Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ... APRIL. PATIENCE. Whoever taketh not up his cross and followeth Me, is not worthy / Me. --Matt., x: 38. 1. The cross is the true gate through which to enter into the'temple of holiness; and by any other way it is not possible to come into it. Therefore, we ought more than once to immolate our hearts to the love of Jesus, upon that same altar of the cross ou which He sacrificed His for love for us. Father Alvarez made this resolution: "I will consider all aridity, disquiet, and every trial which shall come to me in prayer, as a martyrdom, and as such I will bear them with constancy." He pursued this course faithfully for sixteen years, after which he had so many consolations and celestial lights as were an abundant recompense for all the sufferings he had previously endured. St. Teresa bore the greatest aridity for eighteen years, and then to what heights was she not exalted! St. Bernard said of himself: " All those things that the world loves, such as pleasure, honors, praise, and riches, are to me crosses; and all things which the world counts as crosses, I seek and embrace with the greatest affection." 2. If you see that you have not yet suffered tribulations, consider It certain that you have not begun to be a true servant of God; for the Apostle says plainly that all who choose to live piously in Christ, shall suffer persecutions.--St. Augustine. St. Athanasius, St. Basil, St, John Chrysostom, St. Jerome, and St. Cyril were all charged with a thousand crimes, and in that way were greatly afflicted. St. Romualdo was slanderously accused by one of his monks of the commission of a shameful crime, was condemned, in a public assembly, to be burnt at the stake as a punishment, and, in the mean time, was suspended from his function...
