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

He promises to procure an indulgence for her and teaches her how to acquire the love of God.

My honoured Niece, — I have received your letter, in which you ask me to obtain a plenary indulgence for you for All Souls' Day, which I should be very glad to do for you ; but I must know whether you have any other in your church ; and if you have, whether it is a plenary indulgence, or one of a certain number of years and quarantaines, and upon what day it is, and in case there is no other indulgence, whether you are satisfied to have it for the Feast of All Saints, beginning with the vigU and lasting until sunset, because his Holiness will perhaps grant it more willingly for that feast than for All Souls' Day : however, send me an answer, and I will try to meet your wishes.

To acquire the love of God, there is no truer and shorter way than to detach ourselves from the things of the world, even small and trifling things, and from self-love, rather loving in ourselves the will and service of God, than our own satisfaction and will. Pray to God for me, and salute my sister, and sister Maria Francesca, and may our Lord God give you His Holy Benediction. — Your uncle,

Philip Neri.

Rome, April 29, 1594.