Chapter Eight The Virgin’s Patience, eighth among her 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 patient, and out of her patience, in order to please God, she thought, spoke and acted as follows: She endured patiently the persecution of Herod and of the Jews; she searched for her Son sorrowfully for three days, and when she joyfully discovered Him, with a maternal voice she said, “Son, why have you done this to us? You see that your father and I have been searching for you in sorrow” [cf. Lk 2:48]. According to the example and in imitation of the Virgin, devoted souls, in order to please Christ, should desire to endure something for the name of their Spouse [cf. Acts 5:41], they should rejoice when they suffer persecution unjustly because the Lord Jesus said: “By patient endurance you will save your lives” [cf. Lk 21:19] and the Apostle [Paul] says: “If only we suffer with him we shall also reign with him” [cf. Rm 8:17; cf. 2 Tim 2:12]. Therefore, souls who endure evil in this world for Christ will receive honor in Heaven from Christ. 60
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