Monday, June 17 : Saint Catherine of Siena

Very dear father, you may be able to tell me: I really desire charity, but how can I know if I have it? I will answer you: if the soul finds in itself the conditions that we have recognized for charity. They all be summed up in two main ones: first in true and holy patience, which supports all small or large insults, from whatever side they may come, and supports them with a calm and peaceful spirit. Then in zeal to relieve the needs of your neighbor as much as possible. So the first condition of charity is to endure insults, the second to give: and what to give? The affection of charity, by loving the neighbor as oneself, and by assisting creatures according to what God gives you in graces and spiritual and temporal goods: the soul is disposed to take and taste the Word of God , and it tries to observe it until death. There are many other signs of charity, but I don’t want to speak too much, so I speak only of the two main ones. Oh ! How happy is the soul that feeds on the breast of such a sweet mother! She is humble, she is obedient, and she would like to die better than not being subject to the crucified Jesus.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team