On The Capital Sins

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, on the Capital Sins

Method.

With regard to the Seven Capital Sins, after Additional Direction,

the preparatory prayer should be made in the way prescribed,

but with the modification that the object is the sins to be avoided,

whereas before, it was the Commandments to be observed.

In like manner the method prescribed, the regulation of the time,

and the colloquy observed.

Note.

In order to understand better the faults committed that come under the Seven Capital Sins,

let the contrary virtues be considered. See also, the better to avoid these sins,

one should resolve to endeavor by devout exercises to acquire and

retain the seven virtues contrary to them

How many are my inequities and sins? Make me know my crimes and offences.

Job xiii, 23

Pride conquered by humility.

For your power, O Lord, is not in a multitude, nor is your pleasure in the strength of horses, nor from the beginning have the proud been acceptable to you: but the prayer of the humble and meek have always pleased you. Judith ix, 16

For thou lightest my lamp, O Lord: O my God, enlighten my darkness Psalm xvii. 29

O God of the Heavens, creator of the waters, and lord of the whole creation, hear me a poor wretch, making supplications to you, and presuming of your mercy. Judith ix, 17

Greed conquered by generosity

A covetous man shall not be satisfied with money: and he that loves riches shall reap no fruit from them: so this also is vanity. Eccles v, 9

Show, O Lord, thy ways to me, teach me thy paths. Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God, my Savior; and on thee have I waited all the day long. Psalms xxiv. 4, 5

Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly: And he who soweth in blessings. Every one as he has determined in his heart, not with sadness, or of necessity: or God loveth a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians ix, 6, 7

Envy conquered by love

For God created man incorruptible and to the image of his own likeness he made him. But by the envy of the devil, death came into this world: and they who follow him are of his side. Wisdom ii, 23 – 25

Send forth thy light and thy truth, they have conducted me, and brought me unto the holy hill, and into thy tabernacles.

Psalms xlii. 3

For God so loved the world, as to give His only begotten Son; that who so ever believes in him, may not parish, but have life everlasting. John iii, 16

Anger conquered by kindness

Be angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger…

Let all bitterness, and anger, and indignation, and clamor, and blasphemy, be put away from you, with all malice.

Ephesians iv,26, 31

Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God. Enlighten my eyes, that I never sleep in death: Lest at any time my enemy say: I have prevailed against him. Psalm xii. 29

And be kind to one another; merciful, forgiving of one another, even as God hath forgiven you in Christ.

Ephesians iv, 32

Lust conquered by self - control

Let us walk honestly in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscence’s.

Romans xiii. 13, 14

Make the way known to me wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee… Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Psalms cxlii 8, 10

For you have done manfully, and your heart has been strengthened, because you have loved chastity…: Therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened you, and therefore you shall be blessed for ever. Judith xv, 11

Gluttony conquered by temperance

Are you set at a great table? Be not first to open your mouth upon it. Say not: There are many things which are upon it…. Stretch not out your hand first, lest being disgraced with envy, you be put into confusion. Be not hasty at a feast… Use as a frugal man the things that are set before you: lest if thou eat too much, you will be hated. Leave off first, for manners sake and exceed not, lest you offend. And if you are seated among many, reach not your hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink. Ecclus xxxi, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19-21

And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him, Saying: What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see. Luke xviii 40, 41

The meadows are open and the green herbs have appeared, and the hay is gathered out of the mountains. Lambs are from your clothing: and kids for the price of the field.

Let the milk of the goats be enough for your food, and for the necessities of your house, and for maintence for your handmaids. Proverbs xxvii 25, 26, 27

Sloth conquered by zeal

I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by the vineyard of the foolish man: and behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face there of, and the stone wall was broken down. Which when I had seen, I laid it up in my heart, and by example, I received instruction. You will sleep a little, said I, you will slumber a little, said I, you will fold your hands to rest: and poverty shall over come to your as a runner, and beggary as an armed man. Proverbs xxiv. 30-34

May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us. That we may know thy ways upon earth; thy salvation in all nations. Psalm lxxvi 2, 3

But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls; although loving you more, I be loved less.

2 Corinthians xii, 15

The 6 Sins against the Holy Ghost

Presumption

Despair

Resisting the known truth

Envy of another’s spiritual good

Obstinacy in sin

Final impenitence

.

The 9 Ways We Participate in Others’ Sins

By counsel

By command

By consents

By provocation

By praise or flattery

By concealment

By partaking

By silence

By defense of the ill done

3 Conditions for Mortal Sin

Grave matter

Full knowledge

Deliberate consent