Letters to Young Girls

Dear Friend,

Mathilda is talking with her parents who are trying to encourage her. Her father says:

– “But Mathilda, this is nothing new. We have all known for months that Sophie was waiting for a reply to her registration to participate in a summer workshop in France to learn to play the organ. She was accepted and we must rejoice. This is quite an opportunity for her!”

In her irritation, which is the sign of a keen suffering, Mathilda retorts:

– “She is leaving in mid-June and won’t be back before August, shortly before school begins again. That’s almost two months! During that time, I’m going to spend the summer alone, without a friend.”

Sobs stifle her voice as she finishes her sentence, and she quickly runs off to her room. There is silence. A few minutes go by and then her mother gently goes and knocks at her door.

–“Can I come in?” she says. She sits on the edge of the bed as Mathilda cries, her head buried in her pillow.

–“You are sad and I understand. Sophie’s departure for the summer changes your plans and you are afraid that you will be all alone during the holidays. But try to stay in the grace of the moment and not worry too much about the future.”

Mathilda seems to calm down a little bit. Her mother continues gently:

– “Do you want me to tell you what I understand concerning this workshop for Sophie? You know, God has a plan for each one of us, for you, for Sophie, for us… He has ‘a project’, as Marie-Paule explained it to us. And that project is realized through the events that take place, be they fortunate or unfortunate. When I look at the positive reply Sophie received, the scholarship she obtained, and the way everything worked out for the trip and her stay, I think they are events that are probably setting out her personal path. Everyone must follow his or her path, Mathilda.

“Sophie is dreaming of learning to play the organ. She doesn’t understand this very clearly, no doubt, but her desire is perhaps a call from God and the Lady to serve them as a church musician. The Church of John will eventually need new organists, persons who are pure, who really like God and the Lady and who want to serve them through sacred, inspired music that uplifts the soul.”

Although still suffering, Mathilda listens. Her heart opens to her mother’s explanations and she confides to her:

– “That’s true. After our meeting with the organist in January, Sophie told me that she would like to be an organist later and she would really like to play at my wedding if I get married one day.”

– “You see, Sophie will benefit from excellent professors and a rich experience over the summer. If you are destined to get married, you will be happy on that day to have your good friend play for you. Letting Sophie follow her path, in keeping with events, is perhaps a bit painful for you at this time, but have you thought that this is an event that, in its own way, is also leaving its mark on your path? How? This circumstance is getting you used to detachments. It is teaching you to leave God free to lead the persons you love according to His plans. Moreover, it frees you from a certain egotistical tendency in the affections you tend to monopolize a little.”

How fortunate Mathilda is to receive these important explanations from her mother! In this way, she is better able to guide herself, thus giving God the possibility of accomplishing the “project” He has for her, while preparing her to let her friend follow her own path.

You too, like Mathilda, must accustom yourself to discerning events, trying to understand what God expects of you through them and prepare yourself for this through prayer.

This conversation between mother and daughter calmed Mathilda. As her mother left her, she said: “The summer is shaping up to be a little different, but accept it in advance. And, who knows? Something might come up for you too during the holidays.”

The Daughters of Mary