You write about your sister's indignation at you for your journey to your brothers and for the anger you feel against her. Although you boast of your ostensibly heroic feat and affection for the brethren, we cannot approve of this: how can a convent girl dare to undertake such an undertaking without the blessing of her superior?

If something contrary happened to you and the monastery suffered trouble, what would you dare to do? Can you help the brothers with your presence? Pray to God for them and leave them to His judgment: He is righteous and punishes no one without righteousness. If they are justified, thank God for this and ask Him to strengthen them henceforth on the path of righteousness. And so, you must mature yourself and reconcile yourself with your sister. It is good that you have such a meek abbess, and the other would have acted differently.

Do not dare to undertake such undertakings in the future, we wish you to become wiser, otherwise I will be wise, a fool.

September 25, 1837.

160. In sorrows one must be pacified, trusting in God's Providence. Be more concerned about the salvation of your soul

You write about your sorrows among your brethren, but this is no longer new to you — you must be pacified in sorrows, relying on God's Providence, which all acts according to His humane justice: He is able to justify innocence; if he punishes, it is not without reason, and although not for this fault, it is certainly for another. But this He does, that He may save their souls, but you, not understanding this, are troubled and troubled in vain, and thereby sin. Be more concerned about the salvation of your soul, for which you have dwelt in this monastery: you have many tares in your field, try to pluck them out and bring forth good fruit.

You labor in vain to ask our blessing to come to our monastery: we have no right to bless or forbid anyone who comes and arrives — the inn and rest are ready according to the local custom, which you know enough, and you have information from others.

With the new sisters, may the Lord help you to live peacefully according to the commandments of God and the teachings of the Holy Fathers.

Wishing you peace, health, and salvation, we remain your unworthy worshipers.

May 6, 1838.

161. The cause of unworldliness is a bad conscience. Pride and self-love blind a person

You write that you have encountered strong embarrassments against Mother Arcadia through her reproaches. You do not know the reason for this, but yet you explain it yourself: you have no special faith in it, and, consequently, you have not revealed your conscience clearly; She showed her outward disposition, and therefore her heart is informed of your opposite, and it must be assumed that some cases may have come to her attention through their connection with others through their revelations. In our understanding, this very cause of unpeace between you. Do not contradict yourself. You say: "I cannot leave M. behind," and you have no special faith in it, what is the use of this? If you want to be disposed and take advantage of yourself, then cast aside all pride and self-love and completely change yourself — these passions are so blinding that we consider even evil to be good.

We do not find it necessary for you to leave, and it is necessary for you to put up with it.

Wishing you peace and health of soul and body, we remain your unworthy worshipers.