Chapter XII: Letter to Her Sister Céline

HOW beautiful is our vocation! It is for us, it is for Carmel to preserve _"the salt of the earth."_ [4] We offer our prayers and sacrifices for the apostles of the Lord; we ought ourselves to be their apostles while by word and example they preach the Gospel to our brethren.

HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. VI

[4] Matt., v, 13.

A NOVICE was grieving about her numerous distractions during prayer: "I too, have many," replied Sœur Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus, "but I accept all for love of the good God, even the most extravagant thoughts that come into my head."

COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES

HER prayer was continual though she was habitually plunged in aridity. One day a novice entering her cell, paused, struck by the celestial expression of her countenance. She was sewing with alacrity yet seemed lost in profound contemplation.

"Of what are you thinking?" asked the young Sister. "I am meditating on the _Pater_," she replied. "It is so sweet to call the good God our Father." And tears shone in her eyes.

HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. XII