Letter XLIX. To a Lady

The Saint exhorts her to fidelity in her spiritual exercises and the practice of virtue. How we are to treat our heart when it has committed a fault.

Madam,- — I truly and greatly desire that when you expect to gain any consolation by writing to me, you should do so with confidence. We must join these two things together: an extreme affection for practising our exercises very exactly, whether of prayer or virtues, and a not being troubled or disquieted or astonished if we happen to commit a fault in them; for the first point depends on our fidelity, which ought always to be entire, and grow from hour to hour; the second comes from our infirmity, which we can never put off during this mortal life.

My dearest daughter, when faults happen to us, let us examine our heart at once, and ask it if it has not still living and entire the resolution of serving God; and I hope it will answer us yes, and that it wrould rather suffer a thousand deaths than withdraw itself from this resolution.

Thereupon let us ask it: why then do you now fail, why are you so cowardly? It will answer: I have been surprised,, I know not how; but I am now fallen, like this.

Well, my child, it must be forgiven; it is not by infidelity it falls, it is by infirmity; it needs then to be corrected gently and calmly, and not to be more vexed and troubled. We ought to say to it: Well now, my heart, my friend, in the name of God take courage, let us go on, let us beware of ourselves, let us lift ourselves up to our help and our God. Ah! yes, my dear daughter, we must be charitable towards our soul, and not scold it, so long as we see that it does not offend of set purpose.

You see, in this exercise we practise holy humility j what we do for our salvation is done for the service of God; for our Lord himself has worked out in this world only our salvation. Do not desire the battle, but await it with firm foot. May our Lord be your strength. I am; in him, your, &c.