Letter 20. To Madame Brulart

Annecy, Jan, 30, 1607.

You ask whether you may communicate two days running, when festivals come after your ordinary days for receiving the Blessed Sacrament... If it is a great festival, it should certainly be celebrated by an extra communion; for how can we keep a great day without that holy Feast?...

*Ps. xxvii. la

The multitude of thoughts which trouble you should not be separately handled, you would never be able to conquer them one by one. Only from time to time (I mean several times a day) give them the lie collectively, and reject them all together, and then let the enemy make what clatter he will outside your heart, it matters not, so long as he does not come within. Be in peace yourself, though surrounded with war, and be not afraid. God is on your side. I pray Him to draw you more and more to Himself. Amen.

You are right in accusing yourself of superfluity or excess, but aim at a wise moderation, keeping to the rule of neither being less liberal or handsome in your reception of your friends than is suitable to your position and theirs, nor on the other hand exceeding that which is duly liberal. I am myself inclined to this latter fault, and have to watch against it, though of course I am in a great measure guarded and guided by ecclesiastical rules.

[”5.] XXL