Letter 117. To a Young Lady

Mademoiselle,

You must resign yourself entirely under our Dear Lord's Hand, and be sure that when you have done what little you can to carry out your good intentions^ He will accept that little favourably. In a word, be very brave in striving to become a Religious, since God gives you so earnest a desire thereto; but if after all your efforts you cannot succeed, be sure that you cannot please our Lord better than by sacrificing your will to His, and awaiting His Good Pleasure in calm trust and humility. And His Will and Pleasure will be clearly recognised in your disappointment if, after all rightful efforts, you cannot attain your wish. Our Dear Lord sometimes tests our stedfastness and love by depriving us of things which we esteem necessary, and which may be highly profitable to our souls. If He sees that, while ardent in pursuit of our desire, we are nevertheless humble, calm, and resigned to forego the object of our aspirations. He will give us greater blessings in the room of that which He withholds^ Everywhere and in everything God accepts those who can say heartily and unreservedly, “Thy Will be done.”

1:739.3 CXXI.