the first general synod which defined the doctrine of the consubstantiality of the ,son with the ,father1 that this1 too1 was a new doctrine1 unknown to the three previous centuries8 ,mr4 ,palmer himself admits that this tenet of ,purgatory had become the popular doctrine during the period under review2 which1 in connection with the solemn promises of ,christ to guard ,his ,church from error1 clearly proves that it was an article of divine revelation1--on the principles even of our ,oxford divine6 ,it is not true that it was always rejected in the ,eastern ,church4 ,the ,greek ,church admitted it in the ,council of ,florence and1 at least1 impliedly1 in that of ,lyons4 ,it had never been a bar to union between the churches1 however their theologians may have differed on the secondary question1 whether the souls detained in this middle place of temporary expiation are purified by a material fire4 ,the ancient ,fathers1 both of the ,greek and ,latin ,church1 who had occasion to refer to the subject1 had unanimously agreed in maintaining the doctrine1 as could be easily shown by reference to their works4 ,all the ancient liturgies of both ,churches had embodied this same article of faith4 ,and even at present1 not only the ,greek ,church1 but all the ,oriental sectaries still hold it as doctrine1 and practice accordingly4 ,,count ,,de ,,maistre ,,on ,,purgatory4 ,you have heard1 in countries separated from the ,roman ,church1 the doctors of the law deny at once ,hell and ,purgatory4 ,you might well have taken the denial of a word for that of a thing4 ,an enormous power is that of words6 ,the minister who would be angry at that of ,purgatory will readily grant us a place of expiation1 or an intermediate state1 or perhaps even stations1 who knows8 without thinking it in the least ridiculous4 ,one of the great motives of the sixteenth century revolt was precisely ,purgatory4 ,the insurgents would have nothing less than ,hell1 pure and simple4 ,nevertheless1 when they became philosophers1 they set about denying the eternity of punishment1 allowing1 nevertheless1 a hell for a time1 only through good policy and for fear of putting into heaven at one stroke ,nero and ,messalina side by side with ,st4 ,louis and ,st4 ,teresa4 ,but a temporary hell is nothing else than ,purgatory2 so that having broken with us because they did not want ,purgatory1 they broke with us anew because they wanted ,purgatory only4 ,,what ,,the ,,saints ,,thought ,,of ,,purgatory4 ,in the ,special ,announcement of the ,messenger of ,st4 ,joseph's ,union for #ahhe-f1 we find the following interesting remarks in relation to the devotion to the ,souls in ,purgatory3 ,st4 ,gregory the ,great1 speaking of ,purgatory1 calls it 'a penitential fire harder to endure than all the tribulations of this world4' ,st4 ,augustine says that the torment of fire alone endured by the holy souls in ,purgatory1 exceeds all the tortures inflicted on the martyrs2 and ,st4 ,thomas says that there is no difference between the fire of ,hell and that of ,purgatory4 ,prayer for the souls in ,purgatory is a source of great blessings to ourselves4 ,it is related of a holy religious who had for a long time struggled in vain to free himself from an impure temptation1 and who appealed earnestly to the ,blessed ,virgin to deliver him1 that she appeared to him and commanded him to pray earnestly for the souls in ,purgatory4 ,he did so1 and from that time the temptation left him4 ,the duration of the period of confinement in ,purgatory is probably much longer than we are inclined to think4 ,we find by the ,revelations of ,sister ,francesca of ,pampeluna that the majority of souls in ,purgatory with whose sufferings she was made acquainted1 were detained there for a period extending from thirty to sixty years2 and1 as many of those of whom she speaks were holy ,carmelites1 some of whom had even wrought miracles when on earth1 what must be the fate of poor worldlings who seldom think of gaining an indulgence either for themselves or their departed friends and relatives8 ,father ,faber commenting on this subject--the length of time that the holy souls are detained in ,purgatory--says very justly3 ',we are apt to leave off too soon praying for our parents1 friends1 or relatives1 imagining with a foolish and unenlightened esteem for the holiness of their lives1 that they are freed from ,purgatory much sooner than they really are4' ,can the holy souls in ,purgatory assist us by their prayers8 ,most assuredly4 ,st4 ,liguori says3 ',though the souls in ,purgatory are unable to pray or merit for themselves1 they can obtain by prayer many favors for those who pray for them on earth4' ,st4 ,catherine of ,bologna has assured us that she obtained many favors by the prayers of the holy souls in ,purgatory which she had asked in vain through the intercession of the saints4 ,the ,holy ,ghost says3 ',he who stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor1 shall also cry himself and shall not be heard1' and ,st4 ,vincent ,ferrer says1 in expounding that passage1 that the holy souls in ,purgatory cry to ,god for justice against those who on earth refuse to help them by their prayers1 and that ,god will most assuredly hear their cry4 ,let us1 therefore1 do all in our power to relieve the holy souls in ,purgatory1 and avert from ourselves the punishment that ,god is sure to inflict on those whose faith is too dead1 or whose hearts are too cold to heed the cry that rises1 day and night1 from that sea of fire3 ',have pity on me1 have pity on me1 at least you my friends6' ,job xix4 #ba4 ,,purgatory4 ,,chateaubriand4 ,that the doctrine of ,purgatory opens to the ,christian poet a source of the marvellous which was unknown to antiquity will be readily admitted4 #a ,nothing1 perhaps1 is more favorable to the inspiration of the muse than this middle state of expiation between the region of bliss and that of pain1 suggesting the idea of a confused mixture of happiness and of suffering4 ,the graduation of the punishments inflicted on those souls that are more or less happy1 more or less brilliant1 according to their degree of proximity to an eternity of joy or of woe1 affords an impressive subject for poetic description4 ,in this respect1 it surpasses the subjects of heaven and hell1 because it possesses a future which they do not4 ,footnote #a3 ,some trace of this dogma is to be found in ,plato and in the doctrine of ,zeno4 7,see ,diog4 ,laer47 ,the poets also appear to have had some idea of it 7neid1 v4 vi71 but these notions are all vague and inconsequent4 ,the river ,lethe was a graceful appendage of the ancient ,elysium2 but it cannot be said that the shades which came to life again on its banks exhibited the same poetical progress in the way to happiness that we behold in the souls of ,purgatory4 ,when they left the abodes of bliss to reappear among men1 they passed from a perfect to an imperfect state4 ,they re-entered the ring for the fight4 ,they were born again to undergo a second death4 ,in short1 they came forth to see what they had already seen before4 ,whatever can be measured by the human mind is necessarily circumscribed4 ,we may admit1 indeed1 that there was something striking and true in the circle by which the ancients symbolized eternity2 but it seems to us that it fetters the imagination by confining it always within a dreaded enclosure4 ,the straight line extended ad infinitum would1 perhaps1 be more expressive1 because it would carry our thoughts into a world of undefined realities1 and would bring together three things which appear to exclude each other--hope1 mobility1 eternity4 ,the apportionment of the punishment to the sin is another source of invention which is found in the purgatorial state1 and is highly favorable to the sentimental4444 ,if violent winds1 raging fires1 and icy cold1 lend their influence to the torments of hell1 why may not milder sufferings be derived from the song of the nightingale1 from the fragrance of flowers1 from the murmur of the brook1 or from the moral affections themselves8 ,homer and ,ossian tell us of the joy of grief aruerou tetarpo mesthagolo4 ,poetry finds its advantage also in that doctrine of ,purgatory which teaches us that the prayers and other good works of the faithful may obtain the deliverance of souls from their temporal pains4 ,how admirable is this intercourse between the living son and the deceased father--between the mother and daughter--between husband and wife-- between life and death4 ,what affecting considerations are suggested by this tenet of religion6 ,my virtue1 insignificant being as ,i am1 becomes the common property of ,christians2 and1 as ,i participate in the guilt of ,adam1 so also the good that ,i possess passes to the good of others4 ,christian poets6 the prayers of your ,nisus will be felt1 in their happy effects1 by some ,euryalus beyond the grave4 ,the rich1 whose charity you describe1 may well share their abundance with the poor1 for the pleasure which they take in performing this simple and grateful act will receive its regard from the ,almighty in the release of their parents from the expiatory flame4 ,what a beautiful feature in our religion to impel the heart of man to virtue by the power of love1 and to make him feel that the very coin which gives bread for the moment to an indigent fellow-being1 entitles1 perhaps1 some rescued soul to an eternal position at the table of the ,lord4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,genius of ,christianity4 ,book ,,ii41 ,chap4 xv4 pp4 #cch- #cdj4 ,,mary ,,and ,,the ,,faithful ,,departed4 ,,by ,,brother ,,azarias4 ,mary1 from her nearness to ,jesus1 has imbibed many traits of the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus4 ,she shares1 in a preeminent degree1 ,his ,divine compassion for sorrow and suffering4 ,where ,he loves and pities1 she also loves and pities4 ,nay1 may we not well say that all enduring anguish of soul and writhing under the pangs of a lacerated heart1 are especially dear to both ,jesus and ,mary8 ,was not ,jesus the ,man of ,sorrows8 and did ,he not constitute ,mary the ,mother of suffering and sorrowing humanity8 ,and even as ,his ,divine breast knew keenest sorrow1 did not a sword of sorrow pierce her soul8 ,she participated in the agony of ,jesus only as such a ,mother can share the agony of such a ,son2 in the tenderest manner1 therefore1 does she commiserate sorrow and suffering wherever found4 ,though now far beyond all touch of pain and misery1 still as the devoted ,mother of a pain-stricken race1 she continues to watch1 to shield1 to aid and to strengthen her children in their wrestlings with these mysterious visitants4 ,,ii4 ,nor does ,mary's interest cease upon this side of the grave4 ,it accompanies souls beyond4 ,and when she beholds those souls undergoing their final purgation1 before entering upon the enjoyment of the beatific vision1 she pities them with a pity all the more heartfelt because their suffering is so much greater than any they could have endured in this life4 ,see the state of those souls4 ,they are in grace and favor with ,god2 they are burning with love for ,him2 they are yearning1 with a yearning boundless in its intensity1 to drink refreshment of life1 and love1 and sanctification1 and to be replenished with goodness and truth1 and to perfect their natures at the ,fountain-head of all truth1 all goodness1 all love1 and all perfection4 ,they are yearning2 but so clearly and piercingly does the white light of ,god's truth and ,god's holiness shine through them and penetrate every fold and recess of their moral natures1 and reveal to them every slightest imperfection1 that they dare not approach ,him and gratify their intense desire to be united with ,him4 ,their weaknesses and imperfections2 the traces in them of1 and the attachments in them to1 former sins1 incident upon the frailties of feeble human nature1 still cling to them1 and must needs be consumed in the fiery ordeal of suffering before their enjoyment of the beatific vision can be completed and their union with the ,godhead consummated4 ,,iii4 ,that there should be for souls after death such a state of purgation is all within the grasp of human reason4 ,it is a doctrine that was taught in the remotest ages of the world4 ,here is a condensed version of the tradition as handed down in clearest terms1 beautifully expressed by one of the world's greatest thinkers and writers3 ,all things are distinctly manifest in the soul after it has been divested of the body2 and this is true both of the natural disposition of the soul and of the affections that the man has acquired from his various pursuits4 ,when therefore the soul comes before the ,judge 444 the ,judge finds all things distorted through pride and falsehood and whatsoever is unrighteous1 for as much as the soul has been nurtured with untruth 444 and he forthwith sends it to a prison state where it will undergo the punishment it deserves4 ,but it behooveth that he that is punished1 if he be justly punished1 either become better and receive benefit from his punishment1 or become a warning to others4444 ,but whoso are benefited 444 are such as have been guilty of curable transgressions2 their benefit here and hereafter #a accrues to them through pains and torments2 for it is impossible to get rid of injustice by other manner of means4 ,this reads like a page torn from one of the early ,fathers of the ,church4 #b ,more than five centuries before the ,christian era it was penned by ,plato4 #c ,clearly does he draw the line between eternal punishment for unrepented crimes and temporal punishment for curable ,idmpa trangressions4 ,virgil in no uncertain tone echoes the same doctrine1 making no exception to the rule that some corporeal stains and traces of ill follow all beyond the grave2 and therefore do they suffer punishment and pay the penalty of old wrongs4 #d ,what antiquity has handed down1 and reason has found to be just and proper1 the ,church has defined and decreed4 ,she has gone further4 ,she has supplemented and completed the pagan conception of expiation by that of intercession2 and she has added thereto1 for the comfort and consolation of the living and the dead1 that the souls so suffering may be helped by the suffrages of the faithful1 but principally by the acceptable ,sacrifice of the ,altar4 #e ,and in her prayers for deceased friends1 relatives and benefactors1 she is mindful of ,mary's sweet influence with her ,son1 and asks their deliverance through her intercession4 #f ,footnote #a3 ,kai enthude kai en ,aidou ,footnote #b3 ,there is a passage in ,clement of ,alexandria1 not unlike this in statement of the same doctrine 7,stromaton #a4 vi4 m4 #ad1 p4 #gid ,ed4 ,potter74 ,the passage is quoted in ,faith of ,catholics4 ,vol4 ,ill p4 #adb4 ,footnote #c3 ,gorgias1 cap4 lxxx1 lxxxi4 ,footnote #d3 neid1 lib4 vi4 #gce1 #gdj4 ,footnote #e3 ,council of ,trent1 ,sess4 xxv4 ,decret4 de ,purgatorio1 p4 #bjd4 ,footnote #f3 ,beata ,maria semper virgine intercedente4 ,the tendency to commune with the dead1 and to pray for them1 is strong and universal4 ,it survives whatever systems or whatever creeds men may invent for its suppression4 ,samuel ,johnson is professedly a staunch ,protestant1 bristling with prejudices1 but a delicate moral sense enters the rugged manhood of his nature4 ,instinctively he seeks to commune with his departed wife1 after the manner dear to the ,catholic heart1 but forbidden to the ,protestant4 ,he keeps the anniversary of her death4 ,he composes a prayer for the repose of her soul1 beseeching ,god to grant her whatever is best in her present state1 and finally to receive her to eternal happiness4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,boswell's ,johnson1 vol4 #a1 p4 #ajj4 ,croker's ,ed4 ,there is pathos in this entry1 remembering the man3 ,mar4 #bh1 #agec4 ,i kept this day as the anniversary of my ,tetty's death1 with prayer and tears in the morning4 ,in the evening ,i prayed for her conditionally1 if it were lawful4 ,ibid4 p4 #ig4 ,,iv ,of the nature and intensity of the sufferings of souls undergoing this purgation1 we on earth can form but the faintest conception4 ,not so ,mary4 ,she sees things as they are4 ,she sees the great love animating those ,i holy souls4 ,she sees their eager desire to be united to ,god1 the sole centre and object of their being4 ,she sees and appreciates the struggle going on in them between that intense desire--that great yearning--that groping after perfect union--that unfilled and unsatiated vagueness arising from their privation of the only fulness that could replenish them1 on the one hand1 and on the other1 the sense of their unfitness1 keen1 strong1 deep1 intense1 overwhelming them and driving them back to the flames of pain and soul-hunger and soul-thirst until they shall have satisfied ,god's justice to the last farthing1 and even the slightest stain has been cleansed1 and they stand forth in the light of ,god's sanctity1 whole and spotless4 ,she sees the terrible struggle2 and her motherly heart goes out in tender pity to these her children1 washed and ransomed by the ,blood of her ,divine ,son1 and she is well disposed to extend to them the aid of her powerful intercession4 ,she is fitly called the ,mother of ,mercy4 ,her merciful heart goes out to these1 the favored ones of her ,son1 all the more lovingly and tenderly because they are unable to help themselves4 ,v4 ,but whilst ,mary looks upon those souls with an eye of tender mercy and sweet compassion1 and whilst ,jesus is prepared to admit them to the beatific vision as soon as they become thoroughly purified1 still the assuaging of their pains and the abridging of their time of purgation depend in a great measure upon the graces and the merits that are applied to them by us1 their brethren upon earth4 ,according to the earnestness of the prayers we say for them1 and the measure of the good works we do for them1 will the intercession of ,mary and all the saints be efficacious with ,jesus in their behalf4 ,it is unspeakably consoling to the living and the dead to know that the members of the ,church militant upon earth have it within their power to aid and relieve the members of the ,church suffering4 ,it is therefore really and indeed a holy and a wholesome thought for us of the one to pray for those of the other4 ,it is more3 it is an imperative duty we owe the faithful departed4 ,they are our brethren in ,christ1 bought at the same price1 nurtured by the same graces1 living by the same faith1 and sanctified by the same spirit4 ,many of them may have been near and dear to us in this life2 and of these1 many again may now suffer because of us2 whether it was that we led them directly into wrong-doing1 or whether it was that1 in their loving kindness for us1 they connived at1 permitted1 aided or abetted us1 in what their consciences had whispered them not to be right4 ,in each and every case it is our bounden duty to do all in our power to assuage sufferings to which we may have been accessory4 ,in heart-rending accents do they cry out to us3 ,have pity on me1 have pity on me1 at least ye my friends6 #a ,and as we would have others do by us under like circumstances1 so should we not turn a deaf ear to their petition4 ,footnote #a3 ,job1 xix4 #ba4 ,,vi4 ,daily does the ,angel of ,death enter our houses1 and summon from us those that are rooted in our affections1 and for whom our heart-throbs beat in love and esteem4 ,daily must we bow our heads in reverent silence and submission to the decree that snatches from us some loved one4 ,perhaps it is a wife who mourns the loss of her husband4 ,she finds comfort and companionship in praying for the repose of his soul2 in the words of ,tertullian1 she prays for his soul1 and begs for him in the interim refreshments1 and in the first resurrection companionship1 and maketh offerings on the anniversary day of his falling asleep4 #a ,perhaps it is a husband whose loving wife has gone to sleep in death4 ,then will he hold her memory sacred1 and offer thereto the incense of unceasing prayer1 so that it may be said of him as ,st4 ,jerome wrote to ,pammachius3 ,thou hast rendered what was due to each part2 giving tears to the body and alms to the soul4444 ,there were thy tears where thou knewest was death2 there were thy works where thou knewest was life4444 ,already is she honored with thy merits2 already is she fed with thy bread1 and abounds with thy riches4 #b ,perhaps it is a dear friend around whom our heart-strings were entwined1 and whose love for us was more than we were worthy of3 whose counsels were our guide2 whose soul was an open book in which we daily read the lesson of high resolve and sincere purpose2 whose virtuous life was a continuous inspiration urging us on to noble thought and noble deed2 and yet our friendship may have bound his soul in ties too earthly1 and retarded his progress in perfection2 in consequence he may still dread the light of ,god's countenance1 and may be lingering in this state of purgation4 ,it behooves us in all earnestness1 and in friendship's sacred claim1 to pray unceasingly for that friend1 beseeching ,god to let the dews of ,divine mercy fall upon his parching soul1 assuage his pain1 and take him to ,himself1 to complete his happiness4 ,footnote #a3 ,dc ,monogam1 n4 x4 p #eca4 ,faith of ,catholics1 ,vol4 ,,iii41 p4 #add4 ,footnote #b3 ,ep4 ,,xxxvii ,so the sacred duty of prayer for the dead runs through all the relations of life4 ,from all comes the cry begging for our prayers4 ,we cannot in justice ignore it2 we cannot be true to ourselves and unmindful of our suffering brethren4 ,every reminder that we receive is a voice coming from the grave4 ,now it is the mention of a name that once brought gladness to our hearts2 or we come across a letter written by a hand whose grasp used to thrill our souls--that hand now stiffened and cold in death2 or it is the sight of some relic that vividly recalls the dear one passed away2 or it is a dream--and to whom has not such a dream occurred8--in which we live over again the pleasant past with the bosom friend of our soul1 and he is back once more1 in the flesh1 re-enacting the scenes of former days1 breathing and talking as naturally as though there were no break in his life or ours and we had never parted4 ,when we awaken from our dream1 and the pang of reality1 like a keen blade1 penetrates our hearts1 let us not rest content with a vain sigh of regret1 or with useless tears of grief2 let us pray ,god to give the dear departed soul eternal rest1 and admit it to the perpetual light of ,his ,presence4 ,and in like manner should we regard all other reminders as so many appeals to the charity of our prayers4 ,in this way will the keeping of the memory of those gone before us be to them a blessing and to us a consolation4 ,,vii4 ,furthermore1 every prayer we say1 every sacrifice we make1 every alms we give for the repose of the dear departed ones1 will all return upon ourselves in hundredfold blessings4 ,they are ,god's choice friends1 dear to ,his ,sacred ,heart1 living in ,his grace and in constant communing with ,him2 and though they may not alleviate their own sufferings1 their prayers in our behalf always avail4 ,they can aid us most efficaciously4 ,god will not turn a deaf ear to their intercession4 ,being holy souls1 they are grateful souls4 ,the friends that aid them1 they in turn will also aid4 ,we need not fear praying for them in all faith and confidence4 ,they will obtain for us the special favors we desire4 ,they will watch over us lovingly and tenderly2 they will guard our steps2 they will warn us against evil2 they will shield us in moments of trial and danger2 and when our day of purgatorial suffering comes1 they will use their influence in our behalf to assuage our pains and shorten the period of our separation from the ,godhead4 ,and so may we1 in constant prayer1 begging in a special manner the intercession of ,mary the ,mother of ,mercy1 say to our ,lord and ,saviour3 ,deliver them from gloom and darkness1 and snatch them from sorrow and grief2 enter not into judgment with them1 nor severely examine their past life2 but whether in word or deed they have sinned1 as men clothed with flesh1 forgive and do away with their transgressions4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,from prayer for the ,faithful ,departed in the ,syriac ,liturgy4 ,see ,faith of ,catholics1 ,vol4 ,,iii1 p4 #bjc ,,dr4 ,,johnson ,,on ,,prayers ,,for ,,the ,,dead4 ,,boswell4 ,what do you1 think1 sir1 of ,purgatory1 as believed by the ,roman ,catholics8 ,,johnson4 ,why1 sir1 it is a very harmless doctrine4 ,they are of opinion that the generality of mankind are neither so obstinately wicked as to deserve everlasting punishment1 nor so good as to merit being admitted into the society of blessed spirits2 and therefore that ,god is graciously pleased to allow of a middle state1 where they may be purified by certain degrees of suffering4 ,you see1 sir1 that there is nothing unreasonable in this4 ,,boswell4 ,but then1 sir1 their ,masses for the dead8 ,,johnson4 ,why1 sir1 if it be once established that there are souls in ,purgatory1 it is as proper to pray for them as for our brethren of mankind who are yet in this life4 ,,boswell4 ,the idolatry of the ,mass8 ,,johnson4 ,sir1 there is no idolatry in the ,mass4 ,they believe ,god to be there1 and they adore ,him4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,boswell4 ,we see in ,scripture that ,dives still retained an anxious concern about his brethren8 ,,johnson4 ,why1 sir1 we must either suppose that passage to be metaphorical1 or hold with many divines1 and all purgatorians1 that departed souls do not all at once arrive at the utmost perfection of which they are capable4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,boswell4 ,do you think1 sir1 it is wrong in a man who holds the doctrine of ,purgatory to pray for the souls of his deceased friends8 ,,johnson4 ,why1 no1 sir4 99 99 99 99 99 ,he states1 that he spent ,march #bb1 #agec1 in prayers and tears in the morning2 and in the evening prayed for the soul of his deceased wife1 conditionally1 if it be lawful4 ,the following is his customary prayer for his dead wife3 ,and1 ,o ,lord1 so far as it may be lawful in me1 ,i commend to ,thy fatherly goodness the soul of my departed wife2 beseeching ,thee to grant her whatever is best in her present state1 and finally to receive her into eternal happiness4--,boswell's ,life of ,johnson1 ,pages #afi1 #ahh4 ,,the ,,doctrine ,,of ,,purgatory4 ,,burnett #a ,footnote #a3 ,from his work1 ,the ,path which ,led a ,protestant ,lawyer to the ,catholic ,church1 p4 #fcg4 ,the ,council of ,trent declared1 as the faith of the ,catholic ,church1 that there is a ,purgatory1 and that the souls there detained are helped by the suffrages of the faithful1 but principally by the acceptable sacrifice of the altar4 ,this is all that is required to be believed4 ,as to the kind and measure of the purifying punishment1 the ,church defines nothing4 ,this doctrine has been very much misrepresented1 and has most generally been attacked by sarcasm and denunciation4 ,but is this a satisfactory method to treat a grave matter of faith1 coming down to us from the olden times8 ,the doctrine of ,purgatory is most intimately connected with the doctrine of sacramental absolution and satisfaction1 and legitimately springs from it4 ,that there is a distinction in the guilt of different sins1 must be conceded4 ,all our criminal laws1 and those of all nations1 are founded upon this idea4 ,to say that the smallest transgression1 the result of inadvertence1 is equal in enormity to the greatest and most deliberate crime1 is utterly opposed to the plain nature of all law1 and to the word of ,god1 which assures us that men shall be punished or rewarded according to their works 7,rom4 ii4 #f71 as not to require any refutation4 ,our ,lord assures us that men must give an account in the day of judgment for every idle word they speak 7,matt1 xii4 #cf71 and ,st4 ,john tells us that nothing denied shall enter heaven 7,rev4 xxi4 #bg74 ,then ,st4 ,john says there is a sin unto death1 and there is a sin which is not unto death 7,i ,john1 v4 #af71 and he also tells us that all unrighteousness is sin2 and there is a sin not unto death4 ,so we are told by the same apostle1 that if we confess our sins1 ,god is faithful and just to forgive us 7,i ,john1 i4 #i74 ,now we must put all these texts together1 and give them their full1 harmonious1 and consistent force4 ,we must carry out the principles laid down to their fair and logical results4 ,suppose1 then1 a man speak an idle word1 and die suddenly1 before he has time to repent and confess his sin1 will he be lost everlastingly8 ,must there not1 in the very nature of ,christ's system1 be a middle state1 wherein souls can be purged from their lesser sins8 ,,mallock ,,on ,,purgatory4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,william ,hurrell ,mallock1 the author of ,is ,life ,worth ,living1 from which this extract is given1 and of several other recent works1 was1 at the time when the above was written1 as he says himself in his dedication1 an outsider in philosophy1 literature1 and theology1 and not1 as might be supposed1 a ,catholic4 ,it has been positively asserted1 and as positively denied1 that he has since entered the ,church4 ,but it is certain that he has not done so4 ,mallock is not a ,catholic4--,,compiler',s ,,note4 ,to those who believe in ,purgatory1 to pray for the dead is as natural and rational as to pray for the living4 ,next1 as to this doctrine of ,purgatory itself--which has so long been a stumbling-block to the whole ,protestant world--time goes on1 and the view men take of it is changing4 ,it is becoming fast recognized on all sides that it is the only doctrine that can bring a belief in future rewards and punishments into anything like accordance with our notions of what is just or reasonable4 ,so far from its being a superfluous superstition1 it is seen to be just what is demanded at once by reason and morality1 and a belief in it to be not an intellectual assent1 but a partial harmonizing of the whole moral ideal4--,w4 ,h4 ,mattock1 ,is ,life ,worth ,living1 ,page #big4 ,,boileau-,,despr,,aux ,,and ,,prayer ,,for ,,the ,,dead4 ,we love to see the truth of our dogmas proclaimed from amid the great assemblies of choice intelligences4 ,boileau did not hesitate to do homage to the ,catholic doctrine of ,purgatory on the following solemn occasion3-- ,on the death of ,furetire1 the ,french ,academy deliberated whether they would have a funeral service for him1 according to the ancient custom of the establishment4 ,despraux1 who had taken no part in the expulsion of his former associate1 gave expression1 when he was no more1 to the language of courageous piety4 ,he feared not to express himself in these words3 ,gentlemen1 there are three things to be considered here--,god1 the public1 and the ,academy4 ,as regards ,god1 ,he will1 undoubtedly1 be well pleased if you sacrifice your resentment for ,his sake and offer prayers to ,him for the repose of a fellow-member1 who has more need of them than others1 were it only on account of the animosity he showed towards you4 ,before the public1 it will be a glorious thing for you not to pursue your enemy beyond the grave4 ,and as for the ,academy1 its moderation will be meritorious1 when it answers insults by prayers1 and does not deny a ,christian the resources offered by the ,church for appeasing the anger of ,god1 all the more that1 besides the indispensable obligation of praying to ,god for your enemies1 you have made for yourselves a special law to pray for your associates4 ,,all ,,saints ,,and ,,all ,,souls4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,new ,york ,tablet1 ,nov4 #ab1 #ahgj ,,mrs4 ,j4 ,,sadlier4 ,,of all the sublime truths which it is the pride and happiness of ,christians to believe1 none is more beautiful1 more consoling than that of the ,communion of ,saints4 ,do we fully realize the meaning of that particular article of our faith8 ,from their earliest infancy ,christian children repeat1 at their mother's knee1 ,i believe in the ,communion of ,saints2 but it is only when the mind has attained a certain stage of development that they begin to feel the inestimable privilege of being in the ,communion of ,saints4 ,but how sad to think that even in later life many of those whose childhood lisped ,i believe in the ,communion of ,saints1 neither know1 nor care to know1 what it means4 ,outside the ,church who believes in the ,communion of ,saints8--who rejoices in the glory of the glorified1 or invokes their intercession with ,god8 ,who believes in that state of probation whereby the earth-stains are washed from the souls of men8 ,who has compassion on the spirits who are in prison8 ,to ,catholics only is the ,communion of ,saints a reality1 a soul-rejoicing truth4 ,how inestimable is the privilege of being truly and indeed of the household of faith1--within and of the ,church of the ,saints1 the ,church that alone connects the life which is and that which is to come1 the living and the dead6 ,year by year we are reminded of this truth1 so solemn and so beautiful1 the ,communion of ,saints1 by the double festival of ,all ,saints and ,all ,souls--when the ,church invites her children of the ,militant ,church to rejoice with her on the glory of her ,saints1 and to pray with her for the holy dead who are still in the purgatorial fire that is to prepare them for that blessed abode into which nothing defiled can enter4 ,grand and joyous is the feast of the ,saints1 when we lovingly honor all our brethren who have gained their thrones in ,heaven1 and with faith and hope invoke their powerful aid1 that we1 too1 may come where they are1 and be partakers in their eternal blessedness2 solemn and sad1 but most sweetly soothing to the heart of faith1 is the day of ,all ,souls1 when the altars are draped in black1 and the chant is mournful1 and sacrifice is offered1 the whole world over1 for the dead who have slept in ,christ1 with the blessing of the ,church upon them4 ,for them1 if they still have need of succor1 are all the good works of the faithful offered up1 and the prayers of all the ,saints and all the ,angels invoked1 not only on the second day of ,november1 but on every day of that mournful month4 ,thus do we1 who are still on earth1 honor the glorified ,saints of ,god1 and invoke them for ourselves and for the blessed souls who may yet be debarred from the joys of ,heaven4 ,and this is truly the ,communion of ,saints--the ,church on earth1 the ,church in ,heaven1 the ,church in ,purgatory1 distinct1 yet united1 the children of one common ,father1 who is ,god2 of one common ,mother1 who is ,mary1 the ,virgin ever ,blessed4 ,,leibnitz #a ,footnote #a3 ,gottfried ,wilhelm von ,leibnitz1 the eminent ,protestant philosopher4 ,the above is from his ,systema ,theologicum4 ,,on ,,the ,,mass ,,as ,a ,,propitiatory ,,sacrifice4 ,no new efficacy is superadded to the efficacy of the ,passion from this propitiatory ,sacrifice1 repeated for the remission of sins2 but its entire efficacy consists in the representation and application of the first bloody ,sacrifice1 the fruit of which is the ,divine ,grace bestowed on all those who1 being present at this tremendous sacrifice1 worthily celebrate the oblation in unison with the priest4 ,and since1 in addition to the remission of eternal punishment1 and the gift of the merits of ,christ for the hope of eternal life1 we further ask of ,god1 for ourselves and others1 both living and dead1 many other salutary gifts 7and amongst those1 the chief is the mitigation of that paternal chastisement which is due to every sin1 even though the penitent be restored to favor72 it is therefore clearly manifest that there is nothing in our entire worship more