Letter XV. To a Lady

Sign of good prayer. Advice on this exercise and on the choice of books of piety; on Paschal Confession and Communion.

November, 1607. Madam, my very dear Sister, — I am surprised you receive so few of my letters. I think I leave none x %

308.57. Francis de Sales.

of yours without some answer. However, God be praised.

Do not torment yourself about your prayer, which you say is without words; for it is good, if it leaves good effects in your heart. Do not force yourself to speak in this divine love; he speaks enough who looks and is seen. Follow, then, the path into which the Holy Ghost draws you, though I do not wish you to give up preparing yourself for meditation, as you used to do at the beginning. This you owe on your side, and you should of yourself take no other way; but when you intend to put yourself in it, if God draws you into another, go with him into it; we must on our side make a preparation according to our measure, and when God carries us higher, to him alone be the glory of it.

You can profitably read the books of Mother (St.) Teresa, and St. Catherine of Sienna, the Method of serving God, the Abridgment of Christian Perfection, the Gospel Pearl, but do not be eager in the practice of all you see there that is beautiful; go quite gently, aspiring after these beautiful teachings, and admiring them very highly, and remember that there is no call for one to eat a feast prepared for many. Thou hast found honey, says the wise Man, eat what is sufficient for thee* The Method, Perfection, Pearl, are books which are very obscure, and go by the mountain tops; we must hardly occupy ourselves with them. Read

• Prov. xsv. 1 6.

and read again the Spiritual Combat, this should be your dear book, it is clear and entirely practical.

No, my dear child, since you confess to good confessors, have no fear; for if they had not the power to hear you, they would send you away. And so, it is not at all necessary to make in your own parish those general confessions about which you write; it is enough to make your Easter duty there, by confessing, or at least communicating. If you are in the country, the priest whom you find in the parishes can also confess you. Let yourself not be oppressed by scruples, nor by too many desires: go on calmly and courageously. May God ever be your heart, my dear sister, and I am in him your, &c.