Untitled - Saints' Books

Notice. 9
Virgin, the Mother and Queen of the clergy, and conse
crate himself particularly to her service.
6. For the honor of the ecclesiastical state he must be
most careful of his reputation.
7.
He should flee from worldly conversation, and not
be too familiar with the laity, especially women.
8.
Seeing God in his Superiors, he must obey them,
because such is the divine will.
9.
He should be modest, but without affectation,
severity, or fastidiousness; and he should always wear
the cassock and tonsure.
10. He should be quiet and gentle at home, exemplary
in class, and edifying in church, especially during the
public offices.
11. He should confess every eight days, and commu
nicate still oftener.
12. He should live free from sin, and practise every
virtue.
The young Levite, whose virtue and talents we have
admired in another career, edified the whole city of
Naples by a constantly increasing fervor while ascend
ing the different degrees of the sanctuary. At the end
of a preparation of three years he was judged worthy
to be elevated by a dispensation to the dignity of the
priesthood. This took place December 21, 1726. He
then wrote the following resolutions:
1. I am a priest; my dignity
is above that of the
I
angels. should then lead a life of angelic purity, and
I am obliged to strive for this by all possible means.
2. A God deigns to obey my
voice. I should with far
greater reason obey his speaking to me through his
spirations or my Superiors.
3. The holy Church has honored me: I must there
fore honor myself by sanctity of life, by my zeal and
labors, etc.
4. I offer to the Eternal Father Jesus Christ, his Son:
in