Letter 1892

LETTER 1892 [No date.] Vive > Jésus!

My most dear Sister.—You have begun your letter to me by speaking of your imperfections, so I will treat of them first in answering you.

I must tell you quite simply that you have been in fault; however, that is nothing, for I think you have the goodwill to amend. Do so, I pray you, perseveringly. Above all, I hope you will not correct others with anger: when you feel upset put off the correction to another more suitable time. In conversation try to be gentle and sweet with your sisters. Good government depends very largely on doing nothing without careful consideration, nor without first looking at Our Lord and invoking Him. If you are naturally impetuous, as I think you are, try to moderate your impetuosity and restrain yourself. You will find it very difficult, but with good courage you will master yourself in the end. Undertake this, my daughter, for the love and reverence you should bear to the presence of Our Lord, who sees all and takes pleasure in looking upon us as we carry away little victories over ourselves.

As to your prayer, I think you should keep to what the late good N. told you, and continue in your way of holy simplicity. This variety of states of soul which you experience is not only good but even necessary. When consolations come, do not, through curiosity, lose your time considering from whence they proceed. As long as they produce good results, such as humility, mortification, sweetness, holy joy, be content. And when dry and desolate, love your desolation out of reverence for Him who sends it to you or permits that you should have it, and unite your will lovingly with His. I feel indebted to you for the ingenuous and singular simplicity with which you have, with so much trouble, given me an account of the state of your soul; it completely manifests to me the goodness of your heart. As to good Sister N., what you tell me of her so easily attaching herself to creatures proceeds, I suspect, more from nature than from any other source, for, as a rule, sensible consolations with these soft and weak characters are only the outcome of their temperament. However, it is quite unnecessary to lose much time investigating such things. See if these consolations bear good fruits of, as I have said above, true humility, sweetness, and faithful observance, for if she does not live detached from created things it is an evident sign that the Spirit of God does not reign in her. It would be advisable to employ her and divert her mind with exterior things, since she is so clever.

As to the fear you have of doing harm to yourself and the others, provided you govern, my dearest daughter, in conformity with the spirit of your Institute—that is, with mildness, humility, and charity—you need have no fears on that head. God will be with you and aid you.

We have been very much consoled to hear of the many blessings that accompanied your foundation, and of the general approval of the people: these are marks of the special guidance of God over your house as is also the good fortune you have had in meeting with such a worthy prelate.

It does not matter having two priests to say your daily Mass, but for confession you had better have only one as far as it is possible, etc.