But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. — Matthew 5:28 (Douay-Rheims)
As long as evil thoughts are displeasing to us, they are not sinful; we are only to blame if we take pleasure in them. "Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord" (Prov. xv. 26). One ought to flee from unchaste thoughts as one would flee from an assassin, for they cause the death of the soul. Impure thoughts, if entertained, give rise to impure desires, i.e., the wish or longing for the sin suggested. As the tree springs from the root, so evil actions spring from lust. Lust is the consent of the will, and this is as really sinful, as Our Lord says, as is the deed itself (Matt. v. 28). — Rev. Francis Spirago, The Catechism Explained, The Sixth Commandment, "Impure Thoughts and Desires"
And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body go into hell. And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body be cast into hell. — Matthew 5:29-30 (Douay-Rheims)
If you find that your right eye is to you a cause of damnation, you must pull it out and cast it far from you; that is, when there is danger of losing your soul, you must fly from all evil occasions. — St. Alphonsus Liguori, Sermon XXII, On Avoiding the Occasions of Sin
Queen of the Vices
Opposed by Humility
You see how the consequence of pride was that he was given over to shocking and filthy passions. For he who is puffed up with pride and has permitted himself to be worshipped as God, is (as the Apostle says) “given over to shameful passions and a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient.” — St. John Cassian, The Institutes, Book XII, Chapter XXI
Cheap abundance of the means to commit this sin relates to this verse: “Love of money is the root of all evils.” — 1 Timothy 6:10
For we see that by riches man acquires the means of committing any sin whatever, and of sating his desire for any sin whatever, since money helps man to obtain all manner of temporal goods. — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica I-II, Q. 84, Art. 1
Opposed by Avoiding the Occasion of Sin
St. Bernardine of Sienna teaches that the counsel of avoiding the occasions of sin is the best of all counsel, and as it were the foundation of religion. — St. Alphonsus Liguori, Sermon XXII, On Avoiding the Occasions of Sin
Hence, being once compelled by exorcisms to tell the sermon which displeased him most, the devil confessed that it was the sermon on avoiding the occasions of sin. As long as we expose ourselves to the occasions of sin, the devil laughs at all our good purposes and promises made to God. — St. Alphonsus Liguori, Sermon XXII, On Avoiding the Occasions of Sin
Opposed by Custody of the Eyes
For all that is in the world, is the concupiscence of the flesh, and the concupiscence of the eyes, and the pride of life, which is not of the Father, but is of the world. — 1 John 2:16 (Douay-Rheims)
Purity has its source in the heart, but it is in the body that its material results take shape, and therefore it may be forfeited both by the exterior senses and by the thoughts and desires of the heart. — St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 13
Opposed by Temperance
No one gains the palm of the spiritual contest, unless he has first conquered the incentives of the flesh, by afflicting the concupiscence of the belly. For we cannot stand up to the conflict of the spiritual contest, unless the enemy who is posted within, that is to say, the appetite of gluttony, is first conquered. — St. Gregory the Great, Moralia, Book XXX, §58
As long as the vice of gluttony has a hold on a man, all that he has done valiantly is forfeited by him: and as long as the belly is unrestrained, all virtue comes to naught. — St. Gregory the Great, Moralia, Book XXX, as quoted in Summa Theologica II-II, Q. 148, Art. 2
When the belly is distended by gluttony, the virtues of the soul are destroyed by lust. — St. Gregory the Great, Pastoral Rule III, 19, as quoted in Summa Theologica II-II, Q. 148, Art. 2
The belly when filled with all kinds of food gives birth to seeds of wantonness, nor can the mind, when choked with the weight of food, keep the guidance and government of the thoughts. For not only is drunkenness with wine wont to intoxicate the mind, but excess of all kinds of food makes it weak and uncertain, and robs it of all its power of pure and clear contemplation. — St. John Cassian, The Institutes, Book V, Chapter VI
On the part of the body, mention is made of "uncleanness," which may refer either to the inordinate emission of any kind of superfluities, or especially to the emission of the semen. — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II, Q. 148, Art. 6
Opposed by Temperance
Such matter is the drinking of intoxicants, because the measured use thereof is most profitable, while immoderate excess therein is most harmful, since it hinders the use of reason even more than excessive eating. — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II, Q. 149, Art. 1
Wine lowers vigilance
Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8 (Douay-Rheims)
The eating of flesh, and drinking of wine, and fulness of stomach, is the seed-plot of lust. And so the comic poet says, “Venus shivers unless Ceres and Bacchus be with her.” — St. Jerome, Against Jovinianus, Book II, Chapter 7
Here Ceres stands for grain and food, and Bacchus for wine; the saying warns that indulgence in food and drink can feed lust.
