I go around among souls in higher or lower positions, of more or less difficult access. Last night I went among them all, consoling them and receiving their commissions for various labors. I had to say right off the Litany of the Saints and the Seven Penitential Psalms. My guide warned me to guard carefully against impatience and to offer every vexation for the poor souls.
我在那些处在炼狱中更高或更低位置的灵魂中四处走动,或多或少有些难以接近。昨晚,我往他们中间去,安慰他们,接受他们各种劳作的委托。我不得不立即念《诸圣祷文》和《七篇忏悔圣咏》。我的护守天神告诫我要小心。不要急躁,并为可怜的灵魂献上一切令人心烦的事。
The other morning I almost forgot his admonition and was on the point of yielding to impatience, but I repressed it. I am very glad I did so, and I thank my good angel for helping me. No words can say what immense consolation the poor souls receive from a little sacrifice, a trifling self-victory."
有一天早上,我几乎忘记了他的告诫,几乎无法忍耐了,但我忍住了。我很高兴这样做了,我感谢我的好天使帮助了我。这些可怜的炼灵能从一个小小的牺牲,微不足道的自我胜利中得到巨大的安慰,这是无法用言语表达的。」
November 2, 1821. — For fourteen days, Sister Emmerich had been constantly occupied with the poor souls, offering for them prayers, mortifications, alms, and spiritual labors, and arranging numerous things to be given away on the Feast of All-Souls. She related the following : — " I went again with the saints to purgatory.
1821 年 11 月 2 日——十四天来,艾曼丽修女一直在为这些可怜的炼灵做补赎,为他们献上祈祷、克己、施舍和属灵工作,并在诸圣瞻礼上安排了要分发的东西。她说:——「我又和圣人一起去了炼狱。
The prisons of the souls are not all in the same place, they are far apart and very different. The road to them often lies over ice-bergs, snow, and clouds ; sometimes it winds all around the earth. The saints float lightly by me on luminous clouds of various colors, according to the different kinds of help and consolation their good works entitle them to bestow.
炼狱并不都在同一个地方,有的相距甚远,差别很大。通往炼狱的道路往往在冰山、雪和云上;有时这条路会绕地球一周。圣人们乘着各种颜色的光云,从我身边轻盈飘过,圣人们根据炼灵生前的善行给予不同的帮助和安慰。
I had to travel painful, rugged paths, praying the while and offering it all for the souls. I reminded the saints of their own sufferings, and offered them to God in union with the merits of Jesus Christ for the same intention. The abodes of the souls differ according to each one's state, yet they all struck me as being round like globes.
我不得不在痛苦、崎岖的道路跋涉,一边祈祷,一边为炼灵献上一切。我记起圣人们他们自己的苦难,并将他们的苦难与耶稣基督的功劳一起献给天主,以达到同样的目的。每个炼灵的居所根据每个人的状态而有所不同,但它们都像地球仪一样圆,让我印象深刻。
I can compare them only to those places which I call gardens and in which I see certain graces preserved like fruits ; so, too, are these sojourns of the souls like gardens, storehouses, worlds full of disagreeable things, privations, torments, miseries, anguish, etc., etc., and some are much smaller than others.
我只能将炼灵的居所与那些我称之为花园的地方进行比较,在花园地方我看到某些恩宠像果子一样被保存下来;而这些灵魂的寄居地也是如此,就像花园、仓库、世界里,充满了不快的东西:匮乏、折磨、苦难、痛苦等等,而有些炼灵所受的痛苦比其他的炼灵要少得多。
When I arrive I can clearly distinguish their round form and perhaps a ray of light falling upon some point, or twilight on the horizon. Some are a little better than others, but in none can the blue sky be seen, all are more or less dark and obscure. In some the souls are near one another and in great agony ; some are deeper down, others higher and clearer.
当我到达时,我可以清楚地分辨出炼狱的圆形形状,也许有一缕光线落到某个点上,或者像地平线上的微光。有些炼狱比其他的好一点,但没有一个是可以看到蓝天的,所有的炼狱几乎都是黑暗和模糊的。有些炼灵彼此靠得很近,并处于极大的痛苦之中;有些炼灵所在的地方更深更下面,有些炼灵所在的地方则更高、更清晰。
The places in which souls are separately confined are also of various forms : for instance, some are shaped like ovens. They who were united on earth are together in purgatory only when they have need of the same degree of purification. In many places the light is colored, that is fiery, or of a dull red. There are other abodes in which evil spirits persecute, frighten, and torment the souls, and these are the most horrible.
