Salesian Literature

9.   A Gift From God

 

Dear Francis de Sales,

 

I am trying very hard to keep my soul at peace. I am trying not to let things worry me, but to leave everything in God’s hands. I still seem to have a lot of faults and so need your help very badly. Often in my prayers I try to sort our my difficulties and make a note of the things I must tell you.

 

Yours sincerely,

Mrs. A. Christine

 

 

Dear Mrs. Christine,

 

Your indifference to the outcome of your affairs has my whole-hearted approval. You are seeing God’s will in everything that happens.

 

I don’t like people who care for nothing and remain unmoved by anything that happens. They do so only form a lack of energy or character, or because of contempt for good as well as evil.  But those people who remain indifferent because they have given themselves over entirely to the will of God should thank him for this, for it is a great gift.

 

I could express all this so much better by word of mouth than on paper, but I think you will understand what I am trying to say.

 

To spend your prayer time deciding what you are going to tell me about the state of your soul is undoubtedly a temptation. Still, don’t fight against these thoughts, but quite gently turn your mind away from them by directing it once more to the object of your prayer.

 

Keep your heart full of love, a love that is peaceful and serene. Look at your own faults as you would those of others.  Be compassionate rather than indignant; be humble rather than severe with yourself.

 

May God be in your heart and deign to set it afire with his love. He, it is, who has made me ever

 

Your devoted servant,

Francis de Sales

(Source:  Annecy, 28 October 1608.  Annecy Edition, XIV, 81-82)

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