Exhortation to Novices to Persevere in their Vocation

I. Temptations to which novices are exposed 4 II. Means to preserve one's vocation 24 III. Important instructions to the novice that he preserve himself in fervor 30 Exhortation to religious to advance in the perfection of their state 33 Purity of intention 39 Religious poverty 45 THE grace of vocation, and the grace of perseverance in the vocation, are two distinct graces. Many have received from God vocation, but through their own fault have rendered themselves unworthy to receive the grace of perseverance. No one shall be crowned, except he strive lawfully. No one, then, shall receive the grace of perseverance and the crown prepared by God for those that persevere, but he who on his own part does what he ought in order to combat and vanquish the enemy. Hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. My dear young friend, you who, by a special favor, have been called by the Lord to follow him, hear how he himself exhorts and encourages you; be attentive, my son, to preserve the grace thou hast received from me, and fear lest thou lose it, and another have the crown prepared for thee.