Salesian Literature

7.   A Happy Frame of Mind

 

Dear Francis de Sales,

 

I don’t seem to be of much use to anything or anybody these days.  There’s no life in my prayers and no strength in my efforts to be good.  In my present state of health everything seems more difficult than ever.  Is there anything I can do to get a little closer to God?

 

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. A. Christine

 

Dear Mrs. Christine,

 

Foster in your soul a loving trust in God.  Even when you’re surrounded by trials and imperfections lift up your heart in complete confidence.  Be very humble; humility, when it is enthusiastic and yet free from all agitation, is greater than all other virtues.

 

Serve our dear Master faithfully.  Serve him with the living spontaneity of a child, never giving way to discouragement.  Let your efforts to please God breed in you a happy frame of mind.  This will unobtrusively colour everything you say and do, and be a great help to those around you.  They’ll praise God for you, and his glory is all we seek.

 

Since you are unable to attempt any bodily austerities (and we agreed that you shouldn’t even think of doing so), just keep yourself in our Lord’s presence and try hard to please him in everything you do.  Life brings with it many sufferings;  use them to show your love for him.  In this way God will take complete possession of you and will give you the grace of one day possessing him for ever.

 

All my life this will be my aim and prayer for your, and I shall be every with all my heart

 

Your devoted servant,

Francis de Sales

(Source:  Annecy, August 1608.  Annecy Edition, XIV, 57)

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