On Abortion and IVF

[Biggie]

Hi Biggie,

I’m one of 12 children. I’m kind of partial to the piece of yourself that is flesh and blood. Just a personal preference I see. I’ll read your earlier post tomorrow. Bedtime.

I have endured man trials and what God has worked from them for me is a compassion for others who suffer as myself. Done. I have much compassion for woman who have fertility issues.

Catherine, we have a large immediate and extended family. My brother and my daughter have both adopted children, unable to have their own “flesh and blood”. My daughter fosters as well. I am not making judgements or recommendations. And believe me I understand how you feel. We discussed as a family and my daughter and son in law discarded the IVF option because no matter how attractive it sounds we could not get around the knowledge that a destruction of human life is involved.

My brother’s children are now in their teens. My daughter’s are just getting started. But when I look at those children, so happy and complete from such terrible beginnings, I can’t tell which is superior - our own flesh and blood or just plain old flesh and blood.

I am pretty sure my brother and daughter would have preferred something else and it has been very difficult emotionally for them. We have all had to grow. That’s why I reflect on what it is God works in us, realizing in all humility I cannot know.

 

[rlg94086]

I imagine the difference is you might say that with IVF the conception is not longer in utero. That’s what I think bugs our pontiff.

Excuse me? Are you saying that our pontiff’s views are different are at odds with the Magesterium? This is not something the Pope cooked up just to harass us.

Catherine555:

But I often view the uterus as the outside of my body. Instead of holding my child in my hand, I through evolution, have found a better spot to carry my child. The only real physical connection we have is through the umbilical cord. I argue that my egg really left my body when I ovulated just as sperm left my husband’s body when he ejaculated.

:whacky: I’m sorry, but that is by far the most ridiculous thing I have ever read in my life…and I’ve read a lot of ridiculous things. I can assure you that your uterus is inside your body. Ask a woman who has tragically had to have her uterus removed due to cancer, if she felt it was not part of her body.

Catherine555:

For most babies conception occurs in a tube, for others in a dish. But both IVF and traditionally conceived babies would have loving parents and born from a loving mother. I think that’s what really matters here. I would even say IVF parents maybe more enthusiastic about these children because of the hard road they have traveled.

Okay…please read the whole document provided to you.

The desire for a child - or at the very least an openness to the transmission of life - is a necessary prerequisite from the moral point of view for responsible human procreation. But this good intention is not sufficient for making a positive moral evaluation of in vitro fertilization between spouses. The process of IVF and ET must be judged in itself and cannot borrow its definitive moral quality from the totality of conjugal life of which it becomes part nor from the conjugal acts which may precede or follow it.(48)

IOW…the strong desire, and I agree that someone who so desires a child and can’t have one naturally can often have a stronger desire than someone who can easily conceive naturally, is not sufficient in determining whether IVF is morally licit. Good ends do not justify evil means.

Catherine555:

I’m 34, just diagnosed with endometriosis. Just learned our only daughter is a miracle baby. And it will take a second miracle to conceive her sibling. The specialist recommends IVF. I will continue reading to see if I can find an answer to tell her no I won’t do it but haven’t found one yet. My daughter will make a great big sister. I think she should look at a tiny baby brother or sister and see a reflection of herself. And when I die I hope she will have a piece of me with her in the form of a sibling. I want to give her this.

I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but I think it is great that you and your husband desire another child. Perhaps you will have another “miracle baby.” If not, adoption is certainly an option. Your daughter can be a great big sister to an adopted child as well. I do hope you pray about this and make the right decision. It is important to remember that as individuals, we are not the ones who decide whether something is licit or not. We are part of the Holy Catholic Church, not the Holy Catherine (or Robert) Church.

 

[fix]

Okay…please read the whole document provided to you.

Yes, I wish folks would read it and tells us why the magisterium, which speaks as Christ, is wrong. So far all I have seen is private opinions.

 

[Catherine555]

Catherine, we have a large immediate and extended family. My brother and my daughter have both adopted children, unable to have their own “flesh and blood”. My daughter fosters as well. I am not making judgements or recommendations. And believe me I understand how you feel. We discussed as a family and my daughter and son in law discarded the IVF option because no matter how attractive it sounds we could not get around the knowledge that a destruction of human life is involved.

My brother’s children are now in their teens. My daughter’s are just getting started. But when I look at those children, so happy and complete from such terrible beginnings, I can’t tell which is superior - our own flesh and blood or just plain old flesh and blood.

