Devotion to the Saints: the thought of Padre Pio 11 November

18. Charity is the yardstick by which the Lord will judge us all.

19. Remember that the pivot of perfection is charity; whoever lives in charity lives in God, because God is charity, as the Apostle said.

20. I was very sorry to know that you have been ill, but I enjoyed very much in knowing that you are recovering and even more I enjoyed seeing the real piety and Christian charity shown in your infirmity flourish among you.

21. I bless the good God of the holy sentiments who gives you his grace. You do well to never begin any work without first begging for divine help. This will obtain the grace of holy perseverance for you.

22. Before meditation, pray to Jesus, Our Lady and Saint Joseph.

23. Charity is the queen of virtues. Just as pearls are held together by thread, so are virtues from charity. And how, if the thread breaks, the pearls fall; thus, if charity is lost, the virtues are dispersed.

24. I suffer and suffer greatly; but thanks to the good Jesus I still feel a little strength; and what is the creature helped by Jesus not capable of?

25. Fight, daughter, when you are strong, if you want to have the prize of strong souls.

26. You must always have prudence and love. Prudence has eyes, love has legs. The love that has legs would like to run to God, but his impulse to rush towards him is blind, and sometimes he could stumble if he were not guided by the prudence he has in his eyes. Prudence, when he sees that love could be unbridled, lends his eyes.

27. Simplicity is a virtue, however up to a certain point. This must never be without prudence; cunning and shrewdness, on the other hand, are diabolical and do so much harm.

28. Vainglory is an enemy proper to the souls who consecrated themselves to the Lord and who gave themselves to the spiritual life; and therefore the moth of the soul that tends to perfection can rightly be called. It is called by the Saints woodworm of holiness.