灵魂被单独囚禁的地方也有各种各样的形式:例如,有些地方的形状像烤炉。只有当他们需要同样程度的净化时,他们才在炼狱中相聚。在炼狱中,有许多地方,光线是彩色的 ,即火红的或暗红的。还有一些别的住处,是恶灵在里面迫害、恐吓、折磨灵魂的地方,这些地方是最可怕的。
One would take them for hell, did not the inexpressibly touching patience of the souls proclaim the contrary. Words cannot describe their consolation and joy when one among them is delivered. There are also places for penitential works, as those in which I once saw them raising and storming ramparts, the women on the islands cultivating the fruits which were taken away on rafts, etc.
人们会把那个地方当做地狱,但炼灵那难以言喻的令人感动的忍耐却表明了相反的看法。当他们中的一个被拯救时,他们的安慰和喜悦是无法用言语来形容的。也有做补赎工作的地方,就像我曾经见过的那些地方,岛上的妇女们筑起城墙並巡视壁垒,她们种植的水果用木筏运走,等等。
These souls are in a less suffering state ; they can do something for others worse off than themselves. It may be symbolical, but it is symbolical of truth. The vegetation is scanty and stunted, the fruits the same; yet they afford relief to those still more needy. Kings and princes are often thrown with those whom they once oppressed and whom they now serve in humble suffering.
这些灵魂处于一种较少受苦的状态;他们可以为比自己更糟糕的人做一些事情。这可能是象征性的,但它是真理的象征。植被稀少且发育不良,果实也一样;但它们为那些更需要帮助的人提供了援助。国王和王子经常被扔到与他们曾经压迫过的人身边,而现在他们在痛苦中卑微的为他们曾经压迫过的人服务。
I have seen in purgatory Protestants who were pious in their ignorance ; they are very desolate, for no prayers are offered for them. I saw souls passing from a lower to a higher grade to fill up the vacancies left by some who had finished their purgation. Some can go around giving and receiving consolation. It is a great grace to be able to appear and beg help and prayers.
我在炼狱中见过无知而虔诚的新教徒;他们非常凄凉,因为没有人为他们祈祷。我看到灵魂从一个较低的等级过渡到一个较高的等级,以填补了一些已经完成炼净后的人所留下的空缺。有些灵魂可以到处给予和接受安慰。灵魂能够显现出来并乞求世人的祈祷和帮助,这是一种莫大的恩宠。
I have also seen the places in which some souls canonized on earth were purified ; their sanctity had not reached its perfection in their lifetime. I went to many priests and churches and ordered Masses and devotions for the souls. I was at Rome in St. Peter's, near noble ecclesiastics, Cardinals, I think, who had to say seven Masses for certain souls. I know not why they had omitted doing so.
我还看到了一些在世上被封为圣人的灵魂被净化的地方;他们的圣洁在他们的一生中还没有达到极致。我去了许多神父处和圣堂,为灵魂求了弥撒和奉献。我在罗马的圣伯多禄大殿,接近主教和枢机,我想,他们必须为某些灵魂做七台弥撒。我不知道他们为什么没有这样做。
Whilst they were being said, I saw the neglected souls, dark and sad, gathered around the altar ; they exclaimed, as if hungry : ' We have not been fed for so long, so long !' — I think it was foundation Masses that had been neglected. The confiscation of foundations for Masses for the dead is, as I see, unspeakable cruelty and a theft committed against the poorest of the poor.
当奉献炼灵弥撒时,我看到那些被遗忘的灵魂,黑暗而悲伤,聚集在祭台周围;他们喊道,好像饿了一样:「我们好久没有吃东西了,好久了!」——我认为这是炼灵弥撒基金被盗用了。在我看来,盗用为亡者举行弥撒的基金是无法形容的残忍行为,是对穷人中最穷人的盗窃。
On my route I saw few if any of the living, but I met souls, angels, and saints, and I saw many of the effects of prayer. During these days, I have had to drag to the confessional and to church many people who otherwise would never have gone."
在我的旅途中,我几乎看不到任何活人,但我遇到了灵魂、天使和圣人,我看到了许多祈祷的效果。在这些日子里,我不得不把许多从来不去圣堂的人拉到告解室和教堂,否则他们永远不会去。」
Sister Emmerich spent the whole day in prayer for the souls and recited for them the Office of the Dead. The wounds in her breast and side bled so copiously that her garments were saturated. When the Pilgrim visited her in the evening, he found her in ecstatic prayer. About half an hour after, her confessor entered the room.
艾曼丽修女一整天都在为灵魂祈祷,并为他们念亡者日课。 她胸部和肋旁的伤口流血过多,衣服都浸透了。
Nov. 2, 1822. — “Last night I had much to do in purgatory. I went northward and, as it seemed, around the pole of the globe. I saw the icebergs above me ; and yet, purgatory does not appear to be at the centre, for I can see the moon. In going around among the prisons, I tried to make an opening that a little light might enter.
