A Mary Garden Roses & Violets VII

B. Purity Madonna (White) Lily p 346 The more pure a heart is and the more empty of self, the more it is filled with love for God. After the fall of Adam, man’s senses became rebellious to reason. As a consequence, chastity is the most difficult of all the virtues to practice. St. Augustine says: “Of all the inner conflicts the most arduous are concerned with chastity. These battles are of daily occurrence, but victory is rare.”

Cant 2:2 As the lily among the thorns, so is my love among the daughters. Denis the Carthusian remarks, “Mary was compared to a lily among thorns because all other virgins were thorns, either to themselves or to others; but the Blessed Virgin was not so, either to herself or to others.” If chastity is plaguing one, fly to Our Lady and she will inspire chaste thoughts.
NB note the adaption of the custom to local conditions. I think this is the path forward for the Church.
[I substituted East Asian varieties of lilies for the traditional Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum) because the Asian lilies are vigorous and less prone to disease.]
Simple ways to foster the virtue of purity: Keep custody of the eyes and avoid near occasions of temptations. Dress modestly. Avoid suggestive movies and shows. It is very hard to eliminate these images from the mind. Guard against improper or crude language.
3 second rule. Heroic moment like waking first moment of the alarm clock. When the engagement of the intellect and will and flee or awaken. Practice of virtue, rather than sliding into vice. Our Lady never had a moment of the soul always in the presence of God and turn to Him.
Frequent Confession & Communion with Our Lady as an ever-present help.
To raise children with purity is challenged in the schools. Consumed by appetite. Practice chastity as a virtue. Must develop the virtue or a slave to the appetite.
Saint Faustina said that she had been begging Our Lady for this gift for a long time! Therefore, it was through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary that Saint Faustina acquired this marvelous gift of perfect chastity. Let us all turn to the most pure and Immaculate Heart of Mary and beg for purity of mind, heart, body, soul and even intention.