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Spiritual Exercises Autobiography Of Saint Ignatius Spiritual Exercises: Understanding And Giving
THE MYSTERIES OF THE LIFE
OF OUR LORD
261. THE
MYSTERIES OF THE LIFE OF OUR LORD
NOTE. In all the mysteries given below, all the
words that are in quotation marks are from the Gospel itself, but not those
that are outside the quotation marks.
Usually three points are given in order to make it easier to meditate
and contemplate on the mysteries.
262. THE
ANNUNCIATION TO OUR LADY
St Luke 1, 26-38
FIRST POINT. The angel,
SECOND POINT. The angel confirms what he had said to her by
announcing to her the conception of
THIRD POINT. Our Lady replied to the angel:
"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy
word."
263. THE
VISITATION OF OUR LADY TO
St. Luke
1, 39-56
FIRST POINT. When our Lady visited
SECOND POINT.
Our Lady chants the Magnificat, saying,
"My soul doth magnify the Lord."
THIRD POINT. "Mary stayed with her
about three months, and returned to her own home."
264. BIRTH
OF CHRIST OUR LORD
St. Luke 2, 1-14
FIRST POINT.
Our Lady and her spouse Joseph go from
SECOND POINT.
"She brought forth her first-born son and she swathed him round and
laid him in a manger."
THIRD POINT.
"There appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly
host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest.'"
265. THE
SHEPHERDS
St. Luke 2,8-20
FIRST POINT. The
birth of Christ our Lord was made known to the shepherds by the angel: "I
bring to you glad tidings of great joy ... for there has
been born to you this day a Saviour."
SECOND POINT.
The shepherds go to
THIRD POINT.
"The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God."
266. THE
CIRCUMCISION
St. Luke 2, 21
FIRST POINT.
They circumcised the Child Jesus.
SECOND POINT.
"His name was called Jesus, whereby he was called by the angel
before he was conceived in the womb."
THIRD POINT.
They returned the Child to His Mother who felt compassion for Him
because of the blood He shed.
267. THE
MAGI
St. Matthew 2, 1-12
FIRST POINT.
The Three Kings, Magi guided by the star came to adore Jesus, saying,
"We have seen his star in the East and have come to adore him."
SECOND POINT.
They adore Him and offer Him gifts, "gold, frankincense, and
myrrh."
THIRD POINT.
"Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to
their own country by another way."
268. THE
PURIFICATION OF OUR LADY AND THE PRESENTATION
OF THE
CHILD JESUS
St. Luke 2,22-39
FIRST POINT.
They take the child Jesus to the temple to be offered as the first-born
to the Lord, and they offer for him "a pair of turtle doves or two young
pigeons."
SECOND POINT.
Coming into the temple, Simeon received Him into his arms saying,
"Now thou dost dismiss, O Master, thy servant in peace."
THIRD POINT.
Anna "came upon them and gave thanks to God, and spoke of the Child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of
269. THE
FLIGHT INTO
St. Matthew 2,13-18
FIRST POINT.
Herod wished to kill the Child Jesus and so killed the Innocents, but
before their death the angel warned Joseph that he should flee: "Arise,
take the child and his mother and flee into
SECOND POINT.
He withdrew into
THIRD POINT.
"There he remained till the death of Herod."
270. THE
RETURN FROM
St. Matthew 2,19-23
FIRST POINT.
The angel admonished Joseph to return to
SECOND POINT.
"He arose ... and came into the
THIRD POINT.
"Since Archelaus, the son of Herod, ruled
in
271. THE
LIFE OF CHRIST OUR LORD FROM THE AGE OF TWELVE
TO THE AGE
OF THIRTY
St. Luke 2,51-52
FIRST POINT.
He was obedient to His parents.
SECOND POINT.
"Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and grace."
THIRD POINT.
He appears to have practiced the trade of a carpenter, as St Mark seems
to show in chapter six: "Is not this the carpenter?"
272. JESUS
GOES UP TO THE
St. Luke 2,41-50
FIRST POINT.
Christ our Lord at the age of twelve years goes up from
SECOND POINT.
Christ our Lord remained in
THIRD POINT.
After three days they found him disputing in the temple, and seated in
the midst of the doctors, and when they asked Him where he had been, He
answered, "Know you not that I needs must be about my Father's
business?"
273. THE
BAPTISM OF CHRIST
St. Matthew 3,13-17
FIRST POINT.
After Christ our Lord had bidden farewell to His blessed Mother, He went
from
SECOND POINT.
THIRD POINT.
The Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and the voice of the Father from
heaven testified, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."
274. THE
TEMPTATION OF CHRIST
St. Luke 4,1-13;
St. Matthew 4,1-11
FIRST POINT.
After He had been baptised, Jesus went to the desert where He fasted for
forty days and forty nights.
SECOND POINT.
He was tempted by the enemy three times: "The tempter drew near and
said to Him, "If thou art the Son of God command that these
stones becomes loaves... Cast thyself down.... All these things I will
give thee if falling down thou wilt worship me!'"
THIRD POINT.
"The angels came and ministered to Him."
275. THE
VOCATION OF THE APOSTLES
FIRST POINT.
St Peter and St Andrew seem to have been called three times. First, to some knowledge of
our Lord. This is evident from
the first chapter of
SECOND POINT. He called Philip, as we read in
the first chapter of
THIRD POINT.
He called the other Apostles, of whom no special call is mentioned in
the Gospel.
