On the Pains of

On the Pains of Hell

by Saint Alphonsus Liguori

I shall First speak-of the Fire, which is the Principal Pain that Torments the Senses of the Damned, and Afterwards of the other Pains of Hell.

Behold! the Final Doom of Sinners who Abuse the Divine Mercy, is to Burn in the Fire of Hell. God Threatens Hell, not to send us there, but to Deliver us from that Place of Torments. "Minatur Deus gehennam", says Saint Chrysostom, "ut a gehenna liberet, et ut firmi ac stabiles evitemus minas" - from Homily. Remember then, Brethren, that God gives you Today, the opportunity-of Hearing this Sermon, that you may be Preserved-from Hell, and that you may give-up Sin, which alone, can Lead you to Hell.

My Brethren, it is 'Certain', and of Faith, that there is a Hell. After Judgment, the Just shall Enjoy the Eternal (∞) Glory of Paradise, and Sinners shall be Condemned to Suffer the Everlasting (∞) Chastisement, Reserved-for them in Hell. "And these shall go into Everlasting Punishment: but the Just, into Life Everlasting" - Matthew 25:46. Let us Examine, in what Hell Consists. It is what the Rich Glutton (Dives) called - a Place of Torments. "In hunc locum tormentorum" - Luke 16:28. It is a Place-of Suffering, where each of the Senses and 'Powers' of the Damned, has its Proper Torment, and in which the Torments of each Person, will be increased in-proportion-to the Forbidden Pleasures in which he Indulged. "As much as she hath Glorified herself, and Lived in Delicacies, so much Torment and Sorrow give ye to her" - Apocalypse (Revelation) 18:7.

In Offending God, the Sinner does Two (2) Evils:

He Abandons God, the Sovereign Good, Who is able to make him Happy, and

Turns-to Creatures, who are Incapable of Giving, any Real Happiness to the Soul.

Of this Injury, which Men commit-against Him, the Lord Complains-by His Prophet Jeremiah: "For My People have done Two Evils. They have Forsaken Me, the Fountain of Living Water, and have Digged to themselves Cisterns, Broken Cisterns, that can Hold no Water" - Jeremiah 2:13. Since, then, the Sinner Turns his Back on God, he shall be Tormented in Hell, by the Pain, Arising-from the Loss-of God; and since in Offending God, he Turns-to Creatures, he shall be Justly Tormented by the same Creatures, and Principally-by Fire.

" The Vengeance on the Flesh of the Ungodly, is Fire and Worms" - Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 7:19. Fire and Remorses of Conscience, are the Principal Means by which God takes Vengeance on the Flesh of the Wicked. Hence, in Condemning the Reprobate to Hell, Jesus Christ Commands them to go-into Eternal (∞) Fire. "Depart from Me, you Cursed, into Everlasting Fire" - Matthew 25:41. This Fire, then, shall be one of the most Cruel Executioners of the Damned.

Even in this Life, the Pain of Fire is the most Terrible, of all Torments. But Saint Augustine says, that in Comparison-of the Fire of Hell, the Fire of this Earth, is no-more-than a 'Picture', compared-with the 'Reality'. "In cujus comparatione noster hic ignus depictus est". Saint Anselm teaches that the Fire-of Hell, as-far Surpasses the Fire-of this World, as the Fire-of the 'Real', exceeds that-of Painted Fire. The Pain, then, produced-by the Fire-of Hell, is far-greater than that which is produced-by our Fire, because God has made the Fire-of this Earth for the Use-of Man, but He has Created the Fire-of Hell, purposely-for the Chastisement of Sinners; and therefore as Tertullian says, He has made it a 'Minister'-of His Justice. "Longe alius est ignis, qui usui humano, alius qui Dei justitiae deservit". This Avenging Fire is always kept-alive by the Wrath-of God. "A Fire is Kindled in My Rage" - Jeremiah 15:14.

"And the Rich Man also Died: and he was Buried in Hell" - Luke 16:22. The Damned are Buried in the Fire of Hell; hence they have an Abyss of Fire below, an Abyss of Fire above, and an Abyss of Fire on every-side. As a Fish in the Sea is surrounded-by Water, so the Unhappy Reprobate are encompassed-by Fire, on every side. The Sharpness-of the Pain of Fire, may be Inferred-from the Circumstance, that the Rich Glutton complained-of no-other Torment. "I am Tormented in this Flame" - Luke 16:24.

