Catholic Morality   TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PURITY With the grace of God, the virtue of purity is obtained by vigilance and the formation of good habits.  To safeguard our purity is part and parcel of learning self-control.  All means that can strengthen the will are to be encouraged, whether natural or supernatural, e.g. avoiding bad company, praying.  Anything that weakens the will is to be avoided.  Countless souls down the ages have preserved and protected THIS NOBLE VIRTUE by the following means: 1. Receive Holy Communion often with great devotion and reverence. 2. Go to Confession regularly, at least once a month but if possible every two weeks or even weekly. 3. Have a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, Mary Immaculate.  Say your three Hail Mary's morning and night.  In temptation, call earnestly on Our Divine Lord, Our Blessed Lady and St. Joseph.  Imitate Our Lady's modesty in dress, speech and behaviour. 4. Avoid people whose conduct offends purity and whose conversation is impure (off-colour stories, double-meaning jokes, etc.).  Avoid suggestive comics, magazines, books and especially avoid bad television, films and videos. 5. Much modern pop music is designed to demoralise by rousing the passions through its beat and suggestive words.  Avoid this along with all discos and improper dancing. 6. Always remember that intemperate use of alcohol, and of course drugs, is certainly a near occasion of sins of impurity. 7. Develop various interests for your spare time, such as ... good reading, art, painting, learn a musical instrument, a useful hobby, gardening, etc. 8. Pray to the Patrons of Purity - Saint Joseph, Saint Dominic Savio, Saint Maria Goretti, your Guardian Angel and others. PRAYER FOR PURITY O Saint Maria Goretti, who, strengthened by God's grace, did not hesitate, even at the age of eleven, to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity, deign to look graciously on the unhappy human race which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation.  Teach us all, and especially our youth, the courage and promptness to flee for love of Jesus, anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin.  Obtain for us from Our Lord and Our Lady Immaculate, victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee, purity in soul and body, so that we may one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of heaven.  Amen. Short Prayers to repeat in time of temptation. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. My Jesus, Mercy! Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I love You, save souls. My Jesus, pardon and mercy, by the merits of Thy Holy Wounds. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee!