CHAPTER I

CHASTITY, T H E LIGHT OF YOUTH " T h e light of t h y b o d y is t h y eye," says o u r Saviour; "is t h y eye simple, t h e n thy whole b o d y is l i g h t s o m e . " Yes, indeed, effectually a n d cheerfully does o u r b o d y p e r f o r m its task, a n d confidently does it strive to a t t a i n its m a r k , so long as t h e eye is s o u n d , so long as it is b r i g h t , a n d able to receive exterior light. " B u t if t h y eye be evil," t h u s c o n t i n u e s o u r Lord, " t h y w h o l e b o d y shall b e d a r k s o m e ; " t h e n t h e b o d y feels uneasy, t h e n it t r e m b l e s a t every m o v e m e n t , t h e n d a n g e r s t h r e a t e n it; now, a n abyss, t h e n r o b b e r s o r wild a n i m a l s , s o m e t i m e s o t h e r u n f o r e s e e n perils, w h i c h i t is n o t able to avoid. Y o u r light is y o u r chastity; it is t h e light of your soul. The m o r e perfect y o u r chastity, t h e b r i g h t e r y o u r soul, t h e m o r e r e s p l e n d e n t before God, t h e b e t t e r able to reflect t h e liken e s s of t h e Most High, a n d to receive w i t h i n itself every o t h e r v i r t u e . Chastity is, moreover, t h e light of y o u r body; it gives to t h e b o d y a c e r t a i n b r i g h t n e s s , it clothes it w i t h a b e c o m i n g c h a r m , it i m p r e s s e s it w i t h somet h i n g i n d e s c r i b a b l y heavenly, w h i c h wonderfully elevates it, in c o n t r a s t to its o p p o s i t e d e g r a d i n g vice. W o n d e r not, t h e r e f o r e , if I u n d e r t a k e to p l a c e even t h i s v i r t u e b e f o r e you, a n d , as it
o

w e r e , u n r o l l t h e r e its s p l e n d o u r . Oh! t h a t i t m i g h t s o c h a r m you, t h a t , i n o r d e r t o o b t a i n t h i s t r e a s u r e , you w o u l d b e willing t o engage in every c o m b a t , a n d to m a k e every sacrifice. Are you c h a s t e , t h e n you p o s s e s s all things; as long as you a r e n o t c h a s t e t h e n all is yet to be accomplished, then the most important, t h e m o s t e m i n e n t v i r t u e i s certainly w a n t i n g . Are you c h a s t e h a v e you p r e s e r v e d y o u r chastity, or h a v e you by a g r e a t a n d c o n t i n u a l struggle r e c o v e r e d it? t h e n , indeed, you m a y say, as it is w r i t t e n in t h e B o o k of W i s d o m : "All good t h i n g s c o m e t o m e w i t h h e r , a n d innumerable riches through h e r hand. "

Example
We r e a d in t h e life of St. J e r o m e , t h a t he h a d a n i n s a t i a b l e t h i r s t for learning. W h e n still very young, h i s f a t h e r sent h i m t o R o m e t o c o m p l e t e h i s s t u d i e s . I n this city, h e h a d t h e m i s f o r t u n e of g r o w i n g careless in t h e exercise of t h a t p i e t y w h i c h h a d b e e n instilled i n t o h i m i n his infancy. H e n o longer r e s t r a i n ed his p a s s i o n s , a n d w a s full only of w o r d l y views. Being, however, very d e s i r o u s of i m p r o v ing i n h i s studies, h e resolved t o travel. H e visited t h e f a m o u s schools at Marseilles, Toulouse, B o r d e a u x a n d Treves. At this l a t t e r place, h e w a s c o n d u c t e d b y t h e Divine Mercy i n t o t h e p a t h s of v i r t u e a n d salvation; in cons e q u e n c e of w h i c h he took a r e s o l u t i o n to d e v o t e himself wholly to t h e divine service in a s t a t e of p e r p e t u a l chastity. After he h a d formed this r e s o l u t i o n , he d e d i c a t e d his g r e a t l e a r n i n g to t h e service of Almighty God. In 10

o r d e r t o a c c o m p l i s h this t h e m o r e fully, a n d , a t t h e s a m e t i m e t h e m o r e securely t o p r o t e c t h i s v i r t u e , he r e t i r e d i n t o a d e s e r t lying betw e e n Syria a n d Arabia, w h e r e t h e holy a b b o t T h e o d o s i u s received h i m w i t h g r e a t joy. A l t h o u g h h e m a d e s u c h p r o g r e s s i n his learning, a s t o b e c o n s i d e r e d t h e m o s t l e a r n e d o f all t h e L a t i n f a t h e r s , still t h e devil did n o t desist f r o m t e m p t i n g h i m m o s t violently t o sins a g a i n s t holy p u r i t y . He himself says of t h e s e severe afflictions: "My face w a s p a l e w i t h fasting, a n d yet m y b o d y felt violent a s s a u l t s of i r r e g u l a r d e s i r e s : a n d t h o u g h I vigorously r e p r e s s e d all t h e i r sallies, t h e y strove always to r i s e again. I often j o i n e d w h o l e n i g h t s to days, crying, sighing, a n d b e a t i n g m y b r e a s t till t h e d e s i r e d c a l m r e t u r n e d . T h e L o r d is m y w i t n e s s , t h a t after s o m a n y sobs a n d t e a r s , after having l o o k e d i n s u c h s o r r o w u p t o Heaven, I experienced m o s t delightful c o m f o r t and interior sweetness, and these were so great, that transported and absorbed, I seemed to myself to be a m i d s t t h e choirs of Angels; a n d glad a n d joyful, I sang to God: 'After Thee, O Lord, we will r u n in t h e fragrancy of Thy celestial o i n t m e n t s . ' I f y o u b u t k n e w t h e w o r t h o f chastity, h o w carefully w o u l d y o u w a t c h over this light o f y o u r soul, t h a t i t m i g h t n o t b e t u r n e d i n t o d a r k n e s s ! Oh! h o w h a p p y you a r e a s long a s this eye of y o u r soul is b r i g h t a n d s e r e n e ; w o e to you, however, if it is s u r r o u n d e d by darkness.

PRAISED

CHASTITY I N T H E HOLY S C R I P T U R E S

I n e x h a u s t i b l e a r e t h e Holy S c r i p t u r e s i n t h e i r p r a i s e s of chastity. H o w full of animation a r e n o t t h e well-known w o r d s of the Book of W i s d o m : "O h o w beautiful is t h e c h a s t e g e n e r a t i o n w i t h glory; for t h e m e m o r y thereof is immortal, because it is known both with God a n d w i t h m e n . W h e n i t i s p r e s e n t they i m i t a t e it; a n d t h e y desire it w h e n it h a t h w i t h d r a w n itself; a n d i t t r i u m p h e t h c r o w n e d for ever, w i n n i n g t h e r e w a r d of undefiled conflicts. " Yes, w h a t m a t c h l e s s b e a u t y do we find i n chastity! h o w r a d i a n t even i n d i s t a n c e ! h o w a r e all eyes t u r n e d t o w a r d s h i m t h a t i s c h a s t e ; even t h o s e w h o a r e t o o effeminate to follow h i m u p o n h i s b r i g h t , b u t difficult p a t h , cann o t h e l p h o n o u r i n g h i m ! Behold, t h e c h a s t e o n e is a p a t t e r n for all, a s p u r to all; a n d in the other worldwhat reward is awaiting him! T h e r e a n i m m o r t a l c r o w n shall grace his b r o w , a n d a p a l m of victory, c o m m e n s u r a t e w i t h his h a r d c o m b a t , shall b e given h i m . And again w e r e a d i n t h e Holy B o o k : " H e t h a t loves p u r i t y of h e a r t h a s for his friend t h e King. " B u t to h a v e for a friend highest King, t h e Almighty, t h e Most Holy, t h e Most Loving, t h e Most Liberal, t h e Most Beautiful, w h a t an h o n o u r , w h a t a privilege! a n d w h a t effects 12

does this privilege p r o d u c e ! w h a t familiarity, w h a t h a r m o n y , w h a t exchange of t h e m o s t i n t i m a t e feelings! Oh! tell u s , you p u r e souls h o w you u n d e r s t a n d God, a n d h o w God u n d e r s t a n d s you! h o w w a r m l y y o u r h e a r t b e a t s for God, a n d h o w you perceive t h a t God's h e a r t b e a t s for you! Tell us of your c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h t h e Divine Majesty, h o w H e d e s c e n d s t o you, o r r a t h e r , h o w H e raises a n d d r a w s you, a s it w e r e , to His m o s t holy H e a r t , t h e r e like St. J o h n t o rest, a n d t h e n s u r r o u n d i n g you w i t h heavenly o d o u r s s e n d s you b a c k i n t o this valley of t e a r s for a little while longer! R e m a i n or b e c o m e a friend of this Heavenly King, a n d you c a n easily forego every o t h e r friendship.

Example
A beautiful illustration of t h e s e last w o r d s we find in t h e holy y o u t h , J o s e p h , t h e son of J a c o b . W h e n still a boy, he t u r n e d a w a y from t h e sinful p r a c t i c e s of his b r o t h e r s . He i n f o r m e d his f a t h e r of t h e i r evil doings, a n d , for this r e a s o n , he b e c a m e an object of h a t r e d in t h e i r sight. They sold h i m as a slave a n d sent h i m into Egypt, b u t Divine Providence o p e n e d t h e w a y for h i m i n t o t h e h o u s e of P u t i p h a r , a rich E g y p t i a n . Here, however, a severe trial a w a i t e d t h e n o b l e y o u t h . T h e lustful wife of P u t i p h a r t e m p t e d h i m to c o m m i t a grave sin; b u t J o s e p h sought safety in flight. T h e s h a m e l e s s w o m a n , enr a g e d by his refusal, sought revenge; u p o n h e r accusation, J o s e p h w a s t h r o w n i n t o p r i s o n . Although i n p r i s o n a n d o p p r e s s e d 13

even m o r e by t h e w e i g h t of t h e m o s t , dreadful calumny, t h a n by t h e heavy load of h i s chains, J o s e p h is serenefor he is p u r e , he is innocent. And soon, u n d o u b t e d l y , as a r e w a r d for t h e i n n o c e n c e h e s o b r a v e l y defended, his chains a r e c o n v e r t e d i n t o a d i a d e m , his m e n i a l d r e s s i n t o a kingly purple, and Joseph's name, in the splendour of its chastity, still lives in t h e m o s t s a c r e d of Books, a n d in t h e m e m o r y of all good p e o p l e . Holy v i r t u e , glorious v i r t u e , dazzle m e w i t h thy s p l e n d o u r , t h a t all sensual o r b a s e things may appear to me hideous, and black as night.

14

CHAPTER

III

CHASTITY EXTOLLED BY T H E EXAMPLE OF CHRIST W h o s h o u l d k n o w b e t t e r w h e r e t r u e greatn e s s , r e a l b e a u t y a n d t h e p u r e s t nobility o f soul a n d b o d y a r e t o b e found t h a n J e s u s ? J e s u s , a t o n c e t h e P u r e s t a n d t h e Wisest, w h o l o o k s u p o n things a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r real value, w h o is n o t deceived by t h e exterior of t h i n g s , t o w h o m t h e i r o u t w a r d a p p e a r a n c e a n d essence a r e equally visible? T o w a r d w h o m did t h e S o n of M a n d u r i n g His pilgrimage u p o n e a r t h feel Himself m o r e irresistibly d r a w n , than toward the chaste? Was not His mother a virgin? a n d His foster-father, t h e virgin-like J o s e p h ? Behold, h o w H e loves t h e i n n o c e n t children! I n t h e i r m i d s t , H e seems t o b e t r a n s p o r t e d t o His heavenly h o m e , into t h e c o m p a n y of His heavenly m e s s e n g e r s t h e angels. "Let little children c o m e to Me, for t h e i r s is t h e K i n g d o m of H e a v e n . " These he c a r e s s e s t o bless t h e s e . H e places u p o n t h e m His saving H a n d . T o p r o t e c t innocence, H e p r o n o u n c e s t h e m o s t dreadful c u r s e u p o n t h e seducer, a n d u p o n h i m w h o gives scandal t o t h e p u r e . Y o u t h s He d r a w s u n t o Himself, t e a c h e s t h e m w i t h a special predilection, a n d gives t h e m His m o s t s a l u t a r y counsels. F o r w h o s e benefit did H e 15

w o r k His g r e a t e s t m i r a c l e , as r e c o r d e d in t h e Holy B o o k ? Think of Lazarus, of t h e son of t h e w i d o w of N a i m , of t h e d a u g h t e r of J a i r u s all t h r e e still in t h e i r y o u t h a n d in holy inn o c e n c e . And r e m e m b e r His p r e d i l e c t i o n of His virgin-like disciple, St J o h n ! You find h i m upon Thabor, illuminated with the splendour of his M a s t e r ' s transfiguration; y o u b e h o l d h i m a t t h e Last S u p p e r , reclining u p o n t h e b o s o m of his Saviour. Again you see h i m in Gethsem a n e as a w i t n e s s of t h e L o r d ' s a p p r o a c h i n g suffering, a n d you see h i m s t a n d i n g u n d e r t h e c r o s s , b e d e w e d w i t h t h e blood of his beloved M a s t e r ! And h e r e , u n d e r t h e cross, is t h e Virgin-Mother b e q u e a t h e d t o t h e Virginlike disciple, w h o is m a d e h e r son, h e r prot e c t o r i n p l a c e of Christ Himself. P o n d e r well on this. Do you w i s h to be a favoured friend of J e s u s ? for t h a t you r e q u i r e b u t o n e thingholy p u r i t y . N e i t h e r riches n o r nobility of b i r t h , n e i t h e r t a l e n t n o r c o r p o r a l b e a u t y , n e i t h e r t h e favour of m e n n o r t h e glory of this w o r l d can e n a b l e you to b e c o m e t h e favourite friend of Jesusonly this is necessary: be chaste.

Example
E d m u n d , a f t e r w a r d s t h e r e n o w n e d Archb i s h o p of C a n t e r b u r y , h a d a m o s t p i o u s m o t h e r , w h o s e n a m e w a s Manila. S h e r e a r e d h e r c h i l d r e n in holy innocence a n d in t h e fear of t h e Lord. W h e n E d m u n d , w h o w a s still very young, w a s a b o u t to go w i t h his elder b r o t h e r N o r b e r t t o P a r i s , t h e r e t o p u r s u e his 16

s t u d i e s a t t h e university, t h e m o t h e r gave e a c h of t h e m a hair-shirt a n d begged t h e m to w e a r it o n c e or twice a week, "for, " said she, "in t h a t large city, in t h e m i d s t of dissolute companions, many temptations are a w a i t i n g you; a n d still it is my w i s h t h a t you s h o u l d r e t u r n t o m e innocent, for i n n o c e n t you leave m e . " Whenever, a f t e r w a r d s , she s e n t h i m , o r his b r o t h e r , t h e i r necessaries, she regularly a d d e d an i n s t r u m e n t of p e n a n c e . E d m u n d , w h o i n his n i n t h year, h a d already v o w e d p e r p e t u a l c h a s t i t y t o his Lord a n d M a k e r , w a s fully convinced t h a t it is necessary to s u r r o u n d t h e lily of p u r i t y by t h e t h o r n s of p e n a n c e a n d self-denial. He, therefore, m a d e a conscientious u s e of his p i o u s m o t h e r ' s advice. Besides, in all t e m p t a t i o n s , he w a s a c c u s t o m e d to call u p o n Mary, his i m m a c u l a t e m o t h e r , a n d h e frequently asserte d t h a t she always h e l p e d h i m . Dissolute y o u n g m e n h e avoided carefully. I t h a p p e n e d , o n e day, t h a t t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n of his comr a d e s b e g a n t o t u r n u p o n i m m o d e s t things; he left t h e m immediately, a n d w a s m e t by a most handsome youth, upon whose b r o w was w r i t t e n in b r i l l i a n t l e t t e r s t h e n a m e " J e s u s . " " B e c a u s e you left t h e m , " t h u s s p o k e this heavenly a p p a r i t i o n , "I n o w join you. " E d m u n d received sublime instructions, and was s t r e n g t h e n e d in his e n d e a v o u r s of keeping his h e a r t p u r e a n d undefiled, i n o r d e r never t o lose his heavenly c o m p a n i o n . Oh! t h a t t h e i n n o c e n c e of y o u r t h o u g h t s , desires, w o r d s a n d a c t i o n s , m i g h t also m a k e y o u t h e special friend of y o u r L o r d a n d Mas17
2

t e r ! I t i s t r u e , t h e w o r l d h o n o u r s w i t h its friendship only t h o s e w h o r e s e m b l e it, or, w h o p o s s e s s exterior a c c o m p l i s h m e n t s ; b u t y o u r Saviour, t h e Most Amiable, t h e Most Liberal, w i s h e s t o b e y o u r frienddo you desire m o r e ?

18

CHAPTER IV

CHASTITY P R A I S E D B Y T H E DOCTORS O F THE CHURCH

The fathers and doctors of the Church seem to be i n e x h a u s t i b l e in t h e i r p r a i s e s of holy chastity. H o w beautiful a r e n o t t h e w o r d s of T e r t u l l i a n : "Chastity is t h e c e n t r e of all m o r a l i t y ; t h e dignity of t h e body, t h e ornam e n t of t h e sexes; it is t h e s u p p o r t of ail sanctity, it p r e p a r e s t h e w a y for every spiritu a l perfection; a l t h o u g h s e l d o m found i n its h i g h e s t perfection, o r w i t h o u t a n y interr u p t i o n , still it is n o t entirely w a n t i n g in t h e w o r l d ; be it, t h a t a h a p p y n a t u r a l disposition c a m e to i t s aid, or t h a t self-denial or a s t r i c t self-control gained t h e s u p e r i o r i t y . " And St. A t h a n a s i u s u t t e r s t h e p r a i s e of holy c h a s t i t y in t h e following beautiful w o r d s : "A s u b l i m e v i r t u e is continency, s o m e t h i n g very g r a n d is chastity, a n d a b o v e all t h i n g s p r a i s e w o r t h y , is holy virginity. O i n d e s c r i b a b l e riches of holy p u r i t y ! Chastity, i m p e r i s h a b l e c r o w n ! O chastity, t e m p l e of God, a n d dwelling-place of t h e H o l y Ghost! O c h a s t i t y , m o s t p r e c i o u s p e a r l , h i d d e n t o t h e m a n y a n d discovered b u t by few! O continency, favourite w i t h God h o n o u r e d so highly by t h e s a i n t s ! O continency so obscure and u n k n o w n to the crowd, but known so much the better to those 19

w h o a r e w o r t h y of t h e e ! O chastity, w h i c h escapes eternal death, and u n t o which Immortality clings! O chastity, joy of t h e p r o p h e t s , glory of t h e a p o s t l e s ! O chastity, life of t h e angels a n d o r n a m e n t of holy m e n ! Blessed he who possesses thee, and who in patience a n d p e r s e v e r a n c e e s p o u s e s t h e e ; for after a s h o r t c o m b a t , h e shall r e a p , o n t h y a c c o u n t , a r i c h r e w a r d . Blessed he w h o h a s l e a r n e d in this life to d e n y himself, for his h o m e shall b e t h e Heavenly J e r u s a l e m ; h e shall i n rejoicing w a l k w i t h t h e angels, a n d w i t h t h e holy p r o p h e t s a n d a p o s t l e s he shall enjoy ete r n a l bliss. " St. Cyprian says: "Chastity gives dignity t o t h e body, i s a n o r n a m e n t t o m o r a l s , a n d sanctifies t h e sexes. Chastity does n o t need another ornament, it is an ornament to itself. It is c h a s t i t y w h i c h m a k e s us pleasing t o t h e Lord, w h i c h u n i t e s u s m o s t closely w i t h Christ; i t p r o t e c t s u s against t h e unlawful a t t a c k s of sensuality; it gives o u r bodies peace. Chastity is h a p p i n e s s itself, a n d produces happiness. "

Example
It is r e l a t e d of St. Gregory Nazianzen t h a t he h a d a m o s t m y s t e r i o u s d r e a m , w h e n still a y o u t h . Before h i m stood t w o females of exq u i s i t e b e a u t y , o n e r e p r e s e n t i n g Chastity the other Temperance. They c a r e s s e d t h e y o u t h as if he w e r e a child, a n d invited h i m to a c c o m p a n y t h e m . " C o m e w i t h u s , " they said, " w e will c o n d u c t y o u u n t o t h e t h r o n e of t h e Most Blessed Trinity. " And t h a t Gregory w e n t w i t h t h e m , t h a t is, t h a t h e p r a c t i s e d 20

t h e s e t w o v i r t u e s in p a r t i c u l a r , follows from t h e fact t h a t he is called t h e "Theologian, " w h i c h signifies o n e w h o h a s knowledge, a n d he is a t e a c h e r of heavenly things. N o r is it a s t o n i s h i n g t h a t a c h a s t e h e a r t is b e s t adapte d t o see a n d u n d e r s t a n d s u b l i m e things; for t h r o u g h a soiled glass, even t h e eye itself can see b u t very imperfectly.

21

CHAPTER V

CHASTITY

PRAISEWORTHY

IN

ITSELF

T h e Holy S c r i p t u r e s call chastity, absolutely: " S a n c t i t y . " " T h i s is t h e will of God y o u r sanctification; t h a t y o u s h o u l d a b s t a i n f r o m i m p u r i t i e s , t h a t every o n e of y o u s h o u l d k n o w h o w to p o s s e s s h i s vessel (i. e., h i s b o d y ) in sanctification a n d h o n o u r , for God h a t h n o t called you to u n c l e a n l i n e s s , b u t to h o l i n e s s . " Who is chaste? He who turns away with all t h e s t r e n g t h of h i s will from all t h i n g s w h i c h h a v e a n y r e l a t i o n t o t h e low a n d sens u a l a p p e t i t e s of m e n ; he, w h o in s t r i c t u n i o n w i t h t h e holy a n d w i s e i n t e n t i o n s of God, s u b o r d i n a t e s his flesh to his spirit; he w h o , as m u c h as it is in his power, withdraws his imagination and memory, his thoughts and desires, h i s eyes, e a r s , m o u t h , h a n d s , i n s h o r t , all t h e faculties of h i s b o d y a n d soul from t h e s e low a n d sensual inclinations, a n d a s m u c h as possible lives in t h e b o d y as if he w e r e w i t h o u t it. Therefore, O Y o u t h , you a r e c h a s t e , if notw i t h s t a n d i n g all i n c i t e m e n t to evil, n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e s e t r y i n g rebellions of t h e flesh, y o u still refuse to consent, refuse to do anyt h i n g for t h e gratification of t h e s e desires, a n d s t a n d , a s i t w e r e , above t h e fluctuations of t h e s e rebellious p a s s i o n s firm a n d erect 22

like t h e light-house giving light to t h e darkn e s s b e l o w t e n d i n g u p w a r d s t o t h e skies. P e r h a p s you t h i n k ; " t h a t i s a b o v e m y s t r e n g t h . " By no m e a n s ; a g r e a t n u m b e r h a v e a c c o m p l i s h e d i t w h y n o t you? And you a r e expected to do it only w i t h t h e p o w e r f u l ass i s t a n c e of divine grace, Then, even if it be difficult, if it s e e m a l m o s t s u p e r h u m a n , rem e m b e r the sublimity and the beauty of this v i r t u e w h i c h b r i n g s you m o s t closely t o H i m , " w h o is wholly a s p i r i t " t o God, t h e U n c r e a t e d Spirit, t h e Most P u r e , t h e Most Holy One.

Example
A beautiful i l l u s t r a t i o n of o u r t h e m e , we find in J o h n M. Costello, w h o died on Decemb e r 16th, 1865, at St. Charles S e m i n a r y , Maryland. As it often h a p p e n s , his u n p r e t e n d i n g v i r t u e w a s only fully acknowledged, w h e n h i s p r e m a t u r e death aroused the attention of his p r o f e s s o r s a n d fellow-students to t h e void his d e m i s e h a d c r e a t e d . J o h n M . Costello w a s b o r n on O c t o b e r 4th, 1846, at S c h e n e c t a d y , a n d w a s s e n t by t h e R t . Rev. B i s h o p of Albany, to the above-named institution in September, 1863. W h e n still a boy, he h a d a t t r a c t e d att e n t i o n b y h i s p i e t y a n d angelic p u r i t y . Costello was by no means morose; on the contrary, h e loved s p o r t a n d play i n t h e i r season. His c o m p a n y w a s s o u g h t b y m a n y , a n d every o n e loved to be n e a r this " a d m i r a b l e little saint, " a s h e w a s t h e n a l r e a d y called. T h e i m p r e s s i o n h e m a d e u p o n o t h e r s even a t first sight, m a y b e s h o w n b y t h e following letter: 23

" D u r i n g t h e vacation of 1864, I m e t in t h e s t r e e t s of Albany a friend of m i n e , w h o after t h e u s u a l salutation, exclaimed: ' F r a n k , today I have seen St. Aloysius. ' ' I n d e e d , ' I ans w e r e d , 'have you t h e n b e e n t o H e a v e n ? ' ' N o t exactly t h a t , ' w a s t h e reply, ' b u t a heavenly b e i n g h a s a p p e a r e d u p o n e a r t h . ' ' He t h e n s p o k e t o m e a b o u t Costello, a n d told m e w h e r e h e h a d m e t h i m . J o h n M . Costello w a s at t h a t t i m e s p e n d i n g a few days w i t h a friend, a n d a s t h e l a t t e r h a d f o r m e r l y invited me to call, I c o n c l u d e d n o w to do so. I w a s i m m e d i a t e l y i n t r o d u c e d to his y o u n g friend a n d visitor. I w a s q u i t e o v e r c o m e by h i s beautiful a p p e a r a n c e ; so saint-like, so full of blissful joy a n d heavenly peace w a s his c o u n t e n a n c e . 0 God, t h a t this h a p p y day m i g h t soon r e t u r n ! t h a t t h e h a p p y m o m e n t s m i g h t r e t u r n , w h i c h I s p e n t in c o m p a n y w i t h this i n n o c e n t y o u t h ! I m e t h i m a f t e r w a r d s on diff e r e n t occasions, a n d a t length p r e v a i l e d u p on h i m to s p e n d a few days at my h o u s e . I k n o w m a n y p r i e s t s , also m a n y p e r s o n s of different religious o r d e r s , still I m u s t confess, never did I b e h o l d a c o u n t e n a n c e u p o n w h i c h holy p u r i t y w a s so visibly s t a m p e d as u p o n this y o u t h . " "Do you see h o w t h e light e x t e n d s i n t o all p l a c e s ? h o w t h e b r i g h t n e s s of t h e soul often b r e a k s t h r o u g h t h e veil of t h e body, a n d s p r e a d s its rays a b r o a d ? And w h o does n o t love t h e l i g h t ? " Be you others! 24 s u c h a lightto yourself a n d to

CHAPTER

VI

CHASTITY, S U B L I M E I N I T S R E L A T I O N S T O T H E ANGELS We often call c h a s t i t y t h e angelic v i r t u e . This m a n n e r of s p e a k i n g is n o t q u i t e correct. F o r a l t h o u g h t h e angels a r e p u r e , they a r e n o t s o b y virtue, b u t b y t h e i r spiritual n a t u r e . Only s u c h beings c a n b e s u b j e c t t o t e m p t a t i o n s of t h e flesh, w h o in m o r t a l flesh, live a m o r t a l life. T h e angel, however, is a p u r e spiritcan t h e r e f o r e b e b u t p u r e . " H e cann o t be a l l u r e d by b e a u t y of exterior form, n o r by a n y sensual a t t r a c t i o n , " says St. Chrys o s t o m , "for h e i s w i t h o u t t h e e x t e r n a l senses, he is s u p e r n a t u r a l . O h a p p y p u r i t y , w h i c h c a n n o t b e lost, since b o t h t h e object a n d t h e c a u s e of sin a r e w a n t i n g . " And n o w , you m a y j u d g e of t h e s u b l i m i t y of h u m a n chastity. "By no o t h e r v i r t u e , " says Cassian, " d o e s m a n b e c o m e s o like t o t h e angels. " F o r to be clothed w i t h a m o r t a l body, t o b e e n d o w e d w i t h senses o p e n t o every external i m p r e s s i o n , to p o s s e s s a h e a r t w h i c h is t h e seat of all sensual affections; a n d still t o b e c h a s t e t h a t r e q u i r e s v i r t u e . O v i r t u e , exalted above t h a t of t h e angels, w h o k n o w s n o t h i n g of t e m p t a t i o n s of t h e flesh, a n d t h e sensuality of t h e senses! No wonder then, that persons who are 25

like to t h e angels in p u r i t y enjoy angelic privileges. S u c h u n d e r s t a n d divine things m o r e readily t h a n o t h e r s ; t h e y a r e m o r e att e n t i v e t o heavenly i n s p i r a t i o n s ; t h e i r a s p e c t is brighter, their endeavours purer, their p r a y e r s less l a b o r i o u s , a n d t h o s e heavenly spirits by w h o m they are almost considered equals, seem to draw near to them with a p a r t i c u l a r affection.

