the rule of life 64 3. Obedience guards chastity, and poverty nourishes chastity. Therefore, the one eager for purity exercises himself in obedience and poverty, and then he will possess chastity. The following means will be able to greatly aid anyone to preserve this angelic virtue [of chastity]: modesty of the eyes and the constant elevation of the mind to God; the flight from laziness, idle conversations, useless reading; prudent avoiding of dangerous company; love of one’s cell, and respect for the cloister; an ardent invocation of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mother of God, your guardian angel, St. Joseph, and the holy virgins. The Superiors will take pains lest they throw anyone into a situation endangering so great a virtue, or that they would neglect someone so endangered, seeing that they will have to render to God a most strict accounting of those entrusted to them. CHAPTER FOUR Mortification 1. Concerning internal mortification of passions, desires, and your own judgment and will — without which the old Adam can in no way be cast off — and in which it is fitting that you be most experienced: bodily chastisement greatly contributes to internal mortification. “Put to death therefore” — says St. Paul in Colossians 3 — “what is earthly in you” (Col 3:5). Therefore, let your food be moderate: such that prevents hunger, but does not fill your stomach. Food should not be prepared in an exquisite way, using vegetables, herbs, roots and relishes. You will not eat meat (the sick, the weak, aged, and travelers excepted). However, butter or some fat will be allowed to be used as a condiment. But, outside your houses, what will have been put before you, with God’s blessing, you will eat moderately (cf. Lk 10:8). 2. Your ordinary drink ought to be water. Should you have any other drink, it will be up to the Superior to allow you to drink it towards the end). In 1679 Bishop Wierzbowski witnesses to the “utmost poverty” in which the Marians were living (cf. Positio, p. 399, n. 12).
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