by Fr. Francis Xavier Lasance, 1910
Manliness
implies self-control, conscientiousness, moral courage, fearless discharge of
duty in the face of obloquy and prejudice, firm determination to do what is
right because it is right and pleasing to God, without regard to human respect,
expediency, or popularity, a steadfast adherence to one's religious principles
and convictions — in a word, an upright Christian character.
“Self-reverence,
self-knowledge, self-control,
These three alone lead life to sovereign power:
Yet not for power — power by herself
Would come uncalled for — but to live by law.
Acting the law we live by without fear;
And, because right is right, to follow right
Were wisdom in the scorn of consequence.”
—Tennyson
These three alone lead life to sovereign power:
Yet not for power — power by herself
Would come uncalled for — but to live by law.
Acting the law we live by without fear;
And, because right is right, to follow right
Were wisdom in the scorn of consequence.”
—Tennyson
“Act like a man;
take courage and do;
and be not dismayed”
- 1 Paralipomenon 28:20*
“Do ye manfully,
and let your heart be strengthened
—all ye that hope in the Lord”
- Psalm 30:25**
“Behold, I command thee, take courage and be strong.
Fear not, and be not dismayed;
because the Lord thy God is with thee in all things”
- Josue 1:9***
“If God be for us, who is against us?”
- Romans 8:31
“He that feareth man shall quickly fall:
he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be set on high”
- Proverbs 29:25
“I myself will comfort you;
who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid
of a mortal man, who shall wither away like grass?”
- Isaiah 51:12
“Who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good?”
- 1 Peter 3:13
Strive to be a manly man! A manly man
is a man of character; one who is controlled by conscience; one who does his
duty under all circumstances; one who is swayed by reason, by faith, by moral
principles - not by every passing impulse, not by transient emotions, not by
fancy or caprice, not by human respect. A manly man is one who is endowed with
the courage of his convictions; one who is conscientious, sincere, truthful,
honest, upright, just and charitable, unselfish and magnanimous, kind and
gentle: one who practises what he preaches, whose life is consistent with his
faith; one who heeds the admonition of his Creator: “walk before Me and be
perfect” (Genesis 17:1); “Thou shalt be perfect and without spot before the
Lord thy God” (Deuteronomy 18:13); one, in fine, who may be called truly a
Christian gentleman – who seeks to please God first and always, and then
observes the Golden Rule: “As you would that men should do to you, do you also
to them in like manner.” (Luke 6:31)
Vacillation of mind, feebleness of
will, unsteadiness of purpose, want of courage, energy, and perseverance –
these militate against success in the battle of life, and impede a man's
progress in the way of virtue and perfection.
A firm will underlies every good and
strong character, and to the lack of it must be attributed much unhappiness and
misery in the world.
Strength of character includes both
firmness of will and the power of self-restraint. A man, for instance, who
yields to anger, and whose bursts of fury make his subjects tremble, may appear
to be strong, as he ruthlessly bears all before him, but he is really weak –
pitiably weak. He has not conquered himself; he is mastered by his passions. He
lacks self-control, and therefore he is not strong. That man is great, that man
is strong, who subdues his feelings, suppresses his evil inclinations, and
bridles his passions.
“The patient man is better than the valiant,
and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities”
- Proverbs 16:32
“He is most powerful who has himself in his power.”
- Seneca
“He who reigns within himself and rules passions, desires, and fears,
is more than a king.”
– Milton
“There never did and never will exist anything permanently noble and
excellent in a character which was a stranger to the exercise of resolute
self-denial.”
– Sir Walter Scott.
 |
| Statue of St. Paul at the National Shrine of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Sto. Tomas, Batangas (c) Vincent Domingo |
Father Von Doss, S.J., (Thoughts
and Counsels for Catholic Young Men, Von Doss-Wirth) says:
"There are characters so wavering that one is
scarcely able to describe or portray them. Now joyous, now sad; sometimes
disposed to good; again inclined to evil; at one time impetuous, at another
hesitating, in constant agitation, in eternal waves of commotion – their hearts
remain even to themselves inexplicable riddles. Such men are tossed on the
ocean of life, like ships without rudder or helm.
