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of these jests! They are mere compliments, which are of little
or no use for progress in our path to holiness.

I said: let’s talk about us. I say it again: let’s talk about
1
us. I know you have that ‘secret’ Pious Sodality . I should very
much like to know if it has a (Spiritual) Director and if it is well-
established. You must know that it is very conducive to a truly
sound piety, provided you participate in it with fervour, not in
the slow, tepid way that I do. Oh well! May the Lord grant me a
little fervour which I greatly desire.

Besides that Sodality, there is also the Union of the

Heart of Jesus, which is so profitable that no words could
commend it fittingly enough. It is not meant for a restricted
membership as the other one is; in fact, the more members it
has, the better it works. Should you feel like joining this one
also, you have only to drop me a hint and I will do as you
desire.

To explain what it is in a letter is not so easy. But my
parents, who had promised to take me to Cerveno, assured
me they will also take me to Malegno, close by, to see you,
and so we can talk over it together. Don’t mind the liberty that I
take.
I should very much like to know if you have a Confessor

1 Various Pious Unions were erected in Lovere and neighbouring country-
towns by Bartolomea Capitanio, who kept them alive.

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