precious than the sacrifice of this ,divine ,sacrament1 in which the ,body of ,our ,lord itself is present4 ,,extracts ,,from ,a ,,troubled ,,heart4 ,how often have ,i been touched at the respect paid the dead in ,catholic countries2 at the reverence with which the business man1 hastening to fulfil the duties of the hour1 pauses and lifts his hat as the funeral of the unknown passes him in the street6 ,what pity streams from the eyes of the poor woman who kneels in her humble doorway1 and1 crossing herself1 prays for the repose of the soul that was never known to her in this life2 but the body is borne towards the cemetery1 and she joins her prayer to the many that are freely offered along the solemn way 7pp4 #aea-b74 99 99 99 99 99 ,so passes the faithful soul to judgment2 after which1 if not ushered at once into the ineffable glory of the ,father1 it pauses for a season in the perpetual twilight of that border-land where the spirit is purged of the very memory of sin4 ,even as ,our ,lord ,himself descended into ,limbo2 as ,he died for us1 but rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven1 so we hope to rise and follow ,him1--sustained by the unceasing prayers of the ,church1 the intercession of the ,saints1 and all the choirs of the just1 who are called on night and day1 and also by the prayers and pleadings of those who have loved us1 and who are still in the land of the living4 ,the prayers that ease the pangs of ,purgatory1 the ,requiem1 the ,miserere1 the ,de ,profundis--these are the golden stairs upon which the soul of the redeemed ascends into everlasting joy4 ,even the ,protestant laureate of ,england has confessed the poetical justice and truth of this1 and into the mouth of the dying ,arthur--that worthy knight--he puts these words3 ,pray for my soul6 ,more things are wrought by prayer ,than this world dreams of2 wherefore let thy voice ,rise like a fountain for me night and day2 ,for1 what are men better than sheep or goats ,that nourish a blind life within the brain1 ,if1 knowing ,god1 they lift not hands of prayer ,both for themselves and those who call them friend8 ,for so the whole round earth is every way ,bound by gold chains about the feet of ,god4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,these exquisite lines will be found elsewhere in this volume in the full description of ,king ,arthur's death from ,tennyson4 ,but they bear repetition4 ,o ye gentle spirits that have gone before me1 and who are now1 ,i trust1 dwelling in the gardens of ,paradise1 beside the river of life that flows through the midst thereof1--ye whose names ,i name at the ,memorial for the ,dead in the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass1--as ye look upon the lovely and shining countenances of the elect1 and1 perchance1 upon the beauty of our ,heavenly ,queen1 and upon her ,son in glory1--,o remember me who am still this side of the ,valley of the ,shadow1 and in the midst of trials and tribulations4 ,and you who have read these pages1 written from the heart1 after much sorrow and long suffering1 though ,i be still with you in the flesh1 or this poor body be gathered to its long home1 --you whose eyes are now fixed upon this line1 ,i beseech you1 ,pray for me6--,anon4 ,,eug,,nie ,,de ,,gu,,rin ,,and ,,her ,,brother ,,maurice4 ,in ,eugnie de ,gurin's journal we find the following beautiful words written while her loving heart was still bleeding for the early death of her best-loved brother1 ,maurice--her twin soul1 as she was wont to call him4 ,o ,,profundity6 ,o mysteries of that other life that separates us6 ,i who was always so anxious about him1 who wanted so much to know everything1 wherever he may be now there is an end to that4 ,i follow him into the three abodes2 ,i stop at that of bliss2 ,i pass on to the place of suffering1 the gulf of fire4 ,my ,god1 my ,god1 not so6 ,let not my brother be there1 let him not6 ,he is not there4 ,what6 his soul1 the soul of ,maurice1 among the reprobate6 444 ,horrible dread1 no6 ,but in ,purgatory1 perhaps1 where one suffers1 where one expiates the weaknesses of the heart1 the doubts of the soul1 the half-inclinations to evil4 ,perhaps my brother is there1 suffering and calling to us in his pangs as he used to do in bodily pain1 ',relieve me1 you who love me6' ,yes1 my friend1 by prayer4 ,i am going to pray4 ,i have prayed so much1 and always shall4 ,prayer8 ,oh1 yes1 prayers for the dead1 they are the dew of ,purgatory4 ,all ,souls'--,how different this day is from all others1 in church1 in the soul1 without1 within4 ,it is impossible to tell all one feels1 thinks1 sees again1 regrets4 ,there is no adequate expression for all this except in prayer4444 ,i have not written here1 but to some one to whom ,i have promised so long as ,i live1 a letter on ,all ,souls'4444 ,o my friend1 my brother1 ,maurice6 ,maurice6 art thou far from me8 dost thou hear me8 ,what are they1 those abodes that hold thee now8 444 ,mysteries of another life1 how profound1 how terrible ye are-- sometimes1 how sweet6 ,,passages ,,from ,,the ,,via ,,media4 ,written while ,cardinal ,newman was still an ,anglican ,now1 as to the punishments and satisfactions for sins1 the texts to which the minds of the early ,christians seem to have been principally drawn1 and from which they ventured to argue in behalf of these vague notions1 were these two3 ',the fire shall try every man's work1' etc41 and ',he shall baptize you with the ,holy ,ghost and with fire4' ,these passages1 with which many more were found to accord1 directed their thoughts one way1 as making mention of fire1 whatever was meant by the word1 as the instrument of trial and purification2 and that1 at some time between the present time and the ,judgment1 or at the ,judgment4 ,as the doctrine1 thus suggested by certain striking texts1 grew in popularity and definiteness1 and verged towards its present ,roman form1 it seemed a key to many others4 ,great portions of the books of ,psalms1 ,job1 and the ,lamentations1 which express the feelings of religious men under suffering1 would powerfully recommend it by the forcible and most affecting and awful meaning which they received from it4 ,when this was once suggested1 all other meanings would seem tame and inadequate4 ,to these may be added various passages from the prophets1 as that in the beginning of the third chapter of ,malachi1 which speaks of fire as the instrument of purification1 when ,christ comes to visit ,his ,church4 ,moreover1 there were other texts of obscure and indeterminate meaning1 which seem on this hypothesis to receive a profitable meaning2 such as ,our ,lord's words in the ,sermon on the ,mount1 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee1 thou shalt by no means come out thence till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing2 and ,st4 ,john's expression in the ,apocalypse1 that1 no man in heaven1 nor in earth1 neither under the earth1 was able to open the book4--,via ,media1 pp4 #agd-agg4 ,most men1 to our apprehensions1 are too little formed in religious habits either for heaven or for hell2 yet there is no middle state when ,christ comes in judgment4 ,in consequence1 it is obvious to have recourse to the interval before ,his coming1 as a time during which this incompleteness may be remedied1 as a season1 not of changing the spiritual bent and character of the soul departed1 whatever that be1 for probation ends with mortal life1 but of developing it in a more determinate form1 whether of good or evil4 ,again1 when the mind once allows itself to speculate1 it will discern in such a provision a means whereby those who1 not without true faith at bottom1 yet have committed great crimes1 or those who have been carried off in youth while still undecided1 or who die after a barren1 though not immoral or scandalous life1 may receive such chastisement as may prepare them for heaven1 and render it consistent with ,god's justice to admit them thither4 ,again1 the inequality of the sufferings of ,christians in this life compared one with another1 leads the mind to the same speculations2 the intense suffering1 for instance1 which some men undergo on their death-bed1 seeming as if but an anticipation in their case of what comes after death upon others1 who1 without greater claims on ,god's forbearance1 live without chastisement and die easily4 ,the mind will inevitably dwell upon such thoughts1 unless it has been taught to subdue them by education or by the fear of the experience of their dangerousness4-- ,via ,media1 pp4 #agd-agg4 ,,all ,,souls4 ,,from ,,the ,,french4 ,november is come2 and the pleasant verdure that the groves and woods offered to our view in the joyous spring is fast losing its cheerful hue1 while its withered remains lie trembling and scattered beneath our feet4 ,the grave and plaintive voice of the consecrated bell sends forth its funereal tones1 and1 recalling the dead to our pensive souls1 implores1 for them the pity of the living4 ,oh6 let us hearken to its thrilling call2 and may the sanctuary gather us together within its darkened walls1 there to invoke our ,eternal ,father1 and breathe forth cherished names in earnest prayer6 ,when the solemn hour of the last farewell was come for those we loved1 and their weakened sight was extinguished forever1 it seemed as if our hearts' memory would be eternal1 and as if those dear ones would never be forgotten4 ,but time has fled1 their memory has grown dim1 and other thoughts reign paramount in our forgetful hearts1 which barely give them from time to time a pious recollection4 ,nevertheless1 they loved us1 perhaps too well1 lavish of a love that ,heaven demanded4 ,how devoted was their affection2 and shall we now requite it by a cruel forgetfulness8 ,oh6 if they suffer still on our account2 if1 because of their weakness1 they still feel the wrath of ,god's justice1 shall we not pray1 when their voices implore our help1 when their tears ascend towards us8 ,alas6 in this life what direful contamination clings to the steps of irresolute mortals6 ,who has not wavered in the darksome paths into which the straight road so often deviates8 ,the infinite justice of the ,god of purity perhaps retains them in the dungeons of death4 ,alas6 for long and long the ,haven of eternal life may be closed against them6 ,oh1 let us pray2 our voices will open the abode of celestial peace unto the imprisoned soul4 ,the ,god of consolation gave us prayer1 that love might thus become eternal4-- ,the ,lamp1 ,nov4 #e1 #ahfd4 ,,an ,,anglican ,,bishop ,,praying ,,for ,,the ,,dead4 ,foremost among later ,anglican divines in piety1 in learning1 and in the finer qualities of head and heart1 stands the name of ,reginald ,heber1 ,bishop of the ,establishment1 whose gentle memory1--embalmed in several graceful and musical poems1 chiefly on religious subjects1--is still revered and cherished by his co-religionists1 respected and admired even by those who see in him only the man and the poet--not the religious teacher4 ,i am happy to lay before my readers the following extract from a letter of ,bishop ,heber1 in which that amiable and accomplished prelate expresses his belief in the efficacy of prayers for the departed3 ,few persons1 ,i believe1 have lost a beloved object1 more particularly by sudden death1 without feeling an earnest desire to recommend them in their prayers to ,god's mercy1 and a sort of instinctive impression that such devotions might still be serviceable to them4 99 99 99 99 99 ,having been led attentively to consider the question1 my own opinion is1 on the whole1 favorable to the practice1 which is1 indeed1 so natural and so comfortable1 that this alone is a presumption that it is neither unpleasing to the ,almighty nor unavailing with ,him4 ,the ,jews1 so far back as their opinions and practices can be traced since the time of ,our ,saviour1 have uniformly recommended their deceased friends to mercy2 and from a passage in the ,second ,book of ,maccabees1 it appears that1 from whatever source they derived it1 they had the same custom before ,his time4 ,but if this were the case1 the practice can hardly be unlawful1 or either ,christ or ,his ,apostles would1 one should think1 have1 in some of their writings or discourses1 condemned it4 ,on the same side it may be observed that the ,greek ,church1 and all the ,eastern ,churches1 pray for the dead2 and that we know the practice to have been universal1 or nearly so1 among the ,christians a little more than one hundred and fifty years after ,our ,saviour4 ,it is spoken of as the usual custom by ,tertullian and ,epiphanius4 ,augustine1 in his ,confessions1 has given a beautiful prayer which he himself used for his deceased mother1 ,monica2 and among ,protestants1 ,luther and ,dr4 ,johnson are eminent instances of the same conduct4 ,i have1 accordingly1 been myself in the habit1 for some years1 of recommending on some occasions1 as1 after receiving the sacrament1 etc41 my lost friends by name to ,god's goodness and compassion1 through ,his ,son1 as what can do them no harm1 and may1 and ,i hope will1 be of service to them4 ,,the ,,purgatory ,,of ,,dante4 ,,mariotti4 ,in the course of his remarks upon the ,divina ,comedia of ,dante1 a bitter opponent of the ,holy ,see and of everything ,catholic1 ,mariotti1 #a an apostle of ,united ,italy1 expresses his views upon the ancient doctrine of ,purgatory4 ,these views are but an instance of how its beauty and truthfulness to nature strike the minds of those who have strayed from the centre of ,christian unity4 ,footnote #a3 ,mariotti1 author of ,italy ,past and ,present1 an unscrupulous opponent of the ,papacy and of the ,church4 ,to say nothing of its greatness and goodness1 the poem of ,dante1 says ,mariotti1 is the most curious of books4 ,the register of the past1 noting down every incident within the compass of man's nature4444 ,dante is the annalist1 the interpreter1 the representative of the ,middle ,ages4444 ,the ideas of mankind were in those 'dark' ages perpetually revolving upon that 'life beyond life1' which the omnipresent religion of that fanatical age loved to people with appalling phantoms and harrowing terrors4 ,dante determined to anticipate his final doom1 and still1 in the flesh1 to break through the threshold of eternity1 and explore the kingdom of death4444 ,no poet ever struck upon a subject to which every fibre in the heart of his contemporaries more readily responded than ,dante4 ,it is not for me to test the soundness of the ,roman ,catholic doctrine of ,purgatory1 or to inquire which of the ,holy ,fathers first dreamt of its existence4 ,it was1 however1 a sublime contrivance1 unscriptural though it may be--a conception full of love and charity1 in so far as it seemed to arrest the dead on the threshold of eternity2 and making his final welfare partly dependent on the pious exertions of those who were left behind1 established a lasting interchange of tender feelings1 embalmed the memory of the departed1 and by a posthumous tie wedded him to the mourning survivor4444 ,woe to the man1 in ,dante's age1 who sunk into his grave without bequeathing a heritage of love2 on whose sod no refreshing dew of sorrowing affection descended4 ,lonely as his relics in the sepulchre1 his spirit wandered in the dreaded region of probation2 alone he was left defenceless1 prayerless1 friendless to settle his awful score with unmitigated justice4 ,it is this feeling1 unrivalled for poetic beauty1 that gives color and tone to the second division of ,dante's poem4 ,the five or six cantos1 at the opening1 have all the milk of human nature that entered into the composition of that miscalled saturnine mind4 ,with little more than two words1 the poet makes us aware that we have come into happier latitudes4 ,every strange visitor breathes love and forgiveness4 ,the shade we meet is only charged with tidings of joy to the living1 and messages of good will4 ,the heart lightens and brightens at every new stratum of the atmosphere in that rising region2 the ascent is easy and light1 like the gliding of a boat down the stream4 ,the angels we become familiar with are angels of light1 such as human imagination never before nor afterwards conceived4 ,they come from afar across the waves1 piloting the barge that conveys the chosen spirits to heaven1 balancing themselves on their wide-spread wings1 using them as sails1 disdaining the aid of all mortal contrivance1 and relying on their inexhaustible strength2 red and rayless at first1 from the distance1 as the planet ,mars when he appears struggling through the mist of the horizon1 but growing brighter and brighter with amazing swiftness4 ,they stand at the gate of ,purgatory1 they guard the entrance to each of the seven steps of its mountain--some with green vesture1 vivid as new-budding leaves1 gracefully waving and floating in simple drapery1 fanned by their wings2 bearing in their hands flaming swords broken at the point2 others1 ash-colored garments2 others again1 in flashing armor1 but all beaming with so intense1 so overwhelming a light1 that dizziness overcomes all mortal ken1 whenever directed to their countenance4 ,the friends of the poet's youth one by one arrest his march1 and engage him in tender converse4 ,the very laws of immutable fate seem for a few moments suspended to allow full scope for the interchange of affectionate sentiments4 ,the overawing consciousness of the place he is in1 for a moment forsakes the mortal visitor so miraculously admitted into the world of spirits4 ,he throws his arms round the neck of the beloved shade1 and it is only by the smile irradiating its countenance that he is reminded of the intangibility of its ethereal substance4 ,the episodes of the ,purgatory are mostly of this sad and tender description4 ,the historical personages introduced seem to have lost their own identity1 and to have merged into a blessed calmness1 characterizing medium of the region they are all travelling through4 ,it is plain that1 bitterly hostile as is this faithless ,italian to the ,church of his fathers1 and the truth which it teaches1 his poetic instinct1 at least1 rises above mere prejudice1 and enables him to penetrate into that dim but holy atmosphere created by the poet's genius1 and yet more fully by the poet's faith4 ,this homage to the union of religious grandeur1 natural tenderness1 and supernatural fervent charity1 which make this doctrine unconsciously dear to every human heart1 is of value coming from the pen of so prejudiced a witness4 ,it is but one of countless testimonies that in all times1 and in all ages1 have sprung from the heart of man1 as it were in his own despite4 ,,the ,,mouth ,,of ,,november4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,new ,york ,tablet1 ,nov4 #bf1 #ahei4 ,,mary ,e4 ,,blake 7,,marie74 ,it is but a few days since the ,church has celebrated the triumph of her saints1 rejoicing in the eternal felicity of that innumerable throng whom she has given to the celestial ,sion4 ,she invites us to share her joy4 ,she bids us look up from the rugged pathway of our thorn-strewn pilgrimage to that blissful abode which is to be the term and the reward of all our trials4 ,yet1 like a true mother1 she cannot forget that portion of her family who are sighing for their deliverance1 in that region of pain to which they are consigned by eternal justice4 ,on one day she sings with radiant brow and tones of jubilee her ,sursum ,corda2 on the next1 she kneels a suppliant1 chanting with uplifted hands and tearful eyes her ,requiem ternam2 and we1 the companions of her exile1 shall we not sympathize with every emotion of the heart of our tender ,mother8 ,among the pious customs which owe their existence to the fertile spirit of ,catholic devotion is that which dedicates the month of ,november to the ,suffering ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,it would seem as though the annual circle of commemorative devotion were incomplete without this crowning fulfilment of charity4 ,some years since1 ,i met with a graphic description of a spectacle in the ,catholic ,cemetery of ,new ,orleans4 ,it was the #b;d of ,november1 when the friends and relatives of the dead came to scatter emblematic wreaths and sweet-scented flowers on their graves4 ,this custom was observed by the ,french ,catholics and their descendants2 and the writer1 although a ,protestant1 was deeply impressed with its beauty and significance4 ,he asked why1 among ,americans1 there was so little of this eloquent affection for the dead4 ,he might have found an answer in the fact that the principle of faith was wanting--of that vivid and active faith which seeks and finds by such means its outward manifestation4 ,we1 also1 are the children of the ,saints4 ,we have inherited from them the same faith in all its integrity1 and how does our practice correspond with it8 ,what are we doing for that army of holy captives who cannot leave their prison till the uttermost farthing be paid8 ,let us not imitate those tepid ,christians who are satisfied with erecting costly monuments1 and observing1 with scrupulous exactness1 the usual period of mourning1 while the poor souls are left to pine forgotten1 if they have gone with some-lingering stains--some earthly tarnish on their nuptial garment4 ,ah6 there is so much that might be done if we would only reflect1 and let our hearts be softened by the intense eloquence of their mute appeal4444 ,these are a few of the thoughts suggested by the late solemnity1 and perhaps they cannot be concluded more appropriately than by introducing the following poem1 found in an old magazine4 ,if the theme be sufficient to inspire thus one who had but faint glimmerings of divine truth1 what should be expected of us1 who rejoice in the fullness of that light8 ,i twine1 then1 this flower of the desert with the leaves ,i have gathered1 and offer my humble wreath as a tribute of faith and affection on the altar dedicated to the dear departed4 ,november1 #ahei4 ,,litany ,,op ,,the ,,departed4 ,it is1 therefore1 a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead4-- ,,ii4 ,mach4 xii4 #bf4 ,for the spirits who have fled ,from the earth which once they trod2 ,for the loved and faithful dead1 ,we beseech the living ,god6 ,oh6 receive and love them6 ,by the grave where ,thou wert lying1 ,by the anguish of ,thy dying1 ,spread ,thy wings above them2 ,grant ,thy pardon unto them1 ,dona eis requiem6 ,long they suffered here below1 ,outward fightings1 inward fears2 ,ate the cheerless bread of woe1-- ,drank the bitter wine of tears3-- ,now receive and love them6 ,by ,thy holy ,saints' departures1 ,by the witness of ,thy martyrs1 ,spread ,thy wings above them4 ,on the souls in gloom who sit1 ,lux eterna luceat6 ,lord1 remember that they wept1 ,when ,thy children would divide2 ,lord1 remember that they slept ,on the bosom of ,thy ,bride2 ,and receive and love them6 ,by the tears ,thou couldst not smother2 ,by the love of ,thy dear ,mother1 ,spread ,thy wings above them4 ,to their souls1 in bliss with ,thee1 ,dona pacem1 ,domini6 ,grant our prayers1 and bid them pray1 ,o thou ,flower of ,jesse's stem2 ,lend a gracious ear when they1 ,plead for us1 as we for them4 ,deus ,angelorum1 ,dona eis requiem1 ,et beatitudinem4 ,cordibus eorum ,jesu1 qui salutam das ,micat lumen animas6 --,acolytus4 ,,all ,,souls' ,,day #a ,footnote #a3 ,new ,york ,tablet1 ,nov4 #ab1 #ahfd4 ,,mrs4 ,j4 ,,sadlier4 ,nothing in the whole grand scheme of ,religion is more beautiful than the tender care of the ,church over her departed children4 ,not content with providing for their spiritual wants during their lives1 and sending them into eternity armed with and strengthened by the last solemn ,sacraments1 blessing their departure from1 as she blessed their entrance into1 this world1 her maternal solicitude follows them beyond the grave1 and penetrates to the dreary prison in the ,middle ,state where1 happily1 they may be1 as the ,apostle says1 cleansed so as by fire4 ,with the tender compassion of a fond mother1 the ,church1 our mother1 yearns over the sufferings of her children1 all the dearer to her because they suffer in the ,lord1 and by ,his holy will4 ,by every means within her power she aids these blessed souls who are at once so near ,heaven1 and so far from it2 by solemn prayers1 by sacrifice1 by continual remembrance of them in all her good works1 she gives them help and comfort herself1 while encouraging the faithful to imitate her example in that respect by numerous and great ,indulgences1 and by the crown of eternal blessedness she holds out to those who perform faithfully and in her own proper spirit this ,seventh ,spiritual ,work of ,mercy--to pray for the living and the dead4 ,in every ,mass that is said the long year round on each of her myriad altars1 a solemn commemoration is made for the ,dead immediately after the ,elevation of the ,sacred ,host1 the great ,atoning ,sacrifice of the ,new ,law2 in all the other public offices of the ,church1 the faithful departed are tenderly remembered1 and1 to crown the efforts of her maternal charity1 the second day of ,november of every year is set apart for the solemn remembrance of these her most beloved and most afflicted children1 for whose benefit and relief all the ,masses of that day throughout the whole ,catholic world are specially offered up4 ,nay1 more than that1 the entire month of ,november is devoted to the ,souls in ,purgatory1 and the good works and pious prayers of all the holy communities who spend their lives in commune with ,god are offered up with that benign intention during the month4 ,in ,catholic countries1 the faithful are touchingly reminded of this sad though pleasing duty to their departed brethren1 by the tolling of the several convent and church bells at eight o'clock in the evening1 at which time the different communities unite in reciting the solemn ,de ,profundis1 and other prayers for the dead4 ,solemn and sonorous we have heard that passing-bell1 year after year1 booming through the darkness and storm of the ,november night in a northern land #a where the pious customs of the best ages of ,france1 transplanted over two centuries ago1 flourish still in their pristine beauty and touching fervor4 ,footnote #a3 ,eastern1 or ,french ,canada1 now known as the ,province of ,quebec ,but1 though all ,catholics may not hear the ,de ,profundis bell of ,november nights1 nor all households kneel at evening hour to join in spirit with the pious communities who are praying then for the faithful departed1 yet all ,catholics know when1 on the first of ,november1 they celebrate the great and joyous festival of ,all ,saints1 that the next day will bring the mournful solemnity of ,all ,souls1 when the altars of the ,church will be draped with black1 and her ministers robed in the same sombre garb1 whilst offering the ,clean ,oblation of the ,new ,law for the souls who are yet in a state of purgation in the other life4 ,to the deep heart of ,catholic piety nothing can be more sensibly touching than the black ,mass of ,all ,souls' ,day4 ,if the feast be not celebrated by the laity as it so faithfully is by the ,church1 it certainly ought to be1 if the spirit of the faith be still amongst them4 ,the funereal solemnity of the occasion touches the deepest1 holiest sympathies in every true ,catholic heart1 reminding each of their loved and lost1 and filling their souls with the soothing hope that the ,great ,sacrifice then offered up for all the departed children of the ,church may release one or more of their nearest and dearest from the cleansing fires of ,purgatory4 ,then1 while the funeral dirge fills the sacred edifice1 and the mournful ,dies ,ir thrills the hearts of all1 each one thinks of his own departed ones1 and recalls with indescribable sadness other just such celebrations in the years long past1 when those for whom they now invoke the mercy of ,heaven were still amongst the living4 ,then comes1 too1 the solemn thought that some1 perhaps many1 of those then present in life and health may be numbered with the dead before ,all ,souls' ,day comes round again1 and a voice from the depths of the ,christian heart asks1 ,may not ,i1 too1 be then with the dead8 ,when noting with surprise and regret how many ,catholics neglect the celebration of ,all ,souls' ,day1 we have often endeavored to account for such strange apathy4 ,surely1 if the charity of the ,church do not inspire them--if they do not feel1 with the valiant ,macchabeus of old1 that it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the ,dead that they may be loosed from their sins--if natural affection1 even1 do not move them to think of the probable sufferings of their own near and dear--sufferings which they may have it in their power to alleviate--at least1 a motive of self-interest ought to make them reflect that when they themselves are with the dead1 retributive justice may leave them forgotten by their own flesh and blood1 as they forget others now4 ,but to those who do faithfully unite with the ,church in her solemn commemoration of the faithful departed on ,all ,souls' ,day1 nothing can be more soothing to the deep heart of human sadness1 as nothing is more imposing1 or more strikingly illustrative of that ,catholic charity1 that all-embracing charity which has its life and fountain within the ,church4 ,,cemeteries4 ,,the respect due to cemeteries is too closely connected with the doctrine of ,purgatory for us to omit observing here that those asylums of the dead1 being the objects of pious reverence1 even amongst infidels1 ought to be still more so amongst us4 ,it was in this connection that ,mgr4 ,pelletan1 ,arch-priest of the ,cathedral of ,algiers1 wrote thus on the #acth of ,march1 #ahdc3 ,here in ,algiers1 do we not see1 every ,friday1 the ,mussulman ,arab1 wandering pensively through his cemetery1 placing on some venerated and beloved grave bouquets of flowers1 branches of boxwood2 wrapped in his bornouse1 he sits for hours beside it1 motionless and thoughtful2 lost in gentle melancholy1 it would seem as though he were holding intimate and mysterious converse with the dear departed one whose loss he deplores4444 ,but for us1 ,christians1 nourished1 enlightened by the truth of ,god1 what special homage1 what profound reverence we should manifest towards the remains of our fathers1 our brethren who died in the same faith6 ,oh1 let us remember the first faithful--the martyrs--the catacombs6 ,the cemetery is for us the land where grows invisibly the harvest of the elect2 it is the sleeping world of intelligence2 sheltered are its peaceful slumbers in the bosom of nature ever young1 ever fruitful2 the crowd of the dead pressed together beneath those crosses1 under those scattered flowers1 is the crowd that will one day rise to take possession of the infinite future1 from which it is only separated by some sods of turf4 ,hence how lively1 how motherly has ever been the solicitude of the ,church in this respect6 ,she wishes that the ground wherein repose the remains of her children be blessed and consecrated ground2 she purifies it with hyssop and holy water2 she calls down upon it by her humble supplications1 the benediction of ,him who disposes according to ,his will of things visible and invisible1 of souls and of bodies2 she wishes that the cross should rise in its midst1 that her children may rest in peace in its shade while awaiting the grand awaking2 even as a temple and a sanctuary1 she banishes from it games1 noise of all kinds1 and even all that savors of levity or irreverence4--,dictionnaire d',anecdotes ,chrtiens1 p4 #iic4 ,,opinions ,,of ,,various ,,protestants4 ,some say1 like ,lessing in his ,treatise on ,theology1 ,what hinders us from admitting a ,purgatory8 as if the great majority of ,christians had not really adopted it4 ,no1 this intermediate state being taught and recognized by the ancient ,church1 notwithstanding the scandalous abuses to which it gave rise1 should not be absolutely rejected4 ,others1 with ,dr4 ,forbes 7controv4 pontif4 princip41 anno #afeh73 ,prayer for the dead1 ,,made ,,use ,,of ,,from ,,the ,,times ,,of ,,the ,,apostles1 cannot be rejected as useless by ,protestants4 ,they should respect the judgment of the primitive ,church1 and adopt a practice sanctioned by the continuous belief of so many ages4 ,we repeat that prayer for the dead is a salutary practice4 ,several others1 rising to our point of view1 drawing their inspiration from the sources of ,catholic charity1 tell you1 with the theologian ,collier 7,part ,,ii4 p4 #ajj73 ,prayer for the dead revives the belief in the immortality of the soul1 withdraws the dark veil which covers the tomb1 and establishes relations between this world and the other4 ,had it been preserved1 we should probably not have had amongst us so much incredulity4 ,i cannot conceive why our ,church1 which is so remote from the primitive times of ,christianity1 should have abandoned or disdained a custom that had never been interrupted2 which1 on the contrary1 as we have reason to believe from ,scripture1 existed in ancient times2 which was practiced in the ,apostolic age1 in the time of miracles and revelations2 introduced amongst the articles of faith1 and never rejected1 except by ,arius4 ,it was evidently in use in the ,church in the time of ,st4 ,augustine1 and down to the sixteenth century4 ,if we do nothing for our dead1 if we omit to occupy ourselves with them and pray for them1 as was formerly done in the ,holy ,supper1 we break off all intercourse with the ,saints2 and then1 how could we dare to say that we remain in communion with the blessed8 ,and if we break off in this way from the most noble part of the universal ,church1 may it not be said that we mutilate our belief and reject one of the articles of the ,christian faith8 ,yes1 says the ,german ,sheldon1 in his turn1 prayer for the dead is one of the most ancient and most efficacious practices of the ,christian religion4 ,you have just heard the sound of some bells2 listen again and you shall hear something different4 ,you think1 then1 that there are ,protestants who admit ,purgatory and others who deny it8 ,you are mistaken6 ,there are some who at once admit and do not admit it4 ,this is difficult to comprehend1 but it is so1 nevertheless1 and this is how they take it3 ,on the one side1 they will have nothing but hell1 pure and simple2 this is the ,catholic side2 but on the other is the philosophic side1 the eternity of horrible pains is something too hard2 and then1 why not a hell that will end a little sooner1 or a little later8 ,for1 in fine1 there are small criminals and great criminals4 ,so that their temporary hell--that is to say1 having an end--being1 after all1 nothing more than one ,purgatory1 it follows that1 having broken with us because they did not want ,purgatory1 they broke off again because they wanted ,purgatory only4--,dictionnaire d',anecdotes1 #iih-i4 ,mr4 ,thorndike1 a ,protestant theologian1 says3 ,the practice of the ,church of interceding for the dead at the celebration of the ,eucharist1 is so general and so ancient1 that it cannot be thought to have come in upon imposture1 but that the same aspersion will seem to take hold of the common ,christianity4 ,the ,protestant translators of ,du ,pin observe1 that ,st4 ,chrysostom1 in his thirty-eighth homily on the ,philippians1 says1 that to pray for the faithful departed in the tremendous mysteries1 was decreed by the ,apostles4 ,the learned ,protestant divine1 ,dr4 ,jeremy ,taylor1 writes thus3 ,we find by the history of the ,machabees1 that the ,jews did pray and make offerings for the dead1 which appears by other testimonies1 and by their form of prayer still extant1 which they used in the captivity4 ,now1 it is very considerable1 that since our ,blessed ,saviour did reprove all the evil doctrines and traditions of the ,scribes and ,pharisees1 and did argue concerning the dead and the