Salesian Literature

LETTERS OF SFS

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Madame Brulart

Principal means of uniting oneself to God and to others

Memo on Christian Perfection

Constancy in Devotion

We must bear ourselves

Do not expect an immediate reward in devotion

Be convinced that God wants you to serve Him just as you are

Do not yield to discouragement on account of frailties

 

Constancy in Devotion

November 22, 1604[1]

 

I praise God with all my heart that your letter shows the great determination you have to conquer all difficulties in order to be truly devout in your vocation.  Do this and expect great blessings from God; more blessings will result in one hour of such well-ordered devotion than in a hundred days of an exaggerated or mournful piety, the product of your own ideas.  Hold fast to your present way and don’t let yourself be shaken in your resolve.

 

You tell me that you have let up somewhat on your practices of devotion while living in the country.  Well, you have to restring your bow and begin again with that much more care; but another time you must not let being in the country  throw you off course.  No, for God is found there as well as in the city.  You now have my little note on meditation, so put it into practice with peace and calm.

 

Please forgive me, dear Madam, for making this letter a little shorter than you would like.  It’s because the good man who is going to deliver it is in such a hurry to get on his way that he isn’t allowing me time to write.  I pray Our Lord to give you the special help of His Holy Spirit to enable you to serve Him heart and soul, according to His good pleasure.  Pray for me, for I need it.  I never forget you in my poor prayers.  […] May God be ever with you and in your heart.  Amen.

 

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[1] Oeuvres, XII, 395-396: Letter CCXLII.

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