Salesian Literature

19.   Besieged by Troubles

 

Dear Francis de Sales,

 

Living with my husband’s people is proving very difficult.  They are continually interfering.  Besides, they’re not Catholics and don’t understand our ways.  Because of the things they say, I was afraid recently to say grace before meals for the children.  I’m sorry for this and can’t help worrying about it.  Do you think I denied my faith?

 

I’m carrying on with my prayers and communions as you suggested, but I still can’t pray properly.  Do you think it’s because I’m all upset inside over our present difficulties?

 

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. A. Christine

 

 

Dear Mrs. Christine,

 

I’ve no doubt, knowing something of the provocation you could meet, that you’re greatly troubled by various irritating incidents.  But where, when and how can we show that we are truly faithful to our Lord, if not during periods of annoyance, contradiction and aversion?

 

What this life has to offer is more often bitter than sweet;  but he, for whose sake we have resolved to practise the virtue of patience amid all our contradictions, will give us the comfort of his Holy Spirit in due course.  As the Apostle says, don’t throw away that confidence of yours.  It will give you new strength to suffer and withstand bravely the troubles that besiege you, however great they may be.

 

Of course, we ought not to forego, at other times, any of the normal practices by which we profess our holy religion, just because we are with people who hold different religious opinions.  We shouldn’t be ashamed of letting non-Catholics see the sincerity of our belief.  Our behaviour in such circumstances should be assured and natural.

 

Still, your fault was not so grave that you need to worry about it after being sorry for it.  After all, you have not broken any particular commandment, nor denied the truth in any way; you simply gave way to a foolish fear.

 

To be quite frank with you, there was no question of mortal sin on your part nor – to my mind – of any venial sin, but just a natural lukewarmness resulting from uneasiness and diffidence.  So set your mind at rest on that score.

 

You are always thinking too much and never-endingly probing to know why you happen to suffer from you attacks of aridity in prayer.  Even if they are your own fault, you must not be upset about it, but quite meekly and humbly turn your back on them.  Then place yourself once again in our Lord’s hands, so that he may spare you the trial or help you to put up with it, as he pleases.

 

You must not be so curious as to want to know the reason for all life’s varied moods.  Acquiesce in whatever God decrees for you, and leave it at that.

 

Carry on meekly, humbly and serenely, ever at our Lord’s service.  With all my heart I desire his heavenly blessing on you and on your little ones.

 

Your humble friend and servant,

Francis de Sales

(Source:  Annecy, 28 December 1611.  Annecy Edition, XV, 136)

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