SPIRITUAL GUIDE By Don Giuseppe Tomaselli

PRELUDE

A visit to the crater of Etna is very instructive; in fact the volcano is a destination for scholars and hikers.

The real excursion begins at the height of m. 1700; the climb is strong to do; you have to work for about four hours.

it is interesting to observe the people who come to the Cantoniera. Many, men and women, despite having the desire to enjoy the exceptional panorama that presents the top of the volcano, taking a look at the great Etna massif, lay their thoughts; they don't want to struggle and prefer to stop in restaurants.

Others are determined to reach the crater: those who succeed, those who come back, those who arrive exhausted ... and those who find death. Before climbing a mountain, they must measure their strength, not load unnecessary weights and have a good guide.

Christian perfection is a high mountain to climb. We are all called to this sublime ascension, because we have all been created to reach Heaven.

"Be perfect, says Jesus Christ, how perfect is your Father who is in Heaven" (Matthew, V48).

These divine words are not addressed only to priests, friars, nuns and some virgin who is in the century, but to all those who are baptized.

Spiritual perfection has no limits; every soul reaches the degree it wants, according to the measure by the grace of God and proportionate to the degree of goodwill it puts into it.

But is it possible to achieve Christian perfection, that is, to live the spiritual life intensely? Of course, because the Lord does not command the impossible and does not invite absurd things; since he says "Be perfect", it is his will that everyone strive to achieve the perfection of which he is capable, according to the talents received and according to the state of life he has embraced.

Who said: I cannot attend to the spiritual life, because I am in marriage ... because I want to marry ... because I have to earn my bread ... because I have little education ... whoever said so, would be wrong. The only impediment to the spiritual life is laziness and bad will; and then it is appropriate to say: Lord, deliver us from bad will

Let's now take a look at the different categories of souls.

IN THE VALLEY
The bad Christians.

By going to Rome, I had proposed to pay a visit to the Fosse Ardeatine; I could do it.

Near the catacombs of S. Callisto you can see the austere shed. There is little to see in that area, but much to meditate on.

The monument, placed at the entrance, brings to life the terrible scene of blood, which occurred during the war. Thirty-three German soldiers had been killed within Rome; three hundred thirty Italians were to die: ten by one.

Officials were taken in the raid; as the number was not complete, civilians were also taken.

What a horror! Three hundred thirty, men and women, tied to the walls of the pits, then strafed and left their corpses there, without knowing anything for several days!

You can still see the holes produced by the machine gun. The pity of the citizens gave honorable burial to those dead, they raised their grave under a shed. How many flowers and how many candles!

As I prayed at a grave, I was struck by the sad demeanor of a young lady; I doubted she was a simple visitor.

I spoke to her: Do any acquaintances of yours lie in this tomb? He did not answer me; she was too busy with pain. I repeated the question and then I had the answer: My father is here! Was it military?

No; he went to work that morning and, passing nearby, he was taken and then killed! ...

As I left the Fosse Ardeatine and crossed those dismal caves, I went back to the moment of the carnage, when the unhappy people desperately called who the bride, who the children and who the parents and then fell on their own blood.

After that visit I said to myself: If Fosse Ardeatine means place of carnage, oh !, how many Fosse there are in the world and even more horrible! What are cinemas, television, dance and beaches today? … They are places of death, not of the body, but of the soul. Immorality, drunk in large gulps, takes away the spiritual life, and therefore the grace of God, from innocent boys and girls; initiates the youth of both sexes to libertinism; hardens in dishonesty and irreligiousness so many mature people. And what more terrible massacre than this? What are three hundred and thirty machine guns, who lose the life of the body, compared to millions of creatures, who lose the life of the soul and subscribe to eternal death?

Unfortunately in the Fosse Ardeatine those unfortunate were dragged violently and could not free themselves from death; but moral slaughter goes freely and others are invited to go!

How many moral crimes! ... And who are the killers? ... In the Pits men massacred men; in the immoral shows are the baptized who scandalize the baptized! And weren't many artists and artists who one day at the Baptismal Font and did not even approach First Communion, who for the sake of gold and glory today kill the lambs of the flock of Jesus Christ?

And are not those who cooperate in the ruin of innocent souls guilty of murder? How to call the managers of most cinemas? And aren't those unconscious parents, who send their children to immoral shows, among the killers?

If at the end of a modest film we could see souls, as we see bodies, all or most of the spectators would appear dead or seriously injured.

A film was being shown; the little chastened scenes followed one another. One of those present, too indignant, exclaimed aloud: Enough with these shame! And another replied: Let the priests and friends of the priests go out

So you lose your modesty and trample your conscience!

The world, sworn enemy of God, the world that Jesus Christ anathematized "Woe to the world for scandals! »(Matthew, XVIII7); «I do not pray for the world! ... »(John, XVII9) brings the workers of iniquity to the stars and celebrates them in newspapers and on the radio.

What does Jesus, Eternal Truth, say to those who scandalize souls? «Woe to you, hypocrites, because you lock the Kingdom of Heaven in the face of people, you do not enter it, nor do you allow those who are at the door to enter ... Woe to you, blind guides! ... Woe to you, who are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of dead bones and every decay! ... Snakes, race of vipers, how will you escape the condemnation of hell? ... »(Matthew, XXIII13).

These terrible words, which one day Jesus said to the Pharisees, today are directed to the great scandalous mass.

To those who live only on vanity and illicit pleasures, can we speak of spiritual life, of ascension towards the mountain of Christian perfection? ... They have blindness and moral deafness; they do not like the pure mountain air and live below, in the muddy and smelly valley, in the midst of poisonous reptiles.

It will not be the murderers of souls who read this writing, they will instead be pious people. To them I speak: Compete those who are in immorality; you abhor shows, where your virtue is in danger; keep some soul on the slope of evil, of which perhaps you are responsible for it; pray, so that the bad ones get converted. The bad guys are unlikely to get back on track; they usually end badly. The Holy Scripture says: «Since I called you and you did not want to know about my admonitions, I will laugh at your ruin and mock you when terror attacks you… when death will take you like a whirlwind… Then they will call me and I will not answer; they will look for me with care, but they won't find me! (Prov, 124).

However, divine mercy, implored by the good, can save the misguided; they are exceptions, but big conversions happen. During the last month of his life, Curzio Malaparte, a writer of pornographic books, came out of the pit of sin, not much, in the muddy valley; sixty years of life, far from God, used in the massacre of souls! … We too obtain true conversion for many unhappy people, begging divine mercy every day to have mercy on the poor!

AT THE FOOT OF MONTE
A visit.

At the Tre Fontane in Rome, a few steps from the Madonnina cave, there is a Trappa, that is, a large convent, renowned for its austerities. The Trappists have lived there for centuries, teaching the pleasure world. It would seem strange that in the twentieth century there may still be similar religious communities; yet God allows there to be, and flourishing, and the Supreme Pontiff is pleased to have one of the most famous Trappes in Rome, the center of Christianity.

I wanted to visit this convent; as a priest I was admitted to the visit.

In the small atrium, called Parlatorio, a Reverend appeared, who exercised the porter's office; he welcomed me kindly and I could ask him questions.

How many religious are from La Trappa?

We are sixty; the number does not increase easily, because our life is too austere. Not much, a gentleman came, tried, but soon went away, saying: I can't resist!

What category of men can be taken in the community?

Everyone can become a Trappist. There are priests and lay people; sometimes they are emblazoned, or high officers, or famous writers; but upon entering here, the honorific titles cease, the glory of the world ends; one thinks only of living holy.

What are your penances? Our life is continuous penance; suffice it to say that one never speaks. The only one who can speak, and only in this atrium, is the concierge; for ten years obedience has assigned me the office of the door and only me is allowed to speak; I'd rather not have this office, but obeying is the first thing.

Can never say a word? ... And when two meet, they do not greet each other, saying something sacred, for example: May Jesus be praised! ...?

Not even; take a look and take a slight bow.

The superior cannot speak, having to assign the various offices?

This is not lawful either; in a room there is a tablet and in the morning everyone finds written what he has to do during the day. You think nobody would know the names of the others, if it wasn't written on the various cells. But even if the name is known, it is not known what honors someone has had over the century, to which family it belonged. We live together without knowing each other.