resurrection1 yet ,he spake no word against this public practice1 but left it as ,he found it2 which ,he who came to declare to us all the will of ,his ,father would not have done1 if it had not been innocent1 pious1 and full of charity4 ,the practice of it was at first1 and was universal3 it being plain both in ,tertullian and ,st4 ,cyprian1 and others4 ,clement1 says ,bishop ,kaye1 distinguishes between sins committed before and after baptism3 the former are remitted at baptism1 the latter are purged by discipline4444 ,the necessity of this purifying discipline is such1 that if it does not take place in this life1 it must after death1 and is then to be effected by fire1 not by a destructive1 but a discriminating fire1 pervading the soul which passes through it4--,clem41 ch4 xii4 ,,some ,,thoughts ,,for ,,november4 ,i stood upon an unknown shore1 ,a deep1 dark ocean1 rolled beside2 ,dear1 loving ones were wafted o'er ,that silent and mysterious tide4 ,to most persons1 the idea of ,purgatory is simply one of pain2 they try to avoid thinking about it1 because the subject is unpleasant1 and people's thoughts do not naturally revert to painful subjects2 they feel that it is a place to which they must go at least1 if they escape worse2 they must suffer1 they cannot help it1 and so the less they think about it beforehand1 the better4 ,purgatory and suffering are to them synonymous terms2 perhaps fear keeps them from some sins which1 without this salutary apprehension1 they would readily fall into2 but1 on the whole1 they take their chance1 and hope for the best4 ,this1 perhaps1 is the view of a large class of people1 and of those who will scarcely own to themselves what they think on the subject2 but their lives are the tell-tales1 and we cannot but fear that to escape hell is the utmost effort of many who apparently are good ,catholics4 ,still1 we would not say that they do not love ,god1 that they are not in many ways pleasing to ,him2 but1 oh6 how many there are who only want a little more generosity to become ,saints6 ,then1 there is another class1 further on in their heavenward journey--souls who do love ,god1 who do seek only to please ,him1 who are generous1 often even noble-hearted1 in their ,master's service2 souls who can say1 ,our ,father1 and look up with child-like love to ,heaven2 but even with such1 and perhaps with almost all1 the feeling about ,purgatory is much the same2 it is a sort of necessary evil2 a something that must be endured4 ,they feel strongly all that justice demands2 their very sanctity and goodness lead them to desire that that which is evil in them should be taken out1 even by fire2 but still there are few that do really see the deep1 deep love of ,purgatory4 ,we are very far from wishing to hinder people from thinking less of its sufferings--nay1 rather their very intenseness and severity only pleads our case more strongly4 ,all that has been revealed to the ,saints1 all that has been made known to us by the ,church or tradition1 proclaims the same fact4 ,suffering1 intense1 unearthly anguish1 is the portion of those most blessed souls2 and it has been said that the pains of ,purgatory only differ in duration from those of hell4 ,still1 there is this difference--oh6 blessed be ,god1 there is this difference1 and it is all we could ask3 in hell1 the damned blaspheme their ,master with the demons that torment them2 in ,purgatory1 the holy souls love their ,god with the angelic choirs who await their entrance to the land of bliss4 ,if the souls of the damned could love1 hell would cease to be hell2 if the souls of the blessed ones in prison could cease to love1 ,purgatory would be worse to them than a thousand such hells4 99 99 99 99 99 ,yes2 ,purgatory is love1 and if it be true that the love of ,god extends even to hell1 because its torments might be worse1 did not ,his infinite mercy temper ,his infinite justice1 how much more truly may this be said of ,purgatory6 ,we have no wish to enter into any detailed account of what the pains of ,purgatory are supposed to be2 this is a subject for the pen of the theologian1 or the raptures of the ,saint4 ,awful and terrible we know they are4 ,but there is one suffering which we wish to speak of1 because we cannot but hope1 if people reflected upon it seriously1 that they would learn to think of ,purgatory less as a necessary evil1 and more as a most tender mercy1 and be more inclined to enter into a hearty co-operation with those who are anxious to help the poor souls in this awful prison4 ,surely1 the one object of our whole lives is1 not so much to get to ,heaven because we shall be happy there1 as to see ,jesus forever and forever1 to be near ,him1 to gaze on ,him1 and to love ,him without fear2 for then love will be fearless1 because suffering and sin will have ceased4 ,and what will happen when we die8 ,oh6 if we were sent to ,purgatory without seeing ,jesus1 we might bear it better4 ,there have been souls on earth privileged to suffer for months the pains of the holy souls1 and they have lived and borne the pain1 and longed1 if it were possible1 even for more2 but they had not seen ,jesus as we shall see ,him at the moment of our death4 ,the very thought makes us shudder and our life- blood run cold4 ,what if we should indeed be saved1 we who have so trembled and feared1 and known not whether we were worthy of love or hatred8 ,what if we should behold the face of ,divinest ,majesty gaze upon us even for one moment in tenderness8 ,and yet1 unless we see it in unutterable wrath1 this will be4 ,but what then8 ,shall we see it forever8 ,shall our eyes gaze on and on1 and feast themselves on that sight for all eternity8 444 ,ah6 not yet2 we must lose sight of that vision of delight2 it must be withdrawn from us--not1 thank ,god1 in anger1 but in sorrow4 ,oh6 what are the pains of ,purgatory1 what the burning of its fire1 in comparison with the suffering which the soul endures when separated1 even for a moment1 from her ,god8 ,who can tell1 who can understand1 who can even faintly guess1 what will be the anguish of longing which shall consume our very being8 ,but why must this be8 ,why does love1 infinite1 tender love1 inflict such intense pain8 ,why does the parent turn away from his child1 and forbid him his presence for a time8 ,is it that he loves him less than when he lavished on him the tenderest caresses8 444 ,why1 but because suffering is needed as an atonement to justice1 because love cannot be perfected without fear4 ,it is here tried and purified1 but hath in ,heaven its perfect rest4 ,oh6 the love of ,purgatory6 we shall never know it1 or understand it1 until we are there4 ,yes1 we cannot but think that the greatest1 the keenest suffering of the soul will be the remembrance of that which it has seen for a passing moment1 and the pining to behold again and forever the face of ,god4 ,it has been revealed to ,saints that so intense is this desire1 that the soul would gladly place itself even in the most fearful tortures1 could it thus become more quickly purged from that which withholds it from the presence of ,god4 ,did we but well consider1 and enter into this feeling1 we should be much more careful about our imperfections and our venial sins4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the ,saints have ever desired suffering1 and consider it as the greatest favor which could be bestowed upon them2 not that it is in itself desirable1 but because it perfects love4 ,let us1 then1 we who are not ,saints1 think of ,purgatory with more affection2 let us rejoice that1 if we are not privileged to have keen1 unearthly anguish in this life1 we shall yet suffer1 and suffer intensely1 in the next4 ,our love will be purified2 our dross be purged away2 the weary pain which we feel continually when we think how vile we are in the sight of ,god1 how the eye of ,jesus1 with all its tenderness1 must often turn from us in sorrow--the weary pain1 the deep degradation of misery and sin1 will one day cease2 we shall not tremble under our ,father's eye1 or long to hide ourselves from our ,father's countenance4 ,now we must often feel1 when trying with our whole hearts to please ,god1 how impure1 how sullied we are before ,him4 ,our pride1 our vanity1 our impatience1 our self-love1 are all there4 ,god sees them2 how can ,he1 then1 look on us as we desire ,he should8 ,and often we almost long to be in those purging flames1 even should it be for years and years1 that this vileness might be burned away4 ,,part ,v4 ,,legendary ,,and ,,poetical4 ,well beseems ,that we should help them wash away the stains ,they carried hence2 that so1 made pure and light1 ,they may spring upward to the starry spheres4 ,ah6 so may mercy tempered justice rid ,your burdens speedily2 that ye have power ,to stretch your wing1 which e'en to your desire ,shall lift you4 --,,dante4 ,,legendary ,,and ,,poetical4 ,,dies ,,ir4 ,the day of wrath1 that dreadful day ,shall the whole world in ashes lay1 ,as ,david and ,sybils say4 ,what horror will invade the mind1 ,when the strict ,judge1 who would be kind1 ,shall have few venial faults to find6 ,the last loud trumpet's wondrous sound ,must thro' the rending tombs rebound1 ,and wake the nations underground4 ,nature and death shall with surprise ,behold the pale offender rise1 ,and view the ,judge with conscious eyes4 ,then shall with universal dread1 ,the sacred mystic book be read1 ,to try the living and the dead4 ,the ,judge ascends ,his awful throne1 ,he makes each secret sin be known1 ,and all with shame confess their own4 ,o then6 what int'rest shall ,i make1 ,to save my last important stake1 ,when the most just have cause to quake6 ,thou mighty formidable ,king6 ,thou mercy's unexhausted spring6 ,some comfortable pity bring4 ,forget not what my ransom cost1 ,nor let my dear-bought soul be lost1 ,in storms of guilty terror tost4 ,thou1 who for me didst feel such pain1 ,whose precious blood the cross did stain1 ,let not those agonies be vain4 ,thou whom avenging powers obey1 ,cancel my debt 7too great to pay7 ,before the said accounting day4 ,surrounded with amazing fears1 ,whose load my soul with anguish hears1 ,i sigh1 ,i weep1 accept my tears4 ,thou1 who wast mov'd with ,mary's grief1 ,and by absolving of the thief1 ,hast given me hope1 now give relief4 ,reject not my unworthy prayer1 ,preserve me from the dangerous snare1 ,which death and gaping hell prepare4 ,give my exalted soul a place ,among the chosen right hand race1 ,the sons of ,god1 and heirs of grace4 ,from that insatiate abyss1 ,where flames devour and serpents hiss1 ,promote me to ,thy seat of bliss4 ,prostrate1 my contrite heart ,i rend1 ,my ,god1 my ,father1 and my ,friend3 ,do not forsake me in my end4 ,well may they curse their second birth1 ,who rise to a surviving death4 ,thou great ,creator of mankind1 ,let guilty man compassion find4--,amen4 ,,authorship ,,of ,,the ,,dies ,,ir4 ,o',,brien4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,rev4 ,john ,o',brien1 ,a4,m41 ,prof4 of ,sacred ,liturgy in ,mount ,st4 ,mary's ,college1 ,emmettsburg1 ,md4 ,the authorship of the ,dies ,ir seems the most difficult to settle4 ,this much1 however1 is certain3 that he who has the strongest claims to it is ,latino ,orsini1 generally styled ,frangipani1 whom his maternal uncle1 ,pope ,nicholas ,,iii4 7,gtano ,orsini71 raised to the cardinalate in #abgh4 ,he was more generally known by the name of ,cardinal ,malabranca1 and was1 at first1 a member of the ,order of ,st4 ,dominic4 7,see ,dublin ,review1 ,vol4 ,,xx41 #ahdf2 ,gavantus1 ,thesaur4 ,sacr4 ,rit41 p4 #dij47 ,as this sacred hymn is conceded to be one of the grandest that has ever been written1 it is but natural to expect that the number of authors claiming it would be very large4 ,some even have attributed it to ,pope ,gregory the ,great1 who lived as far back as the year #fjd4 ,st4 ,bernard1 too1 is mentioned in connection with it1 and so are several others2 but as it is hardly necessary to mention all1 we shall only say that1 after ,cardinal ,orsini1 the claims to it on the part of ,thomas de ,celano1 of the ,order of ,franciscans ,minor1 are the greatest4 ,there is very little reason for attributing it to ,father ,humbert1 the fifth general of the ,dominicans in #abgc2 and hardly any at all for accrediting it to ,augustinus de ,biella1 of the ,order of ,augustinian ,eremites4 ,a very widely circulated opinion is that the ,dies ,ir1 as it now stands1 is but an improved form of a ,sequence which was long in use before the age of any of those authors whom we have cited4 ,gavantus gives us1 at page #dij of his ,thesaurus of ,sacred ,rites1 a few stanzas of this ancient sequence4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,we subjoin this ,latin stanza3 ,cum recordor moriturus1 ,quid post mortem sum futurus ,terror terret me venturus1 ,queru expecto non securus4 99 99 99 99 99 ,to repeat what learned critics of every denomination under heaven have said in praise of this marvellous hymn1 would indeed be a difficult task4 ,one of its greatest encomiums is1 that there is hardly a language in ,europe into which it has not been translated2 it has even found its way into ,greek and ,hebrew--into the former1 through an ,english missionary of ,syria1 named ,hildner2 and into the latter1 by ,splieth1 a celebrated ,orientalist4 ,mozart avowed his extreme admiration of it1 and so did ,dr4 ,johnson1 ,sir ,walter ,scott1 and ,jeremy ,taylor1 besides hosts of others4 ,the encomium passed upon it by ,schaff is thus given in his own words3 ,this marvellous hymn is the acknowledged master-piece of ,latin poetry and the most sublime of all uninspired hymns4 ,the secret of its irresistible power lies in the awful grandeur of the theme1 the intense earnestness and pathos of the poet1 the simple majesty and solemn music of its language1 the stately metre1 the triple rhyme1 and the vocal assonances1 chosen in striking adaptation--all combining to produce an overwhelming effect1 as if we heard the final crash of the universe1 the commotion of the opening graves1 the trumpet of the archangel summoning the quick and the dead1 and saw the ,king 'of tremendous majesty' seated on the throne of justice and mercy1 and ready to dispense everlasting life1 or everlasting woe4 7,see ,latin ,hymns1 ,vol4 ,i4 p4 #cib1 by ,prof4 ,march1 of ,lafayette ,college1 ,pa47 ,the music of this hymn formed a chief part in the fame of ,mozart2 and it is said1 and not without reason1 that it contributed in no small degree to hasten his death1 for so excited did he become over its awe- enkindling sentiments while writing his celebrated ,mass of ,requiem1 that a sort of minor paralysis seized his whole frame1 so ,terret dies me terroris1 ,dies irae1 ac furoris1 ,dies luctus1 ac moeroris1 ,dies ultrix peccatoris1 ,dies irae1 dies illa1 etc1 etc4 that he was heard to say3 ,i am certain that ,i am writing this ,requiem for myself4 ,it will be my funeral service4 ,he never lived to finish it2 the credit of having done so belongs to ,sussmayer1 a man of great musical attainments1 and a most intimate friend of the ,mozart family4-- ,dublin ,review1 ,vol4 ,i41 ,may1 #ahcf4 ,the allusion to the sibyl in the third line of the first stanza1 ,teste ,david cum ,sybilla1 #a has given rise to a good deal of anxious inquiry2 and so very strange did it sound to ,french ears at its introduction into the sacred hymnology of the ,church1 that the ,parisian rituals substituted in its place the line1 ,crucis expandens vexilla4 ,the difficulty is1 however1 easily overcome if we bear in mind that many of the early ,fathers held that ,almighty ,god made use of these sibyls to promulgate ,his truths in just the same way as ,he did of ,balaam of old1 and many others like him4 ,the great ,st4 ,augustine has written much on this subject in his ,city of ,god2 and the reader may form some idea of the estimation in which these sibyls were held1 when he is told that the world-renowned ,michael ,angelo made them the subject of one of his greatest paintings4444 ,in the opinions of the ablest critics it was the ,erythrean sibyl who uttered the celebrated prediction about the advent of our ,divine ,lord and ,his final coming at the last day to judge the living and the dead4444 ,the part of the sibyl's response which referred particularly to the ,day of ,judgment was written 7as an acrostic7 on the letters of ,soter1 or ,saviour4 ,it is given as follows in the translation of the ,city of ,god of ,st4 ,augustine3 ,footnote #a3 ,as ,david and ,sibyls say4 ,sounding1 the archangel's trumpet shall peal down from heaven1 ,over the wicked who groan in their guilt and their manifold sorrows1 ,trembling1 the earth shall be opened1 revealing chaos and hell4 ,every king before ,god shall stand on that day to be judged2 ,rivers of fire and of brimstone shall fall from the heavens4 ,,dante',s ,,purgatorio4 ,the bright sun was risen ,more than two hours aloft2 and to the sea ,my looks were turned4 ,fear not1 my master cried4 ,assured we are at happy point4 ,thy strength ,shrink not1 but rise dilated4 ,thou art come ,to ,purgatory now4 ,lo6 there the cliff ,that circling bounds it4 ,lo6 the entrance there1 ,where it doth seem disparted4444 ,reader6 thou markest how my theme doth rise2 ,nor wonder1 therefore1 if more artfully ,i prop the structure4 ,nearer now we drew1 ,arrived whence1 in that part where first a breach ,as of a wall appeared4 ,i could descry ,a portal1 and three steps beneath1 that led ,for inlet there1 of different color each2 ,and one who watched1 but spake not yet a word1 ,as more and more mine eye did stretch its view1 ,i marked him seated on the highest step1 ,in visage such as past my power to bear4 ,grasped in his hand1 a naked sword glanced back ,the rays so towards me1 that ,i oft in vain ,my sight directed4 ,speak from whence ye stand1 ,he cried2 ,what would ye8 ,where is your escort8 ,take heed your coming upward harm ye not4 ,a heavenly dame1 not skilless of these things1 ,replied the instructor1 told us1 even now1 ',pass that way1 here the gate is4' ,and may she1 ,befriending1 prosper your ascent1 resumed ,the courteous keeper of the gate4 ,come1 then1 ,before our steps4 ,we straightway thither came4 ,the lowest stair was marble white1 so smooth ,and polished1 that therein my mirrored form ,distinct ,i saw4 ,the next of hue more dark ,than sablest grain1 a rough and singed block ,cracked lengthwise and across4 ,the third1 that lay ,massy above1 seemed porphyry1 that flamed ,red as the life-blood spouting from a vein4 ,on this ,god's ,angel either foot sustained1 ,upon the threshold seated1 which appeared ,a rock of diamond4 ,up the trinal steps ,my leader cheerily drew me4 ,ask1 said he1 ,with humble heart1 that he unbar the bolt4 ,piously at his holy feet devolved ,i cast me1 praying him1 for pity's sake1 ,that he would open to me2 but first fell ,thrice on my bosom prostrate4 ,seven times ,the letter that denotes the inward stain1 ,he1 on my forehead1 with the blunted point ,of his drawn sword1 inscribed4 ,and ,look1 he cried1 ,when entered1 that thou wash these scars away4 ,ashes1 or earth ta'en dry out of the ground1 ,were of one color with the robe he wore4 ,from underneath that vestment forth he drew ,two keys1 of metal twain2 the one was gold1 ,its fellow1 silver4 ,with the pallid first1 ,and next the burnished1 he so plyed the gate1 ,as to content me well4 ,whenever one ,faileth of these that in the key-hole straight ,it turn not1 to this alley then expect ,access in vain4 ,such were the words he spake4 ,one is more precious1 but the other needs ,skill and sagacity1 large share of each1 ,ere its good task to disengage the knot ,be worthily performed4 ,from ,peter these ,i hold1 of him instructed that ,i err ,rather in opening1 than in keeping fast2 ,so but the suppliant at my feet implore4 ,then of that hallowed gate he thrust the door4 ,exclaiming1 ,enter1 but this warning hear3 ,he forth again departs who looks behind4 ,as in the hinges of that sacred ward ,the swivels turned1 sonorous metal strong4 ,harsh was the grating2 nor so surlily ,rocked the ,tarpeian when by force bereft ,of good ,metellus1 thenceforth from his loss ,to leanness doomed4 ,attentively ,i turned1 ,listening the thunder that first issued forth2 ,and ,we praise ,thee1 ,o ,god1 methought ,i heard1 ,in accents blended with sweet melody4 ,the strains came o'er mine ear1 e'en as the sound ,of choral voices1 that in solemn chant ,with organ mingle1 and1 now high and clear ,come swelling1 now float indistinct away4--,canto ,,ix4 99 99 99 99 99 ,hell's dunnest gloom1 or night unlustrous1 dark1 ,of every planet reft1 and palled in clouds1 ,did never spread before the sight a veil ,in thickness like that fog1 nor to the sense ,so palpable and gross4 ,entering its shade1 ,mine eye endured not with unclosed lids2 ,which marking1 near me drew the faithful guide1 ,offering me his shoulder for a stay4 ,as the blind man behind his leader walks1 ,lest he should err1 or stumble unawares ,on what might harm him1 or perhaps destroy2 ,i journeyed through that bitter air and foul1 ,still listening to my escort's warning voice1 ,look that from me thou part not4 ,straight ,i heard ,voices1 and each one seemed to pray for peace1 ,and for compassion to the ,lamb of ,god ,that taketh sins away4 ,the prelude still ,was ,agnus ,dei2 and1 through all the choir1 ,one voice1 one measure ran1 that perfect seemed ,the concord of their song4 ,are these ,i hear ,spirits1 ,o ,master8 ,i exclaimed2 and he1 ,thou aim'st aright3 these loose the bonds of wrath4--,canto ,,xvi4 99 99 99 99 99 ,forthwith from every side a shout arose ,so vehement1 that suddenly my guide ,drew near1 and cried3 ,doubt not1 while ,i conduct thee4 ,glory6 all shouted 7such the sounds mine ear ,gathered from those who near me swelled the sounds71 ,glory in the highest be to ,god6 ,we stood ,immovably suspended1 like to those1 ,the shepherds1 who first heard in ,bethlehem's field ,that song3 till ceased the trembling1 and the song ,was ended3 then our hallowed path resumed1 ,eyeing the prostrate shadows1 who renewed ,their customed mourning4 ,never in my breast ,did ignorance so struggle with desire ,of knowledge1 if my memory do not err1 ,as in that moment2 nor1 through haste1 dared ,i ,to question1 nor myself could aught discern4 ,so on ,i fared1 in thoughtfulness and dread4--,canto ,,xx4 99 99 99 99 99 ,now the last flexure of our way we reached2 ,and1 to the right hand turning1 other care ,awaits us4 ,here the rocky precipice ,hurls forth redundant flames2 and from the rim ,a blast up-blown1 with forcible rebuff ,driveth them back1 sequestered from its bound4 ,behooved us1 one by one1 along the side1 ,that bordered on the void1 to pass2 and ,i ,feared on one hand the fire1 on the other feared ,headlong to fall3 when thus the instructor warned3 ,strict rein must in this place direct the eyes4 ,a little swerving and the way is lost4 ,then from the bosom of the burning mass1 ,o ,god of mercy6 heard ,i sung1 and felt ,no less desire to turn4 ,and when ,i saw ,spirits along the flame proceeding1 ,i ,between their footsteps and mine own was fain ,to share by turns my view4 ,at the hymn's close ,they shouted loud1 ,i do not know a man2 #a ,then in low voice again took up the strain4-,canto ,,xxv4 ,footnote #a3 ,i do not know a man4 ,st4 ,luke1 i4 #cd4 99 99 99 99 99 ,now was the sun #a so stationed1 as when first ,his early radiance quivers on the heights ,where streamed his ,maker's blood2 while ,libra hangs ,above ,hesperian ,ebro2 and new fires1 ,meridian1 flash on ,ganges' yellow tide4 ,so day was sinking1 when the ,angel of ,god ,appeared before us4 ,joy was in his mien4 ,forth of the flame he stood--upon the brink2 ,and with a voice1 whose lively clearness far ,surpassed our human1 ,blessed are the pure ,in heart1 he sang2 then1 near him as we came1 ,go ye not further1 holy spirits1 he cried1 ,ere the fire pierce you2 enter in1 and list ,attentive to the song ye hear from thence4 ,i1 when ,i heard his saying1 was as one ,laid in the grave4 ,my hands together clasped1 ,and upward stretching1 on the fire ,i looked1 ,and busy fancy conjured up the forms1 ,erewhile beheld alive1 consumed in flames4--,canto ,,xxvii4 ,footnote #a3 ,at ,jerusalem it was dawn1 in ,spain midnight1 and in ,india noonday1 while it was sunset in ,purgatory ,,hamlet ,,and ,,the ,,ghost4 ,,shakespeare4 ,,hamlet4 ,where wilt thou lead me8 ,speak1 ,i'll go no further4 ,,ghost4 ,mark me4 ,,ham4 ,i will4 ,,ghost4 ,my hour is almost come1 ,when ,i to sulphurous and tormenting flames ,must render up myself4 ,,ham4 ,alas6 poor ghost6 ,,ghost4 ,pity me not1 but lend thy serious hearing ,to what ,i shall unfold4 ,,ham4 ,speak1 ,i am bound to hear4 ,,ghost4 ,so art thou to revenge1 when thou shalt hear4 ,,ham4 ,what8 ,,ghost4 ,i am thy father's spirit2 ,doomed for a certain time to walk the night2 ,and1 for the day1 confined to fast in fires1 ,till the foul crimes1 done in my days of nature1 ,are burnt and purged away4 ,but that ,i am forbid ,to tell the secrets of my prison-house1 ,i could a tale unfold1 whose lightest word ,would harrow up thy soul2 freeze thy young blood2 ,make thy two eyes1 like stars1 start from their spheres2 ,thy knotted and combined locks to part1 ,and each particular hair to stand on end1 ,like quills upon the fretful porcupine2 ,but this eternal blason must not be ,to ears of flesh and blood4 ,,calderon',s ,,purgatory ,,of ,,st4 ,,patrick4 ,in a work of this nature1 it is essential to its purpose that the compiler should take cognizance of the many legends1 wild and extravagant as some of them are1 which have been current at various times and amongst various peoples1 on the subject of ,purgatory4 ,for they have1 indeed1 a deep significance1 proving how strong a hold this belief in a middle state of souls has taken on the popular mind4 ,they are1 in a certain sense1 a part of ,catholic tradition1 and have to do with what is called ,catholic instinct4 ,they prove that this dogma of the ,church has found a home in the hearts of the people1 and become familiar to them1 as the tales of childhood whispered around the winter hearth4 ,if it appear now and then1 in some such uncouth disguise1 as that which we1 are about to present to our readers1 we see1 nevertheless1 through it all the truth1 or rather the fragments of truth1 such as is often found floating about through ,europe on the breath of tradition4 ,the curious legend has been turned by ,calderon from dross into precious gold4 ,he presents it to us in his ,purgatory of ,st4 ,patrick with a beauty that divests it of much of its native wildness4 ,he presumably drew his materials for the drama from a work1 ,the ,life and ,purgatory of ,st4 ,patrick1 published in ,spain in #afbg by ,montalvan1 a ,spanish dramatist4 ,it was translated into ,french by a ,franciscan priest and doctor of theology1 ,franois ,bouillon2 as also into ,portuguese by ,father ,manuel ,caldeira4 ,when this work was issued ,calderon was wish the army in ,flanders4 ,he must have seen it1 his brilliant imagination at once taking hold of it as the groundwork for a splendid effort of his genius4 ,we cite here an extract from an introduction by ,denis ,florence ,mac,carthy to his translation of ,calderon's ,purgatory of ,st4 ,patrick4 ,it will be of interest as following the thread of this weird legend3 ,the curious history of ,ludovico ,enio1 on which the principal interest of this play depends1 has been alluded to1 and given more or less fully by many ancient authors4 ,the name1 though slightly altered by the different persons who have mentioned him1 can easily be recognized as the same in all1 whether as ,owen1 ,oien1 ,owain1 ,eogan1 ,euenius1 or ,ennius4 ,perhaps the earliest allusion to him in any printed ,english work is that contained in ',ranulph ,hidgen's ,polychronicon1' published at ,westminster by ,wynkin de ,worde1 in #adie3 ',in this ,steven's tyme1 a knyght that hyght ,owen wente into the ,purgatory of the second ,patrick1 abbot1 and not byshoppe4 ,he came agayne and dwelled in the abbaye of ,ludene of ,whyte ,monks in ,irlonde1 and tolde of joycs and of paynes that he had seen4' ,the history of ,enio had1 however1 existed in manuscript for nearly three centuries and a half before the ,polychronicon was printed2 it had been written by ,henry1 the ,monk of ,salterey1 in ,huntingdonshire1 from the account which he had received from ,gilbert1 a ,cistercian monk of the ,abbey of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary of ,luden1 or ,louth1 above mentioned4 #a ,colgan1 after collating this manuscript with two others on the same subject1 which he had seen1 printed it nearly in full in his ,trias4 444 ,matthew ,paris had1 however1 before this1 in his ,history of ,england1 under date #aaec1 given a full account of the adventures of ,o,enus in the ,purgatory4 444 ,sir ,walter ,scott mentions1 in his ,border ,minstrelsy1 that there is a curious ,metrical ,romance in the ,advocates' ,library of ,edinburgh1 called ,the ,legend of ,sir ,owain1 relating his adventures in ,st4 ,patrick's ,purgatory2 he gives some stanzas from it1 descriptive of the knight's passage of ,the ,brig o' ,dread2 which1 in the legend1 is placed between ,purgatory and ,paradise4 ,this poem is supposed to have been written early in the fourteenth century4 ,footnote #a3 ,colgan's ,trias ,thanmaturg1 p4 #bha1 ,ware's ,annals of ,ireland1 ,a4,d4 #adig4 ,a second extract on the subject1 taken from the ,essay by ,mr4 ,wright on the ,purgatory of ,st4 ,patrick1 published in ,london in #ahdd1 gives still further information with regard to it4 ,the mode1 he says1 in which this legend was made public is thus told in the ,latin narrative4 ,gervase 7the founder and first ,abbot of ,louth1 in ,lincolnshire7 sent his monk1 ,gilbert1 to the king1 then in ,ireland1 to obtain a grant to build a monastery there4 ,gilbert1 on his arrival1 complained to the king1 ,henry ,,ii41 that he did not understand the language of the country4 ,the king said to him1' ,i will give you an excellent interpreter1' and sent him the knight ,owain1 who remained with him during the time he was occupied in building the monastery1 and repeated to him frequently the story of his adventures in ,purgatory4 ,gilbert and his companions subsequently returned to ,england1 and there he repeated the story1 and some one said he thought it was all a dream1 to which ,gilbert answered3 ',that there were some who believed that those who entered the ,purgatory fell into a trance1 and saw the vision in the spirit1 but that the knight had denied this1 and declared that the whole was seen and felt really in the body4' ,both ,gilbert1 from whom ,henry of ,salterey received the story1 and the bishop of the diocese1 assured him that many perished in this ,purgatory1 and were never heard of afterwards4 ,it is clear from the allusion to it in ,csarius of ,heisterbach1 that already1 at the beginning of the thirteenth century1 ,st4 ,patrick's ,purgatory had become famous throughout ,europe4 ',if any one doubt of ,purgatory1' says this writer1 'let him go to ,scotland 7i4 e41 ,ireland1 to which this name was anciently given71 and enter the ,purgatory of ,st4 ,patrick1 and his doubts will be expelled4' ,this recommendation was frequently acted upon in that1 and particularly in the following century1 when pilgrims from all parts of ,europe1 some of them men of rank and wealth1 repaired thither4 ,on the patent rolls in the ,tower of ,london1 under the year #aceh1 we have an instance of testimonials given by the king1 ,edward ,,iii41 on the same day1 to two distinguished foreigners1 one a noble ,hungarian1 the other a ,lombard1 ,nicholas de ,becariis1 of their having faithfully performed this pilgrimage4 ,and still later1 in #acig1 we find ,king ,richard ,,ii4 granting a safe conduct to visit the same place to ,raymond1 ,viscount of ,perilhos1 ,knight of ,rhodes1 and ,chamberlain of the ,king of ,france1 with twenty men and thirty horses4 ,raymond de ,perilhos1 on his return to his native country1 wrote a narrative of what he had seen1 in the dialect of the ,limousin 7,lemosinalingna71 of which a ,latin version was printed by ,o',sullivan in his ',historia ,catholica ,ibernica4' 444 ,this is a mere compilation from the story of ',henry of ,salterey1' and begins1 like that1 with an account of the origin of the ,purgatory4 ,he represents himself as having been first a minister to ,charles ,v4 of ,france1 and subsequently the intimate friend of ,john ,i4 of ,aragon1 after whose death 7in #acie7 he was seized with the desire of knowing how he was treated in the other world1 and determined1 like a new neas1 to go into ,st4 ,patrick's ,purgatory in search of him4 ,he saw precisely the same sights as the knight1 ,owain1 but 7as in ,calderon7 only twelve men came to him in the hall instead of fifteen1 and in the fourth hall of punishments he saw ,king ,john of ,aragon1 and many others of his friends and relations4 ,we will now select from the drama of ,calderon a few characteristic passages1 to show how this subject was treated by the glowing pen and fervid fancy of the greatest of all the poets of ,catholic ,spain1 whose poetry1 indeed1 is deserving of more widespread appreciation than it has yet received at the hands of the ,catholic reading public4 ,we will begin with those lines in which ,ludovico ,enio1 the hero of the tale1 makes known his identity to ,king ,egerio4 ,,ludovico4 ,listen1 most beautiful divinity1 ,for thus begins the story of my life4 ,great ,egerio1 ,king of ,ireland1 ,i ,am ,ludovico ,enio--a ,christian also-- ,in this do ,patrick and myself agree1 ,and differ1 being ,christians both1 ,and yet as opposite as good from evil4 ,but for the faith which ,i sincerely hold 7,so greatly do ,i estimate its worth71 ,i would lay down a hundred thousand lives-- ,bear witness1 thou all-seeing ,lord and ,god4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ,all crimes1 ,theft1 murder1 treason1 sacrilege1 betrayal ,of dearest friends1 all these ,i must relate4 ,for these are all my glory and my pride4 ,in one of ,ireland's many islands ,i ,was born1 and much do ,i suspect that all ,the planets seven1 in wild confusion strange1 ,assisted at my most unhappy birth4 ,he proceeds with a catalogue of his crimes1 most dark1 indeed1 and relates how ,st4 ,patrick1 who was present1 had saved him from shipwreck4 ,the ,king1 however1 who is a pagan1 takes the ,knight into his service1 while he bids the ,saint begone4 ,before they part ,patrick asks of him a favor3 ,,patrick4 ,this one boon ,i ask-- ,,ludovico4 ,what is it8 ,,patrick4 ,that1 alive or dead1 we meet ,in this world once again4 ,,ludovico4 ,dost thou demand ,so strange and dread a promise from me8 ,,patrick4 ,yes4 ,,ludovico4 ,i give it to thee then4 ,,patrick4 ,and ,i accept it4 ,what follows is from a conversation between ,patrick and the ,king1 wherein are explained many of the truths of faith1 including the existence of heaven and of hell4 ,thus the ,saint3 ,,patrick4 ,there are more places ,in the other world than those of ,everlasting pain and glory3 ,learn1 ,o ,king1 that there's another1 ,which is ,purgatory2 whither ,flies the soul that has departed ,in a state of grace2 but bearing ,still some stains of sin upon it3 ,for with these no soul can enter ,god's pure kingdom--there it dwelleth ,till it purifies and burneth ,all the dross from out its nature2 ,then it flieth1 pure and limpid1 ,into ,god's divinest presence4 ,,king4 ,so you say1 but ,i have nothing1 ,save your own words1 to convince me2 ,give me of the soul's existence ,some strong proof--some indication-- ,something tangible and certain-- ,which my hands may feel and grasp at4 ,and since you appear so powerful ,with your ,god1 you can implore him1 ,that to finish my conversion1 ,he may show some real being1 ,not a mere ideal essence1 ,which all men can touch2 remember1 ,but one single hour