Opposed by Diligence
Idleness is the enemy of the soul; and therefore the brethren ought to be employed in manual labor at certain times, at others, in devout reading. — St. Benedict, Chapter 48 of the Holy Rule
And so taught by these examples the Fathers in Egypt never allow monks, and especially the younger ones, to be idle, estimating the purpose of their hearts and their growth in patience and humility by their diligence in work. — St. John Cassian, The Institutes, Book X, Chapter XXII
Opposed by Good Company and Recollection
Avoid the bad companion like you would avoid being bitten by a snake: tamquam a facie colubri. So if you go with the good people, I assure you you will go to heaven with good people. On the contrary if you stay with the bad ones, you will be bad yourself to the irreparable loss of your soul. — St. John Bosco, The Companion of Youth, Part I, Article 2, "Avoiding bad companions"
Avoid the society of persons who are wanting in purity, especially if they are bold, as indeed impure people always are ... On the other hand, seek out good and pure men, read and ponder holy things; for the Word of God is pure, and it will make those pure who study it. — St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter 13
Opposed by Solitude
The contrary of recollected solitude is dissipation: a mind scattered among crowds, noise, and novelty.
Be sure then, my child, that while externally occupied with business and social duties, you frequently retire within the solitude of your own heart. That solitude need not be in any way hindered by the crowds which surround you--they surround your body, not your soul, and your heart remains alone in the Sole Presence of God. — St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, ch. 12
Lust and Gluttony
The sins produced by a capital vice are called its daughters.
Lust produces
• blindness of mind, inconsiderateness, inconstancy, precipitation, self-love, hatred of God, affection for this present world, and dread or despair of the world to come.
Gluttony produces
• foolish mirth, scurrility, uncleanness, babbling, and dulness of sense in understanding.
Against Pride
Fear the Lord, humble yourself; Meditate that He sends people to Hell for a single mortal sin.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth forever and ever. — Psalm 110:10 (Douay-Rheims)
And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him. — Luke 1:50 (Douay-Rheims)
But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. — James 4:6 (Douay-Rheims)
Fear of the Lord is one of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost.
The Golden Sequence of the Mass of Pentecost. Its closing stanzas ask the Holy Ghost to descend on the faithful in His sevenfold gifts.
Holy Spirit! Lord of light!
From thy clear celestial height,
Thy pure beaming radiance give:
Come, Thou Father of the poor!
Come, with treasures which endure!
Come, Thou Light of all that live!
Thou, of all consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost refreshing peace bestow;
Thou in toil art comfort sweet;
Pleasant coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
Light immortal! Light Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of thine,
And our inmost being fill:
If Thou take thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay;
All his good is turn'd to ill.
Heal our wounds — our strength renew;
On our dryness pour thy dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore,
In thy sevenfold gifts, descend:
Give them comfort when they die;
Give them life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen.
— The Raccolta, n. 35 (1910 English edition, tr. Ambrose St John).
Monitor your thoughts, catch thoughts that say:
• you are better than others:
We are persuaded that persons who have been preferred to us have less talent than we. We flatter ourselves that we have enough talent to fulfill any role. — St. Anthony Mary Claret, The Golden Key to Heaven, Meditation 18, p. 184
• your talents come from yourself rather than from God: your intellect and memory, strength or beauty is not from you, but a gift from God.
