Verses on Various Occasions · Chapter
§ 5 explained
The soul, guided by an angel, ascends toward the presence of God, hearing choirs of angels sing of the Incarnation, the fall of man, and the redemptive work of Christ.
What happens
The soul, guided by an angel, ascends toward the presence of God, hearing choirs of angels sing of the Incarnation, the fall of man, and the redemptive work of Christ. The angel explains that the vision of the Judge will bring both longing and shame, serving as a purifying purgatory.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Humility
The soul's purgatorial pain is described as both healing and provoking, emphasizing the humility required before God.
Sin and Redemption
The fall of Adam and the redemptive work of Christ are central to the angelic hymns, highlighting the economy of salvation.
The Role of the Saint
The angels and the soul participate in the divine drama, with the soul undergoing purification to become a saint.
Characters to notice
- Angel
Guides the soul through the ascent, explaining the nature of purgatorial pain and the vision of the Judge.
- Gerontius
The soul who speaks with the angel, expressing both fear and trust as he approaches the presence of God.
- Angels
Multiple choirs of angels sing hymns of praise, recounting salvation history and the role of the Incarnate God.
- Adam
Referenced as the first man whose fall necessitated the coming of the second Adam, Christ.
- Christ
The Incarnate God, whose suffering and victory are central to the angelic hymns and the soul's purgation.
Key passages
“leaves will be A sovereign febrifuge to heal the wound; And yet withal it will the wound provoke, And aggravate and widen it the more.”
The memory of seeing God will both heal and deepen the soul's pain.
The angel explains the paradoxical nature of purgatorial suffering.
“Praise to the Holiest in the height, And in the depth be praise: In all His words most wonderful; Most sure in all His ways!”
God is worthy of praise in all circumstances, for His words and ways are perfect.
This refrain is sung by multiple choirs of angels throughout the chapter.
“A second Adam to the fight And to the rescue came.”
Christ, as the second Adam, came to battle and save humanity.
The angelic choir contrasts Adam's failure with Christ's victory.