Sixth Day of Novena

The cross had become central in the spiritual legacy of Mother Ignacia. Murillo Velarde used very specific words to describe the ascetical practices exercised by the Servant of God, and how her first community emulated her example, to the detriment of the health of the members. For Mother Ignacia, temperance was not limited to foregoing pleasure, but even to chose what went against the grain, to the practice of penances and mortification “in order to draw down God’s mercy upon them.” However, motivated by the greater glory and service of God, she learned to exercise temperance even in her desire for self-sacrifice, and legislated that these ascetical practices be regulated by the primary motivation of anyone who wished to live the life: the greater service of God. Reflections related to the practice of the virtue of Prudence may likewise be applied to the practice of virtue of Temperance. 

O Eternal Father, we adore You, praise You and thank You for the graces and gifts You have generously bestowed upon Your humble servant, Ignacia del Espiritu Santo. Trusting in Your love and mercy, we hope to obtain the grace to live and die in Your love. 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.