1897.

What attracts me towards our Heavenly Home is the Master’s call—­the hope of loving Him at last to the fulfilling of all my desire—­the thought that I shall be able to win Him the love of a multitude of souls, who will bless Him through all eternity.

I have never asked God that I might die young—­that to me were a cowardly prayer; but from my childhood He has deigned to inspire me with a strong conviction that my life would be a short one.

I feel we must tread the same road to Heaven—­the road of suffering and love.  When I myself have reached the port, I will teach you how best to sail the world’s tempestuous sea—­with the self-abandonment of a child well aware of a father’s love, and of his vigilance in the hour of danger.

I long so much to make you understand the expectant love of the Heart of Jesus.  Your last letter has made my own heart thrill sweetly.  I learnt how closely your soul is sister to mine, since God calls that soul to mount to Himself by the lift of love, without climbing the steep stairway of fear.  I am not surprised you find it hard to be familiar with Jesus—­one cannot become so in a day; but this I do know, I shall aid you much more to tread this beautiful path when I lay aside the burden of this perishable body.  Ere long you will exclaim with St. Augustine:  “Love is my lodestone!”

IX

July 26, 1897.

When you read these few lines I shall perhaps be no more.  I know not the future; yet I can confidently say that my Spouse is at the door.  It would need a miracle to keep me in exile, and I do not think that Jesus will work that miracle—­He does nothing that is of no avail.

Brother, I am so happy to die!  Yes, happy . . . not because I shall be free from suffering:  on the contrary, suffering combined with love seems the one thing worthy of desire in this vale of tears; but happy to die because far more than on earth I shall help the souls I hold dear.

Jesus has always treated me as a spoilt child. . . .  It is true that His Cross has been with me from the cradle, but for that Cross He has given me a passionate love . . .

X

August 14, 1897.

I am about to go before God, and I understand now more than ever that one thing only is needful—­to work for Him alone, and do nothing for self or creatures.  Jesus wishes to own your heart completely.  Before this can be, you will have much to suffer . . . but oh! what joy when comes the happy hour of going Home!  I shall not die—­I do but enter into Life . . . and whatsoever I cannot tell you here upon earth I will make you understand from the heights of Heaven. . . . _____________________________

[1] Matt. 26:39.

[2] Isa. 9:6.

[3] This letter and the following are addressed to a Seminarist. [Ed.]