The Prophet Isaiah says that the Lord will Punish the Guilt of Sinners with the Spirit of Fire. "When the Lord shall wash away the Filth of the Daughters of Sion, and shall wash away the Blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, by the Spirit of Judgment, and by the Spirit of Burning . . ." - Isaiah 4:4. "The Spirit of Burning" is the Pure 'Essence' of Fire. All 'Spirits' or 'Essences', though taken-from simple Herbs or Flowers, are so 'Penetrating', that they Reach the very Bones. Such is the Fire of Hell. Its Activity is so-Great, that a Single (1) Spark of it, would be sufficient-to melt a Mountain-of Bronze. The Disciple relates that a Damned Person, who appeared-to a Religious, dipped his Hand into a Vessel-of Water; the Religious placed-in the Vessel, a Candlestick of Bronze, which was Instantly Dissolved.

Cauldron of the Damned

This Fire shall Torment the Damned, not only 'Externally', but also 'Internally'. It will Burn the 'Bowels', the 'Heart', the 'Brains', the 'Blood' within the 'Veins', and the 'Marrow' within the 'Bones'. The 'Skin' of the Damned, shall be like a ' Caldron', in which their 'Bowels', their 'Flesh', and their 'Bones' shall be Burned. David says that the Bodies of the Damned shall be like so-many Furnaces of Fire. "Thou shalt make them as an Oven of Fire, in the Time of Thy Anger" - Psalm 20:10.

O God! certain Sinners cannot Bear-to Walk under a Strong Sun, or to Remain-before a Large Fire in a 'Close' Room; they cannot Endure a Spark-from a Candle, and they Fear not the Fire of Hell, which, according-to the Prophet Isaiah, not only Burns, but Devours the Unhappy Damned. "Which of you can Dwell with Devouring Fire?" - Isaiah 33:14. As a Lion, Devours a Lamb, so the Fire of Hell, Devours the Reprobate; but it Devours without Destroying Life, and thus Tortures them with a Continual (∞) Death. "Continue", says Saint Peter Damien to the Sinner who Indulges-in Impurity, "Continue to Satisfy your Flesh; a Day will come, or rather an Eternal Night, when your Impurities, like Pitch, shall Nourish a Fire within your very Bowels". "Venit dies, imo nox, quando libido tua vertetur in picem qua se nutriet perpetuus ignis in visceribus tuis" - Epistle 6. And according to Saint Cyprian, the Impurities of the Wicked shall 'Boil', in the very 'Fat' which will Issue-from their Accursed Bodies.

Saint Jerome teaches that in this Fire, Sinners shall Suffer not only the Pain of the Fire, but also the Pains which Men endure on this Earth. "In uno igne omnia supplicia sentient in inferno peccatores". How Manifold are the Pains of which Men are Subject, in this Life. Pains in the 'Sides', Pains in the 'Head', Pains in the 'Loins', Pains in the 'Bowels'. All these together, Torture the Damned.

The Fire itself, will bring with it, the Pain of Darkness; for, by its Smoke, it will, according to Saint Jude, Produce a Storm of Darkness which shall Blind the Damned. "To whom the Storm of Darkness is Reserved, Forever" - Jude 13. Hence, Hell is called a Land of Darkness, covered-with the Shadow of Death. "A Land that is Dark and covered-with the Mist of Death: A Land of Misery and Darkness, where the Shadow of Death, and no Order, but Everlasting Horror dwelleth" - Job 10:21-22. To hear that a Criminal is shut-up in a Dungeon, for Ten (10) or Twenty (20) Years, Excites our Compassion. Hell is a Dungeon, closed on every-side, into which a Ray of the Sun or Light of a Candle, never enters. Thus the Damned "Shall never see Light" - Psalm 48:20. The Fire of this World, gives Light, but the Fire of Hell, is utter Darkness. In explaining the Words of David, "The Voice of the Lord divideth the Flame of Fire" - Psalm 28:7; Saint Basil says, that in Hell, the Lord Separates the Fire-that-Burns, from the Flame-which-Illuminates, and therefore, this Fire Burns, but gives no Light. B. Albertus Magnus explains this Passage more concisely, by saying that God "Divides the Heat, from the Light". Saint Thomas teaches, that in Hell, there is only as much Light, as is necessary, to Torment the Damned by the Sight-of their Associates, and of the Devils. "Quantum sufficit ad videndum illa quae torquere possunt" - Summa Supplementum Tertiæ Partis 97:5. And according-to Saint Augustine, the Bare Sight of these Infernal Monsters, Excites sufficient Terror, to cause the Death of all the Damned, if they were Capable-of Dying. "Videbunt monstra, quorum visio postet illos occidere".

