Chapter VIII

Treats of the great advantage of detaching ourselves from all created things, whether interior or exterior. Of the many benefits gained by those who have left the world by severing themselves from their relatives, and how they will meet with far truer friendship instead of that which they have given up.¹

1. Detachment. 2. Human affection for our relatives.

1. Now we will consider what is the detachment which we are bound to feel: if this be perfect it will include everything else. I say 'it will include everything else' because, if we cling to our Creator alone and care nothing for created things, His Majesty will infuse the virtues into us, so that, doing by degrees all that is in our power, we shall have little left with which to struggle, for our Lord will defend us against the devils and the whole world as well. Do you think that it is a small gain to give ourselves entirely to Him, keeping nothing for ourselves, since in His goodness all is contained as I told you? Be very grateful to Him, sisters, for bringing us here together where this is all that we care about.² I cannot tell why I am speaking about it to you, all of whom are capable of teaching me on the subject, for I own that, in this respect, I am not as perfect as I wish and as I know I ought to be; indeed, I am the most imperfect of you all.³ I have to say the same with regard to all the virtues and other matters which I treat of here, for it is easier to write of them than to practise them. Indeed, I may often fail even to write well of them, for sometimes one can only speak correctly of such things by experience, so that if I do succeed it must be by describing them as the opposite of my own qualities.⁴ However, at your request, I will mention some matters which occur to me. It is clear that our lives are cut off from all outward things here: our Lord seems to wish to deprive us of all that would hold us captive to this world, so that He may, without impediment, draw us to Himself. O my Creator and my Sovereign! how have I deserved this great honour? Thou seemest to have sought for means whereby Thou couldst come nearer to us. By Thy mercy, permit us not to lose Thee. O my sisters! for the love of God consider what a signal grace our Lord has shown to those whom He has brought here. Let each of you realise it for herself, since of the twelve nuns His Majesty has chosen her for one. And how many, what a multitude, better than myself do I know of who would joyfully accept my place! Yet our Lord has bestowed this favour on me who so ill deserve it. Blessed be Thou, O my God! and may the angels and all creatures praise Thee, for I have as little merited this favour as I have the many others which Thou hast shown me. The vocation of a nun was an immense grace, yet I have been so wicked that Thou couldst not trust me, Lord. Among a number of people my guilt would not have been so noticeable during my life-time and I should have hidden it as I did for so many years; but Thou, O Lord! hast brought me to where there are so few others that it seems impossible for my sins to remain unnoticed. That I might lead a better life, Thou hast removed me from all chance of evil. Therefore I confess, O Lord! that there is no excuse for my delinquencies and I have but greater need of Thy mercy to pardon me.

2. Remember, sisters, we are far more to blame than others if we are not so good, therefore, I earnestly beg her who feels beforehand that she has not fortitude of soul to observe what is practised here, to say so before her profession. There are other convents where, perhaps, our Lord may be served as well. Let her not disturb the small community which His Majesty has brought together here. There are many houses in which a nun is allowed to enjoy the society of her kindred: here, if relations are admitted, it is only for their own sake.⁵ The sister who wishes, for her personal pleasure, to see her relatives and who does not weary of their society on their second visit unless they are spiritual persons who help her soul, must recognise that she is imperfect and not detached—she is not well, and will not obtain liberty of spirit nor perfect peace — she needs a physician. I affirm that unless she changes and is cured she is unfit for the house. As far as I know, the best remedy is that she should have no interviews with her relations until she feels emancipated from this bond, having obtained the grace from God by many prayers. When receiving her kindred has become a cross to a nun,⁶ by all means let her see them sometimes for their own good, as she will certainly profit them and do herself no harm; but if she is very fond of them, if their troubles affect her deeply, and if she is delighted at their success in the world, let her be sure that she will injure herself and do them no good.