Example
St. T h o m a s Aquinas w a s as r e m a r k a b l e for h i s love of holy c h a s t i t y as for t h e c o u r a g e w i t h w h i c h h e defended it. W h e n still very y o u n g he m a d e a v o w of chastity, a n d at t h e age of seventeen, t o o k t h e h a b i t of St. Domin i c a t N a p l e s . His m o t h e r having b e e n informed of t h e s t e p h e r son h a d t a k e n , set o u t for N a p l e s to w i t h d r a w h i m , if possible, from t h a t s t a t e of life. T h o m a s , on h e a r i n g this n e w s , begged his s u p e r i o r s t o r e m o v e h i m to t h e convent of St. S a b i n a in R o m e , a n d t h e n c e t o P a r i s . B u t h i s b r o t h e r s , being comm a n d e r s i n t h e E m p e r o r ' s a r m y , g u a r d e d all t h e r o a d s so well t h a t he fell i n t o t h e i r h a n d s . They t o o k h i m t o his p a r e n t s , b u t n e i t h e r his m o t h e r ' s t e a r s a n d l a m e n t a t i o n s , n o r h i s b r o t h e r s ' cruelty, could s h a k e his r e s o l u t i o n . T h e devil suggested a n e w artifice t o h i s b r o t h e r s , w h o i n t r o d u c e d i n t o his c h a m b e r a beautiful a n d fascinating y o u n g w o m a n , d e s t i n e d t o d r a w h i m into sin. The saint, frightened a t t h e danger, cried o u t t o God to p r o t e c t h i m ; t h e n s n a t c h i n g a fireb r a n d , s t r u c k h e r w i t h it, a n d d r o v e h e r out 26

o f t h e r o o m . D u r i n g t h e n i g h t h e w a s visited b y t w o angels, w h o , a s i t s e e m e d , g i r d e d h i s w a i s t so tightly w i t h a c o r d , t h a t he w a s a w a k e n e d a n d forced t o c r y aloud. H e afterw a r d s revealed t o h i s confessor, t h a t f r o m that time forward he had never been annoyed by a n y t e m p t a t i o n s of t h e flesh. O Y o u t h , r e m a i n an angel, or b e c o m e like t o a n angel b y holy p u r i t y .

27

CHAPTER V I I

CHASTITY, COMMENDABLE ON ACCOUNT O F T H E COMBATS B Y W H I C H I T I S P R E S E R V E D , AND R E C O V E R E D W H E N LOST T h e r e a r e few p e r s o n s w h o h a v e p r e s e r v e d t h e i r chastity, especially in t h e i r y o u t h , save by hard, wearisome and, sometimes, uninterr u p t e d conflicts. The cause of this lies in t h e n a t u r e of m a n , in h i s r e l a t i o n s to himself, in his r e l a t i o n s to t h e w o r l d . You a r e dust, y o u a r e e a r t h , y o u a r e flesh w i t h i n you t h e r e is w a g e d a c o n s t a n t warfare, a n d n e v e r is it g r e a t e r t h a n in y o u t h . In this respect, y o u t h r e s e m b l e s t h e t i m e of spring, w h e n s t o r m s r a g e m o r e fiercely, w h e n t h e e a r t h gives o u t m o r e heat, w h e n b u d s develop m o r e rapidly, a n d w h e n , generally, the future prospects of the year are determined. To t h e y o u t h all things s e e m n e w ; he e n t e r s , as it w e r e , u p o n a n e w life; n e w a r e t h e e n j o y m e n t s t h a t offer t h e m s e l v e s , n e w t h e i m p r e s s i o n s t h a t h e receives. T o this c h a r m of novelty a n d t h e peculiar d a n g e r s of t h e school or collegethe d a n g e r s t h a t t h r e a t e n h i m from infidel t e a c h e r s , from c o r r u p t associates, f r o m t h e v a r i o u s b r a n c h e s of s t u d y ; a n d , on t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e d a n g e r s a r i s i n g from h i s p a r t i c u l a r o c c u p a t i o n in life, 28

t h e d a n g e r s of t h e shop, t h e office, t h e t e m p t a t i o n s t h a t h o m e m a y p r e s e n t ; above all, t h e still g r e a t e r p e r i l s of t h e w o r l d w i t h its evil p r i n c i p l e s , its b a d example, its d i s t r a c t i o n s , its allurementslastly, t h e f i e r y d a r t s w h i c h S a t a n c o n s t a n t l y h a s r e a d y in his well-filled quiver, a n d w h i c h h e successfully h u r l s a t t h e h e a r t of y o u t h , so t e n d e r a n d so vulnerable. In c o n s i d e r a t i o n of all these difficulties, St. C h r y s o s t o m cries o u t : " I k n o w well t h e difficulty of this u n d e r t a k i n g , I k n o w t h e fierceness of t h e s e c o m b a t s , I k n o w t h e i m p o r t a n c e of this w a r f a r e . " To be victorious in t h e s e conflicts r e q u i r e s a strong, courageo u s m i n d , a m i n d t h a t despises every t h i n g vile. It is n e c e s s a r y to w a l k u p o n fiery coals w i t h o u t b u r n i n g one's self, to w a l k b e t w e e n d r a w n s w o r d s w i t h o u t b e i n g w o u n d e d ; for t h e p o w e r of sensuality over us is as g r e a t as t h a t of fire or of t h e s w o r d . If, t h e r e f o r e , t h e soul b e n o t s t r e n g t h e n e d , i n o r d e r t o k n o w h o w t o suffer, t h e n will i t soon b e lost. H e n c e , it is n e c e s s a r y for us to h a v e an eye t h a t is always watchful, a p e r s e v e r a n c e t h a t n e v e r slackens, s t r o n g fortifications, efficient safeguards, above all, a heavenly s e n t i m e n t . " F o r u n l e s s t h e L o r d k e e p e t h t h e city, h e w a t c h e t h in vain t h a t k e e p e t h it. " F r o m t h i s , you m a y j u d g e of t h e value of chastity, w h i c h i s p r e s e r v e d b y s u c h c o n t e s t s , and bought at the price of such labours. Possibly, t h e r e a r e a few favoured o n e s , w h o m n a t u r e h a s s p a r e d from t h e s e violent conflicts, or w h o , living u n d e r especially fortunate circumstances, have grown into man29

hood without them, but their number is small. H o n o u r , t h e r e f o r e , t o t h e valiant y o u t h , w h o h a s fought, a n d fought successfully! T h e L o r d will a m p l y r e w a r d h i m , i f h e b u t p e r s e v e r e , b e c a u s e H e h a s p r e p a r e d for s u c h special c r o w n s of glory.

Example
I t i s r e l a t e d t h a t a n u n f o r t u n a t e y o u t h having fallen deeply i n t o sin, a l m o s t gave himself up to d e s p a i r . "Never, " said he to himself, "shall I be a b l e to o v e r c o m e t h i s evil h a b i t . H o w often h a v e I n o t p r o m i s e d Almighty God a n d my confessor t h a t I w o u l d c o r r e c t this fault, a n d still I always fall again. " T h u s was cowardice added to despondency; he n e g l e c t e d h i s p r a y e r s , p o s t p o n e d his confessions, a n d well m i g h t t h e p o o r b o y h a v e b e e n c o m p a r e d to a skiff, w h i c h , at t h e m e r c y of the waves, is carried down the stream with r e s i s t l e s s p o w e r . One evening, w i t h h i s m i n d full o f s u c h t h o u g h t s , a n d o t h e r s t h a t a r e w o r s e t h o u g h t s of suicidehe fell asleep. S u d d e n l y , he b e h e l d in h i s d r e a m , a giant s t a n d i n g b e f o r e h i m , a n d a n angel c o m m a n d ing h i m to engage in single c o m b a t . "Rise, " cried t h e angel, " w r e s t l e w i t h h i m . " Full of fear, a n d faint-hearted, t h e y o u t h r e p l i e d : " H o w c a n I w r e s t l e w i t h h i m ? Is he n o t a g i a n t ? a n d I am so s m a l l , he will c r u s h m e . " B u t t h e angel a n w e r e d : " H a v e c o u r a g e , t r y it, I shall h e l p you. " Behold, after a s h o r t struggle, t h e giant fell a n d t h e y o u t h , w i t h t h e h e l p of t h e angel, e n t i r e l y defeated h i m . Covered w i t h p e r s p i r a t i o n t h e y o u t h a w o k e , 30

a n d reflected u p o n this d r e a m . " W a s n o t this a sign f r o m above? Am I t h e n alone, " t h o u g h t t h e y o u t h . "Will n o t h e a v e n assist m e , if I i m p l o r e its h e l p , a n d c o m e w i t h c o u r a g e a n d confidence t o t h e c o m b a t ? " F r o m t h a t moment he was comforted. In due time, he gained over himself a c o m p l e t e a n d lasting victory. N e v e r lose courage, n e v e r d e s p a i r of victory. N o one i s t e m p t e d m o r e t h a n h e c a n e n d u r e . God is j u s t H e is merciful. Do y o u r p a r t a n d t h e grace of God will never fail you.

31

CHAPTER V I I I

CHASTITY A MOST P R E C I O U S , BUT FRAGILE V E S S E L Truly a m o s t p r e c i o u s vessel is holy chastity; p r e c i o u s i s t h e materialfor w h a t is r a r e r t h a n this v i r t u e , especially in youth, w h e n t h e passions of t h a t age resist r e a s o n a n d conscience, t h e dictates of religion, a n d t h e advice of well-meaning a n d t r u e friends. Precious is t h e formfor this v i r t u e gives youth a certain supernatural appearance. Precious a r e t h e o r n a m e n t s f o r v i r t u e s of every d e s c r i p t i o n b l o o m in t h e soul of h i m w h o is c h a s t e . Precious a r e its c o n t e n t s a real vessel of h o n o u r is he w h o is p u r e , a vessel of grace, a vessel of p r e d e s t i n a t i o n . This vessel is as b r i t t l e , as it is p r e c i o u s . To it, we m a y apply t h e w o r d s of t h e apostle, St. P a u l : "We c a r r y o u r t r e a s u r e i n e a r t h e r n vessels. " Fragile is this vessel, for the C h u r c h t e a c h e s us t h a t t h e least violation of this v i r t u e , if wilfully allowed or c o m m i t t e d , is m o r t a l sin; fragile too, b e c a u s e o u r n a t u r e d r a w s u s m o r e v e h e m e n t l y t o t h e s e sensual t r a n s g r e s s i o n s t h a n t o any o t h e r thing; fragile b e c a u s e slippery a n d d a n g e r o u s is t h e p a t h u p o n w h i c h w e all m u s t w a l k h e r e below, i m p e t u o u s t h e a t t a c k of t h e w o r l d u p o n y o u t h . H o w easily t h e n , m a y n o t t h i s 32

vessel b e b r o k e n , since d a n g e r s s u r r o u n d i t on every side. We m a y , t h e r e f o r e , j u d g e f r o m this h o w g r e a t will b e his r e w a r d w h o , notw i t h s t a n d i n g all these perils, carries his vessel u n i n j u r e d t h r o u g h this life, a n d t h u s delivers it u n t o t h e M a k e r of his soul, t h e infinite, t h e m o s t holy God. Consider well w h e r e you walk. Keep this vessel close to you; avoid t h e m u l t i t u d e , a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y those w h o s e evil i n t e n t i o n s you can easily perceive, or w h o s e d a n g e r o u s comp a n y you m u s t s h u n . May y o u r holy G u a r d i a n Angel be at your side in every affliction, a n d assist you in every d i s t r e s s !

Example
F r o m S t Aloysius w e m a y l e a r n h o w t o c a r r y o u r t r e a s u r e in fragile vessels. Being well a w a r e of t h e i m p o r t a n c e of this u n d e r t a k i n g , h e u n i t e d discretion t o t h e p r a c t i c e o f p r a y e r and penance. B y t h e s e m e a n s , h e fortified h i s i n n o c e n c e w i t h a n i n s u r m o u n t a b l e wall. H o w often did h e n o t s p e n d half t h e night u p o n his k n e e s in p r a y e r , or, if s t r e n g t h failed h i m , e x t e n d e d u p o n t h e b a r e floor? I n this c o n d i t i o n h e w a s found o n e m o r n i n g b y his attendants, and u p o n being upbraided by his i n s t r u c t o r , h e pacified h i m b y t h e w o r d s w h i c h r e m i n d us of t h o s e of J e s u s in t h e t e m p l e : "Did you n o t k n o w t h a t I m u s t b e a b o u t m y F a t h e r ' s b u s i n e s s ? " T o his p r a y e r s , a n d t h e frequent reception of the sacraments, he added corporal works of penance, which he inflicted w i t h s u c h severity t h a t it s e e m s wonderful h o w h i s t e n d e r b o d y could e n d u r e 33
3

s u c h fasting, a n d s u c h f r e q u e n t a n d bloody scourgings. It is a well-known fact, t h a t only after m a n y refusals, his f a t h e r g r a n t e d h i m p e r m i s s i o n to e n t e r t h e Society of J e s u s . T h e following c i r c u m s t a n c e c a u s e d this worldlym i n d e d m a n t o give h i s c o n s e n t . I n o r d e r t o o b t a i n t h e long d e s i r e d p e r m i s s i o n , Aloysius, on o n e occasion, s c o u r g e d himself m o s t unmercifully. An a t t e n d a n t p a s s i n g by t h e r o o m , h e a r d t h e l a s h o f t h e w h i p , a n d looking t h r o u g h a n a p e r t u r e , b e h e l d this m o s t b l o o d y spectacle. T h e f a t h e r being i n f o r m e d of w h a t t h e s e r v a n t h a d seen, w a s terrified, a n d r u n n i n g t o his son, exclaimed: " S t o p , m y child, a n d s p a r e y o u r life. Go a n d c a r r y o u t y o u r resolution, a n d m a y God be w i t h you. " Is y o u r v i r t u e still u n t a r n i s h e d ? or is t h e treasure already destroyed? Be more cautious in t h e f u t u r e . Take c a r e of yourself, a n d g u a r d against t h e t e m p t e r .

34

CHAPTER IX

CHASTITY, A LILY Chastity is often c o m p a r e d to a lily; t h e r e i s d e e p t r u t h i n t h i s c o m p a r i s o n . T h r e e qualities, i n p a r t i c u l a r , distinguish this m o s t beautiful flower; its slender, rising f o r m i t s p u r e a n d dazzling w h i t e n e s s i t s enchanting fragrance. T h u s , also, t h e p u r e y o u t h , looking r a t h e r t o H e a v e n t h a n t o e a r t h , s t a n d s erect untouched by the world's d e f i l e m e n t p r e s e n t i n g a lovely spectacle to all b e h o l d e r s . M e a n w h i l e , t h e d e p l o r a b l e slave of his passion l u r k s a b o u t t h e e a r t h like a w i l d creeping-vine t h a t i s t r o d d e n d o w n b y all t h a t p a s s on t h e way. L o w is his m a n n e r of t h i n k i n g low a r e h i s inclinationsin low t h i n g s d o e s h e seek h i s satisfaction, h i s consolation, h i s c o m f o r t ; h e a v e n h e r e n o u n c e s , for t h e " m o u n t a i n o f t h e L o r d h e alone can. ascend, w h o h a s p u r e h a n d s a n d a p u r e h e a r t " o n l y t h e pres e n t m o m e n t a t t r a c t s his a t t e n t i o n ; t o enjoy it is his e n d e a v o u r t h e o t h e r w o r l d , Heaven, is lost to h i s view. W h i t e is t h e lily, stately in its m o d e s t l u s t r e ; t h e eye r e s t s w i t h p l e a s u r e u p o n its spotless calyx, w h i c h o p e n s t o w a r d H e a v e n t h e n c e t o receive heavenly dew, a n d t h i t h e r t o send its heavenly o d o u r . F a d e d , colourless a n d soiled, i s t h e u n c h a s t e y o u t h l o a t h s o m e t o God, a n d pitied, or despised a n d rejected, 35

by all w h o have a k n o w l e d g e of h i s c r i m e s . N o r i c h g a r m e n t , n o o d o r o u s ointm e n t , n o snowy pearly-white, n o p r e c i o u s ornam e n t , can cover his deformity. He w h o is n o t c h a s t e , is n o t beautiful before God; t h e r e is no beauty without purity. What enchanting fragrance d o e s n o t t h e lily send forth! E v e r y passer-by enjoys it. Chastity exhales t h e m o s t p r e c i o u s o d o u r s b e f o r e God a n d m a n . The heavenly Brideg r o o m , as t h e Bible i n f o r m s us "loves to linger a m o n g t h e lilies. " Even t h e m o s t s e n s u a l p e r s o n s a r e wonderfully a t t r a c t e d b y p u r i t y . It is said t h a t saints, especially St Philip N e r i , c o u l d d e t e c t t h e p u r e from t h e i m p u r e b y their peculiar odour. The special m a r k of t h i s v i r t u e is t h a t it r e m i n d s o n e of P a r a d i s e , a n d m a k e s i t s p o s s e s s o r an object of envy ( s o to s p e a k ) in t h e sight of t h e angels. And w h e n you see this lily, this e m b l e m of p u r i t y , in t h e h a n d s of St J o s e p h , St Aloysius, t h e n resolve: "I will be a lily, to t h e joy of H e a v e n , t o t h e a d o r n m e n t o f this e a r t h , t o m y o w n glory. "

Example
It is r e l a t e d , t h a t o n e day, as s o m e b o y s , o n e of w h o m w a s B e r n a r d of S a n Maurizio, w e r e r e t u r n i n g from a p i o u s pilgrimage, they c a m e n e a r t h e sea-shore w h e r e t h e y s a w a m a n sitting in a skiff w h i c h w a s f a s t e n e d to t h e beach. N o s o o n e r did h e perceive t h e m , t h a n h e b u r n t w i t h lustful desires, a n d leaving his b o a t , t r i e d to seize o n e of t h e b o y s . T h e l a t t e r , however, u n d e r s t o o d his evil in36

t e n t i o n s . T h e effect u p o n t h e m w a s similar to t h a t p r o d u c e d by a h a w k , w h e n it s u d d e n l y d e s c e n d s u p o n a flock of pigeons. F r o m t h e i r lips c a m e f o r t h cries of anguish, a n d hastening away, t h e y c a m e b r e a t h l e s s to t h e village. This lustful m a n r u n n i n g after t h e m , o r d e r e d t h e m t o halt; h e t h r e a t e n e d t h e m , a n d comm a n d e d t h e m t o d o his bidding. But they d i d n o t s t o p u n t i l t h e y r e a c h e d a little c h a p e l at t h e e n d of t h e village, w h e r e , p r o s t r a t i n g t h e m s e l v e s b e f o r e a p i c t u r e of t h e Blessed Virgin, t h e y r e t u r n e d t h a n k s for t h i s a l m o s t m i r a c u l o u s p r e s e r v a t i o n of t h e i r holy chastity. H o w tenderly, h o w lovingly, m u s t n o t Mary, t h e Queen of Angels, have looked d o w n u p o n t h i s b a n d of little h e r o e s ! Dissolute is t h i s w o r l d , w h i c h calls you w i t h its alluring voice. Powerful a r e t h e p a s s i o n s w h i c h p u r s u e you h i t h e r a n d t h i t h e r . Dissolute, also, a r e m a n y p e r s o n s , w h o seek only t h e i r o w n gratification, w i t h o u t having t h e least care for y o u r soul's salvation. S h u n t h e m , flee t o M a r y I m m a c u l a t e . I n h e r h a n d s , place y o u r lily, t h e r e it will be s e c u r e .

37

CHAPTER X

CHASTITY, A P E A R L Chastity is t r u l y a p e a r l , a gem, valuable in itself, a n d lovely to b e h o l d . T h e w o r t h of Chastity consists p a r t l y i n this t h a t i t k e e p s w i t h i n b o u n d s t h a t p a s s i o n w h i c h is, above all o t h e r s , difficult to govern, a n d t h a t it rend e r s t h e soul a n d t h e b o d y w o r t h y h a b i t a t i o n s of God. I n d e e d c h a s t i t y m a k e s t h e soul a magnificent s a n c t u a r y , closed t o t h e c o r r u p t i o n of this w o r l d ; for, it is well k n o w n h o w carefully h e t h a t i s c h a s t e w i t h d r a w s from e a r t h ' s vain a l l u r e m e n t s . B e i n g s t r i c t tow a r d s himself, he k e e p s a g u a r d over h i s senses. W h i l s t t h e i m p u r e y o u t h decays, a n d , like a r u i n o u s building, c r u m b l e s away, whilst, like a p o r o u s s t o n e , he i m b i b e s t h e i m p r e s sions of a sinful w o r l d ; we find t h e p u r e y o u t h , a i d e d by t h e fear of God, g r o w i n g s t r o n g e r u n d e r his m a n y t r i a l s a n d efforts, u n t i l h e b e c o m e s like t h e d i a m o n d , w h i c h receives n o o t h e r i m p r e s s i o n s t h a n t h o s e o f t h e light. H e b e c o m e s a t r u l y heavenly p e a r l , u n k n o w n to m a n , a n d p e r h a p s even t o himselfbut all t h e m o r e p r e c i o u s a n d b r i g h t b e f o r e God, t h e only j u d g e of t r u e w o r t h . Chastity is t h e p e a r l of p e a r l s , for it is s e l d o m found. W h e r e a r e o u r J o s e p h s of 38

Egypt, o u r Aloysiuses, o u r Casimirs? T h o u g h we h a v e even n o w a fair n u m b e r of p u r e y o u t h s , t h e n u m b e r of t h e dissolutes, of t h e truly prodigal sons, is incomparably greater. " P o l l u t e d is t h e e a r t h by its i n h a b i t a n t s , " says Holy W r i t , "for t h a t r e a s o n does God's c u r s e eat t h e land, a n d its i n h a b i t a n t s suffer. " Chastity is t h e p e a r l of pearlsfor, f r o m it, t h e o t h e r v i r t u e s receive t h e i r l u s t r e ; it is c h a s t i t y which, like a p r e c i o u s s t o n e , serves as a focus of light for all o t h e r v i r t u e s . W e m a y well s u p p o s e t h a t t h e p r e c i o u s p e a r l o f w h i c h t h e Bible says, t h a t h e w h o h a s found it, goes a n d sells all he p o s s e s s e s , in o r d e r to b u y it, is holy chastity. Y o u m u s t also be r e a d y to sacrifice all o t h e r things for t h e s a k e of p r e s e r v i n g y o u r chastity. You s h o u l d c o n s i d e r no sacrifice too great, no difficulty t o o severe, if you c a n t h e r e b y o b t a i n t h i s p e a r l c h a s t i t y . Oh! h o w this p e a r l will o n e day shine in y o u r e t e r n a l c r o w n of bliss!

Example
Celebrated in Church history is the young Nicetas, w h o w a s a m a r t y r b o t h for h i s virt u e , a n d for his faith. In vain did t h e Arian t y r a n t u s e every e n d e a v o u r t o c a u s e this noble y o u t h t o r e n o u n c e his faith; however, h e still h o p e d t o gain his p o i n t b y t e m p t i n g h i m t o sin. N i c e t a s w a s t h e n flatteredhe w a s p l a c e d u p o n a delicious b e d of roses, a n d t i e d u p o n with purple cords. Whilst he was in this hopeless condition, a t e m p t i n g siren w a s sent to h i m . W h e n all m e a n s h a d b e e n ex39

h a u s t e d a n d all c a r e s s e s w e r e in vain, h i s torm e n t o r s w e r e a b o u t t o u s e force. B u t N i c e t a s h a d a l r e a d y c o n q u e r e d . W i t h one powerful effort, he divided h i s t o n g u e , a n d w i t h a s t r e a m of blood, s p a t it i n t o t h e face of this n e w P o t i p h a r . T e r r o r - s t r i c k e n , she fled, a n d Nicetas, d o u b l y victorious, m a d e his t r i u m p h a l m a r c h i n t o t h e K i n g d o m of H e a v e n . Well did this h e r o k n o w h o w valuable i s this p e a r l of Chastity. W o u l d y o u n o t like, t o b e similar t o Nicetas, at least so far, t h a t y o u w o u l d engage in an u n b l o o d y b a t t l e (for w h i c h occasion is offered daily) to o b t a i n t h e p e a r l of p u r i t y ? Certainly, o n e is unwilling to m a k e a sacrifice for t h a t w h i c h h e d o e s n o t value. Learn, t h e r e f o r e , f r o m day to day, to prize this v i r t u e highly t h e n y o u will c o n s i d e r n o sacrifice too great.

