h
me," she replied, "but since I have abandoned all thought of
self-seeking, I live the happiest life possible."

* * * * * *

Our dear Mistress used to say that during recreation, more than at
any other time, we should find opportunities for practising virtue.

"If your desire be to draw great profit, do not go with the idea
of procuring relaxation, but rather with the intention of
entertaining others and practising complete detachment from self.
Thus, for instance, if you are telling one of the Sisters
something you think entertaining, and she should interrupt to tell
you something else, show yourself interested, even though in
reality her story may not interest you in the least. Be careful,
also, not to try to resume what you were saying. In this way you
will leave recreation filled with a great interior peace and
endowed with fresh strength for the practice of virtue, because
you have not sought to please yourself, but others. If only we
could realise what we gain by self-denial in all things!"

"You realise it, certainly, for you have always practised
self-denial."

"Yes, I have forgotten myself, and I have tried not to see myself
in anything."

* * * * * *

"When some one knocks at our door, or when we are rung for, we
must practise mortification and refrain from doing even another
stitch before answering. I have practised this myself, and I
assure you that it is a source of peace."

After this advice, and according as occasion offered, I promptly
answered every summons. One day, during her illness, she was
witness of this, and said:

"At the hour of death you will be very happy to find this to your
account. You have just done something more glorious than if,
through clever diplomacy, you had procured the good-will of the
Government for all religious communities and had been proclaimed
throughout France as a second Judith."

* * * * * *

Questioned as to her method of sanctifying meals, she answered:

"In the refectory we have but one thing to do: perform a lowly
action with lofty thoughts. I confess that the sweetest
aspirations of love often come to me in the refectory. Sometimes I
am brought to a standstill by the thought that were Our Lord in my
place He would certainly partake of those same dishes which are
served to me. It is quite probable that during His lifetime He
tasted of similar food--He must have eaten bread and fruit.

"Here are my little rubrics: