Letter IX. To a Lady

It is permitted to mourn the dead with moderation and resignation. Long sicknesses are advantageous.

So, then, ray dearest daughter, I am just told that your dear sister is gone, leaving us here below with the affections of grief, which generally attack those left behind in such separations. O God! I take care, my dearest child, not to say " weep not." No, for it is very just and reasonable that you should weep a little, but a little, my dear child, in testimony of the sincere love you bore her; in imitation of our dear Master who certainly wept a little over his friend Lazarus; but we must not weep much, as those do, who, contracting all their thoughts to the moments of this miserable life, remember not that we also are going towards eternity, where, if we live well in this life, we shall rejoin our dear departed ones, never to leave them again.

We cannot hinder our poor heart from feeling the condition of this life, and the loss of those who were our delightful companions therein; but we must not, for all this, betray the solemn profession we have made to join our will inseparably to that of our God.

How happy is that dear sister, to have seen come, little by little, and from afar, this hour of her departure!.For thus she prepared herself to make it holily. Let us adore this Divine Providence, and say: Yes, you are blessed, and all that pleases you is good. My God! dearest child, how sweetly should these little events be received by our hearts: our hearts, I say, which henceforth ought to have more affection in heaven than on earth! I will pray to God for this soul, and for the consolation of those who are his.

Do not put yourself in trouble about your prayer, nor about this variety of desires which you have, for the variety of affections is not bad, nor the desire of many distinct virtues.

As to your resolutions, you may particularize them thus: — I will practise more faithfully the virtues which are necessary to me; as, for example, on such an occasion which may present itself, I am prepared to practise such a virtue; and so forth.

It is not necessary to use words, even interior ones; it suffices to excite the heart, or to repose it on our Lord; it suffices to regard amorously this Divine lover of our souls, for between lovers, eyes speak better than tongue.

I write without leisure, and in presence of the bearer. Good night, then, my dearest child; pour the death of our sister into that of our Saviour. Regard this death of our sister only in that of our Redeemer. May his will be for ever glorified! Amen.

Your very humble servant, &c.

Q %