Third Section: Maxims and Exclamations of the Saint, and Her Letters

Sayings of General Application

That soul is most perfect which most truly wishes to honor God, and to do in everything and at all times His Most Holy Will.
The eye of our good intention draws to itself the Divine eye.
The sacrifice most pleasing in the eyes of His Divine Majesty is that of a good will; as the works are the more meritorious, the more willingly they are performed.
One must offer herself to the Eternal Father as a daughter, to' the Son as a bride, and to the Holy Ghost as a disciple.
Happy those souls that continually repose, and dwell, and build up all their works in the open Side of J esus Christ!
All our strength, ability, and industry are derived from the Blood of Jesus Christ, which changes the old Adam into the new man.
We must not walk, but run; we must not run, but fly, to perfection.
Fervor is the flame that incessantly enkindles all our spiritual exercises, and the practices of our life, which we must never follow by habit or natural propensity only.
Our soul being united to God, and all bound to Him interiorly and exteriorly, makes us appear with a serene countenance, and never allows us to be troubled by anything that happens.
The bride of Jesus Christ must be like the wise ones of the world, who keep their money hidden. She must amass in her heart treasures of good works, con¬ cealed from men, and manifest to God alone. And this is the surest way of laying up treasures for heaven.
The shortest and most efficacious exercise to draw God into the soul, is to keep an infinite distance from every imperfection, flying from the very shadow of sin.
Alas! we ought to die of horror at the simple mention of the word sin.
We must condole with God for the offenses which are committed against His will.
The least imperfection, even were it to be as small as a hair of the head, pre¬ vents notably an intimate union with God.
The soul must have two interior eyes; the one to know the enormity of her faults, the other to see continually the benefits she receives from God, the little profit she derives therefrom, and how anyone else would derive greater utility.
In all things divest yourselves of your own reputation, and in what concerns your interior, seek only after conformity with the Most Holy Will of God.
In your exterior occupations do not value your body more than a broom, or a kitchen rag, showing yourselves everywhere indefatigable, humble, and resigned to the will of others.
In all your actions remember to turn to God with lively and loving looks, im¬ ploring the succor of His graces. And pray to His Divine Majesty that He may be pleased to think, work, and speak for you in everything that you sh^ll be commanded to do. Offer, also, all your actions and sufferings in honor of all that the Incarnate Word has done and suffered on earth.
We must fly, as much as possible, from any exercise which savors of greatness and show, as pride is often hiding therein; and it is the more dangerous, the more hid¬ den and concealed it is.
The actions which earn credit for us, easily draw us away from the love of our neighbor.
Exterior works must be performed promptly and diligently, without detriment to the interior life.

ST. MARY MAGDAtEN DE-JPAZZl.

4at

When one has satisfied himself in the beginning as to the righteousness of some exterior action, to finish the remainder without so much curiosity is a rare manner of preserving humility.
In whatever Religious Order one might be, five things must be asked of God, which are most necessary for help and support: Union between the Religious; charity with God; punctual obedience; superiors like unto David, according to the heart of God, that will maintain simplicity and the regular observance; and that the vow of pov¬ erty may never be relaxed; and that all those who shall be called to Religion, may be en¬ lightened with efficacious light; that God may make them know of what importance are the abnegation of their own will, and the full, punctual, and exact observance of even the smallest rule.
The officers of the monasteries must provide with charity and diligence for the wants of the Religious, having regard, though, to necessity alone, and having no other consideration or thought.
Never refuse anything you may be asked to give, if you have leave to grant it.
We must continually offer ourselves and all creatures with Jesus Christ to the Eternal Father; and this is an excellent preparation for the Most Holy Communion.
Go often to salute and pay your respect to the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
I would rather die than remain a single day without Communion, unless it be on account of obedience.
The holy and triumphant Eucharist is our capital and our arsenal.
Christians, remember, when you go to the confessional, that you go but to wash yourselves, and to wash in the Wounds and the Blood of Jesus Christ.
Try to make your confession frequent, exact, diligent, humble, and full of sorrow.
When priests lead a bad life, the sun is eclipsed, and the light is turned into darkness, filling everything with disorder.

‘ix. We must envy the land of Calvary, wet and soaked with the Blood of Jesus Christ.

The good examples, past and present, must stimulate us, and force us on.
Accursed human respect is a hungry wolf, a furious lion, that deyours and eats up the greatest part of good works.
Virtue makes the human soul so perfectly good, that she conyerts eyerything into good, never believing that her neighbor has done any evil action.
Every temptation can be overcome by the grace of God, by fidelity and morti¬ fication, invoking the holy patrons, and discovering everything to our superiors.
Imagine that everything you do is the last act of your life, which will bring an eternity of bliss, or an eternity of pain.
The durability of a building depends upon the solidity of the foundation. Likewise a Christian soul cannot persevere, except by founding all her actions in the simplicity and truth of God.
To die to one’s self and be lost in God is the purest guarantee for eternity. 2 II.

Sayings Applicable to Religious

Vocation to Religion is the greatest grace, after baptism, that God can grant to His elect.
Religion (a Religious Order) is an earthly paradise; but one must enter it with the most pure intention, and not be drawn into it by coercion, or for a worldly object or much better it would be to stay in the world, than to be lost in Religion! 4*. A novice must abandon herself, and be as dead in the hands of her mistress. 5! Religion is a traffic, a business. One earns one hundred on o?ie, when she knows how to use her talent. ^ r •
The shortest, the clearest, and the surest road to heaven is that of Religion.
The two foundations of Religion are fervor of spirit, and contempt of the world and of self. ^. ii • j i-i. • 8 Religion purifies, enlightens, and perfects all the interior and the extenor man. 9*. The eyes of a Religious must be shut to all the things of the earth, and open 10 Once clothed with the religious habit, adopt as a maxim and a general prin¬ ciple, that you must never think, say, or do anything that is not worthy of the nobility of the reh^ou^s^state.^ill to Religious in this life will be granted to them in the next.
No matter how sick you may be, never take anything which may not be in keeping with holy poverty.
Fables, jests, vain discourses, gifts, and presents are to the souls of Religious as so many snares, to catch them and draw them down into hell.
Woe to anyone who will introduce vanity and property-holding in holy Religion, especially in that in which simplicity and poverty reign!
Examine yourselves, once a month, in order to see whether your heart is attached to anything; and, if you find this to be the case, renounce it immediately into the hands of the superioress.
Oh! how much human and worldly little traffics, found sometimes in mon¬ asteries, prevent the Religious from trafficking heaven and earth with Jesus Christ! And, may it please God, that in the end they may not prevent Religious from attaining the Beatific Vision!
Chastity is a rose which does not blossom except in closed gardens and among thorns. It is that which erects for the soul of a Religious a throne of ivory up in heaven. Oh! if its merit and excellence were known, it would soon shut itself up in monasteries! We should kiss the locks and the walls of the monasteries, as being the custodians of so white a lily.
Purity and chastity must be universally found in all the parts of the body and the spirit.
Purity can only be found in those souls that lead a spiritual life; and the countermark of such a life is never to speak nor to hear evil of our neighbor, but to love him as ourselves.
Do not delude yourselves; no one can enter the temple of purity, except by that of simplicity.
The Bridegroom of pure souls preserves His faithful brides in the midst of im¬ pure temptations, no less than He did the three young men in the Babylonian furnace.
Even the smallest imperfection is a great stain to internal purity.
Godlike purity is acquired by means of interior and exterior mortification, the custody of the heart, the purity of the body, and humility.
Obedience is the mystic bed of Solomon.
Perfect obedience requires a soul without will, a will without judgment, a spirit without eyes, and blind to everything else but obedience to all the world. 26 Your obedience must be accompanied by cheerfulness, humility, simplicity, promptness, and perseverance.

27 A Religious has not given up his will to men, but to God; and all of it. Oh I what a sacrilege, then, it would be to retake it from Him, even if but in part!

Look upon the day you have not obeyed anyone, as a lost day.
A small drop of simple obedience is worth a million times more than a vessel full of the most subtle contemplation.
Oh I how desirable it would be that all our actions, and each one of them, would be actually commanded us by obedience 1 3r. Oh I good Jesus 1 how ’much sweetness is enclosed in this naked expression; Will of God!
We must have a horror for all sorts of singularity, no matter how small it may be; as the punctual observance of our Rule is the straightest road. Singularity is the shadow of death.
A Religious must hold his Rule in esteem, as much as God Himself, for from Him it proceeded; and he must live and die in the exact observance of the same, not caring whether it is kept by others or not. •
We must strive to supply and make amendment for all the faults which are committed in the monastery or Religious House.
Religion (a Religious House) is a sacred place, representing the Apostolic ] College. I
A Religious fulfills the office of the angels, and therefore should possess ' angelical purity. *
Good example is one of the greatest honors that can be rendered to God. '
The ambition of a Religious must be to become the master of his own passions. § HI. I

Sayings Concerning Superiors

A Superior must be in his house or monastery a pattern of virtue, in which two rich colors vividly predominate, viz., sweetness and gravity. ’
The Superior is on earth the oracle of the Divinity; and must have as many eyes as there are souls committed to his care.
He must take counsel and permission from Jesus Christ, before giving any ad¬ vice or issuing any order.
Prayer must be humble, fervent, resigned, accompanied by perseverance and a most profound reverence, considering that in prayer we speak to God, in Whose pres¬ ence the heavenly virtues tremble.
Prayer is the spirit of Religion; but it must not become a pretext for any dis¬ pensation, for all the exercises of obedience are so many prayers.
The fruit of prayer is mortification; and we must ask for nothing but the Will of God.
Interior peace is an effect of mental prayer, and the reward of a union con¬ tracted with God. * •
Ah! my God! How can a creature endowed with reason offend Thee de¬ liberately?... Let us love one another, as this is Christ’s new and own Commandment.
Compassion is the daughter of Charity. All things must be done in charity and for charity, serving our neighbor as we do God Himself, Who regards as done to Himself whatever is done to His members.
A soul clothed with charity is all-powerful.
A day spent without mortification is a day lost.
The silence of the lips suffices not, if the silence of the heart is not kept.
One of the principal fruits of our Communions must be a horror of the grates and the parlor.
A Religious should never speak but humbly and modestly, and for necessity alone; as one of the points about which a strict account is to be rendered to God, is the speaking of idle and useless words.
Never open your lips to discourse, unless you have previously considered whether you do it purely for the love of God, the profit of your neighbor, and whether it is then necessary to speak.
The words of a Christian must be of truth, of meekness, and of justice.
The words of a Religious must be an attraction of hearts, and a model of virtues.
Let your conversation be sweet, cheerful, humble, patient, prudent, and con¬ siderate; thinking that your sisters are angels on earth, images of God, brides of Jesus Christ, daughters of the Eternal Father, temples of the Holy Ghost, sisters of the angels; deeming yourself unworthy to dwell with them.
Esteem others and speak of them as you would like to be esteemed by others and spoken of by them.
Nobody’s faults must ever be made public.

