Page 24 - INTRODUCTION_LETTER 1824_1825

you feel at ease with, and if he lets you receive Holy
Communion and make corporal penance, etc. – Don’t fail to
give me this information, which I am very keen to have. Don’t
think this desire is simply curiosity on my part, no. Quite
honestly, it is a good desire, which is meant to be of spiritual
benefit to you and also to me.
What I am particularly anxious to know, besides, is if the
Lord is still keeping in you the desire to become his Bride. If
that is so, I would be extremely glad of it, and I would also
have a thing to suggest, but ... I have a certain doubt ... a
doubt ... certainly not about your virtue, which, I know, is
already well-advanced by now, but that it may be a thing that
the Lord does not want from you. However, if you feel urged to
ask me what it is, do so and I will tell you, since I too feel
inspired to put these questions to you. Maybe you have
already done what I had a mind to ask you about; in that case
we shall both thank the Lord who has graciously granted you

such an exceptional favour.
Dear Sister, we are, it is true, in the midst of the perils of
this world, surrounded by evil, cut off from what is good; but let
us take comfort in the thought that we have to stay in it just a
little while, after all. However, let us make the best use of that
little while, so that we may become the Lord’s favoured ones.
Let us do our best to draw souls to Him by word and example.
I know you are already trying hard, and I am immensely glad. I
am ashamed of my own indolence, but I too want to set my
heart on doing all I can for the spiritual good of others. Pray
the Lord that I may succeed and so we may both have the

- 12 -