Beatific vision

Celestial Rose: Possibly the most beautiful painting ever. Gustave Dore's illustration of heaven from Dante's Divine Comedy

So why do we continue to have such a fascination with the hell of Dante's imagination? The sad truth is that Dante's hellish vision has been useful in promoting colonizing, crusades and "conversions" for the last 700 years

Louis Nicolas had no formal art training and often referenced engravings to create fantastical and realistic pen and ink drawings. Read about his style and technique.

What will it mean to see God? The beatific vision is one of Scripture’s greatest promises and most profound puzzles.

Gustave Dore, Dante and Beatrice, 1865

Adoration of the the Blessed Sacrament... "I understand that, each time we contemplate with desire and devotion the Host in which is hidden Christ's Eucharistic Body, we increase our merits in heaven and secure special joys to be ours later in the beatific vision of God." ~ St. Gertrude

Museum of the Poor Souls in Purgatory in Rome,Tabletop Fr. Panzini burn mark from ghost

All Souls Day honors the faithful departed, with prayers to aid their purification in purgatory before they attain the Beatific vision in heaven.

stock photo : beautiful angel statue in colorful autumn cemetery

Saint Francis entering Heaven / San Francisco entrando al Paraíso // Painted ceiling of the Franciscan church in Rabat, Malta // photo: Lawrence OP