What an exalted opinion we should have of Christian piety! It inspires the
Christian man and woman with lofty ideas, and prepares them for noble
undertakings. These lessons of piety should be planted early in the hearts
of the young, that they may take root and grow up to a magnificent fruit
of mature virtue. Serve God as a loving and dutiful child, cherish a great
devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and have recourse to her in all your
wants, being sure that all your petitions will meet with a ready and
hearty response. Never forget these three truths, which should be the main
considerations of the true Christian on every occasion: First, That sin is
the only evil which should be feared; Second, The grace of God is the real
good for which we should strive with all our heart; Third, The salvation
of the soul is the all‐important business of our lives, for which we were
created, and which should be looked after with that care which it
deserves.
Prayer.
O most loving Jesus, etc., etc.
Twentieth Day.
The husband, as head of the family, owes to his wife fidelity, love, and
support. Fidelity is that constancy of affection which he has promised at
his marriage, and which must be preserved inviolable until death; it means
that purity of soul and body which will not permit itself to be degraded
by impurity and adultery. Conjugal fidelity is a great and holy duty, in
which matrimony is held sacred. There you find peace, happiness, and the
blessing of almighty God. Our Lord was very stringent upon this point, for
He says: “Whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already
committed adultery with her in his heart.”—Matt. v. 28. Whosoever then
commits adultery transgresses a most important divine commandment. In the
Old Law this crime was punished by stoning the guilty person to death, and
in the primitive Church by a severe public penance of many years’
duration. What fidelity does not the husband demand of the wife! With the
same strictness is he obliged to be faithful to her whom he has chosen as
his life companion.
Prayer.
O most loving Jesus, etc., etc.
Twenty‐first Day.
The second duty of the husband and wife is conjugal love. The word
conjugal means joined together, because husband and wife are united to
bear the same burden. The Apostle says: “Husbands, love your wives, as
Christ also loved the Church, and delivered Himself up for it.”—Ephes. v.
25. Husband and wife are individuals whom God has joined in inseparable
companionship. The greatest bond between mankind, and the sweetest one, is
conjugal love, of which we are thinking on this day consecrated to the
Holy Family. Keep this great duty before your eyes and never forget it,
for it is easily destroyed. It is from that love, too, that should spring
your children, who are to grow up to take your place in the Church and the
State. These children you are to bring up in the fear and love of God,
faithful to the Church and their fatherland. A tremendous responsibility!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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