THE TRUE REDEMPTORIST 
BY ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI .

THE end of the Institute of the most Holy Redeemer is to follow as closely as possible the footsteps and examples of Jesus Christ, whose life in this world was one of detachment and mortification, full of sufferings and contempt.

It is therefore necessary for one who resolves to enter our Congregation to resolve at the same time to suffer and to deny himself in all things, according to the declaration of Jesus Himself, who says to those who wish to follow Him perfectly: Si quis vult post me venire, ab neget semetipsum, tollat crucem suam, et sequatur me (Matth. xvi. 24). Whoever would enter our Congregation must be -in the resolution to suffer, and to suffer much so that he may not later give way to temptations, and feel himself oppressed by the sufferings and inconveniences of the poor and mortified life which is led in our Congregation.

There are many who, on entering a fervent community, do not take the true means of finding their peace, and of becoming saints; for this reason, they look only at the advantages which the community offers: the solitude, the quiet, the freedom from disturbances, from family ties, dissensions, the bondage of the world, and from the necessity of thinking about their lodging, food, and clothing.

There is no doubt that on this point we are all under very great obligations to the Congregation, which delivers us from so many cares, and provides us with so many means of serving God perfectly in peace, furnishing each one, as it does continually, with so many aids for his spiritual good, so many good examples in his brethren, so much advice from his Superiors who are ever watching over him for his welfare, and with so many exercises which are profitable for eternal life.

All this is true: nevertheless, at the same time there must be a firm resolution, in order not to lose so happy a lot, of embracing all the sufferings which are, on the other hand, met in the Congregation; for if these are not lovingly accepted, there will not be that fulness of peace which God grants only to those overcome themselves in order to please Vincenti dabo manna absconditum (Apoc. ii, 17). The peace which God allows His faithservants to enjoy is hidden; it is not understood by the world, which, when it sees their mortified life, is not inclined to envy them, pities and calls them miserable persons. as St. Bernard remarks, crucem vident, unctionem non vident. They see their mortification, they do not see the happiness which God vouchsafes them.