Lest You Remain

In presenting such a conclusive virtue, Papczy<ski does not lose sight of the reality of human nature, and for this reason, he places a great deal of emphasis on natural resources, which help in the preservation of chastity. He places emphasis on the need to die to the flesh, especially thoughts: sight, touch, taste etc. He advises that in a determined way, one is to oppose futile interests and “ various occasions ”, which should be “ distant from the monastic person” . And since he teaches “ chasti- ty is an angelic virtue, and even more so”, the best means for keeping one’s chasti- ty, is an unending care over “ the purity of one’s mind and heart”, which should only be involved in the search for God. Our Founder concludes that, only those who have trust in the Lord, and not in themselves, will meet with His help in the perfect ful- fillment of the vow of chastity . 10 III. Poverty The positive aspect within the vow of poverty is provided, not so much by the renouncement of something, but by the choosing of a higher value, a more worthy choice. Through this choice, it becomes easier to imitate Christ and leads to con- centration on His person, within the context of human existence. 11 It seems that it is in this sense that the author of “ Inspectio Cordis” calls attention to two basic notions. The first reflects the first principle on which the religious life is based. Papczy<ski states that, if the realization of one’s vocation is the formation of one’s whole life as a religious person in line with Christ’s example, then this example should be adopted wholeheartedly. And here Papczy<ski emphasizes the picture of the poor Jesus, who “ left heaven and was born in a stable” and had no place “ to lay his head” (Lk 9:58). Religious brothers should therefore, strive to imitate Christ in His “nakedness”. The second stance implied by the vow of poverty, is the choice of “ God as the Greatest Good” . Moreover, according to Founder Father’s argu- ments, the vow of poverty, should assist those who are imitating Christ “ to concern themselves with spiritual affairs”, for they allow the safe “ entry into eternal life”. The conclusions that Papczy<ski advances, are intended firstly to illuminate the wonder of the spiritual gifts and the dangers found in the pursuit of riches, and Fr. St. Papczy < ski’s Religious Vows as Seen in “Inspectio Cordis” 229 purest essence of God”. (cf. Mt 5: 8). Ref: also on the subject, Apostolic Exhortation on religious life, Redemptoris Donum, #8, 11; K Holda “ The Charismatic Ecclesiastical aspect of religious vows ” in Religious Life Within the Structure of the Church, Rome 1979, p 88-89. 10 Inspectio Cordis, 163-164. Worth noting, that St Ignatius Loyola uses similar words in his percep- tion of religious chastity, when comparing it with angelic chastity. Ref: St Ignatius Loyola, Chosen Writings. Commentary, edit M.Bednarz, Krakow 1969, v1, p 420-421. 11 Ref: R. Forycki, “ Religious life as a particular method in the realization of the Christian life”, from: The Monastic Apostolic Mission”, Pozna < 1987, and p 179.