St.

Teresa of Avila
5

WAY OF PERFECTION Translated by E. Allison Peers

34 GENERAL ARGUMENT OF THIS BOOK 35 Book Called Way of Perfe tion Co!"osed by Teresa of #es$s% N$n of t&e Order of O$r 'ady of Car!el% addressed to t&e (is al ed N$ns of Or 'ady of Car!el of t&e First R$le. 64 #. ). S. T&is book treats of !a*i!s and o$nsels +&i & Teresa of #es$s ,ives to &er da$,&ters and sisters in reli,ion% belon,in, to t&e Convents +&i &% +it& t&e favo$r of O$r 'ord and of t&e ,lorio$s -ir,in% .ot&er of /od% O$r 'ady% s&e &as fo$nded a ordin, to t&e First R$le of O$r 'ady of Car!el. In "arti $lar s&e addresses it to t&e sisters of t&e Convent of Saint #ose"& of Avila% +&i & +as t&e first Convent% and of +&i & s&e +as Prioress +&en s&e +rote it. PROTESTATIONS In all t&at I s&all say in t&is Book% I s$b!it to +&at is ta$,&t by O$r .ot&er% t&e )oly Ro!an C&$r &0 if t&ere is anyt&in, in it ontrary to t&is% it +ill be +it&o$t !y kno+led,e. T&erefore% for t&e love of O$r 'ord% I be, t&e learned !en +&o are to revise it to look at it very aref$lly and to a!end any fa$lts of t&is nat$re +&i & t&ere !ay be in it and t&e !any ot&ers +&i & it +ill &ave of ot&er kinds. If t&ere is anyt&in, ,ood in it% let t&is be to t&e ,lory and &ono$r of /od and in t&e servi e of )is !ost sa red .ot&er% o$r Patroness and 'ady% +&ose &abit% t&o$,& all $n+ort&ily% I +ear. PROLOGUE 85 #. ). S.

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T&e sisters of t&is Convent of Saint #ose"&% kno+in, t&at I &ad &ad leave fro! Fat&er Presentado Fray (o!in,o Ba9es% of t&e Order of t&e ,lorio$s Saint (o!ini % +&o at "resent is !y onfessor% to +rite ertain t&in,s abo$t "rayer% +&i & it see!s I !ay be able to s$ eed in doin, sin e I &ave &ad to do +it& !any &oly and s"irit$al "ersons% &ave% o$t of t&eir ,reat love for !e% so earnestly be,,ed !e to say so!et&in, to t&e! abo$t t&is t&at I &ave resolved to obey t&e!. I reali:e t&at t&e ,reat love +&i & t&ey &ave for !e !ay render t&e i!"erfe tion and t&e "overty of !y style in +&at I s&all say to t&e! !ore a e"table t&an ot&er books +&i & are very ably +ritten by t&ose +&o &ave kno+n +&at t&ey are +ritin, abo$t. I rely $"on t&eir "rayers% by !eans of +&i & t&e 'ord !ay be "leased to enable !e to say so!et&in, on ernin, t&e +ay and !et&od of life +&i & it is fittin, s&o$ld be "ra tised in t&is &o$se. If I do not s$ eed in doin, t&is% Fat&er Presentado% +&o +ill first read +&at I &ave +ritten% +ill eit&er "$t it ri,&t or b$rn it% so t&at I s&all &ave lost not&in, by obeyin, t&ese servants of /od% and t&ey +ill see &o+ $seless I a! +&en )is .a;esty does not &el" !e. .y intent is to s$,,est a fe+ re!edies for a n$!ber of s!all te!"tations +&i & o!e fro! t&e devil% and +&i &% be a$se t&ey are so sli,&t% are a"t to "ass $nnoti ed. I s&all also +rite of ot&er t&in,s% a ordin, as t&e 'ord reveals t&e! to !e and as t&ey o!e to !y !ind0 sin e I do not kno+ +&at I a! ,oin, to say I annot set it do+n in s$itable order0 and I t&ink it is better for !e not to do so% for it is <$ite $ns$itable t&at I s&o$ld be +ritin, in t&is +ay at all. .ay t&e 'ord lay )is &and on all t&at I do so t&at it !ay be in a ordan e +it& )is &oly +ill0 t&is is al+ays !y desire% alt&o$,& !y a tions !ay be as i!"erfe t as I !yself a!. I kno+ t&at I a! la kin, neit&er in love nor in desire to do all I an to &el" t&e so$ls of !y sisters to !ake ,reat "ro,ress in t&e servi e of t&e 'ord. It !ay be t&at t&is love% to,et&er +it& !y years and t&e e*"erien e +&i & I &ave of a n$!ber of onvents% +ill !ake !e !ore s$ essf$l in +ritin, abo$t s!all !atters t&an learned !en an be. For t&ese% bein, t&e!selves stron, and &andin, ot&er and !ore i!"ortant o $"ations% do not al+ays "ay s$ & &eed to t&in,s +&i & in t&e!selves see! of no i!"ortan e b$t +&i & !ay do ,reat &ar! to "ersons as +eak as +e +o!en are. For t&e snares laid by t&e devil for stri tly loistered n$ns are n$!ero$s and &e finds t&at &e needs ne+ +ea"ons if &e is to do t&e! &ar!. I% bein, a +i ked +o!an% &ave defended !yself b$t ill% and so I s&o$ld like !y sisters to take +arnin, by !e. I s&all s"eak of not&in, of +&i & I &ave no e*"erien e% eit&er in !y o+n life or in t&e observation of ot&ers% or +&i & t&e 'ord &as not ta$,&t !e in "rayer. A fe+ days a,o I +as o!!anded to +rite an a o$nt of !y life in +&i & I also dealt +it& ertain !atters on ernin, "rayer. It !ay be t&at !y onfessor +ill not +is& yo$ to see t&is% for +&i & reason I s&all set do+n &ere so!e of t&e t&in,s +&i & I said in t&at book and ot&ers +&i & !ay also see! to !e ne essary. .ay t&e 'ord dire t t&is% as I &ave be,,ed )i! to do% and order it for )is ,reater ,lory. A!en. CHAPTER 1. Of t ! r!a"#$ % i& '#(!) '! t# f#u$) t i" &#$(!$t i$ "u& "tri&t #*"!r(a$&!.

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W&en t&is onvent +as ori,inally fo$nded% for t&e reasons set do+n in t&e book +&i &% as I say% I &ave already +ritten% and also be a$se of ertain +onderf$l revelations by +&i & t&e 'ord s&o+ed !e &o+ +ell )e +o$ld be served in t&is &o$se% it +as not !y intention t&at t&ere s&o$ld be so !$ & a$sterity in e*ternal !atters% nor t&at it s&o$ld &ave no re,$lar in o!e= on t&e ontrary% I s&o$ld &ave liked t&ere to be no "ossibility of +ant. I a ted% in s&ort% like t&e +eak and +ret &ed +o!an t&at I a!% alt&o$,& I did so +it& ,ood intentions and not o$t of onsideration for !y o+n o!fort. At abo$t t&is ti!e t&ere a!e to !y noti e t&e &ar! and &avo t&at +ere bein, +ro$,&t in Fran e by t&ese '$t&erans and t&e +ay in +&i & t&eir $n&a""y se t +as in reasin,. T&is tro$bled !e very !$ &% and% as t&o$,& I o$ld do anyt&in,% or be of any &el" in t&e !atter% I +e"t before t&e 'ord and entreated )i! to re!edy t&is ,reat evil. I felt t&at I +o$ld &ave laid do+n a t&o$sand lives to save a sin,le one of all t&e so$ls t&at +ere bein, lost t&ere. And% seein, t&at I +as a +o!an% and a sinner% and in a"able of doin, all I s&o$ld like in t&e 'ord>s servi e% and as !y +&ole yearnin, +as% and still is% t&at% as )e &as so !any ene!ies and so fe+ friends% t&ese last s&o$ld be tr$sty ones% I deter!ined to do t&e little t&at +as in !e 9 na!ely% to follo+ t&e evan,eli al o$nsels as "erfe tly as I o$ld% and to see t&at t&ese fe+ n$ns +&o are &ere s&o$ld do t&e sa!e% onfidin, in t&e ,reat ,oodness of /od% W&o never fails to &el" t&ose +&o resolve to forsake everyt&in, for )is sake. As t&ey are all t&at I &ave ever "ainted t&e! as bein, in !y desires% I &o"ed t&at t&eir virt$es +o$ld !ore t&an o$ntera t !y defe ts% and I s&o$ld t&$s be able to ,ive t&e 'ord so!e "leas$re% and all of $s% by b$syin, o$rselves in "rayer for t&ose +&o are defenders of t&e C&$r &% and for t&e "rea &ers and learned !en +&o defend &er% s&o$ld do everyt&in, +e o$ld to aid t&is 'ord of !ine W&o is so !$ & o""ressed by t&ose to +&o! )e &as s&o+n so !$ & ,ood t&at it see!s as t&o$,& t&ese traitors +o$ld send )i! to t&e Cross a,ain and t&at )e +o$ld &ave no+&ere to lay )is &ead. O&% !y Redee!er% !y &eart annot on eive t&is +it&o$t bein, sorely distressed? W&at &as be o!e of C&ristians no+@ .$st t&ose +&o o+e T&ee !ost al+ays be t&ose +&o distress T&ee@ T&ose to +&o! T&o$ doest t&e ,reatest kindnesses% +&o! T&o$ dost &oose for T&y friends% a!on, +&o! T&o$ dost !ove% o!!$ni atin, T&yself to t&e! t&ro$,& t&e Sa ra!ents@ (o t&ey not t&ink% 'ord of !y so$l% t&at t&ey &ave !ade T&ee end$re !ore t&an s$ffi ient tor!ents@ It is ertain% !y 'ord% t&at in t&ese days +it&dra+al fro! t&e +orld !eans no sa rifi e at all. Sin e +orldly "eo"le &ave so little res"e t for T&ee% +&at an +e e*"e t t&e! to &ave for $s@ Can it be t&at +e deserve t&at t&ey s&o$ld treat $s any better t&an t&ey &ave treated T&ee@ )ave +e done !ore for t&e! t&an T&o$ &ast done t&at t&ey s&o$ld be friendly to $s@ W&at t&en@ W&at an +e e*"e t 9 +e +&o% t&ro$,& t&e ,oodness of t&e 'ord% are free fro! t&at "estilential infe tion% and do not% like t&ose ot&ers% belon, to t&e devil@ T&ey &ave +on severe "$nis&!ent at &is &ands and t&eir "leas$res &ave ri &ly earned t&e! eternal fire. So to eternal fire t&ey +ill &ave to ,o% t&o$,& none t&e less it breaks !y &eart to see so !any so$ls travellin, to "erdition. I +o$ld t&e evil +ere not so ,reat and I did not see !ore bein, lost every day. O&% !y sisters in C&rist? )el" !e to entreat t&is of t&e 'ord% W&o &as bro$,&t yo$ to,et&er &ere for t&at very "$r"ose. T&is is yo$r vo ation0 t&is !$st be yo$r b$siness0

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t&ese !$st be yo$r desires0 t&ese yo$r tears0 t&ese yo$r "etitions. 'et $s not "ray for +orldly t&in,s% !y sisters. It !akes !e la$,&% and yet it !akes !e sad% +&en I &ear of t&e t&in,s +&i & "eo"le o!e &ere to be, $s to "ray to /od for0 +e are to ask )is .a;esty to ,ive t&e! !oney and to "rovide t&e! +it& in o!es 9 I +is& t&at so!e of t&ese "eo"le +o$ld entreat /od to enable t&e! to tra!"le all s$ & t&in,s beneat& t&eir feet. T&eir intentions are <$ite ,ood% and I do as t&ey ask be a$se I see t&at t&ey are really devo$t "eo"le% t&o$,& I do not !yself believe t&at /od ever &ears !e +&en I "ray for s$ & t&in,s. T&e +orld is on fire. .en try to onde!n C&rist on e a,ain% as it +ere% for t&ey brin, a t&o$sand false +itnesses a,ainst )i!. T&ey +o$ld ra:e )is C&$r & to t&e ,ro$nd 9 and are +e to +aste o$r ti!e $"on t&in,s +&i &% if /od +ere to ,rant t&e!% +o$ld "er&a"s brin, one so$l less to )eaven@ No% !y sisters% t&is is no ti!e to treat +it& /od for t&in,s of little i!"ortan e. Were it not ne essary to onsider &$!an frailty% +&i & finds satisfa tion in every kind of &el" 9 and it is al+ays a ,ood t&in, if +e an be of any &el" to "eo"le 9 I s&o$ld like it to be $nderstood t&at it is not for t&in,s like t&ese t&at /od s&o$ld be i!"ort$ned +it& s$ & an*iety. CHAPTER +. Tr!at" #f #% t ! $!&!""iti!" #f t ! *#)y " #ul) *! )i"r!,ar)!) a$) #f t ! ,##) t at &#'!" fr#' p#(!rty. (o not t&ink% !y sisters% t&at be a$se yo$ do not ,o abo$t tryin, to "lease "eo"le in t&e +orld yo$ +ill la k food. Yo$ +ill not% I ass$re yo$= never try to s$stain yo$rselves by &$!an artifi es% or yo$ +ill die of &$n,er% and ri,&tly so. Aee" yo$r eyes fi*ed $"on yo$r S"o$se= it is for )i! to s$stain yo$0 and% if )e is "leased +it& yo$% even t&ose +&o like yo$ least +ill ,ive yo$ food% if $n+illin,ly% as yo$ &ave fo$nd by e*"erien e. If yo$ s&o$ld do as I say and yet die of &$n,er% t&en &a""y are t&e n$ns of Saint #ose"&>s? For t&e love of t&e 'ord% let $s not for,et t&is= yo$ &ave for,one a re,$lar in o!e0 for,o +orry abo$t food as +ell% or t&o$ +ill lose everyt&in,. 'et t&ose +&o! t&e 'ord +is&es to live on an in o!e do so= if t&at is t&eir vo ation% t&ey are "erfe tly ;$stified0 b$t for $s to do so% sisters% +o$ld be in onsistent. Worryin, abo$t ,ettin, !oney fro! ot&er "eo"le see!s to !e like t&inkin, abo$t +&at ot&er "eo"le en;oy. )o+ever !$ & yo$ +orry% yo$ +ill not !ake t&e! &an,e t&eir !inds nor +ill t&ey be o!e desiro$s of ,ivin, yo$ al!s. 'eave t&ese an*ieties to )i! W&o an !ove everyone% W&o is t&e 'ord of all !oney and of all +&o "ossess !oney. It is by )is o!!and t&at +e &ave o!e &ere and )is +ords are tr$e 9 t&ey annot fail= )eaven and eart& +ill fail first. 'et $s not fail )i!% and let $s &ave no fear t&at )e +ill fail $s0 if )e s&o$ld ever do so it +ill be for o$r ,reater ,ood% ;$st as t&e saints failed to kee" t&eir lives +&en t&ey +ere slain for t&e 'ord>s sake% and t&eir bliss +as in reased t&ro$,& t&eir !artyrdo!. We s&o$ld be !akin, a ,ood e* &an,e if +e o$ld &ave done +it& t&is life <$i kly and en;oy everlastin, satiety. Re!e!ber% sisters% t&at t&is +ill be i!"ortant +&en I a! dead0 and t&at is +&y I a! leavin, it to yo$ in +ritin,. For% +it& /od>s &el"% as lon, as I live% I +ill re!ind yo$ of it !yself% as I kno+ by e*"erien e +&at a ,reat &el" it +ill be to yo$. It is +&en I

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"ossess least t&at I &ave t&e fe+est +orries and t&e 'ord kno+s t&at% as far as I an tell% I a! !ore affli ted +&en t&ere is e* ess of anyt&in, t&an +&en t&ere is la k of it0 I a! not s$re if t&at is t&e 'ord>s doin,% b$t I &ave noti ed t&at )e "rovides for $s i!!ediately. To a t ot&er+ise +o$ld be to de eive t&e +orld by "retendin, to be "oor +&en +e are not "oor in s"irit b$t only o$t+ardly. .y ons ien e +o$ld ,ive !e a bad ti!e. It see!s to !e it +o$ld be like stealin, +&at +as bein, ,iven $s% as one !i,&t say0 for I s&o$ld feel as if +e +ere ri & "eo"le askin, al!s= "lease /od t&is !ay never be so. T&ose +&o +orry too !$ & abo$t t&e al!s t&at t&ey are likely to be ,iven +ill find t&at sooner or later t&is bad &abit +ill lead t&e! to ,o and ask for so!et&in, +&i & t&ey do not need% and "er&a"s fro! so!eone +&o needs it !ore t&an t&ey do. S$ & a "erson +o$ld ,ain rat&er t&an lose by ,ivin, it $s b$t +e s&o$ld ertainly be t&e +orse off for &avin, it. /od forbid t&is s&o$ld ever &a""en% !y da$,&ters0 if it +ere likely to do so% I s&o$ld "refer yo$ to &ave a re,$lar in o!e. I be, yo$% for t&e love of /od% ;$st as if I +ere be,,in, al!s for yo$% never to allo+ t&is to o $"y yo$r t&o$,&ts. If t&e very least of yo$ ever &ears of s$ & a t&in, &a""enin, in t&is &o$se% ry o$t abo$t it to )is .a;esty and s"eak to yo$r S$"erior. Tell &er &$!bly t&at s&e is doin, +ron,0 t&is is so serio$s a !atter t&at it !ay a$se tr$e "overty ,rad$ally to disa""ear. I &o"e in t&e 'ord t&at t&is +ill not be so and t&at )e +ill not forsake )is servants0 and for t&at reason% if for no ot&er% +&at yo$ &ave told !e to +rite !ay be $sef$l to yo$ as a re!inder. .y da$,&ters !$st believe t&at it is for t&eir o+n ,ood t&at t&e 'ord &as enabled !e to reali:e in so!e s!all de,ree +&at blessin,s are to be fo$nd in &oly "overty. T&ose of t&e! +&o "ra tise it +ill also reali:e t&is% t&o$,& "er&a"s not as learly as I do0 for% alt&o$,& I &ad "rofessed "overty% I +as not only +it&o$t "overty of s"irit% b$t !y s"irit +as devoid of all restraint. Poverty is ,ood and ontains +it&in itself all t&e ,ood t&in,s in t&e +orld. It is a ,reat do!ain 9 I !ean t&at &e +&o ares not&in, for t&e ,ood t&in,s of t&e +orld &as do!inion over t&e! all. W&at do kin,s and lords !atter to !e if I &ave no desire to "ossess t&eir !oney% or to "lease t&e!% if by so doin, I s&o$ld a$se t&e least dis"leas$re to /od@ And +&at do t&eir &ono$rs !ean to !e if I &ave reali:ed t&at t&e &ief &ono$r of a "oor !an onsists in &is bein, tr$ly "oor@ For !y o+n "art% I believe t&at &ono$r and !oney nearly al+ays ,o to,et&er% and t&at &e +&o desires &ono$r never &ates !oney% +&ile &e +&o &ates !oney ares little for &ono$r. 1nderstand t&is learly% for I t&ink t&is on ern abo$t &ono$r al+ays i!"lies so!e sli,&t re,ard for endo+!ents or !oney= seldo! or never is a "oor !an &ono$red by t&e +orld0 &o+ever +ort&y of &ono$r &e !ay be% &e is a"t rat&er to be des"ised by it. Wit& tr$e "overty t&ere ,oes a different kind of &ono$r to +&i & nobody an take ob;e tion. I !ean t&at% if "overty is e!bra ed for /od>s sake alone% no one &as to be "leased save /od. It is ertain t&at a !an +&o &as no need of anyone &as !any friends= in !y o+n e*"erien e I &ave fo$nd t&is to be very tr$e. A ,reat deal &as been +ritten abo$t t&is virt$e +&i & I annot $nderstand% still less e*"ress% and I s&o$ld only be !akin, t&in,s +orse if I +ere to e$lo,i:e it% so I +ill say no !ore abo$t it no+. I &ave only s"oken of +&at I &ave !yself e*"erien ed and I onfess t&at I &ave been so !$ & absorbed t&at $ntil no+ I &ave &ardly reali:ed +&at I &ave been +ritin,. )o+ever% it &as been said no+. O$r ar!s are &oly "overty% +&i &

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+as so ,reatly estee!ed and so stri tly observed by o$r &oly Fat&ers at t&e be,innin, of t&e fo$ndation of o$r Order. BSo!eone +&o kno+s abo$t t&is tells !e t&at t&ey never ke"t anyt&in, fro! one day to t&e ne*t.C For t&e love of t&e 'ord% t&en% DI be, yo$E no+ t&at t&e r$le of "overty is less "erfe tly observed as re,ards o$t+ard t&in,s% let $s strive to observe it in+ardly. O$r life lasts only for a o$"le of &o$rs0 o$r re+ard is bo$ndless0 and% if t&ere +ere no re+ard b$t to follo+ t&e o$nsels ,iven $s by t&e 'ord% to i!itate )is .a;esty in any de,ree +o$ld brin, $s a ,reat re o!"ense. T&ese ar!s !$st a""ear on o$r banners and at all osts +e !$st kee" t&is r$le 9 as re,ards o$r &o$se% o$r lot&es% o$r s"ee &% and B+&i & is !$ & !ore i!"ortantC o$r t&o$,&ts. So lon, as t&is is done% t&ere need be no fear% +it& t&e &el" of /od% t&at reli,io$s observan es in t&is &o$se +ill de line% for% as Saint Clare said% t&e +alls of "overty are very stron,. It +as +it& t&ese +alls% s&e said% and +it& t&ose of &$!ility% t&at s&e +is&ed to s$rro$nd &er onvents0 and ass$redly% if t&e r$le of "overty is tr$ly ke"t% bot& &astity and all t&e ot&er virt$es are fortified !$ & better t&an by t&e !ost s$!"t$o$s edifi es. )ave a are to t&is% for t&e love of /od0 and t&is I be, of yo$ by )is blood. If I !ay say +&at !y ons ien e bids !e% I s&o$ld +is& t&at% on t&e day +&en yo$ b$ild s$ & edifi es% t&ey !ay fall do+n and kill yo$ all. It see!s very +ron,% !y da$,&ters% t&at ,reat &o$ses s&o$ld be b$ilt +it& t&e !oney of t&e "oor0 !ay /od forbid t&at t&is s&o$ld be done0 let o$r &o$ses be s!all and "oor in every +ay. 'et $s to so!e e*tent rese!ble o$r Ain,% W&o &ad no &o$se save t&e "or & in Bet&le&e! +&ere )e +as born and t&e Cross on +&i & )e died. T&ese +ere &o$ses +&ere little o!fort o$ld be fo$nd. T&ose +&o ere t lar,e &o$ses +ill no do$bt &ave ,ood reasons for doin, so. I do not $tterly onde!n t&e!= t&ey are !oved by vario$s &oly intentions. B$t any orner is s$ffi ient for t&irteen "oor +o!en. If ,ro$nds s&o$ld be t&o$,&t ne essary on a o$nt of t&e stri tness of t&e en los$re% and also as an aid to "rayer and devotion% and be a$se o$r !iserable nat$re needs s$ & t&in,s% +ell and ,ood0 and let t&ere be a fe+ &er!ita,es in t&e! in +&i & t&e sisters !ay ,o to "ray. B$t as for a lar,e ornate onvent% +it& a lot of b$ildin,s 9 /od "reserve $s fro! t&at? Al+ays re!e!ber t&at t&ese t&in,s +ill all fall do+n on t&e (ay of #$d,!ent% and +&o kno+s &o+ soon t&at +ill be@ It +o$ld &ardly look +ell if t&e &o$se of t&irteen "oor +o!en !ade a ,reat noise +&en it fell% for t&ose +&o are really "oor !$st !ake no noise= $nless t&ey live a noiseless life "eo"le +ill never take "ity on t&e!. And &o+ &a""y !y sisters +ill be if t&ey see so!eone freed fro! &ell by !eans of t&e al!s +&i & &e &as ,iven t&e!0 and t&is is <$ite "ossible% sin e t&ey are stri tly bo$nd to offer ontin$al "rayer for "ersons +&o ,ive t&e! food. It is also /od>s +ill t&at% alt&o$,& t&e food o!es fro! )i!% +e s&o$ld t&ank t&e "ersons by +&ose !eans )e ,ives it to $s= let t&ere be no ne,le t of t&is. I do not re!e!ber +&at I &ad be,$n to say% for I &ave strayed fro! !y s$b;e t. B$t I t&ink t&is !$st &ave been t&e 'ord>s +ill% for I never intended to +rite +&at I &ave said &ere. .ay )is .a;esty al+ays kee" $s in )is &and so t&at +e !ay never fall. A!en.

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CHAPTER -. C#$ti$u!" t ! "u*.!&t *!,u$ i$ t ! fir"t & apt!r a$) p!r"ua)!" t ! "i"t!r" t# *u"y t !'"!l(!" &#$"ta$tly i$ *!"!!& i$, G#) t# !lp t #"! % # %#r/ f#r t ! C ur& . E$)" %it a$ !0&la'at#ry pray!r. 5 'et $s no+ ret$rn to t&e "rin i"al reason for +&i & t&e 'ord &as bro$,&t $s to,et&er in t&is &o$se% for +&i & reason I a! !ost desiro$s t&at +e !ay be able to "lease )is .a;esty. Seein, &o+ ,reat are t&e evils of t&e "resent day and &o+ no &$!an stren,t& +ill s$ffi e to <$en & t&e fire kindled by t&ese &ereti s Bt&o$,& atte!"ts &ave been !ade to or,ani:e o""osition to t&e!% as t&o$,& s$ & a ,reat and ra"idly s"readin, evil o$ld be re!edied by for e of ar!sC% it see!s to !e t&at it is like a +ar in +&i & t&e ene!y &as overr$n t&e +&ole o$ntry% and t&e 'ord of t&e o$ntry% &ard "ressed% retires into a ity% +&i & &e a$ses to be +ell fortified% and +&en e fro! ti!e to ti!e &e is able to atta k. T&ose +&o are in t&e ity are "i ked !en +&o an do !ore by t&e!selves t&an t&ey o$ld do +it& t&e aid of !any soldiers if t&ey +ere o+ards. Often t&is !et&od ,ains t&e vi tory0 or% if t&e ,arrison does not on<$er% it is at least not on<$ered0 for% as it ontains no traitors% b$t "i ked !en% it an be red$ ed only by &$n,er. In o$r o+n onfli t% &o+ever% +e annot be for ed to s$rrender by &$n,er0 +e an die b$t +e annot be on<$ered. No+ +&y &ave I said t&is@ So t&at yo$ !ay $nderstand% !y sisters% t&at +&at +e &ave to ask of /od is t&at% in t&is little astle of o$rs% in&abited as it is by ,ood C&ristians% none of $s !ay ,o over to t&e ene!y. We !$st ask /od% too% to !ake t&e a"tains in t&is astle or ity 9 t&at is% t&e "rea &ers and t&eolo,ians 9 &i,&ly "rofi ient in t&e +ay of t&e 'ord. And as !ost of t&ese are reli,io$s% +e !$st "ray t&at t&ey !ay advan e in "erfe tion% and in t&e f$lfil!ent of t&eir vo ation% for t&is is very needf$l. For% as I &ave already said% it is t&e e lesiasti al and not t&e se $lar ar! +&i & !$st defend $s. And as +e an do not&in, by eit&er of t&ese !eans to &el" o$r Ain,% let $s strive to live in s$ & a +ay t&at o$r "rayers !ay be of avail to &el" t&ese servants of /od% +&o% at t&e ost of so !$ & toil% &ave fortified t&e!selves +it& learnin, and virt$o$s livin, and &ave labo$red to &el" t&e 'ord. Yo$ !ay ask +&y I e!"&asi:e t&is so !$ & and +&y I say +e !$st &el" "eo"le +&o are better t&an o$rselves. I +ill tell yo$% for I a! not s$re if yo$ "ro"erly $nderstand as yet &o+ !$ & +e o+e to t&e 'ord for brin,in, $s to a "la e +&ere +e are so free fro! b$siness !atters% o asions of sin and t&e so iety of +orldly "eo"le. T&is is a very ,reat favo$r and one +&i & is not ,ranted to t&e "ersons of +&o! I &ave been s"eakin,% nor is it fittin, t&at it s&o$ld be ,ranted to t&e!0 it +o$ld be less so no+% indeed% t&an at any ot&er ti!e% for it is t&ey +&o !$st stren,t&en t&e +eak and ,ive o$ra,e to /od>s little ones. A fine t&in, it +o$ld be for soldiers if t&ey lost t&eir a"tains? T&ese "rea &ers and t&eolo,ians &ave to live a!on, !en and asso iate +it& !en and stay in "ala es and so!eti!es even be&ave as "eo"le in "ala es do in o$t+ard !atters. (o yo$ t&ink% !y da$,&ters% t&at it is an easy !atter to &ave to do b$siness +it& t&e +orld% to live in t&e +orld% to en,a,e in t&e affairs of t&e +orld% and% as I &ave said% to live as +orldly !en do% and yet in+ardly to be stran,ers to t&e +orld% and ene!ies of t&e +orld% like "ersons +&o are in e*ile 9 to be% in s&ort% not !en b$t an,els@ Yet $nless t&ese "ersons a t t&$s% t&ey neit&er deserve to bear t&e title of a"tain nor to be allo+ed by t&e 'ord to leave

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t&eir ells% for t&ey +o$ld do !ore &ar! t&an ,ood. T&is is no ti!e for i!"erfe tions in t&ose +&ose d$ty it is to tea &. 5 And if t&ese tea &ers are not in+ardly fortified by reali:in, t&e ,reat i!"ortan e of s"$rnin, everyt&in, beneat& t&eir feet and by bein, deta &ed fro! t&in,s +&i & o!e to an end on eart&% and atta &ed to t&in,s eternal% t&ey +ill betray t&is defe t in t&e!selves% &o+ever !$ & t&ey !ay try to &ide it. For +it& +&o! are t&ey dealin, b$t +it& t&e +orld@ T&ey need not fear= t&e +orld +ill not "ardon t&e! or fail to observe t&eir i!"erfe tions. Of t&e ,ood t&in,s t&ey do !any +ill "ass $nnoti ed% or +ill even not be onsidered ,ood at all0 b$t t&ey need not fear t&at any evil or i!"erfe t t&in, t&ey do +ill be overlooked. I a! a!a:ed +&en I +onder fro! +&o! t&ey learned abo$t "erfe tion% +&en% instead of "ra tisin, it t&e!selves Bfor t&ey t&ink t&ey &ave no obli,ation to do t&at and &ave done <$ite eno$,& by a reasonable observan e of t&e Co!!and!entsC% t&ey onde!n ot&ers% and at ti!es !istake virt$e for ind$l,en e. (o not t&ink% t&en% t&at t&ey need b$t little (ivine favo$r in t&is ,reat battle $"on +&i & t&ey &ave entered0 on t&e ontrary% t&ey need a ,reat deal. I be, yo$ to try to live in s$ & a +ay as to be +ort&y to obtain t+o t&in,s fro! /od. First% t&at t&ere !ay be !any of t&ese very learned and reli,io$s !en +&o &ave t&e <$alifi ations for t&eir task +&i & I &ave des ribed% and t&at t&e 'ord !ay "re"are t&ose +&o are not o!"letely "re"ared already and +&o la k anyt&in,% for a sin,le one +&o is "erfe t +ill do !ore t&an !any +&o are not. Se ondly% t&at after t&ey &ave entered $"on t&is str$,,le% +&i &% as I say% is not li,&t% b$t a very &eavy one% t&e 'ord !ay &ave t&e! in )is &and so t&at t&ey !ay be delivered fro! all t&e dan,ers t&at are in t&e +orld% and% +&ile sailin, on t&is "erilo$s sea% !ay s&$t t&eir ears to t&e son, of t&e sirens. If +e an "revail +it& /od in t&e s!allest de,ree abo$t t&is% +e s&all be fi,&tin, )is battle even +&ile livin, a loistered life and I s&all onsider as +ell s"ent all t&e tro$ble to +&i & I &ave ,one in fo$ndin, t&is retreat% +&ere I &ave also tried to ens$re t&at t&is R$le of O$r 'ady and E!"ress s&all be ke"t in its ori,inal "erfe tion. (o not t&ink t&at offerin, t&is "etition ontin$ally is $seless. So!e "eo"le t&ink it a &ards&i" not to be "rayin, all t&e ti!e for t&eir o+n so$ls. Yet +&at better "rayer o$ld t&ere be t&an t&is@ Yo$ !ay be +orried be a$se yo$ t&ink it +ill do not&in, to lessen yo$r "ains in P$r,atory% b$t a t$ally "rayin, in t&is +ay +ill relieve yo$ of so!e of t&e! and anyt&in, else t&at is left 9 +ell% let it re!ain. After all% +&at does it !atter if I a! in P$r,atory $ntil t&e (ay of #$d,!ent "rovided a sin,le so$l s&o$ld be saved t&ro$,& !y "rayer@ And &o+ !$ & less does it !atter if !any so$ls "rofit by it and t&e 'ord is &ono$red? .ake no a o$nt of any "ain +&i & &as an end if by !eans of it any ,reater servi e an be rendered to )i! W&o bore s$ & "ains for $s. Al+ays try to find o$t +&erein lies t&e ,reatest "erfe tion. And for t&e love of t&e 'ord I be, yo$ to besee & )is .a;esty to &ear $s in t&is0 I% !iserable reat$re t&o$,& I a!% besee & t&is of )is .a;esty% sin e it is for )is ,lory and t&e ,ood of )is C&$r &% +&i & are !y only +is&es. It see!s over2bold of !e to t&ink t&at I an do anyt&in, to+ards obtainin, t&is. B$t I &ave onfiden e% !y 'ord% in t&ese servants of T&ine +&o are &ere% kno+in, t&at t&ey neit&er desire nor strive after anyt&in, b$t to "lease T&ee. For T&y sake t&ey &ave left t&e little t&ey "ossessed% +is&in, t&ey &ad !ore so t&at t&ey !i,&t serve T&ee +it& it.

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Sin e T&o$% !y Creator% art not $n,ratef$l% I do not t&ink T&o$ +ilt fail to do +&at t&ey besee & of T&ee% for +&en T&o$ +ert in t&e +orld% 'ord% T&o$ didst not des"ise +o!en% b$t didst al+ays &el" t&e! and s&o+ t&e! ,reat o!"assion. T&o$ didst find !ore fait& and no less love in t&e! t&an in !en% and one of t&e! +as T&y !ost sa red .ot&er% fro! +&ose !erits +e derive !erit% and +&ose &abit +e +ear% t&o$,& o$r sins !ake $s $n+ort&y to do so. We an do not&in, in "$bli t&at is of any $se to T&ee% nor dare +e s"eak of so!e of t&e tr$t&s over +&i & +e +ee" in se ret lest T&o$ s&o$ldst not &ear t&is o$r ;$st "etition. Yet% 'ord I annot believe t&is of T&y ,oodness and ri,&teo$sness% for T&o$ art a ri,&teo$s #$d,e% not like ;$d,es in t&e +orld% +&o% bein,% after all% !en and sons of Ada!% ref$se to onsider any +o!an>s virt$e as above s$s"i ion. Yes% !y Ain,% b$t t&e day +ill o!e +&en all +ill be kno+n. I a! not s"eakin, on !y o+n a o$nt% for t&e +&ole +orld is already a+are of !y +i kedness% and I a! ,lad t&at it s&o$ld be o!e kno+n0 b$t% +&en I see +&at t&e ti!es are like% I feel it is not ri,&t to re"el s"irits +&i & are virt$o$s and brave% even t&o$,& t&ey be t&e s"irits of +o!en. )ear $s not +&en +e ask T&ee for &ono$rs% endo+!ents% !oney% or anyt&in, t&at &as to do +it& t&e +orld0 b$t +&y s&o$ldst T&o$ not &ear $s% Eternal Fat&er% +&en +e ask only for t&e &ono$r of T&y Son% +&en +e +o$ld forfeit a t&o$sand &ono$rs and a t&o$sand lives for T&y sake@ Not for o$rselves% 'ord% for +e do not deserve to be &eard% b$t for t&e blood of T&y Son and for )is !erits. O&% Eternal Fat&er? S$rely all t&ese s o$r,in,s and ins$lts and ,rievo$s tort$res +ill not be for,otten. )o+% t&en% !y Creator% an a &eart so D!er if$l andE lovin, as T&ine end$re t&at an a t +&i & +as "erfor!ed by T&y Son in order to "lease T&ee t&e !ore Bfor )e loved T&ee !ost dee"ly and T&o$ didst o!!and )i! to love $sC s&o$ld be treated as li,&tly as t&ose &ereti s treat t&e .ost )oly Sa ra!ent today% in takin, it fro! its restin,2"la e +&en t&ey destroy t&e &$r &es@ Co$ld it be t&at DT&y Son and o$r Redee!erE &ad failed to do so!et&in, to "lease T&ee@ No= )e f$lfilled everyt&in,. Was it not eno$,&% Eternal Fat&er% t&at +&ile )e lived )e &ad no "la e to lay )is &ead and &ad al+ays to end$re so !any trials@ .$st t&ey no+ de"rive )i! of t&e "la es to +&i & )e an invite )is friends% seein, &o+ +eak +e are and kno+in, t&at t&ose +&o &ave to labo$r need s$ & food to s$stain t&e!@ )ad )e not already !ore t&an s$ffi iently "aid for t&e sin of Ada!@ )as t&is !ost lovin, 'a!b to "ay on e !ore +&enever +e rela"se into sin@ Per!it it not% !y E!"eror0 let T&y .a;esty be a""eased0 look not $"on o$r sins b$t $"on o$r rede!"tion by T&y .ost Sa red Son% $"on )is !erits and $"on t&ose of )is ,lorio$s .ot&er and of all t&e saints and !artyrs +&o &ave died for T&ee. Alas% 'ord% +&o is it t&at &as dared to !ake t&is "etition in t&e na!e of all@ W&at a "oor !ediator a! I% !y da$,&ters% to ,ain a &earin, for yo$ and to "resent yo$r "etition? W&en t&is Soverei,n #$d,e sees &o+ bold I a! it !ay +ell !ove )i! to an,er% as +o$ld be bot& ri,&t and ;$st. B$t be&old% 'ord% T&o$ art a /od of !er y0 &ave !er y $"on t&is "oor sinner% t&is !iserable +or! +&o is so bold +it& T&ee. Be&old !y desires% !y /od% and t&e tears +it& +&i & I be, t&is of T&ee0 for,et !y deeds% for T&y na!e>s sake% and &ave "ity $"on all t&ese so$ls +&o are bein, lost% and &el" T&y C&$r &. (o not "er!it !ore &ar! to be +ro$,&t to C&ristendo!% 'ord0 ,ive li,&t to t&is darkness.

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For t&e love of t&e 'ord% !y sisters% I be, yo$ to o!!end t&is "oor sinner to )is .a;esty and to besee & )i! to ,ive &er &$!ility% as yo$ are bo$nd to do. I do not &ar,e yo$ to "ray "arti $larly for kin,s and "relates of t&e C&$r &% es"e ially for o$r Bis&o"% for I kno+ t&at t&ose of yo$ no+ &ere are very aref$l abo$t t&is and so I t&ink it is needless for !e to say !ore. 'et t&ose +&o are to o!e re!e!ber t&at% if t&ey &ave a "relate +&o is &oly% t&ose $nder &i! +ill be &oly too% and let t&e! reali:e &o+ i!"ortant it is to brin, &i! ontin$ally before t&e 'ord. If yo$r "rayers and desires and dis i"lines and fasts are not "erfor!ed for t&e intentions of +&i & I &ave s"oken% refle t Dand believeE t&at yo$ are not arryin, o$t t&e +ork or f$lfillin, t&e ob;e t for +&i & t&e 'ord &as bro$,&t yo$ &ere. CHAPTER 1. E0 #rt" t ! $u$" t# /!!p t !ir Rul! a$) $a'!" t r!! t i$," % i& ar! i'p#rta$t f#r t ! "piritual lif!. 2!"&ri*!" t ! fir"t #f t !"! t r!! t i$,"3 % i& i" l#(! #f #$!4" $!i, *#ur3 a$) "p!a/" #f t ! ar' % i& &a$ *! )#$! *y i$)i(i)ual fri!$)" ip". No+% da$,&ters% yo$ &ave looked at t&e ,reat enter"rise +&i & +e are tryin, to arry o$t. W&at kind of "ersons s&all +e &ave to be if +e are not to be onsidered over2bold in t&e eyes of /od and of t&e +orld@ It is lear t&at +e need to labo$r &ard and it +ill be a ,reat &el" to $s if +e &ave s$bli!e t&o$,&ts so t&at +e !ay strive to !ake o$r a tions s$bli!e also. If +e endeavo$r to observe o$r R$le and Constit$tions in t&e f$llest sense% and +it& ,reat are% I &o"e in t&e 'ord t&at )e +ill ,rant o$r re<$ests. I a! not askin, anyt&in, ne+ of yo$% !y da$,&ters 9 only t&at +e s&o$ld &old to o$r "rofession% +&i &% as it is o$r vo ation% +e are bo$nd to do% alt&o$,& t&ere are !any +ays of &oldin, to it. O$r Pri!itive R$les tells $s to "ray +it&o$t easin,. Provided +e do t&is +it& all "ossible are Band it is t&e !ost i!"ortant t&in, of allC +e s&all not fail to observe t&e fasts% dis i"lines and "eriods of silen e +&i & t&e Order o!!ands0 for% as yo$ kno+% if "rayer is to be ,en$ine it !$st be reinfor ed +it& t&ese t&in,s 9 "rayer annot be a o!"anied by self2ind$l,en e. It is abo$t "rayer t&at yo$ &ave asked !e to say so!et&in, to yo$. As an a kno+led,!ent of +&at I s&all say% I be, yo$ to read fre<$ently and +it& a ,ood +ill +&at I &ave said abo$t it t&$s far% and to "$t t&is into "ra ti e. Before s"eakin, of t&e interior life 9 t&at is% of "rayer 9 I s&all s"eak of ertain t&in,s +&i & t&ose +&o atte!"t to +alk alon, t&e +ay of "rayer !$st of ne essity "ra tise. So ne essary are t&ese t&at% even t&o$,& not ,reatly ,iven to onte!"lation% "eo"le +&o &ave t&e! an advan e a lon, +ay in t&e 'ord>s servi e% +&ile% $nless t&ey &ave t&e!% t&ey annot "ossibly be ,reat onte!"latives% and% if t&ey t&ink t&ey are% t&ey are !$ & !istaken. .ay t&e 'ord &el" !e in t&is task and tea & !e +&at I !$st say% so t&at it !ay be to )is ,lory. A!en. (o not s$""ose% !y friends and sisters% t&at I a! ,oin, to &ar,e yo$ to do a ,reat !any t&in,s0 !ay it "lease t&e 'ord t&at +e do t&e t&in,s +&i & o$r &oly Fat&ers ordained and "ra tised and by doin, +&i & t&ey !erited t&at na!e. It +o$ld be +ron, of $s to look for any ot&er +ay or to learn fro! anyone else. T&ere are only t&ree t&in,s +&i & I +ill e*"lain at so!e len,t& and +&i & are taken fro! o$r Constit$tion itself. It is essential t&at +e s&o$ld $nderstand &o+ very i!"ortant t&ey are to $s in &el"in, $s to

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"reserve t&at "ea e% bot& in+ard and o$t+ard% +&i & t&e 'ord so earnestly re o!!ended to $s. One of t&ese is love for ea & ot&er0 t&e se ond% deta &!ent fro! all reated t&in,s0 t&e t&ird% tr$e &$!ility% +&i &% alt&o$,& I "$t it last% is t&e !ost i!"ortant of t&e t&ree and e!bra es all t&e rest. 5 Wit& re,ard to t&e first 9 na!ely% love for ea & ot&er 9 t&is is of very ,reat i!"ortan e0 for t&ere is not&in,% &o+ever annoyin,% t&at annot easily be borne by t&ose +&o love ea & ot&er% and anyt&in, +&i & a$ses annoyan e !$st be <$ite e* e"tional. If t&is o!!and!ent +ere ke"t in t&e +orld% as it s&o$ld be% I believe it +o$ld take $s a lon, +ay to+ards t&e kee"in, of t&e rest0 b$t% +&at +it& &avin, too !$ & love for ea & ot&er or too little% +e never !ana,e to kee" it "erfe tly. It !ay see! t&at for $s to &ave too !$ & love for ea & ot&er annot be +ron,% b$t I do not t&ink anyone +&o &ad not been an eye2+itness of it +o$ld believe &o+ !$ & evil and &o+ !any i!"erfe tions an res$lt fro! t&is. T&e devil sets !any snares &ere +&i & t&e ons ien es of t&ose +&o ai! only in a ro$,&2and2ready +ay at "leasin, /od seldo! observe 9 indeed% t&ey t&ink t&ey are a tin, virt$o$sly 9 b$t t&ose +&o are ai!in, at "erfe tion $nderstand +&at t&ey are very +ell= little by little t&ey de"rive t&e +ill of t&e stren,t& +&i & it needs if it is to e!"loy itself +&olly in t&e love of /od. T&is is even !ore a""li able to +o!en t&an to !en and t&e &ar! +&i & it does to o!!$nity life is very serio$s. One res$lt of it is t&at all t&e n$ns do not love ea & ot&er e<$ally= so!e in;$ry done to a friend is resented0 a n$n desires to &ave so!et&in, to ,ive to &er friend or tries to !ake ti!e for talkin, to &er% and often &er ob;e t in doin, t&is is to tell &er &o+ fond s&e is of &er% and ot&er irrelevant t&in,s% rat&er t&an &o+ !$ & s&e loves /od. T&ese inti!ate friends&i"s are seldo! al $lated to !ake for t&e love of /od0 I a! !ore in lined to believe t&at t&e devil initiates t&e! so as to reate fa tions +it&in reli,io$s Orders. W&en a friends&i" &as for its ob;e t t&e servi e of )is .a;esty% it at on e be o!es lear t&at t&e +ill is devoid of "assion and indeed is &el"in, to on<$er ot&er "assions. W&ere a onvent is lar,e I s&o$ld like to see !any friends&i"s of t&at ty"e0 b$t in t&is &o$se% +&ere t&ere are not% and an never be% !ore t&an t&irteen n$ns% all !$st be friends +it& ea & ot&er% love ea & ot&er% be fond of ea & ot&er and &el" ea & ot&er. For t&e love of t&e 'ord% refrain fro! !akin, individ$al friends&i"s% &o+ever &oly% for even a!on, brot&ers and sisters s$ & t&in,s are a"t to be "oisono$s and I an see no advanta,e in t&e!0 +&en t&ey are bet+een ot&er relatives% t&ey are !$ & !ore dan,ero$s and be o!e a "est. Believe !e% sisters% t&o$,& I !ay see! to yo$ e*tre!e in t&is% ,reat "erfe tion and ,reat "ea e o!e of doin, +&at I say and !any o asions of sin !ay be avoided by t&ose +&o are not very stron,. If o$r +ill be o!es in lined !ore to one "erson t&an to anot&er Bt&is annot be &el"ed% be a$se it is nat$ral 9 it often leads $s to love t&e "erson +&o &as t&e !ost fa$lts if s&e is t&e !ost ri &ly endo+ed by nat$reC% +e !$st e*er ise a fir! restraint on o$rselves and not allo+ o$rselves to be on<$ered by o$r affe tion. 'et $s love t&e virt$es and in+ard ,oodness% and let $s al+ays a""ly o$rselves and take are to avoid atta &in, i!"ortan e to e*ternals. 'et $s not allo+ o$r +ill to be t&e slave of any% sisters% save of )i! W&o bo$,&t it +it& )is blood. Ot&er+ise% before +e kno+ +&ere +e are% +e s&all find o$rselves tra""ed% and $nable to !ove. /od &el" !e? T&e "$erilities +&i & res$lt fro! t&is are

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inn$!erable. And% be a$se t&ey are so trivial t&at only t&ose +&o see &o+ bad t&ey are +ill reali:e and believe it% t&ere is no "oint in s"eakin, of t&e! &ere e* e"t to say t&at t&ey are +ron, in anyone% and% in a "rioress% "estilential. 5 In &e kin, t&ese "referen es +e !$st be stri tly on t&e alert fro! t&e !o!ent t&at s$ & a friends&i" be,ins and +e !$st "ro eed dili,ently and lovin,ly rat&er t&an severely. One effe tive "re a$tion a,ainst t&is is t&at t&e sisters s&o$ld not be to,et&er e* e"t at t&e "res ribed &o$rs% and t&at t&ey s&o$ld follo+ o$r "resent $sto! in not talkin, +it& one anot&er% or bein, alone to,et&er% as is laid do+n in t&e R$le= ea & one s&o$ld be alone in &er ell. T&ere !$st be no +orkroo! at Saint #ose"&>s0 for% alt&o$,& it is a "raise+ort&y $sto! to &ave one% it is easier to kee" silen e if one is alone% and ,ettin, $sed to solit$de is a ,reat &el" to "rayer. Sin e "rayer !$st be t&e fo$ndation on +&i & t&is &o$se is b$ilt% it is ne essary for $s to learn to like +&atever ,ives $s t&e ,reatest &el" in it. Ret$rnin, to t&e <$estion of o$r love for one anot&er% it see!s <$ite $nne essary to o!!end t&is to yo$% for +&ere are t&ere "eo"le so br$tis& as not to love one anot&er +&en t&ey live to,et&er% are ontin$ally in one anot&er>s o!"any% ind$l,e in no onversation% asso iation or re reation +it& any o$tside t&eir &o$se and believe t&at /od loves $s and t&at t&ey t&e!selves love /od sin e t&ey are leavin, everyt&in, for )is .a;esty@ .ore es"e ially is t&is so as virt$e al+ays attra ts love% and I &o"e in /od t&at% +it& t&e &el" of )is .a;esty% t&ere +ill al+ays be love in t&e sisters of t&is &o$se. It see!s to !e% t&erefore% t&at t&ere is no reason for !e to o!!end t&is to yo$ any f$rt&er. Wit& re,ard to t&e nat$re of t&is !$t$al love and +&at is !eant by t&e virt$o$s love +&i & I +is& yo$ to &ave &ere% and &o+ +e s&all kno+ +&en +e &ave t&is virt$e% +&i & is a very ,reat one% sin e O$r 'ord &as so stron,ly o!!ended it to $s and so straitly en;oined it $"on )is A"ostles 9 abo$t all t&is I s&o$ld like to say a little no+ as +ell as !y la k of skill +ill allo+ !e0 if yo$ find t&is e*"lained in ,reat detail in ot&er books% take no noti e of +&at I a! sayin, &ere% for it !ay be t&at I do not $nderstand +&at I a! talkin, abo$t. T&ere are t+o kinds of love +&i & I a! des ribin,. T&e one is "$rely s"irit$al% and a""arently &as not&in, to do +it& sens$ality or t&e tenderness of o$r nat$re% eit&er of +&i & !i,&t stain its "$rity. T&e ot&er is also s"irit$al% b$t !in,led +it& it are o$r sens$ality and +eakness0 yet it is a +ort&y love% +&i &% as bet+een relatives and friends% see!s la+f$l. Of t&is I &ave already said s$ffi ient. It is of t&e first kind of s"irit$al love t&at I +o$ld no+ s"eak. It is $ntainted by any sort of "assion% for s$ & a t&in, +o$ld o!"letely s"oil its &ar!ony. If it leads $s to treat virt$o$s "eo"le% es"e ially onfessors% +it& !oderation and dis retion% it is "rofitable0 b$t% if t&e onfessor is seen to be tendin, in any +ay to+ards vanity% &e s&o$ld be re,arded +it& ,rave s$s"i ion% and% in s$ & a ase% onversation +it& &i!% &o+ever edifyin,% s&o$ld be avoided% and t&e sister s&o$ld !ake &er onfession briefly and say not&in, !ore. It +o$ld be best for &er% indeed% to tell t&e s$"erior t&at s&e does not ,et on +it& &i! and ,o else+&ere0 t&is is t&e safest +ay% "rovidin, it an be done +it&o$t in;$rin, &is re"$tation.

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In s$ & ases% and in ot&er diffi $lties +it& +&i & t&e devil !i,&t ensnare $s% so t&at +e &ave no idea +&ere to t$rn% t&e safest t&in, +ill be for t&e sister to try to s"eak +it& so!e learned "erson0 if ne essary% "er!ission to do t&is an be ,iven &er% and s&e an !ake &er onfession to &i! and a t in t&e !atter as &e dire ts &er. For &e annot fail to ,ive &er so!e ,ood advi e abo$t it% +it&o$t +&i & s&e !i,&t ,o very far astray. )o+ often "eo"le stray t&ro$,& not takin, advi e% es"e ially +&en t&ere is a risk of doin, so!eone &ar!? T&e o$rse t&at !$st on no a o$nt be follo+ed is to do not&in, at all0 for% +&en t&e devil be,ins to !ake tro$ble in t&is +ay% &e +ill do a ,reat deal of &ar! if &e is not sto""ed <$i kly0 t&e "lan I &ave s$,,ested% t&en% of tryin, to ons$lt anot&er onfessor is t&e safest one if it is "ra ti able% and I &o"e in t&e 'ord t&at it +ill be so. Refle t $"on t&e ,reat i!"ortan e of t&is% for it is a dan,ero$s !atter% and an be a veritable &ell% and a so$r e of &ar! to everyone. I advise yo$ not to +ait $ntil a ,reat deal of &ar! &as been done b$t to take every "ossible ste" t&at yo$ an t&ink of and sto" t&e tro$ble at t&e o$tset0 t&is yo$ !ay do +it& a ,ood ons ien e. B$t I &o"e in t&e 'ord t&at )e +ill not allo+ "ersons +&o are to s"end t&eir lives in "rayer to &ave any atta &!ent save to one +&o is a ,reat servant of /od0 and I a! <$ite ertain )e +ill not% $nless t&ey &ave no love for "rayer and for strivin, after "erfe tion in t&e +ay +e try to do &ere. For% $nless t&ey see t&at &e $nderstands t&eir lan,$a,e and likes to s"eak to t&e! of /od% t&ey annot "ossibly love &i!% as &e is not like t&e!. If &e is s$ & a "erson% &e +ill &ave very fe+ o""ort$nities of doin, any &ar!% and% $nless &e is very si!"le% &e +ill not seek to dist$rb &is o+n "ea e of !ind and t&at of t&e servants of /od. As I &ave be,$n to s"eak abo$t t&is% I +ill re"eat t&at t&e devil an do a ,reat deal of &ar! &ere% +&i & +ill lon, re!ain $ndis overed% and t&$s t&e so$l t&at is strivin, after "erfe tion an be ,rad$ally r$ined +it&o$t kno+in, &o+. For% if a onfessor ,ives o asion for vanity t&ro$,& bein, vain &i!self% &e +ill be very tolerant +it& it in Dt&e ons ien es ofE ot&ers. .ay /od% for )is .a;esty>s o+n sake% deliver $s fro! t&in,s of t&is kind. It +o$ld be eno$,& to $nsettle all t&e n$ns if t&eir ons ien es and t&eir onfessor s&o$ld ,ive t&e! e*a tly o""osite advi e% and% if it is insisted t&at t&ey !$st &ave one onfessor only% t&ey +ill not kno+ +&at to do% nor &o+ to "a ify t&eir !inds% sin e t&e very "erson +&o s&o$ld be al!in, t&e! and &el"in, t&e! is t&e so$r e of t&e &ar!. In so!e "la es t&ere !$st be a ,reat deal of tro$ble of t&is kind= I al+ays feel very sorry abo$t it and so yo$ !$st not be s$r"rised if I atta & ,reat i!"ortan e to yo$r $nderstandin, t&is dan,er. A""endi* To C&a"ter 8

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84 T&e follo+in, variant readin, of t&e Es orial .an$s ri"t see!s too i!"ortant to be rele,ated to a footnote. It o $rs t&e t+elft& "ara,ra"& of &. 8 B f. n. 68C % and deals% as +ill be seen% +it& t&e <$alifi ations and &ara ter of t&e onfessor. .any editors s$bstit$te it in t&eir te*t for t&e orres"ondin, "assa,e in -. As +ill be seen% &o+ever% it is not a "$re addition0 +e t&erefore re"rod$ e it se"arately. T&e i!"ortant t&in, is t&at t&ese t+o kinds of !$t$al love s&o$ld be $ntainted by any sort of "assion% for s$ & a t&in, +o$ld o!"letely s"oil t&is &ar!ony. If +e e*er ise

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t&is love% of +&i & I &ave s"oken% +it& !oderation and dis retion% it is +&olly !eritorio$s% be a$se +&at see!s to $s sens$ality is t$rned into virt$e. B$t t&e t+o !ay be so losely intert+ined +it& one anot&er t&at it is so!eti!es i!"ossible to distin,$is& t&e!% es"e ially +&ere a onfessor is on erned. For if "ersons +&o are "ra tisin, "rayer find t&at t&eir onfessor is a &oly !an and $nderstands t&e +ay t&ey be&ave% t&ey be o!e ,reatly atta &ed to &i!. And t&en fort&+it& t&e devil lets loose $"on t&e! a +&ole battery of s r$"les +&i & "rod$ e a terrible dist$rban e +it&in t&e so$l% t&is bein, +&at &e is ai!in, at. In "arti $lar% if t&e onfessor is ,$idin, s$ & "ersons to ,reater "erfe tion% t&ey be o!e so de"ressed t&at t&ey +ill ,o so far as to leave &i! for anot&er and yet anot&er% only to be tor!ented by t&e sa!e te!"tation every ti!e. W&at yo$ an do &ere is not to let yo$r !inds d+ell $"on +&et&er yo$ like yo$r onfessor or not% b$t ;$st to like &i! if yo$ feel so in lined. For% if +e ,ro+ fond of "eo"le +&o are kind to o$r bodies% +&y s&o$ld +e not love t&ose +&o are al+ays strivin, and toilin, to &el" o$r so$ls@ A t$ally% if !y onfessor is a &oly and s"irit$al !an and I see t&at &e is takin, ,reat "ains for t&e benefit of !y so$l% I t&ink it +ill be a real &el" to !y "ro,ress for !e to like &i!. For so +eak are +e t&at s$ & affe tion so!eti!es &el"s $s a ,reat deal to $ndertake very ,reat t&in,s in /od>s servi e. B$t% if yo$r onfessor is not s$ & a "erson as I &ave des ribed% t&ere is a "ossibility of dan,er% and for &i! to kno+ t&at yo$ like &i! !ay do t&e ,reatest &ar!% !ost of all in &o$ses +&ere t&e n$ns are very stri tly en losed. And as it is a diffi $lt t&in, to ,et to kno+ +&i & onfessors are ,ood% ,reat are and a$tion are ne essary. T&e best advi e to ,ive +o$ld be t&at yo$ s&o$ld see &e &as no idea of yo$r affe tion for &i! and is not told abo$t it. B$t t&e devil is so a tive t&at t&is is not "ra ti able= yo$ feel as if t&is is t&e only t&in, yo$ &ave to onfess and i!a,ine yo$ are obli,ed to onfess it. For t&is reason I s&o$ld like yo$ to t&ink t&at yo$r affe tion for &i! is of no i!"ortan e and to take no !ore noti e of it. Follo+ t&is advi e if yo$ find t&at everyt&in, yo$r onfessor says to yo$ "rofits yo$r so$l0 if yo$ neit&er see nor &ear &i! ind$l,e in any vanity Band s$ & t&in,s are al+ays noti ed e* e"t by one +&o is +ilf$lly d$llC and if yo$ kno+ &i! to be a /od2fearin, !an% do not be distressed over any te!"tation abo$t bein, too fond of &i!% and t&e devil +ill t&en ,ro+ tired and sto" te!"tin, yo$. B$t if yo$ noti e t&at t&e onfessor is tendin, in any +ay to+ards vanity in +&at &e says to yo$% yo$ s&o$ld re,ard &i! +it& ,rave s$s"i ion0 in s$ & a ase onversation +it& &i!% even abo$t "rayer and abo$t /od% s&o$ld be avoided 9 t&e sister s&o$ld !ake &er onfession briefly and say not&in, !ore. It +o$ld be best for &er to tell t&e .ot&er BS$"eriorC t&at s&e does not ,et on +it& &i! and ,o else+&ere. T&is is t&e safest +ay if it is "ra ti able% and I &o"e in /od t&at it +ill be% and t&at yo$ +ill do all yo$ "ossibly an to &ave no relations +it& &i!% t&o$,& t&is !ay be very "ainf$l for yo$. Refle t $"on t&e ,reat i!"ortan e of t&is% et . B"". 5H2IC.

