,,thoughts ,,of ,,the ,,servant ,,of ,,god ,,th,r,,se ,,of ,,the ,,child ,,jesus ,nihil ,obstat ,,remigius ,,lafort1 ,s4 ,t4 ,d4 ,censor ,imprimatur ,,john ,,cardinal ,,farley ,archbishop of ,new ,york ,,new ,,york1 ,october #bb1 #aiae ,illustration3 ,,the ,,servant ,,of ,,god ,,th,r,,se ,,of ,,the ,,child ,,jesus ,the ,little ,flower of ,jesus ,,thoughts ,,of ,,the ,,servant ,,of ,,god ,,th,r,,se ,,of ,,the ,,child ,,jesus ,,the ,,little ,,flower ,,of ,,jesus ,,carmelite ,,of ,,the ,,monastery ,,of ,,lisieux1 #ahgc-ahig ,,translated ,,from ,,the ,,french 8,,pens,,es0 ,,by ,,an ,,irish ,,carmelite ,illustration ,,new ,,york ,,published ,,by ,p4 ,j4 ,,kenedy ,,sons #aiae ,,copyright1 #aiae ,,by ,p4 ,j4 ,,kenedy ,,sons ,,the ,,plimpton ,,press ,,norwood ,,mass ,u,s,a ,,to 8,,petite ,,th,r,,se0 ,,and ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,a ,,little ,,tribute ,,of ,,reverent ,,and ,,loving ,,gratitude ,,from ,,carmel ,,of ,,kilmacud ,june #i1 #aiad ,,contents ,,page ,,love ,,of ,,god #c ,,love ,,of ,,our ,,neighbour #cj ,,faith #dj ,,hope #dd ,,humility #ej ,,detachment #ga ,,mortification #hb ,,obedience #ie ,,poverty #ig ,,confidence #ajj ,,self-,,abandonment #aae ,,gratitude #abd ,,zeal #acj ,,simplicity #acf ,,prayer #adg ,,holy ,,communion #aeg ,,suffering #afb ,,the ,,direction ,,of ,,souls #ahj ,,the ,,blessed ,,virgin #ahh ,,various ,,subjects #aij ,,prayer ,,for ,,the ,,beatification ,,of ,,the ,,servant ,,of ,,god #baa ,,thoughts ,,of ,,the ,,servant ,,of ,,god ,,th,r,,se ,,of ,,the ,,child ,,jesus ,illustration ,,love ,,of ,,god ,jesus6444 ,i would so love ,him6 ,love ,him as never yet ,he has been loved4444 ,,iv ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus 7,her sister ,pauline47 ,the science of love6 ,sweet is the echo of that word to the ear of my soul4 ,i desire no other science4 ,having given all my substance for it1 like the spouse in the ,canticles1 ,i think that ,i have given nothing4#a ,,histoire ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,without love1 deeds1 even the most brilliant1 count as nothing4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,one evening1 at a loss for words to tell ,jesus how ,i loved ,him and how much ,i wished that ,he might be everywhere served and glorified1 ,i reflected with pain that not one act of love would ever mount upwards from out of the depths of hell4 ,then ,i cried out that willingly would ,i consent to see myself plunged into that place of torment and blasphemy1 in order that ,he might be loved there eternally4 ,that could not really glorify ,him since ,he desires only our happiness1 but love makes one want to say a thousand foolish things4 ,if ,i spoke thus1 it was not that ,i did not long for heaven2 but then1 my heaven was none other than ,love1 and in my fervour ,i felt that nothing could separate me from the ,divine object of my love4444 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,v ,seeing the eternal recompense so disproportionate to the trifling sacrifices of this life1 ,i longed to love ,jesus1 to love ,him ardently1 to give ,him a thousand proofs of tenderness while yet ,i could do so4444 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,v ,the love of ,god reveals itself in the very simplest soul who resists ,his grace in nothing1 as well as in the most sublime4 ,indeed1 the characteristic of love being to humble itself1 if all souls resembled those of the holy ,doctors who have enlightened the ,church1 the good ,god would not seem to descend low enough in coming to them4 ,but ,he has created the infant who knows nothing and can only wail2 ,he has created the poor savage who has but the natural law for guidance1 and it is even unto their hearts that ,he deigns to stoop4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,i ,in order that ,love may be fully satisfied it must needs stoop to very nothingness and transform that nothing into fire4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,in times of aridity when ,i am incapable of praying1 of practising virtue1 ,i seek little opportunities1 mere trifles1 to give pleasure to ,jesus2 for instance a smile1 a pleasant word when inclined to be silent and to show weariness4 ,if ,i find no opportunities1 ,i at least tell ,him again and again that ,i love ,him2 that is not difficult and it keeps alive the fire in my heart4 ,even though this fire of love might seem to me extinct ,i would still throw little straws upon the embers and ,i am certain it would rekindle4 ,,xvi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,on the day of my conversion ,charity entered into my heart and with it a yearning to forget self always2 thenceforward ,i was happy4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,v ,i do not will that creatures should possess a single atom of my love2 ,i wish to give all to ,jesus1 since ,he makes me understand that ,he alone is perfect happiness4 ,all shall be for ,him1 all6 ,and even when ,i have nothing to offer ,him ,i will give ,him that nothing4 ,,ii ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,our ,lord is more tender than a mother1 and well do ,i know more than one maternal heart6 ,i know a mother is ever ready to forgive the little involuntary failings of her child4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,i know of one means only by which to attain to perfection3 ,,love4 ,let us love1 since our heart is made for nothing else4 ,sometimes ,i seek another word to express ,love1 but in this land of exile the word which begins and ends#b is quite incapable of rendering the vibrations of the soul2 we must then adhere to this simple and only word3 ,,to ,,love4 ,but on whom shall our poor heart lavish its love8 ,who shall be found that is great enough to be the recipient of its treasures8 ,will a human being know how to comprehend them1 and above all will he be able to repay8 ,there exists but one ,being capable of comprehending love2 it is ,jesus2 ,he alone can give us back infinitely more than we shall ever give to ,him4 ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,cousin ,,marie ,,gu,,rin ,there is one ,,only ,,thing to do here below3 to love ,jesus1 to win souls for ,him so that ,he may be loved4 ,let us seize with jealous care every least opportunity of self-sacrifice4 ,let us refuse ,him nothing--,he does so want our love6 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,when we really love1 we rejoice in the happiness of the loved one and make every sacrifice to procure it for him4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,true love is nourished by sacrifice1 and the more the soul denies itself natural satisfactions1 the stronger and the more disinterested becomes its tenderness4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,the good ,god does not need years to accomplish ,his work of love in a soul2 one ray from ,his ,heart can1 in an instant1 make ,his flower bloom for eternity4444 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,love can supply for length of years4 ,jesus1 because ,he is ,eternal1 regards not the time but only the love4 ,v ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,i desire no sensible consolation in loving2 provided ,jesus feel my love that is enough for me4 ,oh6 to love ,him and to make ,him loved 444 how sweet it is4444 ,v ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,o ,jesus1 ,i ask of ,thee only ,peace6444 ,peace1 and above all ,,love--love without bound or limit4 ,jesus1 let me for ,thy sake die a martyr2 give me martyrdom of soul or body4 ,ah6 rather give me both the one and the other6 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,i have no longer any desire unless it be to love ,jesus even to folly6 ,yes1 ,,love it is that draws me4 ,i can say these words of the canticle of our ,father1 ,st4 ,john of the ,cross3 ,in the inmost cellar ,of my ,beloved have ,i drunk2 and when ,i went forth ,over all the plain ,i knew nothing1 ,and lost the flock ,i followed before4 ,my soul is occupied ,and all my substance in ,his service2 ,now ,i guard no flock1 ,nor have ,i any other employment3 ,my sole occupation is love4 7,spiritual ,canticle1 ,trans4 ,d4 ,lewis47 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,oh6 if souls weak and imperfect as mine1 felt what ,i feel1 not one would despair of reaching the summit of the mountain of ,love1 since ,jesus does not demand from us great deeds1 but only self-surrender and gratitude4 ,i have no need1 saith ,he1 of the goats of thy flocks4444 ,if ,i were hungry ,i would not tell thee4444 ,offer unto ,god the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving4#c ,see then1 all that ,jesus asks of us6 ,he has not need of our works but only of our love4 ,this very ,god who declares that ,he needs not to tell us if ,he were hungry1 did not hesitate to beg of the ,samaritan woman a little water4444 ,he thirsted666 ,but in saying3 8,give me to drink10#d it was the love of ,his poor creature that the ,creator of the universe besought4 ,he thirsted for ,love6 ,and now1 more than ever is ,jesus athirst4 ,he meets with none but the ungrateful and the indifferent among the disciples of the world2 and amongst ,his own disciples ,he finds1 alas6 very few hearts that surrender themselves without any reserve to the tenderness of ,his infinite ,love4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,since ever ,i have known ,love's mighty power ,thus hath it wrought its work within my soul-- ,whate'er it findeth there1 or good or ill1 ,it turneth all to gain2 its living flame ,transforms my soul into its very self4#e ,how sweet is the way of ,love6 ,true1 one may fall1 one may not be always faithful1 but ,love1 knowing how to draw profit from all1 very quickly consumes whatsoever may displease ,jesus1 leaving naught but humble and profound peace in the innermost soul4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,thinking one day of those who offer themselves as victims to the ,justice of ,god in order to turn aside the punishment reserved for sinners by taking it upon themselves1 ,i felt this offering to be noble and generous1 but ,i was far from feeling moved to make it4 8,o my ,divine ,master10 ,i cried in the depths of my heart1 8shall ,thy ,justice alone receive victims of holocaust8 ,has not ,thy ,merciful ,love also need of them8 ,on all sides it is ignored1 rejected 444 the hearts on which ,thou wouldst lavish it turn to creatures1 seeking happiness in miserable and fleeting affections instead of casting themselves into ,thine arms1 into the ineffable furnace of ,thine ,infinite ,love4 8,o my ,god1 must ,thy ,love--disdained--remain within ,thy ,heart8 ,methinks that if ,thou shouldst find souls offering themselves as victims of holocaust to ,thy ,love1 ,thou wouldst consume them rapidly2 that ,thou wouldst be glad not to restrict the flames of infinite tenderness pent up within ,thee4 8,if ,thy ,justice--the ,justice which ,thou dost exercise on earth--be pleased to find voluntary victims on which to discharge its weight1 how much the more must ,thy ,merciful ,love also desire its victims1 since ,thy ,mercy reacheth even to heaven4#f 8,o ,jesus1 that happily ,i may be that holocaust consume ,thy little victim in the fire of ,divine ,love40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,ah6 since that day love penetrates me and surrounds me2 this ,merciful ,love each moment renews and purifies me1 leaving in my heart no trace of sin4 ,no1 ,i cannot fear ,purgatory2 ,i know that ,i do not merit even to enter with the ,holy ,souls into that place of expiation1 but ,i know too that the fire of ,love is more sanctifying than the fire of ,purgatory1 ,i know that ,jesus cannot will needless suffering for us1 and that ,he would not inspire me with the desires ,i feel if ,he were unwilling to fulfil them4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,to offer oneself as a ,victim to ,divine ,love is not to offer oneself to sweetness--to consolation2 but to every anguish1 every bitterness1 for ,love lives only by sacrifice2 and the more a soul wills to be surrendered to ,love1 the more must she be surrendered to suffering4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,in order to love ,jesus1 to be ,his victim of love1 the more weak and miserable we are1 the more fitting are we for the operations of this consuming and transforming ,love4444 ,the sole desire to be victim suffices2 but we must consent to remain always poor and without strength1 and there lies the difficulty1 for where shall be found the truly poor in spirit8 ,he must be sought afar off1#g saith the author of the ,imitation4444 ,he did not say that we must seek him amongst great souls1 but afar off1 that is to say in lowliness1 in nothingness4444 ,oh6 let us keep afar off from all that glitters1 let us love our littleness1 and be satisfied to feel nothing1 then shall we be truly poor in spirit1 and ,jesus will come to seek us how far soever we may be2 ,he will transform us into flames of ,love6444 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,s,,ur ,,marie ,,du ,,sacr-,c,,ur 7,her sister ,marie47 ,to be truly a ,victim of ,love requires absolute self-surrender4 ,the soul is consumed by ,love only in so far as she surrenders herself to ,love4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,it appears to me that for ,victims of ,love there will be no judgment1 but rather1 that the good ,god will hasten to recompense with eternal delights ,his own ,love1 which ,he will see burning in their hearts4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,at any cost ,i will cull the palm of ,saint ,agnes2 if not by shedding my blood then it must be by ,love4444 ,,iv ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,o my ,god1 ,thou knowest ,i have never desired but to love ,thee alone4 ,i seek no other glory4 ,thy ,love has gone before me from my childhood1 it has grown with my growth1 and now it is an abyss the depths of which ,i cannot fathom4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,love attracts love1 mine rushes forth unto ,thee1 it would fain fill up the abyss which attracts it2 but alas6 it is not even as one drop of dew lost in the ,ocean4 ,to love ,thee as ,thou lovest me ,i must borrow ,thy very love--then only1 can ,i find rest4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,just as a torrent sweeps along with it unto the depths of the sea whatsoever it encounters on its course1 even so1 my ,jesus1 does the soul which plunges into the boundless ocean of ,thy ,love draw after her all her treasures4 ,lord1 ,thou knowest that for me these treasures are the souls it has pleased ,thee to unite to mine4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,charity gave me the key to my vocation4 ,i understood that the ,church being a body composed of different members1 the most essential1 the most noble of all the organs would not be wanting to her2 ,i understood that the ,church has a heart and that this heart is burning with love2 that it is love alone which makes the members work1 that if love were to die away apostles would no longer preach the ,gospel1 martyrs would refuse to shed their blood4 ,i understood that love comprises all vocations1 that love is everything1 that it embraces all times and all places because it is eternal6 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,o my ,well-,beloved6 ,i understand to what combats ,thou hast destined me2 it is not on the battle field that ,i shall fight4444 ,i am prisoner of ,thy ,love2 freely have ,i riveted the chain which unites me to ,thee and separates me for ever from the world4 ,my sword is ,,love2 with it ,i shall chase the stranger from the kingdom1 ,i shall make ,thee to be proclaimed ,king in the souls of men4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,appendix ,love6444 that is what ,i ask4444 ,i know but one thing now--to love ,thee1 ,o ,jesus6 ,glorious deeds are not for me1 ,i cannot preach the ,gospel1 shed my blood 444 what does it matter8 ,my brothers toil instead of me1 and ,i1 the little child1 ,i keep quite close to the royal throne1 ,i love for those who fight4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,how shall ,i show my love since love is proved by deeds8 ,well1--the little child will strew flowers 444 she will embalm the ,divine ,throne with their fragrance1 will sing with silvery voice the canticle of love4 ,yes1 my ,beloved1 it is thus that my life's brief day shall be spent before ,thee4 ,no other means have ,i of proving my love than to strew flowers2 that is1 to let no little sacrifice escape me1 not a look1 not a word1 to avail of the very least actions and do them for ,love4 ,i wish to suffer for ,love's sake and for ,love's sake even to rejoice2 thus shall ,i strew flowers4 ,not one shall ,i find without shedding its petals for ,thee 444 and then ,i will sing1 ,i will always sing1 even if ,i must gather my roses in the very midst of thorns--and the longer and sharper the thorns the sweeter shall be my song4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,sur ,thrse de l',enfant ,jsus often spoke of a well-known toy with which in childhood's days she had amused herself3 a kaleidoscope2 in form somewhat like a small telescope2 on looking through1 one sees an endless succession of pretty and many-coloured designs1 varying at each turn of the kaleidoscope4 8,this toy10 she said1 8aroused my admiration and ,i used to wonder what could produce so pleasing a phenomenon2 when one day1 after serious examination1 ,i saw there were simply a few tiny scraps of paper and of wool cut no matter how1 and thrown here and there4 ,i pursued my investigation and discovered three mirrors inside the tube3 ,i had there the key to the problem4 8,this was for me the image of a great mystery4 ,as long as our actions1 even the least of them1 remain within the focus of ,love1 the ,blessed ,trinity1 which is figured by the three mirrors1 reflects them1 and endows them with a wondrous beauty4 ,jesus1 looking at us through the little lens1 that is to say1 as it were through ,himself1 finds all our actions pleasing to ,him4 ,but if we leave the ineffable centre of ,love1 what will ,he see8 ,mere straws 444 actions sullied and nothing worth40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,this little prayer which includes all my desires ,i ask you to say for me each day3 8,merciful ,father1 in the name of ,thy sweet ,jesus1 of the ,blessed ,virgin and of the ,saints1 ,i pray ,thee that my sister be fired with ,thy spirit of love1 and that ,thou wilt grant her the grace to make ,thee greatly loved40 ,if ,god should take me soon to ,himself1 ,i ask you to continue each day this same prayer1 for in ,heaven my desire will be the same as upon earth2 to love ,jesus and to make ,him loved4 ,,iii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,she was looking at the sky one day when some one remarked to her3 8,very soon you will dwell beyond the blue sky2 with what love you contemplate it60 ,she merely smiled1 but afterwards said to the ,mother ,prioress3 8,mother1 our ,sisters little know what ,i suffer6 ,looking at the blue sky ,i was thinking only of the beauty of the material heavens2 the other is more and more closed to me4444 ,i was at first distressed by that remark1 then an interior voice answered3 #8,yes1 through love thou didst look at the heavens4 ,since thy soul is wholly consecrated to ,love1 all thy actions1 even the most indifferent1 bear the impress of this divine seal4' ,i was instantly consoled40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,until two days before her death she wished to be alone at night1 however1 notwithstanding her entreaties1 the ,infirmarian used to rise several times to visit her4 ,on one occasion she found our little invalid with hands clasped and eyes raised to ,heaven4 8,but what are you doing80 she asked2 8you should try to sleep40 8,i cannot1 dear ,sister1 ,i suffer too much6 then ,i pray44440 8,and what do you say to ,jesus80 8,i say nothing1 ,i love ,him60 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,a sister was speaking to her of the happiness of ,heaven3 ,thrse interrupted1 saying3 8,it is not that which attracts me44440 8,what is it then80 8,oh6 it is ,,love6 ,to love1 to be beloved1 and to come back to earth to make ,,love loved40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,love alone have ,i ever given to the good ,god1 with love ,he will repay me4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,all that ,i have written regarding my desire of suffering is most true2 oh6 ,i do not repent of having surrendered myself to ,love4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,jesus6 ,jesus6 if it be so sweet to desire ,thy ,love1 what will it be to possess and to enjoy it for ever6 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,o ,jesus6 could ,i but tell all little souls of ,thine ineffable condescension6444 ,i feel that if it were possible to find one more weak than mine ,thou wouldst take delight in showering upon her greater favours still1 provided that she abandoned herself with entire confidence to ,thine ,infinite ,mercy4 ,but why these desires1 ,o my ,beloved1 to impart the secrets of ,thy ,love8 ,is it not ,thyself alone ,who hast made them known to me and canst ,thou not reveal them to others8 ,yes1 ,i know it and ,i implore ,thee to do so3 ,i beseech ,thee to let ,thy divine gaze rest upon an immense number of little souls1 ,i beseech ,thee to choose in this world a ,legion of little victims worthy of ,thy ,love6 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,her last words--looking at her crucifix3 8,,oh6444 ,i ,,love ,,him6444 ,,my ,,god1 ,i 444 ,,love 444 ,,thee6660 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,o my ,god1 ,most ,blessed ,trinity1 ,i desire to love ,thee and to make ,thee loved1 to labour for the glory of ,holy ,church by saving souls still on earth and by delivering those who suffer in purgatory4 ,i desire to accomplish ,thy ,will perfectly1 and to attain to the degree of glory which ,thou hast prepared for me in ,thy ,kingdom1 in one word1 ,i desire to be a saint1 but ,i know that ,i am powerless1 and ,i implore ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 to be ,thyself my sanctity4 ,since ,thou hast so loved me as to give me ,thine only ,son to be my ,saviour and my ,spouse1 the infinite treasures of ,his merits are mine1 to ,thee ,i offer them with joy1 beseeching ,thee to see me only as in the ,face of ,jesus and in ,his ,heart burning with ,love4 ,again1 ,i offer ,thee all the merits of the ,saints--in ,heaven and on earth--their acts of love and those of the holy ,angels2 and finally ,i offer ,thee1 ,o ,blessed ,trinity1 the love and the merits of the ,holy ,virgin1 my most dear ,mother2 it is to her ,i entrust my oblation1 begging her to present it to ,thee4 ,her ,divine ,son1 my well-beloved ,spouse1 during ,his life on earth1 told us3 8,if you ask the ,father anything in ,my ,name ,he will give it to you40#h ,i am then certain that ,thou wilt hearken to my desires4444 ,my ,god1 ,i know it1 the more ,thou willest to give the more dost ,thou make us desire4 ,immense are the desires that ,i feel within my heart1 and it is with confidence that ,i call upon ,thee to come and take possession of my soul4 ,i cannot receive ,thee in ,holy ,communion as often as ,i would2 but1 ,lord1 art ,thou not ,almighty8444 ,remain in me as in the ,tabernacle--never leave ,thy little ,victim4 ,i long to console ,thee for the ingratitude of the wicked and ,i pray ,thee take from me the liberty to displease ,thee6 ,if through frailty ,i fall sometimes1 may ,thy ,divine glance purify my soul immediately1 consuming every imperfection--like to fire which transforms all things into itself4 ,i thank ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 for all the graces ,thou hast bestowed on me1 and particularly for making me pass through the crucible of suffering4 ,it is with joy ,i shall behold ,thee on the ,last ,day bearing ,thy sceptre--the ,cross2 since ,thou hast deigned to give me for my portion this most precious ,cross1 ,i have hope of resembling ,thee in ,heaven and seeing the sacred stigmata of ,thy ,passion shine in my glorified body4 ,after exile on earth ,i hope to enjoy the possession of ,thee in our eternal ,fatherland1 but ,i have no wish to amass merits for ,heaven1 ,i will work for ,thy ,love alone1 my sole aim being to give ,thee pleasure1 to console ,thy ,sacred ,heart1 and to save souls who will love ,thee for ever4 ,at the close of life's evening ,i shall appear before ,thee with empty hands1 for ,i ask not1 ,lord1 that ,thou wouldst count my works4444 ,all our justice is tarnished in ,thy sight4 ,it is therefore my desire to be clothed with ,thine own ,justice and to receive from ,thy ,love the eternal possession of ,thyself4 ,i crave no other ,throne nor other ,crown but ,thee1 ,o my ,beloved6444 ,in ,thy sight time is nothing1 one day is as a thousand years4#i ,thou canst in an instant prepare me to appear before ,thee4 ,that ,i may live in one ,act of perfect ,love1 ,i ,,offer ,,myself ,,as ,a ,,victim ,,of ,,holocaust ,,to ,,thy ,,merciful ,,love1 imploring ,thee to consume me without ceasing1 and to let the tide of infinite tenderness pent up in ,thee1 overflow into my soul1 that so ,i may become a very martyr of ,thy ,love1 ,o my ,god6 ,may this martyrdom1 having first prepared me to appear before ,thee1 break life's thread at last1 and may my soul take its flight1 unretarded1 into the eternal embrace of ,thy ,merciful ,love4 ,i desire1 ,o ,well-,beloved1 at every heart-beat to renew this ,oblation an infinite number of times1 till the shadows retire#aj and ,i can tell ,thee my love eternally face to face6 ,signed ,,marie-,,fran,,oise-,,th,r,,se ,,de ,l',,enfant ,j,,sus ,,et ,,de ,,la ,,sainte ,,face ,rel4 ,carm4 ind4 ,feast of ,the ,most ,holy ,trinity4 ,the #ith of ,june in the year of grace1 #ahie4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,cant41 viii1 #g4 #b ,st4 ,augustine4 #c ,cf4 ,ps4 xlix1 #i1 #ab1 #ad4 #d ,john1 iv1 #g4 #e ,st4 ,john of the ,cross4 #f ,cf4 ,ps4 xxxv1 #f4 #g ,cf4 ,imit41 ,,ii1 xi1 #d4 #h ,john1 xvi1 #bc4 #i ,cf4 ,ps4 lxxxix1 #d4 #aj ,cant41 iv1 #f4 ,illustration ,,love ,,of ,,our ,,neighbour ,there are moments when we are so wretched within1 that we must needs hurry away from ourselves4 ,the good ,god does not oblige us to remain at such times in our own company2 indeed ,he often permits that it should be displeasing to us just that we may leave it4 ,and ,i see no other means of going out of ourselves than by going to visit ,jesus and ,mary1 that is1 hastening to deeds of charity4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,i applied myself above all to practise quite hidden little acts of virtue2 thus ,i liked to fold the mantles forgotten by the ,sisters1 and sought a thousand opportunities of rendering them service4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vii ,had ,i been rich ,i never could have borne to see a poor person hungry without giving him to eat4 ,it is the same in my spiritual life3 knowing there are souls on the point of falling into ,hell1 ,i give them my treasures according as ,i earn anything1 and ,i have never yet found a moment to say3 8,now ,i am going to work for myself40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,i feel that when ,i am charitable it is ,jesus alone who acts in me2 the more ,i am united to ,him the more do ,i love all my ,sisters4 ,if1 when ,i desire to increase this love in my heart1 the demon tries to set before my eyes the faults of one or other of the ,sisters1 ,i hasten to call to mind her virtues1 her good desires2 ,i say to myself that if ,i have seen her fall once1 she may well have gained many victories which she conceals through humility2 and that even what appears to me a fault may in truth be an act of virtue by reason of the intention4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,true ,charity consists in bearing with all the defects of our neighbour1 in not being surprised at his failings1 and in being edified by his least virtues2 ,charity must not remain shut up in the depths of the heart1 for no man lighteth a candle and putteth it under a bushel1 but upon a candlestick1 that it may shine to all that are in the house4#aa ,it seems to me that this candle represents the ,charity which ought to enlighten and make joyful1 not only those who are dearest to me1 but all who are in the house4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,there is no artist who does not like his work praised1 and the ,divine ,artist of souls is pleased when we do not stop at the exterior1 but penetrating even to the inmost sanctuary which ,he has chosen for ,his dwelling1 we admire its beauty4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,i ought to seek the company of those ,sisters who according to nature please me least4 ,i ought to fulfil in their regard the office of the ,good ,samaritan4 ,a word1 a kindly smile1 will often suffice to gladden a wounded and sorrowful heart4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,oh6 what peace inundates the soul when she rises above natural sentiment4 ,no joy can compare with that known to one who is truly poor in spirit4 ,if he ask with detachment for some necessary thing1 and it is not only refused him1 but an attempt made besides to deprive him of what he already has1 he follows the counsel of our ,lord3 8,and if a man will contend with thee in judgment and take away thy coat1 let go thy cloak also unto him40#ab ,to yield up our cloak means1 ,i think1 to renounce our last rights1 to consider oneself as the servant1 the slave of others4 ,when we have abandoned our mantle it is easier to walk1 to run2 therefore ,jesus adds3 8,and whosoever will force thee one mile1 go with him other two40#ac ,it is not enough that ,i should give to whosoever may ask of me1 ,i must forestall their desires1 and show that ,i feel much gratified1 much honoured in rendering service2 and if they take a thing that ,i use1 ,i must seem as though glad to be relieved of it4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,if it is hard to give to whoever asks1 it is still harder to let what belongs to us be taken1 without asking it back1 or rather1 ,i ought to say it seems hard2 for the yoke of the ,lord is sweet and light3#ad when we accept it we feel its sweetness immediately4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,when ,charity is deeply rooted in the soul it shows itself exteriorly3 there is so gracious a way of refusing what we cannot give1 that the refusal pleases as much as the gift4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,to want to persuade our ,sisters that they are in the wrong1 even when it is perfectly true1 is hardly fair1 as we are not responsible for their guidance4 ,we must not be ,justices of the peace1 but only angels of peace4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,jesus wills that we give alms to ,him as to one poor and needy4 ,he puts ,himself as it were at our mercy2 ,he will take nothing but what we give ,him from our heart1 and the very least trifle is precious in ,his sight4 ,he stretches forth ,his ,hand1 this sweet ,saviour1 to receive of us a little love1 so that in the radiant day of ,judgment ,he may be able to address to us those ineffable words3 8,come1 ye blessed of ,my ,father2 for ,i was hungry1 and you gave ,me to eat2 ,i was thirsty1 and you gave ,me to drink2 ,i was a stranger1 and you took ,me in2 sick and you visited ,me2 ,i was in prison1 and you came to ,me40#ae ,,xv ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,if ,i were still to live1 the office of ,infirmarian is the one which would please me most4 ,i would not ask for it1 but if it came direct by obedience ,i should think myself highly privileged4 ,it seems to me that ,i would discharge its duties with a tender love1 thinking always of our ,saviour saying3 8,i was sick and you visited me40#af ,the ,infirmary bell should be for you as ,heavenly music4 ,you ought purposely to pass along beneath the windows of the sick to give them facility in calling you and asking your services4 ,ought you not to consider yourself like a little slave whom everyone has a right to command8 ,if you could but see the ,angels who from the heights of ,heaven watch you battling in the arena6 ,they await the end of the combat to cover you with flowers and wreaths4 ,the good ,god does not disdain these combats1 unknown and therefore all the more meritorious4 8,the patient man is better than the valiant1 and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities40#ag ,by our little acts of charity practised in the shade we convert souls far away1 we help missionaries1 we win for them abundant alms2 and by that means build actual dwellings spiritual and material for our ,eucharistic ,lord4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,a novice remarked to ,sur ,thrse3 8,i do not like to see others suffer1 especially saintly souls40 ,she replied instantly3 8,oh6 ,i am not like you3 to see saints suffer never moves me to pity6 ,i know they have the strength to endure1 and they thus give great glory to ,god3 but those who are not holy1 who know not how to profit by their sufferings1 oh6 how ,i pity them2 they do indeed arouse my compassion1 and ,i would do all ,i could to comfort and help them40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,seeing her extreme weakness the doctor ordered some strengthening remedies2 ,sur ,thrse was distressed at first on account of their high price3 then she said to us3 8,i am no longer grieved about taking these costly remedies1 for ,i have been reading that ,st4 ,gertrude rejoiced at the thought that all would be to the advantage of those who do us good1 since our ,lord has said3 #8,as long as you did it unto one of these ,my least brethren you did it unto ,me4'0#ah ,she added3 8,i am convinced of the uselessness of medicine for the purpose of curing me1 but ,i have made a compact with the good ,god1 that ,he is to allow some poor ,missionaries to profit by it1 who have neither time nor means to take care of themselves40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,remembering that ,charity covereth a multitude of sins1#ai ,i draw from this fruitful mine opened to us by our ,lord in ,his sacred ,gospels4 ,i search the depths of ,his adorable words and cry out with ,david3 8,i have run in the way of ,thy commandments when ,thou didst enlarge my heart40#bj ,and charity alone can enlarge my heart4444 ,o ,jesus6 since this sweet flame consumes it ,i run with delight in the way of ,thy new ,commandment1 and therein will ,i run until the blessed day when with ,thy ,virgin train ,i shall follow ,thee through ,thy boundless ,realm singing ,thy ,new ,canticle which must surely be the ,canticle of ,,love4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,,footnotes3 #aa ,cf4 ,matt41 v1 #ae4 #ab ,matt41 v1 #dj4 #ac ,matt41 v1 #da4 #ad ,cf4 ,matt41 xi1 #cj4 #ae ,matt41 xxv1 #cd-cf4 #af ,matt41 xxv1 #cf4 #ag ,prov41 xvi1 #cb4 #ah ,matt41 xxv1 #dj4 #ai ,prov41 x1 #ab4 #bj ,ps41 cxviii1 #cb4 ,illustration ,,faith ,what helps me most when ,i picture to myself the interior of the ,holy ,family is to think of a quite ordinary life4 ,the ,blessed ,virgin and ,st4 ,joseph knew well that ,jesus was ,god1 but wondrous things were nevertheless hidden from them and like us they lived by faith4 ,have you not noticed what is said in the sacred text3 8,and they understood not the word that ,he spoke unto them10#ba and these other words no less mysterious3 8,his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning ,him80#bb ,does not this imply that they heard of something new to them1 for this wondering suggests a certain astonishment8 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,during her temptations against faith she wrote3 8,i strive to work by faith though bereft of its consolations4 ,i have made more acts of ,faith in this last year than during all the rest of my life4 8,on each fresh occasion of combat1 when the enemy desires to challenge me1 ,i conduct myself valiantly3 knowing that to fight a duel is an unworthy act1 ,i turn my back upon the adversary without ever looking him in the face2 then ,i run to my ,jesus and tell ,him ,i am ready to shed every drop of blood in testimony of my belief that there is a ,heaven1 ,i tell ,him ,i am glad to be unable to contemplate1 while on earth1 with the eyes of the soul1 the beautiful ,heaven that awaits me so ,he will deign to open it for eternity to poor unbelievers40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,he whose ,heart ever watcheth1 taught me1 that while for a soul whose faith equals but a tiny grain of mustard seed1 he works miracles1 in order that this faith which is so weak may be fortified2 yet for ,his intimate friends1 for ,his ,mother1 ,he did not work miracles until ,he had put their faith to the test4 ,did ,he not let ,lazarus die though ,martha and ,mary had sent to tell ,him that he was sick8 ,at the marriage at ,cana1 the ,blessed ,virgin having asked ,him to come to the assistance of the ,master of the house1 did ,he not reply that ,his hour was not yet come8 ,but after the trial1 what a recompense6 ,water changed to wine1 ,lazarus restored to life4444 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vi ,a sister said to her that beautiful ,angels clothed in white robes1 and of joyous and resplendent countenance1 would bear away her soul to ,heaven4 ,she replied3 8,these imaginations do not help me3 ,i can draw no sustenance except from the ,truth4 ,god and the ,angels are pure ,spirits1 no one can see them as they really are1 with corporal eyes4 ,that is why ,i have never desired extraordinary favours4 ,i would rather await the ,eternal ,vision40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,i have asked ,god to send me a beautiful dream to console me when you are gone10 said a novice4 8,ah6 that is a thing ,i should never do--ask for consolation6444 ,since you wish to be like me you well know that ,i say3 ,oh6 fear not1 ,lord1 that ,i shall waken ,thee3 ,i await in peace th' eternal shore4444 8,it is so sweet to serve the good ,god in the dark night of trial2 we have this life only in which to live by faith40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,,footnotes3 #ba ,luke1 ii1 #ej4 #bb ,luke1 ii1 #cc4 ,illustration ,,hope ,time is but a shadow1 a dream2 already ,god sees us in glory and takes joy in our eternal beatitude4 ,how this thought helps my soul6 ,i understand then why ,he lets us suffer4444 ,,viii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,a day 444 an hour 444 and we shall have reached the port6 ,my ,god1 what shall we see then8 ,what is that life which will never have an end8444 ,jesus will be the soul of our soul4 ,unfathomable mystery6 8,eye hath not seen1 nor ear heard1 neither hath it entered into the heart of man what great things ,god hath prepared for them that love ,him40#bc ,and this will all come soon--yes1 very soon1 if we ardently love ,jesus4 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,life is passing1 ,eternity draws nigh2 soon shall we live the very life of ,god4 ,after having drunk deep at the fount of bitterness1 our thirst will be quenched at the very source of all sweetness4 ,yes1 the figure of this world passeth away1#bd soon shall we see new heavens2 a more radiant sun will brighten with its splendours ethereal seas and infinite horizons4444 ,we shall no longer be prisoners in a land of exile1 all will be at an end and with our ,heavenly ,spouse we shall sail o'er boundless waters3 now our harps are hung upon the willows that border the rivers of ,babylon1#be but in the day of our deliverance what harmonies will then be heard6 ,with what joy shall we not make every chord of our instruments to vibrate6 ,today1 we weep remembering ,sion 444 how shall we sing the songs of the ,lord in a strange land8#bf ,v ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,how ,i thirst for ,heaven--that blessed habitation where our love for ,jesus will have no limit6 ,but to get there we must suffer 444 we must weep4444 ,well1 ,i wish to suffer all that shall please my ,beloved1 ,i wish to let ,him do just as ,he wills with ,his 8little ball40 ,v ,,letter ,,to ,,sr4 ,,marie ,,du ,,sacr-,c,,ur ,oh6 ,what mysteries will be revealed to us later4444 ,how often have ,i thought that ,i perhaps owe all the graces showered upon me to the earnest prayer of a little soul whom ,i shall know only in ,heaven4 ,it is ,god's will that in this world by means of prayer ,heavenly treasures should be imparted by souls one to another1 so that when they reach the ,fatherland they may love one another with a love born of gratitude1 with an affection far1 far exceeding the most ideal family affection upon earth4 ,there1 we shall meet with no indifferent looks1 because all the ,saints will be indebted to each other4 ,no envious glances will be seen2 the happiness of every one of the elect will be the happiness of all4 ,with the ,martyrs we shall be like to the ,martyrs2 with the ,doctors we shall be as the ,doctors2 with the ,virgins1 as the ,virgins2 and just as the members of a family are proud of one another1 so shall we be of our brethren1 without the least jealousy4 ,who knows even if the joy we shall experience in beholding the glory of the great ,saints1 and knowing that by a secret dispensation of ,providence we have contributed thereunto1 who knows if this joy will not be as intense and sweeter perhaps1 than the happiness they will themselves possess4 ,and do you not think that on their side the great ,saints1 seeing what they owe to quite little souls1 will love them with an incomparable love8 ,delightful and surprising will be the friendships found there--,i am sure of it4 ,the favoured companion of an ,apostle or a great ,doctor of the ,church1 will perhaps be a young shepherd lad2 and a simple little child may be the intimate friend of a ,patriarch4 ,oh6 how ,i long to dwell in that ,kingdom of ,love4444 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,a sister showed her a photograph representing ,joan of ,arc consoled in the prison by her ,voices4 ,sur ,thrse said3 8,i too am consoled by an interior voice4 ,the ,saints encourage me from above1 they say to me3 #8,so long as thou art in fetters thou canst not fulfil thy mission2 but later1 after thy death--then will be the time of thy conquests4'0 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,in ,heaven the good ,god will do all ,i wish1 because ,i have never done my own will upon earth4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,even now ,i know it2 yes1 all my hopes will be fulfilled 444 yes 444 the ,lord will work wonders for me which will surpass infinitely my immeasurable desires4 ,,viii ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,,footnotes3 #bc ,i ,cor41 ii1 #i4 ,cf4 ,is41 lxiv1 #d4 #bd ,i ,cor41 vii1 #ca4 #be ,cf4 ,ps4 cxxxvi1 #b4 #bf ,cf4 ,ps41 cxxxvi1 #a1 #d4 ,illustration ,,humility ,it appears to me that humility is the truth4 ,i know not whether ,i am humble1 but ,i know that ,i see the truth in all things4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,i have understood what true glory is4 ,he whose ,kingdom is not of this world#bg showed me that the only enviable royalty consists in loving to be unknown and esteemed as nothing1#bh and finding our joy in contempt of self4 ,i wished that like the ,face of ,jesus1 mine might be as it were hidden and despised4#bi ,that none upon earth might esteem me4 ,i thirsted to suffer and to be forgotten4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vii ,jesus made me understand that the true1 the only glory is that which will last for ever2 that to attain to it we need not perform wonderful deeds1 but rather1 those hidden from the eyes of others and from self1 so that the left hand knoweth not what the right hand doth4#cj ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,iv ,thrse is weak1 very weak2 of this she has new and salutary experience every day4 ,but ,jesus takes pleasure in teaching her how to glory in her infirmities4#ca ,it is a great grace this1 for herein is found peace and tranquillity4 ,when we see ourselves so miserable1 we wish no longer to look at self but only on the ,well-,beloved4 ,,ii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,cousin ,,marie ,,gu,,rin ,i am a very little soul who can offer only very little things to the good ,god2 yet1 it often happens that these little sacrifices which give such peace to the heart1 escape me2 but that does not discourage me1 ,i bear with having a little less peace and ,i try to be more watchful another time4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,veiled in the white ,host1 ,o my ,well-,beloved1 how meek and humble of heart dost ,thou show ,thyself to me6 ,thou couldst not stoop lower to teach me humility1 and ,i1 to respond to ,thy ,love1 desire to put myself in the lowest place and share ,thy humiliations1 that ,i may have part with ,thee#cb in the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,i beseech ,thee1 my ,jesus1 to send me some humiliation every time that ,i shall attempt to put myself above others4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,appendix ,what pleases the good ,god in my little soul is to see me love my littleness and my poverty1 it is seeing the blind trust that ,i have in ,his ,mercy4 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,,sr4 ,,marie ,,du ,,sacr-,c,,ur ,to draw near to ,jesus we must be so little4444 ,oh6 how few souls aspire to be little and unknown4444 ,,xiv ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,i am no longer surprised at anything1 nor do ,i grieve at seeing that ,i am frailty itself2 on the contrary ,i glory in it1 and expect to discover new imperfections in myself each day4 ,these lights concerning my nothingness do me more good1 ,i affirm1 than lights regarding faith4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,when we commit a fault we must not think it due to a physical cause1 such as illness or the weather1 we must attribute this fall to our imperfection1 but without ever growing discouraged4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,since ,jesus has gone back to ,heaven ,i can follow ,him only by the path ,he has traced4 ,oh how luminous are ,his footprints--diffusing a divine sweetness4444 ,i have but to glance at the holy ,gospels