SADNESS

(Chapter 15 of Light and Peace by R.P. Quadrupani, Barnabite)

1 – Sadness, says St. Francis de Sales, is the worst thing in the world, sin alone excepted.

2 – It is a dangerous error to seek recollection in sadness: it is the spirit of God that produces recollection; sadness is the work of the spirit of darkness.

3 – Do not forget the rule given by St. Francis de Sales for the discernment of spirits: any thought that troubles and disquiets us cannot come from the God of peace, who makes His dwelling-place only in peaceful souls.

4 – It is wrong to deny oneself all diversion.  The mind becomes fatigued and depressed by remaining always concentrated in itself and thus more easily falls a prey to sadness.  St. Thomas says explicitly that one may incur sin by refusing all innocent amusement.  Every excess, no matter what its nature, is contrary to order and consequently to virtue.

5 – Recreations and amusements are to the life of the soul what seasoning is to our corporal food.  Food that is too highly seasoned quickly becomes injurious and sometimes fatal in its effects; that which is not seasoned at all becomes unendurable because of its insipidity and unpalatableness.

6 – As to the amount of diversion it is right to take, no absolute measure can be given: the rule is that each person should have as much as is necessary for him.  This quantity varies according to the bent of the mind, the nature of the habitual occupations, and the greater or less predisposition to sadness one observes in his disposition.

7 – When you find your heart growing sad, divert yourself without a moment’s delay; make a visit, enter into conversation with those around you, read some amusing book, take a walk, sing, do something, it matters not what provided you close the door of your heart against this terrible enemy.  As the sound of a trumpet gives the signal for combat, so thoughts apprise the devil that a favorable moment has come for him to attack us.