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.ay t&e 'ord ,rant% for )is .a;esty>s o+n sake% t&at no one in t&is &o$se s&all e*"erien e t&e trials t&at &ave been des ribed% or find &erself o""ressed in t&is +ay in so$l and body. I &o"e t&e s$"erior +ill never be so inti!ate +it& t&e onfessor t&at no one +ill dare to say anyt&in, abo$t &i! to &er or abo$t &er to &i!. For t&is +ill te!"t $nfort$nate "enitents to leave very ,rave sins $n onfessed be a$se t&ey +ill feel $n o!fortable abo$t onfessin, t&e!. /od &el" !e? W&at tro$ble t&e devil an !ake &ere and &o+ dearly "eo"le &ave to "ay for t&eir !iserable +orries and on ern abo$t &ono$r? If t&ey ons$lt only one onfessor% t&ey t&ink t&ey are a tin, in t&e interests of t&eir Order and for t&e ,reater &ono$r of t&eir onvent= and t&at is t&e +ay t&e devil lays &is snares for so$ls +&en &e an find no ot&er. If t&e "oor sisters ask for anot&er onfessor% t&ey are told t&at t&is +o$ld !ean t&e o!"lete end of all dis i"line in t&e onvent0 and% if &e is not a "riest of t&eir Order% even t&o$,& &e be a saint% t&ey are led to believe t&at t&ey +o$ld be dis,ra in, t&eir entire Order by ons$ltin, &i!. /ive ,reat "raise to /od% (a$,&ters% for t&is liberty t&at yo$ &ave% for% t&o$,& t&ere are not a ,reat !any "riests +&o! yo$ an ons$lt% t&ere are a fe+% ot&er t&an yo$r ordinary onfessors% +&o an ,ive yo$ li,&t $"on everyt&in,. I be, every s$"erior% for t&e love of t&e 'ord% to allo+ a &oly liberty &ere= let t&e Bis&o" or Provin ial be a""roa &ed for leave for t&e sisters to ,o fro! ti!e to ti!e beyond t&eir ordinary onfessors and talk abo$t t&eir so$ls +it& "ersons of learnin,% es"e ially if t&e onfessors% t&o$,& ,ood !en% &ave no learnin,0 for learnin, is a ,reat &el" in ,ivin, li,&t $"on everyt&in,. It s&o$ld be "ossible to find a n$!ber of "eo"le +&o o!bine bot& learnin, and s"irit$ality% and t&e !ore favo$rs t&e 'ord ,rants yo$ in "rayer% t&e !ore needf$l is it t&at yo$r ,ood +orks and yo$r "rayers s&o$ld &ave a s$re fo$ndation. Yo$ already kno+ t&at t&e first stone of t&is fo$ndation !$st be a ,ood ons ien e and t&at yo$ !$st !ake every effort to free yo$rselves fro! even venial sins and follo+ t&e ,reatest "ossible "erfe tion. Yo$ !i,&t s$""ose t&at any onfessor +o$ld kno+ t&is% b$t yo$ +o$ld be +ron,= it &a""ened t&at I &ad to ,o abo$t !atters of ons ien es to a !an +&o &ad taken a o!"lete o$rse in t&eolo,y0 and &e did !e a ,reat deal of !is &ief by tellin, !e t&at ertain t&in,s +ere of no i!"ortan e. I kno+ t&at &e &ad no intention of de eivin, !e% or any reason for doin, so= it +as si!"ly t&at &e kne+ no better. And in addition to t&is instan e I &ave !et +it& t+o or t&ree si!ilar ones. Everyt&in, de"ends on o$r &avin, tr$e li,&t to kee" t&e la+ of /od "erfe tly. T&is is a fir! basis for "rayer0 b$t +it&o$t t&is stron, fo$ndation t&e +&ole b$ildin, +ill ,o a+ry. In !akin, t&eir onfessions% t&en% t&e n$ns !$st be free to dis $ss s"irit$al !atters +it& s$ & "ersons as I &ave des ribed. I +ill even ,o fart&er and say t&at t&ey s&o$ld so!eti!es do as I &ave said even if t&eir onfessor &as all t&ese ,ood <$alities% for &e !ay <$ite easily !ake !istakes and it is a "ity t&at &e s&o$ld be t&e a$se of t&eir ,oin, astray. T&ey !$st try% &o+ever% never to a t in any +ay a,ainst obedien e% for t&ey +ill find +ays of ,ettin, all t&e &el" t&ey need= it is of ,reat i!"ortan e to t&e! t&at t&ey s&o$ld% and so t&ey !$st !ake every "ossible effort to do so. All t&is t&at I &ave said &as to do +it& t&e s$"erior. Sin e t&ere are no onsolations b$t s"irit$al ones to be &ad &ere% I +o$ld be, &er on e a,ain to see t&at t&e sisters ,et t&ese onsolations% for /od leads D)is &and!aidensE by different +ays and it is i!"ossible

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t&at one onfessor s&o$ld be a <$ainted +it& t&e! all. I ass$re yo$ t&at% if yo$r so$ls are as t&ey o$,&t to be% t&ere is no la k of &oly "ersons +&o +ill be ,lad to advise and onsole yo$% even t&o$,& yo$ are "oor. For )e W&o s$stains o$r bodies +ill a+aken and en o$ra,e so!eone to ,ive li,&t to o$r so$ls% and t&$s t&is evil of +&i & I a! so !$ & afraid +ill be re!edied. For if t&e devil s&o$ld te!"t t&e onfessor% +it& t&e res$lt t&at &e leads yo$ astray on any "oint of do trine &e +ill ,o slo+ly and be !ore aref$l abo$t all &e is doin, +&en &e kno+s t&at t&e "enitent is also ons$ltin, ot&ers. If t&e devil is "revented fro! enterin, onvents in t&is +ay% I &o"e in /od t&at &e +ill never ,et into t&is &o$se at all0 so% for love of t&e 'ord% I be, +&oever is Bis&o" to allo+ t&e sisters t&is liberty and not to +it&dra+ it so lon, as t&e onfessors are "ersons bot& of learnin, and of ,ood lives% a fa t +&i & +ill soon o!e to be kno+n in a little "la e like t&is. In +&at I &ave said &ere% I a! s"eakin, fro! e*"erien e of t&in,s t&at I &ave seen and &eard in !any onvents and ,at&ered fro! onversation +it& learned and &oly "eo"le +&o &ave onsidered +&at is !ost fittin, for t&is &o$se% so t&at it !ay advan e in "erfe tion. A!on, t&e "erils +&i & e*ist every+&ere% for as lon, as life lasts% +e s&all find t&at t&is is t&e least. No vi ar s&o$ld be free to ,o in and o$t of t&e onvent% and no onfessor s&o$ld &ave t&is freedo! eit&er. T&ey are t&ere to +at & over t&e re olle tedness and ,ood livin, of t&e &o$se and its "ro,ress in bot& interior and e*terior !atters% so t&at t&ey !ay re"ort to t&e s$"erior +&enever needf$l% b$t t&ey are never to be s$"eriors t&e!selves. As I say% e* ellent reasons &ave been fo$nd +&y% everyt&in, onsidered% t&is is t&e best o$rse% and +&y% if any "riest &ears onfessions fre<$ently% it s&o$ld be t&e &a"lain0 b$t% if t&e n$ns t&ink it ne essary% t&ey an !ake t&eir onfessions to s$ & "ersons as &ave been des ribed% "rovided t&e s$"erior is infor!ed of it% and t&e "rioress is s$ & t&at t&e Bis&o" an tr$st &er dis retion. As t&ere are very fe+ n$ns &ere% t&is +ill not take $" !$ & ti!e. T&is is o$r "resent "ra ti e0 and it is not follo+ed !erely on !y advi e. O$r "resent Bis&o"% (on Jlvaro de .endo:a% $nder +&ose obedien e +e live Bsin e for !any reasons +e &ave not been "la ed $nder t&e ;$risdi tion of t&e OrderC% is ,reatly atta &ed to &oliness and t&e reli,io$s life% and% besides bein, of !ost noble e*tra tion% is a ,reat servant of /od. )e is al+ays very ,lad to &el" t&is &o$se in every +ay% and to t&is very end &e bro$,&t to,et&er "ersons of learnin,% s"irit$ality and e*"erien e% and t&is de ision +as t&en o!e to. It +ill be only ri,&t t&at f$t$re s$"eriors s&o$ld onfor! to &is o"inion% sin e it &as been de ided on by s$ & ,ood !en% and after so !any "rayers to t&e 'ord t&at )e +o$ld enli,&ten t&e! in every "ossible +ay% +&i &% so far as +e an at "resent see% )e &as ertainly done. .ay t&e 'ord be "leased to "ro!ote t&e advan e!ent of t&is to )is ,reater ,lory. A!en. CHAPTER 6. R!tur$" t# t ! "u*.!&t #f p!rf!&t l#(!3 alr!a)y *!,u$.

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85 I &ave di,ressed a ,reat deal b$t no one +ill bla!e !e +&o $nderstands t&e i!"ortan e of +&at &as been said. 'et $s no+ ret$rn to t&e love +&i & it is ,ood Dand la+f$lE for $s to feel. T&is I &ave des ribed as "$rely s"irit$al0 I a! not s$re if I kno+ +&at I a!

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talkin, abo$t% b$t it see!s to !e t&at t&ere is no need to s"eak !$ & of it% sin e so fe+% I fear% "ossess it0 let any one of yo$ to +&o! t&e 'ord &as ,iven it "raise )i! fervently% for s&e !$st be a "erson of t&e ,reatest "erfe tion. It is abo$t t&is t&at I no+ +is& to +rite. Per&a"s +&at I say !ay be of so!e "rofit% for if yo$ look at a virt$e yo$ desire it and try to ,ain it% and so be o!e atta &ed to it. /od ,rant t&at I !ay be able to $nderstand t&is% and even !ore t&at I !ay be able to des ribe it% for I a! not s$re t&at I kno+ +&en love is s"irit$al and +&en t&ere is sens$ality !in,led +it& it% or &o+ to be,in s"eakin, abo$t it. I a! like one +&o &ears a "erson s"eakin, in t&e distan e and% t&o$,& &e an &ear t&at &e is s"eakin,% annot distin,$is& +&at &e is sayin,. It is ;$st like t&at +it& !e= so!eti!es I annot $nderstand +&at I a! sayin,% yet t&e 'ord is "leased to enable !e to say it +ell. If at ot&er ti!es +&at I say is Dridi $lo$s andE nonsensi al% it is only nat$ral for !e to ,o o!"letely astray. No+ it see!s to !e t&at% +&en /od &as bro$,&t so!eone to a lear kno+led,e of t&e +orld% and of its nat$re% and of t&e fa t t&at anot&er +orld Bor% let $s say% anot&er kin,do!C e*ists% and t&at t&ere is a ,reat differen e bet+een t&e one and t&e ot&er% t&e one bein, eternal and t&e ot&er only a drea!0 and of +&at it is to love t&e Creator and +&at to love t&e reat$re Bt&is !$st be dis overed by e*"erien e% for it is a very different !atter fro! !erely t&inkin, abo$t it and believin, itC0 +&en one $nderstands by si,&t and e*"erien e +&at an be ,ained by t&e one "ra ti e and lost by t&e ot&er% and +&at t&e Creator is and +&at t&e reat$re% and !any ot&er t&in,s +&i & t&e 'ord tea &es to t&ose +&o are +illin, to devote t&e!selves to bein, ta$,&t by )i! in "rayer% or +&o! )is .a;esty +is&es to tea & 9 t&en one loves very differently fro! t&ose of $s +&o &ave not advan ed t&$s far. It !ay be% sisters% t&at yo$ t&ink it irrelevant for !e to treat of t&is% and yo$ !ay say t&at yo$ already kno+ everyt&in, t&at I &ave said. /od ,rant t&at t&is !ay be so% and t&at yo$ !ay indeed kno+ it in t&e only +ay +&i & &as any !eanin,% and t&at it !ay be ,raven $"on yo$r in!ost bein,% and t&at yo$ !ay never for a !o!ent de"art fro! it% for% if yo$ kno+ it% yo$ +ill see t&at I a! tellin, not&in, b$t t&e tr$t& +&en I say t&at &e +&o! t&e 'ord brin,s t&$s far "ossesses t&is love. T&ose +&o! /od brin,s to t&is state are% I t&ink% ,enero$s and royal so$ls0 t&ey are not ontent +it& lovin, anyt&in, so !iserable as t&ese bodies% &o+ever bea$tif$l t&ey be and &o+ever n$!ero$s t&e ,ra es t&ey "ossess. If t&e si,&t of t&e body ,ives t&e! "leas$re t&ey "raise t&e Creator% b$t as for d+ellin, $"on it for !ore t&an ;$st a !o!ent 9 no? W&en I $se t&at "&rase Kd+ellin, $"on itK% I refer to &avin, love for s$ & t&in,s. If t&ey &ad s$ & love% t&ey +o$ld t&ink t&ey +ere lovin, so!et&in, ins$bstantial and +ere on eivin, fondness for a s&ado+% t&ey +o$ld feel s&a!e for t&e!selves and +o$ld not &ave t&e effrontery to tell /od t&at t&ey love )i!% +it&o$t feelin, ,reat onf$sion. Yo$ +ill ans+er !e t&at s$ & "ersons annot love or re"ay t&e affe tion s&o+n to t&e! by ot&ers. Certainly t&ey are little abo$t &avin, t&is affe tion. T&ey !ay fro! ti!e to ti!e e*"erien e a nat$ral and !o!entary "leas$re at bein, loved0 yet% as soon as t&ey ret$rn to t&eir nor!al ondition% t&ey reali:e t&at s$ & "leas$re is folly save +&en t&e "ersons on erned an benefit t&eir so$ls% eit&er by instr$ tion or by "rayer. Any ot&er kind of affe tion +earies t&e!% for t&ey kno+ it an brin, t&e! no "rofit and !ay +ell

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do t&e! &ar!0 none t&e less t&ey are ,ratef$l for it and re o!"ense it by o!!endin, t&ose +&o love t&e! to /od. T&ey take t&is affe tion as so!et&in, for +&i & t&ose +&o love t&e! lay t&e res"onsibility $"on t&e 'ord% fro! W&o!% sin e t&ey an see not&in, lovable in t&e!selves% t&ey s$""ose t&e love o!es% and t&ink t&at ot&ers love t&e! be a$se /od loves t&e!0 and so t&ey leave )is .a;esty to re o!"ense t&e! for t&is and be, )i! to do so% t&$s freein, t&e!selves and feelin, t&ey &ave no !ore res"onsibility. W&en I "onder it aref$lly% I so!eti!es t&ink t&is desire for affe tion is s&eer blindness% e* e"t +&en% as I say% it relates to "ersons +&o an lead $s to do ,ood so t&at +e !ay ,ain blessin,s in "erfe tion. It s&o$ld be noted &ere t&at% +&en +e desire anyone>s affe tion% +e al+ays seek it be a$se of so!e interest% "rofit or "leas$re of o$r o+n. T&ose +&o are "erfe t% &o+ever% &ave trodden all t&ese t&in,s beneat& t&eir feet 9 Dand &ave des"isedE t&e blessin,s +&i & !ay o!e to t&e! in t&is +orld% and its "leas$res and deli,&ts 9 in s$ & a +ay t&at% even if t&ey +anted to% so to say% t&ey o$ld not love anyt&in, o$tside /od% or $nless it &ad to do +it& /od. W&at "rofit% t&en% an o!e to t&e! fro! bein, loved t&e!selves@ W&en t&is tr$t& is "$t to t&e!% t&ey la$,& at t&e distress +&i & &ad been assailin, t&e! in t&e "ast as to +&et&er t&eir affe tion +as bein, ret$rned or no. Of o$rse% &o+ever "$re o$r affe tion !ay be% it is <$ite nat$ral for $s to +is& it to be ret$rned. B$t% +&en +e o!e to eval$ate t&e ret$rn of affe tion% +e reali:e t&at it is ins$bstantial% like a t&in, of stra+% as li,&t as air and easily arried a+ay by t&e +ind. For% &o+ever dearly +e &ave been loved% +&at is t&ere t&at re!ains to $s@ S$ & "ersons% t&en% e* e"t for t&e advanta,e t&at t&e affe tion !ay brin, to t&eir so$ls Bbe a$se t&ey reali:e t&at o$r nat$re is s$ & t&at +e soon tire of life +it&o$t loveC% are not&in, +&et&er t&ey are loved or not. (o yo$ t&ink t&at s$ & "ersons +ill love none and deli,&t in none save /od@ No0 t&ey +ill love ot&ers !$ & !ore t&an t&ey did% +it& a !ore ,en$ine love% +it& ,reater "assion and +it& a love +&i & brin,s !ore "rofit0 t&at% in a +ord% is +&at love really is. And s$ & so$ls are al+ays !$ & fonder of ,ivin, t&an of re eivin,% even in t&eir relations +it& t&e Creator )i!self. T&is D&oly affe tionE% I say% !erits t&e na!e of love% +&i & na!e &as been $s$r"ed fro! it by t&ose ot&er base affe tions. (o yo$ ask% a,ain% by +&at t&ey are attra ted if t&ey do not love t&in,s t&ey see@ T&ey do love +&at t&ey see and t&ey are ,reatly attra ted by +&at t&ey &ear0 b$t t&e t&in,s +&i & t&ey see are everlastin,. If t&ey love anyone t&ey i!!ediately look ri,&t beyond t&e body Bon +&i &% as I say% t&ey annot d+ellC% fi* t&eir eyes on t&e so$l and see +&at t&ere is to be loved in t&at. If t&ere is not&in,% b$t t&ey see any s$,,estion or in lination +&i & s&o+s t&e! t&at% if t&ey di, dee"% t&ey +ill find ,old +it&in t&is !ine% t&ey t&ink not&in, of t&e labo$r of di,,in,% sin e t&ey &ave love. T&ere is not&in, t&at s$,,ests itself to t&e! +&i & t&ey +ill not +illin,ly do for t&e ,ood of t&at so$l sin e t&ey desire t&eir love for it to be lastin,% and t&ey kno+ <$ite +ell t&at t&at is i!"ossible $nless t&e loved one &as ertain ,ood <$alities and a ,reat love for /od. I really !ean t&at it is i!"ossible% &o+ever ,reat t&eir obli,ations and even if t&at so$l +ere to die for love of t&e! and do t&e! all t&e kind a tions in its "o+er0 even &ad it all t&e nat$ral ,ra es ;oined in one% t&eir +ills +o$ld not &ave stren,t& eno$,& to love it nor +o$ld t&ey re!ain fi*ed $"on it. T&ey kno+ and &ave learned and e*"erien ed t&e +ort& of all t&is0 no false di e an de eive t&e!. T&ey see t&at t&ey are not in $nison +it& t&at so$l and

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t&at t&eir love for it annot "ossibly last0 for% $nless t&at so$l kee"s t&e la+ of /od% t&eir love +ill end +it& life 9 t&ey kno+ t&at $nless it loves )i! t&ey +ill ,o to different "la es. 5 T&ose into +&ose so$ls t&e 'ord &as already inf$sed tr$e +isdo! do not estee! t&is love% +&i & lasts only on eart&% at !ore t&an its tr$e +ort& 9 if% indeed% at so !$ &. T&ose +&o like to take "leas$re in +orldly t&in,s% deli,&ts% &ono$rs and ri &es% +ill a o$nt it of so!e +ort& if t&eir friend is ri & and able to afford t&e! "asti!e and "leas$re and re reation0 b$t t&ose +&o already &ate all t&is +ill are little or not&in, for s$ & t&in,s. If t&ey &ave any love for s$ & a "erson% t&en% it +ill be a "assion t&at &e !ay love /od so as to be loved by )i!0 for% as I say% t&ey kno+ t&at no ot&er kind of affe tion b$t t&is an last% and t&at t&is kind +ill ost t&e! dear% for +&i & reason t&ey do all t&ey "ossibly an for t&eir friend>s "rofit0 t&ey +o$ld lose a t&o$sand lives to brin, &i! a s!all blessin,. O&% "re io$s love% forever i!itatin, t&e Ca"tain of 'ove% #es$s% o$r /ood? CHAPTER 7. Tr!at" #f t ! "a'! "u*.!&t #f "piritual l#(! a$) ,i(!" &!rtai$ &#u$"!l" f#r ,ai$i$, it. 64 It is stran,e to see &o+ i!"assioned t&is love is0 &o+ !any tears% "enan es and "rayers it osts0 &o+ aref$l is t&e lovin, so$l to o!!end t&e ob;e t of its affe tion to all +&o it t&inks !ay "revail +it& /od and to ask t&e! to inter ede +it& )i! for it0 and &o+ onstant is its lon,in,% so t&at it annot be &a""y $nless it sees t&at its loved one is !akin, "ro,ress. If t&at so$l see!s to &ave advan ed% and is t&en seen to fall so!e +ay ba k% &er friend see!s to &ave no !ore "leas$re in life= s&e neit&er eats nor slee"s% is never free fro! t&is fear and is al+ays afraid t&at t&e so$l +&o! s&e loves so !$ & !ay be lost% and t&at t&e t+o !ay be "arted for ever. S&e ares not&in, for "&ysi al deat&% b$t s&e +ill not s$ffer &erself to be atta &ed to so!et&in, +&i & a "$ff of +ind !ay arry a+ay so t&at s&e is $nable to retain &er &old $"on it. T&is% as I &ave said% is love +it&o$t any de,ree +&atsoever of self2interest0 all t&at t&is so$l +is&es and desires is to see t&e so$l Dit lovesE enri &ed +it& blessin,s fro! )eaven. T&is is love% <$ite $nlike o$r ill2starred eart&ly affe tions 9 to say not&in, of illi it affe tions% fro! +&i & !ay /od kee" $s free. T&ese last affe tions are a very &ell% and it is needless for $s to +eary o$rselves by sayin, &o+ evil t&ey are% for t&e least of t&e evils +&i & t&ey brin, are terrible beyond e*a,,eration. T&ere is no need for $s ever to take s$ & t&in,s $"on o$r li"s% sisters% or even to t&ink of t&e!% or to re!e!ber t&at t&ey e*ist any+&ere in t&e +orld0 yo$ !$st never listen to anyone s"eakin, of s$ & affe tions% eit&er in ;est or in earnest% nor allo+ t&e! to be !entioned or dis $ssed in yo$r "resen e. No ,ood an o!e fro! o$r doin, t&is and it !i,&t do $s &ar! even to &ear t&e! !entioned. B$t +it& re,ard to t&e la+f$l affe tions +&i &% as I &ave said% +e !ay &ave for ea & ot&er% or for relatives and friends% it is different. O$r +&ole desire is t&at t&ey s&o$ld not die= if t&eir &eads a &e% o$r so$ls see! to a &e too0 if +e see t&e! in distress% +e are $nable Bas "eo"le sayC to sit still $nder it0 and so on.

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T&is is not so +it& s"irit$al affe tion. Alt&o$,& t&e +eakness of o$r nat$re !ay at first allo+ $s to feel so!et&in, of all t&is% o$r reason soon be,ins to refle t +&et&er o$r friend>s trials are not ,ood for &er% and to +onder if t&ey are !akin, &er ri &er in virt$e and &o+ s&e is bearin, t&e!% and t&en +e s&all ask /od to ,ive &er "atien e so t&at t&ey !ay +in &er !erit. If +e see t&at s&e is bein, "atient% +e feel no distress 9 indeed% +e are ,laddened and onsoled. If all t&e !erit and ,ain +&i & s$fferin, is a"able of "rod$ in, o$ld be !ade over to &er% +e s&o$ld still "refer s$fferin, &er trial o$rselves to seein, &er s$ffer it% b$t +e are not +orried or dis<$ieted. I re"eat on e !ore t&at t&is love is a si!ilit$de and o"y of t&at +&i & +as borne for $s by t&e ,ood 'over% #es$s. It is for t&at reason t&at it brin,s $s s$ & i!!ense benefits% for it !akes $s e!bra e every kind of s$fferin,% so t&at ot&ers% +it&o$t &avin, to end$re t&e s$fferin,% !ay ,ain its advanta,es. T&e re i"ients of t&is friends&i"% t&en% "rofit ,reatly% b$t t&eir friends s&o$ld reali:e t&at eit&er t&is inter o$rse 9 I !ean% t&is e* l$sive friends&i" 9 !$st o!e to an end or t&at t&ey !$st "revail $"on O$r 'ord t&at t&eir friend !ay +alk in t&e sa!e +ay as t&e!selves% as Saint .oni a "revailed +it& )i! for Saint A$,$stine. T&eir &eart does not allo+ t&e! to "ra tise d$"li ity= if t&ey see t&eir friend strayin, fro! t&e road% or o!!ittin, any fa$lts% t&ey +ill s"eak to &er abo$t it0 t&ey annot allo+ t&e!selves to do anyt&in, else. And if after t&is t&e loved one does not a!end% t&ey +ill not flatter &er or &ide anyt&in, fro! &er. Eit&er% t&en% s&e +ill a!end or t&eir friends&i" +ill ease0 for ot&er+ise t&ey +o$ld be $nable to end$re it% nor is it in fa t end$rable. It +o$ld !ean ontin$al +ar for bot& "arties. A "erson !ay be indifferent to all ot&er "eo"le in t&e +orld and not +orry +&et&er t&ey are servin, /od or not% sin e t&e "erson s&e &as to +orry abo$t is &erself. B$t s&e annot take t&is attit$de +it& &er friends= not&in, t&ey do an be &idden fro! &er0 s&e sees t&e s!allest !ote in t&e!. T&is% I re"eat% is a very &eavy ross for &er to bear. )a""y t&e so$ls t&at are loved by s$ & as t&ese? )a""y t&e day on +&i & t&ey a!e to kno+ t&e!? O !y 'ord% +ilt T&o$ not ,rant !e t&e favo$r of ,ivin, !e !any +&o &ave s$ & love for !e@ Tr$ly% 'ord% I +o$ld rat&er &ave t&is t&an be loved by all t&e kin,s and lords of t&e +orld 9 and ri,&tly so% for s$ & friends $se every !eans in t&eir "o+er to !ake $s lords of t&e +&ole +orld and to &ave all t&at is in it s$b;e t to $s. W&en yo$ !ake t&e a <$aintan e of any s$ & "ersons% sisters% t&e .ot&er Prioress s&o$ld e!"loy every "ossible effort to kee" yo$ in to$ & +it& t&e!. 'ove s$ & "ersons as !$ & as yo$ like. T&ere an be very fe+ of t&e!% b$t none t&e less it is t&e 'ord>s +ill t&at t&eir ,oodness s&o$ld be kno+n. W&en one of yo$ is strivin, after "erfe tion% s&e +ill at on e be told t&at s&e &as no need to kno+ s$ & "eo"le 9 t&at it is eno$,& for &er to &ave /od. B$t to ,et to kno+ /od>s friends is a very ,ood +ay of K&avin,K )i!0 as I &ave dis overed by e*"erien e% it is !ost &el"f$l. For% $nder t&e 'ord% I o+e it to s$ & "ersons t&at I a! not in &ell0 I +as al+ays very fond of askin, t&e! to o!!end !e to /od% and so I "revailed $"on t&e! to do so. 'et $s no+ ret$rn to +&at +e +ere sayin,. It is t&is kind of love +&i & I s&o$ld like $s to &ave0 at first it !ay not be "erfe t b$t t&e 'ord +ill !ake it in reasin,ly so. 'et $s be,in +it& t&e !et&ods of obtainin, it. At first it !ay be !in,led +it& e!otion% b$t t&is% as a r$le% +ill do no &ar!. It is so!eti!es ,ood and ne essary for $s to s&o+ e!otion in o$r love% and also to feel it% and to be distressed by so!e of o$r sisters% trials and +eaknesses% &o+ever trivial t&ey !ay be. For on one o asion as !$ & distress !ay be

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a$sed by <$ite a s!all !atter as +o$ld be a$sed on anot&er by so!e ,reat trial% and t&ere are "eo"le +&ose nat$re it is to be very !$ & ast do+n by s!all t&in,s. If yo$ are not like t&is% do not ne,le t to &ave o!"assion on ot&ers0 it !ay be t&at O$r 'ord +is&es to s"are $s t&ese s$fferin,s and +ill ,ive $s s$fferin,s of anot&er kind +&i & +ill see! &eavy to $s% t&o$,& to t&e "erson already !entioned t&ey !ay see! li,&t. In t&ese !atters% t&en% +e !$st not ;$d,e ot&ers by o$rselves% nor t&ink of o$rselves as +e &ave been at so!e ti!e +&en% "er&a"s +it&o$t any effort on o$r "art% t&e 'ord &as !ade $s stron,er t&an t&ey0 let $s t&ink of +&at +e +ere like at t&e ti!es +&en +e &ave been +eakest. Note t&e i!"ortan e of t&is advi e for t&ose of $s +&o +o$ld learn to sy!"at&i:e +it& o$r nei,&bo$rs> trials% &o+ever trivial t&ese !ay be. It is es"e ially i!"ortant for s$ & so$ls as &ave been des ribed% for% desirin, trials as t&ey do% t&ey !ake li,&t of t&e! all. T&ey !$st t&erefore try &ard to re all +&at t&ey +ere like +&en t&ey +ere +eak% and refle t t&at% if t&ey are no lon,er so% it is not d$e to t&e!selves. For ot&er+ise% little by little% t&e devil o$ld easily ool o$r &arity to+ard o$r nei,&bo$rs and !ake $s t&ink t&at +&at is really a failin, on o$r "art is "erfe tion. In every res"e t +e !$st be aref$l and alert% for t&e devil never sl$!bers. And t&e nearer +e are to "erfe tion% t&e !ore aref$l +e !$st be% sin e &is te!"tations are t&en !$ & !ore $nnin, be a$se t&ere are no ot&ers t&at &e dare send $s0 and if% as I say% +e are not a$tio$s% t&e &ar! is done before +e reali:e it. In s&ort% +e !$st al+ays +at & and "ray% for t&ere is no better +ay t&an "rayer of revealin, t&ese &idden +iles of t&e devil and !akin, &i! de lare &is "resen e. Contrive al+ays% even if yo$ do not are for it% to take "art in yo$r sisters> ne essary re reation and to do so for t&e +&ole of t&e allotted ti!e% for all onsiderate treat!ent of t&e! is a "art of "erfe t love. It is a very ,ood t&in, for $s to take o!"assion on ea & ot&ers> needs. See t&at yo$ s&o+ no la k of dis retion abo$t t&in,s +&i & are ontrary to obedien e. T&o$,& "rivately yo$ !ay t&ink t&e "rioress> orders &ars& ones% do not allo+ t&is to be noti ed or tell anyone abo$t it Be* e"t t&at yo$ !ay s"eak of it% +it& all &$!ility% to t&e "rioress &erselfC% for if yo$ did so yo$ +o$ld be doin, a ,reat deal of &ar!. /et to kno+ +&at are t&e t&in,s in yo$r sisters +&i & yo$ s&o$ld be sorry to see and t&ose abo$t +&i & yo$ s&o$ld sy!"at&i:e +it& t&e!0 and al+ays s&o+ yo$r ,rief at any notorio$s fa$lt +&i & yo$ !ay see in one of t&e!. It is a ,ood "roof and test of o$r love if +e an bear +it& s$ & fa$lts and not be s&o ked by t&e!. Ot&ers% in t&eir t$rn% +ill bear +it& yo$r fa$lts% +&i &% if yo$ in l$de t&ose of +&i & yo$ are not a+are% !$st be !$ & !ore n$!ero$s. Often o!!end to /od any sister +&o is at fa$lt and strive for yo$r o+n "art to "ra tise t&e virt$e +&i & is t&e o""osite of &er fa$lt +it& ,reat "erfe tion. .ake deter!ined efforts to do t&is so t&at yo$ !ay tea & yo$r sister by yo$r deeds +&at "er&a"s s&e o$ld never learn by +ords nor ,ain by "$nis&!ent. T&e &abit of "erfor!in, so!e ons"i $o$sly virt$o$s a tion t&ro$,& seein, it "erfor!ed by anot&er is one +&i & very easily takes root. T&is is ,ood advi e= do not for,et it. O&% &o+ tr$e and ,en$ine +ill be t&e love of a sister +&o an brin, "rofit to everyone by sa rifi in, &er o+n "rofit to t&at of t&e rest? S&e +ill !ake a ,reat advan e in ea & of t&e virt$es and kee" &er R$le +it& ,reat "erfe tion. T&is +ill be a !$ & tr$er kind of friends&i" t&an one +&i & $ses every "ossible lovin, e*"ression Bs$ & as are not $sed% and !$st not be $sed% in t&is &o$seC= K.y life?K K.y love?K K.y darlin,?K and

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s$ &like t&in,s% one or anot&er of +&i & "eo"le are al+ays sayin,. 'et s$ & endearin, +ords be ke"t for yo$r S"o$se% for yo$ +ill be so often and so !$ & alone Wit& )i! t&at yo$ +ill +ant to !ake $se of t&e! all% and t&is )is .a;esty "er!its yo$. If yo$ $se t&e! a!on, yo$rselves t&ey +ill not !ove t&e 'ord so !$ &0 and% <$ite a"art fro! t&at% t&ere is no reason +&y yo$ s&o$ld do so. T&ey are very effe!inate0 and I s&o$ld not like yo$ to be t&at% or even to a""ear to be t&at% in any +ay% !y da$,&ters0 I +ant yo$ to be stron, !en. If yo$ do all t&at is in yo$% t&e 'ord +ill !ake yo$ so !anly t&at !en t&e!selves +ill be a!a:ed at yo$. And &o+ easy is t&is for )is .a;esty% W&o !ade $s o$t of not&in, at all? It is also a very lear si,n of love to try to s"are ot&ers &o$se&old +ork by takin, it $"on oneself and also to re;oi e and ,ive ,reat "raise to t&e 'ord if yo$ see any in rease in t&eir virt$es. All s$ & t&in,s% <$ite a"art fro! t&e intrinsi ,ood t&ey brin,% add ,reatly to t&e "ea e and on ord +&i & +e &ave a!on, o$rselves% as% t&ro$,& t&e ,oodness of /od% We an no+ see by e*"erien e. .ay )is .a;esty be "leased ever to in rease it% for it +o$ld be terrible if it did not e*ist% and very a+k+ard if% +&en t&ere are so fe+ of $s% +e ,ot on badly to,et&er. .ay /od forbid t&at. If one of yo$ s&o$ld be ross +it& anot&er be a$se of so!e &asty +ord% t&e !atter !$st at on e be "$t ri,&t and yo$ !$st betake yo$rselves to earnest "rayer. T&e sa!e a""lies to t&e &arbo$rin, of any ,r$d,e% or to "arty strife% or to t&e desire to be ,reatest% or to any ni e "oint on ernin, yo$r &ono$r. B.y blood see!s to r$n old% as I +rite t&is% at t&e very idea t&at t&is an ever &a""en% b$t I kno+ it is t&e &ief tro$ble in onvents.C If it s&o$ld &a""en to yo$% onsider yo$rselves lost. #$st refle t and reali:e t&at yo$ &ave driven yo$r S"o$se fro! )is &o!e= )e +ill &ave to ,o and seek anot&er abode% sin e yo$ are drivin, )i! fro! )is o+n &o$se. Cry alo$d to )is .a;esty and try to "$t t&in,s ri,&t0 and if fre<$ent onfessions and o!!$nions do not !end t&e!% yo$ !ay +ell fear t&at t&ere is so!e #$das a!on, yo$. For t&e love of /od% let t&e "rioress be !ost aref$l not to allo+ t&is to o $r. S&e !$st "$t a sto" to it fro! t&e very o$tset% and% if love +ill not s$ffi e% s&e !$st $se &eavy "$nis&!ents% for &ere +e &ave t&e +&ole of t&e !is &ief and t&e re!edy. If yo$ ,at&er t&at any of t&e n$ns is !akin, tro$ble% see t&at s&e is sent to so!e ot&er onvent and /od +ill "rovide t&e! +it& a do+ry for &er. (rive a+ay t&is "la,$e0 $t off t&e bran &es as +ell as yo$ an0 and% if t&at is not s$ffi ient% "$ll $" t&e roots. If yo$ annot do t&is% s&$t $" anyone +&o is ,$ilty of s$ & t&in,s and forbid &er to leave &er ell0 far better t&is t&an t&at all t&e n$ns s&o$ld at & so in $rable a "la,$e. O&% +&at a ,reat evil is t&is? /od deliver $s fro! a onvent into +&i & it enters= I +o$ld rat&er o$r onvent a$,&t fire and +e +ere all b$rned alive. As t&is is so i!"ortant I t&ink I s&all say a little !ore abo$t it else+&ere% so I +ill not +rite at ,reater len,t& &ere% e* e"t to say t&at% "rovided t&ey treat ea & ot&er e<$ally% I +o$ld rat&er t&at t&e n$ns s&o+ed a tender and affe tionate love and re,ard for ea & ot&er% even t&o$,& t&ere is less "erfe tion in t&is t&an in t&e love I &ave des ribed% t&an t&at t&ere +ere a sin,le note of dis ord to be &eard a!on, t&e!. .ay t&e 'ord forbid t&is% for )is o+n sake. A!en. CHAPTER 8. Tr!at" #f t ! ,r!at *!$!fit #f "!lf9)!ta& '!$t3 *#t i$t!ri#r a$) !0t!ri#r3 fr#' all t i$," &r!at!).

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'et $s no+ o!e to t&e deta &!ent +&i & +e !$st "ra tise% for if t&is is arried o$t "erfe tly it in l$des everyt&in, else. I say Kit in l$des everyt&in, elseK be a$se% if +e are not&in, for any reated t&in,s% b$t e!bra e t&e Creator alone% )is .a;esty +ill inf$se t&e virt$es into $s in s$ & a +ay t&at% "rovided +e labo$r to t&e best of o$r abilities day by day% +e s&all not &ave to +a,e +ar !$ & lon,er% for t&e 'ord +ill take o$r defen e in &and a,ainst t&e devils and a,ainst t&e +&ole +orld. (o yo$ s$""ose% da$,&ters% t&at it is a s!all benefit to obtain for o$rselves t&is blessin, of ,ivin, o$rselves +&olly to )i!% and kee"in, not&in, for o$rselves@ Sin e% as I say% all blessin,s are in )i!% let $s ,ive )i! &earty "raise% sisters% for &avin, bro$,&t $s to,et&er &ere% +&ere +e are o $"ied in t&is alone. I do not kno+ +&y I a! sayin, t&is% +&en all of yo$ &ere are a"able of tea &in, !e% for I onfess t&at% in t&is i!"ortant res"e t% I a! not as "erfe t as I s&o$ld like to be and as I kno+ I o$,&t to be0 and I !$st say t&e sa!e abo$t all t&e virt$es and abo$t all t&at I a! dealin, +it& &ere% for it is easier to +rite of s$ & t&in,s t&an to "ra tise t&e!. I !ay not even be able to +rite of t&e! effe tively% for so!eti!es ability to do t&is o!es only fro! e*"erien e 9 Dt&at is to say% if I &ave any s$ ess% it !$st be be a$seE I e*"lain t&e nat$re of t&ese virt$es by des ribin, t&e ontraries of t&e <$alities I !yself "ossess. As far as e*terior !atters are on erned% yo$ kno+ &o+ o!"letely $t off +e are fro! everyt&in,. O&% !y Creator and 'ord? W&en &ave I !erited so ,reat an &ono$r@ T&o$ see!est to &ave sear &ed every+&ere for !eans of dra+in, nearer to $s. .ay it "lease T&y ,oodness t&at +e lose not t&is t&ro$,& o$r o+n fa$lt. O&% sisters% for t&e love of /od% try to reali:e +&at a ,reat favo$r t&e 'ord &as besto+ed on t&ose of $s +&o! )e &as bro$,&t &ere. 'et ea & of yo$ a""ly t&is to &erself% sin e t&ere are only t+elve of $s and )is .a;esty &as been "leased for yo$ to be one. )o+ !any "eo"le 9 +&at a !$ltit$de of "eo"le? 9 do I kno+ +&o are better t&an !yself and +o$ld ,ladly take t&is "la e of !ine% yet t&e 'ord &as ,ranted it to !e +&o so ill deserve it? Blessed be T&o$% !y /od% and let t&e an,els and all reated t&in,s "raise T&ee% for I an no !ore re"ay t&is favo$r t&an all t&e ot&ers T&o$ &ast s&o+n !e. It +as a +onderf$l t&in, to ,ive !e t&e vo ation to be a n$n0 b$t I &ave been so +i ked% 'ord% t&at T&o$ o$ldst not tr$st !e. In a "la e +&ere t&ere +ere !any ,ood +o!en livin, to,et&er !y +i kedness +o$ld not "er&a"s &ave been noti ed ri,&t do+n to t&e end of !y life= I s&o$ld &ave on ealed it% as I did for so !any years. So T&o$ didst brin, !e &ere% +&ere% as t&ere are so fe+ of $s t&at it +o$ld see! i!"ossible for it to re!ain $nnoti ed% T&o$ dost re!ove o asions of sin fro! !e so t&at I !ay +alk t&e !ore aref$lly. T&ere is no e* $se for !e% t&en% O 'ord% I onfess it% and so I &ave need of T&y !er y% t&at T&o$ !ayest "ardon !e. Re!e!ber% !y sisters% t&at if +e are not ,ood +e are !$ & !ore to bla!e t&an ot&ers. W&at I earnestly be, of yo$ is t&at anyone +&o kno+s s&e +ill be $nable to follo+ o$r $sto!s +ill say so Dbefore s&e is "rofessedE= t&ere are ot&er onvents in +&i & t&e 'ord is also +ell served and s&e s&o$ld not re!ain &ere and dist$rb t&ese fe+ of $s +&o! )is .a;esty &as bro$,&t to,et&er for )is servi e. In ot&er onvents n$ns are free to &ave t&e "leas$re of seein, t&eir relatives% +&ereas &ere% if relatives are ever ad!itted% it is only for t&eir o+n "leas$re. A n$n +&o Dvery !$ &E +is&es to see &er relatives in order to "lease &erself% and does not ,et tired of t&e! after t&e se ond visit% !$st% $nless

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t&ey are s"irit$al "ersons and do &er so$l so!e ,ood% onsider &erself i!"erfe t and reali:e t&at s&e is neit&er deta &ed nor &ealt&y% and +ill &ave no freedo! of s"irit or "erfe t "ea e. S&e needs a "&ysi ian 9 and I onsider t&at if t&is desire does not leave &er% and s&e is not $red% s&e is not intended for t&is &o$se. 5 T&e best re!edy% I t&ink% is t&at s&e s&o$ld not see &er relatives a,ain $ntil s&e feels free in s"irit and &as obtained t&is freedo! fro! /od by !any "rayers. W&en s&e looks $"on s$ & visits as rosses% let &er re eive t&e! by all !eans% for t&en t&ey +ill do t&e visitors ,ood and &erself no &ar!. B$t if s&e is fond of t&e visitors% if t&eir tro$bles are a ,reat distress to &er and if s&e deli,&ts in listenin, to t&e stories +&i & t&ey tell &er abo$t t&e +orld% s&e !ay be s$re t&at s&e +ill do &erself &ar! and do t&e! no ,ood. CHAPTER :. Tr!at" #f t ! ,r!at *l!""i$, t at " u$$i$, t !ir r!lati(!" *ri$," t# t #"! % # a(! l!ft t ! %#rl) a$) " #%" #% *y )#i$, "# t !y %ill fi$) tru!r fri!$)". O&% if +e reli,io$s $nderstood +&at &ar! +e ,et fro! &avin, so !$ & to do +it& o$r relatives% &o+ +e s&o$ld s&$n t&e!? do not see +&at "leas$re t&ey an ,ive $s% or &o+% <$ite a"art fro! t&e &ar! t&ey do $s as to$ &in, o$r obli,ations to /od% t&ey an brin, $s any "ea e or tran<$illity. For +e annot take "art in t&eir re reations% as it is not la+f$l for $s to do so0 and% t&o$,& +e an ertainly s&are t&eir tro$bles% +e an never &el" +ee"in, for t&e!% so!eti!es !ore t&an t&ey do t&e!selves. If t&ey brin, $s any bodily o!forts% t&ere is no do$bt t&at o$r s"irit$al life and o$r "oor so$ls +ill "ay for it. Fro! t&is yo$ are D<$iteE free &ere0 for% as yo$ &ave everyt&in, in o!!on and none of yo$ !ay a e"t any "rivate ,ift% all t&e al!s ,iven $s bein, &eld by t&e o!!$nity% yo$ are $nder no obli,ation to entertain yo$r relatives in ret$rn for +&at t&ey ,ive yo$% sin e% as yo$ kno+% t&e 'ord +ill "rovide for $s all in o!!on. I a! asto$nded at t&e &ar! +&i & inter o$rse +it& o$r relatives does $s= I do not t&ink anyone +&o &ad not e*"erien e of it +o$ld believe it. And &o+ o$r reli,io$s Orders no+adays% or !ost of t&e!% at any rate% see! to be for,ettin, abo$t "erfe tion% t&o$,& all% or !ost% of t&e saints +rote abo$t it? I do not kno+ &o+ !$ & of t&e +orld +e really leave +&en +e say t&at +e are leavin, everyt&in, for /od>s sake% if +e do not +it&dra+ o$rselves fro! t&e &ief t&in, of all 9 na!ely% o$r kinsfolk. T&e !atter &as rea &ed s$ & a "it & t&at so!e "eo"le t&ink% +&en reli,io$s are not fond of t&eir relatives and do not see !$ & of t&e!% it s&o+s a +ant of virt$e in t&e!. And t&ey not only assert t&is b$t alle,e reasons for it. In t&is &o$se% da$,&ters% +e !$st be !ost aref$l to o!!end o$r relatives to /od% for t&at is only ri,&t. For t&e rest% +e !$st kee" t&e! o$t of o$r !inds as !$ & as +e an% as it is nat$ral t&at o$r desires s&o$ld be atta &ed to t&e! !ore t&an to ot&er "eo"le. .y o+n relatives +ere very fond of !e% or so t&ey $sed to say% and I +as so fond of t&e! t&at I +o$ld not let t&e! for,et !e. B$t I &ave learned% by !y o+n e*"erien e and by t&at of ot&ers% t&at it is /od>s servants +&o &ave &el"ed !e in tro$ble0 !y relatives% a"art fro! !y "arents% &ave &el"ed !e very little. Parents are different% for t&ey very rarely fail to &el" t&eir &ildren% and it is ri,&t t&at +&en t&ey need o$r o!fort +e s&o$ld not ref$se it t&e!= if +e find o$r !ain "$r"ose is not &ar!ed by o$r so doin, +e

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an ,ive it t&e! and yet be o!"letely deta &ed0 and t&is also a""lies to brot&ers and sisters. 5 Believe !e% sisters% if yo$ serve /od as yo$ s&o$ld% yo$ +ill find no better relatives t&an t&ose Dof )is servantsE +&o! )is .a;esty sends yo$. I kno+ t&is is so% and% if yo$ kee" on as yo$ are doin, &ere% and reali:e t&at by doin, ot&er+ise yo$ +ill be failin, yo$r tr$e Friend and S"o$se% yo$ !ay be s$re t&at yo$ +ill very soon ,ain t&is freedo!. T&en yo$ +ill be able to tr$st t&ose +&o love yo$ for )is sake alone !ore t&an all yo$r relatives% and t&ey +ill not fail yo$% so t&at yo$ +ill find "arents and brot&ers and sisters +&ere yo$ &ad never e*"e ted to find t&e!. For t&ese &el" $s and look for t&eir re+ard only fro! /od0 t&ose +&o look for re+ards fro! $s soon ,ro+ tired of &el"in, $s +&en t&ey see t&at +e are "oor and an do not&in, for t&e!. T&is annot be taken as a ,enerali:ation% b$t it is t&e !ost $s$al t&in, to &a""en in t&e +orld% for it is t&e +orld all over? If anyone tells yo$ ot&er+ise% and says it is a virt$e to do s$ & t&in,s% do not believe &i!. I s&o$ld &ave to +rite at ,reat len,t&% in vie+ of !y la k of skill and !y i!"erfe tion% if I +ere to tell yo$ of all t&e &ar! t&at o!es fro! it0 as ot&ers &ave +ritten abo$t it +&o kno+ +&at t&ey are talkin, abo$t better t&an I% +&at I &ave said +ill s$ffi e. If% i!"erfe t as I a!% I &ave been able to ,ras" as !$ & as t&is% &o+ !$ & better +ill t&ose +&o are "erfe t do so? All t&e advi e +&i & t&e saints ,ive $s abo$t fleein, fro! t&e +orld is% of o$rse% ,ood. Believe !e% t&en% atta &!ent to o$r relatives is% as I &ave said% t&e t&in, +&i & sti ks to $s !ost losely and is &ardest to ,et rid of. Peo"le are ri,&t% t&erefore% +&en t&ey flee fro! t&eir o+n "art of t&e o$ntry 9 if it &el"s t&e!% I !ean% for I do not t&ink +e are &el"ed so !$ & by fleein, fro! any "la e in a "&ysi al sense as by resol$tely e!bra in, t&e ,ood #es$s% O$r 'ord% +it& t&e so$l. #$st as +e find everyt&in, in )i!% so for )is sake +e for,et everyt&in,. Still% it is a ,reat &el"% $ntil +e &ave learned t&is tr$t&% to kee" a"art fro! o$r kinsfolk0 later on% it !ay be t&at t&e 'ord +ill +is& $s to see t&e! a,ain% so t&at +&at $sed to ,ive $s "leas$re !ay be a ross to $s. CHAPTER 1;. T!a& !" t at )!ta& '!$t fr#' t ! t i$," af#r!'!$ti#$!) i" i$"uffi&i!$t if %! ar! $#t )!ta& !) fr#' #ur #%$ "!l(!" a$) t at t i" (irtu! a$) u'ility ,# t#,!t !r. 75 On e +e &ave deta &ed o$rselves fro! t&e +orld% and fro! o$r kinsfolk% and are loistered &ere% in t&e onditions already des ribed% it !$st look as if +e &ave done everyt&in, and t&ere is not&in, left +it& +&i & +e &ave to ontend. B$t% o&% !y sisters% do not feel se $re and fall aslee"% or yo$ +ill be like a !an +&o ,oes to bed <$ite "ea ef$lly% after boltin, all &is doors for fear of t&ieves% +&en t&e t&ieves are already in t&e &o$se. And yo$ kno+ t&ere is no +orse t&ief t&an one +&o lives in t&e &o$se. We o$rselves are al+ays t&e sa!e0 $nless +e take ,reat are and ea & of $s looks +ell to it t&at s&e reno$n es &er self2+ill% +&i & is t&e !ost i!"ortant b$siness of all% t&ere +ill be !any t&in,s to de"rive $s of t&e &oly freedo! of s"irit +&i & o$r so$ls seek in order to soar to t&eir .aker $nb$rdened by t&e leaden +ei,&t of t&e eart&. It +ill be a ,reat &el" to+ards t&is if +e kee" onstantly in o$r t&o$,&ts t&e vanity of all t&in,s and t&e ra"idity +it& +&i & t&ey "ass a+ay% so t&at +e !ay +it&dra+ o$r

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affe tions fro! t&in,s +&i & are so trivial and fi* t&e! $"on +&at +ill never o!e to an end. T&is !ay see! a "oor kind of &el" b$t it +ill &ave t&e effe t of ,reatly fortifyin, t&e so$l. Wit& re,ard to s!all t&in,s% +e !$st be very aref$l% as soon as +e be,in to ,ro+ fond of t&e!% to +it&dra+ o$r t&o$,&ts fro! t&e! and t$rn t&e! to /od. )is .a;esty +ill &el" $s to do t&is. )e &as ,ranted $s t&e ,reat favo$r of "rovidin, t&at% in t&is &o$se% !ost of it is done already0 b$t it re!ains for $s to be o!e deta &ed fro! o$r o+n selves and it is a &ard t&in, to +it&dra+ fro! o$rselves and o""ose o$rselves% be a$se +e are very lose to o$rselves and love o$rselves very dearly. It is &ere t&at tr$e &$!ility an enter% for t&is virt$e and t&at of deta &!ent fro! self% I t&ink% al+ays ,o to,et&er. T&ey are t+o sisters% +&o are inse"arable. T&ese are not t&e kinsfolk +&o! I o$nsel yo$ to avoid= no% yo$ !$st e!bra e t&e!% and love t&e!% and never be seen +it&o$t t&e!. O&% &o+ soverei,n are t&ese virt$es% !istresses of all reated t&in,s% e!"resses of t&e +orld% o$r deliverers fro! all t&e snares and entan,le!ents laid by t&e devil so dearly loved by o$r Tea &er% C&rist% W&o +as never for a !o!ent +it&o$t t&e!? )e t&at "ossesses t&e! an safely ,o o$t and fi,&t all t&e $nited for es of &ell and t&e +&ole +orld and its te!"tations. 'et &i! fear none% for &is is t&e kin,do! of t&e )eavens. T&ere is none +&o! &e need fear% for &e ares not&in, if &e loses everyt&in,% nor does &e o$nt t&is as loss= &is sole fear is t&at &e !ay dis"lease &is /od and &e be,s )i! to no$ris& t&ese virt$es +it&in &i! lest &e lose t&e! t&ro$,& any fa$lt of &is o+n. T&ese virt$es% it is tr$e% &ave t&e "ro"erty of &idin, t&e!selves fro! one +&o "ossesses t&e!% in s$ & a +ay t&at &e never sees t&e! nor an believe t&at &e &as any of t&e!% even if &e be told so. B$t &e estee!s t&e! so !$ & t&at &e is for ever tryin, to obtain t&e!% and t&$s &e "erfe ts t&e! in &i!self !ore and !ore. And t&ose +&o "ossess t&e! soon !ake t&e fa t lear% even a,ainst t&eir +ill% to any +it& +&o! t&ey &ave inter o$rse. B$t &o+ ina""ro"riate it is for a "erson like !yself to be,in to "raise &$!ility and !ortifi ation% +&en t&ese virt$es are so &i,&ly "raised by t&e Ain, of /lory 9 a "raise e*e!"lified in all t&e trials )e s$ffered. It is to "ossess t&ese virt$es% t&en% !y da$,&ters% t&at yo$ !$st labo$r if yo$ +o$ld leave t&e land of E,y"t% for% +&en yo$ &ave obtained t&e!% yo$ +ill also obtain t&e !anna0 all t&in,s +ill taste +ell to yo$0 and% &o+ever !$ & t&e +orld !ay dislike t&eir savo$r% to yo$ t&ey +ill be s+eet. T&e first t&in,% t&en% t&at +e &ave to do% and t&at at on e% is to rid o$rselves of love for t&is body of o$rs 9 and so!e of $s "a!"er o$r nat$res so !$ & t&at t&is +ill a$se $s no little labo$r% +&ile ot&ers are so on erned abo$t t&eir &ealt& t&at t&e tro$ble t&ese t&in,s ,ive $s Bt&is is es"e ially so of "oor n$ns% b$t it a""lies to ot&ers as +ellC is a!a:in,. So!e of $s% &o+ever% see! to t&ink t&at +e e!bra ed t&e reli,io$s life for no ot&er reason t&an to kee" o$rselves alive and ea & n$n does all s&e an to t&at end. In t&is &o$se% as a !atter of fa t% t&ere is very little &an e for $s to a t on s$ & a "rin i"le% b$t I s&o$ld be sorry if +e even +anted to. Resolve% sisters% t&at it is to die for C&rist% and not to "ra tise self2ind$l,en e for C&rist% t&at yo$ &ave o!e &ere. T&e devil tells $s t&at self2ind$l,en e is ne essary if +e are to arry o$t and kee" t&e R$le of o$r Order% and so !any of $s% forsoot&% try to kee" o$r R$le by lookin, after o$r &ealt& t&at +e die +it&o$t &avin, ke"t it for as lon, as a !ont& 9 "er&a"s even for a day. I really do not kno+ +&at +e are o!in, to.

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No one need be afraid of o$r o!!ittin, e* esses &ere% by any &an e 9 for as soon as +e do any "enan es o$r onfessors be,in to fear t&at +e s&all kill o$rselves +it& t&e!. We are so &orrified at o$r o+n "ossible e* esses 9 if only +e +ere as ons ientio$s abo$t everyt&in, else? T&ose +&o tend to t&e o""osite e*tre!e +ill I kno+% not !ind !y sayin, t&is% nor s&all I !ind if t&ey say I a! ;$d,in, ot&ers by !yself% for t&ey +ill be <$ite ri,&t. I believe 9 indeed% I a! s$re 9 t&at !ore n$ns are of !y +ay of t&inkin, t&an are offended by !e be a$se t&ey do ;$st t&e o""osite. .y o+n belief is t&at it is for t&is reason t&at t&e 'ord is "leased to !ake $s s$ & +eakly reat$res0 at least )e &as s&o+n !e ,reat !er y in !akin, !e so0 for% as I +as s$re to be self2ind$l,ent in any ase% )e +as "leased to "rovide !e +it& an e* $se for t&is. It is really a!$sin, to see &o+ so!e "eo"le tort$re t&e!selves abo$t it% +&en t&e real reason lies in t&e!selves0 so!eti!es t&ey ,et a desire to do "enan es% as one !i,&t say% +it&o$t r&y!e or reason0 t&ey ,o on doin, t&e! for a o$"le of days0 and t&en t&e devil "$ts it into t&eir &eads t&at t&ey &ave been doin, t&e!selves &ar! and so &e !akes t&e! afraid of "enan es% after +&i & t&ey dare not do even t&ose t&at t&e Order re<$ires 9 t&ey &ave tried t&e! on e? T&ey do not kee" t&e s!allest "oints in t&e R$le% s$ & as silen e% +&i & is <$ite in a"able of &ar!in, $s. )ardly &ave +e be,$n to i!a,ine t&at o$r &eads are a &in, t&an +e stay a+ay fro! &oir% t&o$,& t&at +o$ld not kill $s eit&er. One day +e are absent be a$se +e &ad a &eada &e so!e ti!e a,o0 anot&er day% be a$se o$r &ead &as ;$st been a &in, a,ain0 and on t&e ne*t t&ree days in ase it s&o$ld a &e on e !ore. T&en +e +ant to invent "enan es of o$r o+n% +it& t&e res$lt t&at +e do neit&er t&e one t&in, nor t&e ot&er. So!eti!es t&ere is very little t&e !atter +it& $s% yet +e t&ink t&at it s&o$ld dis"ense $s fro! all o$r obli,ations and t&at if +e ask to be e* $sed fro! t&e! +e are doin, all +e need. B$t +&y% yo$ +ill say% does t&e Prioress e* $se $s@ Per&a"s s&e +o$ld not if s&e kne+ +&at +as ,oin, on inside $s0 b$t s&e sees one of yo$ +ailin, abo$t a !ere not&in, as if yo$r &eart +ere breakin,% and yo$ o!e and ask &er to e* $se yo$ fro! kee"in, t&e +&ole of yo$r R$le% sayin, it is a !atter of ,reat ne essity% and% +&en t&ere is any s$bstan e in +&at yo$ say% t&ere is al+ays a "&ysi ian at &and to onfir! it or so!e friend or relative +ee"in, at yo$r side. So!eti!es t&e "oor Prioress sees t&at yo$r re<$est is e* essive% b$t +&at an s&e do@ S&e feels a s r$"le if s&e t&inks s&e &as been la kin, in &arity and s&e +o$ld rat&er t&e fa$lt +ere yo$rs t&an &ers= s&e t&inks% too% t&at it +o$ld be $n;$st of &er to ;$d,e yo$ &ars&ly. O&% /od &el" !e? T&at t&ere s&o$ld be o!"lainin, like t&is a!on, n$ns? .ay )e for,ive !e for sayin, so% b$t I a! afraid it &as be o!e <$ite a &abit. I &a""ened to observe t&is in ident on e !yself= a n$n be,an o!"lainin, abo$t &er &eada &es and s&e +ent on o!"lainin, to !e for a lon, ti!e. In t&e end I !ade en<$iries and fo$nd s&e &ad no &eada &e +&atever% b$t +as s$fferin, fro! so!e "ain or ot&er else+&ere. T&ese are t&in,s +&i & !ay so!eti!es &a""en and I "$t t&e! do+n &ere so t&at yo$ !ay ,$ard a,ainst t&e!0 for if on e t&e devil be,ins to fri,&ten $s abo$t losin, o$r &ealt&% +e s&all never ,et any+&ere. T&e 'ord ,ive $s li,&t so t&at +e !ay a t ri,&tly in everyt&in,? A!en.

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CHAPTER 11. C#$ti$u!" t# tr!at #f '#rtifi&ati#$ a$) )!"&ri*!" #% it 'ay *! attai$!) i$ ti'!" #f "i&/$!"". 5 T&ese ontin$al !oanin,s +&i & +e !ake abo$t triflin, ail!ents% !y sisters% see! to !e a si,n of i!"erfe tion= if yo$ an bear a t&in,% say not&in, abo$t it. W&en t&e ail!ent is serio$s% it "ro lai!s itself0 t&at is <$ite anot&er kind of !oanin,% +&i & dra+s attention to itself i!!ediately. Re!e!ber% t&ere are only a fe+ of yo$% and if one of yo$ ,ets into t&is &abit s&e +ill +orry all t&e rest 9 t&at is% ass$!in, yo$ love ea & ot&er and t&ere is &arity a!on, yo$. On t&e ot&er &and% if one of yo$ is really ill% s&e s&o$ld say so and take t&e ne essary re!edies0 and% if yo$ &ave ,ot rid of yo$r self2love% yo$ +ill so !$ & re,ret &avin, to ind$l,e yo$rselves in any +ay t&at t&ere +ill be no fear of yo$r doin, so $nne essarily or of yo$r !akin, a !oan +it&o$t "ro"er a$se. W&en s$ & a reason e*ists% it +o$ld be !$ & +orse to say not&in, abo$t it t&an to allo+ yo$rselves $nne essary ind$l,en e% and it +o$ld be very +ron, if everybody +ere not sorry for yo$. )o+ever% I a! <$ite s$re t&at +&ere t&ere is "rayer and &arity a!on, yo$% and yo$r n$!bers are so s!all t&at yo$ +ill be a+are of ea & ot&er>s needs% t&ere +ill never be any la k of are in yo$r bein, looked after. (o not t&ink of o!"lainin, abo$t t&e +eaknesses and !inor ail!ents fro! +&i & +o!en s$ffer% for t&e devil so!eti!es !akes yo$ i!a,ine t&e!. T&ey o!e and ,o0 and $nless yo$ ,et rid of t&e &abit of talkin, abo$t t&e! and o!"lainin, of everyt&in, Be* e"t to /odC yo$ +ill never o!e to t&e end of t&e!. I lay ,reat stress on t&is% for I believe !yself it is i!"ortant% and it is one of t&e reasons for t&e rela*ation of dis i"line in reli,io$s &o$ses. For t&is body of o$rs &as one fa$lt= t&e !ore yo$ ind$l,e it% t&e !ore t&in,s it dis overs to be essential to it. It is e*traordinary &o+ it likes bein, ind$l,ed0 and% if t&ere is any reasonable "rete*t for ind$l,en e% &o+ever little ne essity for it t&ere !ay be% t&e "oor so$l is taken in and "revented fro! !akin, "ro,ress. T&ink &o+ !any "oor "eo"le t&ere !$st be +&o are ill and &ave no one to o!"lain to% for "overty and self2ind$l,en e !ake bad o!"any. T&ink% too% &o+ !any !arried +o!en 9 "eo"le of "osition% as I kno+ 9 &ave serio$s o!"laints and sore trials and yet dare not o!"lain to t&eir &$sbands abo$t t&e! for fear of annoyin, t&e!. Sinner t&at I a!? S$rely +e &ave not o!e &ere to ind$l,e o$rselves !ore t&an t&ey? O&% &o+ free yo$ are fro! t&e ,reat trials of t&e +orld? 'earn to s$ffer a little for t&e love of /od +it&o$t tellin, everyone abo$t it. W&en a +o!an &as !ade an $n&a""y !arria,e s&e does not talk abo$t it or o!"lain of it% lest it s&o$ld o!e to &er &$sband>s kno+led,e% s&e &as to end$re a ,reat deal of !isery and yet &as no one to +&o! s&e !ay relieve &er !ind. Cannot +e% t&en% kee" se ret bet+een /od and o$rselves so!e of t&e ail!ents +&i & )e sends $s be a$se of o$r sins@ T&e !ore so sin e talkin, abo$t t&e! does not&in, +&atever to alleviate t&e!. In not&in, t&at I &ave said a! I referrin, to serio$s illnesses% a o!"anied by &i,& fever% t&o$,& as to t&ese% too% I be, yo$ to observe !oderation and to &ave "atien e= I a! t&inkin, rat&er of t&ose !inor indis"ositions +&i & yo$ !ay &ave and still kee" ,oin, +it&o$t +orryin, everybody else to deat& over t&e!. W&at +o$ld &a""en if t&ese lines s&o$ld be seen o$tside t&is &o$se@ W&at +o$ld all t&e n$ns say of !e? And &o+ +illin,ly +o$ld I bear +&at t&ey said if it &el"ed anyone to live a better life? For +&en t&ere is one "erson of t&is kind% t&e t&in, ,enerally o!es to s$ & a "ass t&at so!e

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s$ffer on a o$nt of ot&ers% and nobody +&o says s&e is ill +ill be believed% &o+ever serio$s &er ail!ent. As t&is book is !eant only for !y da$,&ters% t&ey +ill "$t $" +it& everyt&in, I say. 'et $s re!e!ber o$r &oly Fat&ers of "ast days% t&e &er!its +&ose lives +e atte!"t to i!itate. W&at s$fferin,s t&ey bore% +&at solit$de% old% Dt&irstE and &$n,er% +&at b$rnin, s$n and &eat? And yet t&ey &ad no one to o!"lain to e* e"t /od. (o yo$ s$""ose t&ey +ere !ade of iron@ No= t&ey +ere as frail as +e are. Believe !e% da$,&ters% on e +e be,in to s$bd$e t&ese !iserable bodies of o$rs% t&ey ,ive $s !$ & less tro$ble. T&ere +ill be <$ite s$ffi ient "eo"le to see to +&at yo$ really need% so take no t&o$,&t for yo$rselves e* e"t +&en yo$ kno+ it to be ne essary. 1nless +e resolve to "$t $" +it& deat& and ill2&ealt& on e and for all% +e s&all never a o!"lis& anyt&in,. Try not to fear t&ese and o!!it yo$rselves +&olly to /od% o!e +&at !ay. W&at does it !atter if +e die@ )o+ !any ti!es &ave o$r bodies not !o ked $s@ S&o$ld +e not o asionally !o k t&e! in o$r t$rn@ And% believe !e% sli,&t as it !ay see! by o!"arison +it& ot&er t&in,s% t&is resol$tion is !$ & !ore i!"ortant t&an +e !ay t&ink0 for% if +e ontin$ally !ake it% day by day% by t&e ,ra e of t&e 'ord% +e s&all ,ain do!inion over t&e body. To on<$er s$ & an ene!y is a ,reat a &ieve!ent in t&e battle of life. .ay t&e 'ord ,rant% as )e is able% t&at +e !ay do t&is. I a! <$ite s$re t&at no one +&o does not en;oy s$ & a vi tory% +&i & I believe is a ,reat one% +ill $nderstand +&at advanta,e it brin,s% and no one +ill re,ret &avin, ,one t&ro$,& trials in order to attain t&is tran<$illity and self2!astery. CHAPTER 1+. T!a& !" t at t ! tru! l#(!r #f G#) 'u"t &ar! littl! f#r lif! a$) #$#ur.

