Charity toward Criminals

True  charity is one of the  most sublime teachings that God has given to the world. Complete fraternity ought to exist among the true disciples of his Doctrine. You must love unfortunates and criminals as God’s creatures, to whom forgiveness and mercy will be granted if they repent, as is the case with you for the wrongs that you commit against his law. Regard yourselves as more reprehensible and guilty than those to whom you refuse forgiveness and commiseration, because quite often they do not know God as you do, and less will be asked of them than of you.

Do not judge; oh! Do not judge, my dear friends, for the judgment you render will be more severely applied to you, and you have need of indulgence for the sins you continually commit. Do you not know that there are many acts that are crimes in the eyes of the God of purity, but which the world does not even regard as light offenses?

True charity does not consist only in the alms you give or even in the consoling words that might accompany them. No, this is not what God demands of you. The sublime charity taught by Jesus also consists in the benevolence always granted in all things toward your neighbor.  You can even exercise this sublime virtue on many individuals who do not need alms, but who words of love, consolation and encouragement will lead to the Lord.

I will say once more that the times are near when widespread fraternity will reign on this globe; the law of Christ is what will govern humans, and that law alone will be the restraint and hope that will lead souls to the blessed realms. Thus, love one another as children of the same Father. Do not set up differences between you and those who are unfortunate, for God wills for everyone to be equal. Therefore, despise no one. God allows great criminals to dwell amongst you to serve you as a lesson. Soon, when humans have been led to the true laws of God, such lessons will no longer be needed, and all impure and rebellious spirits will be relegated to lower worlds according to their inclinations.

You owe to those of whom I speak the help of your prayers – that is true charity. You do not have to say of criminals, “They are wretched; they must be expunged from the earth; the death that is inflicted on them is too kind for that type of individual.” No, you must not speak like that. Look at your model Jesus. What would he say if he saw such unfortunate persons next to him? He would grieve for them; he would regard them as truly needy, sick persons and would extend his hand to them. You cannot do this in reality, but you can at least pray for them and assist their spirits in the few moments they must yet spend on your earth. Repentance may touch their hearts if you pray with faith. They are your neighbors just as the best individuals are; like yours, their wandering and rebellious souls were created to become perfect. So help them out of their quagmire and pray for them.

Elizabeth de France (Havre, 1862)