Humility begets love; it is a voice that forever cries out: “He must increase, I must decrease.” I want to die so that He may live. This is an absolute truth and the one who understands this, possesses the secret of perfect love.

Unique, divine Trinity, do not allow my self-love and love of created things to put me at variance with your love, but by following in the heroic footsteps of Saint Francis, may I plunge myself into the unity of love. Grant that I may die to self and to all that is not God. That I may live, not with my own life, but with the life, the love of Jesus Christ living in me!

Those who are truly charitable do not confine themselves to any party or nation; the holy will of God is the sole motive of their charity. It excludes that spirit of selfishness which is unfortunately, so characteristic in our century. It gives itself generously, wherever love of God or man/woman asks for it. It does all in order, for order is one of the marks of true charity.

Let our hearts be ready to give generously in accordance with the good pleasure of God. Let us help, if we can all; in any case., let us love them, pray for them and speak well of them.

If we wish to reign with Jesus, we must immolate ourselves with the incarnate Word. Our nature is proud and prone to evil since sin entered into the world. What can transform it? The Cross and suffering will perform this marvel. By the Cross our self-love will die and true love, which is God Himself, will live in us.

We must be born again on the Cross and by the Cross. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born by the action of the Holy Spirit, in order to destroy in us, by the Cross all that is contrary to love will be the work of the Spirit.

Those who slip into habits of sin will fall lower and lower. But those who courageously do their duty at all costs will obtain the grace of accompanying their Master to Calvary and through union with the Divine Victim, they will obtain strength to become victims in their turn. The love and courage of their Saviour will become their love and courage. Moreover, let us not forget that the attacks of the devil last only for a time. If we are generous and faithful, all that he has planned for our ruin, will on the contrary only bring us good. The trail will pass but the glory that we gain by it will remain.

There is another transformation to be wrought in our souls here on earth, by “beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, we must be transformed into the same image from glory and glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

O Divine Spirit, by thy power may this spiritual transformation take place in me day by day. O Jesus, spotless mirror of the majesty of God, image of His goodness, make me “perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”

(After the stigmata) Francis passed among the crowds humbly mounted on an ass, and touched and converted many hearts by these simple words: “Jesus

May our hearts listen to the same words, and may they transform us today.

O Lord, full of goodness, who didst unite Thyself to humanity by taking to Thyself mortal flesh, and who are united to our souls in the Holy Eucharist, help us to become transformed into Thee. The judgment will come “for Thy words shall not pass away.” I wish to be one of the “wise virgins” whose lamp always burns while awaiting the coming of the Bridegroom (Jesus).