and immediately ,i inhale the fragrance of the life of ,jesus1 and ,i know which side to take4 ,not to the first place do ,i run but to the last4 ,i let the ,pharisee go up1 and full of confidence ,i repeat the humble prayer of the publican4 ,above all ,i copy the example of ,magdalene2 her amazing1 or rather1 her loving audacity1 which so touched the ,heart of ,jesus1 charms my own4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,with a simplicity that delights me my little ,sisters1 the novices1 tell me of the interior combats ,i arouse in them1 in what way they find me trying2 they are no more embarrassed than if it were question of some one else1 knowing that by acting thus1 they greatly please me4 ,ah6 truly it is more than a pleasure1 it is a delicious feast which replenishes my soul with joy4 ,how can a thing so disagreeable to nature give such happiness8 ,had ,i not experienced it ,i could not have believed it4 ,one day when ,i had an ardent desire for humiliation1 it happened that a young postulant so fully satisfied it1 that the thought of ,semei cursing ,david came to my mind and ,i repeated interiorly with the holy ,king3 ,yes1 it is indeed the ,lord who has commanded him to say all these things to me4#cc ,thus the good ,god takes care of me4 ,he cannot always offer me the strength-giving bread of exterior humiliation1 but from time to time ,he permits me to feast upon the crumbs that fall from the table of the children4#cd ,how great is ,his ,mercy6 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,all creatures might incline towards the little flower1 admiring it and overwhelming it with their praise1 but never would that add a shadow of vain satisfaction to the true joy of knowing itself to be a mere nothing in the sight of ,god4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,because ,i was little and weak1 ,jesus stooped down to me and tenderly instructed me in the secrets of ,his ,love4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,v ,i am too little to have any vanity1 ,i am also too little to know how to turn beautiful phrases so as to make it appear that ,i have a great deal of humility4 ,i prefer to acknowledge simply that ,he that is mighty hath done great things to me2#ce and the greatest is ,his having shown me my littleness1 my powerlessness for all good4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,the only thing not subject to be envied is the lowest place1 it is therefore this lowest place alone which is without vanity and affliction of spirit4 ,still1 the way of a man is not always in his power#cf and sometimes we are surprised by a desire for that which glitters4 ,then1 let us take our place humbly amongst the imperfect1 deeming ourselves little souls whom the good ,god must sustain at each moment4 ,as soon as ,he sees us truly convinced of our nothingness and we say to ,him3 ,my foot hath slipped3 ,thy mercy1 ,o ,lord1 hath held me up1#cg ,he stretches out ,his ,hand to us2 but if we will attempt to do something grand1 even under pretext of zeal1 ,he leaves us alone4 ,it is enough therefore that we humble ourselves1 and bear our imperfections with sweetness3 there1 for us1 lies true sanctity4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,the most eloquent discourses would be incapable of inspiring one act of love without the grace that moves the heart4 ,see a beautiful1 rose-tinted peach1 of so sweet a savour that no craft of confectioner could produce nectar like it4 ,is it for the peach itself that ,god has created this lovely colour and delicate velvety surface8 ,is it for the sake of the peach that ,he has given it so delicious a flavour8 ,no1 it is for us2 what alone belongs to it and forms the essence of its existence is its stone2 it possesses nothing more4 ,thus is ,jesus pleased to lavish ,his gifts on some of ,his creatures1 that through them ,he may draw to ,himself other souls2 but in ,his mercy ,he humiliates them interiorly1 and gently constrains them to recognize their nothingness and ,his ,omnipotence4 ,these sentiments form in them1 as it were1 a kernel of grace1 which ,jesus hastens to develop for that blessed day when clothed with a beauty1 immortal1 imperishable1 they shall without danger have place at the ,celestial banquet4 ,,xvi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,the ,apostles1 without ,jesus1 laboured long--a whole night--without taking any fish2 their toil was pleasing to ,him but ,he wished to show that ,he alone can give anything4 ,he asked only an act of humility3 8,children1 have you any meat80#ch and ,st4 ,peter confesses his helplessness3 8,lord we have laboured all night and have taken nothing40#ci ,it is enough6 ,the ,heart of ,jesus is touched4444 ,perhaps if the ,apostle had taken a few little fishes the ,divine ,master would not have worked a miracle2 but he had nothing1 and so through ,god's power and goodness his nets were soon filled with great fishes4 ,that is just our ,lord's way4 ,he gives as ,god1 but ,he will have humility of heart4 ,,xvii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,to think ourselves imperfect1 and others perfect--that is happiness4 ,that creatures should recognize we are without virtue takes nothing from us1 makes us no poorer2 it is they who by this lose interior joy2 for there is nothing sweeter than to think well of our neighbour4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,it is a great joy to me1 not only when others find me imperfect1 but above all when ,i feel that so ,i am3 compliments1 on the contrary1 cause me nothing but displeasure4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,a novice confided to her that she made no progress and felt quite discouraged4 8,till the age of fourteen10 said ,thrse1 8,i practised virtue without feeling its sweetness4 ,i wished for suffering but had no thought of finding my joy therein2 that is a grace which has been granted me later4 ,my soul was like a beautiful tree whose blossoms no sooner opened than they fell4 8,offer to the good ,god the sacrifice of never gathering the fruits of your labours4 ,if ,he so will that during your whole life you feel a repugnance to suffer and to be humiliated1 if ,he permit that all the flowers of your desires and of your good-will fall to earth without fruit1 be not troubled4 ,at the moment of your death ,he will know well how to bring to perfection1 in the twinkling of an eye1 beautiful fruits on the tree of your soul4 8,we read in the ,book of ,ecclesiasticus3 #8,there is an inactive man that wanteth help1 is very weak in ability1 and full of poverty3 yet the eye of ,god hath looked upon him for good1 and hath lifted him up from his low estate1 and hath exalted his head3 and many have wondered at him and have glorified ,god4 #8,trust in ,god1 and stay in thy place4 ,for it is easy in the eyes of ,god1 on a sudden to make the poor man rich4 ,the blessing of ,god maketh haste to reward the just1 and in a swift hour ,his blessing beareth fruit6'0#dj ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,you have always been faithful to divine grace1 have you not80 8,yes1 since the age of three ,i have refused nothing to the good ,god4 ,yet not mine the glory4 ,see how the setting sun this evening gilds the topmost branches of the trees2 even so does my soul appear to you--all bright and gilded1 because it is exposed to ,love's rays4 ,if the ,divine ,sun withheld from me ,his rays1 my soul would immediately become obscured and enveloped in darkness40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,you really are a saint60 some one said to her4 8,no1 ,i am not a saint2 ,i have never done the works of the ,saints4 ,i am a very1 very little soul on whom the good ,god has outpoured the abundance of ,his grace4 ,you will see in ,heaven that ,i am telling you the truth40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,she said to the ,prioress3 8,mother1 ,i feel that if ,i were unfaithful1 if ,i committed but the very slightest infidelity1 fearful troubles would follow1 and ,i could no longer accept death with resignation40 ,and as the ,mother ,prioress showed surprise at hearing her speak thus1 she continued3 8,i mean an infidelity springing from pride4 ,for instance1 if ,i said3 #8,i have acquired such or such a virtue1 ,i am able to practise it1' or1 #8,o my ,god1 ,i love ,thee too well--,thou knowest it--to dwell on one single thought against faith1' ,i feel that ,i should forthwith be assailed by the most dangerous temptations and should certainly be overcome by them4 8,to avoid this calamity ,i have but to say humbly from the depths of my heart3 #8,o my ,god1 ,i implore of ,thee1 suffer me not to be unfaithful6' 8,i very well understand how ,st4 ,peter fell4 ,he depended too confidently on the fervour of his feelings1 instead of relying solely upon ,divine strength4 ,had he said to ,jesus3 #8,lord1 give me the strength to follow ,thee even unto death1' that strength1 ,i am quite sure would not have been refused him40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,oh6 when ,i think of all ,i have to acquire60 exclaimed a novice4 8,say1 rather1 to lose4 ,jesus1 it is1 who charges ,himself with the care of filling your soul according as you free it from its imperfections4 ,i plainly see that you are taking the wrong road1 you will never arrive at the end of your journey4 ,you wish to scale a mountain and the good ,god wants to make you descend3 ,he is waiting for you low down in the fertile valley of humility40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,when ,i receive a reproof10 said another1 8,i would rather have deserved it than be wrongfully accused40 8,as for me10 replied ,thrse1 8,i prefer being blamed unjustly1 then ,i have no cause for self-reproach and ,i offer this unmerited blame to the good ,god with joy1 then ,i humble myself at the thought that ,i should be quite capable of doing that of which ,i was accused40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,when we are not understood1 and are unfavourably judged1 what good is there in defending ourselves8 ,let us leave it so and say nothing1 it is so sweet to let ourselves be judged no matter how6 ,it is not told in the ,gospels that ,saint ,magdalen gave any explanation when blamed by her sister for sitting inactive at the feet of ,jesus4 ,she did not say3 8,martha1 if thou didst but know my happiness1 if thou didst but hear the words ,i hear1 thou too wouldst lay all else aside1 to share my joy and my repose40 ,no1 she chose rather to be silent4444 ,o blessed silence which gives to the soul such peace6 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,in a moment of temptation and combat a novice received this note3 8,the just man shall correct me in mercy and reprove me2 but let not the oil of the sinner anoint my head4#da ,i cannot be corrected or tried except by the just1 inasmuch as all my ,sisters are pleasing to ,god4 ,it is less bitter to be reproved by a sinner than by the just2 but through compassion for sinners1 to obtain their conversion1 ,i pray ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 that ,i may be bruised by the just souls who are round about me4 ,again1 ,i beg that the oil of praise1 so sweet to nature1 anoint not my head1 that is to say1 enervate not my mind1 by making me believe that ,i possess virtues which ,i have only with difficulty practised several times4 8,o my ,jesus6 ,thy ,name is as oil poured out2#db it is in this divine perfume that ,i wish to be wholly bathed1 far away from the notice of creatures40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,at the close of her life she was able to say3 8,i used so to rise above all things1 that ,i drew strength from humiliations40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii 8,god has a special love for you10 remarked a young ,sister1 8since to you ,he entrusts other souls40 8,that does not add anything to me1 and ,i am only really just what ,i am in ,god's sight4444 ,it does not follow that ,he loves me more1 because ,he wills that ,i should be ,his interpreter to you2 rather1 ,he makes me your little servant4 ,it is for you and not for me that ,he has given me the charms and virtues apparent to you4 8,often ,i compare myself to a little bowl which ,god fills with good things of every kind4 ,all the kittens come to it to take their share1 and sometimes there is a contest as to which shall have most4 ,but the ,child ,jesus is there1 keeping watch3 #8,i am very willing that you drink from my little bowl' saith ,he1 #8but take care lest you overturn it and break it4' 8,truth to tell1 the danger is not great1 because ,i am placed on the ground4 ,it is otherwise with ,prioresses3 they1 being set on tables run many more risks4 ,honours are always dangerous4 8,oh6 how poisonous the praises served up day by day to those who hold high places4 ,what baneful incense6 ,and how necessary it is that the soul be detached from self1 that so she may escape unharmed40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,to help a novice to accept a humiliation she said to her in confidence3 8,if ,i had not been received into ,carmel ,i would have entered a ,refuge1 to live there unknown and despised in the midst of the poor penitents4 ,to pass for such in the eyes of all would have been my happiness4 ,i should have been the apostle of my companions telling them what ,i think of the ,mercy of the good ,god40 8,but how would you have been able to hide your innocence from your ,confessor80 8,i would have told him that while in the world ,i had made a general confession and had been forbidden to do so again40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,one day they brought her some ears of corn4 ,she took one so laden with grain that it leaned down upon its stalk1 and having looked at it for a long time she said to the ,mother ,prioress3 8,mother1 this ear of corn is an image of my soul3 the good ,god has laden me with graces for myself and for many others6444 ,oh6 ,i wish ever to bow down beneath the abundance of ,heaven's gifts1 recognizing that all comes from above40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,what do you think of all the graces which have been poured down upon you8 8,i think that the ,spirit of ,god breatheth where ,he will40#dc ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,a sister said that in ,heaven she would be a beautiful flower1 resplendent with light4 8,oh no10 she replied1 8you know how in pretty bouquets they conceal some moss to make the flowers stand out2 well1 ,i shall be a little bit of moss to set off the beauty of the elect40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,during her last agony the ,mother ,prioress encouraged her with these words3 8,my child1 you are quite ready to appear before ,god because you have always understood the virtue of humility40 ,then of herself she gave this beautiful testimony3 8,yes1 ,i feel it1 my soul has never sought but the truth 444 yes1 ,i have understood humility of heart60 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,,footnotes3 #bg ,john1 xviii1 #cf4 #bh ,imit41 ,i1 ii1 #c4 #bi ,is41 liii1 #c4 #cj ,matt41 vi1 #c4 #ca ,,ii ,cor41 xi1 #e4 #cb ,john1 xiii1 #h4 #cc ,kings1 xvi1 #aj4 #cd ,mark1 vii1 #bh4 #ce ,luke1 i1 #di4 #cf ,cf4 ,jer41 x1 #bc4 #cg ,cf4 ,ps41 xciii1 #ah4 #ch ,john1 xxi1 #e #ci ,luke1 v1 #e4 #dj ,ecclus41 xi1 #ab1 #ac1 #bb1 #bc1 #bd4 #da ,ps41 cxl1 #e4 #db ,cant41 #a1 #b4 #dc ,john1 iii1 #h4 ,illustration ,,detachment ,if the impossible were possible and that ,god ,himself did not see my good actions1 ,i would not grieve about it4 ,i love ,him so much that ,i should like to be able to give ,him pleasure without ,his knowing that it was ,i4444 ,knowing and seeing it1 ,he is1 in a way1 bound to repay me4444 ,i would not give ,him the trouble4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,the glory of ,jesus 444 that is my whole ambition2 my own ,i abandon to ,him2 and if ,he seem to forget me1 well1 ,he is at liberty to do so since ,i am mine no more1 but ,his4 ,he will more quickly tire of making me wait1 than ,i1 of waiting6 ,,vii ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,there is no stay1 no support to seek out of ,jesus4 ,he alone changeth not4 ,what happiness to think that ,he can never change6 ,v ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,the sole happiness upon earth consists in hiding oneself and remaining in total ignorance of created things4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,far from dazzling me all the titles of nobility appear to me but empty vanity4 ,i have understood those words of the ,imitation3 8,be not solicitous for the shadow of a great name40#dd ,i have understood that true greatness is found not in the name but in the soul4 ,the ,prophet tells us that the ,lord ,god shall call ,his servants by ,,another ,,name2#de and we read in ,st4 ,john3 8,to him that overcometh1 ,i will give 444 a white counter1 and in the counter a new name written1 which no man knoweth but he that receiveth40#df ,it is in ,heaven1 therefore1 that we shall know our titles of nobility4 ,then shall each one receive from ,god the praise that he merits1#dg and he who upon earth will have made choice of being the poorest and the most unknown for love of our ,lord1 he will be the first1 the noblest and the richest4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vi ,i thank my ,jesus for making me walk in darkness2 in it ,i am wrapped in profound peace4 ,willingly ,i consent to stay1 during the whole of my religious life1 in this sombre tunnel into which ,he has made me enter2 ,i desire only that my darkness may win light for sinners4 ,,iv ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,in this world we must not become attached to anything--not even things the most innocent1 for they fail us at the moment when we are least expecting it4 ,the eternal alone can satisfy us4 ,i ,,letter ,,to ,,sr4 ,,marie ,,du ,,sacr-,c,,ur ,this prayer she bore upon her heart on the day of her ,profession3 8,o ,jesus1 my ,divine ,spouse1 grant that the robe of my baptism be never sullied6 ,take me1 rather than suffer me here below to stain my soul by committing the slightest wilful fault4 ,may ,i never seek nor ever find but ,thee alone6 ,may all creatures be nothing to me1 and ,i nothing to them6 ,may no earthly thing disturb my peace6 99 99 99 99 99 8,grant that ,i fulfil my engagements in all their perfection2 that none concern themselves about me2 that ,i may be trodden underfoot1 forgotten1 as a little grain of sand4 ,i offer myself to ,thee1 ,o ,well-,beloved1 that ,thou mayst ever perfectly accomplish ,thy holy will in me1 without let or hindrance from creatures40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,with jealous care all must be kept for ,jesus2 it is so good to work for ,him1 and for ,him alone6 ,how joyous then the heart and how buoyant the spirit6444 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,i have never wished for human glory1 contempt it was1 that had attraction for my heart2 but having recognized that this again was too glorious for me1 ,i ardently desire to be forgotten4 ,,vii ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,if you only knew to what a degree ,i wish to be indifferent to the things of the earth6 ,what matters to me all created beauty8 ,i should be truly unfortunate were ,i to possess it4 ,oh6 how great1 how noble1 seems my heart when ,i look at it in relation to this world's goods1 since all of them put together could never satisfy it2 but when ,i consider it with reference to ,jesus1 how small it then appears to me4 ,,ii ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,yes1 ,i now am able to say ,i have received the grace of being no more attached to the goods of mind and heart than to those of earth4 ,if it happens that ,i repeat to my ,sisters some thought of mine which pleases them1 ,i think it quite natural that they should look on it as their own2 this thought belongs to the ,holy ,ghost not to me1 seeing that ,st4 ,paul tells us that without the ,spirit of ,love we cannot give to ,god the name of ,father4#dh ,the ,holy ,spirit assuredly is free to use me as the means of conveying a good thought to a soul and ,i may not consider this thought as my property4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x 8,there is one only means of constraining the good ,god not to judge us at all1 it is to appear before ,him with our hands empty40 8,but how80 they asked her4 8,it is quite simple3 keep nothing whatever in reserve1 give away your gains according as you earn4 ,as for me1 if ,i live to be eighty ,i shall be always poor2 ,i know not how to save up1 all that ,i have goes immediately to ransom souls40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,the further you advance the fewer combats will you have1 or rather1 the easier will your conquests be1 because you will look at the good side of things4 ,your soul will then rise above creatures4 ,anything that may be said to me now1 leaves me absolutely indifferent1 for ,i have realized how little stability there is in human judgments4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,to write books of devotion1 to compose the most sublime poetry1 is of less worth than the least act of self-renunciation4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,one ,sunday10 ,thrse tells us1 8,i went right joyously on my way towards the alley of chestnut trees2 it was the spring-time1 and ,i meant to enjoy the beauties of nature4 ,o cruel disappointment6 ,my dear chestnut trees had been pruned1 and the branches1 already loaded with verdant buds1 lay strewn upon the ground6 ,it was heartrending to view this destruction1 and to think that three years must pass ere ,i could see it repaired4444 ,my distress however did not last4 #8,if ,i were in another monastery1' thought ,i1 #8what difference would it make to me if the chestnut trees in the ,carmel of ,lisieux were cut down altogether8 ,i will fret no more about transitory things2 my ,well-,beloved shall take the place of all else for me4444 ,i will wander ever in the groves of ,his love1 which none may touch6'0 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,she said to her novices3 8,you are too much taken up about what you are doing1 you torment yourselves concerning the future as if you had the care of it4444 ,are you at this moment preoccupied with what is passing in other ,carmels1 as to whether the nuns are pressed or not8 ,do their labours hinder your prayer or meditation8 ,very well1 so1 too1 ought you to be detached from your personal work1 employing conscientiously therein the time directed1 but with disengagement of heart4 8,i have read that the ,israelites1 when building the walls of ,jerusalem1 worked with one hand and with the other held a sword4#di ,that is truly a figure of what we ought to do3 never give ourselves completely up to the work40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,a novice asked some of the ,sisters to help to shake blankets1 which being rather worn1 she cautioned them somewhat sharply to be careful not to tear4 ,sur ,thrse remarked3 8,what would you do if it were not your office to mend these blankets8444 ,with what detachment you would then act6 ,and if