I am glad and rejoice, not only when I am looked
upon as imperfect, but above all when I feel that it is true.
Compliments, on the contrary, do but displease me."

* * * * * *

"God has a special love for you since He entrusts souls to your
care."

"That makes no difference, and I am really only what I am in His
Eyes. It is not because He wills me to be His interpreter among
you, that He loves me more; rather, He makes me your little
handmaid. It is for you, and not for myself, that He has bestowed
upon me those charms and those virtues which you see.

"I often compare myself to a little bowl filled by God with good
things. All the kittens come to eat from it, and they sometimes
quarrel as to which will have the largest share. But the Holy
Child Jesus keeps a sharp watch. 'I am willing you should feed
from My little bowl,' He says, 'but take heed lest you upset and
break it.'

"In truth there is no great danger, because I am already on the
ground. Not so with Prioresses; set, as they are, on tables, they
run far more risks. Honours are always dangerous. What poisonous
food is served daily to those in high positions! What deadly fumes
of incense! A soul must be well detached from herself to pass
unscathed through it all."

* * * * * *

"It is a consolation for you to do good and to procure the Glory
of God. I wish I were equally favoured."

"What if God does make use of me, rather than of another, to
procure His Glory! Provided His Kingdom be established among
souls, the instrument matters not. Besides, He has no need of
anyone.

"Some time ago I was watching the flicker, almost invisible, of a
tiny night-light, when one of the Sisters drew near, and, lighting
her candle in the dying flame, passed it round to light all those
of the Community. 'Who dare glory in his own good works?' I
reflected. 'From one faint spark such as this, it would be
possible to set the whole earth on fire.' We often think we
receive graces and are divinely illumined by means of brilliant
candles. But from whence comes their light? From the prayers,
perhaps, of some humble, hidden soul, whose inward shining is not
apparent to human eyes; a soul of unrecognised virtue and, in her
own sight, of little value--a dying flame.

"What mysteries will yet be unveiled to us! I have often thought
that perhaps I owe all the graces with which I am laden, to some
little soul whom I shall know only in Heaven.

"It is God's