Principles and Practices - June 4

We Must Not Despair

Humiliation is good for us, inasmuch as it reminds us of our sins, corrects their effects, and in part atones for them. It must not be allowed to break our spirits. The ambitions we so prized, the hopes we had lovingly formed, have vanished from us like a torn spider's web, vain efforts, like all the efforts of man. But our tears must not be the tears of petulance and despair, but rather the tears of penitence, that will call down a renewal of God's favours.

-Ronald A. Knox
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From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930