$8. Oh! if we would but reflect on the great obligations of our state, we would never stop to listen to any backbitings, nor to say even the least idle word!

With our superiors we must act with humility, with our equals with modesty, with our inferiors with suavity, and towards all with meekness and gravity.
We must regard our neighbor by the side on which the image of God is im¬ printed on him, so that, when we notice any imperfection in anybody, we must not think that God ceases on that account to take delight in him, as there is an interior perfection we do not see. Keep your eyes always open to the virtues, and closed to the imper¬ fections of your neighbor.
Those who do not save their souls in Religions (Religious Orders) must never hope to save themselves anywhere else.

?V.

Exercises of Some Exterior Acts, of which the Saint left us a Record written with Her own Hand.

To hold dear, enjoy, and take delight in the divine attributes, viz., the wisdom, the omnipotence, and the goodness of God, and the infinite love with which He loves Himself and all creatures.
To wish to God all that good, glory, and honor that He has and shall have throughout eternity.
To be delighted at those mutual communications which the Three Divine Per¬ sons make among themselves.
To rejoice that God is so great and infinite that He cannot be compre¬ hended by the creatures.
To rejoice at that infinite love wherewith God loves Himself, has loved and will love Himself for eternity; to delight in the thought that all creatures and the blessed spirits are not sufficient to love Him as He deserves to be loved; and to thank His Divine Majesty that He loves Himself infinitely.
To rejoice at all those treasures and infinite graces which the Eternal Father granted and communicated to the Humanity of the Word, as the grace He had of per¬ forming miracles, and of drawing to Himself the hearts of all creatures.
To rejoice at the Eternal Father’s having given us creatures the Incarnate Word St. Augustine engraves on her breast “ Et Verbum Caro Factum Est” (page 437).

I X I I I r i t t t I f i t f • >>*•> i > X'«.

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t I • ' * I I t I ^•. ** t I for our inheritance, and to delight in the pleasure which He’ takes in it, and in the com¬ placency which He finds in the souls of the just. rejoice at the love which the Word always bore to virginity.. 9* "To offer to God, God Himself, in thanksgiving for all the glory, honor, and beatitude which He possesses, and in thanksgiving for all the gifts and graces ever communicated by Him to all creatures.

To say to the Lord: ‘ ‘ Could I at this moment give Thee all that glory, honor, and praise that all the blessed spirits, together with all the just of the earth, give Thee at present, willingly would I do it; but, as I cannot, accept the good will I bear towards Thy Divine Majesty.”
To offer one’s self to God, and to wish for all that perfection that He delights us to have, as He wishes it.
To incline our will to love the creature, simply because God loves her, and to rejoice at the love He bears to her, and at the perfection He communicates to her. And supposing (what cannot be) that God Himself wished to grant to a creature power to offend us, or cause us displeasure, still to desire that such creature may have all the perfection and glory of the seraphim, even if she were to employ it inoffending us— keeping ourselves in accord with God, by not wishing for anything except what God Himself wishes.

' § VI.

Invocation

*^Pro^eciornosier, aspice^ Deus, et respice in faciem Chrisii tui.'^ O Divine Spirit, our Protector, behold with what love the Eternal Father has given us His Word, that He might come into the world and suffer so cruel a death to save our souls! Therefore, we beg of Thee, Spirit of Love, do not deprive us of Thy presence! Look also, O Most Loving Protector of ours, on the Face of Thy Christ — I mean the Humanity of the Word; behold that Face of Thy Christ, now become so disfigured on account of the blows and stripes and the ignominious spittle! And as the Divine Word, with that unmeasured and infinite love which Thou Thyself art, wished to give this Spirit to us, pray, do not depart from Thy creatures, O Holy Ghost! O Divine Father, Protector of Thy creatures, look upon Thy Only Begotten Son, Who, together with Thee, is the same only God, and, for obedience’ sake, became man. Look, therefore, O Father, upon Thy Son, God and man, all wounded; and, for His sake, I beg of Thee, to forgive us. Look again, O Father, upon the Face of Thy Christ, and see how the soul of every creature is Thine by creation, and His by redemption. He having ransomed her by His own Blood, His Passion and death. His she is also by likeness; His by the gift He made her of the Sacraments, and especially of Baptism; and His by His espousals with her in the union of grace, by the merits of His Blood, which He shed for her; His, finally, in many and many ways. Therefore, O Divine Father and our Protector, do not permit Thy souls to perish; but forgive them by Thy grace and mercy, and do Thou vouchsafe that they may never be abandoned by Thy divine grace! Ah! pray, O my Jesus, give Thy Blood to Thy brides, and write with It in their hearts Thy most lovable Name, which is sweet and powerful, and is not understood or comprehended by any creature. All the hierarchy in heaven seem like one body, so much are they united to bow at Thy sweet Name; and those of hell, who are not capable of doing it, nevertheless, when this Name was imposed on Thee, felt a somewhat of fear, and were compelled to bow. And yet the creatures that have received the fruit of this Name are so ungrateful! Thy Name appeases the Father, gives happiness to the angels, cheers up the just, and makes the demons trem¬ ble. By Thy Name we receive from the Eternal Father all graces; hence, do not fail to write It in the hearts of all Thy brides with Thy Blood. That love which moved Thee to come down on earth and give Thy life for us, that same love may move Thee to imprint Thy most holy Name in the hearts of Thy creatures. Well do I know that Thou dost not fail to infuse the virtue of this Name in them, but they derive no benefit therefrom; and what is the cause of it? Our ingratitude. Ah! please, O my sweet Spouse, in Thy dearly beloved souls, in the brides especially consecrated to Thee, imprint in their hearts, and stamp in every sentiment of theirs, a letter of Thy holy Name for, as Thy enamored Bernard said: “It is the joy of all our senses, and honey to our mouth.” Oh! how sweet are the words of those who have Thee in their hearts! What more exquisite and sweet melody than to hear Thy sweet Name pronounced, as by means of Thy Name we induce the Eternal Father to turn His eyes towards us, and the pure angelic spirits to wish, so to speak, that we go and join their company; and by this Name we render ourselves terrible to the devils!

1 In the Life of the Saint it is related that on the eve of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, in the year 1585, St. Augustine appeared to her, during an ecstasy, and wrote on her heart in golden letters, ‘‘Verbum Caro Factum 'BStP—Note of the Translator, 426 '

To a Nun of St. Qlovannino of the Knights of Malta. Very Rev. in Christy Mother y health in the Lord, June ist, 1588.

These Hues will tell you that last Sunday your business lady came, and I learned from her that the sister of our sister-in-law was among those who made their holy pro¬ fession. Not having known it previously, I did not do what would have been my duty and desire to do; but now I send her these few little things, begging of her to excuse me, and accept my good will; and may God reward you for the loving consideration you were pleased to use towards me. I did not fail that morning, just as I am, to recommend to God all those who were to make the holy profession, having heard about it, though I did not know she was one of the number; and I will be pleased if she has done the same for me. And even if she did not do so in particular that morning, I beg of her to do it now, during this octave; because, having consummated so great a union with the Lord, as the religious profession is. He will be very much pleased with the prayers that she will offer up to Him, and which I find myself so greatly in need of. I recommend myself to your holy prayers and hers, whom I cannot name, because I forget it, though my sister in-law Hyppolita told me it. Be pleased, also, to recommend me to our cousin, Sr. Selvaggia, and to Sr. Maria Francesca, together with all the others, of whom I beg that they offer up prayer for me, whilst I, such as I am, will not fail to do the same for you all. There being nothing else, I will finish this, begging the Lord to keep you always in His holy grace.

From our Monastery of S. Maria degli Angeli da S. Frediano of Florence. Your Sister in Christ, Sr. Maria Maddaeena De-Pazzi.

To Sister Diamante Mazzinghi of St. Giovannino of the Knights in Florence.

Very Rev. in Christy most Beloved Sister, health in the Lord. March 15th, 1590.

