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TEMPERANCE

Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable. The temperate person directs the sensitive appetites toward what is good and maintains a healthy discretion: “Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart.” . Temperance is often praised in the Old Testament: “Do not follow your base desires, but restrain your appetites.” In the New Testament it is called “moderation” or “sobriety”. We ought to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world” .

Francisca de Fuentes was married young, however her marriage did not last long. She was left without children. In this new state, she had other opportunities or options on how to devote her time for the rest of her life. Could she have considered a second marriage or remain a widow spending her life in the comfort of her home?

But the Lord looks into the heart. God in his wisdom called Francisca de Fuentes to cling only to him with greater freedom of heart, body, and spirit.

Following the call to a new way of life, she gave herself truly to the service of God with much profit to her soul and much perseverance in mental and vocal prayers, so that her house seemed to be an oratory.

Her intimacy with God directed her desires not to earthly goods to enrich herself rather she chose to give up what she had even what was necessary for her living and gave them to the poor. She was filled with the love of God so that she tried to do everything for the sake of the beloved. She saw God in the sick so that she would go to San Juan de Dios Hospital to bring something to eat for the unfortunate sick to whom she distributed and served food.

The experience of Mother Francisca during the 2 trying years of exile in Santa Potenciana was a test of her inner disposition. Divested of their habit and dispensed from their vows of obedience and poverty, she and the Beatas returned to their lay state. In fact they were already addressed as Doña. Mother Francisca was aware of the attitudes of some of the Beatas who were inwardly restless. Many would like to go home. Some parents would like to take them home from Sta. Potenciana.

Possessed with a balanced temper she was able to weigh the things of God above self-gratuity. It never cross her mind of abandoning the life she was called to or remain in the lay state. All these tribulations, trials, and sufferings were worth bearing for the sake of the Beloved.

The visit of the Fr. Provincial was an opportunity for the Beatas to make their options. He stood by the door of the sala and said in a loud voice: “Señoras, the door is open for those who would like to go, do not wait to give us any more troubles, but to those who will persevere, the Order will not fail them.

The words of Fr. Provincial reproving the disgruntled Beatas grieved Mother Francisca very much. She was hurting deep inside but her love for the Beaterio out of charity sustained her. She did not waver in her desire to give herself truly to the service of God all her life.

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