Letter XX. To one of his Relatives

He wishes her the Love of God.

Madam my dear Cousin, — I cannot, and would not, refrain from writing to you, having so safe a bearer. But it is only to tell you that I ask continually in Holy Mass many graces for your soul, but chiefly and as everything, divine love; for, indeed, it is our all; it is our honey, my dear cousin, within which and by which all the affections and actions of our hearts must be preserved and sweetened.

My God, how happy is the interior kingdom, when this holy love reigns therein! How blest are the powers of our soul which obey a king so holy and so wise! No, my dear cousin, under his obedience and in this state, he allows not great sins to dwell, nor even any affection for the very least. It is true that he lets the frontiers be approached, in order to practise the interior virtues in war, and to make them valiant; and he allows spies, which are venial sins and imperfections, to run here and there in his kingdom; but it is only to make known that without him we should be a prey to all our enemies.

Let us greatly humble ourselves, my dear cousin, my daughter; let us confess that unless God be cuirass and buckler to us, we shall be instantly pierced and transpierced with all sorts of sins. Therefore let us keep ourselves close to God, by the continuance of our exercises; let this be the main point of our carefulness, and the rest accessories.

Meantime, we must ever have courage, and if some weakness or enfeeblement of spirit occurs, let us run to the foot of the cross, and place ourselves amid those holy odours, those heavenly perfumes, and without doubt we shall be comforted and invigorated by them. I present every day your heart to the eternal Father with that of his Son, our Saviour, in the Holy Mass. He cannot refuse it, on account of that union in virtue of which I make the offer; but I take for granted that you do as much on your side. May we ever, with soul, with heart, and with body, be to him a sacrifice and holocaust of praise. Live joyous and brave, with Jesus on your breast.

Y

Madame, my dearest cousin, I am one whom he has made your, &c.