May 31 Jesusis always with you, even whenyou thinkyoudo not feel it.And there is alwaysso close to you, as whenit is in thespiritual struggles.Heis always there,near you, encouraging you tokeepbravelyin battle,is there tostopthe blows of theenemyso they do notstayoutraged. Forcharity,soI prayfor you ismost sacred,that does notagraviessuspicious,though slightly, whichhasbeenabandoned by himevenfor a moment.That isprecisely one of themostsatanictemptations, and youthrow it awayas soon asyou realizeit. Be comforted, then,my dear,knowingthat the joysof eternitywill be bothdeeper and moreintimate, the moredays ofhumiliation andunhappy yearsinour present lifecount.This is nota way ofseeing and thinkingmine,is thescripturethat gives ustheinfallibletestimony.Here is whatthe Psalmistsays about: "Give us backinthe daysjoyhumbledus, the years whenwe knewmisfortune."Andthe ApostlePaulwrote inthe letter tothe Corinthiansthat afleetingmoment ofour troublescanmeritinggloryin eternitybeyond whatwe can imagine.Here are hisexact words:"Indeed, the briefmomenttribulationproduces,on any measure, aneternal glory." (August 15, 1914,toRaffaelinaCerase- Letters.II, p.153)
Tell methis:lightand discover theobjectsis propersunlight ordarknessis proper?I leave youto take out thecorrect application.God alone isHis grace,God alone isthe supremesun,and all otheror they are nothingor,if so,whatarefor him,God only,say,with his gracecan illuminatethe souland show youwhat it is.And the morethe soulknowsits misery andunworthiness beforeGod, themost notableis the gracethat illuminatesto know.
I understand that thediscovery of one'smiseryat the hands ofthedivine sun,at firsta cause forsadnessand sorrow, griefand terror,forthe poor soul thatis illuminatedin a similar way, buttake comfortin the sweetLord,because whenthisdivine sunhas warmedtheirfieldburning raysof your spirit,willbluntnew plants,which intimewillchoice fruits, applesever seen.
Whathurtsme most, my father,is the thought ofJesus in the Eucharist.The heart,before joininghim in the morningin the sacrament, it feelsas if drawn bya superior force.I havesuch ahunger andthirstbefore you getsolittleneedfor me to diefor concern.And becauseI can not butjoin him, sometimeswith fever,I feel compelled togo tofeedyour bodyand blood. Andthis hungerand thirst, rather thanbeturned offafter receivingthe sacrament,are increasing.And whenI have inmethehighest good,then yesthesweetfullness oftruthisso great thatlittleneedtosaynoto Jesus,justthatI can not gonear.I almost forgotthat I am inthe world, theminds and heartsdesire nothingmore,and oftenfor a long time, alsoon a voluntary basis, I can notwantother things. But sometimes, loveof sweetnesscomesto joinalsobepressedsothe pain ofmy sinsthat Ithink I'lldie of sorrow.Here, toooftenthe devilseeks toembitterthe heart withthe usualthoughts thatcause sufferingboth. (March 29, 1911, FrBenedict ofSanMarco inLamis- Letters.I,p.216)
These daysthe devilmakesmeall colorsand classes,to meisdoing everything itcan andmore.This unfortunatestep up effortsto hurt me.ButI havenofear, onlytooffend God.I thinkthathastaken moreunhappywith youthan with me, because it woulddepriveof their orientation.In fact, who knowsthe violence thatshould I haveto tellyoumy stuff.Doloresvery stronghead, to the pointof almostnot being able tosee whereI putthe pen. Allthe hideousphantoms thatthe devilwillputmein mind,confidentlyaway whenI abandon myself intothe arms of Jesus.Andif I amcrucifiedwith Jesus, that is,if I meditatein theirpain, I sufferimmensely, butis a painthat makes memuch good.I enjoypeace anda tranquility thatcan not be explained. (March 29, 1911, FrBenedict ofSanMarco inLamis- Letters.I,p.216)
Do not beafraid of thecross.Thetruesttestof loveis tosuffer forthe beloved,and, Godlovesomuch painsuffered,thepainhesuffersis asfriendlyas love.Inthe sufferingsthat the Lordgivesyou, be patientand let it goto the Divine Heartwithjoy, knowingthat everything is arunning jokeof the Lover. The tribulations, crosses,have always been theheritageand the portion ofthe chosen souls.The moreyou wantJesusto raisea soulto perfection,the more heincreases thecross of tribulation.Rejoice, I say,so privilegedtosee youwithout anymeriton your part.The moretroubledyou are,the moreyoucheerfor the soulin the fireof tribulationwill becomefine gold, worthy of beingplacedto shinein thesky palace. (July 14, 1914,toRaffaelinaCerase- Letters.II, p.126)
