January (?) 1895
JMJT
Jesus
My dear little sister
It is with great joy that I come to offer you my wishes at the beginning of this new year. The one that has just passed has been very fruitful for Heaven, our dear Father has seen what «The eye of man cannot contemplate». He heard the harmony of the angels... and his heart understands, his soul enjoys the rewards that God has prepared for those who love him!
Our turn will also come... perhaps we won't see the end of the year that is beginning! perhaps one of us will soon hear the call of Jesus!...
Oh ! how sweet it is to think that we are sailing towards the eternal shore!...
Dear little Sister, don't you agree with me that the departure of our dear Father has brought us closer to Heaven? More than half of the family now enjoys the sight of God and the five exiles from the earth will soon fly away to their homeland. This thought of the brevity of life gives me courage, it helps me to bear the fatigues of the journey. What does it matter (says the Imitation) a little work on the earth... we pass and have no permanent home here! Jesus went ahead in order to prepare a place for us in the house of his Father and then He will come and He will take us with Him so that where He is we will also be there... Let us wait, let us suffer in peace, the hour of rest draws near, the slight tribulations of this momentary life produce in us an eternal weight of glory...
Dear little Sister, how happy your letters have given me and above all good for my soul, I rejoice in seeing how much the Good Lord loves you and fills you with his graces... He finds you worthy of suffering for His love and it is the greatest proof of tenderness that He can give you, because it is suffering that makes us similar to Him...
O my dear little Sister! do not forget the last, the poorest of your sisters; ask Jesus that she be very faithful, that she be happy like you to be everywhere the smallest... the last!...
Please offer my good wishes to your good Mothers and assure them that I am well united to them in the Heart of Jesus.
your poor little sister
(Th. of the Child Jesus) rel.carm.ind.
