Letter 128. To a Lady. on Spiritual Coldness

My Dear Child,

You should not be disturbed at your own coldness, so long as it does not lead you to neglect your minor religious duties. Tell me, dear child, was not our Blessed Jesus bom amidst the winter^s cold? And why may not He dwell in a heart which owns its own chilliness? I imagine that the coldness of which you

Lettert -y complain involves no slackening of your good resolutions, but merely a sort of lassitude and heaviness of spirit, which makes you go wearily along your way, without, however, seeking to wander from it until you reach the haven. Is it not so, my child?

I shall come, if possible, to your fete^ and will give you holy Confirmation.. • • I will then tell you some of the precious truths which the Saviour impressed so earnestly upon His disciples’ hearts. Meanwhile live wholly to God, and for the Love He bears you bear with yourself in all your infirmities. To be a faithful child of God does not mean always to be enjoying sweetness and consolation, always free from struggles and reluctance to do what is right. At this rate neither S. Paula, S. Angela, nor S. Catherine of Sienna were His children! But to be His child is to be charitable towards one’s neighbour, to have an unconquerable resolution in our heart of hearts to do His Holy Will, an absolute and single humility and confidence in Him, however often one may fall; to be patient with oneself and one’s weakness, and to bear gently with the imperfections of others. You know, dear child, how my heart cleaves to you; in truth it is beyond what you can tell. May God ever be our All in AIL In Him I am, ever yours, &c.

1^779.] CXXXIIL