Page:Thecompleteascet01grimuoft.djvu/89

 the penalty  of  sin,  still  the  infraction  of  it  could  not  be excused  from  the  guilt  of  a  venial  transgression,  "  Because," says  the  saint,  "by  disobedience  to  her  Rule  a religious  dishonors  the  things  of  God,  violates  her  profession, disturbs  the  Community,  and  dissipates  the fruits  of  the  good  example  which  every  one  should  give." Whoever, then,  breaks  the  Rule  in  the  presence  of others,  will,  according  to  the  saint,  incur  the  additional guilt of  scandal. It should  be  observed  that  the  breach of rule  may  be  even  a  mortal  sin,  when  it  is  so  frequent as to  do  serious  injury  to  regular  observance  in  the Community. To violate  the  Rule,  through  contempt,  is likewise  a  grievous  transgression. And St.  Thomas  re- marks, that the  frequent  infraction  of  rule  practically disposes to  the  contempt  of  it. This is  my  answer  to those  tepid  religious  who  excuse  their  own  irregularities by  saying  that  the  Rule  imposes  no  obligation. The fervent spouses  of  Jesus  Christ  do  not  inquire  whether their rule  has  the  force  of  a  precept  or  not:  it  is  enough for them  to  know  that  it  is  approved  by  God,  and  that he takes  complacency  in  its  observance.

As it  is  impossible  to  arrive  at  perfection  in  any  art  or science,  without  ardent  desires  of  its  attainment,  so  no one  has  ever  yet  become  a  saint,  but  by  strong  and  fervent aspirations  after  sanctity. " God,"  observes  St. Teresa,  "  ordinarily  confers  his  signal  favors  on  those only  who  thirst  after  his  love." Blessed, says  the  royal prophet, ''is  the  man  whose  help  is  from  thee:  in  his  heart  he hath  disposed  to  ascend  by  steps  in  the  vale  of  tears. . .  .  They shall  go  from  virtue  to  virtue.''  Happy  the  man  who  has resolved in  his  soul  to  mount  the  ladder  of  perfection: he shall  receive  abundant  aid  from  God,  and  will  ascend