In the Name of Christ Crucified. With loving compassion I rejoiced very much at what you wrote me, in your last, from which I understood that it is now nine years since the Lord granted you the favor of keeping you at His table, giving you to taste that food of which He Himself partook whilst with us on earth, and which was nothing else but pain, contempt, suffering, and the cross, of which the Lord has made you partaker. I exhort you, most beloved sister in Christ, to follow the Lord cheerfully, according to what He says in the Gospel: “ Qui vult venire post me, abneget semetipsum, et tollat crucem suam et sequalur me^' — “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me “ (Matth.* xvi, 24). This shows us how much He delights in trying His elect, among whom you are numbered; as tribulations are but a forge, puri¬ fying the soul of all its imperfections. I confidently hope you may be able to say with David the Prophet: ^'Secundum multitudinem dolorum meorum cousolatio7ies tucs Icelificaverunt animayn meayn “ — “ According to the multitude of my sorrows. Thy com¬ forts have given joy to my soul ” (Ps. xclii, 24). According to the greatness of your sor¬ row and affliction you will be consoled; and the greater the suffering, the greater will be the reward, most certainly, if not in this, in the next life. On the other hand, Sr. in Christ Jesus, I could not with pen express the sorrow I have felt, and the great compas¬ sion I feel for you, as I believe it to be a sweet martyrdom to be prevented from practic¬ ing with peace of mind those acts of virtue and piety according to vour desire. I exhort you to take all this from the Lord, and by His permission, and as a special grace, knowing that He is a most clement Father, and does not permit us to be tried above our strength. Thus you will reach a greater degree of virtue, and will be able to say with the Apostle Paul (Gal. vi, 14) that you will not glory in anything but the cross of Christ. You com¬ plain to me that you can no longer carry such a cross. You must recall to your memory (Rom. viii, 18) that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, which will be given to anyone who shall fight valiantly. In regard to what you tell me, viz., that you are almost deprived of the conversation of your sisters, offer up what you suffered in the past to your Spouse, together with all He suffered from His dearest friends at the time of His Passion, so that He was forced to cry with a loud voice to His Eternal Father: “ Why hast Thou forsaken Me? ” (Matth. xxvii, 46). Now, concerning that sister who causes j^ou this affliction, you may proceed in this manner, viz., by strongly thinking that she is an image of Jesus Christ, a soul redeemed at such a dear price as His precious Blood; and, considering this, you will feel like being under great obligation to her, on account of her being to you the occasion of so much profit. Moreover, I beg of you to do as our loving Christ did at the time of His Passion. First, when the rabble went to seize Him, He gave them sufficient time to repent; secondly. He was silent in the face of all their accusations; thirdly, he offered up prayers for His per¬ secutors at the time they had taken from Him property, fame, name, and, finally, life itself. You, His bride, must lend her the light given to you, in imitation of Him, ex¬ horting her to change this mode of proceeding, telling her that the Lord is ever present and is a just Judge, Who, as He will not leave any good unrewarded, neither will He. leave any evil without the punishment it deserves. When you notice her in a passion, say¬ ing of you something displeasing to you, pass it over in holy silence, not ceasing to pray to God for her; and in this I will help you, asking for her the grace to return to the true re¬ ligious life, which is your desire and mine, for the love I bear all of you. In regard to what you tell of the conversation of Sr. Maria Fedele, I do not think theie is any offense to God therein. I presuppose you do not seek it for any other purpose than to encourage yourself to serve your Spouse Jesus with true love and more fervor. Beware, though, lest you conceive a particular affection for her, or feel any more- pain for her absence than for that of any other sister, or regret her conversing with others, and others with her, in order to conform with your God, Who is no receiver of persons. On finding your¬ self despoiled of such an affection, you can, in all security, enjoy her conversation, uniting in charity to help her. This is all I have to say concerning what you wrote to me. Together with this I send you a little Treatise on Spiritual Life, suitable for us Re¬ ligious. It will please me much if you read it, as it is very useful, and I think it will please you too. You may lend it to others, if you see proper. I will simply add that I recommend myself to you and Sr. Maria Fedele, whilst I assure you, on my part, that, just as I am, I will not fail to offer up in my prayers your just petitions and desires; again begging of you to remember my miserable self. The Reverend aunt of our Mother Prioress salutes you, too; asking you, in. her behalf and mine, to salute the Reverend aunt of your Mother Prioress, and the Reverend Mother Vicaria, and all of your commu¬ nity, as I love you all in the borvelsoi Jesus Christ, Whom I wdsh to be always with you, inflaming you with His holy love.

Most humble in Christ Jesus, most affectionate sister. # * *

To Sister Maria Fedele Soldani and to Sister Diamante Mazzinghi, of the aforesaid Monastery of St. Giovannino.

Very Rev. in Christ Jesus, Sisters, health in His Most Precious Blood. August 12th, 1592.

This present will be in answer to a pitiful one of yonrs, from which I understood that your tribulation grows daily; wherefore I compassionate you so much that it is impossible to express it with a pen; and to remedy it, if it were needed, I would be ready to give my own blood. You complain to me, in your epistle, that you have pretty nearly lost all hope, seeing that the tribulation is constantly augmenting; bnt I counsel you to remain firm and unshaken, as it is perseverance alone that receives the crown. Consider, most beloved sister, how short is the present life, which is a constant warfare and battle, and we should not deem it hard work to fight for the great reward promised to us, viz., everlasting bliss, in the possession of those things that eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man (i Cor. ii, 9);... and this great good cannot be attained except by much suffering. Whenever, by the constant and fierce battling, you feel like failing in the midst of tribulations, have then recourse to the health-giving tree of the cross and you will thereby be strengthened in the virtue of the, most precious Blood of Jesus Christ. And think, moreover, that the merciful Lord never permits His elect to encounter temptations or tribulations which are above their strength. Hence, when we find ourselves in such plights, we must place all our hope in the help of God, thanking His Divine Majesty for giving us the opportunity to conform ourselves to our dear Crucified Spouse, offering to Him those tribulations in union with His most bitter Passion Do not give God anv cause to deal with you thus, and deprive you of your con¬ solations. In order not to provoke Him, keep your soul in peace, rejoicing that you are deemed worthy to suflFer contumelies for the Name of Jesus Christ. And if you meet with difficulties and impediments in your spiritual exercises, call to mind that sentence of our Lord in the Gospel: Arcta est via quce ducit ad vitam'' — “Strait is the way that leads to life” (Matth. vii, 14). Recall also the persecu¬ tions of the Saints, who were made to suffer in so many ways, in their honor, in their worldly goods, and in the loss of their own life. They endured all with so much patience, in order to render to their Redeemer love for love, and blood for blood. When it seems to you, dearest sister, that the little boat of your soul is about to sink, throw into the sea the anchor of hope, placing all your confidence in the Divine help, and have no fear lest God will fail to meet your confidence. He so loves our souls that He grants more than we ask.

I was much pleased with those things you sent, and I thank you much therefor. With this I send a Jesus carrying the cross, and hope that by looking at Him you may carry with more cheerfulness and contentment this, 5 0ur own cross. I will not tell you to recommend me to my cousin, as I do not know whether you want her to hear you wrote to me. If it is not inconvenient for you, I would like you to remember me to her, telling her to pray to God for me. Having nothing else to say now, I will end this by recommending myself a thousand times to you. May God grant j^ou His grace. Yours in Jesus, Minor Sister.

- *.4. To a Sister of San Giovannino’s.

Very Rev, in Jesus Christy Beloved Sister, health.

September ist, 1592.

This present will be in answer to one of yours, which was very acceptable to me, and by which I discovered the great love you bear me in Jesus Christ. And I would like to be such as your confidence in my prayers presupposes. But even such as I am, I did not fail to pray to the Lord to be pleased to console you, and grant you thosp petitions and graces you recommend to me, particularly the cause of that niece of yours. For the taking of such a resolution is a thing of the greatest importance, and, in order to take this step rightly it is necessary to pay much attention to the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, endeavoring to choose a place where she may keep what she must promise, and wherein light and regular observance may be found. Should her desire be to enter your own monastery, do not dissuade her from it, as I suppose that, with God’s help, this will come to pass. The bearer of your dearest missive was Mary Magdalen De-Pecori, whom I very gladly welcomed, as she is the mother of Sr. Virginia; and, having been sent by you. it seemed to me as if I saw, in a manner, your own Reverence, w'hich, by the affection I bear you in the Lord, so pleased me, that I could not fully express it with the pen. I send you back with this The Representation (Drama) of the Prodigal Son. Excuse me for keeping it longer than I intended, as we could not copy it sooner. To¬ gether with it I send you a Jesus carrying the cross, and wish that you and I may stop to listen to His sweet voice calling us and saying: " Qui vult venire post me abneget semetipsum, et tollat crucem suam et sequatur me" — “ If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matth. xvi, 24). Please return, dupli¬ cated, the salutations to my cousin, and tell her I wish her to pray to the Lord for me. And, in order not to be too long, recommend me to all the sisters, particularly to Sr. Vir¬ ginia, Sr. Innocenzia, and Sr. Ortensia. I suppose you know we surely expect your dear Sr. Leonora, and that she is by us greatly desired. I did not fail, lukewarm as I am, to pray with more persistency, on the feast of the glorious St. John the Baptist, for your Religion (Religious Order), as this Saint is your Special Advocate and Patron near the Divine Majesty. There being nothing else to say, I recommend myself to you as well as I can, and so does the Reverence of our Mother Prioress. May the Lord always be with you, adorning you with His holy graces.

Yours in Christ Jesus, most affectionate sister.

To Sister Carita Rucellai, Prioress of the Monastery of San Giovannino. July 26th, 1593.