remaineth ,for this task3 this day you give us ,certain proofs of pain or glory1 ,or you die3 where we are standing ,let your ,god display his wonders-- ,and since we1 perhaps1 may merit ,neither punishment nor glory1 ,let the other place be shown us1 ,which you say is ,purgatory4 ,,patrick then prays1 concluding with the words3 ,i ask1 ,o ,lord1 may from ,thy hand be given1 ,that ,purgatory1 ,hell1 and ,heaven ,may be revealed unto those mortals' sight4 ,an ,angel then descends and speaks as follows3 ,,angel4 ,patrick1 ,god has heard thy prayer1 ,he has listened to thy vows2 ,and as thou hast ask'd1 allows ,earth's great secrets to lie bare4 ,seek along this island ground ,for a vast and darksome cave1 ,which restrains the lake's dark wave1 ,and supports the mountains round2 ,he who dares to go therein1 ,having first contritely told ,all his faults1 shall there behold ,where the soul is purged from sin4 ,he shall see with mortal eyes ,hell itself--where those who die ,in their sins forever lie1 ,in the fire that never dies4 ,he shall see1 in blest fruition1 ,where the happy spirits dwell4 ,but of this be sure as well-- ,he who without true contrition ,enters there to idly try ,what the cave may be1 doth go ,to his death--he'll suffer woe ,while the ,lord doth reign on high4 ,who this day shall set you free ,from this poor world's weariness2 ,he shall grant to you1 in pity1 ,bliss undreamed by mortal men-- ,making thee a denizen ,of his own celestial city4 ,he shall to the world proclaim ,his omnipotence and glory1 ,by the wondrous ,purgatory1 ,which shall bear thy sainted name4 ,polonia1 the ,king's daughter1 whom ,ludovico had married and deserted1 having first tried to kill her1 appears upon the scene just as the ,king1 ,patrick1 and some others1 who have set out upon their quest for the ,purgatory1 have reached a gloomy mountain and a deep cave4 ,polonia relates the wonders and the terrors of the cavern through which she has passed4 ,patrick then speaks as follows3 ,,patrick4 ,this cave1 ,egerio1 which you see1 concealeth ,many mysteries of life and death1 ,not for him whose hardened bosom feeleth ,nought of true repentance or true faith4 ,but he who freely enters1 who revealeth ,all his sins with penitential breath1 ,shall endure his ,purgatory then1 ,and return forgiven back again4 ,later in the drama we find ,ludovico desiring ,to enter ,into ,patrick's ,purgatory2 ,humbly and devoutly keeping ,thus the promise that ,i gave him4 ,again1 he says3 ,i have faith and firm reliance ,that you yet shall see me happy1 ,if in ,god's name blessed ,patrick1 ,aid me in the ,purgatory4 ,having confessed his sins and made due preparation1 he enters the cave4 ,on his return hence1 the ,priest1 or ,canon as he is called1 bids him relate the wonders he has seen4 ,he finds himself first in thick and pitchy darkness1 he hears horrid clangor1 and falls down at length into a hall of jasper1 where he meets with twelve grave men1 who encourage him1 and bid him keep up his courage amid the fearful sights he is to behold later on4 ,at length he reaches the ,purgatory3 ,i approached another quarter2 ,there it seemed that many spirits ,i had known elsewhere1 were gathered ,into one vast congregation1 ,where1 although 'twas plain they suffered1 ,still they looked with joyous faces1 ,wore a peaceable appearance1 ,uttered no impatient accents1 ,but1 with moistened eyes uplifted ,towards the heavens1 appeared imploring ,pity1 and their sins lamenting4 ,this1 in truth1 was ,purgatory1 ,where the sins that are more venial ,are purged out4 ,he then alludes to that ,bridge or ,brig o' ,dread1 to which allusion will be made in another portion of our volume4 ,as this passage is celebrated1 it is well to give it in full3 ,,ludovico4 ,to a river did they lead me1 ,flowers of fire were on its margin1 ,liquid sulphur was its current1 ,many-headed hydras--serpents-- ,monsters of the deep were in it2 ,it was very broad1 and o'er it ,lay a bridge1 so slight and narrow ,that it seem'd a thin line only4 ,it appear'd so weak and fragile1 ,that the slightest weight would sink it4 ,here thy pathway lies1 they told me1 ,o'er this bridge so weak and narrow2 ,and1 for thy still greater horror1 ,look at those who've pass'd before thee4 ,then ,i look'd1 and saw the wretches ,who the passage were attempting ,fall amid the sulphurous current1 ,where the snakes with teeth and talons ,tore them to a thousand pieces4 ,notwithstanding all these horrors1 ,i1 the name of ,god invoking1 ,undertook the dreadful passage1 ,and1 undaunted by the billows1 ,or the winds that blew around me1 ,reached the other side in safety4 ,here within a wood ,i found me1 ,so delightful and so fertile1 ,that the past was all forgotten4 ,on my path rose stately cedars1 ,laurels--all the trees of ,eden4 ,after having described some of the glories of this abode of bliss1 he relates his meeting with the resplendent1 the most glorious1 the great ,patrick1 the ,apostle--and was thus enabled to keep his early promise4 ,the poem ends with the following somewhat confused list of authorities3 ,for with this is now concluded ,the historic legend told us ,by ,dionysius1 the great ,carthusian1 ,with ,henricus ,salteriensis1 ,csarius ,heisterbachensis1 ,matthew ,paris1 and ,ranulphus1 ,monbrisius1 ,marolicus ,siculus1 ,david ,rothe1 and the judicious ,primate over all ,hibernia1 ,bellarmino1 ,beda1 ,serpi1 ,friar ,dymas1 ,jacob ,sotin1 ,messingham1 and in conclusion ,the belief and pious feeling ,which have everywhere maintained it4 ,from ,alban ,butler's notes to ,lives of the ,saints1 ,vol4 ,i4 p4 #ajc1 we subjoin the following3 ,st4 ,patrick's ,purgatory is a cave on an island in the ,lake ,dearg 7,lough ,derg71 in the ,county of ,donegal1 near the borders of ,fermanagh4 ,bollandus shows the falsehood of many things related concerning it4 ,upon complaint of certain superstitious and false notions of the vulgar1 in #adig1 it was stopped up by an order of the ,pope4 ,see ,bollandus1 ',tillemont1' p4 #bhg1 ,alemand in his ',monastic ,hist4 of ,ireland1' and ,thiers1 ',hist4 des4 ,superst4' ,i4 #d ed4 ,nov4 ,it was soon after opened again by the inhabitants2 but only according to the original institution1 as ,bollandus takes notice1 as a penitential retirement for those who voluntarily chose it1 probably in imitation of ,st4 ,patrick1 or other saints1 who had there dedicated themselves to a penitential state4 ,they usually spent several days here1 living on bread and water1 lying on rushes1 praying and making stations barefoot4 ,,the ,,brig ,o' ,,dread4 ,,sir ,,walter ,,scott4 ,in connection with the extracts which we have given from the celebrated ,drama of ,calderon1 the ,purgatory of ,st4 ,patrick1 and in particular of that one which relates to the passage of ,ludovico over the bridge which leads from ,purgatory to ,paradise1 it will be interesting to quote the following from ,sir ,walter ,scott's ,minstrelsy of the ,scottish ,border3 ,there is a sort of charm1 sung by the lower ranks of ,roman ,catholics1 in some parts of the north of ,england1 while watching a dead body previous to interment4 ,the tone is doleful and monotonous1 and1 joined to the mysterious import of the words1 has a solemn effect4 ,the word sleet1 in the chorus1 seems to be corrupted from selt or salt2 a quantity of which1 in compliance with a popular superstition1 is frequently placed on the breast of a corpse4 ,the mythologic ideas of the dirge are common to various creeds4 ,the ,mahometan believes that1 in advancing to the final judgment seat1 he must traverse a bar of red-hot iron1 stretched across a bottomless gulf4 ,the good works of each true believer1 assuming a substantial form1 will then interpose between his feet and this ',bridge of ,dread2' but the wicked1 having no such protection1 fall headlong into the abyss4 ,passages similar to this dirge are also to be found in ,lady ,culross' ,dream1 as quoted in the second ,dissertation1 prefixed by ,mr4 ,pinkerton to his select ,scottish ,ballads1 #b vols4 ,the dreamer journeys towards heaven1 accompanied and assisted by a celestial guide3 ,through dreadful dens1 which made my heart aghast1 ,he bore me up when ,i began to tire4 ,sometimes we clamb o'er craggy mountains high1 ,and sometimes stay'd on ugly braes of sand4 ,they were so stay that wonder was to see2 ,but when ,i fear'd1 he held me by the hand4 ,through great deserts we wandered on our way-- ,forward we passed a narrow bridge of trie1 ,o'er waters great1 which hideously did roar4 ,again1 she supposes herself suspended over an infernal gulf3 ,ere ,i was ware1 one gripped me at the last1 ,and held me high above a flaming fire4 ,the fire was great1 the heat did pierce me sore2 ,my faith grew-weak2 my grip was very small4 ,i trembled fast2 my faith grew more and more4 ,a horrible picture of the same kind1 dictated probably by the author's unhappy state of mind1 is to be found in ,brooke's ,fool of ,quality4 ,the ,russian funeral service1 without any allegorical imagery1 expresses the sentiment of the dirge in language alike simple and noble3 ,hast thou pitied the afflicted1 ,o man8 ,in death shalt thou be pitied4 ,hast thou consoled the orphan8 ,the orphan will deliver thee4 ,hast thou clothed the naked8 ,the naked will procure thee protection4-- ,richardson's ,anecdotes of ,russia4 ,but the most minute description of the ,brig o' ,dread occurs in the legend of ,sir ,owain1 ,no4 ,,xl4 in the ,,ms4 collection of romances1 ,w4 #d4 ,i1 ,advocates' ,library1 ,edinburgh4 ,sir ,owain1 a ,northumbrian knight1 after many frightful adventures in ,st4 ,patrick's ,purgatory1 at last arrives at the bridge1 which1 in the legend1 is placed betwixt ,purgatory and ,paradise3 ,the fendes han the ,knight ynome1 ,to a stink and water thai ben ycome1 ,he no seigh never er non swiche2 ,it stank fouler than ani hounde1 ,and mani mile it was to the grounde1 ,and was as swart as piche4 ,and ,owain seigh ther ouer ligge ,a swithe1 strong1 naru brigge3 ,the fendes seyd tho2 ,lo1 ,sir ,knight1 sestow this1 ,this is the brigge of ,paradis1 ,here ouer thou must go4 ,and we the schul with stones prowe ,and the winde the schul ouer blow1 ,and wirche the ful wo2 ,thou no schalt for all this unduerd1 ,bot gif thou falle a midwerd1 ,to our fewes #a mo4 ,footnote #a3 ,sir ,walter ,scott says probably a contraction of fellows4 ,and when thou art adoun yfalle1 ,than schal com our felawes alle1 ,and with her hokes the hede2 ,we schul the teche a newe playe3 ,thou hast served ous mani a day1 ,and into helle the lede4 ,owain biheld the brigge smert1 ,the water ther under blek and swert1 ,and sore him gan to drede2 ,for of othing he tok yeme1 ,never mot1 in sonne beme1 ,thicker than the fendes yede4 ,the brigge was as heigh as a tower1 ,and as scharpe as a rasour1 ,and naru it was also2 ,and the water that ther run under1 ,brend o' lighting and of thonder1 ,that thocht him michel wo4 ,ther nis no clerk may write with ynke1 ,no no man no may bithink1 ,no no maister deuine2 ,that is ymade forsoth ywis1 ,under the brigge of paradis ,halven del the pine4 ,so the dominical ous telle1 ,ther is the pure entrae of helle1 ,seine ,poule #a verth witnesse2 ,whoso falleth of the brigge adown1 ,of him nis no redempcion1 ,neither more nor lesse4 ,footnote #a3 ,st4 ,paul4 ,the fendes seyd to the ,knight tho1 ',ouer this brigge might thou nowght go1 ,for noneskines nede2 ,fie peril sorwe and wo1 ,and to that stede ther thou com fro1 ,wel fair we schul the lede4' ,owain anon began bithenche1 ,fram hou mani of the fendes wrenche1 ,god him saved hadde2 ,he sett his fot opon the brigge1 ,no feld he no scharpe egge1 ,no nothing him no drad4 ,when the fendes yseigh tho1 ,that he was more than half ygo1 ,loude thai gun to crie3 ,allas6 ,allas6 that he was born6 ,this ich night we habe forlorn ,out of our baylie4--,minstrelsy of ,scottish ,border4 ,,shelley ,,and ,,the ,,purgatory ,,of ,,st4 ,,patrick4 ,it will be of interest to quote the following passage from one of ,shelley's best known works1 ,the ,cenci1 of which he himself says3 ,an idea in this speech was suggested by a most sublime passage in ',el ,purgatorio de ,san ,patricio1' of ,calderon4 ,but ,i remember1 ,two miles on this side of the fort1 the road ,crosses a deep ravine2 'tis rough and narrow1 ,and winds with short turns down the precipice2 ,and in its depths there is a mighty rock ,which has1 from unimaginable years1 ,sustained itself with terror and with toil ,over the gulf1 and with the agony ,with which it clings seems slowly coming down2 ,even as a wretched soul1 hour after hour1 ,clings to the mass of life2 yet clinging1 leans2 ,and leaning1 makes more dark the dread abyss ,in which it fears to fall2 beneath this crag ,huge as despair1 as if in weariness1 ,the melancholy mountain yawns4 ,,on ,a ,,great ,,funeral4 #a ,footnote3 ,the above lines apply with peculiar impressiveness to the funeral of ,general ,grant1 so lately occupying public attention4 ,,aubrey ,,de ,,vere4 ,no more than this8 ,the chief of nations bears ,her chief of sons to his last resting-place2 ,through the still city1 sad and slow of pace1 ,the sable pageant streams2 and as it nears ,that dome1 to-day a vault funereal1 tears ,run down the gray-hair'd veteran's wintry face2 ,deep organs sob and flags their front abase2 ,and the snapt wand the rite complete declares4 ,soul1 that before thy ,judge dost stand this day1 ,disrobed of strength and puissance1 pomp and power2 ,o soul6 defrauded at thine extreme hour ,of man's sole help from man1 and latest stay1 ,swells there for thee no prayer from all that host1 ,and is this burial but a nation's boast8 ,,morte ,d',,arthur4 ,,tennyson4 ,then loudly cried the bold ,sir ,bedivere1 ,ah6 my ,lord ,arthur1 whither shall ,i go8 ,where shall ,i hide my forehead and my eyes8 ,for now ,i see the true old times are dead1 ,when every morning brought a noble chance1 ,and every chance brought out a noble knight4 ,such times have been not since the light that led ,the holy ,elders with the gift of myrrh4 ,but now the whole ,round ,table is dissolved ,which was an image of the mighty world2 ,and ,i1 the last1 go forth companionless1 ,and the days darken round me1 and the years1 ,among new men1 strange faces1 other minds4 ,and slowly answered ,arthur from the barge3 ,the old order changeth1 yielding place to new1 ,and ,god fulfils ,himself in many ways4 ,lest one good custom should corrupt the world4 ,comfort thyself3 what comfort is in me8 ,i have lived my life1 and that which ,i have done ,may ,he within ,himself make pure6 but thou1 ,if thou shouldst never see my face again1 ,pray for my soul4 ,more things are wrought by prayer ,than this world dreams of4 ,wherefore1 let thy voice ,rise like fountain for me night and day4 ,for what are men better than sheep or goats ,that nourish a blind life within the brain1 ,if1 knowing ,god1 they lift not hands of prayer ,both for themselves and those who call them friend8 ,for so the whole round earth is every way ,bound by gold chains about the feet of ,god4 ,but now farewell6 ,i am going a long way ,with these thou seest--if indeed ,i go 7,for all my mind is clouded with a doubt7 ,to the island-valley of ,avilion2 ,where falls not hail1 or rain1 or any snow2 ,nor ever wind blows loudly2 but it lies ,deep-meadowed1 happy1 fair with orchard lawns ,and bowery hollows crowned with summer sea1 ,where ,i will heal me of my grievous wound4 ,so said he1 and the barge with oar and sail ,moved from the brink1 like some full-breasted swan4 ,that1 fluting a wild carol1 ere her death1 ,ruffles her pure cold plume1 and takes the flood ,with swarthy webs4 ,long stood ,sir ,bedivere ,revolving many memories1 till the hull ,looked one black dot against the verge of dawn1 ,and on the meer the wailing died away4 ,,guido ,,and ,,his ,,brother4 ,c,o,l,ll,n ,,de ,,plancy4 ,the brother who forgets his brother is no longer a man1 he is a monster4--,sr4 ,john ,chrysostom4 ,peter the ,venerable relates the story of a lord of his time1 named ,guy or ,guido1 who had lost his life in battle2 this was very common in the ,middle ,ages1 when the nobles were beyond all else great warriors4 ,as this ,guido had not been able to make his last confession1 he appeared fully armed1 to a priest1 some time after his death4 ,stephanus1 said he 7that was the name of the priest71 ,i pray thee go to my brother ,anselm2 thou shalt tell him that ,i conjure him to restore an ox which ,i took from a peasant1 naming him2 and also to repair the damage ,i did to a village which did not--belong to me1 by wrongfully imposing taxes thereupon4 ,i was unable to confess1 or to expiate these two sins1 for which ,i am grievously tormented4 ,as an assurance of what ,i tell thee1 continued the apparition1 ,i warn thee that1 when thou returnest to thy dwelling1 thou shalt find that the money thou hast saved to make the pilgrimage of ,st4 ,james has been stolen4 ,the priest1 on his return1 actually found that his strongbox had been broken open and his money carried off2 but he could not discharge his commission1 because ,anselm was absent4 ,a few days after1 the same ,guido appeared a second time1 to reproach ,stephanus for his neglect4 ,the good priest excused himself on the impossibility of finding ,anselm2 but learning that he had returned to his manor1 he repaired thither1 and faithfully fulfilled his commission4 ,he was received very coolly4 ,anselm told him that he was not obliged to do penance for the sins of his brother2 and with these words he dismissed him4 ,the dead man1 who experienced no relief1 appeared a third time1 and bemoaning his brother's harshness1 he besought the worthy servant of ,god to have compassion himself on his distress1 and assist him in his extremity4 ,stephanus1 much affected1 promised that he would1 ,he restored the price of the stolen ox1 gave alms to the wronged village1 said prayers1 recommended the deceased to all the good people he knew1 and then ,guido appeared no more4 ,,berthold ,,in ,,purgatory4 ,,collin ,,de ,,plancy4 ,miseremini mei1 miseremini mei1 saltem vos1 amici moi4--,,job xix4 ,a short time after the death of ,charles the ,bald1 there is found in ,hincmar a narrative which it may be well to introduce here2 it is the journey of ,berthold1 or ,bernold1 to ,purgatory in the spirit4 ,berthold was a citizen of ,rheims1 of good life1 fulfilling his ,christian duties and enjoying public esteem4 ,he was subject to ecstasies1 or syncope1 which sometimes lasted a good while4 ,then1 whether he had visions1 or that his soul transported itself or was transported out of his body--an effect which1 is evidently produced in our days by magnetism--he made1 in his ecstasies1 several journeys into ,purgatory4 ,having fallen seriously ill when already well advanced in age1 he received all the sacraments which console the conscience2 after which he remained four entire days in a sort of ecstasy1 during which he took no nourishment of any kind4 ,at the end of the fourth day he had become so weak that there was hardly any breath in him4 ,about midnight1 however1 he begged his wife to send quickly for his confessor4 ,he afterwards remained motionless4 ,but1 at the end of a quarter of an hour1 he said to his wife3 ,place a seat here1 for the priest is coming4 ,he entered the moment after1 and recited the beautiful prayers for the departing soul1 to which ,berthold responded clearly and exactly4 ,after this he had again a moment of ecstasy2 and1 coming out of it1 he related his several visits to ,purgatory1 and the commissions wherewith he had been charged by many suffering souls4 ,he was conducted by a spirit1 an ,angel doubtless4 ,amongst those who were being purified1 in ice or in fire1 he found ,ebbon1 ,archbishop of ,rheims2 ,pardule1 ,bishop of ,laon2 ,ene1 ,bishop of ,paris1 and some other prelates1 clothed in filthy garments1 torn and rusty4 ,their faces were wrinkled1 haggard1 and sallow4 ,ebbon besought him to ask the clergy and people of ,rheims to pray for him and his companions1 who made him the same request4 ,he charged himself with all these commissions4 ,he found1 farther on1 or in another visit1 the soul of ,charles the ,bald1 extended in the mud and much exhausted4 ,the ex-king asked ,berthold to recommend him to ,archbishop ,hincmar and the princes of his family1 acknowledging that he was principally punished for having given ecclesiastical benefices to courtiers and worldly laics1 as had been done by his ancestor1 ,charles ,martel4 ,berthold promised to do what he could4 ,farther on1 and perhaps also on another occasion1 he saw ,jesse1 ,bishop of ,orleans1 in the hands of four dark spirits1 who were plunging him alternately into a well of boiling pitch and one of ice-cold water4 ,not far from him1 ,count ,othaire was in other torments4 ,the two sufferers recommended themselves1 like the others1 to the pious offices of ,berthold1 who faithfully executed the commissions of the souls in pain4 ,he applied1 on behalf of the bishops1 to their clergy and people2 for ,king ,charles the ,bald1 to ,archbishop ,hincmar4 ,he wrote besides--for he was a lettered man--to the relatives of the deceased monarch1 making known to them the state wherein he had seen him4 ,he went to urge the wife of ,othaire1 his vassals and friends1 to offer up prayers and give alms for him2 and in a last visit which he was permitted to make1 he learned that ,count ,othaire and ,bishop ,jess were delivered2 ,king ,charles the ,bald had reached the term of his punishment2 and he saw the ,bishops ,ebbon1 ,ene1 and ,pardule1 who thanked him as they went forth from ,purgatory1 fresh and robed in white4 ,after this account1 whereto ,berthold subjoined that his guide had promised him some more years of life1 he asked for ,holy ,communion1 received it1 felt himself cured1 left his bed on the following day1 and his life was prolonged for fourteen years4 ,a ,,legend ,,of ,,st4 ,,nicholas4 ,let us quote here1 says ,collin de ,plancy1 a good ,english religious whose journey has been related by ,peter the ,venerable1 ,abbot of ,cluny1 and by ,denis the ,carthusian4 ,this traveller speaks in the first person3 ,i had ,st4 ,nicholas for a guide1 he says2 he led me by a level road to a vast horrible space1 peopled with the dead1 who were tormented in a thousand frightful ways4 ,i was told that these people were not damned1 that their torment would in time come to an end1 and that it was ,purgatory ,i saw4 ,i did not expect to find it so severe4 ,all these unfortunates wept hot tears and groaned aloud4 ,since ,i have seen all these things ,i know well that if ,i had any relative in ,purgatory1 ,i would suffer a thousand deaths to take him out of it4 ,a little farther on1 ,i perceived a valley1 through which flowed a fearful river of fire1 which rose in waves to an enormous height4 ,on the banks of that river it was so icy cold that no one can have any idea of it4 ,st4 ,nicholas conducted me thither1 and made me observe the sufferers who were there1 telling me that this again was ,purgatory4 ,,dream ,,of ,,gerontius4 ,,cardinal ,,newman4 ,,angel4 ,thy judgment now is near1 for we are come ,into the veiled presence of our ,god4 ,,soul4 ,i hear the voices that ,i left on earth4 ,,angel4 ,it is the voice of friends around thy bed1 ,who say the ,subvenite with the priest4 ,hither the echoes come2 before the ,throne ,stands the great ,angel of the ,agony1 ,the same who strengthened ,him1 what time ,he knelt ,lone in that garden shade1 bedewed with blood4 ,that ,angel best can plead with ,him for all ,tormented souls1 the dying and the dead4 ,,angel ,,of ,,the ,,agony4 ,jesu6 by that shuddering dread which fell on ,thee2 ,jesu6 by that cold dismay which sicken'd ,thee2 ,jesu6 by that pang of heart which thrill'd in ,thee2 ,jesu6 by that mount of sins which crippled ,thee2 ,jesu6 by that sense of guilt which stifled ,thee2 ,jesu6 by that innocence which girdled ,thee2 ,jesu6 by that sanctity which reign'd in ,thee2 ,jesu6 by that ,godhead which was one with ,thee2 ,jesu6 spare these souls which are so dear to ,thee2 ,who in prison1 calm and patient1 wait for ,thee2 ,hasten1 ,lord1 their hour1 and bid them come to ,thee1 ,to that glorious ,home1 where they shall ever gaze on ,thee4 ,,soul4 ,i go before my ,judge4 ,ah6 444 ,,angel4 444 ,praise to ,his ,name6 ,the eager spirit has darted from my hold1 ,and1 with the intemperate energy of love1 ,flies to the dear feet of ,emmanuel2 ,but1 ere it reach them1 the keen sanctity1 ,which1 with its effluence1 like a glory1 clothes ,and circles round the ,crucified1 has seized1 ,and scorch'd1 and shrivell'd it2 and now it lies ,passive and still before the awful ,throne4 ,o happy1 suffering soul6 for it is safe1 ,consumed1 yet quicken'd1 by the glance of ,god4 ,,soul4 ,take me away1 and in the lowest deep ,there let me be1 ,and there in hope the lone night-watches keep1 ,told out for me4 ,there1 motionless and happy in my pain1 ,lone1 not forlorn1--,there will ,i sing my sad1 perpetual strain1 ,until the morn4 ,there will ,i sing1 and soothe my stricken breast1 ,which ne'er can cease ,to throb1 and pine1 and languish1 till possess'd ,of its ,sole ,peace4 ,there will ,i sing my absent ,lord and ,love3--,take me away1 ,that sooner ,i may rise1 and go above1 ,and see ,him in the truth--of everlasting day4 ,,angel4 ,now let the golden prison ope its gates1 ,making sweet music1 as each fold revolves ,upon its ready hinge4 ,and ye1 great powers1 ,angels of ,purgatory1 receive from me ,my charge1 a precious soul1 until the day1 ,when from all bond and forfeiture released1 ,i shall reclaim it for the courts of light4 ,,souls ,,in ,,purgatory #a4 ,lord1 ,thou hast been our refuge3 in every generation2 #b4 ,before the hills were born1 and the world was3 from age to age1 ,thou art ,god4 #c4 ,bring us not1 ,lord1 very low3 for ,thou hast said1 ,come back again1 ye sons of ,adam6 #d4 ,a thousand years before ,thine eyes are but as yesterday3 and as a watch of the night which is come and gone4 #e4 ,the grass springs up in the morning3 at evening-tide it shrivels up and dies4 #f4 ,so we fall in ,thine anger3 and in ,thy wrath are we troubled4 #g4 ,thou hast set our sins in ,thy sight3 and our round of days in the light of ,thy countenance4 #h4 ,come back1 ,o ,lord6 how long3 and be entreated for ,thy servants4 #i4 ,in ,thy morning we shall be filled with ,thy mercy3 we shall rejoice and be in pleasure all our days4 #aj4 ,we shall be glad according to the days of our humiliation3 and the years in which we have seen evil4 #aa4 ,look1 ,o ,lord1 upon ,thy servants and upon ,thy work3 and direct their children4 #ab4 ,and let the beauty of the ',lord our ,god be upon us3 and the work of our hands1 establish ,thou it4 ,glory be to the ,father1 and to the ,son3 and to the ,holy ,ghost4 ,as it was in the beginning1 is now1 and ever shall be3 world without end4 ,amen4 ,,angel4 ,softly and gently1 dearly-ransom'd soul1 ,in my most loving arms ,i now enfold thee1 ,and1 o'er the penal waters1 as they roll1 ,i poise thee1 and ,i lower thee1 and hold thee4 ,and carefully ,i dip thee in the lake1 ,and thou1 without a sob1 or a resistance1 ,dost through the flood thy rapid passage take1 ,sinking deep1 deeper1 into the dim distance4 ,angels1 to whom the willing task is given1 ,shall tend1 and nurse1 and lull thee1 as thou liest2 ,and ,masses on the earth1 and prayers in heaven1 ,shall aid thee at the throne of the ,most ,high4 ,farewell1 but not for ever6 brother dear1 ,be brave and patient on thy bed of sorrow2 ,swiftly shall pass thy night of trial here1 ,and ,i will come and wake thee on the morrow4 ,,st4 ,,gregory ,,releases ,,the ,,soul ,,of ,,the ,,emperor ,,trajan ,,mrs4 ,,jameson4 ,in a little picture in the ,bologna ,academy he is seen praying before a tomb1 on which is inscribed ,,trajano ,,imperador2 beneath are two angels1 raising the soul of ,trafan out of flames4 ,such is the usual treatment of this curious and poetical legend1 which is thus related in the ,legenda ,aurea3 ,it happened on a time1 as ,trajan was hastening to battle at the head of his legions1 that a poor widow flung herself in his path1 and cried aloud for justice1 and the emperor stayed to listen to her2 and she demanded vengeance for the innocent blood of her son1 killed by the son of the emperor4 ,trajan promised to do her justice when he returned from his expedition4 ',but1 sire'1 answered the widow1 'should you be killed in battle1 who will then do me justice8' ',my successor1' replied ,trajan4 ,and she said1 ',what will it signify to you1 great emperor1 that any other than yourself should do me justice8 ,is it not better that you should do this good action yourself than leave another to do it8' ,and ,trajan alighted1 and having examined into the affair1 he gave up his own son to her in place of him she had lost1 and bestowed on her likewise a rich dowry4 ,now1 it came to pass that as ,gregory was one day meditating in his daily walk1 this action of the ,emperor ,trajan came into his mind1 and he wept bitterly to think that a man so just should be condemned to eternal punishment4 ,and entering a church1 he prayed most fervently that the soul of the good emperor might be released from torment4 ,and a voice said to him1 ',i have granted thy prayer1 and ,i have spared the soul of ,trajan for thy sake2 but because thou hast supplicated for one whom the justice of ,god had already condemned1 thou shalt choose one of two things3 either thou shalt endure for two days the fires of ,purgatory1 or thou shalt be sick and infirm for the remainder of thy life4' ,gregory chose the latter1 which sufficiently accounts for the grievous pains and infirmities to which this great and good man was subjected1 even to the day of his death4 ,this story of ,trajan was extremely popular in the ,middle ,ages2 it is illustrative of the character of ,gregory4444 ,dante twice alludes to it4 ,he describes it as being one of the subjects sculptured on the walls of ,purgatory1 and takes occasion to relate the whole story4 ,there was storied on the rock ,th'exalted glory of the ,roman ,prince1 ,whose mighty worth moved ,gregory to earn ,this mighty conquest--,trajan the ,emperor4 ,a widow at his bridle stood attired ,in tears and mourning4 ,round about them troop'd ,full throng of knights3 and overhead in gold ,the eagles floated1 struggling with the wind ,the wretch appear'd amid all these to say3 ',grant vengeance1 sire6 for woe1 beshrew this heart1 ,my son is murder'd6' ,he1 replying1 seem'd3 ',wait now till ,i return4' ,and she1 as one ,made hasty by her grief3 ',o1 sire1 if thou ,dost not return8'--',where ,i am1 who then is1 ,may right thee4'--',what to thee is others' good1 ,if thou neglect thine own8'--',now comfort thee1' ,at length he answers3 ',it beseemeth well ,my duty be perform'd1 ere ,i move hence4 ,so justice wills and pity bids me stay4'--,purg4 ,canto ,x4 ,it was through the efficacy of ,st4 ,gregory's intercession that ,dante afterwards finds ,trajan in ,paradise1 seated between ,king ,david and ,king ,hezekiah4--,purg4 ,canto ,,xx4 ,,st4 ,,gregory ,,and ,,the ,,monk ,there was a monk who1 in defiance of his vow of poverty1 secreted in his cell three pieces of gold4 ,gregory1 on learning this1 excommunicated him1 and shortly afterwards the monk died4 ,when ,gregory heard that the monk had perished in his sin1 without receiving absolution1 he was filled with grief and horror1 and he wrote upon a parchment a prayer and a form of absolution1 and gave it to one of his deacons1 desiring him to go to the grave of the deceased and read it there3 on the following night the monk appeared in a vision1 and revealed to him his release from torment4 ,this story is represented in the beautiful bas-relief in white marble in front of the altar of his chapel2 it is the last compartment on the right4 ,in chapels dedicated to the ,service of the ,dead1 ,st4 ,gregory is often represented in the attitude of supplication1 while on one side1 or in the background1 angels are raising the tormented souls out of the flames4--,sacred and ,legendary ,art1 ,vol4 ,i4 ,,the ,,legend ,,of ,,geoffroid ,d',,iden4 ,it is related by ,peter the ,venerable1 ,abbot of ,cluny1 that1 in the first half of the twelfth century1 the ,lord ,humbert1 son of ,guichard1 ,count de ,beaujeu1 in the ,maonnais1 having made war on some other neighboring lords1 ,geoffroid d',iden1 one of his vassals1 received in the fight a wound which instantly killed him4 ,two months after his death1 ,geoffroid appeared to ,milon d',ansa1 who knew him well2 he begged him to tell ,humbert de ,beaujeu1 in whose service he had lost his life1 that he was in ,purgatory1 for having aided him in an unjust war and not having expiated his sins by penance1 before his unlooked-for death2 that he besought him1 therefore1 most urgently1 to have compassion on him1 and also on his own father1 ,guichard1 who1 although he had led a religious life at ,cluny in his latter days1 had not entirely satisfied the justice of ,god for his past sins1 and especially for a portion of his wealth1 which1 as his children knew1 was ill gained2 that1 in consequence thereof1 he prayed him to have the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass offered for him and for his father1 to distribute alms to the poor1 and to recommend both sufferers to the prayers of good people1 in order to shorten their time of penance4 ,tell him1 added the apparition1 that if he hear thee not1 ,i must go myself to announce to him that which ,i have now told to thee4 ,the lof ,ansa 7now ,anse7 faithfully discharged the task imposed upon him4 ,humbert was frightened2 but he neither had prayers nor ,masses offered up1 made no reparation1 and distributed no alms4 ,nevertheless1 fearing lest ,guichard his father or ,geoffroid d',iden might come to disturb him1 he no longer dared to remain alone1 especially by night2 and he always had some of his people around him1 making them sleep in his chamber4 ,one morning1 as he was still in bed1 but awake1 he saw appear before him ,geoffroid d',iden1 armed as on the day of the battle4 ,showing him the mortal wound which he had received1 and which appeared still fresh1 he warmly reproached him for the little pity he had for himself and for his father1 who was groaning in torment2 and he added3 ,take care lest ,god may treat thee in ,his rigor1 and refuse thee the mercy thou dost not grant to us2 and for thee1 give up thy purpose of going to the war with ,amadeus4 ,if thou goest thither1 thou shalt lose thy life and thy possessions4 ,at that moment1 ,richard de ,marsay1 the ,count's squire1 entered1 coming from ,mass2 the1 spirit disappeared1 and thenceforward ,humbert de ,beaujeu went seriously to work to relieve his father and his vassal1 after which he made the journey to ,jerusalem to expiate his own sins4 ,,the ,,queen ,,of ,,purgatory4 ,,by ,,frederick ,,william ,,faber1 ,d4 ,d4 ,oh6 turn to ,jesus1 ,mother6 turn1 ,and call ,him by ,his tenderest names2 ,pray for the ,holy ,souls that burn ,this hour amid the cleansing flames4 ,ah6 they have fought a gallant fight2 ,in death's cold arms they persevered2 ,and1 after life's uncheery night1 ,the harbor of their rest is neared4 ,in pains beyond all earthly pains ,fav'rites of ,jesus1 there they lie1 ,letting the fire wear out their stains1 ,and worshipping ,god's purity4 ,spouses of ,christ they are1 for ,he ,was wedded to them by ,his blood2 ,and angels o'er their destiny ,in wondering adoration brood4 ,they are the children of thy tears2 ,then hasten1 ,mother6 to their aid2 ,in pity think each hour appears ,an age while glory is delayed6 ,see1 how they bound amid their fires1 ,while pain and love their spirits fill2 ,then1 with self-crucified desires1 ,utter sweet murmurs1 and lie still4 ,ah me6 the love of ,jesus yearns ,o'er that abyss of sacred pain2 ,and1 as ,he looks1 ,his bosom burns ,with ,calvary's dear thirst again4 ,o ,mary6 let thy ,son no more ,his lingering