Virtues that in solitude seem well entrenched in the soul prove fragile when meeting people

It often happens that we feel hurt by one another — because of an inappropriate word, a phrase that seemed unnecessary, a hasty gesture, or a desire that appeared exaggerated.

Even someone’s zeal can disturb others. Skill, intelligence, and even virtue can become stumbling blocks. Why? Because of the subtle and countless forms that pride, arrogance, vanity, self-satisfaction, self-love, selfishness, and egocentrism take.

Thus we came to deny ourselves — to the death of the self within each of us. We forced ourselves to obey one another, to submit to each other as we would to God. Satan tempted each of us in turn, but through each of us the Holy Spirit worked and triumphed.

Our small community became a school of perfection. We learned that every passion can be transformed into a virtue, and through that virtue, God acts in man. Our inner horizons widened.

We learned to love one another, to forgive one another, to be patient with one another, to see each other through a broad and compassionate human understanding — and, without pausing even for a moment, to run steadfastly toward the final goal: the glory of God.

Virtues that seemed firmly rooted in solitude proved fragile in community. And we thought: if those who strive toward spiritual awakening can be so tempted, then those who never even question their conscience must surely live in the most blatant form of Satanism.

Indeed, true freedom is found only in living within the good; in evil there is nothing but bondage.

Our community was, in truth, a confrontation — between each of us and ourselves, and between all of us and God. We were all running toward the same Archetype, Christ, and each one, while shaping his own personality, contributed to the unity of all through diversity. The sustaining power of this entire struggle was always love.

We entrusted ourselves to God, gave ourselves to Him, and lived through Him and in Him.