I received yours of the 22d inst., from which I understood what Sr. Maria Fran¬ cesca had already notified me of, viz., that the Lord was pleased to choose you as the guide and keeper of that, His little flock. And truly can we believe this to have been His will, as the election has been harmonious and unanimous. Though the burden seems heavy to you, as it truly is, do not doubt but that He Who placed it on you wiU also help you to carry it, if you will trust wholly in Him, as I hope you are doing. Do not be frightened at having to provide for the monastery, knowing it is written that those who fear the Lord God want for nothing. And though something will be wanting to your daughters, rejoice that they have the opportunity to practice, in part, what they promised by a solemn vow, viz., holy poverty, which our Spouse so loved and exalted in Himself. You say in your epistle that the burden that the Lord placed on yonr shoul¬ ders seems heavy to you also for the reason that you have to please all of the nuns. At this I will remind you of something of which I just now think. It is what St. Louis Bertrand did wdien he was elected prior. He wrote over the door of his cell, and, I think, much more deeply in his heart, these beautiful words of the Apostle: Si adhuc hominibus placerem servus Christi non essem^' — “ If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Galat, i, 10). The same, it seems to me, should be done by any¬ body upon whom such a burden has been placed, viz., to set first the honor and glory of God, doing all that is due to Him, and not minding the rest. I also think your proceed¬ ing will be according to the will of God, and for the salvation of souls, whenever you do anything in holy charity, the name of which you bear, and in the practice of which, together with the other virtues, I feel sure you have so far advanced, that you will show it with great ease to your daughters and subjects, not only bywords, but much more by example. You do very well to ask for help, knocking at the door of the Divine Mercy; but, as for myself, I grieve that I am not such that I can help you and implore of God what you so much wish for. But, to make up for my tepidity and negligence, I will not fail to recommend you always to these Mothers and Sisters. I will say no more except to beg you constantly to keep before your eyes the welfare and perfection of the Re¬ ligion, and all those things of which oftentimes you had light from God and incitement in yourself. Forgive me if, by my words, I annoyed you, and whenever you find your¬ self in the most intimate communications with your Divine Spouse, remember me a most vile sinner. I beg it of you with all my heart. I beg you likewise to be pleased to recommend me to our cousin, to Sr. Maria Eletta, and to the nieces of our Rev. Mother Prioress, who also recommends herself to all your community. Of Your Reverence, * * *

To the Same.

Very Rev. Mother in Christy health.

October 20th, 1598.

By this present I answer your very welcome letter, which afforded me as much con¬ solation as you can imagine. As the former one caused me extraordinary sorrow, because I grieved that a servant of God, such as I hold this venerable father to be, should suffer so great a tribulation, so this last of yours changed my sorrow into joy. Blessed be the Lord, Who does not abandon His servants, though saddened and afflicted— nay. He then delivers them when they least think of it. And it seems as if the Divine Majesty wished to illustrate in this. His servant, the words of David: '"Cum ipso sum in tribulatio7ie: eripiam eum et glorificabo eum^' — ‘‘I am with him in tribulation: I will deliver him, and I will glorify him ” (Ps. xc, 15); and that, not only God was with him in tribulation and delivered him from it, but that he glorified him besides, making thus known to all his patience and innocence. Concerning what you tell me, to pray to our Lord to take away from your mind a little of the desire you feel that those who accused him unjustly should suffer therefor, I answer you that I think this is not the case; but that, in my prayers, I do beg of the Lord to grant you a heart conformable to the name of charity you bear, and feel certain you have such a heart. I believe further that we, who are Brides of Christ, are under a special obligation to love and do good to those who displease and offend not only us, but also those we love; and this in order that we may be followers of Him, Who, whilst hanging for us on the cross, said to His Father: ''Ignosce illis; non enim sciunt quid faciunV'—''l?org\vc: them, for they know not what they do” (Luke xxiii, 34); and I feel most sure that you know and do all better than myself. In my prayers I continually remember your Religious community, and particularly I recommended the affair you mentioned to me, viz., the changing of your offices. You should trust that God will dispose these changes for His greater glory, and that you will not be wanting in subjects that may be suitable to keep up and increase every good in your holy Religion, and I hope He will grant this to you. Having nothing else now to say, I will end this by recommending myself an infinite number of times to you and your holy prayers. I was forgetting to tell you that the Rev. Mother Prioress recommends herself innumerable times to her very dear nieces. May Jesus fill us with His holy love.

Yours, in Christ, most humble.

To Signor Camillo Pazzi (Father of the Saint).

Very honorable and very dear Father^ health in the Lord. March 23d, 1596.

As it is not yet pleasing to the Lord that we should see one another again, I con¬ cluded to write you these lines to learn something of your present state, and to exhort you at the same time to be patient and conform to the will of God in everything, whether it pleases His Divine Majesty to keep you ill or well. Short is the time we have to re¬ main in this valley of miseries, everlasting is the glory we shall enjoy in heaven, pre¬ pared for us by our own good God, and merited through the Passion and Death of the Incarnate Word, commemorated during these holydays by our Holy Mother Church I pity you much for not having been able during this holy Lent, and not being yet able, to hear the Word of God, but I think Geri (her grandfather) will perform the office of charity by telling you of it. I fail not to recommend you all the time to the Lord, as is my duty, and think that, on the solemnity of the Annunciation, you will confess and receive Holy Communion. By doing this, dearest father, you will be better disposed to.receive again the Most Blessed Sacrament on the most solemn day of Easter. In the meantime, during these fifteen days, I beg of you to exhort Alamanno, my dearest brother, to approach the Sacraments of Confession and Communion, as becomes every faithful Christian; so that, as you are his father according to the flesh, you may also beget him in the Lord according to the spirit. I beg this of him with all possible affec¬ tion. I send you a Jesus carrying the cross^ which you asked of me some time ago. Excuse me if I did not comply with your request before now; and if you ever need any¬ thing that I or this our Community can give, it will please these mothers very much if you will feel sure of it. As I have nothing else to say now, I recommend myself with all my heart to you, to our dearest brothers, to Hyppolita and dear’ nephews; Rev. Mother Prioress does the same. May the Lord be with you.

Your most affectionate daughter.

To a Nun of San Giovannino’s.

Very dear in Christ, sister, health in the same Christ Crucijied. August 5th, 1598.

My unusual act of writing will, perhaps, cause you to wonder; but the love I always bore, in the Lord, and still bear, the holy College in which I have been and conversed, moved me to do it. And as God gave me this thought (I certainly have it from Him) several months ago, nay, years, to write to you, finally I must carry it into effect. As I was moved by the 16ve wherewith the Lord is pleased I should love your soul, therefore I beg of you to receive this, my letter, in the same love and charity. I tell you, then, most beloved sister, and I beg of you, in the bowels oi Jesus Crucified, that you keep on exercising yourself in a constant, sincere, and true contrition of your sins, if you wish to please God and do good to your soul. And the greater our sorrow and tears are for them, the sooner shall our sins be forgotten in the sight of God. The iniquity of sin is so great, that the grief and tears of all creatures would not suffice to de¬ stroy it. But the compassion and mercy of our most benign Lord is so boundless, that He is satisfied if we are sorry for it, and abhor and hate it with a sincere heart; He at¬ tends to the rest. But this notwithstanding, it behooves us to be always in holy fear, “^5 man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love or hatred^"' (Eccles. ix, i). And if St. Mary Magdalen, who heard from the very lips of Eternal Truth those sweet and loving words: Remittuntur eV' — “They are forgiven her ” (Luke vii, 47), remained afterwards so many years in the horrid wilderness to do penance, what should we not do, who have not yet received such a grace, and who should not even deem ourselves worthy of it? Hence I exhort you, dearest sister in the Lord, by the Blood Jesus shed for you with such fire of love, to do cheerfully and patiently all the penance that has been imposed on you by your Superiors; as the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come (Rom. viii, 18), prepared for us by the Son of God, through so many sufferings, pains, sorrows, and His most cruel death. And see how all the Saints, who are enjoying that ineffable glory which we hope for, reached it, ^Jer magnos labor es for it is good and a happiness so great, that it can only be acquired by pains and labors. If so many Saints who, while on earth, led an innocent and pure life, tormented and scourged themselves with so many hard penances, what should we not do to reach our heavenly country, we who offend all the time the Divine Goodness^ Hence you must regard it as a great grace that the Lord grants you life in which to offer up to Him some satisfaction for the offenses committed against His Divine Majesty. I send 3*ou a Jesjis carrying the cross, that you may often look at Him, and meditate on His bitter Passion — a most efficacious means to correct every imperfection, and kindle in the soul love for its Creator. I also exhort you, dearest sister, to seek, when per¬ mitted by your Superiors, to unite with Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, with an entire abandonment of yourself and all created things; as this is the means to regain the time lost, and become just and pure in the sight of God, Who is constantly knock¬ ing at our hearts and sweetly calling us. Hearken, I beg of you, to His voice telling you: Reverter e, r ever iere, Sulamitis^^ — “Return, return, O Sulamitess’’ (Cant, vi, 12); return, return. My soul, to Me, as, outside of Me, thou shalt not find contentment or delight whatever, because I created thee only for Myself. And our God wishes nothing else from us, but our heart. Therefore, delay no longer, but offer it to Him a thousand times a day, giving up yourself entirely to Him; for by His infinite goodness He loves you more than you do yourself. Ah! if we could but penetrate this love! it would seem a pleasure to suffer, so to say, a thousand deaths every day for the least offense commit¬ ted against so great a goodness, in order to make some return to the same. With these considerations and spiritual exercises you might turn your dwelling-place into a paradise. And, the better to succeed in doing what I recommend, have recourse to the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of Mercy, by saying daily that beautiful prayer composed by the devout Doctor, St. Bernard, which, I think, will afford you spiritual consolation. I never failed to remember you in my holy prayers, and I promise that now I will do it even more. I beg of you to be pleased to do the same for me. Having now nothing else to say, I very heartily recommend myself to you, praying the Lord to fill you up with His holy grace. Jesus be with you.

Yours, in Jesus, Sister.

To Sister Maria Angela Quid! of San Giovannino’s.

Very Rev. in Christ, Sister, health.

July loth, 1599.