40

CHAPTER XI

CHASTITY THE FRUIT OF THE FEAR OF GOD This v i r t u e of chastity, like c e r t a i n fruits, m u s t be enclosed by a s t r o n g shell, in o r d e r to ripen and to hardenso that it may be safe against every r u d e a t t a c k . No v i r t u e , a n d c h a s t i t y t h e least of all, will t a k e r o o t , a n d b r i n g f o r t h fruit, w i t h o u t t h e fear of God. T h e fear of God is a c e r t a i n holy aversion of offending t h e Divine Majesty, a c e r t a i n s a l u t a r y a w e , w h i c h c o m p e l s us in t i m e of g r e a t t e m p t a tion to say w i t h J o s e p h of E g y p t : " H o w t h e n , c a n I do this w i c k e d thing, a n d sin a g a i n s t my G o d ? " It is this fear of God, w h i c h in such decisive m o m e n t s , p r e s e n t s t o o u r m i n d , t r u e p i c t u r e s of divine vengeance, so t h a t we refuse o u r consent, a n d cry o u t : " R a t h e r die, t h a n sin; " it is t h i s fear of God w h i c h s h o w s us t h e fire f r o m h e a v e n t h a t c o n s u m e d S o d o m a n d G o m o r r h a ; i t i s t h i s fear w h i c h p l a c e s u s , a s i t w e r e , before o u r heavenly J u d g e , a n d o p e n s before us t h e b o o k of life; it is this holy fear w h i c h c a u s e s t h e s o u n d of t h e t r u m p e t of t h e last j u d g m e n t to fall u p o n o u r ear, discloses to o u r view t h e b o t t o m l e s s pit of never-ending p a i n s , w a r n i n g u s : "Desist; it is t e r r i b l e to fall i n t o t h e h a n d s of t h e living God for you m i g h t die in t h e sinful act, die 41

s h o r t l y after it, w i t h o u t p r e p a r a t i o n a n d then?" Most p o w e r f u l fear of God, you a r e a holy bridle, well a b l e to c h e c k even t h e m o s t dissolute n a t u r e , you a r e t h e powerful b a r r i e r w h i c h has p r e v e n t e d m a n y p e r s o n s from leaping i n t o t h e a b y s s of hell. You a r e t h e secret r e m e d y , w h i c h b y d a y a n d b y night, w h e n w e a r e alone, a n d w i t h o t h e r s , u n d e r all circums t a n c e s , even in t h e h o m e s of ease a n d plenty, saves us f r o m t h e direful t e m p t a t i o n s of t h e flesh a n d of t h e w o r l d . P a r t i c u l a r l y n e c e s s a r y is t h i s fear of God for t h e m a i n t e n a n c e of a virtue, t h e violations of w h i c h a r e s c r e e n e d from t h e eyes of m e n , a n d a r e c o m m i t t e d i n t h e m o s t secret seclusion. Let this b r i d l e check y o u r p a s s i o n b y this b a r r i e r b e h e l d b a c k . Let t h i s c h a r m exercise its influence over you. " T h e fear of t h e Lord expels sin. "

Example
Once t h e r e lived a y o u t h w h o s e life b e c a m e daily m o r e a n d m o r e involved in a l a b y r i n t h of sin. K i n d w a r n i n g s he did n o t h e e d ; t h e voice of h i s conscience he stifled by c o m m i t t ing n e w c r i m e s . I t h a p p e n e d , o n e day, t h a t h e p a s s e d t h r o u g h a w o o d , a n d , feeling exhausted f r o m his walk, he lay d o w n u n d e r a t r e e a n d fell asleep. Suddenly, he h e a r d a voice crying "Oh! t e r r i b l e it is to fall into t h e h a n d s of a j u s t God. " W a s it a d r e a m , or w a s t h e r e s o m e o n e n e a r h i m ? At t h e s a m e t i m e , it s e e m e d to h i m t h a t t h e Blessed Virgin Mary s t o o d b y his side, a n d h e l d b e f o r e h i m his sins. H e n o w 42

called u p o n h e r , w h o m h e h a d f o r m e r l y hono u r e d a s h i s m o t h e r , b u t h e w a s a g a i n terrified by h e a r i n g a voice exclaim: " W h a t ! shall I do like y o u ? Shall I be as c h a n g e a b l e as y o u ? " He w a s n o w filled w i t h fear. Again he begged t h e Blessed Virgin t o assist h i m , b u t s h e t u r n ed away from him. He now awoke bathed in p e r s p i r a t i o n . H e t h o u g h t m u c h a b o u t this occurrence, recollected h o w long h e h a d n e g l e c t e d t h e grace of God, w h i c h h a d u r g e d h i m to r e t u r n to v i r t u e , a n d , at last, resolved t o g o i m m e d i a t e l y t o confession. H e n o t only w a s c o n v e r t e d , b u t h e n c e f o r t h gave himself to t h e special service of God, a n d died in t h e o d o u r of sanctity. T h e r e a r e , u n d o u b t e d l y , m o m e n t s of s u c h s t r o n g t e m p t a t i o n s , t h a t only t h e t h o u g h t o f hell c a n d e t e r u s f r o m sin. F e a r hell, t h a t y o u m a y b e saved.

43

CHAPTER X I I

CHASTITY T H E F R U I T OF A GREAT LOVE F O R GOD H o w beautiful, h o w a m i a b l e i s God! H e i s wholly lightin H i m t h e r e i s n o s h a d o w . Being perfect b y n a t u r e , H e possesses every 'good quality in an infinite degree. He is infinite w i s d o m , He is j u s t i c e a n d holiness. He is omnip o t e n c e , g r e a t n e s s a n d majesty. H o w good i s God, h o w liberal, m i l d a n d merciful! Now, a s i n t h e p a s t , H e b e s t o w s o n us n u m b e r l e s s blessings. O u t of n o t h i n g n e s s H e h a s b r o u g h t u s forth, e n d o w e d w i t h t h e m o s t excellent gifts of n a t u r e a n d grace; by t h e p r e c i o u s b l o o d of His divine Son w e r e we r e d e e m e d , a n d m a d e m e m b e r s o f His holy C h u r c h . I n n u m e r a b l e t r e a s u r e s of g r a c e h a v e b e e n offered t o u s , a n d a r e only w a i t i n g t o b e received. " W h a t m o r e is t h e r e t h a t I o u g h t to do to my vineyard, t h a t I h a v e n o t d o n e to it?" Does n o t s u c h a great, s u c h a good, s u c h a n a m i a b l e God deserve t h a t w e s h o u l d r e t u r n H i s love a n d t h a t t h r o u g h love for H i m w e s h o u l d s h u n sin, a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y t h a t sin, w h i c h is in special c o n t r a d i c t i o n to His n a t u r e , b e c a u s e it is so vile, so degrading, so detestable? S h o u l d n o t t h a t love, w h i c h from all e t e r n i t y 44

H e h a s s h o w n , a n d still c o n t i n u e s t o s h o w us, be able to p r e v a i l u p o n us to b r i n g a sacrifice, t h e f i r s t fruits o f w h i c h will t e n d t o o u r o w n benefit b y e n n o b l i n g u s , a n d raising u s u p t o God, t h e p u r e s t s p i r i t ? May t h e love of God, w i t h a holy fire cons u m e in y o u r youthful h e a r t all love of e a r t h ! Let this s u p e r n a t u r a l fire p e n e t r a t e , a n d s p r e a d t h r o u g h every fibre of y o u r h e a r t . Let t h e concupiscence of the w o r l d die w i t h i n i t t h e n every low p r o p e n s i t y shall diethen sensuality shall leave it; t h e n , purified by fire f r o m heaven, y o u r h e a r t shall h e n c e f o r t h be a p u r e t e m p l e of t h e m o s t p u r e God; a t e m p l e r e s o u n d i n g w i t h t h e songs of angels, a n d f r a g r a n t w i t h t h e r i c h o d o u r of h e r o i c self-denial.

Example
In t h e y e a r of o u r Lord, 270, Agapitus, a y o u t h of n o b l e b i r t h , aged fifteen y e a r s , suffered t h e m o s t cruel d e a t h for h i s faith. In t h e struggles for t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n of his chastity, his soul h a d a c q u i r e d t h a t courage, w h i c h a f t e r w a r d s m a d e h i m one o f t h e m o s t glorious m a r t y r s of Christ. Seized by o r d e r o f t h e E m p e r o r Aurelian, h e w a s f i r s t m o s t cruelly scourged, a n d t h e n left for four days in a h o r r i b l e d u n g e o n , w i t h o u t food or d r i n k . They next b r o u g h t b u r n i n g coals t o lay u p o n his h e a d . B u t Agapitus, a n t i c i p a t i n g this design, t o o k t h e coals himself, a n d p l a c e d t h e m like a b u r n i n g w r e a t h u p o n his b r o w . T h e furious e x e c u t i o n e r s h a n g e d h i m u p b y h i s feet, a n d lighted a fire u n d e r h i m . Again, four t o r m e n t o r s c a m e t o scourge h i m , after 45

w h i c h h e w a s i m m e r s e d i n boiling w a t e r . His j a w s w e r e b r o k e n ; h e w a s t h r o w n before t h e lions. Left u n t o u c h e d b y t h e m , this i n n o c e n t child c a m e a t last t o h i s e n d b y t h e s w o r d ; a n d u p o n his head, w h e r e only a few m o m e n t s before a c r o w n of fire h a d r e s t e d , n o w w a s placed the bright crown of m a r t y r d o m . Agapitus s e e m e d , by t h e fire of t h e love of God w h i c h b u r n t w i t h i n h i m , t o have b e c o m e insensible to t h e fire k i n d l e d by his executioners. Do you love God, do y o u love s u b l i m e supern a t u r a l things? If so, all b a s e things will be l o a t h s o m e to you, a n d all d a r t s of t h e v e n o m o u s love of t h e w o r l d will r e b o u n d from y o u r h e a r t , t r i e d by t h e love of God.

46

CHAPTER X I I I

CHASTITY, THE FRUIT OF A FREQUENT EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE Oh! t h a t we w o u l d always listen to t h e w a r n i n g s of conscience! Oh! t h a t we w e r e t r u l y docile to its dictates! for conscience is n o t h i n g else t h a n t h e voice of God w i t h i n u s . H e r e , i n o u r i n n e r m o s t h e a r t . H e s h o w s Himself as t h e Holy One, t h e e n e m y of all evil. H e r e , H e m a k e s k n o w n His will a n d His aversions. Here, He contradicts, threatens, terrifies, e n c o u r a g e s , a t t r a c t s , u r g e s . Particu l a r l y in r e g a r d to holy p u r i t y , we find conscience a m o s t enlightened a n d well-meaning adviser. B u t if it is t r u e , t h a t conscience is t h e voice of God w i t h i n u s , a n d t h a t God is t h e Most Holy One, w i t h w h a t e a r n e s t n e s s , t h e n , m u s t conscience w a r n u s , w h e n w e a r e t e m p t e d t o d o things t h a t a r e i n direct opp o s i t i o n to t h e s a n c t i t y of t h e Most High! Ah! at s u c h a t i m e , t h e h e a r t a n d p u l s e b e a t audibly, t h e b l o o d boils u p , t h e cheek flushes, a n d it seems as if s o m e one w e r e holding us b a c k . B u t w h a t if t h e evil h a s b e e n d o n e ? T h e n t h e h e a r t is desolatethen it r e s e m b l e s a h o u s e visited by d e a t h , t h r o u g h w h i c h t h e s e w o r d s r e s o u n d : "All is finished, all is lost, w o e to me!" I n m a t t e r s p e r t a i n i n g t o holy chastity, conscience m u s t b e o u r special t e a c h e r a n d 47

adviser; for violations of this v i r t u e being, generally, h i d d e n f r o m t h e eyes of m a n , only t h e O m n i p r e s e n t can b e o u r w i t n e s s , accusing or acquitting us. Moreover, w h e n a p a s s i o n first arises, w h i c h if u n n o t i c e d or u n c o n q u e r e d in its beginning, will soon e n k i n d l e to a g r e a t flame difficult to be extinguished, it is certainly of t h e g r e a t e s t i m p o r t a n c e t h a t the voice of conscience be n o t u n h e e d e d . H o w m a n y y o u t h s w o u l d have b e e n spared numberless transgressions and the m o s t b i t t e r s o r r o w , if this i n w a r d m o n i t o r h a d n o t b e e n d i s r e g a r d e d a t t h e decisive mom e n t i n w h i c h t h e i r innocence w a s destroyed! Keep always a t e n d e r conscience. S h u n anxiety, b u t be ever t r u e to yourself. Of w h a t u s e is it n o w to deceive yourself, since on t h e great day of j u d g e m e n t , everything will be b r o u g h t to light a n d be laid o p e n to all the w o r l d ? Do y o u h e a r ? Everything!

Example
A p r i e s t w a s o n e day called to a dying y o u n g m a n , w h o s e confessor h e h a d b e e n formerly. Alas! he found h i m dead. T h e father could t h e n only p r a y . H e k n e l t d o w n w i t h t h e family of t h e deceased, a n d m o s t fervently recomm e n d e d t h e soul of t h e d e p a r t e d to t h e e t e r n a l J u d g e , b e f o r e w h o m i t h a d j u s t b e e n summ o n e d . I m a g i n e t h e t e r r o r of all p r e s e n t , w h e n t h e deceased, o r h e w h o m they h a d c o n s i d e r e d dead, m o v e d , o p e n e d his eyes, r a i s e d h i s h e a d , a n d exclaimed i n t o n e s t h a t m a d e t h e m t r e m b l e : "Alas! I h a v e deceived 48

myself. " U t t e r i n g t h e s e w o r d s a second, a n d a t h i r d t i m e , he fell b a c k u p o n his pillow, a n d expired. "I h a v e deceived myself. " W h a t did he m e a n b y t h i s ? T h e p r i e s t could explain. Several t i m e s lately, t h i s y o u t h h a d expressed t h e o p i n i o n t h a t , c e r t a i n sensual a c t i o n s w h i c h y o u n g m e n w e r e a p t t o c o m m i t , could n o t , possibly, be c o n s i d e r e d so very grevious. " N o b o d y s e e m e d t o r e g a r d t h e m a s sinful; a n d besides, i t w a s i m p o s s i b l e for y o u t h t o a b s t a i n from all t h e s e things. " He h a d deceived himself. In t h e light of eternity, m a n y things a p p e a r different. B e t r u e t o yourself. P a r t i c u l a r l y i n r e g a r d to holy p u r i t y , n e v e r m a k e yourself guilty of a wilful deception. H o w difficult will it be to u p r o o t t h e tall w e e d s w h e n l u x u r i a n t l y g r o w n , if y o u neglect to r e m o v e t h e p o i s o n o u s p l a n t in its early d e v e l o p m e n t !

49
4

i
CHAPTER X I V

CHASTITY, T H E F R U I T O F P E R S E V E R I N G WATCHFULNESS O u r h e a r t is like a f o r t r e s s , w h i c h is besieged on every side, a n d still we m u s t defend it, o t h e r w i s e it will be destroyed o t h e r w i s e o u r soul will fall into t h e m o s t ignominious bondage. Hence we m u s t be equally b r a v e a n d watchful. Yes, O Youth, w i t h o u t vigilance, n o chastity. H e w h o keeps all t h e gates open, a n d w h o leaves t h e w a t c h t o w e r s w i t h o u t sentinels, will soon l e a r n from t h e victorious s h o u t s of t h e e n e m y w h o has entered that the fortress has been taken, and t h a t n o t h i n g is left to h i m but s h a m e , slavery a n d d e s t r u c t i o n . Above all, w a t c h y o u r eyes; m o s t frequently, t h r o u g h t h e m does d e a t h c o m e to t h e soul. Untimely curiosity, a w a n t of self-government a n d of self-denial, a n d a desire to see a n d to k n o w everything a r e t h e causes t h a t h a v e frequently c h a n g e d m a n y a f o r t r e s s h i t h e r t o i m p r e g n a b l e into a citadel of t h e enemy, or h a v e d e s t r o y e d it, leaving it only a desolate r u i n . Even g r a n t e d t h a t t h e wilfully i m m o d e s t look be no sin, h o w easily will i t n o t give rise t o t h e b a d t h o u g h t , t h e sinful i m a g i n a t i o n , t h e w r o n g desire, w h i c h m a y t h e n g e n e r a t e t h e evil deed! 50

P i c t u r e to yourself a y o u t h , w h o s e shameless eyes r e s t u p o n everything, even u p o n t h e vilest, w i t h concupiscence; w h o d e v o u r s w i t h t h e eyes, n o w a n i m m o d e s t p i c t u r e , n o w a n enticing figure; w h o f r e q u e n t s t h o s e balls a n d t h e a t r e s w h i c h a r e , even i n o u r day, s n a r e s to v i r t u e a n d to i n n o c e n c e . And let me ask you, is it not as difficult for s u c h a y o u t h t o c o n t i n u e p u r e , a s for a n e a r t h e r n vessel, d r o p p e d f r o m t h e t o p of a tower, to remain uninjured? The saints understood these dangers when t h e y left t h e g r e a t cities, w h e n t h e y exercised a w a t c h f u l n e s s over t h e i r eyes, a n d all t h e i r o t h e r senses, t h a t m i g h t well s e e m c a r r i e d t o excessor t h a t , a t least, w e s h o u l d b e t e m p t e d t o c o n s i d e r u n n e c e s s a r y . B u t they k n e w the weakness of h u m a n nature, they knew t h a t in t e m p t a t i o n s against p u r i t y , flight ins u r e s victory; t h a t , " h e w h o loves d a n g e r shall p e r i s h t h e r e i n ; " lastly, t h a t t r e a s u r e s a r e only safe f r o m r o b b e r s , w h e n they a r e carefully g u a r d e d b y lock a n d key. H o w often h a s n o t a small s p a r k c a u s e d a g r e a t conflagration? T h u s a like r e s u l t is p r o d u c e d b y t h e evil t h o u g h t , w h i c h w a s c a u s e d b y t h e evil glance. Make, t h e r e f o r e , a c o v e n a n t w i t h for t h e benefit of y o u r soul. Be watchful, m a n l y . Incline r a t h e r t o of c a r e , t h a n to i r r e s o l u t e n e s s . "A f e a r e t h a n d declineth f r o m evil; l e a p e t h over, a n d is confident, " Scripture. y o u r eyes, cautious, a n excess wise m a n t h e fool says Holy 51

Example
Benedict, w h o w a s b o r n i n t h e y e a r o f o u r L o r d 480, s p e n t t h e first y e a r s of h i s y o u t h in t h e quiet r e t i r e m e n t of c o u n t r y life. W h e n he afterwards went to Rome to attend the public schools, t h e d e p r a v i t y of this city, still p a r t l y h e a t h e n , a n d specially of his fellow-students, m a d e such an impression upon the innocent child, t h a t at t h e age of f o u r t e e n he left R o m e a n d r e t i r e d i n t o t h e solitude o f t h e Simbrivinian m o u n t a i n s . T h e r e he lived in a g r o t t o given u p t o p r a y e r a n d p e n a n c e ; a n d d i r e c t e d by t h e Holy Ghost, p r e p a r e d himself for t h e g r e a t a n d i m p o r t a n t vocation t h a t God h a d d e s t i n e d for h i m . B u t , s t r a n g e to say, Benedict, w h o h a d fled from t h e a l l u r e m e n t s of R o m e , w a s followed by t h e n a t u r a l d e p r a v i t y of n a t u r e i n t o h i s r e t r e a t at S u b i a c o . A t i m e c a m e w h e n h e w a s obliged t o decide w h e t h e r flesh a n d b l o o d s h o u l d c o n q u e r h i m , o r w h e t h e r he s h o u l d c o n q u e r flesh a n d blood. An i m p u r e representation attacked him, by which he was s o m u c h affected, t h a t h e could only c o n q u e r i f b y rolling himself over thistles a n d t h o r n s , u n t i l he b l e d profusely from his whole body, a n d a s St. Gregory says, " h e c h a n g e d l u s t i n t o p a i n , a n d b y t h e p a i n o f t h e body, w i t h h e l d t h e w o u n d i n g of his soul. " Truly, St. B e n e d i c t s p o k e from experience, w h e n in after life he m a d e u s e of t h e s e w o r d s , " t h a t he w i t h confid e n c e m i g h t expect e t e r n a l life, w h o set a t n a u g h t t h e evil spirit, t h e t e m p t e r , b y forcing h i m w i t h his i n s i n u a t i o n s from t h e t h r e s h o l d 52

of t h e h e a r t , a n d by d a s h i n g t h e still y o u n g b r o o d of evil suggestions on t h e r o c k , w h i c h is Christ. " Do you r e s t r a i n y o u r eyes, your o t h e r senses? C o n q u e r yourself, b e m o d e s t a n d retiring; you will escape n u m e r o u s a n d difficult c o m b a t s , if you a r e c a u t i o u s a n d p r a c t i s e self-denial.

53

C H A P T E R XV

CHASTITY T H E F R U I T OF A P R U D E N T S E V E R I T Y I t i s n o t sufficient t o defend t h e r a m p a r t s a n d gates of a f o r t r e s s ; t h e i n t e r i o r also m u s t b e well p r o v i d e d w i t h p r o v i s i o n s a n d amm u n i t i o n ; it m u s t be e n t r u s t e d to a t r i e d a n d efficient officer w h o will enforce strict discipline, a n d w h o will c o n d u c t t h e defence. S o m e t i m e s , t e m p t a t i o n s arise, like a n e n e m y t h a t c o m e s from a s u b t e r r a n e a n lurking-place. It is of t h e u t m o s t i m p o r t a n c e to r e s i s t t h e s e i m m e d i a t e l y , a n d w i t h g r e a t decision. H o w m a n y a r e shamefully c o n q u e r e d , b e c a u s e they do not immediately encounter the enemy or d o i t b u t carelessly! T h e e n e m y m a k e s u s e of his a d v a n t a g e a n d of t h e i r r e m i s s n e s s , r u s h e s f o r w a r d , p r e s s e s on, c o n q u e r s , a n d i s m a s t e r of t h e place. H o w i m p e t u o u s is n a t u r e frequently! H o w easy it is to lose the decisive m o m e n t ! H o w m a n y a y o u t h is c h a i n e d b e f o r e he is a w a r e of it, a n d w e e p s in t h e d a r k n e s s of sin over h i s i r r e s o l u t e n e s s , h i s delay, h i s c o w a r d i c e ! W a t c h , also, m o s t carefully over your h e a r t y o u r w h o l e p e r s o n . Suffer n o t t h e slightest fault to p a s s u n n o t i c e d . A well-polished mirr o r i s t a r n i s h e d b y t h e faintest b r e a t h ; t h u s does c h a s t i t y lose its b e a u t y a n d s p l e n d o u r by t h e least sinful concession to t h e cravings of 54

o u r c o r r u p t n a t u r e . If a flame is allowed to b u r n b u t for a m o m e n t , it m a k e s an i m p r e s sion; in t h e s a m e m a n n e r , every evil p a s s i o n (yielded t o ) d i m s t h e l u s t r e of t h e soul. If you w a l k u p o n a slippery p a t h , or d e s c e n d a p r e c i p i t o u s abyss you m a y succeed in reaching t h e p l a c e of y o u r d e s t i n a t i o n ; b u t a r e you s u r e of t h i s ? S t e e p is t h e descent, slippery is t h e p a t h h o w far m a y n o t t h e evil prop e n s i t i e s on t h e flesh d r a w you along if you give yourself up to t h e m even for a m o m e n t ? You a r e " c a r r y i n g your t r e a s u r e i n b r i t t l e vessels"you k n o w itwould i t n o t t h e n b e p r e s u m p t u o u s , careless, foolish, to mingle w i t h t h e w o r l d , a n d allow o u r p a s s i o n s every liberty, a n d t h u s g o falteringly o n t h r o u g h life. Therefore, a r m yourself w i t h a holy severity. If you a r e m a s t e r of y o u r h e a r t n o w , whilst y o u a r e young, a n d w h i l s t it is so difficult, h o w easily will you r e t a i n this c o n t r o l in l a t e r y e a r s , w h e n p a s s i o n will h a v e d i m i n i s h e d !

Example
Casimir, King elect of H u n g a r y , son of Casimir I I I , King of Poland, w a s n o t e d f r o m h i s very y o u t h , for t h e p u r i t y of h i s m o r a l s a n d his severity t o w a r d himself! N o t h i n g w a s m o r e o d i o u s i n his sight, t h a n t h e p o m p , o r t h e effeminacy of t h e c o u r t . H e n c e , h e always w o r e t h e p l a i n e s t clothes, slept often u p o n t h e b a r e g r o u n d , a n d s p e n t also a p o r t i o n of t h e night (frequently before t h e c h u r c h d o o r ) in p r a y e r a n d a d o r a t i o n of t h e Most Blessed S a c r a m e n t . Well-known is 55

t h e h y m n of p r a i s e a s c r i b e d to h i m , in h o n o u r of t h e Blessed Virgin Mary: " O m n i Die" "Daily, daily, sing to Mary, " a copy of w h i c h h e w i s h e d t o have b u r i e d w i t h h i m . Casimir lived in t h e s t r i c t e s t continency. On a c c o u n t of his love for holy virginity, he could n o t be p e r s u a d e d t o m a r r y , a l t h o u g h , his physicians advised h i m to e n t e r this s t a t e of life: all t h e i r r e m o n s t r a n c e s w e r e in vain, b e c a u s e of his r e s o l u t i o n , "Malo m o r i , q u a m foedari. " I w o u l d r a t h e r die t h a n to lose my virginity. In h i s 25th y e a r he died t h e d e a t h of a saint. One h u n d r e d a n d t w e n t y y e a r s a f t e r w a r d s , his b o d y w a s found i n c o r r u p t e v e n t h e clothing w a s u n i n j u r e d , a l t h o u g h t h e vault w a s very d a m p , a n d h e n c e very favourable to a r a p i d d e c o m p o s i t i o n . T h u s , s o m e t i m e s , does God h o n o u r , even after d e a t h , this v i r t u e of virtues. What honour must then be waiting t h e soul, w h i c h has exercised s u c h a d o m i n i o n over t h e b o d y ! Fight t h e good fight, w i t h all t h e d e t e r m i n a tion of w h i c h you a r e possessed. Meet t h e tempter immediately and undauntedly, and let y o u r w a t c h - w o r d be, "Malo m o r i , q u a m f o e d a r i " c h a s t e I will r e m a i n a t a n y cost.

56

CHAPTER XVI

CHASTITY, T H E F R U I T O F PRAYER "And as I k n e w , " t h e s e a r e t h e w o r d s of t h e B o o k of W i s d o m , " t h a t I could n o t otherw i s e be c o n t i n e n t , except God gave i t , . . . I w e n t t o t h e Lord, a n d b e s o u g h t H i m w i t h m y whole heart. " P r a y e r is very n e c e s s a r y in o r d e r to r e m a i n c h a s t e , o r t o r e t u r n t o chastity. Prayer, a s an elevation of o u r m i n d s to God, as a conv e r s a t i o n w i t h t h e Almighty, b r i n g s u s n e a r t o H i m , t h e Most P u r e . T h e m o r e frequently, a n d t h e m o r e fervently w e p r a y , t h e n e a r e r d o w e a p p r o a c h God, t h e n e a r e r does H e c o m e to u s . B u t w h a t is t h e effect of a close communication of m a n with man? Gradual assimilation. God is t h e p u r e s t spirit. H e n c e it is not surprising, that whoever communes frequently w i t h H i m i n p r a y e r , s h o u l d become more and more spiritualfurther and f u r t h e r r e m o v e d f r o m all t h a t is displeasing in His sight. Since God is t h e f o u n t a i n of all grace, a n d since t h e n e c e s s a r y c o n d i t i o n for o b t a i n i n g H i s h e l p is p r a y e r , it is, t h e r e f o r e , of t h e g r e a t e s t i m p o r t a n c e for t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n o r r e s t o r a t i o n of holy chastity. God w i s h e s us t o p r a y for e v e r y t h i n g t h u s h a s H e o r d a i n e d , a n d H e h a s p r o m i s e d t h a t H e will certainly h e a r u s . W e can rely u p o n this t h e m o r e im57

plicitly, in p r o p o r t i o n as t h e favour we imp l o r e is m o r e n e c e s s a r y for o u r welfare and m o r e p l e a s i n g t o God. Never does H e refuse H i s good s p i r i t t o t h e m t h a t ask H i m , a n d c o u l d t h e r e be a b e t t e r spirit, a s p i r i t w h i c h God w o u l d r a t h e r give, t h a n t h e spirit of purity? Therefore, if you w i s h to r e m a i n c h a s t e , be n o t only faithful, t r u l y faithful in y o u r daily p r a y e r s a n d p i o u s p r a c t i c e s , b u t p r a y often a n d explicitly, for t h e spirit of chastity. End e a v o u r also in all things to h a v e a c o n s t a n t r e m e m b r a n c e of God. A c c u s t o m yourself from t i m e t o t i m e t o faithful a n d p e r s e v e r i n g p r a y e r . W e t u r n h e a v e n w a r d e i t h e r b y ren e w i n g o u r good i n t e n t i o n , by a s h o r t act of love, or by s o m e p i o u s a s p i r a t i o n . Above all, t h e vivid recollection of t h e divine O m n i p r e s e n c e , will d e t e r you in every t e m p t a t i o n f r o m c o m m i t t i n g sin, fill you w i t h s t r e n g t h a n d consolation, s t i m u l a t e you to t h e good, a n d even a n i m a t e you w i t h a d e s i r e of u n d e r t a k i n g w h a t is difficult a n d s u b l i m e . And since in t h e p r e s e n c e of a good p e r s o n , w h o e n t e r t a i n s a favourable opinion of you, you w o u l d be unwilling to do a n y t h i n g t h a t w o u l d b r i n g t h e b l u s h o f s h a m e t o your cheek, or t h a t w o u l d d e g r a d e you in his eyes, y o u s h o u l d t h e r e f o r e b e still m o r e r e l u c t a n t t o c o m m i t t h e slightest fault against p u r i t y , in t h e p r e s e n c e of God w h o is m o s t holy.

