SR
Chapter 11Revel.7.11

Hic est principium cuiusdam reuelacionis, quam domina Birgitta habuit pro domina regina Neapolitana in eadem ciuitate, sed alia, que ibi continentur, non ponuntur hic, quia secreta sunt, que pertinent ad statum et personam dicte domine regine.

The Divine Struggle for Souls

God explains the cosmic conflict between His desire for human salvation and the devil's efforts to lead souls into eternal ruin.

I am God, the creator of all things. I gave angels and humans free will, so that those who wanted to do my will might remain with me forever, while those who chose the opposite would be separated from me. Some angels became demons because they didn't want to love me or obey me. Then, after man was created, the devil saw my love for him and not only became my enemy, but stirred up war against me by inciting Adam to break my commandments. Then the devil prevailed by my permission, in accordance with my justice, and from that time on, the devil and I have been at odds and in conflict, because I want humanity to live according to my will, while the devil strives to make humanity follow its own desires. So, the moment I opened heaven with the blood of my heart, the devil was stripped of the justice he seemed to possess, and the souls that were worthy were saved and set free. Then a law was also established, so that it would be within a person's own choice to follow me, their God, to obtain an everlasting crown; but if they follow the devil's desires, they will have everlasting punishment. So, the devil and I are in a struggle, both of us wanting souls just as a bridegroom wants his bride. I desire souls so that I may grant them eternal joy and honor, but the devil desires them so that he may inflict eternal horror and pain. Listen to what the queen did for me. I allowed her to be raised to the kingdom, and so on.1

A Mirror for the Queen

Christ provides a detailed list of fourteen spiritual and practical directives for the Queen of Naples to amend her life and rule.

Christ says: "Write to her that she must make a clean confession of everything she has done since her youth, holding a firm resolve to amend her life according to the counsel of her confessor;" Second, she must carefully reflect on how she has lived in her marriage and in her rule, because she'll have to give me an account for everything. Third, that she has the will to pay her debts and restore what was knowingly acquired through wrongdoing, because her soul is in danger as long as those things are held back; it does no good to give away much if what must be paid is not settled. Fourth, she shouldn't burden the community with her own new inventions, but rather help lighten the usual burdens, because God will hear the groaning and the cry of the miserable. Fifth, that she have just counselors who aren't greedy, and that she entrust her judgments to those who love the truth and who don't flatter factions or seek to get rich, but who know how to be content with what is necessary. Sixth, she should set aside time every day to remember the wounds and the passion of God, because the love of God is renewed in the heart through this. Seventh, that she gather the poor at certain times, washing their feet and providing for them; and that she love all her subjects with sincere charity, leading those who are at odds toward harmony and comforting those who have been unjustly offended. Eighth, that she should distribute her gifts with discretion and according to her means, not burdening some while enriching others, but wisely relieving some and weighing no one down. Ninth, she shouldn't pay more attention to the money of those who have done wrong than to justice; instead, after weighing the nature of their offenses, where she sees greater humility, she should show greater compassion, with all greed excluded. Tenth, that she should apply every effort while she lives to ensure the kingdom can stand in peace after her death, because I declare to her that from now on she will have no children from her own womb. Eleventh, that she be content with the coloring and beauty of her own face, with which God has adorned her, because artificial color is highly displeasing to God. Twelfth, she should embrace greater humility and compunction for her sins, because before me she is a predator of many souls, a wasteful squanderer of my gifts, and a rod and a source of suffering for my friends. Thirteenth, that she keep a constant fear in her heart, because throughout her life she has lived more like a wanton woman than a queen. Fourteenth, that she must remove from herself worldly habits and flattering women, and spend the remaining time, which is short, in my honor, because until now she has treated me like a man who doesn't think about his own sins. She should fear now and live in such a way that she doesn't experience me as her judge. Otherwise, if she doesn't listen to me, I will judge her not as a queen but as an apostate and an ingrate; I will scourge her from head to foot, and she will be a disgrace to me, to my angels, and to my saints.

