very least, it sends a signal that esteem for chastity has been lost. And this is truly heartbreaking to see. Already in 1941, Pope Pius XII lamented: “…Many believing and even pious women… by accepting to follow such or such bold fashion, cause to disappear by their example the last hesitations which keep the crowd of their sisters far from this fashion which may become for them a cause of spiritual ruin. As long as certain alluring attires remain the sad privilege of women of doubtful reputation and, as it were, the sign at which they may be recognised, no one will dare to adopt them for oneself. But the day these attires appear to be worn by persons who are above all suspicion, there will no longer be any hesitation to follow the tide, a tide which may cause the worst falls”.20 Today, we need more and more laity to stand up and reset by their good example the standard where it should be, holding high the banner of Christian modesty, regardless of any criticism they might receive. Amanda, you will be chastised by some, especially in prestigious and fashionable circles, if you persevere in dressing as a modest woman should. You will be accused of being old-fashioned, of wanting to go back to the Middle Ages, of wanting to impose on every woman to don a Mother Hubbard Dress21, of not being in touch with your times, and many worse insinuations will come your way. Stand firm, you know the truth. Remain faithful to your God, and your God will reward you with an ineffable peace that those who seek to please the world can never even imagine. Remember, too, that we were forewarned about this. Our Lady told St Jacinta Marto in 1919: “Certain fashions are to be introduced which will offend Our Lord very much. Those who serve God should not follow these fashions. The Church has no fashions”. St Jacinta also confirmed what we already knew (in particular through St Alphonsus Liguori): “The sins which hurl most souls into Hell, are the sins of the flesh”. Three centuries earlier, Our Lady had appeared to Venerable Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres in Quito, Ecuador in the 17th century with a message of warning for the end of the 19th century and especially the 20th century. The following words are taken from this Church approved apparition, known as Our Lady of Good Success: “…in these unhappy times, there will be unbridled lust which, acting thus to snare the rest into sin, will conquer innumerable frivolous souls who will be lost. Innocence will almost no longer be found in children, nor 56
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