The Christian Formation of Character - Cardinal Bacci

The Christian Formation of Character

1.Our temperament is often a burden to ourselves and can at times be the source of annoyance to others. If we do nothing about it, it can be the cause of failings or of extremes of behaviour on our part which we bitterly regret afterwards. It is necessary, therefore, to form character in accordance with Christian principles. We are in no danger of losing our individuality by training our character in this way. God's grace does not change nature, but elevates and improves it. It is like a shoot which we plant in the uncultivated soil of our own being. The first fruits may be sour, but after a while they grow sweeter, while still preserving the essential taste and aroma of the mother-plant. St. Jerome was a headstrong and austere character, and he continued to be so even after the grace of God had transformed him and made him holy. But his rugged nature was at the same time softened and strengthened by divine grace. St. Augustine had a great intellect and a great heart. When he abandoned philosophical sophistry and worldly vanity in order to dedicate these gifts to the service of God, he achieved a profundity of thought never before attained by Christian wisdom. We should behave in the same manner. If we are hot-tempered, we should convert this tendency to anger into hatred for sin. If we are enthusiastic by nature, we should turn our enthusiasm into love for God and for our neighbour. If we are high-spirited and energetic, we should devote ourselves to good works for our own salvation and to the apostolate for souls. How far have we advanced in the Christian transformation of our character? Let us examine our progress and resolve to do better.

2. St. Francis de Sales writes as follows with his usual simplicity: "A way has been found of making bitter almonds sweet, by puncturing them at the bottom and squeezing out the juice. Why cannot we eject our evil inclinations in order to make ourselves better? There is nobody so good by nature that a bad habit could not altogether corrupt him. Similarly, there is nobody so bad by nature that he could not be trained in goodness by the grace of God and his own perseverance." St. Francis de Sales did not teach this in theory only, but he put his advice into practice to a heroic degree in his own life. He was endowed by nature with a vigorous and resentful disposition, and he became an angel of gentleness and affability. From his youth he was aware of the defects in his character. He himself admitted that he struggled against them for twenty-two years with God's help. He reached the point where he was able to remain silent when he was insulted and to refrain from defending himself when he was slandered, for he had acquired an inward peace and a remarkable calmness of manner. This gentleness of character enabled him to convert over seventy thousand heretics, to win back hardened sinners to Jesus Christ, and to set countless souls on fire with the love of God. We have a great deal to learn from him.

3. When Jesus offered Himself as our Divine Model, He used these words: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” (Mt. 11:29) Humility and gentleness are essential attributes of the Christian character. Whoever does not succeed in acquiring them is building upon sand. He will be a torment to others as well as to himself. Jesus indicates this also, for after He has said: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart,” He adds: “and you will find rest for your souls.” (Ibid.) In other words, He tells us that it is only on this condition that we shall find spiritual peace. When we have modelled our character on His humility and gentleness, we shall be inflamed with the love of God and of our neighbour. Only then shall we have succeeded in acquiring a character which is genuinely and deeply Christian.