All that I am, all that I have, all that I can do, is a gift of God, Who, like an immense river, floods me at all hours with ever new benefits. — St. Anthony Mary Claret, The Golden Key to Heaven, Meditation 5, p. 62
Of thine own thou hast nothing but sin, weakness, and misery, and with regard to those gifts of nature and of grace which thou enjoyest, as thou hast received them from God, Who is the principle of thy being, so to Him alone is their glory due. — Pope Leo XIII, The Practice of Humility, I
• That you may choose sin now and count on forgiveness later.
Be not without fear about sin forgiven, and add not sin upon sin: And say not: The mercy of the Lord is great, he will have mercy on the multitude of my sins. — Ecclesiasticus 5:5–6 (Douay-Rheims)
From time to time I have made an act of contrition, I have struck my breast, and then continued living, unworried, as though I were now assured of pardon. How so? — St. Anthony Mary Claret, The Golden Key to Heaven, Meditation 5, p. 66
The Catechism declares one mortal sin forfeits Heaven:
This reflection must produce, in all, the most abundant spiritual fruit; for whoever offends God, even by one mortal sin, instantly forfeits whatever merits he may have previously acquired through the sufferings and death of Christ, and is entirely shut out from the gate of heaven, which, when already closed, was thrown open to all by the Redeemer's passion. — Roman Catechism, Part I, On the Creed, Article X
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged,
deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected,
deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Against the Occasions of Sin
Padre Pio avoided the friary television, opposed its distraction to family life, and said of cinema, “The devil is in the cinema.” — Reported in Renzo Allegri, Padre Pio: The True Story
Get rid of Internet.
Get a dumbphone.
Use café or library Internet for ordinary necessary tasks.
Work in the office instead of from home.
Cancel Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Stop watching movies and television.
Quit social media.
Turn on YouTube Restricted Mode.
Delete apps that are image/video based, Pinterest, TikTok, etc.
Avoid tabloid news sites.
Use LLMs to summarize information where the source might have immodesty.
Install an adblocker.
Put some decent media on a USB stick to watch when you need to unwind.
Against Lust of the Eyes
Make a covenant with your eyes, and guard the imagination.
I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin. — Job 31:1 (Douay-Rheims)
But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. — Matthew 5:28 (Douay-Rheims)
St. Aloysius Gonzaga kept so strict a custody of the eyes that he never gazed upon a woman's face. Reared as a page at the courts of Europe, he is said never once to have looked the queen full in the face.
Against Gluttony and Drunkenness
Getting drunk is a mortal sin:
In this way drunkenness is a mortal sin, because then a man willingly and knowingly deprives himself of the use of reason, whereby he performs virtuous deeds and avoids sin, and thus he sins mortally by running the risk of falling into sin. — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II, Q. 150, Art. 2
Avoid bars and nightclubs because they are occasions of sin: bad company, bad music, immodest dancing, drunkenness and fornication.
Be not seduced: Evil communications corrupt good manners. — 1 Corinthians 15:33 (Douay-Rheims)
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury; but be ye filled with the holy Spirit, — Ephesians 5:18 (Douay-Rheims)
Do not chase after costly or dainty food, eat too much, eat before the proper time, or eat greedily:
The vice of gluttony tempts us in five ways. Sometimes it forestalls the hour of need; sometimes it seeks costly meats; sometimes it requires the food to be daintily cooked; sometimes it exceeds the measure of refreshment by taking too much; sometimes we sin by the very heat of an immoderate appetite. — St. Gregory the Great, Moralia, Book XXX, 18, as quoted in St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II, Q. 148, Art. 4
fasting is practiced for a threefold purpose. First, in order to bridle the lusts of the flesh, wherefore the Apostle says (2 Cor. 6:5, 6): “In fasting, in chastity,” since fasting is the guardian of chastity. — St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II, Q. 147, Art. 1 (tr. Fathers of the English Dominican Province)
Against Carelessness in Temptation
Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8 (Douay-Rheims)
Watch ye, and pray that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak. — Matthew 26:41 (Douay-Rheims)
Stay busy, not idle; manual labor, exercise, prayer, spiritual reading, creative hobbies.
