Letter VI. To Sister Anna Maria Trievi, a nun in Santa Lucia, Florence

He exhorts her amongst other things to 'persevere in the service of God.

Dearest Niece, — I have written to the Reverend

Mother what occurs to me respecting the business she commissioned you to write to me about ; and I have nothing else to tell you, except that although I have been a little unwell, nevertheless by the grace of God

I am now in excellent health ; indeed I was so little unwell, that I only kept my bed a week. It has been very grateful* to me to learn of your advance in the service of God, for having tasted how sweet is His yoke, you not only bear it cheerfully yourself, but are also anxious that she who is dearer to you than any other (I mean your sister) should bear it also ; and as you are her sister according to the flesh, you would be so also according to the spirit, desiring to live together in the service of Him, who is able to give you every blessing and every joy. This desire of yours God will satisfy, if by fervent and persevering prayer you ask it of Him, nor will I fail on my part to do the same ; for she could not make a better resolution than to come to live and die with you, which would be a greater blessing than she deserves, as it was for you ; and for which you must show your gratitude by increasing more and more each day in spirituality and fervour, and if you cannot do as much as this, humble yourself constantly, and abase yourself in your own sight, and that of the nuns, that you may become great in the sight of God. Recommend me to Sister Dionisia, the Reverend Mother, and the other sisters, for whom I will not forget to pray, as I earnestly hope they may also do for me, and more especially I expect it of you, whom may the Lord our God bless and keep in His grace. — Yours, Philip Neri.

Rome, October 17, 1576.