Principles and Practices - September 11

The Way To Take It

If by any chance thou hast committed some fault which has given rise to thy being despised by the person who witnessed it, conceive a lively sorrow for thy offence against God, and for the bad example given to thy neigh­bour; but, indeed, with regard to the contempt itself, and the dishonour incurred, accept them as means which God has chosen for the expiation of thy fault, and to render thee more humble and more virtuous.

If, on the contrary, the seeing thyself depreciated and dishonoured mortifies and pains thee, believe me, thou dost not possess true humility, and art still infected with pride. In this case, all the more earnestly implore the Lord to heal and to save thee; for if God be not moved to pity towards thee, thou shall certainly fall into other abysses.

-Leo XIII-Vaughan.
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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