Claude La Colombière

thumb|Claude de la Colombière Claude La Colombière, sometimes referred to as Claude de la Colombière, (2 February 1641 - 15 February 1682) was a French Jesuit priest best known as the confessor of Margaret Mary Alacoque. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. Il libro dell'interiorità. Claude de la Colombière, Il libro dell'interiorità. Scritti spirituali, edited by Giandomenico Mucci, translation by Sesto Quercetti, Città Nuova, Roma, 1992. ISBN 88-311-4045-0 [About complaints about our ills] It happens that someone, if he shows himself touched by them, flatters you; that someone, if he doesn't pay attention to you, makes you angry. [About how many people offend me] what harm do they do me if I am patient? In fact, what good are they not doing me? But what harm they do not to themselves in the present and future. We rejoice in the ailments of those we consider our persecutors; we grieve for their prosperity. Oh what a great weakness! How can I expect men to honor me who dishonors God? Is it really necessary to ask those you love why? He can give nothing but his love. Until I hear you say: It is not mortal sin! I don't have to. And was Jesus obliged to die for you? Jesus defeated the world by despising it. The poor who give despite their poverty, who share what would be necessary to them like the widow of Zarephath, perform miracles, conquer Heaven. (p. 123) Her sin [of a soul] is always on the side of those who offend her, and forces her to confess that they are right. Innocence is bold, it complains, speaks, shouts, insults its accusers and its judges. Jesus' is very different. The charity, with a little attention, discovers everything; you need to have some. Patience moderates the disorderliness of these three parts: it binds the tongue with silence, composes the face with tranquility, calms the heart with sweetness. Imperfect souls believe that if one is not angry, one cannot tell one's ailments to the whole world. Penance must not be spared for avarice. What is spared from table, clothing, pleasure must be for the poor. I am not at all surprised that the passion has been declared an excess. And indeed it is an excess of love of Jesus Christ. I am not sure whether it is for you [Jesus] that I turn away from vice; but at least this virtue is safe thanks to slander. How lucky we would be if we could save our enemies with our prayers. It would be a very great consolation [for God], given the small number of Catholics, if they behaved well. If the objects of the greatest passions were perfectly known, we would soon see them cooled. If the grown-ups saw what the little ones suffered, there would be few unhappy people in the world. If we are innocent. The less you talk, the more you will be believed. Those who remain silent do not pass for the worst criminals. A secret cross is something very precious. One of the things he [Jesus] targeted [in the Passion] was to give us heroic examples of all Christian virtues. There are clothes and manners of dress that are not Christian. There must always be a difference, in this regard, between us and the pagans. There are entertainment that is not Christian in any season. There are two kinds of penances, both necessary for a perfect return to God: inner and outer penance. [God] You love hateful people whose vices you know. You [Jesus] have offered her [the prayers] for your enemies; do not refuse them to me who wishes to love you. Wanting persuade others who have been greatly wronged, one only persuades oneself. See also Margaret Mary Alacoque External links La Colombière, Claude Category:1641 births Category:1682 deaths Category:Jesuits Category:Roman Catholic priests Category:Catholics from France Category:Catholic saints