Devout Muslim meets JESUS CHRIST

My Spiritual Experience

by  

Reverend Imambux Bawa

 

An Encounter in the Garden

One day I was strolling in the Victoria Gardens (Ranicha Bagh and now Jijamata Udyan) in Bombay, when I noticed that a large crowd had gathered around an Englishman. My curiosity took me closer and I was infuriated when I found that he had been preaching in Persian. With uncontrolled anger, I abused him to his face, calling him a donkey, idiot, liar, thief and a cheat.

I had expected him to retaliate, in which case the Muslims around there would have beaten him up. But instead he stood there calmly, and quietly said to me, “Had you looked at my white beard and gray hair, you should have realized that I am like a grandfather to you. You could have spoken gentler words, suitable for your age and my stature. However, I tell you from the depths of my heart, that all that you said about me is true! I am indeed a donkey, a fool, a worthless, useless man in the sight of God! In spite of this, God has been merciful to me. The amazing story of God’s mercy is written in the Bible and I have come here to tell every one about it. I appeal to you to read the Bible. Concentrate on God and His message, instead of looking down upon my shortcomings or my mistakes”.

I was completely astounded by his words. He was clearly a highly educated man, fluent in many languages like Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Marathi, Gujarathi and English. He made me feel very insignificant, and I was in no position to argue with him. But then out of sheer defiance I said to him, “You fool, I know all your scriptures from beginning to end!”

To this he only replied politely, “I have been studying these scriptures for 33 years, and yet I am not certain that I have understood everything from beginning to end, may be, because, as you said, I am a donkey. I am happy to hear that a young man like you has understood it all. So I have a question for you: What was it that the Lord Jesus Christ said to the Samaritan woman?” I did not know the answer, so how could I say anything? I was confused and could only manage to say, “I have not read the Old Testament.” But this story is actually in the New Testament. I became very uncomfortable. My friends and other Muslims caused a big stir and the old man was made to keep quiet.

On our way home my friends congratulated and praised me and I felt very elated. I began to imagine that there could be no one as clever as I. I even stood up a learned Christian preacher. This exultant feeling stayed with me for a long time.

9. A Sleepless Night

After supper, even as I lay in bed, I continued to think highly of myself. But besides these delightful feelings, there were other thoughts too. “This learned man spoke to you so politely and calmly, and though you abused him with harsh words, he listened to you and quietly bore it all. Is this not a virtue? Have you thought about that? Is this not a rare human quality? Had he possibly received it from Jesus Christ, whose message he was preaching? After all, what did he say to you? ‘Read the Bible’, that is all. ‘Reject from it whatever is bad.’ But if any of it were good, where would be the harm in accepting it? What was wrong in his discourse? There doesn’t seem to be any harm in reading the Bible to find out what is written in it.”

10. Why I decided to Read the Bible

Such thoughts began to create a turmoil in my mind. At first I just brushed them away, thinking that Satan was putting them into my mind. I decided that I would never read the Christian Bible. Even then those thoughts continued to bother me over and over again. After being restless and uncomfortable for several days, I finally made up my mind that I should read the Bible. I convinced myself that my aim was to turn the tables on the Christians by proving that the Bible was wrong and make them Muslim instead of my becoming a Christian.

11. How I got a Copy of the Bible

Having decided to discredit the Christians, I went to the book store of the Bible Society. As I entered the store, the secretary of the Bible Society came forward and said, “Come in, come in, please tell me how I may help you.” I was very much taken aback by this cordial welcome. I had never received such a respectful invitation in any of the shops in Bombay. I was surprised but very much appreciative of the secretary’s attitude. At a loss for words, I said rather awkwardly, “I want a copy of the Bible.” He immediately pulled out a number of copies of the Bible and placed them on the table. After taking note of their prices, I bought one copy and after paying for it, I started for the exit. The gentleman came to the door to see me off and said, “You will come across many difficulties and have many questions in reading the Bible. I am quite busy and have very little spare time, but do come again. I will do my best to clear your doubts.” I was overwhelmed by these kind words, and did not know quite what to say. I climbed down the stairs, and I felt relieved when I reached the street. I asked myself, “What kind of love is this, how unassuming, and just to benefit a poor soul like me. Would the spread of religion be the only purpose of these people? Where does this love come from? Have they received it from God? Or is it from Jesus Christ, whom they follow?”

At the same time, contrary thoughts came into my mind, “Beware! Satan is pulling you in that direction. Are you drifting towards Christianity just because of this trivial incident? Throw away the book that is in your hand!” I wanted to do that, but somehow my hand would not let go of it. I went home with the Bible.

12. The Sermon on the Mount

I started reading about the life of Christ as written by Mathew. When I reached the fifth chapter, I was astounded when I read the sermon by Jesus Christ. About having a pure mind, reconciliation and loving one another. That even an impure thought about a woman was like committing adultery, that there is no difference in being unnecessarily angry and committing a murder. That it is wrong to take revenge. That you should overcome evil with good deeds, and bless those who curse you. These and similar and awe-inspiring principles were taught by Jesus Christ in the sermon which he gave sitting on the hillside.

Who can find a better sermon and whose heart will not be stirred with deep emotion? The same happened to me – I was overcome with deep emotion. But then a question arose in my mind, ‘Can any one truly follow these teachings?’

‘Be ye therefore perfect even as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ The Father who has given this commandment will help me and lead me to that perfection, was the assurance I received in my heart. For some time after reading the sermon, my thoughts were very subdued. I was being persuaded within to follow these teachings.

Today, I am convinced that I was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

13. Comparing the Scriptures

To keep such thoughts out of my mind, I tried to throw the book that had caused them, out of the window, but it fell inside. Whenever I happened to see it, I would read it for a while, and again throw it aside. After a while, it occurred to me that I should read my Muslim scriptures, and compare the two religions, which I started doing. I had always thought of myself as being a staunch opponent of the Christian religion. However like other devout Muslims, I too had a deep respect for Christ, which meant that I was not against Christ but against the Christian religion because of its attitude towards Mohammed. I really started reading both the scriptures in order to find out the mistakes in the Christian Bible. However, unknowingly, the Holy Spirit was working in me. Though I was not aware of it at that time, today I understand it well.

I would repeatedly caution my friends to keep away from Christians and their missionaries and priests, and I did likewise.

Even then, by divine intervention, I was beginning to see the new way. I was a very staunch enemy of the Christian religion, but by God’s grace my hatred was subsiding.

14. A Unique Experience

Around this time, by divine intervention, I came across a book. All the family members had gone out, and I was alone at home. While reading the book I felt that I saw a light. It could have been real or just my imagination, but at the same time I also felt that some one was asking me, “Will you keep on opposing me in this way?” It is again difficult to tell where these words came from. However, they had a profound effect on me and I exclaimed, “O Lord, from now on I am yours. I will never be against you. From today I have become yours and you are mine.” While saying this I picked up my Bible and kissed it according to the Muslim custom.