spouses thus expect2 ,god's children to their ,god restore1 ,and to the ,spirit ,his elect4 ,pray then1 as thou hast ever prayed2 ,angels and ,souls all look to thee2 ,god waits thy prayers1 for ,he hath made ,those prayers ,his law of charity4 ,,the ,,dead ,,priest ,,before ,,the ,,altar4 ,,rev4 ,a4 ,j4 ,,ryan4 ,who will watch o'er the dead young priest1 ,people and priests and all8 ,no1 no1 no1 'tis his spirit's feast1 ,when the evening shadows fall4 ,let him rest alone--unwatched1 alone1 ,just beneath the altar's light1 ,the holy ,hosts on their humble throne ,will watch him through the night4 ,the doors were closed--he was still and fair1 ,what sound moved up the aisles8 ,the dead priests come with soundless prayer1 ,their faces wearing smiles4 ,and this was the soundless hymn they sung3 ,we watch o'er you to-night2 ,your life was beautiful1 fair and young1 ,not a cloud upon its light4 ,to-morrow--to-morrow you will rest ,with the virgin priests whom ,christ has blest4 ,kyrie ,eleison6 the stricken crowd ,bowed down their heads in tears ,o'er the sweet young priest in his vestment shroud4 ,ah6 the happy1 happy years6 ,they are dead and gone1 and the ,requiem ,mass ,went slowly1 mournfully on1 ,the ,pontiff's singing was all a wail1 ,the altars cried and the people wept1 ,the fairest flower in the ,church's vale ,ah me6 how soon we pass6 ,in the vase of his coffin slept4 --,from ,in ,memoriam4 ,,memorials ,,of ,,the ,,bead4 ,r4 ,r4 ,,madden4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,author of ,lives and ,times of ,united ,irishmen4 ',tis not alone in hallowed ground1 ,at every step we tread ,midst tombs and sepulchres1 are found ,memorials of the dead4 ',tis not in sacred shrines alone1 ,or trophies proudly spread ,on old cathedral walls are shown ,memorials of the dead4 ,emblems of ,fame surmounting death1 ,of war and carnage dread1 ,they were not1 in the ,times of ,faith1 ,memorials of the dead4 ,from marble bust and pictured traits ,the living looks recede1 ,they fade away3 so frail are these ,memorials of the dead4 ,on mural slabs1 names loved of yore ,can now be scarcely read2 ,a few brief years have left no more ,memorials of the dead4 ,save those which pass from sire to son1 ,traditions that are bred ,in the heart's core1 and make their own ,memorials of the dead4 ,a ,,child',s ,,requiescat ,,in ,,pace4 ,,eliza ,,allen ,,starr4 ,with the gray dawn's faintest break1 ,mother1 faithfully ,i wake1 ,whispering softly for thy sake ,requiescat in pace6 ,when the sun's broad disk at height ,floods the busy world with light1 ,breathes my soul with sighs contrite1 ,requiescat in pace6 ,when the twilight shadows lone ,wrap the home once1 once thine own1 ,sobs my heart with broken moan1 ,requiescat in pace6 ,night1 so solemn1 grand1 and still1 ,trances forest1 meadow1 rill2 ,hush1 fond heart1 adore ,his will1 ,requiescat in pace6 ,,the ,,solitary ,,soul4 ,i died2 but my soul did not wing its flight straight to the heaven- nest1 and there repose in the bosom of ,him who made it1 as the minister who was with me said it would4 ,good old man6 ,he had toiled among us1 preaching baptizing1 marrying1 and burrying1 until his hair had turned from nut-brown to frost-white2 and he told me1 as ,i lay dying1 that the victory of the ,cross was the only passport ,i needed to the joys of eternity2 that a life like mine would meet its immediate reward4 ,and it did2 but1 ,o my ,god6 not as he had thought1 and ,i had believed4 ,as he prayed1 earth's sights and sounds faded from me1 and the strange1 new life began4 ,the wrench of agony with which soul and body parted left me breathless2 and my spirit1 like a lost child1 turned frightened eyes towards home4 ,i stood in a dim1 wind-swept space4 ,no gates of pearl or walls of jacinth met my gaze2 no streaming glory smote my eyes2 no voice bade me enter and put on the wedding garment4 ,hosts of pale shapes circled by1 but no one saw me4 ,all had their faces uplifted1 and their hands--such patient1 pathetic hands--were clasped on their hearts2 and the air was heavy with the whisper1 ,christ6 ,christ6 that came unceasingly from their lips4 ,above us1 the clouds drifted and turned2 about us1 the horizon was blotted out2 mist and grayness were everywhere4 ,a voiceless wind swept by2 and as ,i gazed1 sore dismayed and saddened1 a rent opened in the driving mass1 and ,i saw a man standing with arms upraised4 ,he was strangely vestured2 silver and gold gleamed in his raiment1 and a large cross was outlined upon his back4 ,he held in his hands a chalice of gold1 in which sparkled something too liquid for fire1 too softly brilliant for water or wine4 ,as this sight broke on our vision1 two figures near me uttered a cry1 whose rapturous sweetness filled space with melody2 and1 like the up- springing lark1 borne aloft by the beauty of their song1 they vanished2 and those about me bowed their heads1 and ceased their moan for a moment4 ,what is it8 ,i cried4 ,who is the man8 ,what was it he held in his hand8 ,but there was none to answer me1 and ,i drove along before the wind with the rest1 helpless1 bewildered4 ,how long this lasted ,i do not know2 for there was neither night nor day in the sad place2 and a fire of longing burnt in my breast1 so keen1 so strong1 that all other sensation was swallowed up4 ,and then1 too1 my grief6 ,there were many deeds of my life to which ,i had given but casual regret4 ,when the minister would counsel us to confess our sins to ,god1 ,i had knelt in the church and gone through the form2 but here1 where the height and depth and breadth of ,god's perfection dawned upon me1 and grew hourly clearer1 they seemed to rend my heart1 and to far outweigh any little good ,i might have done4 ,oh6 why did no one ever preach the justice of ,god to me1 and the necessity of personal atonement6 ,why had they only taught me1 ,believe1 and you shall be saved8 ,time by time1 the shapes about me rose and vanished with the same cry as the two ,i saw liberated in my first hour2 and sometimes--like an echo--the sound of human voices would go through space--some choked with tears1 some low with sadness1 some glad with hope4 ,eternal rest grant to them1 ,o ,lord6 ,and let perpetual light shine upon them6 ,may they rest in peace6 ,and the ,amen tolled like a silver bell1 and ,i would feel a respite4 ,but no one called me by name1 no one prayed for my freedom4 ,my mother's voice1 my sister's dream1 my father's belief--all were that ,i was happy before the face of ,god4 ,and friends forgot me1 except in their pleasures4 ,at seasons1 through the mist would loom an altar1 at which a man1 in black robes embroidered with silver1 bowed and bent4 ,the chalice1 with its always wonderful contents1 would be raised1 and a disc1 in whose circle of whiteness ,i saw ,christ crucified4 ,from the thorn-wounds1 the ,hands1 the ,feet1 the ,side1 shot rays of dazzling brightness2 and my frozen soul1 my tear-chilled eyes1 were warmed and gladdened2 for the man who held this wondrous image would himself sigh3 ,for all the dead1 sweet ,lord6 ,and to me1 even me1 would come hope and peace4 ,but1 oh6 the agony1 oh6 the desolateness1 to be cut off from the sweet guerdon of immediate release6 ,oh6 the pain of expiating every fault1 measure for measure6 ,oh1 the grief of knowing that my own deeds were the chains of my captivity1 and my unfulfilled duties the barriers that withheld me from beholding the ,beatific ,vision6 ,sometimes a gracious face would gleam through the mist--a face so tender1 so human1 so full of love1 that ,i yearned to hear it speak to me1 to have those radiant eyes turned on me4 ,my companions called her ,mary6 and ,i knew it was the ,virgin of ,nazareth4 ,often she would call them by name1 and say3 ,my child1 my ,son bids thee come home4 ,why had ,i never known this gentle ,mother6 ,why could ,i not catch her mantle1 and clinging to it1 pass from waiting to fulfilment6 ,once when ,i had grown grief-bowed with waiting1 worn with longing1 ,i saw again the vision of the ,church4 ,at a long railing knelt many young girls1 and they received at the hands of the priest what ,i had learned to discern as the ,body of the ,lord4 ,one--,god bless her tender heart6-- whispered as she knelt3 ,o dearest ,lord1 ,i offer to ,thee this ,holy ,communion for the soul that has no one to pray for her4 ,and through the grayness rang at last my name1 and straight to heaven ,i went1 ransomed by that mighty price1 freed by prayer from prison4 ,o you who live1 who have voices and hearts1 for the sake of ,christ and ,his ,holy ,mother2 by the love you bear your living1 and the grief you give your dead1 pray for those whose friends do not know how to help them2 for the suddenly killed2 for the executed criminal2 and for those who1 having suffered long in ,purgatory1 need one more prayer to set them free4--,ave ,maria1 ,november #aj1 #ahhc4 ,,the ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,faithful ,,soul4 ,founded on an old ,french ,legend4 ,,adelaide ,,anne ,,procter4 ,the fettered spirits linger ,in purgatorial pain1 ,with penal fires effacing ,their last faint earthly stain1 ,which ,life's imperfect sorrow ,had tried to cleanse in vain4 ,yet1 on each feast of ,mary ,their sorrow finds release1 ,for the great ,archangel ,michael ,comes down and bids it cease2 ,and the name of these brief respites ,is called ,our ,lady's ,peace4 ,yet once--so runs the legend-- ,when the ,archangel came1 ,and all these holy spirits ,rejoiced at ,mary's name1 ,one voice alone was wailing1 ,still wailing on the same4 ,and though a great ,te ,deum ,the happy echoes woke1 ,i ,this one discordant wailing ,through the sweet voices broke3 ,so when ,st4 ,michael questioned1 ,thus the poor spirit spoke3-- ,i am not cold or thankless1 ,although ,i still complain2 ,i prize ,our ,lady's blessing1 ,although it comes in vain ,to still my bitter anguish1 ,or quench my ceaseless pain4 ,on earth a heart that loved me ,still lives and mourns me there1 ,and the shadow of his anguish ,is more than ,i can bear2 ,all the torment that ,i suffer ,is the thought of his despair4 ,the evening of my bridal ,death took my ,life away2 ,not all ,love's passionate pleading ,could gain an hour's delay4 ,and he ,i left has suffered ,a whole year since that day4 ,if ,i could only see him-- ,if ,i could only go ,and speak one word of comfort ,and solace--then1 ,i know ,he would endure with patience1 ,and strive against his woe4 ,thus the ,archangel answered3 ,your time of pain is brief1 ,and soon the peace of ,heaven ,will give you full relief2 ,yet if his earthly comfort ,so much outweighs your grief1 ,then1 through a special mercy1 ,i offer you this grace-- ,you may seek him who mourns you ,and look upon his face1 ,and speak to him of ,comfort1 ,for one short minute's space4 ,but when that time is ended1 ,return here and remain ,a thousand years in torment1 ,a thousand years in pain2 ,thus dearly must you purchase ,the comfort he will gain4 ,the lime-trees shade at evening ,is spreading broad and wide2 ,beneath their fragrant arches ,pace slowly1 side by side1 ,in low and tender converse1 ,a ,bridegroom and his ,bride4 ,the night is calm and stilly1 ,no other sound is there ,except their happy voices3-- ,what is that cold bleak air ,that passes through the lime-trees1 ,and stirs the ,bridegroom's hair8 ,while one low cry of anguish1 ,like the last dying wail ,of some dumb1 hunted creature1 ,is borne upon the gale-- ,why dogs the ,bridegroom shudder ,and turn so deathly pale8 ,near ,purgatory's entrance ,the radiant ,angels wait2 ,it was the great ,st4 ,michael ,who closed that gloomy gate1 ,when the poor wandering spirit ,came back to meet her fate4 ,pass on1 thus spoke the ,angel3 ,heaven's joy is deep and vast2 ,pass on1 pass on1 poor spirit1 ,for ,heaven is yours at last2 ,in that one minute's anguish1 ,your thousand years have passed4 ,,gen,,rade1 ,,the ,,friend ,,of ,,st4 ,,augustine4 ,j4 ,,collin ,,de ,,plancy4 ,,st4 ,,augustine reckoned among his friends the physician ,genrade1 highly honored in ,carthage1 where his learning and skill were much esteemed4 ,but by one of those misfortunes of which there are1 unhappily1 but too many examples1 while studying the admirable mechanism of the human body1 he had come to believe matter capable of the works of intelligence which raise man so far above other created beings4 ,he was1 therefore1 a materialist2 and ,st4 ,augustine praying for him1 earnestly besought ,god to enlighten that deluded mind4 ,one night while he slept1 this doctor1 who believed1 as some do still1 that when one is dead1 all is dead--we quote their own language--saw in his dreams a young man1 who said to him3 ,follow me4 ,he did so1 and was conducted to a city1 wherein he heard1 on the right1 unknown melodies1 which filled him with admiration4 ,what he heard on the left he never remembered4 ,but on awaking he concluded1 from this vision1 that there was1 somewhere1 something else besides this world4 ,another night he likewise beheld in sleep the same young man1 who said to him3 ,knowest thou me8 ,very well1 answered ,genrade4 ,and wherefore knowest thou me8 ,because of the journey we made together when you showed me the city of harmony4 ,was it in a dream1 or awake1 that you saw and heard what struck you then8 ,it was in a dream4 ,where is your body now8 ,in my bed4 ,knowest thou well that thou now seest nothing with the eyes of the body8 ,i know it4 ,with what eyes1 then1 dost thou see me8 ,as the physician hesitated1 and could not answer1 the young man said to him3 ,even as thou seest and hearest me1 now that thine eyes are closed and thy senses benumbed1 so1 after thy death1 thou shalt live1 thou shalt see1 thou shalt hear--but with the organs of the soul4 ,doubt1 then1 no more6 ,,st4 ,,thomas ,,aquinas ,,and ,,friar ,,romanus4 ,,we are about to treat of facts concerning which our fathers never had any hesitation1 because they had faith4 ,nowadays1 the truths which are above the material sight have been so roughly handled that they are much diminished for us4 ,and if the goodness of ,god had not allowed some rays of the mysteries which ,he reserves for ,himself to escape1 if some gleams of magnetism and the world of spirits occupying the air around us had not a little embarrassed those of our literati who make a merit of not believing1 we would hardly dare1 in spite of the grave authorities on which they rest1 to represent here some apparitions of souls departed from this world4 ,we shall venture to do so1 nevertheless4 ,one day1 when ,st4 ,thomas ,aquinas was praying in the ,church of the ,friars1 ,preachers1 at ,naples1 the pious friar ,romanus1 whom he had left in ,paris1 where he replaced him in the chair of ,theology1 suddenly appeared beside him4 ,thomas1 seeing him1 said3 ,i am glad of thine arrival4 ,but how long hast thou been here8 ,romanus answered3 ,i am now out of this world4 ,nevertheless1 ,i am permitted to come to thee1 because of thy merit4 ,the ,saint1 alarmed at this reply1 after a moment's recollection1 said to the apparition3 ,i adjure thee1 by ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 tell me simply if my works are pleasing to ,god6 ,romanus replied3 ,persevere in the way in which thou art1 and believe that what thou doest is agreeable unto ,god4 ,thomas then asked him in what state he found himself4 ,i enjoy eternal life1 answered ,romanus4 ,nevertheless1 for having carelessly executed one clause of a will which the ,bishop of ,paris gave me in charge1 ,i underwent for fifteen days the pains of ,purgatory4 ,st4 ,thomas again said3 ,you remind me that we often discussed the question whether the knowledge acquired in this life remain in the soul after death4 ,i pray you give me the solution thereof4 ,romanus made answer3 ,ask me not that4 ,as for me1 ,i am content with seeing my ,god4 ,seest thou him face to face8 went on ,thomas4 ,just as we have been taught1 replied ,romanus1 and as ,i see thee4 ,with these words he left ,st4 ,thomas greatly consoled4 ,,the ,,key ,,that ,,never ,,turns4 ,,eleanor ,c4 ,,donnelly4 ,in ,purgatory1 dear1 ,i said to-day1 ,unto my pet1 the fire burns and burns1 ,until each ugly stain is burned away--,and then an ,angel turns ,a great1 bright key1 and forth the glad soul springs ,into the presence of the ,king of kings4 ,but in that other prison8 ,sweetest love6 ,the same fierce fire burns and burns1 but thence ,none e'er escapes4 ,the blue eyes1 raised above1 ,were fair with innocence4 ,poor burning souls6 she whispered low1 ah me6 ,no ,angel ever comes to turn their key6 ,,the ,,burial4 ,,thomas ,,davis4 ,,ululu6 ululu6 wail for the dead1 ,green grow the grass of ,fingal on his head2 ,and spring-flowers blossom1 ere elsewhere appearing1 ,and shamrocks grow thick on the martyr for ,erin4 ,ululu6 ululu6 soft fall the dew ,on the feet and the head of the martyred and true4 ,for a while they tread ,in silence dread-- ,then muttering and moaning go the crowd1 ,surging and swaying like mountain cloud1 ,and again the wail comes wild and loud4 ,ululu6 ululu6 kind was his heart6 ,walk slower1 walk slower1 too soon we shall part4 ,the faithful and pious1 the ,priest of the ,lord1 ,his pilgrimage over1 he has his reward4 ,by the bed of the sick1 lowly kneeling1 ,to ,god with the raised cross appealing-- ,he seems still to kneel1 and he seems still to pray1 ,and the sins of the dying seem passing away4 ,in the prisoner's cell1 and the cabin so dreary1 ,our constant consoler1 he never grew weary2 ,but he's gone to his rest1 ,and he's now with the blest1 ,where tyrant and traitor no longer molest-- ,ululu6 ululu6 wail for the dead6 ,ululu6 ululu6 here is his bed4 ,short was the ritual1 simple the prayer1 ,deep was the silence1 and every head bare2 ,the ,priest alone standing1 they knelt all around1 ,myriads on myriads1 like rocks on the ground4 ,kneeling and motionless4-- ,dust unto dust4 ,he died as becometh the faithful and just-- ,placing in ,god his reliance and trust2 ,kneeling and motionless-- ,ashes to ashes-- ,hollow the clay on the coffin-lid dashes2 ,kneeling and motionless1 wildly they pray1 ,but they pray in their souls1 for no gesture have they-- ,stern and standing--oh6 look on them now6 ,like trees to one tempest the multitude bow4 ,,hymn ,,for ,,the ,,dead4 ,,newman4 ,help1 ,lord1 the souls which ,thou hast made1 ,the souls to ,thee so dear1 ,in prison1 for the debt unpaid ,of sins committed here4 ,those holy souls1 they suffer on1 ,resign'd in heart and will1 ,until ,thy high behest is done1 ,and justice has its fill4 ,for daily falls1 for pardon'd crime1 ,they joy to undergo ,the shadow of ,thy cross sublime1 ,the remnant of ,thy woe4 ,help1 ,lord1 the souls which ,thou hast made1 ,the souls to ,thee so dear1 ,in prison1 for the debt unpaid ,of sins committed here4 ,oh6 by their patience of delay1 ,their hope amid their pain1 ,their sacred zeal to burn away ,disfigurement and stain2 ,oh6 by their fire of love1 not less ,in keenness than the flame1 ,oh6 by their very helplessness1 ,oh6 by ,thy own great ,name1 ,good ,jesu1 help6 sweet ,jesu1 aid ,the souls to ,thee most dear1 ,in prison1 for the debt unpaid ,of sins committed here4 ,,the ,,two ,,students4 ,the ,abb de ,saint ,pierre1 says ,collin de ,plancy1 has given a long account1 in his works1 of a singular occurrence which took place in #afig1 and which we are inclined to relate here3 ,in #afie1 a student named ,bezuel1 then about fifteen years old1 contracted a friendship with two other youths1 students like himself1 and sons of an attorney of ,caen1 named ,d',abaqune4 ,the elder was1 like ,bezuel1 fifteen2 his brother1 eighteen months younger4 ,the latter was named ,desfontaines4 ,the paternal name was then given only to the eldest2 the names of those who came after were formed by means of some vague properties4444 ,as the young ,desfontaines' character was more in unison with ,bezuel's than that of his elder brother1 these two students became strongly attached to each other4 ,one day during the following year1 #afif1 they were reading together a certain history of two friends like themselves1 who had promised each other1 with some solemnity1 that he of the two who died first would come back to give the survivor some account of his state4 ,the historian added that the dead one really did come back1 and that he told his friend many wonderful things4 ,young ,desfontaines1 struck by this narrative1 which he did not doubt1 proposed to ,bezuel that they should make such a promise one to the other4 ,bezuel was at first afraid of such an engagement4 ,but several months after1 in the first days of ,june1 #afig1 as his friend was going to set out for ,caen1 he agreed to his proposal4 ,desfontaines then drew from his pocket two papers in which he had written the double agreement4 ,each of these papers expressed the formal promise on the part of him who should die first to come and make his fate known to the surviving friend4 ,he had signed with his blood the one that ,bezuel was to keep4 ,bezuel1 hesitating no longer1 pricked his hand1 and likewise signed with his blood the other document1 which he gave to ,desfontaines4 ,the latter1 delighted to have the promise1 set out with his brother4 ,bezuel received some days after a letter1 in which his friend informed him that he had reached his home in safety1 and was very well4 ,the correspondence between them was to continue4 ,but it stopped very soon1 and ,bezuel was uneasy4 ,it happened that on the #cast of ,july1 #afig1 being about #b o'clock in the afternoon1 in a meadow where his companions were amusing themselves with various games1 he felt himself suddenly stunned and taken with a sort of faintness1 which lasted for some minutes4 ,next day1 at the same hour1 he felt the same symptoms1 and again on the day after4 ,but then-- it was ,friday1 the #b;d of ,august--he saw advancing towards him his friend ,desfontaines1 who made a sign for him to come to him4 ,being in a sitting posture and under the influence of his swoon1 he made another sign to the apparition1 moving on his seat to make place for him4 ,the comrades of ,bezuel moving around saw this motion1 and were surprised4 ,as ,desfontaines did not advance1 ,bezuel arose to go to him4 ,the apparition then took him by the left arm1 drew him aside some thirty paces1 and said3 ,i promised you that1 if ,i died before you1 ,i would come to tell you4 ,i was drowned yesterday in the river at ,caen1 about this hour4 ,i was out walking2 it was so warm that we took a notion to bathe4 ,a weakness came over me in the river1 and ,i sank to the bottom4 ,the ,abb de ,menil-,jean1 my companion1 plunged in to draw me out2 ,i seized his foot2 but whether he thought it was a salmon that had caught hold of him1 or that he felt it actually necessary to go up to the surface of the water to breathe1 he shook me off so roughly that his foot gave me a great blow in the chest1 and threw me to the bottom of the river1 which is there very deep4 ,desfontaines then told his friend many other things1 which he would not divulge1 whether the dead boy had prayed him not to do so1 or for other reasons4 ,bezuel wanted to embrace the apparition1 but he found only a shadow4 ,nevertheless1 the shadow had squeezed his arm so tightly1 that it pained him after4 ,he saw the spirit several times1 yet always a little taller than when they parted1 and always in the half-clothing of a bather4 ,he wore in his fair hair a scroll on which ,bezuel could only read the word ,in4 ,his voice had the same sound as when he was living1 he appeared neither gay nor sad1 but perfectly tranquil4 ,he charged his friend with several commissions for his parents1 and begged him to say for him the ,seven ,penitential ,psalms1 which had been given him as a penance by his confessor1 three days before his death1 and which he had not yet recited4 ,the apparition always ended by a farewell expressed in words which signified3 ,till we meet again6 7,au revoir67 ,at last1 it ceased at the end of some weeks2 and the surviving friend1 who had constantly prayed for the dead1 concluded from this that his ,purgatory was over4 ,this ,monsieur ,bezuel finished his studies1 embraced the ecclesiastical state1 became cur of ,valogne1 and lived long1 esteemed by his parishioners and the whole city1 for his good sense1 his virtuous life1 and his love of truth4 ,,the ,,penance ,,of ,,don ,,diego ,,riez4 ,a ,legend of ,lough ,derg4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,lough ,derg1 in ,donegal1 was a place famous for pilgrimage from a very early period1 and was much resorted to out of ,france1 ,italy1 and the ,peninsula1 during the ,middle ,ages1 and even in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries4 ,in ,mathew ,paris1 and ,froissart1 as well as in our native annals1 and in ,o',sullivan ,beare1 there are many facts of its extraordinary history4 ,t4 ,d4 ,,mcgee4 ,there was a knight of ,spain--,diego ,riaz1 ,noble by four descents1 vain1 rich and young1 ,much woe he wrought1 or the tradition lie is1 ,which lived of old the ,castilians among2 ,his horses bore the palm the kingdom over1 ,his plume was tall1 costliest his sword1 ,the proudest maidens wished him as a lover1 ,the caballeros all revered his word ,but ere his day's meridian came1 his spirit ,fell sick1 grew palsied in his breast1 and pined-- ,he fear'd ,christ's kingdom he could ne'er inherit1 ,the causes wherefore too well he divined4 ,where'er he turns1 his sins are always near him1 ,conscience still holds her mirror to his eyes1 ,till those who long had envied came to fear him1 ,to mock his clouded brow and wintry sighs4 ,alas6 the sins of youth are as a chain ,of iron1 swiftly let down to the deep1 ,how far we feel not--till when1 we'd raise't again ,we pause amid the weary work and weep4 ,ah1 it is sad a-down ,life's stream to see4 ,so many agd toilers so distress'd1 ,and near the source--a thousand forms of glee ,fitting the shackle to ,youth's glowing breast4 ,he sought peace in the city where she dwells not1 ,he wooed her amid woodlands all in vain1 ,he searches through the valleys1 but he tells not ,the secret of his quest to priest or swain1 ,until1 despairing evermore of pleasure1 ,he leaves his land1 and sails to far ,peru2 ,there1 stands uncharm'd in caverns of treasure1 ,and weeps on mountains heavenly high and blue4 ,incessant in his ears rang this plain warning-- ,diego1 as thy soul1 thy sorrow lives2 ,he hears the untired voice1 night1 noon1 and morning1 ,yet understanding not1 unresting grieves4 ,one eve1 a purer vision seized him1 then he ,vow'd to ,lough ,derg1 an humble pilgrimage-- ,the virtues of that shrine were known to many1 ,and saving held even in that skeptic age4 ,with one sole follower1 an ,esquire trustful1 ,he pass'd the southern cape which sailors fear1 ,and eastward held3 meanwhile his vain and lustful ,past works more loathsome to his soul appear4 ,through the night-watches1 at all hours o' day1 ,he still was wakeful as the pilot1 and ,for grace1 his vow to keep1 doth always pray1 ,and for his death to lie in the saints' land4 ,but ere his eyes beheld the ,irish shore1 ,diego died4 ,much gold he did ordain ,to ,god and ,santiago--furthermore1 ,his ,esquire plighted1 ere he went to ,spain1 ,to journey to the ,refuge of the ,lake2 ,before ,st4 ,patrick's solitary shrine1 ,a nine days' vigil for his rest to make1 ,living on bitter bread and penitential wine4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,the brackish water of the lake1 boiled1 is called wine by the pilgrims4 ,the vassal vow'd2 but1 ah6 how seldom pledges ,given to the dying1 to the dead1 are held6 ,the ,esquire reach'd the shore1 where sand and sedge is ,o'er melancholy hills1 by paths of eld2 ,treeless and houseless was the prospect round1 ,rock-strewn and boisterous the lake before2 ,a ,charon-shape in a skiff a-ground-- ,the pilgrim turned1 and left the sacred shore4 ,that night he lay a-bed hard by the ,erne-- ,the island-spangled lake--but could not sleep-- ,when lo6 beside him1 pale1 and sad1 and stern1 ,stood his dead master1 risen from the deep4 ,arise1 he said1 and come4 ,from the hostelrie ,and over the bleak hills he led the sleeper1 ,and when they reach'd ,derg's shore1 ,get in with me1 ,he cried2 nor sink my soul in torments deeper4 ,the dead man row'd the boat1 the living steer'd1 ,each in his pallor sinister1 until ,the ,isle of ,pilgrimage they duly near'd-- ,now hie thee forth1 and work thy master's will6 ,so spoke the dead1 and vanish'd o'er the lake1 ,the ,squire pursued his course1 and gain'd the shrine1 ,there1 nine days' vigil duly he did make1 ,living on bitter bread and penitential wine4 ,the tenth eve shone in solemn1 starry beauty1 ,as he1 rejoicing1 o'er the old paths came1 ,light was his heart from its accomplished duty1 ,all was forgotten1 even the latest shame-- ,when these brief words some disembodied voice ,spoke near him3 ,oh1 keep sacred1 evermore1 ,word1 pledge1 and vow1 so may you still rejoice1 ,and live among the ,just when ,time is o'er6 ,,the ,,day ,,of ,,all ,,souls4 ,,eliza ,,allen ,,starr4 ,,from the far past there comes a thought of sweetness1 ,from the far past a thought of love and pain2 ,a voice1 how dear6 a look of melting kindness1 ,a voice1 a look1 we ne'er shall know again4 ,a fresh1 young face1 perchance of boyish gladness1 ,an aged face1 perchance of patient love2 ,my heart-strings fail1 ,i sob in utter anguish1 ,as past my eyes these lovely spectres move4 ,the chill morn breaks1 the matin star still flaming2 ,the hushed cathedral's massive door stands wide2 ,through the dim aisles ,i pass1 in silent weeping1 ,from mortal eyes my sorrowing tears to hide4 ,already morn has touched the painted windows2 ,the yellow dawn creeps down the storied panes2 ,already1 in the early solemn twilight1 ,the sanctuary's taper softly wanes4 ,my faltering step before the altar pauses2 ,my treasur'd dead ,i see remembered here2 ,all climes1 all nations1 lost on land or ocean1 ,they on whose grave none ever drop a tear4 ,the ,church1 their single mourner1 drapes in sorrow ,the festal shrines she loves with flowers to dress2 ,and ,kyrie6 ,kyrie6 sighs1 while lowly bending ,to ,thee1 ,o ,god6 to shorten their distress4 ,dies ir1 dies illa1 sobs the choir2 ,in pace1 pace1 from the altar rises higher2 ,lux terna2 daylight floods the altar1 ,priest and choir take up the holy psalter4 ,requiescant in pace6 ,amen1 amen1 in pace6 ,,the ,,message ,,of ,,the ,,november ,,wind4 ,,by ,,eleanor ,c4 ,,donnelly4 ,i4 ,wrapped in lonely shadows late1 7,bleak ,november's midnight gloom71 ,as ,i kneel beside the grate ,in the silent sitting-room3 ,down the chimney moans the wind1 ,like the voice of souls resigned1 ,pleading from their prison thus1 ,pray for us6 pray for us6 ,gentle ,christian1 watcher kind1 ,pray for us1 oh6 pray for us6 ,,ii4 ,melt mine eyes with sudden tears-- ,old familiar tones are there2 ,dear ones lost in other years1 ,breathing ,purgatory's prayer4 ,through my fingers pass the beads1 ,tender heart1 responsive bleeds1 ,as the wind1 all tremulous1 ,pray for us6 pray for us6 ,seems to murmur ,love our needs-- ,pray for us6 oh1 pray for us6 ,a ,,legend ,,of ,,the ,,time ,,of ,,charlemagne4 ,we read in the ,gesta ,caroli ,magni that ,charlemagne had a man-at- arms who served him faithfully till his death4 ,before breathing his last he called a nephew of his1 to make known to him his last will3 ,sixty years1 said he1 have ,i been in the service of my prince2 ,i have never amassed the goods of this world1 and my arms and my horse are all ,i have4 ,my arms ,i leave to thee1 and ,i will that my horse be sold immediately after my death2 ,i charge thee with the care of this matter1 if thou wilt promise me to distribute the full price amongst the poor4 ,the nephew promised to execute the will of his uncle1 who died in peace1 for he was a good and loyal ,christian4 ,but when he was laid in the earth the young man1 considering that the horse was a very fine one1 and well-trained1 was tempted to keep him for himself4 ,he did not sell him1 and gave no money to the poor4 ,six months after1 the soul of the dead man appeared to him and said3 ,thou hast not accomplished that which ,i had ordered thee to do for the welfare of my soul1 and for six months ,i have suffered great pains in ,purgatory4 ,but behold ,god1 the strict ,judge of all things1 has decreed1 and ,his angels will execute the decree1 that my soul be placed in eternal rest1 and that thine shall undergo all the pains and torments which ,i had still to undergo for the expiation of my sins4 ,thereupon the nephew1 being instantly seized with a violent disease1 had barely time to confess to a priest1 who had just been announced4 ,he died shortly after1 and went to pay the debt he had undertaken to discharge4 ,,the ,,dead ,,mass4 ,it has been1 and still is believed1 that the mercy of ,god sometimes permits souls that have sins to expiate1 to come and expiate them on earth4 ,of this the following is an example3 ,polet1 the principal suburb of ,dieppe1 is still inhabited almost exclusively by fishermen1 who1 in past times1 more especially1 have ever been solid and faithful ,christians4 ,the ,catholic worship was formerly celebrated with much solemnity in their church1 consecrated under the invocation of ,our ,lady of the ,beach 7,notre ,dame des ,grves72 and the mothers of the worthy fishermen who give to ,polet an aspect so picturesque1 have forgotten only the precise date of the adventure we are about to relate4 ,the sacristan of ,notre ,dame des ,grves dwelt in a little cottage quite close to the church4 ,he was an exact and pious man2 he had the keys of the sacred edifice and the care of the bells4 ,several worthy priests were attached to the lovely church2 the earliest ,masses were never rung except by the honest sacristan4 ,now1 one morning1 during the ,christmas holydays1 he heard1 before day1 the tinkle of one of his bells announcing a ,mass4 ,he rose immediately and ran to the window4 ,the snow- covered roofs enabled him to see objects so distinctly that he thought the day was beginning to dawn4 ,he hastened to put on his clothes and go to the church4 ,the total solitude and silence reigning all around him made him understand that he was mistaken and that day was not yet breaking4 ,he tried to go into the church1 however1 but the door was closed4 ,how1 then1 could he have heard the bell8 ,if robbers had got in1 they would certainly have taken good care not to touch the bell4 ,he listens2 not the slightest noise in the holy place4 ,should he return home8 ,not so1 for having heard the bell1 he must go in4 ,he opens a little door leading into the sacristy2 he passes through that1 and advances towards the choir4 ,by the light of the small lamp burning before the tabernacle and that of a taper already lighted1 he perceives1 at the foot of the altar1 a priest robed in a chasuble1 and in the attitude of a celebrant about to commence ,mass4 ,all is prepared for the ,holy ,sacrifice4 ,he stops in dismay4 ,the priest1 a stranger to him1 is extremely pale2 his hands are as white as his alb2 his eyes shine like the glow-worm1 the light going forth1 as it were1 from the very centre of the orbits4 ,serve my ,mass1 he said gently to the sacristan4 ,the latter obeyed1 spell-bound with terror4 ,but if the pallor of the priest and the singular fire of his eyes frightened him1 his voice1 on the contrary1 was mild and melancholy4 ,the ,mass goes on4 ,at the elevation of the ,sacred ,host the limbs of the priest tremble and give forth a sound like that of dry reeds shaken by the wind4 ,at the ,domine1 non sum dignus1 his breast1 which he strikes three times1 sounds like the coffin when the first shovel-full of earth is cast upon it by the grave-digger4 ,the ,precious ,blood produces in his whole body the effect of water which1 in the silence of the night1 falls drop by drop from the roof4 ,when he turns to say ,ita ,missa est1 the