The Ascent of Mount CarmelChapter XXXV. The subject continued. The ignorance ot some people in the matter of images

I HAVE much to say of the ignorance of some people with regard to images; so great is their folly that they have more confidence in one image than in another, influenced therein solely by their preference of the one over the other. This conduct on their part implies great ignorance of the ways of God, of the service and honour due to Him Who chiefly regards the faith, and interior purity of the suppliant. God sometimes works more miracles at one image than at another of the same kind—though there be a great difference in the workmanship—in order that the devotion of people may be excited there more than elsewhere. The reason why God works miracles and grants graces at one image rather than at another is, that the strangeness of His intervention may stir up the slumbering devotions and affections of the faithful. As the sight of the image serves to kindle our devotion, and makes us persevere in prayer—both being means to move God to hear and grant our petitions—so before that image, because of our prayers and devout affections, God continues to work miracles and to bestow His graces. The faith and devotion with which the image is regarded passing on to the saint whom it represents.

2. As to images then, let us never dwell upon the curious workmanship they may exhibit, so as to have more confidence in some than in others on that account, for this would be great ignorance; let us esteem those the most by which our devotion is most quickened. Thus God, for the greater purification of this formal devotion, when He grants graces, and works miracles, does so, in general, through images not very well made, nor artistically painted or adorned, so that the faithful may attribute nothing to the work of the artist. And very often our Lord grants his graces by means of images in remote and solitary places. In remote places, that the pilgrimage to them may stir up our devotion, and make it the more intense. In solitary places, that we may retire from the noise and concourse of men to pray in solitude, like our Lord himself. He, therefore, who goes on a pilgrimage, will do well to do so when others do not, even at an unusual time. When many people make a pilgrimage, I would advise staying at home, for in general, men return more dissipated than they were before. And many become pilgrims for recreation more than for devotion. If faith and devotion be wanting, the image will not suffice. What a perfect living image was our Saviour upon earth; and yet those who had no faith, though they were constantly about Him and saw His wonderful works, were not benefited by His presence. This is the reason—so we are told in the Gospel—why He did no miracles in His own country.¹

3. I wish to mention here certain supernatural effects of some images occasionally on particular persons. God attaches a special influence to certain images, so that the form of them, and the devotion they excite, remain impressed on the mind of the beholder as if they were still present before his eyes. And again, when they are recalled by the memory, the same influence is exerted as at the first time they were seen, sometimes more vividly, at others less so; other images even of more perfect workmanship produce no such effects.

4. Many persons also have a devotion to images of a certain fashion and not to others. In some, this is nothing more than mere natural fancy or taste, just as we are pleased with one man’s looks more than with another’s. They will have naturally a liking for them, and their imagination recalls them more vividly, though not so beautiful in themselves as others, because they are naturally attracted to that particular form and fashion. Thus, some persons will suppose that the fancy they have for a certain image is devotion, while in reality it is perhaps nothing more than natural taste and liking.

5. At other times, it happens that men, while gazing at a particular image will see it move, change colour, make signs, or speak. This, and the supernatural effects just spoken of, are many times real and good effects, the work of God, either to increase devotion, or to support a soul in its weakness, or to prevent frequent distractions; but at other times they are not true, being the work of the evil spirit to deceive and ruin souls. I shall therefore explain the whole matter in the next chapter.