I think you will wonder at my delaying so long to answer a letter of yours which pleased me very much. This was not caused by the fact that I did not take to heart what you tell me; as I love you and all your Religious Community very much in the Lord. You tell me you are much urged by the Lord, with constant inspirations, to serve Him per¬ fectly; whilst you remain doubtful and irresolute about the manner of corresponding to such inspirations. Now, I think, it will be veiy’^ useful for you to follow those inspira¬ tions which you more frequently feel in your interior, but only when you are quiet and free from affliction; for, when the soul is troubled, it cannot well discern the move¬ ment of God and His holy Will. Be very careful to observe, also, as much as you can, your Rule and the Constitution, despising and withdrawing, as much as possible, from all transitory things, and placing all your trust in the Lord, Who will not forsake you, as He promises to help whomsoever puts his hope in Him. You may be sure that this is what Jesus expects of you; as He expects from everyone according to the vocation which has been given to him. Be pleased to salute for me Sister Carita, and all your Mothers and Sisters. Sister Angela Caterina, too, salutes her sisters, as also does Valenzia her own dear sisters. She is well, and it seems to her a thousand years before she will take the habit of the holy Religion. Having nothing more to say, I recommend myself to you heartily. May the Lord be with you and keep you in His holy grace. Your sister in Christ.

To Father Virgilio Cepari, 5. J.

Rev. in Christ, Father. Jesus, Maria.

JUI.Y 22d, 1599.

To obey you I write as much as I remember concerning your demand, and this is: First, that you accept the charge to govern with that love wherewith our Lord took up His cross. Secondly, that you remain in office with the same love and contentment with which our Lord remained on the cross. Thirdly, that you do not seek anything else in the office except what our Lord Himself sought whilst hanging on the cross, viz., to suf¬ fer love and give glory to His Father, and pray for those who crucified Him. Anything else I may have said to you I have forgotten; because, as you know, I have no memory. Benedicite. Pray to God for me, that He may enlighten my soul about something which causes me uncertainty and worry. May Jesus fill us up with His zeal. Yours, as a most devout daughter.

II. To Sister Carita Rucellai, of San Qiovannino’s

Very Rev. in Christ, Mother, health in the Lord.

August 9th, 1599.

I have received the most pleasing letter of your Reverence, which consoled me, be¬ cause it gave me your news, but even more so, because I could see your own writing; for I love you very much. I hear how you and some of your sisters are tried by the Lord; for which I pity you much, and exhort you all to take this trial from the hand of our Lord God, by Whose permission you may be sure it comes. I just now remember a thing I wish to tell you, which I read in the Instruction of Giovanni Taulero, which is to the purpose. He says that “God is pleased and delighted that a soul, whilst in this world, should suffer tribulation; because it, thereby, becomes like unto His Only Begotten Son, Who, whilst on earth, led a life of labor, suffered persecutions, and afflictions; and, finally, dying on a cross, in the midst of so many pains and sorrows, cried out to His Father, saying, ‘ My God! My God! why hast Thou forsaken Me? ’ “ (Matth. xxvii, 46). He is so delighted, I say, to see a soul suffering, that, if there were no other means to cause it, He would send an angel from heaven for that purpose. This being so, you should thank the Lord for calling you by the royal road of the cross, on which He Himself first trod for love of you. As to the prayer you ask, we will not fail. Valenzia recommends herself to her dear sisters. Sister Angela Caterina to hers. The Rev. Mother Prioress salutes her niece. I will not compose litanies, as the saying is; but I recommend myself to all, from the greatest to the least one. May Jesus inflame you with His love. Yours, as a daughter most affectionate.

la. To Maria de* Medici, the Wife of Henry IV, the Great King of France. Most Christian Queen, healths January 12th, 1600.

By these few lines I wish to manifest my joy to your Majesty upon your happy ar¬ rival, of which I was informed, by the grace of God, in order that you may see that though absent in body, you are, nevertheless, present to me in spirit. I never forget your just petitions, which I hope the Lord, in His goodness, will grant; therefore, I would not now fail to do what I did in former years, when you were in this city of yours, viz., send you the Saint, on the solemnity of the Epiphany, begging, of him to keep you during the present year. St. John the Baptist was drawn for you, as you will find in the enclosed, together with the motto. Your Majesty may be sure I will always keep you in my memory, as I know this to be your wish. But knowing myself to be unable to help you, I placed you under the protection of the most holy Virgin, and wish you to cooperate in this by having a special devotion to her, as you bear her name. Not wishing to annoy you, I end this by saluting you in the Lord. The Rev. Mother Prioress does the same, with all my other Mothers and Sisters, all of whom keep your memory in their hearts, on account of your very kind and courteous visit. And they never fail to recommend you to the Lord, together with the Sacred Majesty of the King, your spouse, begging for you from the Lord every complete happiness. Of your most Christian Majesty, Most humble servant.

To Sister Margarita Medici, in the Monastery of Candeli in Florence. Very Rev. in Christ, Sister, health.

January loth, 1601.

I understood by your letter what your wishes are; and, such as I am, I have not failed, and will not fail in the future, to present such petitions to God; it being just and holy that every creature, and particularly we Religious, should aspire to obtain them. But we hope the Lord, Who has given us the desire, and can do so, will also grant us the graces. For this reason He sends forth the desire first, because He wishes to grant the graces afterwards. And He is delighted when we ask them with fervent prayers, as He said with His most holy lips: Petite, et “Ask, and you shall receive ” (John xvi, 24). I see also from your letter how our good God, through your illness, makes you partake of what He suffered here below, of tribulations and pains. Hence you must be satisfied and cheerful, for you are on the royal road which leads to heaven, viz., suffer¬ ing; in fact, it was necessary that the Son of God Him.self should suffer, in order to enter into His glory, as He Himself said (Luke xxiv, 26). You also know that He is with him who suffers, as we say every evening at Complin (Ps. xc, 15); hence I exhort you to teke everything from the benign hand of the Lord. Thus every pain and tribulation will become.sweet to you, when you think Who sends it to you, and with what love He does it, viz., with an infinite love. I send you an image of Our Lord Crucified, which you asked of me, and I beg of you to recommend me to Him, our Spouse, on the cross, asking Him to grant us the grace to keep us hidden iu His loving wounds. Having nothing more to say, I recommend myself to you. Your most affectionate sister. * ^ *

To Messer Luigi Ardinghelli, in Villa.

Much magnificent and honorable as a Brother y health. February 9th, 1601.

I received your very welcome letter, but delayed so long to answer it, because I was busy celebrating the feast of the novices. Now I write you these few lines to thank you for the charity and benevolence you have shown me, which has not been less agreeable on this feast than if I had received it for St. Mary Magdalen’s, and it gave me a reason to think of you more and more in my prayers, such as they are, as I know you desire. I remind you, as a very dear brother in Christ, that when the Lord has given Himself to a soul, granting to it His light and particular graces, helping it directly and through His creatures, that soul is under much greater obligation to Him and bound to render Him a stricter account. And when this soul does not persevere in the good begun then, it does not make a return for gifts and graces received — nay, it repays the Giver with ingratitude (from which may the Lord deliver us); and this, as you know, dries up the spring of mercy. What could we do if we found this never-failing spring dried up? We would find ourselves without way, truth, and life. I beg of you to ask the Lord for me the grace to correspond to His light, that I may not fall into the abyss of ingratitude; and I will do the same for you, that our God may be glorified in you and give you, finally. Himself as a reward; for this is the only object He had in dying for us on the cross. Having said this much, I recommend myself very heartily to you; and your very dear sister. Mother Sister Evangelista, and the Rev. Mother Prioress does the same. May the Lord grant you His holy grace and keep you in it.

Yours, as a sister in Christ.

To Sister Qiulla Sommaj, orf the Monastery of St. Catherine in Florence. October i8th, 1602.

I received the very acceptable letter of your Reverence, from which I understood how you desired that we should send you the cilicium and the discipline of the Rev. Father Alessandro, of good and holy memory. As we have already written, we have not the cilicium; but the discipline we have and this we send you, the Rev. Mother Prioress being satisfied. That you may see how much we desire to please you, instead of the cilicium y we send a tunic of the same Rev. holy Father. These things we beg of your Reverence to send back to us at the end of four or six days, as they are relics to be held dearer than any precious earthly treasure. We hold them very dear and in great vene¬ ration on account of the sanctity of said blessed and holy father, and the affection and obligation we feel towards him. I fail not, such as I am, to remember your Reverence in my prayers, and recommend you to the novices, as you wish; and I desire you to do the same for me. Sister Maria continues to enjoy good health, by the grace of God, and to progress in the holy virtues cheerfully. May the Lord ever be with you, granting you whatever you desire most for the glory of His Divine Majesty. Of your Reverence, daughter in Christ.

To Qeri De-Pazzi, her Brother, in the Country Residence at Palugiano. Very honorable and very dear Brother y health.

December 25th, 1601.

With these few lines I wish to rejoice with you for the coming of this new King and God, born into this world for us sinners, Whom I trust you have received in the tab¬ ernacle of your heart, as He did not become a man but to become the possessor of the man’s heart Pie leaves the delights of His Father’s bosom to come and load Himself with our sins, and take on Himself the just punishment due for them. He comes all sweet and meek, not in His Divine Majesty, but in His Humanity and lowliness. He comeSas an indefatigable Shepherd to seek out His sheep and press them to His bosom, as said the Prophet Isaias (liii), and bring them back to the fold of our Heavenly Fatherland. But, with all His mercy, we must not forget that He is most just, and will render to everyone according to his works. Hence it is necessary, very dear brother, that we should try to act so that our works may be found to be of proper weight in the divine scales; and the fear of God will help us to accomplish this. I thank His Divine Majesty that you do not love with excess persons and things created; but I beg of you to be pleased weekly to examine yourself as to this point, by doing which you will give, glory to God and benefit your own soul. I send you the book of the Fife of Father Francesco Borgia, of the Society of Jesus, for I think the reading of it will give you great pleasure and consolation. Having nothing more to say, I heartily recommend myself to you. Be pleased to salute sister-in-law and nephews for me. Sister Maria Grazia is well and recommends herself to you. May the Ford be always with you. Your most affectionate sister.

- *.

To the Same.

Very honorable and very dear Brother^ health.

March 7th, 1602.