Three
other points must also be considered:
1. That the Apostles were uneducated and from a
humble condition
of life.
2. The dignity to which they were so gently
called.
3. The gifts and graces by which they were
raised above all the
Fathers of the Old and
New Testaments.
276. THE
FIRST MIRACLE PERFORMED AT THE MARRIAGE FEAST
OF
FIRST POINT.
Christ our Lord and the disciples were invited to the marriage feast.
SECOND POINT.
His Mother calls attention to the shortage of wine, saying to Him,
"They have no wine." She bids
the servants, "Whatsoever He shall say to you do."
THIRD POINT.
He changed the water into wine, "And he manifested his glory and
his disciples believed in him."
277. CHRIST
CASTS THE SELLERS FROM THE
FIRST POINT.
With a whip made of cords He casts all those who sell out of the
SECOND POINT.
He overturned the tables and scattered the money of the wealthy
money-changers who were in the
THIRD POINT.
To the poor vendors of doves He said kindly, "Take these away! Make not the house of my Father a house of
traffic."
278. THE
SERMON ON THE MOUNT
St Matthew 5
FIRST POINT.
He proposes the eight beatitudes to His beloved disciples apart:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit... the meek... the merciful... they that
mourn... they that hunger... the peace-makers... those that suffer
persecution."
SECOND POINT.
He exhorts them to use their talents, "So let your light shine
before men in order that they may see your good works and glorify your Father
in heaven."
THIRD POINT.
He shows Himself not a transgressor of the Law but a fulfiller. He explains the commandments not to kill, not
to commit adultery, not to swear falsely, and commands us to love our enemies:
"I say love your enemies, do good to them that hate you."
279. CHRIST
CALMS THE STORM
St Matthew 8,23-27
FIRST POINT.
While Christ our Lord was asleep in the boat on the sea, a great storm
arose.
SECOND POINT.
His terrified disciples awaken Him.
He reprehends them for the little faith they have, and says to them,
"Why are ye afraid, O ye of little faith?"
THIRD POINT.
He commanded the wind and sea to cease, and they obeyed, and the sea becalm calm. And
the men marvelled, saying, "What manner of man is this that even the winds
and the sea obey him?"
280. CHRIST
WALKS UPON THE WATER
St Matthew 14,22-33
FIRST POINT. While Christ our Lord remained on the mountain,
He commanded His disciples to go away in the boat, and after He had dismissed
the crowd, He began to pray alone.
SECOND POINT. The boat was buffeted by the waves. Christ came toward them walking upon the
waters, and the disciples thought they saw an apparition.
THIRD POINT. Christ says to them, "It is I, fear
not." St Peter at His command
walked upon the waters and came to Jesus, but when he doubted, he began to
sink. Christ saved him and reprehended
him for his little faith. They entered into
the boat and the wind ceased.
281.
THE APOSTLES ARE SENT TO PREACH
St Matthew 10,1-16
FIRST POINT. Christ calls His beloved disciples and gives
them the power to cast out devils from the bodies of men, and to heal all their
infirmities.
SECOND POINT. He teaches them prudence and patience,
"Behold I send you forth as sheep into the midst of wolves. Be ye therefore wise as serpents and
guileless as doves."
THIRD POINT. He tells them how they should go, "Do
not possess gold or silver." "Freely
ye have received, freely give." And
he told them to preach: "As ye go, preach saying, 'The
282. THE
CONVERSION OF MAGDALENE
St Luke 7,36-50
FIRST POINT. Magdalene, carrying an alabaster vase full of
ointment, enters the house of the Pharisee where Christ is seated at table.
SECOND POINT. She stood behind our Lord near His feet, and
began to wash them with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. She kissed His feet, and anointed them with
ointment.
THIRD POINT. When the Pharisee accused Magdalene, Christ
spoke in her defence, saying, "Her many sins are
forgiven because she has loved much. ...
But he said to the woman, 'Thy faith hath saved thee, go in
peace.'"
283. CHRIST
FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND
St Matthew 14,13-21
FIRST POINT. Since it was getting late, the disciples
asked Jesus to dismiss the multitude of people who were with Him.
SECOND POINT. Christ our Lord commanded them to bring the
loaves of bread to Him, and ordered the people to sit down. Then He blessed the bread, broke it, and gave
it to the disciples who gave it to the multitude.
THIRD POINT. "And they all ate and had their fill, and they took up the fragments that were left over,
twelve full baskets."
284.
THE TRANSFIGURATION
St Matthew 17, 1-9
FIRST POINT. Jesus took with Him His beloved disciples,
Peter, James, and John, and He was transfigured before them. His face became resplendent as the sun, and
His garments like snow.
SECOND POINT. He spoke with Moses and Elias.
THIRD POINT. When St Peter said that they should build
three tabernacles, a voice was heard from heaven, saying, "This is my
beloved Son. ... Hear ye him." When
the disciples heard this voice, they fell down for fear, their faces to the
ground. Jesus came and touched them, and
said to them, "Arise and fear not. ... Tell not the vision to any one till
the Son of Man be risen from the dead."
285. THE
RISING OF LAZARUS
FIRST POINT. Mary and Martha inform Jesus of the sickness
of Lazarus. After He was informed of
this, He delayed for two days that the miracle might be more evident.
SECOND POINT. Before He raised him, He asked faith of both
Mary and Martha, saying, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me even though he die shall live."
