![]() Take heart! Fly upwards, up to the sun, in pursuit of Love! St. I want you to grasp this idea clearly, and to decide not to give in when you feel the sting of temptation, with its suggestion that purity is an unbearable burden. But without wings, there is no way of flying. Wings, even in the case of those majestic birds which soar higher than the clouds, are a burden and a heavy one. I THINK OF THIS VIRTUE AS THE WINGS WHICH ENABLE US TO CARRY GOD’S TEACHING, HIS COMMANDMENTS, TO EVERY ENVIRONMENT ON THIS EARTH, WITHOUT FEAR OF GETTING CONTAMINATED IN THE PROCESS. In order to be chaste (and not merely continent or decent) we must subject our passions to reason, but for a noble motive, namely, the promptings of Love. They come from the will, especially if it is united to the Will of God. ![]() Will power, dominion, self-mastery do not come from the flesh or from instinct. IF ONE HAS THE SPIRIT OF GOD, CHASTITY IS NOT A TROUBLESOME AND HUMILIATING BURDEN, BUT A JOYFUL AFFIRMATION. “When I remind you now that CHRISTIANS MUST KEEP PERFECT CHASTITY, I am referring to EVERYONE: to the unmarried, who must practise complete continence and to those who are married, who practise chastity by fulfilling the duties of their state in life. Josemaria once said, is not a negative virtue but rather a “joyful affirmation”. Although it says only “you shall not commit adultery” why does the sixth commandment forbid all sins against chastity?Īlthough the biblical text of the Decalogue reads “you shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14), the Tradition of the Church comprehensively follows the moral teachings of the Old and New Testaments and considers the sixth commandment as encompassing all sins against chastity. These kinds of acts committed against the physical and moral integrity of minors become even more grave.Ĥ93. These sins are expressions of the vice of lust. Grave sins against chastity differ according to their object: adultery, masturbation, fornication, pornography, prostitution, rape, and homosexual acts. What are the principal sins against chastity? Others, if they are married live in conjugal chastity, or if unmarried practise chastity in continence.Ĥ92. Some profess virginity or consecrated celibacy which enables them to give themselves to God alone with an undivided heart in a remarkable manner. In what way is everyone called to live chastity?Īs followers of Christ, the model of all chastity, all the baptised are called to live chastely in keeping with their particular states of life. There are many means at one’s disposal: the grace of God, the help of the sacraments, prayer, self-knowledge, the practice of an asceticism adapted to various situations, the exercise of the moral virtues, especially the virtue of temperance which seeks to have the passions guided by reason.Ĥ90. What are the means that aid the living of chastity? An integral and continuing formation, which is brought about in stages, is necessary to achieve this goal.Ĥ89. The virtue of chastity involves an apprenticeship in self-mastery as an expression of human freedom directed towards self-giving. What is involved in the virtue of chastity? ![]() Chastity is a moral virtue, a gift of God, a grace, and a fruit of the Holy Spirit.Ĥ89. Sexuality becomes truly human when it is integrated in a correct way into the relationship of one person to another. Let us review what the Compendium of the Catechism teaches (the numbers below the question refer to the points of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for further study):Ĭhastity means the positive integration of sexuality within the person. Holy Purity or chastity is the virtue by which we integrate our sexuality within our personhood, directing our sexual faculties in a correct, rational way, respecting its double and inseparable meaning of unity and procreation, inscribed by God. ![]() I came upon old article regarding a former winner of the famous Heisman Trophy, NFL player turned broadcaster who was dumped by his girlfriend, a former Miss Universe, because he wanted to live up to his promise to remain virgin until after marriage.Īnd I just can’t help think of how much good he is doing to the men and women of our times, especially the young, with his great example to live the virtue of holy purity for love of God, undeterred by the mockery of some people who prefer to give in to their carnal desires, instead of living a pure heart, body and soul, respecting the dignity of the human person who deserves utmost respect and should not be instrumentalized to satisfy one’s instincts. ![]()
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