Fourth Sunday of Lent
(Laetare Sunday)
J.M.J.


Friends of the Cross

St. Louis Marie de Montfort

St. Louis Marie de Montfort gave the readers of his long "letter"
the title "Friends of the Cross" since they were determined to fight against
the disorders of their time and to make reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
He praises them, he encourages them, and he gives them precious advice. Below are
a few of his 14 "rules" on how to carry one's cross.

"Eighth Rule. Take advantage of your sufferings and more so of the small
ones than of the great. God considers not so much what we suffer as how we suffer.
To suffer much, yet badly, is to suffer like reprobates. To suffer much, even bravely,
but for a wicked cause, is to suffer as a martyr of the devil. To suffer much or
little for the sake of God is to suffer like saints.

"If it be right to say that we can choose our crosses, this is particularly
true of the little and obscure ones as compared with the huge, conspicuous ones,
for proud human nature would likely ask and seek for the huge, conspicuous crosses
even to the point of preferring them and embracing them. But to choose small, unnoticeable
crosses and to carry them cheerfully requires the power of a special grace and unshakable
fidelity to God. Do then as the storekeeper does with his merchandise: make a profit
on every article; suffer not the loss of the tiniest fragment of the true Cross.
It may be only the sting of a fly or the point of a pin that annoys you, it may
be the little restlessness of soul, a slight physical weakness, a light pain in
your limbs. Make a profit on every article as the grocer does, and you will soon
become wealthy in God, as the grocer does in money, by adding penny to penny in
his till. When you meet with the least contradition, simply say: 'Blessed be!
God! My God I thank you.' Then treasure up in the till of God's memory
the cross which has just given you profit. Think no more of it, except to say: 'Many
thanks!' or, 'Be merciful!'

"Twelfth Rule. Never murmur or deliberately complain about any created
thing that God may use to afflict you. It is important to note the three kinds of
complaints that may arise when misfortune assails you. The first is natural and
involuntary. This happens when the human body moans and groans, sobs and sighs and
weeps. If, as I said, the higher point of the soul submits to the will of God, there
is no sin. The second is rational. Such is the case when we complain and disclose
our hardships to some superior or physician who is able to remedy it. This complaint
may be an imperfection, if too eagerly made, but it is no sin. The third is sinful.
This happens when a person complains of others either to rid himself of the suffering
they cause him, or to take revenge. Or else when he willfully complains about the
sorrow he must bear and shows signs of grief and impatience.

"Thirteenth Rule. Whenever you are given a cross, be sure to embrace it
with humility and gratitude. If God, in His infinite goodness, favors you with a
cross of some importance, be sure to thank Him in a special way and have others
join you in thanking Him. Do as that poor woman did who, through an unjust lawsuit,
lost everything she owned. She immediately offered the last few pennies she had,
to have a Mass said in thanksgiving to Almighty God for the good fortune that had
come to her.

"Fourteenth Rule. If you wish to be worthy of the best crosses, those
that are not of your choice, then, with the help of a prudent director, take on
some that are voluntary.

* Suppose you have a piece of furniture that you do not need but prize. Give
it to some poor person, and say to yourself: 'Why should I have things I do
not need, when Jesus is destitute?'

* Do you dislike certain kinds of food, the practice of some particular virtue,
or some offensive odor? Taste this food, practice this virtue, endure this odor,
conquer yourself.

* Is your affection for some person or thing too ardent and tender? Keep
away, deprive yourself, break away from things that appeal to you.

* Have you that natural tendency to see and be seen, to be doing things or
going some place? Mind your eyes and hold your tongue, stop right where you are
and keep to yourself.

* Do you feel a natural aversion to some person or thing? Rise above self
by keeping near them.

"If you are truly Friends of the Cross, then, without your knowing it,
love, which is always ingenious, will discover thousands of little crosses to enrich
you. Then you need not fear self-conceit which often accompanies the patient endurance
of conspicuous crosses and since you have been faithful in a few things, the Lord
will keep his promise and set you over many things (Matt. 25,21,23): over many graces
he will grant you; over many crosses He will send you; over much glory He will prepare
for you..." (from A Circular Letter to The Friends of the Cross by Saint Louis
Marie de Montfort, Montfort Publications, Bay Shore, NY, available from Angelus
Press)

"Satan's masterstroke is to have succeeded in sowing disobedience to Tradition through obedience." Abp. Marcel Lefebvre

Ora Pro Nobis Sancta Dei Genetrix