I think the abbot knows everyone's merits, at least for an epigraph on the grave! … Do you have other penances?

Six hours of manual labor daily in our adjoining countryside; we take care of everything.

Zap?

Yes, everyone, even the Priests and the Superior, who is the Abbot; he hoes himself, but always in silence.

What about studying for priests and intellectuals?

There are hours of study and each one applies to those disciplines in which he is most versed; we also have a good library.

And for the food there are particular penances?

You never eat meat and you never drink wine; you fast six months a year beyond Lent, with the measured food that everyone finds at the table; some rare exceptions are lawful in case of illness. We have other penances, because there is sackcloth and discipline; at night we always sleep dressed and hard; in the middle of the night we get up, in winter and summer, for the officiation sung in the Church, which lasts a few hours.

I believe that peace that does not exist in the world must reign here, because by embracing the life of penance, freely and for the love of God, an intimate, all-spiritual joy must be felt in the heart.

Yes, we are happy; we enjoy peace, but we have the struggle of passions; we came to Trappa to make war on pride and sensuality.

Would I be allowed to visit the inside of this sacred enclosure?

Someone is allowed; you follow me; however beyond this door one cannot speak anymore.

With how much interest I observed the various environments! What poverty! ... I was amazed to see the cells; all the same, reduced in space, without furnishings, a bed on the hard surface and without sheets; a rough bedside table was all the furniture…

And in these cells illustrious ecclesiastical characters and merits have spent their lives! ... What a contrast to the vain world! ...

I visited the refectory, in tune with the utmost poverty, the study hall and finally the garden, where the gatekeeper Trappist was allowed to speak with me. In one corner of the garden was the small cemetery.

Here, the guide told me, those who die in the Trappa are buried. In this environment we live, die and await the universal resurrection!

The thought of death, I believe gives strength to persevere in the life of penance!

We often come to visit the tombs of our brothers, pray and meditate!

From the center of the garden I looked up at the noisy city, thinking: How much difference of life and aspirations between you, or Rome, and this Trappa! ...

Pagan Christians.

The life of the Trappists is more to be admired than to be imitated; without a special vocation and a good dose of willpower, one cannot embrace. But it is a warning, it is a continuous reproach to the apathetic life, spiritually speaking, that many lead, who are Christians only because they are baptized.

In the valley we have seen the sowers of scandals and those who fall into their satanic networks; we now observe at the foot of the mountain of Christian perfection those indifferent, who care little about Religion, or practice it in their own way; they believe they are fairly religious, because sometimes they enter the Church and keep some sacred images on the walls of the room and think they are good Christians because they do not stain their hands with blood and do not steal. When we talk about another life, the eternal one, they usually say: If Heaven exists, we must enter it, because we are true gentlemen. Poor blind people! They are miserable, worthy of compassion, and they consider themselves rich!

In our time the number of such rose water Christians is vast. How many apathetic people do not know that Jesus Christ, of whom they should be followers, do not know the doctrine of the Gospel, follow the pagan current and worry about everything except their spiritual life!

It is useful to take a quick look at their way of life.

The public holiday must be sanctified by attending Mass; instead for them every pretext, even frivolous, constitutes an excuse for not going to Church. Cinema, dances, walks ... always willing to go; work is left out, bad weather is overcome, money is perhaps borrowed, but pleasure-making life must not be missing.

The great religious solemnities for this species of Christians are an opportunity to have more fun and to eat better.

For these, giving little good advice is nonsense; having hatred and not wanting to forgive is personal dignity; taking part in an immoral discourse is knowing how to live in society; dressing less decently is a source of pride, because you know how to follow fashion; subscribing to provocative magazines and newspapers is knowing how to live up to the times ...

With all these freedoms, diametrically opposed to the spirit of the Gospel, one pretends to be esteemed for good and religious.

For modern Christians, the value of holy things is reversed. The solemn wedding in the Church is taken care of in every detail: photographs during the service, ribbon cutting, parade for kisses, procession; these things constitute the essence of the wedding feast; on the other hand, they do not count if the time of the engagement is spent with too much freedom, if the wedding dress is even scandalous, if the guests are in Church in indecent garments ... They only care about the so-called "social eye"; the eye of God does not matter.

The same happens in funerals; external pomp, procession, wreaths, artistic grave ... and they do not feel remorse if the deceased has passed to eternity without the religious comforts.

The only act of religion, to which ordinary Christians are indifferent, is the Easter Precept; even if they do not postpone it until after the prescribed time and perform it at intervals of years.

If you ask them: Are you Christians? Of course, they respond almost offended; we made the Easter Precept! ...

The annual Confession and Communion of this category of souls is usually a simple discharge of sins. If they spend a day in the grace of God, or a week, or at most a month, there is to thank the Lord! ... And soon the life of sin and religious indifference begin again.

Isn't this the Christianity of today? … Religion is often regarded by many as a mere optional ornament.

Death will also come for apathetic Christians; they will have to present themselves to Jesus Christ to receive the eternal sentence. They will say, like the foolish virgins of the Gospel: «Open to us, Lord! But the Heavenly Groom will reply: I don't know you! »(Matthew, xxv12).

Jesus recognizes for himself and gives eternal reward to those who practice his teachings, who care for the soul, who consider salvation of the soul as the only business of life and who respond satisfactorily to his invitation: Be perfect , how perfect is your Father who is in Heaven.

Indifferent Christians are at the foot of the mountain of spiritual perfection; they will never take a truly resolute step upwards, unless something strong, which shakes them, happens in them or around them; Divine Providence usually comes to help them with some of those calls that make tears shed: an incurable disease, a death at home, a reversal of luck ... Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to take advantage of it and some instead of going up, go to bottom of the valley.

These wretched Christians need a helping hand to help them walk towards the right practice of God's law; they are similar to cars with the engine off, which await the trailer to move.

Zealous people carry out a holy apostolate to tow apathetic souls, saying the good word, convincing and prudent, according to the various circumstances, giving a good book to read, so that they can educate themselves, since indifference 'is the daughter of religious ignorance .

If the pagan Christians of this time could spend only one day

no in the Trappa described above and seeing the sacrificed life of so many religious, made, of flesh and bones like them, should blush and conclude: And what do we do to deserve Heaven? ...

ON THE MOUNTAINS
Dangerous souls.

«A man sowed good seed in his field; but while the men slept, his enemy came to sow the tares in his field and went away.

As then the sowing sprouted and grains, then the tares appeared. The servants of the master of the house went and said to him, Lord, did you not sow good seed in your field? Why then is there the tares?

And he answered them: Some enemy did this. And the servants said to him: Do you want us to go uproot it? No, because by picking the tares you don't have to uproot the wheat. Let both grow until the harvest and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers: Collect the tares first and tie them in bundles to burn them; instead put the wheat in my barn "(Matthew, XIII24).

As was that field, so is the world, so are families.

The tares, which represent the bad guys, and the wheat, the symbol of the good guys, make it clear how atheists and believers, the relaxed and the fervent, the servants of Satan and the children of God must be together in this life. not to be overwhelmed by evil and not to be influenced by the bad guys or the relaxed ones.

In the truly Christian family, where parents are up to their task, children usually grow in fear and love of God.

It is a pleasure to see the religious seriousness of many, who while waiting for daily work, find time for prayer, for Holy Mass even on weekdays, to recreate the spirit with a little meditation. Initiated from childhood to this standard of living, they spend years in serenity. Without realizing it, and I would say without much effort, they climb the mountain of Christian perfection and reach a fair height.

But unfortunately some tares are thrown near this good wheat. It will be a friend or relative who starts to inject the poison one bad day.

«But is it really necessary that you go to Mass every day? Leave these exaggerations to those who live in the convent! ... "

"Don't you see that your dress makes people laugh? Bare arms, plunging neckline ... this is fashion! ... "

«Always read sacristy books! ... You live old-fashioned! Modern magazines make you live with your eyes open; morality yes, but up to a certain point; we are in the century of progress and we must not be backward! »

«In church in the morning and in church in the evening! ... But if the mass of people go to the cinema and television, almost daily, why don't you go too? ... How bad is it to see what everyone sees? ... But less scruples! »

Pious souls are struck by these poisonous suggestions. One should answer immediately and energetically: Go back, Satan! ... Don't talk to me anymore! ... Renunciation of your friendship and also of your greeting! ... Go with your peers and stay at the bottom of the valley! Let me continue my climb to the good!

