Purgatorio, Canto 2 with Fr. Stephen Gregg

Fr. Stephen Gregg introduces us to Canto 2 of Dante's Purgatorio.
100 Days of Dante is brought to you by Baylor University in collaboration with the Torrey Honors College at Biola University, University of Dallas, Templeton Honors College at Eastern University, the Gonzaga-in-Florence Program and Gonzaga University, and Whitworth University, with support from the M.J. Murdock Trust. To learn more about our project, and read with us, visit 100daysofdante...

[@rickreed2180]

Fr. Gregg, thank-you for including the singing of the beginning of the psalm. Dante hears so many psalms during his ascent of Mt. Purgatory, and I have always wanted to hear them as he did. Thank-you, again.

[@mariebelcredi2206]

I’m left speechless. Truly inspiring. Pausing to think about the different boat journeys from the trip across the Acheron, Ulysses and now this one on the wings of an angel. Your singing was beautiful.

[@amybaumert140]

This is my favorite commentary so far. Thank you so much for your presentation, and especially for sharing the song!

[@graesert2]

These cantos and your insightful comments are so appreciated in these dark times that we live in. It is a spiritual breath of fresh air

[@treborketorm]

Thank you Father Gregg for a wonderful way to start my day. I hope that my journey to Purgatory from the Tiber will be as colorful and comforting as your presentation. I must be careful to catch the right boat and not the one that goes by way of Acheron, the "river of woe" that takes souls to "Helen's house." Your Gregorian Chant is wonderful and puts me in mind of my early days as an altar boy at the altar of God, the joy of my youth. "Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam."

[@elizabetha.9808]

❤️

[@torifreeman993]

A beautiful reflection on a beautiful canto. Thank you so much!

[@matthewhunt7666]

Thank you for the insights musical and theological and the encouragement.

[@cdw_lifts]

Fr. Stephen the walking W

[@rruizesg]

Amazing explanation and truly wonderful insights. This has been a marvelous journey so far. Thanks father for a thoughtful and eloquent explanation, and thank you all that are making this possible. Greetings from Mexico City.

[@speedy45rpm]

Inspiring. Thank you for these beautiful insights and encouragement to keep on with the Journey.

[@donab70]

I love the insights into the psalm and then to Dante's own poetry. And the signing by Fr. Gregg. It really brings the text to life.

[@raelynearnest3176]

“We are called to heroic spiritual labor.”

[@cathleenllewelyn2092]

I had to listen twice. So beautiful! It’s not possible to get this kind of commentary (or chant!) at most universities. Thank you so much for 100 Days of Dante! How it has been enhancing my reading of the Divine Comedy, just wow!

[@saw700]

Bellissimo 👌 a pause, the balance, a song 💛 or two... grazzie

[@carolynfouse9863]

Thank you so much, Father. So helpful and inspiring.

[@xieouyang1341]

What a great discussion. A lot of material to get here, worth of watching it again.

[@xwretchedxyouthx]

Absolutely gorgeous reflection. One of the best videos yet!

[@PatMcAnn]

What a beautiful singing voice!

[@patcamerino5456]

Canto 2: In the second canto of the Inferno, Dante was reluctant to begin his journey, because of his own “cowardness,” and had to be encouraged by Virgil’s assurance that the Virgin Mary, Lucy and Beatrice had sent him to accompany Dante on his pilgrimage. Now waiting on the shores of “Before-Purgatory,” the narthex of the “structure” they are about to enter, Dante again hesitates, not because of cowardness but because he is enjoying the beauty and harmony around him - the feeling of wanting to stay in bed when the morning alarm sounds. A bark, bearing an illuminating Angel with wings outstretched as a propelling mast, arrives with penitents who boarded, when they felt the time was ripe, at a dock on the Tiber River in Rome. As every liturgical event begins with the “Sign of the Cross,” the Angel blesses his charges before departing the island. Three times, Dante, perhaps in imitation of the greeting of Peter by Jesus on another seashore, attempts to embrace one of the arrivals, but finds he is unable to touch a spirit in Purgatory. The penitent is Cassella, a troubadour friend of Dante, who gives forth a love song which moves Dante as well as Cassella’s fellow passengers, who had performed their own arrival hymn: “When Israel Out of Egypt Came.” Cato suddenly appears and hastens them along the way, like startled birds. Although each proceeds at one’s own pace, they must not tarry overly long on their journey of repentance and salvation.

[@paolotolotti8366]

Many Thanks for that inspirated comment

[@louiseburton3513]

I am so happy to be out of hell!!

[@wmcook]

Well done! I enjoyed the insights and the singing. Thank you!

[@DecentProductionss]

I really enjoyed the part where the video ended

[@moiranovack8574]

A fantastic commentary! Thank you.

[@iamfortytwo7446]

Thank you very much for an amazing commentary.

[@kimberlyholahan9770]

Thank you! Your insights into this canto were beautiful!

[@CatheterCollector]

Best presentation from this series so far, excellent. Give this man a raise

[@lisashaffer4973]

Stunning, deep reflection! Thank you!

[@Pollyanna99]

That was great - so insightful and inspiring. Thank you!

[@lyon3511]

The better it gets, the better it gets. From the singing to the insights, well done, Greg.