THIRD POINT. Jesus raises him after He had wept and said a
prayer. The way in which He raised him
was by a command, "Lazarus, come forth."
286. THE
SUPPER AT
St Matthew 26, 6-10
FIRST POINT. Our Lord eats in the house of Simon the leper
together with Lazarus.
SECOND POINT. Mary pours out the ointment upon the head of
Christ.
THIRD POINT. Judas murmurs with the words, "Why this
waste?" But Jesus defends Magdalene
again, saying, "Why do you trouble this woman? She hath wrought a good work upon me."
287. PALM
SUNDAY
St Matthew 21, 1-17
FIRST POINT. Our Lord sends for the ass and the foal,
saying, "Loose them and bring them to me, and if anyone say ought to you,
you shall say, 'The Lord hath need of them,' and straightway he will let them
go."
SECOND POINT. After the ass was covered with the garments
of the Apostles, Jesus mounted it.
THIRD POINT. The people came forth to meet Jesus, and
spread their garments and the branches of trees in the way, saying,
"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the
Lord! Hosanna in the highest.
288. JESUS
PREACHES IN THE
St Luke 19, 47-48
FIRST POINT. He was teaching daily in the temple.
SECOND POINT. After His teaching, since there was no one in
289. THE
LAST SUPPER
St Matthew 26, 20-30;
FIRST POINT. He eats the Paschal Lamb with His disciples,
to whom He predicts His death:
"Amen I say to you, one of you shall betray me."
SECOND POINT. He washes the feet of the disciples, even
those of Judas. He begins with St Peter,
but St Peter, considering the majesty of the Lord and his own lowliness, does
not want to permit it, and says, "Lord dost thou wash my feet?" St Peter did not know that Christ was giving
an example of humility in this, and therefore, Jesus said to him, "I have
given you an example that as I have done you also ought to do."
THIRD POINT. He institutes the most holy Sacrifice of the
Eucharist, the greatest proof of His love.
He says to them, "Take and eat." When the supper was finished, Judas went
forth to sell our Lord.
290.
FROM THE LAST SUPPER TO THE AGONY INCLUSIVE
St Matthew 26, 30-46; St Mark 14, 32-44
FIRST POINT. When the supper was finished, and after the
hymn was sung, Jesus, full of fear, goes forth with His disciples to Mt
Olivet. He left eight of them in Gethsemani, saying, "Sit you here whilst I go yonder
and pray."
SECOND POINT. Accompanied by St Peter, St
James, and
THIRD POINT. So great was the fear that overwhelmed Him
that he said: "My soul is sorrowful unto death." And He sweat blood
so copiously that St Luke says "His sweat became as drops of blood falling
down to the ground." This supposes
that His garments were saturated with blood.
291. FROM
THE GARDEN TO THE HOUSE OF ANNAS INCLUSIVE
St Matthew 26, 47-58; St Luke 22, 47-57,
St Mark 14, 44-54 & 66-68
FIRST POINT. Our Lord allows Himself to be kissed by
Judas, and to be seized as a robber. He
says to them: "Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and clubs
to arrest me? Day after day I sat in the
temple teaching and you seized me not."
When he said, "Whom seek ye?" His enemies fell to the ground.
SECOND POINT. St Peter wounds the servant of
the High Priest. The meek Lord says to
him, "Put back thy sword into its place." And He healed the wound of the servant.
THIRD POINT. Deserted by His disciples, He is led to Annas. There St
Peter, who had followed Him afar off, denied Him once. Christ was struck in the face and asked,
"Answerest thou thus the High Priest?"
292. FROM THE HOUSE OF ANNAS TO THE
HOUSE OF CAIPHAS INCLUSIVE
St Matthew 26; St Mark 14; St Luke 22;
FIRST POINT. They led Him bound from the house of Annas to that of Caiphas, where
St Peter denied Him twice. When our Lord
looked upon him, he went out and wept bitterly.
SECOND POINT. Jesus remained bound the whole night.
THIRD POINT. Those who kept Him bound scoffed at Him,
buffeted Him, covered His face and struck Him with the palms of their hands,
and asked Him, "Prophesy who it was that struck Thee." And similar things they said, blaspheming
Him.
293. FROM THE HOUSE OF CAIPHAS TO THE
HOUSE OF PILATE INCLUSIVE
St Matthew 27; St Luke 23; St Mark 15
FIRST POINT. The whole multitude of Jews took Him to
Pilate, and accused Him before the Governor, saying, "We have found this
man subverting our nation and forbidding to give
tribute to Caesar."
SECOND POINT. After Pilate had examined Him
several times he said: "I find no crime in this man."
THIRD POINT. Barabbas, the
robber, was preferred to Him: "They therefore, shouted again, saying, ‘Not
this man but Barabbas."
294. FROM
THE HOUSE OF PILATE TO THE HOUSE OF HEROD
St Luke 23, 6-11
FIRST POINT. Pilate sent Jesus, the Galilean, to Herod,
the tetrarch of
SECOND POINT. Herod curiously asked many questions,
and Jesus answered nothing, though the scribes and priests accused Him
constantly.
THIRD POINT. Herod and his court mocked Jesus, and clothed
Him with a white garment.
295. FROM
THE HOUSE OF HEROD TO THAT OF PILATE
St Matthew 27; St Luke 23; St Mark 15;
FIRST POINT. Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, and because
of this they became friends, though before they were enemies.
