List of points

We have to foster in our souls a true horror for sin. Lord — say it with a contrite heart — may I never offend you again!

But don’t be frightened when you become aware of the burden of your poor body and of human passions: it would be silly and childishly naive to find out now that “this” exists. Your wretchedness is not an obstacle but a spur for you to become more united to God and seek him constantly, because He purifies us.

The irresponsibility of so many men and women who make no effort to avoid deliberate venial sins, pains Our Lord very much. It’s normal, they think, and seek to excuse themselves by saying that at those stumbling blocks we all fall!

Listen carefully: most of that mob, which condemned Christ and put him to death, also began only by shouting — just like the others — by going to the Garden of Olives — with the rest of them…

In the end, still carried along by what “everyone” was doing, they did not know how to draw back or did not want to… and they crucified Jesus!

—Now, after twenty centuries, we still have not learned.

Felix culpa!, sings the Church… Blessed be your mistake — I whisper in your ear — if it has prompted you not to sin again, and if it has also made you understand and help your neighbour better, for he is of no worse quality than you.

Love your own country: it is a Christian virtue to be patriotic. But if patriotism becomes nationalism, which leads you to look at other people, at other countries, with indifference, with scorn, without Christian charity and justice, then it is a sin.

“As long as they don’t make me sin!” said that poor man bravely when he had been almost ruined, in his private life and in his earthly and Christian ambitions, by powerful enemies.

—Meditate on this and learn to say: “As long as they don’t make me sin!”

As soon as you wilfully allow a dialogue with temptation to begin, the soul is robbed of its peace, just as consent to impurity destroys grace.

He followed the way of impurity with all his body… and with all his soul. —His faith became obscured… even though he knew it is not a problem of faith.

Yes, ask for pardon with contrition and do penance in abundance for the impure events of your past life, but don’t try to recall them.

Hell alone is a punishment for sin. Death and judgement are only consequences, which those who are in the grace of God do not fear.

Seek refuge with the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Good Counsel, so that your lips may never utter any offence against God.

In our meditation, the Passion of Christ comes out of its cold historical frame and stops being a pious consideration, presenting itself before our eyes, as terrible, brutal, savage, bloody… yet full of Love.

—And we feel that sin cannot be regarded as just a trivial error: to sin is to crucify the Son of God, to tear his hands and feet with hammer blows, and to make his heart break.