Salvation of souls

Attaining Salvation

Chapter 1: The Thought of Eternity
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“What is eternity? A day that has no end. A thousand years of glory are less than a day in eternity.”

St. Alphonsus begins by urging every soul to frequently meditate on the eternity that awaits us: either eternal happiness or eternal woe.

“My brother, if you lose your soul, you lose everything. And this loss will be forever.”

Scripture:
– Matthew 25:46 – “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
– Isaiah 33:14 – “Which of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Which of us can dwell with everlasting flames?”

St. Augustine:
“Let us so live as strangers and pilgrims on earth, that we may deserve to be inhabitants of Heaven.”

Prayer:
Jesus, give me a soul that trembles at the thought of losing You.
O Mary, Refuge of Sinners, awaken my heart to the things of eternity.
Let my only pursuit be union with Your Son. Amen.

Chapter 2: Death – The Gate to Eternity
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“It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment.” — Hebrews 9:27

St. Alphonsus teaches: “Death is the most important moment in our life—for in that instant, our eternity is decided.”

“All will come to that final hour: kings and beggars, saints and sinners. But how few prepare for it!”

He warns: “The greatest punishment for the damned is not their pain—but the knowledge that there is no longer time.”

St. Basil:
“We are all passengers in this world; the end is the grave. But from the grave rises either light eternal or night without end.”

Prayer:
O Jesus, the hour of death approaches… and I am still so lukewarm.
I do not want to meet You as Judge, but as Savior.
Mary, my Mother, pray for me now and at the hour of my death.
St. Joseph, patron of the dying, do not leave my side.
Amen.

Chapter 3: Judgment – The Sentence of Eternal Justice
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“We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due…” — 2 Corinthians 5:10

St. Alphonsus teaches: “The very moment the soul leaves the body, it stands alone before God… and is judged.”

“There is no delay, no further pleading: what we have done is revealed, what we have loved is exposed, what we have become is declared.”

St. Teresa of Ávila:
“Every soul must pass through the terrible tribunal. But how sweet it is to appear clothed in Christ’s mercy.”

Prayer:
O Jesus, Judge me now in Your mercy, that I may not be judged in Your wrath.
Teach me to confess all my sins honestly, to do penance, and to flee from everything that offends You.
Mary, Queen of the Final Judgment, stand by me now and at that hour.
Amen.