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65 We no+ o!e to so!e ot&er little t&in,s +&i & are also of very ,reat i!"ortan e% t&o$,& t&ey +ill a""ear triflin,. All t&is see!s a ,reat task% and so it is% for it !eans +arrin, a,ainst o$rselves. B$t on e +e be,in to +ork% /od% too% +orks in o$r so$ls and besto+s s$ & favo$rs on t&e! t&at t&e !ost +e an do in t&is life see!s to $s very little. And +e n$ns are doin, everyt&in, +e an% by ,ivin, $" o$r freedo! for t&e love of /od and entr$stin, it to anot&er% and in "$ttin, $" +it& so !any trials 9 fasts% silen e% en los$re% servi e in &oir 9 t&at &o+ever !$ & +e !ay +ant to ind$l,e o$rselves +e an do so only o asionally= "er&a"s% in all t&e onvents I &ave seen% I a! t&e only n$n ,$ilty of self2ind$l,en e. W&y% t&en% do +e s&rink fro! interior !ortifi ation% sin e t&is is t&e !eans by +&i & every ot&er kind of !ortifi ation !ay be o!e !$ & !ore !eritorio$s and "erfe t% so t&at it an t&en be "ra tised +it& ,reater tran<$illity and ease@ T&is% as I &ave said% is a <$ired by ,rad$al "ro,ress and by never ind$l,in, o$r o+n +ill and desire% even in s!all t&in,s% $ntil +e &ave s$ eeded in s$bd$in, t&e body to t&e s"irit. I re"eat t&at t&is onsists !ainly or entirely in o$r easin, to are abo$t o$rselves and o$r o+n "leas$res% for t&e least t&at anyone +&o is be,innin, to serve t&e 'ord tr$ly an offer )i! is &is life. On e &e &as s$rrendered &is +ill to )i!% +&at &as &e to fear@ It is evident t&at if &e is a tr$e reli,io$s and a real !an of "rayer and as"ires to t&e en;oy!ent of (ivine onsolations% &e !$st not Dt$rn ba k orE s&rink fro! desirin, to die and s$ffer !artyrdo! for )is sake. And do yo$ not kno+% sisters% t&at t&e life of a ,ood reli,io$s% +&o +is&es to be a!on, t&e losest friends of /od% is one lon, !artyrdo!@ I

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say Klon,K% for% by o!"arison +it& de a"itation% +&i & is over very <$i kly% it !ay +ell be ter!ed so% t&o$,& life itself is s&ort and so!e lives are s&ort in t&e e*tre!e. )o+ do +e kno+ b$t t&at o$rs +ill be so s&ort t&at it !ay end only one &o$r or one !o!ent after t&e ti!e of o$r resolvin, to render o$r entire servi e to /od@ T&is +o$ld be <$ite "ossible0 and so +e !$st not set store by anyt&in, t&at o!es to an end% least of all by life% sin e not a day of it is se $re. W&o% if &e t&o$,&t t&at ea & &o$r !i,&t be &is last% +o$ld not s"end it in labo$r@ Believe !e% it is safest to t&ink t&at t&is is so0 by so doin, +e s&all learn to s$bd$e o$r +ills in everyt&in,0 for if% as I &ave said% yo$ are very aref$l abo$t yo$r "rayer% yo$ +ill soon find yo$rselves ,rad$ally rea &in, t&e s$!!it of t&e !o$ntain +it&o$t kno+in, &o+. B$t &o+ &ars& it so$nds to say t&at +e !$st take "leas$re in not&in,% $nless +e also say +&at onsolations and deli,&ts t&is ren$n iation brin,s in its train% and +&at a ,reat ,ain it is% even in t&is life? W&at se $rity it ,ives $s? )ere% as yo$ all "ra tise t&is% yo$ &ave done t&e "rin i"al "art0 ea & of yo$ en o$ra,es and &el"s t&e rest0 and ea & of yo$ !$st try to o$tstri" &er sisters. Be very aref$l abo$t yo$r interior t&o$,&ts% es"e ially if t&ey &ave to do +it& "re eden e. .ay /od% by )is Passion% kee" $s fro! e*"ressin,% or d+ellin, $"on% s$ & t&o$,&ts as t&ese= KB$t I a! &er senior Din t&e OrderEK0 KB$t I a! olderK0 KB$t I &ave +orked &arderK0 KB$t t&at ot&er sister is bein, better treated t&an I a!K. If t&ese t&o$,&ts o!e% yo$ !$st <$i kly &e k t&e!0 if yo$ allo+ yo$rselves to d+ell on t&e!% or introd$ e t&e! into yo$r onversation% t&ey +ill s"read like t&e "la,$e and in reli,io$s &o$ses t&ey !ay ,ive rise to ,reat ab$ses. Re!e!ber% I kno+ a ,reat deal abo$t t&is. If yo$ &ave a "rioress +&o allo+s s$ & t&in,s% &o+ever triflin,% yo$ !$st believe t&at /od &as "er!itted &er to be ,iven to yo$ be a$se of yo$r sins and t&at s&e +ill be t&e be,innin, of yo$r r$in. Cry to )i!% and let yo$r +&ole "rayer be t&at )e !ay o!e to yo$r aid by sendin, yo$ eit&er a reli,io$s or a "erson ,iven to "rayer0 for% if anyone "rays +it& t&e resolve to en;oy t&e favo$rs and onsolations +&i & /od besto+s in "rayer% it is al+ays +ell t&at &e s&o$ld &ave t&is deta &!ent. Yo$ !ay ask +&y I lay s$ & stress on t&is% and t&ink t&at I a! bein, too severe abo$t it% and say t&at /od ,rants onsolations to "ersons less o!"letely deta &ed t&an t&at. I <$ite believe )e does0 for% in )is infinite +isdo!% )e sees t&at t&is +ill enable )i! to lead t&e! to leave everyt&in, for )is sake. I do not !ean% by Kleavin,K everyt&in,% enterin, t&e reli,io$s life% for t&ere !ay be obsta les to t&is% and t&e so$l t&at is "erfe t an be deta &ed and &$!ble any+&ere. It +ill find deta &!ent &arder in t&e +orld% &o+ever% for +orldly tra""in,s +ill be a ,reat i!"edi!ent to it. Still% believe !e in t&is= <$estions of &ono$r and desires for "ro"erty an arise +it&in onvents as +ell as o$tside t&e!% and t&e !ore te!"tations of t&is kind are re!oved fro! $s% t&e !ore +e are to bla!e if +e yield to t&e!. T&o$,& "ersons +&o do so !ay &ave s"ent years in "rayer% or rat&er in !editation Bfor "erfe t "rayer event$ally destroys DallE t&ese atta &!entsC% t&ey +ill never !ake ,reat "ro,ress or o!e to en;oy t&e real fr$it of "rayer. Ask yo$rselves% sisters% if t&ese t&in,s% +&i & see! so insi,nifi ant% !ean anyt&in, to yo$% for t&e only reason yo$ are &ere is t&at yo$ !ay deta & yo$rselves fro! t&e!. Nobody &ono$rs yo$ any t&e !ore for &avin, t&e! and t&ey lose yo$ advanta,es +&i & !i,&t &ave ,ained yo$ !ore &ono$r0 t&e res$lt is t&at yo$ ,et bot& dis&ono$r and loss at

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t&e sa!e ti!e. 'et ea & of yo$ ask &erself &o+ !$ & &$!ility s&e &as and s&e +ill see +&at "ro,ress s&e &as !ade. If s&e is really &$!ble% I do not t&ink t&e devil +ill dare to te!"t &er to take even t&e sli,&test interest in !atters of "re eden e% for &e is so s&re+d t&at &e is afraid of t&e blo+ s&e +o$ld strike &i!. If a &$!ble so$l is te!"ted in t&is +ay by t&e devil% t&at virt$e annot fail to brin, &er !ore fortit$de and ,reater "rofit. For learly t&e te!"tation +ill a$se &er to look into &er life% to o!"are t&e servi es s&e &as rendered t&e 'ord +it& +&at s&e o+es )i! and +it& t&e !arvello$s +ay in +&i & )e abased )i!self to ,ive $s an e*a!"le of &$!ility% and to t&ink over &er sins and re!e!ber +&ere s&e deserves to be on a o$nt of t&e!. E*er ises like t&is brin, t&e so$l s$ & "rofit t&at on t&e follo+in, day Satan +ill not dare to o!e ba k a,ain lest &e s&o$ld ,et &is &ead broken. Take t&is advi e fro! !e and do not for,et it= yo$ s&o$ld see to it t&at yo$r sisters "rofit by yo$r te!"tations% not only interiorly B+&ere it +o$ld be very +ron, if t&ey did notC% b$t e*teriorly as +ell. If yo$ +ant to aven,e yo$rself on t&e devil and free yo$rselves !ore <$i kly fro! te!"tation% ask t&e s$"erior% as soon as a te!"tation o!es to yo$% to ,ive yo$ so!e lo+ly offi e to do% or do so!e s$ & t&in,% as best yo$ an% on o$r o+n initiative% st$dyin, as yo$ do it &o+ to bend yo$r +ill to "erfor! tasks yo$ dislike. T&e 'ord +ill s&o+ yo$ +ays of doin, so and t&is +ill soon rid yo$ of t&e te!"tation. /od deliver $s fro! "eo"le +&o +is& to serve )i! yet +&o are !indf$l of t&eir o+n &ono$r. Refle t &o+ little t&ey ,ain fro! t&is0 for% as I &ave said% t&e very a t of desirin, &ono$r robs $s of it% es"e ially in !atters of "re eden e= t&ere is no "oison in t&e +orld +&i & is so fatal to "erfe tion. Yo$ +ill say t&at t&ese are little t&in,s +&i & &ave to do +it& &$!an nat$re and are not +ort& tro$blin, abo$t0 do not trifle +it& t&e!% for in reli,io$s &o$ses t&ey s"read like foa! on +ater% and t&ere is no s!all !atter so e*tre!ely dan,ero$s as are "$n tilio$sness abo$t &ono$r and sensitiveness to ins$lt. (o yo$ kno+ one reason% a"art fro! !any ot&ers% +&y t&is is so@ It !ay &ave its root% "er&a"s% in so!e trivial sli,&t 9 &ardly anyt&in,% in fa t 9 and t&e devil +ill t&en ind$ e so!eone else to onsider it i!"ortant% so t&at s&e +ill t&ink it a real &arity to tell yo$ abo$t it and to ask &o+ yo$ an allo+ yo$rself to be ins$lted so0 and s&e +ill "ray t&at /od !ay ,ive yo$ "atien e and t&at yo$ !ay offer it to )i!% for even a saint o$ld not bear !ore. T&e devil is si!"ly "$ttin, &is de eitf$lness into t&is ot&er "erson>s !o$t&0 and% t&o$,& yo$ yo$rself are <$ite ready to bear t&e sli,&t% yo$ are te!"ted to vain,lory be a$se yo$ &ave not resisted so!et&in, else as "erfe tly as yo$ s&o$ld. T&is &$!an nat$re of o$rs is so +ret &edly +eak t&at% even +&ile +e are tellin, o$rselves t&at t&ere is not&in, for $s to !ake a f$ss abo$t% +e i!a,ine +e are doin, so!et&in, virt$o$s% and be,in to feel sorry for o$rselves% "arti $larly +&en +e see t&at ot&er "eo"le are sorry for $s too. In t&is +ay t&e so$l be,ins to lose t&e o asions of !erit +&i & it &ad ,ained0 it be o!es +eaker0 and t&$s a door is o"ened to t&e devil by +&i & &e an enter on so!e ot&er o asion +it& a te!"tation +orse t&an t&e last. It !ay even &a""en t&at% +&en yo$ yo$rself are "re"ared to s$ffer an ins$lt% yo$r sisters o!e and ask yo$ if yo$ are a beast of b$rden% and say yo$ o$,&t to be !ore sensitive abo$t t&in,s. O&% !y sisters% for t&e love of /od% never let &arity !ove yo$ to s&o+ "ity for anot&er in anyt&in, to do +it& t&ese fan ied ins$lts% for t&at is like t&e "ity s&o+n to &oly #ob by &is +ife and friends.

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CHAPTER 1-. C#$ti$u!" t# tr!at #f '#rtifi&ati#$ a$) !0plai$" #% #$! 'u"t r!$#u$&! t ! %#rl)4" "ta$)ar)" #f %i")#' i$ #r)!r t# attai$ t# tru! %i")#'. 5 I often tell yo$% sisters% and no+ I +ant it to be set do+n in +ritin,% not to for,et t&at +e in t&is &o$se% and for t&at !atter anyone +&o +o$ld be "erfe t% !$st flee a t&o$sand lea,$es fro! s$ & "&rases as= KI &ad ri,&t on !y sideK0 KT&ey &ad no ri,&t to do t&is to !eK0 KT&e "erson +&o treated !e like t&is +as not ri,&tK. /od deliver $s fro! s$ & a false idea of ri,&t as t&at? (o yo$ t&ink t&at it +as ri,&t for o$r ,ood #es$s to &ave to s$ffer so !any ins$lts% and t&at t&ose +&o &ea"ed t&e! on )i! +ere ri,&t% and t&at t&ey &ad any ri,&t to do )i! t&ose +ron,s@ I do not kno+ +&y anyone is in a onvent +&o is +illin, to bear only t&e rosses t&at s&e &as a "erfe t ri,&t to e*"e t= s$ & a "erson s&o$ld ret$rn to t&e +orld% t&o$,& even t&ere s$ & ri,&ts +ill not be safe,$arded. (o yo$ t&ink yo$ an ever "ossibly &ave to bear so !$ & t&at yo$ o$,&t not to &ave to bear any !ore@ )o+ does ri,&t enter into t&e !atter at all@ I really do not kno+. Before +e be,in talkin, abo$t not &avin, o$r ri,&ts% let $s +ait $ntil +e re eive so!e &ono$r or ,ratifi ation% or are treated kindly% for it is ertainly not ri,&t t&at +e s&o$ld &ave anyt&in, in t&is life like t&at. W&en% on t&e ot&er &and% so!e offen e is done to $s Band +e do not feel it an offen e to $s t&at it s&o$ld be so des ribedC% I do not see +&at +e an find to o!"lain of. Eit&er +e are t&e brides of t&is ,reat Ain, or +e are not. If +e are% +&at +ife is t&ere +it& a sense of &ono$r +&o does not a e"t &er s&are in any dis&ono$r done to &er s"o$se% even t&o$,& s&e !ay do so a,ainst &er +ill@ Ea & "artner% in fa t% s&ares in t&e &ono$r and dis&ono$r of t&e ot&er. To desire to s&are in t&e kin,do! Dof o$r S"o$se #es$s C&ristE% and to en;oy it% and yet not to be +illin, to &ave any "art in )is dis&ono$rs and trials% is ridi $lo$s. /od kee" $s fro! bein, like t&at? 'et t&e sister +&o t&inks t&at s&e is a o$nted t&e least a!on, all onsider &erself t&e D&a""iest andE !ost fort$nate% as indeed s&e really is% if s&e lives &er life as s&e s&o$ld% for in t&at ase s&e +ill% as a r$le% &ave no la k of &ono$r eit&er in t&is life or in t&e ne*t. Believe !e +&en I say t&is 9 +&at an abs$rdity% t&o$,&% it is for !e to say KBelieve !eK +&en t&e +ords o!e fro! )i! W&o is tr$e Wisdo!% W&o is Tr$t& Itself% and fro! t&e L$een of t&e an,els? 'et $s% !y da$,&ters% in so!e s!all de,ree% i!itate t&e ,reat &$!ility of t&e !ost sa red -ir,in% +&ose &abit +e +ear and +&ose n$ns +e are as&a!ed to all o$rselves. 'et $s at least i!itate t&is &$!ility of &ers in so!e de,ree 9 I say Kin so!e de,reeK be a$se% &o+ever !$ & +e !ay see! to &$!ble o$rselves% +e fall far s&ort of bein, t&e da$,&ters of s$ & a .ot&er% and t&e brides of s$ & a S"o$se. If% t&en% t&e &abits I &ave des ribed are not sternly &e ked% +&at see!s not&in, to2day +ill "er&a"s be a venial sin to2!orro+% and t&at is so infe tio$s a tenden y t&at% if yo$ leave it alone% t&e sin +ill not be t&e only one for lon,0 and t&at is a very bad t&in, for o!!$nities. We +&o live in a o!!$nity s&o$ld onsider t&is very aref$lly% so as not to &ar! t&ose +&o labo$r to benefit $s and to set $s a ,ood e*a!"le. If +e reali:e +&at ,reat &ar! is done by t&e for!ation of a bad &abit of over2"$n tilio$sness abo$t o$r &ono$r% +e s&o$ld rat&er die a t&o$sand deat&s t&an be t&e a$se of s$ & a t&in,. For only t&e body +o$ld die% +&ereas t&e loss of a so$l is a ,reat loss +&i & is a""arently +it&o$t end0

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so!e of $s +ill die% b$t ot&ers +ill take o$r "la es and "er&a"s t&ey !ay all be &ar!ed !ore by t&e one bad &abit +&i & +e started t&an t&ey are benefited by !any virt$es. For t&e devil does not allo+ a sin,le bad &abit to disa""ear and t&e very +eakness of o$r !ortal nat$re destroys t&e virt$es in $s. 5 O&% +&at a real &arity it +o$ld be% and +&at a servi e +o$ld be rendered to /od% if any n$n +&o sees t&at s&e annot Dend$re andE onfor! to t&e $sto!s of t&is &o$se +o$ld re o,ni:e t&e fa t and ,o a+ay Dbefore bein, "rofessed% as I &ave said else+&ereE% and leave t&e ot&er sisters in "ea e? And no onvent Bat least% if it follo+s !y advi eC +ill take &er or allo+ &er to !ake &er "rofession $ntil t&ey &ave ,iven &er !any years> "robation to see if s&e i!"roves. I a! not referrin, to s&ort o!in,s affe tin, "enan es and fasts% for% alt&o$,& t&ese are +ron,% t&ey are not t&in,s +&i & do so !$ & &ar!. I a! t&inkin, of n$ns +&o are of s$ & a te!"era!ent t&at t&ey like to be estee!ed and !ade !$ & of0 +&o see t&e fa$lts of ot&ers b$t never re o,ni:e t&eir o+n0 and +&o are defi ient in ot&er +ays like t&ese% t&e tr$e so$r e of +&i & is +ant of &$!ility. If /od does not &el" s$ & a "erson by besto+in, ,reat s"irit$ality $"on &er% $ntil after !any years s&e be o!es ,reatly i!"roved% !ay /od "reserve yo$ fro! kee"in, &er in yo$r o!!$nity. For yo$ !$st reali:e t&at s&e +ill neit&er &ave "ea e t&ere &erself nor allo+ yo$ to &ave any. As yo$ do not take do+ries% /od is very ,ra io$s to yo$ in t&is res"e t. It ,rieves !e t&at reli,io$s &o$ses s&o$ld often &arbo$r one +&o is a t&ief and robs t&e! of t&eir treas$re% eit&er be a$se t&ey are $n+illin, to ret$rn a do+ry or o$t of re,ard for t&e relatives. In t&is &o$se yo$ &ave risked losin, +orldly &ono$r and for,one it Bfor no s$ & &ono$r is "aid to t&ose +&o are "oorC0 do not desire% t&en% t&at ot&ers s&o$ld be &ono$red at s$ & a ost to yo$rselves. O$r &ono$r% sisters% !$st lie in t&e servi e of /od% and% if anyone t&inks to &inder yo$ in t&is% s&e &ad better kee" &er &ono$r and stay at &o!e. It +as +it& t&is in !ind t&at o$r Fat&ers ordered a year>s "robation B+&i & in o$r Order +e are free to e*tend to fo$r yearsC= "ersonally% I s&o$ld like it to be "rolon,ed to ten years. A &$!ble n$n +ill !ind very little if s&e is not "rofessed= for s&e kno+s t&at if s&e is ,ood s&e +ill not be sent a+ay% and if s&e is not% +&y s&o$ld s&e +is& to do &ar! to one of C&rist>s o!!$nities@ By not bein, ,ood% I do not !ean bein, fond of vanities% +&i &% I believe% +it& t&e &el" of /od% +ill be a fa$lt far re!oved fro! t&e n$ns in t&is &o$se. I a! referrin, to a +ant of !ortifi ation and an atta &!ent to +orldly t&in,s and to self2interest in t&e !atter +&i & I &ave des ribed. 'et anyone +&o kno+s t&at s&e is not ,reatly !ortified take !y advi e and not !ake &er "rofession if s&e does not +is& to s$ffer a &ell on eart&% and /od ,rant t&ere !ay not be anot&er &ell a+aitin, s$ & a n$n in t&e +orld to o!e? T&ere are !any reasons +&y s&e s&o$ld fear t&ere !ay belt and "ossibly neit&er s&e nor &er sisters !ay reali:e t&is as +ell as I do. Believe +&at I say &ere0 if yo$ +ill not% I !$st leave it to ti!e to "rove t&e tr$t& of !y +ords. For t&e +&ole !anner of life +e are tryin, to live is !akin, $s% not only n$ns% b$t &er!its Dlike t&e &oly Fat&ers o$r "rede essorsE and leadin, $s to deta &!ent fro! all t&in,s reated. I &ave observed t&at anyone +&o! t&e 'ord &as s"e ially &osen for t&is life is ,ranted t&at favo$r. S&e !ay not &ave it in f$ll "erfe tion% b$t t&at s&e &as it +ill be evident fro! t&e ,reat ;oy and ,ladness t&at s$ & deta &!ent ,ives &er% and s&e

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+ill never &ave any !ore to do +it& +orldly t&in,s% for &er deli,&t +ill be in all t&e "ra ti es of t&e reli,io$s life. I say on e !ore t&at anyone +&o is in lined to t&in,s of t&e +orld s&o$ld leave t&e onvent if s&e sees s&e is not !akin, "ro,ress. If s&e still +is&es to be a n$n s&e s&o$ld ,o to anot&er onvent0 if s&e does not% s&e +ill see +&at &a""ens to &er. S&e !$st not o!"lain of !e as t&e fo$ndress of t&is onvent and say I &ave not +arned &er. T&is &o$se is anot&er )eaven% if it be "ossible to &ave )eaven $"on eart&. Anyone +&ose sole "leas$re lies in "leasin, /od and +&o ares not&in, for &er o+n "leas$re +ill find o$r life a very ,ood one0 if s&e +ants anyt&in, !ore% s&e +ill lose everyt&in,% for t&ere is not&in, !ore t&at s&e an &ave. A dis ontented so$l is like a "erson s$fferin, fro! severe na$sea% +&o re;e ts all food% &o+ever ni e it !ay be0 t&in,s +&i & "ersons in ,ood &ealt& deli,&t in eatin, only a$se &er t&e ,reater loat&in,. S$ & a "erson +ill save &er so$l better else+&ere t&an &ere0 s&e !ay even ,rad$ally rea & a de,ree of "erfe tion +&i & s&e o$ld not &ave attained &ere be a$se +e e*"e ted too !$ & of &er all at on e. For alt&o$,& +e allo+ ti!e for t&e attain!ent of o!"lete deta &!ent and !ortifi ation in interior !atters% in e*ternals t&is &as to be "ra tised i!!ediately% be a$se of t&e &ar! +&i & !ay ot&er+ise befall t&e rest0 and anyone +&o sees t&is bein, done% and s"ends all &er ti!e in s$ & ,ood o!"any% and yet% at t&e end of si* !ont&s or a year% &as !ade no "ro,ress% +ill% I fear% !ake none over a ,reat !any years% and +ill even ,o ba k+ard. I do not say t&at s$ & a n$n !$st be as "erfe t as t&e rest% b$t s&e !$st be s$re t&at &er so$l is ,rad$ally ,ro+in, &ealt&ier 9 and it +ill soon be o!e lear if &er disease is !ortal. CHAPTER 11. Tr!at" #f t ! ,r!at i'p#rta$&! #f $#t pr#f!""i$, a$y#$! % #"! "pirit i" &#$trary t# t ! t i$," af#r!'!$ti#$!).

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I feel s$re t&at t&e 'ord besto+s ,reat &el" on anyone +&o !akes ,ood resol$tions% and for t&at reason it is ne essary to en<$ire into t&e intentions of anyone +&o enters Dt&e life of reli,ionE. S&e !$st not o!e% as !any n$ns Dno+E do% si!"ly to f$rt&er &er o+n interests% alt&o$,& t&e 'ord an "erfe t even t&is intention if s&e is a "erson of intelli,en e. If not intelli,ent% a "erson of t&is kind s&o$ld on no a o$nt be ad!itted0 for s&e +ill not $nderstand &er o+n reasons for o!in,% nor +ill s&e $nderstand ot&ers +&o atte!"t s$bse<$ently to i!"rove &er. For% in ,eneral% a "erson +&o &as t&is fa$lt al+ays t&inks s&e kno+s better t&an t&e +isest +&at is ,ood for &er0 and I believe t&is evil is in $rable% for it is rarely $na o!"anied by !ali e. In a onvent +&ere t&ere are a ,reat !any n$ns it !ay be tolerated% b$t it annot be s$ffered a!on, a fe+. W&en an intelli,ent "erson be,ins to ,ro+ fond of +&at is ,ood% s&e lin,s to it !anf$lly% for s&e sees t&at it is t&e best t&in, for &er0 t&is o$rse !ay not brin, &er ,reat s"irit$ality b$t it +ill &el" &er to ,ive "rofitable advi e% and to !ake &erself $sef$l in !any +ays% +it&o$t bein, a tro$ble to anybody. B$t I do not see &o+ a "erson la kin, in intelli,en e an be of any $se in o!!$nity life% and s&e !ay do a ,reat deal of &ar!. T&is defe t% like ot&ers% +ill not be o!e obvio$s i!!ediately0 for !any "eo"le are ,ood at talkin, and bad at $nderstandin,% +&ile ot&ers s"eak in a s&ar" and none too refined a tone% and yet t&ey &ave intelli,en e and an do a ,reat deal of ,ood. T&ere are

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also si!"le% &oly "eo"le +&o are <$ite $nversed in b$siness !atters and +orldly onventions b$t &ave ,reat skill in onverse +it& /od. .any en<$iries% t&erefore% !$st be !ade before novi es are ad!itted% and t&e "eriod of "robation before "rofession s&o$ld be a lon, one. T&e +orld !$st $nderstand on e and for an t&at yo$ are free to send t&e! a+ay a,ain% as it is often ne essary to do in a onvent +&ere t&e life is one of a$sterity0 and t&en if yo$ $se t&is ri,&t no one +ill take offen e. I say t&is be a$se t&ese ti!es are so $n&a""y% and o$r +eakness is so ,reat% t&at +e are not ontent to follo+ t&e instr$ tions of o$r "rede essors and disre,ard t&e $rrent ideas abo$t &ono$r% lest +e s&o$ld ,ive offen e to t&e novi es> relatives. /od ,rant t&at t&ose of $s +&o ad!it $ns$itable "ersons !ay not "ay for it in t&e +orld to o!e? S$ & "ersons are never +it&o$t a "rete*t for "ers$adin, $s to a e"t t&e!% t&o$,& in a !atter of s$ & i!"ortan e no "rete*t is valid. If t&e s$"erior is $naffe ted by &er "ersonal likin,s and "re;$di es% and onsiders +&at is for t&e ,ood of t&e &o$se% I do not believe /od +ill ever allo+ &er to ,o astray. B$t if s&e onsiders ot&er "eo"le>s feelin,s and trivial "oints of detail% I feel s$re s&e +ill be bo$nd to err. T&is is so!et&in, +&i & everyone !$st t&ink o$t for &erself0 s&e !$st o!!end it to /od and en o$ra,e &er s$"erior +&en &er o$ra,e fails &er% of s$ & ,reat i!"ortan e is it. So I be, /od to ,ive yo$ li,&t abo$t it. Yo$ do very +ell not to a e"t do+ries0 for% if yo$ +ere to a e"t t&e!% it !i,&t &a""en t&at% in order not to &ave to ,ive ba k !oney +&i & yo$ no lon,er "ossess% yo$ +o$ld kee" a t&ief in t&e &o$se +&o +as robbin, yo$ of yo$r treas$re0 and t&at +o$ld be no s!all "ity. So yo$ !$st not re eive do+ries fro! anyone% for to do so !ay be to &ar! t&e very "erson to +&o! yo$ desire to brin, "rofit. CHAPTER 15. Tr!at" #f t ! ,r!at a)(a$ta,! % i& &#'!" fr#' #ur $#t !0&u"i$, #ur"!l(!"3 !(!$ t #u, %! fi$) %! ar! u$.u"tly &#$)!'$!).

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74 B$t &o+ dis onne tedly I a! +ritin,? I a! ;$st like a "erson +&o does not kno+ +&at s&e is doin,. It is yo$r fa$lt% sisters% for I a! doin, t&is at yo$r o!!and. Read it as best yo$ an% for I a! +ritin, it as best I an% and% if it is too bad% b$rn it. I really need leis$re% and% as yo$ see% I &ave so little o""ort$nity for +ritin, t&at a +eek "asses +it&o$t !y "$ttin, do+n a +ord% and so I for,et +&at I &ave said and +&at I a! ,oin, to say ne*t. No+ +&at I &ave ;$st been doin, 9 na!ely% e* $sin, !yself 9 is very bad for !e% and I be, yo$ not to o"y it% for to s$ffer +it&o$t !akin, e* $ses is a &abit of ,reat "erfe tion% and very edifyin, and !eritorio$s0 and% t&o$,& I often tea & yo$ t&is% and by /od>s ,oodness yo$ "ra tise it% )is .a;esty &as never ,ranted t&is favo$r to !e. .ay )e be "leased to besto+ it on !e before I die. I a! ,reatly onf$sed as I be,in to $r,e t&is virt$e $"on yo$% for I o$,&t !yself to &ave "ra tised at least so!et&in, of +&at I a! re o!!endin, yo$ +it& re,ard to it= b$t a t$ally I !$st onfess I &ave !ade very little "ro,ress. I never see! $nable to find a reason for t&inkin, I a! bein, virt$o$s +&en I !ake e* $ses for !yself. T&ere are ti!es +&en t&is is la+f$l% and +&en not to do it +o$ld be +ron,% b$t I &ave not t&e dis retion Bor% better% t&e &$!ilityC to do it only +&en fittin,. For% indeed% it takes ,reat &$!ility to find oneself $n;$stly onde!ned and be silent% and to do t&is is to i!itate t&e

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'ord W&o set $s free fro! all o$r sins. I be, yo$% t&en% to st$dy earnestly to do so% for it brin,s ,reat ,ain0 +&ereas I an see no ,ain in o$r tryin, to free o$rselves fro! bla!e= none +&atever 9 save% as I say% in a fe+ ases +&ere &idin, t&e tr$t& !i,&t a$se offen e or s andal. Anyone +ill $nderstand t&is +&o &as !ore dis retion t&an I. 5 I t&ink it is very i!"ortant to a $sto! oneself to "ra tise t&is virt$e and to endeavo$r to obtain fro! t&e 'ord t&e tr$e &$!ility +&i & !$st res$lt fro! it. T&e tr$ly &$!ble "erson +ill &ave a ,en$ine desire to be t&o$,&t little of% and "erse $ted% and onde!ned $n;$stly% even in serio$s !atters. For% if s&e desires to i!itate t&e 'ord% &o+ an s&e do so better t&an in t&is@ And no bodily stren,t& is ne essary &ere% nor t&e aid of anyone save /od. T&ese are ,reat virt$es% !y sisters% and I s&o$ld like $s to st$dy t&e! losely% and to !ake t&e! o$r "enan e. As yo$ kno+% I de"re ate Dot&er severe andE e* essive "enan es% +&i &% if "ra tised indis reetly% !ay in;$re t&e &ealt&. )ere% &o+ever% t&ere is no a$se for fear0 for% &o+ever ,reat t&e interior virt$es !ay be% t&ey do not +eaken t&e body so t&at it annot serve t&e Order% +&ile at t&e sa!e ti!e t&ey stren,t&en t&e so$l0 and% f$rt&er!ore% t&ey an be a""lied to very little t&in,s% and t&$s% as I &ave said on ot&er o asions% t&ey a $sto! one to ,ain ,reat vi tories in very i!"ortant !atters. I &ave not% &o+ever% been able to test t&is "arti $lar t&in, !yself% for I never &eard anyt&in, bad said of !e +&i & I did not learly reali:e fell s&ort of t&e tr$t&. If I &ad not so!eti!es 9 often% indeed 9 offended /od in t&e +ays t&ey referred to% I &ad done so in !any ot&ers% and I felt t&ey &ad treated !e far too ind$l,ently in sayin, not&in, abo$t t&ese= I !$ & "referred "eo"le to bla!e !e for +&at +as not tr$e t&an to tell t&e tr$t& abo$t !e. For I disliked &earin, t&in,s t&at +ere tr$e said abo$t !e% +&ereas t&ese ot&er t&in,s% &o+ever serio$s t&ey +ere% I did not !ind at all. In s!all !atters I follo+ed !y o+n in linations% and I still do so% +it&o$t "ayin, any affe tion to +&at is !ost "erfe t. So I s&o$ld like yo$ to be,in to reali:e t&is at an early sta,e% and I +ant ea & of yo$ to "onder &o+ !$ & t&ere is to be ,ained in every +ay by t&is virt$e% and &o+% so far as I an see% t&ere is not&in, to be lost by it. T&e &ief t&in, +e ,ain is bein, able% in so!e de,ree% to follo+ t&e 'ord. It is a ,reat &el" to !editate $"on t&e ,reat ,ain +&i & in any ase t&is is bo$nd to brin, $s% and to reali:e &o+% "ro"erly s"eakin,% +e an never be bla!ed $n;$stly% sin e +e are al+ays f$ll of fa$lts% and a ;$st !an falls seven ti!es a day% so t&at it +o$ld be a false&ood for $s to say +e &ave no sin. If% t&en% +e are not to bla!e for t&e t&in, t&at +e are a $sed of% +e are never +&olly +it&o$t bla!e in t&e +ay t&at o$r ,ood #es$s +as. O&% !y 'ord? W&en I t&ink in &o+ !any +ays T&o$ didst s$ffer% and in all of t&e! $ndeservedly% I kno+ not +&at to say for !yself% or +&at I an &ave been t&inkin, abo$t +&en I desired not to s$ffer% or +&at I a! doin, +&en I !ake e* $ses for !yself. T&o$ kno+est% !y /ood% t&at if t&ere is anyt&in, ,ood in !e it o!es fro! no ot&er &ands t&an T&ine o+n. For +&at is it to T&ee% 'ord% to ,ive !$ & instead of little@ Tr$e% I do not deserve it% b$t neit&er &ave I deserved t&e favo$rs +&i & T&o$ &ast s&o+n !e already. Can it be t&at I s&o$ld +is& a t&in, so evil as !yself to be t&o$,&t +ell of by anyone% +&en t&ey &ave said s$ & +i ked t&in,s of T&ee% W&o art ,ood above all ot&er ,ood@ It is intolerable% !y /od% it is intolerable0 nor +o$ld I t&at T&o$ s&o$ldst &ave to tolerate anyt&in, dis"leasin, in T&ine eyes bein, fo$nd in T&y &and!aiden. For see%

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'ord% !ine eyes are blind and very little "leases t&e!. (o T&o$ ,ive !e li,&t and !ake !e tr$ly to desire t&at all s&o$ld &ate !e% sin e I &ave so often left T&ee% W&o &ast loved !e +it& s$ & fait&f$lness. 5 W&at is t&is% !y /od@ W&at advanta,e do +e t&ink to ,ain fro! ,ivin, "leas$re to reat$res@ W&at does it !atter to $s if +e are bla!ed by t&e! all% "rovided +e are +it&o$t bla!e in t&e si,&t of t&e 'ord@ O&% !y sisters +e s&all never s$ eed in $nderstandin, t&is tr$t& and +e s&all never attain "erfe tion $nless +e t&ink and !editate $"on +&at is real and $"on +&at is not. If t&ere +ere no ot&er ,ain t&an t&e onf$sion +&i & +ill be felt by t&e "erson +&o &as bla!ed yo$ +&en s&e sees t&at yo$ &ave allo+ed yo$rselves to be onde!ned $n;$stly% t&at +o$ld be a very ,reat t&in,. S$ & an e*"erien e $"lifts t&e so$l !ore t&an ten ser!ons. And +e !$st all try to be "rea &ers by o$r deeds% sin e bot& t&e A"ostle and o$r o+n la k of ability forbid $s to be "rea &ers in +ord. Never s$""ose t&at eit&er t&e evil or t&e ,ood t&at yo$ do +ill re!ain se ret% &o+ever stri t !ay be yo$r en los$re. (o yo$ s$""ose% da$,&ter% t&at% if yo$ do not !ake e* $ses for yo$rself% t&ere +ill not be so!eone else +&o +ill defend yo$@ Re!e!ber &o+ t&e 'ord took t&e .a,dalen>s "art in t&e P&arisee>s &o$se and also +&en &er sister bla!ed &er. )e +ill not treat yo$ as ri,oro$sly as )e treated )i!self= it +as not $ntil )e +as on t&e Cross t&at )e &ad even a t&ief to defend )i!. )is .a;esty% t&en% +ill "$t it into so!ebody>s !ind to defend yo$0 if )e does not% it +ill be be a$se t&ere is no need. T&is I &ave !yself seen% and it is a fa t% alt&o$,& I s&o$ld not like yo$ to t&ink too !$ & of it% b$t rat&er to be ,lad +&en yo$ are bla!ed% and in d$e ti!e yo$ +ill see +&at "rofit yo$ e*"erien e in yo$r so$ls. For it is in t&is +ay t&at yo$ +ill be,in to ,ain freedo!0 soon yo$ +ill not are if t&ey s"eak ill or +ell of yo$0 it +ill see! like so!eone else>s b$siness. It +ill be as if t+o "ersons are talkin, in yo$r "resen e and yo$ are <$ite $ninterested in +&at t&ey are sayin, be a$se yo$ are not a t$ally bein, addressed by t&e!. So &ere= it be o!es s$ & a &abit +it& $s not to re"ly t&at it see!s as if t&ey are not addressin, $s at all. T&is !ay see! i!"ossible to t&ose of $s +&o are very sensitive and not a"able of ,reat !ortifi ation. It is indeed diffi $lt at first% b$t I kno+ t&at% +it& t&e 'ord>s &el"% t&e ,rad$al attain!ent of t&is freedo!% and of ren$n iation and self2deta &!ent% is <$ite "ossible. CHAPTER 16. 2!"&ri*!" t ! )iff!r!$&! *!t%!!$ p!rf!&ti#$ i$ t ! li(!" #f &#$t!'plati(!" a$) i$ t ! li(!" #f t #"! % # ar! &#$t!$t %it '!$tal pray!r. E0plai$" #% it i" "#'!ti'!" p#""i*l! f#r G#) t# rai"! a )i"tra&t!) "#ul t# p!rf!&t &#$t!'plati#$ a$) t ! r!a"#$ f#r t i". T i" & apt!r a$) t at % i& &#'!" $!0t ar! t# *! $#t!) &ar!fully. I &o"e yo$ do not t&ink I &ave +ritten too !$ & abo$t t&is already0 for I &ave only been "la in, t&e board% as t&ey say. Yo$ &ave asked !e to tell yo$ abo$t t&e first ste"s in "rayer0 alt&o$,& /od did not lead !e by t&e!% !y da$,&ters I kno+ no ot&ers% and even no+ I an &ardly &ave a <$ired t&ese ele!entary virt$es. B$t yo$ !ay be s$re t&at anyone +&o annot set o$t t&e "ie es in a ,a!e of &ess +ill never be able to "lay +ell% and% if &e does not kno+ &o+ to ,ive &e k% &e +ill not be able to brin, abo$t a

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&e k!ate. No+ yo$ +ill re"rove !e for talkin, abo$t ,a!es% as +e do not "lay t&e! in t&is &o$se and are forbidden to do so. T&at +ill s&o+ yo$ +&at kind of a !ot&er /od &as ,iven yo$ 9 s&e even kno+s abo$t vanities like t&is? )o+ever% t&ey say t&at t&e ,a!e is so!eti!es le,iti!ate. )o+ le,iti!ate it +ill be for $s to "lay it in t&is +ay% and% if +e "lay it fre<$ently% &o+ <$i kly +e s&all ,ive &e k!ate to t&is (ivine Ain,? )e +ill not be able to !ove o$t of o$r &e k nor +ill )e desire to do so. It is t&e <$een +&i & ,ives t&e kin, !ost tro$ble in t&is ,a!e and all t&e ot&er "ie es s$""ort &er. T&ere is no <$een +&o an beat t&is Ain, as +ell as &$!ility an0 for &$!ility bro$,&t )i! do+n fro! )eaven into t&e -ir,in>s +o!b and +it& &$!ility +e an dra+ )i! into o$r so$ls by a sin,le &air. Be s$re t&at )e +ill ,ive !ost &$!ility to &i! +&o &as !ost already and least to &i! +&o &as least. I annot $nderstand &o+ &$!ility e*ists% or an e*ist% +it&o$t love% or love +it&o$t &$!ility% and it is i!"ossible for t&ese t+o virt$es to e*ist save +&ere t&ere is ,reat deta &!ent fro! all reated t&in,s. Yo$ +ill ask% !y da$,&ters% +&y I a! talkin, to yo$ abo$t virt$es +&en yo$ &ave !ore t&an eno$,& books to tea & yo$ abo$t t&e! and +&en yo$ +ant !e to tell yo$ only abo$t onte!"lation. .y re"ly is t&at% if yo$ &ad asked !e abo$t !editation% I o$ld &ave talked to yo$ abo$t it% and advised yo$ all to "ra tise it% even if yo$ do not "ossess t&e virt$es. For t&is is t&e first ste" to be taken to+ards t&e a <$isition of t&e virt$es and t&e very life of all C&ristians de"ends $"on t&eir be,innin, it. No one% &o+ever lost a so$l &e !ay be% s&o$ld ne,le t so ,reat a blessin, if /od ins"ires &i! to !ake $se of it. All t&is I &ave already +ritten else+&ere% and so &ave !any ot&ers +&o kno+ +&at t&ey are +ritin, abo$t% +&i & I ertainly do not= /od kno+s t&at. B$t onte!"lation% da$,&ters% is anot&er !atter. T&is is an error +&i & +e all !ake= if a "erson ,ets so far as to s"end a s&ort ti!e ea & day in t&inkin, abo$t &is sins% as &e is bo$nd to do if &e is a C&ristian in anyt&in, !ore t&an na!e% "eo"le at on e all &i! a ,reat onte!"lative0 and t&en t&ey e*"e t &i! to &ave t&e rare virt$es +&i & a ,reat onte!"lative is bo$nd to "ossess0 &e !ay even t&ink &e &as t&e! &i!self% b$t &e +ill be <$ite +ron,. In &is early sta,es &e did not even kno+ &o+ to set o$t t&e &ess2board% and t&o$,&t t&at% in order to ,ive &e k!ate% it +o$ld be eno$,& to be able to re o,ni:e t&e "ie es. B$t t&at is i!"ossible% for t&is Ain, does not allo+ )i!self to be taken e* e"t by one +&o s$rrenders +&olly to )i!. T&erefore% da$,&ters% if yo$ +ant !e to tell yo$ t&e +ay to attain to onte!"lation% do allo+ !e to s"eak at so!e len,t& abo$t t&ese t&in,s% even if at t&e ti!e t&ey do not see! to yo$ very i!"ortant% for I t&ink !yself t&at t&ey are. If yo$ &ave no +is& eit&er to &ear abo$t t&e! or to "ra tise t&e!% ontin$e yo$r !ental "rayer all yo$r life0 b$t in t&at ase I ass$re yo$% and all "ersons +&o desire t&is blessin,% t&at in !y o"inion yo$ +ill not attain tr$e onte!"lation. I !ay% of o$rse% be +ron, abo$t t&is% as I a! ;$d,in, by !y o+n e*"erien e% b$t I &ave been strivin, after onte!"lation for t+enty years. I +ill no+ e*"lain +&at !ental "rayer is% as so!e of yo$ +ill not $nderstand t&is. /od ,rant t&at +e !ay "ra tise it as +e s&o$ld? I a! afraid% &o+ever% t&at% if +e do not a &ieve t&e virt$es% t&is an only be done +it& ,reat labo$r% alt&o$,& t&e virt$es are not ne essary &ere in s$ & a &i,& de,ree as t&ey are for onte!"lation. I !ean t&at t&e Ain,

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of ,lory +ill not o!e to o$r so$ls 9 t&at is% so as to be $nited +it& t&e! 9 $nless +e strive to ,ain t&e ,reatest virt$es. I +ill e*"lain t&is% for if yo$ on e at & !e o$t in so!et&in, +&i & is not t&e tr$t&% yo$ +ill believe not&in, I say 9 and if I +ere to say so!et&in, $ntr$e intentionally% fro! +&i & !ay /od "reserve !e% yo$ +o$ld be ri,&t0 b$t% if I did% it +o$ld be be a$se I kne+ no better or did not $nderstand +&at I said. I +ill tell yo$% t&en% t&at /od is so!eti!es "leased to s&o+ ,reat favo$r to "ersons +&o are in an evil state Dand to raise t&e! to "erfe t onte!"lationE% so t&at by t&is !eans )e !ay snat & t&e! o$t of t&e &ands of t&e devil. It !$st be $nderstood% I t&ink% t&at s$ & "ersons +ill not be in !ortal sin at t&e ti!e. T&ey !ay be in an evil state% and yet t&e 'ord +ill allo+ t&e! to see a vision% even a very ,ood one% in order to dra+ t&e! ba k to )i!self. B$t I annot believe t&at )e +o$ld ,rant t&e! onte!"lation. For t&at is a (ivine $nion% in +&i & t&e 'ord takes )is deli,&t in t&e so$l and t&e so$l takes its deli,&t in )i!0 and t&ere is no +ay in +&i & t&e P$rity of t&e )eavens an take "leas$re in a so$l t&at is $n lean% nor an t&e (eli,&t of t&e an,els &ave deli,&t in t&at +&i & is not )is o+n. And +e kno+ t&at% by o!!ittin, !ortal sin% a so$l be o!es t&e "ro"erty of t&e devil% and !$st take its deli,&t in &i!% sin e it &as ,iven &i! "leas$re0 and% as +e kno+% &is deli,&ts% even in t&is life% are ontin$o$s tort$re. .y 'ord +ill &ave no la k of &ildren of )is o+n in +&o! )e !ay re;oi e +it&o$t ,oin, and takin, t&e &ildren of ot&ers. Yet )is .a;esty +ill do +&at )e often does 9 na!ely% snat & t&e! o$t of t&e devil>s &ands. O&% !y 'ord? )o+ often do +e a$se T&ee to +restle +it& t&e devil? Was it not eno$,& t&at T&o$ s&o$ldst &ave allo+ed &i! to bear T&ee in &is ar!s +&en &e took T&ee to t&e "inna le of t&e Te!"le in order to tea & $s &o+ to van<$is& &i!@ W&at a si,&t it +o$ld &ave been% da$,&ters% to see t&is S$n by t&e side of t&e darkness% and +&at fear t&at +ret &ed reat$re !$st &ave felt% t&o$,& &e +o$ld not &ave kno+n +&y% sin e /od did not allo+ )i! to $nderstand? Blessed be s$ & ,reat "ity and !er y0 +e C&ristians o$,&t to feel ,reat s&a!e at !akin, )i! +restle daily% in t&e +ay I &ave des ribed% +it& s$ & an $n lean beast. Indeed% 'ord% T&ine ar!s &ad need to be stron,% b$t &o+ +as it t&at t&ey +ere not +eakened by t&e !any Dtrials andE tort$res +&i & T&o$ didst end$re $"on t&e Cross@ O&% &o+ <$i kly all t&at is borne for love>s sake &eals a,ain? I really believe t&at% if T&o$ &adst lived lon,er% t&e very love +&i & T&o$ &ast for $s +o$ld &ave &ealed T&y +o$nds a,ain and T&o$ +o$ldst &ave needed no ot&er !edi ine. O&% !y /od% +&o +ill ,ive !e s$ & !edi ine for all t&e t&in,s +&i & ,rieve and try !e@ )o+ ea,erly s&o$ld I desire t&e! if it +ere ertain t&at I o$ld be $red by s$ & a &ealt&2,ivin, oint!ent? Ret$rnin, to +&at I +as sayin,% t&ere are so$ls +&o! /od kno+s )e !ay ,ain for )i!self by t&is !eans0 seein, t&at t&ey are o!"letely lost% )is .a;esty +ants to leave no stone $nt$rned to &el" t&e!0 and t&erefore% t&o$,& t&ey are in a sad +ay and la kin, in virt$es% )e ,ives t&e! onsolations% favo$rs and e!otions +&i & be,in to !ove t&eir desires% and o asionally even brin,s t&e! to a state of onte!"lation% t&o$,& rarely and not for lon, at a ti!e. And t&is% as I say% )e does be a$se )e is testin, t&e! to see if t&at favo$r +ill not !ake t&e! an*io$s to "re"are t&e!selves to en;oy it often0 if it does not% !ay t&ey be "ardoned0 "ardon T&o$ $s% 'ord% for it is a dreadf$l t&in, t&at a so$l +&o! T&o$ &ast bro$,&t near to T&yself s&o$ld a""roa & any eart&ly t&in, and be o!e atta &ed to it.

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For !y o+n "art I believe t&ere are !any so$ls +&o! /od o$r 'ord tests in t&is +ay% and fe+ +&o "re"are t&e!selves to en;oy t&is favo$r. W&en t&e 'ord does t&is and +e o$rselves leave not&in, $ndone eit&er% I t&ink it is ertain t&at )e never eases fro! ,ivin, $ntil )e &as bro$,&t $s to a very &i,& de,ree of "rayer. If +e do not ,ive o$rselves to )is .a;esty as resol$tely as )e ,ives )i!self to $s% )e +ill be doin, !ore t&an eno$,& for $s if )e leaves $s in !ental "rayer and fro! ti!e to ti!e visits $s as )e +o$ld visit servants in )is vineyard. B$t t&ese ot&ers are )is beloved &ildren% +&o! )e +o$ld never +ant to banis& fro! )is side0 and% as t&ey &ave no desire to leave )i!% )e never does so. )e seats t&e! at )is table% and feeds t&e! +it& )is o+n food% al!ost takin, t&e food fro! )is !o$t& in order to ,ive it t&e!. O&% +&at blessed are of $s is t&is% !y da$,&ters? )o+ &a""y s&all +e be if by leavin, t&ese fe+% "etty t&in,s +e an arrive at so &i,& an estate? Even if t&e +&ole +orld s&o$ld bla!e yo$% and deafen yo$ +it& its ries% +&at !atter so lon, as yo$ are in t&e ar!s of /od@ )e is "o+erf$l eno$,& to free yo$ fro! everyt&in,0 for only on e did )e o!!and t&e +orld to be !ade and it +as done0 +it& )i!% to +ill is to do. (o not be afraid% t&en% if )e is "leased to s"eak +it& yo$% for )e does t&is for t&e ,reater ,ood of t&ose +&o love )i!. )is love for t&ose to +&o! )e is dear is by no !eans so +eak= )e s&o+s it in every +ay "ossible. W&y% t&en% !y sisters% do +e not s&o+ )i! love in so far as +e an@ Consider +&at a +onderf$l e* &an,e it is if +e ,ive )i! o$r love and re eive )is. Consider t&at )e an do all t&in,s% and +e an do not&in, &ere belo+ save as )e enables $s. And +&at is it t&at +e do for T&ee% O 'ord% o$r .aker@ We do &ardly anyt&in, Dat allE 9 ;$st !ake so!e "oor +eak resol$tion. And% if )is .a;esty is "leased t&at by doin, a !ere not&in, +e s&o$ld +in everyt&in,% let $s not be so foolis& as to fail to do it. O 'ord? All o$r tro$ble o!es to $s fro! not &avin, o$r eyes fi*ed $"on T&ee. If +e only looked at t&e +ay alon, +&i & +e are +alkin,% +e s&o$ld soon arrive0 b$t +e st$!ble and fall a t&o$sand ti!es and stray fro! t&e +ay be a$se% as I say% +e do not set o$r eyes on t&e tr$e Way. One +o$ld t&ink t&at no one &ad ever trodden it before% so ne+ is it to $s. It is indeed a "ity t&at t&is s&o$ld so!eti!es &a""en. I !ean% it &ardly see!s t&at +e are C&ristians at all or t&at +e &ave ever in o$r lives read abo$t t&e Passion. 'ord &el" $s 9 t&at +e s&o$ld be &$rt abo$t so!e s!all "oint of &ono$r? And t&en% +&en so!eone tells $s not to +orry abo$t it% +e t&ink &e is no C&ristian. I $sed to la$,& 9 or so!eti!es I $sed to be distressed 9 at t&e t&in,s I &eard in t&e +orld% and so!eti!es% for !y sins% in reli,io$s Orders. We ref$se to be t&+arted over t&e very s!allest !atter of "re eden e= a""arently s$ & a t&in, is <$ite intolerable. We ry o$t at on e= KWell% I>! no saintK0 I $sed to say t&at !yself. /od deliver $s% sisters% fro! sayin, KWe are not an,elsK% or KWe are not saintsK% +&enever +e o!!it so!e i!"erfe tion. We !ay not be0 b$t +&at a ,ood t&in, it is for $s to refle t t&at +e an be if +e +ill only try and if /od ,ives $s )is &and? (o not be afraid t&at )e +ill fail to do )is "art if +e do not fail to do o$rs. And sin e +e o!e &ere for no ot&er reason% let $s "$t o$r &ands to t&e "lo$,&% as t&ey say. 'et t&ere be not&in, +e kno+ of +&i & it +o$ld be a servi e to t&e 'ord for $s to do% and +&i &% +it& )is &el"% +e +o$ld not vent$re to take in &and. I s&o$ld like t&at kind of vent$reso!eness to be fo$nd in t&is &o$se% as it al+ays in reases &$!ility. We !$st

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&ave a &oly boldness% for /od &el"s t&e stron,% bein, no res"e ter of "ersons0 and )e +ill ,ive o$ra,e to yo$ and to !e. 5 I &ave strayed far fro! t&e "oint. I +ant to ret$rn to +&at I +as sayin, 9 t&at is% to e*"lain t&e nat$re of !ental "rayer and onte!"lation. It !ay see! irrelevant% b$t it is all done for yo$r sakes0 yo$ !ay $nderstand it better as e*"ressed in !y ro$,& style t&an in ot&er books +&i & "$t it !ore ele,antly. .ay t&e 'ord ,rant !e )is favo$r% so t&at t&is !ay be so. A!en. CHAPTER 17. H#% $#t all "#ul" ar! fitt!) f#r &#$t!'plati#$ a$) #% "#'! ta/! l#$, t# attai$ it. Tru! u'ility %ill %al/ appily al#$, t ! r#a) *y % i& t ! L#r) l!a)" it. 35 I see! no+ to be be,innin, !y treat!ent of "rayer% b$t t&ere still re!ains a little for !e to say% +&i & is of ,reat i!"ortan e be a$se it &as to do +it& &$!ility% and in t&is &o$se t&at is ne essary. For &$!ility is t&e "rin i"al virt$e +&i & !$st be "ra tised by t&ose +&o "ray% and% as I &ave said% it is very fittin, t&at yo$ s&o$ld try to learn &o+ to "ra tise it often= t&at is one of t&e &ief t&in,s to re!e!ber abo$t it and it is very ne essary t&at it s&o$ld be kno+n by all +&o "ra tise "rayer. )o+ an anyone +&o is tr$ly &$!ble t&ink &erself as ,ood as t&ose +&o be o!e onte!"latives@ /od% it is tr$e% by )is ,oodness and !er y% an !ake &er so0 b$t !y advi e is t&at s&e s&o$ld al+ays sit do+n in t&e lo+est "la e% for t&at is +&at t&e 'ord instr$ ted $s to do and ta$,&t $s by )is o+n e*a!"le. 'et s$ & a one !ake &erself ready for /od to lead &er by t&is road if )e so +ills0 if )e does not% t&e +&ole "oint of tr$e &$!ility is t&at s&e s&o$ld onsider &erself &a""y in servin, t&e servants of t&e 'ord and in "raisin, )i!. For s&e deserves to be a slave of t&e devils in &ell0 yet )is .a;esty &as bro$,&t &er &ere to live a!on, )is servants. I do not say t&is +it&o$t ,ood reason% for% as I &ave said% it is very i!"ortant for $s to reali:e t&at /od does not lead $s all by t&e sa!e road% and "er&a"s s&e +&o believes &erself to be ,oin, alon, t&e lo+est of roads is t&e &i,&est in t&e 'ord>s eyes. So it does not follo+ t&at% be a$se all of $s in t&is &o$se "ra tise "rayer% +e are all "erfor e to be onte!"latives. T&at is i!"ossible0 and t&ose of $s +&o are not +o$ld be ,reatly dis o$ra,ed if +e did not ,ras" t&e tr$t& t&at onte!"lation is so!et&in, ,iven by /od% and% as it is not ne essary for salvation and /od does not ask it of $s before )e ,ives $s o$r re+ard% +e !$st not s$""ose t&at anyone else +ill re<$ire it of $s. We s&all not fail to attain "erfe tion if +e do +&at &as been said &ere0 +e !ay% in fa t% ,ain !$ & !ore !erit% be a$se +&at +e do +ill ost $s !ore labo$r0 t&e 'ord +ill be treatin, $s like t&ose +&o are stron, and +ill be layin, $" for $s all t&at +e annot en;oy in t&is life. 'et $s not be dis o$ra,ed% t&en% and ,ive $" "rayer or ease doin, +&at t&e rest do0 for t&e 'ord so!eti!es tarries lon,% and ,ives $s as ,reat re+ards all at on e as )e &as been ,ivin, to ot&ers over !any years. I !yself s"ent over fo$rteen years +it&o$t ever bein, able to !editate e* e"t +&ile readin,. T&ere !$st be !any "eo"le like t&is% and ot&ers +&o annot !editate even after readin,% b$t an only re ite vo al "rayers% in +&i & t&ey &iefly o $"y t&e!selves and take a ertain "leas$re. So!e find t&eir t&o$,&ts +anderin, so !$ & t&at t&ey

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annot on entrate $"on t&e sa!e t&in,% b$t are al+ays restless% to s$ & an e*tent t&at% if t&ey try to fi* t&eir t&o$,&ts $"on /od% t&ey are atta ked by a t&o$sand foolis& ideas and s r$"les and do$bts on ernin, t&e Fait&. I kno+ a very old +o!an% leadin, a !ost e* ellent life 9 I +is& !ine +ere like &ers 9 a "enitent and a ,reat servant of /od% +&o for !any years &as been s"endin, &o$rs and &o$rs in vo al "rayer% b$t fro! !ental "rayer an ,et no &el" at all0 t&e !ost s&e an do is to d+ell $"on ea & of &er vo al "rayers as s&e says t&e!. T&ere are a ,reat !any ot&er "eo"le ;$st like t&is0 if t&ey are &$!ble% t&ey +ill not% I t&ink% be any t&e +orse off in t&e end% b$t very !$ & in t&e sa!e state as t&ose +&o en;oy n$!ero$s onsolations. In one +ay t&ey !ay feel safer% for +e annot tell if onsolations o!e fro! /od or are sent by t&e devil. If t&ey are not of /od% t&ey are t&e !ore dan,ero$s0 for t&e &ief ob;e t of t&e devil>s +ork on eart& is to fill $s +it& "ride. If t&ey are of /od% t&ere is no reason for fear% for t&ey brin, &$!ility +it& t&e!% as I e*"lained in !y ot&er book at ,reat len,t&. Ot&ers +alk in &$!ility% and al+ays s$s"e t t&at if t&ey fail to re eive onsolations t&e fa$lt is t&eirs% and are al+ays !ost an*io$s to !ake "ro,ress. T&ey never see a "erson s&eddin, a tear +it&o$t t&inkin, t&e!selves very ba k+ard in /od>s servi e $nless t&ey are doin, t&e sa!e% +&ereas t&ey !ay "er&a"s be !$ & !ore advan ed. For tears% t&o$,& ,ood% are not invariably si,ns of "erfe tion0 t&ere is al+ays ,reater safety in &$!ility% !ortifi ation% deta &!ent and ot&er virt$es. T&ere is no reason for fear% and yo$ !$st not be afraid t&at yo$ +ill fail to attain t&e "erfe tion of t&e ,reatest onte!"latives. Saint .art&a +as &oly% b$t +e are not told t&at s&e +as a onte!"lative. W&at !ore do yo$ +ant t&an to be able to ,ro+ to be like t&at blessed +o!an% +&o +as +ort&y to re eive C&rist o$r 'ord so often in &er &o$se% and to "re"are !eals for )i!% and to serve )i! and "er&a"s to eat at table +it& )i!@ If s&e &ad been absorbed in devotion Dall t&e ti!eE% as t&e .a,dalen +as% t&ere +o$ld &ave been no one to "re"are a !eal for t&is (ivine /$est. No+ re!e!ber t&at t&is little o!!$nity is Saint .art&a>s &o$se and t&at t&ere !$st be "eo"le of all kinds &ere. N$ns +&o are alled to t&e a tive life !$st not !$r!$r at ot&ers +&o are very !$ & absorbed in onte!"lation% for onte!"latives kno+ t&at% t&o$,& t&ey t&e!selves !ay be silent% t&e 'ord +ill s"eak for t&e!% and t&is% as a r$le% !akes t&e! for,et t&e!selves and everyt&in, else. Re!e!ber t&at t&ere !$st be so!eone to ook t&e !eals and o$nt yo$rselves &a""y in bein, able to serve like .art&a. Refle t t&at tr$e &$!ility onsists to a ,reat e*tent in bein, ready for +&at t&e 'ord desires to do +it& yo$ and &a""y t&at )e s&o$ld do it% and in al+ays onsiderin, yo$rselves $n+ort&y to be alled )is servants. If onte!"lation and !ental and vo al "rayer and tendin, t&e si k and servin, in t&e &o$se and +orkin, at even t&e lo+liest tasks are of servi e to t&e /$est +&o o!es to stay +it& $s and to eat and take )is re reation +it& $s% +&at s&o$ld it !atter to $s if +e do one of t&ese t&in,s rat&er t&an anot&er@ I do not !ean t&at it is for $s to say +&at +e s&all do% b$t t&at +e !$st do o$r best in everyt&in,% for t&e &oi e is not o$rs b$t t&e 'ord>s. If after !any years )e is "leased to ,ive ea & of $s &er offi e% it +ill be a $rio$s kind of &$!ility for yo$ to +is& to &oose0 let t&e 'ord of t&e &o$se do t&at% for )e is +ise and "o+erf$l and kno+s +&at is fittin, for yo$ and for )i!self as +ell. Be s$re t&at% if yo$ do +&at lies in yo$r "o+er

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and "re"are yo$rself for &i,& onte!"lation +it& t&e "erfe tion afore!entioned% t&en% if )e does not ,rant it yo$ Band I t&ink )e +ill not fail to do so if yo$ &ave tr$e deta &!ent and &$!ilityC% it +ill be be a$se )e &as laid $" t&is ;oy for yo$ so as to ,ive it yo$ in )eaven% and be a$se% as I &ave said else+&ere% )e is "leased to treat yo$ like "eo"le +&o are stron, and ,ive yo$ a ross to bear on eart& like t&at +&i & )is .a;esty )i!self al+ays bore. W&at better si,n of friends&i" is t&ere t&an for )i! to ,ive yo$ +&at )e ,ave )i!self@ It !i,&t +ell be t&at yo$ +o$ld not &ave &ad so ,reat a re+ard fro! onte!"lation. )is ;$d,!ents are )is o+n0 +e !$st not !eddle in t&e!. It is indeed a ,ood t&in, t&at t&e &oi e is not o$rs0 for% if it +ere% +e s&o$ld t&ink it t&e !ore restf$l life and all be o!e ,reat onte!"latives. O&% &o+ !$ & +e ,ain if +e &ave no desire to ,ain +&at see!s to $s best and so &ave no fear of losin,% sin e /od never "er!its a tr$ly !ortified "erson to lose anyt&in, e* e"t +&en s$ & loss +ill brin, &i! ,reater ,ain? CHAPTER 18. C#$ti$u!" t ! "a'! "u*.!&t a$) " #%" #% 'u& ,r!at!r ar! t ! trial" #f &#$t!'plati(!" t a$ t #"! #f a&ti(!". T i" & apt!r #ff!r" ,r!at &#$"#lati#$ t# a&ti(!".

