Day by Day with St. John Baptist de La Salle

July 1st

Insults and Mockery

An insult is most shocking to decorum as well as to charity. Our Lord very expressly condemns it in the Gospel. Such words should never be found on the lips of a Christian, since they are extremely improper for a person who has the least claim to being well-educated. You must never insult anybody, and you are never permitted to either say or do anything that might lead to such conduct.

Another fault, no less contrary to propriety and to the respect you owe your neighbour, is mockery,

·making fun of somebody over a defect or a weakness, or

·mimicking him by gesture.

There is not much difference between such mockery and an outright insult. Such mockery is entirely unworthy of a well-born person. It goes against propriety and hurts your neighbour. That is why you are never to make fun of anybody, living or dead.

(Christian Politeness)

He who mocks the poor insults their creator, he who laughs at the deprived will not go unpunished.(Prov 17:5)

July 2nd

The Spirit of Faith

Let your faith be an active faith, enlivened by charity and detaching you from all things.

In other words you should take great care

·to be always ready to lose all rather than God;

·to abandon all rather than the divine will;

·to sacrifice all honour, health, and life itself for God’s glory and interests, imitating Jesus Christ, according to these words:

“If anyone wishes to come after me, let him renounce self, and take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mk 16:24)

(Collection)

My brothers, what good is it for someone to say that he has faith if his actions do not prove it? Can that faith save him? (Jas 2:14)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 3rd

Unbearable Conduct

The following are examples of a teacher’s conduct which becomes unbearable to those in the teachers’ charge.

The teacher exacts little things and big thing alike with the same ardour.

The teacher immediately rejects the reasons and excuses of children and is not willing to listen to them at all.

The teacher does not know

·how to sympathise with the weakness of children, and so

·exaggerates their faults too much.

This is the situation when a teacher reprimands them or punishes them and acts as though dealing with an insensible instrument rather than with a human being capable of reason.(Conduct of Schools)

Let no one become like a bitter plant that grows up and causes many troubles with its poison. (Heb 12:15)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 4th

Faults to Avoid in Punishment

Right Motives

No punishment should be administered unless it be considered useful and advantageous either to the student to whom it is to be administered or to the others who are to witness it.

No punishment that could be harmful to the one who is to receive it must ever be administered. This would be directly contrary to the purpose of punishment, which has been instituted only to do good.

No punishment should be made that could cause any disorder in the class or even in the school. Examples of this would be those that would only serve to make the child be repelled or embittered, or want to leave the school. Such action would lead the student to hold the school in aversion. The complaints that the child or the child’s parents would make would repel others.

A student should never be punished

·because of a feeling of aversion or annoyance that a teacher may have for that student,

·because the student causes trouble, or

·because the teacher has no liking for the student.

All these motives are very far from those which should animate people who ought to act and conduct themselves only according to the spirit of faith.
(Conduct of Schools)

Better to correct someone openly than to let him think you don’t care for him at all. (Prov 27:5)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 5th

Good Fruit

The Gospel says that we should not be concerned about the clothing we wear, but about the fruit we produce. You will know them, Jesus says, by their fruit.

You have two kinds of fruit to produce: fruits of grace in your own regard, consisting in the holiness of your actions. Everything about you, within and without, should reveal the holiness to which your profession obliges you. Your exterior should be holy, because it ought to be edifying; you should be so recollected, self-controlled, and reserved that it is clear God truly dwells in you.

There are other fruits which you should produce regarding the children whom you are required to instruct. You ought to inspire them with horror for vice and for all that can lead them astray. Perhaps you take little care if they

·associate with bad companions,

·abandon themselves to gambling,

·spend the greater part of the day in thoughtless behaviour

·and disorderly conduct.

In that case you are for them false prophets who produce only bad fruit.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts
-7th Sunday After Pentecost)

A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. (Jn 15:4)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 6th

Impatience

Take care not to give way to impatience in carrying out your ministry, otherwise it will be quite unproductive.

When you feel moved to impatience,

·control yourself and

·wait until the impulse has passed before you act.

You expect patience from others, then you must show patience yourself, and let them see that you are not acting through whim or following your inclinations.

(Letters)

You need to be patient in order to do the will of God and receive what he promises. (Heb 10:36)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 7th

Give Good Example

You must not be satisfied with keeping the children in your care from doing evil. You must also lead them to practise well all the good of which they are capable. Take care of this, then, and see to it that they always speak the truth, and that when they want to affirm something they limit themselves to saying that it is or is not so. Help them understand that they will be believed more readily when they use few words than when they swear great oaths, because people will consider that it is in a Christian spirit that they do not use more words.

Your zeal for the children you instruct would not go very far and would not have much result or success if it limited itself only to words. To make it effective it is necessary that your example support your instructions, and this is one of the main signs of your zeal. Example makes a much greater impression on the mind and heart then words, especially for children who ordinarily model themselves on the example of their teachers. They are led more readily to do what they see done for them
than what they hear told to them,
above all when the teachers’ words are not in harmony with their actions.
(Meditations for Time of Retreat)

Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith and purity.
(1 Tim 4:12)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 8th

Thank Him

Having recognised the infinite greatness of God, it is very just that we should recognise his goodness and that we should offer him our humble thanksgiving.

We thank him in particular for having

·created us and redeemed us;

·delivered us from a great number of sins;

·withdrawn us from the occasions of committing them, and from the wickedness of the world, by placing us in community and for the graces without number that he has given us since we have been here.

We thank him especially for the grace which He has at this moment the goodness to give us of remaining in his holy presence, and of occupying ourselves with him in mental prayer.
(Mental Prayer)

And with joy give thanks to the Father who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light. (Col 1:12)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 9th

Self Will

Be careful not to be led by your self-will. That is not right, and God will not bless you if you act in this manner. I can see that you are fond of having your own freedom but, believe me, it will do you a great deal of harm. Perhaps you had too much freedom in the past. You can see that you need to correct yourself in this matter.

You must not be surprised if you experience difficulties. The devil has no desire to see you at peace. I pray God to bless you and not let you fall into inconstancy, wanting now one thing, now another. When we give ourselves to God
we must be more steadfast and
seek him alone.
Inconstancy is a sign that we often pay a great deal of attention to our own wishes.

Be on your guard against allowing yourself to act according to your whims.
(Letters)

They promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves of destructive habits - for a person is a slave of anything that has conquered him. (2 Pet 2:19)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 10th

I Assure You

Jesus Christ assures us explicitly that all that we ask for we shall receive. Prayer has this efficacy of itself; this is precisely what God promises us. The more we ask of him, the more he gives, because he takes great delight in granting our prayers.

Whatsoever you ask in prayer with faith, says Jesus Christ, you will receive. He says all whatsoever, and he makes no exceptions. Would anyone believe that faith would have such an effect if the Son of God, who is truth itself, had not assured us of this?

·Take courage, therefore, to believe the One who so strongly addresses you.

·Make yourself worthy of his promises.

·Be convinced that God is ready to refuse you nothing that you ask of him with faith and confidence in his goodness.

(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

I pray to you, O Lord;

You hear my voice in the morning; at sunrise I offer my prayer and wait for your answer. (Ps 5:3)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 11th

St. Benedict (ca 480 - 547)

Education - Top Priority

When St. Benedict was a student in Rome he left the city in order to avoid the bad example of his fellow students.

The education of children was regarded of such great importance by this saint that he educated and cared for a great number of them in his monasteries. He took care to have them instructed in learning and in piety. He even put in his rule a number of practices which he wanted to see observed in receiving them and guiding them.

·Are you careful to keep your students away from whatever might corrupt their morals, especially bad company?

·Do you show them how to avoid all occasion of evil when they are no longer under your supervision?

·Learn from St. Benedict how to bring up properly the children whom you have to guide. Act so as to obtain from him by your prayers the grace of guiding them well.

(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Yes, beg for knowledge, plead for insight. Look for it as hard as you would for silver or for some hidden treasure. (Prov 2:3-4)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 12th

Give Me An Account

A manager was accused of wasting the property of his employer who called him and said: What is this that I hear about you? Give me an account of your management.