"'Do you not know that it is said of the fool that he is changed as the moon (Ecclesiasticus 27:12),**** and of the just man that he is an everlasting foundation? (Proverbs 10:25).
"Alas I for those soft, unstable characters which are capable of being molded at will!
"Who shall discover in such a youth the man of the future? He is full of inconsistencies. In his changeable nature timidity sometimes yields to a spirit of enterprise; coldness, to that of enthusiasm. He is given to violent and easily formed attachments! Although susceptible to virtue, yet evil impressions leave behind in his heart far deeper traces.
"This inconstancy takes such a hold on some, that even their exterior – their looks, carriage, gait, speech, and gestures – bear testimony to it.
"God grant that a young man of that sort may never be approached by a seducer! What an easy prey he would find!
"There are characters so flighty that even God's grace seems inefficacious in their regard. Interior admonitions, salutary inspirations, good example – all these, and even more, produce no effect; for the volatile soul pays no attention to them, refuses to co-operate with them.
"Pitiable characters, who can be transformed into reliable men only with great difficulty and the most indefatigable perseverance!
"Yet such natures are by no means incorrigible.
"No, young man! despond not! Earnest efforts must be successful.
"First of all, be humble, and acknowledge your inconstancy. Then, endeavor to cope with it in detail.
"Have the courage necessary to keep a strict watch over yourself for a time; and by continually renewing your good resolutions fight against the failings you discover within you.
"Accustom yourself to quiet and reflection. Do not act precipitately nor impetuously. Render an account to yourself of all that you do.
"Do not permit your feelings to get the upper hand; rather strive to become the master of your own heart.
"Nothing is more disgusting than a sentimental piety,
"Nothing is further from perfection than that external piety which derives its sweetness from the feelings alone.
"Nothing is more inefficacious than a piety which lives only on impressions.
"Of course, there is a sensible devotion, and it is of value; for it is a gift of the Holy Ghost and may be made an excellent means of virtue. But there is, also, a disposition of the heart – we may call it a sort of dainty piety – which is a great drawback to virtue. It inflates the spirit, and leaves the heart empty. It seizes upon the spiritual tidbits, while good, substantial food is wanting to the soul.
"Do you know in what manly piety consists? In this – that man's will (which constitutes his manliness) be employed in its full strength for God's honor and glory, in His holy service.
"If a commandment of God is to be kept, it is ready to keep it.
"If a good fight is to be fought for principle and virtue, it is ready for action.
"If a difficulty is to be overcome, it is ready for the task.
"Manly piety does not, by any means, despise or disregard external practices of piety, but it regulates them and brings them in harmony with the duties of one's station in life; it keeps away everything extraordinary, and despising the mere appearance, and insisting more upon the interior spirit, it reaches to the heart. Proceeding to sacrifice, it labors and toils, struggles and conquers.
"Does it appear to you, that too much is required of you when you are asked to cultivate such manliness?
"Make, at least, the attempt, and begin. 'Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.' (Hebrews 12:12)
"There are children enough, and plenty of weaklings. Be manly; and, although young in years, put to shame those who call themselves mature, although not such either in thought or deed.
"The world needs men – not grand geniuses or plausible talkers. It is not sentimentality and dreams that will save it, but acts and deeds. It was not merely by revelations and visions that the saints became such, but by spiritual combat, by self-denial, and overcoming the enemies of their souls.
"Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord” (Psalm 26:14).*****
"There is only one thing of which a man ought to be ashamed – of evil – to do evil, or to have done it.
"But, miserably enough, he is often ashamed of the very opposite, of avoiding evil and doing good.
"The thought of being ridiculed, blamed, or despised by others, disquiets him; he becomes confused and alarmed; he acts contrary to his better convictions. The inspiration to good is flighted, the favorable opportunity passes – he is overcome – conscience, virtue, God, are surrendered!
"Young people yield easier than others to this false shame, this foolish fear – because their imaginations are so lively, their minds so susceptible to all impressions.
"How many conversions from evil to good, and from good to better, does not this human respect prevent! How much evil does it not cause, how much good does it not frustrate!
