Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1631.
My dearest Sister,
I have read and re-read your letter, at the end of which you beg of me to tell you if you are deceiving yourself in the belief which you hold as strong as an article of faith (to begin with, it is a grave fault to believe one's imagination in the same way as one believes an article of faith) that your spirit is lost in God, as you describe it to be. Now I tell you plainly, with my wonted sincerity, that I believe you are deceiving yourself; for true lowliness is not made up in the imagination, nor does it consist in having many affections and lights to discourse on such things as you do. When one sees such lights in a soul dead to self it gives great consolation. But, my daughter, you are very far from such happiness, for you are bristling with self-love. Try to acquire genuine humility, which consists in the death or the allaying of your passions, inclinations, sentiments: your presumption, vanity, and self-love; having achieved this you must labour constantly and perseveringly by a continual mortification of your whole being. Begin by retrenching the vain flights of your imaginations and the activity of your understanding. I would wish you not to be so subtle in your questions.
In a word, my daughter, you must become truly humble and really mortified, and then God will live and reign in you. Take the advice and follow the guidance of your good Mother, and God will bless you. That God may do so is my prayer to Him.
I remain, in His holy love,
Yours, etc.
LXXXVII.
To Dom Galice, Barnabite Father at Montargis.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1632.