The account you must give will have to do with piety,

·whether you take care to impart it to your disciples;

·whether they are self-controlled and reserved in church;

·whether they pray to God every morning and evening;

·whether when they pray in school they pray with attention;

·whether they have a horror for taking oaths and improper language;

·whether they respect their parents and obey them faithfully;

·whether they avoid bad companions;

·whether you watch diligently over their behaviour as far as this is necessary in order to help them carry out these practices.

Because you are responsible for the good of their souls, God will ask you for an account of all these things. Are you ready to give it?
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts
-8th Sunday After Pentecost)

Every one of us, then, will have to give an account of himself to God. (Rom 14:12)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 13th

Dislike - Anger - Hatred

Dislike for our neighbour and resentment for wrongs done to us prevent our prayers from reaching God. If our hearts are torn by anger or hatred, it is impossible for us to maintain union with Jesus Christ.

Each day
look for every possible opportunity of doing a kindness
for those for whom you feel dislike.

Unless necessity obliges you, don’t ever complain about others in any matter at all and should you be obliged to do so, do not make it a formal complaint.

(Letters)

...go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God. (Mt 5:24)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 14th

Further Faults to avoid in Punishment

No Extremes

It is also important never to use insulting words, or words that are even in the slightest degree unseemly, for example, rascal, knave, or sniveler. None of these words should ever be in the mouth of a teacher in the Christian Schools.

No other means of correction should be used than those approved for the Christian Schools. Thus, students should never be slapped or kicked. Neither should they be struck with the pointer. It is altogether contrary to the decorum and seriousness of a teacher to pull the children’s noses, ears, or hair. It is even more unseemly for a teacher to strike them, to push them roughly, or to pull them by the arms.

Teachers will, finally, be very careful not to administer any punishment impulsively or when agitated. They will watch so carefully over themselves that neither angry passions nor the least touch of impatience shall have any part when administering punishment. Such behaviour can prevent the benefit and place an obstacle to the blessing God would give.
(Conduct of Schools)

He must be self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. (Tit 1:8)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 15th

St. Bonaventure(1221-1274)

Lowliness

This saint had such a great love for poverty that he wrote a book entitled ‘The Apologia of the Poor’, to make known the excellence of this virtue. In it he demonstrates that voluntary poverty is the foundation of Gospel perfection. In this book St. Bonaventure taught only what he himself practised.

The practice of poverty is of little use unless it is accompanied by humility. St. Bonaventure tried especially to acquire this virtue. No sooner had he entered the novitiate than his greatest pleasure was to

·sweep the house,

·wash the dishes, and

·devote himself to the lowliest chores in the monastery.

Even when chosen to be a cardinal, he lived without ostentation and in the practice of religious humility.

The more humble you are, the more graces you will receive. This is one virtue you need very much in your state.

(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

The greatest one among you must be your servant. (Mt 23:11)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 16th

Deeply Humble

The act of humility is made by recognising ourselves unworthy of appearing before God because we are nothing.

To occupy ourselves with this sentiment, we may use these words of Abraham, in Genesis, 18:27,

“How shall I dare appear before God, I who am only dust and ashes?”

If an old hermit used to say to himself,

“what are you giving credit to yourself for, you who are only dust and ashes,”

what reason have I to exalt myself, I who am persuaded that it is to do me too much honour to describe myself as being dust and ashes.

After all, dust and ashes are useful for something, whereas all that I must recognise in myself is nothingness and all that rightly belongs to me is sin.
(Mental Prayer)

O Lord, what is man that thou dost regard him,
or the son of man that thou dost think of him?
(Ps 144:3)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 17th

Mind Control

If you allow too great a liberty and dissipation to your mind, you will find it impossible to apply yourself to mental prayer and other exercises of piety. You will become so attentive to what is exterior that you will be unable to maintain the interior recollection so necessary for the control of your passions.

Hence, always keep your mind under control, and for this purpose strive to dwell on some good thought.

