* * * * * *

Seeing one of our Sisters very much fatigued, I said to Soeur Therese:  “It grieves me to see people suffer, especially those who are holy.”  She instantly replied:  “I do not feel as you do.  Saints who suffer never excite my pity.  I know they have strength to bear their sufferings, and that through them they are giving great glory to God.  But I compassionate greatly those who are not Saints, and who do not know how to profit by suffering.  They indeed awake my pity.  I would strain every nerve to help and comfort them.”

* * * * * *

“Were I to live longer, it is the office of Infirmarian that would most please me.  I would not ask for it, but were it imposed through obedience, I should consider myself highly favoured.  I think I should fulfill its duties with much affection, always mindful of Our Lord’s words:  ’I was sick, and you visited Me.’[13] The infirmary bell should be for you as heavenly music, and you ought purposely to pass by the windows of the sick that it might be easy for them to summon you.  Consider yourself as a little slave whom everyone has the right to command.  Could you but see the Angels who from the heights of Heaven watch your combats in the arena!  They are awaiting the end of the fight to crown you and cover you with flowers.  You know that we claim to rank as little Martyrs . . . . but we must win our palms.

“God does not despise these hidden struggles with ourselves, so much richer in merit because they are unseen:  ’The patient man is better than the valiant, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.’[14] Through our little acts of charity, practised in the dark, as it were, we obtain the conversion of the heathen, help the missionaries, and gain for them plentiful alms, thus building both spiritual and material dwellings for Our Eucharistic God.”

* * * * * *

I had seen Mother Prioress showing, as I thought, more confidence and affection to one of our Sisters than she extended to me.  Expecting to win sympathy, I told my trouble to Soeur Therese, and great was my surprise when she put me the question:  “Do you think you love our Mother very much?” “Certainly! otherwise I should be indifferent if others were preferred to me.”

“Well, I shall prove that you are absolutely mistaken, and that it is not our Mother that you love, but yourself.  When we really love others, we rejoice at their happiness, and we make every sacrifice to procure it.  Therefore if you had this true, disinterested affection, and loved our Mother for her own sake, you would be glad to see her find pleasure even at your expense; and since you think she has less satisfaction in talking with you than with another Sister, you ought not to grieve at being apparently neglected.”

* * * * * *

I was distressed at my many distractions during prayers:  “I also have many,” she said, “but as soon as I am aware of them, I pray for those people the thought of whom is diverting my attention, and in this way they reap benefit from my distractions. . . .  I accept all for the love of God, even the wildest fancies that cross my mind.”