De conformitate animae devotae cum Crucifixo
The Mystery of Conformity
The soul seeks understanding of what it means to be with Christ in tribulation.
I am with Him in tribulation. What does this mean, Lord? Explain this word You spoke; open up the meaning of this little verse for the comfort of Your servant.
Walking with Jesus
The Lord explains how the soul's various states of prayer and suffering mirror the life and passion of Jesus.
Listen, My child. When you are in tribulation and sorrow of heart, you are then with Jesus on the cross; and when you are again consoled in devotion and find delight in hymns and divine songs, you then rise with Jesus in the newness of the Spirit, and you are raised from the tomb as if from the dead, singing Alleluia with joy. But when you pray on bended knees for your sins, and you grieve and weep deeply, you are then knocking with hard blows at the gate of heaven. But when you now neglect all earthly things and meditate inwardly only on heavenly things, you are then traveling with Jesus toward heaven and are joined with the angels.
The Patient Cross
An exhortation to patience and humility as the soul carries its cross toward eternal glory.
Be, therefore, gentle, humble, and patient in every event and in any hardship that comes upon you for God's sake; and carry your cross patiently with Jesus, dying daily on the cross for your eternal salvation, because every affliction of the flesh that is patiently endured is medicine for the soul, a satisfaction for sins, and a hope of future beatitude and glory. Amen.
Read the original Latin
Cum ipso sum in tribulatione. Quid est hoc Domine? Expone mihi verbum istud quod dixisti; aperi sensum huius versiculi: pro solacio servi tui. Audi fili. Quando es in tribulatione et cordis maerore: tunc es cum Iesu in cruce, et quando iterum consolaris in devotione et delectaris in hymnis et canticis divinis; tunc resurgis cum Iesu in novitate spiritus: et quasi a mortuis sus,citaris de sepulchro alleluia laete canendo. Cum autem flexis genibus oras pro peccatis tuis et intime doles et ploras tunc duris ictibus ante portam caeli pulsas. Cum vero omnia terrena iam neglegis et sola caelestia intus meditaris: tunc cum Iesu ad caelum pergis et angelis sociaris. Esto ergo mitis humilis et patiens in omni eventu et in firmitate irruente super te propter Deum: et porta crucem tuam patienter cum Iesu moriendo cotidie in cruce pro aeterna salute tua; quia omnis afflictio carnis patienter tolerata medicina est animae: et satisfactio pro peccatis, et spes futurae beatitudinis et gloriae.
Amen.
The Little Garden of Roses & The Valley of Lilies companion
Fourteen readings down. The other 39 chapters are waiting.
Chosen Portion serves the complete Little Garden and Valley of Lilies — plus the Imitation — as daily portions.
These treatises were composed as brief daily counsels for a community's rhythm of reading, and Chosen Portion delivers them the same way: one short chapter each morning.
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