If men could understand this martyrdom

March 1

Any failure, even minimal, I make, is for the soul a sword of sorrow that pierces the heart. At times I feel compelled to exclaim with the apostle, but, alas!, Not with the same perfection: "I no longer I who live," because I feel that someone is me.Another effect of this grace is that my life is becoming a cruel martyrdom, and I only find comfort in myself to live for Jesus' sake, though, alas!, Father, again the pain I feel comfort in certain times is unbearable, because the soul would like the entire life of crosses were planted and persecution.These natural events, as would be eating, drinking, sleeping, are very painful for me. The soul, in this state, because the hours pass groans too slow for her. At the end of each day, it feels like a heavy burden lightened and very relieved, but at the time backwards, in a deep sadness, thinking you have many days of exile, and it is in those moments when the soul wants to scream "Oh life, how cruel you are to me!, how long you are! Oh life, you are no longer living for myself but torment! O death, is not afraid of you know who can, as we open for you life! ".Before the Lord favored me with this grace, the pain of my sins, grief he felt at seeing the Lord so offended, the fullness of affection he felt for God, there were so intense as to make me out of myself, and sometimes, for it seems unbearable this pain, I had to vent with excruciating screams, unable to contain myself. But after this grace, the pain has become even more acute, to be like the heart leaps forth.Now I think I understand how hard was the martyrdom of our beloved Mother, which I had previously been possible. Oh, if men could understand this martyrdom! Who managed to suffer with our dear redeemer? Who would deny the beautiful title of "Queen of martyrs"?(July 7, 1913, at St. Mark P. Benedict in Lamis - Ep. I, p. 381)

Be faithful to the practice of virtue

February 27

Virtues are like someone who has a treasure that, if it is not hidden from the eyes of the envious, being stolen. The devil is always watching, and he, the worst of all envious, looking snatch this treasure, which are the virtues, as soon as you discover, and does assaulting us with that enemy is so powerful that vainglory.
Our Lord, always attentive to our good, to preserve this great enemy, warns us in several places of the gospel. Do not tell us that if we want to pray, we retire to our room, close the door and pray one on one with God, that our prayer is heard by others?, What, when fasting, we wash face so that we discover our fasting to others in the dirt and the pale face?, what, to give alms, let not your right hand what the left?
(August 2, 1913, Father Agustin de San Marcos in Lamis - Letters. I, p. 396

The loneliness of being last.

February 21Meditate the fiat of Jesus in the garden, how heavy would have to give blood sweat and sweat! So do you pronounce this fiat, both things prosperous and in adverse, and do not worry or break your head wondering how you pronounce it. It is known that in the difficult questions flees nature of the cross, but no one can say that the soul is not subject to the will of God, when we see it, despite the force felt against, put in practice.Want to have concrete evidence of how the will pronounce its fiat? Virtue is known by its opposite. Posted by the Lord in a trial, whether difficult or easy, tell me you feel driven to rebel against God? Or better, say for example the impossible: trying to rebel. O, tell me, do not you horrorizas to simply hear these phrases blasphemous? Well, between yes and no, there can not be, nothing in between.If your will flee the rebellion, rest assured it is subject, tacitly or explicitly, to the will of God, and therefore also its own way she utters her fiat.(January 30, 1915, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 321)

Fear nothing God is with you.

February 18
My daughter, do not fear anything in relation to your spirit. Everything is the Lord, and therefore, how can you be afraid? Consequently, let him act, even when you do not feel you leave him alone, that is, accept with resignation the will of God, even when he will not let a sweet resignation. My daughter, you suffer and you have reason to complain. Lament therefore and shouting, but fear not. The victim of love that seeks the will of God, you can not cry over and that he is unable to withstand the vagaries of love, who loves and leaves, and leaves as the wants.
Ask God to grant me a while what I'm asking earnestly, ask him to make me understand clearly intimate light what authority tells me, and as a reward, you get the same grace. In your suffering follows mine, that are far superior to yours, and learn how to help. You say that it is enough to ensure that I and thou why not enough?
(April 26, 1919, to Margaret Tresca - Letters. III, p. 219)

