On Sunday, November 30, 1986, Saint John Paul II reminded his audience in Australia of the great blessing that all Christians share and how they should carry it with joy: “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah our song.” The word “abandon” is of special significance, for it appears in Dante’s Divine Comedy when he places at the gate of hell the words, “Abandon hope ye who enter here” (Lasciate ogni speranza, voi ch’intrate). For very…