One has the duty to treat in this way that tares which, as Jesus Christ says, will be thrown into eternal fire to burn. It takes fortress on certain occasions, that fortress which is a gift of the Holy Spirit and which everyone must show!

If you are not very determined to completely cut off certain perverse insinuations, gradually the tares, which Satan sows by means of a false friendship, will begin to sprout.

How many beautiful souls have stopped on the way to perfection and how many others have gone back to the foot of the mountain and perhaps to the bottom of the valley! ...

Attention to the principles!

Those who are not strong at first and begin to hesitate, feel the spiritual slowdown: some Mass is neglected, the prayer is shortened, the small mortifications are too heavy, one easily yields to vanity, anxiously awaits worldly fun! ...

It does not stop there, because human weakness is great and the attraction to evil is strong; to climb it is difficult, but to descend it is done quickly.

That soul, once fervent and which now does not feel the attraction towards Jesus and the holy things, returning to itself, tries to calm remorse:

I attend shows, it's true; but I don't go there for a bad end; when some scene is scandalous, I lower my eyes; so I have fun and I don't sin! ...

Christian soul, and don't you think about the bad example you set? And do you not reflect on the evil you cause to your spirit? And those bad thoughts and desires and those bad imaginations that often assail you and those strong temptations ... and maybe that fall ... aren't they the effect of the shows seen?

My dress is according to fashion. But what harm do I dress like this? Where is it wrong to walk with bare arms and to dress in a miniskirt? If I don't put a bad intention, sin is missing and I can remain calm!

But can you know the harm you do to those who look at you, especially to people of the opposite sex? Of the bad looks and wicked desires that Satan can arouse in others through your fault, will you not give account to God?

What has been said, makes it clear that there are souls who would like to be of God and not offend him, and would like to enjoy life at the same time, following the worldly current.

Jesus replies to them: «No one can serve two masters; surely, either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be fond of the first and despise the second "(Matthew, vi24).

Surprise.

A few months ago, since I wrote these pages, something happened for us.

A hen, crouching in the chicken coop, began to cluck repeatedly. The mistress, believing that she had already issued the egg, approached and stretched out her hand to take it. A scream of fear echoed immediately: beneath the hen there was a viper, which bit the mistress's hand.

Everything was done to save the woman, but the next day she died in a hospital in Catania.

it was a surprise, but a fatal surprise, which produced death.

When a Christian soul wants to live under two masters, in the hope of not seriously offending God, when he least expects it, he falls victim to some surprise, so he gives in to an immoral reading, or lingers over an impure gaze, or falls into dishonesty.

How many remorse and how many serious sins bring to the feet of the confessional certain souls, once delicate and fervent, and then weakened!

Deadly slope.

One day I found myself on the edge of the crater of Etna, immense and imposing; there was no volcanic activity except isolated plumes of smoke. I was able to descend carefully and cross the base of the bottom of the crater. A few traffic lights indicated landslides.

Next to it is the Northeast crater, smaller than, a kilometer in circumference, but very active. When, having secured myself on the lava ledge, I looked at it in all its grandeur, I felt a shiver: very deep, steep beyond belief, after all flames and smoke, continuous roars, terrifying rumbling of the lava mass ...

This was a very dangerous place, I said to myself; just look at it from a distance.

Shortly thereafter, a German hiker, taken by the desire to contemplate that spectacle closely and wanting to take photographs, decided to go down to a certain altitude. He had never done it!

As soon as the German began to descend, he realized that the ground was soft, because it was formed of lava ash. He wanted to go back, but he couldn't climb; on all fours, he had the happy idea of ​​stopping and propping himself at his best using the camera. There he stayed for a long time, waiting for help.

Providence wanted that lapilli were thrown from the bottom of the crater, which spread on the ash of the slope; luckily the unhappy man was not affected. When the lapilli cooled down, being consistent, he was able to use them as support and slowly came out of the crater. The hiker was exhausted, returned from death to life; we hope he learned at his own expense.

The volcanic slope is dangerous; but the slope of evil is even more dangerous. Whoever was in the way of spiritual fervor and then stopped and began to back away, can be said to be on the way to perdition, because, as Jesus Christ says: «Whoever puts his hands on the plow and then looks back, does not it is suitable for the Kingdom of Heaven "(Luke, ivG).

The safety of that hiker was the decision to go back and take hold of those means that helped him to climb.

A warm invitation is addressed to the souls who stopped in the ascension towards the mountain of spiritual life or who backed away: Are you happy with yourselves? ... Is Jesus happy with you? Did you have more joy when you were all of Jesus or now that you are in part of the world? ... Does Christian vigilance, so inculcated in the Gospel, not tell you to be prepared for the coming of the Heavenly Bridegroom? ... So, animated by good will, decide to a generous Christian life. Resume daily meditation and your examination of conscience; despise human respect, or criticism of others; get some good friendships that will serve as a spur to virtue; resume the exercise of small mortifications, or spiritual florets. You have been for some time like winter trees, without leaves, without flowers and without fruits; start the spiritual spring. The oil of your lamp has failed, as to the foolish virgins; fill your lamp, so that your light will shine to send other souls to God.

"Blessed is that servant whom the master, on returning, will find vigilant" (Matthew, xxiv4 G).

TO THE TOP
Beautiful souls!
In the middle of winter, in January, while the plants are incubating, without leaves and without flowers, waiting for spring, only one tree, at least in the climate of Sicily, is beautiful, abundantly flowery; is the almond tree. The painter is inspired and portrays him; flower enthusiasts detach a twig and place it in the vase; those little flowers last a long time.

Here is an image of the fervent Christian soul, intent on climbing to the top of perfection!

The almond tree stands out among the plants without flowers; thus the fervent soul, although living between spiritually sterile and cold people, retains the full vitality of its spirit and excels by virtue; whoever has the fate to treat it, must say, at least in his heart: There are good people in the world!

There are such people in the world; they are not too numerous as one would like, but there are large groups, between women and men, between virgins and married couples, between poor and rich.

Who can they compare to? To the one who has found a treasure hidden in a field; he sells what he owns and goes to buy that field.

The pious souls, of whom we speak, have understood that life is a test of God's love, preparation for happy eternity, and they consider earthly affairs in subordination to heavenly affairs. Their aspiration is to strive for Christian perfection.

Idea of ​​perfection.

Perfection means completeness; in the spiritual life it indicates the will to avoid any lack, any stain, any mole, which can obscure the whiteness of the soul. Perfection must be the sole purpose of beautiful souls, the aspiration of generous hearts.

Perfection also means delicacy of forms; in the spiritual life it means excellence of virtue, almost a superlative in the good, which is not satisfied with any mediocrity.

Perfection means: do good, only good and do it right, exquisitely; and that everything we do, however small, be a spiritual masterpiece, a hymn to God.

Perfection has its degrees.

Absolute perfection here on earth is not possible for us, but we can get closer to it, perfecting more or less our life, our actions.

The first degree of perfection is the state of friendship with God and it is the essential absolutely necessary for everyone. This would give the right to Heaven. It was true that all souls had this first degree of perfection!

There is however better: the second degree, which consists in avoiding not only mortal sin, but also venial sin; we try to come gradually, with the help of God, to stop committing venial sins that are fully felt and to diminish those that are semi-liberated, poor fruit of human frailty.

The third degree is the best: to serve God well, not only as servants or mercenaries, but as children, for intimate love.

Now consider the state of perfection, which matters the practice of the Evangelical Counsels: normally in the Religious State, with the triple vow of poverty, obedience and perfect chastity. In this state Jesus calls the souls he loves. Those who are still unable to embrace him and feel his vocation, do not say no to Jesus. Entering the Religious State is such luck, that only in Heaven can it be appreciated. Those who are already there, love them wholeheartedly, correspond with them with all their might, soaked each one more than his spirit!

