Letter XXIV. To a Carmelite Superioress

That the Providence of God is certain to give the means of fulfilling the duties it puts upon her.

MY DEAR DAUGHTER — What a consolation for you that it is God himself who has made you superioress, since you are such by the ordinary ways! Wherefore his Providence is under obligation to you, on account of its being the disposer of things, to hold you with its hand, that you may do well what it calls you to. Be sure of this, my dear daughter; you must walk with good confidence under the guidance of this good God, and not except yourself from that general rule that God who has begun in you a good work will perfect it* according to his wisdom, provided that we are faithful and humble.

But, here now, it is required amongst the dispensers that one be found faithful; t and I tell you that you will be faithful if you are humble. But shall I be humble? Yes, if you will it. But I will it. You are it then. But I feel distinctly that I am not. So much the better, for this serves to make it more certain. It behoves not to subtilise so much, but to walk simply; and as he has charged you with these souls, charge him with yours, that he may carry it all himself, both you and your charge on you. His heart is large, and he wants yours to have a place there. Rest yourself then on him; and when you commit faults or defects do not distress yourself, but

• Phil. L 6. t I Cor. iv. 2.

after having humbled yourself before God, call to mind that God's power is made perfect in infirmity*

In a word, my dear daughter, it is necessary that your humility be courageous and brave in the confidence which you must have in the goodness of him who has put you in office; and to cut right off those many doublings which human prudence under the name of humility is accustomed to make on such occasions, remember that Our Lord does not will us to ask our annual bread, or monthly, or weekly, but daily. Try to do well to-day, without thinking of next day; then next day try to do the same, and not think of all you will do during the whole time of your office; but go from day to day fulfilling your charge, without in creasing your solicitude; since your heavenly Father, who has care to-day, will have care to-morrow and after to-morrow, of your guidance, in proportion as, knowing your infirmity, you hope only in his Providence.

It seems to me, my dear daughter, that I act with great confidence indeed in thus speaking to you, as if I did not know that you know all this better than I do: but it matters not, for it makes more impression when a friendly heart says it to us. I am your, &c.