09-17-2026, 08:31 AM
Chapter XII. How Poverty of Spirit Is Despised by Many
Oh, the shame, oh, the pain of it! In these days is poverty of spirit thrust forth and put to flight by almost all persons. And what is worse and yet more detestable is, that those same persons who do read of it in that Book of Life and understand and preach and glorify it, do utterly reject it in deed and will and in all their acts and intentions. And this they do because the world hateth that poverty, and God loveth and approveth it, choosing that most blessed thing for Himself and for His followers. But what man is there, what woman, or other creature, who in these days could declare themselves accompanied by such glorious companions as those by whom Christ elected to be accompanied? Blessed is he whose repentance hath led him to follow Christ's example and choose poverty in this world.
Alas, alas, we do hear and know and steadfastly believe in what manner the Son of God (our Creator and Redeemer, the Master given unto us for an illumination and an ensample) was clothed, with what food and drink He was satisfied, with what garments He was adorned, in what palaces and chambers He was lodged, by what family and friends He was surrounded, what learning and knowledge He did pursue, and what goods of this world He did enjoy. All this do we know, yet nevertheless, even whilst we do say we are Christians, desiring to be so called — by no manner of means will we share Christ's poverty, neither do we desire to be like unto Him. Although with words do we say many things glorifying poverty, yet in actual deeds and works we do blaspheme against that condition of Christ and the perfection of His poverty. Woe unto us, who, together with so great an ensample, teacher, and master, do truly thrust away from us our own salvation, turning from it and from His teaching to seek after the abundance of this world, and are left empty at the last! Wherefore neither our penance nor our Christianity do follow the straight way of Jesus Christ, but are most shamefully opposed unto it.
Blessed (saith He), verily blessed is, and shall be, he who loveth poverty in all the aforesaid things and who desireth to be truly poor in worldly things, in deed and not only in words; poor in friends, in familiar intercourse, in all delights, vain knowledge and curiosity, poor in the repute of holiness and in all preferment and dignity. And if any should not be able to put away from himself utterly all these aforesaid things, he should at least endeavour with all his might to withdraw his affection from them. Of a surety these poor are blessed, for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. And those who have done the contrary in all things, and have only preached with their lips and uttered empty words, shall be left cursed and lamenting; because theirs shall be the utmost poverty, eternal hunger and the house of hell, where there is everlasting hunger and thirst, where there is neither friend, nor brother, nor father to redeem them, nor any help whatsoever. Neither will they have power to issue forth, and all the wisdom of the world will not avail them; but all things will be taken from them in very deed, as in very deed they did desire to keep them, contrary to the teaching of Christ. Wherefore shall they live in torments everlastingly. Amen.
Oh, the shame, oh, the pain of it! In these days is poverty of spirit thrust forth and put to flight by almost all persons. And what is worse and yet more detestable is, that those same persons who do read of it in that Book of Life and understand and preach and glorify it, do utterly reject it in deed and will and in all their acts and intentions. And this they do because the world hateth that poverty, and God loveth and approveth it, choosing that most blessed thing for Himself and for His followers. But what man is there, what woman, or other creature, who in these days could declare themselves accompanied by such glorious companions as those by whom Christ elected to be accompanied? Blessed is he whose repentance hath led him to follow Christ's example and choose poverty in this world.
Alas, alas, we do hear and know and steadfastly believe in what manner the Son of God (our Creator and Redeemer, the Master given unto us for an illumination and an ensample) was clothed, with what food and drink He was satisfied, with what garments He was adorned, in what palaces and chambers He was lodged, by what family and friends He was surrounded, what learning and knowledge He did pursue, and what goods of this world He did enjoy. All this do we know, yet nevertheless, even whilst we do say we are Christians, desiring to be so called — by no manner of means will we share Christ's poverty, neither do we desire to be like unto Him. Although with words do we say many things glorifying poverty, yet in actual deeds and works we do blaspheme against that condition of Christ and the perfection of His poverty. Woe unto us, who, together with so great an ensample, teacher, and master, do truly thrust away from us our own salvation, turning from it and from His teaching to seek after the abundance of this world, and are left empty at the last! Wherefore neither our penance nor our Christianity do follow the straight way of Jesus Christ, but are most shamefully opposed unto it.
Blessed (saith He), verily blessed is, and shall be, he who loveth poverty in all the aforesaid things and who desireth to be truly poor in worldly things, in deed and not only in words; poor in friends, in familiar intercourse, in all delights, vain knowledge and curiosity, poor in the repute of holiness and in all preferment and dignity. And if any should not be able to put away from himself utterly all these aforesaid things, he should at least endeavour with all his might to withdraw his affection from them. Of a surety these poor are blessed, for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. And those who have done the contrary in all things, and have only preached with their lips and uttered empty words, shall be left cursed and lamenting; because theirs shall be the utmost poverty, eternal hunger and the house of hell, where there is everlasting hunger and thirst, where there is neither friend, nor brother, nor father to redeem them, nor any help whatsoever. Neither will they have power to issue forth, and all the wisdom of the world will not avail them; but all things will be taken from them in very deed, as in very deed they did desire to keep them, contrary to the teaching of Christ. Wherefore shall they live in torments everlastingly. Amen.
"So let us be confident, let us not be unprepared, let us not be outflanked, let us be wise, vigilant, fighting against those who are trying to tear the faith out of our souls and morality out of our hearts, so that we may remain Catholics, remain united to the Blessed Virgin Mary, remain united to the Roman Catholic Church, remain faithful children of the Church."- Abp. Lefebvre