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Monday 23 June 2014

How does one become perfect-revisited


How does one become perfect? Manning tells us what all the other writers of spirituality write.

Number one, one must follow the law, the Commandments. One cannot turn away from any of the Commandments and become perfect.

Two, one must be obedient to the precepts and to the authority of the Church. One must be orthodox. Manning writes what Garrigou-Lagrange notes: “The ultimate and certain test whereby to know whether we are in the way of perfection is perfect conformity to the mind of the Church.”  Manning continues, “I say to the mind, because it is not enough to believe all dogmas and to submit to all discipline. Many do this in whom the spirit of pride, singularity, criticism and self-choosing are dominant. The mind of the Church is known not only by Pontiffs and Councils, but by the mind of the saints, by the traditions of piety, and by customs of approved or permitted devotion.” Partaking of the sacraments is part of this route to perfection as well.

Three, purity of conscience, especially the use of the Sacrament of Penance, “whereby the habit of self-examination and of circumspection is maintained, and the grace of contrition and of self-knowledge is continually increased.”

Four, one needs cleanness of heart which comes from receiving the Holy Body and Blood of Christ, wherein the Sacred Heart of Jesus comes and rests in us.

Five, one can and must accept chastity, poverty and some obedience to authority of some sort. The Beatitudes “…imply that the life of counsels is open to every one, though they  do not necessarily impose it.”

How far one must be dedicated to that Bridal Love of Christ to follow these ways….

To be continued…