I am pretty sure my brother and daughter would have preferred something else and it has been very difficult emotionally for them. We have all had to grow. That’s why I reflect on what it is God works in us, realizing in all humility I cannot know.

Thanks for sharing Biggie. I have prayed about this very much. I do have it in my heart to adopt. I have faith and hope that it would be a story like yours where it works out just fine. I know I can love an adopted child as much as my own. I don’t doubt that. I’m just not done trying to have my own child and when and if I am I will strongly consider adoption.

Today I had a visit from friend of mine who has had her own fertility problems. She needed help conceiving her first child. I believe she took fertility medications and they have a daughter a year older than mine. But the second child was even harder. They recommended IVF. My friends said no to that. They are Christian and not Catholic BTW. They told her she had 0% chance of conceiving. She called me in despair. I told her to take it seriously when the doctors say her chance is small now but since her problems are hormonal I told her not to give up. God can heal her body. Her hormones can fluctuate and change for the better. It is still possible for her to conceive. Once she was at peace with her situation she got pregnant again on her own with a son. Their third child came even eaiser.

I am a person of faith. I believe that God has a plan for me that has included having her friendship for years now. We went to college together. I was her bible study leader. Then after college who would a get a job a few cubicles away from me by chance? Why my dear friend. So we renewed our friendship then and have tried our best to maintain it despite our kids and our time constraints.

Her reason for not choosing IVF as she told them to me today are that it feels like a science experiment rather than a natural process. She was also concerned about embryos being discarded.

I will not sign up for any process that discards embryos for any reason other than they have no life in them any longer. I find it hard to be leave that fertility centers can’t compromise on this issue. I’ll find out once I get the whole facts.

I still have a round of tests to do before the doctor settles on IVF for sure as her recommendation.

It was great seeing my friend today. Our daughters rarely see each other but from the get go they played very well together

 

[Catherine555]

Yes, I wish folks would read it and tells us why the magisterium, which speaks as Christ, is wrong. So far all I have seen is private opinions.

I’ll reply to this one first because it is short. Whenever I express a view that is contrary to views of the Church I get this exact response: Magesterium = Christ.

Infertility is a private situation. The pontiff, the Magesterium are trying to develop guidelines for many, for the masses. I don’t have any problems with either of these speaking out against IVF, abortion, etc. I think generally speaking they are saying this is dangerous territory. But my conscience does not end when they begin. Their words inform my conscience but I may us other sources as well to make my moral decision. Others choose to read their documents like a check list and stop there. For me it’s a more in depth process.

 

[Catherine555]

Excuse me? Are you saying that our pontiff’s views are different are at odds with the Magesterium? This is not something the Pope cooked up just to harass us.

:whacky: I’m sorry, but that is by far the most ridiculous thing I have ever read in my life…and I’ve read a lot of ridiculous things. I can assure you that your uterus is inside your body. Ask a woman who has tragically had to have her uterus removed due to cancer, if she felt it was not part of her body.

Okay…please read the whole document provided to you.

IOW…the strong desire, and I agree that someone who so desires a child and can’t have one naturally can often have a stronger desire than someone who can easily conceive naturally, is not sufficient in determining whether IVF is morally licit. Good ends do not justify evil means.

I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but I think it is great that you and your husband desire another child. Perhaps you will have another “miracle baby.” If not, adoption is certainly an option. Your daughter can be a great big sister to an adopted child as well. I do hope you pray about this and make the right decision. It is important to remember that as individuals, we are not the ones who decide whether something is licit or not. We are part of the Holy Catholic Church, not the Holy Catherine (or Robert) Church.

No, I’m not saying the Pope’s views are at odds with the Magesterium. In fact I did not mention it at all. And I certainly did not mean to imply his views were his own and separate from church teachings. But since he wrote the teachings that specifically spoke out against IVF in the 80’s I mentioned him directly.

On to the uterus…sigh… let me explain better. The uterus is a cavity, and open area. This open area connects on one end to the fallopian tubes. These tubes have open ends. The opposite end meets the ovary. Eggs go from ovary to tube. Conception occurs in this tube and early development. The embryo travels down the tube implants itself int he uterine lining. Now the other end of this uterus opens up to the cervix, the cervix opens up to the vagina, the vagina opens up in to the air…finally completely outside. The reason babies come out this way is because during development inside the uterus their already on the outside of me. It’s just a question of me pushing them through these tubes: cervix, vagina. I’m sure it still doe snot make sense to you but it completely makes sense to me.