1822 年 11 月 2 日——「昨晚我在炼狱中有很多事情要做。我向北走,来到了北极,那是地球的最北端。我看到了上面的冰山;然而,炼狱似乎不在冰山的中心,因为我能看见月亮。我在炼狱里转来转去,想挖一个洞,让光线可以进来。
The outside looks like a shining black wall in the form of a crescent ; inside are innumerable chambers and passages, high and low, ascending and descending. Near the entrance it is not so bad, the souls are free to move around ; but further on they are more strictly imprisoned. Here lies one stretched as it were in a hole, a ditch, there several are together in different positions, higher and lower ; sometimes, one is seen seated on high as if on a rock.
炼狱的外面看起来像一面月牙形的闪亮的黑墙;里面有无数的房间和通道,有高有低,有升有降。靠近入口处的灵魂的处境不是太糟,灵魂可以自由活动;但在离入口处更远的地方,灵魂就受到了更严格的囚禁。这里躺着一个灵魂,好像躺在一个洞里,一条沟里一样,那里有几个灵魂在一起,处在不同的位置,有高的有低的;有时,人们会看到一个灵魂坐在高处,就像坐在岩石上一样。
The further we penetrate, the more frightful it becomes, for demons there exercise their power. It is a temporary hell in which souls are tormented by horrible spectres and hideous forms that wander around, persecuting and terrifying their victims.
我们越进入深处,它就越可怕,因为那里的恶魔在使用牠们的力量。这是一个暂时的地狱,在这里,灵魂被四处游荡的恐怖和狰狞的鬼怪折磨着,牠们迫害和恐吓受害者。
“I see also in purgatory a place of devotion, a sort of church in which the souls at times receive consolation. They turn their eyes wistfully toward it as we do to our churches. The souls are not helped directly from heaven. They receive relief only from earth from the living, who can discharge their debts by prayers, good works, acts of mortification and self-renunciation ; but, above all, by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered to the Judge.
「我还在炼狱中看到了一个敬礼的地方,一种类似教堂使灵魂有时可在其中得到安慰的地方。灵魂们的眼睛渴望地转向那教堂,就像我们这里所做的一样。灵魂并没有从天堂直接得到帮助。他们只能从现世的活人那里得到救济,活着的人可以通过祈祷、善行、克己和自我舍弃来帮炼灵偿还债务;但最重要的是,献给公义判官–上主–的“弥撒圣祭”。
Leaving this place, I went northward over the ice to where the earth's circumference decreases (1), and I saw purgatory as one sees the sun or moon very low in the horizon. Then we passed over a cylinder, a street, a ring," (she could not find the right word) " and came to another part of purgatory semi-circular in shape. Some distance to the left is the mill ; to the right are works and intrenchments.
离开这个地方,我向北越过冰层,来到地球园周变小的地方(1),我看到了炼狱,就像一个人看到太阳或月亮刚刚露出在地平线一样。 然后我们经过一个圆柱,一条街道,一个圆环,”(她找不到合适的词)”,来到了炼狱半圆形的另一部分。 左边一段距离是磨坊; 右边是工程和壕沟。
(1) July 15, 1820 — I saw the earth in darkness, and more like an egg than a globe.
Toward the north the descent is the steepest ; it seems longest toward the east. The perpendicular descent is always toward the north."
(1) 1820 年 7 月 15 日——我看到黑暗中的大地,与其说地球是(园的),倒不如说像一个鸡蛋(椭圆的)。向北下降的斜坡是最陡峭的;向东的下坡似乎是最长的。 垂直下降总是朝向北方。」
I never see any visitor in purgatory, excepting my guide ; but away off on the earth, I behold here and there anchorets, religious, and poor devout people, praying, doing penance, and laboring for the dear souls. This part of purgatory belongs to the Catholic Church. The sects are separated here as on earth, and they suffer much more, since they have no members praying for them and no Holy Sacrifice.
在炼狱里,除了我的护守天神,我从来没有见过任何访客;在那遥远的地球上,我到处都看到这里和那里的隐士、修士、穷人和虔诚的人,在祈祷,做补赎,为亲爱的炼灵工作。这部分炼狱属于天主教会。其他教派在这里也像在地球上一样被分开,他们遭受的痛苦要多得多,因为他们没有人为他们祈祷,也没有人为他们献弥撒圣祭。
The souls of males may be distinguished from those of females only on close examination. One sees figures, some darker, some brighter, the features drawn with pain, but at the same time full of patience. The sight of them is inexpressibly touching. Nothing is more consoling than their gentle endurance, their joy at the deliverance of their fellow- sufferers, their sympathy in one another's pain and for all newcomers. I have seen children there, too.