These lines are addressed to you to salute you and give you news about my condition, which is good, by God’s grace, except that I feel a little weak. But what principally moved me to write these few lines is that, as you have returned to Florence during this holy time, I persuade myself and wish to believe that you went to confession; though, on the other hand, I doubt it. Hence, if this doubt should be found to be true, I beg and press you, by the bowels of Jesus, to delay no longer, and it will also please me that you go to the Fathers of J esus. Holy Dent being a season of penance, during which commemo¬ ration is made of the Passion of our Eord, I wish, most dear brother, that it should not pass without your detesting all things you know to be displeasing to His Divine Majesty; for it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of God, He not being under any obligation to us. I cannot refrain from begging you by those nails and the lance which pierced the sacred hands, feet, and side of the Saviour, to be watchful in seeing that what is the temple of the Holy Spirit may not become that of the adversary, thus turning you, a member of God, from our Divine Head — Who is so noble and worthy. Excuse me, dearest brother, if I have let the pen run too far; blame for it the love I bear you, not only as a brother, but as a beloved creature of God, created by Him to enjoy forever the sovereign good; and believe me that, if it were possible, willingly and more than once would I lay down my life to see you walking on the right road to the fruition of the sovereign good. I will say no more. I wish you to send an answer to this of mine, and rest assured it will not be seen, as I received permission not to show it. In fine, I recom¬ mend myself to you. May the Lord keep you in His holy grace. P. S. — I would like you to send me, if it does not inconvenience you, some oil of nutmeg, with four walnuts and some fenugreek. Excuse me. Your most affectionate sister.

To the Lady Catarina Minorbetti, Daughter of the Godmother of Our Saint.

Very Magnificent, and very dear in Christ.

March 13th, 1602.

I received your letter, and I thank you and the Rev. Fathers for the prayers you have offered up for me, which were acceptable, as, by the grace of God, I now feel well. Beg of the Lord, that as it pleased His goodness to restore me to my former health, so He may also grant me the grace that I may do His holy will always, not desiring nor wishing anything else. In regard to what you wish to know for the peace of your con¬ science, I will tell you just how I would conduct myself. I say, then, that if you feel at peace, aud nothing in particular troubles you, and yet you resolve to make a general search of your soul for a more than ordinary satisfaction, ])ut without any necessity, I say that to me it seems that you should forego it. Nay I say more. I would consider it a special grace if I felt I were in peace; and I know that Fathers so enlightened as those you mentioned to me, would advise me to desist from doing it. But I say this, though, that if you fear that at the point of death you may not be happy on account of not having secured for yourself this satisfaction, then I judge it to be well for you to make this general confession, that, when the Lord will be pleased to call vou to Himself, you may, with great peace and tranquillity of soul, go aud rest with Him. Again I exhort and tell you that if there is nothing important, you may abide by what the Spiritual bathers tell you, as they know what is best for you. I salute Father Michele Girolamo, and thank him for the prayer he offered up for me. All of us fail not to recommend im to Jesus, that he may do all the good that God wills. Sr. Maria Maddalena salutes you, and so do also Lady Violante, her aunt, and myself. And thus I end this, wishing to you from the Lord God every contentment and spiritual grace. That is all. Most affectionate, in Jesus Christ.

To the Brother aforesaid, Qeri De-Pazzi.

Much Magnificent and Honorable Brother ^ health.

December nth, 1604.

By request of the Rev. Mother Prioress, I write to you these lines, to tell you that we would like, if it is not inconvenient for you, that you should send us those seventy scudi (dollars) in payment for the lumber furuished your daughter, as we need them. I also send you the list of the things that were made here, so that you may see how much w’as spent; and we would like you to send us this, also. I remind you of the daughters of Sr. Maria Grazia, ^ your own daughter, who asked me to tell you she would like you to send them as soon as you can. She is well, and salutes you, together with her Honorable Mother. And the Rev. Mother Prioress does the same. Having nothing else to add, I recommend myself to you and sister-in-law. May the Lord be with you.

Your most affectionate sister.

To Rev. Father Giovanni Battista Rabatti, Hermit Priest of the Sacred Hermitage of Mount Senario, of the Servants of Mary.

Very Rev, Father in Christy health.

March 20th, 1605.

Your very welcome letter afforded me spiritual consolation, as I saw therein that you remember me in your prayers. This pleases me very much, for I stand much in need of them. Such as I am, I fail not, and never will fail, to do the same for you in particular, and for all of your Congregation, that the Lord God may always advance it in every perfection. In regard to what you make particular request of in your letter, I am very sorry that I am unable to afford you any relief in your affliction and perplexity, conceriiing which (011 hearing of it) God knows how heartily I compassionated you. And so I answer your request most simply, as*I feel about it, viz., that should I find myself in such perplexity, I would just throw myself entirely on the obedience of my superior, doing, without a doubt, what he would judge and think I should do; because, as you understand and know better than myself, when we rest in holy obedience we can never be mistaken. If the superior would allow me to adopt all the means needed for the preservation of health, I would do so at once with great calm and interior peace; and, on the contrary, I wmuld persuade myself that the Lord permitted this to try me about that matter, and I would acquiesce therein, for I feel every day more convinced that the Lord delights more in a peaceful heart than in any other work. Moreover, I believe you would honor God none the less by taking that food which I think your holy rule allows you in the case of a weak constitution; for, by strictly observing the rule for a little while, you may get sick for a long time and be unable to do anything. Sickness is not to be made little of, it being something useful to our souls; still one should never give cause for it, as you well know. And if His Divine Majesty has called you to such a state, as we can certainly believe, you would not be the first, this notwithstanding, that the Lord has called to a Religious Order, and then, for reasons known to Himself alone, has not given the strength to follow such a vocation, which is so pleasing to Him. Hence we shonld be fully resigned to His holy will; and this, with all my heart, I ask you to pray for constantly, that I may fulfill it perfectly. Having no other object in writing this, I recommend myself to your holy prayers, and ask of you the paternal blessing. Most affectionate, in Christ.

■ * * *

To Sister Cherubina De-Pazzi,^ Nun in the Monastery of St. Jacopo in Ripoli, of the Order of St. Dominic, in Florence.

Very Rev. and Dear NiecCy health in Jesus.

September 26th, 1605.

In answer to your very pleasing letter I will not leave this unsaid, viz., that I con¬ stantly recommend you to the Lord in my prayers, such as I am, that this most benign Spouse, by His mercy, may grant you the grace to worthily prepare for the nup¬ tials you will celebrate with His Divine Majesty, and goto meet Him with your lamp burning, as a prudent virgin. You, dear niece, must see to it that your heart be like a well-trimmed lamp, open from above to receive the lights, gifts, and graces the Lord will be pleased to communicate to you, and closed below, that no earthly and sinful thing may enter it to displease the eyes of 3^our spotless Bridegroom. Then there must be the oil of charity, with the fire of divine love, that you may cast light around by your good example to all your sisters, and be acceptable to the sweet Jesus. If you do this, dear niece, I am sure you will find yourself prepared for those great nuptials you are to make with Jesus, and I beg of you to remember me in that holy act. About my ailment — I feel the same. I wish also to know whether you will make your profession only, or will receive also the black veil; and, this said, I recommend myself much to you. Sr. Maria Grazia, your sister, salutes you, and recommends herself to you, also. May Jesus grant you His grace and His love. Your dear Aunt, _ * * *

To Lady Violante Medici (about the Coming of the Holy Ghost). Much Magnificent, and honorable Lady.

May nth, 1606.

I cannot and know not, dearest in Christ, how to say anything worthy of this Heavenly Comforter, according to your wish, because I am wholly incapable of speaking, not only of the Holy Spirit, but also of His effects. But, in order not to disappoint you altogether concerning your request, I will present to you just these three considerations, which, if you will ponder during these days with profitable meditation, I know and believe will render you apt, to a great extent, to receive this heavenly fire. In the first place, I wish we may go on considering that this Spirit, Who descends upon the earth, is a Spirit of purity, causing all earthly and carnal hearts to become totally spiritual and heavenly; so that, if we crave to receive Him within ourselves, we must endeavor to purify our hearts from every affection for created things, and detest whatever is contrary to this cleanliness and purity. He is likewise a Spirit of truth, and we should strive that our will may want truly and sincerely no one else, but God alone, tearing ourselves from every personal interest, which oftentimes appears to us as if wanting God, and hiddenly seeks and wishes but self. And, finally, this is a Spirit of holiness; therefore we should endeavor to so sanctify ourselves with the holy virtues and exercises pleasing to God, that we may merit to become worthy temples of this heavenly Spirit. And pray for me that I, too, may have the grace to entertain some thoughts worthy of Him. With this end in view, I recommend myself to you, as to all.

Your most affectionate, _ * * *

Account in Form of a Letter, given by the Saint to Her Confessor, Rev. Vin¬ cenzo Puccini, of the Sacred Stigmata She Received, and of the “ Verbum caro Factum est” (the Word was made Fiesh) Engraved by St. Augustine on Her Heart, and the Bridal Ring given Her by the Divine Redeemer. Very Rev. and Venerable Father, your Blessing.