Therefore givefree courseto tears,because this isa work ofGod, and notbe bitterso youcan imaginethe audience.Thesurprisesthat you sufferin the heart arealsoloved byGod and hewantstomake youmoremercydear tohim, andwants youasemejesHis Beloved Sonin the throesof the desert,the gardenand the cross.[...]. The onlyadvice I can giveis thatyou abidestrictlyto whateverI saidin the Lord,anddo not doanything butwhat theHoly Spiritwishes toyou.Abandon yourselfto their performancesand fear not: he isso discreet, wise andgentle asto not makemore than good. Thedomesticjoys, especiallyif accompanied bythe sweetanddeep sense ofhumility,not toarousesuspicionin you,and you have toenlarge theheart andreceipt. (April 15, 1918,toJerónimaLongo - Letters.III, p.1021
On appropriate means to achieve the perfection of the Christian, the apostle [Paul] proposes two very powerful: the continuous study of God and do everything for His glory.On the first half, writes in Colossians: "The word of Christ dwell in you in all its richness, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, sing grateful hymns and spiritual songs."The doctrine of the apostle is clear, has no need for comments. If the Christian is filled with God's law, that warns and teaches him to despise the world and its blandishments, riches, honors, and everything that hinders love God, there never will be defeated, whatever happens, all bear it with patience and perseverance with a saint, and easily forgive all offenses, and for all give thanks to God.Moreover, the apostle wants the law of God, the doctrine of Jesus is in us dwell richly in us. Now, all this can not have if not assiduously reading scripture and books that deal with the things of God, or listening to the sacred orator, confessors, etc..Finally, the apostle wants the Christian is not content simply to know the divine law, but wants to deepen the sense, as to orient yourself. All this can not be achieved without frequent meditation on the law of God, by which the Christian, rejoicing with joy, breaks her heart in sweet singing of psalms and hymns to God. From this follows the Christian who strives for perfection, how important is the need for meditation.In relation to other means, ie, that of doing everything for the glory of God, hear the apostle's teaching: "And whatever you do - he says - in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. "With this simple means, practiced faithfully, not only we stay away from all sin, but we will be driven at all times to tend always to a greater perfection.(November 16, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 226)
What thisholy apostle[Paul] considersmost importantis charity,and, therefore, recommendsstrongly, more than anyother virtue,and wantsto be present inall actions,it is theone and onlyvirtue whichis theChristian perfection: "And aboveall this- he says -, preserve, havecharity, whichis the bond ofperfection." Look,heis not content withrecommendingpatience,bear witheach other,even thesenoble virtues, but no,he wants tocharityand with good reason, because it mayvery wellbeonepatientlysupportthe defectsof others,forgiveeven theoffenses received, and allmay be withoutmerit,ashas been donewithout charity, which is thequeen of virtues, and thatincludes all. So, my sister,wegreatly appreciatethis virtue,if wefindmercy in theFather in heaven.Lovecharityand put it inpractice,is the virtuethat makes uschildren ofoneFather inheaven,we practicelove andcharity, which is thepreceptof the Divine Master:in this wedifferentiatepeople,if we loveand practicecharity,lovecharityand shuneven theshadow of what itcouldsomehowofuscarlayes,finally, loveandcharityhavein mind thegreat teachingof the apostle:"We are allmembers of ChristJesus"and thatonly Jesusis "the Headof us all,its members".Let us bekind to each otherand remember thatwe are all calledtoform one body,and ifwe keepthe love, the beautifulpeace of Jesusexultanttriumphin our heartsforever. (November 16, 1914,toRaffaelinaCerase- Letters.II, p.226)