And the others? They should do their best to imitate the life and spirit of men and women religious in the century, making up with pious desire for what they cannot with works.

Ask yourself the grace of perfection with this ejaculation: Most Pure Heart of the Virgin Mary, obtain for me from Jesus the Christian perfection and the purity and humility of the heart!

Having already clarified the idea of ​​perfection, one must know how to behave in practice to effectively strive for it and what virtue to keep in mind constantly so as not to get discouraged. Virtue, mother and teacher, is humility.

Humility.

I brought the comparison of the almond tree in bloom; we still consider this tree. It has a massive trunk, but covered with a dark and rough bark; it seems to be in contrast with the delicacy of the flowers; the tree would appear better without the rough bark, but once this was removed, there would never be flowers or fruits again.

Spiritual people, while doing many good works every day, realize that they have many flaws; they afflict them, because they would like to see themselves perfect, and they often become discouraged.

Woe to them if they had no defects! They would be similar to trees without bark. Just as the lifeblood spreads to the whole plant through the small channels inside the cortex, so the whole spiritual life is nourished and conserved, in a providential way, by the accumulation of personal defects. it is the ash that keeps the fire.

If there were no defects, spiritual pride would have the upper hand, which is deadly. Humility is so dear to Jesus, that in order to keep it in hearts at times it allows one to fall into certain shortcomings, so that the soul may perform acts of humility, trust and greater love. Therefore Jesus allows spiritual weaknesses to temper souls.

In the secret of the heart, the conviction of one's weakness must always be kept within oneself, so as not to spoil the gradual work that the Lord wants to do. No human defect or weakness can drive Jesus away from a humble and goodwill soul.

The devout person who commits a lack, either out of impulsiveness of character or because of spiritual weakness, recognizes that he is miserable after so many purposes made, he is convinced that without the help of God those who know in what serious sins would fall and learn to sympathize and bear the next.

Even the Saints, ordinarily, had their imperfections and were not surprised, just as those who, climbing on a mountain, see dust on their shoes or on their clothes are not surprised; the essential is to move forward, keeping humility and peace of heart.

the sanctity of Don Bosco is imposing; he worked miracles even in life; fame of holiness preceded him everywhere; his spiritual sons revered him. Yet from time to time he made some flaws. One day in a discussion he got too hot; eventually he realized he had missed. It was before Mass; invited to get dressed and to start the Holy Sacrifice, he replied: Wait a little; I need to confess.

Another time Don Bosco had strongly reprimanded Maestro Dogliani, in the presence of some diners. The latter was ill not expecting that treatment from the one who esteemed him so much and wrote him a note of this tenor: I thought Don Bosco was a saint; but I see that he is a man like everyone else!

Don Bosco, in his humility, equal to holiness, having read the note, replied to Dogliani: You are quite right: Don Bosco is a man like all the others; pray for him.

Convinced therefore that defects are not the real obstacle to the spiritual life, let us consider some of them in particular to fight them, since it would be an evil to make peace with one's defects.

Bad herbs come up in good soil; but the vigilant farmer immediately hands over the hoe to uproot them.

Felling.

One flaw to be fought is moral killing in trials.

Motion is life. Jesus, who is life in essence, is in continuous activity in souls, especially those closest to him. As long as these yield more for eternity and often have proofs of love, it submits them to particular sufferings.

Souls often do not know how to behave as Jesus wishes; in their weakness they say: Lord, that cross ... yes! But this ... no! ... So far, okay; beyond, no, absolutely!

Under the weight of the cross they exclaim: It is too much! ... But Jesus abandoned me! ...

In such circumstances Jesus is closer; he works more intensely in hearts and would like to see them fully abandoned to the designs of his loving will. Often, Jesus faced with distrust, is forced to make the reproach that he addressed to the Apostles during the storm: «Where is your faith? »(Luke, VIII2S).

The virtue of spiritual people is recognized in trials, as the value of soldiers is manifested in battle.

Of how many Jesus complains, because they easily lose trust in Him, as if he could not treat those he loves and loves!

Self-love.

Self-love is hatching in the hearts of those who serve close to God. Spiritual people, while not deliberately approving of self-love, must confess that they have a good dose of it. Even without realizing it and without expressly wanting it, they have a high concept of themselves; they say in words: I am a sinful soul; I don't deserve anything! but if they receive a humiliation, especially from those who do not expect it, they immediately start and then ... open Heaven! Complaints, spells, agitation ... with little edification of the others, who comment: He looked like a holy soul ... an Angel on earth ... and instead! ... Money and holiness, half of the half!

It cannot be denied that struck self-love is like a wounded tiger and much virtue is needed to remain calm. Whoever wants to progress on the path of virtue must strive to receive humiliations in peace, wherever they come from. Even holy people can suffer terrible humiliations; Jesus allows them because he wants those who accept him to reproduce in themselves some traits of his sacred humanity, so humiliated in the Passion.

Suggestions are given, useful in time of humiliation.

Received a note, a rebuke, a rude, do everything to keep first the external calm and then the internal one.

External calm can be achieved by keeping absolutely silence, which is the safeguard of many failings.

Inner calm is observed by not rethinking the humiliating words heard; the more one remurges in the mind, the more self-love becomes insolent.

Rather, think of the insults that Jesus had in the Passion. You, my Jesus, true God, humiliated and insulted, you endured everything in silence. I offer you this humiliation, to join the ones you suffer. It is also useful to say in the mind: I accept, O God, this humiliation to repair some blasphemy that is being said against you right now!

Jesus looks with satisfaction on the afflicted soul who says: Thank you, O God, for the humiliation sent!

Jesus said to a privileged soul, after a great humiliation: Thank me that I made you humiliate! I have allowed this, because I want to root you well in humility! Ask for humiliations, which you will please me!

We should generously aspire to this degree of perfection.

Uplifting example.

Blessed Don Michele Rua, successor of Saint John Bosco in the government of the Salesian Congregation, achieved the honors of the altar.

His humility stood out in all circumstances, especially in humiliations. One day such a man railed against him, telling him insults and degrading titles; he stopped when he emptied the sack of abuse. Don Rua was there, still, serene; finally she said: If she has nothing more to say, the Lord bless her! and fired him.

A reverend was present who, although knowing the virtue of Don Rua, was amazed at his demeanor. How did he, he said, listen to all those insults, without saying anything?

While that guy was speaking, I was thinking of something else, not giving any weight to his words.

This is how the Saints behave!

Avoid complaints.

Ordinarily complaining is not a sin; complaining frequently and for a trifle is a defect.

If you wanted to complain, there would never be any lack of opportunities, because you see so many injustices, so many defects are found in the next, so many mishaps occur, so you should complain from morning to night.

Those who tend to perfection are recommended to avoid complaining, except in exceptional cases, when the complaint has some good effect.

What is the use of complaining if an inconvenience cannot be remedied? it is better to be mortified and silent.

St. John Bosco asked about the way to mortify himself, among other things he said: Do not complain about anything, neither of the heat, nor of the cold.

In the life of Saint Anthony, Bishop of Florence, we read an edifying fact, which is presented here not by imitation, but by edification.

This Bishop had come out of the house and to see the drizzly sky, while the wind was blowing strongly, he exclaimed: Oh, what a bad weather!

No one will want to blame this holy Bishop for sin or defect, for such a spontaneous exclamation! Yet the Saint, in his delicacy, reflecting, thus reasoned: I said "Tempaccio! »But isn't it God who rules the laws of nature? And I dared to complain about what God has! ... He returned to the house, put a sackcloth to his chest, sealed it with a small bolt and then threw the key in the Arno river, saying: To punish me and not to fall back into the same defect, I will bring this hair shirt until the key is found! Some time passed. One day a fish was presented to the Bishop at the table; in the mouth of this was the key. He understood that God had liked that penance and then took off the sackcloth.

If many who say they are spiritual should wear a sackcloth for every relevant complaint, they should be covered from head to toe!

Less complaints and more mortification!

A big flaw.

Certain delicate consciences make the Sacrament of Confession too heavy and not very fruitful.

Before going to the Penance Court they usually make a long and unnerving examination. They believe that by scrutinizing the conscience a lot and making a detailed accusation to the Confessor, they can advance more in perfection; but in practice they make less profit.

