you should not put them through. Sometimes good men find themselves in gatherings (even in churches, sad to say) where they have nowhere to look except the floor if they do not want to feel the bite of lust, so widespread is immodesty in dress. In the circumstances, however, as you explained them to me, your clothing that day was due more to youthful folly than anything else. Explain this when you go to confession. And in the future remember your personal dignity, and help the men that see you do the same. Amanda, everything God asks us to do has its challenges. Being a Catholic has never been easy. So if what I have written here causes a visceral reaction in you, maybe sit down and ask yourself why that is, pray with it, struggle with it, grow with it. You will not regret it. Also, never forget the sting of conscience you felt that night. Do not ignore your conscience or try to numb it, for conscience is the very voice of God to keep you on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat. How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it (Mat 7:13-14)! A couple of final points. When you realise you are off track, don’t make it worse by drinking! That was a very foolish thing to do, and it could have ended in disaster. More than one young woman in that same situation has lost her virginity and even found herself pregnant. Also, never stay away from praying or from church because you think you have failed, or even if you have fallen into some serious sin. It is then that you need it the most! Any thought of shortening prayer or not going to church is infallibly from the devil. Besides, it is precisely your life of prayer that has given you the instinct of modesty that tormented you on that night. So whenever you have any thought of seeking consolation in creatures and omitting or shortening your prayers, do not listen, but rather do the opposite. Pray more! With my blessing, Your Father in Christ 50
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