faults; finally, not to worry over amassing
spiritual riches, not to be solicitous about anything. Even
amongst the poor, while a child is still small, he is given what
is necessary; but, once he is grown up, his father will no longer
feed him, and tells him to seek work and support himself. Well, it
was to avoid hearing this, that I have never wished to grow up,
for I feel incapable of earning my livelihood, which is Life
Eternal!"

* * * * * *

In imitation of our saintly Mistress I also wished never to grow
up; she called me therefore "the little one," and during a retreat
she wrote to me the following notes:

"Do not fear to tell Jesus that you love him, even though you may
not feel that love. In this way you will compel Him to come to
your aid, and to carry you like a little child who is too weak to
walk.

"It is indeed a great source of trial, when everything looks
black, but this does not depend entirely on yourself. Do all in
your power to detach your heart from earthly cares, especially
from creatures; then be assured Our Lord will do the rest. He
could not permit you to fall into the abyss. Be comforted, little
one! In Heaven everything will no longer look black, but dazzling
white. There all will be clothed in the Divine radiance of Our
Spouse--the Lily of the Valley. Together we will follow Him
whithersoever He goeth. Meantime we must make good use of this
life's brief day. Let us give Our Lord pleasure, let us by
self-sacrifice give Him souls! Above all, let us be little--so
little that everyone might tread us underfoot without our even
seeming to suffer pain.

"I am not surprised at the failures of the little one; she forgets
that in her role of missionary and warrior she ought to forgo all
childish consolations. It is wrong to pass one's time in fretting,
instead of sleeping on the Heart of Jesus.

"Should the little one fear the dark of the night, or complain at
not seeing Him who carries her, let her shut her eyes. It is the
one sacrifice God asks. By remaining thus, the dark will cease to
terrify, because she will not see it, and before long, peace--if
not joy--will re-enter her soul."

* * * * * *

To help me accept a humiliation she confided to me what follows:

"If I had not been received into the Carmel, I would have entered
a Refuge, and lived there unknown and despised among the poor
'penitents.' My joy would have been to pass for one, and I would
have become a