Page 17 - LETTER 1831_1833

Letter 214

TO A FRIEND
She comforts her in her spiritual tribulations and encourages her to
prepare herself for the religious life.

HAIL TO JESUS AND HIS MOST HOLY CROSS

Dearest Sister,
Lovere, 10 February (1831).
I greatly appreciated your letter. It brought home to me
your inner suffering and oh! how gladly I would comfort you if I
could! ... God is putting you to the test; he wants to see your
steadfastness in actual fact. Have courage, my dear Sister.
Adorn your crown with gems of acceptance of God’s will,
fervent love and constancy. Be faithful to God even in little
things. Remember that your actual life-situation is very
pleasing to God, though to you it seems quite different. Beg
like the Canaanite woman with regard to Holy Communion, but
don’t lose your peace of mind nor be too downcast if you are

not granted permission to receive it. Make up for it with a great
number of spiritual Communions, and you will see that God
will comfort you and help you equally well, and perhaps even
more. Regarding your Bond, remember that God cherishes it
and cares for it, and you must be faithful to him as if you were
to renew it every hour of the day. Religious life awaits you, but

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