But to practise successfully this means of conquering our passions, frequent meditation on the truths of faith, frequent spiritual readings, and frequent reflections on the eternal maxims are indispensably necessary. — St. Alphonsus Liguori, The True Spouse of Jesus Christ, Chapter VII, Section I
Against Dissipation
Whosoever loves God, loves solitude. There the Lord communicates himself more familiarly to souls, because there He finds them less entangled in worldly affairs and more detached from earthly affections. Hence, St. Jerome exclaimed: "O solitude, in which God speaks and converses familiarly with His servants." ... The Lord is not in the earthquake (3 Kg, 19:11). But where is He found? I will lead her into the wilderness, and I will speak to her heart (Osee 2:14). He is found in solitude and there He speaks to the heart in words that inflame it with holy love, as the sacred spouse attests: My soul melted when my Beloved spoke (Cant. 5:6).
St. Eucherius relates that a certain man, desirous of becoming a saint, asked a servant of God where he should find God. The servant of God conducted him to a solitary place, and said: "Behold where God is found!" By these words he meant to say that God is found not amid the tumult of the world, but in solitude. — St. Alphonsus Liguori, The True Spouse of Jesus Christ, Chapter XVI, Section II, The Love of Solitude
But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. — Matthew 6:6 (Douay-Rheims)
It is well for you to retire sometimes within your own chamber or garden, or wheresoever you can best recollect your mind, and refresh your soul with good and holy thoughts, and some spiritual reading. — St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, Part III, Chapter XXIV
Seek companions and quiet habits that turn the heart toward God.
Avoid the bad companion like you would avoid being bitten by a snake: tamquam a facie colubri. So if you go with the good people, I assure you you will go to heaven with good people. On the contrary if you stay with the bad ones, you will be bad yourself to the irreparable loss of your soul. — St. John Bosco, The Companion of Youth, Part I, Article 2, "Avoiding bad companions"
Resolution, resolution, said St. Teresa: "The devil has no dread of irresolute souls." On the contrary, he who resolves to give himself truly to God will overcome even what seemed impossible. A resolved will conquers everything. — St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Way of Salvation and of Perfection, Spiritual Treatise V, The Two Great Means for Becoming Holy: Desire and Resolution
Prepare before temptation arrives, so that the first response is already chosen.
The temptation of the flesh is conquered and the impure passion mortified by flight, and not by an encounter face to face. — Lorenzo Scupoli, The Spiritual Combat, Chapter XXX
If temptation comes while you are lying down, get up. Take a walk and pray the Rosary.
Do not dwell on, analyze, or debate the impure thought. Keep wholesome material ready before it is needed — a prayer book, spiritual reading, study, or a simple task — so that both mind and body can turn immediately to something good.
The monks of old once held a council among themselves to examine which was the most useful exercise to secure eternal salvation, and they concluded that it was to beseech God in prayer, with the words, Incline unto my aid, O God! — St. Alphonsus Liguori, A Short Treatise on Prayer
It firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart “into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels” [Matt. 25:41], unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock; and that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is so strong that only to those remaining in it are the sacraments of the Church of benefit for salvation, and do fastings, almsgiving, and other functions of piety and exercises of Christian service produce eternal reward, and that no one, whatever almsgiving he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church. — Council of Florence, Cantate Domino (1442)
Watch: The Truth About the SSPX, the SSPX-MC, and Similar Groups
You will see some persons spending four or five hours in play. If you ask them why they lose so much time, they answer: To amuse ourselves. Others remain half the day standing in the street, or looking out from a window. If you ask them what they are doing, they shall say in reply, that they are passing the time. And why says the same saint, do you lose this time? Why should you lose even a single hour, which the mercy of God gives you to weep for your sins, and to acquire the divine grace? — St. Alphonsus Liguori, Sermon XXIV, On the Value of Time
The Fifteen Promises · Traditionally attributed through Blessed Alan de la Roche
Overcome Yourself
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