Be careful never to apply your mind to anything through mere curiosity or to aim solely at intellectual gratification. Apply it only to those things which befit your profession.

Often remind yourself

·that the primary purpose God had in view in giving you your intelligence was

·that you might frequently think of your Creator.

(Collection)

Who knows the mind of the Lord?
Who is able to give him advice? We, however, have the mind of Christ.
(1 Cor 2:16)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 18th

Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child

One of the characteristics and one of the effects of the zeal persons have for the well-being of souls is to reprove and correct those in their care when they fall into some fault. You too must reprove and correct your disciples when they commit some fault, the more so because it is typical of children that they often make mistakes by doing many things without thinking. The reproofs and corrections give them time to reflect on what they have to do and cause them to watch over themselves in order not to be making the same mistakes.

Otherwise, if they are abandoned to their own will, they will run the risk of ruining themselves and causing much sorrow to their parents. The reason for this is because the faults turn into a habit which will be very difficult to correct. The good and bad habits contracted in childhood and maintained over a period of time ordinarily become part of nature.

It is for you who are teachers to take all possible care to bring those under your guidance into the liberty of the children of God. To do this, you need to have two qualities in your relationship with them. The first is gentleness and patience. The second is prudence in your reproofs and corrections.
(Meditations for Time of Retreat)

Discipline your children while they are young enough to learn. If you don’t, you are helping them to destroy themselves. (Prov 19:18)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 19th

Thieves and Robbers

Entering the Temple of Jerusalem, Jesus Christ found people there who were selling and buying. He drove them out telling them that his house was a house of prayer and that they were making it a den of thieves.

You are in a house of prayer, and prayer ought to be your principal occupation. When you lose the spirit and love of prayer, God will look upon you as persons who are unworthy of a work which is his own work and as those who make his house a den of thieves.

·If, then, you do not belong to God,

·if you do not frequently turn to him in prayer,

·if you teach only external matters to children,

·if you do not put all your care to give them the spirit of religion,

should you not be considered by God as thieves who have broken into his house, who remain there without his consent, who instead of inspiring your students with the spirit of Christianity as you should, you only teach them things which will be of use to them in this world?
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts
-9th Sunday After Pentecost )

I am telling you the truth: the man who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. (Jn 10:1)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 20th

Words, Words, Words

To speak prudently you must consider whether it is the proper time for speaking or for remaining silent. It is imprudent and thoughtless for you to talk when you are prompted by just the mere desire to talk.

In order to let us know in a few words who the people are who speak with wisdom and prudence and who those are who speak imprudently, the Wise Man gives us this admirable rule:

“the hearts of fools are in their mouths, and the mouths of the wise are in their hearts” (Eccl 21:26)

This means that those who lack good sense let every body know by the proliferation and the thoughtlessness of their words whatever they have in their hearts.

Those who have nothing to relate except gossip and frivolous, silly stories would do much better to keep quiet. It is far better to gain a reputation for being a person of few words than to bore people with nonsense and stupidities or always to have something to say.
(Christian Politeness)

You can be sure that on Judgement Day everyone will have to give account of every useless word he has ever spoken. Your words will be used to judge you - to declare you either innocent or guilty. (Mt 12:36-37)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 21st

Remorse

An act of remorse is made by recognising ourselves unworthy of appearing before God, because we have offended him very much. It is not sufficient to recognise our nothingness; we have still to be remorseful in his presence in view of our sins.

We should enter into the disposition and the sentiments of the publican in the Gospel, when, from the door of the temple, not daring to raise his eyes, so great was his remorse, he appealed to the Almighty in these words:

“Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.”

Excuse me, my God, I come to you to

·make known my sins and

·confess my injustice.
I know that far from this action bringing your indignation upon me, on the contrary, it draws your mercy on me.
(Mental Prayer)

Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrong doings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins. (Ps 32:5)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 22nd

St. Mary Magdalen

The Power of Love

When love is ardent, it is even stronger than death. One cannot admire too greatly the tender love that St. Mary Magdalen had for Jesus Christ. Nothing held her back,

·neither human respect, which might have made her think of what people would say about the sudden change in her conduct,

·nor her attachment to the pleasures and comforts of life,

·nor her concern for status.

The love she had for Jesus Christ so filled her heart that once she was converted she resolved never to abandon him again.

Are you as faithful to follow Jesus Christ when he causes you to suffer as when he showers you with his blessings? Alas! As soon as someone says something to you that causes you some pain, or as soon as you are given some reproof, do you not show resentment?

By the kindness he showed to St. Mary Magdalen, Jesus Christ has made it clear how good God is to those who love him, and with what tenderness he rewards even in this life the love they have for him.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven. But whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little love. (Lk 7:47)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 23rd

Be Yourself

Let people think what they wish of you, and do not be troubled, provided you are doing what you ought.

I advise you to act as being in the presence of God and not to please others, because you know that to take pains that others have nothing to reproach you with and not to be concerned about God is to act as a Pharisee and a hypocrite, and not as a Christian.

Do not complain in the least of what people may say or do against you. Show by your
silence and
patience
that you are content.
(Letters)

Keep your conscience clear... For it is better to suffer for doing good, if this should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (1 Pet 3:16-17)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 24th

Reasonable Discipline

It would be of little value to make reproofs and corrections, if those who make them do not take the right steps to make them well. The first thing to which we must pay attention is not to undertake reproofs and corrections except under the guidance of the Spirit of God.

For people, and even children, are endowed with reason and must not be corrected like animals, but like reasonable persons.

We must reprove and correct with justice, by helping the children to recognise the wrong they have done, and what correction the fault they have committed deserves, and we must try to have them accept it.

There is no need to fear that corrections will have a bad result if we have acted prudently in making them. On the contrary, teachers who reprove and correct those who commit faults draw upon themselves

·the praise of people,

·the blessing of God, and

·the gratitude of those who have been corrected.

For you will have done them more good in that way than if you had flattered them with beautiful words, which only serve to deceive them and maintain them in their faults and disorderly conduct.
(Meditations for Time of Retreat)

Correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them. (Prov 29:15)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 25th

St. James, Apostle

Steadfast to the End

It was St. James’ happiness to be present at the transfiguration of Jesus Christ and to see his glorious body. He also had the privilege of accompanying Jesus in the garden of Gethsemani.

Are you as satisfied
to follow Jesus to Calvary
as you are to Thabor?
Most people, even those who seem dedicated to God, are very glad to share in the consolations of Jesus Christ, but there are very few who are willing to take part in his sufferings.

Besides being especially loved by Jesus, St. James was also highly respected by the apostles. Proof that he was among the most zealous workers for the progress and support of the Christian religion is the fact that Herod had him beheaded, persuaded that this would please the Jews. It is believed that St. James was the first apostle to shed his blood for Christ.

If the wicked take pleasure in causing you to suffer, let it also be a great satisfaction for you to endure this, because it will help you die to yourselves.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Rather be glad that you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may be full of joy when his glory is revealed. (1 Pet 4:13)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 26th

St. Joachim

Preparing the Way

Together with the Church let us admire the honour God paid to St. Joachim by having chosen him to be the father of the Blessed Virgin Mary and to prepare the way for the mystery of the Incarnation. He was fittingly named Joachim, which means preparation for the Lord. Let us recognise that God’s choice of this saint was for him a most extraordinary favour.

Let us acknowledge that all people are greatly indebted to St. Joachim for giving to the world

·the most excellent of all gifts,

·the purest and most exalted of all creatures,

the Blessed Virgin, mother of Jesus Christ.

Consider, moreover, that if we are children of the Church and members of Jesus Christ, it was St. Joachim who procured this benefit for us.

God has given you no less an honour than he gave St. Joachim by placing you in the work you have since he has destined you to be the spiritual fathers of the children whom you instruct. You have been destined by God to produce children for Jesus Christ, and even to produce and engender Jesus Christ himself in their hearts.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Their offspring will last forever, their glory will not fade. (Eccl 44:13)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 27th

St. Anne, Mother of the Most Blessed Virgin

The Chosen One

According to St. John Damascene, St. Anne was childless for twenty years. In this way God wished to make her understand that the child she would bring into the world would be a gift of grace. By her assiduous prayer, she merited to bring into the world the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. God had chosen her, in preference to all the other women in the world, to bring forth the holiest and purest of all creatures.