Example
I n h i s sixteenth year, St. Charles B o r r o m e o w a s s e n t to Pavia to s t u d y law. B u t a b o u n d 58

less d e p r a v i t y t h e n reigned in t h a t city. Several t h o u s a n d s t u d e n t s f r o m every p a r t of t h e w o r l d m e t t h e r e , lived t o g e t h e r a n d imm o r a l i t y p r e v a i l e d even in t h e very schoolr o o m s . " H a r d l y any one could escape uncont a m i n a t e d , " says a c e l e b r a t e d w r i t e r ; " f r o m all sides, at all t i m e s , in all places, w e r e t h e newly-arrived t e m p t e d a n d seduced. " Charles, however, p r e s e r v e d h i s p u r i t y . Whilst o t h e r s o c c u p i e d t h e i r t i m e w i t h trifles, o r s p e n t i t a t t h e a t r e s , a t t h e card-table, i n t h e ball-room, at a fencing-school, or in s o m e dissolute comp a n y , Charles devoted himself t o p r a y e r a n d s t u d y . H e could n o t listen t o idle worldly talk; ' b u t double-meaning, o r u n c h a s t e conversat i o n s , c a u s e d h i m t h e g r e a t e s t suffering. In every i n s t a n c e , his victory w a s p u r c h a s e d b y a timely flight. It is also r e l a t e d t h a t he frust r a t e d a n evil design a g a i n s t h i m , b y leaving t h e h o u s e w h e r e t h e s n a r e h a d b e e n laid for h i m l a t e a t night. Do you see w h a t c a n be effected by p r a y e r ? h o w i t purifies t h e y o u t h , a n d elevates a n d strengthens him? Deplorable the youth that shuns prayerfor he cannot be chaste. Blessed is he to w h o m p r a y e r is a comfort, a d u t y a necessityfor he is p u r e , a n d will daily i n c r e a s e in p u r i t y .

59

CHAPTER XVII

CHASTITY, T H E F R U I T O F T H E SACRAMENT OF P E N A N C E T h e r e is no m o r e efficacious, no m o r e necess a r y m e a n s t o r e m a i n o r t o b e c o m e chaste, than the frequent and worthy reception of t h e holy S a c r a m e n t of P e n a n c e . It w o u l d be a vain d e c e p t i o n to u n d e r t a k e so difficult a task, w i t h o u t t h e special h e l p of grace. Grace, s a c r a m e n t a l grace, m u s t assist u s ; yes, a n d we s h o u l d be d i r e c t e d by a m i n i s t e r sent f r o m God. E n d e a v o u r t h e n , to find an exp e r i e n c e d confessor, to w h o m , however, you m u s t give y o u r e n t i r e confidence. Disclose to h i m y o u r soul w i t h o u t r e s e r v e . Reveal t o h i m y o u r c o m b a t s , y o u r victories, y o u r defeats. B e i n s t r u c t e d b y h i m a b o u t t h o s e things t h a t a r e n o t clear to you, suffer h i m to chide you w h e n you have b e e n i m p r u d e n t , t o encourage you w h e n you h a v e b e e n w e a k , to console you w h e n y o u a r e a l a r m e d , t o c o m f o r t you w h e n you a r e d e p r e s s e d . H o w w e l c o m e t o your soul will be every w o r d w h i c h God by his p r i e s t shall a d d r e s s t o you! F r o m h o w m a n y s n a r e s of t h e devil shall h i s e x p e r i e n c e d h a n d n o t r e s c u e you! Do n o t forget t h i s : God gives t h a t p r i e s t , i n w h o m you r e p o s e confidence, special graces for y o u r sake, b e c a u s e o n e day he will h a v e to r e n d e r an a c c o u n t of y o u r soul. 60

B u t , be n o t too d i l a t o r y in t h e r e c e p t i o n of so useful a s a c r a m e n t . Do n o t t h e n apply to t h e physician of y o u r soul only w h e n y o u a r e sick u n t o d e a t h s e e k r a t h e r h i s a s s i s t a n c e for t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n of y o u r s p i r i t u a l h e a l t h . Confess often, confess carefully, confess w i t h g r e a t confidence in t h e efficacy of this heavenly means to preserve, or recover your virtue. H o w m a n y o w e t o this divine s a c r a m e n t a l o n e t h e i r salvation! H o w m a n y w o u l d still lie captive in t h e c h a i n s of a shameful h a b i t , how many would never have escaped from t h e p o i s o n o u s infection of a s e n s u a l love, if God h a d n o t led t h e m to a s p i r i t u a l father, w h o assisted t h e m t o b r e a k t h o s e c h a i n s , a n d to escape from s u c h perils!

Example
At a very t e n d e r age, St. F r a n c i s of Sales w a s s e n t t o t h e University t o c o m p l e t e h i s s t u d i e s . T h e g e n e r a l c o r r u p t i o n of m o r a l s m i g h t h a v e b e c o m e d a n g e r o u s t o h i m also, h a d h e n o t lived i n r e t i r e m e n t , received t h e S a c r a m e n t of P e n a n c e every week, a n d purs u e d his studies w i t h g r e a t energy a n d diligence. B y his gentleness, a n d t h e p u r i t y of h e a r t w h i c h w a s d e p i c t e d on his countenance, F r a n c i s s o o n w o n t h e a d m i r a t i o n a n d affection of all w h o c a m e i n t o c o n t a c t with him. Nevertheless, there were demons in h u m a n f o r m w h o h a d e n t e r e d into a cons p i r a c y a g a i n s t his innocence. U n d e r t h e plea of a n e c e s s a r y visit, t h e s e m o n s t e r s succeeded in enticing h i m into a h o u s e w h e r e his v i r t u e was endangered. The innocent youth was not 61

a w a r e o f t h e g r e a t d a n g e r s p r e p a r e d for h i m , till, one by one, h i s c o m p a n i o n s left h i m , a n d he was urged with great importunity to do w r o n g . F r a n c i s w a s s o o n resolved; h e g r a s p e d a b u r n i n g p i e c e of w o o d f r o m t h e fireplace, a n d defended himself against t h e a t t e m p t e d violence. A similar incident is r e l a t e d of St. T h o m a s Aquinas. Of St B e r n a r d it is r e l a t e d t h a t in a s i m i l a r d a n g e r , he cried, " r o b b e r , robber, " until assistance arrived. Receive frequently a n d w o r t h i l y t h e holy S a c r a m e n t of P e n a n c e , a n d y o u will experience w o n d e r f u l effects. It c a n n o t be o t h e r w i s e , for w h o k n e w b e t t e r t h e necessities o f t h e h u m a n h e a r t t h a n t h e God-man, J e s u s Christ, w h o i n s t i t u t e d this s a c r a m e n t ?

62

CHAPTER X V I I I

CHASTITY, T H E FRUIT OF CHILDLIKE SIMPLICITY T h e r e a r e t i m e s in t h e life of a y o u t h , w h e n it is p a r t i c u l a r l y i m p o r t a n t t h a t he s h o u l d not s t a n d alone, b u t should allow his h a n d or r a t h e r h i s h e a r t to r e s t in t h e h a n d of his spiritual father. It is t r u e , t h e f a t h e r a n d m o t h e r are the n a t u r a l friends of t h e child; b u t t h e r e a r e , a t t i m e s , p r o f o u n d secrets b u r i e d in t h e d e e p e s t recesses of t h e h e a r t , w h i c h n o o n e h a s either t h e p o w e r o r t h e r i g h t t o lay open, b u t h e t o w h o m God h a s given t h e key of t h e h u m a n h e a r t , as well as t h e key of Heaven. Not i m m e d i a t e l y does the vice of i m p u r i t y w i t h all its evil c o n s e q u e n c e s o v e r c o m e y o u t h . T h e p o i s o n o u s s h r u b w a s once a small seed, a n u n n o t i c e d little p l a n t . I n its early g r o w t h , t h e n , it s h o u l d be carefully sought, a n d w h e n discovered, b e d e s t r o y e d b y t h e experienced h a n d of t h e spiritual g a r d e n e r , t h e confessor. I n o r d e r , however, t h a t this b e possible t o t h e friend of y o u r confidence, you m u s t perm i t h i m to e n t e r even t h e deepest recesses of y o u r h e a r t ; you m u s t s h o w yourself t o h i m a s you a r e , you m u s t n o t b e afraid t o s p e a k t o h i m a b o u t t h o s e things w h i c h c a u s e you any u n e a s i n e s s , a b o u t w h i c h y o u c o m m e n c e 63

to feel uneasy, or in t h i n k i n g a b o u t which, you feel a m o r e r a p i d p u l s a t i o n of y o u r h e a r t , a w a r n i n g of y o u r conscience; to be s u r p r i s e d in w h i c h , w o u l d c a u s e you p a i n . Only, in this way, you c a n escape t h e m o s t cruel d e c e p t i o n a n d , p e r h a p s , even i n n u m e r a b l e sins. If you neglect to i m p r o v e t h e p r o p e r mom e n t , p e r c h a n c e later, only a painful o p e r a t i o n c a n c u r e t h a t , w h i c h at first, a skilful h a n d m i g h t have r e m o v e d w i t h o u t t r o u b l e or sufferings. Therefore, be c o m m u n i c a t i v e , be single-minded, be confiding; n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e m o s t delicate timidity, be, as it w e r e , a clear m i r r o r , w h i c h reflects even t h e least b l e m i s h . Only in this w a y you can p o s s e s s t r u e p e a c e of h e a r t . N o t only t h e w o u n d c a u s e d by a t h r u s t of t h e dagger p a i n s ; b u t also t h a t prod u c e d by a small t h o r n w h i c h w a s p e r m i t t e d t o fester.

Example
P e t e r Canisius, t o w h o m G e r m a n y owes s o m u c h , w a s a m o d e l of s t r i c t chastity, a n d of zeal for p r a y e r , from his earliest y o u t h . So p u r e a n d edifying w a s his d e p o r t m e n t , t h a t t h e people would not unfrequently ask one another, " W h a t a one, t h i n k you, shall this child b e ? " W h e n h e w a s f o u r t e e n y e a r s old, h e w a s sent from Nimeguen, his birth-place, to Cologne, t h e r e t o c o m p l e t e his s t u d i e s . Young m e n , a t this p e r i o d , w e r e very depraved, b e c a u s e of t h e s t r o n g h o l d t h e n e w h e r e s y h a d gained upon the minds of the people. Higher and h i g h e r r o s e t h e flood of i m m o r a l i t y . B u t t h e merciful God h a d c o m p a s s i o n o n t h i s child, 64

w h o m H e d e s t i n e d o n e day t o b e t h e c h a m p i o n of t h e t r u e faith a n d of t h e a n c i e n t C h u r c h . He gave h i m a fatherly friend a n d spiritual adviser, a p i o u s a n d l e a r n e d p r i e s t n a m e d , Nicholas V a n dor E s c h e . H o w grateful w a s Canisius in after life for this singular favour! H o w carefully did he m a k e u s e of it for t h e benefit of h i s soul a n d for t h e cause of God! He himself says in his confessions: " P r a i s e t h e Lord, my soul, a n d n e v e r forget His kind m e r c i e s in giving you s u c h a m a s t e r a n d daily guide to piety, w h o s e eyes w e r e d i r e c t e d u p o n you, a n d y o u r salvation, w i t h love a n d diligent c a r e . . . His advice, his m a n n e r s , his e x a m p l e of virtue, gave to my m i n d a n e w life; by his h e l p I w a s e n a b l e d to check t h e h a s t y e m o t i o n s a n d foolish desires of y o u t h ; his c o m p a n y a m p l y r e p a i d me for t h e loss of a n y o t h e r . . . N o t only in confession I o p e n e d my h e a r t to h i m , b u t also, frequently b e f o r e I r e t i r e d at night I revealed t o h i m ( s u c h w a s m y confidence) all m y t r a n s g r e s s i o n s , all m y faults, a n d gave h i m an a c c o u n t of h o w I s p e n t t h e day; t h e n , w h e n he t h o u g h t it advisable, I received from h i m a p e n a n c e for my sins. I a c k n o w l e d g e a n d p r a i s e in all h u m i l i t y t h e m e r c i e s of God, w h o i n this m a n n e r , d i r e c t e d all m y w a y s t o v i r t u e . "I believe, t h a t it w a s a special act of divine P r o v i d e n c e t h a t d i r e c t e d m e t o this m a n , w h o w a s t o t e a c h m e h o w t o b e m o r e closely u n i t e d to God. W h e n once, I stayed a w a y f r o m h i m longer t h a n u s u a l , a n d w a s enjoying myself a t home more than was prudent, and it seemed as if I w e r e a b o u t to c o m m e n c e a m o r e unr e s t r a i n e d life, God sent h i m t o m e i n o r d e r 65
5

to a w a k e m e , as it w e r e , to a sense of my d u t i e s , t o p u n i s h m e for m y heedlessness, t o help m e t o rise after m y fall, a n d after m y r e t u r n t o God, t o s t r e n g t h e n m e b y h i s c a r e a n d e n d e a v o u r s in t h e p a t h of v i r t u e . " S o m e y e a r s after, Canisius m a d e t h e acqua i n t a n c e of P e t e r F a b e r of t h e Society of J e s u s ; u n d e r his direction h e w e n t t h r o u g h t h e s p i r i t u a l exercises of St I g n a t i u s , a n d , m o v e d by t h e grace of God, j o i n e d t h e Society. H e n c e , you see, of w h a t benefit it is to be c a n d i d a n d to suffer one's self to be guided. E v e n if o n e w e r e a l r e a d y confirmed in doing good, a n d m a k i n g p r o g r e s s therein, i t w o u l d still b e beneficial t o h i m , a n d w o u l d save h i m m a n y a m i s t a k e , if he h a d a guide in w h o m w e r e u n i t e d love a n d c a r e for h i s soul, w i t h experience a n d discretion.

66

CHAPTER X I X

CHASTITY, THE FRUIT OF T H E BREAD OF ANGELS W i t h d e e p signification is t h e Blessed Sacram e n t called t h e " B r e a d of Angels, " t h e " W h e a t of t h e Elect, " a n d t h e "Wine w h i c h g e n e r a t e s Virgins. " " T h e B r e a d of Angels!" We m u s t be p u r e , in t h e s t a t e of grace, if we w i s h to receive it w o r t h i l y b u t received w o r t h i l y , it s t r e n g t h e n s us in v i r t u e , a n d especially in holy chastity. " T h e food of Angels, " gives us t h e v i r t u e of Angels. T h e L o r d k n o w i n g well t h e c o m b a t s w h i c h flesh a n d b l o o d c a u s e u s , a n d w i s h i n g u s t o b e c o m e daily m o r e a n d m o r e like t o H i m , a n d t o possess t h e life, a n d " a m o r e plentiful life, " d e p o s i t e d in H i s C h u r c h the h i g h e s t meas u r e o f graces, t h a t H e i n H i s o m n i p o t e n c e , in His generosity, in H i s liberality, could bes t o w : He gave Himself to u s " T h e W h e a t of t h e Elect. " Does n o t o u r L o r d Himself say: " H e t h a t e a t e t h M y flesh, a n d d r i n k e t h M y blood, r e m a i n e t h in Me, a n d I in H i m ? " W h e r e J e s u s dwells, p u r i t y a b i d e s . If, t h e n , we p e r m i t J e s u s often, very often, to c o m e to o u r souls, if He n o u r i s h e s , s t r e n g t h e n s , e n n o b l e s , sanctifies t h e m , will t h e y n o t b e c o m e s t r o n g e r , holier, m o r e capa b l e of doing good a n d f u r t h e r , r e m o v e d f r o m all t h a t is s e n s u a l ? 67

" T h e W i n e w h i c h g e n e r a t e s Virgins. " It is Christ's b l o o d t h a t we receive, t h e blood of t h e p u r e s t Jesusof t h e God-Man! And t h i s blood b e c o m e s o u r d r i n k w e a r e sanctified by p a r t a k i n g of t h e flesh a n d b l o o d of Christ. T h e prodigies of virginity in t h e N e w Law, t h e n u m b e r l e s s h e r o i c deeds of t h e p u r e of h e a r t , w e r e possible only t h r o u g h t h e p o w e r of t h e Most Blessed S a c r a m e n t . S t r e n g t h e n e d by it, a n d as St. C h r y s o s t o m says, " m a d e like to lions, " t h e s e c h a s t e souls fought valiantly a g a i n s t flesh a n d blood, u n t i l they w o n t h e palm of an unbloody martyrdom. If your chastity is d e a r to you, be an a r d e n t lover of t h e Blessed S a c r a m e n t . Assist every day, if possible, at t h e holy sacrifice of Mass. A p p r o a c h frequently, a n d w i t h d u e p r e p a r a tion, t h e holy t a b l e of t h e Lord, a n d after you h a v e received t h e b o d y of y o u r Saviour, let y o u r first p e t i t i o n always b e : " P u r e s t J e s u s , m a k e me p u r e . " " C r e a t e w i t h i n me a n e w h e a r t , O Lord. "

Example
One w o u l d scarcely believe t h a t a t t h e c o u r t s o f nobles, a n d especially a m o n g t h e pages of kings a n d q u e e n s , angels h a v e b e e n found. Yet this w a s t h e case of t h e S p a n i s h C o u r t , f r o m t h e y e a r 1581 to 1584. A m o n g t h e y o u t h s o f n o b l e b i r t h , pages t o t h e E m p r e s s Maria, w a s t h e y o u n g C o u n t o f Castiglione, Aloysius de Gonzaga. He never, even at t h i s t i m e , neglected to receive Holy C o m m u n i o n o n c e a w e e k . So carefully d i d 68

h e g u a r d his eyes, t h a t h e only s a w w h a t was actually obliged to b e h o l d , a n d n e v e r allowed himself to look u p o n a n y t h i n g vain. Although s o m e of his c o m p a n i o n s ridiculed h i m on acc o u n t of w h a t t h e y t h o u g h t his scrupulosity, still h e r e m a i n e d f i r m ; h e r e s e m b l e d Daniel i n t h e lions' den w h o w a s savedhe w a s like o n e o f t h e y o u n g m e n i n t h e f i e r y furnace s u r r o u n d e d by flames, w i t h o u t h a v i n g even a hair or a garment injured. H o w seldom do we find s u c h an e x a m p l e of v i r t u e ! In his s i x t e e n t h year, w h i l e h e w a s s t o p p i n g temp o r a r i l y at t h e Court of Savoy, he one day m e t a n elderly g e n t l e m a n w h o v e n t u r e d t o s p e a k i m p r o p e r l y in his p r e s e n c e ; Aloysius exclaimed: "Be a s h a m e d of y o u r gray hair one w o u l d t h i n k t h a t a t y o u r age, all i m p r o p e r things w o u l d cease. " Then leaving immediately, he gave himself to s p i r i t u a l reading. I s t h e heavenly m a n n a y o u r favourite food also? Certainly, only a firm faith c a n reveal to you the treasures that are there hidden. If y o u r faith b e w e a k , y o u c a n n o t u n d e r s t a n d t h e r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e " B r e a d of Angels, " a n d a soul t h a t w i s h e s to be like to t h e angels.

69

CHAPTER

XX

CHASTITY, T H E REWARD OF MEDITATION UPON T H E SUFFERINGS OF J E S U S T h e sufferings a n d d e a t h of o u r L o r d p l a c e d b e f o r e o u r souls a t t h e p r o p e r m o m e n t , a r e e v e r m o s t efficacious in destroying sensuality. J e s u s s w e a t i n g blood, J e s u s ill-treated before t h e t r i b u n a l s , J e s u s cruelly scourged, J e s u s c r o w n e d w i t h t h o r n s , J e s u s c a r r y i n g His c r o s s t o Calvary, J e s u s nailed t o t h e c r o s s a n d suffering for t h r e e h o u r s t h e m o s t excruciating painswhat pictures thesewhat h e a r t - r e n d i n g scenes! W h a t a c o n t r a s t t h e t o r m e n t s of this L a m b of God, a n d t h e sensualities of m a n ! And yet, p a r t i c u l a r l y , in o r d e r to e x p i a t e t h e s e sins of sensuality cry^ ing t o h e a v e n , J e s u s u n d e r w e n t t h e s e torm e n t s in H i s o w n flesh. And could y o u t h e n r e n e w , as it w e r e , His p a i n s , His afflictions? N o ; never! On t h e c o n t r a r y , t h e a s p e c t of J e s u s o n t h e cross s h o u l d p r e v e n t you from yielding t o a n y t e m p t a t i o n s a g a i n s t holy p u r i t y . "My S a v i o u r suffers, a n d shall I, by sinful c o m p l i a n c e increase His sufferings? My S a y i o u r suffers, a n d shall I, far from suffering w i t h H i m , far f r o m nailing myself to t h e c r o s s w i t h H i m b y p e n a n c e a n d self-denial, p e r m i t m y h a n d o r h e a r t t o seek f o r b i d d e n enjoyments? 70

Whilst engaged in w a r w i t h t h e Philistines, David, o n e day, suffered greatly f r o m t h i r s t . As he w i s h e d to p r o c u r e a d r i n k of w a t e r f r o m t h e well of B e t h l e h e m , t h r e e of his b r a v e s t m e n w e n t t h r o u g h t h e m i d d l e of t h e e n e m y ' s c a m p , d r e w w a t e r from t h e well, a n d c a r r i e d i t t o David. B u t David w o u l d n o t d r i n k iton t h e c o n t r a r y , h e p o u r e d i t out, " a n offering to t h e Lord, " saying, " B e it far f r o m m e , t h a t I, in t h e p r e s e n c e of my God s h o u l d d r i n k t h e blood of t h e s e m e n ; for w i t h d a n g e r of life, they h a v e fetched me this w a t e r . " You m a y say w h e n b u r n i n g passions p r e s s you: " B e it far f r o m m e , t h a t I s h o u l d indulge m y sinful p a s s i o n s , while m y Saviour bleeding f r o m m a n y w o u n d s suffers d e a t h on t h e cross. " T h e n you m a y like David p o u r o u t t h e w a t e r b e f o r e t h e Lord, t h a t is, d e n y yourself, a n d t h u s b r i n g a n offering t o J e s u s crucified.

Example
T h e holy boy, V i t u s , w a s obliged to u n d e r go a severe conflict b e f o r e he o b t a i n e d t h e c r o w n of m a r t y r d o m . He suffered a d o u b l e m a r t y r d o m , o n e for his chastity, t h e o t h e r for h i s faith. So i n h u m a n w a s h i s father, Hylas, t h a t h e u s e d every cruel m e a n s t o force h i s child, b u t twelve y e a r s old, to d e n y h i s faith. W h e n h e w a s n o t successful i n t h i s , he gave his son to t h e G o v e r n o r Valerian, w h o h a d h i m s c o u r g e d m o s t cruelly. V i t u s t h o u g h t of J e s u s , s c o u r g e d for his sake, a n d r e m a i n e d firm. He w a s t h e n r e t u r n e d to his father, w h o n o w r e s o r t e d to a m o s t shameful m e t h o d of s h a k i n g his c o n s t a n c y . 71

T h e p o o r b o y s h o u l d be r o b b e d of his innocence, t h a t t h u s h e m i g h t lose his firmness of faith. E v e r y t h i n g w a s n o w d o n e to i n d u c e V i t u s t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e shameful p l e a s u r e s of t h e flesh, a n d to c o r r u p t h i s h e a r t w i t h t h e e n j o y m e n t s of t h e w o r l d . It w a s useless. V i t u s p r a y e d , w a t c h e d a n d fought. W h e n , a t one time, s o m e one w a s sent t o lead h i m into a shameful sin, he closed his eyes a n d p r a y e d in t h e a c k n o w l e d g e m e n t of his o w n w e a k n e s s , "Do n o t despise, O Lord, a b r o k e n a n d h u m b l e h e a r t . " And w i t h t h e eye of his soul, he b e h e l d his crucified Saviour. At length, he t h o u g h t it n e c e s s a r y to save himself by flight. H e e s c a p e d w i t h his i n s t r u c t o r s M o d e s t u s a n d Crescentia. All these, however, fell into t h e h a n d of Diocletian, w h o h a d t h e m cruelly t o r m e n t e d . Vitus w a s c o n d e m n e d t o be t h r o w n i n t o a vessel of boiling lead, b u t the chaste body of this noble youth was not even injured. T h e wild a n i m a l s , too, refused t o i n j u r e t h e t h r e e m a r t y r s , b u t like l a m b s they lay d o w n at t h e i r feet. It is said they a t length c a m e t o t h e i r d e a t h o n t h e r a c k . W h y c a n n o t you, w h e n t e m p t a t i o n s assail you, look to t h e cross, or if you a r e alone sign yourself w i t h this holy sign? It h a s a l w a y s b e e n victorious, for w h i c h r e a s o n t h e C h u r c h exclaims, "Behold, t h e cross of t h e Lord; flee t h e r e f o r e , ye hostile p o w e r s ; t h e Lion of t h e t r i b e of J u d a h a s c o n q u e r e d . "

72

CHAPTER

XXI

CHASTITY, T H E F R U I T O F D E V O T I O N T O T H E SACRED H E A R T O F J E S U S Chastity h a s its r o o t s i n t h e h e a r t . F r o m t h e h e a r t , says t h e Lord, c o m e evil t h o u g h t s a n d d e s i r e s a n d from evil t h o u g h t s a n d d e s i r e s c o m e evil actionsevil fruits from evil seeds. B u t from t h e h e a r t c o m e also holy p u r p o s e s a n d good deedsgood fruits from good seeds. Every t h i n g d e p e n d s u p o n t h e h e a r t . It must, therefore, be your greatest care to k e e p your h e a r t u n s u l l i e d t o purify i t m o r e a n d m o r e . I n this i m p o r t a n t u n d e r t a k i n g , let t h e H e a r t of J e s u s be y o u r guide, y o u r consolation, y o u r h e l p ; for t h e h e a r t of t h e GodM a n i s t h e p u r e s t t h a t ever b e a t i n h u m a n b r e a s t . N e v e r did a p a s s i o n r a i s e its foaming wave w i t h i n it, b e c a u s e it w a s i n c a p a b l e of c o m m i t t i n g sin. Sublimely inaccessible to t h e raging w a v e s of h u m a n passion, it b e s t o w s u p o n u s , its light like a light-house w h i c h in t h e night illumes t h e p a t h l e s s w a t e r s ; it invites us as a h a v e n in s h i p w r e c k , a n d as a safe h a r b o u r i n s t o r m a n d n e e d . Oh! h o w t h e divine h e a r t of y o u r M a s t e r loves you, h o w it longs for you, h o w it desires to conceal you from t h e s n a r e s of t h e w o r l d , a n d t o p r e s e r v e you from y o u r o w n i n n a t e 73

c o r r u p t i o n ! " C o m e to Me all"it says, a n d it o p e n s w i d e to receive you; " c o m e to Me all you t h a t a r e b u r d e n e d a n d heavily laden, a n d I will refresh you, " It will give you t h e t r u e p e a c e t h a t c h a s t e souls enjoy, will indemnify y o u for all sacrifices, w i t h o u t w h i c h , c h a s t i t y is impossible, will e n r i c h you w i t h my choicest giftsgifts t h a t only p u r e souls c a n receive. V e n e r a t e , a d o r e this divine h e a r t , t h e f o u n t a i n of all p u r i t y ! It calls u p o n you, to l e a r n f r o m it in a special m a n n e r , humility a n d m e e k n e s s . Humility, however, is t h e sister of chastity, a n d he alone is m e e k , w h o h a s h i s h e a r t w i t h its p a s s i o n s u n d e r his c o n t r o l . T h e flames of love c o m e forth from this divine h e a r t , a n d in t h e m i d s t of t h e s e f l a m e s s t a n d s t h e r a d i a n t cross, r e m i n d i n g you t h a t c h a s t i t y a b i d e s w h e r e divine love h a s e i t h e r c o n s u m e d o r purified sensual love, w h e r e t h e c r o s s , t h e t y p e of self-denial, h a s gained t h e victory ( a l t h o u g h a bloody o n e ) over n a t u r e .

