XXV. To a Benedictine nun of Ventnor

This religious belonged to the Priory of Ventnor in the Isle of Wight,’ which had been founded by the Benedictine nuns of Liége.

Since the originals of these letters have been lost, the text 1s taken from copies made by the correspondent herself.

Abbot Marmion was living at that time at Edermine in Ireland with his community of young monks from Maredsous; moreover, he

1 Since 1922 this community has been at Ryde under the name of St. Cecilia’s Abbey.

TOD gave numerous retreats in that country and in England, “preaching Jesus and trying to gain souls to him.” In this way he helped at the same time to support his monks in exile. ih

Pax Sept. 1915." My dear Child,

Thanks for your dear letter. I have been ever so busy since, preaching Jesus and trying to gain souls for Him. I know you are helping me, and that is a very great support and consolation. I saw papa yesterday. He is charming... .

I was very happy at Ventnor. I know now why God sent me there. I have felt ever since such help and joy; I feel I am being prayed for. In that way you share in my mission which is to preach Jesus Christ, and make Him known and loved. We go half and half... . I shall write again.

I have a big Community here. They are very kind to me; but are not O.S.B.

May God bless and love you.

Your father in J.C. Columba, Abb.

5 Jan. 1916. My dear Child,

Although I do not write, I never allow a day to pass without thinking of and praying for you; for God has united us in His holy Love, and we are to help each other to keep near Him.

I should Jove to go down to Ventnor, but circumstances have prevented me up to this. If I go back to Belgium, as is probable, I will try to run down for a day.

I have been very il, and in fact in great suffering —in danger. I had offered myself to God to suffer, if He helped me to bring back a poor priest [. . .| who was dying far from God. I received him back on Christmas Eve. I feel you are praying for me. What God

• This letter must have been written from London, where Abbot Marmion was preaching a retreat at the Convent of the Assumption at the time. wants of you is absolute abandon of yourself as a poor little sinner taritis Love...’ s. Good-bye, dear Child, may God bless and love you. Your father, 4 Columba.

[. . .| As regards your questions:

Sanctifying grace exists in different degrees in souls according to God’s decrees, secundum donationem Christi, and their own cooperation. Thus Our Lady was “full of grace,” gratia plena, sanctifying grace. But as a person in the state of grace merits an increase of sanctifying grace (and love) by each good action, it went on in her all her life. Actual grace consists in “illuminations and inspirations” which flow from Sanctifying grace, as from their Source. (People in the state of sin receive also actual grace, without which they could not get back to God’s grace).

Sanctifying grace, no matter how abundant, is lost by one mortal sin, but cannot be dismissed; this is quite certain; but its activity and fecundity are diminished by venial sin. In the case of a person in mortal sin, it is not quite certain from what source the actual graces flow. Theologians dispute about it; but nothing certain is known.

Just as the essence of our soul is the source from which our natural powers flow and issue, so Sanctifying grace becomes a kind of second and higher essence from which supernatural life, powers, virtues flow. Our degree of glory in heaven depends on the degree of sanctifying grace (Charity) possessed at the moment of death.

A good book on grace is Le Saint Esprit par Froget, O.P. Also La grace et la gloire par Terrien, S.J.

. Etiam si ambulavero in medio umbrae mortis, non timebo mala quoniam tu mecum es."

• “According to the gift of Christ.’ See Eph. 4:7. 1 “Ror though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me” (Ps. 22:4).

The bride is never dearer to the Beloved than when she leans in full confidence on His strong arm, fearing nothing because He is there to guard and love her.

My Child, believe me, Jesus loves you dearly, and wants to be served by pure love. Sincere love is the fertile root of all virtue: Caritas omnia credit, omnia sperat, omnia sustinet.”