Certainly the ends do not justify the means. Never meant to imply they did. I just don’t see the means as being anything that needs justification right now. I do need to lean more about IVF. I don’t see why any embryos need to be destroyed. I know that the pontiff said even if none where destroyed putting the life process in the hand of technology is not right. I wish he would go on to explain this. I have a Master’s of Science. I don’t see anything inherently wrong with science. I do not believe it to be at odds with God or morality. But it does make things more complicated. There was a time when if a married couple told you they had a child recently you would say congratulations. I think today some of you who hear it was IVF would say get thee to a priest to confess.

I don’t see why IVF can not be the means in which my prayers are answered. If I were in labor and a doctor delivered my child safely she would be the answer to my prayers. It is also possible for my specialist to help me past this one hurdle to have another child and thus my prayers be answered.

I have another friend who’s daughter is a few months younger than mine. We are in the same situation. She just found out she has endo and she has blocked fallopian tubes as well. She says in certain cases intrauterine insemination is possible. I’ll have to look into that as well.

No it’s not the church of Catherine, but Catherine is responsible for her own soul. I take the church’s teachings as a source for my moral judgment and I also use the brain that God gave me to sort it all out for myself.

 

[Biggie]

Thanks for sharing Biggie. I have prayed about this very much. I do have it in my heart to adopt. I have faith and hope that it would be a story like yours where it works out just fine. I know I can love an adopted child as much as my own. I don’t doubt that. I’m just not done trying to have my own child and when and if I am I will strongly consider adoption.

Today I had a visit from friend of mine who has had her own fertility problems. She needed help conceiving her first child. I believe she took fertility medications and they have a daughter a year older than mine. But the second child was even harder. They recommended IVF. My friends said no to that. They are Christian and not Catholic BTW. They told her she had 0% chance of conceiving. She called me in despair. I told her to take it seriously when the doctors say her chance is small now but since her problems are hormonal I told her not to give up. God can heal her body. Her hormones can fluctuate and change for the better. It is still possible for her to conceive. Once she was at peace with her situation she got pregnant again on her own with a son. Their third child came even eaiser.

I am a person of faith. I believe that God has a plan for me that has included having her friendship for years now. We went to college together. I was her bible study leader. Then after college who would a get a job a few cubicles away from me by chance? Why my dear friend. So we renewed our friendship then and have tried our best to maintain it despite our kids and our time constraints.

Her reason for not choosing IVF as she told them to me today are that it feels like a science experiment rather than a natural process. She was also concerned about embryos being discarded.

I will not sign up for any process that discards embryos for any reason other than they have no life in them any longer. I find it hard to be leave that fertility centers can’t compromise on this issue. I’ll find out once I get the whole facts.

I still have a round of tests to do before the doctor settles on IVF for sure as her recommendation.

It was great seeing my friend today. Our daughters rarely see each other but from the get go they played very well together

I am confident you will reach the right decision, and in the way a father can understand it I understand the needs, pressures and emotions. My daughter has an MBA, is employed full time as is her husband, and somehow accomplishes this and I kind of see it as a little miracle. And really, from where I sit, I can’t honestly say we settled for second best.

 

[Michael96]

I’ll reply to this one first because it is short. Whenever I express a view that is contrary to views of the Church I get this exact response: Magesterium = Christ.

Infertility is a private situation. The pontiff, the Magesterium are trying to develop guidelines for many, for the masses. I don’t have any problems with either of these speaking out against IVF, abortion, etc. I think generally speaking they are saying this is dangerous territory. But my conscience does not end when they begin. Their words inform my conscience but I may us other sources as well to make my moral decision. Others choose to read their documents like a check list and stop there. For me it’s a more in depth process.

I agree completely Catherine, for moral decisions we have many things to take into account: reading the Bible ourselves, the magisterium, the tradition of the Church, our own reason (and hearing other people’s reasoning), our own concience, and last but definitely not least prayer and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us directly and personally. For me all of those have their place. I too worry about formulaic and/or legislative approaches to moral questions.

And at the end of the day these are decisions taken by people, as individuals and couples. They are not, in my opinion, decisions that we should deligate to the Church.

That’s just my opinion and how I make decisions in my own life - I don’t mean it as an instruction for others (which I hope is obvious, but just in case anyone thinks I’m telling them how to make moral choices, I thought I’d make it clear that I’m not).