May 17 Stay, my child,close, veryclose to the feetof Jesus withMary Magdalene;content withpracticingthose littlevirtues whichare more suited toyour ageand yourspirit.Aretaileris entrusted, not abig basket, but alittle. I recommend, because it istypical ofyour age, the holysimplicity,having conqueredthe heartof Jesus.Do not be afraidofthose dangersthat you seefrom afar, as youwrite me,andwe havetried towordlength onseveral occasions.You thinkyouarehosts, andare nothingtowillowswith many branchesand at thewalk,you run the riskofcheat, untilyou havebefore you. Here,my child,a strongand generalpurpose of wanting toserve and loveGod with all thyheart, and,beyond this,you will notworryany thoughtof the future.Think aboutdoing goodinthe present day, and whentomorrowcomes, thencalltoday, andthenit's time tothink about it. Always havegreat confidenceand resignationin divineprovidence, andnot try tomake more provisionsof manathatyou need forthe present day,and never doubtthat Godwill rainthe next day,and so onevery day ofyour life. (November 25, 1917, LuisBozzuto- Letters.IV, p.403)
Ourearthly lifeisslowly dyingon us, just as hemustmakeusdie inour imperfections.Imperfections, it is true,thatpious soulswho suffer, may also besourcesof merit andcompelling reasonsto acquirevirtues,becausethrough theseimperfections, we gotto knowever better theabyss ofmisery thatwe are,and theywedrivetoexercise ourselvesin humility,in contempt forourselves,patience andeffort. My son,I do not knowwhat impressionwill resultin yourletterthis poorsoul,but everythingI have writtenat the footof the crucifix.Ifelt verystrong in myheartthe impulse towritewhat youhave written,because I'vetriedalot of yourbadpast hasbeen motivatedfor doinglarge projects and,afterseeingthe results werevery smalland that the forceswereinsufficient toimplementthose desires, thoseplans andthose ideas, you weretormented byanxietyand impatience, worriesand troublesof mindand heart.Fromherewere bornin your heartall thedistrust,languor,villainyand misdemeanors.And if allthis is true,as unfortunatelyitis in fact, be morecarefulfrom now on, walkcoming ashore,because the highsea willproducevertigo anddizzinesscausedyou. (November 25, 1917, LuisBozzuto- Letters.IV, p.403)
May 15 The virtueof patienceis whatassures us,more than any other, perfection, and ifit shouldpracticewith others,have to have itat leastwith yourself.He whoaspires to thepure loveof God,does not need sobe patientwith othersashaving ithimself.To conquerthe perfection, you needto toleratetheir ownimperfections.I saytoleratewith patience andlove themornotandcaress.Withthis sufferinggrowshumility.To walkalways, it isnecessary, mydearson,diligentlyappliedthatgowellpiece ofroad thatis closer andyou maygo,doit right the firsttime, notwantingtowaste timewhile stillnotthe lasthas becomethefirst. Too oftenwe stopboth thedesire to beangelsof heaven,we neglectto be goodChristians.This is not tosay ormeanit is not desirablefor the soultoitsvery highdesire, butyou can notwish orexpectto achieve inone day, becausethis claimand this desiretooweary inusand for nothing.Our imperfections, my child,to accompanyusto the grave.It is true thatwe can notwalkwithout touching the ground, but it isalso true thatif we do nothave toknock downorlook away, we must notthink offlying,because in thewayof the spiritare likelittle chicks, whostillnothave leftthe wings. (November 25, 1917, LuisBozzuto- Ep.IV, p.403)