"Yes, I love the cross, the cross alone"

February 15Jesus tells me, in love, it is he who delights me me at pains, however, who would delight me to it. Therefore, health wish would be to fetch joy for me and not seek relief for Jesus. Yes, I love the cross, the cross alone, because I love her forever in Jesus' shoulders. But Jesus looks great that all my life and my heart are entirely devoted to him and his suffering.Oh, Father, forgive me if I use this language, only Jesus can understand how great is my grief when the scene unfolding before me painful Calvary. Equally incomprehensible relief given to Jesus, not only to share their pain, but when he finds a soul, for your love, do not ask consolations, but rather take part in their own suffering.When Jesus wants me to know that he loves me, I do like it, of His sorrowful Passion, the wounds, the thorns, the anguish ... When you want to cheer, fills my heart with that spirit which is all fire, I spoke of his delight , but when is he who wants to be loved, I talk about their pain, invites me, pleading voice and mandate at a time, to give my body to lighten their suffering.Who will resist? I realize that I've made you suffer too much with my miseries that I have made too mourn with my ingratitude that I offended you too. I do not want another but only Jesus, not desire anything else (which is the same desire of Jesus) that their sufferings.(February 1, 1913, to Father Agustin de San Marcos in Lamis - Letters. I, p. 334)

God is Love "He loved us first"

February 14
Imitate Jesus in charity, because he recognizes as his own only those who jealously guarded this precious pearl, and always remember that when we stand before the divine presence, all his judgment will turn on charity. Do your the saying of the great Bishop of Hippo: "My weight is my love." Yes, weigh all your actions with the balance of love, and you will go weaving a crown of merit for heaven.The boredom you experience to practice virtue and prayer, neither should scare you or I must carry back in the practice of one and the other. Continue on it, and you do not have to look like a waste of time, because that time is spent on employee and practice obedience.Do not be afraid Temptations: are proof that God wants to bring to the soul, when he sees her with the strength to sustain the fight to get into their own hands the crown of glory.Divine grace will serve defense and support throughout.(January 7, 1919, the novices - Letters IV, p. 380)

Think only do good today

February 12

Content with walking at ground level, being at sea for us and makes us vomit tide. Let's keep the feet of the divine Master with Magdalena. Practice small of your littleness virtues: patience, tolerance with our neighbor, humility, gentleness, kindness, the suffering of our imperfections, and many other virtues.I advise the holy simplicity, a virtue that I consider much. Look at what you have before you, without breaking a headache thinking about the dangers you see in the distance. You seem powerful military units, and they are nothing but willows with many branches. Do not pay attention, because otherwise, you could make missteps. Always have a firm and general purpose to serve God with all your heart and throughout the life time. Do not worry about tomorrow; thinks only do good today, and when tomorrow comes, today will be called, and then think about it.For simplicity holy practice, also requires great trust in divine providence. It is necessary, my daughter, imitating the people of God, when I was in the desert, was strictly forbidden to gather manna in greater quantity than needed for one day. Also we make the provision of manna for one day, and not doubt, my daughter, that God will provide for the next day and all the days of our pilgrimage.(March 3, 1917, Herminia Gargani - Letters. III, p. 678)

"We can not achieve anything without land"

February 11Do we want to walk properly? Let us dedicate ourselves to walk with determination the path is closer to us. Recorder well in mind what I have to say we want to be good often neglect to be good angels and men. Our limitation to accompany us to the grave, we can not achieve anything without land. We must not relax or distracted, since we are like little chicks, but without wings. In physical life, we die slowly, and this is an ordinary law willed by Providence, and, in the same way, we must die to our imperfections, also daily. Happy imperfections, might exclaim, that we make known our great misery and exercise we humbly in contempt of ourselves, patience and diligence. But despite these imperfections, God observes the preparation of our hearts, that's perfect.(March 3, 1917, Herminia Gargani - Letters. III, 678)