15. Jesus Christ: My Constant Companion

Almost 47 years have passed since that event. I cannot say that during this period I have not made any mistakes or not committed any sins, but one thing is sure and certain that the Lord Jesus Christ has helped me all the time. He has not left me even for a moment. In times of sorrow, when in danger, in times of plenty, in times of my downfall and disrepute, while feeling downcast, and in periods of disappointment, He has been with me all the while and has fulfilled the promise, “I will be with you always, till the end of the world”. In spite of my unworthiness, my being good for nothing, a castaway, He has been my constant companion. For this I am forever indebted to Him.

16. Change of Heart: Difficult but not Impossible

I had never thought that my firm belief in the Muslim faith would one day be shaken. The experience of many missionaries working among Muslims all over the world, is that it is very difficult to bring them to accept Christ. Although Islam has a closer relationship with Christianity than all the other religions; it is very difficult to create a sympathetic understanding of the Christian religion in the minds of the Muslims. As a result many missionaries who were keen to evangelize Muslims, had to accept disappointment and turn to people of other faiths. I do not think that this was the right thing to do. This endeavor must go on with absolute trust in God. However difficult a person may be, it is possible for Almighty God to bring about a change in his attitude. Things that are impossible for man are possible for God. We must keep doing our duty. That is all.

By divine grace, my stubborn attitude having changed into humility, I began to grow in theological insight and knowledge. Earlier I had felt that it would be impossible to be attracted to the Divine Truth in Christ, yet God made that possible. But there was a huge barrier to cross and that was to accept Christ and His teachings openly.

I had a great desire to read the Bible with understanding but did not know the correct way of doing so. I was very eager to pray, but did not know how. Since my acquaintance with the Christian religion was very recent how could I have known that one could pray without speaking aloud, or while lying down or while sitting or standing?

When I realized this, my mind would not be satisfied with just a simple prayer. I wanted to express my yearning to God in solitude, with the Bible in my hand. I knew that everyone would be watching me, not only the outsiders but also my relatives and close friends and they would surely chastise me. Naturally I was very discouraged. What I had set out to accomplish, I realized, was beyond my strength. But because His divine grace strengthened me, I found the courage to walk along the path He was guiding me along.

I lived in Bombay at this time. Bombay used to be a very busy city. One day I walked a couple of miles away from the city where it was not too crowded and where I would not be seen by any acquaintances. After choosing a quiet place I brought out the copy of the New Testament, which I had carried hidden in an inner coat pocket, and started to read, and satisfied my intense desire to pray. After spending a satisfying hour and a half, I returned home, with joy. I followed this routine for many days and received much peace of mind. I continued this practice for about two years. I felt that if I remain engaged in this private worship, my friends and acquaintances would not know and hence would not be offended. 

It did not occur to me, at that time, that this was hypocrisy, to be one person outwardly and quite a different person within.

17. Guidance from Missionaries: Friendly and Unfriendly

I continued reading the Bible, but there were many passages that I wanted to be explained and clarified to me. So I began to look for some one who would teach me.

Some foreign missionary ladies from the Zanana Mission used to come to teach the women in our home. I would meet them and get some of my doubts cleared. But since these women belonged to the Zanana Mission, they felt awkward to let a man visit their bungalow so often. Whenever I did visit them they would pray with me and then explain the scriptures. In this way I began to understand the Bible more and more. They would also emphasize that Jesus Christ is the Savior. 

Because of the rules and discipline of the Zanana Mission, the women found it difficult to meet me, so they introduced me to a missionary gentleman. When I went to meet him, he did offer me a chair to sit on, but I had to wait for almost three quarters of an hour because he was busy with other work. The women of the Zanana Mission would pray with me and express keen interest in my religious studies. I failed to see such an attitude in this gentleman. He had informed me that I should meet him at a particular time but he had kept me waiting. I began to feel that he thought of himself as the only busy man and that I had nothing to do. I had come to his house, eager to get spiritual knowledge. I had walked extra miles, avoiding places where acquaintances could have seen me. That is why I sadly wondered about his behavior. Finally he came to me somewhat hastily and asked why I had come and what was it that I wanted. I asked him a few questions regarding religion. He pulled out a few large books and handed them to me and said, “You will find all the answers to your questions in these books.” I stepped out of his house totally humiliated and felt as if some one had slapped me in the face. “How am I going to \ read through these thick volumes? Do I know enough of the English language to understand what is written in these books?” I thought, “This gentleman has come here to show the path of salvation to others, but instead of explaining the gospel of Christ in simple words, he seems to be playing a game with me. What is all this?” My mind was deluged with such thoughts. In spite of this I went to his house a few times, and always by appointment but every time the same thing happened, so I stopped going to his house. All missionaries may not be like this. Later I found that many have a keen desire to awaken and enhance religious feelings in others, and therefore I was glad.

Later I met a Methodist Missionary in church. He invited me to his home and I met him at the appointed time. Since there were many people around in the sitting room, he led me into another quieter room. First he offered a very sincere and earnest prayer, and then he began to answer my questions and very calmly and lovingly removed many of the doubts in my mind. He also gave me some booklets that were small and simple to understand. He asked me to meet him on a particular day of every week. I used to eagerly look forward to that day. Gradually, with his persuasive talk he instilled in my heart a greater love for Christ. To this day I am truly thankful to God for leading me to such a devout man, as also the sisters from the Zanana Mission for their guidance and spiritual direction. My Bible study was continuing, and I was secretly meeting the missionary friends. With the help of these friends God continued to fill my mind with the light of truth and thereby I began to realize how much I was falling short in doing my duty.

18. Continuing Turmoil

With that understanding, a question arose in my mind, “Is it proper to keep my discipleship of Christ a secret?” He had said, “Whosoever does not accept me openly, him will I not accept in the presence of my Heavenly Father. Whosoever loves his father and mother more than me is not worthy to be my disciple.” I became very anxious to know the meaning of these words. Earlier, I have mentioned a secret sect within the Muslim religion. “Will it be acceptable to Lord Jesus Christ, if such a secret sect were formed in the Christian religion?” I asked myself. I wondered whether I could truly call myself a disciple in accordance with his words, “Whosoever loves me, obeys my commandments.” These thoughts weighed on my mind constantly, but I would drive them out. I was not willing to accept any path that would make me leave my dear friends, my beloved mother, and my favorite sisters. The more I tried to push these thoughts away from my mind, the more forcefully they reappeared, and made me more and more restless. 