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64 I tell yo$% t&en% da$,&ters 9 t&ose of yo$ +&o! /od is not leadin, by t&is road Dof onte!"lationE 9 t&at% as I kno+ fro! +&at I &ave seen and been told by t&ose +&o are follo+in, t&is road% t&ey are not bearin, a li,&ter ross t&an yo$0 yo$ +o$ld be a!a:ed at all t&e +ays and !anners in +&i & /od sends t&e! rosses. I kno+ abo$t bot& ty"es of life and I a! +ell a+are t&at t&e trials ,iven by /od to onte!"latives are intolerable0 and t&ey are of s$ & a kind t&at% +ere )e not to feed t&e! +it& onsolations% t&ey o$ld not be borne. It is lear t&at% sin e /od leads t&ose +&o! )e !ost loves by t&e +ay of trials% t&e !ore )e loves t&e!% t&e ,reater +ill be t&eir trials0 and t&ere is no reason to s$""ose t&at )e &ates onte!"latives% sin e +it& )is o+n !o$t& )e "raises t&e! and alls t&e! friends. To s$""ose t&at )e +o$ld ad!it to )is lose friends&i" "leas$re2lovin, "eo"le +&o are free fro! all trials is ridi $lo$s. I feel <$ite s$re t&at /od ,ives t&e! !$ & ,reater trials0 and t&at )e leads t&e! by a &ard and r$,,ed road% so t&at t&ey so!eti!es t&ink t&ey are lost and +ill &ave to ,o ba k and be,in a,ain. T&en )is .a;esty is obli,ed to ,ive t&e! s$stenan e 9 not +ater% b$t +ine% so t&at t&ey !ay be o!e inebriated by it and not reali:e +&at t&ey are ,oin, t&ro$,& and +&at t&ey are a"able of bearin,. T&$s I find fe+ tr$e onte!"latives +&o are not o$ra,eo$s and resol$te in s$fferin,0 for% if t&ey are +eak% t&e first t&in, t&e 'ord does is to ,ive t&e! o$ra,e so t&at t&ey !ay fear no trials t&at !ay o!e to t&e!. I t&ink% +&en t&ose +&o lead an a tive life o asionally see onte!"latives re eivin, onsolations% t&ey s$""ose t&at t&ey never e*"erien e anyt&in, else. B$t I an ass$re yo$ t&at yo$ !i,&t not be able to end$re t&eir s$fferin,s for as lon, as a day. T&e "oint is t&at t&e 'ord kno+s everyone as &e really is and ,ives ea & &is +ork to do 9 a ordin, to +&at )e sees to be !ost fittin, for &is so$l% and for )is o+n Self% and for t&e ,ood of &is nei,&bo$r. 1nless yo$ &ave o!itted to "re"are yo$rselves for yo$r +ork yo$ need &ave no fear t&at it +ill be lost. Note t&at I say +e !$st all strive to do t&is% for

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+e are &ere for no ot&er "$r"ose0 and +e !$st not strive !erely for a year% or for t+o years or ten years% or it +ill look as if +e are abandonin, o$r +ork like o+ards. It is +ell t&at t&e 'ord s&o$ld see +e are not leavin, anyt&in, $ndone. We are like soldiers +&o% &o+ever lon, t&ey &ave served% !$st al+ays be ready for t&eir a"tain to send t&e! a+ay on any d$ty +&i & &e +ants to entr$st to t&e!% sin e it is &e +&o is "ayin, t&e!. And &o+ !$ & better is t&e "ay!ent ,iven by o$r Ain, t&an by "eo"le on t&is eart&? For t&e $nfort$nate soldiers die% and /od kno+s +&o "ays t&e! after t&at? W&en t&eir a"tain sees t&ey are all "resent% and an*io$s for servi e% &e assi,ns d$ties to t&e! a ordin, to t&eir fitness% t&o$,& not so +ell as o$r )eavenly Ca"tain. B$t if t&ey +ere not "resent% )e +o$ld ,ive t&e! neit&er "ay nor servi e orders. So "ra tise !ental "rayer% sisters0 or% if any of yo$ annot do t&at% vo al "rayer% readin, and ollo<$ies +it& /od% as I s&all e*"lain to yo$ later. (o not ne,le t t&e &o$rs of "rayer +&i & are observed by all t&e n$ns0 yo$ never kno+ +&en t&e S"o$se +ill all yo$ Bdo not let +&at &a""ened to t&e foolis& vir,ins &a""en to yo$C and if )e +ill ,ive yo$ fres& trials $nder t&e dis,$ise of onsolations. If )e does not% yo$ !ay be s$re t&at yo$ are not fit for t&e! and t&at +&at yo$ are doin, is s$itable for yo$. T&at is +&ere bot& !erit and &$!ility o!e in% +&en yo$ really t&ink t&at yo$ are not fit for +&at yo$ are doin,. /o &eerf$lly abo$t +&atever servi es yo$ are ordered to do% as I &ave said0 if s$ & a servant is tr$ly &$!ble s&e +ill be blessed in &er a tive life and +ill never !ake any o!"laint save of &erself. I +o$ld !$ & rat&er be like &er t&an like so!e onte!"latives. 'eave ot&ers to +a,e t&eir o+n onfli ts% +&i & are not li,&t ones. T&e standard2bearer is not a o!batant% yet none t&e less &e is e*"osed to ,reat dan,er% and% in+ardly% !$st s$ffer !ore t&an anyone% for &e annot defend &i!self% as &e is arryin, t&e standard% +&i & &e !$st not allo+ to leave &is &ands% even if &e is $t to "ie es. #$st so onte!"latives &ave to bear aloft t&e standard of &$!ility and !$st s$ffer all t&e blo+s +&i & are ai!ed at t&e! +it&o$t strikin, any t&e!selves. T&eir d$ty is to s$ffer as C&rist did% to raise t&e Cross on &i,&% not to allo+ it to leave t&eir &ands% +&atever t&e "erils in +&i & t&ey find t&e!selves% and not to let t&e!selves be fo$nd ba k+ard in s$fferin,. It is for t&is reason t&at t&ey are ,iven s$ & an &ono$rable d$ty. 'et t&e onte!"lative onsider +&at &e is doin,0 for% if &e lets t&e standard fall% t&e battle +ill be lost. /reat &ar!% I t&ink% is done to t&ose +&o are not so far advan ed if t&ose +&o! t&ey onsider as a"tains and friends of /od let t&e! see t&e! a tin, in a +ay $nbefittin, to t&eir offi e. T&e ot&er soldiers do as best t&ey an0 at ti!es t&ey +ill +it&dra+ fro! so!e "osition of e*tre!e dan,er% and% as no one observes t&e!% t&ey s$ffer no loss of &ono$r. B$t t&ese ot&ers &ave all eyes fi*ed on t&e! and annot !ove. T&eir offi e% t&en% is a noble one% and t&e Ain, onfers ,reat &ono$r and favo$r $"on anyone to +&o! )e ,ives it% and +&o% in re eivin, it% a e"ts no li,&t obli,ation. So% sisters% as +e do not $nderstand o$rselves and kno+ not +&at +e ask% let $s leave everyt&in, to t&e 'ord% W&o kno+s $s better t&an +e kno+ o$rselves. Tr$e &$!ility onsists in o$r bein, satisfied +it& +&at is ,iven $s. T&ere are so!e "eo"le +&o see! to +ant to ask favo$rs fro! /od as a ri,&t. A "retty kind of &$!ility t&at is? )e W&o kno+s $s all does +ell in seldo! ,ivin, t&in,s to s$ & "ersons% )e sees learly t&at t&ey are $nable to drink of )is &ali e.

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If yo$ +ant to kno+ +&et&er yo$ &ave !ade "ro,ress or not% sisters% yo$ !ay be s$re t&at yo$ &ave if ea & of yo$ t&inks &erself t&e +orst of all and s&o+s t&at s&e t&inks t&is by a tin, for t&e "rofit and benefit of t&e rest. Pro,ress &as not&in, to do +it& en;oyin, t&e ,reatest n$!ber of onsolations in "rayer% or +it& ra"t$res% visions or favo$rs DoftenE ,iven by t&e 'ord% t&e val$e of +&i & +e annot esti!ate $ntil +e rea & t&e +orld to o!e. T&e ot&er t&in,s I &ave been des ribin, are $rrent oin% an $nfailin, so$r e of reven$e and a "er"et$al in&eritan e 9 not "ay!ents liable at any ti!e to ease% like t&ose favo$rs +&i & are ,iven $s and t&en o!e to an end. I a! referrin, to t&e ,reat virt$es of &$!ility% !ortifi ation and an obedien e so e*tre!ely stri t t&at +e never ,o an in & beyond t&e s$"erior>s orders% kno+in, t&at t&ese orders o!e fro! /od sin e s&e is in )is "la e. It is to t&is d$ty of obedien e t&at yo$ !$st atta & t&e ,reatest i!"ortan e. It see!s to !e t&at anyone +&o does not &ave it is not a n$n at all% and so I a! sayin, no !ore abo$t it% as I a! s"eakin, to n$ns +&o! I believe to be ,ood% or% at least% desiro$s of bein, so. So +ell kno+n is t&e !atter% and so i!"ortant% t&at a sin,le +ord +ill s$ffi e to "revent yo$ fro! for,ettin, it. I !ean t&at% if anyone is $nder a vo+ of obedien e and ,oes astray t&ro$,& not takin, t&e ,reatest are to observe t&ese vo+s +it& t&e &i,&est de,ree of "erfe tion% I do not kno+ +&y s&e is in t&e onvent. I an ass$re &er% in any ase% t&at% for so lon, as s&e fails in t&is res"e t% s&e +ill never s$ eed in leadin, t&e onte!"lative life% or even in leadin, a ,ood a tive life= of t&at I a! absol$tely ertain. And even a "erson +&o &as not t&is obli,ation% b$t +&o +is&es or tries to a &ieve onte!"lation% !$st% if s&e +o$ld +alk safely% be f$lly resolved to s$rrender &er +ill to a onfessor +&o is &i!self a onte!"lative and +ill $nderstand &er. It is a +ell2kno+n fa t t&at s&e +ill !ake !ore "ro,ress in t&is +ay in a year t&an in a ,reat !any years if s&e a ts ot&er+ise. As t&is does not affe t yo$% &o+ever% I +ill say no !ore abo$t it. I on l$de% !y da$,&ters% Dby sayin,E t&at t&ese are t&e virt$es +&i & I desire yo$ to "ossess and to strive to obtain and of +&i & yo$ s&o$ld &eris& a &oly envy. (o not be tro$bled be a$se yo$ &ave no e*"erien e of t&ose ot&er kinds of devotion= t&ey are very $nreliable. It !ay be t&at to so!e "eo"le t&ey o!e fro! /od% and yet t&at if t&ey a!e to yo$ it !i,&t be be a$se )is .a;esty &ad "er!itted yo$ to be de eived and del$ded by t&e devil% as )e &as "er!itted ot&ers= t&ere is dan,er in t&is for +o!en. W&y do yo$ +ant to serve t&e 'ord in so do$btf$l a +ay +&en t&ere are so !any +ays of Dservin, )i! inE safety@ W&o +ants to "l$n,e yo$ into t&ese "erils@ I &ave said a ,reat deal abo$t t&is% be a$se I a! s$re it +ill be $sef$l% for t&is nat$re of o$rs is +eak% t&o$,& )is .a;esty +ill stren,t&en t&ose on +&o! )e +is&es to besto+ onte!"lation. Wit& re,ard to t&e rest% I a! ,lad to &ave ,iven t&e! t&is advi e% +&i & +ill tea & onte!"latives &$!ility also. If yo$ say yo$ &ave no need of it% da$,&ters% so!e of yo$ !ay "er&a"s find it "leasant readin,. .ay t&e 'ord% for )is o+n sake% ,ive $s li,&t to follo+ )is +ill in all t&in,s and +e s&all &ave no a$se for fear. CHAPTER 1:. B!,i$" t# tr!at #f pray!r. A))r!""!" "#ul" % # &a$$#t r!a"#$ %it t ! u$)!r"ta$)i$,.

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It is a lon, ti!e sin e I +rote t&e last &a"ter and I &ave &ad no &an e of ret$rnin, to !y +ritin,% so t&at% +it&o$t readin, t&ro$,& +&at I &ave +ritten% I annot re!e!ber +&at I said. )o+ever% I !$st not s"end too !$ & ti!e at t&is% so it +ill be best if I ,o ri,&t on +it&o$t tro$blin, abo$t t&e onne tion. For t&ose +it& orderly !inds% and for so$ls +&o "ra tise "rayer and an be a ,reat deal in t&eir o+n o!"any% !any books &ave been +ritten% and t&ese are so ,ood and are t&e +ork of s$ & o!"etent "eo"le t&at yo$ +o$ld be !akin, a !istake if yo$ "aid &eed to anyt&in, abo$t "rayer t&at yo$ learned fro! !e. T&ere are books% as I say% in +&i & t&e !ysteries of t&e life of t&e 'ord and of )is sa red Passion are des ribed in s&ort "assa,es% one for ea & day of t&e +eek0 t&ere are also !editations on t&e #$d,!ent% on &ell% on o$r o+n not&in,ness and on all t&at +e o+e to /od% and t&ese books are e* ellent bot& as to t&eir tea &in, and as to t&e +ay in +&i & t&ey "lan t&e be,innin, and t&e end of t&e ti!e of "rayer. T&ere is no need to tell anyone +&o is a"able of "ra tisin, "rayer in t&is +ay% and &as already for!ed t&e &abit of doin, so% t&at by t&is ,ood road t&e 'ord +ill brin, &er to t&e &arbo$r of li,&t. If s&e be,ins so +ell% &er end +ill be ,ood also0 and all +&o an +alk alon, t&is road +ill +alk restf$lly and se $rely% for one al+ays +alks restf$lly +&en t&e $nderstandin, is ke"t in restraint. It is so!et&in, else t&at I +is& to treat of and &el" yo$ abo$t if t&e 'ord is "leased to enable !e to do so0 if not% yo$ +ill at least reali:e t&at t&ere are !any so$ls +&o s$ffer t&is trial% and yo$ +ill not be so !$ & distressed at $nder,oin, it yo$rselves at first% b$t +ill find so!e o!fort in it. T&ere are so!e so$ls% and so!e !inds% as $nr$ly as &orses not yet broken in. No one an sto" t&e!= no+ t&ey ,o t&is +ay% no+ t&at +ay0 t&ey are never still. Alt&o$,& a skilled rider !o$nted on s$ & a &orse !ay not al+ays be in dan,er% &e +ill be so so!eti!es0 and% even if &e is not on erned abo$t &is life% t&ere +ill al+ays be t&e risk of &is st$!blin,% so t&at &e &as to ride +it& ,reat are. So!e "eo"le are eit&er like t&is by nat$re or /od "er!its t&e! to be o!e so. I a! very sorry for t&e!0 t&ey see! to !e like "eo"le +&o are very t&irsty and see +ater a lon, +ay off% yet% +&en t&ey try to ,o to it% find so!eone +&o all t&e ti!e is barrin, t&eir "at& 9 at t&e be,innin, of t&eir ;o$rney% in t&e !iddle and at t&e end. And +&en% after all t&eir labo$r 9 and t&e labo$r is tre!endo$s 9 t&ey &ave on<$ered t&e first of t&eir ene!ies% t&ey allo+ t&e!selves to be on<$ered by t&e se ond% and t&ey "refer to die of t&irst rat&er t&an drink +ater +&i & is ,oin, to ost t&e! so !$ & tro$ble. T&eir stren,t& &as o!e to an end0 t&eir o$ra,e &as failed t&e!0 and% t&o$,& so!e of t&e! are stron, eno$,& to on<$er t&eir se ond ene!ies as +ell as t&eir first% +&en t&ey !eet t&e t&ird ,ro$" t&eir stren,t& o!es to an end% t&o$,& "er&a"s t&ey are only a o$"le of ste"s fro! t&e fo$ntain of livin, +ater% of +&i & t&e 'ord said to t&e Sa!aritan +o!an t&at +&osoever drinks of it s&all not t&irst a,ain. )o+ ri,&t and &o+ very tr$e is t&at +&i & o!es fro! t&e li"s of Tr$t& )i!self? In t&is life t&e so$l +ill never t&irst for anyt&in, !ore% alt&o$,& its t&irst for t&in,s in t&e life to o!e +ill e* eed any nat$ral t&irst t&at +e an i!a,ine &ere belo+. )o+ t&e so$l t&irsts to e*"erien e t&is t&irst? For it kno+s &o+ very "re io$s it is% and% ,rievo$s t&o$,& it be and e*&a$stin,% it reates t&e very satisfa tion by +&i & t&is t&irst is allayed. It is t&erefore a t&irst +&i & <$en &es not&in, b$t desire for eart&ly t&in,s% and% +&en /od slakes it% satisfies in s$ & a +ay t&at one of t&e ,reatest favo$rs )e an besto+ on t&e so$l is to leave it +it& t&is lon,in,% so t&at it &as an even ,reater desire to drink of t&is +ater a,ain.

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Water &as t&ree "ro"erties 9 t&ree relevant "ro"erties +&i & I an re!e!ber% t&at is to say% for it !$st &ave !any !ore. One of t&e! is t&at of oolin, t&in,s0 &o+ever &ot +e are% +ater te!"ers t&e &eat% and it +ill even "$t o$t a lar,e fire% e* e"t +&en t&ere is tar in t&e fire% in +&i & ase% t&ey say% it only b$rns t&e !ore. /od &el" !e? W&at a !arvello$s t&in, it is t&at% +&en t&is fire is stron, and fier e and s$b;e t to none of t&e ele!ents% +ater s&o$ld !ake it ,ro+ fier er% and% t&o$,& its ontrary ele!ent% s&o$ld not <$en & it b$t only a$se it to b$rn t&e !ore? It +o$ld be very $sef$l to be able to dis $ss t&is +it& so!eone +&o $nderstands "&iloso"&y0 if I kne+ t&e "ro"erties of t&in,s I o$ld e*"lain it !yself0 b$t% t&o$,& I love t&inkin, abo$t it% I annot e*"lain it 9 "er&a"s I do not even $nderstand it. Yo$ +ill be ,lad% sisters% if /od ,rants yo$ to drink of t&is +ater% as are t&ose +&o drink of it no+% and yo$ +ill $nderstand &o+ a ,en$ine love of /od% if it is really stron,% and o!"letely free fro! eart&ly t&in,s% and able to rise above t&e!% is !aster of all t&e ele!ents and of t&e +&ole +orld. And% as +ater "ro eeds fro! t&e eart&% t&ere is no fear of its <$en &in, t&is fire% +&i & is t&e love of /od0 t&o$,& t&e t+o ele!ents are ontraries% it &as no "o+er over it. T&e fire is absol$te !aster% and s$b;e t to not&in,. Yo$ +ill not be s$r"rised% t&en% sisters% at t&e +ay I &ave insisted in t&is book t&at yo$ s&o$ld strive to obtain t&is freedo!. Is it not a f$nny t&in, t&at a "oor little n$n of Saint #ose"&>s s&o$ld attain !astery over t&e +&ole eart& and all t&e ele!ents@ W&at +onder t&at t&e saints did as t&ey "leased +it& t&e! by t&e &el" of /od@ Fire and +ater obeyed Saint .artin0 even birds and fis&es +ere obedient to Saint Fran is0 and si!ilarly +it& !any ot&er saints. )el"ed as t&ey +ere by /od% and t&e!selves doin, all t&at +as in t&eir "o+er% t&ey o$ld al!ost &ave lai!ed t&is as a ri,&t. It +as lear t&at t&ey +ere !asters over everyt&in, in t&e +orld% be a$se t&ey &ad striven so &ard to des"ise it and s$b;e ted t&e!selves to t&e 'ord of t&e +orld +it& all t&eir !i,&t. So% as I say% t&e +ater% +&i & s"rin,s fro! t&e eart&% &as no "o+er over t&is fire. Its fla!es rise &i,& and its so$r e is in not&in, so base as t&e eart&. T&ere are ot&er fires of love for /od 9 s!all ones% +&i & !ay be <$en &ed by t&e least little t&in,. B$t t&is fire +ill !ost ertainly not be so <$en &ed. Even s&o$ld a +&ole sea of te!"tations assail it% t&ey +ill not kee" it fro! b$rnin, or "revent it fro! ,ainin, t&e !astery over t&e!. Water +&i & o!es do+n as rain fro! )eaven +ill <$en & t&e fla!es even less% for in t&at ase t&e fire and t&e +ater are not ontraries% b$t &ave t&e sa!e ori,in. (o not fear t&at t&e one ele!ent !ay &ar! t&e ot&er0 ea & &el"s t&e ot&er and t&ey "rod$ e t&e sa!e effe t. For t&e +ater of ,en$ine tears 9 t&at is% tears +&i & o!e fro! tr$e "rayer 9 is a ,ood ,ift fro! t&e Ain, of )eaven0 it fans t&e fla!es and kee"s t&e! ali,&t% +&ile t&e fire &el"s to ool t&e +ater. /od bless !e? W&at a bea$tif$l and +onderf$l t&in, it is t&at fire s&o$ld ool +ater? B$t it does0 and it even free:es all +orldly affe tions% +&en it is o!bined +it& t&e livin, +ater +&i & o!es fro! )eaven% t&e so$r e of t&e above2 !entioned tears% +&i & are ,iven $s% and not a <$ired by o$r dili,en e. Certainly% t&en% not&in, +orldly &as +ar!t& eno$,& left in it to ind$ e $s to lin, to it $nless it is so!et&in, +&i & in reases t&is fire% t&e nat$re of +&i & is not to be easily satisfied% b$t% if "ossible% to enkindle t&e entire +orld. T&e se ond "ro"erty of +ater is t&at it leanses t&in,s t&at are not lean already. W&at +o$ld be o!e of t&e +orld if t&ere +ere no +ater for +as&in,@ (o yo$ kno+ +&at leansin, "ro"erties t&ere are in t&is livin, +ater% t&is &eavenly +ater% t&is lear +ater%

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+&en it is $n lo$ded% and free fro! !$d% and o!es do+n fro! )eaven@ On e t&e so$l &as dr$nk of it I a! onvin ed t&at it !akes it "$re and lean of all its sins0 for% as I &ave +ritten% /od does not allo+ $s to drink of t&is +ater of "erfe t onte!"lation +&enever +e like= t&e &oi e is not o$rs0 t&is (ivine $nion is so!et&in, <$ite s$"ernat$ral% ,iven t&at it !ay leanse t&e so$l and leave it "$re and free fro! t&e !$d and !isery in +&i & it &as been "l$n,ed be a$se of its sins. Ot&er onsolations% e* ellent as t&ey !ay be% +&i & o!e t&ro$,& t&e inter!edia y of t&e $nderstandin,% are like +ater r$nnin, all over t&e ,ro$nd. T&is annot be dr$nk dire tly fro! t&e so$r e0 and its o$rse is never free fro! lo,,in, i!"$rities% so t&at it is neit&er so "$re nor so lean as t&e ot&er. I s&o$ld not say t&at t&is "rayer I &ave been des ribin,% +&i & o!es fro! reasonin, +it& t&e intelle t% is livin, +ater 9 I !ean so far as !y $nderstandin, of it ,oes. For% des"ite o$r efforts% t&ere is al+ays so!et&in, lin,in, to t&e so$l% t&ro$,& t&e infl$en e of t&e body and of t&e baseness of o$r nat$re% +&i & +e s&o$ld "refer not to be t&ere. I +ill e*"lain !yself f$rt&er. We are !editatin, on t&e nat$re of t&e +orld% and on t&e +ay in +&i & everyt&in, +ill o!e to an end% so t&at +e !ay learn to des"ise it% +&en% al!ost +it&o$t noti in, it% +e find o$rselves r$!inatin, on t&in,s in t&e +orld t&at +e love. We try to banis& t&ese t&o$,&ts% b$t +e annot &el" bein, sli,&tly distra ted by t&inkin, of t&in,s t&at &ave &a""ened% or +ill &a""en% of t&in,s +e &ave done and of t&in,s +e are ,oin, to do. T&en +e be,in to t&ink of &o+ +e an ,et rid of t&ese t&o$,&ts0 and t&at so!eti!es "l$n,es $s on e a,ain into t&e sa!e dan,er. It is not t&at +e o$,&t to o!it s$ & !editations0 b$t +e need to retain o$r !is,ivin,s abo$t t&e! and not to ,ro+ areless. In onte!"lation t&e 'ord )i!self relieves $s of t&is are% for )e +ill not tr$st $s to look after o$rselves. So dearly does )e love o$r so$ls t&at )e "revents t&e! fro! r$s&in, into t&in,s +&i & !ay do t&e! &ar! ;$st at t&is ti!e +&en )e is an*io$s to &el" t&e!. So )e alls t&e! to )is side at on e% and in a sin,le !o!ent reveals !ore tr$t&s to t&e! and ,ives t&e! a learer insi,&t into t&e nat$re of everyt&in, t&an t&ey o$ld ot&er+ise ,ain in !any years. For o$r si,&t is "oor and t&e d$st +&i & +e !eet on t&e road blinds $s0 b$t in onte!"lation t&e 'ord brin,s $s to t&e end of t&e day>s ;o$rney +it&o$t o$r $nderstandin, &o+. T&e t&ird "ro"erty of +ater is t&at it satisfies and <$en &es t&irst. T&irst% I t&ink% !eans t&e desire for so!et&in, +&i & is very ne essary for $s 9 so ne essary t&at if +e &ave none of it +e s&all die. It is a stran,e t&in, t&at if +e &ave no +ater +e die% and t&at +e an also lose o$r lives t&ro$,& &avin, too !$ & of it% as &a""ens to !any "eo"le +&o ,et dro+ned. O&% !y 'ord% if only one o$ld be "l$n,ed so dee"ly into t&is livin, +ater t&at one>s life +o$ld end? Can t&at be@ Yes= t&is love and desire for /od an in rease so !$ & t&at &$!an nat$re is $nable to bear it% and so t&ere &ave been "ersons +&o &ave died of it. I kne+ one "erson +&o &ad t&is livin, +ater in s$ & ,reat ab$ndan e t&at s&e +o$ld al!ost &ave been dra+n o$t of &erself by ra"t$res if /od &ad not <$i kly s$ o$red &er. S&e &ad s$ & a t&irst% and &er desire ,re+ so ,reatly% t&at s&e reali:ed learly t&at s&e !i,&t <$ite "ossibly die of t&irst if so!et&in, +ere not done for &er. I say t&at s&e +o$ld al!ost &ave been dra+n o$t of &erself be a$se in t&is state t&e so$l is in re"ose. So intolerable does s$ & a so$l find t&e +orld t&at it see!s to be over+&el!ed% b$t it o!es to life a,ain in /od0 and in t&is +ay )is .a;esty enables it to en;oy e*"erien es +&i &% if it &ad re!ained +it&in itself% +o$ld "erfor e &ave ost it its life.

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'et it be $nderstood fro! t&is t&at% as t&ere an be not&in, in o$r s$"re!e /ood +&i & is not "erfe t% all t&at )e ,ives is for o$r +elfare0 and% &o+ever ab$ndant t&is +ater +&i & )e ,ives !ay be% in not&in, t&at )e ,ives an t&ere be s$"erfl$ity. For% if )is ,ift is ab$ndant% )e also besto+s on t&e so$l% as I &ave said% an ab$ndant a"a ity for drinkin,0 ;$st as a ,lass!aker !o$lds &is vessels to t&e si:e &e t&inks ne essary% so t&at t&ere is roo! for +&at &e +is&es to "o$r into t&e!. As o$r desires for t&is +ater o!e fro! o$rselves% t&ey are never free fro! fa$lt0 any ,ood t&at t&ere !ay be in t&e! o!es fro! t&e &el" of t&e 'ord. B$t +e are so indis reet t&at% as t&e "ain is s+eet and "leasant% +e t&ink +e an never &ave too !$ & of it. We &ave an i!!eas$rable lon,in, for it% and% so far as is "ossible on eart&% +e sti!$late t&is lon,in,= so!eti!es t&is ,oes so far as to a$se deat&. )o+ &a""y is s$ & a deat&? And yet by livin, one !i,&t "er&a"s &ave &el"ed ot&ers to die of t&e desire for it. I believe t&e devil &as so!et&in, to do +it& t&is= kno+in, &o+ !$ & &ar! +e an do &i! by livin,% &e te!"ts $s to be indis reet in o$r "enan es and so to r$in o$r &ealt&% +&i & is a !atter of no s!all !o!ent to &i!. I advise anyone +&o attains to an e*"erien e of t&is fier e t&irst to +at & &erself aref$lly% for I t&ink s&e +ill &ave to ontend +it& t&is te!"tation. S&e !ay not die of &er t&irst% b$t &er &ealt& +ill be r$ined% and s&e +ill invol$ntarily ,ive &er feelin,s o$t+ard e*"ression% +&i & o$,&t at all osts to be avoided. So!eti!es% &o+ever% all o$r dili,en e in t&is res"e t is $navailin, and +e are $nable to &ide o$r e!otions as !$ & as +e s&o$ld like. W&enever +e are assailed by t&ese stron, i!"$lses sti!$latin, t&e in rease of o$r desire% let $s take ,reat are not to add to t&e! o$rselves b$t to &e k t&e! ,ently by t&inkin, of so!et&in, else. For o$r o+n nat$re !ay be "layin, as ,reat a "art in "rod$ in, t&ese feelin,s as o$r love. T&ere are so!e "eo"le of t&is ty"e +&o &ave keen desires for all kinds of t&in,s% even for bad t&in,s% b$t I do not t&ink s$ & "eo"le an &ave a &ieved ,reat !ortifi ation% for !ortifi ation is al+ays "rofitable. It see!s foolis& to &e k so ,ood a t&in, as t&is desire% b$t it is not. I a! not sayin, t&at t&e desire s&o$ld be $"rooted 9 only &e ked0 one !ay be able to do t&is by sti!$latin, so!e ot&er desire +&i & is e<$ally "raise+ort&y. In order to e*"lain !yself better I +ill ,ive an ill$stration. A !an &as a ,reat desire to be +it& /od% as Saint Pa$l &ad% and to be loosed fro! t&is "rison. T&is a$ses &i! "ain +&i & yet is in itself a ,reat ;oy% and no s!all de,ree of !ortifi ation +ill be needed if &e is to &e k it 9 in fa t% &e +ill not al+ays be able to do so. B$t +&en &e finds it o""ressin, &i! so !$ & &e !ay al!ost lose &is reason. I sa+ t&is &a""en to so!eone not lon, a,o0 s&e +as of an i!"et$o$s nat$re% b$t so a $sto!ed to $rbin, &er o+n +ill t&at% fro! +&at I &ad seen at ot&er ti!es% I t&o$,&t &er +ill +as o!"letely anni&ilated0 yet% +&en I sa+ &er for a !o!ent% t&e ,reat stress and strain a$sed by &er efforts to &ide &er feelin,s &ad all b$t destroyed &er reason. In s$ & an e*tre!e ase% I t&ink% even did t&e desire o!e fro! t&e S"irit of /od% it +o$ld be tr$e &$!ility to be afraid0 for +e !$st not i!a,ine t&at +e &ave s$ffi ient &arity to brin, $s to s$ & a state of o""ression. I s&all not t&ink it at all +ron, Bif it be "ossible% I !ean% for it !ay not al+ays be soC for $s to &an,e o$r desire by refle tin, t&at% if +e live% +e &ave !ore &an e of servin, /od% and t&at +e !i,&t do t&is by ,ivin, li,&t to so!e so$l +&i & ot&er+ise +o$ld be

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lost0 as +ell as t&at% if +e serve )i! !ore% +e s&all deserve to en;oy )i! !ore% and ,rieve t&at +e &ave served )i! so little. T&ese are onsolations a""ro"riate to s$ & ,reat trials= t&ey +ill allay o$r "ain and +e s&all ,ain a ,reat deal by t&e! if in order to serve t&e 'ord )i!self +e are +illin, to s"end a lon, ti!e &ere belo+ and to live +it& o$r ,rief. It is as if a "erson +ere s$fferin, a ,reat trial or a ,rievo$s affli tion and +e onsoled &i! by tellin, &i! to &ave "atien e and leave &i!self in /od>s &ands so t&at )is +ill !i,&t be f$lfilled in &i!= it is al+ays best to leave o$rselves in /od>s &ands. And +&at if t&e devil &ad anyt&in, to do +it& t&ese stron, desires@ T&is !i,&t be "ossible% as I t&ink is s$,,ested in Cassian>s story of a &er!it% leadin, t&e a$sterest of lives% +&o +as "ers$aded by t&e devil to t&ro+ &i!self do+n a +ell so t&at &e !i,&t see /od t&e sooner. I do not t&ink t&is &er!it an &ave served /od eit&er &$!bly or effi iently% for t&e 'ord is fait&f$l and )is .a;esty +o$ld never allo+ a servant of )is to be blinded in a !atter in +&i & t&e tr$t& +as so lear. B$t% of o$rse% if t&e desire &ad o!e fro! /od% it +o$ld &ave done t&e &er!it no &ar!0 for s$ & desires brin, +it& t&e! ill$!ination% !oderation and dis retion. T&is is fittin,% b$t o$r ene!y and adversary seeks to &ar! $s +&erever &e an0 and% as &e is not $n+at &f$l% +e !$st not be so eit&er. T&is is an i!"ortant !atter in !any res"e ts= for e*a!"le% +e !$st s&orten o$r ti!e of "rayer% &o+ever !$ & ;oy it ,ives $s% if +e see o$r bodily stren,t& +anin, or find t&at o$r &ead a &es= dis retion is !ost ne essary in everyt&in,. W&y do yo$ s$""ose% da$,&ters% t&at I &ave tried% as "eo"le say% to des ribe t&e end of t&e battle before it &as be,$n and to "oint to its re+ard by tellin, yo$ abo$t t&e blessin, +&i & o!es fro! drinkin, of t&e &eavenly so$r e of t&is livin, +ater@ I &ave done t&is so t&at yo$ !ay not be distressed at t&e trials and annoyan es of t&e road% and !ay tread it +it& o$ra,e and not ,ro+ +eary0 for% as I &ave said% it !ay be t&at% +&en yo$ &ave arrived% and &ave only to stoo" and drink of t&e s"rin,% yo$ !ay fail to do so and lose t&is blessin,% t&inkin, t&at yo$ &ave not t&e stren,t& to attain it and t&at it is not for yo$. Re!e!ber% t&e 'ord invites $s all0 and% sin e )e is Tr$t& Itself% +e annot do$bt )i!. If )is invitation +ere not a ,eneral one% )e +o$ld not &ave said= KI +ill ,ive yo$ to drink.K )e !i,&t &ave said= KCo!e% all of yo$% for after all yo$ +ill lose not&in, by o!in,0 and I +ill ,ive drink to t&ose +&o! I t&ink fit for it.K B$t% as )e said +e +ere all to o!e% +it&o$t !akin, t&is ondition% I feel s$re t&at none +ill fail to re eive t&is livin, +ater $nless t&ey annot kee" to t&e "at&. .ay t&e 'ord% W&o "ro!ises it% ,ive $s ,ra e% for )is .a;esty>s o+n sake% to seek it as it !$st be so$,&t. CHAPTER +;. 2!"&ri*!" #%3 i$ #$! %ay #r a$#t !r3 %! $!(!r la&/ &#$"#lati#$ #$ t ! r#a) #f pray!r. C#u$"!l" t ! "i"t!r" t# i$&lu)! t i" "u*.!&t &#$ti$ually i$ t !ir &#$(!r"ati#$. In t&is last &a"ter I see! to &ave been ontradi tin, +&at I &ad "revio$sly said% as% in onsolin, t&ose +&o &ad not rea &ed t&e onte!"lative state% I told t&e! t&at t&e 'ord &ad different roads by +&i & t&ey !i,&t o!e to )i!% ;$st as )e also &ad !any !ansions. I no+ re"eat t&is= )is .a;esty% bein, W&o )e is and $nderstandin, o$r +eakness% &as "rovided for $s. B$t )e did not say= KSo!e !$st o!e by t&is +ay and

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ot&ers by t&at.K )is !er y is so ,reat t&at )e &as forbidden none to strive to o!e and drink of t&is fo$ntain of life. Blessed be )e for ever? W&at ,ood reasons t&ere +o$ld &ave been for )is forbiddin, !e? 5 B$t as )e did not order !e to ease fro! drinkin, +&en I &ad be,$n to do so% b$t a$sed !e to be "l$n,ed into t&e de"t&s of t&e +ater% it is ertain t&at )e +ill forbid no one to o!e= indeed% )e alls $s "$bli ly% and in a lo$d voi e% to do so. Yet% as )e is so ,ood% )e does not for e $s to drink% b$t enable t&ose +&o +is& to follo+ )i! to drink in !any +ays so t&at none !ay la k o!fort or die of t&irst. For fro! t&is ri & s"rin, flo+ !any strea!s 9 so!e lar,e% ot&ers s!all% and also little "ools for &ildren% +&i & t&ey find <$ite lar,e eno$,&% for t&e si,&t of a ,reat deal of +ater +o$ld fri,&ten t&e!= by &ildren% I !ean t&ose +&o are in t&e early sta,es. T&erefore% sisters% &ave no fear t&at yo$ +ill die of t&irst on t&is road0 yo$ +ill never la k so !$ & of t&e +ater of o!fort t&at yo$r t&irst +ill be intolerable0 so take !y advi e and do not tarry on t&e +ay% b$t strive like stron, !en $ntil yo$ die in t&e atte!"t% for yo$ are &ere for not&in, else t&an to strive. If yo$ al+ays "$rs$e t&is deter!ination to die rat&er t&an fail to rea & t&e end of t&e road% t&e 'ord !ay brin, yo$ t&ro$,& t&is life +it& a ertain de,ree of t&irst% b$t in t&e life +&i & never ends )e +ill ,ive yo$ ,reat ab$ndan e to drink and yo$ +ill &ave no fear of its failin, yo$. .ay t&e 'ord ,rant $s never to fail )i!. A!en. No+% in order to set o$t $"on t&is afore!entioned road so t&at +e do not ,o astray at t&e very start% let $s onsider for a !o!ent &o+ t&e first sta,e of o$r ;o$rney is to be be,$n% for t&at is t&e !ost i!"ortant t&in, 9 or rat&er% every "art of t&e ;o$rney is of i!"ortan e to t&e +&ole. I do not !ean to say t&at no one +&o &as not t&e resol$tion t&at I a! ,oin, to des ribe s&o$ld set o$t $"on t&e road% for t&e 'ord +ill ,rad$ally brin, &er nearer to "erfe tion. And even if s&e did no !ore t&an take one ste"% t&is alone &as s$ & virt$e t&at t&ere is no fear of &er losin, it or of failin, to be very +ell re+arded. We !i,&t o!"are &er to so!eone +&o &as a rosary +it& a bead s"e ially ind$l,en ed= one "rayer in itself +ill brin, &er so!et&in,% and t&e !ore s&e $ses t&e bead t&e !ore s&e +ill ,ain0 b$t if s&e left it in a bo* and never took it o$t it +o$ld be better for &er not to &ave it. So% alt&o$,& s&e !ay never ,o any fart&er alon, t&e sa!e road% t&e s&ort distan e s&e &as "ro,ressed +ill ,ive &er li,&t and t&$s &el" &er to ,o alon, ot&er roads% and t&e fart&er s&e ,oes t&e !ore li,&t s&e +ill ,ain. In fa t% s&e !ay be s$re t&at s&e +ill do &erself no kind of &ar! t&ro$,& &avin, started on t&e road% even if s&e leaves it% for ,ood never leads to evil. So% da$,&ters% +&enever yo$ !eet "eo"le and find t&e! +ell2dis"osed and even attra ted to t&e life of "rayer% try to re!ove fro! t&e! all fear of be,innin, a o$rse +&i & !ay brin, t&e! s$ & ,reat blessin,s. For t&e love of /od% I be, yo$ al+ays to see to it t&at yo$r onversation is benefitin, t&ose +it& +&o! yo$ s"eak. For yo$r "rayers !$st be for t&e "rofit of t&eir so$ls0 and% sin e yo$ !$st al+ays "ray to t&e 'ord for t&e!% sisters% yo$ +o$ld see! to be doin, ill if yo$ did not strive to benefit t&e! in every "ossible +ay. If yo$ +o$ld be a ,ood kins+o!an% t&is is tr$e friends&i"0 if yo$ +o$ld be a ,ood friend% yo$ !ay be s$re t&at t&is is t&e only "ossible +ay. 'et t&e tr$t& be in yo$r &earts% as it +ill be if yo$ "ra tise !editation% and yo$ +ill see learly +&at love +e are bo$nd to &ave for o$r nei,&bo$rs. T&is is no ti!e for &ild>s "lay% sisters% and t&ese +orldly friends&i"s% ,ood t&o$,& t&ey !ay be% see! no !ore t&an t&at. Neit&er +it& yo$r relatives nor +it& anyone else !$st yo$ $se s$ & "&rases as KIf yo$ love !eK% or K(on>t

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yo$ love !e@K $nless yo$ &ave in vie+ so!e noble end and t&e "rofit of t&e "erson to +&o! yo$ are s"eakin,. It !ay be ne essary% in order to ,et a relative 9 a brot&er or so!e s$ & "erson 9 to listen to t&e tr$t& and a e"t it% to "re"are &i! for it by $sin, s$ & "&rases and s&o+in, &i! si,ns of love% +&i & are al+ays "leasin, to sense. )e !ay "ossibly be !ore affe ted% and infl$en ed% by one kind +ord% as s$ & "&rases are alled% t&an by a ,reat deal +&i & yo$ !i,&t say abo$t /od% and t&en t&ere +o$ld be "lenty of o""ort$nities for yo$ to talk to &i! abo$t /od after+ards. I do not forbid s$ & "&rases% t&erefore% "rovided yo$ $se t&e! in order to brin, so!eone "rofit. B$t for no ot&er reason an t&ere be any ,ood in t&e! and t&ey !ay even do &ar! +it&o$t yo$r bein, a+are of it. Everybody kno+s t&at yo$ are n$ns and t&at yo$r b$siness is "rayer. (o not say to yo$rselves= KI &ave no +is& to be onsidered ,ood%K for +&at "eo"le see in yo$ is bo$nd to brin, t&e! eit&er "rofit or &ar!. Peo"le like n$ns% on +&o! is laid t&e obli,ation to s"eak of not&in, save in t&e s"irit of /od% a t very +ron,ly if t&ey disse!ble in t&is +ay% e* e"t o asionally for t&e "$r"ose of doin, ,reater ,ood. Yo$r inter o$rse and onversation !$st be like t&is= let any +&o +is& to talk to yo$ learn yo$r lan,$a,e0 and% if t&ey +ill not% be aref$l never to learn t&eirs= it !i,&t lead yo$ to &ell. It !atters little if yo$ are onsidered ill2bred and still less if yo$ are taken for &y"o rites= indeed% yo$ +ill ,ain by t&is% be a$se only t&ose +&o $nderstand yo$r lan,$a,e +ill o!e to see yo$. If one kno+s no Arabi % one &as no desire to talk a ,reat deal +it& a "erson +&o kno+s no ot&er lan,$a,e. So +orldly "eo"le +ill neit&er +eary yo$ nor do yo$ &ar! 9 and it +o$ld do yo$ no s!all &ar! to &ave to be,in to learn and talk a ne+ lan,$a,e0 yo$ +o$ld s"end all yo$r ti!e learnin, it. Yo$ annot kno+ as +ell as I do% for I &ave fo$nd it o$t by e*"erien e% &o+ very bad t&is is for t&e so$l0 no sooner does it learn one t&in, t&an it &as to for,et anot&er and it never &as any rest. T&is yo$ !$st at all osts avoid0 for "ea e and <$iet in t&e so$l are of ,reat i!"ortan e on t&e road +&i & +e are abo$t to tread. If t&ose +it& +&o! yo$ onverse +is& to learn yo$r lan,$a,e% it is not for yo$ to tea & it to t&e!% b$t yo$ an tell t&e! +&at +ealt& t&ey +ill ,ain by learnin, it. Never ,ro+ tried of t&is% b$t do it "io$sly% lovin,ly and "rayerf$lly% +it& a vie+ to &el"in, t&e!0 t&ey +ill t&en reali:e +&at ,reat ,ain it brin,s% and +ill ,o and seek a !aster to tea & it t&e!. O$r 'ord +o$ld be doin, yo$ no li,&t favo$r if t&ro$,& yo$r a,en y )e +ere to aro$se so!e so$l to obtain t&is blessin,. W&en on e one be,ins to des ribe t&is road% +&at a lar,e n$!ber of t&in,s t&ere are to be said abo$t it% even by t&ose +&o &ave trodden it as $ns$ essf$lly as I &ave? I only +is& I o$ld +rite +it& bot& &ands% so as not to for,et one t&in, +&ile I a! sayin, anot&er. .ay it "lease t&e 'ord% sisters% t&at yo$ !ay be enabled to s"eak of it better t&an I &ave done. CHAPTER +1. 2!"&ri*!" t ! ,r!at i'p#rta$&! #f "!tti$, #ut up#$ t ! pra&ti&! #f pray!r %it fir' r!"#luti#$ a$) #f !!)i$, $# )iffi&ulti!" put i$ t ! %ay *y t ! )!(il.

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85 (o not be dis!ayed% da$,&ters% at t&e n$!ber of t&in,s +&i & yo$ &ave to onsider before settin, o$t on t&is (ivine ;o$rney% +&i & is t&e royal road to )eaven. By takin, t&is road +e ,ain s$ & "re io$s treas$res t&at it is no +onder if t&e ost see!s to $s a

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&i,& one. T&e ti!e +ill o!e +&en +e s&all reali:e t&at all +e &ave "aid &as been not&in, at all by o!"arison +it& t&e ,reatness of o$r "ri:e. 5 'et $s no+ ret$rn to t&ose +&o +is& to travel on t&is road% and +ill not &alt $ntil t&ey rea & t&eir ,oal% +&i & is t&e "la e +&ere t&ey an drink of t&is +ater of life. Alt&o$,& in so!e book or ot&er 9 in several% in fa t 9 I &ave read +&at a ,ood t&in, it is to be,in in t&is +ay% I do not t&ink anyt&in, +ill be lost if I s"eak of it &ere. As I say% it is !ost i!"ortant 9 all2i!"ortant% indeed 9 t&at t&ey s&o$ld be,in +ell by !akin, an earnest and !ost deter!ined resolve not to &alt $ntil t&ey rea & t&eir ,oal% +&atever !ay o!e% +&atever !ay &a""en to t&e!% &o+ever &ard t&ey !ay &ave to labo$r% +&oever !ay o!"lain of t&e!% +&et&er t&ey rea & t&eir ,oal or die on t&e road or &ave no &eart to onfront t&e trials +&i & t&ey !eet% +&et&er t&e very +orld dissolves before t&e!. Yet a,ain and a,ain "eo"le +ill say to $s= KIt is dan,ero$sK% KSo2and2so +as lost t&ro$,& doin, t&isK% KSo!eone else ,ot into +ron, +aysK% KSo!e ot&er "erson% +&o +as al+ays "rayin,% fell ;$st t&e sa!eK% KIt is bad for virt$eK% KIt is not !eant for +o!en0 it !ay lead t&e! into del$sionsK% KT&ey +o$ld do better to sti k to t&eir s"innin,K% KT&ese s$btleties are of no $se to t&e!K% KIt is <$ite eno$,& for t&e! to say t&eir Paternoster and Ave .aria.K Wit& t&is last re!ark% sisters% I <$ite a,ree. Of o$rse it is eno$,&? It is al+ays a ,reat t&in, to base yo$r "rayer on "rayers +&i & +ere $ttered by t&e very li"s of t&e 'ord. Peo"le are <$ite ri,&t to say t&is% and% +ere it not for o$r ,reat +eakness and t&e l$ke+ar!ness of o$r devotion% t&ere +o$ld be no need for any ot&er syste!s of "rayer or for any ot&er books at all. I a! s"eakin, to so$ls +&o are $nable to re olle t t&e!selves by !editatin, $"on ot&er !ysteries% and +&o t&ink t&ey need s"e ial !et&ods of "rayer0 so!e "eo"le &ave s$ & in,enio$s !inds t&at not&in, is ,ood eno$,& for t&e!? So I t&ink I +ill start to lay do+n so!e r$les for ea & "art of o$r "rayer 9 be,innin,% !iddle and end 9 alt&o$,& I s&all not s"end lon, on t&e &i,&er sta,es. T&ey annot take books fro! yo$% and% if yo$ are st$dio$s and &$!ble% yo$ need not&in, !ore. I &ave al+ays been fond of t&e +ords of t&e /os"els and &ave fo$nd !ore re olle tion in t&e! t&an in t&e !ost aref$lly "lanned books 9 es"e ially books of +&i & t&e a$t&ors +ere not f$lly a""roved% and +&i & I never +anted to read. If I kee" lose to t&is .aster of +isdo!% )e !ay "er&a"s ,ive !e so!e t&o$,&ts +&i & +ill &el" yo$. I do not say t&at I +ill e*"lain t&ese (ivine "rayers% for t&at I s&o$ld not "res$!e to do% and t&ere are a ,reat !any e*"lanations of t&e! already. Even +ere t&ere none% it +o$ld be ridi $lo$s for !e to atte!"t any. B$t I +ill +rite do+n a fe+ t&o$,&ts on t&e +ords of t&e Paternoster0 for so!eti!es% +&en +e are !ost an*io$s to n$rt$re o$r devotion% ons$ltin, a ,reat !any books +ill kill it. W&en a !aster is &i!self ,ivin, a lesson% &e treats &is "$"il kindly and likes &i! to en;oy bein, ta$,&t and does &is $t!ost to &el" &i! learn. #$st so +ill t&is &eavenly .aster do +it& $s. Pay no &eed% t&en% to anyone +&o tries to fri,&ten yo$ or de"i ts to yo$ t&e "erils of t&e +ay. W&at a stran,e idea t&at one o$ld ever e*"e t to travel on a road infested by t&ieves% for t&e "$r"ose of ,ainin, so!e ,reat treas$re% +it&o$t r$nnin, into dan,er? Worldly "eo"le like to take life "ea eably0 b$t t&ey +ill deny t&e!selves slee"% "er&a"s for ni,&ts on end% in order to ,ain a fart&in,>s "rofit% and t&ey +ill leave yo$ no "ea e

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eit&er of body or of so$l. If% +&en yo$ are on t&e +ay to ,ainin, t&is treas$re% or to takin, it by for e Bas t&e 'ord says t&e violent doC and are travellin, by t&is royal road 9 t&is safe road trodden by o$r Ain, and by )is ele t and )is saints 9 if even t&en t&ey tell yo$ it is f$ll of dan,er and !ake yo$ so afraid% +&at +ill be t&e dan,ers en o$ntered by t&ose +&o t&ink t&ey +ill be able to ,ain t&is treas$re and yet are not on t&e road to it@ O&% !y da$,&ters% &o+ in o!"arably ,reater !$st be t&e risks t&ey r$n? And yet t&ey &ave no idea of t&is $ntil t&ey fall &eadlon, into so!e real dan,er. )avin, "er&a"s no one to &el" t&e!% t&ey lose t&is +ater alto,et&er% and drink neit&er !$ & nor little of it% eit&er fro! a "ool or fro! a strea!. )o+ do yo$ s$""ose t&ey an do +it&o$t a dro" of t&is +ater and yet travel alon, a road on +&i & t&ere are so !any adversaries to fi,&t@ Of o$rse% sooner or later% t&ey +ill die of t&irst0 for +e !$st all ;o$rney to t&is fo$ntain% !y da$,&ters% +&et&er +e +ill or no% t&o$,& +e !ay not all do so in t&e sa!e +ay. Take !y advi e% t&en% and let none !islead yo$ by s&o+in, yo$ any ot&er road t&an t&at of "rayer. I a! not no+ dis $ssin, +&et&er or no everyone !$st "ra tise !ental or vo al "rayer0 b$t I do say t&at yo$ yo$rselves re<$ire bot&. For "rayer is t&e d$ty of reli,io$s. If anyone tells yo$ it is dan,ero$s% look $"on t&at "erson &i!self as yo$r "rin i"al dan,er and flee fro! &is o!"any. (o not for,et t&is% for it is advi e t&at yo$ !ay "ossibly need. It +ill be dan,ero$s for yo$ if yo$ do not "ossess &$!ility and t&e ot&er virt$es0 b$t /od forbid t&at t&e +ay of "rayer s&o$ld be a +ay of dan,er? T&is fear see!s to &ave been invented by t&e devil% +&o &as a""arently been very lever in brin,in, abo$t t&e fall of so!e +&o "ra tise "rayer. See &o+ blind t&e +orld is? It never t&inks of all t&e t&o$sands +&o &ave fallen into &eresies and ot&er ,reat evils t&ro$,& yieldin, to distra tions and not "ra tisin, "rayer. As a,ainst t&ese !$ltit$des t&ere are a fe+ +&o did "ra tise "rayer and +&o! t&e devil &as been s$ essf$l eno$,& at &is o+n trade to a$se to fall= in doin, t&is &e &as also a$sed so!e to be very !$ & afraid of virt$o$s "ra ti es. 'et t&ose +&o !ake $se of t&is "rete*t to absolve t&e!selves fro! s$ & "ra ti es take &eed% for in order to save t&e!selves fro! evil t&ey are fleein, fro! ,ood. I &ave never &eard of s$ & a +i ked invention0 it !$st indeed o!e fro! t&e devil. O&% !y 'ord% defend T&yself. See &o+ T&y +ords are bein, !is$nderstood. Per!it no s$ & +eakness in T&y servants. T&ere is one ,reat blessin, 9 yo$ +ill al+ays find a fe+ "eo"le ready to &el" yo$. For it is a &ara teristi of t&e tr$e servant of /od% to +&o! )is .a;esty &as ,iven li,&t to follo+ t&e tr$e "at&% t&at% +&en beset by t&ese fears% &is desire not to sto" only in reases. )e sees learly +&en e t&e devil>s blo+s are o!in,% b$t &e "arries ea & blo+ and breaks &is adversary>s &ead. T&e an,er +&i & t&is aro$ses in t&e devil is ,reater t&an all t&e satisfa tion +&i & &e re eives fro! t&e "leas$res ,iven &i! by ot&ers. W&en% in tro$blo$s ti!es% &e &as so+n &is tares% and see!s to be leadin, !en every+&ere in &is train% &alf2blinded% and Dde eivin, t&e! intoE believin, t&e!selves to be :ealo$s for t&e ri,&t% /od raises $" so!eone to o"en t&eir eyes and bid t&e! look at t&e fo, +it& +&i & t&e devil &as obs $red t&eir "at&. B)o+ ,reat /od is? To t&ink t&at ;$st one !an% or "er&a"s t+o% an do !ore by tellin, t&e tr$t& t&an an a ,reat !any !en all to,et&er?C And t&en t&ey ,rad$ally be,in to see t&e "at& a,ain and /od ,ives

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t&e! o$ra,e. If "eo"le say t&ere is dan,er in "rayer% t&is servant of /od% by &is deeds if not by &is +ords% tries to !ake t&e! reali:e +&at a ,ood t&in, it is. If t&ey say t&at fre<$ent o!!$nion is inadvisable% &e only "ra tises it t&e !ore. So% be a$se ;$st one or t+o are fearlessly follo+in, t&e better "at&% t&e 'ord ,rad$ally re,ains +&at )e &ad lost. Cease tro$blin, abo$t t&ese fears% t&en% sisters0 and never "ay &eed to s$ & !atters of "o"$lar o"inion. T&is is no ti!e for believin, everyone0 believe only t&ose +&o! yo$ see !odellin, t&eir lives on t&e life of C&rist. Endeavo$r al+ays to &ave a ,ood ons ien e0 "ra tise &$!ility0 des"ise all +orldly t&in,s0 and believe fir!ly in t&e tea &in, of o$r )oly .ot&er Dt&e Ro!anE C&$r &. Yo$ !ay t&en be <$ite s$re t&at yo$ are on a DveryE ,ood road. Cease% as I &ave said% to &ave fear +&ere no fear is0 if any one atte!"ts to fri,&ten yo$% "oint o$t t&e road to &i! in all &$!ility. Tell &i! t&at yo$ &ave a R$le +&i & o!!ands yo$% as it does% to "ray +it&o$t easin,% and t&at t&at r$le yo$ !$st kee". If t&ey tell yo$ t&at yo$ s&o$ld "ra tise only vo al "rayer% ask +&et&er yo$r !ind and &eart o$,&t not to be in +&at yo$ say. If t&ey ans+er KYesK 9 and t&ey annot do ot&er+ise 9 yo$ see t&ey are ad!ittin, t&at yo$ are bo$nd to "ra tise !ental "rayer% and even onte!"lation% if /od s&o$ld ,rant it yo$. DBlessed be )e for ever.E CHAPTER ++. E0plai$" t ! '!a$i$, #f '!$tal pray!r. Yo$ !$st kno+% da$,&ters% t&at +&et&er or no yo$ are "ra tisin, !ental "rayer &as not&in, to do +it& kee"in, t&e li"s losed. If% +&ile I a! s"eakin, +it& /od% I &ave a lear reali:ation and f$ll ons io$sness t&at I a! doin, so% and if t&is is !ore real to !e t&an t&e +ords I a! $tterin,% t&en I a! o!binin, !ental and vo al "rayer. W&en "eo"le tell yo$ t&at yo$ are s"eakin, +it& /od by re itin, t&e Paternoster and t&inkin, of +orldly t&in,s 9 +ell% +ords fail !e. W&en yo$ s"eak% as it is ri,&t for yo$ to do% +it& so ,reat a 'ord% it is +ell t&at yo$ s&o$ld t&ink of W&o it is t&at yo$ are addressin,% and +&at yo$ yo$rself are% if only t&at yo$ !ay s"eak to )i! +it& "ro"er res"e t. )o+ an yo$ address a kin, +it& t&e deferen e d$e to &i!% or &o+ an yo$ kno+ +&at ere!onies &ave to be $sed +&en s"eakin, to a ,randee% $nless yo$ are learly ons io$s of t&e nat$re of &is "osition and of yo$rs@ It is be a$se of t&is% and be a$se it is t&e $sto! to do so% t&at yo$ !$st be&ave res"e tf$lly to &i!% and !$st learn +&at t&e $sto! is% and not be areless abo$t s$ & t&in,s% or yo$ +ill be dis!issed as a si!"leton and obtain none of t&e t&in,s yo$ desire. And f$rt&er!ore% $nless yo$ are <$ite onversant +it& it% yo$ !$st ,et all ne essary infor!ation% and &ave +&at yo$ are ,oin, to say +ritten do+n for yo$. It on e &a""ened to !e% +&en I +as not a $sto!ed to addressin, aristo rats% t&at I &ad to ,o on a !atter of $r,ent b$siness to see a lady +&o &ad to be addressed as KYo$r 'adys&i"K. I +as s&o+n t&at +ord in +ritin,0 b$t I a! st$"id% and &ad never $sed s$ & a ter! before0 so +&en I arrived I ,ot it +ron,. So I de ided to tell &er abo$t it and s&e la$,&ed &eartily and told !e to be ,ood eno$,& to $se t&e ordinary for! of "olite address% +&i & I did. )o+ is it% !y 'ord% &o+ is it% !y E!"eror% t&at T&o$ anst s$ffer t&is% Prin e of all Creation@ For T&o$% !y /od% art a Ain, +it&o$t end% and T&ine is no borro+ed Ain,do!% b$t T&ine o+n% and it +ill never "ass a+ay. W&en t&e Creed says KW&ose

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Ain,do! s&all &ave no endK t&e "&rase nearly al+ays !akes !e feel "arti $larly &a""y. I "raise T&ee% 'ord% and bless T&ee% and all t&in,s "raise T&ee for ever 9 for T&y Ain,do! +ill end$re for ever. (o T&o$ never allo+ it to be t&o$,&t ri,&t% 'ord% for t&ose +&o "raise T&ee and o!e to s"eak +it& T&ee to do so +it& t&eir li"s alone. W&at do yo$ !ean% C&ristians% +&en yo$ say t&at !ental "rayer is $nne essary@ (o yo$ $nderstand +&at yo$ are sayin,@ I really do not t&ink yo$ an. And so yo$ +ant $s all to ,o +ron,= yo$ annot kno+ +&at !ental "rayer is% or &o+ vo al "rayers s&o$ld be said% or +&at is !eant by onte!"lation. For% if yo$ kne+ t&is% yo$ +o$ld not onde!n on t&e one &and +&at yo$ "raise on t&e ot&er. W&enever I re!e!ber to do so% I s&all al+ays s"eak of !ental and vo al "rayer to,et&er% da$,&ters% so t&at yo$ !ay not be alar!ed. I kno+ +&at s$ & fears lead to% for I &ave s$ffered a ertain n$!ber of trials in t&is res"e t% and so I s&o$ld be sorry if anyone +ere to $nsettle yo$% for it is very bad for yo$ to &ave !is,ivin,s +&ile yo$ are +alkin, on t&is "at&. It is !ost i!"ortant t&at yo$ s&o$ld reali:e yo$ are !akin, "ro,ress0 for if a traveller is told t&at &e &as taken t&e +ron, road% and &as lost &is +ay% &e be,ins to +ander to and fro and t&e onstant sear & for t&e ri,&t road tires &i!% +astes &is ti!e and delays &is arrival. W&o an say t&at it is +ron, if% before +e be,in re itin, t&e )o$rs or t&e Rosary% +e t&ink W&o! +e are ,oin, to address% and +&o +e are t&at are addressin, )i!% so t&at +e !ay do so in t&e +ay +e s&o$ld@ I ass$re yo$% sisters% t&at if yo$ ,ave all d$e attention to a onsideration of t&ese t+o "oints before be,innin, t&e vo al "rayers +&i & yo$ are abo$t to say yo$ +o$ld be en,a,in, in !ental "rayer for a very lon, ti!e. For +e annot a""roa & a "rin e and address &i! in t&e sa!e areless +ay t&at +e s&o$ld ado"t in s"eakin, to a "easant or to so!e "oor +o!an like o$rselves% +&o! +e !ay address &o+ever +e like. T&e reason +e so!eti!es do so is to be fo$nd in t&e &$!ility of t&is Ain,% W&o% $nskilled t&o$,& I a! in s"eakin, +it& )i!% does not ref$se to &ear !e or forbid !e to a""roa & )i!% or o!!and )is ,$ards to t&ro+ !e o$t. For t&e an,els in )is "resen e kno+ +ell t&at t&eir Ain, is s$ & t&at )e "refers t&e $nskilled lan,$a,e of a &$!ble "easant boy% kno+in, t&at &e +o$ld say !ore if &e &ad !ore to say% to t&e s"ee & of t&e +isest and !ost learned !en% &o+ever ele,ant !ay be t&eir ar,$!ents% if t&ese are not a o!"anied by &$!ility. B$t +e !$st not be $n!annerly be a$se )e is ,ood. If only to s&o+ o$r ,ratit$de to )i! for end$rin, o$r fo$l odo$r and allo+in, s$ & a one as !yself to o!e near )i!% it is +ell t&at +e s&o$ld try to reali:e )is "$rity and )is nat$re. It is tr$e t&at +e re o,ni:e t&is at on e +&en +e a""roa & )i!% ;$st as +e do +&en +e visit t&e lords of t&e eart&. On e +e are told abo$t t&eir fat&ers> na!es and t&eir in o!es and di,nities% t&ere is no !ore for $s to kno+ abo$t t&e!0 for on eart& one !akes a o$nt of "ersons% and &ono$rs t&e!% not be a$se of t&eir !erits b$t be a$se of t&eir "ossessions. O !iserable +orld? /ive &earty "raise to /od% da$,&ters% t&at yo$ &ave left so +ret &ed a "la e% +&ere "eo"le are &ono$red% not for t&eir o+n selves% b$t for +&at t&ey ,et fro! t&eir tenants and vassals= if t&ese fail t&e!% t&ey &ave no &ono$r left. It is a $rio$s t&in,% and +&en yo$ ,o o$t to re reation to,et&er yo$ s&o$ld la$,& abo$t it% for it is a ,ood +ay of s"endin, yo$r ti!e to refle t &o+ blindly "eo"le in t&e +orld s"end t&eirs.