"What will they think of me? What will they say to it? They will laugh at me, ridicule me. How can I separate myself from this, or from that? How can I give up this one or that one? They will think hard of me; it will look odd and singular!
"The whole world is full of such cowards and often those who boast most of their independence are the most pitiful slaves of this mean passion.
"Honor – much abused word! Does honor consist in cowardly compliance, in a more than untimely readiness to please? in sacrificing conscience? in surrendering our highest and best convictions?
"Has he honor who lies down in cringing servitude — the bond-slave of a word, a jest, a look, a reproach?
"Coward! – for such you are, and as such you are regarded even by those to whom you yield – coward! Why do you suffer yourself to be thus enslaved?
"Are those whom you so much fear your legitimate lords and masters?
"God alone is, by right, your Lord and Master. From Him you have your being; He can take it away from you at His pleasure, whenever He wills – and not they. He shall one day judge you. His good pleasure must be of more value to you than all the displeasure of men. God's displeasure can not be outweighed by all the good pleasure of men.
"'Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you shall fear: fear ye Him who, after He hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. I say to you, fear Him' (Luke 2:4-5)
"Alas! what an insult do you offer to God by preferring man before him! Are you, then, ashamed of God?
"What is more honorable than to serve God? to do His holy will? Is He not the King of heaven and earth? Is He not the best, the highest, the loveliest, and the most beautiful?
"How, if God should, one day, be ashamed of you? If, on the terrible judgment day He let you perish in your nothingness? If, then, He should deny you, as you deny Him now, if He should refuse to know you? What then?
"'Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me, and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in His majesty' (Luke 9:26), says the Lord – and He will keep His word.
"Tell me, at least, before whom are you ashamed?
"Before the good and virtuous? Before those who will, one day, come with the saints of heaven to sit in judgment over the world?
"Is it not rather before sinners, evil-doers, perverts, and fools? Yes, indeed – fools. The Sacred Scripture says: 'Fools hate them that flee from evil things' (Proverbs 13:19). Yes, indeed – sinners. 'The worship of God is an abomination to a sinner' (Sirach 1:32).*^ And again: 'He that walketh in the right, and feareth God, is despised by him that goeth by an infamous way' (Proverbs 14:2).
"Are you so sensitive as to the recognition or respect of men? Why, then, do you not labor for the esteem and praise of the just and good?
"Why all these cowardly fears? Is virtue, then, something disgraceful? What has any worth, if not it, and it alone?
"Riches vanish, honors evaporate, pleasures slip away – virtue, valuable in itself, recognized by God, fostered by the noblest and best of men – an object of envy, even to the wicked – virtue remains, reaches even beyond the grave – crowns, and is crowned – reigns in, and for, all eternity! 'They that instruct many to justice shall shine as stars for all eternity.' (Daniel 12:3)
"Can it be possible that you are ashamed of your nature, of your existence, of your destiny? Unheard-of folly! Is the bird ashamed of flying, the fish of swimming? And is not the service of God your nature, your element, your end and aim? 'Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is all man.' (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
"You are afraid of being thought singular, odd, queer, peculiar?
"But, are you not aware that, as a virtuous man, you will always be singular, odd, queer, peculiar, in a world of sinners?
"Not to be singular in the sense of the wicked, is to renounce all virtue.
"If you do not walk in the broad way of destruction, you are singular; if you walk in the straight path, and seek the narrow gate, you separate yourself from the vast multitude that rush through the wide portals into everlasting ruin.
"Remain singular! The singular ones go into heaven, whilst the children of the world remain outside.
"Say, young man, what will become of you, if you accommodate yourself to the sentiments and conduct of certain youthful companions? If you praise what they praise, blame what they blame, do as they do? Do they not travel in crowds upon the broad road of sin and sensuality?
"No, you have a conscience; you have your principles, drawn from the Gospel; act according to these, and ask for nothing else.
"It is time for you to become a man; to be, in the fullest sense of the word, manly. You talk and dream so much of self-dependence; where is it?
