"_July 15, 1865._--Ask for the gift to sorrow only for our Blessed
Lord's sake, that truly we may share the divine sorrow of His
Blessed Mother, and mingle our tears with hers on Calvary at the
foot of the cross."
"_August 20, 1865._--Ask for the grace of filial love. Strive to
overcome all evil inclinations that are an impediment to filial
love, amongst which one of the chief is self-conceit. Make acts of
reparation for all the selfconceit of past life. When thoughts of
self-conceit enter, let us shut the gates of our hearts against
them, and make an act of profound humility and sorrow, seeing our
own nothingness and baseness. We must seek for filial love by
laying aside all confidence in self, and placing all our confidence
in God alone; for all that proceeds from ourselves is corrupt, and
our best actions have no merit unless performed solely for God's
greater glory, without regard to ourselves."
"_August 27, 1865._--Lay at the foot of the cross all secret doubts
of God's guidance. It is this secret instinct which is one of the
great hindrances to the reign of Jesus in our souls. Let us make an
act of the will--'Lord, I believe that Thou lovest to make the
souls of men Thy tabernacle; help Thou mine unbelief. I believe
that Thou lovest me, in spite of my unworthiness and infidelity. I
am blind and poor and naked; I have nothing of myself to offer Thee
but what is corrupt and evil, but Thou hast given me by inheritance
all the poverty and humility of Thy Blessed Mother, all her
sorrows,--and these I offer Thee--Thy gift I give back to Thee. O
my Lord, let me learn to know Thee more and more.'"