The Fraternity of Kindness From the Holy Bible: "Blessed be the peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God." (St. Matthew 5:9) What a vast increase in the sum-total of human happiness it would mean if each one of us were to be always just as kind as could be. Why earth would be almost heaven if all unkindness were eliminated from our lives . . . It was such thoughts as these which came to a pious nun during her meditation, and which prompted her to found the FRATERNITY OF KINDNESS. Its rules are these: 1. Not to think unkindly of others. 2. Not to speak unkindly of others, or to others. 3. Not to act unkindly towards others. These rules imply, of course, the opposite virtues of always thinking kindly, speaking kindly, and being kind, to everyone. There is a penalty attached to every violation of these rules, a double penalty, which consists of: (a) saying a short prayer for the victim of our unkindness, and (b) performing some act of kindness toward that person that same day. If the latter is impracticable, a second short prayer will suffice. The prayer may be as short as "My Jesus, Mercy," or "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine," or as long as an "Our Father."

Simple enough isn't it? And how easy. Of course, we shall all want to join. And how much happier we should all be for it -- we, and all those with whom we come in contact. What must one do to join? Simply make up one's mind to be a member, and begin immediately to keep the rules. Should anyone be sufficiently enthusiastic to want to spread the Fraternity, by trying to persuade his friends to become members -- as we shall all want to do -- he will by that very fact become an "Apostle of Kindness." The Patron and Model of the Fraternity of Kindness is the Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with love for all mankind. The reward for the faithful observance of the rules is, here below, to scatter sunshine wherever we go; to be beloved by our associates, and what is more important, by the Loving Heart of our Redeemer with all that this implies; and then one day to hear those joyous words: "Come, ye blessed of my Father; possess the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for . . . whatsoever ye did to the least of my brethren, ye did it unto Me." With Ecclesiastical Approval