Training of students

A word about the students to whom you are to give formation. You are God’s instruments for a marvellous supernatural artwork. Do it conscientiously, with your eyes fixed on Christ, who is the model. Painters set themselves before their canvas every day, painting and repainting as needed. And those who sculpt stone do likewise, removing what is superfluous or adding what is lacking. You have to do the same, neither more nor less: you are carving statues. All your time must be devoted to preparing these marvellous statues for God. Sift out what is superfluous, add what is appropriate, and examine every day what good qualities they have naturally, so as to increase them, and what defects also come to them from nature, so as to correct them.

Developing their personalities

Develop the students’ personalities, helping them to administer their freedom with integrity and a supernatural sense, providing them with the means to win in the ascetical struggle, giving them doctrine, solid formation, and criteria so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ (Eph 4:14-15).

Freedom of consciences

We will always respect the freedom of consciences, and we will never force anyone to have a particular spiritual director, which is contrary to our spirit because we are not exclusivist, nor will we hinder the apostolate of any priest or religious who wishes to work with souls. Therefore, we will also demand that others respect our right to care for souls, and the right of those who come to our apostolates because they freely wish to do so.