"Is there question of principles? The loosest are those of the majority; they are favored. Honor, revenge, dueling, suicide, are permissible, or at least excusable, acts. As to morality, if one only avoid the most flagrant crimes, if he but escape talk and publicity – for the rest, human weakness deserves some indulgence; we are not angels.
"Here, a double-meaning word is spoken – you remain silent; there, a smutty one – you show no sign of disapproval; again, a vulgar one – you laugh at it. And, in order to avoid all suspicion of narrow-mindedness, one at last joins in, applauds, contributes his share, out-does – yea, vies with the rudest in nastiness, and thereby purchases for himself among young libertines and low companions the unenviable reputation of being a good fellow – of a young man that knows how to live – who lives and lets live – a liberal, broad-minded young man full of 'go.'
"In the dictionary of worldlings and sinners, intemperance is excusable weakness; idleness – necessary relaxation; endless, and too often passionate play – pastime; reading of sensual books – culture, knowledge of the world; extravagance – generosity; vanity and affectation – civility; flattery – courtesy; untruth – necessary reticence; ambiguity – prudence; dishonesty – clever calculation.
"'Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter' (Isaiah 5:20), for men's sake!
"The slave of human respect is like a puppet, involuntarily performing all the motions which Satan and the world compel it to.
"Pitiful role – especially for a young man, who should carry his free, noble brow high in air, and not suffer it to bear the brand of a miserable bondage to creatures!
"Evil companions may sneer at you because you discharge the duties of your station; because you study, labor, and make good use of your time. Answer, I know what I am about!
"They may entice you to carousals, to dangerous amusements. Say, I will not go with you!
"They may press you to learn the cause of your change of life. Tell them, That concerns me alone!
"They may mock at your altered demeanor. Let them go on; blunt arrows do no harm.
"They may laugh at your conscientiousness. Pity their want of conscience.
"Contradict when and where necessary; have courage; defend yourself. Here defiance is necessary and right.
"The worst thing that could happen to you in this case would be the best – that such people would let you alone.
"Oh, happiness, to be rid of such perverse and false friends, and to be able, at last, to breathe freely once more!
"'Thou hast broken my bonds: I will sacrifice to Thee, the sacrifice of praise' (Psalm 115:16-17),*^^ to serve Thee as I must; to love Thee as I can; to be guided only by holy fear, as I should!
"'Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me, and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed.' (Luke 9:26)
"'Thou shalt not follow the multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou yield in judgment, to the opinion of the most part, to stray from the truth' (Exodus 23:2).
"'But if you also suffer anything for justice’ sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear, and be not troubled' (1 Peter 3:14).
"'For God hath scattered the bones of them that please men; they have been confounded, because God hath despised them' (Psalm 52:6)*^^^
"'With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed' (Ecclesiasticus 1:13)*^^^^
"'Do you not know that it is said of the fool that he is changed as the moon (Ecclesiasticus 27:12),**** and of the just man that he is an everlasting foundation? (Proverbs 10:25).
"Alas I for those soft, unstable characters which are capable of being molded at will!
"Who shall discover in such a youth the man of the future? He is full of inconsistencies. In his changeable nature timidity sometimes yields to a spirit of enterprise; coldness, to that of enthusiasm. He is given to violent and easily formed attachments! Although susceptible to virtue, yet evil impressions leave behind in his heart far deeper traces.
"This inconstancy takes such a hold on some, that even their exterior – their looks, carriage, gait, speech, and gestures – bear testimony to it.
"God grant that a young man of that sort may never be approached by a seducer! What an easy prey he would find!
"There are characters so flighty that even God's grace seems inefficacious in their regard. Interior admonitions, salutary inspirations, good example – all these, and even more, produce no effect; for the volatile soul pays no attention to them, refuses to co-operate with them.
"Pitiable characters, who can be transformed into reliable men only with great difficulty and the most indefatigable perseverance!
"Yet such natures are by no means incorrigible.
"No, young man! despond not! Earnest efforts must be successful.
"First of all, be humble, and acknowledge your inconstancy. Then, endeavor to cope with it in detail.