SECOND POINT. Pilate took Jesus and had Him
scourged, and the soldiers made a crown of thorns and placed it upon His
head. They put a purple cloak about Him,
and came to Him and said, "Hail king of the Jews!" "And they gave Him blows."
THIRD POINT. Pilate led Him forth before all: "Jesus,
therefore, came forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple
garment. And he said to them, 'Behold
the man!'" When the chief priest
saw Him they cried out, "Crucify him, Crucify
him!"
296. FROM
THE HOUSE OF PILATE TO THE CROSS INCLUSIVE
FIRST POINT. Sitting in judgment, Pilate delivered up
Jesus to be crucified after the Jews had denied that He was their king, saying,
"We have no king but Caesar."
SECOND POINT. He carried the cross upon His
shoulders, and when He was no longer able to do so, Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry it after Jesus.
THIRD POINT. They crucified Him between two thieves. The title placed over the cross read:
"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."
297. JESUS DIES UPON THE CROSS
St Mark 15, 24-38; St Luke 23, 34-46
FIRST POINT. He spoke seven words upon the cross: He
prayed for those who crucified Him; He pardoned the thief; He recommended St
John to His Mother; He said with a loud voice, "I thirst," and they
gave Him vinegar to drink; He said that He was forsaken; He said, "It is
consummated"; He said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my
spirit."
SECOND POINT. The sun was darkened, the rocks
rent, the graves opened, and the veil of the
THIRD POINT. They blasphemed Him saying, "Thou who
wouldst overthrow the temple ... come down from the cross." His garments were divided, His side was
pierced with a lance, and blood and water came forth.
298. FROM
THE CROSS TO THE SEPULCHRE INCLUSIVE
Ibidem
FIRST POINT.
He was taken down from the cross by Joseph and Nicodemus in the presence of His
sorrowful Mother.
SECOND POINT. The body was borne to the
sepulchre, and anointed, and buried.
THIRD POINT. Guards were stationed.
299. THE
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST OUR LORD -
THE FIRST APPARITION
FIRST POINT. He appeared to the Virgin Mary. Though this is not mentioned explicitly in
the Scripture it must be considered as stated when Scripture says that He
appeared to many others. For Scripture supposes that
we have understanding, as it is written, "Are you also without
understanding?"
300. THE
SECOND APPARITION
St Mark
16, 1-11
FIRST POINT. Very early in the morning Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James, and Salome go to the tomb. They say to one another, "Who will roll
away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?"
SECOND POINT. They see the stone rolled back
and the angel who says to them: "Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth ... He is risen, he is not here."
THIRD POINT. He appeared to Mary who remained
near the tomb after the others left.
301. THE
THIRD APPARITION
St Matthew
28
FIRST POINT. The two Marys
go from the Sepulchre with great fear and joy to announce the Resurrection of
the Lord to the disciples.
SECOND POINT. Christ our Lord appears to them
on the way, and says to them, "Hail!" and they went up to Him, and
fell down at His feet and adored Him.
THIRD POINT. Jesus says to them "Fear
not! Go tell my brethren to depart into
302. THE FOURTH APPARITION
St Luke
24, 9-12 & 33-34
FIRST POINT. When St Peter heard from the women that Christ has risen, he went with
haste to the tomb.
SECOND POINT. He entered the tomb and saw only
the linens with which the body of Christ had been covered, and nothing more.
THIRD POINT. While St Peter was thinking of
these things, Christ appeared to him.
That is why the Apostles said, "The Lord is risen
indeed and has appeared to Simon."
303. THE FIFTH APPARITION
St Luke 24
FIRST POINT. He appeared to His disciples who
were going to Emmaus and were talking of Christ.
SECOND POINT. He reprehends them, showing them
by the Scriptures that Christ must die and rise again: "O senseless men
and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not Christ to have suffered these
things and so to enter into his glory!
THIRD POINT. At their request He remains
there, and was with them till He gave them Holy Communion. Then He disappeared. Thereupon they returned to the disciples and
told them how they recognised Him in Holy Communion.
304. THE
SIXTH APPARITION
FIRST POINT. The disciples, except
SECOND POINT. Jesus appeared to them, the
doors being locked, and standing in their midst said, "Peace be to
you!"
THIRD POINT. He gives them the Holy Spirit,
saying, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost, whose sins you shall forgive, they are
forgiven."
305. THE
SEVENTH APPARITION
FIRST POINT. Since
SECOND POINT. Eight days after, Jesus appeared
to them, the doors closed, and He said to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger
and see ... and be not unbelieving but believing."
THIRD POINT.
306 THE EIGHTH APPARITION
FIRST POINT. Jesus appeared to seven of His
disciples who were fishing. They had
fished all night and caught nothing. But casting the net at His command "they were not able to haul
it in for the multitude of fishes."
SECOND POINT. Through this miracle
THIRD POINT. He gave them bread and part of a
broiled fish to eat. After He had first
tested three times the love of St Peter, He recommended His sheep to him with
the words, "Feed my sheep."
307. THE NINTH APPARITION
St Matthew
28, 16-20
FIRST POINT. The disciples at the command of
Christ go to Mt Thabor.
SECOND POINT. Christ appears to them and says:
"All power is given to me in heaven and on earth."
THIRD POINT. He sent them throughout the
world to teach, saying, "Go ye, therefore, make disciples of all nations,
baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
308. THE
TENTH APPARITION
I
Corinthians 15,6
"After that He
appeared to more than five hundred breather at once."
