List of points

One has to give the body a little less than its due. Otherwise it turns traitor.

You are going to punish yourself voluntarily for your weakness and lack of generosity? Very good: but let it be a reasonable penance, imposed as it were, on an enemy who is at the same time your brother?

Let us bless pain. Love pain. Sanctify pain… Glorify pain!

A whole programme for a good course in the 'subject' of suffering is given to us by the Apostle: spe gaudentes — rejoicing in hope, In tribulatione patientes — patient in troubles, orationi instantes — persevering in prayer.

Say to your body: I would rather keep you in slavery than be myself a slave of yours.

Of how little value is penance without constant self— denial!

You are afraid of penance?… Of penance, which will help you to obtain Life everlasting. And yet, in order to preserve this poor present life, don't you see how men will submit to all the cruel torture of a surgical operation?

Your greatest enemy is your own self.

Treat your body with charity, but with no more charity than you would show towards a treacherous enemy.

If you realize that your body is your enemy, and an enemy of God's glory, since it is an enemy of your sanctification, why do you treat it so softly?

'Have a good time to-night', they said, as usual. And the comment of a soul very close to God was, 'What a limited wish!'

With you, Jesus, what joy in suffering, what light in darkness!