the mystical temple of god 640 For we call such saints our patrons because they do more for us than temporal patrons would wish to do for their clients. Is the good God angry with us? They appease His anger; does He not grant our requests?They intercede on our behalf; does He want to punish us? They restrain Him; does He spare us? They thank Him. They favor our good deeds, favor our merits, favor our happiness, and await us with far greater longing than companions in port await the shipwrecked. And therefore, as is the custom of the Church, I would devoutly suggest that we celebrate the recurring festivities of these our guardians with an octave. In what way? On each of the eight days let us do something pious and good in their honor. On one day one should attend the sacrifice of the Mass, on another give alms, on another apply some mortification to the body, on another pardon wrongs if there are any to be pardoned, and on another, if there are none, acquire virtues, on another we should practice some work of mercy, on another say our prayers with greater fervor, and on another live in great recollection and devotion. Finally we should perform whatever is acceptable to God, whatever brings honor to our patrons and whatever is salutary to us and our neighbor, because of our love and reverence due to them. In this way we shall have honored our Guardians in the best way. CHAPTER 21 The Restoration of the Mystical Temple The Mystical Temple is brought to ruin by impious deeds and repaired by pious deeds. Thus redeeming sins with alms is advised by Daniel168 to the king of Assyria. Thus prayers, along withmerciful generosity, and the burial of the dead, made Tobias a friend of 168 Cf. Vulgate, Dan 4:24. “Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and redeem your sins with alms, and your iniquities with works of mercy to the poor; perhaps he will forgive your offenses.”
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