309. THE
ELEVENTH APPARITION
I
Corinthians 15,7
"After that he
appeared to James."
310. THE
TWELFTH APPARITION
He appeared to Joseph of Arimathea, as may be piously believed, and as is read in
the Lives of the Saints.
311. THE
THIRTEENTH APPARITION
I
Corinthians 15,8
He appeared to
He appeared also in soul
to the Fathers in limbo;
He appeared to them
likewise after He had taken them from there and assumed His body again.
He appeared many times to
His disciples and conversed with them.
312. THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST OUR LORD
Acts 1,
1-12
FIRST POINT. After He had manifested Himself
for forty days to the Apostles, and had given them many proofs, and worked many
miracles, and had spoken to them of the
SECOND POINT. He led them to Mt Olivet
"and He was lifted up before their eyes and a cloud received Him out of their
sight."
THIRD POINT. While they were gazing up into heaven, the
angels said to them: "Men of Galilee, why stand ye looking up into
heaven? This Jesus who hath been taken
up from you into heaven will come after the same manner wherein ye have beheld him
going up into heaven."
313. RULES FOR THE DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS.
Rules for
understanding to some extent the different movements produced in the soul and
for recognizing those that are good to admit them, and
those that are bad, to reject them. These
rules are more suited to the first week.
314. 1. In the case
of those who go from one mortal sin to another, the enemy is ordinarily
accustomed to propose apparent pleasures.
He fills their imagination with sensual delights and gratifications, the
more readily to keep them in their vices and increase the number of their sins.
With such persons
the good spirit uses a method which is the reverse of the above. Making use of the light of reason, he will
rouse the sting of conscience and fill them with remorse.
315. 2. In the case
of those who go on earnestly striving to cleanse their souls from sin and who
seek to rise in the service of God our Lord to greater
perfection, the method pursued is the opposite of that mentioned in the first
rule.
Then it is
characteristic of the evil spirit to harass with anxiety, to afflict with
sadness, to raise obstacles backed by fallacious reasonings
that disturb the soul. Thus he seeks to
prevent the soul from advancing.
It is
characteristic of the good spirit, however, to give courage and strength,
consolations, tears, inspirations, and peace.
This He does by making all easy, by removing all obstacles so that the
soul goes forward in doing good.
316. 3. SPIRITUAL CONSOLATION.
I call it consolation when an interior movement is aroused in the soul by which
it is inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord, and as a consequence, can
love no creature on the face of the earth for its own sake, but only in the
Creator of them all. It is likewise
consolation when one sheds tears that move to the love of God, whether it be because of sorrow for sins, or because of the sufferings
of Christ our Lord, or for any other reason that is immediately directed to the
praise and service of God. Finally, I
call consolation every increase of faith, hope, and love, and all interior joy
that invites and attracts to what is heavenly and to the salvation of one's
soul by filling it with peace and quiet in its Creator and Lord.
317. 4. SPIRITUAL DESOLATION.
I call desolation what is entirely the opposite of what is described in
the third rule, as darkness of soul, turmoil of spirit, inclination to what is
low and earthly, restlessness rising from many disturbances and temptations
which lead to want of faith, want of hope, want of love. The soul is wholly slothful, tepid, sad, and
separated, as it were, from its Creator and Lord. For just as consolation is the opposite of
desolation, to the thoughts that spring from consolation are the opposite of those
that spring from desolation.
318. 5. In the time
of desolation we should never make any change, but remain firm and constant in
the resolution and decision which guided us the day before the desolation, or
in the decision to which we adhered in the preceding consolation. For just as in consolation the good spirit
guides and counsels us, so in desolation the evil spirit guides and
counsels. Following his counsels we can
never find the way to a right decision.
319. 6. Though in
desolation we must never change our former resolutions, it will be very
advantageous to intensify our activity against the desolation. We can insist more upon prayer, upon
meditation, and on much examination of ourselves. We can make an effort in a suitable way to do
some penance.
320. 7. When one is
in desolation, he should be mindful that God has left him to his natural powers
to resist the different agitations and temptations of the enemy in order to try
him. He can resist with the help of God,
which always remains, though he may not clearly perceive it. For though God has taken from him the
abundance of fervor and overflowing love and the intensity of His favors,
nevertheless, he has sufficient grace for eternal salvation.
321. 8. When one is
in desolation, he should strive to persevere in patience. This reacts against the vexations that have
overtaken him. Let him consider, too,
that consolation will soon return, and in the meantime, he must diligently use
the means against desolation which have been given in the sixth rule.
322. 9. The
principal reasons why we suffer from desolation are three:
The first is
because we have been tepid and slothful or negligent in our exercises of piety,
and so through our own fault spiritual consolation has been taken away from us.
The second reason is
because God wishes to try us, to see how much we are worth, and how much we
will advance in His service and praise when left without the generous reward of
consolations and signal favors.
The third reason is
because God wishes to give us a true knowledge and understanding of ourselves,
so that we may have an intimate perception of the fact that it is not within
our power to acquire and attain great devotion, intense love, tears, or any
other spiritual consolation; but that all this is the gift and grace of God our
Lord. God does not wish us to build on
the property of another, to rise up in spirit in a certain pride and vainglory
and attribute to ourselves the devotion and other effects of spiritual
consolation.
323. 10. When one
enjoys consolation, let him consider how he will conduct himself during the
time of ensuing desolation, and store up a supply of strength as defense
against that day.