you did point out that they are easily torn1 how free from self-interest it would be4 ,thus1 never let the least shadow of self-interest glide into your actions40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,in the infirmary the novices used scarcely to wait till her thanksgivings were ended before speaking to her and seeking her counsels4 ,this1 at first1 grieved her and she gently reproached them4 ,then very soon she let them have their way1 saying3 8,the thought has struck me that ,i am not to desire more of repose than our ,lord4 ,when ,he retired into the desert after ,his discourses1 the people came immediately to break in upon ,his solitude4 ,come to me as much as you will4 ,i must die arms in hand1 having on my lips the sword of the ,spirit which is the ,word of ,god40#ej ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,how do you manage so to practise virtue10 asked a novice1 8as to be always the same1 invariably joyous and composed80 8,it has not been always so10 she replied1 8but ever since ,i have shunned all self-seeking ,i lead the happiest life that can be40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,now1 that ,i am about to appear before the good ,god1 more than ever do ,i understand that there is but one thing necessary3 to work solely for ,him1 and to do nothing for self or for creatures4 ,x ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,,footnotes3 #dd ,imit41 ,,iii1 xxiv1 #b4 #de ,is41 lxv1 #ae4 #df ,apoc41 ii1 #ag4 #dg ,cf4 ,i ,cor41 iv1 #e4 #dh ,cf4 ,rom41 viii1 #ae4 #di ,,ii ,esdras1 iv1 #ag4 #ej ,ephes41 vi1 #ag4 ,illustration ,,mortification ,far from being like to those great souls who from their childhood practise all sorts of macerations1 ,i made my mortification consist solely in the breaking of my will1 restraining a hasty word1 rendering little services to those around me without making anything of it1 and a thousand other things of this kind4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vi ,as ,i had no taste for games1 ,i should have liked to spend my life reading1 but ,i was only to take a very limited time for this chosen recreation1 and this was the ground of many a sacrifice1 for ,i made it a point of duty to break off promptly at the end of the time allotted1 even in the middle of the most interesting passage4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,iv ,i had accustomed myself never to complain when anything of mine was taken away2 and when unjustly blamed ,i chose rather to remain silent than to defend myself4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,i ,i was ten years old the day that my ,father told ,cline he was going to let her have lessons in painting2 ,i was by1 and envied her4 ,then ,papa said to me3 8,and you1 my little queen1 would it give you pleasure too to learn drawing80 ,i was just going to respond with a very gladsome yes1 when ,marie made the remark that ,i had not the same taste for it as ,cline4 ,at once she gained the day2 and ,i1 thinking that here was a good opportunity of offering a grand sacrifice to ,jesus1 said not a word4 ,so eager was my desire to learn drawing that now ,i still wonder how ,i had the fortitude to remain silent4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,in the world1 on awakening in the morning ,i used to think over what would probably occur either pleasing or vexatious during the day2 and if ,i foresaw only trying events ,i arose dispirited4 ,now it is quite the other way3 ,i think of the difficulties and the sufferings that await me1 and ,i rise the more joyous and full of courage the more ,i foresee opportunities of proving my love for ,jesus1 and earning the living of my children--seeing that ,i am the mother of souls4 ,then ,i kiss my crucifix and lay it tenderly on the pillow while ,i dress1 and ,i say to ,him3 8,my ,jesus1 ,thou hast worked enough and wept enough during the three-and-thirty years of ,thy life on this poor earth4 ,take now ,thy rest4444 ,my turn it is to suffer and to fight40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,the attraction to penance was given me1 but ,i was permitted nothing to satisfy it4 ,the only mortifications ,i was allowed consisted in mortifying self-love1 which did me more good than corporal penance4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vii ,at prayer ,i was for a long time near a ,sister who used to handle incessantly either her ,rosary-beads or some other thing2 perhaps none heard it but myself1 for my hearing is extremely acute1 but ,i cannot say how it tormented me6 ,i should have liked to turn my head and look at the culprit so as to make her stop that noise3 however in my heart ,i knew it was better to bear it patiently1 for the love of ,god in the first place1 and also to avoid giving pain4 ,i kept quiet therefore1 but was sometimes worked up to fever-heat and obliged to make simply a prayer of endurance4 ,finally ,i sought out the means of suffering with peace and joy1 at least in my innermost soul2 ,i tried to like the teasing little noise4 ,instead of endeavouring not to hear it--a thing impossible--,i listened with fixed attention as if it had been a delightful concert2 and my prayer1 which was not the prayer of quiet1 passed in offering this concert to ,jesus4 ,another time ,i was in the laundry opposite a ,sister who while washing handkerchiefs splashed me every minute with dirty water4 ,my first impulse was to draw back and wipe my face1 so as to show her who besprinkled me in that fashion1 that she would oblige me by working more quietly2 but ,i reflected immediately that it was very foolish to refuse treasures so generously offered me1 and ,i took good care not to show my annoyance4 ,on the contrary1 ,i made such successful efforts to wish for a plentiful splashing of dirty water1 that at the end of half an hour ,i had really acquired a taste for this new sort of aspersion1 and ,i determined to come again as often as possible to a place where happily such riches could be had gratuitously4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,i remember that sometimes1 when a postulant1 ,i was so violently tempted to indulge myself by seeking some little consolations1 that ,i was obliged to go quickly past our ,mother's cell1 and cling to the banisters of the staircase so that ,i should not turn back4 ,there would come to mind a number of permissions to ask1 a hundred pretexts for deciding in favour of my natural inclinations and gratifying them4 ,how glad ,i am now of having denied myself from the outset of my life in religion6 ,already ,i enjoy the reward promised to those who fight courageously4 ,no longer do ,i feel the necessity of refusing myself consolations of the heart2 for my heart is firmly fixed in ,god4444 ,because it has loved ,him above all1 it has gradually enlarged1 even so as to love those who are dear to it with a love incomparably deeper than if it were centred in a selfish and fruitless affection4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,in everything ,i must find self-denial and sacrifice2 thus ,i feel that a letter will not bear fruit unless ,i write it with a certain reluctance1 and solely through obedience4 ,when conversing with a novice ,i am careful to mortify myself and to avoid asking her questions which would gratify my curiosity4 ,if she commence to speak of something interesting1 then1 leaving it unfinished1 pass to a subject wearisome to me1 ,i take care not to remind her of the interruption1 for it seems to me that one can do no good by self-seeking4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,god did not permit that our ,mother should tell me to write down my poems according as ,i composed them1 and ,i would not have liked to ask her1 fearing lest that might be a fault against poverty4 ,so ,i used to wait until the hour of free time1 and it was not without extreme difficulty that ,i recalled to mind1 at eight o'clock in the evening1 what ,i had composed in the morning4 ,these little nothings are a martyrdom it is true1 but we must be well on our guard not to lessen it by allowing ourselves1 or seeking to be allowed1 a thousand things which would render the religious life pleasant and comfortable4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,when some one rings for us1 or knocks at our door1 we must mortify ourselves so as not even to do one stitch more before answering4 ,i have practised that2 and it is1 ,i assure you1 a source of peace4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,do you know my ,sundays and festivals8 ,they are the days when the good ,god tries me the most4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,sur ,thrse de l',enfant ,jsus says that she has not done any great penances3 that is because her fervour counted as nothing those which were allowed her4 ,it nevertheless happened that she became ill from wearing for too long a time a small iron cross1 of which the sharp points were sunk into her flesh4 8,that would not have befallen me from so slight a penance10 she said afterwards1 8if the good ,god had not wanted to make me understand that the macerations of the ,saints are not intended for me1 nor for the little souls who will tread the same path of spiritual childhood40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,to a novice whom she saw practise a little act of self-denial she said3 8,you will be very glad to find that before you at the moment of death4 ,what you have just done is more glorious than if1 by some skilful measures1 you had gained for the religious communities the good-will of the ,government1 and that all ,france applauded you as a ,judith40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,to another who was bewailing her want of courage3 8,you complain of what should cause you the greatest happiness4 ,where would be your merit if you must fight only when you felt the courage8 ,what matters it if you have none1 provided that you act as if you had6 ,if you feel too slothful to pick up a bit of thread1 and that nevertheless you do it for the love of ,jesus1 you have more merit than if in a moment of fervour you were to accomplish something of far greater importance4 ,so instead of being sorrowful1 rejoice to see that in letting you feel your weakness the good ,master provides you with an opportunity of gaining for ,him a greater number of souls40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,being questioned as to her mode of sanctifying the repasts1 ,thrse made answer3 8,in the refectory we have but one only thing to do3 to accomplish this so lowly act with thoughts uplifted4 ,i declare to you that often it is in the refectory the sweetest aspirations of love come to me4 ,sometimes ,i am impelled to dwell on the thought that if our ,divine ,lord were in my place1 with the fare set before ,him as served to me1 ,he would certainly partake of it4444 ,it is very probable that during ,his life on earth ,he tasted of the like food3 ,he ate bread1 fruits1 etc4444 8,here are my simple little rubrics3 8,i picture myself at ,nazareth in the house of ,holy ,family4 ,if ,i am served with1 for instance1 salad1 cold fish1 wine or anything of strong flavour1 ,i offer it to ,st4 ,joseph4 ,to the ,blessed ,virgin ,i give the hot portions1 well-ripened fruits1 etc42 and the feast-day fare1 particularly corn-flour1 rice1 preserves1 these ,i offer to the ,child ,jesus4 ,lastly1 when a bad dinner is brought me ,i say gaily to myself3 #8,today1 my dear little child1 all that is for you4'0 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,one fast-day when the ,mother ,prioress had ordered some special little thing by way of alleviation for ,sur ,thrse1 a ,sister relates that she surprised her in the act of seasoning this too palatable fare with wormwood4 ,another time she saw her slowly drinking some particularly disagreeable physic1 and exclaimed3 8,but be quick1 drink that off at one draught60 8,oh no60 was the reply1 8must ,i not take advantage of the trifling opportunities ,i meet with1 to mortify myself a little1 since it is forbidden me to look for greater80 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,an extremely interesting letter had been read one day at the recreation in the absence of ,thrse who later showed a desire to read it4 ,some time afterwards when returning the letter1 she was begged to say what she thought regarding something which should especially have delighted her4 ,she appeared embarrassed and then replied3 8,the good ,god has asked of me this sacrifice because of the eagerness that ,i manifested the other day2 ,i have not read it44440 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,she told the novices3 8,at recreation more than elsewhere will you find occasions for the exercise of virtue4 ,if you would reap great benefit1 never go to it with any thought of your own recreation1 but thinking of the recreation of others2 practise therein total detachment from yourself4 ,if1 for instance1 you are relating to one of the ,sisters a story which seems to you interesting1 and that she interrupts it to tell you something else1 even though this may not at all interest you1 listen to her as if it did1 and do not try to return to your first subject4 ,by so acting1 you will go from the recreation room with great interior peace1 and endued with fresh vigour in the practice of virtue1 all because you have not sought to gratify yourself but to give pleasure to others4 ,if one only knew what is gained by renouncing self in all things64440 8,you know it well2 you have always acted thus80 8,yes1 ,i have forgotten self1 ,i have tried not to seek myself in anything40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,illustration ,,obedience ,as ,i had self-love as well as the love of what is right it was sufficient but once to tell me3 8,such a thing should not be done10 and ,i would have no desire to do it again4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,i ,from what anxieties do we not free ourselves by making the vow of obedience6 ,how happy are single-minded religious4 ,their sole guide being the will of ,superiors1 they are ever secure of going the right way without fear of error1 should it even appear to them certain that the ,superiors are mistaken4 ,but when one ceases to consult the sure compass1 the soul forthwith loses her way in arid paths where the waters of grace soon fail her4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,during her illness the ,infirmarian had recommended ,sur ,thrse to take a little walk in the garden every day for a quarter of an hour4 ,for her1 this advice was a command4 ,one afternoon1 a ,sister seeing her walk with much difficulty said to her3 8,you would do far better to rest2 in such circumstances walking can do you no good1 you exhaust yourself1 that is all40 8,it is true10 replied this child of ,obedience1 8but do you know what gives me strength8444 ,well6 ,i walk for a ,missionary4 ,i think how some one of them far away1 yonder1 is perhaps exhausted in his apostolic journeyings1 and to lessen his fatigue ,i offer mine to the good ,god40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,illustration ,,poverty ,after ,i was clothed with the holy ,habit abundant lights on religious perfection were granted me1 chiefly regarding the vow of poverty4 ,during my postulate ,i was pleased to have for my use1 anything that was nice1 and to find at my hand whatever was necessary4 ,jesus bore with this patiently1 for ,he does not like to disclose all to the soul at once4 ,he ordinarily gives ,his light little by little4 ,after ,compline one evening ,i looked in vain for our lantern on the shelves appointed for them2 it was the time of great silence1 not possible therefore to ask for it back4 ,i rightly supposed that a ,sister believing she took her own had carried away ours2 but must ,i spend a whole hour in the dark in consequence of this mistake8 ,and just that evening ,i had intended doing much work4 ,without the interior light of grace ,i should assuredly have bewailed my loss1 but with that light1 instead of experiencing vexation ,i was happy in thinking that poverty consists in being deprived not only of things desirable1 but of those also that are indispensable4 ,and in the exterior darkness ,i found my soul illumined with divine light4 ,i was seized at this time with a genuine love for what was ugliest and least convenient1 thus ,i was delighted when ,i saw the pretty little jug carried off from our cell1 and received in its stead a large one1 all chipped4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vii ,a novice expressed regret for having lent a pin which was very serviceable to her3 8,oh6 how rich you are10 replied ,thrse1 8you cannot be happy40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,make haste and come down3 for this day ,i must abide in thy house40#ea ,jesus tells us to come down2 where1 then1 must we go8444 ,at an earlier time the ,jews asked ,him3 8,master1 where dwellest ,thou80#eb ,and ,he said3 8,the foxes have holes1 and the birds of the air nests2 but the ,son of ,man hath not where to lay ,his head40#ec ,behold whereunto we must descend if we would serve as dwellings for ,jesus3 we must be so poor that we have not where to lay our head4 ,,xiii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,,footnotes3 #ea ,luke1 xix1 #e4 #eb ,john1 i1 #ch4 #ec ,luke1 ix1 #eh4 ,illustration ,,confidence ,what offends ,jesus1 what wounds ,him to the ,heart1 is want of confidence4 ,i ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,cousin ,,marie ,,gu,,rin ,believing that ,i was born for glory1 and seeking the means to attain to it1 it was revealed to me interiorly that my glory would never be visible to mortal eyes but would consist in becoming a saint4 ,this desire might well seem presumptuously bold1 considering how imperfect ,i was1 and how imperfect ,i am still after so many years in religion2 and yet ,i feel ever the same audacious confidence of becoming a great saint4 ,i count not on my merits1 having none2 but ,i trust in ,him who is ,virtue and ,holiness itself4 ,he alone it is who satisfied with my feeble efforts will raise me up even unto ,himself1 will clothe me with ,his merits and make me a saint4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,iv ,ours is an age of inventions3 nowadays1 with the rich a lift saves the trouble of climbing the stairs4 ,and ,i1 fain would ,i too find a lift to bear me up unto ,god1 for ,i am too little to climb the rugged steps of perfection4 ,then ,i turned to the ,holy ,scriptures1 seeking from them an indication of this lift1 the object of my desires2 and ,i read these words which have issued from the very mouth of the ,eternal ,wisdom3 8,whosoever is a ,,very ,,little ,,one1 let him come to me40#ed ,then ,i drew nigh unto ,god divining truly that ,i had discovered what ,i sought3 wishing however to know what ,he would do with the very little one1 ,i continued my research and here is what ,i found3 8,you shall be carried at the breast and upon the knees2 as one whom the mother caresseth so will ,i comfort you40#ee ,ah1 never came words more sweet1 more tender1 to gladden my soul4 ,thine arms then1 ,o ,jesus1 are the lift which must raise me up even unto ,heaven6 ,for this ,i need not grow1 on the contrary ,i must remain little1 ,i must ever tend to become yet more little4 ,o my ,god1 ,thou hast gone beyond my expectations1 and ,i--,i will sing ,thy mercies6 ,thou hast taught me1 ,o ,god from my youth3 and till now ,i have declared ,thy wondrous works4 ,and unto old age and grey hairs#ef will ,i proclaim them4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,since it has been given to me too1 to understand the love of the ,heart of ,jesus1 ,i own that it has chased all fear from mine6 ,the remembrance of my faults humiliates me1 and urges me never to depend upon my own strength which is nothing but weakness3 still more does this remembrance speak to me of mercy and of love4 ,when1 with all filial confidence we cast our faults into the devouring furnace of love1 how should they not be totally consumed8 ,v ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,though we must needs be pure indeed to appear in the presence of the ,god of all ,holiness1 yet ,i know too that ,he is infinitely just2 and this justice which affrights so many souls is the ground of my joy and my confidence4 ,justice not merely exercises severity towards the offender2 it moreover recognizes a right intention1 and awards to virtue its recompense4 ,i hope as much from the ,justice of the good ,god as from ,his ,mercy2 it is because ,he is just1 that 8,he is compassionate and merciful1 long-suffering and plenteous in mercy4 ,for ,he knoweth our frame4 ,he remembereth that we are but dust4 ,as a father hath compassion on ,his children1 so hath the ,lord compassion on us60#eg444 ,listening to these beautiful and consoling words of the ,royal ,prophet1 how can we doubt but that the good ,god will open the portals of ,his ,kingdom to ,his children who have loved ,him even unto sacrificing all for ,him1 who have not only left their kindred and their country1 for the sake of making ,him known and loved1 but1 still further1 desire to give their life for ,him8444 ,most truly has ,jesus said that there is no greater love than this6 ,how then could ,he suffer ,himself to be outdone in generosity8 ,how could ,he purify in the flames of ,purgatory souls consumed by the fire of ,divine ,love8444 ,that is what ,i think of the justice of the good ,god2 my way is all confidence and love1 ,i do not understand those souls who fear so tender a ,friend4 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,that joy to think that ,god is just1 that is to say1 that ,he takes our weakness into consideration1 that ,he thoroughly knows the frailty of our nature4 ,of what then1 should ,i be afraid8 ,must not the good and infinitely just ,god1 who with such tender mercy deigns to pardon the ,prodigal ,son1 must ,he not be just towards me too--who am always with ,him8#eh ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,i want to make you understand by a very simple comparison how much ,jesus loves souls1 even the imperfect1 who trust in ,him4 ,suppose the father of two wayward and disobedient children1 coming to punish them1 sees one tremble and draw away from him in terror2 while the other1 on the contrary1 throwing himself into his arms1 says he is sorry1 promises to be good henceforward and begs for a kiss as punishment4 ,do you think the delighted father will withstand the filial confidence of this child8 ,he knows nevertheless that his son will fall again many a time into the same faults1 but he is disposed to pardon him always1 if always there be an appeal to his heart4 ,i say nothing of the other child3 you must understand that his father cannot love him as much or treat him with the same indulgence4 ,,viii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,truly the ,heart of ,jesus is more grieved by the thousand little imperfections of ,his friends than by even grave faults of ,his enemies4 ,but it seems to me that it is only when ,his own chosen ones make a habit of these infidelities1 and do not ask ,his pardon1 that ,he can say3 8,these wounds which you see in the midst of ,my ,hands3 with these was ,i wounded in the house of them that loved ,me40#ei ,for those who love ,him and who come after each little fault and throw themselves into ,his arms1 begging ,his forgiveness1 the ,heart of ,jesus thrills with joy4 ,he says to ,his ,angels what the father of the prodigal son said to ,his servants3 8,put a ring on his finger and let us rejoice40#fj ,oh6 the goodness and the merciful love of the ,heart of ,jesus1 how little is it known6 ,true it is1 that to share in these treasures we must humble ourselves1 must acknowledge our nothingness1 and that is what many souls are unwilling to do4 ,,vii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,our dreams1 our desires of perfection are not vain imaginations1 since ,jesus ,himself has given us this commandment1 ,he said3 8,be you1 therefore1 perfect1 as also your ,heavenly ,father is perfect40#fa ,,ii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,truly ,i am far from being a saint4 ,i ought not to rejoice at the aridity of my soul1 but attribute it to the scantiness of my fervour and fidelity4 ,i ought to grieve because ,i fall asleep very often during my prayer and my thanksgiving4 ,well1 ,i do not grieve6 ,i reflect that little children when they sleep are as pleasing to their parents as when they are awake2 that in order to perform operations1 doctors put their patients to sleep2 in fine1 that the ,lord knoweth our frame1 ,he remembereth that we are but dust4#fb ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,i have no fear of the last combats1 nor of the physical suffering how great soever it may be4 ,the good ,god has always come to my assistance1 ,he has helped me and led me by the hand from my earliest years4444 ,i count on ,him 444 my sufferings may reach their furthest limits1 but ,i am sure that ,he will never abandon me4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,it is confidence1 and confidence alone1 that must lead us to ,love4444 ,does not fear lead us rather to think of the rigid justice by which sinners are warned8 ,but that is not the justice that ,jesus will show to those who love ,him4 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,s,,ur ,,marie ,,du ,,sacr-,c,,ur ,o ,jesus1 suffer me to tell ,thee that ,thy ,love reacheth even unto folly4444 ,what wilt ,thou1 in face of this folly1 but that my heart dart upwards to ,thee--how can my confidence have any bounds8 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,it is not because ,i have been shielded from mortal sin that ,i lift up my heart to ,god in trust and love4 ,i feel that even if there lay upon my conscience all the crimes one could commit ,i should lose nothing of my confidence4 ,broken-hearted with compunction ,i would go and throw myself into the arms of my ,saviour4 ,i know that ,he cherished the ,prodigal ,son1 ,i have heard ,his words to ,mary ,magdalene1 to the adultress1 to the ,samaritan woman4 ,no one could frighten me1 for ,i know what to believe concerning ,his ,mercy and ,his ,love4 ,i know that in one moment all that multitude of sins would disappear--as a drop of water cast into a red-hot furnace4 ,it is related in the ,lives of the ,fathers of the ,desert that one of them converted a public sinner whose misdeeds scandalized the whole country4 ,touched by grace this sinful woman was following the saint into the desert1 there to do rigorous penance1 when1 on the first night of her journey1 before she had even reached the place of her retreat1 the bonds of life were broken by the impetuosity of her loving contrition4 ,the holy hermit at the same moment saw her soul borne by ,angels into the ,bosom of ,god4 ,that is truly a striking instance of what ,i want to express1 but one cannot put these things into words4444 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,happy indeed am ,i to die and go to ,heaven1 but when ,i think on those words of our ,lord3 8,behold1 ,i come quickly1 and ,my reward is with ,me1 to render to every man according to his works10#fc ,i reflect that ,he will be very much embarrassed as regards me3 ,i have no works4444 ,well1 ,he will render to me ,,according ,,to ,,his ,,own ,,works6 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,illustration3 ,,the ,,servant ,,of ,,god ,,th,r,,se ,,of ,,the ,,child ,,jesus 7,the ,little ,flower of ,jesus7 ,one evening as they were telling her something which had been said at recreation1 touching the responsibility of those who have the charge of souls1 ,sur ,thrse de l',enfant ,jsus spoke these beautiful words3 8#8,to him that is little1 mercy is granted4'#fd ,it is possible to remain little1 even in the most important offices2 and is it not written that at the end the ,lord will arise to save the meek and humble of the earth8#fe ,it says not to judge but to save40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,a novice questioning as to whether our ,lord were not dissatisfied with her on account of her many miseries1 ,sur ,thrse made answer3 8,set your mind at rest3 ,he whom you have chosen as your ,spouse possesses certainly every perfection that can be desired2 but1 if ,i may dare to say it1 ,he has at the same time one great infirmity3 ,he is blind6 ,and there is a science which ,he knows not1 that of calculation4 ,these two points which would be most lamentable deficiencies in an earthly spouse1 render ours infinitely lovable4 ,were ,he to consider our sins and reckon with them1 do you not think that in the face of all these sins ,he would cast us back into nothingness8 ,but no1 ,his love for us makes ,him absolutely blind6 8,see for yourself3 if the greatest sinner on earth1 at the hour of death repent of his transgressions and expire in an act of love1 immediately1 without calculating on the one hand the numerous graces abused by this unhappy man1 nor on the other1 all his crimes1 ,jesus sees nothing1 counts nothing1 but the penitent's last prayer1 and delays not to receive him into the arms of ,his ,mercy4 8,but to render ,him thus blind1 to hinder ,him from doing the least little bit of reckoning1 we must know how to lay siege to ,his ,heart2 at that point ,he is defenceless44440 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,to another1 who bitterly repented of a fault just committed1 ,sur ,thrse said3 8,take your ,crucifix and kiss it40 ,the novice kissed the feet4 8,is that how a child embraces her ,father8 ,put your arms round ,his ,neck immediately and kiss ,his ,face40 ,she obeyed4 8,that is not all1 ,he must return your caresses40 ,and she had to hold the ,crucifix to each cheek2 then ,thrse said3 8,that is well1 now all is forgiven60 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,having caused her pain1 a novice went to ask pardon of ,sur ,thrse1 who replied with emotion3 8,if you only knew what ,i feel6 ,never have ,i so well understood with what love ,jesus receives us1 when1 after a fault we beg ,him to forgive us4 ,if ,i1 ,his poor little creature1 feel such tenderness for you the moment you return to me1 what must pass in the ,heart of the good ,god when we return to ,him8444 ,yes1 surely1 more swiftly yet than ,i have just done1 will ,he forget all our iniquities1 never again to remember them4444 ,he will do even more--,he will love us still better than before our fault64440 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,,footnotes3 #ed ,prov41 ix1 #d4 #ee ,is41 lxvi1 #ab1 #ac4 #ef ,cf4 ,ps41 lxx1 #ag1 #ah4 #eg ,ps41 cii1 #h1 #ac1 #ad4 #eh ,luke1 xv1 #ca4 #ei ,cf4 ,zach41 xiii1 #f4 #fj ,cf4 ,luke1 xv1 #bb4 #fa ,matt41 v1 #dh4 #fb ,ps41 cii1 #ad4 #fc ,apoc41 xxii1 #ab4 #fd ,wisdom1 vi1 #g4 #fe ,cf4 ,ps41 lxxv1 #aj4 ,illustration ,,self-,,abandonment ,i cannot think without rapture of the dear little ,saint ,ccilia3 what a model6 ,in the midst of a pagan world1 in the heart of danger1 at the moment when about to be united to a mortal who sought none but earthly love1 it seems to me that she ought to have trembled and wept4 ,but no1 while her bridal was celebrated with joyful melody ,ccilia was singing in her heart4#ff ,what abandonment to ,god6 ,without doubt she listened to other melodies than those of earth2 her ,divine ,spouse1 ,he too1 was singing1 and ,angel choirs sang again the refrain of one most blessed night3 8,glory to ,god in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will40#fg ,the glory of ,god6--,oh6 ,ccilia understood it2 most earnestly did she long for it4 ,she divined that her ,jesus was athirst for souls 444 that is why her whole desire was that she might lead speedily to ,him the soul of the young ,roman1 who dreamed of naught but human glory3 this wise ,virgin will make of him a martyr1 and multitudes will follow in his footprints4 ,she fears nothing3 the ,angels have promised and have sung of peace4 ,she knows that the ,prince of ,peace is bound to protect her1 to shield her virginity and to give to her its recompense4 8,o how beautiful is the chaste generation60#fh ,,xvii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,i had offered myself to the ,child ,jesus to be ,his little plaything4 ,i had told ,him not to use me like a costly toy which children are pleased to look at without daring to touch2 but as ,he would a little ball of no value1 that ,he might throw to the ground1 toss about1 pierce1 leave in a corner1 or else press to ,his ,heart if so it pleased ,him4 ,in a word ,i wanted to amuse the little ,jesus1 and to give myself up to all ,his childlike fancies4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vi ,my heart is entirely filled with the will of ,jesus2 therefore when anything over and above falls to its share1 this does not penetrate to its depths2 it is a mere nothing which easily glides by1 as oil on the surface of limpid water4 ,ah6 if my heart were not filled up beforehand1 had it to be filled by the sentiments of joy or of sadness which so quickly succeed each other1 bitter indeed would be this flood-tide of pain2 but these rapid alternations do no more than ruffle the surface of my soul1 and ,i remain ever in a profound peace that nothing can disturb4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,i am not always faithful1 but ,i am never discouraged2 ,i leave myself wholly in the arms of our ,divine ,lord2 ,he teaches me to draw profit from all--both good and ill that ,he finds in me4#fi ,he teaches me to speculate in the ,bank of ,love1 or rather it is ,he who acts for me without telling me how ,he goes to work1 that is ,his affair and not mine2 my part is complete surrender1 reserving nothing to myself1 not even the gratification of knowing how my credit stands with the ,bank4 ,,xvi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,a sister told ,sur ,thrse of the strange phenomena produced by magnetism on persons who really wish to yield up their will to the mesmerizer4 ,these details appeared to interest her keenly and on the morrow she said to the ,sister3 8,your conversation yesterday did me so much good4 ,oh6 how ,i wish to be magnetized by our ,lord4 ,it was my first thought on awakening4 ,with what delight have ,i delivered my will up to ,him4 ,yes1 ,i want ,him to make ,himself master of my faculties in such sort that my actions shall no longer be human or personal1 but wholly divine1 inspired and directed by the ,spirit of ,love40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,you are quite wrong to think of sorrows that the future may bring2 it is1 as it were1 intermeddling with ,divine ,providence4 ,we who run in the way of ,love must never torment ourselves about anything4 ,if ,i did not suffer minute by minute1 it would be impossible for me to be patient2 but ,i see only the present moment1 ,i forget the past and ,i take good care not to anticipate the future4 ,if we grow disheartened1 if sometimes we despair1 it is because we have been dwelling on the past or the future4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,i no longer thirst for either suffering or death1 yet both ,i dearly prize4 ,long did ,i call upon them as the harbingers of joy4444 ,suffering has in very truth been mine1 and ,i have thought ,i wellnigh touched the eternal shore6 ,i have believed from my earliest youth that the little flower would be gathered in its spring-time2 now1 it is the spirit of self-abandonment alone that guides me1 no other compass have ,i4 ,i know not now1 how to ask anything eagerly1 save the perfect accomplishment of ,god's designs upon my soul4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii 8,pray for me10 she would often say1 8when ,i implore ,heaven to come to my aid1 then it is that ,i feel most forsaken40 8,and in this desolation how do you avoid discouragement80 they asked her4 8,i turn to the good ,god1 to all the ,saints1 and ,i thank them just the same4 ,i think they wish to see to what point ,i shall carry my trust4444 ,but not in vain have these words of ,job sunk into my heart3 #8,though ,he should kill me yet will ,i trust in ,him4'#gj ,i acknowledge it was long before ,i reached this degree of abandonment2 our ,lord has taken me and placed me there60 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,it seems to me that nothing now hinders me from taking flight1 for ,i no longer have any great desires1 save to love1 even unto dying of love4 ,i am free1 ,i have no fear1 not even of what ,i most dreaded2 ,i mean the fear of being a long time ill and consequently a burthen to the ,community4 ,if it gives pleasure to the good ,god ,i willingly consent to see my life of suffering1 both of soul and body1 prolonged for years4 ,oh6 no1 ,i do not fear a long life4 ,i do not shun the combat4 8,the ,lord is the rock upon which ,i am founded4 ,who teacheth my hands to fight and my fingers to war2 ,he is my protector in whom ,i have hoped40#ga ,never have ,i asked ,god to let me die young2 it is true ,i have ever believed that it would be so1 but without seeking to obtain it4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,whatever the good ,god has given me has always pleased me1 even the gifts which have appeared to me less good and less beautiful than those received by others4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,i have no greater desire to die than to live2 if our ,lord gave me the choice ,i would choose nothing2 ,i only will what ,he wills2 it is what ,he does that ,i love4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii 8,some think you are afraid of death10 they said to her4--8,that may indeed yet happen2 ,i never depend on my own thoughts1 knowing how weak ,i am2 but at present ,i will rejoice in the sentiments that the good ,god now gives me1 there will be time enough to suffer from the contrary40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,a sister said to her3 8,if anyone goes straight to ,heaven1 you surely will not spend one moment in ,purgatory60 8,oh6 ,i feel little anxiety about that2 ,i shall always be content with the sentence of the good ,god4 ,if ,i go to ,purgatory1 well--,i shall walk in the midst of the flames1 like the three ,hebrews in the furnace1 singing the ,canticle of ,love40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,,footnotes3 #ff ,office of ,st4 ,ccilia4 #fg ,luke1 ii1 #ad4 #fh ,wisdom1 iv1 #a4 #fi ,st4 ,john of the ,cross4 #gj ,job1 xiii1 #ae4 #ga ,cf4 ,ps41 cxliii1 #a1 #b1 #c4 ,illustration ,,gratitude ,oh1 how happy ,god makes me6 ,how easy and how sweet it is to serve ,him upon earth4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,seeing several of my companions form special attachments to some one or other of our mistresses1 ,i wished to follow their example but could not succeed therein4 ,o happy inability6 from how great evils has it saved me4444 ,how ,i thank ,god for having made me find only bitterness in the friendships of earth4 ,with a heart such as mine ,i should have been captured and had my wings clipped2 then how should ,i have been able to fly away and be at rest4#gb ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,iv ,i understand well that our ,lord knew ,i was too weak to be exposed to temptation2 without doubt ,i should have been wholly destroyed had ,i been dazzled by the deceitful glamour of the love of creatures2 but never has it shone before my eyes4 ,there1 where strong souls find joy1 and through fidelity detach themselves from it1 ,i have found only affliction4 ,where then is my merit in not being given up to these fragile attachments1 since it is only by a gracious effect of ,god's mercy that ,i was preserved from it8 ,without ,him1 ,i recognize that ,i might have fallen as low as ,st4 ,magdalene2 and that word of deep meaning spoken by the ,divine ,master to ,simon the ,pharisee1 re-echoes with great sweetness in my soul4 ,yes1 ,i know it3 8,to whom less is forgiven1 he loveth less40#gc ,but ,i also know that ,jesus has forgiven more to me than to ,st4 ,magdalene4 ,ah1 how ,i wish ,i could express what ,i feel4 ,here at least is an example which will in some measure convey my thought4 ,suppose the son of a skilful doctor is tripped by a stone in his path1 which causes him to fall and fracture a limb4 ,his father comes in haste1 lifts him up lovingly and attends to his injuries1 employing therein all the resources of his art2 and the boy1 very soon completely cured1 testifies his gratitude4 ,this child has certainly good reason to love so kind a father2 but here is another supposition4 ,the father having learnt that there lies in his son's way a dangerous stone1 sets out beforehand and removes it unseen by anyone4 ,his son1 the object of this tender forethought1 unaware of the misfortune from which he has been preserved by the father's hand1 will of course show no gratitude1 and will love him less than if he had cured him of a grievous wound4 ,but should he come to know all1 will he not love him still more8 ,well--,i am this child1 the object of the preventing love of a ,father ,who sent ,his ,son not to redeem the just but sinners4#gd ,he wills that ,i should love ,him because ,he has forgiven me1 not much1 but everything4 ,without waiting for me to love ,him much1 like ,st4 ,mary ,magdalene1 ,he has made me to know how ,he had loved me with a preventing and ineffable love1 in order that ,i may now love ,him even unto folly6 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,iv ,walking one day in the garden1 leaning on one of her sisters1 ,thrse paused to enjoy the fascinating sight of a little white hen sheltering its chickens beneath its wings4 ,very soon her eyes filled with tears1 and turning to her dear companion she said3 8,i can stay no longer1 let us go in again quickly44440 ,and in her cell1 her tears continued falling and she could not utter a word4 ,at last1 looking at her sister with an expression that was quite heavenly1 she said3 8,i was thinking of our ,lord1 and of the touching comparison ,he chose in order to make us believe in ,his tenderness4 ,that is just what ,he has done for me all my life3 ,he has wholly hidden me beneath ,his wings6 ,i cannot express what passed within my heart4 ,ah6 the good ,god does well to veil ,himself from my sight1 to show me the effects of ,his ,mercy rarely1 and as it were1 #8through the lattices2'#ge such consolations would1 ,i feel1 be more than ,i could bear40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii 8,oh6 how good is the good ,god60 444 she would sometimes exclaim4 8,yes1 ,he must indeed be good to give me the strength to endure all that ,i suffer40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,one day she said to the ,mother ,prioress3 8,i would like to speak to you1 ,mother1 of the state of my soul2 but ,i cannot1 ,i am too deeply moved just now40 ,and in the evening she sent these lines pencilled with a trembling hand3 8,o my ,god1 how good ,thou art to the little victim of ,thy ,merciful ,love6 ,now even though ,thou dost join physical suffering to the trials of my soul1 ,i cannot say3 #8,the sorrows of death have encompassed me4'#gf ,but ,i cry out in my gratitude3 #8,i have gone down into the valley of the shadow of death1 yet ,i fear no evil1 because ,thou1 ,o ,lord1 art with me4'0#gg ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,,footnotes3 #gb ,ps41 liv1 #g4 #gc ,luke1 vii1 #dg4 #gd ,luke1 v1 #cb4 #ge ,cant41 ii1 #i4 #gf ,ps41 xvii1 #e4 #gg ,cf4 ,ps41 xxii1 #d4 ,illustration ,,zeal ,the cry of ,jesus agonizing1 8,i thirst60 re-echoed continually in my heart1 firing it with an ardent zeal till then unknown to me4 ,i longed to give to my ,beloved to drink3 ,i too felt myself consumed with the thirst for souls1 and at all cost ,i would wrest sinners from the eternal flames4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,v ,the ,precious ,blood of ,jesus ,i poured on souls1 to ,him ,i offered these same souls renewed by the ,dew of ,calvary2 thus ,i thought to quench ,his ,thirst2 but the more ,i gave ,him to drink1 the more ardently my poor little soul thirsted--and this ,i received as a most precious recompense4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,v ,like the ,prophets and the ,doctors ,i would fain enlighten souls4 ,fain would ,i travel the earth1 ,o my ,well-,beloved1 to preach ,thy ,name and to set up ,thy glorious ,cross in ,pagan lands4 ,but one mission only would not suffice for me2 would that ,i could at one and the same time proclaim the ,gospel all the world over1 even to the remotest of its islands4 ,i would desire to be a ,missionary not only for a few years1 but to have been one from the creation of the world1 and so to continue to the end of time4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,i long to accomplish the most heroic deeds4 ,i feel within me the courage of a ,crusader4 ,i would die on the battlefield in defence of the ,church4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,open1 my ,jesus1 thy ,book of ,life wherein are recorded the actions of all the ,saints2 those actions--would that ,i too1 had accomplished such for ,thee6 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,souls--dear ,lord1 we must have souls6 ,above all1 souls of apostles and of martyrs1 that through them we may inflame the multitude of poor sinners with love of ,thee4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,appendix ,after recreation one day when the ,mother ,prioress had spoken of the persecution already raging against ,religious ,communities1 ,sur ,thrse said to a novice3 8,ah6 ,sister1 we live in an era of martyrs6 ,blood will be shed4--,what happiness if it should be ours60 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,a novice on her way to the laundry one day1 went at a slow pace through the garden1 looking at the flowers as she passed4 ,sur ,thrse who followed walking quickly1 soon overtook her and said3 8,is that how one hastens who has children 7souls7 to support1 for whose sustenance she is obliged to work84440 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,during her illness she wrote3 8,the will of the good ,god is my sole desire2 and ,i declare that if in ,heaven ,i could no longer work for ,his glory1 ,i would choose exile rather than the ,fatherland40 ,,iv ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,what draws me towards the ,heavenly ,country is the call of our ,lord1 the hope of at last loving ,him as ,i have so ardently desired1 and the thought that ,i shall be able to make ,him loved by a multitude of souls who will bless ,him eternally4 ,,viii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,confidently ,i count upon not remaining inactive in ,heaven1 my desire is to work still for the ,church and for souls3 this ,i ask of ,god1 and ,i am certain that ,he will hear me4 ,if ,i quit already the battlefield1 it is not with the selfish desire of taking my rest4 ,suffering has long since become my heaven here below1 and it is difficult to imagine how it will be possible for me to become acclimatized to a country where joy reigns1 unmingled with sorrow4 ,jesus must needs transform my soul completely1 else ,i could not support eternal bliss4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,just now a few notes of distant music fell upon my ear1 and set me thinking that very soon ,i shall hear melodies beyond compare2 yet this thought can give me but a moment's gladness2 one only expectation makes my heart throb3 it is the love that ,i shall receive and the love that ,i shall be able to give6 ,i feel that my mission is now to begin1 my mission to make others love the good ,god as ,i love ,him 444 to give to souls my little way4 ,i ,,will ,,spend ,,my ,,heaven ,,in ,,doing ,,good ,,upon ,,earth4 ,this is not impossible1 since the ,angels in the full enjoyment of the ,beatific ,vision keep watch over us4 ,no1 ,i shall never rest till the end of the world6 ,but when the ,angel shall have said3 8,time is no more60#gh then ,i shall rest--shall be able to rejoice1 because the number of the elect will be complete4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,,footnotes3 #gh ,apoc41 x1 #f4 ,illustration ,,simplicity ,when ,i read certain treatises where perfection is set forth as encompassed by a thousand obstacles1 my poor little head grows weary very quickly4 ,i close the learned book which puzzles my brains and dries up my heart1 and in its stead ,i open the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,then all appears clear1 luminous 444 one single word discloses to my soul infinite horizons1 perfection seems easy4 ,i see that it is sufficient to recognize our nothingness1 and to leave oneself like a child1 in the arms of the good ,god4 ,let great souls and sublime intellects enjoy the beautiful books which ,i cannot understand1 still less put in practice2 ,i rejoice in being little1 since 8children only and those who resemble them will be admitted to the ,heavenly banquet40#gi ,it is well that the ,kingdom of ,heaven contains many mansions1 for if there were none other than those of which the description and the way seem incomprehensible to me1 ,i should never be able to enter therein4 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,my patrons in ,heaven and my chosen favourites are those who have stolen it--like the ,holy ,innocents and the ,good ,thief4 ,the great ,saints have earned it by their works2 as for me1 ,i will imitate the thieves1 ,i will have it by ruse1 a ruse of ,love which will open its gates to me and to poor sinners4 ,the ,holy ,ghost encourages me1 saying in the ,book of ,proverbs3 8,o little one1 come1 learn subtlety of me40#hj ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,our ,lord replied to the mother of the sons of ,zebedee3 8,to sit on ,my right and on ,my left hand is for them for whom it is prepared by ,my ,father40#ha ,i imagine that those places of choice1 refused to great ,saints1 to ,martyrs1 will be the portion of little children4 ,did not ,david predict it when he said that the little ,benjamin will preside amidst the assemblies 7of the saints78#hb ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,if you could begin your religious life over again0 asked a novice1 8what would you do80 8,it seems to me that ,i would do as ,i have done40 8,you do not then feel like the hermit who used to say3 #8,even though ,i had lived long years in penance yet ,i should fear damnation while there still remained to me one quarter of an hour1 one breath of life4'0 8,no1 ,i cannot share that fear1 ,i am too little to be damned1 little children are not damned40 8,you always seek to be like the little ones--but tell us what we must do to possess the spirit of childhood8 ,what does it exactly mean--to remain little80 8,to remain little--it is to recognize our nothingness1 to expect everything from the good ,god1 not to be too much afflicted about our faults1 for little children fall often but are too small to hurt themselves much3 in fine1 it is not to make one's fortune1 nor to be disquieted about anything4 ,even in the homes of the poor1 as long as a child is quite little they give him what is needful2 but when grown up1 the father is no longer willing to support him and says3 #8,now work6 you can provide for yourself4' ,well1 it was to escape hearing that1 that ,i have never wished to grow up1 for ,i know myself incapable of earning my livelihood--,eternal ,life6 8,again1 to remain little is not to attribute to self the virtues we practise2 but to acknowledge that the good ,god places this treasure in the hand of ,his little child to be made use of when required40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,be not afraid to tell ,jesus that you love ,him2 even though it be without feeling1 this is the way to oblige ,him to help you1 and carry you like a little child too feeble to walk4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,it is a great trial to see only the black side of things1 but that does not depend completely upon you4 ,do your best to detach your heart from the cares of this world1 and above all from creatures2 then you may be sure that ,jesus will do the rest4 ,he could not suffer you to fall into the abyss4 ,be comforted1 little one1 in ,heaven you will no longer see all black but all white2 yes1 all will be clothed with the divine whiteness of our ,spouse1 the ,lily of the ,valley4 ,together we shall follow ,him whithersoever ,he goeth4444 ,oh6 let us profit by the brief moments of this life to give pleasure to ,jesus1 let us win souls for ,him by our sacrifices4 ,above all let us be little1 so little that all the world may trample us under foot without even our appearing to feel it or to suffer from it4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,you are wrong to find fault with one thing and another1 and to seek that all should yield to your way of viewing things4 ,we want to be like little children1 and little children know not what is best1 to them all seems well2 let us imitate them4 ,besides there would be no merit in obedience were we only to do what would appear reasonable to us4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,a novice under a temptation which seemed to her insurmountable said3 8,this time ,i cannot rise above it--it is impossible40 ,thrse replied3 8,why do you try to rise above it8 ,pass beneath it quite simply4 ,it is very well for great souls to soar high above the clouds when the storm is raging1 but for us1 we have merely to bear the showers with patience4 ,if we do get rather wet--no matter6 ,we shall dry ourselves afterwards in the sunshine of ,love40 ,that brings to mind this little trait of my childhood2 a horse one day standing at the garden gate barred our entrance2 those with me endeavoured by force of talking1 etc41 to get him to move back1 but while they talked ,i very quietly slipped in1 through the horse's legs4444 ,see how one may gain by remaining little6 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,to a young ,sister discouraged at seeing her imperfections1 ,sur ,thrse said3 8,you make me think of a very little child who is just able to stand upright but does not yet know how to walk4 ,intent upon reaching the top of the stairs so as to get back to his mother he lifts his foot to climb the first step4 ,fruitless endeavour6 ,at each attempt he falls without advancing in the least4 ,well1 be like that little child2 by the practice of every virtue keep on ever lifting your little foot to climb the steps of sanctity1 and do not imagine that you will be able to mount even the first6 ,no2 but good will is all ,god requires of you4 ,from the top of those steps ,he is watching you with love2 and won by your unavailing efforts ,he will ,himself soon come down1 and taking you in ,his arms will bear you away to ,his ,kingdom1 never more to quit ,him4 ,but if you cease to lift your little foot ,he will leave you a long time on earth40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,the only means of making rapid progress in the path of ,love is to remain always very little2 that is what ,i have done2 so now ,i can sing with our ,father ,st4 ,john of the ,cross3 ,and stooping so low1 so low1 ,i rose still higher and higher ,and thus ,i attained my end4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,someone was speaking to her of the mortifications of the ,saints1 she replied3 8,it is well our ,lord has let us know that there are many mansions in ,his ,father's ,house1 that if not ,he would have told us4#hc ,yes1 if all souls called to perfection had been obliged to practise these macerations in order to enter ,heaven1 ,he would have said so1 and gladly would we have undertaken them4 ,but ,he tells us that in ,his ,house there are many mansions4 ,if there are those for great souls1 for the ,fathers of the ,desert and for martyrs of penance1 there must be one also for little children4 ,our place is reserved there1 if our love be great--for ,him and for our ,heavenly ,father and the ,spirit of ,love40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,i feel that my mission is now to begin10 she said a few days before her death1 8my mission to make others love the good ,god as ,i love ,him1 to give my little way to souls44440 8,what is this #8little way' that you want to teach to souls80 8,it is the path of spiritual childhood1 it is the way of trust and of entire self-surrender4 ,i want to make known to them the simple means that have so perfectly succeeded for me1 to tell them that there is but one only thing to do here below3 to cast down before ,jesus the flowers of little sacrifices1 to win ,him by caresses6 ,that is how ,i have won ,him1 and that is why ,i shall be so well received40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,if ,i am misguiding you by my little way of ,love1 she said to a novice1 do not fear that ,i shall let you follow it very long4 ,i shall appear to you1 and tell you to take another path2 but if ,i do not return1 believe in the truth of my words3 never can we have too much confidence in the good ,god1 so mighty and so merciful6 ,as much as we hope for shall we obtain from ,him6444 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,a novice said to her on the eve of the ,feast of ,our ,lady of ,mount ,carmel3 8,if you were to die to-morrow after ,holy ,communion1 it seems to me that so beautiful a death would console me in the midst of my grief40 ,and ,thrse replied with animation3 8,die after ,holy ,communion6 ,on a grand ,feast day6 ,no1 it will not be so3 little souls could not copy that4 ,in my little way there are only quite ordinary things2 all that ,i do1 little souls must be able to do also40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,,footnotes3 #gi ,cf4 ,matt41 xix1 #ad4 #hj ,cf4 ,prov41 #a1 #d4 #ha ,cf4 ,matt41 xx1 #bc4 #hb ,cf4 ,ps41 lxvii1 #bi4 #hc ,cf4 ,john1 xiv1 #b4 ,illustration ,,prayer ,as ,i grew older ,i loved the good ,god more and more1 and very frequently did ,i offer ,him my heart1 using the words my mother had taught me4 ,i strove in all my actions to please ,jesus and was most watchful never to offend ,him4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ii ,my whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice1 these are my invincible arms2 they can move hearts far better than words1 ,i know it by experience4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,great is the power of prayer--a queen1 as one might say1 having free access always to the ,king1 and able to obtain whatever she asks4 ,in order to be heard1 it is not necessary to read from a book a beautiful form of prayer adapted to the circumstances2 if it were so1 how greatly to be pitied should ,i be6 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,i have not the courage to force myself to seek beautiful prayers in books2 not knowing which to choose ,i act as children do who cannot read2 ,i say quite simply to the good ,god what ,i want to tell ,him1 and ,he always understands me4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,prayer is1 for me1 an outburst from the heart2 it is a simple glance darted upwards to ,heaven2 it is a cry of gratitude and of love in the midst of trial as in the midst of joy6 ,in a word1 it is something exalted1 supernatural1 which dilates the soul and unites it to ,god4 ,sometimes when ,i find myself1 spiritually1 in dryness so great that ,i cannot produce a single good thought1 ,i recite very slowly a ,pater or an ,ave ,maria2 these prayers alone console me1 they suffice1 they nourish my soul4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,the principal plenary indulgence and one which all may gain without the ordinary conditions1 is that of charity which covereth a multitude of sins4#hd ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,formerly if any of my family were in trouble1 and that ,i had been unable to succeed in comforting them during their visit1 ,i would go from the parlour heart-broken2 but soon ,jesus made me understand that ,i was incapable of giving consolation to a soul4 ,from that day forth ,i grieved no more when anyone went away sad2 ,i confided to the good ,god the sorrows of those who were dear to me1 feeling certain that ,he heard me1 and at their next visit ,i used to find that it had indeed been so4 ,since ,i have experienced this1 ,i no longer torment myself when involuntarily ,i give pain2 ,i simply beg of ,jesus to make up for what ,i have done4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,one day after ,holy ,communion the good ,god made me understand those words of the ,canticles3 8,draw me3 we will run after ,thee to the odour of ,thy ointments40#he ,o ,jesus1 it is not then necessary to say3 ,in drawing me1 draw the souls whom ,i love4 ,these simple words3 8,draw me0 suffice6 ,yes1 when a soul has allowed herself to be captivated by the inebriating fragrance of ,thy perfumes1 she could not run alone1 all the souls whom she loves are drawn after her2 this is a natural consequence of her attraction towards ,thee4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi 8,draw me1 we will run44440 ,to ask to be drawn is to will intimate union with the object which holds the heart captive4 ,if fire and iron were gifted with reason1 and that the latter said to the fire3 8,draw me10 would not this prove that it desired to become identified with the fire even so far as to share its substance8 ,well1 that is exactly my prayer4 ,i beg of ,jesus to draw me into the flames of ,his ,love1 to unite me so closely to ,himself that ,he may live and act in me4 ,i feel that the more the fire of love inflames my heart1 the more ,i shall say3 8,draw me10 the more also will the souls who draw near to mine run swiftly in the fragrant odours of the ,well-,beloved4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,souls thus on fire cannot rest inactive4 ,they may sit at the feet of ,jesus1 like ,saint ,mary ,magdalene1 listening to ,his sweet and ardent words2 but1 while seeming to give nothing1 they do give far more than ,martha who troubles herself with many things4#hf ,it is not however of ,martha's labours that ,jesus disapproves1 but only her too great anxiety2 to this very same work ,his ,blessed ,mother humbly submitted herself1 when she had to prepare the repasts for the ,holy ,family4 ,all the ,saints have understood this1 and more especially perhaps those who have enlightened the world with the luminous teaching of the ,gospel4 ,was it not from prayer that ,saint ,paul1 ,saint ,augustine1 ,saint ,thomas of ,aquin1 ,saint ,john of the ,cross1 ,saint ,teresa and so many other friends of ,god drew that wondrous science which enraptures the greatest intellects8 ,archimedes said3 8,give me a lever and a fulcrum1 and ,i will raise the world40 ,what he was unable to obtain because his request had but a material end and was not addressed to ,god1 the ,saints have obtained in full measure4 ,for fulcrum1 the ,almighty has given them ,himself1 ,himself alone6 for lever1 prayer1 which enkindles the fire of love2 and thus it is that they have uplifted the world1 thus it is that saints still militant1 uplift it1 and will uplift it till the end of time4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xi ,the ,creator of the universe awaits the prayer of one poor little soul to save a multitude of others1 redeemed like her at the price of ,his ,blood4 ,our vocation is not to go and reap in the ,father's fields2 ,jesus does not say to us3 8,cast down your eyes and reap the harvest02 our mission is still more sublime4 ,here are the words of the ,divine ,master3 8,lift up your eyes and see 4440 see that in ,heaven there are empty places2 yours it is to fill them 444 you are as ,moses praying on the mountain2 ask of ,me labourers and ,i will send them1 ,i await but a prayer1 a sigh from out your heart6 ,is not the apostolate of prayer higher as one might say1 than that of preaching8 ,it is for us to form labourers who by preaching the ,gospel1 will save thousands of souls of whom we thus become the mothers2 what then have we to envy the ,priests of the ,lord8 ,,xii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,how beautiful is our vocation6 ,it is for us1 it is for ,carmel to preserve 8the salt of the earth40#hg ,we offer our prayers and sacrifices for the apostles of the ,lord2 we ought ourselves to be their apostles while by word and example they preach the ,gospel to our brethren4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vi ,a novice was grieving about her numerous distractions during prayer3 8,i too1 have many10 replied ,sur ,thrse de l',enfant ,jsus1 8but ,i accept all for love of the good ,god1 even the most extravagant thoughts that come into my head40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,her prayer was continual though she was habitually plunged in aridity4 ,one day a novice entering her cell1 paused1 struck by the celestial expression of her countenance4 ,she was sewing with alacrity yet seemed lost in profound contemplation4 8,of what are you thinking80 asked the young ,sister4 8,i am meditating on the ,pater10 she replied4 8,it is so sweet to call the good ,god our ,father40 ,and tears shone in her eyes4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,i do not well see what more ,i shall have in ,heaven than now1 she once said4 ,i shall see the good ,god1 it is true2 but as to being with ,him1 ,i am wholly with ,him already upon earth4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,a living flame of ,divine ,love consumed her4 8,a few days after my oblation to ,god's ,merciful ,love10 she relates1 8,i had commenced in the ,choir the ,way of the ,cross1 when ,i felt myself suddenly wounded by a dart of fire so ardent that ,i thought ,i must die4 ,i know not how to describe this transport2 there is no comparison which would make one understand the intensity of that flame4 ,an invisible power seemed to plunge me wholly into fire 444 but oh6 what fire6 what sweetness60 ,the ,mother ,prioress asked her whether this transport was the first in her life1 she answered simply3 8,mother1 ,i have several times had transports of love2 once especially during my novitiate when ,i remained one entire week far indeed from this world2 for me1 there was as it were1 a veil thrown over all things of the earth4 ,but ,i was not consumed by a real flame1 ,i was able to sustain those delights without expecting that their intensity would cause my earthly fetters to snap asunder1 whilst on the day of which ,i speak1 one minute1 one second more and my soul must have left its prison4444 ,alas6--and ,i found myself again on earth1 and aridity immediately returned to my heart60 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,,footnotes3 #hd ,prov41 x1 #ab4 #he ,cant41 #a1 #c4 #hf ,luke1 x1 #da #hg ,matt41 v1 #ac4 ,illustration ,,holy ,,communion ,how sweet it was1 the first kiss of ,jesus to my soul6 ,yes1 it was a kiss of ,love4 ,i felt ,i was loved1 and ,i too said3 8,i love ,thee1 ,i give myself to ,thee for ever60 ,jesus asked nothing of me1 demanded no sacrifice4 ,already for a long time past1 ,he and the little ,thrse had watched and understood one another4444 ,that day our meeting was no longer a simple look but a fusion4 ,no longer were we two3 ,thrse had disappeared as the drop of water which loses itself in the depths of the ocean1 ,jesus alone remained2 the ,master1 the ,king6 ,had not ,thrse begged ,him to take away from her1 her liberty8 ,that liberty made her afraid2 so weak1 so fragile did she feel herself that she longed to be united for ever to ,divine ,strength4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,iv ,i had taken as my rule of conduct1 to receive most faithfully ,holy ,communion as often as my confessor permitted1 without ever asking that it might be more frequent4 ,i would act differently now2 for ,i am quite sure that a soul ought to make known to her director the attraction that she feels to receive her ,god4 ,it is not to remain in a golden ciborium that ,he comes down each day from ,heaven1 but to find another ,heaven1 the ,heaven of our soul in which ,he takes ,his delight4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,v ,what shall ,i say of my thanksgivings after ,holy ,communion8 ,there are no moments in which ,i feel less consolation4 ,and is not this very natural1 seeing that my desire is to receive our ,lord's visit1 not for my own satisfaction1 but solely for ,his pleasure8 ,i imagine my soul to be as a plot of waste ground and beg the ,blessed ,virgin to remove from it all the rubbish--meaning its imperfections2 then ,i beseech her to erect thereon1 a vast canopy worthy of ,heaven and to decorate it with her own treasures1 and ,i invite all the ,angels and ,saints to come and sing canticles of love4 ,it seems to me then that ,jesus is pleased to see ,himself so magnificently received2 and ,i1 ,i share ,his joy4 ,all this does not hinder distractions and sleep from molesting me2 therefore it not rarely happens that ,i resolve to continue my thanksgiving all the day long1 since ,i have made it so badly in the ,choir4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,at the time of ,holy ,communion ,i sometimes picture my soul under the figure of a little child of three or four years1 who at play has got its hair tossed and its clothes soiled4--,these misfortunes have befallen me in battling with souls4--,but very soon the ,blessed ,virgin hastens to my aid3 quickly she takes off my little dirty pinafore1 smooths my hair and adorns it with a pretty ribbon or simply with a little flower 444 and this suffices to render me pleasing and enables me to sit at the ,banquet of ,angels without blushing4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,the demon1 traitor