The examination of conscience of a delicate soul should not normally go beyond a few minutes. There are supposed to be no mortal sins; if by chance there were some, it would immediately stand out like a mountain in a plain.

Therefore, since we are dealing with veniality and defects, it is enough to accuse a single venial sin in Confession; the rest are accused in general, en masse.

The advantages are thus: 1) The head is not tired unnecessarily, because a meticulous examination oppresses the mind. 2) Not much time is wasted, neither by the penitent, nor by the Confessor and those who wait. 3) By stopping the attention on a single shortcoming, detesting it and seriously proposing to correct it, a spiritual improvement will certainly result.

In conclusion: the time that you would like to spend in a long examination and a long-lasting accusation, should be used to make acts of repentance and love for God and to effectively renew the purpose of better life.

PERFECTION EXERCISES
Street.

The soul is similar to a garden. If cared for, it produces flowers and fruits; if neglected, it produces little or nothing.

The Divine Gardener is Jesus, who infinitely loves the soul redeemed with his Blood: he surrounds it with a hedge, to keep it well; it does not make her miss the water of her grace; in appropriate time and gently pruning, to eliminate what is superfluous or dangerous or harmful. The harvest promises plenty of fruit. If the garden does not correspond to the treatments, it will gradually be left to itself; the hedge will be cut down and the thorns and thorns will suffocate the plants.

The soul wishing to give glory to God and to give much fruit for eternal life, leaves Jesus freedom of action, convinced that he works with the utmost wisdom.

Not all plants give the same fruit; the owner from a plant wants to collect oranges, from another lemons, from a third grape ... Thus the Celestial Gardener, while taking care of and working all, promises something special from everyone.

Jesus is the Heavenly Guide and directs each one to the most suitable way or path to achieve eternal happiness.

Those who walk off the path, tire unnecessarily, lose time and run the risk of not reaching the goal. it is necessary to know: 1) by which way Jesus tries to enter our heart; 2) how Jesus wants to take over each of us; 3) what is the state that best suits us and in which God wants us.

Knowledge of these three things is the important means, which spurs the soul to rise decisively towards perfection.

Research.

It is worthwhile to seriously study which way Jesus tries to enter our heart, so that it can be opened immediately; making him wait at the door is not a delicate thing.

Divine Grace is neither sensational nor sensitive; it acts spiritually in our spirit with lights, which are called current inspirations or graces.

it is necessary to meditate which are the lights, which ordinarily illuminate our intellect, both in prayer and at other times, what are the movements and impressions of Divine Grace, which act more strongly on our heart.

In these lights, in these instantaneous and unexpected impressions, which often return to the mind and press on, lies the attraction of Grace.

In this intimate work, which takes place in every heart, different moments of the soul must be distinguished: 1) that of ordinary grace; 2) that of the most particular grace; 3) that of afflictions. In the first moment, the attraction of Grace will be a desire for God, a tendency towards God, an abandonment of oneself to God, a joy in thinking of God. The soul must be attentive to these invitations in order to follow this attraction.

In the second moment, the impressions of Divine Grace are stronger and its attraction will be manifested with ardent desires, combined with lively feelings of a loving contrition, with a sweet restlessness, with a whole abandonment in the hands of God, with a profound annihilation, with a feeling of the presence of God more alive and more expressed and with similar impressions, which move and penetrate the fiber of the soul, impressions to which one must be faithful and from which one must allow oneself to penetrate, abandoning oneself to the action of Divine Grace.

In the third moment it must be examined by which way Divine Grace leads the heart more to accept the afflictions, to endure them and to remain at peace in the midst of the murky pains. It could be the spirit of penance and the desire to satisfy the Justice of God, that is, a humble submission to the divine judgments, or a generous abandonment to his Providence, or an intimate resignation to his will; or the love of Jesus Christ, or a high esteem of his Cross and of the goods that accompany it, or a simple reminder of the presence of God, or a peaceful rest in Him.

The more the soul surrenders to an attraction, the more it profits from its crosses.

The secret.

The big secret of the spiritual life is this: Know the way by which Grace wants to lead the soul and settle in it.

Generously enter this path and walk constantly.

Get back on track when you get out.

Let yourself be guided with docility by the Spirit of God, who speaks to each soul with the attraction of his particular grace.

In conclusion, one must adapt to one's grace and one's cross. Jesus Christ, nailed to the Cross, affixed his Grace and his Spirit to it; we must therefore let the Cross, Grace and Divine Love enter and hold in our hearts, three things that cannot be separated, since Jesus Christ united them together.

The inner attraction of Grace brings us to God more than all the external means, being God himself who gently insinuates it into the soul, for which he softens the heart, kidnaps it and wins it, to dominate it at his pleasure.

The slightest word from a loved one is sweet and dear. Is it not therefore right that the least divine inspiration, which Jesus makes us feel, is accepted with the dispositions of a faithful and fully docile heart?

Whoever does not faithfully accept the movement of Grace and does not do what he can to correspond, does not deserve further grace to do more.

God takes away his gifts, when the soul does not appreciate them and does not make them bear fruit. We are obliged to attest to God our gratitude for what works in us and to show him our fidelity; gratitude and loyalty regarding four things.

1. For all that comes from God, thanks and inspirations, listening to them and following them.

2. For all that is against God, that is, for even the least sin, in order to avoid it.

3. For all that must be done for the Lord, down to our minimum duties, to observe them.

4. For all that presents us to suffer for God, in order to endure everything with a big heart.

Ask God for docility to the movements of his grace.

Our oddity.

We ask God to make us win our causes and make us succeed in our endeavors; but we, most often, make him lose his causes and get in the way of his plans.

The Lord has some spiritual cause every day. The object of these causes is our heart, which the devil, the world and the flesh would like to kidnap to God.

On the side of God is good law and He with all justice demands the property of our heart: capitals and fruits.

Instead, we often pronounce in favor of his enemies, preferring the suggestions of the devil to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, we indulge in vile complacencies for the world and indulge in the spoiled inclinations of nature, instead of keeping firm for the rights of God.

And this is not oddity?

If we want to climb to the heights of perfection, our fidelity to Divine Grace must be ready, whole, constant.

The calm.

Just as there is a certain stability of the body, that is, a position in which the body is in its place and resting, so there is also a stability of the heart, that is, an arrangement in which the heart is at rest.

It is necessary to try to know this disposition and to acquire it, not for our satisfaction, but so that we are in the state that God requires to establish in us his home, which, according to his will, must be a place of peace.

This arrangement, in which the heart is in place and without agitation, consists of a rest in God and a voluntary cessation of the unnecessary agitation of the mind and body.

The soul is much more capable of receiving the action of God and is better disposed to perform its operations towards God.

With this practice, when it is constant, a great void of all that is purely natural and human is made in the soul and Divine Grace with supernatural and divine principles becomes stronger and more and more dilated.

When the soul knows how to maintain itself in the same stillness, everything serves its progress. The deprivation of things that can be desired, even spiritual ones, contributes greatly.

At this point it is important to note that natural deprivations are the food of virtues. Throat mortification nourishes temperance; contempt feeds humility; the sorrows that come from others nourish charity. On the contrary, delightful objects, purely natural, especially if outside the limits of right reason, are the poison of virtues; not that all things pleasing to themselves produce bad effects, but the disorder usually comes from our corruption and from the bad use we often make of such things.

Therefore the enlightened souls do not seek delightful things and, in order not to lose the practice of virtues, they take faithful and constant care to always keep their heart in the same stillness, while varying the events of life.

How many souls Jesus has asked for, and for some time, this perfection and how few respond generously to the invitations of Grace!

Let us examine ourselves and we will see that we are far from perfection because of our fault and our negligence. We can cultivate the spiritual life more and we must succeed!

Equality.

Thoughts arise, which can serve for meditation, centered on the principle of equality, that is, receiving and giving.

There must be equality between the graces that God gives us and our correspondence; between the will of God and ours; between the purposes we make and their execution; between our duties and our works; between our nothingness and our spirit of humility; between the value and value of spiritual things and our practical esteem for them.