324. 11. He who
enjoys consolation should take care to humble himself and lower himself as much
as possible. Let him recall how little
he is able to do in time of desolation, when he is left without such grace or
consolation.
On the other hand,
one who suffers desolation should remember that by making use of the sufficient
grace offered him, he can do much to withstand all his enemies. Let him find strength in his Creator and
Lord.
325. 12. The enemy
conducts himself as a woman. He is a
weakling before a show of strength, and a tyrant if he has his will. It is characteristic of a woman in a quarrel
with a man to lose courage and to take flight if the man shows that he is
determined and fearless. However, if the
man loses courage and begins to flee, the anger, vindictiveness, and rage of
the woman surge up and know no bounds.
In the same way, the enemy becomes weak, loses courage, and turns to
flight with his seductions as soon as one leading a spiritual life faces his
temptations boldly, and does exactly the opposite of what he suggests. However, if one begins to be afraid and to
lose courage in temptations, no wild animal on earth can be more
fierce than the enemy of our human nature. He will carry out his perverse intentions
with consummate malice.
326. 13. Our enemy
may also be compared in his manner of acting to a false lover. He seeks to remain hidden and does not want
to be discovered. If such a lover speaks
with evil intention to the daughter of a good father, or to the wife of a good
husband, and seeks to seduce them, he wants his words and solicitations kept
secret. He is greatly displeased if his
evil suggestions and depraved intentions are revealed by the daughter to her
father, or by the wife to her husband.
Then he readily sees he will not succeed in what he has begun. In the same way, when the enemy of our human
nature tempts a just soul with his wiles and seductions, he earnestly desires
that they be received secretly and kept secret.
But if one manifests them to a confessor, or to some other spiritual
person who understands his deceits and malicious designs, the evil one is very
much vexed. For he
knows that he cannot succeed in his evil undertaking, once his evident deceits
have been revealed.
327. 14. The
conduct of our enemy may also be compared to the tactics of a
leader intent upon seizing and plundering a position he desires. A commander and leader of an army will
encamp, explore the fortifications and defenses of the stronghold, and attack
at the weakest point. In the same way,
the enemy of our human nature investigates from every side all our virtues,
theological, cardinal, and moral. Where
he finds the defenses of eternal salvation weakest and most deficient, there he
attacks and tries to take us by storm.
328. RULES FOR DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS.
II
Further rules for
understanding the different movements produced in the soul. They serve for a more accurate discernment of
spirits and are more suitable for the second week.
329. 1. It is
characteristic of God and His Angels, when they act upon the soul, to give true
happiness and spiritual joy, and to banish all the sadness and disturbances
which are caused by the enemy.
It is
characteristic of the evil one to fight against such happiness and consolation
by proposing fallacious reasonings, subtitles, and
continual deceptions.
330. 2. God alone
can give consolation to the soul without any previous cause. It belongs solely to the Creator to come into
a soul, to leave it, to act upon it, to draw it wholly to the love of His
Divine Majesty. I said without previous
cause, that is, without any preceding perception or knowledge of any subject by
which a soul might be led to such a consolation through its own acts of
intellect and will.
331. 3. If a cause precedes, both the good angel and the evil spirit can give
consolation to a soul, but for a quite different purpose. The good angel consoles for the progress of
the soul, that it may advance and rise to what is more
perfect. The evil spirit consoles for
purposes that are the contrary, and that afterwards he might draw the soul to
his own perverse intentions and wickedness.
332. 4. It is a
mark of the evil spirit to assume the appearance of an angel of light. He begins by suggesting thoughts that are
suited to a devout soul, and ends by suggesting his own. For example, he will suggest holy and pious thoughts that are wholly
in conformity with the sanctity of the soul.
Afterwards, he will endeavor little by little to end by drawing the soul
into his hidden snares and evil designs.
333. 5. We must
carefully observe the whole course of our thoughts. If the beginning and middle and end of the
course of thoughts are wholly good and directed to what is entirely right, it
is a sign that they are from the good angel.
But the course of thoughts suggested to us may terminate in something
evil, or distracting, or less good than the soul had formerly proposed to
do. Again, it may end in what weakens
the soul, or disquiets it; or by destroying the peace, tranquillity,
and quiet which it had before, it may cause disturbance to the soul. These things are a clear sign that the thoughts
are proceeding from the evil spirit, the enemy of our progress and eternal
salvation.
334. 6. When the
enemy of our human nature has been detected and recognized by the trail of evil
marking his course any by the wicked end to which he leads us, it will be
profitable for one who has been tempted to review immediately the whole course
of the temptation. Let him consider the
series of good thoughts, how they arose, how the evil one gradually attempted
to make him step down from the state of spiritual delight and joy in which he
was, till finally he drew him to his wicked designs. The
purpose of this review is that once such an
experience has been understood and carefully observed, we may guard ourselves
for the future against the customary deceits of the enemy.
335. 7. In souls
that are progressing to greater perfection, the action of the good angel is
delicate, gentle, delightful. It may be compared to a drop of water
penetrating a sponge.
The action of the
evil spirit upon such souls is violent, noisy, and disturbing. It may be compared to a drop of water falling
upon a stone.
In souls that are
going from bad to worse, the action of the spirits mentioned above is just the
reverse. The reason for this is to be
sought in the opposition or similarity of these souls to the different kinds of
spirits. When the disposition is
contrary to that of the spirits, they enter with noise and commotion that are
easily perceived. When the disposition
is similar to that of the spirits, they enter silently, as one coming into his own house when the doors are open.
