Fuga Mundi

J+M+J+A

“One day a monk, by dint of great exertions, contrived to make two mats instead of the one which was the usual daily task, and set them both out in front of his cell, that Pachomius might see how diligent he had been. But the Saint, perceiving the vainglory which had prompted the act, said, "This brother has taken a great deal of pains from morning till night to give his work to the devil." Then, to cure him of his delusion, Pachomius imposed on him as a penance to keep his cell for five months and to taste no food but bread and water.”

Weak as I am,

this blog has become a canker upon my soul.

I have squandered much time on projects unpublished,

and all of my efforts have been, for the most part, vainglorious.

What shall be my terror when Our Lord at last demands of me:

REDDE RATIONEM VILLICATIONIS TUÆ

RENDER AN ACCOUNT OF THY STEWARDSHIP

Luke.XVI.2

In time, I may return, to finish the translations of St. John Gualbert's prayers.

I depart for now, leaving behind this excerpt from St. Alphonsus on

The Value of Time

which may be read in full here.

O time, despised by men during life, how much shall you be desired at the hour of death, and particularly in the other world! Time is a blessing which we enjoy only in this life; it is not enjoyed in the next; it is not found in heaven nor in hell. In hell, the damned exclaim with tears: "Oh! that an hour were given to us." They would pay any price for an hour or for a minute, in which they might repair their eternal ruin. But this hour or minute they never shall have. In heaven there is no weeping; but, were the saints capable of sorrow, all their wailing should arise from the thought of having lost in this life the time in which they could have acquired greater glory, and from the conviction that this time shall never more be given to them.

A deceased Benedictine nun appeared in glory to a certain person, and said that she was in heaven, and in the enjoyment of perfect happiness; but that, if she could desire anything, it would be to return to life, and to suffer affliction, in order to merit an increase of glory. And she added that, to acquire the glory which corresponded to a single Ave, Maria, she would be content to suffer till the day of judgment the long and painful sickness which brought on her death, Hence, St. Francis Borgia was careful to employ every moment of his time for God. When others spoke of useless things; he conversed with God by holy affections; and so recollected was he that, when asked his opinion on the subject of conversation, he knew not what answer to make. Being corrected for this, he said: I am content to be considered stupid, rather than lose my time in vanities.

TEMPUS FUGIT --- MEMENTO MORI

In omnibus operibus tuis

memorare novissima tua,

et in aeternum non peccabis.

In all thy works

remember thy last end,

and thou shalt never sin.

Ecclus.VII.40