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....
Soon to be Blessed: Mother Clelia Merloni
A Blessed Who Will Give Hope I was delighted recently to receive an invitation to the beatification of Mother Clelia Merloni (1861–1930), foundress of the...
An Irish Bishop Who Died in Italy
Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy We kept today the commemoration of Blessed Thaddeus Machar (McCarthy). When we first began following the Irish Sanctoral, and I had to...
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 Weekly Psalter (XVIII)
CHAPTER XVIII. In What Order the Psalms Are to Be Said 24 Feb. 25 June. 25 Oct. The order of psalmody for the Day-Hours being...
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...
In what order the Psalms are to be said (XVIII:3)
CHAPTER XVIII. In what order the Psalms are to be said 23 Feb. 24 June. 24 Oct. Vespers are to be sung every day with...
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...
In what order the Psalms are to be said (XVIII:1)
CHAPTER XVIII. In what order the Psalms are to be said 21 Feb. 22 June. 22 Oct. First of all let this verse be said:...
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...
Deus, in adjutorium meum intende (XVII)
I find this image of Saint Dominic at prayer so expressive of the Deus in adjutorium that I had to use it, even though it...
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...
How the Work of God is to be done in the day-time (XVI)
CHAPTER XVI. How the Work of God is to be done in the day-time 19 Feb. 20 June. 20 Oct. As the prophet saith: “Seven...
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...
The Festivals of Saints (XIV)
CHAPTER XIV. How the Night-Office is to be said on Saints’ Days 17 Feb. 18 June. 18 Oct. On the Festivals of Saints, and all...
A Benedictine Litany of Humility
On Chapter VII of the Holy Rule Lord, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy...