Page 36 - LETTER 1826_1828

Letter 32

TO THE SAME
Advice relating to choice of state-in-life - Hints at the idea of a new
Institute - Proposal to honour Mary in the month of May by ‘gaining souls’
for her - Thanks for prayers that have been effective in keeping Don
Bosio at Lovere.

HAIL TO JESUS AND MARY

My dearly beloved Sister,

As I am very glad to have this time to spend in holy
conversation with my dear Marianna. May it please God that it
be of some benefit to either one or the other! I could see from
your letter how troubled you are over the choosing of your
state-in-life. This time I feel I must try to comfort you. Dear

Marianna, let me be frank with you: the Cloister will not suit
you. For some time the Lord wants you to labour tirelessly in
your own town and win over all the youth to him. But since I
don’t wish to keep anything from you, may I add that I don’t
think the Lord expects you to stay always at home; no, this
does not seem to me likely at all. I should rather think that His
plan is that you will join me in doing something for Him. I
cannot tell you more than this yet, because I am bound by the
seal of secrecy. I asked permission to tell you everything, but

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