1767

Anna Maria Calcagnini (11)

San Angelo

December 31, 1768

My Blessed Daughter in Jesus Christ,

In the post yesterday evening, I received your letter, sent on December 14. In it I learn of the aridity and desolation that your soul is experiencing, which is not coming from your fault, but as a loving proof from God so you will go deeper in knowledge of your nothingness and in a deeper resignation to the Divine Good Pleasure, without wishing or seeking any satisfaction other than the satisfaction, glory, and good pleasure of the Most High. The Lord wishes to purify your soul the more — there is always some rust and dross and dust found there without our being aware of it — and God wishes, I say, to prepare your soul with this suffering for a higher level of prayer and union with His Divine Majesty so as to give a last touch to the statue in order to place it in the heavenly gallery of paradise.

Therefore, do not neglect your usual practices of prayer and frequentation of the sacraments, etc. At prayer remain with the higher part of your soul attentive to God and make nothing out of the distractions that keep fluttering around your soul, importunate thoughts, and the like. But be quiet. I am speaking about the higher part of your soul, and use the prayer of Jesus in agony in the garden. The gentle Jesus remained in his divine prayer in agony and sweat blood, and no complaint came from his mouth. He said more than once: "My Father, may your Will be done." Oh, highest and sweetest prayer! In these divine words all of sanctity is contained. So should you act in this way, my blessed daughter. In the midst of great desolation and agony of spirit, speak to the Sovereign Father, speak to him in the intimate center of your soul in a pure spirit of faith and love: "My Father, My Father, let your Will be done." Then say: "Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit." Then die that mystical death that is more precious and more desirable than life. Then abandon your soul into the hands of God, and you will see the marvels that His Divine Majesty will work in it.

I will not fail to pray the Lord for all your household and for the gentleman you mentioned to me. I wished you a happy feast during the holy novena and much more in the holy Solemnity of Christmas from the holy altar. I will do the same for a Blessed New Year, rich with many years, all holy and loaded with spiritual blessings, as well as temporal. Give these greetings to all the household. I am writing in haste and in pain. I am more sick than well. Do not forget this old man, who has perhaps more years than you. Jesus make you as holy as I wish and bless you.

I have always answered Thomas, and I am unhappy that he has not received my letters. Oh, what times! Let us pray God that he be appeased.

Your unworthy, obligated servant,

Paul of the Cross