Example
B e r n a r d i n e of S i e n n a lost his m o t h e r , w h e n still very young; b u t h i s elder sister r e a r e d h i m w i t h a t r u l y m o t h e r l y c a r e a n d devotion. I n h i s e l e v e n t h year, h e c o m m e n c e d h i s s t u d i e s a t Sienna, a n d b y his m o r a l , a n d exceedingly m o d e s t disposition, h e t h e r e bec a m e so highly e s t e e m e d by h i s fellows t u d e n t s , t h a t a s soon a s h e w a s seen app r o a c h i n g i n t h e distance, every i m m o d e s t conversation was discontinued. It would then

74

b e w h i s p e r e d : " K e e p quiet. B e r n a r d i n e i s c o m i n g . " F o r a l t h o u g h he w a s of a m e e k a n d peaceful disposition, t h e y h a d o b s e r v e d t h a t i m m o d e s t speech n o t only grieved h i m , b u t even m a d e h i m sad. You m a y easily imagine h o w m u c h B e r n a r d i n e loved his M a s t e r a n d Saviour! h o w his h e a r t d w e l t w i t h i n t h e p u r e s t h e a r t o f J e s u s , t h e r e t o b e daily taught. He, subsequently, entered the order of St F r a n c i s , a n d as a p r e a c h e r of t h e W o r d of God p e r f o r m e d g r e a t w o r k s for t h e salvation of souls. Generously c o n s e c r a t e y o u r h e a r t , w i t h all its desires, to t h e m o s t holy h e a r t of y o u r Saviour. W h e r e could y o u r t r o u b l e d , y o u r youthful h e a r t b e m o r e a t r e s t ? And w h e r e c a n y o u find a m o r e h o n o u r a b l e dwelling, t h a n i n this s a n c t u a r y ?

75

CHAPTER

XXII

CHASTITY, T H E F R U I T O F T H E D E V O T I O N T O T H E B L E S S E D V I R G I N MARY Mary, t h e i m m a c u l a t e m o t h e r of the Most Holy One, is a n o b l e m o d e l for the y o u t h w h o c o n s i d e r s p u r i t y t h e b r i g h t e s t gem. Yes, look at her, a n d y o u r desire for this m o s t c h a r m i n g v i r t u e will be r e n e w e d ; y o u will feel y o u r c o u r a g e so increased, t h a t you will b e e n a b l e d t o c o m b a t t h e n u m b e r l e s s enemies of y o u r chastity; you will be s t r e n g t h e n e d in t h e m i d s t of t h e t h o u s a n d d a n g e r s t h a t surr o u n d you. F e a r n o t , b e n o t discouraged M a r y is n o t only y o u r p a t t e r n , she is also y o u r h e l p . S h e i s t h e t o w e r w i t h t h e many shields, all of w h i c h s h e will e x t e n d to you for y o u r defence a g a i n s t y o u r pressing e n e m i e s . P r o t e c t e d b y t h e m , you will r e m a i n u n i n j u r e d in t h e m i d s t of t h e fiery d a r t s that a r e h u r l e d u p o n you, t h e w e a p o n s of Satan will r e b o u n d , t h e m u r d e r o u s s p e a r s of the e n e m i e s of y o u r salvation will be r e n d e r e d powerless. Hence we find, that the purest souls a r e always t h e m o s t a r d e n t a d m i r e r s of t h e Blessed Virgin Mary. M a r y w a s cons t a n t l y before t h e eyes of St B e r n a r d , of B e r n a r d i n e , Casimir, Aloysius, S t a n i s l a u s , John B e r c h m a n s . T o Mary t u r n e d all t h o s e whose light w a s holy p u r i t y ; u n d e r h e r m a n t l e , all 76

t h o s e took refuge w h o s e t r e a s u r e s , w h o s e pearl, w a s chastity. W i t h w h a t i n t e n s i t y a n d w i t h w h a t holy love, will n o t Mary, t h e p u r e s t d a u g h t e r o f t h e heavenly F a t h e r , t h e m o s t c h a s t e b r i d e of t h e Holy Ghost, t h e virgin m o t h e r o f t h e p u r e s t Son, i n t e r c e d e w i t h t h e Blessed Trinity, t o o b t a i n g r a c e a n d for s u c h of h e r children as s t r i v e after this v i r t u e a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y for t h o s e y o u t h s w h o a r e p r e p a r e d t o m a k e every sacrifice i n o r d e r t o p r e s e r v e t h e i r chastity! Learn, therefore, t o k n o w Mary b e t t e r f r o m d a y t o daylove h e r m o r e tenderly i m i t a t e h e r m o r e closelycall u p o n h e r w i t h i n c r e a s e d confidence. H o w m a n y r e m a i n e d angels by this p r a c t i c e , or b e c a m e such! P r a y often, very often to h e r in t h e s e w o r d s : "O my m o t h e r , m y advocate, t o thy c a r e a n d p a r t i c u l a r p r o t e c t i o n I c o m m e n d m y soul a n d m y body, my e n t i r e self, w i t h all I a m , a n d all I p o s s e s s . And since I am t h i n e , d e a r e s t M o t h e r , t a k e t h e n u p o n thyself my p r o t e c t i o n as of thy child a n d t h y possession. "

Example
S t a n i s l a u s K o s t k a , a Pole of n o b l e b i r t h , s p e n t his y o u t h s t u d y i n g at Vienna, in comp a n y w i t h his elder b r o t h e r Paul, a n d t h e i r c o m m o n i n s t r u c t o r Bilinsky. Paul, b y n o means shared his younger brother's pious disposition a n d since he found an ally in Bilinsky, it w a s b u t a n e c e s s a r y c o n s e q u e n c e t h a t t h e y s h o u l d h a v e f r e q u e n t painful dis77

p u t e s . However, S t a n i s l a u s did n o t p e r m i t himself to be misled. He d e e m e d it of t h e g r e a t e s t i m p o r t a n c e t h a t his p u r i t y , w h i c h h e h a d s o long p r e s e r v e d unsullied, s h o u l d n o t now be tarnished. Hence, he thought it most n e c e s s a r y t o avoid t h e w o r l d , t o d e n y himself, f r e q u e n t l y t o receive t h e s a c r a m e n t s , a n d t o h a v e a t e n d e r love for t h e Blessed Virgin Mary. S o painful t o h i m w e r e all e x t e r i o r signs of t h e shameful vice of i m p u r i t y , t h a t , o n o n e occasion, h e fainted, w h e n a n immodest conversation was carried on in his presence. His angelic exterior w a s a t r u e m i r r o r o f his p u r e soul: h i s n o b l e b r o w w a s r a d i a n t w i t h t h e b r i g h t n e s s o f virginity, a n d h i s b r i g h t eyes s e e m e d to reflect t h e light of an angelic w o r l d . W h o e v e r b e h e l d Stanisl a u s , felt himself d r a w n t o w a r d s t h a t v i r t u e , w h i c h is c a p a b l e of giving, even to t h e body, a n expressible c h a r m . This h a p p y child w a s t o o good for this w o r l d . T h e L o r d first called h i m a w a y from t h e w o r l d i n t o a religious o r d e r ; w h e n s e v e n t e e n y e a r s of age, he ent e r e d t h e Society o f J e s u s , a t R o m e , a n d t e n m o n t h s later, t h e heavenly G a r d e n e r c h o s e t o cull this b u d , a n d t o t r a n s p l a n t i t i n t o Paradise. S t a n i s l a u s died w i t h o u t suffering a n y visible sickness, b u t c o n s u m e d b y t h e holy love of God, on t h e feast of t h e Assumpt i o n of t h e Blessed Virgin Mary. He w a s h o n o u r e d w i t h a p a r t i c i p a t i o n in M a r y ' s t r i u m p h i n Heaven. H e w a s a c c u s t o m e d t o s p e a k of t h e Blessed Virgin as h i s m o t h e r . "Yea, is s h e n o t my m o t h e r , " he said o n e day, i n r e p l y t o s o m e o n e w h o a s k e d h i m if he loved Mary. 78

B e a r i n m i n d , only h e b e c o m e s s i m i l a r t o this p u r e s t Virgin, w h o often t h i n k s of h e r , w h o loves a n d v e n e r a t e s h e r , w h o gives himself to h e r .

79

CHAPTER

XXIII

CHASTITY, T H E F R U I T O F T H E IMITATION OF T H E SAINTS It is a fact w o r t h y of observation, t h a t those saints m o s t p a r t i c u l a r l y a t t r a c t t h e youth/ encourage and animate him to imitate t h e i r example, w h o h a v e in a special m a n n e r d i s t i n g u i s h e d t h e m s e l v e s for t h e i r e m i n e n t chastity. They a p p e a r to h i m as s u p e r n a t u r a l beings, b u t it is often n e c e s s a r y t h a t he should recollect t h a t they, like all o t h e r children of Adam, w e r e once frail m o r t a l s w a l k i n g in t h e flesh, a n d exposed t o m a n y d a n g e r s . H e s h o u l d also b e a r in m i n d , t h a t m a n y of t h e m lived i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s w h i c h r e n d e r e d t h e preservation of holy c h a s t i t y p a r t i c u l a r l y difficult. T h u s , for example, a g r e a t n u m b e r w e r e e d u c a t e d at t h e c o u r t s of nobles, w h e r e they w e r e s u r r o u n d e d b y luxury, a n d all possible p l e a s u r e s , e n c o m p a s s e d by t h e p e r i l s of a godless, i m m o r a l w o r l d ; still they g r e w u p a s t h e lilies a m o n g t h e t h o r n s . Should it h a v e b e e n w o n d e r e d at, if they h a d s h a p e d their principles and morals according to the p r i n c i p l e s a n d m o r a l s of t h e worldif t h e y had precipitated themselves into the torrent of p u b l i c opinion, w h i c h s w e e p s everything else before itif t h e y h a d i m i t a t e d t h e ex80

a m p l e of t h e i r c o m p a n i o n s d r i n k i n g t h e cup o f p l e a s u r e u n t o t h e dregs, a n d being c o n t e n t t o offer t o t h e Lord, w h o s h o u l d h a v e b e e n t h e God of t h e i r y o u t h , t h e r e m n a n t s of a d i s s i p a t e d life. B u t nowholly did t h e y w i s h t o belong t o t h e Lordwholly even i n t h e i r youth; they remained chaste, and the world a n d t h e flesh s e e m e d n o t to exist for t h e m . O t h e r s again b o u g h t t h e p r e s e r v a t i o n of t h e i r c h a s t i t y only at t h e p r i c e of t h e i r blood. N o t t o m e n t i o n t h e n u m b e r l e s s virgins, t h e r e w e r e also m a n y y o u n g m e n a n d even boys, w h o w e r e obliged either to give up t h e i r chastity, or sacrifice t h e i r lives. And t h e y sacrificed this p e r i s h a b l e life in o r d e r to p r e s e r v e t h e s u p e r n a t u r a l life of t h e i r souls, a n d to gain t h e e t e r n a l life of t h e w o r l d to c o m e . Others there were, and their n u m b e r is legion, w h o r e c o v e r e d this t r e a s u r e of c h a s t i t y after a long c o m b a t , w h i c h a l t h o u g h bloodless, still w a s t e d i o u s a n d l a b o r i o u s . They, frequently, a t o n e d for t h e i r e r r o r s by t h e severest p e n a n c e s , a n d t h u s t h e y gained a lasting victory over themselves, w h i c h stood in glaring c o n t r a d i c t i o n to t h e f o r m e r s w a y of sensuality over t h e i r h e a r t s . They will, indeed, p a r t i c i p a t e in a h a p p y a n d blessed e t e r n i t y .

Example
Pelagius, a saintly child, p r a y e d m u c h a n d w i t h g r e a t devotion. H e w a s well a w a r e t h a t so glorious a v i r t u e as holy chastity could only be p r e s e r v e d by t h e h e l p of God. W h e n a t p r a y e r h e w a s s o recollected, t h a t n o noise, 81 6

n o calling could d i s t u r b h i m . W h e n r e a d i n g t h e lives of t h e S a i n t s , he w o u l d carefully m a r k those places w i t h w h i c h h e w a s pleased, a n d n o t e the examples t h a t h e i n t e n d e d t o i m i t a t e ; often he w o u l d say to himself: "Could I not do as they d i d ? " Well i n d e e d w a s it for Pelagius t h a t h e t h u s p r e p a r e d a n d strengthe n e d himselffor a g r e a t c o m b a t w a s awaiting h i m . At t h e age of ten, he w a s seized by t h e M o o r s a n d t a k e n f r o m Spain, a n d for three years underwent the most cruel trials for his faith a n d virtue. Being exquisitely beautiful, his m a s t e r , t h e king, e n t e r t a i n e d for h i m a sinful love. F l a t t e r i n g a n d p r e s e n t s w e r e m a d e u s e of to deceive this i n n o c e n t child, b u t a l t h o u g h b o u n d w i t h t h e chains of a slave, Pelagius r e m a i n e d m a s t e r of himself a n d of t h e king. He openly defied t h e sovereign, a n d o n e day w h e n t h e l a t t e r vent u r e d t o caress h i m i m p r o p e r l y , h e cried o u t : "Go away from m e , you u n c l e a n dog. " He t h e n t h r e w ' t h e king's p r e s e n t s a t his feet, w h i c h so e n r a g e d h i m , t h a t his love for Pelagius t u r n e d into h a t r e d , a n d t h e p o o r child w a s d o o m e d to e n d his life in t h e m o s t exc r u c i a t i n g agonyhe w a s t o r n t o pieces w i t h i r o n tongs. W h e n do you t h i n k of such h e r o i c courage? Do you n o t often find t h e least r e s i s t a n c e too difficult, t h e smallest sacrifice too g r e a t ? H o w shall we w h o a r e so effeminate, o n e day stand before t h o s e m a g n a n i m o u s lovers of holy chastity?

82

CHAPTER

XXIV

CHASTITY, T H E REWARD OF SINCERITY OF HEART W h e n beautiful objects a r e p l a c e d side b y side w i t h t h o s e t h a t a r e d e f o r m e d o r h i d e o u s they appear to their best advantage. Thus s h o u l d also holy chastity, t h i s p e a r l a m o n g v i r t u e s , a p p e a r t o u s b r i g h t e r a n d m o r e illustrious, when contrasted with the unhallowed p l e a s u r e s of t h e senses. B u t in this case, t h e p e n m u s t a b s t a i n from m a n y i l l u s t r a t i o n s , a n d can t o u c h b u t passingly a vice, of w h i c h t h e Apostle" says: "it s h o u l d n o t even be n a m ed a m o n g C h r i s t i a n s . " T o occupy t h e m i n d w i t h r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s , t h e h e a r t w i t h desires, t h e t o n g u e w i t h w o r d s , t h e e a r w i t h h e a r i n g , t h e eye w i t h seeing, the body with actions, of an immodest nature, is a d e g r a d a t i o n of o u r e n t i r e selves w h i c h t h e Bible calls, a "violation of t h e , t e m p l e of God. " We a r e t e m p l e s of God, b u i l t by t h e F a t h e r , r e n o v a t e d b y t h e Son, sanctified and t a k e n possession of by t h e Holy Spirit, cleansed b y b a p t i s m , s t r e n g t h e n e d b y confirmation, a n d f r e q u e n t r e c e p t i o n of t h e m o s t holy Sac r a m e n t of t h e Altar, d e s t i n e d to be living t a b e r n a c l e s , special s a n c t u a r i e s of t h e GodM a n o u r R e d e e m e r . " G o d ' s t e m p l e is holy, " a n d you a r e t e m p l e s of t h e living God: do 83

n o t t h e n d a r e to c h a n g e His t e m p l e i n t o a d e n of c r i m e , or r a t h e r d e s t r o y it, in o r d e r to m a k e o u t of its r u i n s , a t e m p l e for t h e idols, in w h i c h u n h o l y service w o u l d be rendered, i n w h i c h y o u r innocence w o u l d b e sacrificed to Moloch, in w h i c h y o u r p e a c e of conscience, y o u r soul's salvation, p e r h a p s even t h e h e a l t h of y o u r body, w o u l d all be laid u p o n t h e a l t a r of sensuality. Oh! h o w often i t h a p p e n s t h a t h e , w h o i s u n c h a s t e loses also his faith! H e t h r o w s his faith o v e r b o a r d , h o p i n g t h u s to pacify his conscience. After he h a s gradually given up his p r a y e r s a n d t h e r e c e p t i o n of t h e sacram e n t s , a n d all s u b l i m e t h i n g s b e c o m e loaths o m e t o h i m , b e c a u s e h i s h e a r t only loves vile p l e a s u r e s t h e n he also r e n o u n c e s his faith; h i s flesh is h i s God; h e a v e n he desires nothell h e fears n o longer, Oh! h o r r i b l e w h i r l p o o l w h i c h swallows all!

Example
W e r e a d o f t w o b r o t h e r s w h o w e r e very dissimilar; t h e y o u n g e r w a s a p i c t u r e of a l m o s t s u p e r n a t u r a l p u r i t y , an object of v e n e r a t i o n for h i s s c h o o l m a t e s , w h o k n e w h a r d l y a n y o t h e r r o a d t h a n t h a t which led to c h u r c h , to t h e school, a n d to his quiet h o m e . T h e elder, w h o w a s full of t h e w o r l d , a n d n e a r l y always s u r r o u n d e d b y b a d comp a n i o n s , s p u r n e d t h e a d m o n i t i o n s of grace a n d t h e counsel of p i o u s people, s a n k d e e p e r a n d d e e p e r into c r i m e , a n d his d e b a u c h e r i e s s o o n b e c a m e t h e p u b l i c talk. His y o u n g e r 84

brother was to him more of an annoyance t h a n a n edification, b e c a u s e his c o n s t a n t w a r n i n g s t r o u b l e d h i m . He, t h e r e f o r e resolved to get r i d of " t h a t u n b e a r a b l e saint, " as h e t e r m e d h i m , b y s o m e m e a n s , o r else m a k e a last d e s p e r a t e effort to d r a w h i m into h i s o w n evil w a y s . One afternoon, w h e n b o t h w e r e a t leisure, this profligate y o u t h p e r s u a d ed his b r o t h e r to t a k e a w a l k w i t h h i m a c r o s s t h e fields into a n e i g h b o u r i n g w o o d . T h e r e t h e c o m p a n i o n s in c r i m e of this w i c k e d y o u n g m a n w e r e expecting t h e i r p r e y . It w a s like t h e w a l k of Abel w i t h Caina n d Abel's innocence m i g h t t h e r e h a v e suffered a violent d e a t h , if God himself w h o formerly avenged Abel, h a d n o t s t e p p e d b e t w e e n t h e l a m b a n d t h e wolf. They h a d n o t yet reached the wood, when suddenly a storm a r o s e . T h e lightning flashed, t h e t h u n d e r pealedoncetwicethricein quick succession a n d t h e very trees in t h e forest, t r e m b l e d : a n d O j u s t God! Cain lies lifeless on t h e g r o u n d , a n d a few p a c e s from h i m , s t a n d s Abel t r e m b l i n g i n t h e w h o l e b o d y ! Only a f t e r w a r d s , w h e n h e h e a r d f r o m h i s b r o t h e r ' s c o m p a n i o n s in c r i m e of t h e i r comm o n design, did h e c o m p r e h e n d t h e g r e a t n e s s of t h e m i r a c l e a m i r a c l e b o t h of God's j u s t i c e a n d o f God's m e r c y . H e a f t e r w a r d s left t h e w o r l d , a n d c o n s e c r a t e d himself to God entirely a n d for ever b y t h e m o s t s a c r e d vows. Oh! to w h a t a d e p t h of sinfulness a n d c r i m e this one sin leads! W h a t is left to a sensual man, the ready instrument of the 85

l o w e s t p a s s i o n t o himself, a b u r d e n ; to o t h e r s , l o a t h s o m e , or t h e cause of t h e i r r u i n w h a t i s left t o h i m b u t d e s p a i r , a n d t h e eternal abyss!

86

CHAPTER

XXV

CHASTITY, T H E FRUIT OF T H E CONTEMPT OF T H E WORLD Long ago w a s it said: " T h e w o r l d is t h e grave of innocence, for it is entirely evil: " "all t h a t is in t h e w o r l d is t h e c o n c u p i s c e n c e of t h e flesh, t h e c o n c u p i s c e n c e of t h e eyes, a n d t h e p r i d e of life. " Constantly does it lay before you, p a r t i c u l a r l y before you, inexp e r i e n c e d y o u t h , its so-called p l e a s u r e s , a n d u r g e s you to p a r t i c i p a t e in t h e m . It s h o w s you its t r e a s u r e s p o s s e s s i o n s r i c h e s . B u t h o w a r e t h e s e p o s s e s s i o n s generally o b t a i n e d ? And t o w h a t d o t h e y lead? They lead invariably t o sensual e n j o y m e n t s . Riches often e s t r a n g e t h e h e a r t f r o m t h e C r e a t o r , a n d h e t h a t i s rich, is b u t t o o a p t to fall i n t o t h e p o w e r of p r i d e , t h e e n e m y of p u r i t y . T h e w o r l d contrives t o k e e p illusory p i c t u r e s of t h e h o n o u r d u e to y o u c o n s t a n t l y before y o u r m i n d . You a r e t o b e y o u r o w n God. Vanity, a m b i t i o n , p r i d e a n d t h e o t h e r vices n u m b e r n e a r l y all m e n a m o n g t h e i r slaves. B u t you s h o u l d k n o w t h a t p r i d e i s a k i n t o i m p u r i t y , as h u m i l i t y is to chastity. For, "God resisteth the proud; to the humble, however. H e giveth His g r a c e , " a n d w i t h o u t g r a c e , w i t h o u t g r e a t graces t h e r e c a n b e n o h u m i l i t y n o r sincerity of h e a r t . 87

Consider, too, t h e w o r l d w i t h its siren song, b y w h i c h i t e n d e a v o u r s t o l u r e o n t h e uns u s p e c t i n g u n t i l t h e y a r e finally engulfed in t h e w h i r l p o o l of sensuality. Oh! d e p l o r a b l e a r e t h e y o u t h s t h a t listen t o it! T h e m a g i c circle b e c o m e s gradually n a r r o w e r t h e quick r o t a t i o n s a r e o v e r p o w e r i n g d o w n w a r d s , incessantly d o w n w a r d s , they a r e c a r r i e d , u n t i l t h e y r e a c h t h e b o t t o m o f t h e abyss; t h e i r s t r e n g t h of will is lostthey can no longer withstand. How many, who have become dissolute a n d a b a n d o n e d , c u r s e , a n d will c u r s e for all e t e r n i t y , t h e w o r l d t h a t h a s deceived, t h a t h a s r u i n e d t h e m ; a n d t h u s loudly t h e y w a r n t h e i r i n n o c e n t c o m p a n i o n s : '' S t o p r e t u r n ! ' ' Yes r e t u r n ! If y o u w i s h to r e m a i n chaste, d i s t r u s t t h e w o r l d b e g n o t a t its d o o r s , d o n o t overvalue w h a t it offers you! Be careful, t e m p e r a t e , a b s t e m i o u s ; r e s e r v e y o u r enjoym e n t s for t h e o t h e r worldfor H e a v e n ; h e r e , however, d e n y yourself every p l e a s u r e , w h i c h m u s t be b o u g h t at t h e p r i c e of y o u r p e a c e of conscience. Oh! t h e r e a r e p u r e r joys t h a n t h e w o r l d c a n offer!

Example
H i l a r i o n w a s o n e of t h e m o s t c e l e b r a t e d h e r m i t s of t h e f o u r t h c e n t u r y . At t h e age of fifteen he p a i d a visit to t h e h e r m i t , St. Anthony w h o s e f a m e h a d s p r e a d t h r o u g h o u t the entire East. He remained with him two m o n t h s , l e a r n e d h i s m a n n e r of living, a n d t h e n set o u t f o r . t h e d e s e r t lying b e t w e e n Palestine a n d Egypt, w h e r e h e i m i t a t e d w h a t 88

he h a d seen. He b u i l t a h u t for himself from pieces of b r i c k a n d clay, w h i c h w a s so small (it b e i n g only large e n o u g h for himself) t h a t it r e s e m b l e d a t o m b m o r e t h a n t h e dwelling of a living p e r s o n . In this a b o d e , he p r a c t i s e d t h e m o s t severe mortifications, n o t w i t h s t a n d ing h e a t a n d cold, h u n g e r a n d t h i r s t . H e n e v e r a t e before s u n d o w n , a n d his m e a l t h e n consisted of a few fruits or h e r b s . N e v e r t h e l e s s , h i d e o u s t e m p t a t i o n s s o assailed t h e holy y o u t h , t h a t h e t h o u g h t i t n e c e s s a r y t o r e d u c e even his scanty m e a l . He often exclaimed: "Wait, you t r o u b l e s o m e body, you lazy, you o b s t i n a t e b e a s t of b u r d e n ; I shall see t h a t you b e c o m e t r a c t a b l e , a n d t h a t you n o longer e n t e r t a i n s u c h desires. " T h e n he w o u l d c h a s t i s e himself m o s t cruelly, a n d k e e p a s t r i c t fast. H i l a r i o n r e a c h e d t h e age of eighty y e a r s . His cell w a s still existing at t h e t i m e of St. J e r o m e . O Y o u t h , t h e w o r l d is n o t y o u r friend. F o r is it n o t t h e a d v e r s a r y of J e s u s Christ? Is it n o t t h e ally of S a t a n ? W h y do you n o t d i s t r u s t it? Why do you not answer its enticem e n t s w i t h a decided " n o ! " ? Ah! you will c u r s e it w h e n it will h a v e gained its point, a n d d e p r i v e d you of y o u r chastity, b u t t h e n it will" be t o o late!