Visions of Judgment and Warning

Through symbolic visions, the Queen is warned of the spiritual danger of her current path and the necessity of abandoning her own will.

Another revelation. Christ speaks: "Write these things down in simpler and fewer words, just as the Holy Spirit will inspire you, and send them to the queen through my bishop."2 Also, concerning a certain queen. The lady was seen standing in a shift splattered with semen and mud, and a voice was heard: "This is an ape sniffing at foul-smelling hindquarters, who has poison in her heart, stands as a danger to herself, and rushes into the traps of her own undoing." She was also seen wearing a crown of wicker twigs smeared with human excrement and street mud, sitting naked on a beam that was about to collapse. Immediately, a most beautiful virgin appeared and said, "This is the brazen and bold woman who is considered by people to be the mistress of the world, but before God, she is cast aside, just as you see." The virgin added, "Woman, think about your beginning and pay attention to your end; open the eyes of your heart and see, for your advisors are those who hate your soul." Also, regarding a certain queen. It seemed that a woman was sitting on a golden throne, with two Ethiopians standing before her, one on her right and the other on her left. The one standing at her right side cried out, "O lion-like woman, I bring you blood." Take it and pour it out, for it's the nature of a lioness to thirst for blood." The one standing on the left said, "Woman, I am bringing you fire in a vessel." Take it, because you have a fiery nature, and pour it into the waters so that your memory may be in the waters just as it is on the earth." After this, a virgin of wondrous beauty appeared, and at the sight of her, the Ethiopians fled. She said, "This woman is in a dangerous position." If she prospers according to her own will, she'll be a source of trouble for many." If she is troubled, it’s more useful for her eternal life, yet she doesn’t want to let go of her own will or be troubled according to God. Therefore, if she is left to her own will, she will be a comfort neither to herself nor to others." Another revelation. The Son appeared, saying: "This woman had done some things that pleased me." Therefore, because of the prayers of my friends, I want to show her how she might avoid the shame of men and the ruin of her soul. If she obeys, it will be well; but if not, she won't escape the justice of the Judge, because she refused to listen to the voice of the Father."

Counsel for the Queen's Household

Specific guidance is given for Lord Gomecius and Antonio de Carleto, emphasizing justice, moderation, and obedience to one's vocation.

Regarding Lord Gomecius. The Mother of God says, "Advise him to act with justice wherever he can." And if he knows he possesses goods acquired wrongly, he shouldn't delay in making restitution. Also, she should be careful not to impose unusual burdens on her subjects, and she should be content with what she has, for it's enough if she manages it with moderation and discretion. He should avoid women like poison, except for his own wife, and he shouldn't raise an army against anyone or take part in war personally, unless he is absolutely certain that he has justice on his side and that the war itself is just. Furthermore, she should make it a point to go to confession frequently and to receive the Body of Christ more often, and at set times during the day, she should occupy herself with remembering the Passion of Christ and His wounds. Regarding Antonio de Carleto. Christ says: "Tell the queen to let him stay in his own order." If he rises to greater things, it will be to the detriment of his soul, and neither he nor his friends will find joy in his advancement." Everything happened just like that.

Read the original Latin

go sum Deus, creator omnium. Ego dedi angelis et hominibus liberum arbitrium, vt qui vellent facere voluntatem meam, manerent mecum eternaliter, qui vero contraria michi sentirent, a me sequestrarentur.

Ideo autem quidam angelorum facti sunt demones, quia nec voluerunt me diligere nec michi obedire. Deinde creato homine dyabolus videns dileccionem meam ad illum, non solum factus est inimicus meus sed mouit contra me bellum, incitando Adam ad preuaricacionem mandatorum meorum.

Et tunc dyabolus preualuit permissione mea ex iusticia mea et ab illo tempore ego et dyabolus discordamus et certamus, quia ego volo, vt homo viuat ad voluntatem meam, dyabolus vero nititur, vt homo sequatur desideria sua.

