When we practice the virtue of chastity we seek not only purity of body but
also purity of mind and heart. We should avoid those thoughts, affections and
desires which separate us from the love of God and the demands of our vocation.
(Council of Trent) Without chastity, it is impossible to have true human love,
much less true love for God. If a person were to abandon his struggle in the
realm of holy purity, he would become subject to the tyranny of the senses. He
would descend to an animal state: 'It seems as if your spirit were growing
smaller, shrinking to a little point. and your body seems to grow and become
gigantic, until it gains control.' (Jose Escriva, Furrow, 841) The worldly
person is incapable of having an authentic friendship with the Lord. In those
early days when the Church was surrounded by a pagan and hedonistic environment
she warned the faithful about the pleasures of the flesh which act as cruel
tyrants. Once they have enabled the soul through impurity, they render the soul
incapable of doing good works. (St. Ambrose, Treatise on Virginity) The practice
of holy purity disposes the soul to the love of God and apostolate.
also purity of mind and heart. We should avoid those thoughts, affections and
desires which separate us from the love of God and the demands of our vocation.
(Council of Trent) Without chastity, it is impossible to have true human love,
much less true love for God. If a person were to abandon his struggle in the
realm of holy purity, he would become subject to the tyranny of the senses. He
would descend to an animal state: 'It seems as if your spirit were growing
smaller, shrinking to a little point. and your body seems to grow and become
gigantic, until it gains control.' (Jose Escriva, Furrow, 841) The worldly
person is incapable of having an authentic friendship with the Lord. In those
early days when the Church was surrounded by a pagan and hedonistic environment
she warned the faithful about the pleasures of the flesh which act as cruel
tyrants. Once they have enabled the soul through impurity, they render the soul
incapable of doing good works. (St. Ambrose, Treatise on Virginity) The practice
of holy purity disposes the soul to the love of God and apostolate.
. . .
In our times it may be that many, if not most people find it very difficult to understand the virtue of chastity. They do not see the point of anybody's living apostolic celibacy or virginity in the middle of the world. The first Christians came up against the same kind of difficulties in a fiercely hostile environment. That is why our apostolate on behalf of chastity ought to include the practice of its related virtues. Through our cheerful and friendly behavior we should make chastity attractive to others. We need to sow abundant doctrine about this virtue. Let us be sure to take care in the way we dress, in the way we exercise and pursue recreation. when a conversation takes a bad turn, we should not be afraid to cut short an impure discussion. We should also reject bad forms of entertainment. Above all, let us give a cheerful example with our own life. We should explain to our friends the beauty of this virtue, and how it is that many good fruits come from this practice of chastity--a greater capacity for love, generosity, joy, spiritual refinement . . . We should proclaim loud and clear that purity is possible as long as we use the means that have been recommended by the Church for centuries: guarding the senses, avoiding occasions of sin, modesty, moderation in entertainment, temperance, frequent recourse to prayer and the sacraments--especially the Sacrament of Confession, sincerity, and last but not least, a tender love for the Blessed Virgin. We will never, ever, be tempted beyond our strength. . . .
Do I make chastity attractive? Am I as chaste as I need to be? How can I help myself and others to be chaste?
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