89

CHAPTER

XXVI

CHASTITY, THE FRUIT OF GREAT PRECAUTION IN OUR DEALINGS WITH M E N Hell h a s its disciples. H o w m a n y p e r s o n s w h o a r e t h e m s e l v e s c o r r u p t e d , consciously o r o t h e r w i s e d r a w o t h e r s after t h e m i n t o r u i n ! The f o r m e r a r e seducersdevils i n h u m a n form; t h e l a t t e r a r e d e p l o r a b l e beings w h o having received p o i s o n t h e m s e l v e s , overflow w i t h it, a n d infect every one a r o u n d t h e m . H o w careful you o u g h t t o b e i n t h e choice of y o u r i n t i m a t e friends, a n d even of y o u r c o m p a n i o n s ! " B a d language d e s t r o y s good m o r a l s ; " h o w m u c h m o r e will this be effected b y b a d a c t i o n s , b a d example, a n d dissolute c o n d u c t . Ah! you will h a v e to be determined and unrelenting, when vice c o m m e n c e s t o s h o w its t r u e colours, a n d begins t o t h r o w its p o i s o n o u s d a r t s t o w a r d you! Many are the youths that have become the p r e y of evil c o m p a n i o n s . They did n o t perceive t h a t t h e y w e r e k e e p i n g c o m p a n y w i t h a leper, u n t i l t h e i r souls b e c a m e infected b y t h e s a m e leprosy, w h i c h , s p r e a d i n g m o r e a n d m o r e , finally r o b b e d t h e m of all t h e i r b e a u t y , all their happiness. Prefer t o h a v e n o friend r a t h e r t h a n h a v e an evil one. In reality, a w i c k e d friend is y o u r e n e m y , for he is 90

d a n g e r o u s t o y o u r soul, h e a c t s t o w a r d you as a thief, a r o b b e r , a m u r d e r e r , a d e m o n ! P u r i t y is a gem, a t r e a s u r e ; suffer no thief i n y o u r h o u s e ! P u r i t y i s t h e life, i s t h e b e a u t y o f y o u r soul; p e r m i t n o m u r d e r e r t o c o m e n e a r you w h o w o u l d disfigure, o r d e s t r o y it. B o o k s too a r e friendsgood o r b a d friends, p r e g n a n t e i t h e r w i t h evil, o r w i t h good seducers or preservers according to their contents. Therefore, O Y o u t h , t a k e t h e g r e a t e s t c a r e ! D o n o t t h r o w t h e p e a r l b e f o r e t h e swine, b u t g u a r d it w i t h solicitude, if y o u w i s h t h a t it should one day be your diadem.

Example
St. Gregory Nazianzen a n d St. Basil, afterw a r d s called t h e " G r e a t , " s t u d i e d t o g e t h e r a t A t h e n s . W h a t h o l y friendship t h e i r s m u s t have been! Friends who are united in virtue, in p u r i t y , a n d in t h e exercise of t h e i r comm o n d u t i e s , a r e t o e a c h o t h e r g u a r d i a n angels; w h e r e a s , t h o s e w h o a r e u n i t e d for t h e p r o p a g a t i o n of c r i m e , r e s e m b l e d e m o n s . St. Greg o r y a f t e r w a r d s w r o t e : "We k n e w b u t t w o r o a d s , t h e o n e leading t o c h u r c h a n d t o t h e m i n i s t e r s o f t h e a l t a r , w h o c e l e b r a t e t h e divine m y s t e r i e s , a n d n o u r i s h t h e m e m b e r s o f Christ w i t h t h e b r e a d of life; t h e o t h e r ( w h i c h , however, w e r e s p e c t less t h a n t h e f i r s t ) conducting u s t o t h e g r e a t p u b l i c schools a n d t o t h e t e a c h e r s of w i s d o m . " T h e c o n s e q u e n c e w a s t h a t t h e s e t w o friends w e r e p r e s e r v e d f r o m t h e evil influence of t h e dissolute y o u t h s freq u e n t i n g t h e h i g h schools, a n d t h a t t h e y
(

91

a t t a i n e d t h e e n d for w h i c h God h a d led t h e m to Athens. Dissoluteness is inimical to science. A p i o u s m i n d , a p u r e h e a r t "is useful for all t h i n g s , " as t h e Apostle says. Be n o t too liberal w i t h t h e title " F r i e n d . " Let h i m , w h o w i s h e s t o b e y o u r friend, show first t h a t he deserves it, by a m o d e s t disposition, by a p u r e h e a r t a n d a p i o u s m i n d . If h i s friendship will n o t aid you in gaining heaven, do n o t seek to cultivate it.

92

CHAPTER

XXVII

CHASTITY, T H E F R U I T O F INDUSTRY Experience has proved the t r u t h of no m a x i m m o r e fully t h a n t h i s : " I d l e n e s s i s t h e b e g i n n i n g of all vice. " P a r t i c u l a r l y is it t h e evil f o u n t a i n of i m p u r i t y . T h e m i n d b e i n g active by n a t u r e , occupies itself w i t h w h a t ever is p r e s e n t e d to it. If you neglect to k e e p it u p o n a c e r t a i n object a c c o r d i n g to y o u r direction, t h e n it will w a n d e r , a n d be led b y t h e senses t o low a n d sensual m a t t e r s . T h e n t h e i m a g i n a t i o n will b e p o l l u t e d , t h e n t h e soul will be defiled, a n d from it, as from corrupted w a t e r , will come forth evil v a p o u r s a n d p o i s o n o u s o d o u r s . Diligent exertion and well regulated i n d u s t r y will k e e p t h e soul p u r e . Like a fresh b r e e z e t h e y a c t u p o n t h e m i n d . W h e n o u r t h o u g h t s a r e c o n s t a n t l y occupied, they k e e p i n t h e i r a p p o i n t e d s p h e r e , d i r e c t e d tow a r d t h e e n d w h i c h h a s b e e n assigned t h e m , a n d avoid everything n o t a p p e r t a i n i n g t o it; t h e y h a v e b u t one e n d e a v o u r , viz., to p r e p a r e t h e will, a n d m a k e i t willing t o act. Besides, it is to be s u p p o s e d , t h a t if o n e is i n t e n t u p o n m a k i n g good u s e of every m o m e n t of h i s t i m e , he m u s t p o s s e s s a c o n s i d e r a b l e d e g r e e of self-control, w h i c h will p r o v e m o s t beneficial in t i m e s of t e m p t a t i o n , a n d p r e v e n t a defeat. 93

" N e v e r let t h e devil find you u n o c c u p i e d , " says St. J e r o m e , w h o k n e w from experience t h e g r e a t p o w e r o f i n d u s t r y over o u r t e m p t a t i o n s . Although he h a d b u r i e d himself, as it w e r e , i n t h e desert, a n d b y his fastings a n d o t h e r w o r k s o f p e n a n c e h a d r e d u c e d himself a l m o s t to a s h a d o w , he n e v e r t h e l e s s felt t h e sting of t h e flesh, a n d found himself surr o u n d e d by t e m p t a t i o n s . As a r e m e d y , he und e r t o o k l a b o u r s , w h i c h w e r e s o difficult a n d l o a t h s o m e t h a t only a p e r s o n p o s s e s s i n g a s t r o n g will like his o w n , could ever expect to a c c o m p l i s h t h e m . A t last, h e w a s able t o say: " H o w t h a n k f u l I am to Almighty God, b e c a u s e m y m a n y h a r d s h i p s a n d l a b o u r s have a t length p r o c u r e d for m e t h a t m u c h - d e s i r e d p e a c e of soul. " Therefore, p r a y , r e a d , w r i t e , o r occupy yourself in s o m e w a y . Devote yourself in e a r n e s t to t h e duties of y o u r special s t a t e of life; strive to a c c o m p l i s h g r e a t things acc o r d i n g t o t h e t a l e n t s w h i c h God h a s given you. Let i t b e y o u r e n t i r e a m b i t i o n t o f i l l w i t h h o n o u r t h a t situation, w h i c h God i n His w i s d o m h a s assigned you. Strive t o b e c o m e a useful m e m b e r of society, to t h e c o n s o l a t i o n of y o u r C h u r c h , to t h e well-being of y o u r fellow-creatures, a n d t h e joy of y o u r parents.

Example
J o h n B e r c h m a n s , of Diestheim in B r a b a n t , t h e child of a s i m p l e a r t i s a n , b l o s s o m e d like a beautiful flower. " U p o n his c o u n t e n a n c e , " says a b i o g r a p h e r , " w a s e x p r e s s e d s u c h 94

beauty, and in his manners there was such a charming sweetness, that many renowned families begged h i s p a r e n t s t o e n t r u s t t o t h e m this angel in t h e flesh. " The arch-priest E m m e r i c h testified b y a n a u t h e n t i c docum e n t , t h a t " J o h n w a s a n angel, a n d f r o m h i s c o u n t e n a n c e s h o n e an angelic p u r i t y . " H i s t e a c h e r s testified, " t h a t J o h n h a d always b e e n s o i n n o c e n t , t h a t h e did n o t k n o w even t h e n a m e of a c e r t a i n vice i n t o w h i c h y o u t h is so a p t to fall. " In o r d e r to p r e s e r v e this p u r i t y of h e a r t , he m o s t carefully s h u n n e d all those in w h o m he n o t i c e d a disposition for an unr e s t r a i n e d life. H e h a d n o i n t i m a c y w i t h any of h i s c o m p a n i o n s , b u t w a s k i n d a n d polite t o all. H e spoke, however, b u t little, a n d s p e n t t h e t i m e w h i c h h e h a d after school h o u r s in prayer or at work, at church or at home. Before he w a s seventeen y e a r s old, he ent e r e d t h e Society o f J e s u s a t Malines. H e w a s s u b s e q u e n t l y sent t o R o m e t o p r o s e c u t e his studies, w h e r e he died at t h e age of twentytwo. There was nothing extraordinary in his life, b u t in all things he w a s cheerful a n d p u n c t u a l . T h e r u l e s a n d r e g u l a t i o n s of t h e o r d e r t o w h i c h h e belonged w e r e s o d e a r t o h i m , t h a t h e o b s e r v e d even t h e smallest w i t h t h e g r e a t e s t scrupulosity; t o s h o w his g r e a t r e g a r d for t h o s e r u l e s , h e w o u l d n o t p a r t , even on his death-bed w i t h t h e little b o o k w h i c h c o n t a i n e d t h e m . "Being, " he said, " p o s s e s s e d of t h e s e t h r e e t h i n g s , I shall gladly die, " a n d h e w o u n d . his r o s a r y a r o u n d t h e crucifix, w h i c h he laid u p o n h i s little b o o k of r u l e s . A m o n g his p a p e r s w e r e f o u n d t h e 95

following maxims, which contain most p r e c i o u s advice for all y o u n g m e n w h o love holy p u r i t y : " T h e r e is n o t h i n g w h i c h I m u s t s h u n m o r e t h a n indolence, s a d n e s s , a n d intim a c i e s . I am not c e r t a i n of my salvation, if I do n o t e n d e a v o u r to h a v e a childlike a n d sincere devotion to t h e M o t h e r of God. " Indeed, nothing is to be shunned so much a s indolence. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h a t i n d u s t r y w h i c h p r o c e e d s from a sense of one's duty, w h i c h h a s for its object t h e g r e a t e r h o n o u r of God, w h i c h is u p h e l d by divine love is an excellent m e a n s , k e e p i n g g r e a t t e m p t a t i o n s away, or at least repelling t h e m successfully. Ask t h e S a i n t s , even t h o s e living in the d e s e r t s , w h o i n t e r r u p t e d t h e i r p r a y e r s only by m a n u a l l a b o u r ; they will give t e s t i m o n y .

96

CHAPTER

XXVIII

CHASTITY, T H E F R U I T OF UNCEASING - COMBAT If t h e w h o l e life of a m a n is a c o m b a t , h o w m u c h m o r e so t h e t i m e of y o u t h ! And if no m o r a l v i r t u e can b e a c q u i r e d o r m a i n t a i n e d w i t h o u t e a r n e s t conflict, m u c h less c a n holy p u r i t y . Resign yourself, therefore, O Y o u t h , since it is in envitable, p u t on t h e holy a r m o u r , and then in t h e n a m e of God comm e n c e t h e c o m b a t w i t h courage. Struggle manfully and bravely! Are you a l a r m e d at the g r e a t n u m b e r of your e n e m i e s ? Do n o t fear t h e i r deceit, t h e i r malice, t h e i r fury? Are y o u terrified at t h e g r e a t n u m b e r t h a t y o u see c o n q u e r e d ? D o you d o u b t y o u r final victory? Be n o t dismayed. T h i n k w i t h St. Augustine: " W h a t t h e s e have d o n e w h y c a n ' t I ? " S a t a n fears t h e c o u r a g e o u s . I t i s w r i t t e n : " W i t h s t a n d t h e devil, a n d h e will t a k e flight. " T h e w o r l d flees b e f o r e h i m w h o manfully r e s i s t s it. Although sensuality cann o t b e entirely e r a d i c a t e d , i t m a y b e r e n d e r e d h a r m l e s s b y s t r e n u o u s effort. W h o w a s David, w h o w a s Goliath? H o w unequal the combat between these two! But t h e s m a l l s h e p h e r d b o y t r i u m p h e d over t h e giant w a r r i o r , certainly t h r o u g h God, a n d w i t h God, b u t also b e c a u s e h e w a s i n t r e p i d , prompt, courageous. "Thou comest to me 97
7

w i t h a s w o r d , a n d w i t h a spear, a n d w i t h a shield, " said David to Goliath, " b u t I c o m e to t h e e in t h e n a m e of t h e L o r d of h o s t s a n d t h e L o r d will deliver t h e e i n t o my h a n d s . " You m u s t also struggle unceasingly, a n d t o t h e end. Victory s h o u l d n o t m a k e y o u p r e s u m p t u o u s o r i n d u c e you t o b e c o m e indolent; o n t h e c o n t r a r y , you m u s t always b e r e a d y a n d clad w i t h t h e a r m o u r o f light a c c o r d i n g t o t h e w o r d s o f t h e Apostle: "having y o u r loins girt a b o u t w i t h t r u t h , a n d having o n t h e b r e a s t p l a t e of j u s t i c e , a n d y o u r feet s h o d w i t h t h e p r e p a r a t i o n of t h e gospel of p e a c e ; in all t h i n g s t a k i n g t h e shield of faith, w h e r e w i t h you m a y b e able t o extinguish all t h e f i e r y d a r t s o f t h e m o s t w i c k e d one, a n d t a k e u n t o y o u t h e h e l m e t o f salvation a n d t h e s w o r d of t h e spirit, w h i c h is t h e w o r d of God. " The final victory will be y o u r s , for in conflict, no one is c o n q u e r e d w h o does w i s h it. And t h e c o n q u e r o r m a y expect c r o w n , w h i c h i s n o t w i t h h e l d f r o m any w h o fights lawfully. this not that one

Example
J o s a p h a t , son of Abenner, of w h o s e conversion, of w h o s e g r e a t struggles for t h e faith, a n d of w h o s e final victory St. J o h n D a m a s c e n m a k e s m e n t i o n , d i s t i n g u i s h e d himself b y s u c h g r e a t p u r i t y , t h a t God m a d e u s e o f h i m a s a n i n s t r u m e n t for t h e conversion of h i s f a t h e r Abenner, a n d of t h e w h o l e k i n g d o m . After t h e f a t h e r failed in h i s e n d e a v o u r s to b r i n g J o s a p h a t b a c k to t h e service of t h e idols, h e , by t h e advice of a b a d m a n , a tool of S a t a n , 98

c o m m e n c e d a t r u l y diabolical w a r f a r e against h i s son, w h i c h h e h o p e d w o u l d infallibly lead h i m t o success, for h e k n e w t h e frailty o f h u m a n nature, and the propensity of youth t o sensuality. T h e i m p i o u s f a t h e r s u r r o u n d e d the poor young m a n with the most depraved persons, w h o m he ordered to seduce Josaphat, a n d r o b h i m of his innocence. This w a s a severe t r i a l . St. J o h n D a m a s c e n describes it as foll o w s : " T h e i m p u r e d e m o n , w h i c h t h e devil h a d sent, b r o u g h t w i t h h i m o t h e r s w o r s e t h a n himself, a n d all a p p e a r e d at t h e b e d of t h e noble youth, and pressed h i m with temptat i o n s . H i s p u r e soul h a d , h o w e v e r , n o s o o n e r noticed these temptations a n d t h e evil t h o u g h t s w h i c h b e s e t h i m , t h a n h e experienced g r e a t s a d n e s s , a n d felt a m o s t e a r n e s t desire to be delivered f r o m so g r e a t a misfortune, and to keep p u r e and unstained the holy d r e s s of i n n o c e n c e w h i c h h a d b e e n given h i m i n b a p t i s m . He, t h e r e f o r e , o p p o s e d love by l o v e i m p u r e love by divine love; he t h o u g h t o f t h e b e a u t y a n d t h e inexpressible glory w h i c h p u r e souls shall p o s s e s s b y t h e i r p a r t i c i p a t i o n in t h e glory of Christ, from w h i c h , h o w e v e r , all t h o s e w h o h a v e soiled t h e i r r o b e of innocence will be excludedand t h r o w n , t h e i r h a n d s a n d feet b o u n d , i n t o u t t e r d a r k n e s s . M a k i n g t h e s e reflections, h e b e a t his b r e a s t , a m i d a flood of t e a r s , a n d p u t all evil t h o u g h t s to flight. " H e t h e n a r o s e , lifted u p h i s h a n d s t o heaven, a n d w i t h m a n y t e a r s a n d sighs' p r a y e d to God for His a s s i s t a n c e , in t h e following w o r d s : "Almighty God, w h o alone a r t p o w e r ful a n d inclined to m e r c y ; O my Lord, h o p e 99

of t h e d e s p o n d e n t , a n d of all t h o s e w h o a r e in n e e d of h e l p , be mindful, I b e s e e c h Thee, o f m e , Thy u s e l e s s s e r v a n t ; look u p o n m e w i t h merciful eyes, a n d save m y soul f r o m t h e s w o r d of t h e devil, a n d my all from t h e h a n d s of this dog, a n d p e r m i t n o t t h a t I s h o u l d fall i n t o t h e p o w e r of my e n e m i e s . They shall n o t t r i u m p h over m e , w h o h a t e me in t h e i r iniquity; suffer n o t t h a t I p e r i s h i n iniquity, a n d t h a t m y b o d y w h i c h I h a v e v o w e d to k e e p in holy chastity, be violated. I a d o r e T h e e t h e F a t h e r , t h e Son, a n d t h e Holy Spirit, a n d I desire to p o s s e s s Thee eternally. ' He h a d h a r d l y said, 'Amen, ' w h e n he felt a b r e a t h of heavenly consolations, a n d all evil t h o u g h t s vanished, b u t h e remained in p r a y e r till m i d n i g h t . Being a w a r e of t h e deceits a n d artifices of t h e evil spirit, h e s o u g h t t o mortify his b o d y b y h u n g e r a n d t h i r s t a n d o t h e r w o r k s o f p e n a n c e , a n d often spent whole nights standing, and in prayer, thinking of the covenant he h a d m a d e with God. All t h e s e things he did, t h a t t h e devil m i g h t n e v e r find h i m u n o c c u p i e d , o r w o r s e still, o c c u p i e d w i t h vain t h o u g h t s , for he feared he w o u l d t h e n t a k e occasion to suggest t h o s e w h i c h a r e evil, a n d t h u s s t a i n the p u r i t y of h i s soul. " W h a t a glorious spectacle in t h e sight of H e a v e n a y o u t h t h u s struggling! What a s h a m e for t h e devil to be p u t to flight by a w e a k boy, yes, to be laid low, a n d feel the foot of t h e c o n q u e r o r u p o n h i s neck! Never lose c o u r a g e ! T h e n u m b e r of t h o s e w h o assist is g r e a t e r t h a n of t h o s e w h o r e s i s t you! 100

CHAPTER

XXIX

CHASTITY, T H E F R U I T O F G E N E R O U S SELF-DENIAL P r o c e e d still f u r t h e r , O Y o u t h . Be n o t m e r e ly content with keeping your enemies, Satan, the w o r l d , a n d t h e flesh, at bay, b u t a t t a c k t h e m , defeat t h e m , s t r i k e t h e m t o t h e g r o u n d . Gird yourself w i t h t h e s w o r d of self-denial; e n t e r u p o n a holy c r u s a d e against yourself; s u b d u e y o u r flesh a n d y o u r self-will; " b e a c r o s s to t h e w o r l d , as it is a cross to you. " L e a r n to d e n y yourself, even lawful t h i n g s , i n o r d e r t h a t y o u m a y t h e m o r e readily a b s t a i n f r o m t h o s e w h i c h a r e unlawful. T a m e , afflict, t o r m e n t y o u r flesh, in o r d e r t h a t i t m a y t r o u b l e a n d t o r m e n t you less. I f t e m p t a t i o n s r e n d e r it advisable, or if grace d r a w you, d e p r i v e yourself of all superfluities in eating, d r i n k i n g , rest, a n d convenience. Do n o t m i n d t h e g r o a n s o f rebellious n a t u r e . T r e a t y o u r flesh as y o u r g r e a t e s t e n e m y ; if you w i s h to h a v e p e a c e f r o m y o u r flesh, give it b u t little peace. I t i s r e m a r k a b l e t h a t t h o s e holy y o u t h s w h o s e c h a s t i t y w a s t h e m o s t brilliant, w e r e also p a r t i c u l a r l y d i s t i n g u i s h e d for t h e p r a c t i c e of t h e m o s t severe mortificationswitness s a i n t s like Benedict, Aloysius, S t a n i s l a u s . These s a i n t s w e n t in q u e s t of t h e e n e m y , a n d c o n q u e r e d h i m in his o w n s t r o n g h o l d . A 101

heavenly w a r f a r e is c e r t a i n of success. You are astonished that in the course of centuries, s o m a n y c h o s e n y o u t h s r e n o u n c e d all t h e conveniences of life, t h e i r r i c h e s , t h e h o n o u r s which the future held out to them, preferring, instead, a life in t h e d e s e r t , w h e r e t h e y b u r i e d t h e m s e l v e s , a s i t w e r e , a n d fought against t h e m s e l v e s a s a g a i n s t t h e i r g r e a t e s t enemy, b y fasting, night-watches, p e n a n c e s , a n d unceasing l a b o u r s ; t h e y w e r e always i n t e n t upon preserving or restoring their purity of heart. This is t h e s e c r e t of t h e i r m a n y sacrifices a n d self-denials. W i t h h e d g e s of thorns they surrounded themselves, in order t h a t t h e lily of c h a s t i t y m i g h t be p r o t e c t e d ; t h r o u g h p a i n they q u e n c h e d lust; by selfdenial t h e y b o u g h t for t h e m s e l v e s t r u e life; by u n c e a s i n g w a r , a holy p e a c e in this life a n d i n t h e next! How do you expect to destroy the d o m i n i o n of t h e flesh, if y o u do n o t m a k e it feel y o u r d o m i n i o n over it?

Example
After Constantine the Great became E m p e r o r , h e frequently suffered himself t o be governed by arbitrary passion. Crispus, h i s s o n by a f o r m e r m a r r i a g e , w a s u n c o m m o n l y beautiful a n d very b r a v e , a n d w h a t w a s still m o r e a d m i r a b l e , h e w a s a c k n o w l e d g e d to be a p a t t e r n of u n s t a i n e d chastity. His s t e p - m o t h e r , F a u s t a , laid s n a r e s for his inn o c e n c e , b u t like a n o t h e r J o s e p h , h e e s c a p e d by flight from h e r w i c k e d wiles. H e r s e n s u a l love w a s t h e n c h a n g e d i n t o a 102

passionate hatred. She accused Crispus to her h u s b a n d of t h e b l a c k e s t c r i m e , a n d Cons t a n t i n e w a s s o h a s t y a n d blinded, t h a t witho u t investigating t h e m a t t e r , h e c o n d e m n e d h i s "own child to d e a t h . P o i s o n e d food w a s given h i m t o eat w h i c h h a d t h e d e s i r e d effect. T h e w i c k e d F a u s t a a f t e r w a r d s confessed her c r i m e a n d w a s also d e p r i v e d of h e r life. Indeed, " t h e K i n g d o m of H e a v e n suffereth violence, a n d t h e violent b e a r it away. " C o w a r d s t h a t w e a r e , w e love t o b e c h a s t e , b u t w e will n o t deny ourselves, w e will n o t let o u r flesh feel t h e s u p e r i o r i t y of t h e spirit.

103

CHAPTER

XXX

CHASTITY, T H E SOURCE O F I N T E R N A L P E A C E On o n e occasion, t h e angels sang: "Peace to m e n on e a r t h , t h a t a r e of a good will. " "Of a very good will, " indeed, is t h a t y o u t h , w h o n o t only avoids sin i n general, b u t w h o s h u n s i m p u r i t y in a special m a n n e r . He is "of a v e r y good will, " for only by severe c o m b a t s h a s he achieved s u c h a r e s u l t , a n d t h r o u g h d a n g e r s o f all k i n d s h a s h e h a d t o p a s s . He is "of a very good will, " for he h a s given a r e a d y e a r to t h e voice of his conscience, a n d h a s co-operated faithfully w i t h t h e graces given h i m . H e n c e peace, consolation, i n w a r d j o y shall b e h i s p o r t i o n ; peace, as t h e effect of a v i c t o r i o u s c o m b a t ; peace, a s t h e r e w a r d for faithful l a b o u r ; peace, a s t h e holy d o w r y of u n r e l e n t i n g self-denial. Peace! d o e s i t n o t b e a m f r o m t h e b r i g h t eyes of t h e c h a s t e ? A holy religious a n d prof o u n d t h i n k e r u s e d t o say: " T h e s t a r s , t h e flowers, a n d t h e b r i g h t eyes of i n n o c e n c e a r e like relics f r o m P a r a d i s e . " Peace! D o you n o t b r e a t h e i t w h e n i n comp a n y w i t h h i m w h o i s p u r e ? His innocence, t h e m o d e s t y of his c o n v e r s a t i o n a n d m a n n e r s , often too, t h e c h a r m of his w h o l e a p p e a r a n c e , a r e a s refreshing a s b a l m y n a t i v e air. View a peaceful l a n d s c a p e in t h e gentle 104

light of a setting sun; at y o u r feet r e p o s e the t r a n q u i l w a t e r s of a crystal lake s u r r o u n d e d by smiling fields, by fruit-bearing o r c h a r d s a n d m a j e s t i c w o o d s . B u t b e h o l d i t again, w h e n t h e s t o r m r a g e s , a n d t h e t h u n d e r peals. Spectre-like, t h e c l o u d s flit by; t h e w a t e r s a r e t r o u b l e d , they d a s h a n d r o a r ; t h e w o o d s s e e m h a u n t e d , for t h e t r e e s b e n d t h e i r t o p s , t h e i r b r a n c h e s c r a s h , t h e i r t r u n k s groan, all n a t u r e seems disturbed. A growing darkness o v e r s p r e a d s t h e scene! This is a p i c t u r e of p e a c e of soul a n d of u n b r i d l e d p a s s i o n .
; v

Example
T h e r e w a s g r e a t c o m m o t i o n on b o a r d a large sailing vessel. S e a t e d on a large b u n d l e of r o p e s , w a s a y o u t h of fifteen y e a r s , a r o u n d w h o m a c r o w d of r u d e sailors h a d g a t h e r e d . They called t h e i r c o m r a d e " a h y p r o c i t e , a n idler, " a n d similar n a m e s . O n e s t r u c k h i m , a n d c a u s e d t h e little b o o k h e w a s r e a d i n g t o fall to t h e floor; a n o t h e r gave it a kick, a n d it flew o v e r b o a r d . A loud cry of t r i u m p h acc o m p a n i e d this last act, after w h i c h they left. B u t "Alf, " as t h e y o u n g sailor b o y w a s called, w a s n e i t h e r " a h y p r o c r i t e " n o r " a n idler. " He b e l o n g e d to a good familycould r e a d , w a s m o d e s t , polite, a n d of a cheerful a n d obliging disposition. B u t h e w o u l d t a k e n o p a r t i n t h e o b s c e n e t a l k o f his c o m r a d e s , a n d this a r o u s e d t h e i r anger; they t o r m e n t e d him constantly, and sometimes even b e a t h i m . On s u c h occasions, Alf w o u l d h i d e i n s o m e c o r n e r o f t h e l o w e r r o o m , a n d unb u r d e n his heart by tears and prayers, and 105

h e w o u l d always c o n c l u d e t h u s : "My d e a r F a t h e r in H e a v e n , let me suffer every thing r a t h e r t h a n lose my innocence. " N o w , h o w e v e r , he w a s d e p r i v e d even of his little b o o k , " T h e Following of Christ. " Who can d e s c r i b e t h e a s t o n i s h m e n t of this r u d e crowd, w h e n t h e following day t h e y b e h e l d "Alf, " quietly sitting d o w n w i t h his little b o o k i n h i s h a n d ! H e never told t h e m t h e secret: for h e h a d found his t r e a s u r e t h e evening b e f o r e in o n e of t h e life-boats w h e r e h e h a d b e e n s e n t t o execute a n o r d e r . This seeming m i r a c l e c a u s e d a c o m p l e t e c h a n g e of c o n d u c t in t h e y o u n g m e n t o w a r d s "Alf. " They n o w a p p e a r e d t o r e s p e c t h i m , a n d even begged h i m , occasionally, t o r e a d t o t h e m from his little b o o k , w h i c h h a d b e e n s o m i r a c u l o u s l y r e c o v e r e d . At length they even requested that he would teach them to read. Gradually t h e i r b a w d y songs w e r e h u s h e d ; they d i s c o n t i n u e d t h e i r still w o r s e conversations, a n d Alfred b e c a m e t h e beloved a p o s t l e of his f o r m e r t o r m e n t o r s a n d e n e m i e s . T h u s does Almighty God love to bless chastity, p a t i e n c e , a n d confidence. T h u s does a soul, conscious of its p u r i t y , experience consolation a n d p e a c e in t h e m i d s t of e x t e r i o r combats.

