* * * * * *

“What would you do if you could begin over again your religious life?”

“I think I should do as I have already done.”

“Then you do not share the feeling of the hermit who said:  ’While a quarter of an hour, or even a breath of life still remains to me, I shall fear the fires of hell even though I should have spent long years in penance’?”

“No, I do not share that fear; I am too small.  Little children are not damned.”

“You are ever seeking to be as little children are, but tell us what must be done to obtain that childlike spirit.  ’Remaining little’—­what does it mean?”

“‘Remaining little’ means—­to recognise one’s nothingness, to await everything from the Goodness of God, to avoid being too much troubled at our faults; finally, not to worry over amassing spiritual riches, not to be solicitous about anything.  Even amongst the poor, while a child is still small, he is given what is necessary; but, once he is grown up, his father will no longer feed him, and tells him to seek work and support himself.  Well, it was to avoid hearing this, that I have never wished to grow up, for I feel incapable of earning my livelihood, which is Life Eternal!”

* * * * * *

In imitation of our saintly Mistress I also wished never to grow up; she called me therefore “the little one,” and during a retreat she wrote to me the following notes: 

“Do not fear to tell Jesus that you love him, even though you may not feel that love.  In this way you will compel Him to come to your aid, and to carry you like a little child who is too weak to walk.

“It is indeed a great source of trial, when everything looks black, but this does not depend entirely on yourself.  Do all in your power to detach your heart from earthly cares, especially from creatures; then be assured Our Lord will do the rest.  He could not permit you to fall into the abyss.  Be comforted, little one!  In Heaven everything will no longer look black, but dazzling white.  There all will be clothed in the Divine radiance of Our Spouse—­the Lily of the Valley.  Together we will follow Him whithersoever He goeth.  Meantime we must make good use of this life’s brief day.  Let us give Our Lord pleasure, let us by self-sacrifice give Him souls!  Above all, let us be little—­so little that everyone might tread us underfoot without our even seeming to suffer pain.

“I am not surprised at the failures of the little one; she forgets that in her role of missionary and warrior she ought to forgo all childish consolations.  It is wrong to pass one’s time in fretting, instead of sleeping on the Heart of Jesus.

“Should the little one fear the dark of the night, or complain at not seeing Him who carries her, let her shut her eyes.  It is the one sacrifice God asks.  By remaining thus, the dark will cease to terrify, because she will not see it, and before long, peace—­if not joy—­will re-enter her soul.”