Page 86 - FLIPBOOK - Life of Saint Gerard Majella - Vassall-Phillips

O. R. VASSALL-PHILLIPS

Superiors were to follow these Rules, all subjects would become
Saints. It is the want of prudence that causes so much trouble in
certain Religious Houses. Where disturbance reigns, there reigns the
Evil One; and where Satan reigns, there God is not to be found.
It was to these Carmelite Nuns, whose Prioress received this
striking admonition, that Gerard had written some few years
previously:
How earnestly do I desire that all the dear Sisters should dwell for
ever in the Wounded Heart of Jesus, and in the afflicted Heart of the
Blessed Virgin. It is in these Hearts that there is to be found all
sweetness. In these Hearts may we find our Rest.
On one occasion he wrote thus to the Mother Prioress:
Believe me, my very dear Mother in Jesus Christ, that
notwithstanding my unworthiness, I pray continually to the Lord for
you and for your community. The whole object of my prayers is to
obtain that you may be perfect spouses of the Divine Master and true
lovers of His Most Holy Will. I say it in all truth, I never find myself
in the Presence of our Lord without seeing you in His Most Sacred
Heart, and then I offer to God for you and all your daughters that
Sacred Heart, all covered with Wounds for our sake.
Let us now see how Saint Gerard wrote to a Novice who, as he
heard, was tempted against her vocation:
My dear Sister in Jesus Christ, I tell you in the Name of God that
you ought to keep yourself in a firm and holy peace, for all this
tempest is the work of the Evil One, who is striving to induce you to
leave your holy home. My child, be on your guard. Satan is full of
cunning and envious hatred. He would prevent you from becoming a
Saint. For this reason your perseverance causes him the greatest
anger. We all of us have experienced his assaults against our
Vocation, but God only permits them in order to test our
faithfulness. Take comfort then. Offer yourself always to Jesus
without reserve, and He will not fail to come to your assistance. How
is it possible that your love should forget how many times you have
promised Jesus Christ to be His spouse for ever? If, then, you have
so ardently desired this title of spouse of the Divine Master, why
renounce it now? . . . Go on your way therefore in all freedom of
soul. Be bright. Love God with all your heart. Offer yourself often to
Him, and rout the powers of Hell. One last word. Pray for me. I do
not forget to pray for you.

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