Charity and humility, two essential virtues so that pride and selfishness may not find room in our hearts. And to serve our fellow beings, as the Gospel of Jesus recommends, it is necessary to do for them all the good that is within our reach, all the good we would wish to receive ourselves.
Blessed are those who cultivate within themselves the desire to serve. They carry within them the roots of love, ever growing in their hearts, supporting those in need and those who have been forgotten.
Since the earliest times, the planet has been visited by enlightened and beautiful beings, messengers of our Planetary Governor, sent to enrich us with their teachings, their virtues, and their examples of life.
We wish to remember one of these figures who once lived on Earth, an angelic being who, during his earthly existence, devoted himself to the practice of these sublime virtues in the fullest sense of the word.
He was regarded as the holiest priest and the greatest example of humility and charity of the century in which he lived. His primary rule of conduct was the example of the Master Jesus, for, as he himself said, "To die with Jesus Christ, one must live like Jesus Christ."
Our humble reverence and special gratitude to this wonderful Spirit who left us countless examples of how we too can practice these sweet virtues that draw us nearer to the Divine. His life was entirely devoted to poverty.
Even when, in his youth, he was captured and sold as a slave, he did not fail to counsel his fellow captives about the need for compassion toward their oppressors. Through his example of submission and kindness toward his master, he eventually convinced him to repent of his wrongs and return to faith.
Always devoted to Mary Most Holy, he prayed unceasingly to her for his freedom so he could return to his homeland. Born in a small village in southern France in the 16th century, from childhood he already carried within himself the desire to help the less fortunate.
He became a priest at nineteen, his humility and intelligence quickly noticed, drawing the attention of the church authorities of his time. In 1608, he was appointed chaplain to the queen by the king of France. At that time, he studied canon law and was responsible for distributing money to the poor.
Later, he became a counselor to a noble family but refused to live in the palace or enjoy privileges he deemed unnecessary. Even while working as a tutor and counselor to that family, he gave the servants of the house the same attention and respect as he gave the nobles, making no distinction between them.
He rebuilt an abandoned church and helped the faithful return to worship. He founded shelters for orphans and a hospital for the outcasts of society, with help from the Ladies of Charity. Later, he organized the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity, which multiplied and today exists throughout the world, along with other institutions devoted to charity.
He did so much for the poor, the sick, and the destitute during his earthly life that it would be impossible to describe all his deeds.
This spirit of great wisdom continues to instruct us, to warn us about our behavior in the face of suffering, disappointment, and weakness, through the wise messages found in The Gospel According to Spiritism.
Yes, it was this Spirit of Light and Wisdom, among others, who assisted in the codification of the Doctrine of Spirits alongside Professor Kardec.
We know it is not possible, in a single lifetime, to absorb all the wisdom contained in the teachings and examples of these enlightened beings sent from heaven. Thus, we cannot yet be perfect human beings, better companions on the journey, and better children of the Almighty.
But we can begin now. The path has already been laid out before us, so we can no longer say that we know nothing. Now it is time to move forward, having the humility to let the right hand hide what the left hand is doing, and above all, making charity the lever of our spiritual ascension, for outside of charity there is no salvation!
Wonderful Spirit of the Lord, help those who err along my path!