19. My Mother

At times I felt that I must stop leading this double life. I had no fear of death. I used to think that it would be good if I died or if someone killed me. But then I would think of my mother, and recall how she had brought me up with selfless and whole-hearted love. She was a widow but she inculcated all the longing and thirst for knowledge, in me, which she herself had acquired. She kept her eye out for me under all circumstances. She was love personified. It was my firm resolve never to leave her. 

I do not know how others feel, but one thing is certain that my mother was very dear to me. Her love for me and mine for her was so very deep that I could not bear for a moment the thought of being separated from her. If some one had killed me a thousand times and revived me, and having brought me back to life would kill me again, I would not have objected to it. But it would be extremely painful to be separated from my mother. This was my constant thought. She was a widow. She was very religious.

My mother was a firm believer in the Khoja religion. She often went to our ‘Jamatkhana’ (Community Worship Hall). Like any other Muslim she would regularly say her ‘Namaz’ and pray five times a day. I must mention here that the womenfolk of the Khoja community were allowed to eat in the Jamatkhana. My mother was 75 years old when she passed away. A year and a half before her death she had become extremely weak, she had great difficulty in moving her arms or legs, but even then she said her Namaz five times a day. Such was the religious sincerity of my mother. Whether as a Khoja or as a Christian, I have greatly admired this quality in her.

The sound of her voice is dearer to me than life itself. How good it would have been if I had received a small portion of her piety and religiousness in my present way of life. I thank God, from the depth of my heart for the deep impression she made on me by her virtuous living.

It had been my earnest desire never to be separated from my beloved mother. It was my firm resolve never to part from her, but the words, ‘whosoever will not confess me before the world, whosoever loves his mother and his father more that me, is not useful to me,’ kept haunting me. The words ‘If you love me, obey my commandments,’ would not leave my mind. Thoughts that I am not behaving according to Christ’s teachings, that I do not love Him enough, kept lingering in my mind, and continued to make me very restless. It became a great concern to me, who should I part with, my very own dear mother or my dear Christ. I became very depressed. I realized that it is against the Lord’s commandment to lead a life of double standards.

By my boldly and openly declaring that I am a disciple of Christ, if I would break my mother’s heart, how could I do such a cruel thing? Then again how could I give pain to Christ by my hypocritical behavior? This conflict continued in my heart for a long time. Finally I decided that, if I hurt my mother instead of hurting Christ, I would at least not be committing a sin against Him. 

When my mother was in Poona (now Pune), I finally wrote to her and informed her about my decision, and from that day began my intense agony. The moment she read my letter she was shocked as if struck by lightning. She felt dizzy and she collapsed and suddenly became very ill. My elder brother, who was with her, wrote me a strongly worded letter, saying ‘if you carry out your resolve, it would be as if you killed your mother with your own hands. Mother is very ill and is eager to see you. Come here as soon as you get this letter’.

I immediately went to Poona, and saw for myself the critical condition my mother was in. She was semi-conscious and because of the high fever was saying over and over again ‘my son you have deserted me, you have brought to dust our family’s reputation, brought degradation to us. Oh my son, what have you done? It would have been better if you had driven a knife into my heart. What am I to do now? How can I show my shameful face to anyone? Gone! Gone! Gone! My dearest child has been snatched from me. How can I live without him? Oh death, you have taken thousands of people, why have you spared me to see this tragedy? Oh death, people call you a merciless, terrible tyrant, but you would have done me a favor if you had taken me, before this.’ These and other heart-rending utterances came from the lips of my mother. Even a stonehearted man’s heart would have melted on hearing these sorrowful words. My heart was not made of stone.

I have previously mentioned that I loved my mother from the bottom of my heart. On hearing the words my mother said, I burst into tears. I only saw darkness before me. Because of my love for Christ, I could not deny him. I said to my mother ‘Mother, I am not going to leave you, why should I leave you, I am your son and you are my mother, nothing can change that. Christ is not asking me to leave you or deny you. On the contrary He asks me to love you, to serve you, to devote myself to you as is my duty. That I love Christ is a fact I cannot hide, unless I lie. You yourself taught me that it is a sin to tell a lie. Let me love Christ, do not hinder me, and, please let me stay with you.’ Neither she nor my brother was willing to do this. I felt awful. ‘Deny Christ and live with us as you did previously.’ I was not able to do what they wanted me to do, and they would not agree to my pleadings. It is not as if we quarreled. Mother was lying in bed and she was weeping, I was sitting at her feet, and crying. I was confused. In this situation I prayed, ‘Oh Lord, give me death. Your purpose in my life has been accomplished. What more do I have to offer? Why do you allow my mother to suffer such agony? Each teardrop is like a burning ember, scathing my heart. Oh Lord, I cannot bear to hear her weeping like this.’

‘If I die at this time, my mother’s pain will lessen, and I will have died a disciple of Christ. Lord, allow my spirit to leave this mortal body.’ With these and similar words I continued to pray for a fortnight. But it seemed as if God had hidden his face from me. I felt that it would be better for me to jump into a well and commit suicide, rather than watch my mother’s sorrow. I controlled myself with the thought that if I commit suicide, I will not be able to meet Christ.

20. An Unanswered Prayer

One night when my mother was asleep, I went to the banks of the Mula-Mutha River to pray in solitude. The river was in spate and the water was gushing with great force. There was no one around, and I prayed very earnestly. I felt like jumping into the swollen river, so that if my body were to be found far away, people would not recognize me. While I lacked the nerve to commit suicide, I also had a very intense desire to meet Christ. My prayers did not receive any answer. With great disappointment I returned home.

21. My Mother’s Happiness and my own Sorrow

Seeing my mother’s condition, I lost all courage. I fell at her feet and said, “Mother, I will not become a Christian.” The moment she heard these words she felt relieved and happy. This was what she had wanted. Slowly she recovered and after a few days she allowed me to go to Bombay.

While I had made my mother happy, I was deeply hurt in my own heart, and felt that I had sinned. I became restless and started roaming around like an insane person. It was then that I met a Priest, and I poured out my heart to him.

He was very understanding but he disagreed with what I had done. In a resigned manner I said, “What was to happen has happened. Now what should I do?” He read out to me from the Bible, the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago, and prayed very sincerely and earnestly. In a voice choked with emotion, I asked him again, “What should I do?” He answered me in English, “Undo what you have done, write a letter to your mother and let her know that what you did was wrong.” And that is what I did.

22. A Threat to my Life

My mother and brother rushed to Bombay. There was great commotion all around. Some people plotted to kill me. Once as I was walking on the street, a man accosted me and asked, “I hear that you are going to become a Christian, is it true?” With courage I replied, “It is true.” He then said, “I have been paid and sent to kill you. You do not know what a cruel and merciless man I am. I have come now with this purpose, but my heart does not allow me to take your life. You better stay away from lanes and bylanes, otherwise you will surely be beaten up.”

