One of the Daughters of Charity (at Angers)

(1640)

My dear Sister,

How I share in your suffering! I would want you to relieve your pain by the continual thought that you are in the state that God wills for you. By so doing, you would no longer worry that you are a burden because you cannot work as you desire. Thus you would reject all those thoughts which keep you from being totally united to the heart of our good God and which are perhaps also an obstacle to your recovery. Recall that God wants you to be peaceful and cheerful in the midst of your suffering. Imagine that I am often near you to say: “My dear Sister, remember that you were in this condition once before and that God restored you to health when He willed you to serve Him.”

I am hurt that you have not written to me yourself even once since I left. Please do so, if you are able. But speak to me openly of your suffering. I will read and understand everything.

My regards to all our sisters. Encourage them in your pain. Believe me, Sister, to be your sister and best friend.