“The Dream of Gerontius” by Cardinal John Henry Newman

I joked a few days ago about taking a break from the daily news by listening to “The Dream of Gerontius” several times in an afternoon. I assure you that listening to it would have been time well spent. If you don’t have the gumption to get a recording of it, follow the link to the poem. It might take you a hour to read, probably less.

Edward Elgar took Newman’s poem and turned it into an oratorio. John posted some tidbits about it a couple of years ago.

It’s a story of a man who dies and is led by his guardian angel to his judgement. I won’t give away the surprise ending. But this part, which is the Angel of the Agony pleading with Jesus for mercy, is very moving:

JESU! by that shuddering dread which fell on Thee;
Jesu! by that cold dismay which sickened Thee;
Jesu! by that pang of heart which thrilled in Thee;
Jesu! by that mount of sins which crippled Thee;
Jesul by that sense of guilt which stifled Thee;
Jesu! by that innocence which girdled Thee;
Jesu! by that sanctity which reigned in Thee;
Jesu! by that Godhead which was one with Thee;
Jesu! spare these souls which are so dear to Thee,
Who in prison, calm and patient, wait for Thee;
Hasten, Lord, their hour, and bid them come to Thee,
To that glorious Home, where they shall ever gaze on Thee.