Letter V. To a Religious Sister

The Infant Christ the magnet of souls: how all may help to preach him.

AND believe, my dear daughter, that for me also it is a very particular consolation to receive letters from you and to send you mine. It is well with you when you are near that sacred crib, where the Saviour of our souls teaches us so many virtues by his silence; yes, what does he not say to us while he keeps silent? His little heart, panting with love for us, ought indeed to inflame ours. But see how lovingly he has written your name in the bottom of this divine heart, which is throbbing there on the straw with the ardent passion which he has for your advancement; nor does he breathe a single sigh to his Father in which you have not a share, nor is there a single act of his mind which is not for your welfare.

Loadstone draws iron, amber attracts straw and hay: whether we are iron in hardness or straw in feebleness, we ought to join ourselves to this sovereign little Babe, who is a true drawer of hearts. Yes, my daughter; let us not return into the country from which we came out; let us leave for ever Arabia and Chaldasa, and remain at this Saviour's feet. Let us say with the heavenly Spouse: * I have found him whom my soul loveth; I hold him and I will not let him go.

0 my daughter, does your envy of me come from this, that I preach to the world the praises of God?

• Cant. iii. 4.

LET. vi.] Letters for Various Festivals. 409

Ah! what a satisfaction to the heart to proclaim the goodness of what one loves! But if you want to preach with me, do so, I pray you, my daughter, by ever praying to God to give me words according to his heart and your wishes. How often does it happen that we say good things because some good soul gets us the grace to do so! Does she not preach sufficiently, and with this advantage, that knowing nothing about it she is not puffed up?

We are like organs, where he who gives the wind really does the whole work and gets no praise for it. Often then breathe a prayer for me, my daughter, and you will preach with me; and on my part, believe me, I join my soul to yours every day by the link of the most holy Sacrament, which I only receive with you and for you. So make, my daughter, make a thousand times a day these holy aspirations to God, protesting that you are wholly and entirely, for ever and eternally his. May Jesus ever live, for he is our life! May his holy love live and reign for ever in our hearts!