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O T&o$ o$r E!"eror? S$"re!e Po+er% S$"re!e /oodness% Wisdo! Itself% +it&o$t be,innin,% +it&o$t end and +it&o$t !eas$re in T&y +orks= infinite are t&ese and in o!"re&ensible% a fat&o!less o ean of +onders% O Bea$ty ontainin, +it&in T&yself all bea$ties. O -ery Stren,t&? /od &el" !e? Wo$ld t&at I o$ld o!!and all t&e elo<$en e of !ortals and all +isdo!% so as to $nderstand% as far as is "ossible &ere belo+% t&at to kno+ not&in, is everyt&in,% and t&$s to des ribe so!e of t&e !any t&in,s on +&i & +e !ay !editate in order to learn so!et&in, of t&e nat$re of t&is o$r 'ord and /ood. W&en yo$ a""roa & /od% t&en% try to t&ink and reali:e W&o! yo$ are abo$t to address and ontin$e to do so +&ile yo$ are addressin, )i!. If +e &ad a t&o$sand lives% +e s&o$ld never f$lly $nderstand &o+ t&is 'ord !erits t&at +e be&ave to+ard )i!% before W&o! even t&e an,els tre!ble. )e orders all t&in,s and )e an do all t&in,s= +it& )i! to +ill is to "erfor!. It +ill be ri,&t% t&en% da$,&ters% for $s to endeavo$r to re;oi e in t&ese +ondro$s <$alities of o$r S"o$se and to kno+ W&o! +e &ave +edded and +&at o$r lives s&o$ld be. W&y% /od save $s% +&en a +o!an in t&is +orld is abo$t to !arry% s&e kno+s before&and +&o! s&e is to !arry% +&at sort of a "erson &e is and +&at "ro"erty &e "ossesses. S&all not +e% t&en% +&o are already betrot&ed% t&ink abo$t o$r S"o$se% before +e are +edded to )i! and )e takes $s &o!e to be +it& )i!@ If t&ese t&o$,&ts are not forbidden to t&ose +&o are betrot&ed to !en on eart&% &o+ an +e be forbidden to dis over W&o t&is .an is% W&o is )is Fat&er% +&at is t&e o$ntry to +&i & )e +ill take !e% +&at are t&e ri &es +it& +&i & )e "ro!ises to endo+ !e% +&at is )is rank% &o+ I an best !ake )i! &a""y% +&at I an do t&at +ill ,ive )i! "leas$re% and &o+ I an brin, !y rank into line +it& )is. If a +o!an is to be &a""y in &er !arria,e% it is ;$st t&ose t&in,s t&at s&e is advised to see abo$t% even t&o$,& &er &$sband be a !an of very lo+ station. S&all less res"e t be "aid to T&ee% t&en% !y S"o$se% t&an to !en@ If t&ey t&ink it $nfittin, to do T&ee &ono$r% let t&e! at least leave T&ee T&y brides% +&o are to s"end t&eir lives +it& T&ee. A +o!an is indeed fort$nate in &er life if &er &$sband is so ;ealo$s t&at &e +ill allo+ &er to s"eak +it& no one b$t &i!self0 it +o$ld be a "retty "ass if s&e o$ld not resolve to ,ive &i! t&is "leas$re% for it is reasonable eno$,& t&at s&e s&o$ld "$t $" +it& t&is and not +is& to onverse +it& anyone else% sin e in &i! s&e &as all t&at s&e an desire. To $nderstand t&ese tr$t&s% !y da$,&ters% is to "ra tise !ental "rayer. If yo$ +is& to learn to $nderstand t&e!% and at t&e sa!e ti!e to "ra tise vo al "rayer% +ell and ,ood. B$t do not% I be, yo$% address /od +&ile yo$ are t&inkin, of ot&er t&in,s% for to do t&at is t&e res$lt of not $nderstandin, +&at !ental "rayer is. I t&ink I &ave !ade t&is lear. .ay t&e 'ord ,rant $s to learn &o+ to "$t it into "ra ti e. A!en. CHAPTER +-. 2!"&ri*!" t ! i'p#rta$&! #f $#t tur$i$, *a&/ % !$ #$! a" "!t #ut up#$ t ! %ay #f pray!r. R!p!at" #% $!&!""ary it i" t# *! r!"#lut!.

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85 No+% as I &ave said% it is !ost i!"ortant t&at fro! t&e first +e s&o$ld be very resol$te% and for t&is t&ere are so !any reasons t&at if I +ere to ,ive t&e! all I s&o$ld &ave to +rite at ,reat len,t&. So!e of t&e! are ,iven in ot&er books. I +ill tell yo$ ;$st t+o or

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t&ree of t&e!% sisters. One is t&at +&en +e de ide to ,ive anyt&in, 9 s$ & as t&is sli,&t effort of re olle tion 9 to )i! W&o &as ,iven $s so !$ &% and W&o is ontin$ally ,ivin,% it +o$ld be +ron, for $s not to be entirely resol$te in doin, so and to a t like a "erson +&o lends so!et&in, and e*"e ts to ,et it ba k a,ain. BNot t&at +e do not re eive interest= on t&e ontrary% +e ,ain a ,reat deal.C I do not all t&is K,ivin,K. Anyone +&o &as been lent so!et&in, al+ays feels sli,&tly dis"leased +&en t&e lender +ants it ba k a,ain% es"e ially if &e is $sin, it &i!self and &as o!e to look $"on it as &is o+n. If t&e t+o are friends and t&e lender is indebted to t&e re i"ient for !any t&in,s of +&i & &e &as !ade &i! free ,ifts% &e +ill t&ink it !eanness and a ,reat la k of affe tion if &e +ill leave not even t&e s!allest t&in, in &is "ossession% !erely as a si,n of love. W&at +ife is t&ere +&o% after re eivin, !any val$able ;e+els fro! &er &$sband% +ill not ,ive &i! so !$ & as a rin, 9 +&i & &e +ants% not be a$se of its val$e% for all s&e &as is &is% b$t as a si,n of love and a token t&at s&e +ill be &is $ntil s&e dies@ (oes t&e 'ord deserve less t&an t&is t&at +e s&o$ld !o k )i! by takin, a+ay t&e +ort&less ,ift +&i & +e &ave ,iven )i!@ Sin e +e &ave resolved to devote to )i! t&is very brief "eriod of ti!e 9 only a s!all "art of +&at +e s"end $"on o$rselves and $"on "eo"le +&o are not "arti $larly ,ratef$l to $s for it 9 let $s ,ive it )i! freely% +it& o$r !inds $no $"ied by ot&er t&in,s and entirely resolved never to take it ba k a,ain% +&atever +e !ay s$ffer t&ro$,& trials% annoyan es or aridities. 'et !e reali:e t&at t&is ti!e is bein, lent !e and is not !y o+n% and feel t&at I an ri,&tly be alled to a o$nt for it if I a! not "re"ared to devote it +&olly to /od. I say K+&ollyK% b$t +e !$st not be onsidered as takin, it ba k if +e s&o$ld fail to ,ive it )i! for a day% or for a fe+ days% be a$se of le,iti!ate o $"ations or t&ro$,& so!e indis"osition. Provided t&e intention re!ains fir!% !y /od is not in t&e least !eti $lo$s0 )e does not look at trivial details0 and% if yo$ are tryin, to "lease )i! in any +ay% )e +ill ass$redly a e"t t&at as yo$r ,ift. T&e ot&er +ay is s$itable for $n,enero$s so$ls% so !ean t&at t&ey are not lar,e2&earted eno$,& to ,ive b$t find it as !$ & as t&ey an do to lend. Still% let t&e! !ake so!e effort% for t&is 'ord of o$rs +ill re kon everyt&in, +e do to o$r redit and a e"t everyt&in, +e +ant to ,ive )i!. In dra+in, $" o$r re konin,% )e is not in t&e least e*a tin,% b$t ,enero$s0 &o+ever lar,e t&e a!o$nt +e !ay o+e )i!% it is a s!all t&in, for )i! to for,ive $s. And% as to "ayin, $s% )e is so aref$l abo$t t&is t&at yo$ need &ave no fear )e +ill leave $s +it&o$t o$r re+ard if only +e raise o$r eyes to )eaven and re!e!ber )i!. A se ond reason +&y +e s&o$ld be resol$te is t&at t&is +ill ,ive t&e devil less o""ort$nity to te!"t $s. )e is very !$ & afraid of resol$te so$ls% kno+in, by e*"erien e t&at t&ey infli t ,reat in;$ry $"on &i!% and% +&en &e "lans to do t&e! &ar!% &e only "rofits t&e! and ot&ers and is &i!self t&e loser. We !$st not be o!e $n+at &f$l% or o$nt $"on t&is% for +e &ave to do +it& trea &ero$s folk% +&o are ,reat o+ards and dare not atta k t&e +ary% b$t% if t&ey see +e are areless% +ill +ork $s ,reat &ar!. And if t&ey kno+ anyone to be &an,eable% and not resol$te in doin, +&at is ,ood and fir!ly deter!ined to "ersevere% t&ey +ill not leave &i! alone eit&er by ni,&t or by day and +ill s$,,est to &i! endless !is,ivin,s and diffi $lties. T&is I kno+ very +ell by e*"erien e and so I &ave been able to tell yo$ abo$t it= I a! s$re t&at none of $s reali:e its ,reat i!"ortan e.

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Anot&er reason% very !$ & to t&e "oint% is t&at a resol$te "erson fi,&ts !ore o$ra,eo$sly. )e kno+s t&at% o!e +&at !ay% &e !$st not retreat. )e is like a soldier in battle +&o is a+are t&at if &e is van<$is&ed &is life +ill not be s"ared and t&at if &e es a"es deat& in battle &e !$st die after+ards. It &as been "roved% I t&ink% t&at s$ & a !an +ill fi,&t !ore resol$tely and +ill try% as t&ey say% to sell &is life dearly% fearin, t&e ene!y>s blo+s t&e less be a$se &e $nderstands t&e i!"ortan e of vi tory and kno+s t&at &is very life de"ends $"on &is ,ainin, it. We !$st also be fir!ly onvin ed fro! t&e start t&at% if +e fi,&t o$ra,eo$sly and do not allo+ o$rselves to be beaten% +e s&all ,et +&at +e +ant% and t&ere is no do$bt t&at% &o+ever s!all o$r ,ains !ay be% t&ey +ill !ake $s very ri &. (o not be afraid t&at t&e 'ord W&o &as alled $s to drink of t&is s"rin, +ill allo+ yo$ to die of t&irst. T&is I &ave already said and I s&o$ld like to re"eat it0 for "eo"le are often ti!id +&en t&ey &ave not learned by e*"erien e of t&e 'ord>s ,oodness% even t&o$,& t&ey kno+ of it by fait&. It is a ,reat t&in, to &ave e*"erien ed +&at friends&i" and ;oy )e ,ives to t&ose +&o +alk on t&is road and &o+ )e takes al!ost t&e +&ole ost of it $"on )i!self. I a! not s$r"rised t&at t&ose +&o &ave never !ade t&is test s&o$ld +ant to be s$re t&at t&ey +ill re eive so!e interest on t&eir o$tlay. B$t yo$ already kno+ t&at even in t&is life +e s&all re eive a &$ndredfold% and t&at t&e 'ord says= KAsk and it s&all be ,iven yo$.K If yo$ do not believe )is .a;esty in t&ose "assa,es of )is /os"el +&ere )e ,ives $s t&is ass$ran e% it +ill be of little &el" to yo$% sisters% for !e to +eary !y brains by tellin, yo$ of it. Still% I +ill say to anyone +&o is in do$bt t&at s&e +ill lose little by "$ttin, t&e !atter to t&e test0 for t&is ;o$rney &as t&e advanta,e of ,ivin, $s very !$ & !ore t&an +e ask or s&all even ,et so far as to desire. T&is is a never2failin, tr$t&= I kno+ it0 t&o$,&% if yo$ do not find it so% do not believe any of t&e t&in,s I tell yo$. I an all as +itnesses t&ose of yo$ +&o% by /od>s ,oodness% kno+ it fro! e*"erien e. CHAPTER +1. 2!"&ri*!" #% (#&al pray!r 'ay *! pra&ti"!) %it p!rf!&ti#$ a$) #% &l#"!ly alli!) it i" t# '!$tal pray!r. 'et $s no+ ret$rn to s"eak of t&ose so$ls I &ave !entioned +&o annot "ra tise re olle tion or tie do+n t&eir !inds to !ental "rayer or !ake a !editation. We !$st not talk to t&e! of eit&er of t&ose t+o t&in,s 9 t&ey +ill not &ear of t&e!0 as a !atter of fa t% t&ere are a ,reat !any "eo"le +&o see! terrified at t&e very na!e of onte!"lation or !ental "rayer. In ase any s$ & "erson s&o$ld o!e to t&is &o$se Bfor% as I &ave said% not all are led by t&e sa!e "at&C% I +ant to advise yo$% or% I !i,&t even say% to tea & yo$ Bfor% as yo$r !ot&er% and by t&e offi e of "rioress +&i & I &old% I &ave t&e ri,&t to do soC &o+ yo$ !$st "ra tise vo al "rayer% for it is ri,&t t&at yo$ s&o$ld $nderstand +&at yo$ are sayin,. Anyone $nable to t&ink of /od !ay find &erself +earied by lon, "rayers% and so I +ill not be,in to dis $ss t&ese% b$t +ill s"eak si!"ly of "rayers +&i &% as C&ristians% +e !$st "erfor e re ite 9 na!ely% t&e Paternoster and t&e Ave .aria 9 and t&en no one +ill be able to say of $s t&at +e are re"eatin, +ords +it&o$t $nderstandin, +&at +e are sayin,. We !ay% of o$rse% onsider it eno$,& to say o$r "rayers as a !ere &abit%

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re"eatin, t&e +ords and t&inkin, t&at t&is +ill s$ffi e. W&et&er it s$ffi es or no I +ill not no+ dis $ss. 'earned !en !$st de ide= t&ey +ill instr$ t "eo"le to +&o! /od ,ives li,&t to ons$lt t&e!% and I +ill not dis $ss t&e "osition of t&ose +&o &ave not !ade a "rofession like o$r o+n. B$t +&at I s&o$ld like% da$,&ters% is for $s not to be satisfied +it& t&at alone= +&en I say t&e Creed% it see!s to !e ri,&t% and indeed obli,atory% t&at I s&o$ld $nderstand and kno+ +&at it is t&at I believe0 and% +&en I re"eat t&e KO$r Fat&erK% !y love s&o$ld !ake !e +ant to $nderstand W&o t&is Fat&er of o$rs is and W&o t&e .aster is t&at ta$,&t $s t&is "rayer. If yo$ assert t&at yo$ kno+ W&o )e is already% and so t&ere is no need for yo$ to t&ink abo$t )i!% yo$ are not ri,&t0 t&ere is a ,reat deal of differen e bet+een one !aster and anot&er% and it +o$ld be very +ron, of $s not to t&ink abo$t t&ose +&o tea & $s% even on eart&0 if t&ey are &oly !en and s"irit$al !asters% and +e are ,ood "$"ils% it is i!"ossible for $s not to &ave ,reat love for t&e!% and indeed to &old t&e! in &ono$r and often to talk abo$t t&e!. And +&en it o!es to t&e .aster W&o ta$,&t $s t&is "rayer% and W&o loves $s so !$ & and is so an*io$s for $s to "rofit by it% !ay /od forbid t&at +e s&o$ld fail to t&ink of )i! often +&en +e re"eat it% alt&o$,& o$r o+n +eakness !ay "revent $s fro! doin, so every ti!e. No+% in t&e first "la e% yo$ kno+ t&at )is .a;esty tea &es t&at t&is "rayer !$st be !ade +&en +e are alone% ;$st as )e +as often alone +&en )e "rayed% not be a$se t&is +as ne essary for )i!% b$t for o$r edifi ation. It &as already been said t&at it is i!"ossible to s"eak to /od and to t&e +orld at t&e sa!e ti!e0 yet t&is is ;$st +&at +e are tryin, to do +&en +e are sayin, o$r "rayers and at t&e sa!e ti!e listenin, to t&e onversation of ot&ers or lettin, o$r t&o$,&ts +ander on any !atter t&at o $rs to $s% +it&o$t !akin, an effort to ontrol t&e!. T&ere are o asions +&en one annot &el" doin, t&is= ti!es of ill2 &ealt& Bes"e ially in "ersons +&o s$ffer fro! !elan &oliaC0 or ti!es +&en o$r &eads are tired% and% &o+ever &ard +e try% +e annot on entrate0 or ti!es +&en% for t&eir o+n ,ood% /od allo+s )is servants for days on end to ,o t&ro$,& ,reat stor!s. And% alt&o$,& t&ey are distressed and strive to al! t&e!selves% t&ey are $nable to do so and in a"able of attendin, to +&at t&ey are sayin,% &o+ever &ard t&ey try% nor an t&ey fi* t&eir $nderstandin, on anyt&in,= t&ey see! to be in a fren:y% so distra$,&t are t&ey. T&e very s$fferin, of anyone in t&is state +ill s&o+ &er t&at s&e is not to bla!e% and s&e !$st not +orry% for t&at only !akes !atters +orse% nor !$st s&e +eary &erself by tryin, to "$t sense into so!et&in, 9 na!ely% &er !ind 9 +&i & for t&e !o!ent is +it&o$t any. S&e s&o$ld "ray as best s&e an= indeed% s&e need not "ray at all% b$t !ay try to rest &er s"irit as t&o$,& s&e +ere ill and b$sy &erself +it& so!e ot&er virt$o$s a tion. T&ese dire tions are !eant for "ersons +&o kee" aref$l ,$ard over t&e!selves and kno+ t&at t&ey !$st not s"eak to /od and to t&e +orld at t&e sa!e ti!e. W&at +e an do o$rselves is to try to be alone 9 and /od ,rant t&at t&is !ay s$ffi e% as I say% to !ake $s reali:e in W&ose "resen e +e are and &o+ t&e 'ord ans+ers o$r "etitions. (o yo$ s$""ose t&at% be a$se +e annot &ear )i!% )e is silent@ )e s"eaks learly to t&e &eart +&en +e be, )i! fro! o$r &earts to do so. It +o$ld be a ,ood idea for $s to i!a,ine t&at )e &as ta$,&t t&is "rayer to ea & one of $s individ$ally% and t&at )e is ontin$ally e*"o$ndin, it to $s. T&e .aster is never so far a+ay t&at t&e dis i"le needs to raise &is voi e in order to be &eard= )e is al+ays ri,&t at &is side. I +ant yo$ to $nderstand t&at%

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if yo$ are to re ite t&e Paternoster +ell% one t&in, is needf$l= yo$ !$st not leave t&e side of t&e .aster W&o &as ta$,&t it yo$. 5 Yo$ +ill say at on e t&at t&is is !editation% and t&at yo$ are not a"able of it% and do not even +is& to "ra tise it% b$t are ontent +it& vo al "rayer. For t&ere are i!"atient "eo"le +&o dislike ,ivin, t&e!selves tro$ble% and it is tro$bleso!e at first to "ra tise re olle tion of t&e !ind +&en one &as not !ade it a &abit. So% in order not to !ake t&e!selves t&e least bit tired% t&ey say t&ey are in a"able of anyt&in, b$t vo al "rayer and do not kno+ &o+ to do anyt&in, f$rt&er. Yo$ are ri,&t to say t&at +&at +e &ave des ribed is !ental "rayer0 b$t I ass$re yo$ t&at I annot distin,$is& it fro! vo al "rayer fait&f$lly re ited +it& a reali:ation of W&o it is t&at +e are addressin,. F$rt&er% +e are $nder t&e obli,ation of tryin, to "ray attentively= !ay /od ,rant t&at% by $sin, t&ese !eans% +e !ay learn to say t&e Paternoster +ell and not find o$rselves t&inkin, of so!et&in, irrelevant. I &ave so!eti!es e*"erien ed t&is !yself% and t&e best re!edy I &ave fo$nd for it is to try to fi* !y !ind on t&e Person by W&o! t&e +ords +ere first s"oken. )ave "atien e% t&en% and try to !ake t&is ne essary "ra ti e into a &abit% for ne essary it is% in !y o"inion% for t&ose +&o +o$ld be n$ns% and indeed for all +&o +o$ld "ray like ,ood C&ristians. CHAPTER +5. 2!"&ri*!" t ! ,r!at ,ai$ % i& &#'!" t# a "#ul % !$ it pra&ti"!" (#&al pray!r p!rf!&tly. S #%" #% G#) 'ay rai"! it t !$&! t# t i$," "up!r$atural. 65 In ase yo$ s&o$ld t&ink t&ere is little ,ain to be derived fro! "ra tisin, vo al "rayer "erfe tly% I !$st tell yo$ t&at% +&ile yo$ are re"eatin, t&e Paternoster or so!e ot&er vo al "rayer% it is <$ite "ossible for t&e 'ord to ,rant yo$ "erfe t onte!"lation. In t&is +ay )is .a;esty s&o+s t&at )e is listenin, to t&e "erson +&o is addressin, )i!% and t&at% in )is ,reatness% )e is addressin, &er% by s$s"endin, t&e $nderstandin,% "$ttin, a sto" to all t&o$,&t% and% as +e say% takin, t&e +ords o$t of &er !o$t&% so t&at even if s&e +is&es to s"eak s&e annot do so% or at any rate not +it&o$t ,reat diffi $lty. S$ & a "erson $nderstands t&at% +it&o$t any so$nd of +ords% s&e is bein, ta$,&t by t&is (ivine .aster% W&o is s$s"endin, &er fa $lties% +&i &% if t&ey +ere to +ork% +o$ld be a$sin, &er &ar! rat&er t&an "rofit. T&e fa $lties re;oi e +it&o$t kno+in, &o+ t&ey re;oi e0 t&e so$l is enkindled in love +it&o$t $nderstandin, &o+ it loves0 it kno+s t&at it is re;oi in, in t&e ob;e t of its love% yet it does not kno+ &o+ it is re;oi in, in it. It is +ell a+are t&at t&is is not a ;oy +&i & an be attained by t&e $nderstandin,0 t&e +ill e!bra es it% +it&o$t $nderstandin, &o+0 b$t% in so far as it an $nderstand anyt&in,% it "er eives t&at t&is is a blessin, +&i & o$ld not be ,ained by t&e !erits of all t&e trials s$ffered on eart& "$t to,et&er. It is a ,ift of t&e 'ord of eart& and )eaven% W&o ,ives it like t&e /od )e is. T&is% da$,&ters% is "erfe t onte!"lation. Yo$ +ill no+ $nderstand &o+ different it is fro! !ental "rayer% +&i & I &ave already des ribed% and +&i & onsists in t&inkin, of +&at +e are sayin,% $nderstandin, it% and reali:in, W&o! +e are addressin,% and +&o +e are t&at are darin, to address so ,reat a 'ord. To t&ink of t&is and ot&er si!ilar t&in,s% s$ & as &o+ little +e &ave served )i! and &o+ ,reat is o$r obli,ation to serve )i!% is !ental "rayer. (o not t&ink of it as one

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!ore t&in, +it& an o$tlandis& na!e and do not let t&e na!e fri,&ten yo$. To re ite t&e Paternoster and t&e Ave .aria% or any ot&er "etition yo$ like% is vo al "rayer. B$t t&ink &o+ &ars& yo$r !$si +ill be +it&o$t +&at !$st o!e first0 so!eti!es even t&e +ords +ill ,et into t&e +ron, order. In t&ese t+o kinds of "rayer% +it& /od>s &el"% +e !ay a o!"lis& so!et&in, o$rselves. In t&e onte!"lation +&i & I &ave ;$st des ribed +e an do not&in,. It is )is .a;esty W&o does everyt&in,0 t&e +ork is )is alone and far trans ends &$!an nat$re. I des ribed t&is as +ell as I +as able in t&e relation +&i & I !ade of it% as I &ave said% so t&at !y onfessors s&o$ld see it +&en t&ey read t&e a o$nt of !y life +&i & t&ey &ad ordered !e to +rite. As I &ave e*"lained all t&is abo$t onte!"lation at s$ & len,t&% t&erefore% I s&all not re"eat !yself &ere and I a! doin, no !ore t&an to$ & $"on it. If t&ose of yo$ +&o &ave e*"erien ed t&e &a""iness of bein, alled by t&e 'ord to t&is state of onte!"lation an ,et t&is book% yo$ +ill find in it "oints and o$nsels +&i & t&e 'ord +as "leased to enable !e to set do+n. T&ese s&o$ld brin, yo$ ,reat o!fort and "rofit 9 in !y o"inion% at least% and in t&e o"inion of several "eo"le +&o &ave seen it and +&o kee" it at &and in order to !ake fre<$ent $se of it. I a! as&a!ed to tell yo$ t&at anyt&in, of !ine is !ade s$ & $se of and t&e 'ord kno+s +it& +&at onf$sion I +rite a ,reat deal t&at I do. Blessed be )e for t&$s bearin, +it& !e. T&ose of yo$ +&o% as I say% &ave e*"erien e of s$"ernat$ral "rayer s&o$ld "ro $re t&e book after !y deat&0 t&ose +&o &ave not &ave no need to do so b$t t&ey s&o$ld try to arry o$t +&at &as been said in t&is one. 'et t&e! leave everyt&in, to t&e 'ord% to W&o! it belon,s to ,rant t&is ,ift% and )e +ill not deny it yo$ if yo$ do not tarry on t&e road b$t "ress for+ard so as to rea & t&e end of yo$r ;o$rney. CHAPTER +6. C#$ti$u!" t ! )!"&ripti#$ #f a '!t #) f#r r!&#ll!&ti$, t ! t #u, t". 2!"&ri*!" '!a$" #f )#i$, t i". T i" & apt!r i" (!ry pr#fita*l! f#r t #"! % # ar! *!,i$$i$, pray!r.

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74 'et $s no+ ret$rn to o$r vo al "rayer% so t&at +e !ay learn to "ray in s$ & a +ay t&at% +it&o$t o$r $nderstandin, &o+% /od !ay ,ive $s everyt&in, at on e= if +e do t&is% as I &ave said% +e s&all "ray as +e o$,&t. As yo$ kno+% t&e first t&in,s !$st be e*a!ination of ons ien e% onfession of sin and t&e si,nin, of yo$rself +it& t&e Cross. T&en% da$,&ter% as yo$ are alone% yo$ !$st look for a o!"anion 9 and +&o o$ld be a better Co!"anion t&an t&e very .aster W&o ta$,&t yo$ t&e "rayer t&at yo$ are abo$t to say@ I!a,ine t&at t&is 'ord )i!self is at yo$r side and see &o+ lovin,ly and &o+ &$!bly )e is tea &in, yo$ 9 and% believe !e% yo$ s&o$ld stay +it& so ,ood a Friend for as lon, as yo$ an before yo$ leave )i!. If yo$ be o!e a $sto!ed to &avin, )i! at yo$r side% and if )e sees t&at yo$ love )i! to be t&ere and are al+ays tryin, to "lease )i!% yo$ +ill never be able% as +e "$t it% to send )i! a+ay% nor +ill )e ever fail yo$. )e +ill &el" yo$ in all yo$r trials and yo$ +ill &ave )i! every+&ere. (o yo$ t&ink it is a s!all t&in, to &ave s$ & a Friend as t&at beside yo$@ O sisters% t&ose of yo$ +&ose !inds annot reason for lon, or +&ose t&o$,&ts annot d+ell $"on /od b$t are onstantly +anderin, !$st at all osts for! t&is &abit. I kno+ <$ite +ell t&at yo$ are a"able of it 9 for !any years I end$red t&is trial of bein, $nable

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to on entrate on one s$b;e t% and a very sore trial it is. B$t I kno+ t&e 'ord does not leave $s so devoid of &el" t&at if +e a""roa & )i! &$!bly and ask )i! to be +it& $s )e +ill not ,rant o$r re<$est. If a +&ole year "asses +it&o$t o$r obtainin, +&at +e ask% let $s be "re"ared to try for lon,er. 'et $s never ,r$d,e ti!e so +ell s"ent. W&o% after all% is &$rryin, $s@ I a! s$re +e an for! t&is &abit and strive to +alk at t&e side of t&is tr$e .aster. I a! not askin, yo$ no+ to t&ink of )i!% or to for! n$!ero$s on e"tions of )i!% or to !ake lon, and s$btle !editations +it& yo$r $nderstandin,. I a! askin, yo$ only to look at )i!. For +&o an "revent yo$ fro! t$rnin, t&e eyes of yo$r so$l B;$st for a !o!ent% if yo$ an do no !oreC $"on t&is 'ord@ Yo$ are a"able of lookin, at very $,ly and loat&so!e t&in,s= an yo$ not% t&en% look at t&e !ost bea$tif$l t&in, i!a,inable@ Yo$r S"o$se never takes )is eyes off yo$% da$,&ters. )e &as borne +it& t&o$sands of fo$l and abo!inable sins +&i & yo$ &ave o!!itted a,ainst )i!% yet even t&ey &ave not been eno$,& to !ake )i! ease lookin, $"on yo$. Is it s$ & a ,reat !atter% t&en% for yo$ to avert t&e eyes of yo$r so$l fro! o$t+ard t&in,s and so!eti!es to look at )i!@ See% )e is only +aitin, for $s to look at )i!% as )e says to t&e Bride. If yo$ +ant )i! yo$ +ill find )i!. )e lon,s so !$ & for $s to look at )i! on e !ore t&at it +ill not be for la k of effort on )is "art if +e fail to do so. A +ife% t&ey say% !$st be like t&is if s&e is to &ave a &a""y !arried life +it& &er &$sband. If &e is sad% s&e !$st s&o+ si,ns of sadness0 if &e is !erry% even t&o$,& s&e !ay not in fa t be so% s&e !$st a""ear !erry too. See +&at slavery yo$ &ave es a"ed fro!% sisters? Yet t&is% +it&o$t any "reten e% is really &o+ +e are treated by t&e 'ord. )e be o!es s$b;e t to $s and is "leased to let yo$ be t&e !istress and to onfor! to yo$r +ill. If yo$ are &a""y% look $"on yo$r risen 'ord% and t&e very t&o$,&t of &o+ )e rose fro! t&e se"$l &re +ill ,ladden yo$. )o+ bri,&t and &o+ bea$tif$l +as )e t&en? )o+ !a;esti ? )o+ vi torio$s? )o+ ;oyf$l? )e +as like one e!er,in, fro! a battle in +&i & )e &ad ,ained a ,reat kin,do!% all of +&i & )e desires yo$ to &ave 9 and +it& it )i!self. Is it s$ & a ,reat t&in, t&at yo$ s&o$ld t$rn yo$r eyes b$t on e and look $"on )i! W&o &as !ade yo$ s$ & ,reat ,ifts@ If yo$ are s$fferin, trials% or are sad% look $"on )i! on )is +ay to t&e /arden. W&at sore distress )e !$st &ave borne in )is so$l% to des ribe )is o+n s$fferin, as )e did and to o!"lain of it? Or look $"on )i! bo$nd to t&e Col$!n% f$ll of "ain% )is fles& all torn to "ie es by )is ,reat love for yo$. )o+ !$ & )e s$ffered% "erse $ted by so!e% s"at $"on by ot&ers% denied by )is friends% and even deserted by t&e!% +it& none to take )is "art% fro:en +it& t&e old and left so o!"letely alone t&at yo$ !ay +ell o!fort ea & ot&er? Or look $"on )i! bendin, $nder t&e +ei,&t of t&e Cross and not even allo+ed to take breat&= )e +ill look $"on yo$ +it& )is lovely and o!"assionate eyes% f$ll of tears% and in o!fortin, yo$r ,rief +ill for,et )is o+n be a$se yo$ are bearin, )i! o!"any in order to o!fort )i! and t$rnin, yo$r &ead to look $"on )i!. KO 'ord of t&e +orld% !y tr$e S"o$se?K yo$ !ay say to )i!% if seein, )i! in s$ & a "li,&t &as filled yo$r &eart +it& s$ & tenderness t&at yo$ not only desire to look $"on )i! b$t love to s"eak to )i!% not $sin, for!s of "rayer% b$t +ords iss$in, fro! t&e o!"assion of yo$r &eart% +&i & !eans so !$ & to )i!= KArt T&o$ so needy% !y 'ord

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and !y /ood% t&at T&o$ +ilt a e"t "oor o!"anions&i" like !ine@ (o I read in T&y fa e t&at T&o$ &ast fo$nd o!fort% even in !e@ )o+ an it be "ossible% 'ord% t&at t&e an,els are leavin, T&ee alone and t&at T&y Fat&er is not o!fortin, T&ee@ 5 KIf T&o$% 'ord% art +illin, to s$ffer all t&is for !e% +&at a! I s$fferin, for T&ee@ W&at &ave I to o!"lain of@ I a! as&a!ed% 'ord% +&en I see T&ee in s$ & a "li,&t% and if in any +ay I an i!itate T&ee I +ill s$ffer all trials t&at o!e to !e and o$nt t&e! as a ,reat blessin,. 'et $s ,o bot& to,et&er% 'ord= +&it&er T&o$ ,oest% I !$st ,o0 t&ro$,& +&atsoever T&o$ "assest% I !$st "ass.K Take $" t&is ross% sisters= never !ind if t&e #e+s tra!"le $"on yo$ "rovided yo$ an save )i! so!e of )is trials. Take no &eed of +&at t&ey say to yo$0 be deaf to all detra tion0 st$!ble and fall +it& yo$r S"o$se% b$t do not dra+ ba k fro! yo$r ross or ,ive it $". T&ink often of t&e +eariness of )is ;o$rney and of &o+ !$ & &arder )is trials +ere t&an t&ose +&i & yo$ &ave to s$ffer. )o+ever &ard yo$ !ay i!a,ine yo$rs to be% and &o+ever !$ & affli tion t&ey !ay a$se yo$% t&ey +ill be a so$r e of o!fort to yo$% for yo$ +ill see t&at t&ey are !atters for s orn o!"ared +it& t&e trials end$red by t&e 'ord. Yo$ +ill ask !e% sisters% &o+ yo$ an "ossibly do all t&is% and say t&at% if yo$ &ad seen )is .a;esty +it& yo$r bodily eyes at t&e ti!e +&en )e lived in t&e +orld% yo$ +o$ld &ave done it +illin,ly and ,a:ed at )i! for ever. (o not believe it= anyone +&o +ill not !ake t&e sli,&t effort ne essary for re olle tion in order to ,a:e $"on t&is 'ord "resent +it&in &er% +&i & s&e an do +it&o$t dan,er and +it& only t&e !ini!$! of tro$ble% +o$ld &ave been far less likely to stand at t&e foot of t&e Cross +it& t&e .a,dalen% +&o looked deat& Bas t&ey sayC strai,&t in t&e fa e. W&at t&e ,lorio$s -ir,in and t&is blessed saint !$st &ave s$ffered? W&at t&reats% +&at !ali io$s +ords% +&at s&o ks% +&at ins$lts? For t&e "eo"le t&ey +ere dealin, +it& +ere not e*a tly "olite to t&e!. No% indeed0 t&eirs +as t&e kind of o$rtesy yo$ !i,&t !eet in &ell% for t&ey +ere t&e !inisters of t&e devil &i!self. Yet% terrible as t&e s$fferin,s of t&ese +o!en !$st &ave been% t&ey +o$ld not &ave noti ed t&e! in t&e "resen e of "ain so !$ & ,reater. So do not s$""ose% sisters% t&at yo$ +o$ld &ave been "re"ared to end$re s$ & ,reat trials t&en% if yo$ are not ready for s$ & triflin, ones no+. Pra tise end$rin, t&ese and yo$ !ay be ,iven ot&ers +&i & are ,reater. Believe t&at I a! tellin, t&e tr$t& +&en I say t&at yo$ an do t&is% for I a! s"eakin, fro! e*"erien e. Yo$ +ill find it very &el"f$l if yo$ an ,et an i!a,e or a "i t$re of t&is 'ord 9 one t&at yo$ like 9 not to +ear ro$nd yo$r ne k and never look at b$t to $se re,$larly +&enever yo$ talk to )i!% and )e +ill tell yo$ +&at to say. If +ords do not fail yo$ +&en yo$ talk to "eo"le on eart&% +&y s&o$ld t&ey do so +&en yo$ talk to /od@ (o not i!a,ine t&at t&ey +ill 9 I s&all ertainly not believe t&at t&ey &ave done so if yo$ on e for! t&e &abit. For +&en yo$ never &ave inter o$rse +it& a "erson &e soon be o!es a stran,er to yo$% and yo$ for,et &o+ to talk to &i!0 and before lon,% even if &e is a kins!an% yo$ feel as if yo$ do not kno+ &i!% for bot& kins&i" and friends&i" lose t&eir infl$en e +&en o!!$ni ation eases. It is also a ,reat &el" to &ave a ,ood book% +ritten in t&e verna $lar% si!"ly as an aid to re olle tion. Wit& t&is aid yo$ +ill learn to say yo$r vo al "rayers +ell% I !ean% as t&ey o$,&t to be said 9 and little by little% "ers$asively and !et&odi ally% yo$ +ill ,et yo$r so$l $sed to t&is% so t&at it +ill no lon,er be afraid of it. Re!e!ber t&at !any years &ave "assed sin e it +ent a+ay fro! its S"o$se% and it needs very aref$l &andlin,

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before it +ill ret$rn &o!e. We sinners are like t&at= +e &ave a $sto!ed o$r so$ls and !inds to ,o after t&eir o+n "leas$res Bor "ains% it +o$ld be !ore orre t to sayC $ntil t&e $nfort$nate so$l no lon,er kno+s +&at it is doin,. W&en t&at &as &a""ened% a ,ood deal of skill is ne essary before it an be ins"ired +it& eno$,& love to !ake it stay at &o!e0 b$t $nless +e an ,rad$ally do t&at +e s&all a o!"lis& not&in,. On e a,ain I ass$re yo$ t&at% if yo$ are aref$l to for! &abits of t&e kind I &ave !entioned% yo$ +ill derive s$ & ,reat "rofit fro! t&e! t&at I o$ld not des ribe it even if I +is&ed. Aee" at t&e side of t&is ,ood .aster% t&en% and be !ost fir!ly resolved to learn +&at )e tea &es yo$0 )is .a;esty +ill t&en ens$re yo$r not failin, to be ,ood dis i"les% and )e +ill never leave yo$ $nless yo$ leave )i!. Consider t&e +ords $ttered by t&ose (ivine li"s= t&e very first of t&e! +ill s&o+ yo$ at on e +&at love )e &as for yo$% and it is no s!all blessin, and ;oy for t&e "$"il to see t&at &is .aster loves )i!. CHAPTER +7. 2!"&ri*!" t ! ,r!at l#(! " #%$ u" *y t ! L#r) i$ t ! fir"t %#r)" #f t ! Pat!r$#"t!r a$) t ! ,r!at i'p#rta$&! #f #ur 'a/i$, $# a&&#u$t #f ,##) *irt if %! truly )!"ir! t# *! t ! )au, t!r" #f G#). KO$r Fat&er% +&i & art in t&e )eavens.K O !y 'ord% &o+ T&o$ dost reveal T&yself as t&e Fat&er of s$ & a Son% +&ile T&y Son reveals )i!self as t&e Son of s$ & a Fat&er? Blessed be T&o$ for ever and ever. O$,&t not so ,reat a favo$r as t&is% 'ord% to &ave o!e at t&e end of t&e "rayer@ )ere% at t&e very be,innin,% T&o$ dost fill o$r &ands and ,rant $s so ,reat a favo$r t&at it +o$ld be a very ,reat blessin, if o$r $nderstandin, o$ld be filled +it& it so t&at t&e +ill +o$ld be o $"ied and +e s&o$ld be $nable to say anot&er +ord. O&% &o+ a""ro"riate% da$,&ters% +o$ld "erfe t onte!"lation be &ere? O&% &o+ ri,&t +o$ld t&e so$l be to enter +it&in itself% so as to be t&e better able to rise above itself% t&at t&is &oly Son !i,&t s&o+ it t&e nat$re of t&e "la e +&ere )e says )is Fat&er d+ells 9 na!ely% t&e )eavens? 'et $s leave eart&% !y da$,&ters% for it is not ri,&t t&at a favo$r like t&is s&o$ld be "ri:ed so little% and t&at% after +e &ave reali:ed &o+ ,reat t&is favo$r is% +e s&o$ld re!ain on eart& any !ore. O Son of /od and !y 'ord? )o+ is it t&at T&o$ anst ,ive $s so !$ & +it& T&y first +ord@ It is so +onderf$l t&at T&o$ s&o$ldst des end to s$ & a de,ree of &$!ility as to ;oin +it& $s +&en +e "ray and !ake T&yself t&e Brot&er of reat$res so !iserable and lo+ly? )o+ an it be t&at% in t&e na!e of T&y Fat&er% T&o$ s&o$ldst ,ive $s all t&at t&ere is to be ,iven% by +illin, )i! to &ave $s as )is &ildren 9 and T&y +ord annot fail@ DIt see!s t&atE T&o$ dost obli,e )i! to f$lfil T&y +ord% a &ar,e by no !eans li,&t% sin e% bein, o$r Fat&er% )e !$st bear +it& $s% &o+ever ,reat o$r offen es. If +e ret$rn to )i!% )e !$st "ardon $s% as )e "ardoned t&e "rodi,al son% !$st o!fort $s in o$r trials% and !$st s$stain $s% as s$ & a Fat&er is bo$nd to do% for )e !$st needs be better t&an any eart&ly fat&er% sin e not&in, ,ood an fail to &ave its "erfe tion in )i!. )e !$st &eris& $s0 )e !$st s$stain $s0 and at t&e last )e !$st !ake $s "arti i"ants and fello+2&eirs +it& T&ee. Be&old% !y 'ord% +it& t&e love t&at T&o$ &ast for $s and +it& T&y &$!ility% not&in, an be an obsta le to T&ee. And t&en% 'ord% T&o$ &ast been $"on eart& and by takin, o$r nat$re $"on T&ee &ast lot&ed T&yself +it& &$!anity= T&o$ &ast t&erefore so!e reason

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to are for o$r advanta,e. B$t be&old% T&y Fat&er is in )eaven% as T&o$ &ast told $s% and it is ri,&t t&at T&o$ s&o$ldst onsider )is &ono$r. Sin e T&o$ &ast offered T&yself to be dis&ono$red by $s% leave T&y Fat&er free. Obli,e )i! not to do so !$ & for "eo"le as +i ked as I% +&o +ill !ake )i! s$ & "oor a kno+led,!ent. 5 O ,ood #es$s? )o+ learly &ast T&o$ s&o+n t&at T&o$ art One +it& )i! and t&at T&y +ill is )is and )is is T&ine? )o+ o"en a onfession is t&is% !y 'ord? W&at is t&is love t&at T&o$ &ast for $s@ T&o$ didst de eive t&e devil% and on eal fro! &i! t&at T&o$ art t&e Son of /od% b$t T&y ,reat desire for o$r +elfare over o!es all obsta les to T&y ,rantin, $s t&is ,reatest of favo$rs. W&o b$t T&o$ o$ld do t&is% 'ord@ I annot t&ink &o+ t&e devil failed to $nderstand fro! t&at +ord of T&ine W&o T&o$ +ert% beyond any do$bt. I% at least% !y #es$s% see learly t&at T&o$ didst s"eak as a dearly beloved son bot& for T&yself and for $s% and T&o$ &ast s$ & "o+er t&at +&at T&o$ sayest in )eaven s&all be done on eart&. Blessed be T&o$ for ever% !y 'ord% W&o lovest so !$ & to ,ive t&at no obsta le an stay T&ee. (o yo$ not t&ink% da$,&ters% t&at t&is is a ,ood .aster% sin e )e be,ins by ,rantin, $s t&is ,reat favo$r so as to !ake $s love to learn +&at )e tea &es $s@ (o yo$ t&ink it +o$ld be ri,&t for $s% +&ile +e are re"eatin, t&is "rayer +it& o$r li"s% to sto" tryin, to t&ink of +&at +e are sayin,% lest "i t$rin, s$ & love s&o$ld tear o$r &earts to "ie es@ No one +&o reali:ed )is ,reatness o$ld "ossibly say it +o$ld be. W&at son is t&ere in t&e +orld +&o +o$ld not try to learn +&o &is fat&er +as if &e &ad one as ,ood% and of as ,reat !a;esty and do!inion% as o$rs@ Were /od not all t&is% it +o$ld not s$r"rise !e if +e &ad no desire to be kno+n as )is &ildren0 for t&e +orld is s$ & t&at% if t&e fat&er is of lo+er rank t&an &is son% t&e son feels no &ono$r in re o,ni:in, &i! as &is fat&er. T&is does not a""ly &ere= /od forbid t&at s$ & a t&in, s&o$ld ever &a""en in t&is &o$se 9 it +o$ld t$rn t&e "la e into &ell. 'et t&e sister +&o is of t&e &i,&est birt& s"eak of &er fat&er least0 +e !$st all be e<$als. O Colle,e of C&rist% in +&i & t&e 'ord +as "leased t&at Saint Peter% +&o +as a fis&er!an% s&o$ld &ave !ore a$t&ority t&an Saint Bart&olo!e+% +&o +as t&e son of a kin,? )is .a;esty kne+ +&at a f$ss +o$ld be !ade in t&e +orld abo$t +&o +as fas&ioned fro! t&e finer lay 9 +&i & is like dis $ssin, +&et&er lay is better for bri ks or for +alls. (ear 'ord% +&at a tro$ble +e !ake abo$t it? /od deliver yo$% sisters% fro! s$ & ontentions% even if t&ey be arried on only in ;est0 I &o"e t&at )is .a;esty +ill indeed deliver yo$. If anyt&in, like t&is s&o$ld be ,oin, on a!on, yo$% a""ly t&e re!edy i!!ediately% and let t&e sister on erned fear lest s&e be a #$das a!on, t&e A"ostles. (o +&at yo$ an to ,et rid of s$ & a bad o!"anion. If yo$ annot% ,ive &er "enan es &eavier t&an for anyt&in, else $ntil s&e reali:es t&at s&e &as not deserved to be even t&e basest lay. Yo$ &ave a ,ood Fat&er% ,iven yo$ by t&e ,ood #es$s= let no ot&er fat&er be kno+n or referred to &ere. Strive% !y da$,&ters% to be s$ & t&at yo$ deserve to find o!fort in )i! and to t&ro+ yo$rselves into )is ar!s. Yo$ kno+ t&at% if yo$ are ,ood &ildren% )e +ill never send yo$ a+ay. And +&o +o$ld not do anyt&in, rat&er t&an lose s$ & a Fat&er@ O&% t&ank /od% +&at a$se for o!fort t&ere is &ere? Rat&er t&an +rite !ore abo$t it I +ill leave it for yo$ to t&ink abo$t0 for% &o+ever !$ & yo$r t&o$,&ts !ay +ander% bet+een s$ & a Son and s$ & a Fat&er t&ere !$st needs be t&e )oly S"irit. .ay )e

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enkindle yo$r +ill and bind yo$ to )i!self +it& t&e !ost fervent love% sin e even t&e ,reat advanta,e yo$ ,ain +ill not s$ffi e to do so. 5 CHAPTER +8. 2!"&ri*!" t ! $atur! #f t ! Pray!r #f R!&#ll!&ti#$ a$) "!t" )#%$ "#'! #f t ! '!a$" *y % i& %! &a$ 'a/! it a a*it. Consider no+ +&at yo$r .aster says ne*t= KW&o art in t&e )eavens.K (o yo$ s$""ose it !atters little +&at )eaven is and +&ere yo$ !$st seek yo$r !ost &oly Fat&er@ I ass$re yo$ t&at for !inds +&i & +ander it is of ,reat i!"ortan e not only to &ave a ri,&t belief abo$t t&is b$t to try to learn it by e*"erien e% for it is one of t&e best +ays of on entratin, t&e !ind and effe tin, re olle tion in t&e so$l. Yo$ kno+ t&at /od is every+&ere0 and t&is is a ,reat tr$t&% for% of o$rse% +&erever t&e kin, is% or so t&ey say% t&e o$rt is too= t&at is to say% +&erever /od is% t&ere is )eaven. No do$bt yo$ an believe t&at% in any "la e +&ere )is .a;esty is% t&ere is f$lness of ,lory. Re!e!ber &o+ Saint A$,$stine tells $s abo$t &is seekin, /od in !any "la es and event$ally findin, )i! +it&in &i!self. (o yo$ s$""ose it is of little i!"ortan e t&at a so$l +&i & is often distra ted s&o$ld o!e to $nderstand t&is tr$t& and to find t&at% in order to s"eak to its Eternal Fat&er and to take its deli,&t in )i!% it &as no need to ,o to )eaven or to s"eak in a lo$d voi e@ )o+ever <$ietly +e s"eak% )e is so near t&at )e +ill &ear $s= +e need no +in,s to ,o in sear & of )i! b$t &ave only to find a "la e +&ere +e an be alone and look $"on )i! "resent +it&in $s. Nor need +e feel stran,e in t&e "resen e of so kind a /$est0 +e !$st talk to )i! very &$!bly% as +e s&o$ld to o$r fat&er% ask )i! for t&in,s as +e s&o$ld ask a fat&er% tell )i! o$r tro$bles% be, )i! to "$t t&e! ri,&t% and yet reali:e t&at +e are not +ort&y to be alled )is &ildren. Avoid bein, bas&f$l +it& /od% as so!e "eo"le are% in t&e belief t&at t&ey are bein, &$!ble. It +o$ld not be &$!ility on yo$r "art if t&e Ain, +ere to do yo$ a favo$r and yo$ ref$sed to a e"t it0 b$t yo$ +o$ld be s&o+in, &$!ility by takin, it% and bein, "leased +it& it% yet reali:in, &o+ far yo$ are fro! deservin, it. A fine &$!ility it +o$ld be if I &ad t&e E!"eror of )eaven and eart& in !y &o$se% o!in, to it to do !e a favo$r and to deli,&t in !y o!"any% and I +ere so &$!ble t&at I +o$ld not ans+er )is <$estions% nor re!ain +it& )i!% nor a e"t +&at )e ,ave !e% b$t left )i! alone. Or if )e +ere to s"eak to !e and be, !e to ask for +&at I +anted% and I +ere so &$!ble t&at I "referred to re!ain "oor and even let )i! ,o a+ay% so t&at )e +o$ld see I &ad not s$ffi ient resol$tion. )ave not&in, to do +it& t&at kind of &$!ility% da$,&ters% b$t s"eak +it& )i! as +it& a Fat&er% a Brot&er% a 'ord and a S"o$se 9 and% so!eti!es in one +ay and so!eti!es in anot&er% )e +ill tea & yo$ +&at yo$ !$st do to "lease )i!. (o not be foolis&0 ask )i! to let yo$ s"eak to )i!% and% as )e is yo$r S"o$se% to treat yo$ as )is brides. Re!e!ber &o+ i!"ortant it is for yo$ to &ave $nderstood t&is tr$t& 9 t&at t&e 'ord is +it&in $s and t&at +e s&o$ld be t&ere +it& )i!. If one "rays in t&is +ay% t&e "rayer !ay be only vo al% b$t t&e !ind +ill be re olle ted !$ & sooner0 and t&is is a "rayer +&i & brin,s +it& it !any blessin,s. It is alled

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re olle tion be a$se t&e so$l olle ts to,et&er all t&e fa $lties and enters +it&in itself to be +it& its /od. Its (ivine .aster o!es !ore s"eedily to tea & it% and to ,rant it t&e Prayer of L$iet% t&an in any ot&er +ay. For% &idden t&ere +it&in itself% it an t&ink abo$t t&e Passion% and "i t$re t&e Son% and offer )i! to t&e Fat&er% +it&o$t +earyin, t&e !ind by ,oin, to seek )i! on .o$nt Calvary% or in t&e /arden% or at t&e Col$!n. T&ose +&o are able to s&$t t&e!selves $" in t&is +ay +it&in t&is little )eaven of t&e so$l% +&erein d+ells t&e .aker of )eaven and eart&% and +&o &ave for!ed t&e &abit of lookin, at not&in, and stayin, in no "la e +&i & +ill distra t t&ese o$t+ard senses% !ay be s$re t&at t&ey are +alkin, on an e* ellent road% and +ill o!e +it&o$t fail to drink of t&e +ater of t&e fo$ntain% for t&ey +ill ;o$rney a lon, +ay in a s&ort ti!e. T&ey are like one +&o travels in a s&i"% and% if &e &as a little ,ood +ind% rea &es t&e end of &is voya,e in a fe+ days% +&ile t&ose +&o ,o by land take !$ & lon,er. T&ese so$ls &ave already% as +e !ay say% "$t o$t to sea0 t&o$,& t&ey &ave not sailed <$ite o$t of si,&t of land% t&ey do +&at t&ey an to ,et a+ay fro! it% in t&e ti!e at t&eir dis"osal% by re olle tin, t&eir senses. If t&eir re olle tion is ,en$ine% t&e fa t be o!es very evident% for it "rod$ es ertain effe ts +&i & I do not kno+ &o+ to e*"lain b$t +&i & anyone +ill re o,ni:e +&o &as e*"erien e of t&e!. It is as if t&e so$l +ere risin, fro! "lay% for it sees t&at +orldly t&in,s are not&in, b$t toys0 so in d$e o$rse it rises above t&e!% like a "erson enterin, a stron, astle% in order t&at it !ay &ave not&in, !ore to fear fro! its ene!ies. It +it&dra+s t&e senses fro! all o$t+ard t&in,s and s"$rns t&e! so o!"letely t&at% +it&o$t its $nderstandin, &o+% its eyes lose and it annot see t&e! and t&e so$l>s s"irit$al si,&t be o!es lear. T&ose +&o +alk alon, t&is "at& al!ost invariably lose t&eir eyes +&en t&ey say t&eir "rayers0 t&is% for !any reasons% is an ad!irable $sto!% sin e it !eans t&at t&ey are !akin, an effort not to look at t&in,s of t&e +orld. T&e effort &as to be !ade only at t&e be,innin,0 later it be o!es $nne essary= event$ally% in fa t% it +o$ld ost a ,reater effort to o"en t&e eyes d$rin, "rayer t&an to lose t&e!. T&e so$l see!s to ,at&er $" its stren,t& and to !aster itself at t&e e*"ense of t&e body% +&i & it leaves +eakened and alone= in t&is +ay it be o!es stron,er for t&e fi,&t a,ainst it. T&is !ay not be evident at first% if t&e re olle tion is not very "rofo$nd 9 for at t&is sta,e it is so!eti!es !ore so and so!eti!es less. At first it !ay a$se a ,ood deal of tro$ble% for t&e body insists on its ri,&ts% not $nderstandin, t&at if it ref$ses to ad!it defeat it is% as it +ere% $ttin, off its o+n &ead. B$t if +e $ltivate t&e &abit% !ake t&e ne essary effort and "ra tise t&e e*er ises for several days% t&e benefits +ill reveal t&e!selves% and +&en +e be,in to "ray +e s&all reali:e t&at t&e bees are o!in, to t&e &ive and enterin, it to !ake t&e &oney% and all +it&o$t any effort of o$rs. For it is t&e 'ord>s +ill t&at% in ret$rn for t&e ti!e +&i & t&eir efforts &ave ost t&e!% t&e so$l and t&e +ill s&o$ld be ,iven t&is "o+er over t&e senses. T&ey +ill only &ave to !ake a si,n to s&o+ t&at t&ey +is& to enter into re olle tion and t&e senses +ill obey and allo+ t&e!selves to be re olle ted. 'ater t&ey !ay o!e o$t a,ain% b$t it is a ,reat t&in, t&at t&ey s&o$ld ever &ave s$rrendered% for if t&ey o!e o$t it is as a"tives and slaves and t&ey do none of t&e &ar! t&at t&ey !i,&t &ave done before. W&en t&e +ill alls t&e! afres& t&ey res"ond !ore <$i kly% $ntil% after t&ey &ave entered t&e so$l !any ti!es% t&e 'ord is "leased t&at t&ey s&o$ld re!ain t&ere alto,et&er in "erfe t onte!"lation.

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W&at &as been said s&o$ld be noted +it& ,reat are% for% t&o$,& it see!s obs $re% it +ill be $nderstood by anyone desiro$s of "$ttin, it into "ra ti e. T&e sea2voya,e% t&en% an be !ade0 and% as it is very i!"ortant t&at +e s&o$ld not travel too slo+ly% let $s ;$st onsider &o+ +e an ,et a $sto!ed to t&ese ,ood &abits. So$ls +&o do so are !ore se $re fro! !any o asions of sin% and t&e fire of (ivine love is t&e !ore readily enkindled in t&e!0 for t&ey are so near t&at fire t&at% &o+ever little t&e bla:e &as been fanned +it& t&e $nderstandin,% any s!all s"ark t&at flies o$t at t&e! +ill a$se t&e! to b$rst into fla!e. W&en no &indran e o!es to it fro! o$tside% t&e so$l re!ains alone +it& its /od and is t&oro$,&ly "re"ared to be o!e enkindled. And no+ let $s i!a,ine t&at +e &ave +it&in $s a "ala e of "ri eless +ort&% b$ilt entirely of ,old and "re io$s stones 9 a "ala e% in s&ort% fit for so ,reat a 'ord. I!a,ine t&at it is "artly yo$r doin, t&at t&is "ala e s&o$ld be +&at it is 9 and t&is is really tr$e% for t&ere is no b$ildin, so bea$tif$l as a so$l t&at is "$re and f$ll of virt$es% and% t&e ,reater t&ese virt$es are% t&e !ore brilliantly do t&e stones s&ine. I!a,ine t&at +it&in t&e "ala e d+ells t&is ,reat Ain,% W&o &as vo$ &safed to be o!e yo$r Fat&er and W&o is seated $"on a t&rone of s$"re!e "ri e 9 na!ely% yo$r &eart. At first yo$ +ill t&ink t&is irrelevant 9 I !ean t&e $se of t&is fi,$re to e*"lain !y "oint 9 b$t it !ay "rove very $sef$l% es"e ially to "ersons like yo$rselves. For% as +e +o!en are not learned or fine2+itted% +e need all t&ese t&in,s to &el" $s reali:e t&at +e a t$ally &ave so!et&in, +it&in $s in o!"arably !ore "re io$s t&an anyt&in, +e see o$tside. (o not let $s s$""ose t&at t&e interior of t&e so$l is e!"ty0 /od ,rant t&at only +o!en !ay be so t&o$,&tless as to s$""ose t&at. If +e took are al+ays to re!e!ber +&at a /$est +e &ave +it&in $s% I t&ink it +o$ld be i!"ossible for $s to abandon o$rselves to vanities and t&in,s of t&e +orld% for +e s&o$ld see &o+ +ort&less t&ey are by o!"arison +it& t&ose +&i & +e &ave +it&in $s. W&at does an ani!al do beyond satisfyin, &is &$n,er by sei:in, +&atever attra ts &i! +&en &e sees it@ T&ere s&o$ld s$rely be a ,reat differen e bet+een t&e br$te beasts and o$rselves% as +e &ave s$ & a Fat&er. Per&a"s yo$ +ill la$,& at !e and say t&at t&is is obvio$s eno$,&0 and yo$ +ill be ri,&t% t&o$,& it +as so!e ti!e before I a!e to see it. I kne+ "erfe tly +ell t&at I &ad a so$l% b$t I did not $nderstand +&at t&at so$l !erited% or W&o d+elt +it&in it% $ntil I losed !y eyes to t&e vanities of t&is +orld in order to see it. I t&ink% if I &ad $nderstood t&en% as I do no+% &o+ t&is ,reat Ain, really d+ells +it&in t&is little "ala e of !y so$l% I s&o$ld not &ave left )i! alone so often% b$t s&o$ld &ave stayed +it& )i! and never &ave allo+ed )is d+ellin,2"la e to ,et so dirty. )o+ +onderf$l it is t&at )e W&ose ,reatness o$ld fill a t&o$sand +orlds% and very !any !ore% s&o$ld onfine )i!self +it&in so s!all a s"a e% ;$st as )e +as "leased to d+ell +it&in t&e +o!b of )is !ost &oly .ot&er? Bein, t&e 'ord% )e &as% of o$rse% "erfe t freedo!% and% as )e loves $s% )e fas&ions )i!self to o$r !eas$re. W&en a so$l sets o$t $"on t&is "at&% )e does not reveal )i!self to it% lest it s&o$ld feel dis!ayed at seein, t&at its littleness an ontain s$ & ,reatness0 b$t ,rad$ally )e enlar,es it to t&e e*tent re<$isite for +&at )e &as to set +it&in it. It is for t&is reason t&at I say )e &as "erfe t freedo!% sin e )e &as "o+er to !ake t&e +&ole of t&is "ala e ,reat. T&e i!"ortant "oint is t&at +e s&o$ld be absol$tely resolved to ,ive it to )i! for

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)is o+n and s&o$ld e!"ty it so t&at )e !ay take o$t and "$t in ;$st +&at )e likes% as )e +o$ld +it& so!et&in, of )is o+n. )is .a;esty is ri,&t in de!andin, t&is0 let $s not deny it to )i!. And% as )e ref$ses to for e o$r +ill% )e takes +&at +e ,ive )i! b$t does not ,ive )i!self +&olly $ntil )e sees t&at +e are ,ivin, o$rselves +&olly to )i!. T&is is ertain% and% as it is of s$ & i!"ortan e% I often re!ind yo$ of it. Nor does )e +ork +it&in t&e so$l as )e does +&en it is +&olly )is and kee"s not&in, ba k. I do not see &o+ )e an do so% sin e )e likes everyt&in, to be done in order. If +e fill t&e "ala e +it& v$l,ar "eo"le and all kinds of ;$nk% &o+ an t&e 'ord and )is Co$rt o $"y it@ W&en s$ & a ro+d is t&ere it +o$ld be a ,reat t&in, if )e +ere to re!ain for even a s&ort ti!e. (o yo$ s$""ose% da$,&ters% t&at )e is alone +&en )e o!es to $s@ (o yo$ not see t&at )is !ost &oly Son says= KW&o art in t&e )eavensK@ S$rely s$ & a Ain, +o$ld not be abandoned by )is o$rtiers. T&ey stay +it& )i! and "ray to )i! on o$r be&alf and for o$r +elfare% for t&ey are f$ll of &arity. (o not i!a,ine t&at )eaven is like t&is eart&% +&ere% if a lord or "relate s&o+s anyone favo$rs% +&et&er for so!e "arti $lar reason or si!"ly be a$se &e likes &i!% "eo"le at on e be o!e envio$s% and% t&o$,& t&e "oor !an &as done not&in, to t&e!% &e is !ali io$sly treated% so t&at &is favo$rs ost &i! dear. CHAPTER +:. C#$ti$u!" t# )!"&ri*! '!t #)" f#r a& i!(i$, t i" Pray!r #f R!&#ll!&ti#$. Say" % at littl! a&&#u$t %! " #ul) 'a/! #f *!i$, fa(#ur!) *y #ur "up!ri#r".

