Letter 1908

LETTER 1908 Definition of the Spirit of the Visitation. To a Mistress of Novices.

Vive > Jésus!

Go on simply in the exercise of your charge, my dear daughter, and do not let yourself be embittered nor depressed by little things which are of no account for eternity. Live in your house with all gentleness, amiability, charity, and let holy joy be yours in that you are so happy as to prepare a place of retirement for those souls who are for ever to praise the divine Majesty. Praise Him also, this good God, lovingly with all your heart for your most holy vocation, and yield Him the fruit He desires to find therein. Do not show disappointment at subjects not coming as quickly as you would wish. Leave that to Our Lord; daily bread never fails when the will of God is accomplished. Endeavour to establish firmly the spirit of the Visitation. It is a spirit of high perfection, the more admirable as it is the more hidden. No other is it than a death of nature and of the old man, that the reign of grace, wherein is the perfection of love at which we should aim, may be solidly confirmed in us.

Impress on our dear sisters that she who desires that God should live in her must retain nothing of herself that could be displeasing to the divine eyes. Let her for this end mortify herself, and not go beyond this desire, for, impelled by it, she will in such good fashion do violence to herself that self will happily die within her, and God eternally reign in its stead.

Teach your dear novices that the true delight of a good religious should be the withdrawal not only of her body but also of her heart from the world, in order that she may entertain herself and become on intimate terms with God, giving herself up to the perfect and punctual observance of the Rules. Serve all these dear souls, each one carefully according to her talents. You know well, daughter, that the perfection of the Visitation does not consist in

[No date.]

unusual things, but in solid and true virtues, in profound humility, cordiality, forbearance, prompt and simple obedience, ingenuousness, and sincerity towards all our superiors, in the frank accusation of our faults, in tranquillity, modest, gentle, and devout conversation, and attention to the holy presence of God. Ask of Him such perfection for her who is all yours, etc.