336.
8. When consolation is without previous cause, as was said, there can be no
deception in it, since it can proceed from God our
Lord only. But a spiritual person who
has received such a consolation must consider it very attentively, and must
cautiously distinguish the actual time of the consolation from the period which
follows it. At such a time the soul is
still fervent and favored with the grace and after effects of the consolation
which has passed. In this second period
the soul frequently forms various resolutions and plans which are not granted
directly by God our Lord. They may come
from our own reasoning
on the relations of our concepts and on the consequences of our judgments, or
they may come from the good or evil spirit.
Hence, they must be carefully examined before they are given full
approval and put into execution.
337. RULES
FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF ALMS
In the
ministry of distributing alms the following rules should be observed
338. 1. If
I distribute alms to my relatives or friends or persons to whom I am attached,
there are four things that must be considered.
Some of these were mentioned in treating the Choice of a Way of Life.
The first is that the love
that moves me and causes me to give the alms must be from above, that is, from
the love of God our Lord. Hence, I
should be conscious within myself that God is the motive of the greater or less
love that I bear toward these persons, and that God is
manifestly the cause of my loving them more.
339. 2. I
should place before my mind a person whom I have never seen or known, and whom
I wish to be wholly perfect in the office and state of life which he occupies. Now the same standard of action that I would
like him to follow in his way of distributing alms for the greater glory of God
and the perfection of his soul I myself will observe, and do neither more nor
less. The same rule I would like him to
follow, and the norm I judge would be for the glory of God I shall abide by
myself.
340. 3. I
should picture myself at the hour of my death, and ponder well the way and norm
I would then wish to have observed in carrying out the duties of my office. I will lay down the same rule for myself now,
and keep it in my distribution of alms.
341. 4. I
should imagine myself before my judge on the last day, and weigh well the
manner in which I would wish them to have done my duty in carrying out this
office. The same rule that I would then
wish to have observed I will keep now.
342. 5.
When one finds that he is inclined or attached to some persons to whom
he wishes to give alms, let him stop and ponder well the four rules given
above. He must investigate and test his
affection by them. He should not give
the alms until in conformity with these rules he has completely put off and
cast aside his inordinate attachment.
343. 6. It
is true that there is no wrong in receiving the goods of God our Lord for distribution
if a person is called by God our Lord to such a service. Nevertheless, there may be question of a
fault and excess in the amount he retains and applies to his own needs of what
he holds to give to others. Hence one
can reform his way of living in his state by the rules given above.
344. 7. For
these and many other reasons it will always be better and safer in all matters
concerning himself and his household, if one is saving and cuts down expenses
as much as possible, if he imitates as closely as he can our great High Priest,
model, and guide, Christ our Lord.
It was in conformity with
this doctrine that the Third Council of Carthage, at which
The same consideration
applies to all stations in life, but attention must be given to adapting it to
each one's condition and rank.
In matrimony we have the
example of St Joachim and St Anne. They
divided their resources into three parts.
The first they gave to the poor. The second they donated to the ministrations and services of the
345. SOME
NOTES CONCERNING SCRUPLES
The
following notes will aid us to understand
scruples and the temptations of our enemy
346. 1. It
is common for people to speak of something as a scruple though it has proceeded
from their own judgment and free will, for example, when I freely decide that
something is a sin which is not a sin.
Thus it may happen that after one has chanced to step upon a cross
formed by straws, he decided according to his own way of thinking that he has
sinned. In reality, this is an erroneous
judgment and not a real scruple.
347. 2.
After I have stepped upon such a cross, or after anything else I may
have thought, said, or done, the suggestion may come to me from without that I
have sinned, and on the other hand, it may seem to me that I have not
sinned. Then if I continue to be anxious
about the matter, doubting and not doubting that I sinned there is a real
scruple properly so called and a temptation from our enemy.
348. 3. The
kind of scruple mentioned in the first note should be much abhorred, since it
is wholly erroneous. But the scruple
described in the second note may for a while prove to be of no little advantage
for a soul devoting itself to the spiritual life. It may in fact greatly purify and cleanse
such a soul by doing much to free it from even the appearance of sin. St Gregory has said: "It is
characteristic of a devout soul to see a fault where there is none."
349. 4. The
enemy considers carefully whether one has a lax or a delicate conscience. If one has a delicate conscience, the evil
one seeks to make it excessively sensitive, in order to disturb and upset it
more easily. Thus, if he sees that one
will not consent to mortal sin, or venial sin, or even to the appearance of
deliberate sin, since he cannot cause him to fall in a matter that appears
sinful, he strives to make the soul judge that there is a sin, for example, in
a word or passing thought where there is no sin.
If one has a lax
conscience, the enemy endeavours to make it more so. Thus, if before a soul did not bother about
venial sin, the enemy will contrive that it make light of mortal sin. If before it paid some heed to venial sin,
his efforts will be that now it cares much less or not at all.
350. 5. A
soul that wishes to make progress in the spiritual life must always act in a
manner contrary to that of the enemy. If
the enemy seeks to make the conscience lax, one must endeavour to make it more
sensitive. If the enemy strives to make
the conscience delicate with a view to leading it to excess, the soul must
endeavour to establish itself firmly in a moderate course so that in all things
it may preserve itself in peace.
351. 6. If
a devout soul wishes to do something that is not contrary to the spirit of the
Church or the mind of superiors and that may be for the glory of God our Lord,
there may come a thought or temptation from without not to say or do it. Apparent reasons may be adduced for this,
such as that it is motivated by vain-glory or some other imperfect intention,
etc. In such cases one should raise his mind to his
Creator and Lord, and if he sees that what he is about to do is in keeping with
God's service, or at least not opposed to it, he should act directly against
the temptation. According to St Bernard,
we must answer the tempter, "I did not undertake this because of you, and
I am not going to relinquish it because of you."
352. RULES FOR THINKING WITH THE CHURCH
The
following rules should be observed to foster the true attitude of mind we ought
to have in the
church militant
353. 1. We
must put aside all judgment of our own, and keep the mind every ready and
prompt to obey in all things the true Spouse of Christ our Lord, our holy
Mother, the hierarchical Church.
354. 2. We
should praise sacramental confession, the yearly reception of the Most Blessed
Sacrament, and praise more highly monthly reception, and still more weekly
Communion, provided requisite and proper dispositions are present.
355. 3. We
ought to praise the frequent hearing of Mass, the singing of hymns, psalmody,
and long prayers whether in the church or outside; likewise, the hours arranged
at fixed times for the whole Divine Office, for every kind of prayer, and for
the canonical hours.
356. 4. We
must praise highly religious life, virginity, and continency;
and matrimony ought not be praised as much as any of
these.
357. 5. We
should praise vows of religion, obedience, poverty, chastity, and vows to
perform other works of supererogation conducive to perfection. However, it must be remembered that a vow
deals with matters that lead us closer to evangelical perfection. Hence, whatever tends to withdraw one from
perfection may not be made the object of a vow, for example, a business career,
the married state, and so forth.
358. 6. We
should show our esteem for the relics of the saints by venerating them and
praying to the saints. We should praise
visits to the
359. 7. We
must praise the regulations of the Church with regard to fast and abstinence, for example,
in Lent, on Ember Days, Vigils, Fridays, and Saturdays. We should praise works of penance, not only
those that are interior but also those that are exterior.
360. 8. We
ought to praise not only the building and adornment of churches, but also
images and veneration of them according to the subject they represent.
361. 9.
Finally, we must praise all the commandments of the Church, and be on
the alert to find reasons to defend them, and by no means in order to criticize
them.
362. 10. We
should be more ready to approve and praise the orders, recommendations, and way
of acting of our superiors than to find fault with them. Though some of the orders, etc., may not have
been praiseworthy, yet to speak against them, either when preaching in public
or in speaking before the people, would rather be the cause of murmuring and
scandal than of profit. As a
consequence, the people would become angry with their superiors, whether
secular or spiritual. But while it does
harm in the absence of our superiors to speak evil of them before the people,
it may be profitable to discuss their bad conduct with those who can apply a
remedy.
363. 11. We
should praise both positive theology and that of the Scholastics.
It is characteristic of
the positive doctors, such as
On the other hand, it is
more characteristic of the scholastic doctors, such as
Further, just because
scholastic doctors belong to more recent times, they not only have the
advantage of correct understanding of Holy Scripture and of the teaching of the
saints and positive doctors, but, enlightened by the grace of God, they also
make use of the decisions of the Councils and of the definitions and decrees of
our holy
364. 12. We
must be on our guard against making comparisons between those who are still
living and the saints who have gone before us, for no small error is committed
if we say: "This man is wiser than St Augustine," "He is another St Francis or even
greater," "He is equal to St
Paul in goodness and sanctity," and so on.
365. 13. If we wish to proceed securely in all things,
we must hold fast to the following principle:
What seems to me white, I will believe black if the hierarchical Church
so defines. For I must be convinced that
in Christ our Lord, the bridegroom and in His spouse the Church, only one
Spirit holds sway, which governs and rules for the salvation of souls. For it is by the same Spirit and Lord who
gave the Ten Commandments that our holy Mother Church is ruled and governed.
366. 14.
Granted that it be very true that no one can be saved without being
predestined and without having faith and grace, still we must be very cautious
about the way in which we speak of all these things and discuss them with
others.
367. 15. We
should not make it a habit of speaking much of predestination. If somehow at times it comes to be spoken of,
it must be done in such a way that the people are not led into any error. They are at times misled, so that they say:
"Whether I shall be saved or lost, has already been determined, and this
cannot be changed whether my actions are good or bad." So they become indolent and neglect the works
that are conducive to the salvation and spiritual progress of their souls.
368. In the same way, much caution is necessary,
lest by much talk about faith, and much insistence on it without any
distinctions or explanations, occasion be given to the people, whether before
or after they have faith informed by charity, to become slothful and lazy in
good works.
369. 17.
Likewise we ought not to speak of grace at such length and with such
emphasis that the poison of doing away with liberty is engendered.
Hence, as far as is
possible with the help of God, one may speak of faith and grace that the Divine
Majesty may be praised. But let it not
be done in such a way, above all not in times which are as dangerous as ours,
that works and free will suffer harm, or that they are considered of no value.
370. 18.
Though the zealous service of God our Lord out of pure love should be
esteemed above all, we ought also to praise highly the fear of the Divine
Majesty. For not only filial fear but
also servile fear is pious and very holy.
When nothing higher or more useful is attained, it is very helpful for
rising from mortal sin, and once this is accomplished, one may easily advance
to filial fear, which is wholly pleasing and agreeable to God our Lord since it
is inseparably associated with the love of Him.
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