 

[NTOT]

On to the uterus…sigh… let me explain better. The uterus is a cavity, and open area. This open area connects on one end to the fallopian tubes. These tubes have open ends. The opposite end meets the ovary. Eggs go from ovary to tube. Conception occurs in this tube and early development. The embryo travels down the tube implants itself int he uterine lining. Now the other end of this uterus opens up to the cervix, the cervix opens up to the vagina, the vagina opens up in to the air…finally completely outside. The reason babies come out this way is because during development inside the uterus their already on the outside of me. It’s just a question of me pushing them through these tubes: cervix, vagina. I’m sure it still doe snot make sense to you but it completely makes sense to me.

I would guess by the same reasoning, we could say the food we eat remains on the outside of our bodies. In fact in never goes inside our bodies from the time it is ingested to the time it is expelled, granted a portion of it is extracted and absorbed. It is merely pushed through tubes which open to the outside air.

 

[fix]

I’ll reply to this one first because it is short. Whenever I express a view that is contrary to views of the Church I get this exact response: Magesterium = Christ.

Infertility is a private situation. The pontiff, the Magesterium are trying to develop guidelines for many, for the masses. I don’t have any problems with either of these speaking out against IVF, abortion, etc. I think generally speaking they are saying this is dangerous territory. But my conscience does not end when they begin. Their words inform my conscience but I may us other sources as well to make my moral decision. Others choose to read their documents like a check list and stop there. For me it’s a more in depth process.

Which other sources are superior to Christ and the Church He speaks through? I am genuinely interested in trying to understand how you would reason there is a superior source?

 

[fix]

I agree completely Catherine, for moral decisions we have many things to take into account: reading the Bible ourselves, the magisterium, the tradition of the Church, our own reason (and hearing other people’s reasoning), our own concience, and last but definitely not least prayer and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us directly and personally. For me all of those have their place. I too worry about formulaic and/or legislative approaches to moral questions.

And at the end of the day these are decisions taken by people, as individuals and couples. They are not, in my opinion, decisions that we should deligate to the Church.

That’s just my opinion and how I make decisions in my own life - I don’t mean it as an instruction for others (which I hope is obvious, but just in case anyone thinks I’m telling them how to make moral choices, I thought I’d make it clear that I’m not).

In all honesty that is basically claiming a type of moral relativism which the current pope has called a dictatorship.

 

[Michael96]

Which other sources are superior to Christ and the Church He speaks through? I am genuinely interested in trying to understand how you would reason there is a superior source?

I was say that being open to the Holy Spirit is an equal authority. I believe God can guide as individually as well as guiding the Church as a corporate body.

For me there are two extremes to avoid. The first is to dismiss the magisterium (or general orthodox tradition generally) as being “man’s work” and therefore not a credible source. The other extreme is to live by the law of the magisterium but be spiritually dead to the work of the Spirit in our lives; that is to be a modern day pharisee.

And this is point that someone will normally say that the R.C. Church is always right and so there can never be any real conflict…

 

[rlg94086]

I was say that being open to the Holy Spirit is an equal authority. I believe God can guide as individually as well as guiding the Church as a corporate body.

For me there are two extremes to avoid. The first is to dismiss the magisterium (or general orthodox tradition generally) as being “man’s work” and therefore not a credible source. The other extreme is to live by the law of the magisterium but be spiritually dead to the work of the Spirit in our lives; that is to be a modern day pharisee.

And this is point that someone will normally say that the R.C. Church is always right and so there can never be any real conflict…

Okay, but the middle ground, or correct thing, is to live by the teaching of the Magisterium and the Spirit. They are not contradictory. The problem with saying “well the Holy Spirit is telling me x is okay, even though the Church says it is a sin,” is that you are assuming that the guide you are following is the Holy Spirit and/or assuming that the Holy Spirit did not guide the Magisterium. They can’t be in conflict.

 

[fix]

I was say that being open to the Holy Spirit is an equal authority. I believe God can guide as individually as well as guiding the Church as a corporate body.

But, truth cannot contradict truth. There is only one magisterium and only one Holy Spirit.

For me there are two extremes to avoid. The first is to dismiss the magisterium (or general orthodox tradition generally) as being “man’s work” and therefore not a credible source. The other extreme is to live by the law of the magisterium but be spiritually dead to the work of the Spirit in our lives; that is to be a modern day pharisee.

Sorry, but following Christ is not being a Pharisee. We follow Christ, through His magisterium, because we love Him.

