Salesian Literature

LETTERS OF SFS

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Angelique Arnauld

Spiritual Directors

Method of Prayer

Desire to belong to God alone

Getting rid of distractions

 

Spiritual Directors

Paris, May 25, 1619[1]

 

No, I beg you, never be afraid that you will annoy me with your letters; for I tell you truthfully, they will always give me great pleasure, as long as God grants me at the same time the grace of keeping my heart in His love, or at least gives me the desire to have it there.  I say this once and for all.

 

It is undoubtedly true, my dear sister, that f I hadn’t come to this city, it would have been difficult for you to discuss your spiritual concerns with me; but since it has pleased divine Providence that I should be here, there is no problem with your taking advantage of this opportunity, if you think it appropriate.

 

And don’t believe for a minute that I thought you were seeking me out as a prominent personality, for, while such a thought is quite in keeping with my sinfulness, it never occurs to me in such situations.  On the contrary, there’s hardly anything more helpful in leading me to humility; I am amazed that so many men and women, servants of Our Lord, place so much confidence in anyone as imperfect as I.  This gives me great courage to become what others think I am, and I hope that God, in giving me his most holy friendship of his children, will also give me his holy friendship, according to his mercy and after he has enabled me to do penance in proportion to my sin.  It is almost wrong for me to be saying all this to you.

 

So it is the evil spirit, himself forever deprived of God’s love, who wants to keep us from enjoying the fruits of love – of that love which the Holy Spirit wants us to experience so that by communicating with one another in holy matters we might have a means of growing in God’s will.

 

It is difficult, my very dear sister, to find well-rounded spiritual guides who can be equally discerning in all mattes; nor is it necessary to have someone like that in order to be well guided.  It seems to me there is no harm in gathering from several flowers the honey that can’t be found in one alone.  “Yes, but,” you will tell me, “meanwhile very cleverly I tend to favour my inclinations and moods.”  My dear sister, I don’t see any great danger of this since you don’t want to follow your inclinations unless they have been approved; and although you started out by looking for advisors who would go along with you, you did find some who were good, prudent and learned; therefore, you can’t go wrong in following their counsel – even if it is just what you want to hear – provided that you share very simply your concerns and the difficulties you have.  It is enough,  my very dear sister, to follow their advice; it is neither necessary nor expedient to wish it to be contrary to our inclinations, but only to want it to be in conformity with God’s law and doctrine.  Personally, I don’t think we should ask for suffering as did Our Lord, for we aren’t able to handle it as He did.  It is quite enough if we endure it patiently.  That’s why we don’t always have to go contrary to our inclinations when they aren’t evil and when, in fact, upon examination, they are found to be good.

 

There is no great harm in taking part in worldly conversations when we do so with the intention of bringing something worthwhile to them, and we mustn’t be scrupulous when we examine ourselves about these conversations.  It is morally impossible to walk the fine line of moderation all the time.  But, my dearest sister, I wouldn’t want you to miss your prayer time of at least half an hour, except for pressing occasions or when physical ailments prevent it.

 

For the rest, I shall do one of two things: either I shall write you a longer letter before I leave, or I shall go to see you on the day I have indicated to this kind messenger.  And I assure you, nothing will prevent my having the pleasure of going to see you except the difficulty of getting there; and I shall stay as long as you wish, for truly I want you to be satisfied.  God has given me a special affection for your heart which I pray He will bless abundantly.

 

Therefore, we will talk at leisure about the direction of your life and about whatever you want to bring up; and I won’t excuse myself in anything unless I don’t have the light required to answer you.  I shall be, unreservedly and with all my heart, your very humble brother and devoted servant in Our Lord.

 

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[1] Oeuvres, XVIII, 378-380: Letter MCXIX.

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