Lest You Remain

hearts, he wrote a book entitled “The Mystical Temple of God” in order to assist all faithful who wished to take good care of the beauty of their hearts’ shrine. With particular zeal he advocated sobriety, making sure that the inner freedom wouldn’t be compromised under the perilous affects of alcohol. Fervent prayers and atonements made for the intentions of the souls in Purgatory were nothing else but the manifestation of the desire for the deceased submitted to the purifying work of love to reach the joy of heaven as soon as pos- sible. In Fr. Stanislaus’s eyes fraternal help given to the deceased was “a work of noble love,” because it was concern with people “from whom no reward can be expected, no gratitude or praise.” Helping the dead in Purgatory is schooling in self- less love. With tears in his eyes he pleaded with his confreres: “I beg you, brethren, to pray for the deceased for they suffer unbearable torments.” Many times he had mystical visions of Purgatory, which increased his longing for heaven, for the full- ness of happiness for everyone. Someone once said that a longing is the beginning of everything. We can add: it’s the beginning of heaven. Longing for heaven, Fr. Stanislaus continuously gazed with his soul’s eyes at God’s beauty, which he discovered in the pages of the Holy Scriptures, in the holy sacraments, in another person, in the beauty of all creation. He knew that the more his heart is beautiful the closer it is to heaven; the wider he would open it to God’s love and fulfill His will, the more he experienced God’s heavenly presence. “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him” (J 14:23). “Thus,”—encouraged Fr. Stanislaus—concentrate on the greatest love of the Most High and Good God who cares about us and wants to redeem us. He gives us numerous and easily available means so that in using them we may merit eternal life!” *** Marian Helpers live by this longing for heaven. They daily lift their eyes upward and in the love of their hearts they reach heaven and try to bring it closer to earth. This happens when they help the needy by active deeds of love and do not forget those who already completed their earthly journey and must undergo in pur- gatory the pains of longing for heaven. Saint Augustine wrote: “God’s longing is a man alive.” Thus, I shall ask myself in the quiet of my heart: “Am I alive?” Here God is longing for me as a man alive, which means a man “living in sanctifying grace,” or else “beautiful.” God has cre- ated me in His likeness and image that is in the image of the Most High Beauty, which He is. Every sin distorts the image and destroys the beauty and for this we constantly must restore it, renew it through penance (conversion) and prayer. L EST Y OU R EMAIN W ITHOUT W ORK IN THE V INEYARD OF THE L ORD 222