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Whilst the holy martyr St. Perpetua was languishing in a dark dungeon she saw the following vision: She beheld a golden ladder which reached from earth to heaven. This ladder was very narrow. On each side were ranged swords, lances, knives, and sharp points of iron. At the foot of the ladder an ungainly monster kept guard to prevent any one from approaching. This vision was meant to show her that she would have to endure suffering and martyrdom for the faith.
Every maiden who is desirous of preserving her chastity intact may apply this vision to herself. For chastity is a golden ladder which reaches to leaven, but on the right hand and on the left are sharp instruments, namely, enemies, dangers, temptations proceeding from men and from her own fallen nature.
St. Paul tells us that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” These words are particularly true in regard to chastity. The chaste maiden must be diligent in prayer, since otherwise it is impossible for her to remain pure. She must frequently approach the sacraments; she must avoid occasions of sin; she must keep her eyes, ears and tongue under due control; she must conquer herself in & thousand ways. She must no more mix with worldly-minded persons, or partake of their spirit, than Noe did with his contemporaries, or Lot with the inhabitants of Sodom.
In Rome, the chiei city of Christendom, even down to the present day a room may be seen the contents of which are of a very peculiar description. Within its walls are preserved blood-stained swords and spears with which the holy martyrs of former days were pierced; iron helmets, which were heated, then placed upon their heads; pincers, nails and darts with which they were tortured; gridirons on which they were broiled, and racks on which they were extended. Was not the battle which the martyrs so courageously fought a very painful and difficult one? But heaven is worth the price they paid for it.
In the last great day, when all the members of the human race will be gathered together, we shall behold these martyrs. What answer could we make to them were they to address us in some such words as these: “See what tortures we endured for the faith, while you were so cowardly and pusillanimous as to shrink from the easier and painless means you had to employ to preserve your chastity!”
Let us then take courage! God does indeed require that we should undergo a martyrdom, but one of a much milder description; we have to struggle in defence of chastity. Fight and conquer! A glorious palm is promised as the reward of chastity. Do not grow weary of the endeavor to suppress evil thoughts and desires. “Just as often as you resist,” St. Antony tells us for our consolation, “so often will you be crowned.” If you strive to banish temptations to impurity as soon as you become aware of them, you are in nowise to blame, because they are involuntary, and if you conquer them you increase your merit.
Only fight bravely on; these unruly passions will not trouble you forever. After the conflict there will come a day of peace and victory, a day of bright, of never ending peace and rest. If you preserve your body as a temple of the Holy Ghost it will be glorified.
What a feeling of horror, of self-loathing, must seize upon the fallen maiden when she finds herself in the presence of the relics of some saint. My body, she could not but reflect, ought to be a temple fit for the indwelling of the Deity, as was the body of this saint. It was also hallowed and sanctified by the sacraments, and was sprinkled with the precious blood of the Saviour! But now see the havoc and devastation! What joy on the contrary, what sweet consolation, must fill the heart of a girl who fully deserves the title of virgin! The body of St. Francis Xavier, who was a most ardent lover of chastity, was miraculously preserved from corruption for a long space of time. God has worked the same wonder in the case of many other saints. This reflection abounds in comfort for every chaste heart. By means of these miracles God designs to show that, even though the human frame does moulder in the grave, He has power to raise it up, and to clothe it with such brightness and glory as to make it shine like a star in the firmament.
Am I to speak only of maidens who are fortunate enough to come victorious out of the battle, and to preserve their innocence without a single stain? Are there in the world no girls to be found who have been vanquished in the hard strife, who have lost their most precious treasure, the lily of chastity? Must they on this account give everything up for lost? If I were to think that you might possibly be overtaken by this terrible misfortune should I then altogether despair about you?
Most assuredly not! It is indeed true that when the robe of innocence has once been torn there will always remain a certain blemish. The woman who has fallen may become a penitent, but after the sincerest and most complete amendment, and the severest penance, she must always bear about with her the identical body, the same soul which have made shipwreck of their innocence, and have been for a time a temple of idols, the abode of the spirit of evil.
Yet even after so grievous a fall there me consolation left. If you should ever find yourself in this sad case (which may God forbid!) do not give way to despair! If at such moments you feel utterly wretched and cast down, if you remember with sadness the happy day of your first communion, and innocent pleasures of your childhood, if you are filled with and intense longing for the peaceful security of the time you spent at school, I have a word of comfort for you. Your case is then like that of a soldier who upon one occasion ran away from the enemy. If you now retrace your steps, and fight bravely, you may perhaps be more pleasing to God than those who have never taken to flight because they have never been called upon to engage in severe warfare, not have had to resist any special temptations.
Be always open and candid when you go to confession; in spite of repeated defeats never give up to the enemy; herein lies the secret of final victory. Persevere whatever may be your circumstances, persevere in the combat for the lily of innocence; then will these words be fulfilled in your case:
Victory we will win
Fighting against sin;
Suffering and pain
Heaven’s bliss will gain.