that he is1 knows well1 that he cannot make a soul who wills to belong wholly to the good ,god1 commit sin2 therefore he endeavours only to persuade her that she sins4 ,that is a great deal gained1 but it is not yet enough to satisfy his rage 444 he aims at something further1 he wants to deprive ,jesus of a loved tabernacle4 ,not being able himself to enter into this sanctuary he wishes that it may at least remain empty and without its ,lord4 ,alas6 what will become of this poor heart8444 ,when the devil has succeeded in driving away a soul from ,holy ,communion he has gained his ends1 and ,jesus weeps4444 ,i ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,cousin ,,marie ,,gu,,rin ,a novice relates that she wanted to deprive herself of ,holy ,communion because of some lack of fidelity4 ,she wrote her determination to ,sister ,thrse of the ,child ,jesus who thus replied3 8,little flower cherished by ,jesus1 it is amply sufficient that by the humiliation of your soul your roots eat of the earth4444 ,you must open a little1 or rather raise on high your corolla so that the ,bread of ,angels may come as a divine dew to strengthen you1 and to give you all that is wanting to you4 8,good-night1 poor little floweret2 ask of ,jesus that all the prayers offered for my recovery may serve to augment the fire which must consume me40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,illustration ,,suffering#hh ,the cross has accompanied me from the cradle2 but then1 ,jesus has made me love it passionately4 ,,ix ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,one day my sister ,marie1 speaking of suffering1 said that instead of making me walk by that way1 the good ,god would no doubt carry me always like a little child4 ,these words recurred to me after ,holy ,communion on the following day1 and my heart was fired with an ardent desire of suffering4 ,i felt too an inward assurance1 that crosses in great number were in reserve for me4 ,then my soul was inundated with consolations such as ,i have never had again in all my life4 ,suffering became my attraction1 in it ,i found charms that entranced me4 ,another great desire that ,i felt1 was to love but ,god alone and to find no joy save only in ,him4 ,often during my thanksgiving after ,holy ,communion ,i used to repeat this passage from the ,imitation3 8,o ,jesus1 who art ineffable sweetness1 turn for me into bitterness all the consolations of earth40#hi ,these words came from my lips without effort2 ,i uttered them like a child who repeats without too well understanding1 words prompted by a friend4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,iv ,suffering has held out its arms to me from my very entrance into ,carmel and lovingly have ,i embraced it4 ,my intention in coming here1 ,i declared in the solemn examination which preceded my profession3 ,i am come in order to save souls1 and especially to pray for ,priests4 ,when we want to attain an end we must employ the means1 and ,jesus having made me understand that ,he would give me souls by means of the cross1 the more crosses ,i met with the more my attraction to suffering increased4 ,during five years this way was mine2 but ,i alone knew it4 ,here was just the hidden flower that ,i wanted to offer to ,jesus1 this flower which exhaled its fragrance for ,heaven alone4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vii ,for one pain endured with joy1 we shall love the good ,god more for ever4 ,i ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,in my soul's intercourse with ,jesus--nothing 444 dryness6 sleep6 ,since my ,beloved wills to sleep ,i shall not hinder ,him2 ,i am too happy in seeing that ,he does not treat me like a stranger1 that ,he is not constrained with me4 ,he pierces ,his little ball through and through with pin-pricks sore indeed4444 ,when it is this tender ,friend who ,himself pierces ,his ball1 the pain is naught but sweetness--so gentle is ,his ,hand4 ,how different when creatures pierce it6 ,yet ,i am happy1 yes1 truly happy to suffer4 ,if ,jesus does not ,himself directly pierce ,his little ball1 it is certainly ,he who guides the hand that wounds6 ,,ii ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,yes1 ,i desire them1 those heart-thrusts1 those pin-pricks that give so much pain4444 ,sacrifice ,i prefer to all ecstacies3 therein lies happiness for me1 ,i find it nowhere else4 ,the little reed has no fear of breaking1 for it is planted on the shore of the waters of ,love2 and so1 when it bends1 that beneficent wave invigorates it1 and makes it long for another storm to come and bow down its head anew4 ,my weakness it is1 that makes my whole strength4 ,whatever happens ,i cannot get broken2 ,i see only the gentle hand of ,jesus4 ,to win the palm no suffering is too great4 ,,iii ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,the drop of gall must be mingled in every cup1 but ,i find that trials greatly help to detach us from earth2 they make us look higher than this world4 ,nothing here below can satisfy us2 we can enjoy a little repose only by being ready to do ,god's ,will4 ,i ,,letter ,,to ,m,,re ,,agn,s ,,de ,j,,sus ,my soul has known many kinds of trials1 greatly have ,i suffered here on earth4 ,in my childhood ,i suffered with sadness2 now1 it is with peace and joy that ,i taste of all the bitter fruits4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,suffering united to love is the only thing that appears to me desirable in this vale of tears4 ,,ix ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,when we are expecting only suffering the least joy surprises us3 suffering itself becomes the greatest of joys when we seek it as a precious treasure4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,there are people who take everything in the way that gives them the most pain2 with me it is the reverse2 ,i see always the good side of things4 ,if ,i have naught but pure suffering1 without any break1 well6 ,i make of it my joy4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,joy is not in the things that surround us1 it resides in the interior of the soul4 ,one may possess it in the depths of a gloomy prison as well as in a royal palace4 ,thus am ,i happier in ,carmel1 even in the midst of interior and exterior trials1 than in the world1 where nothing was wanting to me4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vi ,if now1 amid trials1 and in the thick of the fight1 we can already find such delight in the thought that ,god has drawn us away from the world1 what will it be1 when in ,heaven's eternal glory and never-ending rest1 we shall understand the incomparable favour ,he has shown us in choosing us here1 to dwell in ,his own ,house--the very threshold of ,heaven4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,let us not expect to find ,love without ,suffering4 ,our nature is there1 and it is not there for nothing2 but what treasures it enables us to acquire6 ,it is our means of gain2 so precious is it that ,jesus came down upon earth expressly to possess it4444 ,we want to suffer generously1 grandly2 we wish never to fall2 what illusion6 ,and what does it matter to me if ,i fall every minute8 ,i find great profit in it1 for thereby ,i see my weakness4 ,my ,god1 ,you know what ,i am capable of unless ,you carry me in ,your arms2 and if ,you leave me alone1 well2 it is that it pleases you to see me on the ground1 so why should ,i be disquieted8 ,v ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,life is often irksome and bitter2 it is hard to begin a laborious day1 above all when ,jesus hides ,himself from us4 ,what is this tender ,friend doing8 ,does ,he not then see our anguish1 the load that oppresses us2 where is ,he8 ,why does ,he not come to console us8 ,ah1 fear not4444 ,he is there1 quite near6 ,he is watching us2 ,he1 it is1 who begs for these our labours and our tears4444 ,he has need of them for souls1 for our soul2 ,he wants to give us so glorious a recompense4 ,ah6 truly1 it costs ,him to make us drink of this bitter cup1 but ,he knows that it is the one way by which to prepare us to know ,him as ,he knows ,himself and to become ourselves ,god-like4 ,what a destiny6 ,how great is the soul4 ,let us rise above all that passes away1 let us hold aloof from the earth1 up on high the air is so pure2 ,jesus may hide ,himself but one is conscious of ,his presence4 ,i ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,when we speak of peace we do not mean joy--not at least sensible joy2 to suffer in peace it is enough that we truly will all that ,god wills4 ,v ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,notwithstanding the trial which deprives me of every feeling of enjoyment ,i can yet exclaim1 8,thou hast given me delight1 ,o ,lord1 in all ,thou dost40#ij ,for is there a greater joy than to suffer for ,thy ,love8 ,the more intense the suffering and the less apparent to human eyes1 the more lovingly dost ,thou smile upon it1 ,o my ,god4 ,and even--supposing an impossibility--if ,thou wert unaware of it1 ,i would still be happy to suffer1 in the hope that by my tears ,i might perhaps prevent1 or make reparation for one single sin against faith4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,mine is not an unfeeling heart1 and it is just because of its capacity to suffer deeply that ,i desire to offer to ,jesus every kind of suffering it can endure4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,life is full of sacrifices1 it is true2 but why look for happiness in it8 ,is it not simply 8a night to be passed in a bad ,inn0 as says our ,holy ,mother ,saint ,teresa8 ,my heart has an ardent thirst for happiness1 but well do ,i see that no creature is capable of allaying this thirst4 ,on the contrary1 the more ,i might drink of the waters of that enchanted spring the more burning would be my thirst4 ,i know a fountain where they that drink shall yet thirst1#ia but with a thirst most sweet1 a thirst one can always satisfy2 this fountain is the suffering that is known to ,jesus alone6444 ,,ii ,,letter ,,to ,,sr4 ,,marie ,,du ,,sacr-,c,,ur ,our ,lord never asks of us any sacrifice above our strength4 ,sometimes1 in truth1 the ,divine ,master makes us taste the full bitterness of the chalice which ,he presents to our soul4 ,when ,he asks the sacrifice of everything most dear to us in this world1 it is impossible unless by a very special grace1 not to cry out as ,he did in the ,garden of the ,agony3 8,my ,father1 let this chalice pass from ,me44440 ,but let us also hasten to add3 8,nevertheless not as ,i will but as ,thou wilt40#ib ,it is very consoling to think that ,jesus--,divine ,strength itself--has experienced all our weakness1 that ,he trembled at the sight of the bitter chalice1 the chalice ,he had longed for so ardently4 ,i ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,since our ,well-,beloved has 8trodden the wine-press alone0#ic--the wine which ,he gives us to drink--in our turn let us not refuse to wear garments dyed with blood1 let us press out for ,jesus a new wine which may slake ,his thirst1 and looking around ,him ,he will no longer be able to say that ,he is alone2 we shall be there to help4#id ,neglect1 forgetfulness 444 this it is1 it seems to me1 which still pains ,him the most4 ,,viii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,here on earth1 where all changes1 one sole thing changes not1 the ,king of ,heaven's mode of acting as regards ,his friends4 ,ever since ,he uplifted the standard of the ,cross1 it is in its shadow that all must fight and gain the victory4 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,it is indeed more through suffering and persecution than through eloquent preaching1 that ,god wills to establish ,his ,kingdom in souls4 ,,vi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,i want to forget this world2 here below1 all things weary me1 ,i find no joy save one1 that of suffering 444 and this joy1 though unfelt1 is above every other4 ,v ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,when ,i suffer much1 when things that are painful and disagreeable befall me1 instead of assuming an air of sadness1 ,i respond by a smile4 ,at first ,i was not always successful1 but now it is a habit which ,i am very happy to have acquired4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,a novice was complaining of being more tired than her ,sisters1 for besides the common work1 she had done another task1 of which they knew nothing4 ,thrse answered3 8,i want to see you always like a valiant soldier who does not complain of his pains2 who thinks very seriously of the wounds of his brothers and regards his own as mere scratches4 ,why do you feel this fatigue to such a degree8 ,it is because no one knows about it4444 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,servant ,,of ,,god ,,sr4 ,,th,r,,se ,,of ,,the ,,child ,,jesus ,,and ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,face ,carmelite of the ,monastery of ,lisieux #ahgc-ahig 8,blessed ,margaret ,mary having had two whitlows used to say she had only really suffered from the first one1 because it had not been possible for her to hide the second from her ,sisters1 and thus it became the object of their compassion4 8,this feeling is natural to us2 yet to wish that all should know when we suffer is a very commonplace manner of acting40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,during the first months of her illness it was on her hard palliasse that ,sister ,thrse passed the time of rest1 and her nights were very bad3 when asked whether she did not need some assistance during those hours of pain1 she replied3 8,oh1 no on the contrary1 ,i think myself very fortunate to be in a cell distant enough for my ,sisters not to hear me4 ,i rejoice to suffer alone2 but from the moment ,i am pitied and surrounded with delicate attentions ,i can no longer feel this joy40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,the ,sister infirmarian remarking1 8,it is said that you have never suffered very much40 ,thrse smiled and pointing to a glass containing a draught of medicine1 bright red in colour1 replied1 8,see this little glass1 one would imagine it full of some choice liqueur1 but in reality ,i take nothing that is more bitter4 ,well6 it is an image of my life2 to the eyes of others it has ever appeared clothed in the most radiant hues2 to them it seemed as though ,i drank a delicious liqueur1 while in truth it was bitterness4 ,i say bitterness1 and yet my life has not been bitter1 for ,i have known how to make of all bitterness my sweetness and my joy40 8,you are in great pain at this moment1 are you not80 8,yes 444 but ,i have so much desired to suffer40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii 8,how it grieves us to see you suffer1 and to think you may perhaps have still more to endure10 the novices were saying to her4 8,oh6 do not be troubled about me1 ,i have arrived at the stage of being no longer able to suffer1 because all suffering is sweet to me40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,a sister1 who doubted her patience1 noticed1 when visiting her one day1 an expression of heavenly joy on her countenance and wished to know the reason4 8,it is because of the very acute pain ,i am feeling10 replied ,thrse1 8,i have always striven to love suffering and to give it a cordial welcome40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii 8,why are you so gay this morning80 she was asked2 8,it is because ,i have had two little trials1 nothing gives me little joys like little trials40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,another time3 8,you have had a great many trials today40 8,yes1 but 444 seeing that ,i love them6444 ,i love everything the good ,god sends me40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,again1 when some one said to her3 8,it is dreadful--all you are suffering40 8,no1 it is not dreadful2 could a little ,victim of ,love find anything dreadful that her ,spouse sends her8 ,he gives me at each moment what ,i can bear2 not more2 and the minute ,he increases my sufferings ,he also augments my fortitude4 8,yet ,i could never ask for greater sufferings1 for ,i am too little2 they would be my own--my own choosing1 then ,i should have to bear them by myself1 and ,i have never been able to do anything all alone40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,during her long and painful agony she exclaimed3 8,the chalice is full to the brim4 ,never could ,i have believed it possible to suffer so much4444 ,i can only find the explanation in my extreme longing to save souls4444 ,oh6 ,i would not suffer less40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,,footnotes3 #hh ,no reader should be discouraged by this chapter on ,suffering4 ,what ,sur ,thrse says is very consoling for those who are nailed to the ,cross2 and others must remember that ,god had given to ,his humble ,servant a sensible attraction for suffering1 which is a rare grace and reserved to very few souls1 though many imagine they possess it1 and mistake their road choosing to follow this supposed attraction4 ,without the sensible desire and even though experiencing an invincible repugnance to suffer1 souls can be sanctified4 ,what pleases ,god is that the suffering be borne with love4 #hi ,imit41 ,,iii1 ch4 xxvi1 #c4 #ij ,ps41 xci1 #e4 #ia ,cf4 ,eccles41 xxiv1 #bi4 #ib ,matt41 xxvi1 #ci4 #ic ,isa41 lxiii1 #c4 #id ,isa41 lxiii1 #e4 ,illustration ,,the ,,direction ,,of ,,souls ,our ,lord allowed me the consolation of closely studying the souls of children4 ,considering these innocent souls ,i used to compare them to soft wax1 upon which any impression may be stamped1 the bad1 alas6 like the good2 and ,i understood those words of ,jesus3 8,but he that shall scandalize one of these little ones 444 it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea40#ie ,oh6 how many souls might attain to a high degree of holiness if wisely guided from the very first4 ,i well know that to accomplish ,his work of sanctification1 ,god has need of no one1 but just as ,he enables a skilful gardener to rear plants that are delicate and rare1 granting him for this end all the knowledge necessary1 while reserving to ,himself the care of giving the increase1 so1 too1 does ,he will to be aided in ,his divine culture of souls4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,v ,as soon as ,i penetrated into the sanctuary of souls ,i judged at the first glance that the task exceeded my powers1 and very quickly placing myself in the arms of the good ,god ,i imitated the little child1 who1 seized with sudden fear1 tries to hide its golden head on its father's shoulder1 and ,i said3 8,lord1 ,thou knowest it1 ,i am myself too little to be capable of nurturing these ,thy children2 if ,thou dost will to give to them1 through me1 what is suited to each one1 fill ,thou my little hand1 and without leaving ,thine arms1 without even turning my head aside1 ,i will distribute ,thy treasures to the souls who come to me to seek sustenance4 ,when they find it to their liking ,i shall know that it is not to me they owe it but to ,thee2 on the other hand if they complain1 and find bitter what ,i offer them1 my peace shall remain undisturbed1 ,i will try to convince them that this nutriment comes from ,thee1 and ,i will carefully refrain from seeking any other for them40 ,when ,i thus understood that it was impossible for me to do anything by myself1 the task appeared to me simplified4 ,interiorly1 ,i occupied myself solely in trying to become more and more united to ,god--knowing that the rest would be added unto me4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,from afar it seems easy to do good to souls1 to make them love ,god more1 to mould them after our own views and opinions4 ,but coming closer one feels1 on the contrary1 that to do good without the divine assistance1 is as impossible a thing as to bring the sun back after it has set4 ,one feels that it is absolutely necessary to forget our own inclinations1 our personal notions1 and to guide souls1 not by our own way--the way we ourselves go--but by the particular way that ,jesus wishes to lead them4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,when very young1 and staying with my aunt1 a book was given to me to read4 ,in one of the stories ,i saw that the mistress of a school was much praised because she knew how to get on cleverly in the world without offending anyone4 ,this phrase ,i remarked especially3 8,she would say to the one1 #8,you are not wrong1' and to the other1 #8,you are right2'0 and while ,i read ,i was thinking3 8,oh6444 ,i would not have acted thus2 we must always tell the truth40 ,and so ,i do1 always4 ,far more difficult it certainly is1 for when told of some little vexatious occurrence1 it would be easy to lay blame on the absent1 and she who complains would at once be pacified4 ,yes1 but 444 ,i do quite the reverse4 ,if ,i am not liked1 what matter6 ,let no one come to me who does not want to hear the truth4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,that a reprimand may be fruitful it must cost in the giving2 and it must be given without a shade of passion in the heart4 ,one must not let kindness degenerate into weakness4 ,when we have blamed justly we ought to leave it so1 and not yield to feelings of distress at having given pain4 ,to run after the aggrieved one in order to console her1 is to do more harm than good4 ,to leave her to herself is to force her to expect nothing from creatures1 to have recourse to the good ,god1 to see her failings and to humble herself4 ,otherwise she would grow accustomed to being consoled after a deserved rebuke and would behave as does a spoilt child1 who stamps and cries1 well knowing that this will make its mother return to wipe away the tears4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,let the sword of the ,spirit1 which is the ,word of ,god1 abound in your lips and hearts4#if ,if we have to do with a difficult soul1 let us not be discouraged1 nor ever abandon her4 ,let us have always 8the sword of the ,spirit0 to reprehend her for her faults1 and not allow things to pass for the sake of leaving ourselves in repose2 let us fight unceasingly1 even without hope of gaining the victory4 ,what matter about success6 ,let us fight on1 whatever be the weariness of the struggle4 ,let us not say3 8,i can make nothing of this soul1 she does not understand2 ,i must give it up40 ,oh6 what cowardice that would be4 ,we must do our duty unto the end4 ,sur ,thrse in these passages refers to her charge as ,mistress of ,novices4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,the novices expressed their surprise at finding that she guessed their most hidden thoughts4 8,here is my secret10 she said to them3 8,i never give you any advice without invoking the ,blessed ,virgin2 ,i ask her to inspire me to say what will do you the most good1 and ,i myself am often astonished at the things that ,i teach you4 ,i simply feel in saying them to you1 that ,i am not deceived and that ,jesus speaks to you by my mouth40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii 8,give us some advice as to how we ought to act concerning our spiritual direction10 they said to her4 8,with great simplicity