reconciling adversaries, excusing all, and acting always as advocates in the interest of peace. Even more, they should easily forgive others their offenses, if they want God to forgive them theirs [cf. Mt 6:14-15]; neither should they see the sins of others, but always keep before their eyes their own sins [cf. Mt 7:1-5], for this is the condition for true charity and humility. It follows, then, that the person constituted as Superior must be solicitous and give no rest to his eyes until he has reconciled those who have quarreled among themselves, or who relate to one another in hatred, or who slander others or speak evil of them, because many have perished by the malicious tongue. Lastly, let them show even more abundant and greater pity to the sick; the healthy members should serve them as they would wish to be served and reasonably helped if they themselves were sick [cf. Mt 7:12]. And they ought to consider carefully that the virtues are sisters, and that as such they should not expel Sister Charity from the house. Chapter X The Virtue of Compassion The Virtue of Sorrow or Compassion, tenth among the virtues mentioned in the Gospel, which you should possess and cultivate in three ways, in imitation of the Virgin. The Virgin Mary was always most sorrowful and was always full of compassion for the death of her Son. In order to please God, from compassion of her Son, she thought, spoke, and acted in the following ways: She often pondered the words of Simeon: “...and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword...” [cf. Lk 2:35]. She stood near the Cross of her dying Son [cf. Jn 19:25], often contemplated His wounds, and kept visiting the stations of the Passion. According to the example and in imitation of the Virgin, devoted souls, in order to please Christ, should always carry in their hearts a packet of myrrh. This 10th virtue, of the Cross, The Rule of Imitation of the Ten Evangelical Virtues 321
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