Equality in spiritual life is necessary; the ups and downs are to the detriment of profit.

You have to be equal in mood and character, at all times and in all events; equal in diligence, to sanctify all actions, in the beginning, in the continuation and in the end of what one has to do; it takes equality in charity, for all kinds of people, mortifying sympathy and antipathy.

Spiritual equality must lead to the indifference of what you like or dislike and must make you willing to rest and work, to all sorts of crosses and sufferings, to health and disease, to be forgotten or remembered, in the light and darkness, consolations and dryness of spirit.

All of this is achieved when our will adheres to that of God. Everyone strives to achieve this degree of perfection.

Furthermore, perfection requires that we have:

More humility than humiliation.

More patience than crosses.

More works, than words.

More care for the soul than for the body.

More interest in holiness than in health.

More detachment from everything, than real separation from everything.

Practical fruit.

From the consideration of these secrets of perfection, take some practical fruit and do not leave the work of Divine Grace in our hearts ineffective.

1. Thank God for all the graces, which he has given us so far.

2. Sincerely acknowledge the misuse we have made of it and ask God for forgiveness.

3. Put ourselves in the disposition that God requires of us, firmly resolved to make a holy use of the help that He still deigns to offer us.

4. To obtain a firm and stable resolution, enter the Most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary; to read, written in indelible characters, the rule of life that we want to follow and such a view will double our esteem and our love for that norm of life.

5. Pray and beg Jesus and his Mother to bless our resolution; animated by the firmest trust in their protection, we will courageously practice, for their example, the great and sublime maxims, on which God wants us to regulate our lives.

LOVE OF GOD
Know Jesus and love him.

Souls of goodwill are encouraged to love Jesus. Jesus is the pearl of love; blessed are those who know how to love him! The knowledge of his divine perfections serves as a spur to unite oneself intimately with him.

Jesus is loyalty.

Those who truly love him, hope for everything, because everything is promised by Jesus. He is the Author, the object and the great reason for our hope. In Jesus we were called to the society of Saints, to glory, honor, eternal joy in Paradise.

Come on, then, Christian souls, if we love Jesus, we confidently await the Lord; let us act virilely in the trials permitted by God and strengthen our hearts. Those who hope in the Lord will not be confused.

Jesus is wisdom.

Love for Jesus must be faithful, docile and must believe. Those who truly love Jesus believe all that Jesus said and in Jesus recognize the Supreme Truth; it is neither hesitant nor wavering, but joyfully accepts every word of Jesus.

Jesus was obedient until the death and death of Croce. Whoever loves Jesus, does not rebel against God, nor to divine plans, but with promptness, with a hilarious spirit, with devotion, fidelity and piety, he completely abandons himself to Providence and Divine Will, saying in pains: Jesus, do yours adorable will and not mine!

Jesus was very delicate in his love: «He did not break the bent cane and did not put out the fumigant lamp» (Matthew, XII20). Anyone who truly loves Jesus is not insolent towards his neighbor, but is docile to the word of him and to his command: «Here is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you! "(Jn. XIII34).

Jesus is very mild; therefore those who love Jesus are mild, overcome envy and jealousy, because they are content with Jesus, and with Jesus alone.

Those who truly love Jesus, love nothing else than Him, because in Him he possesses everything: true honors, real and eternal riches, spiritual dignity.

O love of Jesus, come and bring us the most gentle fire, which burns in your Heart, and there will no longer be any desire in us, no earthly desire, except you, or Jesus, lovable above all things!

Jesus is infinitely benign, sweet, sweet, compassionate, merciful to all. Therefore, love for Jesus can only be benign and beneficial to the poor, the sick and the inferior; benign and beneficial to those who hate, those who persecute or those who slander, benign to all.

What goodness Jesus had in consoling the afflicted, in welcoming everyone, in forgiving!

Whoever really wants to demonstrate love for Jesus, show neighborly kindness, kindness and mercy.

In imitation of Jesus, our words are sweet, our conversation mild, our eye serene, our hand helpful.

Thoughts to meditate.

1. We can love God.

The sun is made to illuminate and our heart to love. Ah, what more lovable object than an infinitely perfect God, a God, our Creator, our King and Father, our friend and benefactor, our support and refuge, our consolation and hope, our everything?

Why then is God's love so rare?

2. God is jealous of our love.

Is it not right that the clay be submitted to the hand of the potter who works it? Is it not also a duty of justice for the creature to obey the orders of its Creator, especially when He declares that he is jealous of his love and stoops down to ask for their heart?

If a king of the earth had so much love for us, with what feelings we would reciprocate!

3. To love is to live in God.

Can living in God, living of the life of God, becoming the same spirit with God, imagine more sublime glory? Divine love raises us to such glory.

By the bonds of mutual love, God lives in us and we live in him; we live in him and he lives in us.

Will man's home always be as low as the mud from which it is made? The truly great and truly noble soul is the one who, despising all the things that pass, sees nothing but God who is worthy of her.

4. Nothing greater than the Love of God.

Nothing greater and as advantageous as divine love. It ennobles everything: it imprints the seal, the character of God himself on all thoughts, on all words, on all actions, even the most common; sweetens everything; diminishes the sharpness of the thorns of life; turns sufferings into sweet delights; it is the beginning and measure of that peace that the world cannot give, the source of those truly heavenly consolations, which were and will always be the fate of true lovers of God.

Does profane love have similar advantages? ... But how long will the creature be the cruelest enemy of itself? ...

5. Nothing more precious.

Oh, what a precious treasure is the love of God! Whoever possesses it, possesses God; even if without any other good, it is always infinitely rich.

And what can those who possess the Supreme Good lack?

Whoever does not possess the treasure of the grace of God and his love, is a slave to the devil, and although he is rich in earthly goods, he is infinitely poor. What object will be able to compensate the soul of this humiliating and cruel slavery?

6. Denying love is crazy! Whoever denies eternity is an atheist, is an impious and degrades himself to the vile condition of animals.

Whoever believes in eternity and does not love God is foolish and insane.

Eternity, blessed or desperate, depends on the love one has or does not have for God. Paradise is the Kingdom of love and it is the love that introduces us to Paradise; curse and fire are the fate of those who do not love God.

St. Augustine says that divine love and guilty love form now and will form two cities in eternity: that of God and that of Satan.

Which of the two do we belong to? Our heart decides it. From our works we will know our heart.

7. Benefits of God's love. How many priceless and precious treasures will find accumulated in eternity the soul who will have lived a life of love on earth! Every act that it has produced over time will reproduce itself in all instants of eternity and will multiply as a consequence indefinitely. Likewise it will continually re-flourish and the degree of glory and happiness will always multiply, which accompanies all meritorious and deified actions by the grace of Jesus Christ. If the gift of God were known! ...

If in order to obtain that degree of glory we had to suffer all the martyrs and go through the flames, we would estimate to have obtained it for nothing!

But God, infinite Goodness, to give us Heaven requires nothing more than our love. If the kings distributed the goods and honors of which they are dispensers with the same ease, what a crowd of ravenous people would surround their throne!

8. What difficulties prevent the love of God?

What could ever balance or weaken the strength of so many reasons so convincing for intelligence and so moving for the heart? Only the difficulty of the sacrifices, which are required to truly love the Lord.

But can one be hesitant or terrified of the difficulties of a vehicle when this is absolutely necessary? What is more indispensable than the observance of the first and greatest of the Commandments "Will you love the Lord your God, with all your heart? ... "

Divine charity, infused in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, is the life of the soul; and he who does not possess such a precious treasure is in a state of death.

In truth, does the Lord in the Gospel demand from his children more painful sacrifices than those that the world and the passions demand from their slaves? The world does not ordinarily give its pattigiani except gall and absinthe; the pagans themselves say that the passions of the human heart are our cruelest tyrants.

The Holy Fathers add that one struggles and suffers much more to go to hell than to save oneself and go to Heaven.

God's love is stronger than death; it ignites a fire so alive and ardent that all the water of the rivers cannot extinguish it, that is, no difficulty can restrain the vehemence of his ardor in the love of God.

Jesus Christ invites everyone to recognize, from his own experience, how gentle his yoke and his light weight are.

