Life of St. Vincent Pallotti: A True Life in the Spirit

[I would like to] … practice modesty in conversation, honesty in actions, peacefulness in relationships, constancy after a good beginning, complete obedience, readiness and humility in serving, prudence in work, the presence of God, [and] mortification of the spirit … [and] of the senses. (OOCC, X, p. 535; STA, 87)

According to St. Vincent Pallotti, a true life of the spirit is manifested in a number of ways. First, it involves the practice of modesty, especially the area of conversation. A spirit-filled person often talks less and does more. Second, he is sincere in everything he does. Genuine honesty is the hallmark of a man of the spirit. Third, a spirit-filled person establishes true and peaceful relationships with himself, others and God. Fourth, a man of the spirit perseveres in the good he has begun. Constancy in virtue is the characteristic mark of life in the spirit. Fifth, life of the spirit calls for complete and total obedience to all whom God has placed over a person. Sixth, a person of the spirit is ready for humble service. Seventh, a spirit- filled person exhibits a sense of prudence in whatever he does. Eighth, life of the spirit opens a person to the experience of the presence of God. Finally, a life of the spirit implies living a life of mortification of senses and of the spirit. For St. Vincent, when a person lives these qualities, he truly progresses towards the true life of the spirit. In his life he attempted to live these qualities in an extraordinary manner.

 Do I possess the qualities of life in the spirit? Do I live the characteristics of the life in the Spirit in the context of my everyday life? What concrete steps do I need take in order to cultivate the qualities of life in the sprit?

You are living a brand new kind of life that is continuously learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ, who created this new life within you. (Col. 3: 10)