Letters - Direction - Brulart 7

LETTERS OF St. FRANCIS DE SALES

[early September, 1613][1]

A month ago, dear sister, I had an attack of fever that lasted almost until now; during that time I received three letters from you. One, especially, was most consoling to me, as I found it in indications of the total confidence you have placed in me, telling me, as you did, what has been happening with and troubling your soul. It’s true, I may not understand fully what you tell me, and I could be mistaken; nevertheless, it seems to me that I understand you well enough to answer you.

You see, my dear sister, it often happens that just when we think we’re finished with old enemies over whom we were once victorious, we find them approaching from another direction where we least expected to see them.

Even that unique man of wisdom, Solomon – who had performed such marvels in his youth, and who was so self-assured by his enduring virtues and by a confidence built up over the years – just when he seemed to be safe from attack was caught off guard by an enemy from whom he would ordinarily have had least to fear (cf. 1 Kings. 11). All this is by way of teaching us two important lessons: one is that we should always mistrust ourselves, go on our way with holy fear, continually seek help from heaven, and live in humble devotion; the other is that our enemies may be repulsed but cannot be eliminated. They sometimes leave us in peace, only to attack us more forcefully later.

But, my very dear sister, you must not yield to discouragement on this account. Be peacefully vigilant and take the time, a s well as the care, to heal your dear soul of the harm it may have received from these attacks; humble yourself profoundly before Our Lord and don’t be in the least astonished at your weakness. If we didn’t suffer attacks and didn’t feel miserable, then we would have reason for astonishment.

These little upsets, dear sister, bring us back to reality, make us reflect on our frailty, and cause us to have recourse more quickly to our Protector. St. Peter was walking very confidently on the waves; yet, when the wind arose and the waves seemed about to engulf him, he cried out “Lord, save me!” and Our Lord, taking hold of his hand said “Man of little faith, why do you doubt?” (cf. Mt. 14:29-31) It’s when we are disturbed by our passions, when we feel the winds and the storm of temptation, that we call upon our Saviour, for He allows us to be upset only in order to incite us to call our to Him more fervently. Finally, don’t be angry, or at least don’t be agitated over the fact that you’ve been agitated; don’t be disturbed at having been disturbed; don’t be upset at the fact that these annoying emotions have upset you. But very gently put your heart back into the hands of Our Lord, begging Him to heal it. For your part, do all you can by renewing your resolution, by appropriate reading, and by doing whatever else can help bring about this healing. If you do this, you will gain much from your loss, and will end up healthier for having been ill.

My dearest sister, since your pregnancy prevents you from making your usual long mental prayer, make your prayer short and fervent. Make up for the loss by frequently lifting your heart to God; often read from some good spiritual book, but only a little at a time; when you go for a walk, often turn your thoughts to God’ pray often and briefly; offer your listlessness and weariness to our crucified Lord. After your delivery, quietly resume your usual devotions, and discipline yourself to use the subject matter presented in some spiritual book, so that when it is time to go to prayer you are not at a loss, like the person who, when it is time for dinner, has nothing ready. If sometimes you don’t have a book to turn to, meditate on a mystery rich in meaning, like the death and passion [of Our Lord], or whatever first comes to your mind. […]

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[1] Oeuvres, XVI, 62-65: Letter CMX.

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LETTERS OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

A Spirituality for Everyone

St. Francis de Sales presents a spirituality that can be practised by everyone in all walks of life