只有仔细的观察,才能把男性的灵魂与女性的灵魂区别开来。 看见的人影,一些是光明的,一些是黑暗的,显示出痛苦的特征,但同时也充满了耐心。 看到他们的光景我有说不出的感触。最令人安慰的莫过于他们温柔的忍耐、他们为受苦同胞得救而感到的喜悦、他们对彼此的痛苦和对新来的灵魂的同情。 我也在那里见过孩子。
“Most of the souls are expiating their levity, their so-called small sins, their neglect of trifling acts of condescension, of kindness, and of little self-victories. The connection of the souls with earth is something very sensitive, inasmuch as they experience great relief from even an ardent desire formed by the living to soothe and lighten their pains. how charitable is he, how much good does he not do who constantly overcomes self for them, who longs ever to help them !"
「大多数灵魂都在为他们的轻浮赎罪,为他们自以为的小罪赎罪,为他们对卑微行为的忽视、对善良的忽视以及对小小的自我克制等小事的忽视赎罪。 炼狱的灵魂与地球上的灵魂的联系是非常敏感的,因为炼灵能从一颗炽热的心中获得巨大的解脱,生者为了抚慰和减轻炼灵的痛苦而形成的强烈愿望,他们也会感到极大的慰藉。为炼灵祈祷的人是何等的仁爱,他为炼灵不断地克服自我,渴望帮助炼灵的人,他还有多少善事不能做呢!」
During this holy season, day and night, was Sister Emmerich consumed by thirst, but never did she try to allay the fever that parched her with its withering blast — all for the poor souls, all for the dear souls !
在这个神圣的季节,日日夜夜,艾曼丽修女都被口渴所折磨,但她从未试图去减轻引起她干渴的发烧症状——这一切都是为了可怜的灵魂,一切都是为了亲爱的炼灵!
November 3d — " I have been in a region before purgatory, in the ice country near the mill in which princes, kings, and rulers have to grind as formerly they made men and horses do. They have to grind ice and all sorts of choice food and precious objects which women bring to the mill, and which when ground are thrown to the dogs.
11 月 3 日——「我曾在去炼狱之前到过一个地区,在冰原国家附近的磨坊里,王子、国王和统治者不得不磨各种各样的物品,就像以前他们命令人和马那样做一样。他们必须磨冰、磨各种各类的食物和贵重的物品,这些东西是由妇女带到磨坊的,他们磨碎后就扔给狗吃。
Their former servants are now their task-masters." Sister Emmerich spoke of the road by which she went to purgatory and the countries through which she passed. She seems to have travelled through Asia toward the north pole, passing through the ancient land of Oshemschids into another in which rises a lofty mountain full of monkeys large and small. When it is too cold for them on one side of the mountain, they run to the other.
王子、国王和统治者以前的仆人现在是他们监工。」艾曼丽修女谈到了她去炼狱的道路和她所经过的国家。她似乎穿越了亚洲前往北极,经过了古老的奥谢姆希德之地, 进入另一个地方,那里耸立着一座高山,山上满是大大小小的猴子。当山的一边对它们来说太冷时,它们会跑到山的另一边。
Sister Emmerich went on to describe the country, but not as inhabited — all is dark and foggy in the black distance. Passing over the metal street or ring, as she calls it, she loaches purgatory under which is hell, deep down toward the centre of the earth, “On such journeys,” she says, " the moon appears to me very large and full of cavities and volcanoes ; but all on it is stony, like coral trees. It both attracts and discharges quantities of vapor, as if absorbing fluids to pour them forth again. I never saw people like ourselves on the moon, or in any of the stars, of which many are like dead, burnt-out bodies. I saw souls and spirits in them, but no beings like men."
艾曼丽修女继续描述这个国家,但在这无人居住区——在黑色的远处,到处都是黑暗和雾蒙蒙的。穿过她称之为金属街或金属圈的地方,她进入了炼狱,而地狱在炼狱下面,朝向地球的中心。「在这样的旅程中,」她说,「月亮在我看来非常大,上面到处都是洞穴和火山;但它上面的物体全是石质的,就像珊瑚树一样。它既能吸收又能释放大量的蒸汽,就像吸收液体,然后再把它们倒出来。我从来没有在月球上见过像我们这样的人,也没有在其他星球上见过像我们这样的人。我在这些星体上看到了魂魄,但没有像人一样的生命。」