10-17-2026, 06:51 AM
Chapter XXX. The More Perfect Man Is, the More Earnestly Doth He Endeavour to Do That Which Is Desired, Ordered, and Counselled of God
The more perfect a man is and the more he loveth God, the more doth he strive to do these things which God did, which He desireth, commandeth, and counselleth should be done, and to avoid those things which displease Him. And he must do this all the days of his life, for when the Man of Sorrows lived this mortal life He was ever upon a bitter cross of penitence. The length of time, therefore, ordained for penance, is as long as a man shall live. The amount and severity thereof must be according as a man can with discretion perform. And this is unity with the will of God, a unity which He hath ordained should not be only in words, but in doing the works of the Cross and of penitence, such as Christ Himself performed.
When the soul is transformed in God and is in God, and hath that perfect union and fulness of vision, it is quiet and worketh nothing whatsoever. But when it cometh again to itself it striveth to transform itself in the will of God in order that it may behold again that vision wherewith it directeth the love of God and of its neighbour as though with arms. For herein doth the soul behold the Being of God, and how all creatures have their being from that Supreme Being, and it perceiveth that there existeth nothing which doth not derive its being from that same Supreme Being.
From this vision doth the soul, thus instructed, draw marvellous learning, ineffable wisdom, and ripe gravity, and from this vision it draweth likewise the true knowledge of the perfection of all things appertaining unto that Supreme Being; and it cannot doubt it, for it perceiveth how that all things made by Him are well made. Bad are they only when we ourselves destroy what the Supreme Being hath made well.
This vision of the Supreme Being awakeneth a love corresponding unto itself. The Supreme Being inciteth us to love everything which hath its being from Him, all good things and well made things, and teacheth us to love all creatures, rational and irrational, for love of Him; and everything, whatsoever it may be, which hath its being from Him and which He loveth, doth He incite us also to love. Especially doth He teach us to love those creatures in which we perceive He taketh an especial delight; for when the soul findeth that Supreme Being yearneth in love towards His creatures, then will it also yearn towards them.
The sign manifest of those who stand in the friendship of the Supreme Being is, that they are true followers of His only Son, that they keep the eyes of their mind ever fixed upon Him, ready to love and follow Him, and in all things to transform themselves in the will of the Beloved, namely, the only begotten Son of the Supreme Being.
The more perfect a man is and the more he loveth God, the more doth he strive to do these things which God did, which He desireth, commandeth, and counselleth should be done, and to avoid those things which displease Him. And he must do this all the days of his life, for when the Man of Sorrows lived this mortal life He was ever upon a bitter cross of penitence. The length of time, therefore, ordained for penance, is as long as a man shall live. The amount and severity thereof must be according as a man can with discretion perform. And this is unity with the will of God, a unity which He hath ordained should not be only in words, but in doing the works of the Cross and of penitence, such as Christ Himself performed.
When the soul is transformed in God and is in God, and hath that perfect union and fulness of vision, it is quiet and worketh nothing whatsoever. But when it cometh again to itself it striveth to transform itself in the will of God in order that it may behold again that vision wherewith it directeth the love of God and of its neighbour as though with arms. For herein doth the soul behold the Being of God, and how all creatures have their being from that Supreme Being, and it perceiveth that there existeth nothing which doth not derive its being from that same Supreme Being.
From this vision doth the soul, thus instructed, draw marvellous learning, ineffable wisdom, and ripe gravity, and from this vision it draweth likewise the true knowledge of the perfection of all things appertaining unto that Supreme Being; and it cannot doubt it, for it perceiveth how that all things made by Him are well made. Bad are they only when we ourselves destroy what the Supreme Being hath made well.
This vision of the Supreme Being awakeneth a love corresponding unto itself. The Supreme Being inciteth us to love everything which hath its being from Him, all good things and well made things, and teacheth us to love all creatures, rational and irrational, for love of Him; and everything, whatsoever it may be, which hath its being from Him and which He loveth, doth He incite us also to love. Especially doth He teach us to love those creatures in which we perceive He taketh an especial delight; for when the soul findeth that Supreme Being yearneth in love towards His creatures, then will it also yearn towards them.
The sign manifest of those who stand in the friendship of the Supreme Being is, that they are true followers of His only Son, that they keep the eyes of their mind ever fixed upon Him, ready to love and follow Him, and in all things to transform themselves in the will of the Beloved, namely, the only begotten Son of the Supreme Being.
"So let us be confident, let us not be unprepared, let us not be outflanked, let us be wise, vigilant, fighting against those who are trying to tear the faith out of our souls and morality out of our hearts, so that we may remain Catholics, remain united to the Blessed Virgin Mary, remain united to the Roman Catholic Church, remain faithful children of the Church."- Abp. Lefebvre