Salesian Literature

17.   Laying Good Foundation

 

Dear Francis de Sales,

 

I haven’t time to write a long letter.  We’re living with my husband’s people at the moment, and life is not at all easy.  We are on the housing list, but I have to keep going along the offices to see if they can do anything for us.

 

All this worry on top of the housework leaves me no time for my prayers and the sacraments.  I’m afraid I shall have to cut them for a while.  It’s as much as I can do to get to the last Mass on Sundays.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. A. Christine

 

 

Dear Mrs. Christine,

 

I have been aware of your many troubles and have asked our Lord to send you the blessing he reserves for his dearest servants in their trials, so that you may make these difficulties redound to his glory.

 

Now, you must always persevere in firmly placing all your trust in our Lord in the troublesome business you have in hand.  It will give you a fine opportunity of laying a good foundation of submission to God’s will and peace of soul.

 

Peace of soul that has never withstood the test of exasperation is illusory and a sign of laziness.

 

But why do you say that you’re afraid you’ll have to discontinue your spiritual exercises, particularly Holy Communion?  Surely a little more care on your part would keep them safe and sound throughout all the disturbance!

 

We must beware of going without food when we have to work; on the contrary, we should eat more.  Keep your courage high, for we are to be proof against all eventualities.

 

I have noticed from your letters your little falls and imperfections.  They shouldn’t surprise either of us in the slightest.  They’re only little warnings to keep us low and humble in our own eyes and wide-awake at our posts.

 

Let us, then, face up to life bravely, for at heart we are God’s without any reserve or exception.  So dwell in peace through the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit.

 

But I must stop.  God is yours whenever you wish.  May his will be your resting-place and his cross your glory.  I am ever,

 

Your true and humble servant in him,

Francis de Sales

(Source:  Annecy, 19 September 1610.  Annecy Edition, XIV, 346-347)

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