23. My Baptism

An American missionary informed me that our Khoja community was greatly disturbed on hearing that I was about to become a Christian. To prevent the situation from aggravating further, he sent me to Ahmednagar. There, on Sunday, 16 November 1879, at the age of 19, I was baptized by Rev. S. B. Fairbanks in the American Mission Church.

24. Lingering Questions

Even after my baptism, questions continued to bother me. “What had I really gained? Had I just moved from one religious order into another? Having abandoned the belief that Prophet Mohammed was God’s Messenger, I had accepted that Christ is the Savior, was that all?”

I had once heard a preacher say that the Christian religion is not of the head but of the heart. That had made me feel that my heart should be completely filled with love. I must experience God’s love and I must be able to behold Him personally. This longing grew into a passion.

I had heard another missionary preach in his sermon, “I have really experienced the closeness of the Lord. I am able to see His love when I look at the earth, the sky and the stars, the sun and the moon, the trees, the seas and the rivers”. I prayed that this love should grow in my heart too, and by God’s grace it did.

25. Overcoming the Grief of Separation

I could not get over the disappointment and sorrow caused by the separation from my mother, on the contrary they grew. In this extremely restless condition, I went down on my knees and prayed, “Oh God, have I been sailing through this ocean of sorrow, just for a change of religion? Have I moved heaven and earth only to be called a Christian instead of a Muslim? Or, by sacrifying my all, would I really see the face of God, as that Christian man had experienced? I do not ask for a hundred-fold, sixty-fold or thirty-fold gain in my property, or money or recognition, in return for what I have given up. I only seek to behold You. That is my only desire and craving.” I prayed in this manner for a long time, but I did not receive an answer. I was expecting a miracle to happen through my strong emotional desire. But that was wrong on my part.

There was yet another time when I knelt and prayed earnestly and persistently, “Oh God, I will remain on my knees till you let me have this experience. I will not get up till you bless me.” However, God in His grace did not grant my stubborn demand. Finally, having lost all hope, I got up and cried bitterly. 

26. At Last: Experiencing the Love of God

But the Lord had not abandoned me. Within a few days, I actually had the experience that I had been longing for, something impossible to put into words.

Taste and see that the Lord is good.’ How can I describe it to anyone who has not experienced it himself? Instead of darkness I began to see light everywhere. By divine grace, I experienced the love of God that cannot be expressed in words. My heart was dancing with ecstasy. I began to feel that my soul was imprisoned within my mortal body. I saw so much love on the Lord’s face and all around me, that my heart went out in love towards everyone. 

With every breath I felt inspired to pray for the salvation of all mankind. I began to feel sorry for those who disregard this experience and hence lose a great blessing. My heart urged me to even give up my life, like the Lord did, to bring sinners to the righteous path and to devote all my energy, knowledge and life for serving the Lord.

By accepting Christ the Lord, I have received peace beyond understanding and my journey in this world has been filled with delight.

May all my countrymen experience and receive this divine favor.

JESUS CHRIST is the Way, the Truth, and the Life Eternal.  No man may come to HIM and remain as he was. If a man surrenders tot he truth of JESUS CHRIST then he will be Born Again and become a New man.  

To be Born Again is to be filled with the Divine HOLY SPIRIT of Almighty GOD. When this amazing miracle occurs it will give you new eyes, new ears, and a new mind which with to understand all truth. 

GLORY to JESUS CHRIST!

Russian Atheist saved from eternal HELL Fire

This video testimony is given by an average Russian man who did not believe in GOD, or life after death.   Feburary 1986 in Bucharest Romania Gigi Vruta was dying.  His family called an ambulance and he was rushed to the hospital. Once there he died.  As the heart monitor flatlined Gigi slipped out of his body.  HE did not simply no longer exist, in fact he was now more alive then before.  The video finishes the rest of the story...

Gigi's story ends with the Divine Grace of Salvation, which can only be given by JESUS CHRIST.  The Divine SON of Almighty GOD who was born in the flesh, died on the cross, and was ressurected again on the 3rd day by the HOLY SPIRIT. Where HE now waits at the right hand of the FATHER in Heaven till the day of Judgement.


Glory to JESUS CHRIST

ST. JOHN BOSCO the Road to Hell

 

 The Holy Saint John Bosco had a Prophetic Vision of Hell in 1868 A.D., (*which is recorded in its entirety below.)  

Many of the dreams of St. John Bosco could more properly be called visions, for God used this means to reveal His will for the Saint and for the boys of the Oratory, as well as the future of the Salesian Congregation. Not only did his dreams lead and direct the Saint, they also gave him wisdom and guidance by which he was able to help and guide others upon their ways. He was just nine years of age when he had his first dream that laid out his life mission. It was this dream that impressed Pope Pius IX so much that he ordered St. John Bosco to write down his dreams for the encouragement of his Congregation and the rest of us. Through dreams God allowed him to know the future of each of the boys of his Oratory. 

Through dreams God let him know the boys' state of their souls. On February 1, 1865 St. John Bosco announced that one of the boys will die soon. He knew the boy through the dream the night before. On March 16, 1865, Anthony Ferraris passed away after receiving the Last Sacraments. John Bisio, who helped Anthony and his mother during the former's last hour, confirmed the story of his part in this episode by a formal oath, concluding as foIlows: "Don Bosco told us many other dreams concerning Oratory boys' deaths. We believed them to be true prophecies. We still do, because unfailingly they came true. During the seven years I lived at the Oratory, not a boy died without Don Bosco predicting his death. We were also convinced that whoever died there under his care and assistance surely went to heaven."

*The Road to Hell

(Prophetic Dream of St. John Bosco 1868 A.D.)

On Sunday night, May 3 [1868], the feast of Saint Joseph's patronage, Don Bosco resumed the narration of his dreams:

I have another dream to tell you, a sort of aftermath of those I told you last Thursday and Friday which totally exhausted me. Call them dreams or whatever you like. Always, as you know, on the night of April 17 a frightful toad seemed bent on devouring me. When it finally vanished, a voice said to me: "Why don't you tell them?" I turned in that direction and saw a distinguished person standing by my bed. Feeling guilty about my silence, I asked: "What should I tell my boys?"

"What you have seen and heard in your last dreams and what you have wanted to know and shall have revealed to you tomorrow night!" He then vanished.

I spent the whole next day worrying about the miserable night in store for me, and when evening came, loath to go to bed, I sat at my desk browsing through books until midnight. The mere thought of having more nightmares thoroughly scare me. However, with great effort, I finally went to bed.

