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Letter 3 of St. Mary
Magdalene de' Pazzi to the Most Reverend Father and Rector of the Company of the Sweet Name of Jesus, Together with all the Fathers and Brothers Subject to Him: |
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| (...) Now, in order that you may know what you ought to do at this time to fulfill the will of God, I tell you that you should be disposing the principal head of our city here, the Most Reverend Cardinal Archbishop. And if it may seem to Your Reverence that I should not intrude upon this work, I remind you of the words of the enamored Paul, that God chooses the weak things to do Hid great works. [1 Cor 1, 27] (...) | ||
| Now I make known to you how you must act with the aforementioned Most Reverend Cardinal, in regard to the said work, every time that the opportunity is presented -- and you much not fail to see for such opportunities. Take care to let him know of the ignorance in which his sheep find themselves, especially those men and women consecrated to God through the three vows made at the time of their profession, vows promised by many but observed only by a few. | ||
| And note that I do not tell you this of myself, but on the part of Infallible Truth. Meanwhile, I beg you, together with all those who belong to your community, to offer yourselves promptly and willingly for this work. Nor should it appear to Your Reverence that you are doing a lesser work than that which the other Fathers and Brothers are going in the Indies, as they convert so many pagan souls to God by giving them, and adorning them with, the precious blood of Jesus-- because, if one would look and consider well, recovering a jewel that was one lost is of no less price and value than finding one for the first time. (...) | ||
| (...) Consider well and ponder the danger in which one stands who promises much and fulfills little. Resolve to be a true imitator of the apostles, who were not content with knowing and possessing God only for themselves, but desired and pressed on to make Him known to others! (...) | ||
| (...) Excuse me a thousand times if my action should seem to you to be presumption-- for I have not acted on my own account, but I have been forced by the slain and crucified Lamb-- and put this work into execution! (...) | ||
| From our monastery of St.
Mary of the Angles near Saint Fredian's, July 27, 1586.
The humble handmaid of the Word Made Flesh |
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| from: The Complete Works of St. Mary Magdalen de'Pazzi (Vol 1) translation by Gabriel Pausback,, O. Carm. |
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