priest is only a skeleton1 and that skeleton speaks these words to the server3 ,brother1 ,i thank thee6 ,in my life-time1 ,i was a priest2 ,i owed this ,mass at my death4 ,thou hast helped me to discharge my debt2 my soul is freed from a heavy burden4 ,the spectre then disappeared4 ,the sacristan saw the vestments fall gently at the foot of the altar1 and the burning taper suddenly went out4 ,at that moment1 a cock crowed somewhere in the neighborhood4 ,the sacristan took up the vestments1 and passed the rest of the night in prayer4 ,,the ,,eve ,,of ,,st4 ,,john4 ,,sir ,,walter ,,scott4 ,o fear not the priest who sleepeth to the east6 ,for to ,dryburgh the way he has ta'en2 ,and there to say ,mass1 till three days do pass1 ,for the soul of a ,knight that is slayne4 ,he turned him round1 and grimly he frowned2 ,then he laughed right scornfully-- ,he who says the ,mass-rite for the soul of that ,knight1 ,may as well say ,mass for me4 ,then changed1 ,i trow1 was that bold baron's brow1 ,from dark to the blood-red high2 ,now tell me the mien of the ,knight thou hast seen1 ,for by ,mary he shall die4 ,o hear but my word1 my noble lord1 ,for ,i heard her name his name1 ,and that lady bright1 she called the ,knight ,sir ,richard of ,coldinghame4 ,the bold baron's brow then chang'd1 ,i trow1 ,from high blood-red to pale-- ,the grave is deep and dark--and the corpse is stiff and stark-- ,so ,i may not trust thy tale4 ,the varying light deceived thy sight1 ,and the wild winds drown'd the name1 ,for the ,dryburgh bells ring1 and the white monks do sing1 ,for ,sir ,richard of ,coldinghame4 ,it was near the ringing of matin-bell1 ,the night was well-nigh done1 ,when the lady looked through the chamber fair1 ,on the eve of good ,st4 ,john4 ,the lady looked through the chamber fair1 ,by the light of a dying flame2 ,and she was aware of a knight stood there-- ,sir ,richard of ,coldinghame4 ,by ,eildon-tree for long nights three1 ,in bloody grave have ,i lain1 ,the ,mass and the death-prayer are said for me1 ,but1 lady1 they are said in vain4 ,by the baron's hand1 near ,tweed's fair stand1 ,most foully slain ,i fell2 ,and my restless sprite on the beacon's height1 ,for a space is doom'd to dwell4 ,he laid his left palm on an oaken beam1 ,his right upon her hand2 ,the lady shrunk1 and fainting sunk1 ,for it scorched like a fiery brand4 ,,the ,,bequest ,,of ,a ,,soul1 ,,in ,,purgatory4 ,from ,a ,collection of ,spiritual ,hymns and ,songs on ,various ,religious ,subjects1 published by ,chalmers ,co41 of ,aberdeen1 ,scotland1 in #ahjb4 ,its quaint and touching simplicity1 redolent of old-time faith1 will commend it to the reader ,from lake where water does not go1 ,a prisoner of hope below1 ,to mortal ones ,i push my groans1 ,in hopes they'll pity me4 ,o mortals that still live above1 ,your faith1 hope1 prayers1 and alms1 and love1 ,still merit place ,with ,god's sweet grace2 ,o faithful1 pity me4 ,my fervent groans don't merit here1 ,strict justice only doth appear1 ,my smallest faults1 ,and needless talks ,heap chains and flames on me4 ,though mortal guilt doth not remain1 ,i still am due the temp'ral pain1 ,i did delay ,to satisfy1 ,past coldness scorcheth me4 ,tepidity and good works done ,with imperfections mixt1 here come2 ,all these neglects ,and least defects1-- ,great anguish bring on me4 ,though my defects here be not spared1 ,yet endless glory for me's prepared1 ,i love in flames1 ,and hope in chains2 ,o friends1 then1 pity me6 ,my ,god1 my ,father1 is most dear1 ,for me your sighs and prayers ,he'll hear2 ,though just laws scourge1 ,his mercies urge1 ,that you would pity me4 ,through pains and flames ,i'll come to ,him1 ,they purge me both from stain and sin2 ,when ,i'm set free1 ,their friends ,i'll be ,who now do pity me4 ,the smallest thing that could defile ,keeps me from bliss in this exile4 ,god loves to see ,that you me free2 ,for ,his love pity me6 ,for me who alms give1 fast1 or pray1 ,great store of grace will come their way2 ,try this good thought-- ,great help is brought1 ,and souls from sin set free4 ,if you for me now do not pray1 ,the utmost farthing ,i must pay2 ,the time is hid ,that ,i'll be rid1 ,unless you pity me4 ,in mortal sin who yields his breath1 ,pray not for him behind his death4 ,all mortal crime ,i quit in time2 ,o faithful1 pity me6 ,for me good works may be practised1 ,thus some were for the dead baptized4 ,suet pains endure ,for me1 and sure ,you'll help and pity me6 ,for his good friend1 as ,scriptures say1 ,onesiphorus1 ,paul did pray1 #a ,his words1 you see1 ,urge1 then1 for me2 ,and thus you'll pity me4 ,footnote #a3 ,,ii4 ,tim41 i4 #af1 #ah4 ,this third place clear in writ you spy1 ,where all your works the fire will try1 ,from death game rose1 ,sure then all those ,from third place were set free4 ,in hell there's no redemption found2 ,god ne'er degrades whom ,he once crowned--,these judgments both ,confirmed by oath ,and absolute decree4 ,for all the ,saints prayer should be made1 ,who stand in need1 alive or dead4 ,i stand in need ,that you with speed ,should help and pity me4 ,in presence of our sweetest ,lord1 ,for dead they1 prayed1 as all accord4 ,christ did not blame ,what ,i now claim2 ,oh6 haste and pity me6 ,to a third place ,christ's soul did go4 ,and preached to spirits there below2 ,this in the ,creed ,and ,writ you read1 ,that you may pity me4 ,when ,christ on earth would stay no more1 ,these captives freed ,he brought to glore2 ,there ,i will be1 ,and soon set free1 ,if you would pity me4 ,mind1 then1 ,communion of the ,saints2 ,all should supply each other's wants3 ,in pains and chains1 ,and scorching flames1 ,i languish2 pity me6 ,eternal rest1 eternal glore1 ,eternal light1 eternal store1 ,to them accord1 ,o sweetest ,lord6 ,there's mercy still with ,thee6 ,let mercy stay ,thy just revenge1 ,their scorching flames to glory change2 ,the precious flood ,of ,thine own blood ,for them we offer ,thee6 ,,all ,,souls4 ,,by ,,marion ,,muir4 ,,for all the cold and silent clay ,that once1 alive with youth and hope1 ,rushed proudly to the western slope- ,o brothers1 pray6 ,for all who saw the orient day ,rise on the plain1 the camp1 the flood1 ,the sudden discord drowned in blood- ,o brothers1 pray6 ,for all the lives that ebbed away ,in darkness down the gulf of tears2 ,for all the gray departed years- ,o brothers1 pray6 ,for all the souls that went astray ,in deserts hung with double gloom2 ,for all the dead without a tomb- ,o brothers1 pray6 ,for we have household peace2 but they ,who led the way1 and held the land1 ,are homeless as the heaving sand- ,oh6 let us pray6 ,,the ,,dead4 7,from the ,french of ,octave ,cremacie47 ,,anna ,t4 ,,sadlier4 ,o dead1 ye sleep within your tranquil graves2 ,no more ye bear the burden that enslaves ,us in this world of ours4 ,for you outshine no stars1 no storms rave loud1 ,no buds has spring1 the horizon no cloud1 ,the sun marks not the hours4 ,the while1 with anxious thought oppress'd1 we go1 ,each weary day but bringing deeper woe1 ,silently and alone ,ye list the sanctuary chant arise1 ,that downwards first to you1 remounts the skies1 ,sweet pity's monotone4 ,the vain delights whereto our souls incline1 ,are naught beside the prayer to love divine1 ,alms-giving of the heart1 ,which reaching to you warms your chilly dust ,and brings your name enshrined a sacred trust1 ,swift to the throne of ,god6 ,alas6 love's warmest memory will fade ,within the heart1 ere yet the mourning shade ,has ceased to mark the garb4 ,forgetfulness1 our meed to you1 outweighs ,the leaded coffin as it dully lays ,upon your lifeless bones4 ,our selfish hearts but to the present look1 ,and see in you the pages of a book ,now laid aside long read4 ,for loving in our fev'rish joy or pain ,but those who serve our hate1 pride1 love of gain1 ,no more can serve the dead4 ,to cold ambition or to joy's sweet store1 ,ye dusty corpses minister no more1 ,we give to you neglect4 ,nor reck we of that suff'ring world's pale bourne ,where you beyond the bridgeless barrier mourn ,o'erpast the wall of death4 ',tis said that when our coldness grieves you sore1 ,ye quit betimes that solitude's cold shore ,where ye forsaken dwell1 ,and flit about in darkness' sad constraint1 ,the while from spectral lips your mournful plaint ,upon the winds outswell4 ,when nightingales their woodland nests have left1 ,the autumn sky of gray1 white-capped1 cloud-reft1 ,prepares the shroud which ,winter soon shall spread ,on frozen fields2 there comes a day thrice blest1 ,when earth forgetting1 all our musings rest ,on those who are no more the dreamless dead4 ,the dead their graves forsake upon this day1 ,as we have seen doves mount with joyous grace1 ,escape an instant from their prison drear1 ,their coming brings us no repellent fear4 ,their mien is dreamy1 passing sweet their face1 ,their fixed and hollow eyes cannot betray4 ,when spectral coming thus unseen they gaze ,on crowds who1 kneeling in the temple1 pray ,forgiveness for them1 one faint1 joyful ray1 ,as light upon the opal1 glittering plays1 ,on faces pale and calm an instant rests1 ,and brings a moment's warmth to clay-cold breasts4 ,they1 the elect of ,god1 with souls of saints1 ,who bear each destined load without complaints1 ,who walk all day beneath ,god's watching eye1 ,and sleep the night 'neath angels' ministry1 ,nor made the sport of visions that arise ,to show th' abyss of fire to dreaming eyes4 ,all they who while on earth1 the pure of heart1 ,the heav'nly echoes hear1 and who in part ,make smooth for man rude ways he has to tread1 ,and knowing earthly vanity1 outspread ,their virtue like a carpet rich and rare1 ,and walk o'er evil1 touching it nowhere4 ,when come sad guests from off that suff'ring shore1 ,which ,dante saw in dream sublime of yore1 ,appearing midst us here that day most blessed1 ',tis but to those2 for they alone have guessed ,the secrets of the grave2 alone they understand ,the pallid mendicants1 who ask for heav'n4 ,of ,israel's ,king the psalms1 inspired cries1 ,with ,job's sublime distress1 commingled rise2 ,the sanctuary sobs them through the naves ,while wak'ning subtle fear1 the bell's deep toll ,with fun'ral sounds1 demanding pity's dole ,for wand'ring ghosts1 as countless as the waves4 ,give on this day1 when over all the earth ,the ,church to ,god makes moan for parted worth2 ,your own remorse1 regret at least to calm ,awak'ning memory's dying flame1 give balm1 ,flow'rs for their graves1 and prayer for each loved soul1 ,those gifts divine can yet the dead console4 ,pray for your friends1 and for your mother pray1 ,who made less drear for you life's desert way1 ,for all the portions of your heart that lie ,shut in the tomb1 alas1 each youthful tie ,is lost within the coffin's close constraint1 ,where1 prey of worms1 the dead send up their plaint ,for exiles far from home and native land1 ,who dying hear no voice1 nor touch no hand ,in life alone1 more lonely still in death4 ,with none for their repose1 to breathe one prayer1 ,cast alms of tears upon an alien grave1 ,or heed the stranger lonely even there2 ,for those whose wounded souls when here below1 ,but anxious thought and bitter fancies know1 ,with days all joyless1 nights of dull unrest2 ,for those who in night's calm find all so blest ,and meet1 in place of hope with morning beams1 ,a horrid wak'ning to their golden dreams2 ,for all the pariahs of human kind ,who1 heavy burdens bearing1 find ,how high the steeps of human woe they scale4 ,oh1 let your heart some off'ring make to these1 ,one pious thought1 one holy word of peace1 ,which shall twixt them and ,god swift rend the veil4 ,the tribute bring of prayers and holy tears1 ,that when your hour draws nigh of nameless fears1 ,when reached their term shall be your numbered days1 ,your name made known above with grateful praise1 ,by those whose suff'rings it was yours to end1 ,arriving there find welcome as a friend6 ,your loving tribute1 white-winged angels take1 ,ere bearing it unto eternal spheres1 ,an instant lay it on the grass-grown graves1 ,while dying flow'rs in church-yards raise each head ,to life1 refreshed by breath of prayer1 awake ,and shed their fragrance on the sleeping dead4 ,a ,,requiem4 ,,sir ,,walter ,,scott4 ,no sound was made1 no word was spoke1 ,till noble ,angus silence broke2 ,and he a solemn sacred plight ,did to ,st4 ,bryde of ,douglas make1 ,that he a pilgrimage would take ,to ,melrose ,abbey1 for the sake ,of ,michael's restless sprite4 ,then each1 to ease his troubled breast1 ,to some blessed saint his prayers addressed- ,some to ,st4 ,modan made their vows1 ,some to ,st4 ,mary of the ,lowes1 ,some to the ,holy ,rood of ,lisle1 ,some to our ,lady of the ,isle2 ,each did his patron witness make1 ,that he such pilgrimage would take1 ,and monks should sing1 and bells should toll1 ,all for the weal of ,michael's soul1 ,while vows were ta'en1 and prayers were prayed4 ,most meet it were to mark the day ,of penitence and prayer divine1 ,when pilgrim-chiefs1 in sad array1 ,sought ,melrose1 holy shrine4 ,with naked foot1 and sackcloth vest1 ,and arms enfolded on his breast1 ,did every pilgrim go2 ,the standers-by might hear aneath1 ,footstep1 or voice1 or high-drawn breath4 ,through all the lengthened row2 ,no lordly look1 no martial stride1 ,gone was their glory1 sunk their pride1 ,forgotten their renown2 ,silent and slow1 like ghosts1 they glide1 ,to the high altar's hallowed side1 ,and there they kneeled them down2 ,above the suppliant chieftains wave ,the banners of departed brave2 ,beneath the lettered stones were laid ,the ashes of their fathers dead2 ,from many a garnished niche around1 ,stern saint and tortured martyr frowned1 ,and slow up the dim aisle afar1 ,with sable cowl and scapular1 ,and snow-white stoles1 in order due1 ,the holy ,fathers1 two and two1 ,in long procession came2 ,taper1 and host1 and book they bare1 ,and holy banner1 flourished fair ,with the ,redeemer's name2 ,above the prostrate pilgrim band ,the mitred ,abbot stretched his hand1 ,and blessed them as they kneeled2 ,with holy cross he signed them all1 ,and prayed they might be sage in hall1 ,and fortunate in field4 ,the ,mass was sung1 and prayers were said1 ,and solemn requiem for the dead2 ,and bells tolled out their mighty peal1 ,for the departed spirit's weal2 ,and ever in the office close ,the hymn of intercession rose2 ,and far the echoing aisles prolong ,the awful burthen of the song-- ,dies ,irae1 ,dies ,illa1 ,salvet ,slum in ,favilla2 ,while the pealing organ rung1 ,thus the holy father sung3 ,,hymn ,,for ,,the ,,dead4 ,the day of wrath1 that dreadful day1 ,when heaven and earth shall pass away1 ,what power shall be the sinner's stay8 ,how shall he meet that dreadful day8 ,when1 shrivelling like a parched scroll1 ,the flaming heavens together roll2 ,while louder yet1 and yet more dread1 ,swells the high trump that wakes the dead2 ,o6 on that day1 that wrathful day1 ,when man to judgment wakes from clay1 ,be ,thou the trembling sinner's stay1 ,though heaven and earth shall pass away4 ,,the ,,penance ,,of ,,robert ,,the ,,devil4 ,,collin ,,de ,,plancy4 ,in ,normandy1 the most sinister associations still remain connected with the name of ,robert the ,devil4 ,by the people1 who change historical details1 but yet preserve the moral thereof1 it is believed that ,robert is undergoing his penance here below1 on the theatre of his crimes1 and that1 after a thousand years1 it is not yet ended4 ,messrs4 ,taylor and ,charles ,nodier have mentioned this tradition in their ,voyage ,pittoresque de l',ancienne ,france 7,picturesque ,journey through ,old ,france74 ,on the left shore of the ,seine1 say they1 not far from ,moulineaux1 are seen the colossal ruins1 which are said to be the remains of the castle1 or fortress1 of ,robert the ,devil4 ,vague recollections1 a ballad1 some shepherd's tales--these are all the chronicles of those imposing ruins4 ,nevertheless1 the fame of ,robert the ,devil's doings still survives in the country which he inhabited4 ,his very name still excites that sentiment of fear which ordinarily results only from recent impressions4 ,in the vicinity of the castle of ,robert the ,devil every one knows his misdeeds1 his violent conquests1 and the rigor of his penance4 ,the cries of his victims still reecho through the vaults1 and come to terrify himself in his nocturnal wanderings1 for ,robert is condemned to visit the ruins and the dungeons of his castle4 ,sometimes1 if the old traditions of the country are to be believed1 ,robert has been seen1 still clad in the loose tunic of a hermit1 as on the day of his burial1 wandering in the neighborhood of his castle1 and visiting1 barefoot and bareheaded1 the little corner of the plain where the cemetery must have been4 ,sometimes1 a shepherd straying through the adjoining copse in search of his flock1 scattered by an evening storm1 has been frightened by the fearful aspect of the phantom1 seen by the glare of the lightning1 flitting about amongst the graves4 ,he has heard him1 in the pauses of the tempest1 imploring the pity of their mute inhabitants2 and on the morrow he shunned the place in horror1 because the earth1 freshly turned up1 had opened on every side to terrify the murderer4 ,but there is another tradition which we cannot omit4 ,a band of those ,northmen who1 during the troubled reign of ,charles ,,iii4 of ,france--without any sufficient reason called ,charles the ,simple--had invaded that part of ,neustria where ,robert the ,devil was born2 a group of these fierce warriors were one evening warming themselves around a fire of brambles1 and1 joyous in a country more genial than their own1 they sang1 to a wild melody1 the great deeds of their princes1 when they saw1 leaning against the trunk of a tree1 an old man poorly clad1 and of a sad1 yet resigned aspect4 ,they called to him as he passed along before the fortress of ,robert the ,devil1 then only half ruined4 ,good man1 said they1 sing us some song of this country4 ,the old man1 advancing slowly1 chanted in an humble yet manly voice1 the beautiful prose of ,st4 ,stephen4 ,it told how the first of the martyrs paid homage till the end to ,jesus ,christ1 ,our ,lord2 and how1 expiring under their blows1 he besought ,heaven to forgive his murderers4 ,but this hymn displeased the rude band1 who began brutally to insult the old man4 ,the latter fell on one knee and uttered no complaint4 ,at this moment appeared a young man1 before whom all the soldiers rose to their feet4 ,his lofty mien and his tone of authority indicated the son of a mighty lord4 ,you who insult a defenceless old man1 said he1 your conduct is base and cowardly4 ,away with you6 those who insult women or old men are unworthy to march with the brave4 ,for you1 good old man1 come and share my meal4 ,it is for the chief to repair the wrong-doings of those he commands4 ,young man1 said the stranger1 what you have just done is pleasing to ,god1 who loveth justice2 but it concerneth not me1 who can bear no ill- will to any one4 ,he then told his name2 related the hideous story of his crimes1 then his conversion through the prayers of his mother1 and his penance1 which was to last yet a long time4 ,he showed how the grace of faith and of repentance had entered into his heart4 ,exhausted with emotion1 said he1 ,i sat down on a stone amid some ruins2 ,i slept4 ,oh6 blessed be my good angel for having sent me that sleep6 ,scarcely had ,i closed mine eyes when ,i had a vision4 ,it seemed to me that the mountain on which rises the ,castle of ,moulinets darted up to heaven and formed a staircase4 ,up the steps went slowly a crowd of phantoms1 in which ,i1 alas6 recognized my crimes4 ,there were women and young maidens1 whose death was my doing1 hardworking vassals dishonored1 old men driven from their dwellings1 and forced to ask the bread of charity4 ,i saw thus ascending not only men1 but things1 houses burned1 crops destroyed1 flocks1 the hope and the care of a whole life of toil1 sacrificed at a moment in some wild revel4 ,and ,i saw an angel rising rapidly4 ,then did my limbs quiver like the leaves of the aspen4 ,i said to that ascending angel3 ',whither goest thou8' ,he answered3 ',i bring thy crimes before the ,lord1 that they may bear testimony against thee4' ,then all my members became as it were burning grass4 ',o good angel6' ,i cried1 'could ,i not at least efface some of these images8' ,he replied3 ',all1 if thou wilt4' ',and how8' ',confess them2 the breath of thy avowal will disperse them4 ,weep them in penance1 and thy tears will efface even the traces thereof4' ,the old man then told how he had made his confession1 and what penance he did1 wandering about in rags1 without other food than that which he shared with the dogs4 ,i had known1 he added1 all the pleasures of the earth1 and had known some of its joys4 ,but ,i found them still more in the miseries1 the life-long fatigue1 the hard humiliations of penance1 because they were expiating my faults4 ,thus1 then1 ,o strangers1 whatever fate ,heaven may decree for you1 if you desire happiness1 find ,our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 and practice ,his justice4 ,the old man was silent2 the barbarians remained motionless4 ,he1 however1 taking the young chief by the hand1 led him to the esplanade of the castle1 and showing him all that vast country which is watered by the ,seine3 ,young man1 said he1 for as much as thou hast protected a poor old man1 ,god will reward the noble heart within thee4 ,thou seest these lands so rich--they were once mine2 and even now1 after ,god1 they have no other lawful owner4 ,i give them to thee2 make faith and equity reign there4 ,i will rejoice in thy reign4 ,now this chief1 to whom the penitent ,robert thus bequeathed his faith and his inheritance1 was ,rollo1 first ,duke of the ,normans4 ,,all ,,souls' ,,eve4 ,where the tombstones gray and browned1 ,and the broken roods around1 ,and the vespers' solemn sound1 ,told an old church near2 ,i sat me in the eve1 ,and ,i let my fancy weave ,such a vision as ,i leave ,with a frail pen here4 ,methought ,i heard a trail ,like to slowly-falling hail ,and the sadly-plaintive wail ,of a misty file of souls1 ,as they glided o'er the grass1 ,sighing low3 ,alas6 alas6 ,how the laggard moments pass ,in purgatorial doles6 ,through their garments' glancing sheen1 ,as if nothing were between1 ,pierced the moon's benignant beam ,to a grove of stunted pines2 ,in whose distant lightsome shade1 ,with their gilded coats arrayed1 ,danced a fairy cavalcade1 ,to a fairy poet's rhymes4 ,then a cloud obscured the moon1 ,and the fairy dance and rune ,faded down behind the gloom ,which along the upland fell1 ,and my ears could only hear1 ,in the church-yard lone and drear1 ,the tinkle soft and clear ,of the morning ,mass's bell4 ,it eddied through the air1 ,and it seemed to call to prayer ,all the waiting spirits there ,which the moon's beams showed1 ,but each tinkle sank to die ,in a heart-distressing sigh1 ,and no worshippers drew nigh ,with the penitential word4 ,mute as statue1 on each knoll ,stood a thin1 transparent soul1 ,while the fresh breeze stole ,from its long night's rest1 ,till it bore upon its tongue1 ,like a snatch of sacred song1 ,all the peopled graves among1 ,ite ,missa est6 ,then a cry1 as ,angels raise ,in an ecstasy of praise1 ,when the ,godhead's glowing rays ,to their eager sight is given1 ,shook the consecrated ground1 ,and the souls it lost were found ,from their venial sins unbound1 ,in the happy fields of heaven6 ,where the tombstones gray and browned1 ,and the broken roods around1 ,and the vespers' solemn sound1 ,told an old church near2 ,i sat me in the eve1 ,and ,i let my fancy weave ,such a vision as ,i leave ,with a frail pen here4 ,,eleventh ,,month1 ,,november3 ,,the ,,holy ,,souls4 ,,commemoration ,,of ,,all ,,souls4 ,,harriet ,m4 ,,skidmore4 ,o faithful church6 ,o tender mother-heart1 ,that1 'neath the shelter of thy deathless love1 ,shieldest the blood-bought charge thy ,master gave2 ,laving the calm1 unfurrowed infant brow ,with the pure wealth of ,heaven's cleansing stream2 ,breathing above the sinner's grief-bowed head ,the mystic words that loose the demon-spell1 ,and bid the leprous soul be clean again2 ,decking the upper chamber of the heart ,for the blest banquet of the ,lord of love2 ,binding upon the youthful warrior's breast ,the buckler bright1 the sacred shield of strength1 ,the fair1 celestial gift of ,pentecost1 ,borne on the pinions of the holy ,dove6 ,and when1 at last1 life's sunset hour is near1 ,and the worn pilgrim-feet stand trembling on ,the shadowy borders of the death-dark vale1 ,at thy command the priestly hand bestows ,the potent unction in the saving ,name1 ,and gives unto the parched and pallid lip ,the blest ,viaticum1 the ,bread of ,life1 ,as staff and stay for that drear pilgrimage6 ,thy prayers ascend1 with magic incense-breath1 ,from the lone couch1 where1 fainting by the way1 ,the frail companion of the deathless soul ,parteth in pain from its immortal guest4 ,and when1 at last1 the golden chain is loosed1 ,and through the shadows of that mystic vale ,the ransomed captive floateth swiftly forth1 ,in solemn tones thy ,de ,profundis rings ,o'er all the realms of vast eternity2 ,thy tender litanies call gently down ,the angel-guides1 the white-robed band of ,saints1 ,to lead the wanderer to the great ,white ,throne1 ,to plead1 with ,heaven's own pitying tenderness1 ,for life and mercy at the judgment-seat4 ,the account is given1 the saving sentence breathed1 ,yet ,he who said that nought by sin defiled ,can take at once its blessed place amid ,the spotless legion of ,his shining ,saints1 ,will find1 upon the white baptismal robe1 ,full many a blemish2 stains too lightly held1 ,half-cleansed by an imperfect sorrow's flood4 ,the ,christian shall be saved1 yet as by fire2 ,so1 to the pain-fraught1 purifying flame ,the robe is given1 till every blighting spot ,hath faded from its primal purity2 ,still1 faithful ,church1 thy blest ,communion binds ,each suffering child unto thy mother's heart4 ,full well thou know'st the wondrous power of prayer-- ,that 'tis a holy and a wholesome thought ,to plead for those who in the drear abode ,of penance linger1 that they may be loosed ,from all their sins2 that on each spotless brow ,love's shining hand may place the starry crown4 ,and so the holy ,sacrifice ascends1 ,a sweet oblation for that wailing band ,thy regal form in mourning hues is draped1 ,thy pleading ,miserere ceaseth not ,till1 at its blest entreaty1 ,love descends1 ,as erst1 from ,his rent tomb1 to ,limbo's realm1 ,and leads again the freed1 exultant throng1 ,within the gleaming gates of gold and pearl1 ,to bask in fadeless splendor1 where the flow ,of the still waters by the pastures green ,faints not1 nor slackens1 through the endless years4 ,o ,christians1 brethren by that holy tie ,that links the living with the ransomed dead6 ,children of one fond mother are ye all1 ,white-robed in heaven1 militant on earth1 ,and sufferers 'mid the purifying flame4 ,o ye who tread the highway of our world1 ,join now your voices with that mother's sigh6 ,and while the mournful autumn wind laments1 ,and sad ,november's ceaseless tear-drops fall ,upon the ,silent ,city's marble roofs1 ,o'er lonely graves amid the pathless wild1 ,or where the wayworn pilgrim sank to rest ,in some lone cavern by the crested sea-- ,list to the pleading wail that e'er ascends ,from the dark land of suffering and woe3 ,our footsteps trod your fair1 sun-lighted paths1 ,our voices mingled in your joyous songs1 ,our tears were blended in one common grief2 ,perchance our erring hearts' excessive love ,for you1 the worshipped idols of our lives1 ,hath been the blemish on our bridal robes4 ,plead for us1 then1 and let your potent prayer ,unlock the golden gates1 that we who beat ,our eager wings against these prison bars1 ,may wing our flight to endless liberty6 ,,the ,,memory ,,of ,,the ,,dead4 ,,father ,,faber ,this poem scarcely comes within the scope of the present work1 yet it is1 by its nature1 so closely connected therewith1 and is1 moreover1 so exquisitely tender and pathetic1 so beautiful in its mournful simplicity1 that ,i decided on giving it a place amongst these funereal fragments4 ,oh6 it is sweet to think ,of those that are departed1 ,while murmured ,aves sink ,to silence tender-hearted-- ,while tears that have no pain ,are tranquilly distilling1 ,and the dead live again ,in hearts that love is filling4 ,yet not as in the days ,of earthly ties we love them2 ,for they are touched with rays ,from light that is above them2 ,another sweetness shines ,around their well-known features2 ,god with ,his glory signs ,his dearly-ransomed creatures4 ,yes1 they are more our own1 ,since now they are ,god's only2 ,and each one that has gone ,has left one heart less lonely4 ,he mourns not seasons fled1 ,who now in ,him possesses ,treasures of many dead ,in their dear ,lord's caresses4 ,dear dead6 they have become ,like guardian angels to us2 ,and distant ,heaven like home1 ,through them begins to woo us2 ,love that was earthly1 wings ,its flight to holier places2 ,the dead are sacred things ,that multiply our graces4 ,they whom we loved on earth ,attract us now to ,heaven2 ,who shared our grief and mirth ,back to us now are given4 ,they move with noiseless foot ,gravely and sweetly round us1 ,and their soft touch hath cut ,full many a chain that bound us4 ,o dearest dead6 to ,heaven ,with grudging sighs we gave you2 ,to ,him--be doubts forgiven6 ,who took you there to save you3-- ,now get us grace to love ,your memories yet more kindly1 ,pine for our homes above ,and trust to ,god more blindly4 ,,the ,,holy ,,souls4 ,,written ,,for ,,music ,,by ,,the ,,author ,,of ,,christian ,,schools ,,and ,,scholars4 ,o ,mary1 help of sorrowing hearts1 ,look down with pitying eye ,where souls the spouses of thy ,son1 ,in fiery torments lie2 ,far from the presence of their ,lord ,the purging debt they pay1 ,in prisons through whose gloomy shades ,there shines no cheering ray4 ,the fire of love is in their hearts1 ,its flame burns fierce and keen2 ,they languish for ,his ,blessed ,face1 ,for one brief moment seen2 ,prisoners of hope1 their joy is there ,to wait ,his ,holy ,will1 ,and1 patient in the cleansing flames1 ,their penance to fulfil4 ,but dark the gloom where smile of thine1 ,sweet ,mother1 may not fall1 ,oh1 hear us1 when for these dear souls ,thy loving aid we call6 ,thou art the star whose gentle beam ,sheds joy upon the night1 ,oh1 let its shining pierce their gloom ,and give them peace and light4 ,the sprinkling of the ,precious ,blood ,from thy dear hand must come1 ,quench with its drops their cruel flames1 ,and call them to their home2 ,freed from their pains1 and safe with thee1 ,in ,jesu's presence blest1 ,oh1 may the dead in ,christ receive ,eternal light and rest6 ,,the ,,palmer',s ,,rosary4 ,,eliza ,,allen ,,starr4 ,no coral beads on costly chain of gold ,the ,palmer's pious lips at ,vespers told2 ,no guards of art could ,pilgrim's favor win1 ,who only craved release from earth and sin4 ,he from the ,holy ,land his rosary brought2 ,from sacred olive wood each bead was wrought1 ,whose grain was nurtured1 ages long ago1 ,by blood the ,saviour sweated in ,his woe2 ,then on the ,holy ,sepulchre was laid ,this crown of roses from ,his passion made2 ,the ,sepulchre from which the ,lord of all ,arose from death's dark bed and icy thrall4 ,yet not complete that wreath of joy and pain1 ,which for the dead must sweet indulgence gain2 ,the pendant cross1 on which with guileless art1 ,some hand had graved what touches every heart1 ,the image of the ,lamb for sinners slain1 ,from ,bethlehem's crib1 now shrine1 his prayers obtain2 ,and tears and kisses tell the holy tale ,of pilgrim love and penitential wail4 ,the love1 the tears1 which fed his pious flame1 ,may well be thine1 my heart1 in very same2 ,since bead and cross1 by ,palmer prized so well1 ,at vesper-hour1 these fingers softly tell1 ,and press1 through them1 each dear and sacred spot ,where ,god once walked1 yet men received ,him not4 ,and still1 with pious ,palmer gray1 of yore1 ,thy lips can kiss the ground ,he wet with gore1 ,still at the ,sepulchre with her delay1 ,who found ,him risen ere the break of day2 ,and hover round the crib with meek delight ,where shepherds hasted from their flocks by night1 ,to there adore ,him whom a ,virgin blessed1 ,bore in her arms and nourished at her breast4 ,my ,rosary dear6 my ,bethlehem ,cross so fair6 ,no rose1 no lily can with thee compare2 ,no gems1 no gold1 no art1 or quaint device ,could be my precious ,rosary's priceless price2 ,for ,heaven's eternal joys at holier speed1 ,i trust to win through every sacred bead2 ,and still for suffering souls obtain release ,from cleansing fires to everlasting peace4 ,a ,,lyke ,,wake ,,dirge4 ,from ,sir ,walter ,scott's ,minstrelsy of the ,border1 we take this fragment4 ,the dirge to which the eminent author alludes in a before- quoted extract from his work1 and which he erroneously styles a charm1 is here given in full4 ,the reader will observe that it partakes not the least of the nature of a charm4 ,it would seem to have some analogy with the ,keen1 or ,wail of the ,irish peasantry4 ,this ae nighte1 this ae nighte1 ,every nighte and alle2 ,fire and sleet1 and candle lighte1 ,and ,christe receive thye saule4 ,when thou from hence away are paste1 ,every nighte and alle2 ,to ,whinny-muir thou comest at laste2 ,and ,christe receive thye saule4 ,if ever thou gavest hosen and shoon2 ,every nighte and alle2 ,sit thee down and put them on2 ,and ,christe receive thye saule4 ,if hosen and shoon thou ne'er gavest nane1 ,every nighte and alle1 ,the whinnes shall pricke thee to the bare bane2 ,and ,christe receive thye saule4 ,from ,whinny-muir1 when thou mayest passe1 ,every nighte and alle2 ,to ,brig o' ,dread thou comest at laste2 ,and ,christe receive thye saule4 ,from ,brig o' ,dread when thou mayest passe1 ,every nighte and alle2 ,to ,purgatory fire thou comest at laste2 ,and ,christe receive thye saule4 ,if ever thou gavest meat or drink1 ,every nighte and alle1 ,the fire shall never make thee shrinke2 ,and ,christe receive thye saule4 ,if meat or drink thou never gavest nane1 ,every nighte and alle2 ,the fire will burn thee to the bare bane2 ,and ,christe receive thye saule4 ,this ae nighte1 this ae nighte1 ,every nighte and alle2 ,fire and sleet1 and candle lighte1 ,and ,christe receive thye saule4 ,,all ,,souls' ,,day4 ,,second ,,vespers ,,of ,,all ,,saints4 ,from ,lyra ,liturgica4 ,what means this veil of gloom ,drawn o'er the festive scene2 ,the solemn records of the tomb ,where holy mirth hath been3 ,as if some messenger of death should fling ,his tale of woe athwart some nuptial gathering8 ,our homage hath been given ,with gladsome voice to them ,who fought1 and won1 and wear in heaven ,christ's robe and diadem2 ,now to the suffering ,church we must descend1 ,our prisoners of hope with succor to befriend4 ,they will not strive nor cry1 ,nor make their pleading known2 ,meekly and patiently they lie1 ,speaking with ,god alone2 ,and this the burden of their voiceless song1 ,wafted from age to age1 ,how long1 ,o ,lord1 how long8 ,o blessed cleansing pain6 ,who would not bear thy load1 ,where every throb expels a stain1 ,and draws us nearer ,,god8 ,faith's firm assurance makes all anguish light1 ,with earth behind1 and heaven fast opening on the sight4 ,yet souls that nearest come ,to their predestin'd gain1 ,pant more and more to reach their home3 ,delay is keenest pain ,to those that all but touch the wish'd for shore1 ,where sin1 and grief that comes of sin1 shall fret no more4 ,and ,o--,o charity1 ,for sweet remembrance sake1 ,these souls1 to ,god so very nigh1 ,into your keeping take6 ,speed them by sacrifice and suffrage1 where ,they burn to pour for you a more prevailing prayer4 ,they were our