"Get up and follow me!" he said.

"For Heaven's sake," I protested, "leave me alone. I am exhausted! I've been tormented by a toothache for several days now and need rest. Besides, nightmares have completely worn me out." I said this because this man's apparition always means trouble, fatigue, and terror for me.

"Get up," he repeated. "You have no time to lose."

I complied and followed him. "Where are you taking me?" I asked.

"Never mind. You'll see." He led me to a vast, boundless plain, veritably a lifeless desert, with not a soul in sight or a tree or brook. Yellowed, dried-up vegetation added to the desolation I had no idea where I was or what was I to do. For a moment I even lost sight of my guide and feared that I was lost, utterly alone. Father Rua, Father Francesia, nowhere to be seen. When I finally saw my friend coming toward me, I sighed in relief.

"Where am I?" I asked.

"Come with me and you will find out!"

"All right. I'll go with you."

He led the way and I followed in silence, but after a long, dismal trudge, I began worrying whether I would ever be able to cross that vast expanse, what with my toothache and swollen legs. Suddenly I saw a road ahead.

"Where to now?" I asked my guide.

"This way," he replied.

We took the road. It was beautiful, wide, and neatly paved. "The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains. " (Ecclesiasticus 21: 11, stones: broad and easy.) Both sides were lined with magnificent verdant hedges dotted with gorgeous flowers. Roses, especially, peeped everywhere through the leaves. At first glance, the road was level and comfortable, and so I ventured upon it without the least suspicion, but soon I noticed that it insensibly kept sloping downward. Though it did not look steep at all, I found myself moving so swiftly that I felt I was effortlessly gliding through the air. Really, I was gliding and hardly using my feet. Then the thought struck me that the return trip would be very long and arduous.

"How shall we get back to the Oratory?" I asked worriedly.

"Do not worry," he answered. "The Almighty wants you to go. He who leads you on will also know how to lead you back."

The road is sloping downward. As we were continuing on our way, flanked by banks of roses and other flowers, I became aware that the Oratory boys and very many others whom I did not know were following me. Somehow I found myself in their midst. As I was looking at them, I noticed now one, now another fall to the ground and instantly be dragged by an unseen force toward a frightful drop, distantly visible, which sloped into a furnace. "What makes these boys fall?" I asked my companion. "The proud have hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumbling-block by the wayside." (Psalms 139: 6)

"Take a closer look," he replied.

I did. Traps were everywhere, some close to the ground, others at eye level, but all well concealed. Unaware of their danger, many boys got caught, and they tripped, they would sprawl to the ground, legs in the air. Then, when they managed to get back on their feet, they would run headlong down the road toward the abyss. Some got trapped by the head, others by the neck, hand, arms, legs, or sides, and were pulled down instantly. The ground traps, fine as spiders' webs and hardly visible, seemed very flimsy and harmless; yet, to my surprise, every boy they snared fell to the ground.

Noticing my astonishment, the guide remarked, "Do you know what this is?"

"Just some filmy fiber," I answered.

"A mere nothing," he said, "just plain human respect.",

Seeing that many boys were being caught in those straps. I asked, "Why do so many get caught? Who pulls them down?"

"Go nearer and you will see!" he told me.

I followed his advice but saw nothing peculiar.

"Look closer," he insisted.

I picked up one of the traps and tugged. I immediately felt some resistance. I pulled harder, only to feel that, instead of drawing the thread closer, I was being pulled down myself. I did not resist and soon found myself at the mouth of a frightful cave. I halted, unwilling to venture into that deep cavern, and again started pulling the thread toward me. It gave a little, but only through great effort on my part. I kept tugging, and after a long while a huge, hideous monster emerged, clutching a rope to which all those traps were tied together. He was the one who instantly dragged down anyone who got caught in them. It won't do to match my strength with his, I said to myself. I'll certainly lose. I'd better fight him with the Sign of the Cross and with short invocations.

Then I went back to my guide. "Now you know who he is," he said to me.

"I surely do! It is the devil himself!"

Carefully examining many of the traps, I saw that each bore an inscription: Pride, Disobedience, Envy, Sixth Commandment, Theft, Gluttony, Sloth, Anger and so on. Stepping back a bit to see which ones trapped the greater number of boys, I discovered that the most dangerous were those of impurity, disobedience, and pride. In fact, these three were linked to together. Many other traps also did great harm, but not as much as the first two. Still watching, I noticed many boys running faster than others. "Why such haste?" I asked.

"Because they are dragged by the snare of human respect."

Looking even more closely, I spotted knives among the traps. A providential hand had put them there for cutting oneself free. The bigger ones, symbolizing meditation, were for use against the trap of pride; others, not quite as big, symbolized spiritual reading well made. There were also two swords representing devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, especially through frequent Holy Communion, and to the Blessed Virgin. There was also a hammer symbolizing confession, and other knives signifying devotion to Saint Joseph, to Saint Aloysius, and to other Saints. By these means quite a few boys were able to free themselves or evade capture.

Indeed I saw some lads walking safely through all those traps, either by good timing before the trap sprung on them or by making it slip off them if they got caught.

When my guide was satisfied that I had observed everything, he made me continue along that rose-hedged road, but the farther we went the scarcer the roses became. Long thorns began to show up, and soon the roses were no more. The hedges became sun-scorched, leafless, and thorn-studded. Withered branches torn from the bushes lay criss-crossed along the roadbed, littering it with thorns and making it impassable. We had come now to a gulch whose steep sides hid what lay beyond. The road, still sloping downward, was becoming ever more horrid, rutted, guttered, and bristling with rocks and boulders. I lost track of all my boys, most of whom had left this treacherous road for other paths.

I kept going, but the farther I advanced, the more arduous and steep became the descent, so that I tumbled and fell several times, lying prostrate until I could catch my breath. Now and then my guide supported me or helped me to rise. At every step my joints seemed to give way, and I thought my shinbones would snap. Panting, I said to my guide, "My good fellow, my legs won't carry me another step. I just can't go any farther." He did not answer but continued walking. Taking heart, I followed until, seeing me soaked in perspiration and thoroughly exhausted, he led me to a little clearing alongside the road. I sat down, took a deep breath, and felt a little better. From my resting place, the road I had already traveled looked very steep, jagged, and strewn with loose stones, but what lay ahead seemed so much worse that I closed my eyes in horror.

"Let's go back," I pleaded. "If we go any farther, how shall we ever get back to the Oratory? I will never make it up this slope."

"Now that we have come so far, do you want me to leave you here?" my guide sternly asked.

At this threat, I wailed, "How can I survive without your help?"

"Then follow me."

