Catholic Fire

"To understand correctly the meaning of chastity we must start with its positive content. [Christ's mission] led Him to a pure and unreserved commitment to men and women. Sacred Scripture shows that at no moment of His life did He betray even the slightest trace of self-interest or selfishness in His relationship with others. ... Priests and religious are not aloof from interpersonal relationships. By their vow of celibate chastity they do not consecrate themselves to individualism or a life of isolation; instead, they solemnly promise to put completely and unreservedly at the service of God's Kingdom the deep relationships of which they are capable." ~ Pope Benedict VI, To the Benedictine Community of the Austrian Shrine of Mariazell, September 8, 2007

"...to live the virtue of chastity, one doesn´t have to wait until they are old, or without strength. Purity is born of love, and for a pure/clean love the robustness and joy of youth aren´t obstacles..." ~ St. Josemaria Escriva

"It is well known, and is daily experienced by the clients of Mary, that her powerful name gives the particular strength necessary to overcome temptations against purity". ~St. Alphonsus Liguori

"Why is chastity so vital a key for unlocking the theology of the body? The theology of the body is centered on the gift of self that we are all called to make to others, regardless of our state or vocation in life." "Only the chaste person can make such a gift. For spouses, this gift is embodied and expressed in the act of conjugal union. But no one can give what he does not first possess. It is precisely the mastery of oneself, the self-possession which comes through chastity, that enables men and women to be a gift to one another." ~ Legionary Father Walter Schu, author of The Splendor of Love (2003, New Hope). Excerpted from his article Theology of the Body For 6 Continents, The National Catholic Register , June 24-30, 2007 Issue

"One can not sufficiently deplore the blindness of so many women of every age and station. Made foolish by a desire to please, they do not see to what degree the indecency of their clothing shocks every honest man and offends God. Most of them would formerly have blushed for such apparel as for a grave fault against Christian modesty . Now it does not suffice to exhibit themselves on public thoroughfares; they do not fear to cross the threshold of churches, to assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and even to bear the seducing food of shameful passions to the Eucharistic Table, where one receives the Heavenly Author of Purity." ~ Pope Benedict XV