[NYer]

The World of Dante

[Salvation]

**Could he be teaching us that the great works of Christian art -- whether literary, musical or visual -- have lessons and messages pertinent to us today?**

Love that line!

[Carolina]

Why would this avant-garde theologian, eyes firmly fixed on the contemporary Church and its modern maladies, draw from 700-year-old poetry to describe love?

What??? Pope Benedict avant-garde? She hasn't read much of his writings then.

[TradicalRC]

I've found that I like John Ciardi's translation the best.
The Inscription on The Gates of Hell From Canto III:

I AM THE WAY INTO THE CITY OF WOE.
I AM THE WAY TO A FORSAKEN PEOPLE.
I AM THE WAY INTO ETERNAL SORROW.

SACRED JUSTICE MOVED MY ARCHITECT.
I WAS RAISED HERE BY DIVINE OMNIPOTENCE,
PRIMORDIAL LOVE AND ULTIMATE INTELLECT.

ONLY THOSE ELEMENTS TIME CANNOT WEAR
WERE MADE BEFORE ME, AND BEYOND TIME I STAND.
ABANDON ALL HOPE, YE WHO ENTER HERE.

Also, the Gustave Dore prints have always fascinated me.

[RobbyS]

These words weighed on me so much that I had my children baptized. At the time they were 6, 5 and with my little boy approaching his 1st birthday. My whole family rejoiced that they were finally received into the Church. Less than one month later, my youngest son died in an accident.

The image of my thireetnth month old grandson flashed before my eyes. He is alive and healthy. What was your son's name? I will ask him to hold m grandson Benjamin 's hand as he progresses from stumbling walk to full gallop.

[Mercat]

I've read the Inferno and Pergatorio. Like this reader, I've hesitated with Paradisio. I have Pergatorio now on audio so maybe after I listen to it, I'll be ready for Paradisio.

[HolgerDansk]

If you get the chance, read the updated version of The Inferno by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. Their portral of a modern Hell run by former government bureaucrats is priceless.