Solid Virtue Solid Virtue: A Treatise on Christian Perfection Father Aloysius Bellécius, S.J., 1914 Contents Dedication Preface ix Author’s Preface xiii Double Table xvi Part I Of the Chief Obstacles to the Acquisition of Solid Virtue I Of Venial Sin 2 II Of Tepidity 25 III Of the Abuse of Grace 40 IV Of the Predominant Passion 55 V Of Human Respect 74 VI Of Sloth in Rising in the Morning 94 Conclusion 106 Part II Of the Principal Means of Attaining Solid Virtue I Of the Perfection of Our Ordinary Actions 108 II Of Fervour in Meditation 124 ARTICLE III 139 III Of Interior Recollection 156 ARTICLE III 174 IV Of Holy Communion 191 ARTICLE V 209 V On the Particular Examen 229 VI Of the Spiritual Retreat of Three Days 244 Conclusion 257 Part III Motives for Tending to the Perfection of Virtue I What Faith Teaches Us Concerning the Excellence of Solid Virtue 260 II Of the Fear of the Evils Which Will Befall Us If We Neglect to Acquire Solid Virtue 283 III Of the Hope of the Goods That Are to Be Obtained by the Practice of Solid Virtue 306 ARTICLE II 317 ARTICLE III 334 IV The Love of God Demands and Merits That We Practise Solid Virtue 344 ARTICLE II 355 ARTICLE III 369 2. The characteristics of self-love 376 V Of the Happiness Reserved in Heaven for the Virtuous 388 ARTICLE III 403 VI Of Final Perseverance 414 Conclusion 428