"Have the courage necessary to keep a strict watch over yourself for a time; and by continually renewing your good resolutions fight against the failings you discover within you.
"Accustom yourself to quiet and reflection. Do not act precipitately nor impetuously. Render an account to yourself of all that you do.
"Do not permit your feelings to get the upper hand; rather strive to become the master of your own heart.
"Nothing is more disgusting than a sentimental piety,
"Nothing is further from perfection than that external piety which derives its sweetness from the feelings alone.
"Nothing is more inefficacious than a piety which lives only on impressions.
"Of course, there is a sensible devotion, and it is of value; for it is a gift of the Holy Ghost and may be made an excellent means of virtue. But there is, also, a disposition of the heart – we may call it a sort of dainty piety – which is a great drawback to virtue. It inflates the spirit, and leaves the heart empty. It seizes upon the spiritual tidbits, while good, substantial food is wanting to the soul.
"Do you know in what manly piety consists? In this – that man's will (which constitutes his manliness) be employed in its full strength for God's honor and glory, in His holy service.
"If a commandment of God is to be kept, it is ready to keep it.
"If a good fight is to be fought for principle and virtue, it is ready for action.
"If a difficulty is to be overcome, it is ready for the task.
"Manly piety does not, by any means, despise or disregard external practices of piety, but it regulates them and brings them in harmony with the duties of one's station in life; it keeps away everything extraordinary, and despising the mere appearance, and insisting more upon the interior spirit, it reaches to the heart. Proceeding to sacrifice, it labors and toils, struggles and conquers.
"Does it appear to you, that too much is required of you when you are asked to cultivate such manliness?
"Make, at least, the attempt, and begin. 'Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.' (Hebrews 12:12)
"There are children enough, and plenty of weaklings. Be manly; and, although young in years, put to shame those who call themselves mature, although not such either in thought or deed.
"The world needs men – not grand geniuses or plausible talkers. It is not sentimentality and dreams that will save it, but acts and deeds. It was not merely by revelations and visions that the saints became such, but by spiritual combat, by self-denial, and overcoming the enemies of their souls.
"Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord” (Psalm 26:14).*****
"There is only one thing of which a man ought to be ashamed – of evil – to do evil, or to have done it.
"But, miserably enough, he is often ashamed of the very opposite, of avoiding evil and doing good.
"The thought of being ridiculed, blamed, or despised by others, disquiets him; he becomes confused and alarmed; he acts contrary to his better convictions. The inspiration to good is flighted, the favorable opportunity passes – he is overcome – conscience, virtue, God, are surrendered!
"Young people yield easier than others to this false shame, this foolish fear – because their imaginations are so lively, their minds so susceptible to all impressions.
"How many conversions from evil to good, and from good to better, does not this human respect prevent! How much evil does it not cause, how much good does it not frustrate!
"What will they think of me? What will they say to it? They will laugh at me, ridicule me. How can I separate myself from this, or from that? How can I give up this one or that one? They will think hard of me; it will look odd and singular!
"The whole world is full of such cowards and often those who boast most of their independence are the most pitiful slaves of this mean passion.
"Honor – much abused word! Does honor consist in cowardly compliance, in a more than untimely readiness to please? in sacrificing conscience? in surrendering our highest and best convictions?
"Has he honor who lies down in cringing servitude — the bond-slave of a word, a jest, a look, a reproach?
"Coward! – for such you are, and as such you are regarded even by those to whom you yield – coward! Why do you suffer yourself to be thus enslaved?
"Are those whom you so much fear your legitimate lords and masters?
"God alone is, by right, your Lord and Master. From Him you have your being; He can take it away from you at His pleasure, whenever He wills – and not they. He shall one day judge you. His good pleasure must be of more value to you than all the displeasure of men. God's displeasure can not be outweighed by all the good pleasure of men.
"'Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you shall fear: fear ye Him who, after He hath killed, hath power to cast into hell. I say to you, fear Him' (Luke 2:4-5)
"Alas! what an insult do you offer to God by preferring man before him! Are you, then, ashamed of God?
"What is more honorable than to serve God? to do His holy will? Is He not the King of heaven and earth? Is He not the best, the highest, the loveliest, and the most beautiful?