Love and let yourself love

February 7
Aim therefore respond generously [to God's special love for you], making it worth it, ie like him in the adorable perfections as indicated in Scripture and the Gospel, and that you have learned and . But, my brother: for there to be this imitation is necessary the continuous reflection and meditation on the life of reflection and meditation esteem born of their actions, and esteem, desire and commitment of imitation. All this is provided by our laws. Keep us steadfast in exact compliance therewith and be perfect.
Above all you have to emphasize what is the basis of Christian holiness and the foundation of goodness: in virtue of which our Divine Master and our Seraphic Father as models are proposed to us: I mean humility. Humility internal and external more internal than external, more vivid than shown; deeper than visible.
(August 19, 1918, Fry Gerardo de Deliceto - Letters. IV, p 25).

He in whom I put my trust

January 25In St. Paul these two feelings came from perfect charity. The being dissolved to join Jesus in perfect union in glory, it would have been better for him, or whether he was more desirable than continue living on this earth, and this desire was driven only by perfect charity which was their God. In contrast, the other feeling or desire him also came a perfect charity, but that was to the salvation of others immediately. In other words, this desire was motivated by the main object, God, but by reflection took shape in the salvation of souls.The first wish, ie be dissolved this body, he sees it and find it more useful to himself, and I wish with all the ardor with which a righteous soul may want to join your God. In contrast, the second desire, ie stopping or, rather, to continue living in the midst of work and fatigue, for the salvation of souls, he, full of the spirit of Jesus Christ, sees more necessary for others or, better, to have had the revelation (as it appears from what he says immediately after, and the very fact seems to confirm my interpretation, because he was martyred by then, but was released) of would not die then, and have resigned for the sake of the salvation of souls, to the way a son who loves his father dearly, is subjected, by the affection he has, to all the humiliation and compliance exact certain services that his father very low pleases impose.This sweet son does it all, not only not to violate in any way the wish of his father, but to please him at all.
(February 23, 1915, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 340)

Exercise caution in the pursuit of eternal life

January 11
Knowing the potential indignity, that is to know what would be or what we could do without the assistance of grace, and we've talked about so far, not to be confused with the current indignity.
The first makes the creature acceptable and pleasing in the eyes of the Almighty, the second makes detestable, because it reflects the evil present in the soul, in consciousness.
You, in the darkness in which you find most of the time, confound each other, and the knowledge of what you may be, and are afraid that what is only possible in you.
Ignoring before God if you are worthy of love or hatred, and suffering is not a punishment, because no one really fears being unworthy when it wants to be or is. Such uncertainty is allowed by God to all human beings, so it does not engrían and to walk with caution in attaining eternal salvation.
(December 7, 1916, the sisters Ventrella - Ep. III, p. 541)

God is present to the soul that loves.

January 10
The darkness of the sky surrounding your souls are light, and you do well that you do not see anything and you are in the midst of a burning bush. The burning bush, the air is filled with thick clouds, and the spirit does not see or understand anything. But God speaks and is present to the soul that feels, understands, loves and trembles.
Daughters mine, cheer up, do not expect to Tabor to see God already at Sinai behold. I think yours is not the inner stomach upset and unable to taste the good, he can no longer crave more than the highest good in itself and not in their gifts. From this arises which is not satisfied with what is not God.
The sense of your unworthiness and deformity interior is pure light of divinity, that puts your consideration both your being and your ability to commit, without his grace, any crime.
This light is a great mercy of God, and was given to the greatest saints, because it puts the soul beyond any sense of vanity and pride, and humility increases, which is the foundation of true virtue and perfection Christian. Santa Teresa also had this knowledge, and said that, at times, is so painful and horrible that could cause death if the Lord does not hold up the heart.
(December 7, 1916, the sisters Ventrella - Letters. III, p.541)

You be strong! And expected pray!

