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- The Glorious Mysteries
Forgetfulness of the Future 

11. The third evil for which a remedy is needed is one which is 
chiefly characteristic of the times in which we live. Men in 
former ages, although they loved the world, and loved it far too 
well, did not usually aggravate their sinful attachment to the 
things of earth by a contempt of the things of heaven. Even the 
right-thinking portion of the pagan world recognized that this 
life was not a home but a dwelling-place, not our destination, 
but a stage in the journey. But men of our day, albeit they 
have had the advantages of Christian instruction, pursue the 
false goods of this world in such wise that the thought of their 
true Fatherland of enduring happiness is not only set aside, but, 
to their shame be it said, banished and entirely erased from 
their memory, notwithstanding the warning of St. Paul, "We 
have not here a lasting city, but we seek one which is to come" 
(Heb. xiii., 4).

12. When We seek out the causes of this forgetfulness, We are 
met in the first place by the fact that many allow themselves to 
believe that the thought of a future life goes in some way to 
sap the love of our country, and thus militates against the 
prosperity of the commonwealth. No illusion could be more 
foolish or hateful. Our future hope is not of a kind which so 
monopolizes the minds of men as to withdraw their attention 
from the interests of this life. Christ commands us, it is true, to 
seek the Kingdom of God, and in the first place, but not in such 
a manner as to neglect all things else. For, the use of the goods 
of the present life, and the righteous enjoyment which they 
furnish, may serve both to strengthen virtue and to reward it. 
The splendour and beauty of our earthly habitation, by which 
human society is ennobled, may mirror the splendour and 
beauty of our dwelling which is above. Therein we see nothing 
that is not worthy of the reason of man and of the wisdom of 
God. For the same God who is the Author of Nature is the 
Author of Grace, and He willed not that one should collide or 
conflict with the other, but that they should act in friendly 
alliance, so that under the leadership of both we may the more 
easily arrive at that immortal happiness for which we mortal 
men were created.

13. But men of carnal mind, who love nothing but themselves, 
allow their thoughts to grovel upon things of earth until they are 
unable to lift them to that which is higher. For, far from using 
the goods of time as a help towards securing those which are 
eternal, they lose sight altogether of the world which is to 
come, and sink to the lowest depths of degradation. We may 
doubt if God could inflict upon man a more terrible punishment 
than to allow him to waste his whole life in the pursuit of earthly 
pleasures, and in forgetfulness of the happiness which alone 
lasts for ever.

14. It is from this danger that they will be happily rescued, 
who, in the pious practice of the Rosary, are wont, by frequent 
and fervent prayer, to keep before their minds the glorious 
mysteries. These mysteries are the means by which in the soul 
of a Christian a most clear light is shed upon the good things, 
hidden to sense, but visible to faith, "which God has prepared 
for those who love Him." From them we learn that death is not 
an annihilation which ends all things, but merely a migration 
and passage from life to life. By them we are taught that the 
path to Heaven lies open to all men, and as we behold Christ 
ascending thither, we recall the sweet words of His promise, "I 
go to prepare a place for you." By them we are reminded that 
a time will come when "God will wipe away every tear from our 
eyes," and that "neither mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow, shall 
be any more," and that "We shall be always with the Lord," 
and "like to the Lord, for we shall see Him as He is," and "drink 
of the torrent of His delight," as "fellow-citizens of the saints," in 
the blessed companionship of our glorious Queen and Mother. 
Dwelling upon such a prospect, our hearts are kindled with 
desire, and we exclaim, in the words of a great saint, "How vile 
grows the earth when I look up to heaven!" Then, too, shall we 
feel the solace of the assurance "that which is at present 
momentary and light of our tribulation worketh for us above 
measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. iv., 
17).

15. Here alone we discover the true relation between time and 
eternity, between our life on earth and our life in heaven; and it 
is thus alone that are formed strong and noble characters. 
When such characters can be counted in large numbers, the 
dignity and well-being of society are assured. All that is 
beautiful, good, and true will flourish in the measure of its 
conformity to Him who is of all beauty, goodness, and truth the 
first Principle and the Eternal Sou