XXX. To the mother of a family

The recipient was a Dutch Lady to whom Dom Marmion wrote a great many letters of high spiritual and doctrinal value. Unfortunately the correspondence 1s in French, except for the few notes in English to follow. These are included as examples of the informal style of Dom Marmion’s friendly letters.

Tournai. 5- VIII -22. Beminde Kind. Just a word to say that God has blessed the retreat greatly, and that my health is excellent. I start for England to-morrow. (Address: 21 Elm Park Garden, Chelsea, London S.W.) May God bless and love you. In union of grace-prayer.

• CM.

Maredsous. 27. VIII. 22.

I have just got back from England after having given 2 retreats, one at Tournai, the other at Nottingham. God has blessed both wonderfully. Many thanks for the enlarged photos. They are perfect. I never cease to pray for you and yours. I am in good health. Our

• Dutch expression meaning ‘‘Dear Child.” retreat is 10-18.! Lourdes: 18-26. Come!! I shall soon write more at length. May God love and bless you. tt EC.

Maredsous. 18.1X. 22. My dear Child,

I start in a few moments for Lourdes. I am very busy. 1 will pray for you and all your intentions with all my heart. A pontifical High Mass, on the Feast of St. Matthew. Your letter was a great joy, but you must not think of changing your director. God has, I am sure, united us in His love, giving me grace to guide you to Him. Besides we understand each other so perfectly that I can open my whole heart to you, and you to me. You can attend the reunions at Oosterhout, and still remain Oblate of Maredsous. You may certainly wear a small black scapular and cover it in white; that makes no difference. As I have quite confidence in you, I am sending you a line I just received from the Primate to show you that we must pray for AJ. . .]. He is really good, and will not do anything wrong; but I fear he is losing the spirit of his vocation... .

I am so glad you are going to God in His way; that is, by 1) perfect abandon of yourself and all your interests to His love; 2) by the conscientious discharge of duty for His love; 3) by patience and silence. Would you like to get my 3rd vol. Christ, Ideal of the Monk? It is meant for monks, but it might interest you. Let me know. I will send one also to Ij. . .]. I am so glad our dear E|. . .| saw Oosterhout. Good-bye; may God bless and love you as I do from my heart of hearts.

Columba, Abb.

P.S. I got your card and all letters. My address at Lourdes: La Réstdence, Lourdes.

• The annual retreat of the community of Maredsous.

• Bishop Heylen of Namur had asked him to conduct the diocesan pilgrimage to

Lourdes that year. * A monk who was related to the correspondent.

Lourdes. 23 . IX . 22. Dear Child,

Thanks for your letter. I shall say the Mass for A[. . .]. You may be sure I shall be very nice and gentle. I am receiving great graces here. I am praying for you daily. May God bless and love you. Be patient with yourself.

• C.

(Visiting card) Pax TORiAwe oe Dearest Joke. In great haste. I shall have the 4 Masses said for your Mother-in-law at once. I am sending you the 3rd Vol. for yourself. I got such a nice letter from Al. . .|. He is furious that I was not invited. I am praying continually for us, as we are but one in J.C. I see He has taken your soul Himself in hand. He said to a holy soul I know: “I have espoused your misery and poverty, and shall make you enter into my power.” This is our way, my Child. Iam so busy on account of the great feast. May God love and bless you, as I do from my heart of hearts. Columba, Abb.

. vi. Maredsous. 21. XI. 22. My dear Child,

I have just got back from Paris," where I was very busy and fatigued. I can only send you a line to show you I am thinking and praying for you.

You are on the right road to God; a road which ever leads to Him, despite our weakness. It is the road of duty accomplished through love despite obstacles. Jesus is our strength. Our weakness assumed by Him becomes divine weakness, and it is stronger than all the strength

1 Golden jubilee of founding of Maredsous, observed October 15-17. * He had just preached a retreat to the Benedictine nuns of Rue Monsieur. of man: Quod infirmum est Det, fortius est hominibus? This is a great, but profound truth. Our dear Lord’s Passion is nothing else than this triumph of divine weakness over all the strength and wickedness of men. But for this we require great patience, and the loving acceptance of God’s will at every moment. For: Passionibus Christi per patientiam participamus. “It is by patience that we participate in Xt’s sufferings.” * Think well over this in prayer, and you will make great progress. You must be very prudent, and take care of your health in order to perform your duty. I have need of much prayer at present. Ever Yours in J.C.

Columba, Abb.