Volume III, Treatise III, Chapter VI

Of the Three Different Degrees of Poverty

THE saints and masters of a spiritual life assign three degrees of poverty. The first degree is to be found in those who exteriorly quit all the things of the world, but who love them interiorly, and detach not the heart from them. It is proved already that these persons are not really, but only hypocritically poor, and that they do an injury to the name they bear. The second comprehends all those who have left the world, both in will and deed, and whilst they are in religion do not seek after superfluities, but are extremely careful to have all things necessary,—as good victuals, good clothes, convenient lodgings, and such like,—and are much troubled and complain when they are denied what they desire, This is no true poverty; and, as St. Bernard says, it is strange that so many at present should glory in the name of poor men, and at the same time be unwilling to want the least conveniency. This is the way to be rich rather than to be poor; and such as these outdo even secular persons, who are not always provided with conveniencies, some, because they have not wherewith to procure them, and others who had rather bear them than be at any expense, so that a thrifty disposition does in them what virtue should do in us; others, in fine, though they have much, and put themselves to vast expenses, yet they are never served according to their will. Yet you, who are religious, and have made a vow of poverty, would have everything you want, and suffer no manner of inconvenience. This shows no desire of poverty, but rather a desire to live in ease and plenty. Had you been in the world still, perhaps you would have suffered a great deal more in this point; is it therefore just, that we, who entered into religion to mortify our passions and to lead a penitential life, should be solicitous for those very conveniencies which we would not have met with in the world?

If, then, we wish to attain this perfection of poverty of spirit, and to correspond to the name and duty of a religious. person, and to render our life conformable to our profession, we must advance one step higher, and be content to want even what is necessary, which is the third degree of poverty; for he who is truly poor despises even necessary things. It is not enough to be detached from unprofitable and superfluous things, but we must also break off all affection even to those that are necessary, and show our love of poverty by a want as well of these as of other things. Unable to do without the things which are necessary for life, we must take of them no more than is absolutely necessary; and by keeping this necessity within very narrow bounds, rather than by extending it, we must show that we are glad of any occasion to give testimony of our love of poverty.

It is nothing to be poor, says St. Vincent, unless we love to be so, and even rejoice to suffer for Jesus Christ all the inconveniencies of poverty. He that would bring his love of poverty to the test, must consider if he loves the effects of it, as hunger, thirst, cold, weariness, and a real want of all things. See if you are glad when you have an old threadbare habit given you,” when you want part of your dinner, when the server forgets you, or gives you what is displeasing tu your palate, or, lastly, when you have a very poor cell assigned you. For if you do not take a satisfaction when these things happen, but rather endeavour to avoid them, be assured that you are not yet arrived to the perfection of poverty of spirit,

EISEN _aemeeeneeme

About ReligiousBookshelf.com · A Supernerd Media project