Letter 121. To a Lady

I RETURN your boo!: corrected, my dear child; may it be as useful to you as I wish it to be. No doubt it is well to make and remake our resolutions concerning union with God, until we attain to it. But I would not have you led by your fervour to wish in this way for temptations or occasions of mortification. By God's Grace you are not without them already, and there is no need for you to seek more; strive rather to prepare your heart to receive all such trials, not as you might choose, but when and how God wills to send them.

There is no harm in a certain satisfaction and gratitude to Divine Grace, when we are successful in our undertakings, provided we keep tight hold of humility the while. As to those matters which concern your household rather than yourself, you must attend duly to them, with one condition: — ^that of waiting pa-

Google tiently for whatever issue it may please God to send. But as to your complaints that you are miserable and unfortunate, indeed, my dearest child, you must absolutely abstain from all such; they are both unbecoming in a servant of God, and they indicate too great depression of heart; they are more signs of anger than of impatience.

Now, my dearest child, I would have you make a special practice of meekness and of acquiescence in God’s Will, not merely as regards extraordinary matters, but chiefly in respect of these little daily vexations. Prepare yourself for them in the morning and in the afternoon, before and after supper, and at night, and make this your special point of attention for a time. But let it all be done with a quiet, cheerful spirit, and if you fail, humble yourself, and begin anew.

It is well to aspire generally towards the uttermost perfection of Christian life, but it is not well to speculate too much concerning details; strive to amend and advance in the occurrences of daily life, leaving the fulfilment of your aspirations to God, and trusting absolutely to Him, as a little child who takes the food his father gives him day by day, trusting to him to go on supplying all that he may require as time goes on. You will see what I have said in your book about your temptations to env}%

SPII^ITl/AL LETTERS OF

Since you find so much benefit from Communion, be constant therein, with a fervent spirit and a pure conscience. Always be cheerful amid your temptations. Do not seek any other penance at present, but endeavour to attain a spirit of gentleness and true patience towards your neighbour, visit the sick, and be of good cheer....

I am, most heartily yours, &c.

C760.3 CXXVI.