Letter 61. To a Lady Who Feared Death

Madame, April 7, 1617.

I take the earliest opportunity of fulfilling my promise of setting before you some ways of diminishing that fear of death which has so greatly troubled you in your confinements and other illnesses. There is no sin in such a fear, but it is a hindrance to your soul, which, while harassed by this dread, cannot rise in such fervent love to God as it would otherwise do.

First of all, I would assure you, that if you persevere, as you are doing, in the habit of devotion, this trouble will gradually diminish, and that because, as your soul becomes more free from evil affections, and more closely united to God, it will be less tied down to this mortal life and the happiness to which we cling therein. Therefore be stedfast in leading a devout life, and go forward in the good way, and by degrees your terror will cease to be so distressing.

Secondly, dwell often upon the thought of the exceeding love and pity with which God the Father and our Dear Saviour watch over those departing souls who in life have trusted in God, striving to serve and love Him, according to their vocation. “ How great is Thy mercy, O Lord, upon them that fear Thee."

Thirdly, lift up your heart continually, in holy trust mingled with humility, towards our Redeemer, saying, “ I am frail and worthless, O Lord, but Thou wilt receive my frailty into the Bosom of Thy Mercy, and bring me to Thine heritage. In Thee, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion. I am poor and in misery, but the Lord careth for me."

Fourthly, kindle in your heart as much as possible a love of Paradise and the Life Eternal; often meditating on this subject, (you will find meditations thereon in the “ Vie Devote,") for the more you realize and love Eternal Life the less you will fear to quit this brief, fleeting life.

Fifthly, do not read books or such parts of books as treat of death, judgment, and hell. Thanks be to God, you have heartily resolved to live to Him, and do not need being urged thereto by the terrors of the Law.

Sixthly, make frequent acts of love for our Lady, the Saints and Angels; accustom yourself to familiar thoughts of them; the more friends you number among the citizens of the Heavenly Jerusalem, the less you will mind leaving those who are as yet but the denizens of this world.

Seventhly, praise and bless the Crucified Lord for

His Holy Death, putting all your trust in Him and His Merits, to grant you a happy death, often saying, ‘‘By Thine Own Precious Death, O Jesus, lead me gently through the gates of death." S. Carlo Borromeo found comfort on his deathbed by having a picture of the Sepulchre to look at, as well as in the Saviour’s words on the Mount of Olives.

Eighthly, remember thankfully that you are ti member of the Church Catholic; such of her children as strive to live according to her laws will die a happy death; as S. Theresa says, it is a great comfort at the last hour to be a child of the Catholic Church.

Ninthly, let all your prayers end with an act of trust and confidence. “ Be merciful unto me, O God, for my soul trusteth in Thee." “ Who ever trusted in the Lord and was confounded? " “ In Thee, O

Lord, have I trusted; let me never be confounded." And in your ejaculatory prayers throughout the day, as also in receiving the Holy Sacrament, be frequent in love and hope: “ Thou art my Father and my God. Thou art the joy of my soul, the delight of my heart O Jesus, my beloved Master, my Help, my Refuge."

Tenthly, accustom yourself to think of those persons whom you love best, and firom whom it would cost you most to part, as the very persons with whom you are to dwell for ever in Heaven, as, for instance,

.S: FRANCIS DK SALES.

m your husband, your little Jean, and your father. “ This dear little son will, by God's Blessing, one day share that eternal happiness with me, rejoicing in my felicity, as I in his, never to part through all Eternity.'' You can the better do this, that all your nearest and dearest love and serve God. And as you are somewhat disposed to be melancholy, read what I have said about that and its remedies in the “ Vie Devote.''

I think, dear Madame, that I can say no more at present on this subject. With great affection, and begging you to commend me to God's Mercy, as I will never fail to seek His Blessing for you, I am, yours, &c.

C39».] LXIV.