Letter 49 I wouldn’t like to treat you as you have treated me. What! Had you the courage to let the fleet sail without giving me the consolation of a single letter from you? Others have written and without them I wouldn’t know anything about you. I am not telling you what was in the letter. It is enough that I know your needs to offer them to God. Your part is to beg that since you hadn’t the happiness of profiting by your vocation that at least you are not so unfaithful as to leave it altogether but to recover by your diligence what you lost by your negligence. I have written to several of our friends on your behalf to try to get you placed in case your designs are not accomplished. It is time for you to know yourself, you are old enough for that. You have got powerful support up to this, now push yourself. It would be a shame for you, a well built young man not to have courage. Get out of the cowardice, my dear son and remember you get nothing in this world without trouble. Have you given up the devotion to the Blessed Virgin and to her Glorious Spouse St. Joseph? Don’t do that! You will never make progress in the way of salvation without their help. Keep close to those who are devoted to them and imitate their virtues. In this way you will gain the grace of God. Frequent the Sacraments. Avoid those who would turn you against them, etc. Pray for me and thank the Divine Goodness for the great grace He has given me in calling me to such an exalted vocation. Ask Him that I may be faithful and beg Him to give me the grace to persevere till death in this Blessed Country which I am unworthy to inhabit. Remain friendly with the Jesuit Fathers and also with my brothers and sisters who are willing to help you as much as possible. Adieu. I am my very dear son, your very affectionate mother. Kelly, Sr M. St. Dominic, O.S.U. Marie of the Incarnation 1599 - 1672 Correspondence, (translated from the French edition by Dom Guy Oury Monk of Solesmes), Irish Ursuline Union, 2000, p. 38-39. | |
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