The Beggar (Lazarus) in Abraham's Bosom, and the Rich Man (Dives) in Hell

To Suffer a Parching Thirst, without having a 'Drop-of Water' to Quench it, is Intolerably Painful. It has sometimes happened that Travelers, who could Procure no Refreshment, after a Long Journey, have Fainted-from the Pain, produced-by Thirst. So great is the Thirst of the Damned, that if One (1) of them were offered, all the Water on this Earth, he would exclaim: All this Water is not Sufficient to Extinguish the Burning Thirst, which I endure. But, alas! the Unhappy Damned shall never have a Single Drop of Water, to Refresh their Tongues. "And he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have Mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may Dip the Tip of his Finger in Water, to Cool my Tongue: for I am Tormented in this Flame" - Luke 16:24. The Rich Glutton has not obtained, and shall never obtain, this 'Drop-of Water', as-long-as God shall be God.

The Reprobate shall be likewise Tormented-by the Stench that pervades Hell. This Stench shall arise-from the very Bodies-of the Damned. "Out of their Carcasses shall rise a Stink" - Isaiah 34:3. The Bodies of the Damned are called 'Carcasses', not because they are Dead (for they are Living, and shall be Forever (∞), Alive-to Pain), but on Account-of the Stench, which they 'Exhale'. Would it not be very Painful to be shut-up in a 'Close' Room, with a Fetid Corpse? Saint Bonaventure says, that if the Body of One (1) of the Damned, were placed-in the Earth, it would, by its Stench, be Sufficient to-Cause the Death of all Men. How Intolerable, then, must it be to Live Forever (∞) in the Dungeons of Hell, in the midst-of the Immense Multitudes of the Damned! Some Foolish Worldlings say: If I go to Hell, I shall not be there Alone. Miserable Fools! do you not see that the Greater the Number-of your Companions, the more Insufferable shall be your Torments? "There", says Saint Thomas, "the Society of the Reprobate shall cause an Increase, and not a Diminution of Misery" - Summa Supplementum Tertiæ Partis 86:1. The Society of the Reprobate, augments their Misery, because each of the Damned, is a Source-of Suffering to all the others. Hence, the Greater their Number, the more they shall Mutually Torment each other. "And the People", says the Prophet Isaiah, "shall be as Ashes after a Fire, as a Bundle of Thorns, they shall be Burnt with Fire" - Isaiah 33:12. Placed in the Midst-of the Furnace of Hell, the Damned are like so many Grains, reduced-to Ashes by the Abyss of the Fire; and like so many Thorns, tied-together, and Wounding each other.

They are Tormented, not only by the Stench of their Companions, but, also-by their Shrieks and Lamentations. How Painful is it to a Person, longing-for Sleep, to hear the Groans of a Sick Man, the Barking of a Dog, or the Screams of an Infant. The Damned must Listen Incessantly to the Wailing and Howling of their Associates, not for a Night, nor for a Thousand (1000) Nights, but for All Eternity (∞), without the Interruption-of a Single (1) Moment.

The Damned are also Tormented by the 'Narrowness' of the Place, in which they are Confined; for, although the Dungeon of Hell is Large, it will be too-Small for so many- Millions (10⁶) of the Reprobate, who like Sheep, shall be Heaped, One (1) over the Other. "They are Laid in Hell, like Sheep" - Psalm 48:15. We learn from the Scriptures, that they shall be Pressed-together like 'Grapes in the Winepress', by the Vengeance of an Angry God. "The Winepress of the Fierceness of the Wrath of God the Almighty" - Revelation 19:15. From this 'Pressure', shall arise the Pain of Immobility. "Let them become Immoveable as a Stone" - Exodus 15:16. In whatever Position, the Damned shall fall-into Hell, after the General Judgment, whether on the 'Side', or on the 'Back', or on the 'Head' Downwards, in That, they must Remain-for Eternity (∞), without ever being able to 'Move' Foot or Hand or Finger, as-long-as God shall be God. In a Word, Saint Chrysostom says that all the Pains of this Life, however Great they may be, are Scarcely a Shadow-of the Torments of the Damned. "Haec omnia ludicra sunt et risus ad illa supplicia: pone ignem, ferrum, et bestias, attamen vix umbra sunt ad illa tormenta" - Homily 39.

