Prejudices that lead to not understanding the Work

At this point, I think it is appropriate to talk to you about some of the specific reasons that can explain – though not justify – the position of certain people who perhaps do not try to understand our way, or who appear incapable of understanding it. This will help to clarify, albeit somewhat negatively, certain statements defining our spirituality and apostolate.

Taste for the artificial

There are people who are accustomed to praise what is artificial, to take pleasure in things that are strange or false, and to ignore the beauty of things that are lovely and genuine. They find artificial flowers more beautiful than natural ones; who has not heard it said in praise of some fresh, fragrant roses, “They are so pretty, they almost look artificial!” Such people will find it hard to recognise, in apostolic works, the wonderful but simple fruit of God’s grace, of his ordinary providence, and of hard, unselfish human work.

Desire for the spectacular

Some people are used to doing apostolate in a spectacular, noisy way, with plenty of fireworks. This mindset, which perhaps carries on for centuries, may have brought about a special attitude, a mentality that prevents them from seeing (it doesn’t require belief, because it’s palpably obvious) that other people don’t use artificial modes or secrecy, but act quite simply and naturally, openly, and hence humbly.