Letter XVI. To a Lady

Duty of a Christian wife. Counsels during pregnancy. Madam, — The letter which you wrote me on the 16th May, received only on 27th June, gives me great cause to bless God for the strength in which he keeps your heart regarding the desire of Christian perfection, which I find very clearly, in the holy simplicity with which you represent your temptations and the struggle you make; and I see well that our Lord helps you, as step by step and day by day you achieve your liberty and enfranchisement from the imperfections and chief weaknesses which have hitherto grieved you. I doubt not that in a very little time you will be entirely victorious, as you are so brave in the battle, and so full of hope and confidence of victory by the grace of our good God.

The comfort you have in this enterprise is without doubt a presage that itwill happily succeed. Strengthen, then, yourself, Madam, in this good design, the5 end of which is eternal glory; leave nothing behind at home

Letters to Married Women.. Sy which is necessary to gain it; continue your frequent confessions and communions: let no day pass without reading a little in a spiritual book: and however little it be if you do it with devotion and attention the profit will be great. Make the examination of conscience in the evening: accustom yourself to little prayers and the prayers called ejaculatory; and in the morning, on getting out of bed, always kneel down to salute and pay reverence to your heavenly Father, to our Lady and your good angel; and if this is only for three minutes you must never fail: have some very devout picture, and kiss it often.

I am glad that you have a more joyous spirit than formerly. Without doubt, Madam, your content will increase every day, for the sweetness of our Lord will spread itself more and more in your soul. Never has any one tasted devotion without finding it very sweet. I am sure that this gaiety and consolation of spirit extends its precious perfume over all your occupations, and specially over domestic affairs; which, as they are the most common, and your principal duty, so they should most smell of this perfume. If you love devotion, make all honour and love it; which they will do if they see good and pleasant effects from it in you.

My God! what splendid means of meriting have you in your house! Truly you can make it a true Paradise of piety, having your husband so favourable to your desires. Ah! how happy you will be if you observe well the moderation which I have spoken of in your exercises, accommodating them as much as you can to your household affairs, and to the will of your husband, since it is not irregular or savage. I have seen hardly any married women who can at less cost be devout than you, Madam, and you are therefore very strictly obliged to make progress.

I should very much like you to make the exercise of holy meditation, for I think you are very fit for it. I said something to you about it during this Lent; I do not know whether you have put your hand to it; but I should like you only to give hall' an hour to it each day, and not more, at least for some years; I think that this will strongly aid towards victory over your enemies.

I am pressed for time, and yet I cannot finish, so consoled am I in talking to you on this paper. And believe, Madam, I beg, that the desire which I have once conceived to serve and honour you in our Lord grows and increases every day in my soul, sorry though I am to be able to show so little fruits from it; at any rate I failed not to offer and present to you the mercy of God in my weak and languishing prayers, and above all in the holy sacrifice of the Mass. I add also prayers for your whole household which I cherish only in you and you in God.

I have learnt that you are pregnant; I have blessed God for it, who wants to increase the number of his by the increase of yours. Trees bear fruits for man; but women bear children for God, and that is why fertility is one of his blessings. Make profit of this pregnancy in two ways: offering your offspring a hundred times a day to God, as St. Augustine says his mother used to do. Then, in the ennuis and troubles which will come to you, and which usually accompany pregnancy, bless our Lord for what you suffer in making for him a new servant, who by means of his grace will praise him eternally with you.

In fine, God be in all and everywhere glorified in our trials and in our consolations! I am, &c.