The Reprobate, then, shall be Tormented in all the Senses of the Body. They shall be Tormented in all the Powers of the Soul. Their Memory shall be Tormented-by the Remembrance-of the Years which they had Received-from God, for the Salvation of their Souls, and which they spent in Laboring-for their own Damnation; by the Remembrance-of so many Graces and so many Divine Lights, which they Abused. Their Understanding shall be Tormented by the Knowledge of the Great Happiness which they Forfeited, in Losing their Souls, Heaven, and God, and by a Conviction, that this Loss is Irreparable. Their Will shall be Tormented by seeing that whatever they Ask or Desire, shall be Refused. "The Desire of the Wicked shall Perish" - Psalm 111:10. They shall never have any of those things for which they Wish, and must Forever (∞) Suffer all that is Repugnant to their Will. They would wish to Escape-from these Torments, and to find Peace; but in these Torments, they must Forever (∞) remain, and Peace they shall never Enjoy.

Perhaps they may, sometimes receive a Little Comfort or at least Enjoy Occasional Repose? No, says Cyprian: "Nullum ibi refrigerium, nullem remedium, atque ita omni tormento atrocius desperatio" - Sermon. In this Life, how Great so-ever may be the Tribulations which we Suffer, there is always some Relief or Interruption. The Damned must remain Forever (∞) in a Pit of Fire, always in Torture, always Weeping, without ever Enjoying a Moment's Repose. But, perhaps there is someone to Pity their Sufferings? At the very Time that they are so-much Afflicted, the Devils continually Reproach them, with the Sins for which they are Tormented, saying: Suffer, Burn, Live Forever in Despair; you yourselves have been the Cause of your Destruction. And do not the Saints, the Divine Mother, and God, Who is called the Father of Mercies, take Compassion on their Miseries? No; "The Sun shall be Darkened and the Moon shall not give her Light, and the Stars shall Fall from Heaven" - Matthew 24:29. The Saints, represented-by the Stars, not-only do not Pity the Damned, but they even Rejoice-in the Vengeance Inflicted on the Injuries, Offered-to their God. Neither can the Divine Mother Pity them, because they Hate her Son. And Jesus Christ, Who Died-for the Love of them, cannot Pity them, because they have Despised His Love, and have voluntarily brought themselves, to Perdition.

- End of Liguori Sermon -

Prayer for the Graces Necessary for Salvation

Eternal Father, Your Son has Promised that You will Grant us all the Graces which we ask for in His Name. In the Name and Merits of Jesus Christ, I ask the following Graces for myself and for all Mankind. Please give me a Lively Faith in all that the Church Teaches. Enlighten me, that I may know the Vanity of the Goods of this World, and the Immensity of the Infinite Good that You are. Make me also see the Deformity of the Sins I have Committed, that I may Humble myself and Detest them as I should.

Give me a Firm Confidence of Receiving Pardon for my Sins, Holy Perseverance, and the Glory of Heaven, through the Merits of Jesus Christ, and the Intercession of Mary. Give me a Great Love for You, that will Detach me from the Love of this World, and of myself, so that I may Love none other, but You.

I Beg of You a Perfect Resignation to Your Will. I Offer myself entirely to You, that You might do with me, and all that belongs to me, as You Please.

I Beg of You a Great Sorrow for my Sins.

I ask You to give me the Spirit of True Humility and Meekness, that I may Accept with Peace, and even with Joy, all the Contempt, Ingratitude and Ill-treatment I may receive. At the same time, I also ask You to give me Perfect Charity, which shall make me wish well to those who have done Evil to me.

Give me Love for the Virtue of Mortification, by which I may Chastise my Rebellious Senses and oppose my Self-Love. Give me a Great Confidence in the Passion of Jesus Christ and in the Intercession of Mary Immaculate. Give me a Great Love for the Blessed Sacrament, and a Tender Devotion and Love to Your Holy Mother. Give me, above all, Holy Perseverance, and the Grace always to Pray for it, especially in Time-of Temptation, and at the Hour-of Death.

Finally, I recommend to You the Holy Souls of Purgatory, my Relatives and Benefactors, and in a special manner I recommend to You all those who Hate me or who have in any way Offended me; I Beg You to Render them Good, for the Evil they have done or may wish to do me. Grant that, by Your Goodness, I may come One Day to sing Your Mercies in Heaven; for my Hope is in the Merits of Your Blood and in the Patronage of Mary. Mary, Mother of God, Pray to Jesus for me.

Amen