We continued our descent, the road now becoming so frightfully steep that it was almost impossible to stand erect. And then, at the bottom of this precipice, at the entrance of a dark valley, an enormous building loomed into sight, its towering portal, tightly locked, facing our road. When I finally got to the bottom, I became smothered by a suffocating heat, while a greasy, green-tinted smoke lit by flashes of scarlet flames rose from behind those enormous walls which loomed higher than mountains.

"Where are we? What is this?" I asked my guide.

"Read the inscription on that portal and you will know."

I looked up and read these words: "The place of no reprieve." I realized that we were at the gates of Hell. The guide led me all around this horrible place. At regular distance bronze portals like the first overlooked precipitous descents; on each was an inscription, such as: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew 25: 41) "Every tree that yielded not good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the the fire." (Matthew 7: 19)

I tried to copy them into my notebook, but my guide restrained me: "There is no need. You have them all in Holy Scripture. You even have some of them inscribed in your porticoes."

At such a sight I wanted to turn back and return to the Oratory. As a matter of fact, I did start back, but my guide ignored my attempt. After trudging through a steep, never-ending ravine, we again came to the foot of the precipice facing the first portal. Suddenly the guide turned to me. Upset and startled, he motioned to me to step aside. "Look!" he said.

I looked up in terror and saw in the distance someone racing down the path at an uncontrollable speed. I kept my eyes on him, trying to identify him, and as he got closer, I recognized him as one of my boys. His disheveled hair was partly standing upright on his head and partly tossed back by the wind. His arms were outstretched as though he were thrashing the water in an attempt to stay afloat. He wanted to stop, but could not. Tripping on the protruding stones, he kept falling even faster. "Let's help him, let's stop him," I shouted, holding out my hands in a vain effort to restrain him.

"Leave him alone," the guide replied.

"Why?"

"Don't you know how terrible God's vengeance is? Do you think you can restrain one who is fleeing from His just wrath?"

Meanwhile the youth had turned his fiery gaze backward in an attempt to see if God's wrath were still pursuing him. The next moment he fell tumbling to the bottom of the ravine and crashed against the bronze portal as though he could find no better refuge in his flight.

"Why was he looking backward in terror?" I asked.

"Because God's wrath will pierce Hell's gates to reach and torment him even in the midst of fire!"

As the boy crashed into the portal, it sprang open with a roar, and instantly a thousand inner portals opened with a deafening clamor as if struck by a body that had been propelled by an invisible, most violent, irresistible gale. As these bronze doors -- one behind the other, though at a considerable distance from each other -- remained momentarily open, I saw far into the distance something like furnace jaws sprouting fiery balls the moment the youth hurtled into it. As swiftly as they had opened, the portals then clanged shut again. For a third time I tried to jot down the name of that unfortunate lad, but the guide again restrained me. "Wait," he ordered.

"Watch!"

Three other boys of ours, screaming in terror and with arms outstretched, were rolling down one behind the other like massive rocks, I recognized them as they too crashed against the portal. In that split second, it sprang open and so did the other thousand. The three lads were sucked into that endless corridor amid a long-drawn, fading, infernal echo, and then the portals clanged shut again. At intervals, many other lads came tumbling down after them. I saw one unlucky boy being pushed down the slope by an evil companion. Others fell singly or with others, arm in arm or side by side. Each of them bore the name of his sin on his forehead. I kept calling to them as they hurtled down, but they did not hear me. Again the portals would open thunderously and slam shut with a rumble. Then, dead silence!

"Bad companions, bad books, and bad habits," my guide exclaimed, "are mainly responsible for so many eternally lost."

The traps I had seen earlier were indeed dragging the boys to ruin. Seeing so many going to perdition, I cried out disconsolately, "If so many of our boys end up this way, we are working in vain. How can we prevent such tragedies?"

"This is their present state," my guide replied, "and that is where they would go if they were to die now."

"Then let me jot down their names so that I may warn them and put them back on the path to Heaven."

"Do you really believe that some of them would reform if you were to warn them? Then and there your warning might impress them, but soon they will forget it, saying, 'It was just a dream,' and they will do worse than before. Others, realizing they have been unmasked, receive the sacraments, but this will be neither spontaneous nor meritorious; others will go to confession because of a momentary fear of Hell but will still be attached to sin."

"Then is there no way to save these unfortunate lads? Please, tell me what I can do for them."

"They have superiors; let them obey them. They have rules; let them observe them. They have the sacraments; let them receive them."

Just then a new group of boys came hurtling down and the portals momentarily opened. "Let's go in," the guide said to me.

I pulled back in horror. I could not wait to rush back to the Oratory to warn the boys lest others might be lost as well.

"Come," my guide insisted. "You'll learn much. But first tell me: Do you wish to go alone or with me?" He asked this to make me realize that I was not brave enough and therefore needed his friendly assistance.

"Alone inside that horrible place?" I replied. "How will I ever be able to find my way out without your help?" Then a thought came to my mind and aroused my courage. Before one is condemned to Hell, I said to myself, he must be judged. And I haven't been judged yet!

"Let's go," I exclaimed resolutely. We entered that narrow, horrible corridor and whizzed through it with lightning speed. Threatening inscriptions shone eerily over all the inner gateways. The last one opened into a vast, grim courtyard with a large, unbelievably forbidding entrance at the far end. Above it stood this inscription:

"These shall go into everlasting punishment." (Matthew 25: 46) The walls all about were similarly inscribed. I asked my guide if I could read them, and he consented. These were the inscriptions:

"He will give fire, and worms into their flesh, and they may burn and may feel forever." (Judith 16: 21)

"The pool of fire where both the beast and the false prophet shall be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Apocalypse 20: 9-10)

"And the smoke of their torments shall ascend up forever and ever." (Apocalypse 14: 11)

"A land of misery and darkness, where the shadow of death, and no order, but everlasting horror dwells." (Job 10: 22)

"There is no peace to the wicked." (Isaiah 47: 22)

"There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 8:12)

While I moved from one inscription to another, my guide, who had stood in the center of the courtyard, came up to me.

"From here on," he said, "no one may have a helpful companion, a comforting friend, a loving heart, a compassionate glance, or a benevolent word. All this is gone forever. Do you just want to see or would you rather experience these things yourself?"

"I only want to see!" I answered.

