Conferences XVIII–XXIV, Conference XIX

Conference XIX

• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.1 — Of the Cœnobium of Abbot Paul and the patience of a certain brother. After only a few days we made our way once more with great alacrity, drawn by the desire for further instruction, to the Cœnobium of Abbot Paul,…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.2 — Of Abbot John's humility and our question. In this Cœnobium then we found a very old man named John, whose words and humility we think ought certainly not to be passed over in silence as in them he excelled all the…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.3 — Abbot John's answer why he had left the desert. The system of the anchorites, which you are surprised at my leaving, I not only neither reject nor refuse, but rather embrace and regard with the utmost veneration: in…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.4 — Of the excellence which the aforesaid old man showed in the system of the anchorites. If then anyone else delights in the recesses of the desert and would forget all human intercourse and say with Jeremiah: “I have…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.5 — Of the advantages of the desert. So long then as owing to the fewness of those who were then living in the desert, a greater freedom was afforded to us in a wider expanse of the wilderness, so long as in the…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.6 — Of the conveniences of the Cœnobium. Wherefore I will briefly explain what advantages I now enjoy in this manner of life. You must consider my words and judge whether those advantages of the desert outweigh these…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.7 — A question on the fruits of the Cœnobium and the desert. Germanus: Since it is evident that you have not, like so many, just touched the mere outskirts of each mode of life, but have ascended to the very heights, we…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.8 — The answer to the question proposed. John: I should absolutely maintain that one and the same man could not attain perfection in both lives unless I was hindered by the example of some few. And since it is no small…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.9 — Of true and complete perfection. But this is μερική, i.e., no thorough and altogether complete perfection, but only a partial one. Perfection then is very rare and granted by God’s gift to but a very few. For he is…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.10 — Of those who while still imperfect retire into the desert. But some are sometimes so tantalized by the silence of the desert lasting all through the day that they altogether dread intercourse with men, and, when they…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.11 — A question how to cure those who have hastily left the congregation of the Cœnobium. Germanus: By what treatment can any help be given to us or to others who are thus weak and only up to this; who had received but…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.12 — The answer telling how a solitary can discover his faults. John: To those who are really seeking relief, healing remedies from the true Physician of souls will certainly not be wanting; and to those above all will…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.13 — A question how a man can be cured who has entered on solitude without having his faults eradicated. A question how a man can be cured who has entered on solitude without having his faults eradicated. Germanus: We…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.14 — The answer on their remedies. John: For those who are anxious for the cure of their ailments a saving remedy is sure not to be wanting, and therefore remedies should be sought by the same means that the signs of each…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.15 — A question whether chastity ought to be ascertained just as the other feelings. Germanus: As the cure for other ailments, viz., anger, vexation, and impatience, has been shown to consist in opposing to them their…vatican.va
• Conferences XVIII–XXIV XIX.16 — The answer giving the proofs by which it can be recognized. John: Your shrewd question has anticipated the subject, which even if you had said nothing must have arisen from our discourse, and therefore I do not doubt…vatican.va