rancis de Sales, "and the proof of it is that
we speak so little of them. We try to change the discourse as if
it were hurtful. We let the dead bury their dead. Their memory
perishes with us like the sound of the funeral knell, without
thinking that a friendship which perishes with death is not true.
It is a sign of piety to speak of their virtues as it urges us to
imitate them."

In communities distinguished for fraternal charity and the family
spirit the conversation frequently turns on the dead. One talks of
their virtues, another of their services, a third quotes some of
their sayings, while a fourth adds some other edifying fact; and
who is the religious that will not on such occasions breathe a
silent prayer to God and apply some indulgence or other
satisfactory work for the happy repose of their souls?

Charity also prays for those who want help most, and who are often
known to God alone--those whose constancy is wavering, those who
are led by violent temptations to the edge of the precipice. It
expands pent-up souls by consolations or advice; it dissipates
prejudices which tend to weaken the spirit of obedience; it is, in
fine, a sort of instinct which embraces all those things suggested
by zeal and devotion. Can there be anything more agreeable to God,
more useful to the Church, or more meritorious, than to foster
thus amongst the well-beloved children of God peace, joy, love of
vocation, together with union amongst themselves and with their
superiors? It is one of the most substantial advantages we have in
religion to know that we are never forsaken in life or death; to
find always a heart that can compassionate our pains, a hand which
sustains us in danger and lifts us when we fall.

XVI

ELEVENTH CHARACTERISTIC

_To have a lively interest in the whole Order, in its works, its
success, and its failures_

RELIGIOUS who have the family spirit wish to know everything which
concerns the well-being of the different houses. They willingly
take their pens to contribute to the edification and satisfy the
lawful curiosity of their brethren. They bless God when they hear
good news, and grieve at bad news, losses by death, and, above
all, scandalous losses of vocation.

Those who would concentrate all their thoughts on their own work,
as if all other work counted for nothing or merited no attention,
who would speak feebly or perhaps jealously of it, as if they
alone wished to do good, or that others wishe