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Man consists of two parts, a body and a soul; these two parts are most intimately connected. Hence it follows that the interior feelings and emotions of the soul must of necessity find an exterior expression. Tears are the outward sign of inward grief; smiles and a bright expression of countenance betoken inward gladness. Although true piety and devotion are altogether interior, a disposition of the heart, it is quite impossible that, if they really exist, they should remain concealed, and not manifest themselves by means of corresponding acts and exercises. These arts and exercises constitute the variegated colors in the robe of piety. It is by means of this robe, and these colors, that we are able to distinguish between true and false piety. If these colors are pure and bright, if they form a harmonious whole without one jarring note, one may reasonably conclude that the piety is genuine in its nature. I am now about to direct your attention to the practices of piety, and I beg you to look closely at this brilliantly colored robe.
That which first strikes the eye is the celestial blue of fervor in prayer. The truly pious maiden recites her morning prayer devoutly and as soon as possible after rising. She is convinced that upon it the day chiefly depends, and on no account therefore does she omit it. Moreover, it is of the utmost importance that she should every morning direct her intention, for this is a spiritual alchemy which turns ordinary actions into gold. A good intention resembles the figures placed before a cipher; by it actions indifferent in themselves, which, when they stand alone, are as worthless as ciphers, receive an infinite, an eternal value.
She is equally careful to perform her evening devotions in a proper manner. She strives to awaken heartfelt contrition for the sins and negligences into which she has fallen during the past day. She seeks to discover them by means of serious reflection, and always pays special attention to any particular fault she is trying to uproot. She also makes it a rule always to say grace both before and after meals.
Rosy red is another striking color in the robe of piety; it is zeal in hearing Mass. I do not refer to the obligation of hearing it on Sundays and festivals but the voluntary attendance on week-days. A short time ago I read of a young girl who in winter and summer walked nearly three miles every day in order to hear Mass. In this way she obtained strength to resist temptation and to live virtuously during the day. Not long afterward she died a truly pious death. My dear child, do not you need strength just as much as she did in order that you may resist the danger and temptations which beset you day by day? Therefore go to Mass as often as you can and you will receive grace and strength to persevere in the right way. But if it is quite impossible for you to do this, God will take the will for the deed, and bestow upon you no less a measure of grace and strength. Remember the words of a celebrated master of the spiritual life: “He who hears Mass devoutly will prosper in everything during the day.”
In the third place we see the bright gold color of the practice of frequently raising the heart to God. It is a devout practice to raise the heart to God in a brief prayer every time the clock strikes the hour. At all events it is advisable that you should repeat, if only to yourself, one of the ejaculations to which the Church has attached numerous indulgences, and which you will find in the latter part of this volume. Such, for instance, are the following:
“My Jesus, mercy!” 100 days’ indulgence.
“My God and my All!” 5o days’ indulgence.
“Jesus, my God, I love Thee above all things!” 50 days’ indulgence.
“Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation!” 300 days’ indulgence.
The robe of piety should be distinguishable also by its hue of verdant green. This green betokens the sanctification of Sunday. It is a matter of course that you should fulfill the duty strictly binding on every Catholic never to omit hearing Mass on that day without a sufficient reason, nor engage in any unnecessary servile work. It is also of great practical importance that you should be diligent in hearing the word of God by your presence at sermons and religious instruction; that you should read edifying books and join only in those amusements which are harmless and innocent; avoiding, on the other hand, sinful diversions and occasions of sin. You must be all the more determined in adhering to this resolution because, in the present day, the temptations which would lead young girls to violate Sunday are so varied and so numerous.
White should also not be missing. By it I understand the fervor with which you should discharge your obligations as a member of confraternities and pious associations. They are, it is true, not absolutely necessary, but they afford suitable and practical means for the exercise of piety. Such associations are the Apostleship of Prayer, the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, the Archconfraternity of the Perpetual Adoration, and the Confraternity of the Scapular of Mount Carmel. Should the Association of the Perpetual Adoration be established in the place where you live, enroll yourself in it, and see that you are a zealous member of the same. Wear with devotion the scapular of our blessed Lady of Mount Carmel; it is the most ancient of scapulars and the one most recommended by the Church. You must above all be, and also remain, a faithful and zealous member of the Congregation of the Children of Mary. It will prove a sure guide and a constant incitement to a true and childlike devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Read what this book says in regard to that subject.
A pious Christian maiden ought to show zeal in regard to works of charity; this is the scarlet color in the robe of piety. What great and exalted merits for all eternity can a maiden acquire if she, without in the least neglecting her external appearance, avoids all that is showy and exaggerated in the way of dress; if moreover, instead of eagerly seeking after undesirable and dangerous pleasure and diversions she devotes all that she can save to some pious purpose, some object approved by her parents and superiors. There are, thanks be to God! many such young girls in town and country in the houses of those who possess only limited means, as well as in the palatial homes of the wealthy. Aim at belonging to their number. At any rate see that you never omit, but constantly and diligently practice, one work of charity, the easiest of all: pray for the suffering souls in purgatory; offer up your mortifications on their behalf.
Finally, the fundamental color in the robe of piety is violet—renunciation, or self-denial and self-conquest. Without constant practice of this virtue no other virtue and no real piety can be possessed, “In proportion as thou doest violence to thyself, the greater progress wilt thou make,” we read in the Imitation. You cannot and will not form an exception to this rule. If you have no other cross, you must daily take up the cross of self-denial, in order not only to be pious, but also to be happy.
In conclusion, a word of warning: never mistake the external robe of piety for the inward reality; the former is accessory, or accidental, the latter is essential and necessary: Keep closely to external practices of piety, but be not self-willed in regard to them; observe them in the manner consistent with your calling and state of life with moderation and charity.
Christian soul, dost thou desire
Days of joy and peace and truth?
Learn to bear the yoke of Jesus
In the springtide of thy youth.
It may seem at first a burden,
But thy Lord will make it light;
He Himself will bear it with thee,
He will ease thee of its weight.
Only bear it well, and daily;
Thou wilt learn that yoke to love;
Strength and grace it here will bring thee,
And a bright reward above.
The Violet—Humility.