Fortitude

That is why sometimes, my daughters and sons, we may have no choice but to suffer an unpleasant moment and make others suffer one too, so as to help them to be better. We would not be apostles if we were not ready to have others misinterpret our behaviour and react disagreeably.

Saints have been and are uncomfortable

We have to be convinced that saints – we don’t think we are saints, but we do desire to be such – are necessarily uncomfortable people to be with. They are men and women, who by their word and example (like my holy Catherine of Siena!), are a constant source of unease for consciences compromised by sin.

For anyone not wishing to lead a clean life, our refinement in the custody of the heart will necessarily be a reproach, a goad that prevents them from letting themselves go or falling asleep. It is good that it should be like this, for a child of mine who wants to avoid provoking such reactions in souls, who always wants to be “nice”, will not avoid offending God, since he or she becomes an accomplice in the wrong-doings of others. Live in such a way that you can say: inflammatum est cor meum, et renes mei commutati sunt (Ps 73[72]:21): zelus domus tuae comedit me (Ps 69[68]:9); my heart is enkindled and my entrails are in turmoil: for zeal for your house has consumed me.