"How, if God should, one day, be ashamed of you? If, on the terrible judgment day He let you perish in your nothingness? If, then, He should deny you, as you deny Him now, if He should refuse to know you? What then?
"'Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me, and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in His majesty' (Luke 9:26), says the Lord – and He will keep His word.
"Tell me, at least, before whom are you ashamed?
"Before the good and virtuous? Before those who will, one day, come with the saints of heaven to sit in judgment over the world?
"Is it not rather before sinners, evil-doers, perverts, and fools? Yes, indeed – fools. The Sacred Scripture says: 'Fools hate them that flee from evil things' (Proverbs 13:19). Yes, indeed – sinners. 'The worship of God is an abomination to a sinner' (Sirach 1:32).*^ And again: 'He that walketh in the right, and feareth God, is despised by him that goeth by an infamous way' (Proverbs 14:2).
"Are you so sensitive as to the recognition or respect of men? Why, then, do you not labor for the esteem and praise of the just and good?
"Why all these cowardly fears? Is virtue, then, something disgraceful? What has any worth, if not it, and it alone?
"Riches vanish, honors evaporate, pleasures slip away – virtue, valuable in itself, recognized by God, fostered by the noblest and best of men – an object of envy, even to the wicked – virtue remains, reaches even beyond the grave – crowns, and is crowned – reigns in, and for, all eternity! 'They that instruct many to justice shall shine as stars for all eternity.' (Daniel 12:3)
"Can it be possible that you are ashamed of your nature, of your existence, of your destiny? Unheard-of folly! Is the bird ashamed of flying, the fish of swimming? And is not the service of God your nature, your element, your end and aim? 'Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is all man.' (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
"You are afraid of being thought singular, odd, queer, peculiar?
"But, are you not aware that, as a virtuous man, you will always be singular, odd, queer, peculiar, in a world of sinners?
"Not to be singular in the sense of the wicked, is to renounce all virtue.
"If you do not walk in the broad way of destruction, you are singular; if you walk in the straight path, and seek the narrow gate, you separate yourself from the vast multitude that rush through the wide portals into everlasting ruin.
"Remain singular! The singular ones go into heaven, whilst the children of the world remain outside.
"Say, young man, what will become of you, if you accommodate yourself to the sentiments and conduct of certain youthful companions? If you praise what they praise, blame what they blame, do as they do? Do they not travel in crowds upon the broad road of sin and sensuality?
"No, you have a conscience; you have your principles, drawn from the Gospel; act according to these, and ask for nothing else.
"It is time for you to become a man; to be, in the fullest sense of the word, manly. You talk and dream so much of self-dependence; where is it?
"Is there question of principles? The loosest are those of the majority; they are favored. Honor, revenge, dueling, suicide, are permissible, or at least excusable, acts. As to morality, if one only avoid the most flagrant crimes, if he but escape talk and publicity – for the rest, human weakness deserves some indulgence; we are not angels.
"Here, a double-meaning word is spoken – you remain silent; there, a smutty one – you show no sign of disapproval; again, a vulgar one – you laugh at it. And, in order to avoid all suspicion of narrow-mindedness, one at last joins in, applauds, contributes his share, out-does – yea, vies with the rudest in nastiness, and thereby purchases for himself among young libertines and low companions the unenviable reputation of being a good fellow – of a young man that knows how to live – who lives and lets live – a liberal, broad-minded young man full of 'go.'
"In the dictionary of worldlings and sinners, intemperance is excusable weakness; idleness – necessary relaxation; endless, and too often passionate play – pastime; reading of sensual books – culture, knowledge of the world; extravagance – generosity; vanity and affectation – civility; flattery – courtesy; untruth – necessary reticence; ambiguity – prudence; dishonesty – clever calculation.
"'Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter' (Isaiah 5:20), for men's sake!
"The slave of human respect is like a puppet, involuntarily performing all the motions which Satan and the world compel it to.
"Pitiful role – especially for a young man, who should carry his free, noble brow high in air, and not suffer it to bear the brand of a miserable bondage to creatures!