friends erewhile1 ,co-heirs of saving grace2 ,co-partners of our daily toil1 ,companions in our race2 ,we took sweet counsel in the house of ,god1 ,and sought a common rest along a common road4 ,and had their brethren car'd ,to keep them just and pure1 ,perchance their pitying ,god had spar'd1 ,the pains they now endure4 ,what if to fault of ours those pains be due1 ,to ill example shown1 or lack of counsel true8 ,alas1 there are who weep ,in fierce1 unending flame1 ,through sin of those on earth that sleep1 ,regardless of their shame2 ,or who1 though they repent1 too sadly know ,no help of theirs can cure or soothe their victim's woe4 ,thanks to our ,god who gives1 ,in fruitful ,mass or prayer1 ,to many a friend that dies1 yet lives1 ,a salutary share2 ,nor stints our love1 though cords of sense be riven1 ,nor bans from hope the soul that is not ripe for heaven4 ,feast of the ,holy ,dead6 ,great ,jubilee of grace6 ,when angel guards exulting lead ,to their predestin'd place ,souls1 that the ,church shall loose from bonds to-day ,in every clime that basks beneath her genial sway4 ,,the ,,suffering ,,souls4 ,,by ,e4 ,m4 ,v4 ,,bulger4 ,it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead4--,,ii ,mac4 xii4 #df4 ,in some quiet hour at the close of day1 ,when your work is finished and laid away1 ,think of the suffering souls1 and pray4 ,think of that prison of anguish and pain1 ,where even the souls of the ,saints remain1 ,till cleansed by fire from the slightest stain4 ,think of the souls who were dear to you ,when this life held them2 still be true1 ,and pray for them now2 it is all you can do4 ,think of the souls who are lonely there1 ,with no one1 perchance1 to offer a prayer ,that ,god may have pity on them and spare4 ,think of the souls that have longest lain ,in that place of exile and of pain1 ,suffering still for some uncleansed stain4 ,think of the souls who1 perchance1 may be ,on the very threshold of liberty-- ,one ,ave ,maria may set them free6 ,oh1 then1 at the close of each passing day1 ,when your work is finished and folded away1 ,think of the suffering souls1 and pray6 ,think of their prison1 so dark and dim1 ,think of their longing to be with ,him ,whose praises are sung by the cherubim6 ,as you tell the beads of your ,rosary1 ,ask ,god's sweet ,mother their mother to be2 ,her immaculate hands hold ,heaven's key4 ,oh1 how many souls are suffering when ,you whisper ,hail ,mary again and again1 ,may see ,god's face as you say ,amen6 --,ave ,maria1 ,november #bd1 #ahhc4 ,,the ,,voices ,,of ,,the ,,dead4 ',twas the hour after sunset1 ,and the golden light had paled2 ,the heavy foliage of the woods ,were all in shadow veiled4 ,yet a witchery breathed through the soft twilight1 ,a thought of the sun that was set1 ,and a soft and mystic radiance ,through the heavens hung lingering yet4 ,the purple hills stood clear and dark ,against the western sky1 ,and the wind came sweeping o'er the grass ,with a wild and mournful cry3 ,it swept among the grass that grows ,above the quiet grave1 ,and stirred the boughs of the linden-trees ,that o'er the church-yard wave4 ,and the low murmur of the leaves ,all softly seemed to say1 ,it is a good and wholesome thought ,for the dead in ,christ to pray4 ,earth's voices all are low and dim2 ,but a human heart is there1 ,with psalms and words of holy ,church1 ,to join in ,nature's prayer4 ,a ,monk is pacing up and down2 ,his prayers like incense rise2 ,ever a sweet1 sad charm for him ,within that church-yard lies4 ,each morning when from ,mary's tower ,the sweet-toned ,ave rings1 ,this herdsman of the holy dead ,a ,mass of ,requiem sings4 ,and when upon the earth there falls ,the hush of eventide1 ,a dirge he murmurs o'er the graves ,where they slumber side by side4 ,eternal light shine o'er them1 ,lord6 ,and may they rest in peace6 ,his matins all are finished now1 ,and his whispered accents cease4 ,but1 hark6 what sound is that which breaks ,the stillness of the hour8 ,is it the ivy as it creeps ,against the gray church tower8 ,is it the sound of the wandering breeze1 ,or the rustling of the grass1 ,or the stooping wing of the evening birds ,as home to their nests they pass8 ,no2 'tis a voice like one in dreams1 ,half solemn and half sad1 ,freed from the weariness of earth1 ,not yet with glory clad2 ,full of the yearning tenderness ,which nought but suffering gives2 ,too sad for angel-tones--too full ,of rest for aught that lives4 ,they are the ,voices of the ,dead ,from the graves that lie around1 ,and the ,monk's heart swells within his breast1 ,as he listens to the sound4 ,amen6 ,amen6 the answer comes ,unto his muttered prayer2 ,amen6 as though the brethren all ,in choir were standing there4 ,the living and departed ones ,on earth are joined again1 ,and the bar that shuts them from his ken ,for a moment parts in twain4 ,over the gulf that yawns beneath1 ,their echoed thanks he hears ,for the ,masses he has offered up1 ,for his orisons and tears4 ,and as the strange responsory ,mounts from the church-yard sod1 ,their mingled prayers and answers rise ,unto the throne of ,god4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,there is a story recorded of ,st4 ,birstan1 ,bishop of ,winchester1 who died about the year of ,christ #idd1 how he was wont every day to say ,mass and ,matins for the dead2 and one evening1 as he walked in the church-yard1 reciting his said ,matins1 when he came to the ,requiescat in ,pace1 the voices in the graves round about him made answer aloud1 and said1 ,amen1 ,amen6--,from the ,english ,martyrology for ,october #bb --,m4 ,r41 in ,the ,lamp1 ,oct4 #ca1 #ahfc4 ,,the ,,convent ,,cemetery4 ,,rev4 ,,abram ,j4 ,,ryan4 ,this is an extract from ,father ,ryan's poem1 ,their ,story ,runneth ,thus4 ,and years and years1 and weary years passed on ,into the past2 one autumn afternoon1 ,when flowers were in their agony of death1 ,and winds sang ,de ,profundis o'er them1 ,and skies were sad with shadows1 he did walk ,where1 in a resting-place as calm as sweet1 ,the dead were lying down2 the autumn sun ,was half-way down the west--the hour was three1 ,the holiest hour of all the twenty-four1 ,for ,jesus leaned ,his head on it1 and died4 ,he walked alone amid the ,virgins' graves1 ,where calm they slept--a convent stood near by1 ,and from the solitary cells of nuns ,unto the cells of death the way was short4 ,low1 simple stones and white watched o'er each grave1 ,while in the hollows 'twixt them sweet flowers grew1 ,entwining grave with grave4 ,he read the names ,engraven on the stones1 and ,rest in peace ,was written 'neath them all1 and o'er each name ,a cross was graven on the lowly stone4 ,he passed each grave with reverential awe1 ,as if he passed an altar1 where the ,host ,had left a memory of its sacrifice4 ,and o'er the buried virgin's virgin dust ,he walked as prayerfully as though he trod ,the holy floor of fair ,loretto's shrine4 ,he passed from grave to grave1 and read the names ,of those whose own pure lips had changed the names ,by which this world had known them into names ,of sacrifice known only to their ,god2 ,veiling their faces they had veiled their names4 ,the very ones who played with them as girls1 ,had they passed there1 would know no more than he1 ,or any stranger1 where their playmates slept4 ,and then he wondered all about their lives1 their hearts1 ,their thoughts1 their feelings1 and their dreams1 ,their joys and sorrows1 and their smiles and tears4 ,he wondered at the stories that were hid ,forever down within those simple graves4 ,,one ,,hour ,,after ,,death4 ,,eliza ,,allen ,,starr4 ,oh6 ,i could envy thee thy solemn sleep1 ,thy sealed lid1 thy rosary-folding palm1 ,thy brow1 scarce cold1 whose wasted outlines keep ,the ,bona ,mors sublime1 unfathomed calm4 ,i sigh to wear myself that burial robe ,anointed hands have blessed with pious care3 ,what nuptial garb on all this mortal globe ,could with thy habit's peaceful brown compare8 ,beneath its hallowed folds thy feeble dust ,shall rest serenely through the night of time2 ,unharmed by worm1 or damp1 or century's rust1 ,but1 fresh as youth1 shall greet th' eternal prime ,of that clear morn1 before whose faintest ray ,earth's bliss will pale1 a taper's flickering gleam2 ,i see it break6 the pure1 celestial day1 ,and stars of mortal hope already dim4 ,in pace ,lord1 oh6 let her sweetly rest ,in ,paradise1 this very day with ,thee3 ,her faithful lips her dying ,lord confessed1 ,then let her soul ,thy risen glory see6 ,a ,,prayer ,,for ,,the ,,dead4 ,t4 ,d4 ,,mcgee4 ,let us pray for the dead6 ,for sister and mother1 ,father and brother1 ,for clansman and fosterer1 ,and all who have loved us here2 ,for pastors1 for neighbors1 ,at rest from their labors2 ,let us pray for our own beloved dead6 ,that their souls may be swiftly sped ,through the valley of purgatorial fire1 ,to a heavenly home by the gate called ,desire6 ,i see them cleave the awful air1 ,their dun wings fringed with flame2 ,they hear1 they hear our helping prayer1 ,they call on ,jesu's name4 ,let us pray for the dead6 ,for our foes who have died1 ,may they be justified6 ,for the stranger whose eyes ,closed on cold alien skies2 ,for the sailors who perished ,by the frail arts they cherished2 ,let us pray for the unknown dead4 ,father in heaven1 to ,thee we turn1 ,transfer their debt to us2 ,oh6 bid their souls no longer burn ,in mediate anguish thus4 ,let us pray for the soldiers1 ,on whatever side slain2 ,whose white bones on the plain ,lay unclaimed and unfathered1 ,by the vortex-wind gathered1 ,let us pray for the valiant dead4 ,oh6 pity the soldier1 ,kind ,father in heaven1 ,whose body doth moulder ,where his soul fled self-shriven4 ,we have prayed for the dead2 ,all the faithful departed1 ,who to ,christ were true-hearted2 ,and our prayers shall be heard1 ,for so promised the ,lord2 ,and their spirits shall go ,forth from limbo-like woe-- ,and joyfully swift the justified dead ,shall feel their unbound pinions sped1 ,through the valley of purgatorial fire1 ,to their heavenly home by the gate called ,desire1 ,by the gate called ,desire1 ,in clouds they've ascended-- ,o ,saints1 pray for us1 ,now your sorrows are ended6 ,,the ,,de ,,profundis ,,bell4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,among the many beautiful and pious customs of ,catholic countries1 none appeals with more tender earnestness to the pitying heart than that of the ,de ,profundis bell4 ,while the shades of night are gathering over the earth1 a solemn1 dirge like tolling resounds from the lofty church towers4 ,instantly every knee is bent1 and countless voices1 in city and hamlet1 from castle and cottage1 repeat1 with heartfelt earnestness1 the beautiful psalm1 ,de ,profundis1 or1 ,out of the depths1 etc41 for the souls of the faithful departed4 ,thus is illustrated1 in a most touching manner1 the blessed doctrine of the ,communion of ,saints4 ,thus does the ,church ,militant clasp1 each day anew1 the holy tie which binds her to the suffering ,church of ,purgation4 ,the compassionate heart of the ,christian is stirred to its inmost depths by the plaintive call of that warning bell2 and as1 in the holy hush of nightfall1 he obeys its tender appeal1 how fully does he realize that it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead4 ,,harriet ,m4 ,,skidmore4 ,the day was dead2 from purple summits faded ,its last resplendent ray1 ,and softly slept the wearied earth1 o'ershaded ,by twilight's dreamy gray2 ,then flowed deep sound-waves o'er silence holy ,of nature's calm repose1 ,as from its lofty dome1 outpealing slowly ,through the still gloaming1 rose ,the deep and dirge-like swell ,of ,de ,profundis bell4 ,to heedful hearts each solemn cadence falling ,through twilight's misty veil1 ,an echo seemed of spirit-voices calling ,with sad1 beseeching wail2 ,and thus outspake the mournful intonation3 ,plead for us1 brethren1 plead6 ,from the drear depths of woe and desolation ,our cry of bitter need ,floats upward in the swell ,of ,de ,profundis bell4 ,then bowed each knee1 the plaintive summons heeding1 ,and rose the blended sigh4 ,as incense-breath of fond1 united pleading ,e'en to the throne on high3 ,hear1 ,lord1 the cry of fervent supplication ,earth's children lift to ,thee2 ,and from the depths of long and dread purgation ,thy faithful captives free1 ,ere dies on earth the swell ,of ,de ,profundis bell4 ,if1 in ,thy sight1 scarce e'en the perfect whiteness ,of seraph-robe is pure1 ,shall mortals brave ,thine eye's eternal brightness8 ,shall man its search endure8 ,ah6 trusting hope may meet the dazzling splendor ,of those celestial rays1 ,for with ,thee1 ,lord1 is pardon sweet and tender1 ,when contrite sorrow prays4 ,ay1 ,thou wilt lead1 from desert-waste of sadness1 ,thine ,israel's chosen band2 ,and ,miriam's song of pure1 triumphant gladness ,shall1 in ,thy promised land1 ,succeed the dirge-like swell ,of ,de ,profundis bell4 ,,november4 ,,anna4 ,t4 ,,sadlier4 ,robed in mourning1 nave and chancel1 ,in the livery of the dead1 ,hymns funereal are chanted4 ,services sublime are read4 ,sounds the solemn ,dies ,ir1 ,fraught with echoes from the day ,when the majesty of ,heaven ,shall appear in dread array4 ,next the ,gospel's weird recital1 ,full of mystery and dread2 ,holding message for the living1 ,bringing tidings of the dead4 ,with its resurrection promised-- ,resurrection unto life1 ,with its full and true fruition1 ,and immunity from strife4 ,blest immunity from sorrow1 ,primal man's unhappy dower2 ,while the evil shall find judgment ,in the resurrection hour4 ,to the ,lord1 the ,king of ,glory1 ,goes the voiceless1 tuneless prayer1 ,from the deep pit to deliver1 ,from eternal pains to spare4 ,all who wait the holy coming1 ,wait the dawning of a day ,that shall ope the gates of darkness1 ,shall illume the watcher's way4 ,may the holy ,michael lead them ,to the fullness of the light ,that of old1 in prophet visions1 ,burst on ,adam's dazzled sight4 ,may they pass from death to living-- ,message that the ,master's voice ,gave to ,abraham the faithful1 ,bade his exiled soul rejoice4 ,may perpetual light descending ,touch their foreheads1 dark with fear-- ,dark with deadly torments suffered2 ,sign them with the glory near6 ,may they rest1 ,o ,lord1 forever ,in a peace that1 unexpressed1 ,shall bestow upon the pilgrims ,dual crowns of light and rest6 ,death's weird canticle is ringing ,in its supplication strong-- ,in its far cry to the heavens1 ,couched in wild1 unearthly song4 ,ay1 this ,libera o'ercomes us1 ,requiem1 at once1 and dirge-- ,makes this life with life immortal ,in our consciousness to merge4 ,,for ,,the ,,souls ,,in ,,purgatory4 ,,anonymous4 ,ye souls of the faithful who sleep in the ,lord1 ,but as yet are shut out from your final reward1 ,oh6 would ,i could lend you assistance to fly ,from your prison below to your palace on high6 ,o ,father of ,mercies6 ,thine anger withhold1 ,these works of ,thy hand in ,thy mercy behold2 ,too oft from ,thy path they have wandered aside1 ,but ,thee1 their ,creator1 they never denied4 ,o tender ,redeemer1 their misery see1 ,deliver the souls that were ransomed by ,thee2 ,behold how they love ,thee1 despite all their pain2 ,restore them1 restore them to favor again6 ,o ,spirit of ,grace6 ,o ,consoler divine6 ,see how for ,thy presence they longingly pine2 ,ah6 then1 to enliven their sadness descend1 ,and fill them with peace and with joy in the end6 ,o ,mother of ,mercy6 dear soother in grief6 ,send thou to their torments a balmy relief2 ,oh6 temper the rigor of justice severe1 ,and soften their flames with a pitying tear4 ,ye ,patrons1 who watched o'er their safety below1 ,oh6 think how they need your fidelity now2 ,and stir all the ,angels and ,saints in the sky ,to plead for the souls that upon you rely6 ,ye friends1 who once sharing their pleasure and pain1 ,now hap'ly already in ,paradise reign1 ,oh6 comfort their hearts with a whisper of love1 ,and call them to share in your pleasures above6 ,o ,fountain of ,goodness6 accept of our sighs3 ,let ,thy mercy bestow what ,thy justice denies2 ,so may ,thy poor captives1 released from their woes1 ,thy praises proclaim1 while eternity flows6 ,all ye who would honor the ,saints and their ,head1 ,remember1 remember to pray for the dead-- ,and they1 in return1 from their misery freed1 ,to you will be friends in the hour of your need6 --,garland of ,flowers4 ,,all ,,souls' ,,eve4 ',twas ,all ,souls' ,eve2 the lights in ,notre ,dame ,blazed round the altar2 gloomy1 in the midst1 ,the pall1 with all its sable hangings1 stood2 ,with torch and taper1 priests were ranged around1 ,chanting the solemn requiem of the dead2 ,and then along the aisles the distant lights ,moved slowly1 two by two2 the chapels shone ,lit as they pass'd in momentary glare2 ,behind the fretted choir the yellow ray1 ,on either hand the altar1 blazing fell4 ,she thought upon the multitude of souls ,dwelling so near and yet so separate4 ,with dawn she sought ,saint ,jacques2 the altars there ,had each its priest2 the black and solemn ,mass1 ,the nodding feathers of the catafalque1 ,the flaring torches1 and the funeral chant1 ,and intercessions for the countless souls ,in ,purgatory still4 ,with pity new ,the ,pilgrim pray'd for the departed4 ,long ,she knelt before the ,blessed ,sacrament1 ,beside ,our ,lady's altar4 ,pictured there1 ,she saw1 imprisoned in the forked flames1 ,the suffering souls who ask the alms of prayer2 ,her taper small an aged peasant lit1 ,to burn before ,our ,lady1 that her voice1 ,mother of mercy as she is1 might plead ,for one who left her still on earth to pray4 4 4 4 4 4 ,sable veils ,soon hid the altars2 all things spoke of death1 ,and realms where those who leave the upper air ,wait till the stains of sin are cleansed1 and pant ,amid the thirsty flames for ,paradise4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,these verses are taken from an anonymous metrical work called ,the ,pilgrim1 published in ,england in #ahfg4 ,,our ,,neighbor4 ,,eliza ,,allen ,,starr4 ,set it down gently at the altar rail1 ,the faithful1 aged dust1 with honors meet2 ,long have we seen that pious face1 so pale1 ,bowed meekly at her ,saviour's blessed feet4 ,these many years her heart was hidden where ,nor moth1 nor rust1 nor craft of man could harm2 ,the blue eyes1 seldom lifted1 save in prayer1 ,beamed with her wished-for heaven's celestial calm4 ,as innocent as childhood's was the face1 ,though sorrow oft had touched that tender heart2 ,each trouble came as winged by special grace1 ,and resignation saved the wound from smart4 ,on bead and crucifix her finger kept1 ,until the last1 their fond1 accustomed hold2 ,my ,jesus1 breathed the lips2 the raised eyes slept1 ,the placid brow1 the gentle hand grew cold4 ,the choicely ripening cluster1 ling'ring late ,into ,october on its shrivelled vine1 ,wins mellow juices1 which in patience wait ,upon those long1 long days of deep sunshine4 ,then set it gently at the altar rail1 ,the faithful1 aged dust1 with honors meet2 ,how can we hope1 if such as she can fail ,before th' ,eternal ,god's high judgment-seat8 ,,purgatory4 ,,old ,,bells4 ,ring out merrily1 ,loudly1 cheerily1 ,blithe old bells from the steeple tower4 ,hopefully1 fearfully1 ,joyfully1 tearfully1 ,moveth the bride from her maiden bower4 ,cloud there is none in the bright summer sky1 ,sunshine flings benison down from on high2 ,children sing loud as the train moves along1 ,happy the bride that the sun shineth on4 ,knell out drearily1 ,measured out wearily1 ,sad old bells from the steeple gray4 ,priests chanting slowly1 ,solemnly1 slowly1 ,passeth the corpse from the portal to-day4 ,drops from the leaden clouds heavily fall1 ,drippingly over the plume and the pall2 ,murmur old folk1 as the train moves along1 ,happy the dead that the rain raineth on4 ,toll at the hour of prime1 ,matin and vesper chime1 ,loved old bells from the steeple high2 ,rolling1 like holy waves1 ,over the lowly graves1 ,floating up1 prayer-fraught1 into the sky4 ,solemn the lesson your lightest notes teach1 ,stern is the preaching your iron tongues preach2 ,ringing in life from the bud to the bloom2 ,ringing the dead to their rest in the tomb4 ,peal out evermore-- ,peal as ye pealed of yore1 ,brave old bells1 on each holy day4 ,in sunshine and gladness1 ,through clouds and through sadness1 ,bridal and burial have both passed away4 ,tell us life's pleasures with death are still rife2 ,tell us that death ever leadeth to life2 ,life is our labor and death is our rest1 ,if happy the living1 the dead are the blest4 --,popular ,poetry4 ,o ,,holy ,,church6 ,,harriet ,m4 ,,skidmore4 ,o holy ,church6 thy mother-heart ,still clasps the child of grace2 ,and nought its links of love can part1 ,or rend its fond embrace4 ,thy potent prayer and sacred rite ,embalm the precious clay1 ,that waits the resurrection-light-- ,the fadeless ,easter day4 ,and loving hearts1 by faith entwined1 ,true to that faith shall be1 ,and keep the sister-soul enshrined ,in tender memory2 ,shall bid the ceaseless prayer ascend1 ,to win her guerdon blest2 ,the radiant day that hath no end1 ,the calm1 eternal rest4 ,,an ,,incident ,,of ,,the ,,battle ,,of ,,bannockburn4 ,,sir ,,walter ,,scott4 ,again he faced the battle-field-- ,wildly they fly1 are slain1 or yield4 ,now then1 he said1 and couch'd his spear1 ,my course is run1 the goal is near2 ,one effort more1 one brave career1 ,must close this race of mine4 ,then1 in his stirrups rising high1 ,he shouted loud his battle-cry1 ,st4 ,james for ,argentine6 99 99 99 99 99 ,now toil'd the ,bruce1 the battle done1 ,to use his conquest boldly won3 ,and gave command for horse and spear ,to press the ,southern's scatter'd rear1 ,nor let his broken force combine1 ,when the war-cry of ,argentine ,fell faintly on his ear6 ,save1 save his life1 he cried4 ,o save ,the kind1 the noble1 and the brave6 ,the squadrons round free passage gave1 ,the wounded knight drew near4 ,he raised his red-cross shield no more1 ,helm1 cuish1 and breast-plate stream'd with gore4 ,yet1 as he saw the ,king advance1 ,he strove even then to couch his lance-- ,the effort was in vain6 ,the spur-stroke fail'd to rouse the horse2 ,wounded and weary1 in 'mid course ,he tumbled on the plain4 ,then foremost was the generous ,bruce ,to raise his head1 his helm to loose3-- ,lord ,earl1 the day is thine6 ,my sovereign's charge1 and adverse fate1 ,have made our meeting all too late2 ,yet this may ,argentine1 ,as boon from ancient comrade1 crave-- ,a ,christian's ,mass1 a soldier's grave4 ,bruce pressed his dying hand--its grasp ,kindly replied2 but1 in his clasp ,it stiffen'd and grew cold-- ,and1 ,o farewell6 the victor cried1 ,of chivalry the flower and pride1 ,the arm in battle bold1 ,the courteous mien1 the noble race1 ,the stainless faith1 the manly face6 ,bid ,ninian's convent light their shrine1 ,for late-wake of ,de ,argentine4 ,o'er better knight on death-bier laid1 ,torch never gleamd1 nor ,mass was said6 #a ,footnote #a3 ,it is said that the body of ,sir ,giles de ,argentine was brought to ,edinburgh1 and interred with the greatest pomp in ,st4 ,giles' ,church4 ,thus did the royal ,bruce respond to the dying knight's request4 --,from ,the ,lord of the ,isles ,,pray ,,foe ,,the ,,martyred ,,dead4 ,pray for the ,dead6 ,when1 conscienceless1 the nations ,rebellious rose to smite the thorn-crowned ,head ,of ,christendom1 their proudest aspirations ,ambitioned but a place amongst the dead4 ,pray for the ,dead6 ,the seeming fabled story of early chivalry1 in them renewed1 ,shines out to-day with an ascendent glory ,above that field of parricidal feud4 ,the children of a persecuted mother1 ,when nations heard the drum of battle beat1 ,through coward ,europe1 brother leagued with brother1 ,rallied and perished at her sacred feet4 ,o ,ireland1 ever waiting the ,to-morrow1 ,lift up thy widowed1 venerable head1 ,exultingly1 through thy maternal sorrow1 ,not comfortless1 like ,rachel1 for thy dead4 ,for1 where the crimson shock of battle thundered1 ,from hosts precipitated on a few1 ,above thy sons1 outnumbered1 crushed and sundered1 ,thy green flag through the smoke and glitter flew4 ,lift up thy head6 ,the hurricane that dashes ,its giant billows on the ,rock of ,time1 ,divests thee1 mother1 of thy weeds and ashes1 ,rendering1 at least1 thy grief sublime4 ,for nations1 banded into conclaves solemn1 ,thy name and spirit in the grave had cast1 ,and carved thy name upon the crumbling column ,which stands amid the unremembered ,past4 ,pray for the ,dead6 ,cold1 cold amid the splendor ,of the ,italian ,south our brothers sleep2 ,the blue air broods above them warm and tender1 ,the mists glide o'er them from the barren deep4 ,pray for the ,dead6 ,high-souled and lion-hearted1 ,heroic martyrs to a glorious trust1 ,by them our scorned name is re-asserted1 ,by them our banner rescued from the dust4 --,kilkenny ,journal4 ,,in ,,winter ,,eliza ,,allen ,,starr4 ,how lonely on the hillside look the graves6 ,the summer green no longer o'er them waves2 ,no more1 among the frosted boughs1 are heard ,the mournful whip-poor-will or singing bird4 ,the rose-bush1 planted with such tearful care1 ,stands in the winter sunshine stiff and bare2 ,save here and there its lingering berries red ,make the cold sunbeams warm above the dead4 ,through all the pines1 and through the tall1 dry grass1 ,the fitful breezes with a shiver pass1 ,while o'er the autumn's lately flowering weeds ,the snow-birds flit and peck the shelling seeds4 ,because those graves look lonely1 bleak and bare1 ,because they are not1 as in summer1 fair1 ,o turn from comforts1 cheery friends1 and home1 ,and 'mid their solemn desolation roam6 ,on each brown turf some fresh memorial lay2 ,o'er each dear hillock's dust a moment stay1 ,to breathe a ,rest in ,peace for those who lie ,on lonely hillsides 'neath a wintry sky4 ,,osemus4 ,,mary ,e ,,mannix ,welcome1 ye sad dirges of ,november1 ,when ,indian summer drops her brilliant crown ,all withered1 as in clinging mantle brown ,she floats1 away to die beneath the leaves2 ,pressed are the grapes1 gathered the latest sheaves2 ,o wailing winds6 how can we but remember ,the loved and lost8 ,o ceaseless monotones6 ,hearing your plaints1 counting your weary moans ,like voices of the dead1 like broken sighs ,from stricken souls who long for ,paradise1 ,we will not slight the message that ye bear1 ,nor check a pitying thought1 nor guide a prayer4 ,they have departed1 we must still remember2 ,welcome1 ye sad1 sad dirges of ,november6 ,,funeral ,,hymn4 ,from the ,french of ,theodore ,nisard ,a4 ,t4 ,,sadlier ,the bell is tolling for the dead1 ,christians1 hasten we to prayer1 ,our brothers suffer there1 ,consumed in struggles vain4 ,have pity1 have pity on them1 ,in torturing flames immersed1 ,the stains their souls aspersed ,retain them far from heav'n4 ,since ,god has giv'n us power1 ,oh1 let us their woes relieve2 ,their hope do not deceive1 ,our protectors they will be4 ,for these suff'ring ones we pray1 ,lord ,jesus1 ,victim blest1 ,take them from pain to rest1 ,thy children1 too1 are they4 99 99 99 99 99 ,as the translation is a very rude one1 we add the ,french original1 which1 particularly when set to music1 is full of a deep solemnity and pathos4 ,,chant ,,fun,,bre4 ,,nisard ,la cloche tinte pour les morts ,chrtiens1 mettons nous en prires6 ,ceux qi gemissent sont des frres1 ,se consumant en vains efforts4 ,piti pour eux6 ,piti pour eux6 ,ils tourbillonnent dans la flamme2 ,les taches qui souillent leur mes1 ,les tiennent captifs loin des cieux4 ,mettons un terme leur douleurs1 ,dieu nous en donne la puissance2 ,ne trompons point leur esprance1 ,puis ils seront nos protecteurs4 ,disons pour nos fires souffrants3 ,sauveur ,jsus1 ,sainte ,victime1 ,tirez nos frres de l'abime1 ,car1 eux aussi1 sont vos enfants4 ,,requiescat ,,in ,,pace4 ,,harriet ,m4 ,,skidmore ,o ,father1 give them rest-- ,thy faithful ones1 whose day of toil is o'er1 ,whose weary feet shall wander never more ,o'er earth's unquiet breast6 ,the battle-strife was long2 ,yet1 girt with grace1 and guided by ,thy light1 ,they faltered not till triumph closed the fight1 ,till pealed the victor's song4 ,though drear the desert path1 ,with cruel thorns and flinty fragments strewn1 ,where fiercely swept1 amid the glare of noon4 ,the plague-wind's biting wrath4 ,still onward pressed their feet2 ,for patience soothed with sweet celestial balm1 ,and1 from the rocks1 hope called her founts to calm ,the ,simoom's venom-heat4 ,their march hath reached its close1 ,its toils are o'er1 its ,red ,sea safely passed2 ,and pilgrim feet have cast aside at last ,earth's sandal-shoon of woes4 ,thou blissful promised land6 ,one rapturous glimpse of matchless glory caught1 ,one priceless vision1 with thy beauty fraught1 ,hath blessed that way-worn band4 ,and to thy smiling shore ,their ceaseless messengers of longing went1 ,and blooms of bliss and fruitage of content1 ,returning1 gladly bore4 ,yet sadly still they wait2 ,for1 past idolatries to gods of clay1 ,and past rebellions 'gainst the ,master's sway1 ,have barred the golden gate4 ,the magic voice of prayer1 ,the saving rite1 the sacrifice of love1 ,the human tear1 the sigh of ,saints above1 ,blent in one off'ring fair-- ,these1 these alone1 can win ,the boon they crave3 glad entrance into rest1 ,the fadeless crown1 the garment of the blest1 ,washed pure from stain of sin4 ,hear1 then1 our eager cry4 ,o ,god of mercy6 bid their anguish cease2 ,to prisoned souls1 ah6 bring the glad release1 ,and hush the mourner's sigh4 ,mother of pitying love6 ,on sorrow's flood thy tender glances bend1 ,and o'er its dark and dreadful torrent send ,the olive-bearing dove4 ,thy potent prayer shall be ,an arch of peace1 a radiant promise-bow1 ,to span the gulf1 and shed its cheering glow ,o'er the dread penance-sea4 ,and on its pathway blest ,the ransomed throng1 in garments washed and white1 ,may safely pass to love's fair realm of light1 ,to heaven's perfect rest4 ,,the ,,feast ,,of ,,all ,,souls ,,is ,,the ,,country4 ,from the ,french of ,fontanes4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,louis1 ,marquis de ,fontanes1 ,peer of ,france1 and ,member of the ,french ,academy4 ,,anna ,t4 ,,sadlier ,e'en now doth ,sagittarius from on high1 ,outstretch his bow1 and ravage all the earth1 ,the hills1 and meadows where of flowers the dearth ,already felt1 like some vast ruins lie4 ,the bleak ,november counts its primal day1 ,while ,i1 a witness of the year's decline1 ,glad of my rest1 within the fields recline4 ,no poet heart this beauty can gainsay1 ,no feeling mind these autumn pictures scorn1 ,but knows how their monotonous charms adorn4 ,oh1 with what joy does dreamy sorrow stray ,at eve1 slow pacing1 the dun-colored vale2 ,he seeks the yellow woods1 and hears the tale ,of winds that strip them of their lonely leaves2 ,for this low murmur all my sense deceives4 ,in rustling forests do ,i seem to hear ,those voices long since still1 to me most dear4 ,in leaves grown sere they speak unto my heart4 ,this season round the coffin-lid we press1 ,religion wears herself a mourning dress1 ,more grand she seems1 while her diviner part ,at sight of this1 a world in ruins1 grows4 ,to-day a pious usage she has taught1 ,her voice opens vaults wherein our fathers dwell4 ,alas1 my memory doth keep that thought4 ,the dawn appeareth1 and the swaying bell ,mingles its mournful sound with whistling winds1 ,the ,feast of ,death proclaiming to the air4 ,men1 women1 children1 to the ,church repair1 ,where one1 with speech and with example binds ,these happy tribes1 maintaining all in peace4 ,he follows them1 the first apostles1 near1 ,like them the pastor's holy name makes dear4 ,with hymns of joy1 said he1 but yesterday ,we celebrated the triumphant dead ,who conquer'd heav'n by burning zeal1 faith-fed4 ,for plaintive shades1 whom sorrow makes his prey ,we weep to-day1 our mourning is their bliss1 ,all potent prayer is privileged in this1 ,souls purified from sin by transient pain ,it frees2 we'll visit their most calm domain4 ,man seeks it1 and descends there every hour4 ,but dry our tears1 for now celestial rays ,the grave's dim region swift shall penetrate2 ,yea1 all its dwellers in their primal state ,shall wake1 behold the light in mute amaze4 ,ah1 might ,i to that world my flight then wing ,in triumph to my ,god1 my flock recovered bring4 ,so saying1 offered he the holy rite1 ,with arms extended praying ,god to spare1 ,the while adoring knelt he humbly there4 ,that people prostrate6 oh1 most solemn sight ,that church1 its porticoes with moss o'ergrown1 ,the ancient walls1 dim light and ,gothic panes1 ,in its antiquity the brazen lamp ,a symbol of eternity doth stamp4 ,a lasting sun4 ,god's majesty down sent1 ,vows1 tears and incense from the altars rise1 ,young beauties praying 'neath their mothers' eyes1 ,do soften by their voices innocent1 ,the touching pomp religion there reveals2 ,the organ hush'd1 the sacred silence round1 ,all1 all uplifts1 ennobles and inspires2 ,man feels himself transported where the choirs ,of seraphim with harps of gold entone ,low at ,jehovah's feet their endless song4 ,then ,god doth make ,his awful presence known1 ,hides from the wise1 to loving hearts is shown3 ,he seeks less to be proved than to be felt4 #a ,from out the ,church the multitudes depart1 ,in separate groups unto th' abode they go ,of tranquil death1 their tears still silent flow4 ,the standard of the ,cross is borne apart1 ,sublime our songs for death their sacred theme1 ,now mixed with noise that heralds storms they seem2 ,now lower above our heads the dark'ning clouds1 ,our faces mournful1 our funereal hymn ,both air and landscape in our grief enshrouds4 ,towards death's tranquil haven1 on we fare1 ,the cypress1 ivy1 and the yew trees haunt ,the spot where thorns seem growing everywhere4 ,sparse lindens rise up grimly here and there1 ,the winds rush whistling through their branches gaunt4 ,hard by a stream1 my mind found there exprest ,in waves and tombs a twofold lesson drest1 ,eternal movement and eternal rest4 ,ah1 with what holy joy these peasants fain ,would honor parent dust2 they seek with pride ,the stone or turf1 concealing those allied ,to them by love1 they find them here again4 ,alas1 with us we may not seek the boon ,of gazing on the ashes of our dead4 ,our dead are banish'd1 on their rights we tread1 ,their bones unhonored at hap-hazard strewn4 ,e'en now 'gainst us cry out their ,manes pale1 ,those nations and those times dire woes entail1 ',mongst whom in hearts grown weak by slow degree1 ,the cultus of the dead has ceased4 ,here1 here1 at least have they from wrong been free1 ,their heritage of peace preserving best4 ,no sumptuous marbles burden names here writ1 ,a shepherd1 farmer1 peasant1 as is fit1 ,beneath these stones in tranquil slumber see2 ,perchance a ,turenne1 a ,corneille they hide1 ,who lived obscure1 e'en to himself unknown4 ,but if from men he'd risen separate1 ,sublime in camps1 the theatre1 the state1 ,his name by idol-loving worlds outcried1 ,would that have made his slumber here more sweet8 ,footnote #a3 ,la ,harpe said that these last twenty lines were the most beautiful verses in the ,french tongue4 ,they necessarily lose considerably in the translation4 ,,requiem ,,ternam4 ,t4 ,d4 ,,mcgee4 ,this beautiful requiem1 written ,march #fth1 #ahfh 7,st4 ,victor's ,day71 on the death of an intimate friend1 acquires a new pathos and a new solemnity1 from the fact that its gifted author met his death at the hands of an assassin but one month later1 on the #gth of ,april of the same year4 ,like ,mozart1 he wrote his own requiem ,saint ,victor's ,day1 a day of woe1 ,the bier that bore our dead went slow ,and silent gliding o'er the snow-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,with ,villa ,maria's faithful dead1 ,among the just we make his bed1 ,the cross1 he loved1 to shield his