January 8
Be strong in the faith and keep an ever vigilant, to be thus driven away all the dirty tricks of the enemy. This is precisely the exhortation which gives us the Prince of the Apostles Peter: "Be sober and be vigilant. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, "and, to stir more, also added:" since your brethren that are in the world bear the same things. "
Yes, beloved daughter of Jesus, especially in times of struggle revives your faith in the truth of Christian doctrine and, in particular, revived faith in the promises of eternal life that our sweet Lord makes those who fight hard and courage. Serve to infuse courage and comfort you, knowing you're not alone in suffering, that all followers of the Nazarene scattered around the world suffer from the same things: they too are still exposed to the trials.
  (November 26, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 245)

If you love wealth, you will find the greatest treasure

 
January 7Our Lord loves you, my little one, and loves you dearly, and if he sometimes does not make you feel the sweetness of this love, it is to take a greater humility and you know more realize how insignificant you are . But why not let your holy resorting kindness with confidence, particularly in the time that we represent as a little child in Bethlehem. Because, my little one, why he clings to this condition but sweet and kind to bring us to love boldly and lovingly surrender to it?Stay close to the birthplace of this funny child, especially in these holy days of their birth. If you love wealth, you will find the gold that the wise men left him, if you love the smoke of honors, you will find that incense, and if you love the subtleties of the senses, feel the fragrant myrrh that perfumes the entire cave. Be rich with love for this child heavenly respectful familiarity you will have with him through prayer, and delicate all the joy of feeling in you the holy inspirations and affections to be yours alone.Keep the good spirit in regards to your little resentments and defects will, no doubt, and, if they fail, will be for you an exercise in humility and mortification. Lives quiet, my little one, and do not fear, because Jesus is with you. Keep on track you've ever taken and do not cut the fly.(December 30, 1918, to Mary Gargani - Letters. III, p. 346)

What you lack?

January 4The third maxim is that you see what the Divine Master taught his disciples: "What I have missed?».Carefully consider, my good little girl, this passage. Jesus commanded the apostles to everyone, no money, no staff, no sandals, no saddlebags, dressed only in a robe, and then said, "When I sent this way, did you lack anything?" And They said that they had lacked nothing.Now, I tell you, my child: when you were tormented, even in the time that, unfortunately, did not feel very confident in God, tell me, did you ever found yourself oppressed by suffering? I will answer no. Why, then, - I will add - not to trust others overcome all adversity? If God has not abandoned in the past, how can abandon you in the future, as now, more than in the past, you want to be yours from now on? Fear not that you can think of something bad in this world, because you may not ever happen. But in any case, if you ensue, God will give you the strength to cope. The divine Master commanded S. Peter to walk on water. S. Pedro, the blowing wind and the danger of the storm, he was afraid and that made him almost submerged, asked Master for help and he rebuked him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?", And, extending his hand, grabbed him. If God makes you walk on stormy seas of adversity, do not hesitate, my little one, do not be afraid, God is with you, have courage and be released.(November 15, 1917, to Antoinette Vona - Letters. III, p. 822)

Your Providence governs all

 
Jan. 3
The second maxim I want you to take forever etched in your mind, is that God is our father and what have you to fear when the daughter of such a father, without whose providence never fall not a hair of your head? Is not it very strange indeed that, while we were children of such a father, and we can have another thought other than to love and serve? Take care and rule your soul and your family as he wants, and do not worry, because if you do this, you will see how Jesus cares for you. "Think of me, I think of you," Jesus said on one occasion to S. Catherine of Siena, and the Wise says: "Eternal Father, your providence governs all things."
(November 15, 1917, to Antoinette Vona - Letters. III, p. 822)

