The Poems of St. Paulinus of Nola
Overview
Paulinus’ poetry encourages Christians to persevere in a life of Christian commitment—and to demonstrate to nominal Christians and non-Christians the nature of that commitment. These poems were written in the late fourth century and early fifth century.
Top Highlights
“With these words, the winged angel glided up into the breezes, and lent fragrance to the air from afar with his holy scent. The priest stood rooted there, his fearful mind in turmoil. His hesitating heart pondered the promise; he doubted whether he had deserved a kindness so great that the highest God had taken the trouble to send a messenger from the heights of heaven to announce such clear instructions from his Lord to the servant. He feared that he was beguiled; he thought it was a dream. He assessed his own character less generously than was just, proclaiming that he did not deserve such treatment. So faith itself made him unfaithful, and in his unwillingness to believe himself worthy, he deserved punishment for his scepticism.” (Page 42)
“Next pass with eager eyes to Ruth, who with one short book separates eras—the end of the period of the Judges and the beginning of the Kings. It seems a short account, but it depicts the symbolism of the great conflict when the two sisters separate to go their different ways. Ruth follows after her holy mother-in-law, whereas Orpha abandons her; one daughter-in-law demonstrates faithlessness, the other fidelity. The one puts God before country, the other puts country before life.70 Does not such disharmony continue through the universe, one part following God and the other falling headlong through the world? If only the two groups seeking death and salvation were equal!” (Pages 289–290)
“As a foreigner in the house of the Egyptians, he must intermingle yet remain detached, so that the race of the holy may be distinct from that of the impious, though their abode is together. At present he must linger in the world as though set in Egypt; as a dweller in the heavenly city, he must be a foreigner to the business of the world.” (Page 241)
- Title: The Poems of St. Paulinus of Nola
- Authors: P. G. Walsh, Paulinus of Nola
- Series: Ancient Christian Writers
- Volume: 40
- Publisher: Newman Press
- Print Publication Date: 1975
- Logos Release Date: 2015
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Paulinus, of Nola, Saint, approximately 353-431 › Translations into English; Christian poetry, Latin › Translations into English
- ISBNs: 0809101971, 9780809101979
- Resource ID: LLS:PMSSTPLNSNL
- Resource Type: text.monograph.poetry
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:38:14Z