List of points

Disappointment. You're downhearted. Men have just taught you a lesson! As long as they thought you did not need them, offers came pouring in. The possibility that they might have to help you with hard cash — a few miserable pennies — turned their friendship into indifference.

Trust only in God and in those who, through him, are united with you.

'Generally', you write, 'people are anything but generous with their money. Plenty of talk, of loud enthusiasm, of promises and plans. But at the moment of sacrifice few come forward to lend a hand. And if they do give, it has to be with "trimmings" attached: a dance, a raffle, a cinema or theatre show, or an announcement and subscription list in the newspapers.'

It's a sad state of affairs, but it has its exceptions. May you also be one of those who, when they give alms, don't let their left hand know what their right hand is doing.

So you are a nobody. And others have done wonders, are still doing them, in organisation, in publicity, in the press. And they have all the means, while you have none? Well then, Just remember Ignatius.

Ignorant, among the doctors of Alcala; penniless, among the students of Paris, persecuted, slandered…

That is the way: to love and to believe and… to suffer! Your Love and your Faith and your Cross are the infallible means to give effect — eternal effect — to the longing for apostolate that you bear in your heart.

When we seek God only, we need not be afraid to promote works of zeal, by putting into practice the principle laid down by a good friend of ours: 'Spend all that you ought, though you owe all that you spend.'

Don't worry over the financial difficulties which threaten your apostolic undertaking. Have greater confidence in God, do all that your human means permit— and you'll see how soon money ceases to be a difficulty

Don't let the lack of instruments stop your work: begin by making the best of what you have. As time passes, the function will create the organ. Some, who had seemed useless, turn out to be useful. The rest have to undergo a surgical operation, a painful one perhaps — there were no better 'surgeons' than the saints! — and so the work goes on.