The Four Last Things -
Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell
from the Catechism of Trent
Advantages of Deep Meditation on The Four Last Things
But in order that the Faithful may Appreciate the
Fruit they Derive from a Knowledge of so Many and such Exalted Mysteries,
it is necessary, First of all, to Point-out that to
God, Who has Hidden these things from the Wise and made them Known to
Little Ones, we Owe a Debt of Boundless Gratitude. How many Men, Eminent for Wisdom or Endowed with Singular Learning, who ever Remained
Blind to this Most Certain Truth! The fact, then, that He has made known to us these
Truths, although we could never have Aspired-to such Knowledge, Obliges us to Pour-forth
our Gratitude in Unceasing Praises of
His Supreme Goodness and Clemency.
Another Important Advantage to be Derived-from Reflection on this Article is that in it,
we shall find Consolation, both for Ourselves and Others when we
Mourn the Death of those who were Endeared to us by Relationship or
Friendship. Such was the Consolation which the Apostle himself gave the Thessalonians when
Writing to them Concerning those who are Asleep.
Again, in all our Afflictions and
Calamities, the Thought of a Future Resurrection
must bring the Greatest Relief to the Troubled
Heart, as we learn from the Example of Holy
Job, who supported his Afflicted and Sorrowing
Soul by this One (1)
Hope that the day would come when, in the Resurrection, he would
Behold the Lord his God.
The same thought must also prove a Powerful Incentive to the Faithful to use every
Exertion to lead Lives of Rectitude and Integrity,
Unsullied by the Defilement of Sin. For if they Reflect that those
Boundless Riches, which will follow after the Resurrection are now
Offered to them as Rewards, they will be easily Attracted to the Pursuit of
Virtue and Piety.
On the other hand, nothing will have Greater Effect in Subduing the Passions and
withdrawing Souls from Sin, than Frequently
to Remind the Sinner of the Miseries and
Torments with which the Reprobate will be
visited, who on the Last Day will come-forth unto the
Resurrection of Judgment.
(by Saint Alphonsus Liguori)
(by Father Paul K. Raftery, O.P.)
(by Father Paul K. Raftery, O.P.)
(by Father Paul K. Raftery, O.P.)
(by Father Paul K. Raftery, O.P.)
(A Short Synopsis of the Bliss of Heaven)
(A Short Synopsis of the Torments of Hell)
(A Religious Poem "The Hound of Heaven" by British Catholic Poet Francis Thompson)
(Compiled from various Sources including the
Catechism of the Catholic Church)
(by Father Patrick J. McHugh)
(by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P.)
(by Theologian, Father William G. Most; with several Audio Clips from various EWTN
Television Series)
(from the Catechism of Saint Thomas Aquinas)
(by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P.)
(by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P.)
(by Saint Joseph Cafasso - Professor of Moral Theology, Renowned Confessor
and Priest of the Gallows)
(by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P.)
(Thoughts by various Saints, including a Poem by the Venerable Cardinal John Henry Newman)
(by Father John Dietzen)
(Summary of the Enchiridion of Indulgences (1968) issued under
Pope Paul VI - by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P.)
(by Theologian, Father William G. Most)
(by Pope John Paul II, during a General Audience on
Wednesday, 4 Aug 1999)
(by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P.)
(A Synopsis of the Fall of Lucifer and his Followers)
(A look a Marian Involvement during the Last Times)
(by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P.)
(by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P.)
(The Parable of Lazarus and Dives; or How to Catch a Monkey)
(by Saint Anthony Mary Claret)
(by Saint Alphonsus Liguori)
(by Saint Alphonsus Liguori)
(by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P.)
(by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P.)
(from the Catholic Encyclopedia)
(A compilation by Mark Brumley,
Managing Editor of The Catholic Faith Magazine; and other sources)
(Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen examines this Sacrament of Healing. God, in His Mercy,
has prepared a Sacrament for the Dread Moment, when Personality is confronted with its Load of Sin)
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