Latina (1): Pax et Bonum ( juni 2009)

Pax et Bonum,

Ego omnibus fratribus carissimis salutem plurimam dico.

Salvete mane! Quid agistis?

Si vos valetis, bene sunt, ego valeo et nos valemus. Hodie vobis seminaristis (in seminario) fratribusque epistolam scribo.

Seminaristae dilecti, mox a hoc seminario ibo et in novo loco habitabo. Incipiam alium domum laetitia et gaudio. Semper beatus sim. Mansi in seminario per unum et sex mensem. Experientias pretiosas obtinui et res utiles ad aeternam vitam expertus sum. Ita, nunc ego non macer sed piguis sum.

Seminaristae dilecti, admoneo ut in anno sequenti meliores futuri sitis. Memoramini haec consilia: primus, Orare maxime neccessarium est. Nolite umquam obliviscui. Secundus, Ne quis fastidiat grammaticae latinae elementa. Hoc mihi cordi est. Euge, nolite assidue garrere sed sedulius discere debeatis. Cicero dixit: “Non tam praeclarum est scire latine quam turpe nesciri”. Tertius, Cura ut valeatis, ergo in campo pila ludere feria secunda validus est. Cura, ne in morbum incidas.Vobis feriis fruendum ludis et gaudiis est.

Seminaristae dilecti, pleraque dictu quam factu sunt faciliora. Sed facta non verba sunt. Itaque, age quod agis. Credo Deum adiuvare. Adiuvante Deo, opus nostrum faciliter perficiemus. Dominus proper est.

Si quid in vobis peccavi, ignoscite! Oremus semper pro invicem!

Vos omnes salvere iubeo!

Stella Maris, Ante diem quintum Kalendas Iulias MMXX

(Die quinto ante Kalendas Quintiles MMXX)

In Cruce Salus,

RP. Riston OSC

English (1): Chastity (1 juli 2008)

The title of my talk is the chastity. That’s the forth topic taken from “The Rule of Saint Augustine”. That’s one of the rules in our community life in Order Holy Cross. I want to talk about the chastity because the chastity still remains important and relevant things to build our holiness in our contemporary. That’s way I want to talk about that today.

Let us start with some background. Saint Augustine wrote eight chapters about purposes and basis of common life. And then, chastity is one from three of our vows, which are chastity, poverty and obedience. So, why the chastity is important and relevant?

First, let me tell you just what Saint Augustine meant about chastity. Do you know what he said? Chastity is connected with our eyes. Although our eyes may have chances to rest upon some women or other (may be some man), we must not fix our gaze upon any woman (or man). Thereby, do not say that our hearts are pure if there is immodesty of the eye because the unchaste eye carries the message of an impure heart.

Moving on, chastity means our responsibility to others. If we notice in one of our brothers this wantonness of the eye, admonish him at once so that the beginning of evil will be promptly corrected.

Another thing is the chastity close to our holy state of life. In my opinion, the holiness is no great action done once for all but it consists in the continual practice of small duties which are distasteful to us. That’s self-denial to reach holiness. Can you believe that?

      Finally, I’d like to say that the chastity is not an easy thing. So, we must keep our spirit to reach to endeavor it. Therefore, I want to remind you that wherever we are, we must remember who we are because we are The Christians and even we are the religious. So, our life always should be towards holiness. And remember, you must do it! That’s all. Thank you very much for reading.