"Then come with me," my friend added, and, taking me in tow, he stepped through that gate into a corridor at whose far end stood an observation platform, closed by a huge, single crystal pane reaching from the pavement to the ceiling. As soon as I crossed its threshold, I felt an indescribable terror and dared not take another step. Ahead of me I could see something like an immense cave which gradually disappeared into recesses sunk far into the bowels of the mountains. They were all ablaze, but theirs was not an earthly fire with leaping tongues of flames. The entire cave --walls, ceiling, floor, iron, stones, wood, and coal -- everything was a glowing white at temperatures of thousands of degrees. Yet the fire did not incinerate, did not consume. I simply can't find words to describe the cavern's horror. "The nourishment thereof is fire and much wood: the breath of the Lord as a torrent of brimstone kindling it." (Isaiah 30: 33)

I was staring in bewilderment about me when a lad dashed out of a gate. Seemingly unaware of anything else, he emitted a most shrilling scream, like one who is about to fall into a cauldron of liquid bronze, and plummeted into the center of the cave. Instantly he too became incandescent and perfectly motionless, while the echo of his dying wail lingered for an instant more.

Terribly frightened, I stared briefly at him for a while. He seemed to be one of my Oratory boys. "Isn't he so and so?" I asked my guide.

"Yes," was the answer.

"Why is he so still, so incandescent?"

"You chose to see," he replied. "Be satisfied with that. Just keep looking. Besides, "Everyone shall be salted with fire." (Mark 9: 48)

As I looked again, another boy came hurtling down into the cave at breakneck speed. He too was from the Oratory. As he fell, so he remained. He too emitted one single heart-rending shriek that blended with the last echo of the scream that came from the youth who had preceded him. Other boys kept hurtling in the same way in increasing numbers, all screaming the same way and then all becoming equally motionless and incandescent. I noticed that the first seemed frozen to the spot, one hand and one foot raised into the air; the second boy seemed bent almost double to the floor. Others stood or hung in various other positions, balancing themselves on one foot or hand, sitting or lying on their backs or on their sides, standing or kneeling, hands clutching their hair. Briefly, the scene resembled a large statuary group of youngsters cast into ever more painful postures. Other lads hurtled into that same furnace. Some I knew; others were strangers to me. I then recalled what is written in the Bible to the effect that as one falls into Hell, so he shall forever remain. ". . . in what place soever it shall fall, there shall it be." (Ecclesiastes 11:3)

More frightened than ever, I asked my guide, "When these boys come dashing into this cave, don't they know where they are going?"

"They surely do. They have been warned a thousand times, but they still choose to rush into the fire because they do not detest sin and are loath to forsake it. Furthermore, they despise and reject God's incessant, merciful invitations to do penance. Thus provoked, Divine Justice harries them, hounds them, and goads them on so that they cannot halt until they reach this place."

"Oh, how miserable these unfortunate boys must feel in knowing they no longer have any hope," I exclaimed. "If you really want to know their innermost frenzy and fury, go a little closer," my guide remarked.

I took a few steps forward and saw that many of those poor wretches were savagely striking at each other like mad dogs. Others were clawing their own faces and hands, tearing their own flesh and spitefully throwing it about. Just then the entire ceiling of the cave became as transparent as crystal and revealed a patch of Heaven and their radiant companions safe for all eternity.

The poor wretches, fuming and panting with envy, burned with rage because they had once ridiculed the just. "The wicked shall see, and be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth, and pine away. . . " (Psalms 111: 10) "Why do hear no sound?" I asked my guide,

"Go closer!" he advised.

Pressing my ear to the crystal window, I heard screams and sobs, blasphemies and imprecations against the Saints. It was a tumult of voices and cries, shrill and confused.

"When they recall the happy lot of their good companions," he replied, "they are obliged to admit: "We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honour. Behold, how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints. Therefore we have erred from the way of truth, and the light of justice hath not shined unto us, and the sun of understanding hath not risen upon us." (Wisdom 5:4-6) "We wearied ourselves in the way of iniquity and destruction, and have walked through hard ways, but the way of the Lord we have not known. What hath pride profited us ? or what advantage hath the boasting of riches brought us ? All those things are passed away like a shadow." (Wisdom 5: 7-9)

"Here time is no more. Here is only eternity."

While I viewed the condition of many of my boys in utter terror, a thought suddenly struck me. "How can these boys be damned?" I asked. "Last night they were still alive at the Oratory!"

"The boys you see here," he answered, "are all dead to God's grace. Were they to die now or persist in their evil ways, they would be damned. But we are wasting time. Let us go on."

He led me away and we went down through a corridor into a lower cavern, at whose entrance I read: "Their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched." (Isaiah 66: 24) "He will give fire, and worms into their flesh, and they may burn and may feel forever." (Judith 16: 21)

Here one could see how atrocious was the remorse of those who had been pupils in our schools. What a torment was their, to remember each unforgiven sin and its just punishment, the countless, even extraordinary means they had had to mend their ways, persevere in virtue, and earn paradise, and their lack of response to the many favors promised and bestowed by the Virgin Mary. What a torture to think that they could have been saved so easily, yet now are irredeemably lost, and to remember the many good resolutions made and never kept. Hell is indeed paved with good intentions!

In this lower cavern I again saw those Oratory boys who had fallen into the fiery furnace. Some are listening to me right now; others are former pupils or even strangers to me. I drew closer to them and noticed that they were all covered with worms and vermin which gnawed at their vitals, hearts, eyes, hands, legs, and entire bodies so ferociously as to defy description. Helpless and motionless, they were a prey to every kind of torment. Hoping I might be able to speak with them or to hear something from them, I drew even closer but no one spoke or even looked at me. I then asked my guide why, and he explained that the damned are totally deprived of freedom. Each must fully endure his own punishment, with absolutely no reprieve whatever. "And now," he added, "you too must enter that cavern."

"Oh, no!" I objected in terror. "Before going to Hell, one has to be judged. I have not been judged yet, and so I will not go to Hell!"

"Listen," he said, "what would you rather do: visit Hell and save your boys, or stay outside and leave them in agony?"

For a moment I was struck speechless. "Of course I love my boys and wish to save them all," I replied, "but isn't there some other way out?"

"Yes, there is a way," he went on, "provided you do all you can."

I breathed more easily and instantly said to myself, I don't mind slaving if I can rescue these beloved sons of mine from such torments.

"Come inside then," my friend went on, "and see how our good, almighty God lovingly provides a thousand means for guiding your boys to penance and saving them from everlasting death."

Taking my hand, he led me into the cave. As I stepped in, I found myself suddenly transported into a magnificent hall whose curtained glass doors concealed more entrances.

Above one of them I read this inscription: The Sixth Commandment. Pointing to it, my guide exclaimed, "Transgressions of this commandment caused the eternal ruin of many boys."

"Didn't they go to confession?"

