A Selection from THE ASCETICAL LETTERS OF ANTONIO ROSMINI Volume VIII 1852 – 1855 © 2012 Antonio Belsito, Rosmini Centre, 433 Fosse Way, Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake, Leicester LE7 4SJ ISBN No: 978 1 899093 06 9 Typeset and printed by Acorn Print Media Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 1LE iii FOREWORD Volume VIII of the translation of the Ascetical Letters of the now Blessed Antonio Rosmini, brings to a close the inspired undertaking of the late Father John Morris that first saw print in 1993. Father John had completed the translation of Vol. VI when the Lord called him in 1999 to join the one he had served so well. I am responsible for Volumes VII and VIII . I have been fascinated by the degree to which his growing contact with the Letters evoked in Father John an admiration for their author and a growing appreciation of the nuances of the Letters. The latter is evidenced by his omitting the translation of one hundred and twenty seven Letters in Vol. I but only five in Vol. VI . His comments in the five Prefaces which he wrote are an eloquent testimony to this on -going evaluation and I feel they merit recalling here: “In this edition I have drawn on only about half the letters written before the end of December 1831. This was chiefly because Rosmini often covers much the same ground when writing to several correspondents ”. Vol. I “I cannot forbear from remarking how striking I find his insistence again and again, not only (as we might expect) on such virtues as humility and obedience, but on gentleness and cheerfulness ” Vol. II “I will mention only one feature which struck me; the frequency with which Rosmini urges on his brethren that they should act not childishly but in a manly fashion. Magnanimous himself (in the true sense of the word) he wished all members of the Society of Charity to be so, always generous (a favourite word of his along with ‘gentle ’) with both God and neighbour – above all, of course, in giving love ” Vol. III “...These are trifling matters compared to the great value of the ascetical content of the letters, the profound faith and the spiritual insight which they reveal, as well as the delicate skill with which he adapts his approach to his very varied correspondents – fellow religious, cardinals and bishops, friends and relations, lay men and women ” Vol. IV iv “His correspondents come from a great variety of backgrounds: and whether he is consoling someone who has suffered bereavement, or trying to save the vocation of a lay-brother in difficulties, he shows endless patience and concern. A striking feature of Rosmini is his ability both to ‘think big ’ and to go into minute detail....What he recommended to others he practised himself. He regarded a religious vocation as a most sacred thing, and he was at pains, with endless patience, to help his brethren and his Sisters when they had problems in fulfilling the pledges they had made to God ” Vol. V The Letters are a veritable spiritual treasure deposit. But don ’t just take my word for it! D. J. S. NB: For each letter in this English edition, it is given in brackets the corresponding letter in the Italian edition of the Epistolario Ascetico del Padre Fondatore. 1 1. To Don Marco Beccaria at Domodossola (L. 1348) Stresa, 9 July 1852. My dear companion in the divine service, The most scrupulous impartiality should be observed in judging the pupils. I would regard a certain degree of discipline as beneficial to the students and useful for the college, but great discretion must obtain. It must not be out of fear for one’s position. All fear, except that of God, should be cast aside as an ignoble quality. We must treat men as men and not expect them to reach the ideal but merely to journey towards it. I hope therefore that the discipline applied will result in great gain in the future. But it must be even-handed and consistent. I hope that as well as progress in study you will advance in holiness and fervent prayer. This must have precedence over studies as the well-spring of the religious person’s life. I urge you once again not to neglect the reading of the IMITATION OF CHRIST which offers so much life for the soul. May God bless you and strengthen you in his faithful service. Yours affectionate brother in Christ, A. Rosmini p. 2. To Don Angelo M. Rinolfi at Ratcliffe College (L . 1349) Stresa, 12th July 1852. My dear companion in the divine service, May the Lord assist you in the grave burden of Vice-Provincial that he himself has placed on your shoulders. Equip yourself with ardour, zeal and with the solicitude proper to a pastor. Increase your prayers or rather their intensity and try to be a consolation and a support to Father Provincial, being guided in all things by his wishes. When the Sisters of Providence will hold their Chapter, Father Provincial, or you in his name, must let them know that in the election of a central superior they may no longer consider the person who has held that office for 2 nine years. She is entitled to have some time for rest. 1 But when they will have elected the new superior and they look to Father Provincial for confirmation, he may only do so for one year. It is my experience that even those considered qualified to govern often fail when faced with the task and this is damaging to both the discipline and harmony of the family. So it is better she experiences a year in the office and if all proves to be to the advantage of the Institute, she is to be confirmed for a further two years. This will apply to all new superiors and it should be so recorded in the Provincial’s diary. We await confirmation of the good news you gave of Father Provincial’s health. He can come to Italy at whatever time is convenient for him. Bring with you a number of copies of the books he has had published. What about the theology by Don Carlo Gilardi, will it be published? May the Lord bless your labours with copious merits and souls. Goodbye. Yours affectionately in Christ, A. Rosmini p. 3. To Don Antonio Mazzotti, Rector at Domodossola (L. 1350) Stresa, 13 July 1852. My dear brother in Christ, I am sorry that our men submitted to the arbitrary insistence of the Inspector who wanted a young man promoted when the law says he must repeat the exam. I do not want you ever to do what is against the law, regardless of who requests it. Be as mild and moderate in manner as you wish, but firm when it comes to impartiality and justice. You must cease at once acting like children and be men, fearing no one, much less behaving like frightened hares or rabbits. Scoundrels abuse your timidity and they become stronger in proportion to your weakness. The fear aroused by the severity of Beccaria was 1 See letter 1314. 3 excessive. I am pleased that both of you gained some experience in educating the boarders. But I fear, indeed greatly so, that you are incapable of exercising the correct discipline that is demanded. A pleasant disposition is all very well, but more is demanded in dealing with boys. I fear as well that you are too malleable and trusting in the most delicate and dangerous area of all. It is my wish that you absolutely and rigorously observe a maxim that I frequently voiced : “ When you find that a boy has once tempted or induced another boy to a sin of impurity, he must be instantly dismissed”. And if you have only indications, without proof, you must be assiduous in watching him at all times and, at best, not accept him back in the New Year; circumstantial evidence is sufficient. I am wondering if it be a case of not accepting back any of this year’s pupils and of taking instead a new intake? Before deciding on that we will have a meeting in Stresa with yourself and Father Provincial to discuss this and other matters. I am advising you of this in good time so that you may not take on other commitments. May God bless and direct all. Yours affectionate brother in Christ, A. Rosmini. p. 4. To Don Michele Parma at Viareggio (L.1351) Stresa, 13 July 1852. Dear Don Michele, From the description (if you’ll excuse the word) that you gave in your letter of the character of Grammartino “in heart, head and word”, I have great hope for the good fruit you will reap from your sowing. I rejoice as well to find you are content with the particular mission assigned to you by providence. When one is content it benefits oneself and others, and so remaining content, which depends on oneself, is a moral imperative. I say “it depends on oneself; not that external circumstances do not facilitate this but they can neither give nor prevent contentment if it is what we really want. I would think you have already begun swimming in the sea there and, God willing, 4 you will benefit from it. But this does not depend on you. Our bodily welfare is outside our control, though caution and good sense will help. I envy you the company of such a dear and religious people as the Arconati. They are probably all together there just now because, with parliament closed, the Marchese will be with the family.