By the obedience I owe you, as to one who speaks to me by order of the Lord, I answer your request, as far as my memory supports me and the occurrences are remem¬ bered by my good sisters in Jesus Christ, who took down my words. On Holy Monday, April, 1585, whilst I, with the other sisters, was in the garden, I heard the Lord calling me with these words: “ Veni et vide operationes animce, quas ego fcLcio inter me et ipsam, quod nemo intelligere potest, nisi qui mundus est corde'' — Come and see the operations of the soul, which I do with the soul, and which no one can understand, except him who is clean of heart.” At this call I nearly fainted, and was compelled to lean against a tree, with my eyes fixed on heaven, and my face all on The sisters, noticing this, led me to a cell, where, no sooner with great difficulty had I arrived, than I threw myself on my knees, looking fixedly at a Crucifix, just in the same position in which St. Francis received the holy stigmata. Then I asked Jesus that I might enter by meditation into the wounds of His Humanity, repeating five times these words: Abscond e me in vulneribus hunianitatis “Hide me in the wounds of Thy Humanity.” At that time it seemed to me I saw truly the Humanity of Christ; hence, being more kindled, I placed all my sentiments in those of the dead Jesus, and spoke thus: “Nothing it would be, O my Jesus, to have placed all myself in Thee, if I did not interiorly strive to remain in Thee.” And here, looking more intently into the face of my beloved Jesus hanging on the cross, I saw, falling from it, drops of blood, in very great quantities, to the ground, wherefore I exclaimed: “My Lord is sweating blood. O Love, it is not enough that blood is oozing out from all Thy body, but that even from the eyes Thou wishest to shed it, instead of tears! O love, had I at least been in the land which received this blood! O Love, grant, at least, that the hearts of the creatures may receive it,! Thou didst wish to be crowned with thorns, in order to crown Thy brides with glory in heaven, O Love, but nowadays Thou canst not say that Thy delights are to be with the children of men, but rather in the midst of tor¬ ments and insults,” I remained still for some time in this contemplation, and, later on, with a voice stronger and more plaintive, and with tears, I said: “ Pilate pronounced that iniquitous sentence. He Who will sentence all creatures now must submit to be sen¬ tenced. O God I my Love strips Himself.... The cross is laid upon the ground,... and my Love goes on stripping Himself. Alas! would that they, at least, strike Him with light blows.... I see them killing the Innocent.... Alasl I cannot stand it longer.... Give me strength, O Love, to endure the pain I feel 1 Jesus mine, I can well say: ‘ Tristis est anima mea usque ad mortem ’ — ‘ My soul is sorrowful, even unto death ’ (Matth. xxvi, 38). After remaining about two hours with interior and exterior pain in the con¬ templation of the most holy Passion, I saw Jesus giving me His holy wounds; for He sent certain rays into my hands and feet and right side, that seemed to be of fire, and penetrated to the centre of the places where the wounds are, so as to leave their imprint therein. After this all pain and sadness suddenly left me; nay, I felt glad at seeing in myself the wounds of my Lord, which always, even at this time, it seems to me that I see, though exteriorly they appear not, which I like very much. I saw then that the unitive love united me to Jesus; and, being all united to Him, I did not know what else to do, except to plunge myself into the goodness and love God bears to the soul. I remained in this ecstasy until the fifth hour of the night; but what joy I tasted I could never even begin to explain.

The other occurrence was that on the eve of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, in 1585, meditating on those words of St. John: Et Verbum caro Factum est ” — “And the Word was made Flesh,” I felt rapt out of myself, with a burning desire to receive a particular intelligence of this divine mystery. Whilst in this state St. Augustine ap¬ peared to me, and I begged Him to write on my heart said words. For this purpose I sat, arranging my person in position, and with hands and arms, pointing to him the place of the heart, so that he might write thereon those words, and said to him: “ Here is the blood, the inkstand is open; delay not, O Augustine! ” Then the Saint wrote in my heart Verbum in golden letters, and caro Factum est in letters of blood — to denote, by the gold, the Divinity, and, by the blood, the Humanity of Christ; and he assured me that, through this favor, I would always retain in my heart the memory of the In¬ carnation of Jesus.

Finally, after a few weeks, viz., on the eve of St. Catherine of Siena’s i^diSt {April 2gth), having passed three hours in great sorrow and anguish, on account of seeing the many and grievous. offenses committed by men against Him, which God showed me, the benign Jesus consoled me, appearing to me in glory, between St. Augustine aiid St. Cath¬ erine of Siena, with His hands and side full of most precious rings, and indicating that He wished to espouse me. Then I felt an ineffable consolation coming to me from this sight, and began to burn with desire to be wedded by Jesus. I at once asked Him for one of those rings, begging Him to grant me such a favor, and that such a gift should re¬ main hidden from the eyes of creatures. After this I deemed ipyself most unworthy of such a favor, and offered, in preparation to receive it, the most precious Blood of the same Lord. The benign Jesus wished to favor me; and, as I stretched out my hand. He placed a precious ring on the ring-finger.

This is all I am able to say in answer to your request. And, begging you for your blessing, I also ask you not to cease recommending me to God. Yours, in Jesus Christ, most devoted daughter, The following three letters were dictated by the Saint whilst she was in ecstasy: — I. To the Very Rev. PraV Angelo, of the Order of Friar Preachers. To the Very Rev. in Christ, Father, and to all the Coadjutors of the intrinsic work^ health in the Sweet Truth and the Uncreated Wisdom.

I, unworthy handmaid of the Incarnate Word, compelled by Sweet Truth, write to your Reverence, the chosen instrument of said Truth, to help the intrinsic work ordained from eternity. The time has now come when He wants His servants to carry this work into effect, viz., to reunite to Himself His brides, who are scattered, and all other Relig¬ ious living to-day in the cloisters, so opposed to., the vocation God gave them, because they keep not the vows they made to Him. Hence I write to you, to make you under¬ stand how said Truth has chosen you, not exactly as the doer of this work, but as the cooperator and coadjutor, to help the real and priucipal operator of said work. On the part of the Incarnate Word, I press you, together with the other coadjutors, to strip your¬ selves of every self-love, human respect, and dissimulation, and to walk always in righteousness, with naked truth and sincere speech, having before your eyes the stain¬ less Damb, Jesus Christ.... Let all remember that sentence the Word uttered, viz., “ That He would give His beatific vision to the clean of heart "'—'‘Beati mundo corde, quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt ” (Matth. v, 8); especially to you possessing the name of those pure and immortal spirits before us creatures. Purity cannot exist where one does not proceed with rectitude and truth. The clean of heart cannot be deprived of Thy vision by the simple angry look of anyone, though he be in dignit)^.... Know, your Reverence, dearest Father in Jesus Christ, that purity is nothing else than not to have a thought, a desire, or the least aim contrary to rectitude and sin¬ cerity. Hence we should walk always with all frankness and tell the truth. See that your works, like your name, are angelic, and deal with your fathers and brothers, who will concur in this work, with that wisdom and prudence which God has bestowed on you.... Remember also the words of the enamored Paul, who gloried in his being separated from God and was deemed insane on account of his telling the truth. Proceed with the doctrine you possess; see that this is the first offering you make in the Sacri¬ fice of the Mass which you offer up so often, and fear not, afterwards, if you meet with some opposition, placing before your eyes the slain Lamb.... And if, at times, in giving advice to your Christ (priest), and telling him the truth, you will have occasion to see that his irascibility is stirred up, remind him, with sweetness, of those words of St. John, the Virgin (John viii, 7): “ He that is without sin, let him first cast a stone.” But never fear to tell the truth always, though you must not uncover to your brother at once all th6 faults he is guilty of, and which place such an obstacle to this work.... Ah! let my Father put on Him who left for us garment and body, I say, the slain Lamb I Oh! let him clothe himself, let him clothe himself, let him clothe himself with Him! and let him not fear to tell the truth; and let not the zeal of 'which he makes profession fail him.... Let not the fervor of the first followers of the Truth cool in him; and let him ponder well the work of God.... Let him remember the very holy Moses, who, on account of a single transgression, was excluded from the promised land.... Let not, therefore, any negligence in this work so pleasing to God, as God ispleasingto Him¬ self, reign in him, or in those to whom this light shall be vouchsafed.... But, I notice in my Rev. Father a fear of all his community; hence he is silent, not because he lacks the knowledge of its error and the goodness of God; but that he lacks confidence.... And what remedy should he adopt against this fear, though he has some reasons for it? Let him take as help some of them he is afraid of — I say, of his own fathers, but some of those who are better grounded in the zeal of their enamored Father.... Let him take for counsellors some of them whom he knows to be already instructed by the Sovereign Truth, and enlightened by the Same.... Ah! let not my Father find excuses; let him not offer me excuses; let him forgive me my apparent dis¬ respect for his dignity, and that great Sacrifice he offers. God does not like, wish, nor accept these excuses; therefore, let him not excuse himself; but let him place before his eyes and look at the •Lamb slain on the cross, whence He saw His Eternal Father dishonored, but, for this reason, He did not retard His work, but hastened it to the greater glory of the Same, His Eternal Father. Thus you shall cooperate with this work, which, though it will seem to redound to the dishonor of your Religion (Order), will not do so, but will only cause some confusion from which, afterwards, greater honor will come to God and the Religion, too....

Do not become asleep, nor lukewarm, nor negligent; and do not despise, nor judge the words of that slain Lamb, though uttered by her who is all ignorance.... Remem¬ ber and ponder well those words you read, when discoursing through the garden of Holy Writ, viz.,“ That He Who sits on the throne always makes things new” — '''"Ecce nova f(^to omnia ” (Apoc. xxi, 5). Though this work has ever proceeded, and proceeds from the Ancient and New Wisdom, through anyone He chooses, remember that God does these things anew every time; for these things are upon the earth, as many iniquities and sins without number^ are to-day.... Remember also, and penetrate well, those words you have, perhaps, just said at matins, on account of your bodily weakness: ‘ 'Calicern Domini^ biberunt et amici Dei /acti sufit^' — “They drank the chalice of the Lord and became the friends of God.”

It is not said they were friends before drinking the chalice, but after it. Let not my Father find excuses; let him not offer excuses, saying: I am not an Apostle. Let it not seem to him an exaggeration, if I compare him to the Apostles, for I know it is not; whilst I do know that he has the same power to administer and give out the Blood of the Lamb slain, as the Apostles had. In virtue of that Blood, all that he will bind and loose upon earth shall be bound or loosed also in heaven (Matth. xvi, 19), as my Truth promises: ''Quodcumque ligaveris super terrain erii ligatum et in ccelis, et quodcumque solveris super terrain^ erit solutum et in ccelis." O goodness! O goodness of my Truth!... God would not have given unto you such a degree of grace, if He did not want to make use of it and dispose the heart of His Christ (that is the priest), with the wish to do such a work.... Oh I let the Blood penetrate so that this Christ may be so disposed 1... If Christ in heaven is satisfied to loose and bind all you will bind and loose on earpi, can it be that His christ on earth will not endeavor to reunite here on earth, according to His example. His brides? Nay, I deem, he would go on if it were possible, seeking them, as the Bride seeks the Bridegroom, did he know how pleasing this work is to Him....