Let us admire the great honour God paid her by choosing her to be the mother of so
holy and
distinguished
a daughter, and thereby to become the first person to take part in the great mystery of the Incarnation.

God has chosen you to teach others to know him. He also wishes you to bring forth, so to speak, the Most Blessed Virgin in the hearts of those whom you instruct by inspiring them with a tender devotion to her.

(Meditation for Sundays and Feasts)

You are the most blessed of all women, and blessed is the child you will bear.
(Lk 1:42)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 28th

Puffed Up!

Seeing that most people are so filled with themselves that generally if they speak, it is of themselves and in their favour, Jesus Christ proposes to us the parable of a publican and a Pharisee. The latter pretended to pray, but his mind was full of nothing but his good qualities, and the former humbly begged God for mercy and was justified because of the simple and humble manner in which he prayed. The other man, on the contrary, reaped only confusion because he had insulted God instead of praying to him.

This is the model Jesus gives you to induce you never to speak or think about yourself except to seek the means to correct yourself of your defects. When you pray, often say with David, my sin is before me always.

Indeed such is your condition; yet, to hear you speak it seems that you are something!
Do not imitate the Pharisee,
who instead of praying to God thought only of praising and congratulating himself.

Never show any esteem for what you do, for it is God by his goodness and his grace who is the author of all the good there is in you.

(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts

-10th Sunday After Pentecost)

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. (Prov 16:18)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 29th

St. Martha

Do You Believe This?

It was St. Martha’s privilege to be greatly loved by Jesus, as the Gospel testifies, and for this reason Jesus honoured her several times by lodging with her and being her guest at table. She was most grateful for such favours and each time Jesus visited her she strove to please him

·by preparing his food and

·by serving him.

Nothing is more admirable than the faith St. Martha showed when Jesus raised Lazarus to life. When Jesus said that he was the resurrection and the life, and that those who believed in him would live and never die, he asked her if she believed this. She answered yes, that she did believe he was the Christ, the Son of the living God who had come into the world. This answer deserves special veneration because of the great faith it shows.

It is especially in your actions that your faith should be seen, by performing them only with the spirit of faith, according to the spirit of your Institute.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. (Jn 11:5)

| Back | Home Page | Sitemap | Menu |

July 30th

Remember God’s Presence

Apply yourself often to remember the presence of God. Look upon this practice as your greatest happiness. Your recollection and self-control should be great enough for you to achieve this. They will be for you a means of overcoming yourself in times of temptation by inspiring you to have continually in mind the will of God.

The remembrance of the presence of God will be a great advantage in helping you and in inspiring you to do all your actions well. Often recollect yourself in order to
renew and
strengthen
in your mind the remembrance of God’s presence. In this we have the surest means of becoming interior.

Come now, for the love of God, make the effort.
(Letters)

But I will see you, because I have done us wrong; and when I awake, your presence will fill me with joy. (Ps 17:15)

July 31st

St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)

All For God’s Glory

This saint’s zeal for the salvation of souls was so ardent that to do this work with greater skill and success, he began to study at the age of thirty three.

After he had been working for the glory of God with so much
piety, poverty,
humility, and zeal,
others joined him and they laboured effectively for the good of the Church. They vowed to give up all their property, to dedicate themselves to the conversion of souls, to their own spiritual advancement, and to submit themselves to the pope to do whatever he judged best for the good of their neighbour. This is how St. Ignatius began to establish his Society, which is of such great benefit to the Church.

Since God has called you to educate children in piety, just as he called the disciples of this saintly founder, live in as great a spirit of detachment and show a great zeal for the glory of God as this saint did. Then you too will do great good for those whom you instruct.
(Meditations for Sundays and Feasts)

I will bless the Lord all my days; his praise will be ever on my lips. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. (Ps 34:1-2)