Do the blessed also have what is called an aureola?
Yes; but although the crown is common to all, only certain ones will have an aureola (XCVI. 1).
What is the reason of this difference?
It comes to this: the crown is the result or the resplendency of essential happiness which consists in the vision of God; whereas an aureola is a resplendency of an accidental order caused by the joy of certain of the elect on account of certain works they performed while on earth which were specially meritorious (XCVI. 1).
Will the angels have aureolas?
No, for they had no such meritorious works to accomplish (XCVI. 9).
What kind of meritorious works did certain of the elect perform which gives them the right to an aureola?
Some were martyrs, others virgins, and others preached the Gospel (XCVI. 5, 6, 7).
Why will these three kinds of good works merit an aureola?
Because they make men resemble Jesus Christ in a special way in so far as He was victorious over the flesh, the world, and the devil (ibid.).
Are there not in the Sacred Scriptures words which concern the eternal happiness of the elect in heaven?
Yes, in the Apocalypse of St. John, chap. xxii., ver. 5, we read these words: "Night shall be no more: and they shall not need the light of the lamp, nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall enlighten them, and they shall reign for ever and ever."
Next - The Catechism of the Summa - EPILOGUE - PRAYER TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
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