Sincerity in spiritual direction

We have come to the Work to be saints. We should not be surprised to discover that we are still a long way from that. This is why we will acknowledge our weaknesses with simplicity, without trying to dress them up with any sort of rectitude. We will avoid pride, which is so terribly blinding and makes everything seem the opposite of what it is. My children, be honest with yourselves, be objective. That is how our dedication will be truly effective. It is difficult: we have to be humble, to open up our hearts completely in spiritual direction, and air out all the corners of our souls.

Our asceticism has the simplicity of the Gospel. We should not become complicated and leave our hearts in darkness. We cannot obstruct the action of the Holy Spirit and cause a break in our lives which would remove, even for a short time, our simplicity of heart and our sincerity before God.²⁸

If something is worrying us, we talk about it, and thus forestall “the dumb devil”. Tell everything, big or small, and then you will always conquer. You cannot conquer if you won’t speak. The reason is clear: someone who keeps silent is keeping a secret with Satan, and it is a bad thing to have Satan as a friend.