When Jesus dilates the heart of his lovers with the union of his grace, one does not walk, but runs in the narrow way of the Commandments of God; and the sweetness of the consolations, which fill the soul, produces that overabundance of joy, which Saint Paul enjoyed in his tribulations: "I overflow with joy in all my tribulations" (II Corinthians, VII4).

We therefore cease to be dismayed by difficulties, which are more apparent than real. Let us abandon our heart to the love of God; Jesus Christ faithful to his promise will give us a hundredfold also on this earth.

Prayer.

My God, I am ashamed of my indifference and the little love I have had for you so far! How many times the difficulty of the journey delayed my steps to follow you! But I hope in your mercy, O Lord, and I promise you that loving you will henceforth be my commitment, my food, my life. Perennial and never interrupted love.

Not only will I love you, but I will do everything possible to make you loved by others and I will not have peace until I see the flames of your holy love lit in all hearts. Amen!

Holy Communion.

The furnace of God's love is Communion. Jesus' loving souls crave to communicate; however, it is better to receive the SS. Eucharist with much fruit. It is useful to reflect on the following: When we take Communion, we receive, truly and physically, hidden under the Sacrament Species, Jesus Christ; therefore we become not only Tabernacle, but also Pyxis, where Jesus lives and lives, where the Angels come to worship him; and where we have to add our worship to theirs.

Indeed there is between us and Jesus a union similar to that which exists between food and the one who assimilates it, with the difference that we do not transform him, but we are transformed into him. This union tends to make our flesh more submissive to the spirit and more chaste and lays a seed of immortality on it.

The soul of Jesus unites with ours to form with it a single heart and a single soul.

The intelligence of Jesus enlightens us to show and judge everything in the supernatural light; his divine will comes to correct the weakness of ours: his Divine Heart comes to warm ours.

We should feel, as soon as the Communion is made, like the ivy attached to the oak and feel very strong impulses towards the good and be willing to do everything for the Lord. Consequently, thoughts, judgments, affects must conform to those of Jesus.

When you communicate with the due dispositions, then you live a more intense and above all a more supernatural and divine life. It is no longer the old man who lives in us, who thinks and works, but it is Jesus Christ, the New Man, who with his Spirit lives in us and gives us life.

Thinking about the Divine Eucharist and not thinking about Our Lady is impossible. The Church reminds us of this in the Eucharistic hymns: «Nobis datus Nobis natus ex intacta Virgine» given to us, born to us from an intact Virgin! «I salute you, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary…. O pious Jesus, or Jesus, Son of Mary "," O Jesu, Fili Mariae! ».

At the Eucharistic Table we taste the Fruit of Mary's generous breast "Fructus ventris generosi".

Maria is the throne; Jesus is the King; the soul at Communion, hosts it and adores it. Mary is the altar; Jesus is the victim; the soul offers it and consumes it.

Maria is the source; Jesus is the Divine water; the soul drinks it and quenches its thirst. Maria is the hive; Jesus is the Honey; the soul melts it in the mouth and tastes it. Maria is the vine; Jesus is the Cluster which, squeezed and consecrated, intoxicates the soul. Maria is the ear of corn; Jesus is the wheat that becomes food, medicine and delight for the soul.

Here is how much intimacy and how many relationships bind the Virgin, Holy Communion and the Eucharistic soul together!

In Holy Communion, never forget a thought towards Mary Most Holy, to bless her, to thank her, to repair her.

NECKLACE OF GEMS
This chapter could be precious for those souls who aspire to Christian perfection, according to the norms of the Spiritual Childhood of St. Teresina.

An invisible, spiritual necklace is presented; let every soul try to storm it with gems of every quality, carrying out many small acts of virtue, to please the Eternal Beauty, which is Jesus, more.

These gems concern: prudence, the spirit of prayer, self-contempt, perfect abandonment to God, courage in temptations and zeal for the glory of God.

Caution.

Being cautious is not as easy as it may seem.

Prudence is the first of the cardinal virtues; it is the science of the Saints; who wants to improve, can not help but have some dose.

Among the pious people there are many who suffer from the fever of imprudence and, with all the good intentions they have, they sometimes commit such outrageous things that they can be taken with the springs.

Let us try to regulate everything with criteria, to remind ourselves that we must walk more with the head than with the feet and that even for the holiest works it is necessary to choose the appropriate time.

But let us take care that the dust of modern prudence does not fall upon us, of which countless and immense warehouses have been emptied today.

In this case we would fall into another abyss and, under the pretext of wanting to be prudent according to the world, we would become monsters of fear and selfishness. Being prudent means doing good and doing it well.

Spirit of prayer.

It is necessary to have a lot of spirit of prayer, even if you attend to daily work; I think that this spirit is acquired through frequent, regular practices, made with every commitment at the feet of the Crucified Jesus.

The spirit of prayer is a great gift from God. Whoever wants it, ask it with the most exquisite humility and do not tire of asking it until he has obtained something.

We tend well that here we speak especially of holy meditation, without which a Christian soul is a flower that does not smell, it is a lamp that does not shed light, it is an extinguished coal, it is a fruit without flavor.

We meditate and discover the treasures of divine wisdom; when we have discovered them, we will love them and this love will be the foundation of our perfection.

Self-contempt.

Despise ourselves. it is this contempt that will weaken our pride, that will make our self-love mute, that will make us be serene, indeed happy, in the midst of the most bitter treatments that others can do to us.

We think about who we are and what we have made ourselves deserving of our sins many times; think how Jesus treated himself.

How many, dedicated to the spiritual life, not only do not despise themselves, but keep themselves as a jewel in the midst of cotton or as a treasure under a thousand keys!

Abandonment in God.

Let us abandon ourselves entirely to God, without reserving anything for us. Do we not trust God, who is our Father? Do we believe that he forgets his loving children or that perhaps he always leaves them in struggle and pain? No! Jesus knows how to do everything well and the bitter days we spend in this life are counted and covered with precious gems.

So let's trust in Jesus, like the mother's baby, and let him have absolute freedom to work in our soul. We would never regret it.

Courage in temptations.

We must not be disheartened in temptations, whatever they may be; but instead we must show ourselves courageous and serene. We must never say: I would not like this temptation; it would be more convenient for me to have another.

Perhaps God does not know what we need better than we do? He knows what he must do or allow for the benefit of our soul.

We imitate the Saints, who never complained about the kinds of temptations that God allowed them to target, but limited themselves to asking for the help they needed to be successful in the midst of the struggles.

Zeal.

It is necessary to have zeal, whose fire inflames us and animates us to great things for the glory of God.

Certainly we will give pleasure to Jesus if He sees us occupied in his interests. How precious is the time spent in praising the Lord and saving souls!

TIPS
In my writings I have often made use of the teachings given by Jesus to privileged souls; I was source: "Invitation to love", "Inner conversation", "The little flower of Jesus", "Cum valid clamor ...".

The history of these souls is now known in the world.

Here are some thoughts that could help in the spiritual life.

1. To make myself understood, long interviews are not necessary; the intensity of a single ejaculatory, even very short, tells me everything.

2. To close one's eyes to the imperfections of others, to sympathize and apologize for those who are missing, to keep recollection and to converse continuously with me, are things that also tear serious imperfections from the soul and will make her master of great virtue.

3. If a soul shows greater patience in suffering and more tolerance in being deprived of what it satisfies, it is a sign that it has made greater progress in virtue.

4. The soul who wants to remain alone, without the support of the Guardian Angel and the guidance of the Spiritual Director, will be like a tree that is alone in the middle of the field and without a master; and however abundant its fruits, passersby will take them before they reach perfect maturity.

5. whoever hides in his own nothingness and knows how to abandon himself to God is humble. He who knows how to bear others and bear himself is gentle.

6. I am in love with you, because you have many miseries; I want to enrich you. But give me the heart; give it all!

Think about me more often, sad and agonizing; do not let a single quarter of an hour pass without having raised the thought of your Jesus.

7. Do you want to know what is the importance and the advantage of the intention that a soul puts in the morning or before doing a good work? … The advantage always goes for one's sanctification; and if he offers himself for the conversion of poor sinners, he bears even more fruit for himself and for souls.

