1.
The common life is very difficult but also most beneficial, for that life shows us what we are, what we lack, what virtues we must practice. (I, 31)
2.
May Saint Felix be the guardian of your vows, may he obtain for you the virtues of humility and simplicity, and may your Guardian Angel keep you in his care. (I, 155)
3.
(. . ) rejoice in imitating the poverty of Jesus and our Holy Father Francis, living like the birds who rely on the Providence of God. (I, 138)
4.
I also ask our Holy Father Francis that he imbue you with his spirit so that with all your heart you may love the rule and live it fully. (I, 155)
5.
That attraction to the life of Saint Francis which you felt during retreat ought to confirm you in the belief that God wants you to increasingly be permeated with the spirit of Francis so that you may imitate him not so much in mortifying the flesh, but in mortifying the spirit, in prayer and in humility. (I, 161)
6.
(. . .) ours is a seraphic spirit, different from that of other communities, which can be nurtured only with self denial and prayer. (I, 48)
7.
(. . .) seeing how the behavior of this sister tortures and annoys you, you can readily conclude that you do not yet possess that perfect love of neighbor, that forbearance and understanding of others, that patience which is needed in every circumstance. On the other hand, you ought to see that God permits these temptations to give you the opportunity to acquire those virtues. (I, 32)
8.
Do not worry about the emotions you experience, because they are solely determined by us. Try only to avoid deliberately harboring them. (. . . ) the stronger the resentment you experience inwardly, the more you should outwardly demonstrate kindness and graciousness. (I, 32)
9.
Do not be attached to any duty or spiritual exercises. (III, 82)
10.
Guard against impatience in words and behavior and as much as possible, work on internal impatience. (III, 89)
11.
Be friendly and pleasant towards the sisters; try to gain their confidence. Work at an equanimity of disposition. (III, 82)
12.
Guard against contemptuous thoughts about others, and all deliberate feelings of resentment towards others. Pray for those who are the cause of such feelings. (III, 89)
13.
Whoever keeps silence about things which are unfamiliar to him, experiences peace in everything. (III, 123)
14.
Inasmuch as your duty permits, try to lead the common life and at least occasionally be present in community. [recreation] (I, 161)
15.
Ask God to remove the temptation to pass judgment on others and strive not to give in to it. (III, 89)
16.
Religious should be aware of the presence of Christ the Lord in all places wherever they gather-whether for prayer or work, so that they would not disturb one another in word nor offend one another with frivolous behavior. (III, 114)
17.
You will edify others more by your good conduct than by the most intelligent conversations. (III, 124)
18.
Without obedience and love of neighbor our good deeds mean nothing. (III, 127)
19.
Just think, how much good you waste through idleness and empty talk in one hour, which on the other hand, you would have gained through work, silence and prayer. (III, 127)
20.
Each sister will not burden another one with her own duties, excusing herself that it does not belong to her; instead, all sisters should help one another, indeed, each sister should try to do another a favor. (III, 155)
21.
Through silence learn how and to whom you should speak. (III, 124)
22.
They will not dwell on each other’s imperfections, instead they will explain each other. (III, 155)
23.
If anyone is obedient or helps a brother in God’s name, she then gives the greatest glory to God through her docility, and at the end of her life she will have Christ as her reward. Christ Himself assured us of this when He said: I assure you as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me. (III, 126-127)
24.
The sisters will try to preserve among themselves a unity, peace, love and kindness. They should refrain from quarrelling, mean, sarcastic or insulting words; instead, they should practice towards one another gentleness, meekness, understanding and cooperation. (III, 155)
25.
The sisters are advised to avoid extraordinary actions which might call out scandal rather than edification, or might turn away others from the service of God rather than attract them to it. (III, 153)
26.
(. . . ) since it is not in our power to change someone; we must rather accept the person as she is, being mindful that Holy Scripture recommends that we bear one another’s burdens, and that therein lies our merit and proof of our profound spirituality. (I, 37)
27.
It would be a good thing for the sisters to study the life of Christ and to see how ordinary and simple it seemed and yet how great it was before God, how instructive for others because humility, obedience, and patience were so visible in it. The sisters, therefore, should also radiate the same virtues. (III, 153)
28.
May she [Mary] protect you all the days of your life until she leads you to the feet of Jesus. (III, 133)
29.
Do not stop to examine the wounds of your soul but call on the Divine Physician to heal those wounds: My Jesus, mercy! (I, 101)
30.
Pious conversions generate love of God, edification of one’s neighbor, a hatred of worldly matters, a desire for the kingdom of heaven, contrition, a control over passions and a whole internal renewal of person in imitation of the holy life of our Savior. (III, 124)
31.
The sisters will not be haughty towards one another, instead, they will humble themselves before one another, not only externally but in spirit, remembering that they did not enter the Congregation to be served but to serve. (III, 155)
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