head-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,the skies may lower1 wild storms may rave ,above our comrade's mountain grave1 ,that cross is mighty still to save-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,deaf to the calls of love and care1 ,he bears no more his mortal share1 ,nought can avail him now but prayer-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,to such a heart who could refuse ,just payment of all burial dues1 ,of ,holy ,church the rite and use8 ,miserere ,domine6 ,right solemnly the ,mass was said1 ,while burn'd the tapers round the dead1 ,and manly tears like rain were shed-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,no more ,st4 ,patrick's aisles prolong ,the burden of his funeral song1 ,his noiseless night must now be long-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,up from the depths we heard arise ,a prayer of pity to the skies1 ,to ,him who dooms or justifies-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,down from the skies we heard descend ,the promises the ,psalmist penned1 ,the benedictions without end-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,mighty our ,holy ,church's will ,to shield her parting souls from ill1 ,jealous of ,death1 she guards them still-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,the dearest friend will turn away1 ,and leave the clay to keep the clay1 ,ever and ever she will stay-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,when for us sinners at our need1 ,that mother's voice is raised to plead1 ,the frontier hosts of heaven 'take heed-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,mother of ,love6 ,mother of fear1 ,and holy ,hope1 and ,wisdom dear1 ,behold we bring thy suppliant here-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,his glowing heart is still for aye1 ,that held fast by thy clemency1 ,oh6 look on him with loving eye-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,his ,faith was as the tested gold1 ,his ,hope assured1 not over-bold1 ,his ,charities past count1 untold-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,well may they grieve who laid him there1 ,where shall they find his equal--where8 ,nought can avail him now but prayer-- ,miserere ,domine6 ,friend of my soul1 farewell to thee6 ,thy truth1 thy trust1 thy chivalry2 ,as thine8 so may my last end be6 ,miserere ,domine6 ,,appendix ,,association ,,of ,,masses ,,and ,,stations ,,of ,,the ,,cross ,,for ,,the ,,belief ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,souls4 ,it would be a great defect in a book such as this to omit all mention of an ,association which exists in ,montreal1 ,canada1 for the special relief of the ,souls in ,purgatory4 ,it is certain that there are ,purgatorian societies1 established in many other cities1 both of ,europe and ,america4 ,but this ,canadian one seems unique1 in so far1 that it has a triple aim3 first1 that of relieving the holy souls2 second1 that of the conversion of infidels2 third1 that of contributing to the support of the ,mendicant ,order of ,st4 ,francis4 ,the money received is sent direct to these missionaries1 by whom the ,masses are said4 ,touching stories are told of the joy of these devoted apostles on receipt of such alms1 which aid them so much in the various good works in which they are engaged4 ,the society has1 as it were1 two branches4 ,in the first the associates merely bind themselves to make the ,way of the ,cross once a week1 on a day fixed1 with the primary object of relieving the holy souls1 and particularly those most pleasing to ,god2 and the secondary one of converting the infidels4 ,at the end of this exercise1 they make use of the following invocation3 ,holy ,souls in ,purgatory1 rest in peace1 and pray for us4 ,the other branch has for its object the procuring of ,masses for the deliverance of the suffering souls4 ,each associate must pay to the treasurer twenty-five cents a month1 or three dollars a year2 for which ,masses will be said according to the intention of the subscriber1 having always in view those souls which are most pleasing to ,god4 ,one may become a life member1 on payment of twenty-five dollars4 ,foundations of ,masses can also be made in connection with the ,association4 ,they are similar to those which came into existence at the time of the ,crusades and at many other epochs in ,christian history4 ,such foundations are sometimes made in wills4 ,they are1 of course1 not within the reach of every one4 ,it is necessary to pay five hundred dollars into the hands of the ,society4 ,every necessary security for its proper use is given1 and the donor is entitled in perpetuity to a certain yearly rental to be expended in ,masses for his soul4 ,the sum may be paid in instalments1 or several persons may club together in making the foundation4 ,it is a sublime thought that the ,holy ,sacrifice will thus continue to be said for us1 long after our memory has passed away from earth4 ,but as the three dollars a year which constitutes one a member of the ,association is much more within the reach of most of us1 it may be well to lay more stress upon the advantages which we shall thereby gain for ourselves and our deceased friends4 ,it entitles us after death to a special ,mass and a ,way of the ,cross every year from each associate4 ,the number of associates is very great2 besides a share in all the ,masses and ,stations1 we have also a share in the good works of the missionaries of ,st4 ,francis1 and can gain ,indulgences which have been granted to the members4 ,these ,indulgences1 plenary and partial1 are attached to all the principal1 and to some of the minor feasts of the year4 ,in connection with the work1 an almanac both in ,french and ,english is published every year at ,montreal1 and sold for the moderate sum of five cents4 ,in this pamphlet a full account is given of the ,association1 and there is besides a great deal of useful and interesting reading1 such as anecdotes relating to the dead1 the opinions of various spiritual authors on ,purgatory1 and letters from foreign countries1 or from various individuals concerning1 the society and its progress4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,to become an associate one must address himself to the chaplain1 ,rev4 ,f4 ,reid1 #dja ,st4 ,denis ,street1 or to the treasurer1 ,louis ,ricard1 ,esq41 #aff ,st4 ,denis ,st1 ,montreal1 ,canada4 ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,catholic ,,review4 #a ,footnote #a3 ,november1 #ahhe4 ,the ,month of the ,holy ,souls is at hand4 ,in ,catholic lands ,november is specially devoted by the faithful to increased suffrages for the repose of the holy and patient dead4 ,many reports reach us from experienced priests showing that the practice of requesting ,requiem ,masses for the dead is not increasing4 ,priests have what is1 in some respects1 a natural objection to urge upon their people perseverance in this old ,catholic practice of piety and gratitude4 ,it is one which can be easily understood4 ,yet1 largely owing to this nice delicacy1 they are1 after their own deaths1 forgotten by many bound to them through spiritual gratitude4 ,one of the most experienced priests in ,new ,york tells us that for five priests that have died in his house he has not known ten ,masses to be said at the request of the laity4 ,how does friendship serve others less public and less popular8 ,it gives a big funeral1 a long procession of useless carriages1 but no alms to the poor1 and no ,masses for the dead4 ,what a pity it is that in drawing so much that is ,catholic and beautiful from ,ireland1 we did not adopt its truly ,christian devotion for the forgotten and neglected dead1 which makes every priest recite the ,de ,profundis and prayers for the faithful departed1 before he leaves the altar4 ,we noticed some time ago that the ,holy ,see sanctioned a ,spanish practice of permitting to each priest three ,masses on ,all ,souls' ,day as on ,christmas ,day4 ,no doubt1 were it properly petitioned1 it would likewise extend to all the churches drawing their faith from ,st4 ,patrick's preaching1 that privilege1 as well as the beautiful custom that now has the force of law in ,ireland1 and that recalls so much of her devotion to the dead and of her suffering for the ,catholic faith4 ,that ,de ,profundis is one of the chapters of fossil history1 which in all future periods will recall the generous endowments that ,ireland once provided for her dead1 and the ruthless confiscations by which they were robbed4 ,not a ,catholic ,american paper that we have received this ,november has failed to argue ably1 generously1 and most ,christianly1 for suffrages for those who have gone before and are anticipating the advent of final peace4 ,the letters which come to a ,catholic newspaper office are a very sure barometer of the waves of thought in the ,catholic atmosphere of the country4 ,from those that we have received we can affirm that no devotion would be much more popular with the people than that which was pronounced in the days of the ,maccabees a holy and wholesome thought4 ,every day now there is an agreeable record in the daily papers of ,new ,york of ,requiem services held in the various churches for the repose of the soul of the late ,cardinal4 ,church after church seems to surpass its predecessors in the grateful devotion of the people1 who show that they remember their prelate4 ,in ,st4 ,gabriel's the ,cardinal's private secretary1 ,mgr4 ,farley1 had the satisfaction of witnessing an exceptionally large gathering to honor his illustrious chief4 ,the ,paulist ,fathers had a ,requiem service that was worthy of their ,church and their affection for the dead1 to whom they were bound by so many ties4 ,rome1 if the city of the soul1 is also pre-eminently the city of the dead4 ,so many great and illustrious deaths are reported to it daily from the ends of the earth that to it death and greatness are familiar and almost unnoticeable facts4 ,it is1 therefore1 not undeserving of remark to find the newspapers of the ,eternal ,city marking their notices of the passing of our ,cardinal with unusual signs of mourning4 ,their comments on the great loss of the ,american ,church are toned by the gravis mror with which the ,holy ,father received by ,atlantic ,cable the sad news4 ,in the ,american ,college1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,o',connell1 the ,president1 took immediate steps to pay to its illustrious patron the last homage that ,catholic affection and loyalty can render to the great dead4 ,from a letter to ,the ,catholic ,review we learn that the celebrant of the ,solemn ,mass of ,requiem was the rector1 ,rev4 ,dr4 ,o',connell2 ,rev4 ,john ,curley1 deacon2 ,rev4 ,bernard ,duffy1 sub-deacon2 ,rev4 ,thomas ,mc,manus and ,william ,guinon1 acolytes2 ,mr4 ,william ,murphy1 thurifer2 and ,rev4 ,messrs4 ,cunnion and ,raymond1 masters of ceremonies4 ,all these gentlemen are students from the diocese of ,new ,york4 ,a ,,requiem ,,for ,,the ,,cardinal ,,in ,,paris4 ,,paris1 ,october #cj4--;,a solemn funeral service of exceptional splendor was celebrated this morning at the ,madeleine for the repose of the late ,cardinal ,mc,closkey1 ,archbishop of ,new ,york4 ,the church was hung with black and was resplendent with lights4 ,outside the portico1 on the steps1 were two large funeral torches1 with green flames4 ,similar torches were visible in many parts of the edifice1 including the lofty upper galleries4 ,the catafalque was of large dimensions1 and was flanked on either side by numerous lights and torches as well as by marble images4 ,over all was a sable canopy1 suspended from the ceiling4 ,a ,cardinal's hat1 with its tassels1 lay on the pall4 ,the late ,cardinal's motto1 ,in the hope of life eternal1 was repeated frequently in the decorations4 ,a ,,duty ,,of ,,november4 ,,have ,,pity ,,on ,,me1 ,,at ,,least ,,you1 ,,my ,,friends4 7,from the ,texas ,monitor47 ,we have often repeated in our morning and night prayers the words of the ,creed3 ,i believe in the communion of saints1 without thinking1 perhaps1 that we were expressing our belief in one of the most beautiful and consoling doctrines of the ,holy ,catholic ,church4 ,i believe in the communion of saints--that is1 ,i believe in the holy communion of prayer and intercession which exists between all the members of the ,mystical ,body of ,christ--the ,church1 be they fighting the battles of the ,lord against the ,devil1 the ,flesh1 and the ,world1 in the ranks of the ,church ,militant on earth1 or enjoying in the happy mansions of ,heaven their eternal reward1 as members of the ,church ,triumphant1 or finally waiting in the dark prison of ,purgatory until they shall have paid their debt to the ,eternal ,justice to the last farthing1 and be saved yet1 so as by fire4 ,i believe in the communion of saints--that is1 ,i believe that there exists no barrier between the members of ,christ4 ,death itself cannot separate us from our brethren1 who have gone before us4 ,we believe that we daily escape innumerable dangers1 both spiritual and temporal1 through the prayers of our friends of the ,triumphant ,church2 and we believe also that it is within our power to help by our prayers and sacrifices our friends who are for a time in the middle place of expiation1 because nothing defiled can enter the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,it has always been the practice of the ,catholic ,church to offer prayers and other pious works in suffrage for the dead1 as is abundantly proved by the writings of the ,latin ,fathers1 ,tertullian1 ,st4 ,cyprian1 ,st4 ,augustine1 ,st4 ,gregory1 and of the ,greek ,fathers1 ,st4 ,ephrem1 ,st4 ,basil1 and ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom4 ,st4 ,chrysostom says3 ,it was not without good reason ordained by the ,apostles that mention should be made of the dead in the tremendous mysteries1 because they knew well that these would receive great benefit from it4 ,by the expression tremendous mysteries is meant the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,st4 ,augustine says1 upon the same subject3 ,it is not to be doubted that the dead are aided by prayers of the ,holy ,church and by the salutary sacrifice1 and by the alms which are offered for their spirits that the ,lord may deal with them more mercifully than their sins have deserved4 ,for this1 which has been handed down by the ,fathers1 the ,universal ,church observes4 ,st4 ,augustine also tells us that ,arius was the first who dared to teach that it was of no use to offer up prayers and sacrifices for the dead1 and this doctrine of ,arius lie reckoned among heresies4 7,heresy #ec47 ,the ,church has always made a memento of the dead in the holy sacrifice of the ,mass1 and exhorted the faithful to pray for them4 ,she urges us to pray for the souls in ,purgatory1 because not being able to merit1 they cannot help themselves in the least4 ,to their appeals for mercy the ,almighty answers that ,his ,justice must be satisfied1 and that the night in which no one can any longer work has arrived for them 7,st4 ,john ix41 v4 #d71 and thus these poor souls have recourse to our prayers4 ,according to the pious ,gerson we may hear their supplications3 ,pray for us because we cannot do anything for ourselves4 ,this help we have a right to expect from you1 you have known and loved us in the world4 ,do not forget us in the time of our need4 ,it is said that it is in the time of affliction that we know our true friends2 but what affliction could be compared to ours8 ,be moved with compassion4 ,have pity on us1 at least you1 our friends6 ,the ,church being aware of the ingratitude and forgetfulness of men1 and the facility with which they neglect their most sacred duties1 has set apart a day to be consecrated to the remembrance of the dead4 ,on the #b;d day of ,november1 ,all ,souls' ,day1 she applies all her prayers to propitiate the ,divine ,mercy through the merits of the ,precious ,blood of ,jesus ,christ1 her ,divine ,spouse1 to obtain for the souls in ,purgatory the remission of the temporal punishment due to their sins1 and their speedy admission into the eternal abode of rest1 light1 and bliss4 ,how holy and precious is the institution of ,all ,souls' ,day6 ,how full of charity6 ,it truly demonstrates the love and solicitude of the ,church for all her children4 ,in the first centuries of the ,church1 while the faithful were most exact in praying for their deceased friends and relatives and in having the holy sacrifice of the ,mass offered for them1 the ,church had not yet appointed a special day for all the souls in ,purgatory4 ,but in #iih ,st4 ,odilon1 ,abbot of ,cluny1 having established in all the monasteries of his order the feast of the commemoration of the faithful departed1 and ordered that the office be recited for them all1 this devotion which was approved by the ,popes1 soon became general in all the ,western ,churches4 ,in doing away with the ,christian practice of praying for the dead1 the ,protestant sects have despised the voice of nature1 the spirit of ,christianity1 and the most ancient and respectable tradition4 ,the most efficacious means to help the suffering souls in ,purgatory are prayer1 fasting1 almsgiving1 and above all the holy sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,by fasting we mean all sorts of mortifications to abstain from certain things in our meals1 to deprive ourselves of lawful amusements1 to suffer with resignation trials and contradictions1 humiliations and reverses of fortune4 ,the alms we give for the dead prompt the ,lord to be merciful to them4 ,the sacrifice of the ,mass1 which was instituted for the living and the dead1 is the most efficacious means of delivering them from their pains4 ,if the sacrifices which ,job1 says ,st4 ,john ,chrysostom1 offered to ,god for his children purified them1 who could doubt that1 when we offer to ,god the ,adorable ,sacrifice for the departed1 they receive consolation therefrom1 and that the ,blood of ,christ which flows upon our altars for them1 the voice of which ascends to heaven1 brings about their deliverance4 ,not only charity and gratitude demand that we should pray for the souls in ,purgatory1 but it is also for us a positive duty1 which we are in justice bound to fulfill4 ,perhaps some of these poor souls are suffering on our account4 ,perhaps they are relatives or friends who have loved us too much1 or who have been induced to commit sin by our words or example4 ,we are also prompted to pray for them by our own interest4 ,what consolation will it not be for us to know that we have abbreviated their sufferings6 ,how great will their gratitude be after their deliverance6 ,they will manifest it by praying for us1 and obtaining for us the help which is so necessary in this valley of tears4 ,in prosperity men forget those who have helped them in adversity2 but it will not be so with the souls in ,purgatory4 ,after being admitted to the kingdom of heaven through the help of our prayers1 they will solicit1 says ,st4 ,bernard1 the most precious gifts of grace in our behalf1 and because the merciful shall obtain mercy1 we will receive after our death the reward of whatever may have been done for the souls of ,purgatory during our life4 ,others will pray for us1 and we shall share more abundantly in the suffrages which the ,church offers without ceasing1 for those who sleep in the ,lord4 ,,purgatorial ,,association4 ,a ,,card ,,from ,,rev4 ,s4 ,s4 ,,mattingly4 7from the ,catholic ,columbian7 ,we wish to call the attention of the members of this ,association to the near approach of the commemoration of all the faithful departed1 which takes place on ,monday1 the second day of next ,november4 ,our ,association is in its fourth year of existence4 ,its numbers have increased beyond our expectations4 ,just now1 on account of the season1 applications begin to come in more rapidly1 hence we wish to give again the conditions for membership1 and the benefits derived from it4 ,the members say one decade of the beads1 or one ,our ,father and ten ,hail ,marys every day4 ,they may take what mystery of the ,holy ,rosary devotion may prompt1 and retain or change it at their own will1 without reference to us4 ,this is all that is required1 and1 of course1 the obligation cannot bind under pain of even venial sin4 ,those families which say the ,rosary every day need not add another decade unless they choose1 but may say the ,rosary in union with the ,purgatorial ,association1 and thus gain the benefits for themselves and the faithful departed4 ,the benefits are one ,mass every week1 which is said for the poor souls1 for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the members1 according to their intention1 and for the same intention a memento is made every day during ,holy ,mass for them4 ,there are many kind priests who are associated with us in this good work1 and they1 we are sure1 remember us all in the ,holy ,sacrifice4 ,we thank and beg them to continue to be mindful of us associated and bound together in this most charitable work of shortening1 by our prayers and good works1 the time of purgation for the souls in ,purgatory4 ,those who desire to become members may send their names1 with a postal card directed to themselves1 so that their application may be answered4 ,the applications for membership are directed to ,rev4 ,s4 ,s4 ,mattingly1 ,mc,connellsville1 ,morgan ,county1 ,ohio4 ,some two or three times complaints have come to us1 but in all cases the letters never came to hand4 ,we have from time to time received letters not intended for us1 and from this we judge our letters went elsewhere4 ,we try to be prompt1 though an odd time our absence on the mission may delay an answer4 ,now1 dear friends1 there is another fact to which we must advert4 ,many of our dear associates1 who were attracted by the charity of our work1 are no longer among the living4 ,their friends have kindly reminded us of their death by letter1 and we1 grateful for this charity1 always pray for them4 ,their day is passed4 ,our time is coming4 ,who can remember the kind faces which have gone out of our families and not shed tears at their absence8 ,their places are vacant4 ,love leaves the very chairs on which they sat unoccupied4 ,we look around the room and at the places their forms filled within it4 ,all these bring tears to our eyes1 and make the heart too full for utterance4 ,thus fond imagination1 sprung from love1 wipes out the vacancy4 ,we look through the mist of our tears and there again are the forms of our love1 but alas6 they do not speak to us4 ,and days and months are run into years1 yet our tears flow on2 indeed we cannot and we do not want to forget them4 ,we think of our sins and faults and how they caused theirs1 and our cry of pardon for ourselves must come after or with that of mercy for them4 ,,the ,,holy ,,face ,,and ,,the ,,suffering ,,souls4 ,the holy souls in ,purgatory are ever saying in beseeching accents3 ,lord1 show us ,thy ,face1 desiring with a great desire to see it2 waiting1 they longingly wait for the ,divine ,face of their ,saviour4 ,we should often pray for the holy souls who during life thirsted to see1 in the splendor of its glory1 the ,human ,face of ,jesus ,christ4 ,we should often say the ,litany of the ,holy ,face of ,jesus1 that our ,lord may quickly bring these holy souls to the contemplation of ,his ,adorable ,countenance4 ,we should pray to ,mary1 ,mother ,all-,merciful1 who1 before all others1 saw the ,face of ,jesus in ,his two-fold nativity in ,bethlehem1 and from the tomb1 to plead for those holy souls2 to ,st4 ,joseph1 who saw the ,face of ,jesus in ,bethlehem and ,nazareth2 to the glorious ,st4 ,michael1 ,our ,lady's regent in ,purgatory1 one of the seven who stands before the throne and ,face of ,god1 who has been appointed to receive souls after death1 and is the special consoler and advocate of the holy souls detained amidst the flames of ,purgatory4 ,we should also pray to ,st4 ,peter for the holy souls1 he to whom ,christ gave the keys of the kingdom of ,heaven4 ,the holy souls are suffering the temporal penalty due to sin4 ,this ,apostle had by his sin effaced the image of ,god in his soul1 but ,jesus turned ,his ,holy ,face toward the unfaithful disciple1 and ,his divine look wounded the heart of ,peter with repentant sorrow and love2 also ,st4 ,james and ,st4 ,john1 who with him saw the glory of the ,face of ,jesus on ,mount ,thabor1 and its sorrow in ,gethsemane1 when1 'neath the olive trees1 it was covered with confusion1 and bathed in a bloody sweat for our sins4 ,these great saints1 dear to the ,heart of ,jesus1 will surely hear our prayers in behalf of the holy souls4 ,st4 ,mary ,magdalen1 who saw the ,holy ,face in agony on the cross1 when its incomparable beauty was obscured under the fearful cloud of the sins of the world1 and who assisted the ,virgin ,mother to wash1 anoint1 and veil the bruised1 pale1 features of her ,divine ,son2 the saint1 whose many sins were forgiven her because she had loved much1 will lend heed to our prayers for the holy souls4 ,we should also invoke1 for the holy souls1 the ,virgin ,martyrs1 because of their purity1 love1 and the sufferings they endured to see in ,heaven the ,face of their ,king4 ,yet nothing can help these souls so much as the ,holy ,sacrifice of the ,mass4 ,by the ,blood of the ,testament these prisoners can be brought out of the pit4 ,even to hear ,mass with devotion for the holy souls1 brings them great refreshment4 ,st4 ,jerome says3 ,the souls in ,purgatory1 for whom the priest is wont to pray at ,mass1 suffer no pain whilst ,mass is being offered1 that after every ,mass is said for the souls in ,purgatory some souls are released therefrom4 ,our ,blessed ,lady1 the consoler of the afflicted1 will always do much to aid the holy souls2 in her maternal solicitude1 she has promised to assist and console the devout wearers of the ,brown ,scapular of ,mount ,carmel detained in ,purgatory1 and also to speedily release them from its flames1 the ,saturday after their death1 if some few conditions have been complied with during their life-time on earth4 ,bishop ,vaughan says1 there can be no difficulty in believing thus1 if we consider the meaning of a ,plenary ,indulgence granted by the ,church1 and applicable to the holy souls4 ,the ,sabbatine ,indulgence is1 in fact1 a ,plenary ,indulgence granted by ,god1 through the prayers of the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary to the deceased who are in ,purgatory1 provided they have fulfilled upon earth certain specified conditions4 ,the ,sacred ,congregation of the ,holy ,office by a ,decree of ,february #ac1 #afac1 forever settled any controversy that should arise on the subject of this ,bull4 ,st4 ,teresa1 in the thirty-eighth chapter of her life1 shows the special favor ,our ,lady exerts in favor of her ,carmelite children and all who wear the ,brown ,scapular4 ,she saw a holy friar ascending to ,heaven without passing through ,purgatory1 and was given to understand1 that because he had kept his rule well he had obtained the grace granted to the ,carmelite ,order by special bulls1 as to the pains of ,purgatory4 ,so from their prison these waiting souls are ever crying out to us1 patient and resigned1 yet with a most burning desire1 they are longing to be brought to the presence of ,god1 and to gaze upon the glorified countenance of the ,incarnate ,word4 ,they are far more perfectly members of the ,mystical ,body of ,christ than we are1 because they are confirmed in grace1 and the doctrine of the ,communion of ,saints should hence prompt us to give the holy souls the charitable assistance of our alms1 prayers1 and good works4 ',bear ye one another's burdens1 and so ye shall fulfill the law of ,christ1' and thus one day with them enjoy the endless ,vision of the ,holy ,face of ,jesus ,christ in its unclouded splendor in ,heaven4 ,,when ,,will ,,they ,,learn ,,its ,,secret8 ,,how ,,the ,,cardinal',s ,,obsequies ,,impressed ,a ,,baptist ,,spectator4 7,from the ,baptist ,examiner47 ,for the third time in a quarter of a century the streets have been thronged1 and an unending procession has filed by the dead4 ,long lines reached many blocks1 both up and down ,fifth avenue1 and they grew no shorter through the best part of three days4 ,this recognition of the eminence and power of the ,cardinal1 ,john ,mc,closkey1 has been very general4 ,all classes have paid homage4 ,and why8 ,he was a gentleman4 ,he was learned1 politic1 able1 far-sighted1 clean4 ,his energy was without measure4 ,the rise and reach of his influence and work have no chance for comparison with the accomplishment of any other ,american clergyman4 ,there is none to name beside him4 ,he was a burning zealot all his life4 ,elevation and honors came to him4 ,he became a prince in his ,church4 ,he swept every avenue of power and influence within his grasp into that ,church4 ,he lived singly for it4 ,in his death1 his ,church exalts herself4 ,she gives1 after her faith1 prayers1 ,masses1 glory4 ,in his1 life he spoke only for ,rome4 ,in his death his voice is intensified4 ,his life was one long gain to his people4 ,in his1 death they suffer no loss4 ,his time and character and personality are so exalted1 that1 being dead he yet speaketh4 ,the ,church of ,rome stands alone4 ,it is forever strange4 ,it is a law to itself4 ,thus it comes that this funeral does not belong to ,america1 or to the century4 ,rome and the ,middle ,ages conducted the obsequies4 ,the canons are prescribed4 ,they have never changed4 ,behold then in ,new ,york1 what might have been seen in ruined ,melrose ,abbey in its ancient day of splendor4 ,the ,cardinal lies in state in his cathedral1 that consummate flower of all his ministry4 ,saw you ever a ,roman ,pontiff lying in state8 ,the high catafalque is covered with yellow cloth4 ,the body1 decked in official robes1 uncoffined1 reclines aslant thereon4 ,the head is greatly elevated4 ,a mighty candle shines on the bier at either corner4 ,the ,cardinal's red hat hangs at his feet4 ,his cape is purple1 his sleeves are pink drawn over with lace1 his shirt is crimson and white lace covered4 ,purple gloves are on his hands4 ,on his head is his tall white mitre4 ,his pectoral cross lies on his pulseless breast4 ,his seal ring glitters on his finger4 ,to me it was an awful and uncanny figure4 ,the man was old and disease wasted4 ,the lips were sunken over shrunken gums4 ,the chin was sharp and far-protruding4 ,the colors of the cloths were garish and loud4 ,it was a gay lay figure1 red and yellow and white and black and purple and pink4 ,it made me shudder4 ,yet lying there under the very roof his hands had builded1 that reclining figure was immensely impressive4 ,the work--the work1 in light and strength and glory stands2 but the skilled and cunning workman is brought low1 and lies cold and silent4 ,the crowded and glorious1 almost living cathedral--the richly bedecked body dismantled1 deserted1 dead4 ,was ever contrast so wide or suggestive8 ,the white1 shining arches and pinnacles1 up-pointing in architectural splendor4 ,the architect lies under them prone1 unconscious1 decaying4 ,the beautiful windows1 all storied in colors almost supernatural1 and telling their histories and honoring their place4 ,but the temple of the ,cardinal's soul is in ruins1 the windows are broken1 and its day is darkness and mold4 ,so1 silent he lies in his house1 surrounded by his faithful1 whose cries and lamentations he hears not1 his cold hands clasped1 his dead face uncovered1 as though looking above its high vaulted roof4 ,i seemed to see again the bedizened skeleton of old ,st4 ,carlo ,borromeo in the crypt of the ,cathedral of ,milan1 as lying in his coffin of glass1 his bones all bleached and dressed4 ,but the careless throngs go thoughtlessly1 noisily on4 ,some weep1 some laugh1 and ,thursday1 the day of sepulture1 comes4 ,what masses of people6 ,what platoons of police6 ,the magnificent temple is packed by pious thousands4 ,the four candles about the bier become four shining rows4 ,the glitter of royal violet velvet and cloth of gold add to the gorgeous trappings of the dead4 ,the waiting multitudes look breathlessly at the black draped columns1 the emblems of mourning put on here and there4 ,without announcement a single voice cries out from the dusky chancel the first lines of the office for the dead4 ,a great ,gregorian choir of boys takes up the wail1 and their shrill treble is by-and-by joined by the hoarser notes of four hundred priests1 in the solemn music of the ,pontifical ,requiem ,mass4 ,it has never been given to mortal ears to listen to such marvels of musical sound in this country4 ,anon the great organs and the united choirs render the master's most mournful music for the dead4 ,then processions1 then eulogy4 ,and what eulogy6 ,schools1 colleges1 convents1 asylums1 protectories1 palaces1 cathedrals1 churches4 ,what a vast and impressive testimony6 ,what a company rises up to call him blessed6 ,this imposing pageantry is not an empty show4 ,it is ,rome's display of her resources and power4 ,who else can have such processions and vestments and music8 ,who can so minister to the inherent1 perhaps barbaric remnant1 love for display8 ,in the wide world where can the ear of man catch such harmonies8 ,the music1 as a whole1 was a deluge of lofty and inspiring expressions4 ,anguish1 despair1 devotion1 submission1 elevation6 ,ah1 how the lofty ,gothic arches thundered6 ,how they sighed and cried and melted4 ,the great assembly was swayed1 awe-struck1 like branches of forest trees in gales or in zephyrs4 ,the influence of those melodies will not die4 ,oh6 ,rome is old1 ,rome is new2 ,rome is wise4 ,rome is the ,solomon of the ,churches4 ,mark this well4 ,the ,cardinal is dead4 ,what happens8 ,does the machinery stagger8 ,has a great and irreparable calamity fallen on the churches8 ,are any plans abandoned8 ,is the policy affected8 ,will aggression cease8 ,nothing happens but a great and imposing funeral4 ,the plans are not affected4 ,the lines do not waver4 ,no work begun will be suspended4 ,everything goes on4 ,if only a deacon should die out of some ,baptist church1 alas6 my brethren1 the plate returns empty to the altar4 ,the minister puts on his hat4 ,consternation jumps on the ridge-pole and languishing1 settles down4 ,when shall we learn8 ,when shall we plan harmoniously1 unite our counsels1 work within the lines1 cease wasting resources1 carry forward a common work1 and when some man falls1 put a new man in his place1 move up the line1 and keep step8 ,to-day1 when a gap is made here1 we try to mend it1 after a time1 by seeking how great a gap we can create somewhere else4 ,what wonder that good men get tired and go where no such folly flies1 and where the current flows on and on forever6 ,and the old ,cardinal rests in the crypt1 under the high white altar4 ,he sleeps in the mausoleum of the great4 ,he has the reward of his labors4 ,he carried into his tomb the insignia of his high office4 ,sealed up in his coffin is a parchment which future ages may read1 long after we are all forgot1 giving a condensed record of his long and active career4 ,the bishops and priests have gone home to their parishes2 and their tireless labors go on4 ,they are thinking of the mighty but gentle and kindly ,cardinal2 of the telegrams from the ,papal ,court1 the ,college of ,cardinals1 the ,pope1 and of the imposing funeral2 of his own words which they wrung from him amidst the rigors of death3 ,i bless you1 my children1 and all the churches4 ,it was the parting of a prophet4 ,and the priests will live for the ,church and mankind4 ,they are whispering1 ,the faithful are rewarded6 ,effort is acknowledged6 ,o1 ,rome has shaken the earth6 ,rome is putting her armor together again4 ,sometimes ,i hear the creaking of her coat of mail as she mightily moves herself in exercise4