"Evil companions may sneer at you because you discharge the duties of your station; because you study, labor, and make good use of your time. Answer, I know what I am about!
"They may entice you to carousals, to dangerous amusements. Say, I will not go with you!
"They may press you to learn the cause of your change of life. Tell them, That concerns me alone!
"They may mock at your altered demeanor. Let them go on; blunt arrows do no harm.
"They may laugh at your conscientiousness. Pity their want of conscience.
"Contradict when and where necessary; have courage; defend yourself. Here defiance is necessary and right.
"The worst thing that could happen to you in this case would be the best – that such people would let you alone.
"Oh, happiness, to be rid of such perverse and false friends, and to be able, at last, to breathe freely once more!
"'Thou hast broken my bonds: I will sacrifice to Thee, the sacrifice of praise' (Psalm 115:16-17),*^^ to serve Thee as I must; to love Thee as I can; to be guided only by holy fear, as I should!
"'Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me, and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed.' (Luke 9:26)
"'Thou shalt not follow the multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou yield in judgment, to the opinion of the most part, to stray from the truth' (Exodus 23:2).
"'But if you also suffer anything for justice’ sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear, and be not troubled' (1 Peter 3:14).
"'For God hath scattered the bones of them that please men; they have been confounded, because God hath despised them' (Psalm 52:6)*^^^
"'With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed' (Ecclesiasticus 1:13)*^^^^
St. Aloysius is the perfect model for
all young men in regard to purity and manliness. Pope Benedict XIII named him
patron of youth.
Father Rickaby, S.J., commenting on
this in “Ye are Christ's,” says: “Our Lord, we may say, has ratified and
carried into effect the nomination of his Vicar. St. Aloysius has taken a
strong hold on our boys. This seems to be some part of the reward given him of
God even on earth, where he renounced so much. Then again every Catholic boy
appreciates that virtue which is the chief ornament of his age, the virtue of
which Aloysius is so brilliant an example, and whence he derives his name of
Angelic. Many also are held to the saint by ties of gratitude; for his
intercession on behalf of the young is singularly powerful with God. There are
those who ascribe to some devotion done in his honor the settlement of their
vocation. On the other hand, here is an authentic story of a boy delivered
through St. Aloysius from the calamity of being pushed forward to the
priesthood against his will. In a clerical seminary in Italy, about the year
1850, on St. Aloysius’ day, the boys used to write letters to the saint, which
lay before his statue all day, and then were burned or given back unread. The
bishop of the diocese insisted on taking up one of these letters and reading
it, to see, as he said, that the boys did not write nonsense. No
representations of the Jesuit rector, from whom this story comes direct, could
stop him. The letter he happened to get hold of ran to this effect: ‘Dear
Aloysius, my parents will have me here, because they want me to be a priest: I
have no vocation: can you get me out of it?' The thing was settled that day.
Furthermore, it is plain to any one who will study his life, that Luigi Gonzaga
was a high-spirited, energetic, and courageous boy, with the makings of a
soldier or a statesman in him, one quite capable of filling the high position
he was born to. The efforts of the Marquis, his father, to retain him, though
he had two younger brothers, Rudolf and Francis, are a testimony to his fitness
for being the head of a noble house. People useless in the world are seldom
much good in the Church. Heroic sanctity requires high courage. One reason why
sanctity is so rare is because high courage is rare. A ‘muff’ will never make a
canonizable saint. A boy's instinct soon discovers that there was nothing of
the 'muff' in Luigi Gonzaga.”
----
Notes:
* 1 Paralipomenon = 1 Chronicles
** Psalm 31:25 in Bibles that follow
the Hebrew numbering
*** Josue = Joshua
**** Ecclesiasticus = Sirach
***** Psalm 27:14 in Bibles that follow
the Hebrew numbering
*^ Ecclesiasticus 1:32 = Sirach 1:22
*^^ Psalm 116:6-7 in Bibles that follow
the Hebrew numbering
*^^^ Psalm 53:6 in Bibles that follow
the Hebrew numbering
*^^^^ Sirach 1:11
No comments:
Post a Comment