From Mother Marie de Gonzague to Thérèse. December 10 (?) 1888
Let my youngest, my little grain of sand tell his mother everything, she understands. The father [Pichon] is perfect but I had a thorn in my heart when I opened the envelope and saw that the sheets were for me... Speaking of my child: “It will therefore be said that the dear lamb will suffer contradiction at every step. Happy privileged of the cross! »
Yes, child of Jesus, the cross is our portion, let us enjoy this happiness! he is from Heaven and not from earth! What joy, a humiliation ! It's worth all the treasures of Panama!!! let's say again when we happen to make a blunder: happy mistake which deserves this humiliation!!! As for our miseries, we only have one thing to do, form a small package and place it in the Heart of Jesus so that He changes them into so many merits for the Fatherland. I pass on to you the holy blessing of the exiled father who thinks so much of his lamb... As for mine, it is every minute of every hour of the day.
