Letter 99. To a Newly Appointed Superior

The service you arc about to render to our Lord and His Dear Mother is apostolic; you are going to gather together certain souls in a congregation, with a view to leading them in a united band to the spiritual war we have to make on God’s behalf against the world, the flesh, and the devil; or rather you are going to collect a new swarm of bees, who will gather the sweet honey of Divine Love within their hive. Be all very courageous, through full confidence in His Goodness Who calls you to this holy task. Who ever trusted in God, and was put to confusion?

Your mistrust of self is good, so long as it is the groundwork of confidence in God; but if it ever should lead you to being discouraged, disturbed, vexed, or melancholy, then I intreat you reject it as the greatest possible temptation, and do not allow your mind to argue or dally with the anxiety or depression to which you are disposed. It is a simple and certain truth that God permits those who seek to serve Him to encounter many difficulties, but also that He never leaves them to sink under the burthen so long as they trust in Him. The great thing you must heed is, never to let your mind argue in favour of the temptation to be discouraged, under any pretext whatever, not even under the plausible pretext of humility. Humility, my dear daughter, would fain refuse responsible positions, but it does not persist in refusing them; and if placed in any such by those • who have rightM authority, humility does not dwell upon its own unworthiness, but goes on believing all things, hoping all things, bearing all things in charity, always being perfectly simple-hearted. Holy humility is a close follower of obedience, and while not daring to think itself capable of an)rthing, it believes obedience capable of everything. Just as true simplicity would shun responsibilities through humility, so true humility fulfils them simply. Your body is weak, but the wedding garment of charity will cover all that. Weak people draw all who know them to give what support they may, and are objects of great affection when they carry their Cross meekly and lovingly.

We ought to be alike foremost in seeking and taking remedies, and patient and brave in bearing our ills. He who can maintain meekness amid pain and weariness, and peace amid worry and overwhelming cares, is well nigh perfect; and although there are but few even among Religious who have attained to so blessed a height, still at all times some such have been found, and we ought all to aim at it Almost every one finds certain virtues easy to practise and others more difficult; and every one contends in favour of that which is easy to himself, exaggerating the difficulties of that which is not so easy to him. Among the ten Virgins of Holy Writ, only five possessed the blessed oil of wisdom and holy joy. Perfect evenness of temper, true gentleness and sweetness of heart, are more rare than perfect chastity, but they are so

SPIRUVAL LETTERS OF much the more to be cultivated. I commend them to you, my dearest daughter, because upon these, like the oil of a lamp, depends the flame ot good example. Nothing is so edifying as a loving good temper.

Mete out a very even measure among your spiritual daughters, and do not let yourself be led by natural gifts to bestow affection or kindness imfairly. How many people whose external manner is disagreeable are most acceptable in God’s Sight 1 Beauty, a pleasant manner, gracious words, often make persons very attractive, who nevertheless are living wholly to themselves; true charity looks for real goodness and moral beauty, and pours itself out upon all without preferences.

Go on then, my dear daughter, in the work to which God has called you: He will be on your right hand, so that no difficulty need move you; He will lead you along His own path with His own Hand. Be of good courage, and let your courage be not merely great, but stedfast and enduring. In order to win it, ask it continually of Him Who Alone can give it; He will give it, if you correspond to His Grace in all simplicity of heart

May the love, the peace, and the consolation of His Holy Spirit be ever in your soul, Amen. I give you God’s Holy Blessing with a most fatherly affection. May you be blessed as you go and as you come; serving God, and serving your neighbours; humbling yourself to the depths of your own nothingness, rising to the heights of His Grace. May God be ever your all, my dearest daughter. Amen.

C693.] cm.