At the conclusion of this year

Upon completion of this year I want to raise my eyes to you. You who live in heaven and you are always present on Earth. You, who are the only reason for my life, my life, my history and my vocation.Raised his eyes to Thee Heavenly Father, Father of mercies and God of all comfort. But most eyes lift up my heart. My heart filled with immense gratitude, so that words can not describe. Today is a wonderful day. And I know my God, eternal and true, I know that today is yesterday, ie tomorrow, ie forever. Yes, always, always, always, because they are always spilling your grace in abundance in all your children, even in those who are not even aware of it by. What grace! Much love! Much heaven on Earth! What a mercy! True eternal God is it time to take a test? Is it time to take stock of my life? Is it time to come face to face with? And an enlarged heart, enlarged and pounding to feel immensely loved by you. With a love that hurts to the core of the bowels. A love that calcined with a flame that is not extinguished and that is becoming more intense, more intense, more intense.My God! all I see, all I know is all I feel your loving presence I see the ocean of your Holiness and discover my sin and my poverty. The more you stare at your beauty, Your holiness, Your sovereignty and Your humility, the more I discover the immense need I have of you. Lord and my God! Sweet love of my soul! I fully realize that there is absolutely nothing in me that can attract your eyes, your love, your mercy and compassion, than the immense love I have, but my sin, my poverty, my lack of love make me unworthy You. However, it has been your goodness and compassion that has filled me with every grace and every gift. Today I can only say: thanks for the gift of each day. Thank you for my life, thank you for my death, thanks for my vocation, thanks for my brothers, thank you for the gift of so many people who profess no merit me a love, a love and a closeness that I speak of Thee Oh Lord Almighty . Thanks for the daily bread, your Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks for the food item that restores my strength and I prepared for combat. Thanks for the penalties that have been a source of joy. Thanks for making me discover that I'm just a poor instrument in your hands and that you and only you can do great and wonderful things. Thank you for my family. Thanks for all my friends, relatives, benefactors and acquaintances. Thanks for every one of those this year have crossed my path, and santifícalas Lord bless them. Thank you for the sun, moon, stars, rain, wind, snow and cold. Thank you for your love my God and my Lord. Amen!

He follows me everywhere

 
Dec. 31
I fully realize that there is nothing in me that can attract the attention of our sweet Jesus. It was only his goodness that has filled my soul for many goods. He almost never loses sight of me, he follows me everywhere enlivens my life poisoned by sin; dissipated in dense clouds me where my soul is wrapped after sin. As soon as, closing my eyes, I see down the veil of the night, I see heaven opened before me, and happy with this vision, I sleep with a happy smile on my lips and a total calm in the face, waiting for my small childhood companion come to wake up, and so sing together the praises morning the beloved of our hearts.
Oh, my father, if my knowledge of reality awakens in you a thought that is not compassion, route it, I beg you, on my behalf, my beloved, as evidence of recognition and gratitude.
  (October 14, 1912, Father Agustin de San Marco in Lamis - Letters. I, p. 306)

Jesus receives his embrace, a kiss that sanctifies you and save you.

Dec. 27I encourage you to join me and me closer to Jesus for his embrace, a kiss that sanctifies us and save us. Listen to that effect to the holy King David, who invites devoutly kiss the Son: "Kiss the Son", for this son of the royal prophet speaks here is none other than that of which the prophet Isaiah said: "A child has born, a son given to us: Puer Natus Est Nobis, filius datus est nobis. "This child, Raffaelina, is one loving brother, that our souls beloved husband, the wife of the sacred Song, faithful soul figure, the company sought and longed for his kisses divine 'you would give me a brother My, you look and kiss you. Kiss me with the kisses of your mouth. " This son is Jesus, and how to kiss without betrayal of clasp him in our arms without trap him how to give the kiss and the embrace of grace and love, waiting for us, and we promise to return, is, according St. Bernard, serve with true affection, holy deeds done in their heavenly doctrines, we profess with words.Let us not, therefore, to kiss that way to this divine Son, because if you are like the kisses that we give now, he will, as promised, full of mercy and love, come to take her in his arms, to give the kiss of peace in the last rites at the time of death, and so end our life with the Lord's holy kiss; admirable kiss of divine condescension, in which, in the words of St. Bernard, not about face to face, mouth to mouth, but mutually bind for all eternity with the creature creator, man with God.
 (March 30, 1915, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 482)

