Salesian Literature

Chapter 18:  Tenth Meditation:  Deliberate choice of the Devout Life

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Preparation

1. Place yourself in the presence of God.

2. Humble yourself before his face.  Ask for his help.

 

Reflections

1. Imagine that you are in the open country again, alone with your Guardian Angel.  On your left you see the devil seated on a great raised throne, with many infernal spirits near him.  All around him is a vast crowd of worldly people, who with uncovered heads acknowledge him as lord and pay him homage, some by one sin and some by another.

 

Look at the attitude of all the wretched courtiers of this abominable king: see some furious with hatred, envy and anger; others killing one another; others worn out, preoccupied and anxious in gathering wealth; others obsessed with worthless things, without any kind of pleasure but that which is useless and unsatisfying.  Others dishonest, depraved, corrupted by their brutish longings.  See how they are without rest, without order and without composure.  See how they despise one another, and how they pretend to love one another.  In short, you will see a kingdom marked with disaster, ruled tyrannically by this cursed king.  It will move you to compassion.

 

On your right, see Jesus Christ crucified.  He prays with a heartfelt love for these miserable subjects of the devils that they may run away from this tyranny, and he calls them to himself.  See a vast multitude of the devout all around him with their Angels.

 

Contemplate the beauty of this kingdom of devotion.  How beautiful the sight of this assembly of virgins, men and women, whiter than the lily; this gathering of widows, full of holy self-denial and humility.  See the group of numerous married persons who live together with such gentleness and in mutual respect, which cannot exist without a great charity.  See how these devout persons join the care of their exterior house with the care of the interior, and the love of the earthly spouse with that of the heavenly spouse.

 

Look generally everywhere.  You will see that their behaviour is holy, gentle and friendly.  They listen to our Lord and all want to plant him in the centre of their heart.  They rejoice, but with a joy that is courteous, charitable and well-ordered.  They love one another, but with a love that is holy and most pure.  Those among these devout persons who suffer distress, are not too upset and do not lose their composure.  In a word, see the eyes of the Saviour consoling them and that all of them together long for him.

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1. From now on you have turned your back on Satan, with his sad and pitiful company, but the good movements of the will formed in you.  But you have not yet come to Christ the King.  Nor have you joined his happy and holy assembly of the devout.  Rather you have always been between Satan and Christ.

2. Our Lady with St. Joseph, St. Louis, St. Monica, and a hundred thousand others, in the group of those who have lived in the midst of the world, invite and encourage you.

3. The crucified King calls you by your own name:  Come, my beloved one, come that I may crown you (Song. 4:8).

 

Election

1. Worldlings, horrid assembly, no, never will you find me under your flag.  I give up for ever your follies and trivialities.  King of pride, king of misery, infernal spirit, I reject you with your worthless show.  I detest you with all your works.

2. To you I turn, my loving Jesus, King of happiness and eternal glory.  I cling to you with all the powers of my spirit.  I adore you with all my heart.  I choose you to be my King now and forever.  I am determined to be always faithful to you and I surrendered myself to you forever.  I dedicated myself to obey your holy laws and commands.

 

Holy Mary, my dear Mother, I choose you for my guide.  I place myself under your protection.  I want to show you a particular respect and a special reverence.  My Guardian Angel, present me to this sacred assembly.  Do not ever forsake me so that I reach this happy gathering.  With them I say, and I will say forever, in confirmation of my choice: Live Jesus.  Live Jesus.

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INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE

PART I: 

Containing Counsels and Exercises necessary for the Guidance of a Person from the desire for the Devout Life up to a total commitment to live it