In truth, one must abandon oneself to God
When all seems overturned, to the point of my feeling almost overwhelmed; when I don’t know where I stand; and when I meet with opposition...
The inspiration of Divine Grace (XX)
CHAPTER XX. Of Reverence at Prayer 25 Feb. 27 June. 27 Oct. If, when we wish to make any request to men in power, we...
With few and reasonable words (VII:11)
8 Feb. 9 June. 9 Oct. The eleventh degree of humility is, that when a monk speaketh, he do so gently and without laughter, humbly,...
His face was as it were hidden (VII:1)
CHAPTER VII. Of Humility 25 Jan. 26 May. 25 Sept. The Holy Scripture crieth out to us, brethren, saying: “Every one that exalteth himself shall...
A school of the Lord’s service (Prologue 7)
7 Jan. 8 May. 7 Sept. We have, therefore, to establish a school of the Lord’s service, in the setting forth of which we hope...
A quarter of an hour a day
Catherine–Mectilde de Bar (1614–1698) was a spiritual mother and counselor to the Duchess of Orleans, Marguerite of Lorraine (1615—1672). In the course of their long...
He sets fire everywhere
In this letter, Mother Mectilde imparts some profound spiritual teaching with humour. Mother Mectilde is counted among 17th century France’s greatest writers of spiritual letters....
Some sayings of Mother Mectilde
Nothing so charms God as does a person who is humble. He rushes into this soul with the same speed as lightening before thunder or...
Nothingness doesn’t even attach itself to nothingness
In 1699, Mother Mectilde again writes to Mother Saint–François–de–Paule Charbonnier. The latter is, it would seem from the tone of this letter, well on her...
Yet ever thou art at my side
In 1667, Mother Mectilde writes again to Mother Saint–François–de–Paule Charbonnier, who has fallen prey to the torment of scrupulosity. This hard–hitting letter of direction is...
The divine labourer who works in you
Here is more of Mother Mectilde’s letter to Mother Saint–François–de–Paule Charbonnier. Her doctrine is austere, but it is not burdensome. I have always sensed spiritual...
The state in which you find yourself is of God
Here is another excerpt from the letter that Mother Mectilde wrote in 1665 to the same Mother Saint–François–de–Paule Charbonnier. This is spiritual direction of the...
On the Meaning of Desolation and Sufferings
Here, freshly translated, is a letter of lucid psychological insight, uncompromising spiritual rigour, and spiritual compassion. Mother Mectilde wrote this letter in 1665 to Mother...
So that I might begin to live in simplicity, like a child
Catherine–Mectilde de Bar was the 17th century herald of Thérèse, the Doctor of the Little Way. The passages below are taken from a conversation of...
Do it as you can and as God will permit you to do it
Jean de Bernières, a pious layman, was the most widely read spiritual author of the 17th century and an intimate friend of Mother Mectilde of...
Go and repair My House
Called to the Work of Reparation Our Lord, in every age of the Church’s life, calls souls to the work of reparation, that is, to...
And a very great silence based on charity
Then and Now Catherine–Mectilde de Bar (1614 –1698) lived in times no less troubled and troubling than our own. The life of the Church...
Behold this Heart
The Mystical Invasion Saint Teresa of Jesus died in 1582. Thirty-two years later, on 31 December 1614, Catherine Mectilde de Bar was born at Saint–Dié...
Obœdiens usque ad mortem (VII:7)
Jan. 1 June. 1 Oct. The third degree of humility is, that a man for the love of God submit himself to his superior in...
With Mectilde de Bar: In the School of the Host
Let all the hard and rugged paths by which we walk towards God be set before him. (Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter LVIII. Of the...