106

CHAPTER

XXXI

CHASTITY, THE SOURCE OF A HOLY CHEERFULNESS T h e e a r t h , b e i n g a vale of t e a r s , a l a n d of b a n i s h m e n t , i s n o t well a d a p t e d t o cheerfuln e s s . Yet t h e r e a r e s o m e few living in t h e w o r l d w h o m a y well rejoice, w h o , alone, h a v e a good r e a s o n to be glad; n a m e l y , t h o s e w h o h a v e a well-founded confidence of b e i n g in t h e s t a t e of grace; p a r t i c u l a r l y , t h e c h a s t e . Yes, c h a s t e soul, "rejoice in t h y y o u t h , " a s Holy S c r i p t u r e says; y o u m a y well rejoice, for you k n o w t h a t God i s p l e a s e d w i t h you. T h e n w h y s h o u l d you n o t rejoice? Oh! w i t h w h a t delight h i s p u r e eye r e s t s u p o n y o u r inviolate soul, a n d u p o n y o u r b o d y consecrated to holy chastity! " T h e eyes of t h e L o r d r e s t u p o n t h e m t h a t fear H i m . You fear H i m , y o u avoid displeasing H i m , you a r e a l a r m e d even at t h e s h a d o w of sin. H o w , t h e r e f o r e , c a n y o u h e l p perceiving God's holy p l e a s u r e , a n d rejoicing t h e r e a t ? You h a v e r e a s o n t o r e j o i c e ; for t h e r e is p e a c e in y o u r soul. Unmanageable passions do not rage in your h e a r t ; n o r i s i t r u l e d n o w b y one passion, t h e n b y a n o t h e r . I t affords n o e n t r a n c e t o sensuality, t h e m o s t insatiable of all, Which ever seeks t o b e victorious i n t h e e n d . You h a v e a r i g h t to rejoice; for y o u r conscience, w h i c h h a s n o t b e e n ill-treated, gives y o u a 107

joyful t e s t i m o n y . Oh! c o n t i n u e to listen to this m o n i t o r ; h e a r k e n to its a d m o n i t i o n , follow its advice! A t r a n q u i l conscience is a soft pillow in d e a t h . H o w ill-humoured, h o w m o r o s e , a n d a t v a r i a n c e w i t h every o n e , i s n o t t h e vicious m a n ? I s n o t even his m o m e n t a r y gaiety b u t t h e p e t u l a n t e x p r e s s i o n of d i s s o l u t e n e s s , t h a t r e m i n d s o n e of t h e foam of t h e wild r u s h i n g wave, w h i c h is soon b u r i e d in itself? V i r t u e , o n t h e c o n t r a r y , especially t h e v i r t u e of chastity, gives a c e r t a i n c o n s t a n c y t o t h e m i n d , evenness t o t h e soul, serenity t o t h e b r o w , b r i g h t n e s s t o t h e eye; i t e n n o b l e s , elevates, t r a n s f o r m s t h e e n t i r e being.

Example
There is nothing m o r e touching, than what we r e a d in t h e legend of t h e Blessed H e r m a n J o s e p h , t h e little favourite of t h e Virgin M o t h e r a n d I n f a n t Child. H e p o s s e s s e d w o n d e r f u l p u r i t y of h e a r t , a n d carefully s h u n n e d all t h e w i l d g a m e s of his schoolm a t e s . I n s t e a d of joining in t h e s e diversions, he would go to church, and there pray before t h e i m a g e of t h e b l e s s e d M o t h e r of God, w h o m h e h a d chosen, w h e n still very young, for his own mother. Even at the present time, m a y be seen at Cologne, in t h e c h u r c h of S t a . M a r i a d e Capitolio, t h e very p l a c e w h e r e h e i s s a i d t o h a v e c o n v e r s e d w i t h t h e Virgin M o t h e r a n d t h e divine infant. T h e r e h e w a s w o n t t o p r a y o n his w a y t o school; t h i t h e r h e w o u l d w i t h d r a w , w h e n his c o m p a n i o n s 108

w e r e a t t h e i r plays o r o t h e r w i s e enjoying t h e m s e l v e s . O n o n e occasion, H e r m a n having a r u d d y a p p l e for h i s l u n c h , t h e t h o u g h t occ u r r e d t o h i m t o offer i t t o t h e I n f a n t J e s u s . H e h e l d o u t h i s a p p l e t o t h e Child, a n d b e h o l d i t w a s received. A t a n o t h e r t i m e d u r i n g t h e winter, w h e n the boy went to church barefooted, shivering w i t h cold, a n d p r a y e d before t h e Blessed Virgin's image, M a r y a s k e d h i m : " H e r m a n , w h y d o you c o m e w i t h o u t shoes in such frost?" He answered: "I have none to w e a r . " Then M a r y p o i n t i n g to a rock, said: "Go t h e r e a n d you will find a s m u c h m o n e y a s will b e necessary; a n d w h e n e v e r , h e n c e f o r t h , y o u m a y b e i n need, seek t h e i r w i t h confidence. " W h e n t h e o t h e r c h i l d r e n h e a r d t h a t H e r m a n found m o n e y a t t h a t p l a c e , t h e y also w e n t t o o b t a i n s o m e ; b u t a s t h e y w e r e n e i t h e r s o p u r e ; n o r s o good a s H e r m a n , a n d , t h e r e f o r e , n o t s o beloved b y Mary, t h e y w e r e unsuccessful i n t h e i r s e a r c h . H e r m a n ' s p u r i t y w a s s o great, t h a t h e w a s a f t e r w a r d s called J o s e p h , in h o n o u r of t h e p u r e s p o u s e o f t h e i m m a c u l a t e Virgin.

109

CHAPTER

XXXII

CHASTITY, T H E S O U R C E O F MANY TEMPORAL B L E S S I N G S Vice is frequently followed by c e r t a i n temporal conseqences, which, to some extent, c o r r e s p o n d w i t h t h e n a t u r e o f t h e passion from which they proceed. I n like m a n n e r , v i r t u e , also, is often a c c o m p a n i e d b y c e r t a i n t e m p o r a l blessings. T h o u g h its r e w a r d is principally supernatural, and it d o e s n o t n e e d a t e m p o r a l r e c o m p e n s e since it is s u r e of one w h i c h is e t e r n a l ; yet t h e all-merciful God, a c c o r d i n g to His w o r d , " S e e k ye first t h e k i n g d o m of God a n d his j u s t i c e , a n d all t h e s e things shall b e a d d e d u n t o you, " n o t u n f r e q u e n t l y p o u r s d o w n His blessings u p o n t h e v i r t u o u s , i n t h i s m a n n e r , i n o r d e r t o e n c o u r a g e t h e m , a n d also, to d r a w , if possible, t h e s e n s u a l h e a r t s of t h e vicious f r o m evil, a n d c o n v e r t t h e m t o t h e good. And does it n o t s e e m r e a s o n a b l e , t h a t t h e m o s t lovely of v i r t u e s w h i c h p r o m o t e s t h e welfare of t h e body, its senses a n d i t s m e m b e r s , a n d t e n d s t o sanctify t h e m , s h o u l d frequently enjoy t e m p o r a l blessings? " H e w h o is like to t h e i m p u r e , " says S c r i p t u r e , "is vile; c o r r u p t i o n a n d w o r m s shall i n h e r i t h i m ; he shall serve as a w a r n ing to m a n y . " On t h e o t h e r h a n d , a p u r e a n d h e a l t h y m i n d , gives life a n d h e a l t h t o t h e 110

body, a n d , " 0 h o w beautiful i s t h e c h a s t e g e n e r a t i o n w i t h glory! for t h e m e m o r y thereof is immortal, because it is known b o t h with God a n d w i t h m e n . " All eyes a r e t u r n e d tow a r d it; all m e n feel t h e m s e l v e s a t t r a c t e d thereby. H o l y continency frequently gives t h e y o u t h an a m o u n t of s t r e n g t h w h i c h is above h i s age, a n d often leaves u p o n his c o u n t e n a n c e a s u p e r n a t u r a l i m p r e s s i o n . F r e q u e n t l y from t h e eye of t h e c h a s t e youth, comes a s p a r k , w h i c h c h a r m s , t o u c h e s a n d enkindles the h e a r t s of o t h e r s . N o t u n f r e q u e n t l y does t h e w h o l e exterior of h i m , w h o is p u r e , m a n i f e s t a freshness, vivacity, a n d s w e e t n e s s w h i c h a t t r a c t s u s , a n d is a s p u r to v i r t u e a n d a confusion to vice. And after o n e h a s b e c o m e intimately acquainted with such an innocent p e r s o n , a n d h a s b e e n p e r m i t t e d to be a witn e s s t o h i s l a b o r i o u s c o m b a t s , a n d also t o his well-deserved victories, h o w a t t a c h e d h e b e c o m e s to h i m , w i t h w h a t r e v e r e n t i a l affect i o n h e feels himself d r a w n t o w a r d h i m ! Again, I r e p e a t : "O h o w beautiful is t h e c h a s t e g e n e r a t i o n w i t h glory; for t h e m e m o r y thereof is i m m o r t a l : b e c a u s e it is k n o w n b o t h w i t h God a n d w i t h m e n . " Example Miracles of s t r e n g t h a n d c o u r a g e are r e l a t e d of Godfrey de Bouillon, the h e r o of t h e f i r s t c r u s a d e . W h e n engaged i n b a t t l e , he w o u l d t h r o w himself into t h e t h i c k e s t of t h e f i g h t , a n d choose for single c o m b a t t h e m o s t valiant a m o n g s t h i s e n e m i e s . M a n y a 111

k n i g h t he is said to h a v e cleft to t h e s a d d l e w i t h one s t r o k e . W h e n h e w a s a s k e d w h e n c e h e gained s u c h u n c o m m o n s t r e n g t h , h e replied: " I t is t h e s t r e n g t h of chastity; for n e v e r h a v e I yielded to i m p u r i t y . " On o n e occasion, w h e n in t h e vicinity of Antioch, after he h a d saved t h e life of a p o o r pilgrim w h o w a s followed by a ferocious b e a r , it h a p p e n e d t h a t this wild b e a s t a t t a c k e d h i m also, a n d w a s a b o u t t o d r a g h i m t o t h e g r o u n d . B u t Godfrey h e l d t h e b e a r w i t h his left h a n d long e n o u g h t o d r a w t h e s w o r d w i t h his right; a n d b u r y it deeply in t h e b r e a s t of the a n i m a l . Although y o u d o n o t look for t e m p o r a l blessings principally, still y o u c a n n o t be indifferent a s t o w h e t h e r y o u r body, w h i c h next to y o u r soul is y o u r chief interest, s h o u l d be found deserving of r e w a r d or p u n i s h m e n t . R e s p e c t y o u r body, a n d y o u r b o d y will b r i n g you honour.

112

CHAPTER

XXXIII

CHASTITY, T H E SOURCE O F S P I R I T U A L S T R E N G T H AND VIGOUR E v e r y o n e desires to be a p e r s o n of c h a r a c t e r . S t r e n g t h of m i n d is p r a i s e d ; h e n c e no one wishes to appear weak; but the source a n d proof of t r u l y Christian s t r e n g t h of m i n d i s self-government. No wonder, then, that p u r e souls a r e also, n o t u n f r e q u e n t l y , s t r o n g souls. T h e f o r t i t u d e of a soul is a s c e r t a i n e d ! by its e n d u r a n c e . Although a p e r s o n m a y n o t , i n y o u t h , m e e t w i t h m a n y t h o r n s a n d thistles u p o n h i s p a t h ; l a t e r on, a s life b e c o m e s m o r e s e r i o u s , sufferings will thickly c r o w d u p o n h i m , a n d h e will t h e n h a v e f r e q u e n t occasion of j o i n i n g t h e long p r o c e s s i o n of cross-bearing p i l g r i m s u p o n e a r t h . Generally, we find t h e c h a s t e m i n d ( r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e g r e a t influx of grace) m o r e courageous, constant and patient, because it is more accustomed to d e n y itself a n d b r i n g sacrifices; a n d b e c a u s e i t i s m o r e disengaged f r o m t h e w o r l d . S t r e n g t h of m i n d is s h o w n by e n t e r p r i s e . We do n o t h e r e s p e a k of t e m p o r a l , b u t of s p i r i t u a l t h i n g s ; for in t h e i r s p h e r e , a n d in t h a t of t h e ideal, a n d of t h e m o r a l l y s u b l i m e , g r e a t w o r k s m a y b e u n d e r t a k e n a n d acc o m p l i s h e d . And w h o c a n u n d e r s t a n d b e t t e r t h e p e r s u a s i o n s of grace, a n d will m o r e readily 113
8

yield to the affections of the heart, than he that is chaste? Bright is his. eye, not darkened by passionhealthy his heart, not corrupted by sensuality. No wonder, then, that he thinks of sublime things, undertakes and accomplishes them! True strength of mind is seen in endurance. It is not without continual combat, that the chaste youth preserves his chastity; not without incessant watchings, prayers, and struggles, does he remain victor over the flesh, the world, and the devil. And the constancy acquired in the preservation of this particular virtue, he frequently exercises in every thing that he undertakes for God, and the salvation of his soul, the accomplishment of which he considers a duty of honour. Look at the majestic oak. Its roots strike deep into the earth. Healthy in w o o d and bark, it spreads its branches heavenward. It has braved centuries; and even w h e n h e w n down, it gives strength and solidity to every article made from its wood. O Youth, be like the oak! Shun the enervating influence of vice; become stronger and stronger; resolutely proceed upon the path of virtue. Defy evil, whenever you m e e t it. If the occasion to do something great present itself to you, examine itask God for His help, commence the work, and persevere.

Example
St. Vincent de Paul, w h o was once a captive at Tunis, laboured indefatigably to ameliorate the condition of the Christian prisoners 114

i n Algiers. H e r a n s o m e d m a n y , s e n t a l m s t o o t h e r s , a n d b e t t e r still, s e n t m i s s i o n a r i e s t o console t h e m , a n d p r e v e n t t h e m f r o m giving u p t h e i r holy faith. S o m e s u b l i m e a c c o u n t s of heroic constancy have been preserved to us f r o m t h a t t i m e . In a l e t t e r d a t e d J u n e 1646, a m i s s i o n a r y n a m e d Guerin, r e l a t e s t h e hist o r y of a boy, w h o at t h e age of eleven y e a r s h a d fallen i n t o t h e h a n d s o f sea-robbers o n t h e E n g l i s h coast. Moved b y grace, h e aband o n e d t h e false c r e e d i n w h i c h h e h a d b e e n r e a r e d a n d in t h e m i d s t of t o r t u r e s o p e n l y confessed h i s faith. " S t r i k e , " said he to h i s m a s t e r , " b e h e a d m e i f y o u wish; b u t k n o w t h a t I am a Catholic, a n d as s u c h I will die. " T h e n a d d r e s s i n g t h e m i s s i o n a r y , h e said: " B e consoled; I am resolved to suffer everything, even d e a t h , r a t h e r t h a n deny m y divine Master. " On t h e 26th of July of t h e s a m e year, a P o r t u g u e s e w a s c o n d e m n e d to lose h i s life, b e c a u s e h e refused m o s t resolutely t o comm i t a n i m p u r e action, w h i c h w a s d e m a n d e d of h i m . A s h o r t t i m e after, a y o u n g Frenchm a n w a s b u r n t at t h e stake, because he would n o t , u n d e r any c o n s i d e r a t i o n c o m p l y w i t h s i m i l a r r e q u e s t s . I n t h e y e a r 1648, t w o y o u n g men, a Frenchman and an Englishman, were obliged to u n d e r g o v a r i o u s k i n d s of sufferings for t h e i r faith a n d for t h e i r i n n o c e n c e ; b u t b y t h e i r c o u r a g e succeeded, a t last, i n d i s a r m i n g t h e i r very t o r m e n t o r s . O n e of t h e s e t o r t u r e r s , w i t h knife in h a n d , seized t h e y o u n g F r e n c h m a n a n d t h r e a t e n e d t o cut off h i s e a r s ; b u t t h e y o u t h w i t h a q u i c k g r a s p d r e w t h e knife f r o m h i s h a n d , cut off o n e ear, a n d h a n d i n g i t t o t h e a s t o n i s h e d T u r k , 115

said: "Do y o u w i s h t h e o t h e r a l s o ? " S h o r t l y after, t h e s e t w o y o u n g m e n died of a contagious disease, a n d , t o g e t h e r , w e n t t o h e a v e n to receive t h e r e w a r d of t h e i r constancy. Truly d o e s c h a s t i t y give c o u r a g e a n d s t r e n g t h . " T h o u h a s t d o n e manfully, a n d t h y heart has been strengthened because thou h a s t loved chastity; " t h u s s p o k e t h e m e n of B e t h u l i a t o c h a s t e J u d i t h after she h a d c u t off t h e h e a d of t h e ferocious Holofernes.

116

CHAPTER XXXIV

CHASTITY, T H E SOURCE OF A SALUTARY INFLUENCE UPON OTHERS I n t h e beginning, all n a t u r e w a s o b e d i e n t to our first parents. Whilst they rem a i n e d submissive t o God, t h e y w e r e t r u l y the r u l e r s of t h e w h o l e visible c r e a t i o n . By sin, however, a g r e a t c h a n g e w a s i n t r o d u c e d into t h e worldrebellion reigned e v e r y w h e r e ; o u r first p a r e n t s having revolted against t h e Most High, t h e o t h e r c r e a t u r e s refused t o s u b m i t t o t h e m ; t h e y having lost t h e friendship of God, a n d fallen i n t o t h e slavery of sin, t h e lower o r d e r of c r e a t i o n b e c a m e inimical t o t h e m a n d r e s i s t e d t h e i r a u t h o r i t y . However, n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g this c o n s e q u e n c e of t h e fall, several holy m e n , viz., St. F r a n c i s of Assisi, F a t h e r Anchieta, a n d o t h e r s , exerted, by a special p e r m i s s i o n of God, a w o n d e r f u l influence over i r r a t i o n a l c r e a t u r e s . W e m a y also say, t h e r e h a v e b e e n at all times similarly privileged p e r s o n s , w h o h a v e exercised a c e r t a i n sovereignty over t h e i r r a t i o n a l beings o f t h e m o r a l , world, a n d h a v e even gained for themselves respect, influence a n d p o w e r . This is also t h e case in a p a r t i c u l a r m a n n e r w i t h innocence i n its struggle w i t h w i c k e d n e s s . H o w often, does it n o t gain t h e victory, a n d succeed in changing wolves i n t o 117

l a m b s , a n d r a p a c i o u s v u l t u r e s i n t o peaceful doves! I t c a n n o t b e d o u b t e d , t h a t t h e e x a m p l e of a p u r e y o u t h often p r o d u c e s w o n d e r f u l effects. His m o d e s t exterior, h i s childlike m a n n e r s , his m o d e r a t e cheerfulness c a p t i v a t e ; a n d his s t r i c t n e s s , c o n s c i e n t i o u s n e s s , a n d even t h e p e r e m p t o r y m a n n e r i n w h i c h h e refuses every indecency, a n d strives to exclude i t f r o m h i s p r e s e n c e , a r e well a d a p t e d t o check p e r s o n s o f lewd m o r a l s , w h o m a y h a p p e n to be in his c o m p a n y . Although vice m a y m o c k chastity, calling i t a n a b s u r d i t y , an excess, or even hypocrisy, still m a n y a y o u t h , w h o h a s fallen deeply, feels in t h e p r e s e n c e of a p u r e a n d noble c o m p a n i o n , a secret self-reproach, a holy a m b i t i o n , a call t o r e p e n t a n c e ; i n s h o r t , i n n o c e n c e h a s often b e e n a silent a d m o n i t i o n , p r o d u c i n g m o s t s a l u t a r y effects. Be t h u s , O Y o u t h , an a p o s t l e of p u r i t y ! dispel, by t h e b r i g h t n e s s of this glorious v i r t u e t h a t vice w h i c h s h u n s t h e l i g h t ! H e s i t a t e n o t , on all occasions, a n d in every place, to withs t a n d , w i t h a holy c o u r a g e t e m p e r e d by prudence, all u n c h a s t e conversation, all lasciviousness of s h a m e l e s s people, even if t h e r e be no d a n g e r of y o u r o w n c o r r u p t i o n ; leave t h a t c o m p a n y , in w h i c h you w o u l d be like a l a m b a m o n g wolves.

Example
A virtuous youth, much beloved by o t h e r s on a c c o u n t of h i s spotless m o d e s t y , w a s o n e day t a k i n g a w a l k w h e n he m e t a school-mate, n a m e d Lothair, w h o s e m o r a l s 118*

w e r e of a c o n t r a r y c h a r a c t e r . R i c h a r d ( t h e first-mentioned), n o t w i s h i n g t o b e impolite, permitted Lothair to accompany him. Besides, R i c h a r d did n o t b e l o n g t o t h a t class of p e r s o n s , w h o a r e satisfied in d o i n g good for t h e m s e l v e s , b u t never d a r e to s p e a k a w o r d of e n c o u r a g e m e n t to a m i s g u i d e d b r o t h e r , o r a t t e m p t h i s conversion. They w e r e soon engaged in e a r n e s t c o n v e r s a t i o n . "Tell m e , Lothair, " said R i c h a r d , " w h a t do you intend to do in after-years? You openly p a r a d e y o u r religious indifference, a n d n o longer c a r e t o conceal t h e c o n d i t i o n of y o u r m o r a l s . W h a t will you do h e r e a f t e r ? D o y o u i n t e n d always t o r e m a i n a s y o u a r e ? " " H e m ! a s t r a n g e q u e s t i o n , " replied Lothair, s o m e w h a t i r r i t a t e d ; " y o u will see in d u e t i m e w h a t I shall do in after-years. P e r h a p s , " he a d d e d spitefully, " I will b e c o n v e r t e d s o m e day. " "Then, I c o n g r a t u l a t e you, " a n s w e r e d R i c h a r d ; "you m u s t be s o m e w h a t of a prop h e t since you t h i n k you k n o w t h e f u t u r e ; I s u p p o s e t h e n , you can tell t h e exact t i m e , w h e n i t will b e n e c e s s a r y t o p r e p a r e for d e a t h . " "Well, " said Lothair, " o t h e r s do n o t a c t differently: t h e y enjoy themselves in t h e i r y o u t h , a n d defer s e r i o u s c o n s i d e r a t i o n s u n t i l l a t e r y e a r s . And in r e g a r d to y o u r so-called p i o u s people, you a r e all h y p o c r i t e s , anyway; n o , n o t you, personally, b u t t h e r e s t . " " T h a n k you, " a n s w e r e d R i c h a r d , " h o w do y o u k n o w t h a t w e a r e h y p o c r i t e s ? C a n you see i n t o o u r h e a r t s ? " " T h a t is clear enough, " r e p l i e d Lothair; " W h a t y o u t h c a n lead s o p u r e a life as y o u profess to d o ? It is i m p o s s i b l e . " " You do n o t believe, Lothair, t h a t I can, a n d 119

really do lead a c h a s t e life? H o w could God d e m a n d it of u s , if it w e r e i m p o s s i b l e ? You a r e r i g h t i n t h i n k i n g t h a t good-will a n d h u m a n e n d e a v o u r s alone will n o t e n a b l e us to live purely, for u n d o u b t e d l y , you h a v e s o m e t i m e s b e e n of good-will, yet, as you acknowledge, it did n o t b r i n g success to y o u r efforts. T h e grace of God m u s t assist a n d s t r e n g t h e n us w e a k m o r t a l s . " And t h e n R i c h a r d c o m m e n c e d to speak of t h e necessity a n d efficacy of p r a y e r a n d of t h e s a c r a m e n t s , a n d s h o w e d to L o t h a i r t h a t d u r i n g t h e youthful y e a r s , w h e n serious t e m p t a t i o n s assail u s , a n d w h e n o u r f u t u r e is t o . be decided, we n e e d a s p i r i t u a l guide a n d adviser, w h o s e h a n d will d i r e c t a n d support our wayward nature. The consequence of this long a n d serious c o n v e r s a t i o n w a s t h a t R i c h a r d a c c o m p a n i e d L o t h a i r to an exp e r i e n c e d priest, w h o by p a t i e n t : love, succeeded in d u e t i m e in c u r i n g t h e serious w o u n d s of L o t h a i r ' s h e a r t . E v e r after, L o t h a i r w o u l d say t o t h o s e w h o a d m i r e d his c h a n g e of s e n t i m e n t : "This I owe, n e x t to God, to my good friend R i c h a r d . " O h ! h o w beautiful i t i s t o lead o t h e r s t o virtue, to chastity, to God, to Heaven !

