Letter II. To Madonna Fiora Ragni, Naples

He exhorts her to the practice of virtue.

Although I never write to any one, I cannot help doing so to Madonna Fiora, who is like my first-bom daughter, and whom I am very anxious to see flower : moreover that afterwards the flower may produce good fruit, the fruit of humility, patience, and all virtues, and that she may be the lodging and vessel of the Holy Spirit : as indeed is commonly the case with those who go often to Communion. If this were not so I would not have you for a daughter ; or if I did it would be as a hateful one, and in such sort that I should turn against you at the judgment-day. God grant this may not be, but that you may flower and bring forth fruit, as I said before, and be all on fire, so that your poor father, who is dying of cold, may be able to warm himself. No more. — Ever yours,

Philip Neri

Rome, June 27, 1572.