e let us not
refuse to be clothed in blood-stained garments, or to tread out
for Jesus a new wine which may quench His thirst! When "He looks
around Him," He will not be able to say now that "He is
alone"[13]--we shall be there to help Him.

"His look as it were hidden."[14] Alas! it is so even to this day,
and no one understands His Tears. "Open to Me, My Sister, My
Spouse," he says to us, "for My Head is full of dew and My Locks
of the drops of the night."[15] Thus Jesus complains to our souls
when He is deserted and forgotten . . . _To be forgotten._ It is
this, I think, which gives Him most pain.

And our dear Father!--it is heartrending, but how can we repine
since Our Lord Himself was looked upon "as one struck by God and
afflicted"?[16] In this great sorrow we should forget ourselves,
and pray for Priests--our lives must be entirely devoted to them.
Our Divine Master makes me feel more and more that this is what He
asks of you and me.

IX

September 23, 1890.

O Celine, how can I tell you all that is happening within me? What
a wound I have received! And yet I feel it is inflicted by a
loving Hand, by a Hand divinely jealous.

All was ready for my espousals;[17] but do you not think that
something was still wanting to the feast? It is true, Jesus had
already enriched me with many jewels, but no doubt there was one
of incomparable beauty still missing; this priceless diamond He
has given me to-day . . . Papa will not be here to-morrow! Celine,
I confess that I have cried bitterly. . . . I am still crying so
that I can scarcely hold my pen.

You know how intensely I longed to see our dearest Father again;
but now I feel that it is God's Will that he should not be at my
feast. God has allowed it simply to try our love. Jesus wishes me
to be an orphan . . . to be alone, with Him alone, so that He may
unite Himself more closely to me. He wishes, too, to give me back
in Heaven this joy so lawfully desired, but which He has denied me
here on earth.

To-day's trial is one of those sorrows that are difficult to
understand: a joy was set before us, one most natural and easy of
attainment. We stretched forth our hands . . . and the coveted joy
was withdrawn. But it is not the hand of man which has done this
thing--it is God's work. Celine, understand your Therese, and let
us accept cheerfully the thorn which is offered us. To-morrow's
feast will be one of tears, but I feel that Jesus will be greatly
consoled