My Father keeps the precious gems shut up in his breast; but let him be pleased to show and give them also to his brethren and children; and if he also possesses the most precious and naked poverty, let him not fail to communicate his wealth to others who share his vocation; as all this work that is to be performed is expressed in these words: “ Vos qui reliquistis omnia et secuti estis me., centuplum accipietis et vitam csternam possidebitis ” — “ You who have left everything and followed Me, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall possess life everlasting ” (Matth. xix, 28, 29).... You know it better than myself, on account of your learning; but the Word is pleased that I should tell you what He promises us. Please pay attention to w’hat my Christ promises us. What does He promise us? Not the human glory, which is vanity and nothingness; nor the riches, which cannot satiate our desires, and, as Paul says, should be counted as dung (Phil, iii, 8); but He says “ an hundred-fold.” One is nothing, but one hundred is a per¬ fect number by which you can count to the infinite. When the Word said He would give “an hundred-fold ” He meant by it His beatific vision. And my Word does not forget even that <7^/ <?, though it is nothing to Him, but to you is something; and this means earthly things, which are possessed in this world, and which help us to acquire the possession of the eternal goods, and that full “ hundred-fold” of said vision. But please take notice, take notice! He does not say "habebunt" they shall have ” — but I recommend myself earnestly to the holy prayers of your Reverence, whilst hum¬ bly asking your holy blessing. My loving Jesus! Uncreated Wisdom I Sweet Truth! Tranquil Dove I Jesus, Jesus, Jesus I, From our Monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli at San Frediano, July 25th, 1586. The humble handmaid of the Incarnate Word, Sister Maria Maddaeena De-Pazzi.

In the Name of the Ancient Truth, the Incarnate Word, the Lamb Slain on the most hard Wood of the Cross.

To the Most Illustrious Lord Cardinal^ her Father most Reverends

The useless servant of the servants of Jesus Christ and His dearest daughter, most obedient in desire and fact, compelled by the Ancient Truth, by all the blessed spirits, by all the just, and, so to say, by heaven and earth, and, if I am permitted to say it, even by hell, to remind you, encourage and invite you, to be pleased to come and hear the very important, pleasing, and necessary will of God. And if you would tell me: What mat¬ ters, so contemptible a creature, my coming, that they should so desire it? I would tell you that the anxious desire is felt so that you may not delay your coming so long. I see so many, almost numberless, souls in constant danger of their salvation, that, though you may not at present free them all, you must at least in part begin to relieve them of their danger. If you have any business or work which might seem to you of greater impor¬ tance than this, I tell you this is the greatest work any creature on earth may ever do. If you do not, as yet, see it, I beg of you, because of the Blood that was shed with so much fire of love, that you may be pleased to come and hear it from one who has received some idea of it, and will make you, to some extent, understand it. I sa^^, be pleased to come and learn the will of God; and also to try and see whether it is the will of God. Please do not look at the labor and inconvenience of the body; but remember that he who loves himself in this life loses the eternal life. “ Qui amat animam suam^ perdet earn; et qui odit animam suam in hoc mundo, in vitam czternam custodit earn ” (John xii, 25). Do not look at the lowliness and meanness of the one who tells you these words; but fix your eyes on and look at Him, Who makes her say them. Come; come and see the truth for yourself; do not close your ears any longer, so that God’s goodness, in giving to you the singular gift of choosing you for this work, may not be changed against you into wrath and vengeance. Because... woe! woe! to him on whom God turns His back! And you, who so familiarly treat, and, I will say, with so much gusto, handle this very God Incarnate, and can give Him to, or withhold Him from, the creatures, be not ungrateful for the privilege of such familiarity to the extent of falling short of executing God’s will, which is to strive and bring souls back to Him.... Do not take these words as the outcome of presumption or frivolity; but take them as from one who is compelled to speak them by the Truth — as, in fact, is the case. And I repeat to you that if you do not believe it to be so, and fear or doubt that it may be a deception, you should come and satisfy yourself about it, as I will no longer bear that a soul should remain in such a danger. Come; and, as a loving father, you shall do your duty and free one of your daughters from such a thought and undeceive her. Thus far there have been many enlightenments (as I truly cannot call them otherwise) of which I will not speak now, preferring to do it at your coming, by which God has often forced me to compel, incite, and invite you, though I was not permitted to do so by those whom I am bound to obey. But now, again, I am compelled to do it (being forced to it by the Blood of the Lamb slain, Christ Crucified), by familiarly uttering these few words, and taking with your most illustrious lordship the liberty, as of a daughter with a most loving father, not wishing to fear you any longer as a servant, but rather to love you as a most benign father. I beg of you to look at everything that might seem presumptuous therein, in the light of the Lamb slain, Christ Crucified; and forgive with that mercy wherewith He forgave those who offended Him; though theSe words are not uttered to offend, but I feel as if compelled to utter them, to make you understand the will of God. I doubt not but that, as a lover of this God and most zealous for the salvation of a soul, you will not mind the inconsiderate expressions of your handmaid, and will come to find out the truth for yourself, without any delay, as time is not waiting for us, but we for it. Let us not feel sure of the uncertain; but let us, from hour to hour, from moment to moment, ask what God wants in His Church, given to you in special keeping.... I will not incite you further, nor provoke you, by adding more words; but, putting an end to this, I will humbly ask of you the holy blessing. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Infallible Truth! Tranquil Eove! Jesus, Jesus!

From our Monastery of St. Maria degli Angeli, at San Frediano, August 24th, 1586. The humble handmaid of the Incarnate Word.

In the Name of the First Truth, the Loving Word, and the Love united with Mankind.

To the above-named Lord Cardinal^ her Most Rev. Father. The useless daughter of the First Truth is drawn, by the love which moved Him to leave Himself to us, to repeat the information already given, though unknown to you, concerning the importance of the great and God-pleasing work and His sweet will. I am forced, I say, by this love which compelled Him to leave Himself to us in the Blessed Sacra¬ ment, and by Him Who gave you such a dignity that you can so easily handle Him with your own hands. I am forced to beg of you and incite you to be pleased to raise yourself above yourself, fixing your eyes on this Loving Word, knowing for a certainty that, if you do so, you will burn, as a most ardent flame, with a desire to love the little sheep committed to your care, as the Incarnate Word showed us on the last evening. Ah! let my Rev. Father be pleased to do what the Word did on that evening; what our Creator, Ruler, and Sovereign Monarch of the universe, Jesus Christ, taught us by giving Himself to us, not for a while, but till the consummation of the world. And let my most dear Father (to call you by the sweetest name that may be permitted to me) leave himself in the place of God, even as the Word left Himself wholly for us, going to the Passion and submitting His Humanity to the will and pleasure of His Eternal Father; — as He gave Himself to us in the Most Holy Sacrament, for the nourishment and food of our souls, so be you pleased to give your services to His creatures. And how will you leave all yourself in God? You will do it when you will condescend to learn the sweet will of God, even through a con¬ temptible medium, and will thereby receive light, plunging in the never-failing light, so that you may be able to say: “/« lumine tuo videbimus lumen ” — “ In Thy light we shall see light” (Ps. xxxv, 10). Then you shall not fail to be enlightened; and I see that you already, placed in such a light by God, understand His wishes; and, with a sovereign and quiet will, put this work into execution. You will also give yourself to creatures, as the Sweet Truth did this evening (Holy Thursday); and, being unable to give yourself as food, as Truth did, you will give what God Himself has given to nourish you and the creatures subject to you, viz., the temporal substances and goods, leaving all, as to the attachment, and only possessing them so as to relieve them of their needs and to nourish and feed these creatures, members of Christ, who, being in want of the necessaries of life, depart sometimes from the beautiful and handsome body of the Holy Church, and this is very painful for one who has relaxed in the love of God. You will also leave yourself to the creatures in this other manner — by not failing to nourish with doctrines and examples your subjects, given into your keep¬ ing; and by acting with the wisdom and prudence which God will inspire you with. If you consider well, and ruminate, on those words uttered by the Ancient and New Truth that He would be with us till the consummation of the world, you will think nothing of leav¬ ing off a certain habit contracted, which is somewhat difficult to do; as it is difficult also to resist the temptations which may come from the enemy. Neither should you mind the tongues of the creatures who assist you, who, oftentimes, moved by charity (which is not charity, no, they only put on its mantle), might speak words that would prevent such a work and will of God. Remember that God will be with you always, giving you help and light concerning what you have to do; w^hich light you will, no doubt, secure when you will make a firm and true resolution to leave altogether the things created by God; and, what is more, to give yourself to the service of creatures But you should not esteem it more than is necessary to honor God and help his creatures. Please, Father, please take this resolution; as, after doing so, God will infuse into your soul so much fight that you will be enabled to fathom, understand, and put into execution His holy will; and you will not fear the talk of the creatures assisting you, nor the very devil, so to say, who makes them talk; but you will desire to give up your own body to any kind of death, in order to see the will of God accomplished and be able to repeat with the en¬ amored Paul: ^^Mihi mundus crucifixus est, et ego mundo ” — ” The world is crucified to me, and I to the world ” (Galat. vi, 14)....

I speak no longer with your most illustrious lordship as with one who does not understand God’s will, because I deem you already enamored of it; and, such being the case, you must consider those sweet words the First Truth said this evening to His Apostles, viz., that they would be known as such from the love they would bear one another. My

Chapter 3 of 3