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In springtime the vivifying rays of the sun work wonders on all vegetation. But it is not the rays of the sun alone which effect this change; it is brought about in combination with the dew from heaven which by night steals in silence down, refreshing grass and flowers.
In like manner the golden sunshine of prayer contributes in no slight measure to the preservation of the lily of purity. But were you not to see that it is watered with the heavenly dew which proceeds from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the fair flower would speedily fade away, wither, and die. Morning and evening prayer, and filial devotion to the Mother of God, especially in times of temptation, are most necessary; but they do not suffice without the heavenly dew from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that is, without frequent and worthy confession and communion.
In the Sacraments of Penance and of the Altar, the gracious Saviour has bequeathed to the young an inexhaustible treasury of graces; these can cause the lily of purity to blossom in such a manner as to rejoice both heaven and earth, and, moreover, to continue in bloom. I have known young girls who were compelled by stress of circumstances to stay in positions which greatly endangered their innocence, but who remained good, pious, and innocent, and whose virtue and piety edified all who knew them. Wherein lay the secret of their strength, their courage, their perseverance? Simply and solely in the magic power of the celestial dew; they went frequently and worthily to confession and communion.
Would that all young women who are surrounded by dangers, and have to fight very hard against their evil propensities, could be induced to imitate an example such as this! In particular, if any among them have already fallen into mortal sin they should not delay their confession for weeks or months. They should free themselves as soon as possible from the peril which threaten them. However grievous may be the sins into which a young woman has fallen, however severe may be the temptations by which she is assailed, if only she goes to confession with true contrition of heart hell will not secure its coveted prey.
For this reason many holy confessors, as St. Philip Neri and St. Alphonsus Liguori for instance, imposed upon young persons who had fallen into sin, or were severely tempted, no other penance except to go again to confession as soon as they had committed another mortal sin. If they really did this with earnestness and perseverance their condition very soon improved. God alone knows how many have thus been enabled to rise from the mire of sin, to break the iron fetters which enslaved them, to lead a pure, chaste life, and finally to save their souls.
Furthermore, there flows forth celestial dew from the most holy Sacrament of the Altar. You well know who is there present, who in holy communion deigns to be your guest! He it is who once reposed as a little child in the manger of the stable at Bethlehem; who passed through all the stages of life; who when grown to man’s estate loved the young; who mercifully healed the lunatic youth, the servant of the Centurion at Capharnaum, the daughter of the Samaritan woman; who raised from the dead the widow’s son at Naim, and the twelve-year-old daughter of Jairus. He is still the same merciful Saviour, both God and man, who in the Host of His grace and love.
Think you that He does not know your struggles and temptations, the manifold dangers which beset the soul He purchased with His own most precious blood? Or do you think He has not the same power which He possessed when as a man He walked among men and came so frequently and so mercifully to men’s rescue and relief; or that He does not feel the same fatherly love, that He is no longer desirous to aid and deliver you? Why these foolish doubts? Go direct to Him, confidently invoke His help; say to Him: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Pray with lively faith, with childlike confidence, fight, resist, grow not weary, but persevere!
Then will you assuredly feel that strength and consolation are poured into your heart; there will you appreciate the truth of St. Paul’s words: “God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able, but will make also with temptation issue that you may be able to bear it.” You will find that God is true to the promise He made to each one of us by the mouth of His prophet: “Can a woman forget her infant, ge as not to have pity on the son of her womb? and if she should forget, yet will I not forget thee.” How touching, how consoling is this assurance! Surely it must inspire the coldest, the most despairing heart with confidence and hope! The God of love and goodness, of mercy and long-suffering will not forget you when you are tormented by temptation, and exposed to the risk of losing your innocence. He will never, never forget you, but you must endeavor to receive Him frequently in holy communion.
For the celestial dew contained in this wondrous Sacrament imparts divine strength. How could it be otherwise? Holy communion is a union between Jesus and ourselves, a union so intimate that even His almighty love could have devised none closer. He Himself has said: “He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him.” This most intimate union effects a transformation by the fire of divine charity. The partaking of His most sacred body and blood weakens concupiscence and gives the feeble will strength for conflict. By partaking of this Sacrament the soul is filled with a joy compared with which the pleasures of sin appear contemptible, and bitter as gall. If Jesus, who is Purity itself, unites Himself so closely to your soul, how can the unclean spirit dare to approach you? If you frequently receive Him in this way, if He nourishes, fortifies, ennobles, and sanctifies your soul with His omnipotent grace, must not your lily of innocence ever become stronger, more flourishing, fairer and more fragrant?
Therefore adhere faithfully to this excellent practice, which you have perhaps already adopted, and endeavor in future to approach at least once every month those holy sacraments by means of which your lily is refreshed and strengthened with celestial dew. Should severe temptation assail you, and great dangers beset your path, your confessor may perhaps direct you to go to communion more often still. Ask him to counsel you, and follow his advice. Speak to him with all candor and childlike docility, especially where the lily of innocence is concerned. And amid dangers and temptations let this be your prayer:
In life’s hard conflict be Thou near,
My God, for then no foe I fear;
Left to myself I needs must fall;
Strengthened by Thee, I conquer all.