May 14 Suspicion ofall thosedesires which, according toprudent andpioussouls,can not achieve theirobjectives.Amongthem isto putthe wishesof thatChristian perfection, whichmay well beimaginedbut neverpracticed,and on whichmany givegood lessonsbut no onetakespractice.Andlikewisealso thequestionleavingmeyou manifestedin relation towhat you say you've readin books.Thinkseriously about thevanityof the human spirit, prone tomistakes andtroubledin itself, becauseI assure you thatthis considerationdeduciráseasily whatI have saidmany times: thatthe inner workingsthathastoleratedandstillstays with yousome residue, have beencausedin youby a multitudeof considerations anddesires produced bythe greatanxietyto reachthat perfectionas soon asimagined, that youmistakenlyyou hadformed.Your imaginationhad formed inyour mindan ideaof absolute perfection, whichyouwillwant togo.But whathappened?Youwell know.Will,frightened atthe great difficultyand impossibility,became pregnantbut unable togive birth,and sowasuselessmultiplyingdesires, which, likeflies,devouredthe honeycomb,and goodandtrue desiresremainedhungry forcomfort.It was greatto you thatthe good Lordhave mercy onyour soul andrelieve youof themin timeand through theguideto whichyoucommit. (November 25, 1917, LuisBozzuto- Letters.IV, p.403)
May 11 Aroundthree great truthsmust prayin a special waythe HolyParacleteto enlighten us,and they are:doweknow ever betterthe excellence ofour Christian vocation.Be preferred,be chosen froma crowd,and know thatthis predilection, that this choicehas beenmade by Godwithout anymerit of ours,from eternity,"beforeconstitutionemmundi', withthe onlygoal thatweown inthetimeand eternity, is a mysteryso great andyet sosweet,that the soul,to penetratealmostcan not help butmeltall inlove. Second,askto enlighten usmore and more aboutthe vastness of theeternal rewardthatthe goodnessof our heavenly Fatherhas for us.The penetrationof our spiritin this mysteryawaythe soul fromearthly thingsand makes useager to reachthe heavenly home. Pray, finally,the Fatherof lightsto make usunderstand ever morethe mysteryof our justification, whichleads usmiserable sinnersto salvation.Our justificationis animmensely greatmiraclethatscripturecompared tothe resurrection of theDivine Master. (October 23, 1914,toRaffaelinaCerase- Letters.II, p.197)
May 10 Holinessmeans beinggreater thanourselves,meansperfect victoryover allour passions, it meansrealand constantlydespiseourselves andthe things of theworld topreferpovertyto wealth,the humiliationto glory,the painpleasure.Holiness isto love our neighboras ourselvesfor love ofGod.Holiness, in thispoint, it isalso lovewhocurses us,hate us,haunts us, even todo good.Holiness islivinghumble, unselfish, prudent, fair, patient, charitable, chaste, gentle, hardworking,observantof one's duties,for no otherpurpose than toplease God,and receiveonlyrewardhedeserved. In summary, in the languageof the sacred books, holiness,ohRaffaelina,possesses in itselfthe virtue oftransforming man intoGod. (December 30, 1915,toRaffaelinaCerase- Letters.II, p.541)
Jesus willbecome more and morepleasantand more likehimin the ways ofpain.Mary, themother of Jesusand our Mother,grant youunderstand everything thatcontainsthe great secretof pain,Christiansupported,andyoualsogetall the strengthto climbto the summit ofCalvary carryingthe cross itself. It is truethat, forthis journey, a lot ofstrength, butcourage!,The Saviorwill never allowit to diminishhis helpto you.Therefore,let us hasten tounite,toblend in, alldevout and faithfulsoulswhogo alongto the Divine Master.Let us make haste, I say, not to betoo far behindin this holyprocession,alwayskeep ourselvesattached to it;not losesight of,thatneverescapefrom our sight, becausewe cannotreach,and weshall be deprivedof thosesecret treasures ofWhilethereareonly,and excluded from theeternal joythat onlysheandsheis possessed. (August 4, 1915,toRaffaelinaCerase- Letters.II, p.470)
May 7 How good is theLord withall, butis much morekind tothe one withtrue andsincere feelingsto please himineverything andexpect tomeetin himthe divinewishes! Learnsospecialyou,to discover andworship thedivine willin allhuman affairs.Often repeatedthewords of ourbelovedDivineMaster: "Thy will be doneon earthas in heaven."Yes,this beautifulexclamationis always inyour heartand on your lipsat all timesof your life.Repeat itin afflictions,repeat itin the temptationsand trialsthat Jesuswantstosubmit yourself,repeat iteven whenyou feelimmersed inthe ocean of loveof Jesus.She will be youranchor andyour salvation.Do not fearthe enemy, hewill not try anythingagainstnavecitaof your spirit,becausethe helmsmanis Jesusand the star isMary. (6 February1915,AnitaRodote- Letters.III, p.54)
