I know that many Saints have passed their lives in the practice of amazing penance for the sake of expiating their sins.  But what of that?  “In my Father’s house there are many mansions."[4] These are the words of Jesus, and therefore I follow the path He marks out for me; I try to be nowise concerned about myself and what Jesus deigns to accomplish in my soul.

VI

1897.

On this earth where everything changes, one thing alone does never change—­our Heavenly King’s treatment of His friends.  From the day He raised the standard of the Cross, in its shadow all must fight and win.  “The life of every missionary abounds in crosses,” said Theophane Venard.  And again:  “True happiness consists in suffering, and in order to live we must die.”

Rejoice, my Brother, that the first efforts of your Apostolate are stamped with the seal of the Cross.  Far more by suffering and by persecution than by eloquent discourses does Jesus wish to build up His Kingdom.

You are still—­you tell me—­a little child who cannot speak.  Neither could Father Mazel, who was ordained with you, and yet he has already won the palm . . .  Far beyond our thoughts are the thoughts of God!  When I learnt that this young missionary had died before he had set foot on the field of his labours, I felt myself drawn to invoke him.  I seemed to see him amidst the glorious Martyr choir.  No doubt, in the eyes of men he does not merit the title of Martyr, but in the eyes of God this inglorious death is no less precious than the sacrifice of him who lays down his life for the Faith.

Though one must be exceeding pure before appearing in the sight of the All-Holy God, still I know that He is infinitely just, and this very Justice which terrifies so many souls is the source of all my confidence and joy.  Justice is not only stern severity towards the guilty; it takes account of the good intention, and gives to virtue its reward.  Indeed I hope as much from the Justice of God as from His Mercy.  It is because He is just, that “He is compassionate and merciful, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy.  For He knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are dust.  As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on us."[5]

O my Brother, after these beautiful and consoling words of the Royal Prophet, how can we doubt God’s power to open the gates of His Kingdom to His children who have loved Him unto perfect sacrifice, who have not only left home and country so as to make Him known and loved, but even long to lay down their lives for Him? . . .  Jesus said truly there is no greater love than this.  Nor will He be outdone in generosity.  How could He cleanse in the flames of Purgatory souls consumed with the fire of Divine Love?

I have used many words to express my thought, and yet I fear I have failed.  What I wish to convey is, that in my opinion all missionaries are Martyrs by will and desire, and not even one should pass through the purifying flames.