Propterea in illo puncto, quo ego aperui celum sanguine cordis mei, dyabolus priuatus est iusticia, quam videbatur habere, et anime, que digne erant, saluate sunt et liberate.

Tunc eciam lex statuta est, vt sit in hominis arbitrio sequi me, Deum suum, ad optinendam perpetuam coronam; si vero sequitur dyaboli desideria, habebit supplicium sempiternum.

Sic igitur ego et dyabolus certamus, desiderantes animas sicut sponsi sponsas suas. Ego enim desidero animas, vt tribuam eis eternum gaudium et honorem, dyabolus vero vt tribuat eternum horrorem et dolorem. Audi, quid regina fecerat michi. Ego permisi eam exaltare in regnum etc."

Christus loquitur: "Scribe ei, quod faciat puram confessionem de omnibus, que egerat a iuuentute sua, habendo firmam voluntatem emendandi secundum consilia confessoris sui;

secundo, quod recogitet diligenter, quomodo et qualiter steterat in coniugio suo et regimine suo, quia de omnibus est michi redditura racionem;

tercio, quod habeat voluntatem soluendi debita sua et restituendi scienter male acquisita, quia anima est in periculo, quamdiu detinentur, et nichil prodest multa largiri, nisi soluenda persoluentur;

quarto, quod non oneret communitatem suis nouis adinuencionibus sed magis consueta onera releuet, quia miserorum gemitum et clamorem exaudiet Deus;

quinto, quod habeat consiliarios iustos, non cupidos, et talibus committat iudicia sua, qui diligunt veritatem et qui non adulantur partibus nec ditari querunt sed qui nouerunt de necessariis contentari;

sexto, quod cotidie recordetur certis temporibus vulnera et passionem Dei, quia inde caritas Dei in corde innouatur;

septimo, quod colligat pauperes certis temporibus, lauando pedes eorum et reficiendo, et quod omnes subditos suos sincera caritate diligat, discordantes inducendo ad concordiam et iniuste offensos consolando;

octauo, quod dona sua tribuat discrete et iuxta facultatem suam, non alios grauando et alios ditando sed sapienter aliquos releuando et nullos onerando;

nono, quod non plus attendat ad pecunias delinquencium quam ad iusticiam, sed pensata qualitate delictorum, vbi maiorem viderit humilitatem, ibi maiorem exhibebit compassionem exclusa omni cupiditate;

decimo, quod apponat omnem diligenciam, dum viuit, quomodo regnum quiete stare post mortem eius possit, quia predico ei, quod amodo non habebit prolem de vtero suo;

vndecimo, quod contenta sit coloribus et pulchritudine faciei sue, quibus eam Deus ornauit, quia color extraneus multum displicet Deo;

duodecimo, quod assumat maiorem humilitatem et contricionem pro peccatis suis, quia ipsa est coram me predatrix multarum animarum, prodiga dispensatrix bonorum meorum et virga et tribulacio amicorum meorum;

terciodecimo, quod habeat continuum timorem in corde, quia toto tempore suo pocius duxerat vitam mulieris lasciue quam regine;

quartodecimo, quod amoueat a se consuetudines mundanas et mulieres adulatrices, et residuum tempus, quod breue est, deducat in honore meo, quia vsque nunc habuit me sicut hominem non recogitantem peccata sua.

Timeat iam et sic viuat, ne senciat me iudicantem. Alioquin, nisi audierit me, iudicabo eam non sicut reginam sed sicut apostatricem et ingratam, et flagellabo a capite vsque ad calcaneum et erit in obprobrium michi et angelis et sanctis meis."

Item reuelacio. Christus loquitur: "Scribe leuioribus et paucioribus verbis ista, sicut Spiritus Sanctus inflammabit te, et mitte per episcopum meum regine."

