Letter 82. To a Religious

{Probably the person alluded to in the last Utter,)

Jan. II, 162a

I UNDERSTAND the suggestions made by your enemy, my dear child, with a view to hindering your progress, and I also see that the Holy Spirit of God is giving you grace to stand firmly and stedfastly in the path in which He would have you go. My dear daughter, the Evil One cares not how much you macerate your body, provided you nourish your self-wilL It is not austerity which he fears, it is obedience. What greater austerity is there than the constant subjection of the will to obedience?

Be honest with yourself; you delight in these voluntary penances, if indeed that may be called penance which is the work of self-will. But when after much intreaty and much consideration you took the habit, you entered the school of obedience and abnegation of self-will, instead of being guided by your own private judgment Now do not allow yourself to be upset, — ^abide where our Lord placed you. No doubt you find much to mortify your heart, through your own imperfection, which so often needs to be corrected and set right; but what ought to be your aim save true mortification of self, and a constant sense of your own unworthiness? Do you reply that you are not allowed to carry out the penitence you desire? But tell me, dear child, what better penitence can a faulty heart practise than that of bearing the cross of a renounced self-will? Enough: God will uphold you in the vocation to which He has called you with the Same Hand Which placed you in it, and the enemy will not prevail over you; but having been tried by temptation you will be crowned with perseverance. I am, my dear child, yours wholly.

CS04J LXXXV.