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For t&e love of /od% da$,&ters% avoid !akin, any a o$nt of t&ese favo$rs. Yo$ s&o$ld ea & do yo$r d$ty0 and% if t&is is not a""re iated by yo$r s$"erior% yo$ !ay be s$re t&at it +ill be a""re iated and re+arded by t&e 'ord. We did not o!e &ere to seek re+ards in t&is life% b$t only in t&e life to o!e. 'et o$r t&o$,&ts al+ays be fi*ed $"on +&at end$res% and not tro$ble t&e!selves +it& eart&ly t&in,s +&i & do not end$re even for a lifeti!e. For to2day so!e ot&er sister +ill be in yo$r s$"erior>s ,ood books0 +&ereas to2 !orro+% if s&e sees yo$ e*&ibitin, so!e additional virt$e% it is +it& yo$ t&at s&e +ill be better "leased 9 and if s&e is not it is of little onse<$en e. Never ,ive +ay to t&ese t&o$,&ts% +&i & so!eti!es be,in in a s!all +ay b$t !ay ost yo$ a ,reat deal of $nrest. C&e k t&e! by re!e!berin, t&at yo$r kin,do! is not of t&is +orld% and t&at everyt&in, o!es <$i kly to an end% and t&at t&ere is not&in, in t&is life t&at ,oes on $n &an,in,ly. B$t even t&at is a "oor re!edy and anyt&in, b$t a "erfe t one0 it is best t&at t&is state of t&in,s s&o$ld ontin$e% and t&at yo$ s&o$ld be &$!bled and o$t of favo$r% and s&o$ld +is& to be so for t&e sake of t&e 'ord W&o d+ells in yo$. T$rn yo$r eyes $"on yo$rself and look at yo$rself in+ardly% as I &ave said. Yo$ +ill find yo$r .aster0 )e +ill not fail yo$= indeed% t&e less o$t+ard o!fort yo$ &ave% t&e D!$ &E ,reater t&e ;oy )e +ill ,ive yo$. )e is f$ll of o!"assion and never fails t&ose +&o are affli ted and o$t of favo$r if t&ey tr$st in )i! alone. T&$s (avid tells $s t&at &e never sa+ t&e ;$st forsaken% and a,ain% t&at t&e 'ord is +it& t&e affli ted. Eit&er yo$ believe t&is or yo$ do not= if yo$ do% as yo$ s&o$ld% +&y do yo$ +ear yo$rselves to deat& +it& +orry@

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O !y 'ord% if +e &ad a real kno+led,e of T&ee% +e s&o$ld !ake not t&e sli,&test a o$nt of anyt&in,% sin e T&o$ ,ivest so !$ & to t&ose +&o +ill set t&eir +&ole tr$st on T&ee. Believe !e% friends% it is a ,reat t&in, to reali:e t&e tr$t& of t&is so t&at +e !ay see &o+ de e"tive are eart&ly t&in,s and favo$rs +&en t&ey defle t t&e so$l in any +ay fro! its o$rse and &inder it fro! enterin, +it&in itself. /od &el" !e? If only so!eone o$ld !ake yo$ reali:e t&is? I !yself% 'ord% ertainly annot0 I kno+ t&at Din tr$t&E I o+e T&ee !ore t&an anyone else b$t I annot reali:e t&is !yself as +ell as I s&o$ld. Ret$rnin, to +&at I +as sayin,% I s&o$ld like to be able to e*"lain t&e nat$re of t&is &oly o!"anions&i" +it& o$r ,reat Co!"anion% t&e )oliest of t&e &oly% in +&i & t&ere is not&in, to &inder t&e so$l and &er S"o$se fro! re!ainin, alone to,et&er% +&en t&e so$l desires to enter +it&in &erself% to s&$t t&e door be&ind &er so as to kee" o$t all t&at is +orldly and to d+ell in t&at Paradise +it& &er /od. I say KdesiresK% be a$se yo$ !$st $nderstand t&at t&is is not a s$"ernat$ral state b$t de"ends $"on o$r volition% and t&at% by /od>s favo$r% +e an enter it of o$r o+n a ord= t&is ondition !$st be $nderstood of everyt&in, t&at +e say in t&is book an be done% for +it&o$t it not&in, an be a o!"lis&ed and +e &ave not t&e "o+er to t&ink a sin,le ,ood t&o$,&t. For t&is is not a silen e of t&e fa $lties= it is a s&$ttin,2$" of t&e fa $lties +it&in itself by t&e so$l. T&ere are !any +ays in +&i & +e an ,rad$ally a <$ire t&is &abit% as vario$s books tell $s. We !$st ast aside everyt&in, else% t&ey say% in order to a""roa & /od in+ardly and +e !$st retire +it&in o$rselves even d$rin, o$r ordinary o $"ations. If I an re all t&e o!"anions&i" +&i & I &ave +it&in !y so$l for as !$ & as a !o!ent% t&at is of ,reat $tility. B$t as I a! s"eakin, only abo$t t&e +ay to re ite vo al "rayers +ell% t&ere is no need for !e to say as !$ & as t&is. All I +ant is t&at +e s&o$ld kno+ and abide +it& t&e Person +it& W&o! +e are s"eakin,% and not t$rn o$r ba ks $"on )i!0 for t&at% it see!s to !e% is +&at +e are doin, +&en +e talk to /od and yet t&ink of all kinds of vanity. T&e +&ole !is &ief o!es fro! o$r not really ,ras"in, t&e fa t t&at )e is near $s% and i!a,inin, )i! far a+ay 9 so far% t&at +e s&all &ave to ,o to )eaven in order to find )i!. )o+ is it% 'ord% t&at +e do not look at T&y fa e% +&en it is so near $s@ We do not t&ink "eo"le are listenin, to $s +&en +e are s"eakin, to t&e! $nless +e see t&e! lookin, at $s. And do +e lose o$r eyes so as not to see t&at T&o$ art lookin, at $s@ )o+ an +e kno+ if T&o$ &ast &eard +&at +e say to T&ee@ T&e ,reat t&in, I s&o$ld like to tea & yo$ is t&at% in order to a $sto! o$rselves ,rad$ally to ,ivin, o$r !inds onfiden e% so t&at +e !ay readily $nderstand +&at +e are sayin,% and +it& W&o! +e are s"eakin,% +e !$st re olle t o$r o$t+ard senses% take &ar,e of t&e! o$rselves and ,ive t&e! so!et&in, +&i & +ill o $"y t&e!. It is in t&is +ay t&at +e &ave )eaven +it&in o$rselves sin e t&e 'ord of )eaven is t&ere. If on e +e a $sto! o$rselves to bein, ,lad t&at t&ere is no need to raise o$r voi es in order to s"eak to )i!% sin e )is .a;esty +ill !ake $s ons io$s t&at )e is t&ere% +e s&all be able to say t&e Paternoster and +&atever ot&er "rayers +e like +it& ,reat "ea e of !ind% and t&e 'ord )i!self +ill &el" $s not to ,ro+ tired. Soon after +e &ave be,$n to for e o$rselves to re!ain near t&e 'ord% )e +ill ,ive $s indi ations by +&i & +e !ay $nderstand t&at% t&o$,& +e &ave &ad to say t&e Paternoster !any ti!es% )e &eard $s t&e first ti!e. For )e loves to save $s +orry0 and% even t&o$,& +e !ay take a +&ole &o$r over sayin, it on e% if +e an reali:e t&at +e are +it& )i!% and +&at it is +e are askin, )i!% and &o+ +illin, )e is% like any fat&er% to ,rant it to $s% and &o+ )e loves to be

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+it& $s% and o!fort $s% )e &as no +is& for $s to tire o$r brains by a ,reat deal of talkin,. 5 For love of t&e 'ord% t&en% sisters% a $sto! yo$rselves to sayin, t&e Paternoster in t&is re olle ted +ay% and before lon, yo$ +ill see &o+ yo$ ,ain by doin, so. It is a !et&od of "rayer +&i & establis&es &abits t&at "revent t&e so$l fro! ,oin, astray and t&e fa $lties fro! be o!in, restless. T&is yo$ +ill find o$t in ti!e= I only be, yo$ to test it% even at t&e ost of a little tro$ble% +&i & al+ays res$lts +&en +e try to for! a ne+ &abit. I ass$re yo$% &o+ever% t&at before lon, yo$ +ill &ave t&e ,reat o!fort of findin, it $nne essary to tire yo$rselves +it& seekin, t&is &oly Fat&er to W&o! yo$ "ray% for yo$ +ill dis over )i! +it&in yo$. .ay t&e 'ord tea & t&is to t&ose of yo$ +&o do not kno+ it= for !y o+n "art I !$st onfess t&at% $ntil t&e 'ord ta$,&t !e t&is !et&od% I never kne+ +&at it +as to ,et satisfa tion and o!fort o$t of "rayer% and it is be a$se I &ave al+ays ,ained s$ & ,reat benefits fro! t&is $sto! of interior re olle tion t&at I &ave +ritten abo$t it at s$ & len,t&. Per&a"s yo$ all kno+ t&is% b$t so!e sister !ay o!e to yo$ +&o +ill not kno+ it% so yo$ !$st not be ve*ed at !y &avin, s"oken abo$t it &ere. I on l$de by advisin, anyone +&o +is&es to a <$ire it Bsin e% as I say% it is in o$r "o+er to do soC not to ,ro+ +eary of tryin, to ,et $sed to t&e !et&od +&i & &as been des ribed% for it is e<$ivalent to a ,rad$al ,ainin, of t&e !astery over &erself and is not vain labo$r. To on<$er oneself for one>s o+n ,ood is to !ake $se of t&e senses in t&e servi e of t&e interior life. If s&e is s"eakin, s&e !$st try to re!e!ber t&at t&ere is One +it&in &er to W&o! s&e an s"eak0 if s&e is listenin,% let &er re!e!ber t&at s&e an listen to )i! W&o is nearer to &er t&an anyone else. Briefly% let &er reali:e t&at% if s&e likes% s&e need never +it&dra+ fro! t&is ,ood o!"anions&i"% and let &er ,rieve +&en s&e &as left &er Fat&er alone for so lon, t&o$,& &er need of )i! is so sore. If s&e an% let &er "ra tise re olle tion !any ti!es daily0 if not% let &er do so o asionally. As s&e ,ro+s a $sto!ed to it% s&e +ill feel its benefits% eit&er sooner or later. On e t&e 'ord &as ,ranted it to &er% s&e +o$ld not e* &an,e it for any treas$re. Not&in,% sisters% an be learned +it&o$t a little tro$ble% so do% for t&e love of /od% look $"on any are +&i & yo$ take abo$t t&is as +ell s"ent. I kno+ t&at% +it& /od>s &el"% if yo$ "ra tise it for a year% or "er&a"s for only si* !ont&s% yo$ +ill be s$ essf$l in attainin, it. T&ink +&at a s&ort ti!e t&at is for a <$irin, so ,reat a benefit% for yo$ +ill be layin, a ,ood fo$ndation% so t&at% if t&e 'ord desires to raise yo$ $" to a &ieve ,reat t&in,s% )e +ill find yo$ ready% be a$se yo$ +ill be lose to )i!self. .ay )is .a;esty never allo+ $s to +it&dra+ o$rselves fro! )is "resen e. A!en. CHAPTER -;. 2!"&ri*!" t ! i'p#rta$&! #f u$)!r"ta$)i$, % at %! a"/ f#r i$ pray!r. Tr!at" #f t !"! %#r)" i$ t ! Pat!r$#"t!r< =Sa$&tifi&!tur $#'!$ tuu'3 a)(!$iat r!,$u' tuu'.= Appli!" t !' t# t ! Pray!r #f >ui!t3 a$) *!,i$" t ! !0pla$ati#$ #f t !'.

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We !$st no+ o!e to onsider t&e ne*t "etition in o$r ,ood .aster>s "rayer% in +&i & )e be,ins to entreat )is &oly Fat&er on o$r be&alf% and see +&at it is t&at )e entreats% as it is +ell t&at +e s&o$ld kno+ t&is. 5 W&at "erson% &o+ever areless% +&o &ad to address so!eone of i!"ortan e% +o$ld not s"end ti!e in t&inkin, &o+ to a""roa & &i! so as to "lease &i! and not be onsidered tedio$s@ )e +o$ld also t&ink +&at &e +as ,oin, to ask for and +&at $se &e +o$ld !ake of it% es"e ially if &is "etition +ere for so!e "arti $lar t&in,% as o$r ,ood #es$s tells $s o$r "etitions !$st be. T&is "oint see!s to !e very i!"ortant. Co$ldst T&o$ not% !y 'ord% &ave ended t&is "rayer in a sin,le senten e% by sayin,= K/ive $s% Fat&er% +&atever is ,ood for $sK@ For% in addressin, One W&o kno+s everyt&in,% t&ere +o$ld see! to be no need to say any !ore. T&is +o$ld &ave s$ffi ed% O Eternal Wisdo!% as bet+een T&ee and T&y Fat&er. It +as t&$s t&at T&o$ didst address )i! in t&e /arden% tellin, )i! of T&y +ill and T&y fear% b$t leavin, T&yself in )is &ands. B$t T&o$ kno+est $s% !y 'ord% and T&o$ kno+est t&at +e are not as resi,ned as +ert T&o$ to t&e +ill of T&y Fat&er0 +e needed% t&erefore% to be ta$,&t to ask for "arti $lar t&in,s so t&at +e s&o$ld sto" for a !o!ent to t&ink if +&at +e ask of T&ee is ,ood for $s% and if it is not% s&o$ld not ask for it. For% bein, +&at +e are and &avin, o$r free +ill% if +e do not re eive +&at +e ask for% +e s&all not a e"t +&at t&e 'ord ,ives $s. T&e ,ift !i,&t be t&e best one "ossible 9 b$t +e never t&ink +e are ri & $nless +e a t$ally see !oney in o$r &ands. O&% /od &el" !e? W&at is it t&at sends o$r fait& to slee"% so t&at +e annot reali:e &o+ ertain +e are% on t&e one &and% to be "$nis&ed% and% on t&e ot&er% to be re+arded@ It is for t&is reason% da$,&ters% t&at it is ,ood for yo$ to kno+ +&at yo$ are askin, for in t&e Paternoster% so t&at% if t&e Eternal Fat&er ,ives it yo$% yo$ s&all not ast it ba k in )is fa e. Yo$ !$st t&ink aref$lly if +&at yo$ are abo$t to ask for +ill be ,ood for yo$0 if it +ill not% do not ask for it% b$t ask )is .a;esty to ,ive yo$ li,&t. For +e are blind and often +e &ave s$ & a loat&in, for life2,ivin, food t&at +e annot eat it b$t "refer +&at +ill a$se $s deat& 9 and +&at a deat&= so terrible and eternal? No+ t&e ,ood #es$s bids $s say t&ese +ords% in +&i & +e "ray t&at t&is Ain,do! !ay o!e in $s= K)allo+ed be T&y Na!e% T&y Ain,do! o!e in $s.K Consider no+% da$,&ters% &o+ ,reat is o$r .aster>s +isdo!. I a! t&inkin, &ere of +&at +e are askin, in "rayin, for t&is kin,do!% and it is +ell t&at +e s&o$ld reali:e t&is. )is .a;esty% kno+in, of &o+ little +e are a"able% sa+ t&at% $nless )e "rovided for $s by ,ivin, $s )is Ain,do! &ere on eart&% +e o$ld neit&er &allo+ nor "raise nor !a,nify nor ,lorify nor e*alt t&is &oly na!e of t&e Eternal Fat&er in a +ay befittin, it. T&e ,ood #es$s% t&erefore% "la es t&ese t+o "etitions ne*t to ea & ot&er. 'et $s $nderstand t&is t&in, t&at +e are askin, for% da$,&ters% and &o+ i!"ortant it is t&at +e s&o$ld "ray for it +it&o$t easin, and do all +e an to "lease )i! W&o +ill ,ive it $s= it is for t&at reason t&at I +ant to tell yo$ +&at I kno+ abo$t t&e !atter no+. If yo$ do not like t&e s$b;e t% t&ink o$t so!e ot&er !editations for yo$rselves% for o$r .aster +ill allo+ $s to do t&is% "rovided +e s$b!it in all t&in,s to t&e tea &in, of t&e D)oly Ro!anE C&$r &% as I do &ere. In any ase I s&all not ,ive yo$ t&is book to read $ntil "ersons +&o $nderstand t&ese !atters &ave seen it= so% if t&ere is anyt&in, +ron, +it& it% t&e reason +ill be% not +i kedness% b$t !y i!"erfe t kno+led,e.

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To !e% t&en% it see!s t&at% of t&e !any ;oys to be fo$nd in t&e kin,do! of )eaven% t&e &ief is t&at +e s&all &ave no !ore to do +it& t&e t&in,s of eart&0 for in )eaven +e s&all &ave an intrinsi tran<$illity and ,lory% a ;oy in t&e re;oi in,s of all% a "er"et$al "ea e% and a ,reat interior satisfa tion +&i & +ill o!e to $s +&en +e see t&at all are &allo+in, and "raisin, t&e 'ord% and are blessin, )is na!e% and t&at none is offendin, )i!. For all love )i! t&ere and t&e so$l>s one on ern is lovin, )i!% nor an it ease fro! lovin, )i! be a$se it kno+s )i!. And t&is is &o+ +e s&o$ld love )i! on eart&% t&o$,& +e annot do so +it& t&e sa!e "erfe tion nor yet all t&e ti!e0 still% if +e kne+ )i!% +e s&o$ld love )i! very differently fro! t&e +ay +e do no+. It looks as t&o$,& I +ere ,oin, to say t&at +e !$st be an,els to !ake t&is "etition and to say o$r vo al "rayers +ell. T&is +o$ld indeed be o$r (ivine .aster>s +is&% sin e )e bids $s !ake so s$bli!e a "etition. Yo$ !ay be <$ite s$re t&at )e never tells $s to ask for i!"ossibilities% so it !$st be "ossible% +it& /od>s &el"% for a so$l livin, in t&at state of e*ile to rea & s$ & a "oint% t&o$,& not as "erfe tly as t&ose +&o &ave been freed fro! t&is "rison% for +e are !akin, a sea2voya,e and are still on t&e ;o$rney. B$t t&ere are ti!es +&en +e are +earied +it& travellin, and t&e 'ord ,rants o$r fa $lties tran<$illity and o$r so$l <$iet% and +&ile t&ey are in t&at state )e ,ives $s a lear $nderstandin, of t&e nat$re of t&e ,ifts )e besto+s $"on t&ose +&o! )e brin,s to )is Ain,do!. T&ose to +&o!% +&ile t&ey are still on eart&% )e ,rants +&at +e are askin, )i! for re eive "led,es +&i & +ill ,ive t&e! a ,reat &o"e of event$ally attainin, to a "er"et$al en;oy!ent of +&at on eart& )e only allo+s t&e! to taste. If it +ere not t&at yo$ +o$ld tell !e I a! treatin, of onte!"lation% it +o$ld be a""ro"riate% in +ritin, of t&is "etition% to say a little abo$t t&e be,innin, of "$re onte!"lation% +&i & t&ose +&o e*"erien e it all t&e Prayer of L$iet0 b$t% as I &ave said% I a! dis $ssin, vo al "rayer &ere% and anyone i,norant of t&e s$b;e t !i,&t t&ink t&at t&e t+o &ad not&in, to do +it& one anot&er% t&o$,& I kno+ t&is is ertainly not tr$e. For,ive !y +antin, to s"eak of it% for I kno+ t&ere are !any "eo"le +&o "ra tise vo al "rayer in t&e !anner already des ribed and are raised by /od to t&e &i,&er kind of onte!"lation +it&o$t &avin, &ad any &and in t&is t&e!selves or even kno+in, &o+ it &as &a""ened. For t&is reason% da$,&ters% I atta & ,reat i!"ortan e to yo$r sayin, yo$r vo al "rayers +ell. I kno+ a n$n +&o o$ld never "ra tise anyt&in, b$t vo al "rayer b$t +&o ke"t to t&is and fo$nd s&e &ad everyt&in, else0 yet if s&e o!itted sayin, &er "rayers &er !ind +andered so !$ & t&at s&e o$ld not end$re it. .ay +e all "ra tise s$ & !ental "rayer as t&at. S&e +o$ld say a n$!ber of Paternosters% orres"ondin, to t&e n$!ber of ti!es O$r 'ord s&ed )is blood% and on not&in, !ore t&an t&ese and a fe+ ot&er "rayers s&e +o$ld s"end t+o or t&ree &o$rs. S&e a!e to !e on e in ,reat distress% sayin, t&at s&e did not kno+ &o+ to "ra tise !ental "rayer% and t&at s&e o$ld not onte!"late b$t o$ld only say vo al "rayers. S&e +as <$ite an old +o!an and &ad lived an e*tre!ely ,ood and reli,io$s life. I asked &er +&at "rayers s&e said% and fro! &er re"ly I sa+ t&at% t&o$,& kee"in, to t&e Paternoster% s&e +as e*"erien in, "$re onte!"lation% and t&e 'ord +as raisin, &er to be +it& )i! in $nion. S&e s"ent &er life so +ell% too% t&at &er a tions !ade it lear s&e +as re eivin, ,reat favo$rs. So I "raised t&e 'ord and envied &er &er vo al "rayer. If t&is story is tr$e 9 and it is 9 none of yo$ +&o &ave &ad a bad o"inion of onte!"latives an s$""ose t&at yo$ +ill be free fro! t&e risk of be o!in, like t&e! if yo$ say yo$r vo al "rayers as t&ey s&o$ld be said and

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kee" a "$re ons ien e. I s&all &ave to say still !ore abo$t t&is. Anyone not +is&in, to &ear it !ay "ass it over. 5 CHAPTER -1. C#$ti$u!" t ! "a'! "u*.!&t. E0plai$" % at i" '!a$t *y t ! Pray!r #f >ui!t. Gi(!" "!(!ral &#u$"!l" t# t #"! % # !0p!ri!$&! it. T i" & apt!r i" (!ry $#t!%#rt y. No+% da$,&ters% I still +ant to des ribe t&is Prayer of L$iet to yo$% in t&e +ay I &ave &eard it talked abo$t% and as t&e 'ord &as been "leased to tea & it to !e% "er&a"s in order t&at I !i,&t des ribe it to yo$. It is in t&is kind of "rayer% as I &ave said% t&at t&e 'ord see!s to !e to be,in to s&o+ $s t&at )e is &earin, o$r "etition= )e be,ins to ,ive $s )is Ain,do! on eart& so t&at +e !ay tr$ly "raise )i! and &allo+ )is na!e and strive to !ake ot&ers do so like+ise. T&is is a s$"ernat$ral state% and% &o+ever &ard +e try% +e annot rea & it for o$rselves0 for it is a state in +&i & t&e so$l enters into "ea e% or rat&er in +&i & t&e 'ord ,ives it "ea e t&ro$,& )is "resen e% as )e did to t&at ;$st !an Si!eon. In t&is state all t&e fa $lties are stilled. T&e so$l% in a +ay +&i & &as not&in, to do +it& t&e o$t+ard senses% reali:es t&at it is no+ very lose to its /od% and t&at% if it +ere b$t a little loser% it +o$ld be o!e one +it& )i! t&ro$,& $nion. T&is is not be a$se it sees )i! eit&er +it& its bodily or +it& its s"irit$al eyes. T&e ;$st !an Si!eon sa+ no !ore t&an t&e ,lorio$s Infant 9 a "oor little C&ild% W&o% to ;$d,e fro! t&e s+addlin,2 lot&es in +&i & )e +as +ra""ed and fro! t&e s!all n$!ber of t&e "eo"le +&o! )e &ad as a retin$e to take )i! $" to t&e Te!"le% !i,&t +ell &ave been t&e son of t&ese "oor "eo"le rat&er t&an t&e Son of &is )eavenly Fat&er. B$t t&e C&ild )i!self revealed to &i! W&o )e +as. #$st so% t&o$,& less learly% does t&e so$l kno+ W&o )e is. It annot $nderstand &o+ it kno+s )i!% yet it sees t&at it is in t&e Ain,do! Bor at least is near to t&e Ain, W&o +ill ,ive it t&e Ain,do!C% and it feels s$ & reveren e t&at it dares to ask not&in,. It is% as it +ere% in a s+oon% bot& in+ardly and o$t+ardly% so t&at t&e o$t+ard !an Blet !e all it t&e KbodyK% and t&en yo$ +ill $nderstand !e betterC does not +is& to !ove% b$t rests% like one +&o &as al!ost rea &ed t&e end of &is ;o$rney% so t&at it !ay t&e better start a,ain $"on its +ay% +it& redo$bled stren,t& for its task. T&e body e*"erien es t&e ,reatest deli,&t and t&e so$l is ons io$s of a dee" satisfa tion. So ,lad is it !erely to find itself near t&e fo$ntain t&at% even before it &as be,$n to drink% it &as &ad its fill. T&ere see!s not&in, left for it to desire. T&e fa $lties are stilled and &ave no +is& to !ove% for any !ove!ent t&ey !ay !ake a""ears to &inder t&e so$l fro! lovin, /od. T&ey are not o!"letely lost% &o+ever% sin e% t+o of t&e! bein, free% t&ey an reali:e in W&ose Presen e t&ey are. It is t&e +ill t&at is in a"tivity no+0 and% if +&ile in t&is state it is a"able of e*"erien in, any "ain% t&e "ain o!es +&en it reali:es t&at it +ill &ave to res$!e its liberty. T&e !ind tries to o $"y itself +it& only one t&in,% and t&e !e!ory &as no desire to b$sy itself +it& !ore= t&ey bot& see t&at t&is is t&e one t&in, needf$l and t&at anyt&in, else +ill $nsettle t&e!. Persons in t&is state "refer t&e body to re!ain !otionless% for ot&er+ise t&eir "ea e +o$ld be destroyed= for t&is reason t&ey dare not stir. S"eakin, is a distress to t&e!= t&ey +ill s"end a +&ole &o$r on a sin,le re"etition of t&e Paternoster. T&ey are so lose

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to /od t&at t&ey kno+ t&ey an !ake t&e!selves $nderstood by si,ns. T&ey are in t&e "ala e% near to t&eir Ain,% and t&ey see t&at )e is already be,innin, to ,ive t&e! )is Ain,do! on eart&. So!eti!es tears o!e to t&eir eyes% b$t t&ey +ee" very ,ently and <$ite +it&o$t distress= t&eir +&ole desire is t&e &allo+in, of t&is na!e. T&ey see! not to be in t&e +orld% and &ave no +is& to see or &ear anyt&in, b$t t&eir /od0 not&in, distresses t&e!% nor does it see! t&at anyt&in, an "ossibly do so. In s&ort% for as lon, as t&is state lasts% t&ey are so over+&el!ed and absorbed by t&e ;oy and deli,&t +&i & t&ey e*"erien e t&at t&ey an t&ink of not&in, else to +is& for% and +ill ,ladly say +it& Saint Peter= K'ord% let $s !ake &ere t&ree !ansions.K O asionally% d$rin, t&is Prayer of L$iet% /od ,rants t&e so$l anot&er favo$r +&i & is &ard to $nderstand if one &as not &ad lon, e*"erien e of it. B$t any of yo$ +&o &ave &ad t&is +ill at on e re o,ni:e it and it +ill ,ive yo$ ,reat o!fort to kno+ +&at it is. I believe /od often ,rants t&is favo$r to,et&er +it& t&e ot&er. W&en t&is <$iet is felt in a &i,& de,ree and lasts for a lon, ti!e% I do not t&ink t&at% if t&e +ill +ere not !ade fast to so!et&in,% t&e "ea e o$ld be of s$ & lon, d$ration. So!eti!es it ,oes on for a day% or for t+o days% and +e find o$rselves 9 I !ean t&ose +&o e*"erien e t&is state 9 f$ll of t&is ;oy +it&o$t $nderstandin, t&e reason. T&ey see learly t&at t&eir +&ole self is not in +&at t&ey are doin,% b$t t&at t&e !ost i!"ortant fa $lty is absent 9 na!ely% t&e +ill% +&i & I t&ink is $nited +it& its /od 9 and t&at t&e ot&er fa $lties are left free to b$sy t&e!selves +it& )is servi e. For t&is t&ey &ave !$ & !ore a"a ity at s$ & a ti!e% t&o$,& +&en attendin, to +orldly affairs t&ey are d$ll and so!eti!es st$"id. It is a ,reat favo$r +&i & t&e 'ord ,rants to t&ese so$ls% for it $nites t&e a tive life +it& t&e onte!"lative. At s$ & ti!es t&ey serve t&e 'ord in bot& t&ese +ays at on e0 t&e +ill% +&ile in onte!"lation% is +orkin, +it&o$t kno+in, &o+ it does so0 t&e ot&er t+o fa $lties are servin, )i! as .art&a did. T&$s .art&a and .ary +ork to,et&er. I kno+ so!eone to +&o! t&e 'ord often ,ranted t&is favo$r0 s&e o$ld not $nderstand it and asked a ,reat onte!"lative abo$t it% &e told &er t&at +&at s&e des ribed +as <$ite "ossible and &ad &a""ened to &i!self. I t&ink% t&erefore% t&at as t&e so$l e*"erien es s$ & satisfa tion in t&is Prayer of L$iet t&e +ill !$st be al!ost ontin$o$sly $nited +it& )i! W&o alone an ,ive it &a""iness. I t&ink it +ill be +ell% sisters% if I ,ive so!e advi e &ere to any of yo$ +&o! t&e 'ord% o$t of )is ,oodness alone% &as bro$,&t to t&is state% as I kno+ t&at t&is &as &a""ened to so!e of yo$. First of all% +&en s$ & "ersons e*"erien e t&is ;oy% +it&o$t kno+in, +&en e it &as o!e to t&e!% b$t kno+in, at least t&at t&ey o$ld not &ave a &ieved it of t&e!selves% t&ey are te!"ted to i!a,ine t&at t&ey an "rolon, it and t&ey !ay even try not to breat&e. T&is is ridi $lo$s= +e an no !ore ontrol t&is "rayer t&an +e an !ake t&e day break% or sto" ni,&t fro! fallin,0 it is s$"ernat$ral and so!et&in, +e annot a <$ire. T&e !ost +e an do to "rolon, t&is favo$r is to reali:e t&at +e an neit&er di!inis& nor add to it% b$t% bein, !ost $n+ort&y and $ndeservin, of it% an only re eive it +it& t&anks,ivin,. And +e an best ,ive t&anks% not +it& !any +ords% b$t by liftin, $" o$r eyes% like t&e "$bli an. It is +ell to seek ,reater solit$de so as to !ake roo! for t&e 'ord and allo+ )is .a;esty to do )is o+n +ork in $s. T&e !ost +e s&o$ld do is o asionally% and <$ite ,ently% to $tter a sin,le +ord% like a "erson ,ivin, a little "$ff to a andle% +&en &e sees it &as

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al!ost ,one o$t% so as to !ake it b$rn a,ain0 t&o$,&% if it +ere f$lly ali,&t% I s$""ose t&e only res$lt of blo+in, it +o$ld be to "$t it o$t. I t&ink t&e "$ff s&o$ld be a ,entle one be a$se% if +e be,in to ta* o$r brains by !akin, $" lon, s"ee &es% t&e +ill !ay be o!e a tive a,ain. 5 Note aref$lly% friends% t&is "ie e of advi e +&i & I +ant to ,ive yo$ no+. Yo$ +ill often find t&at t&ese ot&er t+o fa $lties are of no &el" to yo$. It !ay o!e abo$t t&at t&e so$l is en;oyin, t&e &i,&est de,ree of <$iet% and t&at t&e $nderstandin, &as soared so far aloft t&at +&at is &a""enin, to it see!s not to be ,oin, on in its o+n &o$se at all0 it really see!s to be a ,$est in so!ebody else>s &o$se% lookin, for ot&er lod,in,s% sin e its o+n lod,in, no lon,er satisfies it and it annot re!ain t&ere for lon, to,et&er. Per&a"s t&is is only !y o+n e*"erien e and ot&er "eo"le do not find it so. B$t% s"eakin, for !yself% I so!eti!es lon, to die be a$se I annot $re t&is +anderin, of t&e !ind. At ot&er ti!es t&e !ind see!s to be settled in its o+n abode and to be re!ainin, t&ere +it& t&e +ill as its o!"anion. W&en all t&ree fa $lties +ork to,et&er it is +onderf$l. T&e &ar!ony is like t&at bet+een &$sband and +ife= if t&ey are &a""y and love ea & ot&er% bot& desire t&e sa!e t&in,0 b$t if t&e &$sband is $n&a""y in &is !arria,e &e soon be,ins to !ake t&e +ife restless. #$st so% +&en t&e +ill finds itself in t&is state of <$iet% it !$st take no !ore noti e of t&e $nderstandin, t&an it +o$ld of a !ad!an% for% if it tries to dra+ t&e $nderstandin, alon, +it& it% it is bo$nd to ,ro+ "reo $"ied and restless% +it& t&e res$lt t&at t&is state of "rayer +ill be all effort and no ,ain and t&e so$l +ill lose +&at /od &as been ,ivin, it +it&o$t any effort of its o+n. Pay ,reat attention to t&e follo+in, o!"arison% +&i & t&e 'ord s$,,ested to !e +&en I +as in t&is state of "rayer% and +&i & see!s to !e very a""ro"riate. T&e so$l is like an infant still at its !ot&er>s breast= s$ & is t&e !ot&er>s are for it t&at s&e ,ives it its !ilk +it&o$t its &avin, to ask for it so !$ & as by !ovin, its li"s. T&at is +&at &a""ens &ere. T&e +ill si!"ly loves% and no effort needs to be !ade by t&e $nderstandin,% for it is t&e 'ord>s "leas$re t&at% +it&o$t e*er isin, its t&o$,&t% t&e so$l s&o$ld reali:e t&at it is in )is o!"any% and s&o$ld !erely drink t&e !ilk +&i & )is .a;esty "$ts into its !o$t& and en;oy its s+eetness. T&e 'ord desires it to kno+ t&at it is )e W&o is ,rantin, it t&at favo$r and t&at in its en;oy!ent of it )e too re;oi es. B$t it is not )is +ill t&at t&e so$l s&o$ld try to $nderstand &o+ it is en;oyin, it% or +&at it is en;oyin,0 it s&o$ld lose all t&o$,&t of itself% and )e W&o is at its side +ill not fail to see +&at is best for it. If it be,ins to strive +it& its !ind so t&at t&e !ind !ay be a""rised of +&at is &a""enin, and t&$s ind$ ed to s&are in it% it +ill be <$ite $nable to do so% and t&e so$l +ill "erfor e lose t&e !ilk and for,o t&at (ivine s$stenan e. T&is state of "rayer is different fro! t&at in +&i & t&e so$l is +&olly $nited +it& /od% for in t&e latter state it does not even s+allo+ its no$ris&!ent= t&e 'ord "la es t&is +it&in it% and it &as no idea &o+. B$t in t&is state it even see!s to be )is +ill t&at t&e so$l s&o$ld +ork a little% t&o$,& so <$ietly t&at it is &ardly ons io$s of doin, so. W&at dist$rbs it is t&e $nderstandin, and t&is is not t&e ase +&en t&ere is $nion of all t&e t&ree fa $lties% sin e )e W&o reated t&e! s$s"ends t&e!= )e kee"s t&e! o $"ied +it& t&e en;oy!ent t&at )e &as ,iven t&e!% +it&o$t t&eir kno+in,% or bein, able to $nderstand% t&e reason. Anyone +&o &as &ad e*"erien e of t&is kind of "rayer +ill $nderstand <$ite +ell +&at I a! sayin, if% after readin, t&is% s&e onsiders it aref$lly% and t&inks o$t its !eanin,= ot&er+ise it +ill be /reek to &er.

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Well% as I say% t&e so$l is ons io$s of &avin, rea &ed t&is state of "rayer% +&i & is a <$iet% dee" and Pea ef$l &a""iness of t&e +ill% +it&o$t bein, able to de ide "re isely +&at it is% alt&o$,& it an learly see &o+ it differs fro! t&e &a""iness of t&e +orld. To &ave do!inion over t&e +&ole +orld% +it& all its &a""iness% +o$ld not s$ffi e to brin, t&e so$l s$ & in+ard satisfa tion as it en;oys no+ in t&e de"t&s of its +ill. For ot&er kinds of &a""iness in life% it see!s to !e% to$ & only t&e o$t+ard "art of t&e +ill% +&i & +e !i,&t des ribe as its rind. W&en one of yo$ finds &erself in t&is s$bli!e state of "rayer% +&i &% as I &ave already said% is !ost !arkedly s$"ernat$ral% and t&e $nderstandin, Bor% to "$t it !ore learly% t&e t&o$,&tC +anders off after t&e !ost ridi $lo$s t&in,s in t&e +orld% s&e s&o$ld la$,& at it and treat it as t&e silly t&in, it is% and re!ain in &er state of <$iet. For t&o$,&ts +ill o!e and ,o% b$t t&e +ill is !istress and all2"o+erf$l% and +ill re all t&e! +it&o$t yo$r &avin, to tro$ble abo$t it. B$t if yo$ try to dra, t&e $nderstandin, ba k by for e% yo$ lose yo$r "o+er over it% +&i & o!es fro! yo$r takin, and re eivin, t&at (ivine s$stenan e% and neit&er +ill nor $nderstandin, +ill ,ain% b$t bot& +ill be losers. T&ere is a sayin, t&at% if +e try very &ard to ,ras" all% +e lose all0 and so I t&ink it is &ere. E*"erien e +ill s&o+ yo$ t&e tr$t& of t&is0 and I s&all not be s$r"rised if t&ose of yo$ +&o &ave none t&ink t&is very obs $re and $nne essary. B$t% as I &ave said% if yo$ &ave only a little e*"erien e of it yo$ +ill $nderstand it and be able to "rofit by it% and yo$ +ill "raise t&e 'ord for bein, "leased to enable !e to e*"lain it. 'et $s no+ on l$de by sayin, t&at% +&en t&e so$l is bro$,&t to t&is state of "rayer% it +o$ld see! t&at t&e Eternal Fat&er &as already ,ranted its "etition t&at )e +ill ,ive it )is Ain,do! on eart&. O blessed re<$est% in +&i & +e ask for so ,reat a ,ood +it&o$t kno+in, +&at +e do? Blessed !anner of askin,? It is for t&is reason% sisters% t&at I +ant $s to be aref$l &o+ +e say t&is "rayer% t&e Paternoster% and all ot&er vo al "rayers% and +&at +e ask for in t&e!. For learly% +&en /od &as s&o+n $s t&is favo$r% +e s&all &ave to for,et +orldly t&in,s% all of +&i & t&e 'ord of t&e +orld &as o!e and ast o$t. I do not !ean t&at everyone +&o e*"erien es t&e Prayer of L$iet !$st "erfor e be deta &ed fro! everyt&in, in t&e +orld0 b$t at least I s&o$ld like all s$ & "ersons to kno+ +&at t&ey la k and to &$!ble t&e!selves and not to !ake so ,reat a "etition as t&o$,& t&ey +ere askin, for not&in,% and% if t&e 'ord ,ives t&e! +&at t&ey ask for% to t&ro+ it ba k in )is fa e. T&ey !$st try to be o!e !ore and !ore deta &ed fro! everyt&in,% for ot&er+ise t&ey +ill only re!ain +&ere t&ey are. If /od ,ives a so$l s$ & "led,es% it is a si,n t&at )e &as ,reat t&in,s in store for it. It +ill be its o+n fa$lt if it does not !ake ,reat "ro,ress. B$t if )e sees t&at% after )e &as bro$,&t t&e Ain,do! of )eaven into its abode% it ret$rns to eart&% not only +ill )e refrain fro! s&o+in, it t&e se rets of )is Ain,do! b$t )e +ill ,rant it t&is ot&er favo$r only for s&ort "eriods and rarely. I !ay be !istaken abo$t t&is% b$t I &ave seen it and kno+ t&at it &a""ens% and% for !y o+n "art% I believe t&is is +&y s"irit$al "eo"le are not !$ & !ore n$!ero$s. T&ey do not res"ond to so ,reat a favo$r in a "ra ti al +ay= instead of "re"arin, t&e!selves to re eive t&is favo$r a,ain% t&ey take ba k fro! t&e 'ord>s &ands t&e +ill +&i & )e onsidered )is o+n and entre it $"on base t&in,s. So )e seeks o$t ot&ers +&o love )i! in order to ,rant t&e! )is ,reater ,ifts% alt&o$,& )e +ill not take a+ay all t&at )e &as ,iven fro! t&ose +&o live in "$rity of ons ien e. B$t t&ere are "ersons 9 and I

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&ave been one of t&e! 9 to +&o! t&e 'ord ,ives tenderness of devotion and &oly ins"irations and li,&t on everyt&in,. )e besto+s t&is Ain,do! on t&e! and brin,s t&e! to t&is Prayer of L$iet% and yet t&ey deafen t&eir ears to )is voi e. For t&ey are so fond of talkin, and of re"eatin, a lar,e n$!ber of vo al "rayers in a ,reat &$rry% as t&o$,& t&ey +ere an*io$s to finis& t&eir task of re"eatin, t&e! daily% t&at +&en t&e 'ord% as I say% "$ts )is Ain,do! into t&eir very &ands% by ,ivin, t&e! t&is Prayer of L$iet and t&is in+ard "ea e% t&ey do not a e"t it% b$t t&ink t&at t&ey +ill do better to ,o on re itin, t&eir "rayers% +&i & only distra t t&e! fro! t&eir "$r"ose. (o not be like t&at% sisters% b$t be +at &f$l +&en t&e 'ord ,rants yo$ t&is favo$r. T&ink +&at a ,reat treas$re yo$ !ay be losin, and reali:e t&at yo$ are doin, !$ & !ore by o asionally re"eatin, a sin,le "etition of t&e Paternoster t&an by re"eatin, t&e +&ole of it !any ti!es in a &$rry and not t&inkin, +&at yo$ are sayin,. )e to W&o! yo$ are "rayin, is very near to yo$ and +ill not fail to &ear yo$0 and yo$ !ay be s$re t&at yo$ are tr$ly "raisin, )i! and &allo+in, )is na!e% sin e yo$ are ,lorifyin, t&e 'ord as a !e!ber of )is &o$se&old and "raisin, )i! +it& in reasin, affe tion and desire so t&at it see!s yo$ an never forsake )is servi e. So I advise yo$ to be very a$tio$s abo$t t&is% for it is of t&e ,reatest i!"ortan e. CHAPTER -+. E0p#u$)" t !"! %#r)" #f t ! Pat!r$#"t!r< =Fiat (#lu$ta" tua "i&ut i$ &#!l# !t i$ t!rra.= 2!"&ri*!" #% 'u& i" a&&#'pli" !) *y t #"! % # r!p!at t !"! %#r)" %it full r!"#luti#$ a$) #% %!ll t ! L#r) r!%ar)" t !' f#r it.

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65 No+ t&at o$r ,ood .aster &as asked on o$r be&alf% and &as ta$,&t $s o$rselves to ask% for a t&in, so "re io$s t&at it in l$des all +e an desire on eart&% and &as ,ranted $s t&e ,reat favo$r of !akin, $s )is bret&ren% let $s see +&at )e desires $s to ,ive to )is Fat&er% and +&at )e offers )i! on o$r be&alf% and +&at )e asks of $s% for it is ri,&t t&at +e s&o$ld render )i! so!e servi e in ret$rn for s$ & ,reat favo$rs. O ,ood #es$s? Sin e T&o$ ,ivest so little Blittle% t&at is to say% on o$r be&alfC &o+ anst T&o$ ask Dso !$ &E for $s@ W&at +e ,ive is in itself not&in, at all by o!"arison +it& all t&at &as been ,iven $s and +it& t&e ,reatness of O$r 'ord. B$t in tr$t&% !y 'ord% T&o$ dost not leave $s +it& not&in, to ,ive and +e ,ive all t&at +e an 9 I !ean if +e ,ive in t&e s"irit of t&ese +ords= KT&y +ill be done0 as in )eaven% so on eart&.K T&o$ didst +ell% O o$r ,ood .aster% to !ake t&is last "etition% so t&at +e !ay be able to a o!"lis& +&at T&o$ dost "ro!ise in o$r na!e. For tr$ly% 'ord% &adst T&o$ not done t&is% I do not t&ink it +o$ld &ave been "ossible for $s to a o!"lis& it. B$t% sin e T&y Fat&er does +&at T&o$ askest )i! in ,rantin, $s )is Ain,do! on eart&% I kno+ t&at +e an tr$ly f$lfil T&y +ord by ,ivin, +&at T&o$ dost "ro!ise in o$r na!e. For sin e !y eart& &as no+ be o!e )eaven% it +ill be "ossible for T&y +ill to be done in !e. Ot&er+ise% on an eart& so +ret &ed as !ine% and so barren of fr$it% I kno+ not% 'ord% &o+ it o$ld be "ossible. It is a ,reat t&in, t&at T&o$ dost offer. W&en I t&ink of t&is% it a!$ses !e t&at t&ere s&o$ld be "eo"le +&o dare not ask t&e 'ord for trials% t&inkin, t&at )is sendin, t&e! to t&e! de"ends $"on t&eir askin, for t&e!? I a! not referrin, to t&ose +&o o!it to ask for t&e! o$t of &$!ility be a$se t&ey

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t&ink t&e!selves to be in a"able of bearin, t&e!% t&o$,& for !y o+n "art I believe t&at )e +&o ,ives t&e! love eno$,& to ask for s$ & a stern !et&od of "rovin, it +ill ,ive t&e! love eno$,& to end$re it. I s&o$ld like to ask t&ose +&o are afraid to "ray for trials lest t&ey s&o$ld at on e be ,iven t&e! +&at t&ey !ean +&en t&ey be, t&e 'ord to f$lfil )is +ill in t&e!. (o t&ey say t&is be a$se everyone else says it and not be a$se t&ey +ant it to be done@ T&at +o$ld not be ri,&t% sisters. Re!e!ber t&at t&e ,ood #es$s is o$r A!bassador &ere% and t&at )is desire &as been to !ediate bet+een $s and )is Fat&er at no s!all ost to )i!self= it +o$ld not be ri,&t for $s to ref$se to ,ive +&at )e "ro!ises and offers on o$r be&alf or to say not&in, abo$t it. 'et !e "$t it in anot&er +ay. Consider% da$,&ters% t&at% +&et&er +e +is& it or no% /od>s +ill !$st be done% and !$st be done bot& in )eaven and on eart&. Believe !e% t&en% do as I s$,,est and !ake a virt$e of ne essity. O !y 'ord% +&at a ,reat o!fort it is to !e t&at T&o$ didst not entr$st t&e f$lfil!ent of T&y +ill to one so +ret &ed as I? Blessed be T&o$ for ever and let all t&in,s "raise T&ee. .ay T&y na!e be for ever ,lorified. I s&o$ld indeed &ave &ad to be ,ood% 'ord% if t&e f$lfil!ent or non2f$lfil!ent of T&y +ill Din )eaven and on eart&E +ere in !y &ands. B$t as it is% t&o$,& !y +ill is not yet free fro! self2interest% I ,ive it to T&ee freely. For I &ave "roved% by lon, e*"erien e% &o+ !$ & I ,ain by leavin, it freely in T&y &ands. O friends% +&at a ,reat ,ain is t&is 9 and &o+ !$ & +e lose t&ro$,& not f$lfillin, o$r "ro!ises to t&e 'ord in t&e Paternoster% and ,ivin, )i! +&at +e offer )i!? Before I tell yo$ in +&at t&is ,ain onsists% I +ill e*"lain to yo$ &o+ !$ & yo$ are offerin,% lest later yo$ s&o$ld e* lai! t&at yo$ &ad been de eived and &ad not $nderstood +&at yo$ +ere sayin,. (o not be&ave like so!e reli,io$s a!on, $s% +&o do not&in, b$t "ro!ise% and t&en e* $se o$rselves for not f$lfillin, o$r "ro!ises by sayin, t&at +e &ad not $nderstood +&at +e +ere "ro!isin,. T&at !ay +ell be tr$e% for it is easy to say t&in,s and &ard to "$t t&e! into "ra ti e% and anyone +&o t&o$,&t t&at t&ere +as no !ore in t&e one t&an in t&e ot&er ertainly did not $nderstand. It see!s very easy to say t&at +e +ill s$rrender o$r +ill to so!eone% $ntil +e try it and reali:e t&at it is t&e &ardest t&in, +e an do if +e arry it o$t as +e s&o$ld. O$r s$"eriors do not al+ays treat $s stri tly +&en t&ey see +e are +eak0 and so!eti!es t&ey treat bot& +eak and stron, in t&e sa!e +ay. T&at is not so +it& t&e 'ord0 )e kno+s +&at ea & of $s an bear% and% +&en )e sees t&at one of $s is stron,% )e does not &esitate to f$lfil )is +ill in &i!. So I +ant yo$ to reali:e +it& W&o! Bas t&ey sayC yo$ are dealin, and +&at t&e ,ood #es$s offers on yo$r be&alf to t&e Fat&er% and +&at yo$ are ,ivin, )i! +&en yo$ "ray t&at )is +ill !ay be done in yo$= it is not&in, else t&an t&is t&at yo$ are "rayin, for. (o not fear t&at )e +ill ,ive yo$ ri &es or "leas$res or ,reat &ono$rs or any s$ & eart&ly t&in,s0 )is love for yo$ is not so "oor as t&at. And )e sets a very &i,& val$e on +&at yo$ ,ive )i! and desires to re o!"ense yo$ for it sin e )e ,ives yo$ )is Ain,do! +&ile yo$ are still alive. Wo$ld yo$ like to see &o+ )e treats t&ose +&o !ake t&is "rayer fro! t&eir &earts@ Ask )is ,lorio$s Son% W&o !ade it t&$s in t&e /arden. T&ink +it& +&at resol$tion and f$llness of desire )e "rayed0 and onsider if t&e +ill of /od +as not "erfe tly f$lfilled in )i! t&ro$,& t&e trials% s$fferin,s% ins$lts and "erse $tions +&i & )e ,ave )i!% $ntil at last )is life ended +it& deat& on a Cross.

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So yo$ see% da$,&ters% +&at /od ,ave to )is best Beloved% and fro! t&at yo$ an $nderstand +&at )is +ill is. T&ese% t&en% are )is ,ifts in t&is +orld. )e ,ives t&e! in "ro"ortion to t&e love +&i & )e bears $s. )e ,ives !ore to t&ose +&o! )e loves !ost% and less to t&ose )e loves least0 and )e ,ives in a ordan e +it& t&e o$ra,e +&i & )e sees t&at ea & of $s &as and t&e love +e bear to )is .a;esty. W&en )e sees a so$l +&o loves )i! ,reatly% )e kno+s t&at so$l an s$ffer !$ & for )i!% +&ereas one +&o loves )i! little +ill s$ffer little. For !y o+n "art% I believe t&at love is t&e !eas$re of o$r ability to bear rosses% +&et&er ,reat or s!all. So if yo$ &ave t&is love% sisters% try not to let t&e "rayers yo$ !ake to so ,reat a 'ord be +ords of !ere "oliteness b$t bra e yo$rselves to s$ffer +&at )is .a;esty desires. For if yo$ ,ive )i! yo$r +ill in any ot&er +ay% yo$ are ;$st s&o+in, )i! a ;e+el% !akin, as if to ,ive it to )i! and be,,in, )i! to take it% and t&en% +&en )e "$ts o$t )is &and to do so% takin, it ba k and &oldin, on to it ti,&tly. S$ & !o kery is no fit treat!ent for One +&o end$red so !$ & for $s. If for no ot&er reason t&an t&is% it +o$ld not be ri,&t to !o k )i! so often 9 and it is by no !eans seldo! t&at +e say t&ese +ords to )i! in t&e Paternoster. 'et $s ,ive )i! on e and for all t&e ;e+el +&i & +e &ave so often $ndertaken to ,ive )i!. For t&e tr$t& is t&at )e ,ives it to $s first so t&at +e !ay ,ive it ba k to )i!. A&% !y /od? )o+ +ell #es$s kno+s $s and &o+ !$ & )e t&inks of o$r ,ood? )e did not say +e !$st s$rrender o$r +ills to t&e 'ord $ntil +e &ad been +ell "aid for t&is s!all servi e. It +ill be reali:ed fro! t&is &o+ !$ & t&e 'ord intends $s to ,ain by renderin, it to )i!= even in t&is life )e be,ins to re+ard $s for t&is% as I s&all "resently e*"lain. Worldly "eo"le +ill do a ,reat deal if t&ey sin erely resolve to f$lfil t&e +ill of /od. B$t yo$% da$,&ters% !$st bot& say and a t% and ,ive )i! bot& +ords and deeds% as I really t&ink +e reli,io$s do. Yet so!eti!es not only do +e $ndertake to ,ive /od t&e ;e+el b$t +e even "$t it into )is &and and t&en take it ba k a,ain. We are so ,enero$s all of a s$dden% and t&en +e be o!e so !ean% t&at it +o$ld &ave been better if +e &ad sto""ed to t&ink before ,ivin,. T&e ai! of all !y advi e to yo$ in t&is book is t&at +e s&o$ld s$rrender o$rselves +&olly to t&e Creator% "la e o$r +ill in )is &ands and deta & o$rselves fro! t&e reat$res. As yo$ +ill already &ave $nderstood &o+ i!"ortant t&is is% I +ill say no !ore abo$t it% b$t I +ill tell yo$ +&y o$r ,ood .aster "$ts t&ese +ords &ere. )e kno+s &o+ !$ & +e s&all ,ain by renderin, t&is servi e to )is Eternal Fat&er. We are "re"arin, o$rselves for t&e ti!e% +&i & +ill o!e very soon% +&en +e s&all find o$rselves at t&e end of o$r ;o$rney and s&all be drinkin, of livin, +ater fro! t&e fo$ntain I &ave des ribed. 1nless +e !ake a total s$rrender of o$r +ill to t&e 'ord% and "$t o$rselves in )is &ands so t&at )e !ay do in all t&in,s +&at is best for $s in a ordan e +it& )is +ill% )e +ill never allo+ $s to drink of it. T&is is t&e "erfe t onte!"lation of +&i & yo$ asked !e to +rite to yo$. In t&is !atter% as I &ave already said% +e an do not&in, of o$rselves% eit&er by +orkin, &ard or by !akin, "lans% nor is it needf$l t&at +e s&o$ld. For everyt&in, else &inders and "revents $s fro! sayin, D+it& real resol$tionE% KFiat vol$ntas t$aK= t&at is% !ay t&e 'ord f$lfil )is +ill in !e% in every +ay and !anner +&i & T&o$% !y 'ord% desirest. If T&o$ +ilt do t&is by !eans of trials% ,ive !e stren,t& and let t&e! o!e. If by !eans of "erse $tions and si kness and dis&ono$r and need% &ere I a!% !y Fat&er% I +ill not t$rn

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!y fa e a+ay fro! T&ee nor &ave I t&e ri,&t to t$rn !y ba k $"on t&e!. For T&y Son ,ave T&ee t&is +ill of !ine in t&e na!e of $s all and it is not ri,&t t&at I for !y "art s&o$ld fail. (o T&o$ ,rant !e t&e ,ra e of besto+in, on !e T&y Ain,do! so t&at I !ay do T&y +ill% sin e )e &as asked t&is of !e. (is"ose of !e as of t&at +&i & is T&ine o+n% in a ordan e +it& T&y +ill. O&% !y sisters% +&at "o+er t&is ,ift &as? If it be !ade +it& d$e resol$tion% it annot fail to dra+ t&e Al!i,&ty to be o!e one +it& o$r lo+liness and to transfor! $s into )i!self and to effe t a $nion bet+een t&e Creator and t&e reat$re. Ask yo$rselves if t&at +ill not be a ri & re+ard for yo$% and if yo$ &ave not a ,ood .aster. For% kno+in, &o+ t&e ,ood +ill of )is Fat&er is to be ,ained% )e tea &es $s &o+ and by +&at !eans +e !$st serve )i!. T&e !ore resol$te +e are in so$l and t&e !ore +e s&o+ )i! by o$r a tions t&at t&e +ords +e $se to )i! are not +ords of !ere "oliteness% t&e !ore and !ore does O$r 'ord dra+ $s to )i!self and raise $s above all "etty eart&ly t&in,s% and above o$rselves% in order to "re"are $s to re eive ,reat favo$rs fro! )i!% for )is re+ards for o$r servi e +ill not end +it& t&is life. So !$ & does )e val$e t&is servi e of o$rs t&at +e do not kno+ for +&at !ore +e an ask% +&ile )is .a;esty never +earies of ,ivin,. Not ontent +it& &avin, !ade t&is so$l one +it& )i!self% t&ro$,& $nitin, it to )i!self% )e be,ins to &eris& it% to reveal se rets to it% to re;oi e in its $nderstandin, of +&at it &as ,ained and in t&e kno+led,e +&i & it &as of all )e &as yet to ,ive it. )e a$ses it ,rad$ally to lose its e*terior senses so t&at not&in, !ay o $"y it. T&is +e all ra"t$re. )e be,ins to !ake s$ & a friend of t&e so$l t&at not only does )e restore its +ill to it b$t )e ,ives it )is o+n also. For% no+ t&at )e is !akin, a friend of it% )e is ,lad to allo+ it to r$le +it& )i!% as +e say% t$rn and t$rn abo$t. So )e does +&at t&e so$l asks of )i!% ;$st as t&e so$l does +&at )e o!!ands% only in a !$ & better +ay% sin e )e is all2"o+erf$l and an do +&atever )e desires% and )is desire never o!es to an end. B$t t&e "oor so$l% des"ite its desires% is often $nable to do all it +o$ld like% nor an it do anyt&in, at all $nless it is ,iven t&e "o+er. And so it ,ro+s ri &er and ri &er0 and t&e !ore it serves% t&e ,reater be o!es its debt0 and often% ,ro+in, +eary of findin, itself s$b;e ted to all t&e in onvenien es and i!"edi!ents and bonds +&i & it &as to end$re +&ile it is in t&e "rison of t&is body% it +o$ld ,ladly "ay so!et&in, of +&at it o+es% for it is <$ite +orn o$t. B$t even if +e do all t&at is in $s% &o+ an +e re"ay /od% sin e% as I say% +e &ave not&in, to ,ive save +&at +e &ave first re eived@ We an only learn to kno+ o$rselves and do +&at +e an 9 na!ely% s$rrender o$r +ill and f$lfil /od>s +ill in $s. Anyt&in, else !$st be a &indran e to t&e so$l +&i & t&e 'ord &as bro$,&t to t&is state. It a$ses it% not "rofit% b$t &ar!% for not&in, b$t &$!ility is of any $se &ere% and t&is is not a <$ired by t&e $nderstandin, b$t by a lear "er e"tion of t&e tr$t&% +&i & o!"re&ends in one !o!ent +&at o$ld not be attained over a lon, "eriod by t&e labo$r of t&e i!a,ination 9 na!ely% t&at +e are not&in, and t&at /od is infinitely ,reat. I +ill ,ive yo$ one "ie e of advi e= do not s$""ose t&at yo$ an rea & t&is state by yo$r o+n effort or dili,en e0 t&at +o$ld be too !$ & to e*"e t. On t&e ontrary% yo$ +o$ld t$rn +&at devotion yo$ &ad <$ite old. Yo$ !$st "ra tise si!"li ity and &$!ility% for t&ose are t&e virt$es +&i & a &ieve everyt&in,. Yo$ !$st say= KFiat vol$ntas t$a.K

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CHAPTER --. Tr!at" #f #ur ,r!at $!!) t at t ! L#r) " #ul) ,i(! u" % at %! a"/ i$ t !"! %#r)" #f t ! Pat!r$#"t!r< =Pa$!' $#"tru' ?u#ti)ia$u' )a $#*i" #)i!.= 5 T&e ,ood #es$s $nderstands% as I &ave said% &o+ diffi $lt a t&in, )e is offerin, on o$r be&alf% for )e kno+s o$r +eakness% and &o+ often +e s&o+ t&at +e do not $nderstand +&at t&e +ill of t&e 'ord is% sin e +e are +eak +&ile )e is so !er if$l. )e kno+s t&at so!e !eans !$st be fo$nd by +&i & +e s&all not o!it to ,ive +&at )e &as ,iven on o$r be&alf% for if +e did t&at it +o$ld be anyt&in, b$t ,ood for $s% sin e everyt&in, +e ,ain o!es fro! +&at +e ,ive. Yet )e kno+s t&at it +ill be diffi $lt for $s to arry t&is o$t0 for if anyone +ere to tell so!e +ealt&y% "a!"ered "erson t&at it is /od>s +ill for &i! to !oderate &is eatin, so t&at ot&ers% +&o are dyin, of &$n,er% s&all &ave at least bread to eat% &e +ill dis over a t&o$sand reasons for not $nderstandin, t&is b$t inter"retin, it in &is o+n +ay. If one tells a "erson +&o s"eaks ill of ot&ers t&at it is /od>s +ill t&at &e s&o$ld love &is nei,&bo$r as &i!self% &e +ill lose "atien e and no a!o$nt of reasonin, +ill onvin e &i!. If one tells a reli,io$s +&o is a $sto!ed to liberty and ind$l,en e t&at &e !$st be aref$l to set a ,ood e*a!"le and to re!e!ber t&at +&en &e !akes t&is "etition it is &is d$ty to kee" +&at &e &as s+orn and "ro!ised% and t&at not in +ord alone0 t&at it is t&e +ill of /od t&at &e s&o$ld f$lfil &is vo+s and see t&at &e ,ives no o asion for s andal by a tin, ontrarily to t&e!% even t&o$,& &e !ay not a t$ally break t&e!0 t&at &e &as taken t&e vo+ of "overty and !$st kee" it +it&o$t evasions% be a$se t&at is t&e 'ord>s +ill 9 it +o$ld be i!"ossible% in s"ite of all t&is% t&at so!e reli,io$s s&o$ld not still +ant t&eir o+n +ay. W&at +o$ld be t&e ase% t&en% if t&e 'ord &ad not done !ost of +&at +as ne essary by !eans of t&e re!edy )e &as ,iven $s@ T&ere +o$ld &ave been very fe+ +&o o$ld &ave f$lfilled t&is "etition% +&i & t&e 'ord !ade to t&e Fat&er on o$r be&alf= KFiat vol$ntas t$a.K Seein, o$r need% t&erefore% t&e ,ood #es$s &as so$,&t t&e ad!irable !eans +&ereby )e &as s&o+n $s t&e e*tre!e love +&i & )e &as for $s% and in )is o+n na!e and in t&at of )is bret&ren )e &as !ade t&is "etition= K/ive $s% 'ord% t&is day o$r daily bread.K For t&e love of /od% sisters% let $s reali:e t&e !eanin, of o$r ,ood .aster>s "etition% for o$r very life de"ends on o$r not disre,ardin, it. Set very little store by +&at yo$ &ave ,iven% sin e t&ere is so !$ & t&at yo$ +ill re eive. It see!s to !e% in t&e absen e of a better o"inion% t&at t&e ,ood #es$s kne+ +&at )e &ad ,iven for $s and &o+ i!"ortant it +as for $s to ,ive t&is to /od% and yet &o+ diffi $lt it +o$ld be for $s to do so% as &as been said% be a$se of o$r nat$ral in lination to base t&in,s and o$r +ant of love and o$ra,e. )e sa+ t&at% before +e o$ld be aro$sed% +e needed )is aid% not on e b$t every day% and it !$st &ave been for t&is reason t&at )e resolved to re!ain +it& $s. As t&is +as so +ei,&ty and i!"ortant a !atter% )e +is&ed it to o!e fro! t&e &and of t&e Eternal Fat&er. T&o$,& bot& Fat&er and Son are one and t&e sa!e% and )e kne+ t&at +&atever )e did on eart& /od +o$ld do in )eaven% and +o$ld onsider it ,ood% sin e )is +ill and t&e Fat&er>s +ill +ere one% yet t&e &$!ility of t&e ,ood #es$s +as s$ & t&at )e +anted% as it +ere% to ask leave of )is Fat&er% for )e kne+ t&at )e +as )is beloved Son and t&at )e +as +ell "leased +it& )i!. )e kne+ <$ite +ell t&at in t&is "etition )e +as askin, for !ore t&an )e &ad asked for in t&e ot&ers% b$t )e already kne+ +&at deat& )e +as to s$ffer and +&at dis&ono$rs and affronts )e +o$ld &ave to bear.

