De custodia conscientiae in omni loco et tempore
The Stewardship of the Soul
The faithful soul prioritizes eternal salvation over worldly gain, acting as a prudent steward of God's gifts.
My soul is always in my hands. Nothing is more useful or healthy for someone wanting to reach eternal life than to always think about the salvation of their soul. Read and look through everything; there is no salvation for the soul except in God and in a good life. This is why the Lord and Redeemer of souls says to his disciples: What good is it to a person if they gain the whole world, but suffer the loss of their own soul? Whoever thinks about this often and cares more for the salvation of their soul than for temporary profit or bodily food is a truly wise merchant, because they prioritize and seek eternal and spiritual things over all things that perish. This person is one of the good and faithful servants of Christ who makes four out of two talents, and ten out of five; they don't hide one in the ground, bury it, throw it away, or despise it, but rather give it to the poor so they might pray for them, or offer it to God at the altar, giving thanks even for the smallest gift they have received. Blessed is the servant who is faithful and prudent over a few things, who spends all their time usefully and stays silent about outside matters that don't concern them; instead, having become like one deaf and mute for God's sake, they pass through the tumult of the world in peace and always carry their soul before them in their own hands.
Humility in Suffering
True discipleship requires enduring criticism with humility and acknowledging one's own weakness in following Christ.
Don't be curious about the state of others, except where the love of God and brotherly compassion require it. Don't crave human praise, which is vanity, and don't fear criticism that does no harm; instead, it cleanses and humbles the soul, and earns a high crown in heaven. No one is worthy to be exalted by God unless they know how to endure criticism for God's sake. For just as you, Lord God, suffered for me, so I too must suffer for you and follow as best I can. For you said to Saint Peter, "Follow me." But woe to me, Lord, because I am able to suffer so little for you. I often make resolutions, and yet I barely accomplish one out of ten. Words are many, but deeds are few.
A Cry for Mercy
Recognizing personal negligence, the soul turns to God and the saints in humble, repentant prayer.
It's all my fault, and there's no excuse. For my own laziness and negligence only increase my sins. What, then, is left for me to say or think about this, other than to ask for mercy and pray? I have sinned, Lord; have mercy on me. For this is what all the saints did and taught before you, and what all the faithful still do every day. O all you saints and friends of God, pray for me, because I am weak and in need of every good thing, and I humbly ask to be helped by everyone. Holy Lord of saints, my God, incline your ear to the prayer of your poor servant. Help me and I will be saved, and I will always meditate on your decrees.
A Prayer for Spiritual Graces
The chapter concludes with a comprehensive petition for the virtues and graces necessary to remain faithful to God.
Oh, if only I could deserve to be the least of your flock in that kingdom you’ve prepared for the humble and those who love you. I will love you, then, Lord, my strength, with all my heart, just as you commanded with your holy mouth. You are my hope, my salvation, and my whole desire. Give me a clear understanding against every error, a pure heart against every impurity, a right faith against every doubt, a firm hope against every mistrust, a fervent love against every apathy and negligence, great patience against every disturbance, holy meditation against base imagination, continuous prayer against the devil's assault, diligent attention to reading against the frequent wandering of the mind, good occupation against the heart's boredom and sleepiness, and a devout remembrance of your holy Passion against the mortification of all vices. Stand by me in these good things, my God, and confirm me in all your holy words. Amen.
Read the original Latin
Anima mea in manibus meis semper. Nihil utilius et salubrius cupienti ad vitam aeternam pervenire: quam semper cogitare de animae suae salute. Lege et percurre omnia: non est salus animae nisi in Deo et in bona vita. Hinc ait Dominus et redemptor animarum discipulis suis. Quid prodest homini si mundum universum lucretur; animae vero suae detrimentum patiatur? Qui istud frequenter cogitat et magis de animae suae salute curam gerit quam de temporali lucro vel corporali cibo; hic vere sapiens negotiator est: quia aeterna et spiritualia omnibus perituris praeponit et quaerit. Iste est unus de bonis et fidelibus Christi servis: qui de duobus talentis quatuor, et de quinque decem is facit; et unum non abscondit in terra nec defodit nec a se proicit, nec contemnit, sed pauperi potius tribuit ut pro se oret: aut ad altare Deo offert regratiando sibi etiam pro minimo dono quod accepit. Beatus servus super pauca fidelis et prudens, qui omnia tempora sua utiliter expendit: et de extraneis rebus ad se non pertinentibus tacet; sed tamquam surdus et mutus propter Deum factus pacifice tumultus saeculi pertransit: et animam suam ante se in manibus suis semper portat.
Noli ergo de statu aliorum curiose quaerere: nisi quantum caritas Dei et fraterna compassio exigit. Noli laudes hominum appetere quae vanae sunt: nec vituperia expavescere quae non obsunt; sed animam purgant et humiliant: et in caelo alte coronant. Nemo dignus est a Deo sublimari: nisi qui scit pro Deo vituperia pati. Sicut enim tu Domine Deus passus es pro me: ita et ego debeo pati pro te et sequi pro posse. Tu enim sancto Petro dixisti: sequere me. Sed heu mihi Domine: quia tam parum pososum pati pro te. Saepe propono: et de decem vix unum perficio. Multa sunt verba: sed opera pauca.
Totum est culpa mea: et excusatio nulla. Nam desidia et neglegentia propria: augent peccata mea. Quid ergo restat ad ista dicere et cogitare; nisi veniam petere et orare? Peccavi Domine: miserere mei. Sic enim omnes sancti ante te fecerunt et docuerunt: et adhuc cotidie omnes fideles faciunt. O omnes sancti et amici Dei orate pro me: quia infirmus sum et omnibus bonis indigeo, et ab omnibus iuvari humiliter peto. Sancte sanctorum Domine Deus meus: inclina aurem tuam ad precem pauperis servi tui. Adiuva me et salvus ero: et meditabor in iustificationibus tuis semper.
O utinam merear unus de pusillis gregis tui esse in regno tuo quod praeparasti humilibus et diligentibus te. Diligam ergo te: Domine virtus mea ex toto corde meo: sicut praecepisti ore sancto tuo. Tu spes mea et saluss mea et totum desiderium meum. Da mihi intellectum clarum contra omnem errorem; cor mundum contra omnem impuritatem: fidem rectam contra omnem dubitationem; spem firmam contra omnem diffidentiam: caritatem ferventem contra omnem acediam et neglegentiam; magnam patientiam contra omnem turbationem: sanctam meditationem contra turpem imaginationem; continuam orationem contra diaboli impugnationem: diligentem attentionem ad lectionem contra frequentem mentis evagationem; bonam occupationem contra cordis taedium et somnolentiam; devotam sacrae passionis tuae recordationem contra omnium vitiorum mortificationem. Adesto mihi in his bonis Deus meus: et confirma me in omnibus verbis sanctis tuis. Amen.
The Little Garden of Roses & The Valley of Lilies companion
Fourteen readings down. The other 39 chapters are waiting.
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