"They did, but they either omitted or insufficiently confessed the sins against the beautiful virtue of purity, saying for instance that they had committed such sins two or three times when it was four or five. Other boys may have fallen into that sin but once in their childhood, and, through shame, never confessed it or did so insufficiently. Others were not truly sorry or sincere in their resolve to avoid it in the future. There were even some who, rather than examine their conscience, spent their time trying to figure out how best to deceive their confessor. Anyone dying in this frame of mind chooses to be among the damned, and so he is doomed for all eternity. Only those who die truly repentant shall be eternally happy. Now do you want to see why our merciful God brought you here?" He lifted the curtain and I saw a group of Oratory boys -- all known to me -- who were there because of this sin. Among them were some whose conduct seems to be good.

"Now you will surely let me take down their names so that I may warn them individually," I exclaimed. "Then what do you suggest I tell them?"

"Always preach against immodesty. A generic warning will suffice. Bear in mind that even if you did admonish them individually, they would promise, but not always in earnest. For a firm resolution, one needs God's grace which will not be denied to your boys if they pray. God manifests His power especially by being merciful and forgiving. On your part, pray and make sacrifices. As for the boys, let them listen to your admonitions and consult their conscience. It will tell them what to do."

We spent the next half hour discussing the requisites of a good confession. Afterward, my guide several times exclaimed in a loud voice, "Avertere! Avertere!"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Change life! "

Perplexed, I bowed my head and made as if to withdraw, but he held me back.

"You haven't seen everything yet," he explained.

He turned and lifted another curtain bearing this inscription: "They who would become rich, fall into temptation, and to the snare of the devil." (1 Timothy 6: 9) (Note: would become rich: wish to become rich, seek riches, set their heart and affections toward riches.)

"This does not apply to my boys! I countered, "because they are as poor as I am. We are not rich and do not want to be. We give it no thought."

As the curtain was lifted, however, I saw a group of boys, all known to me. They were in pain, like those I had seen before. Pointing to them, my guide remarked, "As you see, the inscription does apply to your boys."

"But how?" I asked.

"Well," he said, "some boys are so attached to material possessions that their love of God is lessened. Thus they sin against charity, piety, and meekness. Even the mere desire of riches can corrupt the heart, especially if such a desire leads to injustice. Your boys are poor, but remember that greed and idleness are bad counselors. One of your boys committed substantial thefts in his native town, and though he could make restitution, he gives it not a thought. There are others who try to break into the pantry or the prefect's or economer's office; those who rummage in their companions' trunks for food, money, or possessions; those who steal stationery and books...."

After naming these boys and others as well, he continued, "Some are here for having stolen clothes, linen, blankets, and coats from the Oratory wardrobe in order to send them home to their families; others for willful, serious damage; others, yet, for not having given back what they had borrowed or for having kept sums of money they were supposed to hand over to the superior. Now that you know who these boys are," he concluded, "admonish them. Tell them to curb all vain, harmful desires, to obey God's law and to safeguard their reputation jealously lest greed lead them to greater excesses and plunge them into sorrow, death, and damnation."

I couldn't understand why such dreadful punishments should be meted out for infractions that boys thought so little of, but my guide shook me out of my thoughts by saying: "Recall what you were told when you saw those spoiled grapes on the wine." With these words he lifted another curtain which hid many of our Oratory boys, all of whom I recognized instantly. The inscription on the curtain read: The root of all evils.

"Do you know what that means?" he asked me immediately.

"What sin does that refer to?"

"Pride?"

"No!"

"And yet I have always heard that pride is the root of all evil."

"It is, generally speaking, but, specifically, do you know what led Adam and Eve to commit the first sin for which they were driven away from their earthly paradise?"

"Disobedience?"

"Exactly! Disobedience is the root of all evil."

"What shall I tell my boys about it?"

"Listen carefully: the boys you see here are those who prepare such a tragic end for themselves by being disobedient. So-and-so and so-and-so, who you think went to bed, leave the dormitory later in the night to roam about the playground, and, contrary to orders, they stray into dangerous areas and up scaffolds, endangering even their lives. Others go to church, but, ignoring recommendations, they misbehave; instead of praying, they daydream or cause a disturbance. There are also those who make themselves comfortable so as to doze off during church services, and those who only make believe they are going to church. Woe to those who neglect prayer! He who does not pray dooms himself to perdition. Some are here because, instead of singing hymns or saying the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin, they read frivolous or -- worse yet -- forbidden books." He then went on mentioning other serious breaches of discipline.

When he was done, I was deeply moved.

"May I mention all these things to my boys?" I asked, looking at him straight in the eye.

"Yes, you may tell them whatever you remember."

"What advice shall I give them to safeguard them from such a tragedy?"

"Keep telling them that by obeying God, the Church, their parents, and their superiors, even in little things, they will be saved."

"Anything else?"

"Warn them against idleness. Because of idleness David fell into sin. Tell them to keep busy at all times, because the devil will not then have a chance to tempt them."

I bowed my head and promised. Faint with dismay, I could only mutter, "Thanks for having been so good to me. Now, please lead me out of here."

"All right, then, come with me." Encouragingly he took my hand and held me up because I could hardly stand on my feet. Leaving that hall, in no time at all we retraced our steps through that horrible courtyard and the long corridor. But as soon as we stepped across the last bronze portal, he turned to me and said, "Now that you have seen what others suffer, you too must experience a touch of Hell."

"No, no!" I cried in terror.

He insisted, but I kept refusing.

"Do not be afraid," he told me; "just try it. Touch this wall."

I could not muster enough courage and tried to get away, but he held me back. "Try it," he insisted. Gripping my arm firmly, he pulled me to the wall. "Only one touch," he cornmanded, "so that you may say you have both seen and touched the walls of eternal suffering and that you may understand what the last wall must be like if the first is so unendurable. Look at this wall!" I did intently. It seemed incredibly thick. "There are a thousand walls between this and the real fire of Hell," my guide continued. "A thousand walls encompass it, each a thousand measures thick and equally distant from the next one. Each measure is a thousand miles. This wall therefore is millions and millions of miles from Hell's real fire. It is just a remote rim of Hell itself."

When he said this, I instinctively pulled back, but he seized my hand, forced it open, and pressed it against the first of the thousand walls. The sensation was so utterly excruciating that I leaped back with a scream and found myself sitting up in bed. My hand was stinging and I kept rubbing it to ease the pain. When I got up this morning I noticed that it was swollen. Having my hand pressed against the wall, though only in a dream, felt so real that, later, the skin of my palm peeled off.

Bear in mind that I have tried not to frighten you very much, and so I have not described these things in all their horror as I saw them and as they impressed me. We know that Our Lord always portrayed Hell in symbols because, had He described it as it really is, we would not have understood Him. No mortal can comprehend these things. The Lord knows them and He reveals them to whomever He wills. [END]
 
There is a GOD in Heaven who so loved the World that HE sent HIS only begotten SON JESUS CHRIST to die and pay the price for all the sins every committed by mankind.  

So that YOU could be Saved!