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W&at fat&er o$ld t&ere be% 'ord% +&o% after ,ivin, $s &is son% and s$ & a Son% +o$ld allo+ )i! to re!ain a!on, $s day by day to s$ffer as )e &ad done already@ None% 'ord% in tr$t&% b$t T&ine= +ell dost T&o$ kno+ of W&o! T&o$ art askin, t&is. /od &el" !e? W&at a ,reat love is t&at of t&e Son and +&at a ,reat love is t&at of t&e Fat&er? I a! not so !$ & a!a:ed at t&e ,ood #es$s% be a$se% as )e &ad already said KFiat vol$ntas t$aK% )e +as bo$nd% bein, W&o )e is% to "$t +&at )e &ad said into "ra ti e. Yes% for )e is not like $s0 kno+in, t&at )e +as arryin, o$t )is +ords by lovin, $s as )e loves )i!self% )e +ent abo$t seekin, &o+ )e o$ld arry o$t t&is o!!and!ent !ore "erfe tly% even at )is o+n ost. B$t &o+% Eternal Fat&er% o$ldst T&o$ onsent to t&is@ )o+ anst T&o$ see T&y Son every day in s$ & +i ked &ands@ Sin e first T&o$ didst "er!it it and onsent to it% T&o$ seest &o+ )e &as been treated. )o+ an T&y .er y% day by day and every day% see )i! affronted@ And &o+ !any affronts are bein, offered to2day to t&is .ost )oly Sa ra!ent@ )o+ often !$st t&e Fat&er see )i! in t&e &ands of )is ene!ies@ W&at dese rations t&ese &ereti s o!!it? O Eternal 'ord? )o+ anst T&o$ ,rant s$ & a "etition@ )o+ anst T&o$ onsent to it@ Consider not )is love% +&i &% for t&e sake of f$lfillin, T&y +ill and of &el"in, $s% +o$ld allo+ )i! to s$b!it day by day to bein, $t to "ie es. It is for T&ee to see to t&is% !y 'ord% sin e T&y Son allo+s no obsta le to stand in )is +ay. W&y !$st all t&e blessin,s t&at +e re eive be at )is ost@ )o+ is it t&at )e is silent in fa e of all% and annot s"eak for )i!self% b$t only for $s@ Is t&ere none +&o +ill s"eak for t&is !ost lovin, 'a!b@ /ive !e "er!ission to s"eak for )i!% 'ord% sin e T&o$ &ast been "leased to leave )i! in o$r "o+er% and let !e besee & T&ee on )is be&alf% sin e )e ,ave T&ee s$ & f$ll obedien e and s$rrendered )i!self to $s +it& s$ & ,reat love. I &ave been refle tin, &o+ in t&is "etition alone t&e sa!e +ords are re"eated= first of all t&e 'ord s"eaks of Ko$r daily breadK and asks T&ee to ,ive it% and t&en )e says= K/ive it $s to2day% 'ord.K )e lays t&e !atter before )is Fat&er in t&is +ay= t&e Fat&er ,ave $s )is Son on e and for all to die for $s% and t&$s )e is o$r o+n0 yet )e does not +ant t&e ,ift to be taken fro! $s $ntil t&e end of t&e +orld b$t +o$ld &ave it left to be a &el" to $s every day. 'et t&is !elt yo$r &earts% !y da$,&ters% and !ake yo$ love yo$r S"o$se% for t&ere is no slave +&o +o$ld +illin,ly all &i!self by t&at na!e% yet t&e ,ood #es$s see!s to t&ink it an &ono$r. O Eternal Fat&er% &o+ ,reat is t&e !erit of t&is &$!ility? Wit& +&at a treas$re are +e "$r &asin, T&y Son? )o+ to sell )i! +e already kno+% for )e +as sold for t&irty "ie es of silver0 b$t% if +e +o$ld "$r &ase )i!% no "ri e is s$ffi ient. Bein, !ade one +it& $s t&ro$,& t&e "ortion of o$r nat$re +&i & is )is% and bein, 'ord of )is o+n +ill% )e re!inds )is Fat&er t&at% as o$r nat$re is )is% )e is able to ,ive it to $s% and t&$s )e says Ko$r breadK. )e !akes no differen e bet+een )i!self and $s% t&o$,& +e !ake one bet+een o$rselves and )i! t&ro$,& not ,ivin, o$rselves daily for )is .a;esty>s sake. CHAPTER -1. C#$ti$u!" t ! "a'! "u*.!&t. T i" i" (!ry "uita*l! f#r r!a)i$, aft!r t ! r!&!pti#$ #f t ! M#"t H#ly Sa&ra'!$t.

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We &ave no+ rea &ed t&e on l$sion t&at t&e ,ood #es$s% bein, o$rs% asks )is Fat&er to let $s &ave )i! daily 9 +&i & a""ears to !ean Kfor everK. W&ile +ritin, t&is I &ave been +onderin, +&y% after sayin, Ko$r >daily> breadK% t&e 'ord re"eated t&e idea in t&e +ords K/ive $s t&is day% 'ord.K I +ill tell yo$ !y o+n foolis& idea= if it really is foolis&% +ell and ,ood 9 in any ase% it is <$ite bad eno$,& t&at I s&o$ld interfere in s$ & a !atter at all. Still% as +e are tryin, to $nderstand +&at +e are "rayin, for% let $s t&ink aref$lly +&at t&is !eans% so t&at +e !ay "ray ri,&tly% and t&ank )i! W&o is takin, s$ & are abo$t tea &in, $s. T&is bread% t&en% is o$rs daily% it see!s to !e% be a$se +e &ave )i! &ere on eart&% sin e )e &as re!ained +it& $s &ere and +e re eive )i!0 and% if +e "rofit by )is o!"any% +e s&all also &ave )i! in )eaven% for t&e only reason )e re!ains +it& $s is to &el" and en o$ra,e and s$stain $s so t&at +e s&all do t&at +ill% +&i &% as +e &ave said% is to be f$lfilled in $s. In $sin, t&e +ords Kt&is dayK )e see!s to !e to be t&inkin, of a day of t&e len,t& of t&is life. And a day indeed it is? As for t&e $nfort$nate so$ls +&o +ill brin, da!nation $"on t&e!selves and +ill not &ave fr$ition of )i! in t&e +orld to o!e% t&ey are )is o+n reat$res% and )e did everyt&in, to &el" t&e! on% and +as +it& t&e!% to stren,t&en t&e!% t&ro$,&o$t t&e Kto2dayK of t&is life% so it is not )is fa$lt if t&ey are van<$is&ed. T&ey +ill &ave no e* $se to !ake nor +ill t&ey be able to o!"lain of t&e Fat&er for takin, t&is bread fro! t&e! at t&e ti!e +&en t&ey !ost needed it. T&erefore t&e Son "rays t&e Fat&er t&at% sin e t&is life lasts no !ore t&an a day% )e +ill allo+ )i! to s"end it in o$r servi e. As )is .a;esty &as already ,iven )is Son to $s% by sendin, )i!% of )is +ill alone% into t&e +orld% so no+% of t&at sa!e +ill% )e is "leased not to abandon $s% b$t to re!ain &ere +it& $s for t&e ,reater ,lory of )is friends and t&e dis o!fit$re of )is ene!ies. )e "rays for not&in, !ore t&an t&is Kto2dayK sin e )e &as ,iven $s t&is !ost &oly Bread. )e &as ,iven it to $s for ever% as I &ave said% as t&e s$stenan e and !anna of &$!anity. We an &ave it +&enever +e "lease and +e s&all not die of &$n,er save t&ro$,& o$r o+n fa$lt% for% in +&atever +ay t&e so$l desires to "artake of food% it +ill find ;oy and o!fort in t&e .ost )oly Sa ra!ent. T&ere is no need or trial or "erse $tion t&at annot be easily borne if +e be,in to "artake and taste of t&ose +&i & )e )i!self bore% and to !ake t&e! t&e s$b;e t of o$r !editations. Wit& re,ard to ot&er bread 9 t&e bread of bodily ne essaries and s$stenan e 9 I neit&er like to t&ink t&at t&e 'ord is al+ays bein, re!inded of it nor +o$ld I &ave yo$ re!e!ber it yo$rselves. Aee" on t&e level of t&e &i,&est onte!"lation% for anyone +&o d+ells t&ere no !ore re!e!bers t&at &e is in t&e +orld t&an if &e &ad already left it 9 still less does &e t&ink abo$t food. Wo$ld t&e 'ord ever &ave insisted $"on o$r askin, for food% or ta$,&t $s to do so by )is o+n e*a!"le@ Not in !y o"inion. )e tea &es $s to fi* o$r desires $"on &eavenly t&in,s and to "ray t&at +e !ay be,in to en;oy t&ese t&in,s +&ile &ere on eart&= +o$ld )e% t&en% &ave $s tro$ble abo$t so "etty a !atter as "rayin, for food@ As if )e did not kno+ t&at% on e +e be,in to +orry abo$t t&e needs of t&e body% +e s&all for,et t&e needs of t&e so$l? Besides% are +e s$ & !oderately !inded "eo"le t&at +e s&all be satisfied +it& ;$st a little and "ray only for a little@ No= t&e !ore food +e are ,iven% t&e less +e s&all ,et of t&e +ater fro! )eaven. 'et t&ose of yo$% da$,&ters% +&o +ant !ore of t&e ne essaries of life "ray for t&is. #oin +it& t&e 'ord% t&en% da$,&ters% in be,,in, t&e Fat&er to let yo$ &ave yo$r S"o$se to2day% so t&at% as lon, as yo$ live% yo$ !ay never find yo$rself in t&is +orld +it&o$t

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)i!. 'et it s$ffi e to te!"er yo$r ,reat ;oy t&at )e s&o$ld re!ain dis,$ised beneat& t&ese a idents of bread and +ine% +&i & is a real tort$re to t&ose +&o &ave not&in, else to love and no ot&er onsolation. Entreat )i! not to fail yo$ b$t to "re"are yo$ to re eive )i! +ort&ily. 5 As for t&at ot&er bread% &ave no an*iety abo$t it if yo$ &ave tr$ly resi,ned yo$rselves to /od>s +ill. I !ean t&at at t&ese &o$rs of "rayer yo$ are dealin, +it& !ore i!"ortant !atters and t&ere is ti!e eno$,& for yo$ to labo$r and earn yo$r daily bread. Try never at any ti!e to let yo$r t&o$,&ts d+ell on t&is0 +ork +it& yo$r body% for it is ,ood for yo$ to try to s$""ort yo$rselves% b$t let yo$r so$l be at rest. 'eave an*iety abo$t t&is to yo$r S"o$se% as &as been said at len,t& already% and )e +ill al+ays bear it for yo$. (o not fear t&at )e +ill fail yo$ if yo$ do not fail to do +&at yo$ &ave "ro!ised and to resi,n yo$rselves to /od>s +ill. I ass$re yo$% da$,&ters% t&at% if I !yself +ere to fail in t&is% be a$se of !y +i kedness% as I &ave often done in t&e "ast% I +o$ld not be, )i! to ,ive !e t&at bread% or anyt&in, else to eat. 'et )i! leave !e to die of &$n,er. Of +&at $se is life to !e if it leads !e daily nearer to eternal deat&@ If% t&en% yo$ are really s$rrenderin, yo$rselves to /od% as yo$ say% ease to be an*io$s for yo$rselves% for )e bears yo$r an*iety% and +ill bear it al+ays. It is as t&o$,& a servant &ad ,one into servi e and +ere an*io$s to "lease &is !aster in everyt&in,. T&e !aster is bo$nd to ,ive &i! food for so lon, as &e re!ains in &is &o$se% and in &is servi e% $nless &e is so "oor t&at &e &as food neit&er for &is servant nor for &i!self. )ere% &o+ever% t&e o!"arison breaks do+n% for /od is% and +ill al+ays be% ri & and "o+erf$l. It +o$ld not be ri,&t for t&e servant to ,o to &is !aster every day and ask &i! for food +&en &e kne+ t&at &is !aster +o$ld see t&at it +as ,iven &i! and so &e +o$ld be s$re to re eive it. To do t&is +o$ld be a +aste of +ords. )is !aster +o$ld <$ite "ro"erly tell &i! t&at &e s&o$ld look after &is o+n b$siness of servin, and "leasin, &i!% for% if &e +orried &i!self $nne essarily% &e +o$ld not do &is +ork as +ell as &e s&o$ld. So% sisters% t&ose +&o +ill !ay +orry abo$t askin, for eart&ly bread0 let o$r o+n task be to be, t&e Eternal Fat&er t&at +e !ay !erit o$r &eavenly bread% so t&at% alt&o$,& o$r bodily eyes annot feast t&e!selves on t&e si,&t of )i! sin e )e is t&$s &idden fro! $s% )e !ay reveal )i!self to t&e eyes of t&e so$l and !ay !ake )i!self kno+n to $s as anot&er kind of food% f$ll of deli,&t and ;oy% +&i & s$stains o$r life. (o yo$ s$""ose t&at t&is !ost &oly food is not a!"le s$stenan e even for t&e body and a "otent !edi ine for bodily ills@ I a! s$re t&at it is. I kno+ a "erson +&o +as s$b;e t to serio$s illnesses and often s$ffered ,reat "ain0 and t&is "ain +as taken a+ay fro! &er in a flas& and s&e be a!e <$ite +ell a,ain. T&is often o $rs% I believe0 and $res are re orded fro! <$ite definite illnesses +&i & o$ld not be o$nterfeited. As t&e +ondro$s effe ts "rod$ ed by t&is !ost &oly bread in t&ose +&o +ort&ily re eive it are very +ell kno+n% I +ill not des ribe all t&e t&in,s t&at o$ld be related abo$t t&is "erson I !entioned% t&o$,& I &ave been enabled to learn abo$t t&e! and I kno+ t&at t&ey are not fabri ations. T&e 'ord &ad ,iven t&is "erson s$ & a lively fait& t&at% +&en s&e &eard "eo"le say t&ey +is&ed t&ey &ad lived +&en C&rist +alked on t&is eart&% s&e +o$ld s!ile to &erself% for s&e kne+ t&at +e &ave )i! as tr$ly +it& $s in t&e .ost )oly Sa ra!ent as "eo"le &ad )i! t&en% and +onder +&at !ore t&ey o$ld "ossibly +ant.

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I kno+% too% t&at for !any years t&is "erson% t&o$,& by no !eans "erfe t% al+ays tried to stren,t&en &er fait&% +&en s&e o!!$ni ated% by t&inkin, t&at it +as e*a tly as if s&e sa+ t&e 'ord enterin, &er &o$se% +it& &er o+n bodily eyes% for s&e believed in very tr$t& t&at t&is 'ord +as enterin, &er "oor abode% and s&e eased% as far as s&e o$ld% to t&ink of o$t+ard t&in,s% and +ent into &er abode +it& )i!. S&e tried to re olle t &er senses so t&at t&ey !i,&t all be o!e a+are of t&is ,reat blessin,% or rat&er% so t&at t&ey s&o$ld not &inder t&e so$l fro! be o!in, ons io$s of it. S&e i!a,ined &erself at )is feet and +e"t +it& t&e .a,dalen e*a tly as if s&e &ad seen )i! +it& &er bodily eyes in t&e P&arisee>s &o$se. Even if s&e felt no devotion% fait& told &er t&at it +as ,ood for &er to be t&ere. For% $nless +e +ant to be foolis& and to lose o$r !inds to fa ts% +e annot s$""ose t&at t&is is t&e +ork of t&e i!a,ination% as it is +&en +e t&ink of t&e 'ord on t&e Cross% or of ot&er in idents of t&e Passion% and "i t$re +it&in o$rselves &o+ t&ese t&in,s &a""ened. T&is is so!et&in, +&i & is &a""enin, no+0 it is absol$tely tr$e0 and +e &ave no need to ,o and seek )i! so!e+&ere a lon, +ay off. For +e kno+ t&at% $ntil t&e a idents of bread &ave been ons$!ed by o$r nat$ral &eat% t&e ,ood #es$s is +it& $s and +e s&o$ld Dnot lose so ,ood an o""ort$nity b$t s&o$ldE o!e to )i!. If% +&ile )e +ent abo$t in t&e +orld% t&e si k +ere &ealed !erely by to$ &in, )is lot&es% &o+ an +e do$bt t&at )e +ill +ork !ira les +&en )e is +it&in $s% if +e &ave fait&% or t&at )e +ill ,ive $s +&at +e ask of )i! sin e )e is in o$r &o$se@ )is .a;esty is not +ont to offer $s too little "ay!ent for )is lod,in, if +e treat )i! +ell. If yo$ ,rieve at not seein, )i! +it& t&e eyes of t&e body% re!e!ber t&at t&at +o$ld not be ,ood for $s% for it is one t&in, to see )i! ,lorified and <$ite anot&er to see )i! as )e +as +&en )e lived in t&e +orld. So +eak is o$r nat$re t&at nobody o$ld end$re t&e si,&t 9 in fa t% t&ere +o$ld be no one left to end$re it% for no one +o$ld +is& to re!ain in t&e +orld any lon,er. On e &avin, seen t&is Eternal Tr$t&% "eo"le +o$ld reali:e t&at all t&e t&in,s +e "ri:e &ere are !o kery and false&ood. And if s$ & ,reat .a;esty o$ld be seen% &o+ o$ld a !iserable sinner like !yself% after &avin, so ,reatly offended )i!% re!ain so near to )i!@ Beneat& t&ose a idents of bread% +e an a""roa & )i!0 for% if t&e Ain, dis,$ises )i!self% it +o$ld see! t&at +e need not !ind o!in, to )i! +it&o$t so !$ & ir $!s"e tion and ere!ony= by dis,$isin, )i!self% )e &as% as it +ere% obli,ed )i!self to s$b!it to t&is. W&o% ot&er+ise% +o$ld dare to a""roa & )i! so $n+ort&ily% +it& so !any i!"erfe tions and +it& s$ & l$ke+ar! :eal@ O&% +e kno+ not +&at +e ask? )o+ !$ & better does )is Wisdo! kno+ +&at +e need? )e reveals )i!self to t&ose +&o )e kno+s +ill "rofit by )is "resen e0 t&o$,& $nseen by bodily eyes% )e &as !any +ays of revealin, )i!self to t&e so$l t&ro$,& dee" in+ard e!otions and by vario$s ot&er !eans. (eli,&t to re!ain +it& )i!0 do not lose s$ & an e* ellent ti!e for talkin, +it& )i! as t&e &o$r after Co!!$nion. Re!e!ber t&at t&is is a very "rofitable &o$r for t&e so$l0 if yo$ s"end it in t&e o!"any of t&e ,ood #es$s% yo$ are doin, )i! a ,reat servi e. Be very aref$l% t&en% da$,&ters% not to lose it. If yo$ are o!"elled by obedien e to do so!et&in, else% try to leave yo$r so$l +it& t&e 'ord. For )e is yo$r .aster% and% t&o$,& it be in a +ay yo$ !ay not $nderstand% )e +ill not fail to tea & yo$. B$t if yo$ take yo$r t&o$,&ts else+&ere% and "ay no !ore attention to )i! t&an if yo$ &ad not re eived )i!% and are not&in, for )is bein, +it&in yo$% &o+ an )e !ake )i!self kno+n to yo$@ Yo$ !$st o!"lain% not of )i!%

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b$t of yo$rself. T&is% t&en% is a ,ood ti!e for o$r .aster to tea & $s and for $s to listen to )i!. I do not tell yo$ to say no "rayers at all% for if I did yo$ +o$ld take &old of !y +ords and say I +as talkin, abo$t onte!"lation% +&i & yo$ need "ra tise only if t&e 'ord brin,s yo$ to it. No= yo$ s&o$ld say t&e Paternoster% reali:e t&at yo$ are verily and indeed in t&e o!"any of )i! W&o ta$,&t it yo$ and kiss )is feet in ,ratit$de to )i! for &avin, desired to tea & yo$ and be, )i! to s&o+ yo$ &o+ to "ray and never to leave yo$. Yo$ !ay be in t&e &abit of "rayin, +&ile lookin, at a "i t$re of C&rist% b$t at a ti!e like t&is it see!s foolis& to !e to t$rn a+ay fro! t&e livin, i!a,e 9 t&e Person )i!self 9 to look at )is "i t$re. Wo$ld it not be foolis& if +e &ad a "ortrait of so!eone +&o! +e dearly loved and% +&en t&e "erson &i!self a!e to see $s% +e ref$sed to talk +it& &i! and arried on o$r entire onversation +it& t&e "ortrait@ (o yo$ kno+ +&en I find t&e $se of a "i t$re an e* ellent t&in,% and take ,reat "leas$re in it@ W&en t&e "erson is absent and +e are !ade to feel &is loss by o$r ,reat aridity% it is t&en t&at +e find it a ,reat o!fort to look at t&e "i t$re of )i! W&o! +e &ave s$ & reason to love. T&is is a ,reat ins"iration% and !akes $s +is& t&at% in +&i &ever dire tion +e t$rn o$r eyes% +e o$ld see t&e "i t$re. W&at an +e look $"on t&at is better or !ore attra tive to t&e si,&t t&an $"on )i! W&o so dearly loves $s and ontains +it&in )i!self all ,ood t&in,s@ 1n&a""y are t&ose &ereti s% +&o t&ro$,& t&eir o+n fa$lt &ave lost t&is o!fort% as +ell as ot&ers. W&en yo$ &ave re eived t&e 'ord% and are in )is very "resen e% try to s&$t t&e bodily eyes and to o"en t&e eyes of t&e so$l and to look into yo$r o+n &earts. I tell yo$% and tell yo$ a,ain% for I s&o$ld like to re"eat it often% t&at if yo$ "ra tise t&is &abit of stayin, +it& )i!% not ;$st on e or t+i e% b$t +&enever yo$ o!!$ni ate% and strive to kee" yo$r ons ien e lear so t&at yo$ an often re;oi e in t&is yo$r /ood% )e +ill not% as I &ave said% o!e so !$ & dis,$ised as to be $nable to !ake )is "resen e kno+n to yo$ in !any +ays% a ordin, to t&e desire +&i & yo$ &ave of seein, )i!. So ,reat% indeed% !ay be yo$r lon,in, for )i! t&at )e +ill reveal )i!self to yo$ +&olly. B$t if +e "ay no &eed to )i! save +&en +e &ave re eived )i!% and ,o a+ay fro! )i! in sear & of ot&er and baser t&in,s% +&at an )e do@ Will )e &ave to dra, $s by for e to look at )i! and be +it& )i! be a$se )e desires to reveal )i!self to $s@ No0 for +&en )e revealed )i!self to all !en "lainly% and told t&e! learly +&o )e +as% t&ey did not treat )i! at all +ell 9 very fe+ of t&e!% indeed% even believed )i!. So )e ,rants $s an e* eedin, ,reat favo$r +&en )e is "leased to s&o+ $s t&at it is )e W&o is in t&e .ost )oly Sa ra!ent. B$t )e +ill not reveal )i!self o"enly and o!!$ni ate )is ,lories and besto+ )is treas$res save on t&ose +&o )e kno+s ,reatly desire )i!% for t&ese are )is tr$e friends. I ass$re yo$ t&at anyone +&o is not a tr$e friend and does not o!e to re eive )i! as s$ &% after doin, all in &is "o+er to "re"are for )i!% !$st never i!"ort$ne )i! to reveal )i!self to &i!. )ardly is t&e &o$r over +&i & s$ & a "erson &as s"ent in f$lfillin, t&e C&$r &>s o!!and!ent t&an &e ,oes &o!e and tries to drive C&rist o$t of t&e &o$se. W&at +it& all &is ot&er b$siness and o $"ations and +orldly &indran es% &e see!s to be !akin, all "ossible &aste to "revent t&e 'ord fro! takin, "ossession of t&e &o$se +&i & is )is o+n.

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CHAPTER -5. 2!"&ri*!" t ! r!&#ll!&ti#$ % i& " #ul) *! pra&ti"!) aft!r C#''u$i#$. C#$&lu)!" t i" "u*.!&t %it a$ !0&la'at#ry pray!r t# t ! Et!r$al Fat !r. 5 I &ave +ritten at len,t& abo$t t&is% alt&o$,&% +&en +ritin, of t&e Prayer of Re olle tion% I s"oke of t&e ,reat i!"ortan e of o$r enterin, into solit$de +it& /od. W&en yo$ &ear .ass +it&o$t o!!$ni atin,% da$,&ters% yo$ !ay o!!$ni ate s"irit$ally% +&i & is e*tre!ely "rofitable% and after+ards yo$ !ay "ra tise in+ard re olle tion in e*a tly t&e sa!e +ay% for t&is i!"resses $"on $s a dee" love of t&e 'ord. If +e "re"are to re eive )i!% )e never fails to ,ive% and )e ,ives in !any +ays t&at +e annot $nderstand. It is as if +e +ere to a""roa & a fire= it !i,&t be a very lar,e one% b$t% if +e re!ained a lon, +ay fro! it and overed o$r &ands% +e s&o$ld ,et little +ar!t& fro! it% alt&o$,& +e s&o$ld be +ar!er t&an if +e +ere in a "la e +&ere t&ere +as no fire at all. B$t +&en +e try to a""roa & t&e 'ord t&ere is t&is differen e= if t&e so$l is "ro"erly dis"osed% and o!es +it& t&e intention of drivin, o$t t&e old% and stays for so!e ti!e +&ere it is% it +ill retain its +ar!t& for several &o$rs% and if any little s"ark flies o$t% it +ill set it on fire. It is of s$ & i!"ortan e% da$,&ters% for $s to "re"are o$rselves in t&y +ay t&at yo$ !$st not be s$r"rised if I often re"eat t&is o$nsel. If at first yo$ do not ,et on +it& t&is "ra ti e B+&i & !ay &a""en% for t&e devil +ill try to o""ress and distress yo$r &eart% kno+in, +&at ,reat &ar! &e an do in t&is +ayC% t&e devil +ill !ake yo$ t&ink t&at yo$ an find !ore devotion in ot&er t&in,s and less in t&is. B$t Dtr$st !e andE do not ,ive $" t&is !et&od% for t&e 'ord +ill $se it to "rove yo$r love for )i!. Re!e!ber t&at t&ere are fe+ so$ls +&o stay +it& )i! and follo+ )i! in )is trials0 let $s end$re so!et&in, for )i! and )is .a;esty +ill re"ay $s. Re!e!ber% too% t&at t&ere are a t$ally "eo"le +&o not only &ave no +is& to be +it& )i! b$t +&o ins$lt )i! and +it& ,reat irreveren e drive )i! a+ay fro! t&eir &o!es. We !$st end$re so!et&in,% t&erefore% to s&o+ )i! t&at +e &ave t&e desire to see )i!. In !any "la es )e is ne,le ted and ill2 treated% b$t )e s$ffers everyt&in,% and +ill ontin$e to do so% if )e finds b$t one sin,le so$l +&i & +ill re eive )i! and love to &ave )i! as its /$est. 'et t&is so$l be yo$rs% t&en% for% if t&ere +ere none% t&e Eternal Fat&er +o$ld ri,&tly ref$se to allo+ )i! to re!ain +it& $s. Yet t&e 'ord is so ,ood a Friend to t&ose +&o are )is friends% and so ,ood a .aster to t&ose +&o are )is servants% t&at% +&en )e kno+s it to be t&e +ill of )is Beloved Son% )e +ill not &inder )i! in so e* ellent a +ork% in +&i & )is Son so f$lly reveals t&e love +&i & )e &as for )is Fat&er% as t&is +onderf$l +ay +&i & )e seeks of s&o+in, &o+ !$ & )e loves $s and of &el"in, $s to bear o$r trials. Sin e% t&en% )oly Fat&er% W&o art in t&e )eavens% T&o$ dost +ill and a e"t t&is Band it is lear t&at T&o$ o$ldst not deny $s a t&in, +&i & is so ,ood for $sC t&ere !$st be so!eone% as I said at t&e be,innin,% +&o +ill s"eak for T&y Son% for )e &as never defended )i!self. 'et t&is be t&e task for $s% da$,&ters% t&o$,&% &avin, re,ard to +&at +e are% it is "res$!"t$o$s of $s to $ndertake it. 'et $s rely% &o+ever% on O$r 'ord>s o!!and to $s to "ray to )i!% and% in f$lfil!ent of o$r obedien e to )i!% let $s besee & )is .a;esty% in t&e na!e of t&e ,ood #es$s% t&at% as )e &as left not&in, $ndone t&at )e o$ld do for $s in ,rantin, sinners so ,reat a favo$r% )e !ay be "leased of )is !er y to "revent )i! fro! bein, so ill2treated. Sin e )is )oly Son &as ,iven $s t&is e* ellent +ay in +&i & +e an offer )i! $" fre<$ently as a sa rifi e% let $s !ake $se of

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t&is "re io$s ,ift so t&at it !ay stay t&e advan e of s$ & terrible evil and irreveren e as in !any "la es is "aid to t&is .ost )oly Sa ra!ent. For t&ese '$t&erans see! to +ant to drive )i! o$t of t&e +orld a,ain= t&ey destroy &$r &es% a$se t&e loss of !any "riests and abolis& t&e sa ra!ents. And t&ere is so!et&in, of t&is even a!on, C&ristians% +&o so!eti!es ,o to &$r & !eanin, to offend )i! rat&er t&an to +ors&i" )i!. W&y is t&is% !y 'ord and !y /od@ (o T&o$ brin, t&e +orld to an end or ,ive $s a re!edy for s$ & ,rievo$s +ron,s% +&i & even o$r +i ked &earts annot end$re. I besee & T&ee% Eternal Fat&er% end$re it no lon,er= <$en & t&is fire% 'ord% for T&o$ anst do so if T&o$ +ilt. Re!e!ber t&at T&y Son is still in t&e +orld0 !ay t&ese dreadf$l t&in,s be sto""ed o$t of res"e t for )i!% &orrible and abo!inable and fo$l as t&ey are. Wit& )is bea$ty and "$rity )e does not deserve to be in a &o$se +&ere s$ & t&in,s &a""en. (o t&is% 'ord% not for o$r sake% for +e do not deserve it% b$t for t&e sake of T&y Son. We dare not entreat T&ee t&at )e s&o$ld no lon,er stay +it& $s% for T&o$ &ast ,ranted )is "rayer to T&ee to leave )i! +it& $s for to2day 9 t&at is% $ntil t&e end of t&e +orld. If )e +ere to ,o% +&at +o$ld be o!e of $s@ It +o$ld be t&e end of everyt&in,. If anyt&in, an "la ate T&ee it is to &ave on eart& s$ & a "led,e as t&is. Sin e so!e re!edy !$st be fo$nd for t&is% t&en% !y 'ord% I be, T&y .a;esty to a""ly it. For if T&o$ +ilt% T&o$ art able. O !y /od% if only I o$ld indeed i!"ort$ne T&ee? If only I &ad served T&ee +ell so t&at I !i,&t be able to be, of T&ee t&is ,reat favo$r as a re+ard for !y servi es% for T&o$ leavest no servi e $nre+arded? B$t I &ave not served T&ee% 'ord0 indeed% it !ay "er&a"s be for !y sins% and be a$se I &ave so ,reatly offended T&ee% t&at so !any evils o!e. W&at% t&en% an I do% !y Creator% b$t "resent to T&ee t&is !ost &oly Bread% +&i &% t&o$,& T&o$ ,avest it to $s% I ret$rn to T&ee% besee &in, T&ee% by t&e !erits of T&y Son% to ,rant !e t&is favo$r% +&i & on so !any o$nts )e &as !erited@ (o T&o$% 'ord% al! t&is sea% and no lon,er allo+ t&is s&i"% +&i & is T&y C&$r &% to end$re so ,reat a te!"est. Save $s% !y 'ord% for +e "eris&. CHAPTER -6. Tr!at" #f t !"! %#r)" i$ t ! Pat!r$#"t!r< =2i'itt! $#*i" )!*ita $#"tra.=

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75 O$r ,ood .aster sees t&at% if +e &ave t&is &eavenly food% everyt&in, is easy for $s% e* e"t +&en +e are o$rselves to bla!e% and t&at +e are +ell able to f$lfil o$r $ndertakin, to t&e Fat&er t&at )is +ill s&all be done in $s. So )e no+ asks )i! to for,ive $s o$r debts% as +e o$rselves for,ive ot&ers. T&$s% ontin$in, t&e "rayer +&i & )e is tea &in, $s% )e says t&ese +ords= KAnd for,ive $s% 'ord% o$r debts% even as +e for,ive t&e! to o$r debtors.K Noti e% sisters% t&at )e does not say= Kas +e s&all for,ive.K We are to $nderstand t&at anyone +&o asks for so ,reat a ,ift as t&at ;$st !entioned% and &as already yielded &is o+n +ill to t&e +ill of /od% !$st &ave done t&is already. And so )e says= Kas +e for,ive o$r debtors.K Anyone% t&en% +&o sin erely re"eats t&is "etition% KFiat vol$ntas t$aK% !$st% at least in intention% &ave done t&is already. Yo$ see no+ +&y t&e saints re;oi ed in ins$lts and "erse $tions= it +as be a$se t&ese ,ave t&e! so!et&in, to

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"resent to t&e 'ord +&en t&ey "rayed to )i!. W&at an a "oor reat$re like !yself do% +&o &as &ad so little to for,ive ot&ers and &as so !$ & to be for,iven &erself@ T&is% sisters% is so!et&in, +&i & +e s&o$ld onsider aref$lly0 it is s$ & a serio$s and i!"ortant !atter t&at /od s&o$ld "ardon $s o$r sins% +&i & &ave !erited eternal fire% t&at +e !$st "ardon all triflin, t&in,s +&i & &ave been done to $s and +&i & are not +ron,s at all% or anyt&in, else. For &o+ is it "ossible% eit&er in +ord or in deed% to +ron, one +&o% like !yself% &as deserved to be "la,$ed by devils for ever@ Is it not only ri,&t t&at I s&o$ld be "la,$ed in t&is +orld too@ As I &ave so fe+% 'ord% even of t&ese triflin, t&in,s% to offer T&ee% T&y "ardonin, of !e !$st be a free ,ift= t&ere is ab$ndant s o"e &ere for T&y !er y. T&y Son !$st "ardon !e% for no one &as done !e any in;$sti e% and so t&ere &as been not&in, t&at I an "ardon for T&y sake. B$t take !y desire to do so% 'ord% for I believe I +o$ld for,ive any +ron, if T&o$ +o$ldst for,ive !e and I !i,&t $n onditionally do T&y +ill. Tr$e% if t&e o asion +ere to arise% and I +ere onde!ned +it&o$t a$se% I do not kno+ +&at I s&o$ld do. B$t at t&is !o!ent I see t&at I a! so ,$ilty in T&y si,&t t&at everyt&in, I !i,&t &ave to s$ffer +o$ld fall s&ort of !y deserts% t&o$,& anyone not kno+in,% as T&o$ kno+est% +&at I a!% +o$ld t&ink I +as bein, +ron,ed. Blessed be T&o$% W&o end$rest one t&at is so "oor= +&en T&y !ost &oly Son !akes t&is "etition in t&e na!e of all !ankind% I annot be in l$ded% bein, s$ & as I a! and &avin, not&in, to ,ive. And s$""osin,% !y 'ord% t&at t&ere are ot&ers +&o are like !yself b$t &ave not reali:ed t&at t&is is so@ If t&ere are any s$ &% I be, t&e!% in T&y na!e% to re!e!ber t&is tr$t&% and to "ay no &eed to little t&in,s abo$t +&i & t&ey t&ink t&ey are bein, sli,&ted% for% if t&ey insist on t&ese ni e "oints of &ono$r% t&ey be o!e like &ildren b$ildin, &o$ses of stra+. O&% /od &el" !e% sisters? If +e only kne+ +&at &ono$r really is and +&at is !eant by losin, it? I a! not s"eakin, no+ abo$t o$rselves% for it +o$ld indeed be a bad b$siness if +e did not $nderstand t&is0 I a! s"eakin, of !yself as I +as +&en I "rided !yself on !y &ono$r +it&o$t kno+in, +&at &ono$r !eant0 I ;$st follo+ed t&e e*a!"le of ot&ers. O&% &o+ easily I $sed to feel sli,&ted? I a! as&a!ed to t&ink of it no+0 and I +as not one of t&ose +&o +orried !ost abo$t s$ & t&in,s eit&er. B$t I never ,ras"ed t&e essen e of t&e !atter% be a$se I neit&er t&o$,&t nor tro$bled abo$t tr$e &ono$r% +&i & it is ,ood for $s to &ave be a$se it "rofits t&e so$l. )o+ tr$ly &as so!eone said= K)ono$r and "rofit annot ,o to,et&er.K I do not kno+ if t&is +as +&at t&at "erson +as t&inkin, of +&en &e said it0 b$t it is literally tr$e% for t&e so$l>s "rofit and +&at t&e +orld alls &ono$r an never be re on iled. Really% t&e to"sy2t$rviness of t&e +orld is terrible. Blessed be t&e 'ord for takin, $s o$t of it? .ay )is .a;esty ,rant t&at t&is &o$se s&all al+ays be as far fro! it as it is no+? /od "reserve $s fro! reli,io$s &o$ses +&ere t&ey +orry abo$t "oints of &ono$r? S$ & "la es never do !$ & &ono$r to /od. /od &el" $s% &o+ abs$rd it is for reli,io$s to onne t t&eir &ono$r +it& t&in,s so triflin, t&at t&ey a!a:e !e? Yo$ kno+ not&in, abo$t t&is% sisters% b$t I +ill tell yo$ abo$t it so t&at yo$ !ay be +ary. Yo$ see% sisters% t&e devil &as not for,otten $s. )e &as invented &ono$rs of &is o+n for reli,io$s &o$ses and &as !ade la+s by +&i & +e ,o $" and do+n in rank% as "eo"le do in t&e +orld. 'earned !en &ave to observe t&is +it& re,ard to t&eir st$dies Ba !atter of +&i & I kno+ not&in,C= anyone% for e*a!"le% +&o &as ,ot as far as readin, t&eolo,y !$st not des end and read "&iloso"&y 9 t&at is t&eir kind of &ono$r% a ordin, to +&i & yo$ !$st al+ays be ,oin, $" and never ,oin, do+n. Even if so!eone +ere o!!anded by obedien e to take a ste" do+n% &e +o$ld in &is o+n

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!ind onsider &i!self sli,&ted0 and t&en so!eone +o$ld take &is "art Dand sayE it +as an ins$lt0 ne*t% t&e devil +o$ld dis over reasons for t&is 9 and &e see!s to be an a$t&ority even in /od>s o+n la+. W&y% a!on, o$rselves% anyone +&o &as been a "rioress is t&ereby in a"a itated fro! &oldin, any lo+er offi e for t&e rest of &er life. We !$st defer to t&e senior a!on, $s% and +e are not allo+ed to for,et it eit&er= so!eti!es it +o$ld a""ear to be a "ositive !erit for $s to do t&is% be a$se it is a r$le of t&e Order. T&e t&in, is eno$,& to !ake one la$,& 9 or% it +o$ld be !ore "ro"er to say% to !ake one +ee". After all% t&e Order does not o!!and $s not to be &$!ble= it o!!ands $s to do everyt&in, in d$e for!. And in !atters +&i & on ern !y o+n estee! I o$,&t not to be so for!al as to insist t&at t&is detail of o$r R$le s&all be ke"t as stri tly as t&e rest% +&i & +e !ay in fa t be observin, very i!"erfe tly. We !$st not "$t all o$r effort into observin, ;$st t&is one detail= let !y interests be looked after by ot&ers 9 I +ill for,et abo$t !yself alto,et&er. T&e fa t is% alt&o$,& +e s&all never rise as far as )eaven in t&is +ay% +e are attra ted by t&e t&o$,&t of risin, &i,&er% and +e dislike li!bin, do+n. O% 'ord% 'ord% art T&o$ o$r E*a!"le and o$r .aster@ Yes% indeed. And +&erein did T&y &ono$r onsist% O 'ord% W&o &ast &ono$red $s@ (idst T&o$ "er &an e lose it +&en T&o$ +ert &$!bled even to deat&@ No% 'ord% rat&er didst T&o$ ,ain it for all. For t&e love of /od% sisters? We &ave lost o$r +ay0 +e &ave taken t&e +ron, "at& fro! t&e very be,innin,. /od ,rant t&at no so$l be lost t&ro$,& its attention to t&ese +ret &ed ni eties abo$t &ono$r% +&en it &as no idea +&erein &ono$r onsists. We s&all ,et to t&e "oint of t&inkin, t&at +e &ave done so!et&in, +onderf$l be a$se +e &ave for,iven a "erson for so!e triflin, t&in,% +&i & +as neit&er a sli,&t nor an ins$lt nor anyt&in, else. T&en +e s&all ask t&e 'ord to for,ive $s as "eo"le +&o &ave done so!et&in, i!"ortant% ;$st be a$se +e &ave for,iven so!eone. /rant $s% !y /od% to $nderstand &o+ little +e $nderstand o$rselves and &o+ e!"ty o$r &ands are +&en +e o!e to T&ee t&at T&o$% of T&y !er y% !ayest for,ive $s. For in tr$t&% 'ord% sin e all t&in,s &ave an end and "$nis&!ent is eternal% I an see not&in, !eritorio$s +&i & I !ay "resent to T&ee t&at T&o$ !ayest ,rant $s so ,reat a favo$r. (o it% t&en% for t&e sake of )i! W&o asks it of T&ee% and W&o !ay +ell do so% for )e is al+ays bein, +ron,ed and offended. )o+ ,reatly t&e 'ord !$st estee! t&is !$t$al love of o$rs one for anot&er? For% &avin, ,iven )i! o$r +ills% +e &ave ,iven )i! o!"lete ri,&ts over $s% and +e annot do t&at +it&o$t love. See% t&en% sisters% &o+ i!"ortant it is for $s to love one anot&er and to be at "ea e. T&e ,ood #es$s !i,&t &ave "$t everyt&in, else before o$r love for one anot&er% and said= KFor,ive $s% 'ord% be a$se +e are doin, a ,reat deal of "enan e% or be a$se +e are "rayin, often% and fastin,% and be a$se +e &ave left all for T&y sake and love T&ee ,reatly.K B$t )e &as never said= KBe a$se +e +o$ld lose o$r lives for T&y sakeK0 or any of t&ese Dn$!ero$sE ot&er t&in,s +&i & )e !i,&t &ave said. )e si!"ly says= KBe a$se +e for,ive.K Per&a"s t&e reason )e said t&is rat&er t&an anyt&in, else +as be a$se )e kne+ t&at o$r fondness for t&is dreadf$l &ono$r !ade !$t$al love t&e &ardest virt$e for $s to attain% t&o$,& it is t&e virt$e dearest to )is Fat&er. Be a$se of its very diffi $lty )e "$t it +&ere )e did% and after &avin, asked for so !any ,reat ,ifts for $s% )e offers it on o$r be&alf to /od.

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Note "arti $larly% sisters% t&at )e says= KAs +e for,ive.K As I &ave said% )e takes t&is for ,ranted. And observe es"e ially +it& re,ard to it t&at $nless% after e*"erien in, t&e favo$rs ,ranted by /od in t&e "rayer t&at I &ave alled "erfe t onte!"lation% a "erson is very resol$te% and !akes a "oint% if t&e o asion arises% of for,ivin,% not DonlyE t&ese !ere not&in,s +&i & "eo"le all +ron,s% b$t any +ron,% &o+ever ,rave% yo$ need not t&ink !$ & of t&at "erson>s "rayer. For +ron,s &ave no effe t $"on a so$l +&o! /od dra+s to )i!self in s$ & s$bli!e "rayer as t&is% nor does it are if it is &i,&ly estee!ed or no. T&at is not <$ite orre t= it does are% for &ono$r distresses !$ & !ore t&an dis&ono$r and it "refers trials to a ,reat deal of rest and ease. For anyone to +&o! t&e 'ord &as really ,iven )is Ain,do! no lon,er +ants a kin,do! in t&is +orld% kno+in, t&at &e is ,oin, t&e ri,&t +ay to rei,n in a !$ & !ore e*alted !anner% and &avin, already dis overed by e*"erien e +&at ,reat benefits t&e so$l ,ains and +&at "ro,ress it !akes +&en it s$ffers for /od>s sake. For only very rarely does )is .a;esty ,rant it s$ & ,reat onsolations% and t&en only to t&ose +&o &ave +illin,ly borne !any trials for )is sake. For onte!"latives% as I &ave said else+&ere in t&is book% &ave to bear &eavy trials% and t&erefore t&e 'ord seeks o$t for )i!self so$ls of ,reat e*"erien e. 1nderstand% t&en% sisters% t&at as t&ese "ersons &ave already learned to rate everyt&in, at its "ro"er val$ation% t&ey "ay little attention to t&in,s +&i & "ass a+ay. A ,reat +ron,% or a ,reat trial% !ay a$se t&e! so!e !o!entary distress% b$t t&ey +ill &ardly &ave felt it +&en reason +ill intervene% and +ill see! to raise its standard aloft% and drive a+ay t&eir distress by ,ivin, t&e! t&e ;oy of seein, &o+ /od &as entr$sted t&e! +it& t&e o""ort$nity of ,ainin,% in a sin,le day% !ore lastin, favo$rs and ,ra es in )is .a;esty>s si,&t t&an t&ey o$ld ,ain in ten years by !eans of trials +&i & t&ey so$,&t on t&eir o+n a o$nt. T&is% as I $nderstand Band I &ave talked abo$t it +it& !any onte!"lativesC% is <$ite $s$al% and I kno+ for a fa t t&at it &a""ens. #$st as ot&er "eo"le "ri:e ,old and ;e+els% so t&ese "ersons "ri:e and desire trials% for t&ey kno+ <$ite +ell t&at trials +ill !ake t&e! ri &. S$ & "ersons +o$ld never on any a o$nt estee! t&e!selves= t&ey +ant t&eir sins to be kno+n and like to s"eak abo$t t&e! to "eo"le +&o t&ey see &ave any estee! for t&e!. T&e sa!e is tr$e of t&eir des ent% +&i & t&ey kno+ <$ite +ell +ill be of no advanta,e to t&e! in t&e kin,do! +&i & &as no end. If bein, of ,ood birt& +ere any satisfa tion to t&e!% it +o$ld be be a$se t&is +o$ld enable t&e! to serve /od better. If t&ey are not +ell born% it distresses t&e! +&en "eo"le t&ink t&e! better t&an t&ey are% and it a$ses t&e! no distress to disab$se t&e!% b$t only "leas$re. T&e reason for t&is is t&at t&ose to +&o! /od ,rants t&e favo$r of "ossessin, s$ & &$!ility and ,reat love for )i! for,et t&e!selves +&en t&ere is a "ossibility of renderin, )i! ,reater servi es% and si!"ly annot believe t&at ot&ers are tro$bled by t&in,s +&i & t&ey t&e!selves do not onsider as +ron,s at all. T&ese last effe ts +&i & I &ave !entioned are "rod$ ed in "ersons +&o &ave rea &ed a &i,& de,ree of "erfe tion and to +&o! t&e 'ord o!!only ,rants t&e favo$r of $nitin, t&e! to )i!self by "erfe t onte!"lation. B$t t&e first of t&ese effe ts 9 na!ely% t&e deter!ination to s$ffer +ron,s even t&o$,& s$ & s$fferin, brin,s distress 9 is very <$i kly seen in anyone to +&o! t&e 'ord &as ,ranted t&is ,ra e of "rayer as far as t&e sta,e of $nion. If t&ese effe ts are not "rod$ ed in a so$l and it is not stren,t&ened by "rayer% yo$ !ay take it t&at t&is +as not (ivine favo$r b$t ind$l,en e and ill$sion

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o!in, fro! t&e devil% +&i & &e !akes $s t&ink to be ,ood% so t&at +e !ay atta & !ore i!"ortan e to o$r &ono$r. 5 It !ay be t&at% +&en t&e 'ord first ,rants t&ese favo$rs% t&e so$l +ill not i!!ediately attain t&is fortit$de. B$t% if )e ontin$es to ,rant t&e!% )e +ill soon ,ive it fortit$de 9 ertainly% at least% as re,ards for,iveness% if not in t&e ot&er virt$es as +ell. I annot believe t&at a so$l +&i & &as a""roa &ed so nearly to .er y Itself% and &as learned to kno+ itself and t&e ,reatness of /od>s "ardon% +ill not i!!ediately and readily for,ive% and be !ollified and re!ain on ,ood ter!s +it& a "erson +&o &as done it +ron,. For s$ & a so$l re!e!bers t&e onsolation and ,ra e +&i & )e &as s&o+n it% in +&i & it &as re o,ni:ed t&e si,ns of ,reat love% and it is ,lad t&at t&e o asion "resents itself for s&o+in, )i! so!e love in ret$rn. I re"eat t&at I kno+ !any "ersons to +&o! O$r 'ord &as ,ranted t&e ,ra e of raisin, t&e! to s$"ernat$ral e*"erien es and of ,ivin, t&e! t&is "rayer% or onte!"lation% +&i & &as been des ribed0 and alt&o$,& I !ay noti e ot&er fa$lts and i!"erfe tions in t&e!% I &ave never seen s$ & a "erson +&o &ad t&is "arti $lar fa$lt% nor do I believe s$ & a "erson e*ists% if t&e favo$rs &e &as re eived are of /od. If any one of yo$ re eives &i,& favo$rs% let &er look +it&in &erself and see if t&ey are "rod$ in, t&ese effe ts% and% if t&ey are not% let &er be very fearf$l% and believe t&at t&ese onsolations are not of /od% W&o% as I &ave said% +&en )e visits t&e so$l% al+ays enri &es it. T&at is ertain0 for% alt&o$,& t&e ,ra e and t&e onsolations !ay "ass <$i kly% it an be re o,ni:ed in d$e o$rse t&ro$,& t&e benefits +&i & it besto+s on t&e so$l. And% as t&e ,ood #es$s kno+s t&is +ell% )e ,ives a definite ass$ran e to )is )oly Fat&er t&at +e are for,ivin, o$r debtors. CHAPTER -7. 2!"&ri*!" t ! !0&!ll!$&! #f t i" pray!r &all!) t ! Pat!r$#"t!r3 a$) t ! 'a$y %ay" i$ % i& %! " all fi$) &#$"#lati#$ i$ it. 74 T&e s$bli!ity of t&e "erfe tion of t&is evan,eli al "rayer is so!et&in, for +&i & +e s&o$ld ,ive ,reat "raise to t&e 'ord. So +ell o!"osed by t&e ,ood .aster +as it% da$,&ters% t&at ea & of $s !ay $se it in &er o+n +ay. I a! asto$nded +&en I onsider t&at in its fe+ +ords are ens&rined all onte!"lation and "erfe tion% so t&at if +e st$dy it no ot&er book see!s ne essary. For t&$s far in t&e Paternoster t&e 'ord &as ta$,&t $s t&e +&ole !et&od of "rayer and of &i,& onte!"lation% fro! t&e very be,innin,s of !ental "rayer% to L$iet and 1nion. Wit& so tr$e a fo$ndation to b$ild $"on% I o$ld +rite a ,reat book on "rayer if only I kne+ &o+ to e*"ress !yself. As yo$ &ave seen% O$r 'ord is be,innin, &ere to e*"lain to $s t&e effe ts +&i & it "rod$ es% +&en t&e favo$rs o!e fro! )i!. I &ave +ondered +&y )is .a;esty did not e*"o$nd s$ & obs $re and s$bli!e s$b;e ts in ,reater detail so t&at +e !i,&t all &ave $nderstood t&e!. It &as o $rred to !e t&at% as t&is "rayer +as !eant to be a ,eneral one for t&e $se of all% so t&at everyone o$ld inter"ret it as &e t&o$,&t ri,&t% ask for +&at &e +anted and find o!fort in doin, so% )e left t&e !atter in do$bt0 and t&$s onte!"latives% +&o no lon,er desire eart&ly t&in,s% and "ersons ,reatly devoted to /od% an ask for t&e &eavenly favo$rs +&i &% t&ro$,&

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t&e ,reat ,oodness of /od% !ay be ,iven to $s on eart&. T&ose +&o still live on eart&% and !$st onfor! to t&e $sto!s of t&eir state% !ay also ask for t&e bread +&i & t&ey need for t&eir o+n !aintenan e and for t&at of t&eir &o$se&olds% as is "erfe tly ;$st and ri,&t% and t&ey !ay also ask for ot&er t&in,s a ordin, as t&ey need t&e!. 5 BBlessed be )is na!e for ever and ever. A!en. For )is sake I entreat t&e Eternal Fat&er to for,ive !y debts and ,rievo$s sins= t&o$,& no one &as +ron,ed !e% and I &ave t&erefore no one to for,ive% I &ave !yself need for for,iveness every day. .ay )e ,ive !e ,ra e so t&at every day I !ay &ave so!e "etition to lay before )i!.C 34 T&e ,ood #es$s% t&en% &as ta$,&t $s a s$bli!e !et&od of "rayer% and be,,ed t&at% in t&is o$r life of e*ile% +e !ay be like t&e an,els% if +e endeavo$r% +it& o$r +&ole !i,&t% to !ake o$r a tions onfor! to o$r +ords 9 in s&ort% to be like t&e &ildren of s$ & a Fat&er% and t&e bret&ren of s$ & a Brot&er. )is .a;esty kno+s t&at if% as I say% o$r a tions and o$r +ords are one% t&e 'ord +ill $nfailin,ly f$lfil o$r "etitions% ,ive $s )is kin,do! and &el" $s by !eans of s$"ernat$ral ,ifts% s$ & as t&e Prayer of L$iet% "erfe t onte!"lation and all t&e ot&er favo$rs +&i & t&e 'ord besto+s on o$r triflin, efforts 9 and everyt&in, is triflin, +&i & +e an a &ieve and ,ain by o$rselves alone. It !$st be reali:ed% &o+ever% t&at t&ese t+o t&in,s 9 s$rrenderin, o$r +ill to /od and for,ivin, ot&ers 9 a""ly to all. Tr$e% so!e "ra tise t&e! !ore and so!e less% as &as been said= t&ose +&o are "erfe t +ill s$rrender t&eir +ills like t&e "erfe t so$ls t&ey are and +ill for,ive ot&ers +it& t&e "erfe tion t&at &as been des ribed. For o$r o+n "art% sisters% +e +ill do +&at +e an% and t&e 'ord +ill a e"t it all. It is as if )e +ere to !ake a kind of a,ree!ent on o$r be&alf +it& )is Eternal Fat&er% and to say= K(o t&is% 'ord% and .y bret&ren s&all do t&at.K It is ertain t&at )e for )is o+n "art +ill not fail $s. O&% &o+ +ell )e "ays $s and &o+ li!itless are )is re+ards? We !ay say t&is "rayer only on e% and yet in s$ & a +ay t&at )e +ill kno+ t&at t&ere is no d$"li ity abo$t $s and t&at +e s&all do +&at +e say0 and so )e +ill leave $s ri &. We !$st never be insin ere +it& )i!% for )e loves $s% in all o$r dealin,s +it& )i!% to be &onest% and to treat )i! frankly and o"enly% never sayin, one t&in, and !eanin, anot&er0 and t&en )e +ill al+ays ,ive $s !ore t&an +e ask for. O$r ,ood .aster kno+s t&at t&ose +&o attain real "erfe tion in t&eir "etitions +ill rea & t&is &i,& de,ree t&ro$,& t&e favo$rs +&i & t&e Fat&er +ill ,rant t&e!% and is a+are t&at t&ose +&o are already "erfe t% or +&o are on t&e +ay to "erfe tion% do not and annot fear% for t&ey say t&ey &ave tra!"led t&e +orld beneat& t&eir feet% and t&e 'ord of t&e +orld is "leased +it& t&e!. T&ey +ill derive t&e ,reatest &o"e of )is .a;esty>s "leas$re fro! t&e effe ts +&i & )e "rod$ es in t&eir so$ls0 absorbed in t&ese ;oys% t&ey +is& t&ey +ere $nable to re!e!ber t&at t&ere is any ot&er +orld at all% and t&at t&ey &ave ene!ies. O Eternal Wisdo!? O ,ood Tea &er? W&at a +onderf$l t&in, it is% da$,&ters% to &ave a +ise and "r$dent .aster +&o foresees o$r "erils? T&is is t&e ,reatest blessin, t&at t&e s"irit$al so$l still on eart& an desire% be a$se it brin,s o!"lete se $rity. No +ords o$ld ever e*a,,erate t&e i!"ortan e of t&is. T&e 'ord% t&en% sa+ it +as ne essary to a+aken s$ & so$ls and to re!ind t&e! t&at t&ey &ave ene!ies% and &o+ !$ & ,reater dan,er t&ey are in if t&ey are $n"re"ared% and% sin e if t&ey fall it +ill be fro! a ,reater &ei,&t% &o+ !$ & !ore &el" t&ey need fro! t&e Eternal Fat&er. So% lest t&ey s&o$ld fail

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to reali:e t&eir dan,er and s$ffer de e"tion% )e offers t&ese "etitions so ne essary to $s all +&ile +e live in t&is e*ile= KAnd lead $s not% 'ord% into te!"tation% b$t deliver $s fro! evil.K 5 CHAPTER -8. Tr!at" #f t ! ,r!at $!!) % i& %! a(! t# *!"!!& t ! Et!r$al Fat !r t# ,ra$t u" % at %! a"/ i$ t !"! %#r)"< =Et $! $#" i$)u&a" i$ t!$tati#$!'3 "!) li*!ra $#" a 'al#.= E0plai$" &!rtai$ t!'ptati#$". T i" & apt!r i" $#t!%#rt y. 34 T&ere are ,reat t&in,s &ere for $s to !editate $"on% sisters% and to learn to $nderstand as +e "ray. Re!e!ber I onsider it <$ite ertain t&at t&ose +&o attain "erfe tion do not ask t&e 'ord to deliver t&e! fro! trials% te!"tations% "erse $tions and onfli ts 9 and t&at is anot&er s$re and strikin, si,n t&at t&ese favo$rs and t&is onte!"lation +&i & )is .a;esty ,ives t&e! are o!in, fro! t&e S"irit of t&e 'ord and are not ill$sions. For% as I said a little +ay ba k% "erfe t so$ls are in no +ay re"elled by trials% b$t rat&er desire t&e! and "ray for t&e! and love t&e!. T&ey are like soldiers= t&e !ore +ars t&ere are% t&e better t&ey are "leased% be a$se t&ey &o"e to e!er,e fro! t&e! +it& t&e ,reater ri &es. If t&ere are no +ars% t&ey serve for t&eir "ay% b$t t&ey kno+ t&ey +ill not ,et very far on t&at. Believe !e% sisters% t&e soldiers of C&rist 9 na!ely% t&ose +&o e*"erien e onte!"lation and "ra tise "rayer 9 are al+ays ready for t&e &o$r of onfli t. T&ey are never very !$ & afraid of t&eir o"en ene!ies% for t&ey kno+ +&o t&ey are and are s$re t&at t&eir stren,t& an never "revail a,ainst t&e stren,t& +&i & t&ey t&e!selves &ave been ,iven by t&e 'ord= t&ey +ill al+ays be vi torio$s and ,ain ,reat ri &es% so t&ey +ill never t$rn t&eir ba ks on t&e battle. T&ose +&o! t&ey fear% and fear ri,&tly% and fro! +&o! t&ey al+ays be, t&e 'ord to deliver t&e!% are ene!ies +&o are trea &ero$s% devils +&o transfor! t&e!selves and o!e and visit t&e! in t&e dis,$ise of an,els of li,&t. T&e so$l fails to re o,ni:e t&e! $ntil t&ey &ave done it a ,reat deal of &ar!0 t&ey s$ k o$r life2blood and "$t an end to o$r virt$es and +e ,o on yieldin, to te!"tation +it&o$t kno+in, it. Fro! t&ese ene!ies let $s "ray t&e 'ord often% in t&e Paternoster% to deliver $s= !ay )e not allo+ $s to r$n into te!"tations +&i & de eive $s0 !ay t&eir "oison be dete ted0 and !ay li,&t and tr$t& not be &idden fro! $s. )o+ ri,&tly does o$r ,ood .aster tea & $s to "ray for t&is and "ray for it in o$r na!e? Consider% da$,&ters% in &o+ !any +ays t&ese ene!ies do $s &ar!. (o not s$""ose t&at t&e sole dan,er lies in t&eir !akin, $s believe t&at t&e onsolations and t&e favo$rs +&i & t&ey an o$nterfeit to $s o!e fro! /od. T&is% I t&ink% in a +ay% is t&e least &ar!f$l t&in, t&ey an do0 it !ay even &el" so!e +&o! t&is sensible devotion enti es to s"end !ore ti!e in "rayer and t&$s to !ake ,reater "ro,ress. Bein, i,norant t&at t&ese onsolations o!e fro! t&e devil% and kno+in, t&e!selves to be $n+ort&y of s$ & favo$rs% t&ey +ill never ease to ,ive t&anks to /od and +ill feel t&e ,reater obli,ation to serve )i!0 f$rt&er% t&ey +ill strive to "re"are t&e!selves for !ore favo$rs +&i & t&e 'ord !ay ,rant t&e!% sin e t&ey believe t&e! to o!e fro! )is &and. Al+ays strive after &$!ility% sisters% and try to reali:e t&at yo$ are not +ort&y of t&ese ,ra es% and do not seek t&e!. It is be a$se !any so$ls do t&is% I feel s$re% t&at t&e devil

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loses t&e!= &e t&inks t&at &e &as a$sed t&eir r$in% b$t o$t of t&e evil +&i & &e &as been tryin, to do t&e 'ord brin,s ,ood. For )is .a;esty re,ards o$r intention% +&i & is to "lease )i! and serve )i! and kee" near to )i! in "rayer% and t&e 'ord is fait&f$l. We s&all do +ell to be a$tio$s% and not to let o$r &$!ility break do+n or to be o!e in any +ay vain,lorio$s. Entreat t&e 'ord to deliver yo$ fro! t&is% da$,&ters% and yo$ need t&en &ave no fear t&at )is .a;esty +ill allo+ yo$ to be o!forted !$ & by anyone b$t )i!self. W&ere t&e devil an do ,reat &ar! +it&o$t o$r reali:in, it is in !akin, $s believe t&at +e "ossess virt$es +&i & +e do not= t&at is "estilential. For% +&en onsolations and favo$rs o!e to $s% +e feel t&at +e are doin, not&in, b$t re eive% and &ave t&e ,reater obli,ation to serve0 b$t +&en +e s$ffer fro! t&is ot&er del$sion +e t&ink t&at +e are ,ivin, and servin,% and t&at t&e 'ord +ill be obli,ed to re+ard $s0 and t&is% little by little% does $s a ,reat deal of &ar!. On t&e one &and% o$r &$!ility is +eakened% +&ile% on t&e ot&er% +e ne,le t to $ltivate t&at virt$e% believin, +e &ave already a <$ired it. We t&ink +e are +alkin, safely% +&en% +it&o$t reali:in, it% +e st$!ble% and fall into a "it fro! +&i & +e annot es a"e. T&o$,& +e !ay not ons io$sly &ave o!!itted any !ortal sin +&i & +o$ld &ave sent $s infallibly to &ell% +e &ave s"rained o$r ankles and annot ontin$e on t&at road +&i & I be,an to s"eak abo$t and +&i & I &ave not for,otten. Yo$ an i!a,ine &o+ !$ & "ro,ress +ill be !ade by anyone +&o is at t&e botto! of a &$,e "it= it +ill be t&e end of &i! alto,et&er and &e +ill be l$ ky if &e es a"es fallin, ri,&t do+n to &ell= at best% &e +ill never ,et on +it& &is ;o$rney. T&is bein, so% &e +ill be $nable to &el" eit&er &i!self or ot&ers. It +ill be a bad t&in, for ot&ers% too% for% on e t&e "it &as been d$,% a ,reat !any "assers2by !ay fall into it. Only if t&e "erson +&o &as fallen in ,ets o$t of it and fills it $" +it& eart& +ill f$rt&er &ar! to &i!self and ot&ers be "revented. B$t I +arn yo$ t&at t&is te!"tation is f$ll of "eril. I kno+ a ,reat deal abo$t it fro! e*"erien e% so I an des ribe it to yo$% t&o$,& not as +ell as I s&o$ld like. W&at an +e do abo$t it% sisters@ To !e t&e best t&in, see!s to be +&at o$r .aster tea &es $s= to "ray% and to besee & t&e Eternal Fat&er not to allo+ $s to fall into te!"tation. T&ere is so!et&in, else% too% +&i & I +ant to tell yo$. If +e t&ink t&e 'ord &as ,iven $s a ertain ,ra e% +e !$st $nderstand t&at it is a blessin, +&i & +e &ave re eived b$t +&i & )e !ay take a+ay fro! $s a,ain% as indeed% in t&e ,reat "roviden e of /od% often &a""ens. )ave yo$ never observed t&is yo$rselves% sisters@ I ertainly &ave= so!eti!es I t&ink I a! e*tre!ely deta &ed% and% in fa t% +&en it o!es to t&e test% I a!0 yet at ot&er ti!es I find I &ave s$ & atta &!ent to t&in,s +&i & t&e day before I s&o$ld "er&a"s &ave s offed at t&at I &ardly kno+ !yself. At so!e ot&er ti!e I see! to &ave so !$ & o$ra,e t&at I s&o$ld not <$ail at anyt&in, I +as asked to do in order to serve /od% and% +&en I a! tested% I find t&at I really an do t&ese t&in,s. And t&en on t&e ne*t day I dis over t&at I s&o$ld not &ave t&e o$ra,e to kill an ant for /od>s sake if I +ere to !eet +it& any o""osition abo$t it. So!eti!es it see!s not to !atter in t&e least if "eo"le o!"lain or s"eak ill of !e% and% +&en t&e test o!es% I still feel like t&is 9 indeed% I even ,et "leas$re fro! it. And t&en t&ere o!e days +&en a sin,le +ord distresses !e and I lon, to leave t&e +orld alto,et&er% for everyt&in, in it see!s to +eary !e. And I a! not t&e only "erson to be like t&is% for I &ave noti ed t&e sa!e t&in, in !any "eo"le better t&an !yself% so I kno+ it an &a""en.