Christ said to the people about the Pharisees to do exactly as they tell you to do, but do not be hypocrites as they are. Christ said they had the seat of authority.

And this is point that someone will normally say that the R.C. Church is always right and so there can never be any real conflict…

The Church is always right in these matters. He who hears you hears Me. Right?

 

[Michael96]

Robert

So I have also wondered - “what do we do if we our prayerful conscience is telling us one thing and the magisterium is telling us something else?”.

Where I am at the moment (and it may well change) is that at times there are conflicts in belief between orthodox Christians - for example I see conflicts between Orthodox and Catholic teaching. And I see conflicts between Catholics (especially concerning Vatican-II, but historically we can also see changes in Church teaching). So my view of the Catholic magisterium is similar to my view of the Bible (and coming from a protestant background I still keep the Bible central in my daily prayer life) - that it is inspired by the Spirit but written by men and so we must not expect 100% literal accuracy. I believe the Spirit does keep the Church on the “right track” but I have come to the conclusion is does err at times and at all times is inevitably affected by the men of the Church at the time (I don’t expect the priests and the bishops of the Church to immune from the political desires and ambitions that are common to all men).

So, personally, I have currently come to the conclusion (and I’m sure many will disagree) that the “Catholic Church” does not have a monopoly on truth (at times I am swayed by teachings of the Orthodox church and at other times swayed by the teachings of the orthodox part of the Anglican church). And in the middle of this I make the best choices I can, trust in prayer (knowing sometimes my failings will mean I fail to follow God), trust in the Bible, and trust in orthodox Christianity (with a little “o”), but also never hand over responsibility for my actions to another “authority”.

So that’s where I am currently - but am always interested to hear where others currently and, as ever, do not want to persuade people to my view but offer up the view in case it is of interest/use to anyoen else (and I continually learn from responses from different Christians).

God bless

Michael

 

[Michael96]

Sorry, but following Christ is not being a Pharisee.

Agreed! 100%

God bless you Fix :hug3:

 

[Biggie]

Okay, but the middle ground, or correct thing, is to live by the teaching of the Magisterium and the Spirit. They are not contradictory. The problem with saying “well the Holy Spirit is telling me x is okay, even though the Church says it is a sin,” is that you are assuming that the guide you are following is the Holy Spirit and/or assuming that the Holy Spirit did not guide the Magisterium. They can’t be in conflict.

I agree with you completely and comment only to highlight the danger you have raised. Wouldn’t you agree that in areas where my own conscience conflicts with the Magesterium, humility would require me to question my conscience which may not be well formed and which is subjectively influenced? To me, this is the true value of the Church as opposed to Protestant faiths where subjectivity has produced a multiplicity of doctrine.

I understand that in our society, obedience can be interpreted as servitude and the times have placed a high value on subjective feelings. Is it wrong to identify much of this as hubris and to identify a humble submission to authority liberating?

 

[kyria]

Robert

So I have also wondered - “what do we do if we our prayerful conscience is telling us one thing and the magisterium is telling us something else?”.

Then you have a problem Michael96 and one of the problems many Christians encounter is the ability to discern what spirit is guiding them. But Catholics have the Catholic Church being guided by the Holy Spirit the Catholic Church guides us. Many people claim that the Holy Spirit leads them, but if the Holy Spirit is leading one to one belief and another to a contradictory belief then one must ask themselves what spirit is leading them? This is why we place our faith in the Catholic Church to guide and lead us to what is God’s truth.

When we start to doubt the teachings of the Church, and believe we are being guided by the Holy Spirit in that doubt, then we risk being led astray, and the reason we follow the teachings of the Church is for our salvation, not because it is a feel good thing to do.

Many people included myself have had some doubts about some teachings at one time or another, but we have to have faith the Church will guide us to what is correct and truth with regard to God’s laws. When we start making a stand on our own, and think we have it right and the Church doesn’t, we risk becoming separated from the one body that Christ set up.

Satan would love for us to separate ourselves from the Church, and he is a master at manipulating our thoughts and getting us to doubt the teachings of the Church and influencing us to stop following some of those teachings. But I fell into that trap for a period, and it wasn’t the Catholic Church I was separating myself from in the end, it was separating myself from Christ.

It isn’t a risk that I think is healthy for us and our salvation, and when we start to try and justify why we have erred away from some of the teachings, then we risk separating ourselves from Christ and we risk salvation. Why would anyone wish to take such a gamble with regards to their soul?