and without depending too much on assistance1 which may fail you at any moment4 ,you would soon be forced to say with the ,spouse in the ,canticles3 #8,the keepers 444 took away my veil from me and wounded me1' it was only #8when ,i had a little ,,passed ,,by them ,i found ,him whom my soul loveth4'#ig ,if with detachment you humbly inquire where is your ,beloved1 the keepers will direct you4 ,nevertheless1 most frequently1 you will find ,jesus only after you have passed by all creatures4 ,for my part1 ,i have many a time repeated this verse of the ,spiritual ,canticle of ,st4 ,john of the ,cross3 ,send me no more ,a messenger ,who cannot tell me what ,i seek4 ,all they who serve ,relate a thousand graces of ,thee2 ,and all wound me more and more1 ,and they leave me dying1 ,,while ,,they ,,babble ,i ,,know ,,not ,,what40 ,trans4 ,d4 ,lewis1 ,m4 ,a4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,,footnotes3 #ie ,matt41 xviii1 #f4 #if ,ephes41 vi1 #ag4 #ig ,cant41 v1 #g2 iii1 #d4 ,illustration ,,the ,,blessed ,,virgin ,how ,i love the ,blessed ,virgin6 ,had ,i been a ,priest1 oh6 how ,i should have spoken of her4 ,she is represented as unapproachable1 rather ought she to be shown as imitable4 ,she is more ,mother than ,queen4 ,i have heard it said that all the ,saints are eclipsed by her radiant brightness as the sun at rising makes the stars disappear4 ,how strange that seems--a mother eclipsing the glory of her children6 ,i think quite the contrary4 ,i believe that she will immensely increase the splendour of the elect4444 ,the ,virgin ,mary6 how simple does her life appear to me4444 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,sometimes ,i find myself saying to the ,holy ,virgin3 8,do you know1 ,o cherished ,mother1 that ,i think myself more fortunate than you8 ,i have you for ,mother and you have not1 like me1 the ,blessed ,virgin to love4444 ,you are1 it is true1 the ,mother of ,jesus1 but you have given ,him to me1 and ,he1 from the cross gave you to us as our ,mother1 so we are richer than you4 ,of old it was your desire that you might be the little handmaiden of the ,mother of ,god2 and ,i1 poor little creature1 ,i am1 not your servant1 but your child3 you are the ,mother of ,jesus and you are my ,mother40 ,,xiii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,o ,mary1 if ,i were ,queen of ,heaven and thou wert ,thrse1 ,i fain would be ,thrse to see thee ,queen of ,heaven6 #h ,september1 #ahig4 ,last words written by ,sister ,thrse of the ,child ,jesus4 ,illustration ,,various ,,subjects ,lonie1 no doubt finding that she was growing too old to play with dolls1 came one day to ,cline and me1 with a basket full of dolls' clothes1 odds and ends of pretty materials1 trimmings1 etc41 on which she had laid her doll1 saying to us3 8,there1 little sisters--choose60 ,cline looked1 and took a knot of edging4 ,after reflecting a moment ,i1 in turn1 put out my hand saying3 8,i choose all60 and ,i carried off basket and doll without further ceremony4 ,this trait of my childhood is1 as it were1 a summary of my entire life4 ,later on when the meaning of perfection began to unfold itself to me1 ,i understood that to become a saint it is necessary to suffer much1 ever to seek after that which is most perfect1 and to forget self4 ,i understood that in sanctity the degrees are many1 that each soul is free to respond to the advances of our ,lord1 to do little or much for ,his sake1 in a word1 to choose between the sacrifices that ,he asks4 ,then1 as in the days of my childhood1 ,i exclaimed3 8,my ,god1 ,i choose all6 ,i do not wish to be a saint by halves2 the thought of suffering for ,thee does not frighten me1 one thing only do ,i fear--my own will2 take ,thou my will1 for ,i choose all that ,thou willest40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,i ,my ,father took me for a pleasant tour during which ,i began to know a little of the world4 ,around me all was gaiety and delight2 ,i was made welcome1 petted1 admired1 in short1 for fifteen days the pathway of my life was strewn with naught but flowers4 ,holy ,wisdom well says that the bewitching of trifles overturneth the innocent mind4#ih ,at the age of ten the heart easily allows itself to be dazzled1 and ,i own that this sort of life had some charms for me4 ,alas6 how well the world contrives to reconcile the delights of earth with the service of ,god4 ,how seldom does it think of death4 ,and death1 nevertheless1 has come to a great many of the people whom ,i then knew1 young1 rich and prosperous4 ,i like to go back in thought to their beautiful dwellings1 to ask myself where are they1 and what benefit do they now draw from the castles and parks where ,i saw them enjoying all the comforts of life4444 ,and ,i reflect that 8all is vanity0#ii 8but to love ,god and to serve ,him alone40#ajj ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,iv ,what compassion ,i have for souls who are going astray4 ,it is so easy to lose one's way in the flowery paths of the world4 ,undoubtedly for a soul who has risen a little above the things of earth1 the sweetness offered is intermingled with bitterness1 and the immense void of its desires cannot be filled by the praises of a moment4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,iv ,we have but life's brief day to save souls and thus to give to ,jesus proof of our love4 ,the morrow of this day will be ,eternity and then ,he will render to you a hundredfold for the joys which you have sacrificed for ,him4 ,he knows the extent of your sacrifice1 ,he knows that the grief of those dear to you increases your own still more2 but to save our souls ,he has ,himself suffered this martyrdom4 ,he too1 left ,his ,mother1 ,he saw the ,immaculate ,virgin stand at the foot of the ,cross1 her heart transpierced by the sword of sorrow4 ,ah6 if the ,divine ,master would but grant to those whom you are going to leave for ,his sake1 a foresight of the glory ,he reserves for you1 the multitude of souls who in heaven will form your train1 they would be already recompensed for their great sacrifice in parting with you4 ,,ii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,missionary 8,,brothers0 ,the good ,god has promised a hundredfold to all who have left father or mother or sister for love of ,him4 ,these words are1 ,i know1 usually applied to those who have entered the religious state1 but in my heart ,i feel that they were also spoken for the generous parents who make to ,god the sacrifice of children whom they cherish more than self4 ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,cousin ,,jeanne ,,gu,,rin ,how can a heart given up to human affection be united intimately to ,god8 ,that1 ,i feel is not possible4 ,i have seen so many souls deluded by this treacherous light1 dart into it like the poor moth and burn their wings1 then return wounded to ,jesus1 the ,divine ,fire which burns without consuming4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,iv ,in giving oneself to ,god the heart does not lose its natural tenderness2 on the contrary1 its love grows deeper by becoming more pure and more ,christlike4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,there are souls for whom ,god's mercy wearies not of waiting1 and to whom ,he gives ,his light only by degrees4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,when in the morning we feel no courage1 no energy for the practice of virtue1 this is a grace1 this is the moment to 8lay the axe to the root of the tree0#aja depending solely on ,jesus4 ,if we fall all is retrieved by an act of love1 and ,jesus smiles4 ,he helps us without appearing to do so1 and the tears which the wicked cause ,him to shed are dried by our poor feeble love4 ,,ii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,we must practice the little virtues4 ,this is difficult sometimes1 but the good ,god never refuses the first grace1 which gives courage to conquer self3 if the soul corresponds to it she will find that she immediately receives light4 ,i have ever been struck with those words of praise to ,judith3 8,thou hast done manfully1 and thy heart has been strengthened40#ajb ,we must first act with courage1 then the heart is strengthened and we go from victory to victory4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,my ,god1 how varied are the ways by which ,thou dost lead souls4 ,in reading the ,lives of the ,saints we find a great number of whom nothing has remained to us after their death3 not the smallest souvenir1 not a written line4 ,others there are1 on the contrary1 like our ,holy ,mother ,saint ,teresa1 who have enriched the ,church with their sublime doctrine1 not fearing to reveal the secrets of the ,king1#ajc in the hope that souls might know ,him better and love ,him more4 ,which of these two ways pleases our ,lord best8 ,it seems to me that they are equally pleasing to ,him4 ,all the well-beloved of ,god have followed the inspiration of the ,holy ,spirit by whom the ,prophet wrote3 8,say to the just that all is well40#ajd ,yes1 all is well when we seek only the ,divine ,will4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,how narrow are the thoughts of creatures6 ,when they see that a soul has lights which surpass their own1 they conclude that the ,divine ,master loves them less4 ,since when1 then1 has ,he lost the right to make use of one of ,his creatures1 in order to dispense to ,his children the sustenance needful for them8 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,when we are grieved at our powerlessness to do good1 our only resource is to offer to ,god the works of others4 ,in this you see the benefit of the communion of ,saints4 ,,counsel ,,and ,,reminiscences ,though ,i do not undervalue beautiful thoughts that seem to unite us to ,god1 ,i have long understood that we must carefully guard against leaning too much upon them4 ,the most sublime inspirations are nothing without deeds4 ,other souls1 it is true1 may draw therefrom much profit if they testify humble gratitude to ,god for being permitted to share the feast of one of ,his privileged children4 ,but if the privileged one were to grow vain of her spiritual riches1 if her prayer resembled that of the ,pharisee1 she herself would become like to a person starving to death before a well-served table while all her guests take from it abundant nourishment1 and cast perhaps a look of envy on the possessor of so much wealth4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,x ,the ,well-,beloved has no need of our glorious deeds nor of our fine thoughts4 ,if ,he desire sublime conceptions has ,he not ,his ,angels1 whose knowledge surpasses infinitely that of the world's greatest geniuses8 ,it is not then either intellect or talent that ,he looks for here below4444 ,he has called ,himself the ,flower of the ,field#aje to show us how much ,he cherishes simplicity4 ,,xiv ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,to keep the word of ,jesus1 this is the sole condition of our happiness1 the proof of our love for ,him2 and this word--it seems to me that it is ,himself1 since ,he is called the ,uncreated ,word of the ,father4 ,,xviii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,jesus needs neither books nor ,doctors of ,divinity in order to instruct souls2 ,he1 the ,doctor of ,doctors1 ,he teaches without noise of words4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,viii ,as ,text there is a verse which ,i utter unwillingly each day4 ,it is this3 8,inclinavi cor meum ad faciendas justificationes tuas in ternum1 propter retributionem40 7,i have inclined my heart to do ,thy justifications for ever1 because of the reward47#ajf ,interiorly1 ,i hasten to say3 8,o my ,jesus1 ,thou knowest well that it is not for the reward ,i serve ,thee1 but solely because ,i love ,thee1 and for the sake of saving souls40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,in ,heaven only shall we see the absolute truth concerning all things4 ,on earth1 even in the ,holy ,scripture1 there is a certain obscurity3 it grieves me to see differences in the translations2 had ,i been a ,priest ,i would have learned ,hebrew1 so that ,i might be able to read the ,word of ,god in that human language in which ,he deigned to express it4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,we are not yet in our ,fatherland1 and temptation must purify us as gold is purified by the action of fire4 ,,xviii ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,it is best not to expose oneself to the combat when defeat is certain4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,god is often satisfied with our desire of labouring for ,his glory4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,ix ,a soul in the state of grace has nothing to fear from the demons1 who are cowards1 capable of flight before the gaze of a child4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,i ,to the pure all is pure1#ajg the simple and upright soul sees not evil in anything1 since evil exists in impure hearts only and not in material objects4 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,vi ,the good ,god has told us that in the ,last ,day ,he 8will wipe away all tears from our eyes10#ajh and without doubt1 the more tears to be dried1 the greater will be the consolation4 ,,iii ,,letter ,,to ,,sr4 ,,marie ,,du ,,sacr-,c,,ur ,the ,spouse in the ,canticles1 not having been able in repose to find her ,beloved1 arose1 she says and went about the city to seek ,him1 but in vain 444 she could not find ,him save beyond the ramparts4 ,it is not the will of ,jesus that we should find ,his adorable ,presence without effort4 ,he hides ,himself1 ,he envelopes ,himself with darkness4444 ,it was not thus ,he acted in regard to the multitudes1 for we read in the ,gospels that the people were in admiration when ,he spoke4 ,weak souls ,jesus charmed by ,his divine utterances4 ,he was trying to render them strong for the day of temptation and of trial2 but small1 truly1 was the number of ,his faithful friends when ,he was silent#aji before ,his judges4 ,oh1 what melody for my heart is that silence of the ,divine ,master4 ,,xv ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,i have read in the ,holy ,gospel that the ,divine ,shepherd leaves in the desert all ,his faithful flock1 to go in haste after the sheep that is lost4 ,how touching is this confidence4 ,he is sure of them1 they are captives of love--how could they break away8 ,even so does the well-beloved ,shepherd of our souls rob us of the sense of ,his presence in order to give to sinners ,his consolations2 or else1 if ,he leads us to ,mount ,thabor it is for one moment 444 the valleys are nearly always the place of pasture1 it is there ,he takes ,his repose at mid-day4#aaj ,,xvi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,the sole crime with which ,herod reproached our ,lord was folly 444 and frankly1 that charge was true4 ,yes1 it was folly to come seeking the poor shallow hearts of mortals1 therein to make ,his throne4 ,he1 the ,king of ,glory ,who sitteth above the ,cherubim6 ,was not ,his happiness complete in the company of ,his ,father and the ,spirit of ,love8 ,why come to earth to seek out sinners and to make of them ,his friends1 ,his chosen companions8 ,,xx ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,mary1 breaking the fragile vase poured out upon the ,head of her ,saviour a perfume of great price#aaa and the whole house was filled with the fragrance thereof4#aab ,the ,apostles murmured against ,magdalene2 and this it is which still happens with regard to us3 some1 even of the most fervent ,christians think we 7,carmelites7 are exaggerated1 that like ,martha we ought to serve ,jesus1 instead of consecrating to ,him the vases of our lives with the perfumes which are hidden within4 ,and yet what matters it--the breaking of these vases--since our ,lord is consoled1 and the world in spite of itself is made sensible of the fragrance they exhale4 ,and oh6 how necessary are these perfumes to purify the unhealthy atmosphere that it breathes4 ,,xx ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line 8,one day when ,i was in tears10 relates a novice1 8,sister ,thrse of the ,child ,jesus told me to acquire a habit of hiding my little troubles1 adding that nothing renders community life more difficult than inequality of temperament4 8,you are quite right10 ,i answered1 8,i have thought so myself1 and in future ,i shall never cry but when alone with the good ,god2 to ,him only shall ,i confide my trials1 ,he will always understand and console me40 8,shed tears before the good ,god60 she replied with vivacity1 8take care you do no such thing4 ,still less1 by far1 before ,him than before creatures ought you to exhibit signs of sadness4 ,he has but our monasteries1 this dear ,master1 to rejoice ,his ,heart2 ,he comes amongst us to find a little repose1 to forget the continual lamentations of ,his friends in the world who for the most part1 instead of recognizing the value of the ,cross1 meet it with repining and with tears2 and would you behave like the generality of people8444 ,frankly that is not disinterested love--disinterested love is for us to console ,jesus1 not for ,him to console us4 8,he is1 ,i know1 so kind of heart that if you weep ,he will dry your tears2 but afterwards ,he will go away quite sorrowful1 not being able to find in you the repose ,he sought4 ,jesus loves the joyous heart1 ,he loves the ever smiling soul4 ,when will you learn to hide your troubles from ,him1 or to tell ,him in gladsome tones that you are happy to suffer for ,his sake80 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,the soul is reflected in the countenance3 like to a little child always content1 your countenance should be invariably calm and serene4 ,when you are alone be still the same1 because you are ever in the ,angels' sight4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,our ,divine ,lord wishes to have ,his court here below as on ,high1 ,he desires angel-martyrs1 angel-apostles4 ,,xi ,,letter ,,to ,,her ,,sister ,c,,line ,a sister1 greatly grieved at seeing her so ill often exclaimed3 8,oh1 how sad is life60 ,but ,sur ,thrse would at once correct her1 saying3 8,life is not sad1 but on the contrary most joyful4 ,if you said #8,how sad is our exile1' ,i should understand you4 ,it is erroneous to give the name1 #8life1' to that which must end4 ,only to the things of ,heaven1 to that which shall never know death1 should the true name of #8life' be given2 and in this signification life is not sad but joyful--joyous exceedingly64440 ,her own gaiety was delightful to witness4 ,for several days she had been much better and the novices said to her3 8,we do not yet know of what malady you will die44440 8,but ,i shall die of death6 ,did not ,god tell ,adam of what he would die1 saying to him3 ,thou shalt die of death80 7,in the ,french3 8,tu mourras de mort407#aac ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,it is not ,death that will come to fetch me1 it is the good ,god4 ,death is no phantom1 no horrible spectre1 as represented in pictures4 ,in the ,catechism it is stated that death is the separation of soul and body1 that is all6 ,well1 ,i am not afraid of a separation which will unite me to the good ,god for ever4 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,one day she said to the ,mother ,prioress3 8,mother1 ,i beseech you1 give me permission to die4444 ,let me offer my life for 4440 mentioning the intention4 ,and this permission being refused3 8,very well10 she resumed1 8,i know that at this moment the good ,god so much desires a little bunch of grapes which no one wishes to present to ,him1 that ,he will certainly be forced to come and steal it4444 ,i ask nothing1 for that would be to depart from my way of abandonment1 ,i merely beg the ,blessed ,virgin ,mary to recall to her ,jesus the title of ,thief which ,he gives ,himself in the holy ,gospel1 so that ,he may not forget to come to steal me away40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii 8,will the ,divine ,thief be coming very soon to steal ,his little bunch of grapes80 some one asked4 ,i see ,him afar off1 and ,i take good care not to cry out 8,stop ,thief6660 ,on the contrary ,i call ,him saying3 8,this way6 this way60 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences ,the ,chaplain asked me3 8,are you resigned to die80 ,i said3 8,ah6 ,father1 ,i find it would be for living that ,i should need resignation1 but as regards dying1 ,i feel only joy40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii 8,you will be placed amid the ,seraphim in ,heaven10 a novice said4 8,if that should happen1 ,i shall not imitate them2 they cover themselves with their wings at the sight of ,god4 ,i shall take good care not to cover myself with my wings60 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,under what name should we pray to you when you are in ,heaven80 they asked her4 ,she answered humbly3 8,you will call me #8little ,thrse4' 7#8petite ,thrse4'70 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,you will look upon us from the heights of heaven1 will you not80 8,no1 ,i shall come down40 ,,counsels ,,and ,,reminiscences 8,after my death ,i shall let fall a shower of roses40 ,,hist4 ,d',,une ,,ame1 ,,ch4 ,,xii ,,footnotes3 #ih ,cf4 ,wisdom1 iv1 #ab4 #ii ,eccles41 i1 #b4 #ajj ,imit41 ,i1 #a1 #c4 #aja ,matt41 iii1 #aj4 #ajb ,judith1 xv1 #aa4 #ajc ,tobias1 xii4 #ajd ,cf4 ,isaias1 iii1 #aj4 #aje ,cant41 ii1 ,i4 #ajf ,ps41 cxviii1 #aab4 #ajg ,titus1 i1 #ae4 #ajh ,apoc41 xxi1 #d4 #aji ,matt41 xxvi1 #fe4 #aaj ,cant41 i1 #f4 #aaa ,cf4 ,marc41 xiii1 #c4 #aab ,cf4 ,john1 xii1 #c4 #aac ,cf4 ,gen41 ii1 #ag4 ,,prayer ,,for ,,the ,,beatification ,,of ,,the ,,servant ,,of ,,god ,o ,jesus1 who1 to put our pride to confusion didst will to become a little child1 and who later pronounced that solemn decree3 8,unless ye become as little children ye shall not enter the ,kingdom of ,heaven10 deign to listen to our humble prayer in regard to her who lived perfectly that life of spiritual childhood1 and who has so well recalled to us the way4 ,o little ,babe of ,bethlehem1 by the ineffable charms of ,thy ,divine ,infancy1 ,o adorable ,face of ,jesus1 by the humiliations of ,thy ,passion1 we implore1 that if it be for the glory of ,god and for the sanctification of souls1 the halo of the ,blessed may soon irradiate the pure brow of ,thy childlike spouse1 ,thrse of the ,child ,jesus and of the ,holy ,face4 ,o ,god1 who didst inflame with ,thy ,spirit of ,love the soul of ,thy ,servant1 ,thrse of the ,child ,jesus1 grant that we also may love ,thee and may make ,thee greatly loved4 ,adapted from a prayer of ,sur ,thrse4 #ajj days' indulgence4 ,,card4 ,,bourne1 ,arch4 of ,westminster4 ,august #a1 #aiab4 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's note ,minor punctuation errors have been changed without notice4 ,spelling has been retained as published4 ,the following printer errors have been changed4 ,,changed ,,from ,,to ,table of ,contents3 8,,detatchment #ga0 8,,detachment #ga0 ,page #bi3 8,,marie-,,fran,,oise-,,th,r,,se0 8,,marie-,,fran,,oise-,,th,r,,se0 ,footnote #bi3 8,is41 ,iiii1 #c40 8,is41 liii1 #c40 ,page #add3 8,some one was speaking to0 8,someone was speaking to0