“Wherefore I will weep continually: I will lament my wretchedness like a poor miserable creature: I will never cease weeping, so long as I live in this vale of misery: I will expect if perhaps my most merciful Savior will vouchsafe to turn his pitiful eyes towards me: I will cast myself down at his feet: and with all the humility, and shame that I can, I will say unto him. O Lord I am that great enemy of thine, which in presence of thy divine eyes have committed most wicked, and abominable offences. I acknowledge myself to be guilty here before thee. I confess my wickedness to be so great, that although I alone should suffer all the pains and torments that both the devils, and damned persons do suffer in hell, yet should I not be able with all this to make a sufficient satisfaction for that, which my sins have deserved. Wherefore I beseech thee (O Lord) to cast the cloak of thy mercy over me thy poor, wretched, and sinful creature: and let the greatness of thy goodness overcome, and cover my wickedness. Let the most sweet loving father rejoice at the coming home again of his prodigal son. Let the good shepherd rejoice at the recovery of his lost sheep. Let the pitiful woman rejoice at the finding of her lost groat. O how happy and joyful shall that day be, when thou shalt cast thine arms about my neck, and give me the sweet kisses of peace!

          Howbeit to obtain this gracious benefit, I know now what I will do. I will take arms even against myself: And I will be more cruel, and rigorous against myself, than any other. I will afflict and punish myself all manner of ways with labors and pains: and I will despise myself as a most stinking, and filthy dunghill. Yea I will rejoice when so ever I shall be despised, and dishonored, how soever the same shall happen unto me. I will be glad also, when my shame shall be discovered, and published abroad. And because I alone am not sufficient to abhor, and despise myself, I will join all creatures in the whole world unto me, and will desire to be punished, and despised by every one of them, forsomuch as I have despised the Creator of them all. This shall be unto me a treasure, which I will very earnestly desire: to wit: to heap pains and despites against myself, and to love them with hearty affection, that shall help me herein. All the consolations, and honors of this life, shall be a torment unto me: and I will accompt them all to be my most deceitful, and flattering enemies. I believe assuredly, that in case I shall thus do, I shall provoke all things (notwithstanding I have offended them) to take pity, and compassion upon me: and that those creatures, which before cried out against me will now after their manner pray, and entreat in my behalf. Wherefore I am contented that all dishonors, reproaches, and punishments do run upon me on every side, so that by them I may be brought to my most sweet, and merciful Lord. And as for all honor, pleasure, and delight, they shall be banished away quite from me: insomuch as the very names of them shall no more be heard in my house. In all things I will seek nothing else, but only the honor of my Lord God, and the contempt and confusion of myself.” – St. Bonaventure

Penance is the mathematical multiplier of Humility. Start multiplying.

S.M.M.