Letter XX. To the Same

Counsels on the same subject. My dearest daughter, since your pregnancy troubles you very much with regard to your long and ordinary mental prayer, make it short and earnest: make up the want by frequent liftings of your soul towards God; often read, a little at a time, some very spiritual book; form good thoughts while you walk; pray little and often j offer your languors and lassitudes to our crucified Lord; and after your delivery, take up your course again quietly, and accustom yourself to follow the order of some suitable book, in order that when the hour of prayer comes you may not be at a loss like one who at dinner-time has nothing ready. And if sometimes you have no book, make your meditation on some fertile mystery, such as death or the passion — the first which comes to your mind.