[33] St. John of the Cross.

[34] Cf.  Luke 15:31.

[35] Cant. 1:6.

[36] Cf.  Cant. 7:1.

[37] Office of St. Cecilia.

[38] Luke 2:14.

[39] Wisdom 4:1.

[40] John 21:5.

[41] Luke 5:5.  Soeur Therese joins in one the two miraculous draughts of fishes. [Ed.]

[42] Cf.  Cant. 6:10, 11.

[43] Cant. 6:12.

[44] John 14:23.

[45] Cf.  John 17:17.

[46] John 14:6.

[47] John 18:38.

[48] Cf.  Cant. 1:12.

[49] Luke 22:28, 29.

[50] Cf.  Mark 14:3.

[51] John 12:3.

[52] Matt. 26:64.

_____________________________

LETTERS TO MOTHER AGNES OF JESUS

Selections

I

(Written in 1887, shortly before Therese entered the Carmel.)

MY DARLING LITTLE MOTHER,—­You are right when you tell me that every cup must contain its drop of gall.  I find that trials are a great help towards detachment from the things of earth:  they make one look higher than this world.  Nothing here can satisfy, and we can find rest only in holding ourselves ready to do God’s will.

My frail barque has great difficulty in reaching port.  I sighted it long since, and still I find myself afar off.  Yet Jesus steers this little barque, and I am sure that on His appointed day it will come safely to the blessed haven of the Carmel.  O Pauline! when Jesus shall have vouchsafed me this grace, I wish to give myself entirely to Him, to suffer always for Him, to live for Him alone.  I do not fear His rod, for even when the smart is keenest we feel that it is His sweet Hand which strikes.

It is such joy to think that for each pain cheerfully borne we shall love God more through eternity.  Happy should I be if at the hour of my death I could offer Jesus a single soul.  There would be one soul less in hell, and one more to bless God in Heaven.

II

(Written during her retreat before receiving the habit.)

January, 1889.

Dryness and drowsiness—­such is the state of my soul in its intercourse with Jesus!  But since my Beloved wishes to sleep I shall not prevent Him.  I am only too happy that He does not treat me as a stranger, but rather in a homely way.  He riddles his “little ball” with pin-pricks that hurt indeed, though when they come from the Hand of this loving Friend, the pain is all sweetness, so gentle in His touch.  How different the hand of man!