1558

Thomas Fossi (138)

San Angelo

July 11, 1765

My Dear Thomas,

Yesterday I received your letter, sent from Civitavecchia on June 12, containing the news of the small barrel of fish in oil. The Masses will be celebrated in accord with your pious intentions on the days you ask.

1. I am much edified and consoled in the Lord to read you are so inclined to charity toward your neighbor. That is a clear sign of love for the blessed God. But, my dear Thomas, it is necessary that your charity be in correct order. You must think first of all of the running of your household so that you maintain the status in which God has placed you. Holy Tobias said to his son: "Son, if you have much, be liberal with the poor; if you have little, share according to your strength and possibility." That is what I say to you. The harvests are poor; the loss is common. In this region the ice has ruined the vines in many places. The grain harvest is very small and famine is to be feared. "May God’s Will be done." The granaries and wine cellars of the Sovereign Patron can never fail, so control your donations and do not do more than you can, even where our Retreats are concerned, for you are doing too much there. I am more indebted than any, and God knows how grateful I am in the Lord.

2. I do not recall the answer that you say I gave you in Longone This is a sign of the cross of years and years; but I do not recall it. I will say, however, that they were extraordinary graces that you received in those times at prayer, etc. God sent them to strengthen you to suffer the difficulties and adversities you have been suffering since then. "Because you were acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation try you."

3. All your prayer and all your exercises ought to tend to unite you very closely to the Divine Will. See all your suffering, all your anguish and losses, with the eye of faith in the Divine Will of God, taking them as coming not from men, whether they be thieves or losses from animals or from the harshness of the weather, poor harvests, etc., but take them all, I repeat, immediately from the loving hand of God and embrace his Holy Will with holy affections and wed yourself to it with the ring of faith and love. This is the noblest, most fruitful, and holy exercise that a soul can perform.

4. With regard to visiting, be moderate. Make those visits that are called for by your status with brevity so as not to dissipate your spirit. Do what is correct and proper, and that is enough.

5. As regards your clothing, go about as befits your equals, for that is not displeasing to the Lord. To cut down on expenses, take care for a better outfit to use when you are making visits, etc. When in the countryside or at the villa you can go about in your ordinary clothes. Go about clothed within, in your spirit, with Jesus Christ, for it is not important that your clothing for your body be striking when you are making visits within. Keep what you have for it will last forever for you and always increase.

6. In order to bridle your afflictive penances, I am not pleased since God does not wish that, but wants you to preserve your health and strength to assist your family. So do not go beyond a single hour with your chain on Friday, and not too tightly, and not even that if you are ill. You may abstain from fruit on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Take one or two so as not be singular. Leave off everything else. This is enough.

7. Make your prayer as usual, as well as the frequentation of the holy sacraments, and stay on your knees only a short time. At prayer be seated on a small stool that is not too high.

8. As regards your daughter Teresa, place her in whatever convent God inspires you, either Vetralla or Corneto, as pleases you.

It seems to me that this is not the time to incur expenses in traveling or upkeep for the convent, but to wait until His Divine Majesty gives you greater provision for fixed support. In your home, under the eye of Signora Victoria, her pious mother, things would go better than in a convent. Let her have time for prayer, other spiritual practices, and frequentation of the holy sacraments, but never idleness. Let her work under the eye of her mother, and when she goes out to take the air, let her always be with her mother.

I am in a hurry. As for Confrater John Paul, I do not have any good news. He is far behind in studies. But I am doing something I have never done before. After his profession they will have him study the Latin language a bit more so that he will be able to go into philosophy, etc. I hope that all will go well to the greater honor and glory of God.

Our Father Rector wishes me to ask you to send a small barrel of salted anchovies, fifty or sixty pounds of them. This is with the understanding that we pay for them. Otherwise, nothing. If you have them, send them; if not, patience. I am in a hurry. Jesus bless you and all your household, and greet Signora for me in the Lord. May the Lord make you as holy as I desire, and from the heart and with all respect I am,

Your unworthy, obligated servant,

Paul of the Cross

The bottles from Frontiniano were received, and I have thanked him immediately by post with my letter.