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T&at bein, so% +&o an say t&at &e "ossesses any virt$e% or t&at &e is ri &% if at t&e ti!e +&en &e !ost needs t&is virt$e &e finds &i!self devoid of it@ No% sisters= let $s rat&er t&ink of o$rselves as la kin, it and not r$n into debt +it&o$t &avin, t&e !eans of re"ay!ent. O$r treas$re !$st o!e fro! else+&ere and +e never kno+ +&en /od +ill leave $s in t&is "rison of o$r !isery +it&o$t ,ivin, $s any. If ot&ers% t&inkin, +e are ,ood% besto+ favo$rs and &ono$rs $"on $s% bot& t&ey and +e s&all look foolis& +&en% as I say% it be o!es lear t&at o$r virt$es are only lent $s. T&e tr$t& is t&at% if +e serve t&e 'ord +it& &$!ility% )e +ill sooner or later s$ o$r $s in o$r needs. B$t% if +e are not stron, in t&is virt$e% t&e 'ord +ill leave $s to o$rselves% as t&ey say% at every ste". T&is is a ,reat favo$r on )is "art% for it &el"s $s to reali:e f$lly t&at +e &ave not&in, +&i & &as not been ,iven $s. And no+ yo$ !$st take note of t&is ot&er "ie e of advi e. T&e devil !akes $s believe t&at +e &ave so!e virt$e 9 "atien e% let $s say 9 be a$se +e &ave deter!ination and !ake ontin$al resol$tions to s$ffer a ,reat deal for /od>s sake. We really and tr$ly believe t&at +e +o$ld s$ffer all t&is% and t&e devil en o$ra,es $s in t&e belief% and so +e are very "leased. I advise yo$ to "la e no relian e on t&ese virt$es= +e o$,&t not to t&ink t&at +e kno+ anyt&in, abo$t t&e! beyond t&eir na!es% or to i!a,ine t&at t&e 'ord &as ,iven t&e! to $s% $ntil +e o!e to t&e test. For it !ay be t&at at t&e first annoyin, +ord +&i & "eo"le say to yo$ yo$r "atien e +ill fall to t&e ,ro$nd. W&enever yo$ &ave fre<$ently to s$ffer% "raise /od for be,innin, to tea & yo$ t&is virt$e% and for e yo$rself to s$ffer "atiently% for t&is is a si,n t&at )e +ants yo$ to re"ay )i! for t&e virt$e +&i & )e is ,ivin, yo$% and yo$ !$st t&ink of it only as a de"osit% as &as already been said. T&e devil &as yet anot&er te!"tation% +&i & is to !ake $s a""ear very "oor in s"irit= +e are in t&e &abit of sayin, t&at +e +ant not&in, and are not&in, abo$t anyt&in,= b$t as soon as t&e &an e o!es of o$r bein, ,iven so!et&in,% even t&o$,& +e do not in t&e least need it% all o$r "overty of s"irit disa""ears. A $sto!in, o$rselves to sayin, t&is ,oes far to+ards !akin, $s t&ink it tr$e. It is very i!"ortant al+ays to be on t&e +at & and to reali:e t&at t&is is a te!"tation% bot& in t&e t&in,s I &ave referred to and in !any ot&ers. For +&en t&e 'ord really ,ives one of t&ese solid virt$es% it see!s to brin, all t&e rest in its train= t&at is a very +ell2kno+n fa t. B$t I advise yo$ on e !ore% even if yo$ t&ink yo$ "ossess it% to s$s"e t t&at yo$ !ay be !istaken0 for t&e "erson +&o is tr$ly &$!ble is al+ays do$btf$l abo$t &is o+n virt$es0 very often t&ey see! !ore ,en$ine and of ,reater +ort& +&en &e sees t&e! in &is nei,&bo$rs. T&e devil !akes yo$ t&ink yo$ are "oor% and &e &as so!e reason for doin, so% be a$se yo$ &ave !ade B+it& t&e li"s% of o$rseC a vo+ of "overty% as &ave so!e ot&er "eo"le +&o "ra tise "rayer. I say K+it& t&e li"sK be a$se% if before !akin, t&e vo+ +e really !eant in o$r &earts +&at +e +ere ,oin, to say% t&e devil o$ld not "ossibly lead $s into t&at te!"tation 9 not even in t+enty years% or in o$r entire lifeti!e 9 for +e s&o$ld see t&at +e +ere de eivin, t&e +&ole +orld% and o$rselves into t&e bar,ain. Well% +e !ake o$r vo+ of "overty% and t&en one of $s% believin, &erself all t&e ti!e to be kee"in, it% says= KI do not +ant anyt&in,% b$t I a! &avin, t&is be a$se I annot do +it&o$t it= after all% if I a! to serve /od% I !$st live% and )e +ants $s to kee" t&ese bodies of o$rs alive.K So t&e devil% in &is an,eli dis,$ise% s$,,ests to &er t&at t&ere are a t&o$sand different t&in,s +&i & s&e needs and t&at t&ey are all ,ood for &er. And all t&e ti!e &e is

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"ers$adin, &er to believe t&at s&e is still bein, tr$e to &er vo+ and "ossesses t&e virt$e of "overty and t&at +&at s&e &as done is no !ore t&an &er d$ty. 5 And no+ let $s take a test ase% for +e an only ,et to t&e tr$t& of t&is by kee"in, a ontin$al +at & on o$rselves= t&en% if t&ere is any a$se for an*iety on o$r "art% +e s&all at on e re o,ni:e t&e sy!"to!s. )ere is so!eone +&o &as a lar,er in o!e t&an &e needs 9 I !ean% needs for t&e ne essaries of life 9 and% t&o$,& &e o$ld do +it& a sin,le !anservant% &e kee"s t&ree. Yet% +&en &e is s$ed in t&e o$rts in onne tion +it& a "art of &is "ro"erty% or so!e "oor "easant o!its to "ay &i! &is d$es% &e ,ets as $"set and e* ited abo$t it as if &is life +ere at stake. )e says &e !$st look after &is "ro"erty or &e +ill lose it% and onsiders t&at t&at ;$stifies &i!. I do not s$,,est t&at &e o$,&t to ne,le t &is "ro"erty= +&et&er or no t&in,s ,o +ell +it& &i!% &e s&o$ld look after it. B$t a "erson +&ose "rofession of "overty is a ,en$ine one !akes so little a o$nt of t&ese t&in,s t&at% alt&o$,& for vario$s reasons &e attends to &is o+n interests% &e never +orries abo$t t&e!% be a$se &e never s$""oses &e +ill lose everyt&in, &e &as0 and% even if &e s&o$ld do so% &e +o$ld onsider it of no ,reat !o!ent% for t&e !atter is one of se ondary i!"ortan e to &i! and not &is "rin i"al on ern. )is t&o$,&ts rise &i,& above it and &e &as to !ake an effort to o $"y &i!self +it& it at all. No+ !onks and n$ns are de!onstrably "oor 9 t&ey !$st be so% for t&ey "ossess not&in,= so!eti!es be a$se t&ere is not&in, for t&e! to "ossess. B$t if a reli,io$s of t&e ty"e ;$st !entioned is ,iven anyt&in,% it is !ost $nlikely t&at &e +ill t&ink it s$"erfl$o$s. )e al+ays likes to &ave so!et&in, laid by0 if &e an ,et a &abit of ,ood lot&% &e +ill not ask for one of oarse !aterial. )e likes to &ave so!e trifle% if only books% +&i & &e an "a+n or sell% for if &e falls ill &e +ill need e*tra o!forts. Sinner t&at I a!? Is t&is t&e vo+ of "overty t&at yo$ took@ Sto" +orryin, abo$t yo$rself and leave /od to "rovide for yo$% o!e +&at !ay. If yo$ are ,oin, abo$t tryin, to "rovide for yo$r o+n f$t$re% it +o$ld be less tro$ble for yo$ to &ave a fi*ed in o!e. T&is !ay not involve any sin% b$t it is as +ell t&at +e s&o$ld learn to re o,ni:e o$r i!"erfe tions% so t&at +e an see &o+ far +e are fro! "ossessin, t&e virt$e of "overty% +&i & +e !$st be, and obtain fro! /od. If +e t&ink +e already "ossess it% +e s&all ,ro+ areless% and% +&at is +orse% +e s&all be de eivin, o$rselves. T&e sa!e t&in, &a""ens +it& re,ard to &$!ility. We t&ink t&at +e &ave no desire for &ono$r and t&at +e are not&in, abo$t anyt&in,0 b$t as soon as o$r &ono$r o!es to be sli,&ted in so!e detail o$r feelin,s and a tions at on e s&o+ t&at +e are not &$!ble at all. If an o""ort$nity o $rs for $s to ,ain !ore &ono$r% +e do not re;e t it0 even t&ose +&o are "oor% and to +&o! I &ave ;$st referred% are an*io$s to &ave as !$ & "rofit as "ossible 9 /od ,rant +e !ay not ,o so far as a t$ally to seek it? We al+ays &ave "&rases on o$r li"s abo$t +antin, not&in,% and arin, not&in, abo$t anyt&in,% and +e &onestly t&ink t&e! to be tr$e% and ,et so $sed to re"eatin, t&e! t&at +e o!e to believe t&e! !ore and !ore fir!ly. B$t +&en% as I say% +e kee" on t&e +at &% +e reali:e t&at t&is is a te!"tation% as re,ards bot& t&e virt$e I &ave s"oken of and all t&e rest0 for +&en +e really &ave one of t&ese solid virt$es% it brin,s all t&e rest in its train= t&at is a very +ell2kno+n fa t.

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CHAPTER -:. C#$ti$u!" t ! "a'! "u*.!&t a$) ,i(!" &#u$"!l" &#$&!r$i$, )iff!r!$t /i$)" #f t!'ptati#$. Su,,!"t" t%# r!'!)i!" *y % i& %! 'ay *! fr!!) fr#' t!'ptati#$". 5 Be+are also% da$,&ters% of ertain kinds of &$!ility +&i & t&e devil in $l ates in $s and +&i & !ake $s very $neasy abo$t t&e ,ravity of o$r "ast sins. T&ere are !any +ays in +&i & &e is a $sto!ed to de"ress $s so t&at in ti!e +e +it&dra+ fro! Co!!$nion and ,ive $" o$r "rivate "rayer% be a$se t&e devil s$,,ests to $s t&at +e are not +ort&y to en,a,e in it. W&en +e o!e to t&e .ost )oly Sa ra!ent% +e s"end t&e ti!e d$rin, +&i & +e o$,&t to be re eivin, ,ra e in +onderin, +&et&er +e are "ro"erly "re"ared or no. T&e t&in, ,ets to s$ & a "ass t&at a so$l an be !ade to believe t&at% t&ro$,& bein, +&at it is% it &as been forsaken by /od% and t&$s it al!ost do$bts )is !er y. Everyt&in, s$ & a "erson does a""ears to &er to be dan,ero$s% and all t&e servi e s&e renders% &o+ever ,ood it !ay be% see!s to &er fr$itless. S&e loses onfiden e and sits +it& &er &ands in &er la" be a$se s&e t&inks s&e an do not&in, +ell and t&at +&at is ,ood in ot&ers is +ron, in &erself. Pay ,reat attention% da$,&ters% to t&is "oint +&i & I s&all no+ !ake% be a$se so!eti!es t&inkin, yo$rselves so +i ked !ay be &$!ility and virt$e and at ot&er ti!es a very ,reat te!"tation. I &ave &ad e*"erien e of t&is% so I kno+ it is tr$e. )$!ility% &o+ever dee" it be% neit&er dis<$iets nor tro$bles nor dist$rbs t&e so$l0 it is a o!"anied by "ea e% ;oy and tran<$illity. Alt&o$,&% on reali:in, &o+ +i ked +e are% +e an see learly t&at +e deserve to be in &ell% and are distressed by o$r sinf$lness% and ri,&tly t&ink t&at everyone s&o$ld &ate $s% yet% if o$r &$!ility is tr$e% t&is distress is a o!"anied by an interior "ea e and ;oy of +&i & +e s&o$ld not like to be de"rived. Far fro! dist$rbin, or de"ressin, t&e so$l% it enlar,es it and !akes it fit to serve /od better. T&e ot&er kind of distress only dist$rbs and $"sets t&e !ind and tro$bles t&e so$l% so ,rievo$s is it. I t&ink t&e devil is an*io$s for $s to believe t&at +e are &$!ble% and% if &e an% to lead $s to distr$st /od. W&en yo$ find yo$rselves in t&is state% ease t&inkin,% so far as yo$ an% of yo$r o+n +ret &edness% and t&ink of t&e !er y of /od and of )is love and )is s$fferin,s for $s. If yo$r state of !ind is t&e res$lt of te!"tation% yo$ +ill be $nable to do even t&is% for it +ill not allo+ yo$ to <$iet yo$r t&o$,&ts or to fi* t&e! on anyt&in, b$t +ill only +eary yo$ t&e !ore= it +ill be a ,reat t&in, if yo$ an re o,ni:e it as a te!"tation. T&is is +&at &a""ens +&en +e "erfor! e* essive "enan es in order to !ake o$rselves believe t&at% be a$se of +&at +e are doin,% +e are !ore "enitent t&an ot&ers. If +e on eal o$r "enan es fro! o$r onfessor or s$"erior% or if +e are told to ,ive t&e! $" and do not obey% t&at is a lear ase of te!"tation. Al+ays try to obey% &o+ever !$ & it !ay &$rt yo$ to do so% for t&at is t&e ,reatest "ossible "erfe tion. T&ere is anot&er very dan,ero$s kind of te!"tation= a feelin, of se $rity a$sed by t&e belief t&at +e s&all never a,ain ret$rn to o$r "ast fa$lts and to t&e "leas$res of t&e +orld. KI kno+ all abo$t t&ese t&in,s no+%K +e say% Kand I reali:e t&at t&ey all o!e to an end and I ,et !ore "leas$re fro! t&e t&in,s of /od.K If t&is te!"tation o!es to be,inners it is very serio$s0 for% &avin, t&is sense of se $rity% t&ey t&ink not&in, of r$nnin, on e !ore into o asions of sin. T&ey soon o!e $" a,ainst t&ese 9 and t&en /od "reserve t&e! fro! fallin, ba k fart&er t&an before? T&e devil% seein, t&at &ere are

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so$ls +&i & !ay do &i! &ar! and be of ,reat &el" to ot&ers% does all in &is "o+er to "revent t&e! fro! risin, a,ain. )o+ever !any onsolations and "led,es of love t&e 'ord !ay ,ive yo$% t&erefore% yo$ !$st never be so s$re of yo$rselves t&at yo$ ease to be afraid of fallin, ba k a,ain% and yo$ !$st kee" yo$rselves fro! o asions of sin. 5 (o all yo$ an to dis $ss t&ese ,ra es and favo$rs +it& so!eone +&o an ,ive yo$ li,&t and &ave no se rets fro! &i!. )o+ever s$bli!e yo$r onte!"lation !ay be% take ,reat are bot& to be,in and to end every "eriod of "rayer +it& self2e*a!ination. If t&ese favo$rs o!e fro! /od% yo$ +ill do t&is !ore fre<$ently% +it&o$t eit&er takin, or needin, any advi e fro! !e% for s$ & favo$rs brin, &$!ility +it& t&e! and al+ays leave $s +it& !ore li,&t by +&i & +e !ay see o$r o+n $n+ort&iness. I +ill say no !ore &ere% for yo$ +ill find !any books +&i & ,ive t&is kind of advi e. I &ave said all t&is be a$se I &ave &ad e*"erien e of t&e !atter and &ave so!eti!es fo$nd !yself in diffi $lties of t&is nat$re. Not&in, t&at an be said abo$t it% &o+ever% +ill ,ive $s o!"lete se $rity. W&at% t&en% Eternal Fat&er% an +e do b$t flee to T&ee and be, T&ee not to allo+ t&ese ene!ies of o$rs to lead $s into te!"tations@ If atta ks are !ade $"on $s "$bli ly% +e s&all easily s$r!o$nt t&e!% +it& T&y &el". B$t &o+ an +e be ready for t&ese trea &ero$s assa$lts% !y /od@ We need onstantly to "ray for T&y &el". S&o+ $s% 'ord% so!e +ay of re o,ni:in, t&e! and ,$ardin, a,ainst t&e!. T&o$ kno+est t&at t&ere are not !any +&o +alk alon, t&is road% and if so !any fears are to beset t&e!% t&ere +ill be far fe+er. W&at a stran,e t&in, it is? Yo$ !i,&t s$""ose t&at t&e devil never te!"ted t&ose +&o do not +alk alon, t&e road of "rayer? Peo"le ,et a ,reater s&o k +&en de e"tion overtakes a sin,le one of t&e !any "ersons +&o are strivin, to be "erfe t t&an +&en a &$ndred t&o$sand ot&ers are de eived and fall into o"en sin% +&o! t&ere is no need to look at in order to see if t&ey are ,ood or evil% for Satan an be seen at t&eir side a t&o$sand lea,$es a+ay. B$t as a !atter of fa t "eo"le are ri,&t abo$t t&is% for very fe+ +&o say t&e Paternoster in t&e +ay t&at &as been des ribed are de eived by t&e devil% so t&at% if t&e de e"tion of one of t&e! a$ses s$r"rise% t&at is be a$se it is a ne+ and an $n$s$al t&in,. For &$!an nat$re is s$ & t&at +e s ar ely noti e +&at +e see fre<$ently b$t are asto$nded at +&at +e see seldo! or &ardly at all. And t&e devils t&e!selves en o$ra,e t&is astonis&!ent% for if a sin,le so$l attains "erfe tion it robs t&e! of !any ot&ers. It is so stran,e% I re"eat% t&at I a! not s$r"rised if "eo"le are a!a:ed at it0 for% $nless t&ey are alto,et&er at fa$lt% t&ey are !$ & safer on t&is road t&an on any ot&er% ;$st as "eo"le +&o +at & a b$ll2fi,&t fro! t&e ,rand2stand are safer t&an t&e !en +&o e*"ose t&e!selves to a t&r$st fro! t&e b$ll>s &orns. T&is o!"arison% +&i & I &eard so!e+&ere% see!s to !e very e*a t. (o not be afraid to +alk on t&ese roads% sisters% for t&ere are !any of t&e! in t&e life of "rayer 9 and so!e "eo"le ,et !ost &el" by $sin, one of t&e! and ot&ers by $sin, anot&er% as I &ave said. T&is road is a safe one and yo$ +ill t&e !ore readily es a"e fro! te!"tation if yo$ are near t&e 'ord t&an if yo$ are far a+ay fro! )i!. Besee & and entreat t&is of )i!% as yo$ do so !any ti!es ea & day in t&e Paternoster.

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CHAPTER 1;. 2!"&ri*!" #%3 *y "tri(i$, al%ay" t# %al/ i$ t ! l#(! a$) f!ar #f G#)3 %! " all tra(!l "af!ly a'i) all t !"! t!'ptati#$". 5 S&o+ $s% t&en% O o$r ,ood .aster% so!e +ay in +&i & +e !ay live t&ro$,& t&is !ost dan,ero$s +arfare +it&o$t fre<$ent s$r"rise. T&e best +ay t&at +e an do t&is% da$,&ters% is to $se t&e love and fear ,iven $s by )is .a;esty. For love +ill !ake $s <$i ken o$r ste"s% +&ile fear +ill !ake $s look +&ere +e are settin, o$r feet so t&at +e s&all not fall on a road +&ere t&ere are so !any obsta les. Alon, t&at road all livin, reat$res !$st "ass% and if +e &ave t&ese t+o t&in,s +e s&all ertainly not be de eived. Yo$ +ill ask !e &o+ yo$ an tell if yo$ really &ave t&ese t+o very% very ,reat virt$es. Yo$ are ri,&t to ask% for +e an never be <$ite definite and ertain abo$t it0 if +e +ere s$re t&at +e "ossessed love% +e s&o$ld be s$re t&at +e +ere in a state of ,ra e. B$t yo$ kno+% sisters% t&ere are so!e indi ations +&i & are in no +ay se ret b$t so evident t&at even a blind !an% as "eo"le say% o$ld see t&e!. Yo$ !ay not +is& to &eed t&e!% b$t t&ey ry so lo$d for noti e t&at t&ey !ake <$ite an $"roar% for t&ere are not !any +&o "ossess t&e! to t&e "oint of "erfe tion and t&$s t&ey are t&e !ore readily noti ed. 'ove and fear of /od? T&ese are t+o stron, astles +&en e +e an +a,e +ar on t&e +orld and on t&e devils. T&ose +&o really love /od love all ,ood% seek all ,ood% &el" for+ard all ,ood% "raise all ,ood% and invariably ;oin for es +it& ,ood !en and &el" and defend t&e!. T&ey love only tr$t& and t&in,s +ort&y of love. (o yo$ t&ink it "ossible t&at anyone +&o really and tr$ly loves /od an love vanities% ri &es% +orldly "leas$res or &ono$rs@ Can &e en,a,e in strife or feel envy@ No0 for &is only desire is to "lease t&e Beloved. S$ & "ersons die +it& lon,in, for )i! to love t&e! and so t&ey +ill ,ive t&eir lives to learn &o+ t&ey !ay "lease )i! better. Will t&ey &ide t&eir love@ No= if t&eir love for /od is ,en$ine love t&ey annot. W&y% t&ink of Saint Pa$l or t&e .a,dalen. One of t&ese 9 Saint Pa$l 9 fo$nd in t&ree days t&at &e +as si k +it& love. T&e .a,dalen dis overed t&is on t&e very first day. And &o+ ertain of it t&ey +ere? For t&ere are de,rees of love for /od% +&i & s&o+s itself in "ro"ortion to its stren,t&. If t&ere is little of it% it s&o+s itself b$t little0 if t&ere is !$ &% it s&o+s itself a ,reat deal. B$t it al+ays s&o+s itself% +&et&er little or !$ &% "rovided it is real love for /od. B$t to o!e to +&at +e are &iefly treatin, of no+ 9 t&e de e"tions and ill$sions "ra tised a,ainst onte!"latives by t&e devil 9 s$ & so$ls &ave no little love0 for &ad t&ey not a ,reat deal t&ey +o$ld not be onte!"latives% and so t&eir love s&o+s itself "lainly and in !any +ays. Bein, a ,reat fire% it annot fail to ,ive o$t a very bri,&t li,&t. If t&ey &ave not !$ & love% t&ey s&o$ld "ro eed +it& !any !is,ivin,s and reali:e t&at t&ey &ave ,reat a$se for fear0 and t&ey s&o$ld try to find o$t +&at is +ron, +it& t&e!% say t&eir "rayers% +alk in &$!ility and besee & t&e 'ord not to lead t&e! into te!"tation% into +&i &% I fear% t&ey +ill ertainly fall $nless t&ey bear t&is si,n. B$t if t&ey +alk &$!bly and strive to dis over t&e tr$t& and do as t&eir onfessor bids t&e! and tell &i! t&e "lain tr$t&% t&en t&e 'ord is fait&f$l% and% as &as been said% by $sin, t&e very !eans +it& +&i & &e &ad t&o$,&t to ,ive t&e! deat&% t&e devil +ill ,ive t&e! life% +it& &o+ever !any fantasies and ill$sions &e tries to de eive t&e!. If t&ey s$b!it to t&e

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tea &in, of t&e C&$r &% t&ey need not fear0 +&atever fantasies and ill$sions t&e devil !ay invent% &e +ill at on e betray &is "resen e. 5 B$t if yo$ feel t&is love for /od +&i & I &ave s"oken of% and t&e fear +&i & I s&all no+ des ribe% yo$ !ay ,o on yo$r +ay +it& &a""iness and tran<$illity. In order to dist$rb t&e so$l and kee" it fro! en;oyin, t&ese ,reat blessin,s% t&e devil +ill s$,,est to it a t&o$sand false fears and +ill "ers$ade ot&er "eo"le to do t&e sa!e0 for if &e annot +in so$ls &e +ill at least try to !ake t&e! lose so!et&in,% and a!on, t&e losers +ill be t&ose +&o !i,&t &ave ,ained ,reatly &ad t&ey believed t&at s$ & ,reat favo$rs% besto+ed $"on so !iserable a reat$re% o!e fro! /od% and t&at it is "ossible for t&e! to be t&$s besto+ed% for so!eti!es +e see! to for,et )is "ast !er ies. (o yo$ s$""ose t&at it is of little $se to t&e devil to s$,,est t&ese fears@ No% it is !ost $sef$l to &i!% for t&ere are t+o +ell2kno+n +ays in +&i & &e an !ake $se of t&is !eans to &ar! $s% to say not&in, of ot&ers. First% &e an !ake t&ose +&o listen to &i! fearf$l of en,a,in, in "rayer% be a$se t&ey t&ink t&at t&ey +ill be de eived. Se ondly% &e an diss$ade !any fro! a""roa &in, /od +&o% as I &ave said% see t&at )e is so ,ood t&at )e +ill &old inti!ate onverse +it& sinners. .any s$ & so$ls t&ink t&at )e +ill treat t&e! in t&e sa!e +ay% and t&ey are ri,&t= I !yself kno+ ertain "ersons ins"ired in t&is +ay +&o be,an t&e &abit of "rayer and in a s&ort ti!e be a!e tr$ly devo$t and re eived ,reat favo$rs fro! t&e 'ord. T&erefore% sisters% +&en yo$ see so!eone to +&o! t&e 'ord is ,rantin, t&ese favo$rs% "raise )i! fervently% yet do not i!a,ine t&at s&e is safe% b$t aid &er +it& !ore "rayer% for no one an be safe in t&is life a!id t&e en,$lfin, dan,ers of t&is stor!y sea. W&erever t&is love is% t&en% yo$ +ill not fail to re o,ni:e it0 I do not kno+ &o+ it o$ld be on ealed. For t&ey say t&at it is i!"ossible for $s to &ide o$r love even for reat$res% and t&at% t&e !ore +e try to on eal it% t&e !ore learly is it revealed. And yet t&is is so +ort&less t&at it &ardly deserves t&e na!e of love% for it is fo$nded $"on not&in, at all= it is loat&so!e% indeed% to !ake t&is o!"arison. )o+% t&en% o$ld a love like /od>s be on ealed 9 so stron,% so ri,&teo$s% ontin$ally in reasin,% never seein, a$se for easin, to !anifest itself% and restin, $"on t&e fir! fo$ndation of t&e love +&i & is its re+ard@ As to t&e reality of t&is re+ard t&ere an be no do$bt% for it is !anifest in O$r 'ord>s ,reat sorro+s% )is trials% t&e s&eddin, of )is blood and even t&e loss of )is life. Certainly% t&en% t&ere is no do$bt as to t&is love. It is indeed love% and deserves t&at na!e% of +&i & +orldly vanities &ave robbed it. /od &el" !e? )o+ different !$st t&e one love be fro! t&e ot&er to t&ose +&o &ave e*"erien e of bot&? .ay )is .a;esty be "leased to ,rant $s to e*"erien e t&is before )e takes $s fro! t&is life% for it +ill be a ,reat t&in, at t&e &o$r of deat&% +&en +e are ,oin, +e kno+ not +&it&er% to reali:e t&at +e s&all be ;$d,ed by One W&o! +e &ave loved above all t&in,s% and +it& a "assion t&at !akes $s entirely for,et o$rselves. On e o$r debts &ave been "aid +e s&all be able to +alls in safety. We s&all not be ,oin, into a forei,n land% b$t into o$r o+n o$ntry% for it belon,s to )i! W&o! +e &ave loved so tr$ly and W&o )i!self loves $s. For t&is love of )is% besides its ot&er "ro"erties% is better t&an all eart&ly affe tion in t&at% if +e love )i!% +e are <$ite s$re t&at )e loves $s too. Re!e!ber% !y da$,&ters% t&e ,reatness of t&e ,ain +&i & o!es fro! t&is love% and of o$r loss if +e do not "ossess it% for in t&at ase +e s&all be delivered into t&e &ands of

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t&e te!"ter% &ands so r$el and so &ostile to all t&at is ,ood% and so friendly to all t&at is evil. 5 W&at +ill be o!e of t&e "oor so$l +&en it falls into t&ese &ands after e!er,in, fro! all t&e "ains and trials of deat&@ )o+ little rest it +ill &ave? )o+ it +ill be torn as it ,oes do+n to &ell? W&at s+ar!s and varieties of ser"ents it +ill !eet? )o+ dreadf$l is t&at "la e? )o+ !iserable t&at lod,in,? W&y% a "a!"ered "erson Band !ost of t&ose +&o ,o to &ell are t&atC an &ardly bear to s"end a sin,le ni,&t in a bad inn= +&at% t&en% +ill be t&e feelin,s of t&at +ret &ed so$l +&en it is onde!ned to s$ & an inn as t&is and &as to s"end eternity t&ere@ 'et $s not try to "a!"er o$rselves% da$,&ters. We are <$ite +ell off &ere= t&ere is only a sin,le ni,&t for $s to s"end in t&is bad inn. 'et $s "raise /od and strive to do "enan e in t&is life. )o+ s+eet +ill be t&e deat& of t&ose +&o &ave done "enan e for all t&eir sins and &ave not to ,o to "$r,atory? It !ay be t&at t&ey +ill be,in to en;oy ,lory even in t&is +orld% and +ill kno+ no fear% b$t only "ea e. Even if +e do not attain to t&is% sisters% let $s besee & /od t&at% if in d$e o$rse +e !$st s$ffer t&ese "ains% it !ay be +it& a &o"e of e!er,in, fro! t&e!. T&en +e s&all s$ffer t&e! +illin,ly and lose neit&er t&e friends&i" nor t&e ,ra e of /od. .ay )e ,rant $s t&ese in t&is life so t&at +e !ay not $n+ittin,ly fall into te!"tation. 64 CHAPTER 11. Sp!a/" #f t ! f!ar #f G#) a$) #f #% %! 'u"t /!!p #ur"!l(!" fr#' (!$ial "i$". 65 )o+ I &ave enlar,ed on t&is s$b;e t? Yet I &ave not said as !$ & abo$t it as I s&o$ld like0 for it is a deli,&tf$l t&in, to talk abo$t t&is love of /od. W&at% t&en% !$st it be to "ossess it@ .ay t&e 'ord% for )is o+n sake% ,ive it !e? .ay I not de"art fro! t&is life till t&ere is not&in, in it t&at I desire% till I &ave for,otten +&at it is to love anyt&in, b$t T&ee and till I deny t&e na!e of love to any ot&er kind of affe tion 9 for all love is false b$t love of T&ee% and% $nless t&e fo$ndations of a b$ildin, are tr$e% t&e b$ildin, itself +ill not end$re. I do not kno+ +&y it s$r"rises $s to &ear "eo"le say= KSo2and2so &as !ade !e a "oor ret$rn for so!et&in,.K KSo!eone else does not like !e.K I la$,& to !yself +&en I &ear t&at. W&at ot&er sort of ret$rn do yo$ e*"e t &i! to !ake yo$@ And +&y do yo$ e*"e t anyone to like yo$@ T&ese t&in,s +ill s&o+ yo$ +&at t&e +orld is0 yo$r love itself be o!es yo$r "$nis&!ent% and t&e reason +&y yo$ are so $"set abo$t it is t&at yo$r +ill stron,ly resents yo$r involvin, it in s$ & &ildis& "asti!es. 'et $s no+ o!e to t&e fear of /od 9 t&o$,& I a! sorry not to be able to say a little abo$t t&is +orldly love% +&i &% for !y sins% I kno+ +ell and s&o$ld like to a <$aint yo$ +it&% so t&at yo$ !ay free yo$rself fro! it for ever. B$t I a! strayin, fro! !y s$b;e t and s&all &ave to "ass on. T&is fear of /od is anot&er t&in, +it& +&i & t&ose +&o "ossess it and t&ose +&o &ave to do +it& t&e! are very fa!iliar. B$t I s&o$ld like yo$ to reali:e t&at at first it is not very dee"% save in a fe+ "eo"le% to +&o!% as I &ave said% t&e 'ord ,rants s$ & ,reat favo$rs as to !ake t&e! ri & in virt$es and to raise t&e!% in a very s&ort ti!e% to ,reat &ei,&ts of "rayer. It is not re o,ni:able% t&erefore% at first% in everyone. As it in reases% it ,ro+s

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stron,er ea & day% and t&en% of o$rse% it an be re o,ni:ed% for t&ose +&o "ossess it forsake sin% and o asions of sin% and bad o!"any% and ot&er si,ns of it are visible in t&e!. W&en at last t&e so$l attains to onte!"lation% of +&i & +e are &iefly treatin, at t&e !o!ent% its fear of /od is "lainly revealed% and its love is not disse!bled even o$t+ardly. )o+ever narro+ly +e +at & s$ & "ersons% +e s&all not find t&e! ,ro+in, areless0 for% lose as o$r +at & on t&e! !ay be% t&e 'ord so "reserves t&e! t&at t&ey +o$ld not kno+in,ly o!!it one venial sin even to f$rt&er t&eir o+n interests% and% as for !ortal sin% t&ey fear it like fire. T&ese are t&e ill$sions% sisters% +&i & I s&o$ld like yo$ al+ays to fear0 let $s al+ays besee & /od t&at te!"tation !ay not be stron, eno$,& for $s to offend )i! b$t t&at )e !ay send it to $s in "ro"ortion to t&e stren,t& +&i & )e ,ives $s to on<$er it. If +e kee" a "$re ons ien e% +e an s$ffer little or no &ar!. T&at is t&e i!"ortant "oint0 and t&at is t&e fear +&i & I &o"e +ill never be taken fro! $s% for it is t&at fear +&i & +ill stand $s in ,ood stead. O&% +&at a ,reat t&in, it is not to &ave offended t&e 'ord% so t&at t&e servants and slaves of &ell !ay be ke"t $nder ontrol? In t&e end% +&et&er +illin,ly or no% +e s&all all serve )i! 9 t&ey by o!"$lsion and +e +it& o$r +&ole &eart. So t&at% if +e "lease )i!% t&ey +ill be ke"t at bay and +ill do not&in, t&at an &ar! $s% &o+ever !$ & t&ey lead $s into te!"tation and lay se ret snares for $s. Aee" t&is in !ind% for it is very i!"ortant advi e% so do not ne,le t it $ntil yo$ find yo$ &ave s$ & a fi*ed deter!ination not to offend t&e 'ord t&at yo$ +o$ld rat&er lose a t&o$sand lives and be "erse $ted by t&e +&ole +orld% t&an o!!it one !ortal sin% and $ntil yo$ are !ost aref$l not to o!!it venial sins. I a! referrin, no+ to sins o!!itted kno+in,ly= as far as t&ose of t&e ot&er kind are on erned% +&o an fail to o!!it t&e! fre<$ently@ B$t it is one t&in, to o!!it a sin kno+in,ly and after lon, deliberation% and <$ite anot&er to do it so s$ddenly t&at t&e kno+led,e of its bein, a venial sin and its o!!ission are one and t&e sa!e t&in,% and +e &ardly reali:e +&at +e &ave done% alt&o$,& +e do to so!e e*tent reali:e it. Fro! any sin% &o+ever s!all% o!!itted +it& f$ll kno+led,e% !ay /od deliver $s% es"e ially sin e +e are sinnin, a,ainst so ,reat a Soverei,n and reali:in, t&at )e is +at &in, $s? T&at see!s to !e to be a sin o!!itted of !ali e aforet&o$,&t0 it is as t&o$,& one +ere to say= K'ord% alt&o$,& t&is dis"leases T&ee% I s&all do it. I kno+ t&at T&o$ seest it and I kno+ t&at T&o$ +o$ldst not &ave !e do it0 b$t% t&o$,& I $nderstand t&is% I +o$ld rat&er follo+ !y o+n +&i! and desire t&an T&y +ill.K If +e o!!it a sin in t&is +ay% &o+ever sli,&t% it see!s to !e t&at o$r offen e is not s!all b$t very% very ,reat. For t&e love of /od% sisters% never be areless abo$t t&is 9 and% ,lory be to t&e 'ord% yo$ are not so at "resent. If yo$ +o$ld ,ain t&is fear of /od% re!e!ber t&e i!"ortan e of &abit and of startin, to reali:e +&at a serio$s t&in, it is to offend )i!. (o yo$r $t!ost to learn t&is and to t$rn it over in yo$r !inds0 for o$r life% and !$ & !ore t&an o$r life% de"ends $"on t&is virt$e bein, fir!ly "lanted in o$r so$ls. 1ntil yo$ are ons io$s +it&in yo$r so$l of "ossessin, it% yo$ need al+ays to e*er ise very ,reat are and to avoid all o asions of sin and any kind of o!"any +&i & +ill not &el" yo$ to ,et nearer to /od. Be !ost aref$l% in all t&at yo$ do% to bend yo$r +ill to it0 see t&at all yo$ say tends to edifi ation0 flee fro! all "la es +&ere t&ere is onversation +&i & is not "leasin, to /od. .$ & are is needed if t&is fear of /od is to be t&oro$,&ly i!"ressed $"on t&e so$l0 t&o$,&% if one &as tr$e love% it is <$i kly a <$ired. Even +&en t&e so$l

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&as t&at fir! in+ard deter!ination +&i & I &ave des ribed% not to offend /od for t&e sake of any reat$re% or fro! fear of a t&o$sand deat&s% it !ay s$bse<$ently fall fro! ti!e to ti!e% for +e are +eak and annot tr$st o$rselves% and% t&e !ore deter!ined +e are% t&e less self2 onfiden e +e s&o$ld &ave% for onfiden e !$st o!e fro! /od. B$t% +&en +e find o$rselves in t&is state% +e need not feel onstrained or de"ressed% for t&e 'ord +ill &el" $s and t&e &abits +e &ave for!ed +ill be of assistan e to $s so t&at +e s&all not offend )i!0 +e s&all be able to +alk in &oly freedo!% and asso iate +it& anyone% as see!s ri,&t to $s% even +it& dissol$te "eo"le. T&ese +ill do yo$ no &ar!% if yo$ &ate sin. Before +e &ad t&is tr$e fear of /od +orldly "eo"le +o$ld &ave been "oisono$s to $s and +o$ld &ave &el"ed to r$in o$r so$ls0 b$t no+ t&ey +ill often &el" $s to love /od !ore and to "raise )i! for &avin, delivered $s fro! +&at +e see to be a notorio$s dan,er. And +&ereas +e for o$r "art !ay "revio$sly &ave &el"ed to foster t&eir +eaknesses% +e s&all no+ be &el"in, to re"ress t&e!% be a$se t&ey +ill restrain t&e!selves in o$r "resen e% and t&is is a o!"li!ent +&i & t&ey +ill "ay $s +it&o$t o$r desirin, it. I often "raise t&e 'ord Bt&o$,& I also +onder +&y it s&o$ld be soC t&at !erely by &is "resen e% and +it&o$t sayin, a +ord% a servant of /od s&o$ld fre<$ently "revent "eo"le fro! s"eakin, a,ainst )i!. It !ay be as it is in +orldly inter o$rse= a "erson is al+ays s"oken of +it& res"e t% even in &is absen e% before t&ose +&o are kno+n to be &is friends% lest t&ey s&o$ld be offended. Sin e t&is servant of /od is in a state of ,ra e% t&is ,ra e !$st a$se &i! to be res"e ted% &o+ever lo+ly &is station% for "eo"le +ill not distress &i! in a !atter abo$t +&i & t&ey kno+ &i! to feel so stron,ly as ,ivin, offen e to /od. I really do not kno+ t&e reason for t&is b$t I do kno+ t&at it very o!!only &a""ens. (o not be too stri t +it& yo$rselves% t&en% for% if yo$r s"irit be,ins to <$ail% it +ill do ,reat &ar! to +&at is ,ood in yo$ and !ay so!eti!es lead to s r$"$losity% +&i & is a &indran e to "ro,ress bot& in yo$rselves and in ot&ers. Even if t&in,s are not as bad as t&is% a "erson% &o+ever ,ood in &erself% +ill not lead !any so$ls to /od if t&ey see t&at s&e is so stri t and ti!oro$s. )$!an nat$re is s$ & t&at t&ese &ara teristi s +ill fri,&ten and o""ress it and lead "eo"le to avoid t&e road yo$ are takin,% even if t&ey are <$ite lear it is t&e best one. Anot&er so$r e of &ar! is t&is= +e !ay ;$d,e ot&ers $nfavo$rably% t&o$,& t&ey !ay be &olier t&an o$rselves% be a$se t&ey do not +alk as +e do% b$t% in order to "rofit t&eir nei,&bo$rs% talk freely and +it&o$t restraint. Yo$ t&ink s$ & "eo"le are i!"erfe t0 and if t&ey are ,ood and yet at t&e sa!e ti!e of a lively dis"osition% yo$ t&ink t&e! dissol$te. T&is is es"e ially tr$e of t&ose of $s +&o are $nlearned and are not s$re +&at +e an s"eak abo$t +it&o$t o!!ittin, sin. It is a very dan,ero$s state of !ind% leadin, to ,reat $neasiness and to ontin$al te!"tation% be a$se it is $nfair to o$r nei,&bo$r. It is very +ron, to t&ink t&at everyone +&o does not follo+ in yo$r o+n ti!oro$s footste"s &as so!et&in, t&e !atter +it& &er. Anot&er dan,er is t&at% +&en it is yo$r d$ty to s"eak% and ri,&t t&at yo$ s&o$ld s"eak% yo$ !ay not dare to do so lest yo$ say too !$ & and !ay "er&a"s s"eak +ell of t&in,s t&at yo$ o$,&t to &ate. Try% t&en% sisters% to be as "leasant as yo$ an% +it&o$t offendin, /od% and to ,et on as +ell as yo$ an +it& t&ose yo$ &ave to deal +it&% so t&at t&ey !ay like talkin, to yo$ and +ant to follo+ yo$r +ay of life and onversation% and not be fri,&tened and "$t off by virt$e. T&is is very i!"ortant for n$ns= t&e &olier t&ey are% t&e !ore so iable t&ey

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s&o$ld be +it& t&eir sisters. Alt&o$,& yo$ !ay be very sorry if all yo$r sisters> onversation is not ;$st as yo$ +o$ld like it to be% never kee" aloof fro! t&e! if yo$ +is& to &el" t&e! and to &ave t&eir love. We !$st try &ard to be "leasant% and to &$!o$r t&e "eo"le +e deal +it& and !ake t&e! like $s% es"e ially o$r sisters. 5 So try% !y da$,&ters% to bear in !ind t&at /od does not "ay ,reat attention to all t&e triflin, !atters +&i & o $"y yo$% and do not allo+ t&ese t&in,s to !ake yo$r s"irit <$ail and yo$r o$ra,e fade% for if yo$ do t&at yo$ !ay lose !any blessin,s. As I &ave said% let yo$r intention be $"ri,&t and yo$r +ill deter!ined not to offend /od. B$t do not let yo$r so$l d+ell in se l$sion% or% instead of a <$irin, &oliness% yo$ +ill develo" !any i!"erfe tions% +&i & t&e devil +ill i!"lant in yo$ in ot&er +ays% in +&i & ase% as I &ave said% yo$ +ill not do t&e ,ood t&at yo$ !i,&t% eit&er to yo$rselves or to ot&ers. Yo$ see t&at% +it& t&ese t+o t&in,s 9 love and fear of /od 9 +e an travel alon, t&is road in "ea e and <$ietness% and not t&ink at every ste" t&at +e an see so!e "itfall% and t&at +e s&all never rea & o$r ,oal. Yet +e annot be s$re of rea &in, it% so fear +ill al+ays lead t&e +ay% and t&en +e s&all not ,ro+ areless% for% as lon, as +e live% +e !$st never feel o!"letely safe or +e s&all be in ,reat dan,er. And t&at +as o$r Tea &er>s !eanin, +&en at t&e end of t&is "rayer )e said t&ese +ords to )is Fat&er% kno+in, &o+ ne essary t&ey +ere= KB$t deliver $s fro! evil. A!en.K CHAPTER 1+. Tr!at" #f t !"! la"t %#r)" #f t ! Pat!r$#"t!r< =S!) li*!ra $#" a 'al#. A'!$.= =But )!li(!r u" fr#' !(il. A'!$.= 65 I t&ink t&e ,ood #es$s +as ri,&t to ask t&is for )i!self% for +e kno+ &o+ +eary of t&is life )e +as +&en at t&e S$""er )e said to )is A"ostles= KWit& desire I &ave desired to s$" +it& yo$K 9 and t&at +as t&e last s$""er of )is life. Fro! t&is it an be seen &o+ +eary )e !$st &ave been of livin,0 yet no+adays "eo"le are not +eary even at a &$ndred years old% b$t al+ays +ant to live lon,er. It is tr$e% &o+ever% t&at +e do not live so diffi $lt a life or s$ffer s$ & trials or s$ & "overty as )is .a;esty &ad to bear. W&at +as )is +&ole life b$t a ontin$o$s deat&% +it& t&e "i t$re of t&e r$el deat& t&at )e +as to s$ffer al+ays before )is eyes@ And t&is +as t&e least i!"ortant t&in,% +it& so !any offenses bein, o!!itted a,ainst )is Fat&er and s$ & a !$ltit$de of so$ls bein, lost. If to any &$!an bein, f$ll of &arity t&is is a ,reat tor!ent% +&at !$st it &ave been to t&e bo$ndless and !eas$reless &arity of t&e 'ord@ And &o+ ri,&t )e +as to besee & t&e Fat&er to deliver )i! fro! so !any evils and trials and to ,ive )i! rest for ever in )is Ain,do!% of +&i & )e +as t&e tr$e &eir. By t&e +ord KA!en%K as it o!es at t&e end of every "rayer% I $nderstand t&at t&e 'ord is be,,in, t&at +e !ay be delivered fro! all evil for ever. It is $seless% sisters% for $s to t&ink t&at% for so lon, as +e live% +e an be free fro! n$!ero$s te!"tations and i!"erfe tions and even sins0 for it is said t&at +&osoever t&inks &i!self to be +it&o$t sin de eives &i!self% and t&at is tr$e. B$t if +e try to banis& bodily ills and trials 9 and +&o is +it&o$t very !any and vario$s trials of s$ & kinds@ 9 is it not ri,&t t&at +e s&o$ld ask to be delivered fro! sin@

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Still% let $s reali:e t&at +&at +e are askin, &ere 9 t&is deliveran e fro! all evil 9 see!s an i!"ossibility% +&et&er +e are t&inkin, of bodily ills% as I &ave said% or of i!"erfe tions and fa$lts in /od>s servi e. I a! referrin,% not to t&e saints% +&o% as Saint Pa$l said% an do all t&in,s in C&rist b$t to sinners like !yself. W&en I find !yself tra!!elled by +eakness% l$ke+ar!ness% la k of !ortifi ation and !any ot&er t&in,s% I reali:e t&at I !$st be, for &el" fro! t&e 'ord. Yo$% da$,&ters% !$st ask as yo$ t&ink best. Personally% I s&all find no redress in t&is life% so I ask t&e 'ord to deliver !e fro! all evil Kfor ever.K W&at ,ood t&in, s&all +e find in t&is life% sisters% in +&i & +e are de"rived of o$r ,reat /ood and are absent fro! )i!@ (eliver !e% 'ord% fro! t&is s&ado+ of deat&0 deliver !e fro! all t&ese trials0 deliver !e fro! all t&ese "ains0 deliver !e fro! all t&ese &an,es% fro! all t&e for!alities +it& +&i & +e are for ed to o!"ly for as lon, as +e live% fro! all t&e !any% !any% !any t&in,s +&i & +eary and de"ress !e% and t&e en$!eration of all of +&i & +o$ld +eary t&e reader if I +ere to re"eat t&e!. T&is life is $nend$rable. T&e so$r e of !y o+n de"ression !$st be !y o+n +i ked life and t&e reali:ation t&at even no+ I a! not livin, as I s&o$ld% so ,reat are !y obli,ations. I besee & t&e 'ord% t&en% to deliver !e fro! all evil for ever% sin e I annot "ay +&at I o+e% and !ay "er&a"s r$n fart&er into debt ea & day. And t&e &ardest t&in, to bear% 'ord% is t&at I annot kno+ +it& any ertainty if I love T&ee and if !y desires are a e"table in T&y si,&t. O !y /od and 'ord% deliver !e fro! all evil and be "leased to lead !e to t&at "la e +&ere all ,ood t&in,s are to be fo$nd. W&at an be looked for on eart& by t&ose to +&o! T&o$ &ast ,iven so!e kno+led,e of +&at t&e +orld is and t&ose +&o &ave a livin, fait& in +&at t&e Eternal Fat&er &as laid $" for t&e! be a$se )is Son asks it of )i! and tea &es $s to ask )i! for it too@ W&en onte!"latives ask for t&is +it& fervent desire and f$ll deter!ination it is a very lear si,n t&at t&eir onte!"lation is ,en$ine and t&at t&e favo$rs +&i & t&ey re eive in "rayer are fro! /od. 'et t&ose +&o &ave t&ese favo$rs% t&en% "ri:e t&e! &i,&ly. B$t if I !yself !ake t&is re<$est it is not for t&at reason BI !ean% it !$st not be taken as bein, for t&at reasonC0 it is be a$se I a! +earied by so !any trials and be a$se !y life &as been so +i ked t&at I a! afraid of livin, any lon,er. It is not s$r"risin, if t&ose +&o s&are in t&e favo$rs of /od s&o$ld +is& to "ass to a life +&ere t&ey no lon,er en;oy !ere si"s at t&e!= bein, already "artakers in so!e kno+led,e of )is ,reatness% t&ey +o$ld fain see it in its entirety. T&ey &ave no desire to re!ain +&ere t&ere are so !any &indran es to t&e en;oy!ent of so !any blessin,s0 nor t&at t&ey s&o$ld desire to be +&ere t&e S$n of ;$sti e never sets. )en efor+ard all t&e t&in,s t&ey see on eart& see! di! to t&e! and I +onder t&at t&ey an live for even an &o$r. No one an be ontent to do so +&o &as be,$n to en;oy s$ & t&in,s% and &as been ,iven t&e Ain,do! of /od on eart&% and !$st live to do% not &is o+n +ill% b$t t&e +ill of t&e Ain,. O&% far ot&er !$st be t&at life in +&i & +e no lon,er desire deat&? )o+ differently s&all +e t&en in line o$r +ills to+ards t&e +ill of /od? )is +ill is for $s to desire tr$t&% +&ereas +e desire false&ood0 )is +ill is for $s to desire t&e eternal% +&ereas +e "refer t&at +&i & "asses a+ay0 )is +ill is for $s to desire ,reat and s$bli!e t&in,s% +&ereas +e desire t&e base t&in,s of eart&0 )e +o$ld &ave $s desire only +&at is ertain% +&ereas &ere on eart& +e love +&at is do$btf$l. W&at a !o kery it all is% !y da$,&ters%

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$nless +e besee & /od to deliver $s fro! t&ese "erils for ever and to kee" $s fro! all evil? And alt&o$,& o$r desire for t&is !ay not be "erfe t% let $s strive to !ake t&e "etition. W&at does it ost $s to ask it% sin e +e ask it of One W&o is so "o+erf$l@ It +o$ld be ins$ltin, a ,reat e!"eror to ask &i! for a fart&in,. Sin e +e &ave already ,iven )i! o$r +ill% let $s leave t&e ,ivin, to )is +ill% so t&at +e !ay be t&e !ore s$rely &eard0 and !ay )is na!e be for ever &allo+ed in t&e )eavens and on t&e eart& and !ay )is +ill be ever done in !e. A!en. Yo$ see no+% friends% +&at is !eant by "erfe tion in vo al "rayer% in +&i & +e onsider and kno+ to W&o! t&e "rayer is bein, !ade% W&o is !akin, it and +&at is its ob;e t. W&en yo$ are told t&at it is not ,ood for yo$ to "ra tise any b$t vo al "rayer% do not be dis o$ra,ed% b$t read t&is +it& ,reat are and be, /od to e*"lain to yo$ anyt&in, abo$t "rayer +&i & yo$ annot $nderstand. For no one an de"rive yo$ of vo al "rayer or !ake yo$ say t&e Paternoster &$rriedly% +it&o$t $nderstandin, it. If anyone tries to do so% or advises yo$ to ,ive $" yo$r "rayer% take no noti e of &i!. Yo$ !ay be s$re &e is a false "ro"&et0 and in t&ese days% re!e!ber% yo$ !$st not believe everyone% for% t&o$,& yo$ !ay be told no+ t&at yo$ &ave not&in, to fear% yo$ do not kno+ +&at is in store for yo$. I &ad intended% as +ell as sayin, t&is% to talk to yo$ a little abo$t &o+ yo$ s&o$ld say t&e Ave .aria% b$t I &ave +ritten at s$ & len,t& t&at t&at +ill &ave to be left over. If yo$ &ave learned &o+ to say t&e Paternoster +ell% yo$ +ill kno+ eno$,& to enable yo$ to say all t&e ot&er vo al "rayers yo$ !ay &ave to re ite. No+ let $s ,o ba k and finis& t&e ;o$rney +&i & I &ave been des ribin,% for t&e 'ord see!s to &ave been savin, !e labo$r by tea &in, bot& yo$ and !e t&e Way +&i & I be,an to o$tline to yo$ and by s&o+in, !e &o+ !$ & +e ask for +&en +e re"eat t&is evan,eli al "rayer. .ay )e be for ever blessed% for it &ad ertainly never entered !y !ind t&at t&ere +ere s$ & ,reat se rets in it. Yo$ &ave no+ seen t&at it o!"rises t&e +&ole s"irit$al road% ri,&t fro! t&e be,innin,% $ntil /od absorbs t&e so$l and ,ives it to drink ab$ndantly of t&e fo$ntain of livin, +ater +&i & I told yo$ +as at t&e end of t&e road. It see!s% sisters% t&at t&e 'ord>s +ill &as been to tea & $s +&at ,reat onsolation is o!"rised in it% and t&is is a ,reat advanta,e to t&ose +&o annot read. If t&ey $nderstood t&is "rayer% t&ey o$ld derive a ,reat deal of so$nd instr$ tion fro! it and +o$ld find it a real o!fort. O$r books !ay be taken fro! $s% b$t t&is is a book +&i & no one an take a+ay% and it o!es fro! t&e li"s of t&e Tr$t& )i!self% W&o annot err. As +e re"eat t&e Paternoster so !any ti!es daily% t&en% as I &ave said% let $s deli,&t in it and strive to learn fro! so e* ellent a .aster t&e &$!ility +it& +&i & )e "rays% and all t&e ot&er t&in,s t&at &ave been des ribed. .ay )is .a;esty for,ive !e for &avin, dared to s"eak of s$ & &i,& !atters. Well does )is .a;esty kno+ t&at I s&o$ld not &ave vent$red to do so% and t&at !y $nderstandin, +o$ld not &ave been a"able of it% &ad )e not ta$,&t !e +&at I &ave said. /ive t&anks to )i! for t&is% sisters% for )e !$st &ave done it be a$se of t&e &$!ility +it& +&i & yo$ asked !e to +rite it for yo$ in yo$r desire to be instr$ ted by one so $n+ort&y. Well% sisters% O$r 'ord see!s not to +ant !e to +rite any !ore% for% alt&o$,& I &ad intended to ,o on% I an t&ink of not&in, to say. T&e 'ord &as s&o+n yo$ t&e road and &as ta$,&t !e +&at I +rote in t&e book +&i &% as I say% I &ave already +ritten. T&is tells yo$ &o+ to ond$ t yo$rselves on rea &in, t&is fo$nt of livin, +ater and +&at t&e so$l

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e*"erien es +&en t&ere% and &o+ /od satiates it and takes a+ay its t&irst for eart&ly t&in,s% and !akes it ,ro+ in t&in,s "ertainin, to /od>s servi e. T&is +ill be very &el"f$l to t&ose +&o &ave rea &ed t&e fo$nt% and +ill ,ive t&e! a ,reat deal of li,&t. 5 Before yo$ see t&is book I s&all ,ive it to !y onfessor% Fat&er Presentado (o!in,o BaMe: of t&e Order of Saint (o!ini . If &e t&inks yo$ +ill benefit by it% and ,ives it yo$ to read% and if yo$ find it of any o!fort% I% too% s&all be o!forted. If &e ,ives yo$ t&is book% &e +ill ,ive yo$ t&e ot&er as +ell. S&o$ld it be fo$nd $ns$itable for anyone to read% yo$ !$st take t&e +ill for t&e deed% as I &ave obeyed yo$r o!!and by +ritin, it. I onsider !yself +ell re"aid for !y labo$r in +ritin,% t&o$,& it &as ertainly been no labo$r to !e to t&ink abo$t +&at I &ave been ,oin, to say% as t&e 'ord &as ta$,&t !e t&e se rets of t&is evan,eli al "rayer% +&i & &as been a ,reat o!fort to !e. Blessed and "raised be t&e 'ord% fro! W&o! o!es all t&e ,ood t&at +e s"eak and t&ink and do. A!en.

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