3 Bishop Francis M. Arborio Di Gattinara (3) Saint Stephen Castellazzo January 27, 1721 May Jesus Live! Most Illustrious and Reverend Sir, Very Venerable Lord and Patron and My Dearest Father in Jesus! Since the devout servant of God, Paul Sardi31, is approaching the feet of Your Most Illustrious Lordship to reveal the holy inspirations he is constantly receiving from the infinite mercy of our Supreme Good, I was unwilling to fail in my duty to inform Your Most Illustrious Lordship of those which I have received from God frequently regarding the vocation of this servant of God. Know, Bishop, that I have such an inspiration that he be in my company in this holy tunic that I can only with true heart prostrate myself at the feet of the Most High and implore him to give him to me as a companion. At times, when I observe his perseverance in prayer and his devout recollection, I cannot keep from ex- claiming with satisfaction: “Ah, what a saintly person!” It seems to me he must be seen as holy and that he must do great good for souls. This results from the strong beginning which our sweetest God grants him. To see this young man courageously trample human respect, despite being a beginner, leaves me stupefied. He fasts with perseverance and is unwearying in prayer. I have seen him spend the entire morning occupied with God in holy, prayerful exercises. I bring this to the notice of Your Most Illustrious Lordship to let you know my opinion of this devout young man and, prostrate at Your Lordship’s feet, implore you to console him by granting him as my companion, for it seems to me I should get a wonderful example from his holy life. I remain, however, indifferent, equal- ly to having him as well as to not having him. And in my heart I feel intense peace, whether it be one way or the other. Meanwhile, I place myself totally in the hands of Your Illustrious Lordship. After dinner Saturday, by the mercy of our dear God, I moved to Saint Stephen’s. I can only tell Your Illus- trious Lordship that your charity has provided me with a paradise of holy solitude, and that I am sure that, although Your Most Illustrious Lordship was not interested in seeking merit, nevertheless, the infinite gen- erosity of our sweetest Spouse will grant it to you in abundance for using, and continually using, so much charity toward this abyss of iniquity. A place more appropriate, more devout, more withdrawn from the turmoil of the world I could not have found anywhere, unless I went to a desert. I hope that, if I cooperate with the holy inspirations of our dear God, this may be just the solitude where God has led me to speak to my heart. Sunday, that is yesterday, I began going around with cross and bell to invite the people to praise God at Christian Doctrine, and through the mercy of the Supreme Good, all went along in good order, and for the first time, there was a particularly numerous attendance. I also had great fervor in announcing the word of WWW.PASSIOCHRISTI.ORG God to them. When I was going down the street and, looking backward, saw the crowd of youngsters fol- lowing behind me, my heart was so jubilant that I was forced to restrain my tears. I will not omit telling you that the demon employed all his infamous cunning – I am not writing of it here so as not to be too long – in order to disturb this work of God. I could only say: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Now I see clearly that it is the Holy Will of God that I employ myself in this way. With regard to holy prayer and Holy Communion, I spent these past days in almost continual and, I might say, almost total aridity and desolation, and with the usual melancholy, mixed with distractions, as well as temptations. Some very horrid imaginings occurred to me, even at prayer, but I paid no attention to them. I know well that our dear Jesus is constantly making me recognize more my vileness and ugliness. I re- mained in prayer just as long as usual, neither longer nor shorter. My customary peace never leaves me. One morning I was in particular bodily pain, more so than usual, and was dry and afflicted, and I heard said to me: “There is all eternity to rejoice.” So I remained thus in peace with God, desiring always to suffer more. Fasting goes on as usual these past days. I have eaten only once a day, and I feel better. It entered my mind to eat only once every two days, but for the present I will wait for a stronger impulse and then refer it to Your Most Illustrious Lordship, submitting it to your holy sanction and benediction. I remain, placing you in the most Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Most Holy, desiring that you may be all inflamed with holy love, and recommending myself to your holy prayers that I may finally amend my worst imperfections and ingratitude. Prostrate at your Lordship’s feet, I implore the charity of your blessing, and I kiss the hem of your sacred garments. Thanks be to God. Your Most Illustrious and Reverend Lordship’s most unworthy servant and son, Paul Francis, the Least Servant of the Poor of Jesus ________________________________________________________________________ 31. Paul Sardi was a young man of Castellazzo. He never joined Paul but did become a priest. Paul wrote to him throughout his life. Sardi testified at the canonical Processes leading to Paul’s canonization. Only a few letters have been preserved. WWW.PASSIOCHRISTI.ORG 4 Sister Teresa Costanza Pontas (1)32 Saint Stephen Castellazzo February 6, 1721 Most Reverend and Esteemed and Beloved in Jesus, O sweetest troubles, treasured tokens from the Sacred Heart of our dear Spouse Jesus! Who can explore the magnificence of these precious treasures which our Sovereign Good uses to crown his beloved spouses? One who loves Jesus seeks only to suffer. I am consoled that you are one of the fortunate souls who walk the way of Calvary, following after our dear Redeemer. Happy is the one who follows this precious path, for one day she will sing in the company of the lovers of the holy cross: “Your crosses, dear God, are the joy of my heart.” How beautiful it is to suffer with Jesus! I could wish to have the heart of a seraph to explain the loving need of suffering that close friends of the Crucified cherish, for they know that where there are crosses, there will be crowns in paradise. Therefore, let us use every endeavor to seek holy perfection, humility, obedience, and, above all, a contin- ual resignation to the Divine Good Pleasure. You think what is happening is opposed to your good; to the contrary, you should know these are designed by your loving Spouse for your greater good. Yes, you must cry out continually to the Sacred Heart of our Divine Lover: “Your will be done.” I will not fail to do as you ask, even though I am the most unworthy to make supplication to the All-Highest. I regret that you come to this great sinner, an abyss of iniquity. I will recommend you to my devout com- panions. And do not doubt; take heart, for the more one suffers, the more one is made like our dear Spouse Jesus. I end by leaving you in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, asking that you be all inflamed with holy love. Thanks be to God. I recommend myself to your holy prayers and those of your devoted sisters. Your Reverend Ladyship’s most unworthy servant, Paul Francis, the Least of the Poor of Jesus I implore you to visit the Blessed Sacrament frequently and to suggest this to others. Remember this poor sinner. ________________________________________________________________________ 32. This letter was written to a nun of the Augustinian convent at Castellazzo and is Paul’s first letter of spiritual direction. After his own days of suffering during his retreat, he now tells Sister Teresa how blest she is for sharing in her present trials. She is becom- ing one of the “lovers of the holy cross.” The style is highly enthusiastic, almost poetic, and has been called a devotional hymn. WWW.PASSIOCHRISTI.ORG 5 Sister Teresa Costanza Pontas (2) [Castellazzo] 172133 May Jesus Live! Most Reverend Mother in Jesus, Our consolation should be entirely in Jesus. I know that not the words, but the infinite charity of our Lord consoled you. Wherefore, let us thank God for this! I shall not write at length, but will simply say that, if you wish to attain the summit of perfection, be wholly enamored of assiduous prayer and employ yourself in the lowliest offices of your convent. Thus you will constantly endear yourself to our Spouse Jesus, who seeks naught in his dear spouses except humility and obedience, for in these two virtues rests the principle of perfection. Then if you are busy and cannot give all the time you desire during the day to holy prayer, prudently take time at night. Oh, what beautiful converse to go away and remain in the company of angels before our sacramental Spouse! Such are the pure embraces of paradise. Come, let us take courage and never let the sorrowful remembrance of Jesus’ pains depart from our heart. Thanks be to God.