120

CHAPTER

XXXV

CHASTITY, THE SOURCE WHICH BRINGS FORTH A CORRECT DECISION IN REGARD TO THE FUTURE At t h a t m o s t i m p o r t a n t p e r i o d . of y o u t h , w h e n one is a b o u t to c h o o s e a vocation for life, it is all n e c e s s a r y t h a t his m i n d be clear, a n d t h a t h i s h e a r t b e free f r o m all sinister m o t i v e s , t h a t m i n d a n d h e a r t b e o p e n a n d accessible t o t h e life a n d warmth-giving r a y s of divine grace. You s h o u l d n o t choose a p a r t i c u l a r s t a t e o r o c c u p a t i o n w i t h o u t d u e reflection, w i t h o u t having c o n s u l t e d God, a n d y o u r o w n inclinations a n d capabilities. The g r e a t e r t h e t a l e n t s God h a s given you, a n d t h e m o r e influential t h e p o s i t i o n t h a t H e h a s seemingly assigned you, t h e m o r e i m p o r t a n t i s i t t h a t y o u e x a m i n e y o u r m o t i v e s , t h a t y o u a s k t h e Almighty t o give you His light, a n d t h a t y o u r h e a r t b e disposed to suffer His grace to influence it. Be assured, many young persons render themselves u n w o r t h y , by t h e sins of y o u t h , by evil h a b i t s of long d u r a t i o n , by i m m o r a l c o n d u c t ( a l t h o u g h k n o w n only t o t h e m s e l v e s ) of c e r t a i n vocations to w h i c h God w o u l d h a v e called t h e m , if they h a d n o t m a d e t h e m s e l v e s i n c a p a b l e of u n d e r s t a n d i n g s u c h i n t i m a t i o n s of divine grace. 121
9

Yes, indeed, m a n y y o u t h s r e n d e r t h e m s e l v e s u n w o r t h y o f high vocation b y t h e s e m o s t deplorable aberrations. F o r example, h o w could God p u t t h e kingly p u r p l e of t h e priesth o o d u p o n the s h o u l d e r s of t h e dissolute y o u t h ? H o w could H e e n t r u s t t o s u c h h a n d s , n o t only t h e keys of Heaven, b u t t h e p u r e b o d y of His only S o n ? H o w could he choose s u c h lips t o p r e a c h his w o r d , t o c o n d e m n vice, to extol virtue, to convert sinners, to sanctify t h e j u s t ? And even if s u c h y o u t h s could u n d e r s t a n d t h e call of grace, a r e t h e y n o t too sensual t o t a k e u p o n themselves the b u r d e n w h i c h this high dignity b r i n g s w i t h it ? W o u l d they n o t be r a t h e r d i s c o u r a g e d at t h e p r o s p e c t ? W o u l d t h e y n o t s t a r t b a c k w i t h h o r r o r at t h e t h o u g h t of t h e g r e a t responsibility, a n d fear a r e l a p s e i n t o t h e i r f o r m e r evil h a b i t s ? It is t r u e , even he w h o falls lowest m a y rise again, a n d h e w h o h a s r e m o v e d from God f u r t h e s t , m a y again a p p r o a c h H i m a Saul m a y b e c o m e a Paul; b u t such m i r a c u l o u s c o n v e r s i o n s do n o t o c c u r every day; a n d it i s o u r d u t y n o t t o place any o b s t a c l e s t o grace, which, p e r h a p s , m i g h t call u s t o g r e a t things. Apart from this c o n s i d e r a t i o n , if o u r early y e a r s a r e s p e n t i n m o d e s t y a n d i n t h e fear of God, we will b e c o m e m u c h b e t t e r fitted even for m e r e l y w o r l d l y p u r s u i t s , t h a n if we p a s s e d o u r y o u t h in sensuality a n d in debauchery. How many young persons of noble qualities, p e r h a p s also of n o b l e b i r t h , m a y be c o m p a r e d to a g e m b u r i e d in t h e m i r e of t h e p u b l i c s t r e e t s ? 122

Example
Great s o r r o w o p p r e s s e d t h e h e a r t of t h e p r i n c e s s Corsini, a w i d o w , w h e n she w i t n e s s e d t h e daily i n c r e a s i n g i m m o r a l i t y of h e r y o u n g son A n d r e w . H o w often h a d she begged h i m t o a b a n d o n h i s dissolute l i f e ! "Do t e a r yourselves away, " s h e w o u l d freq u e n t l y say, " from t h o s e y o u n g m e n w h o r u i n you. You b r i n g disgrace u p o n o u r w h o l e h o u s e , a n d s h o r t e n t h e days of my life. " B u t w h a t did it effect? Moved, one m o m e n t , by his m o t h e r ' s e n t r e a t i e s , h e . w o u l d forget his good r e s o l u t i o n in t h e next. On o n e occasion, after A n d r e w h a d stayed a w a y f r o m h o m e several n i g h t s in succession, his m o t h e r o r d e r e d all t h e family t o p u t o n m o u r n i n g , a n d she herself h a s t e n e d to t h e c h u r c h of t h e Carmelites, t h e r e t o relieve h e r soul b y m o s t e a r n e s t p r a y e r . W h e n s h e w a s leaving the c h u r c h she m e t A n d r e w , w h o u p o n seeing h e r exclaimed: W h a t ! you a r e in m o u r n i n g ? W h o h a s died i n t h e family?" The m o t h e r a n s w e r e d ; " this is n o t t h e p l a c e to tell you. " W h e n they r e a c h e d h o m e , she said: " You s e e m n o t t o k n o w for w h o m w e m o u r n , A n d r e w ! Is it n o t for yourself? Yes, indeed, you a r e d e a d t o u s w e m o u r n for you, a n d for ourselves! T h e first p a r t of my d r e a m w h i c h I h a d before y o u r b i r t h , h a s b e e n verified ! I s a w a wolf; b u t t h e wolf b e c a m e a l a m b at the t h r e s h o l d of t h e C a r m e l i t e convent. B u t it seems t h a t t h e l a t t e r p a r t of my dream is not to become true, although I h a v e so often offered y o u to M a r y o u r m o s t blessed M o t h e r . " W h i l s t t h u s s p e a k i n g she

123

w e p t bitterly. His m o t h e r ' s w o r d s , a n d th; m o u r n f u l a p p e a r a n c e of t h e w h o l e h o u s e cu A n d r e w to t h e h e a r t . " M o t h e r , " he cried out " t h e wolf I was, t h e I a m b I will b e c o m e . " And h e w e n t t o t h e C a r m e l i t e convent, p e r f o r m e d severe p e n a n c e s , c o n q u e r e d t h e m o s t violent t e m p t a t i o n s , a d v a n c e d r a p i d l y u p o n t h e path of v i r t u e a n d w a s in after-years m a d e bishop of Fiesole in Italy. He is t h e St. Andrew of Corsini w h o s e feast t h e C h u r c h celebrates on t h e 4 th of F e b r u a r y . By w h a t circuitous r o u t e s A n d r e w at last a t t a i n e d t h e e n d destined for h i m by Almighty God ! Lead a p u r e life, a d o r n y o u r h e a r t w i t h v i r t u e s ; t h e n you m a y h o p e t h a t God will give you a f u t u r e field of useful a n d honourable actions.

124

CHAPTER

XXXVI

CHASTITY. T H E SOURCE OF MANY CONSOLATIONS I N AFTER-LIFE Many p e r s o n s i n t h e i r y o u t h think only of the passing moment. This is not p r u d e n t , a n d m u c h less is it s a l u t a r y . Do you n o t r e c k o n u p o n c o m i n g years, u p o n t h e age of m a n h o o d , u p o n old age? If you do not, t h e n you a r e m o s t i m p r u d e n t , b e c a u s e you expose yourself ( a c c o r d i n g to y o u r o w n a d m i s s i o n ) to t h e d a n g e r of b e i n g suddenly c h e c k e d in y o u r c a r e e r of vice, in o r d e r t o b e delivered t o never-ending t o r m e n t s . B u t i f y o u do, t h e n you m u s t k n o w , t h a t old age r e s t s u p o n t h e t i m e o f y o u t h a s u p o n its b a s i s ; even m o r e , t h a t it g r o w s f o r t h from it as a p l a n t from its g e r m . And will i t b e possible t o c a s t away t h e r e m e m b r a n c e of a sinful p a s t , as you w o u l d t h r o w off a pressing burden? O h ! h o w m a n y a r e torm e n t e d i n m o r e a d v a n c e d age, a t t h e t h o u g h t of t h e early loss of t h e i r innocence, of t h e i r childhood a n d y o u t h s p e n t in sin, of t h e p r e c i o u s t i m e t h u s lost, t h a t w a s s o well a d a p t e d t o receive t h e good seed, w h i c h w a s n o t sown! H e a r t h e sighs of St Augustine, w h o only in his thirty-second year, listened to t h e c o n s t a n t l y increasing calls o f g r a c e : " 0 ever ancient, ever n e w B e a u t y ! H o w late 125

h a v e I k n o w n Thee, h o w late c o m m e n c e d to love T h e e ! " See, my friend, you can s p a r e yourself t h e s e h e a r t f e l t l a m e n t a t i o n s , if you w a t c h over y o u r innocence, if y o u g u a r d it as you would a precious pearl, if you conscientiously m a k e u s e of every m e a n s to p r e s e r v e y o u r chastity, or, if lost, l a b o u r s t r e n u o u s l y for its recovery. T h e n you m a y in m a n h o o d , a n d old age, look b a c k w i t h consolation, u p o n t h e r o a d over w h i c h you h a v e travelled; t h e n you m a y rejoice, like the veteran of many battles, who, with honest p r i d e a n d grateful h e a r t , calls t o m i n d t h e m a n y victories w o n , t h e m a n y b a n n e r s capt u r n e d from t h e enemy; t h e n you m a y rejoice like t h e p r o v e d c a p t a i n , w h o s t e e r s his vessel t h r o u g h a t h o u s a n d d a n g e r s d a n g e r s from s t o r m s , cliffs, p i r a t e , a n d b r i n g s his cargo safely to his native p o r t ! "A c r o w n of h o n o u r is old age; b u t it is a c q u i r e d u p o n t h e w a y s of j u s t i c e only, " says Holy S c r i p t u r e .

Example
Count Eleazar of t h e r e n o w n e d h o u s e of S a b r a n , led even in h i s y o u t h a m o s t edifying life. It is t r u e , his m o t h e r h a d offered h i m t o t h e L o r d even a t his b i r t h , a s formerly B l a n c h e h a d d o n e . "O my God, " t h u s she spoke, " s h o u l d this child ever s t r a y from t h e p a t h s o f virtue, a n d t u r n t o vice, r a t h e r t a k e h i m n o w , after holy b a p t i s m , from m y h e a r t , w h i l s t he is innocent. " And Eleazar r e m a i n e d pure. His quiet, m o d e s t , a n d yet always cheerful m a n n e r s o b t a i n e d for h i m the love .6

t o s t a n d a t t h e castle-gates a n d d i s t r i b u t e a l m s to t h e p o o r ; a n d even w h e n still very young, whilst r e s t i n g in t h e a r m s of h i s n u r s e , h e w o u l d b e s t o w c h a r i t y u p o n t h e indigent. W h e n he g r e w older, he w o u l d frequently t a k e his o w n d i n n e r into t h e c o u r t y a r d , i n o r d e r to feed s o m e h u n g r y boy. He told a p i o u s p r i e s t one day, t h a t i t w a s his m o s t c h e r i s h e d w i s h t o shed h i s b l o o d for Christ a m o n g a h e a t h e n p e o p l e . B u t God d i s p o s e d every thing in a very different m a n n e r . At t h e w i s h of Charles I I , K i n g of Sicily, he m a r r i e d , w h e n still very young, Delphine de S i n h a s , a lady of n o b l e b i r t h a n d of exquisite v i r t u e . B u t b e f o r e t h e i r m a r r i a g e , they m a d e a v o w of p e r p e t u a l chastity. It w o u l d be difficult to find a h o u s e h o l d m o r e orderly, m o r e edifying, t h a n t h a t of Eleazar a n d Delphine. At t h e s a m e t i m e , Eleazar w a s a r e a l f a t h e r to his s u b j e c t s , a n o b l e m a n a n d k n i g h t in t h e t r u e s t sense o f t h e w o r d . H e enjoyed s u c h confidence at court, t h a t t h e king entrusted him with the education of his own son, a n d o r d e r e d h i m to sue, on behalf of the latter, for t h e h a n d of t h e d a u g h t e r of t h e Duke of Valois. H o w often m u s t n o t E l e a z a r h a v e called t o m i n d w i t h p l e a s u r e , t h e years of a holy life so far s p e n t ! He d i e d at t h e age of thirty-eight. His w h o l e life w a s like a w r e a t h of fragrant, m a n y c o l o u r e d flowers, a m o n g w h i c h t h e lovely flower of purity was most conspicuous. W h y only t h i n k of t h e fleeting p r e s e n t ? P e r h a p s God i n t e n d s to g r a n t y o u a long future. W o u l d you p r e f e r t o r e s e m b l e t h e 127

d e v a s t a t e d field, in harvest-time, w h i c h has n a u g h t t o s h o w t h e passer-by, b u t its neglected stalks, t h a n to be like t h e well-laden harvestwagon, w h i c h , a m i d t h e rejoicings of t h e h a r v e s t e r s , rolls t o w a r d s t h e well-prepared granary ?

128

CHAPTER

XXXVII

THE SOURCE OF SPECIAL RELIEF AT THE ALL-IMPORTANT HOUR OF DEATH T h a t serious, all-important hour, w h i c h closes time, and after which eternity c o m m e n c e s its never-ending course, will o n e day c o m e u p o n all of u s . When stretched u p o n o u r dying couch, w i t h t h e stiffness of d e a t h i n o u r l i m b s , o u r eyes s u n k e n , a n d t h e cold sweat o f d e a t h u p o n o u r b r o w , h o w will we s j u d g e all things t e m p o r a l ? What will we t h e n think, in p a r t i c u l a r , of t h e low p l e a s u r e s of t h e flesh? W h e n o u r b o d y is only one s p a n r e m o v e d from the grave, w h e r e it will soon b e c o m e t h e food of w o r m s , w h a t will we t h i n k of o u r p a s t lifeeither i n n o c e n t or sinful? Of w h a t s h o r t d u r a t i o n everything will t h e n a p p e a r to h a v e been; a n d if o u r c o u r s e h a s b e e n evil, h o w m i s e r a b l e , h o w inexpressibly sad! But if the reverse b e the case, w e will e x c l a i m : " H a p p y we, t h a t w e denied ourselves, t h a t w e p r e s e r v e d o u r chastity, t h a t w e fought t h e good f i g h t ! Oh ! if all could r e t u r n from t h e grave, w h o for a m e s s of p o t t a g e , for a low, t r a n s i e n t joy, sold t h e i r b i r t h r i g h t , t h e i r r i g h t to a h a p p y a n d blessed e t e r n i t y , h o w differently t h e y w o u l d act !" And t h e n , t h e j u d g m e n t ! H o w confidently 129

can the c h a s t e a p p e a r before God ! It will b e revealed t o t h e w h o l e w o r l d , h o w courageously t h e y fought, having h a d n o t h i n g in a d v a n c e of o t h e r m e n in r e g a r d to their n a t u r a l inclinations. "O ye truly blessed, " will t h e n b e said, "ye t h a t h a v e w a s h e d y o u r g a r m e n t s in t h e b l o o d of t h e L a m b , come, t a k e possession of t h a t special glory., which t h e L a m b of God h a s p r e p a r e d for you. " H o w m a n y a y o u t h h a s found it his g r e a t e s t consolation in d e a t h to be a b l e to say: " N e v e r did I yield to i m p u r i t y . I die c h a s t e ; I always h a t e d i m m o d e s t y . I often p r a y e d to God t h a t H e w o u l d keep m e p u r e ! How glad I am n o w , to have w a t c h e d , a n d p r a y e d , and fought! I a n t i c i p a t e t h e joy of being in t h e c o m p a n y of t h a t p u r e s t Virgin, t h e M o t h e r of God, of t h e holy angels, of St. Aloysius; I desire to lay aside this body, w h i c h m i g h t have b e c o m e very d a n g e r o u s to me ! O my God a n d my A l l ! t a k e me into Thy k i n g d o m , in w h i c h all d a n g e r will be e n d e d , a n d i n w h i c h m y t r i u m p h will b e e t e r n a l ! " W o u l d you n o t like to be able to s p e a k in this m a n n e r ?

Example
A boy twelve y e a r s of age, w h o h a d led a blameless life, w a s a b o u t to die. His inconsolable m o t h e r a b a n d o n e d herself t o h e r grief; she covered h e r dying child w i t h kisses a n d t e a r s . The boy once m o r e summ o n e d his fast-failing s t r e n g t h , a n d said: " H o w can you be so sad, d e a r m o t h e r ? R a t h e r p r a i s e God t h a t He gave me t h e grace of 130

k e e p i n g m y b a p t i s m a l g a r m e n t unsoiled t o this m o m e n t . " A. few m o m e n t s after t h e child expired, a n d w a s , u n d o u b t e d l y , enrolled a m o n g s t t h e choirs of angels, to w h i c h he h a d a l r e a d y belonged whilst o n e a r t h . B u t a n o t h e r y o u t h fell sick w h o h a d often b e e n e a r n e s t l y a d m o n i s h e d b y his p a s t o r , w h o enjoyed his confidence, to c h a n g e his life. Only shortly before h e h a d begged h i m t o give u p his i m m o r a l h a b i t s , b y w h i c h even many others were corrupted, the priest noticed w i t h a l a r m t h e d a n g e r o u s c h a r a c t e r of t h e disease; h e , therefore, c o n s i d e r e d it his d u t y to i n f o r m t h e sick y o u t h of his danger, especially a s h e k n e w h i m t o b e b u t little p r e p a r e d for d e a t h . Although carefully m a d e , the y o u n g m a n w a s terrified a t t h i s a n n o u n c e m e n t . " O h ! " he exclaimed, "if I h a d b u t k n o w n t h a t I w a s to die so young, I w o u l d h a v e lived differently. M u s t I t h e n really die ?" He m a d e his confession, a n d died p e n i t e n t constantly, even u n t o h i s last m o m e n t s , occupied w i t h t h e t h o u g h t t h a t h e h a d t o a p p e a r a l m o s t directly from sin, a n d w i t h o u t a c h a n c e of wiping o u t t h e p a s t , before t h e t r i b u n a l of his God! T h u s i t often h a p p e n s : m a n y d e p e n d u p o n old age, a n d , b e h o l d ! unexpectedly death c o m e s , a n d g r a n t s y o u t h h a r d l y t i m e t o comprehend.

131

CHAPTER

XXXVIII

CHASTITY, THE SOURCE OF A SPECIAL GLORY IN T H E KINGDOM OF HEAVEN As in t h e firmament one s t a r s u r p a s s e s a n o t h e r i n b r i g h t n e s s , a n d i n influence u p o n t h o s e s t a r s w h i c h s u r r o u n d it, a n d a r e d e p e n d e n t u p o n it, so also, in heaven, s o m e saints excel o t h e r s in glory, possess special privileges, a n d enjoy special d i s t i n c t i o n s . This is p a r t i c u l a r l y t r u e of t h o s e w h o e n t e r t h e wedding-hall w i t h g a r m e n t s that were never soiled. Of s u c h is it said, " t h a t they shall sing h y m n s w h i c h no one else can sing. " The g r e a t m e r i t w h i c h elevates t h e m above all o t h e r s , is t h e i r chastity. To t h e m will b e given special seats a m o n g t h o s e w h o govern w i t h Christ, or r a t h e r , all places a n d d e g r e e s of t h e s e heavenly a b o d e s will be accessible to them. They will b e p e r m i t t e d t o s t a n d " u p o n t h e M o u n t a i n of Sion, " u p o n t h e highest p i n n a c l e of heavenly glory, next to t h e L a m b . Their lips will sing melodies u n k n o w n t o o t h e r s , a n d t h e i r h a n d s will b e well v e r s e d in playing u p o n heavenly h a r p s . T h e i r lips never u t t e r e d a lie. E v e r y sin is a " lie, " an u n t r u t h (a deceit, a delusion; b u t no sin is m o r e s o t h a n i m p u r i t y ; n o joys a r e m o r e shallow, m o r e t r a n s i e n t , m o r e d i s h o n o u r i n g , m o r e p o i s o n o u s , t h a n t h o s e i t offers. E v e r y

132

v i r t u e is " t r u t h ; " for everything t h a t is good is t r u e ; p a r t i c u l a r l y m a y this be said of chastity, w h i c h expresses m o r e t h a n any o t h e r v i r t u e t h e holiness of God, a n d m a k e s us like to H i m . No w o n d e r , therefore, t h a t the Almighty, whose ways "are justice and truth, " should p r a i s e , a n d elevate in a" special m a n n e r t h o s e i n w h o m n o "lie" i s found. Such can draw n e a r e r t o H i m , b e c a u s e they r e s e m b l e H i m m o r e closely; such a r e distinguished b y H i m , b e c a u s e t h e i r c o m b a t against t h e devil, " t h e f a t h e r of liars, " a n d against t h e w o r l d , w h o s e "figure vanishes, " w a s m o s t difficult. And whilst in t h e abyss of hell, t h e f o r m e r slave of a m o s t shameful p a s s i o n will be s u b j e c t e d to special t o r m e n t s , to a special c o n t e m p t : h u m b l e innocence i n Heaven will b e a d o r n e d w i t h a special c r o w n , a n d all t h e s a i n t s will view w i t h p a r t i c u l a r delight a n d p i o u s amazem e n t t h o s e c h a s t e ones, t h a t h a v e b e e n b o u g h t , " t h e first a m o n g m e n , " entirely s e p a r a t e d from the e a r t h , a n d w h o have lived for "God a n d the L a m b . "

Example
The well-known friend of y o u t h , St. Philip Neri, w a s confessor to a g r e a t n u m b e r of y o u n g p e r s o n s in R o m e , w h o all entert a i n e d for h i m feelings of filial a t t a c h m e n t . Among t h e m w a s t h e son of a p r i n c e , Paolo Massimi, a p i o u s , i n n o c e n t child. W h e n a b o u t f o u r t e e n y e a r s old, P a u l fell sick, a n d his disease quickly a s s u m e d a m o s t s e r i o u s c h a r a c t e r . St. Philip w a s sent for; b u t , alas ! 133

h e w a s a t t h e a l t a r saying Mass. H o w e v e r , after i t w a s over, h e h a s t e n e d t o t h e p a l a c e of t h e Massimi, b u t could see by t h e count e n a n c e s of t h e s e r v a n t s w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d . Paul w a s dead. Truly St. Philip f o u n d b u t his c o r p s e , n e a r w h i c h a n inconsolable f a t h e r w a s b i t t e r l y weeping. T h e Saint w a s also deeply moved, b e c a u s e Paul h a d died w i t h o u t his s p i r i t u a l a s s i s t a n c e . I n his s o r r o w h e t h r e w himself u p o n t h e c o r p s e , s h o o k it, s p r i n k l e d it w i t h holy w a t e r , a n d cried o u t again a n d again, " P a o l o , Paolo !" The amazem e n t t h a t c a m e u p o n all p r e s e n t m a y b e m o r e easily i m a g i n e d t h a n described, w h e n P a u l o p e n e d his eyes, a n d w i t h a s t o n i s h m e n t looked at the father, as if he w i s h e d to say: w h y did you w a k e m e ? St. Philip n o w said: "Paolo, w o u l d you r a t h e r live, or die a g a i n ? " "O father, " a n s w e r e d t h e boy, "I s a w my m o t h e r a n d sister in Heaven; I w i s h to die again. " And Paul closed h i s eyes, b r e a t h e d heavily, a n d expired a second t i m e . E v e n to t h e p r e s e n t day, a m a s s is said every y e a r on t h e 16th of M a r c h , t h e anniv e r s a r y of this w o n d e r f u l o c c u r r e n c e , in t h e r o o m in w h i c h little Paolo died. So sweet is to die w h e n i n n o c e n t ! So glorious is t h e H e a v e n of t h e c h a s t e , t h a t even a princely life on e a r t h no longer s e e m s desirable, w h e n H e a v e n h a s b e e n enjoyed, even for one m o m e n t ! And n o w , d e a r Y o u t h , w h a t d o y o u think of t h e pearl, of w h i c h I h a v e s p o k e n ? Do you c o n s i d e r it p r e c i o u s ? Will you o b t a i n iteven at t h e p r i c e of g r e a t sacrifices, of 134

severe c o m b a t s ? Will you m a i n t a i n y o u r possession of itat a n y cost? O h ! have courage ! H o w glorious is chastity in itself ! h o w p r e c i o u s before G o d ! h o w full of blessings ! W h a t a r e w a r d is a w a i t i n g i t ! H o w encouraging a r e n o t t h e h e r o i c e x a m p l e s of n u m b e r l e s s y o u t h s . They s h o w you t h e way: rise, t h e r e f o r e , walk after t h e m t o t h e Heaven of the Chaste.

135

THE PEARL AMONG THE VIRTUES

CONTENTS

Chapter 1. Chastity, t h e Light of Y o u t h 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Chastity P r a i s e d in t h e Holy Scripture Chastity Extolled by t h e E x a m p l e of Christ Chastity P r a i s e d of t h e C h u r c h by the Doctors

Page

12 15 19 22 25

Chastity, P r a i s e w o r t h y in itself Chastity, S u b l i m e in its Relations to t h e Angels ... Chastity, C o m m e n d a b l e on account of t h e C o m b a t s by w h i c h it is Preserved, a n d R e c o v e r e d w h e n Lost ... Chastity, a m o s t Fragile Vessel Chastity, a Lily Chastity, a P e a r l the Fruit of the Fear ... Precious, b u t ... ... ...

28 32 35 38 41 44 5

8. 9. 10.

11. Chastity, of God 12.

Chastity, t h e F r u i t of a Great Love for God ...

Chapter Chastity, t h e F r u i t of a F r e q u e n t E x a m i n a t i o n of Conscience Chastity, t h e F r u i t of P e r s e v e r i n g Watchfulness Chastity, t h e F r u i t Severity of a Prudent'

Page

Chastity, t h e F r u i t of P r a y e r Chastity, t h e F r u i t of t h e Sacram e n t of P e n a n c e Chastity, t h e Simplicity Fruit of Childlike

Chastity, t h e F r u i t of t h e B r e a d of Angels Chastity, t h e R e w a r d of M e d i t a t i o n u p o n t h e Suffering of J e s u s Chastity, t h e F r u i t of Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Chastity, the F r u i t of t h e Devotion t o t h e Blessed Virgin M a r y Chastity, t h e F r u i t of t h e I m i t a t i o n of t h e S a i n t s Chastity, t h e R e w a r d of Sincerity of H e a r t Chastity, t h e F r u i t of t e m p t of t h e W o r l d the Con-

Chastity, t h e F r u i t of Great Pre-

Chapter caution Men 27. 28. 29. 30. Chastity, Combat in our Dealings with

Page

90 93 ... Fruit Source Source of of Generous ... 101 Internal ... 104 of a of Holy ... 107 many ... 110 97 the Fruit of Unceasing

Chastity, t h e F r u i t of I n d u s t r y

Chastity, t h e Self-denial. Chastity, Peace the

3 1 . Chastity, t h e Cheerfulness 32. 33. 34. 35.

Chastity, t h e S o u r c e T e m p o r a l Blessings

Chastity, the S o u r c e of S p i r i t u a l . S t r e n g t h a n d Vigour ... 113 Chastity, the. S o u r c e of a S a l u t a r y Influence u p o n O t h e r s ... 117 Chastity, t h e S o u r c e w h i c h b r i n g s f o r t h a Correct Decision in R e g a r d to t h e F u t u r e ... 121 Chastity, t h e S o u r c e of m a n y Consolations in After-Lite. ... 125 Chastity, t h e S o u r c e of Special Relief at t h e All-important h o u r of D e a t h ... 129 Chastity, t h e S o u r c e of a Special Glory in t h e K i n g d o m of H e a v e n . . . 132

36. 37.

38.