The Immaculate Virginhas beenindulged inspiritual floweryou'veoffered throughmy hands.Our goodmotherfound it, yes, indeeda littlefaded, becausequite colddewthat fell on him, butis avery slightdefect, and you mustmaketo regainits freshnessin the heatof charity. Yes, my dear,never anythingtooyoushould lookin this virtue,and thoughI see yououton itquiteyetnever ceased toadd myexhortations toAbundeseachday in thecharity,andvirtue ispreferredand highly recommendedby the divineMaster.Of this virtuehe wanted to makea provisionfor all his followers,a precepttheirs andentirely new,unknown tomost ofourancient fathersof the Old Covenant. (December 12, 1914,toRaffaelinaCerase- Letters.II, p.261)
Rememberthe Lord's kindnesswith whichyouhave triedso far.He will continuehis work ofimprovementfor the benefityours,he will continue topourinto youhands fulloil,not onlyof his mercy,you'll be happy,but also ofits virtue, whichwill make you strongto fight withsuccess:it is knownfighterswhoare anointedtheir bodieswith oil tobe more agile, more flexible andmore robust. Live peacefully, as thedivinemercywill not fail, much lessyouwill failyou ifyou show yourselfobedient tohis divineaction.Aha,Raffaelina, do not bestingywith this doctorheavenlycharity,donotwaitfurther.It alsorepeatsto you: "Praebecortuum"give me yourheart, my child, to pourinto itmy oil.Forcharity,notbe forgottensuch an invitationfrom a parentso tender!Open his, then,trusting abandonmentthe doorof your heartdo not want togive up theprecioussourceofoil,to avoid havingto fetchthe oilof his mercy inthe time ofdeath, asthe foolish virginsof the Gospel,because thenyou will not findanyone togive it to you. (August 4, 1915,toRaffaelinaCerase- Letters.II, p.470)
Thebeloved Apostle, John,saw in hisRevelationthe Lambof God, whichwas surrounded bya multitude ofsouls,who followed himwhereverhe went.And thesesouls, he says,were virgins, "Virginesenimsunt," andfollowed theLamb ofGodwherever he went: "etAgnusquocumquesequunturierat."Therefore,only thevirgin soulsarehappy conditionof surrounding theLamb,and onlyvirgin soulswill followyou whereveryou go. Butthose soulswho do not loveher virginityvirginsnotonly in appearance, havingcommittedhis heart.These are notthose which hehassaid, "the unmarried womanand the virginmind the thingsof the Lord, sobe holyin body andspirit," buthow can theytake careof thingsof the Lord,if youdo not love orevenyourvirginity? Oh,my little one, thatI told younot towearnowa trap, no,but foryour sake,I told youthis thatishonest andit givesthe opportunity to servethe Lord withoutany hindrance.Praise be toGod whohas given youthis dearand holylovegrow each daydoyougrowmore andalsothe comfortand,becausethe whole edifice ofyourblissis supported bytwocolumns, look,at leastonce a day,with somemeditation orsome thought,if both theone and the otherisweakened. Andif you liketo repeat thissamedevoutmeditation orreflectiontimes a day,you will not beuseless, and I say'if you like"becauseI want you, in everything andfor everythingyouholy libertyof spirit inorderto massperfection,and tohavethe twocolumns aresolid and stable, no matterhow. (January 27, 1918,HerminiaGargani- Letters.III, p.703)
Thesoul calledto eternal gloryit may be considereda stonebuildingdesigned tolift theeternal.A builderwho wants tobuild a house, start bypolishingthe stones thatare to formpart of the compositionof the house,and all this wasachievedwith a hammerand chisel.Just asthe heavenly Fatheractsinthe chosen souls, whichwere destinedfrom eternityfor hissupreme wisdomand foresightto make up theeternal building. Therefore, thesoul destinedto reignwith Christin eternal glorymust bepolishedwith a hammerand chisel.Butthese blowsof the hammer andchisel,whichservesthe divine artistto preparethe stones,ie thechosen soul,what are they?Sister,these blowsof the chiselare the shadows, fears, temptations, afflictionsof mind,spiritualtremorswith asmell ofdesolationandphysical discomfort. Give thanks,then, to theinfinitemercyof theeternal Father, whosotryingyour soul,because it is destinedto salvation. (May 19, 1914,toRaffaelinaCerase- Letters.II, p87).