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115.1
First Point
When
he was fifteen, Saint Anselm resolved to devote himself to God and asked
to be given the religious habit. However, the abbot of the monastery to
which he applied, fearing that the youth's father might object, refused
his request. This discouraged the young man so much that he took on the
spirit of the world and abandoned himself to dissolute living. Ah! how
little it takes to change the good will of children and young people!
This example should teach those who are young that, when they wish
to consecrate themselves to God in the way of virtue they should not be
discouraged by any obstacles and difficulties they encounter. After they
have committed themselves, and made it known to those who are responsible
for them, then those in charge must act so wisely in their regard that
nothing in themselves or in their conduct is able to give these youths any
dislike for the service of God, or cause them to deviate even slightly
from their duties.
Is this one of your main concerns in your work? On this kind of
care the progress that your disciples can make in piety depends very much,
as well as the benefit you yourselves can derive from instructing them.
115.2
Second Point
When
this saint grew older, he gave up his dissolute manner of living and
followed a powerful inspiration from God to become a religious. In three
years' time he made such progress in the practice of virtue and in the
mortification of his passions that he was chosen prior and then abbot of
his monastery.
Let us understand from this that God does not altogether abandon
those who have a good heart; from time to time he takes care to favor them
with his graces. However, it is important for them to correspond
faithfully to these graces and to follow inspirations when God sends them.
Still, they should do this only after consulting with their superiors, as
Saint Anselm did, and follow their advice. For on this fidelity the
salvation of many persons often depends.
Are you especially faithful to the inspirations God gives you? Do
you consult your superiors before putting them into execution, so that
they may see if they come from God, and then help you to take all the
measures necessary to render them useful to you?
115.3
Third Point
Becoming
a superior, this saint endeavored to guide his religious with so much
gentleness and charity that he won all their hearts. He took such tender
care of a young religious who was ill, who had found it difficult to
submit to his guidance and to recognize him as his superior, that he moved
the young man by his charity and won him over to return to his duties.
Observing a certain abbot treating some young gentlemen rigorously, he
told him that when you guide young people with so much rigor, you do not
have any success at all instructing them.
By reason of your state you are responsible for the instruction of
children. Profit by the words and wise conduct of this saint, since all
your care should be to procure for them the spirit of Christianity. You
must consider the obligation you have to win their hearts as one of the
principal means to lead them to live in a Christian manner. Often reflect
that if you fail to use this means, you will drive them away from God
instead of drawing them to him.
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