Page 85 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

LIFE OF SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

self-love under foot.
The Superior ought often to say to herself: “God wishes me
where I am. I ought then to do His Holy Will in all things. As a duty
I will Watch over all my daughters; I will be the servant of all. I must
give each one advice, light, consolation. To others I should assign
that which is best, keeping for myself that which is worst, in order
that I may please God. In a word, everywhere and in all things I must
suffer in order to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, my heavenly
Spouse.”
The mind of a Superior should be like a wheel, always in motion,
that she may provide for the needs of her daughters. She will love
them all dearly, but only in God, without showing any preference to
one rather than to another. Remembering that Nuns can provide
nothing for themselves excepting in accordance with Holy
Obedience, she ought to forget herself completely, and devote all the
gifts that God has given her to their service. If any presents should be
sent into the Convent from outside, let her provide for the wants of
all her children before she thinks of her own.
She ought to put them all at their ease, particularly any who may
be in danger of failing in confidence towards her. To do this she
must win their hearts. She will therefore be affable in her manner,
even when she feels it to be most difficult, and must continually
strive to overcome herself in this respect — always with a view to
please God. Unless she acts after this fashion, unless she shows a
mother's love to those who are suffering from temptation, their
disturbance of mind will go on increasing. It may even throw them
into despair. At least they will be prevented from advancing in the
Love of God by the feeling that they are being slighted or
misunderstood. This is a weakness to which women are subject.
The Saint then continues to speak of the firmness and sweetness,
but especially the sweetness, with which corrections should be made,
and concludes thus:
Such a correction is, in my opinion, well calculated to induce an
imperfect Religious to have recourse with much confidence to her
Superior, who may thus be able to rescue her from her tepidity, and
restore her to the path of perfection. We also gain more by sweetness
than by harshness. Harshness brings trouble, temptation, obscurity,
and spiritual sloth in its train. Sweetness, on the contrary, gives peace
and tranquillity. It disposes the soul for union with God. If all

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