God Bless,

 

[rlg94086]

Robert

So I have also wondered - “what do we do if we our prayerful conscience is telling us one thing and the magisterium is telling us something else?”.

Hi Michael,

For me, I question whether I am listening to my conscience or my concupiscence, and then I will study intently to better inform my conscience.

1783 Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings.

 

[rlg94086]

I agree with you completely and comment only to highlight the danger you have raised. Wouldn’t you agree that in areas where my own conscience conflicts with the Magesterium, humility would require me to question my conscience which may not be well formed and which is subjectively influenced? To me, this is the true value of the Church as opposed to Protestant faiths where subjectivity has produced a multiplicity of doctrine.

I understand that in our society, obedience can be interpreted as servitude and the times have placed a high value on subjective feelings. Is it wrong to identify much of this as hubris and to identify a humble submission to authority liberating?

Very well said. That is exactly what I believe. It took a long time for me to come to that point. Not that I am completely obedient, I fall short like any sinner, but I do my best to follow the teaching of the Church.

*The Rule of St Benedict *has been a big help.
osb.org/rb/text/toc.html#toc

I particularly recommend Chapters 4, 5 and 7. I always tell people, “just follow those, and getting to heaven will be a piece of cake.” …especially Chapter 4:

1. In the first place, to love the Lord God with the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole strength.
2. Then, one’s neighbor as oneself.
3. Then not to murder.
4. Not to commit adultery.
5. Not to steal.
6. Not to covet.
7. Not to bear false witness.
8. To honor all (1 Peter 2:17).
9. And not to do to another what one would not have done to oneself.
10. To deny oneself in order to follow Christ.
11. To chastise the body.
12. Not to become attached to pleasures.
13. To love fasting.
14. To relieve the poor.
15. To clothe the naked.
16. To visit the sick.
17. To bury the dead.
18. To help in trouble.
19. To console the sorrowing.
20. To become a stranger to the world’s ways.
21. To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.

1. Not to give way to anger.
2. Not to nurse a grudge.
3. Not to entertain deceit in one’s heart.
4. Not to give a false peace.
5. Not to forsake charity.
6. Not to swear, for fear of perjuring oneself.
7. To utter truth from heart and mouth.
8. Not to return evil for evil.
9. To do no wrong to anyone, and to bear patiently wrongs done to oneself.
10. To love one’s enemies.
11. Not to curse those who curse us, but rather to bless them.
12. To bear persecution for justice’s sake.
13. Not to be proud.
14. Not addicted to wine.
15. Not a great eater.
16. Not drowsy.
17. Not lazy.
18. Not a grumbler.
19. Not a detractor.
20. To put one’s hope in God.
21. To attribute to God, and not to self, whatever good one sees in oneself.
22. But to recognize always that the evil is one’s own doing, and to impute it to oneself.

1. To fear the Day of Judgment.
2. To be in dread of hell.
3. To desire eternal life with all the passion of the spirit.
4. To keep death daily before one’s eyes.
5. To keep constant guard over the actions of one’s life.
6. To know for certain that God sees one everywhere.
7. When evil thoughts come into one’s heart, to dash them against Christ immediately.
8. And to manifest them to one’s spiritual mother.
9. To guard one’s tongue against evil and depraved speech.
10. Not to love much talking.
11. Not to speak useless words or words that move to laughter.
12. Not to love much or boisterous laughter.
13. To listen willingly to holy reading.
14. To devote oneself frequently to prayer.
15. Daily in one’s prayers, with tears and sighs, to confess one’s past sins to God, and to amend them for the future.
16. Not to fulfill the desires of the flesh; to hate one’s own will.
17. To obey in all things the commands of the Abbess, even though she herself (which God forbid) should act otherwise, mindful of the Lord’s precept, “Do what they say, but not what they do.”
18. Not to wish to be called holy before one is holy; but first to be holy, that one may be truly so called.

1. To fulfill God’s commandments daily in one’s deeds.
2. To love chastity.
3. To hate no one.
4. Not to be jealous, not to harbor envy.
5. Not to love contention.
6. To beware of haughtiness.
7. And to respect the seniors.
8. To love the juniors.
9. To pray for one’s enemies in the love of Christ.
10. To make peace with one’s adversary before the sun sets.
11. And never to despair of God’s mercy.
    These, then, are the tools of the spiritual craft.
    If we employ them unceasingly day and night,
    and return them on the Day of Judgment,
    our compensation from the Lord
    will be that wage He has promised:
    “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
    what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

See? Easy…