Pagina 772 di 1118

"And why, then, I might say to you, have you undertaken a

ministry which imposes on you the task of warring with the

passions of the world? But, I will rather say, how is it that you

have forgotten, that where courage is necessary to fulfil the

obligations of this holy vocation, the Most High would assuredly

impart it to you, were you earnestly to implore it? Do you think

the millions of martyrs had courage naturally? that they had

naturally a contempt for life, young Christians who had just

begun to taste its charms, children, mothers! All had courage,

simply because courage was necessary, and they trusted in God to

impart it. Knowing your own weakness, have you ever thought of

preparing yourself for the difficult situations in which you

might be placed? Ah!