Item de regina quadam. Videbatur domina stare in camisia respersa spermate et luto et audita est vox: "Hec est symia odorans fetencia posteriora, que habet venenum in corde et stat sibi ipsi nociua et festinat in decipulas precipitacionis."

Item videbatur habere coronam de viminibus respersis stercore humano et luto platearum et sedere nuda in trabe casura.

Statimque videbatur virgo pulcherrima, que dixit: "Hec est mulier procax et audax, que reputatur ab hominibus domina mundi sed coram Deo abiecta est, sicut cernis."

Et addidit virgo: "O mulier, cogita ingressum tuum et attende finem et aperi oculos cordis tui et vide, quia consiliarii tui sunt hii, qui odiunt animam tuam."

Item de regina quadam. Videbatur mulier sedere in sede aurea et duo Ethiopes stabant ante eam, quasi vnus ad dexteram et alius ad sinistram.

Qui vero a dextris stabat clamauit dicens: "O mulier leonina, ego porto sanguinem. Suscipe et effunde, quia proprium est leene sitire sanguinem."

Qui vero erat ad sinistram dixit: "O mulier, ego porto tibi in vase ignem. Suscipe, quia ignee nature es et effunde in aquas, vt et memoria tua ita sit in aquis sicut in terris."

Et post hec apparuit virgo mire speciei, a cuius conspectu fugerunt Ethiopes. Que dixit: "Hec mulier periculose stat. Si prosperatur ad voluntatem suam, erit multis in tribulacionem.

Si vero tribulatur, vtilius est ei ad eternam vitam, sed ipsa non vult dimittere velle suum nec tribulari secundum Deum. Ideo si dimittitur voluntati sue, nec sibi ipsi nec aliis erit in consolacionem."

Item reuelacio. Apparuit Filius dicens: "Hec mulier aliqua placita fecerat michi. Ideo propter preces amicorum meorum indicare ei volo, quomodo fugiat obprobrium hominum et dispendium anime sue, si obedierit bene quidem; sin autem, non effugiat iusticiam iudicis, quia noluit audire vocem Patris."

De domino Gomecio. Mater Dei loquitur: "Consule ei facere iusticiam, vbicumque poterit. Et si scierit se habere male acquisita bona, restituere non tardet.

Caueat eciam insolita grauamina imponere subditis suis sitque contentus de hiis, que habet, quia sufficiunt ei, si moderate et discrete dispensat ea.

Fugiat quoque sicut venenum mulieres preter vxorem propriam et non producat exercitum contra aliquem nec personaliter intersit, nisi omnino scierit se habere iusticiam et bellum sit iustum.

Studeat insuper frequentare confessiones et frequencius sumere corpus Christi certisque in die temporibus exoccupare se ad recordandum passionem Christi et vulnera eius."

De Antonio de Carleto. Christus loquitur: "Dic regine, quod permittat istum stare in ordine suo. Si ascenderit ad maiora, erit in dispendium anime eius, et nec ipse nec amici eius letabuntur de ascensu suo." Sic omnia euenerunt.

Notes

  1. 1The 'etc.' is present in the source text, likely indicating an editorial omission of specific details regarding the queen's life.
  2. 2The Latin 'inflammabit' literally means 'will set on fire' or 'inflame'; 'inspire' is used here to capture the sense of divine prompting in a modern register.

Revelationes (Heavenly Revelations) companion

Keep going — one revelation a day

The full 496-chapter Revelationes lives in the Chosen Portion app, served as free daily portions.

Birgitta's revelations arrived over three decades of daily attentiveness, and the Chosen Portion app lets readers receive them the same way — one portion per day.

  • Finish the guided path in 8 weeks at roughly 15 minutes a day
  • All 8 books, 496 chapters, in modern English — the complete transmitted text
  • Daily delivery so a 30-year masterwork becomes a sustainable habit
Chosen Portion — Daily Prayer (free iOS app)