Art historian Elizabeth Lev writes beautifully about the after life.
A wonderful family of pilgrims told me that their parish bulletin in Atlanta had declared that purgatory no longer existed. The logical follow-up is that hell, too, will soon be consigned to the dustbin of theology.
This series of misunderstandings, however, underscores the importance of pilgrimage. Here in Rome, we are still given penances to pray for the souls in purgatory. One can visit the Purgatory Museum and a plenary indulgence for the living or dead can be obtained at any of the major basilicas.
Coming to Rome, the home of the Church, walking in the footsteps of hundreds of great saints that passed through these streets, one revitalizes one's faith, and finds answers to questions and doubts.
All I can say is, I hope one of those angels that are depicted in the painting drag me up from the depths of whatever or wherever those people are falling.
ReplyDeleteMe, too.
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