In the first place, relate what requires most effort

Be very sincere, I insist. When something happens that you would not want anyone to know about, run immediately to say it to the person who can help you, the Good Shepherd. This makes perfect sense. Suppose a person is carrying a large boulder on his shoulder, and also a pocketful of pebbles that altogether weigh about a hundred grams. If we place this person in Madrid, let’s suppose the distance he has to cover is from the Puerta del Sol to Cuatro Caminos. When he arrives at his destination, he is not going to empty his pockets of the pebbles one by one, while standing there with the boulder still on his shoulder. My children, the same thing applies to us: we have to get rid of the heavy things first. Any other way of acting would be extremely foolish and the beginning of insincerity.

Sincerity at bitter moments

Don’t be afraid of anything or anyone. If your mistakes bear bitter fruits, say so. The remedy for everything, even for the most enormous offences, is to be found in God. Say everything. Talk and it will be put right. Whoever is listening to you will not be shocked at anything. They know that they are also made of clay and are capable of committing the same madness – if it is madness, because in fact most of the time our worries are caused by scruples or a badly-formed conscience. All the more reason, then, to speak clearly.