Letter 81. To a Superior of the Visitation

ON UNWISE ABSTINENCE.

•.. This good child is right in believing her mclmation to fast to be a real temptation. It is, and will * Psalm xlv. 10.

be such while she continues to abstain in this manner, which doubtless enfeebles her body, but on the other hand strengthens her self-will. She weakens the body, but meanwhile she feeds her heart with a most poisonous self-esteem and self-love.

When abstinence is opposed to obedience, it simply transfers what is sinful from the body to the soul. Let this person strive to control her own will, and she will soon shake off these phantoms of piety to which she clings with so much mere superstition. She has consecrated her physical strength to God, and she has no right to ruin it, save when God may will that it be ruined; and she cannot know His Will save through obedience to those whom He has placed in authority over her. If necessary, you must help hei in this temptation, by calling in the advice of some faithful servant of God^ more help than mine may be needed to uproot these fanciful notions concerning external holiness, to which self-love clings so closely.

2n6

[498] LXXXIV.