8. Pray to me for sinners and pray to me a lot; the world needs many prayers and many sufferings to be converted.

9. Often renews the victim vow, even mentally; protests to renew it at every heartbeat; with this you will save many souls.

10. The soul does not perfect itself with intelligence alone, but with the will. What matters before God is not intelligence, but heart and will.

11. The greatness of my love for a soul must not be measured down here by the consolations that I grant it, but by the crosses and pains that I give them, together with the grace to bear them.

12. I am rejected by the world. Where will I go to be received with love? Will I have to abandon the earth and bring my gifts and graces back to Heaven? Oh no! Welcome me to your heart and love me so much. Offer me your suffering and repair for this thankless world, which makes me suffer so much!

13. There is no love, without pain; there is no total gift without sacrifice; there is no conformity to me Crucified, without agonies and without suffering.

14. I am the good Father of all and I distribute tears and sweetness to all.

15. Contemplate my Heart! it is open at the top; it is closed in the part facing the earth; it is crowned with thorns; has a Plague, which drips Blood and water; it is girded with flames; it is covered with splendors; chained, but free. Do you have a heart like this? Examine yourself and answer! ... it is the conformity of hearts that establishes that union, without which the union cannot prolong its life.

My Heart, sealed on the side of the earth, warns you to be on guard against the pestiferous exhalations of the world ... Ah how many souls keep the lower door of their heart wide open, which is filled with elements contrary to my love!

My Heart with the crown of thorns teaches you the spirit of mortification. The light of my Divine Heart preaches to you true wisdom; the flames that surround him are a symbol of my ardent love.

I want you to carefully examine the last characteristic of this Divine Heart, that is, not having the smallest chain; it's beautiful; he has no ties that keep him enslaved; go where it must go, that is, to my Heavenly Father. There are souls of no criterion, who answer: We have chains in our hearts, ... they are not made of iron; they are gold chains.

But they are always chains !!! ... Poor souls, how easy they are to be deceived! And how many lose eternally of those who reason like this!

16. That person ... instructed you to offer me his sins as a gift. You will say that I am very good and I am happy with this welcome gift; all forgiven; I bless you from my heart. Renew this offer to me often, because it brings joy to my Heart. You will say again that I offer my open Heart and close it within me ... When a soul offers me its sins with repentance, I give it my spiritual caresses.

17. Do you want to save many souls? Make many spiritual Communions, possibly tracing a small sign of the Cross on the breast and saying: Jesus, You are mine, I am yours! I offer myself to you; save the souls!

18. The motion of God in the soul is accomplished without a roar. The spirit too busy on the outside, negligent and not very attentive to itself, will not warn you and let you pass unnecessarily.

19. I take care of each one, as if there were no others in the world. Take care of me too as if it wasn't just me in the world.

20. To have Me present in every place and at all times and to unite with Me, it is not enough to separate from creatures externally, but one must seek inner detachment. Loneliness must be sought in the heart, so that the soul in any place or in whatever company it is, can freely reach its God.

21. When you are under the weight of tribulations repeat: Heart of Jesus, comforted in your agony by an Angel, comfort me in my agony!

22. Use the treasure of the Mass to take part in the sweetness of my love! Offer yourselves to the Father through me because I am an Intermediary and a Lawyer. Join your weak tributes to my tributes, which are perfect.

How many neglect to attend Holy Mass on holidays! I bless those who to repair hear an extra Mass during the feast and who, when prevented from doing so, make up for it by listening to it during the week.

23. Loving Jesus means knowing how to suffer a lot ... always. .. in silence ... alone ... with a smile on your lips ... in the complete abandonment of loved ones ... without being understood, mourning consoled ... under the gaze of God, who scrutinizes hearts ...; knowing how to hide the sacred mystery of the Cross as an invaluable treasure in the middle of the heart crowned with thorns.

24. You have received great humiliations; I had already predicted it to you. Now you ask me for three days of suffering, because I forgive and bless those who made you suffer. What joy you give to my Heart! You will suffer not three days, but a week. I bless and thank those who suggested this thought to you.

25. Repeat and spread this prayer, which is so dear to me: Eternal Father, to repair my sins and those of the whole world, I humbly offer you the glory that Jesus gave you with his Incarnation and that he gives you with Life Eucharistic; I also offer you the glory which Our Lady gave you, especially at the foot of the Cross, and the glory which the Angels and Blesseds in Heaven have made you and will make you for all eternity!

26. Thirst can be quenched; therefore you can drink, but always with mortification, thinking of quenching your thirst for your Jesus.

27. My Passion began on Thursday. When the last Supper was made, the Sanhedrin had already decreed my arrest and I, who knew everything, suffered in the depths of my Heart.

On Thursday evening the agony occurred in Gethsemane.

Souls, who love me, interpenetrate the spirit of reparation and unite in inspired by the bitterness I feel right on Thursday, the eve of my supreme sacrifice on the Cross!

Oh, if there was a Union of fervent souls, faithful to Thursday's Repairing Communion! What relief and consolation it would be for me! Whoever cooperates in establishing this "Union" will be well rewarded by my Father.

On Thursday evening, join in my bitterness in Gethsemane. How much glory Heavenly Father gives the memory of my agony in the Garden!

28. The true repairing "host souls" bend over the chalice of the Passion, to draw from it the bitter ooze that is reserved for them. They do not shed their blood, but they shed tears, sacrifices, pains, desires, sighs and prayers, which is what to say to give the blood of the heart and offer it mixed with my Blood, Divine Lamb.

29. The reparatory victim souls acquire great power in my Heart, because they console me so graciously. Their suffering is always fruitful, because my blessing on them never fails. I use them for the fulfillment of my designs of mercy. Lucky those souls on Judgment Day!

30. Those around you are the hammers, which I use to sculpt my image in you. Therefore always have patience and sweetness; you suffer and pity. When you fall into an infidelity, as soon as you can retire, humiliate yourself by kissing the earth, ask me for forgiveness ... and forget about it.

REPAIR FOR THE FAMILY
It is convenient to repair the sins of our family. Even when a family calls itself a Christian, not all of its members live as Christians. In every family, sins are usually committed. There are those who leave Mass on Sunday, those who neglect the Easter Precept; there are those who bring hatred or have the bad habit of blasphemy and foul language; perhaps there are those who live scandalously, especially in the male element.

Therefore, every family usually has a pile of sins to repair. The devotees of the Sacred Heart make the commitment of this reparation. it is a good thing that this work is always done and not only during the Fifteen Fridays. Therefore pious souls are recommended to choose a fixed day of the week, in which to make reparations for their own sins and for those of the family. A soul can repair for many souls! so Jesus said to his Servant Sister Benigna Consolata. A zealous mother could repair, one day a week, the sins of the groom and all the children. A pious daughter could satisfy the Sacred Heart of all the faults committed by parents and siblings.

On the day fixed for this repair, pray a lot, communicate and do other good works. it is praiseworthy the practice of having some Mass celebrated, when there is the possibility, with the intention of repairing.

How the Sacred Heart likes these acts of delicacy and how generously he reciprocates them!

PRACTICE Choose a fixed day, for all the weeks, and repair the Heart of Jesus of one's own sins and those of the family. From: "I 15 Friday".

Offer of the Divine Blood
(in the form of a Rosary, in 5 Posts)

Coarse grains
Eternal Father, Eternal Love, Come to us with your love and destroy in our heart All that gives you pain. Pater Noster

Small grains
Eternal Father, I offer you for the Immaculate Heart of Mary the Blood of Jesus Christ for the sanctification of Priests and the conversion of sinners, for the dying and the souls of Purgatory. 10 Gloria Patri

St. Mary Magdalene offered the Divine Blood 50 times every day. Jesus, appearing to her, said: Since you make this offer, you cannot imagine how many sinners have converted and how many souls have come out of Purgatory!

The offer of 5 small sacrifices in honor of the Five Wounds is recommended every day, for the conversion of sinners.

Catanae 8 maj 1952 Can. Joannes Maugeri Cens. Etc.

By request:

Don Tomaselli Giuseppe SACRED HEART LIBRARY Via Lenzi, 24 98100 MESSINA