The Lord and the Blessed Virgin ever make you worthy of eternal glory

Dec. 22
I wish you happy holidays again the Holy Child with all your precious family. The Lord and the Blessed Virgin ever make you worthy of eternal glory. With this faith and with these sentiments, I wish you all happy holidays from the beautiful Holy Child Jesus' birth, and fervent hope that I can repeat for as long as possible in life, and always growing charity, which is the queen and mother of all virtues.
Oh, how sublime is the beautiful virtue of charity that brought us the Christ Child! Everyone should carry in your heart, and especially those who profess holiness. This holiness the Lord, without any merit on your part, called you, and if it is true that I see you on track in charity, why not leave to invite you to follow continuously advancing every day in it.
  (December 22, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p. 280)

Children welcome my poor prayers

 
Dec. 21

For the holidays of Holy Christmas and New Year, with a heart full of appreciation and affection than filial, I send my warmest congratulations, asking the child heavenly spiritual and temporal happiness.No doubt, the father of your child does comply, as it allows its smallness, its duty to our common father, with the firm hope of seeing their wishes fulfilled. Embrace the child to be born poor and weak my prayers, that you turn these days, with the most holy insistence, by Order, superiors, the province and the entire Church.Hear how curious phenomenon is occurring in me for some time, and, on the other hand, it is worrying. In prayer happens to me that I forget to pray for those who have been entrusted to me (not all, is true) or those for whom he intended to pray. Before I pray, I try to commit, for example, to this or that person, but my god, as soon as I walk in prayer, my mind is more complete in a vacuum and in it there is not the slightest trace of what they desired.Other times, however, being in prayer, I am moved to pray for those who never had any intention of praying and, what is more wonderful, sometimes in favor of those who have never met, or seen, or heard, and that never have been entrusted to me, even through others.And sooner or later, the Lord always hears these appeals. May the Lord make you aware of the true meaning of this new phenomenon as strange as, and if God wants you after I appear, please do not deprive me of it.
 (December 20, 1910, Father Benedict of San Marco in Lamis - Letters. I, p. 442)

God comes to meet us

 
Dec. 20
My beloved father, Holy Christmas approaching, I find that a duty of conscience urges me not pass up without deseársela full of all those heavenly comforts you desire in your heart. Although I have always prayed for you, that person was and is very dear to me, these days I will certainly redouble my prayers to the heavenly Child, deign to preserve him from all disgrace in this world, especially the misfortune to lose Child Jesus.
My poor health continues its course with his best and worst moments. I suffer, it is true, and I suffer a lot, but I'm happy because, even in the midst of suffering, the Lord never ceases to make me experience an indescribable joy.
  (December 20, 1910, Father Benedict of San Marco in Lamis - Letters. I, p. 208)

My spirit has felt like being reborn into a new life.

 
Dec. 17
At the beginning of the holy novena in honor of the holy child Jesus, my spirit has felt like being reborn to new life: the heart feels like quite small to hold the celestial, the soul feels faint in the presence of all of this our God made flesh for us.What to do to resist not always love him with new ardor?! Oh, let us approach the infant Jesus with blameless heart, and what we taste is sweet and gentle love.
I will not ever, let alone in these holy days, to implore the Divine Child for all men, especially for you and everyone you love. We pray that wants to make you partaker of all the gifts so generously poured and poured every day in my mind.
  (December 17, 1914, to Raffaelina Cerase - Letters. II, p.273)