“Chastity, or cleanness of heart, holds a glorious and distinguished place among the virtues, because she, alone, enables man to see God; hence Truth itself said, ‘Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.’” — Saint Augustine
One day, my dad looked me in the eyes and said with a firm and clear voice, “Michael, you need to always treat girls and women with great respect, never as an object of pleasure. Sex is for marriage, not beforehand.” Later, my priest told me, “the greatest gift that you can give your future wife is to tell her that you waited for her.” Two simple thoughts but these were guiding principles along some tough paths in both High School and College. As a seminarian and now as a priest, I can see the truth in the words of Christ, “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.” Don’t be afraid to share this ideal with your children.
