Page 7 - daily practices
P. 7
visits to Mary; every hour I shall also make three acts of self-
offering to the Lord, begging him to do of my whole being what
is most pleasing to him.
All these things, however, I intend to do outside the time
dedicated to prayer, particularly to meditation. In Church and
in prayer time I will never raise my eyes; similarly, I will never
look at persons of the opposite sex, not even my father, nor
any woman extravagantly dressed up.
Since in the current circumstances I must talk, I will make up
for it by speaking a good deal about God, and by avoiding
useless words, I shall never talk about Confessors, either; I
shall never speak ill of anybody, I will not bring excuses for
myself, nor talk about myself, be it favourably or unfavourably.
I will depend for everything on my Elders.
I will never complain of anything. In my dress (since my pride
makes me careless about it) I will adjust to the wishes of
others, and now and then I will put on things that look rather
elegant. I will never let others guess my likes and dislikes, but
gladly adjust to the wishes of others.
I will never let anyone know how much it costs me to teach,
nor will I let anyone know of any sickness the Lord sends me,
if there is no danger of making it worse by keeping silent about
it. In food I will adjust to what is provided, and if I have to
choose, I will always take what I like less; I will not eat
anything without asking for it. I will never take wine at all,
coffee just a little. I will never eat fruit except when I am told to.
- 629 -