Salesian Literature

5.   In Moments of Melancholy

 

Dear Francis de Sales,

 

This will be only a short letter to let you know that I am going to have a child.  It’s strange, but I’m happy and apprehensive at the same time.  Please pray for me.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. A. Christine

 

 

Dear Mrs. Christine,

 

I’ve no time to spare for a proper reply.  Still, I want to sent a line just to let you know that I pray for you every day, and with particular affection, asking our Lord to comfort you in the trials of your pregnancy.

 

I fancy, you see, that you will be troubled by moods of depression arising from your condition; but please don’t let them worry or upset you.  If you feel depressed and melancholy, don’t let it disturb your peace of soul.

 

Even though there seems to be no meaning, life or pleasure in anything you do, continue to kiss your crucifix; with all your love give our Lord your mind and your heart, cold and faint as they are.

 

Blessed Angela of Foligno describes a revelation in which our Lord told her that nothing pleases him more than the good we have to make ourselves do.  In other words, anyone who has really made a good resolution to serve God will do so in spite of physical weariness, and also in times of sadness and interior darkness.

 

What happiness will be yours when these crosses come if you are faithful to the promises you made to him, whose love for you was so faithful that it “brought him to death, death on a cross”!

 

Stay close to Jesus.  Live in him and for him, who has made me.

 

Your devoted servant,

Francis de Sales

(Source:  Annecy, 13 July 1608.  Annecy Edition, XIV, 51-52)

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