10-13-2026, 11:00 AM
Chapter XXVI. How Humility Doth Cause Us to See the Multitude of Our Sins and That an Humble Life Doth Work Contrary to Them
This silence proceedeth from naught else save from that twofold overwhelming, namely, by the divine immensity and its own vileness; and the soul is thus overwhelmed in the aforesaid light of humility.
But, I pray ye, where is this humility? Where is this vileness? Where is this light? Where is this silence, and by what may we attain unto these aforesaid things? Of a certainty we may attain unto them by fervent, pure, constant, and earnest prayer and by reading the Book of the Life of Jesus Christ, that is, reflecting upon His life and death. And when the soul reflecteth upon His sufferings, it is given unto it to know the multitude of its sins and how it hath offended God with all its members, and it humbleth itself in consequence, as hath already been said.
Wherefore do I pray you that ye be always of one mind, that there be no divisions or sects amongst you, but that in your souls there be that which maketh all discord to agree under one will; and this is lowliness. Lowliness regardeth not any sufficiency of knowledge or of common sense, but only inclineth the soul to perceive its faults and wretchedness, to make accusation and judgment against itself in order to convince itself of its own sins that it may endeavour to remedy them. Lowliness doth not hold itself to be superior to any, neither persuadeth any to think themselves superior to others; it doth not make men important or contentious of speech, albeit its life offendeth all who are opposed unto this simplicity.
Therefore, oh my children, I do desire that your lives, your tongues silent in this lowliness of babes, and the zeal of your discreet compassion should be as a clear mirror unto the adversaries of this life. Oh my beloved, if I should hear it said of you that lowliness had made you to be of one heart and one mind, my soul would be at peace concerning you! And of a certainty I perceive not how ye can be pleasing unto God if ye are not thus united.
Forgive my presumption, oh my children, which hath impelled me to urge you unto the virtue of humility, for it is through zeal and because of your love that I have thus spoken.
This silence proceedeth from naught else save from that twofold overwhelming, namely, by the divine immensity and its own vileness; and the soul is thus overwhelmed in the aforesaid light of humility.
But, I pray ye, where is this humility? Where is this vileness? Where is this light? Where is this silence, and by what may we attain unto these aforesaid things? Of a certainty we may attain unto them by fervent, pure, constant, and earnest prayer and by reading the Book of the Life of Jesus Christ, that is, reflecting upon His life and death. And when the soul reflecteth upon His sufferings, it is given unto it to know the multitude of its sins and how it hath offended God with all its members, and it humbleth itself in consequence, as hath already been said.
Wherefore do I pray you that ye be always of one mind, that there be no divisions or sects amongst you, but that in your souls there be that which maketh all discord to agree under one will; and this is lowliness. Lowliness regardeth not any sufficiency of knowledge or of common sense, but only inclineth the soul to perceive its faults and wretchedness, to make accusation and judgment against itself in order to convince itself of its own sins that it may endeavour to remedy them. Lowliness doth not hold itself to be superior to any, neither persuadeth any to think themselves superior to others; it doth not make men important or contentious of speech, albeit its life offendeth all who are opposed unto this simplicity.
Therefore, oh my children, I do desire that your lives, your tongues silent in this lowliness of babes, and the zeal of your discreet compassion should be as a clear mirror unto the adversaries of this life. Oh my beloved, if I should hear it said of you that lowliness had made you to be of one heart and one mind, my soul would be at peace concerning you! And of a certainty I perceive not how ye can be pleasing unto God if ye are not thus united.
Forgive my presumption, oh my children, which hath impelled me to urge you unto the virtue of humility, for it is through zeal and because of your love that I have thus spoken.
"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