Forgiveness for silence

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How ruch I want your forgiveness for my silence! but the last days were to me so busy - and also anxious (don't speak of it: Fr Col. is giving me much anxiety: I sent him to Dublin to Dr Smith - I went myself to the Dr, unknown to Rr C. Thursday, and the case seems grave. Nearwhile, I had to replace him in college for the teasons of Christian Doctrine, etc.), and, since three or four days, I prepare my answer to you! We shall soon can talk at ease. My plan is now almost definite; only, I ask answer from some ones. Saturday and Sunday night, at Tallaght, so as to have a complete day with the Dominicans; Monday, 25th, and Tuesday night, with Fr O'Driscoll at the Augustinians', and Wednesday leaving. I must give a day (or at least an evening) to the Goors; so I propose to arrive Thursday evening, and, if convenient, to go directly to Monkstown. Have with you that eve, and Friday morning (is it not to much?) Friday afternoon, Mrs Fitzgerald, perhaps Miss Haves. For Miss O'R., yes, very better to have her during the day, so as to receive her more kindly. 2023-05-03/517 Now, in brief, some remarks on your paper - I enclose. The numbers in red correspond with the same on the paper. Closely bound to "Presence of God" & "Purity of Intention", I would insist on the spirit of Truth and Simplicity. S. Benedict is filled with the holy Fear of God, that in the sense of our presence before his eyes, and the rectitude of mind. To be true to God, to our selves and to the neighbour, without "respectability, but in evangelical simplicity and rightness, is a base in Benedictine spirit - and I think it is non necessary to emphasize such disposition with Irish people. 2 (to your no 3.-) You give more principles than concrete rules; but Obedience in general is so easy! it becomes difficult, it begins to "carve" the soul, as to say, when put in concrete practic. It must be said to whom they have to obey - not only in general "to the superiors" - but, in the actual fact of their being in Glenstal, to the Father who takes provisionally your place. 3 (to your no 4.-) The doctrine of humility is one of the most necessary. The spirit of God will is learn much about it; but they want also to meditate it; as a matter of fact, Humility is the most extended chapter of the rule - and, really, the very "method of spirituality" of S. Benedict. 4 (to your no 7.-) Behaviour is ruled by the "Presence of God" (no 1), and also by Humility (8th to 12th degrees of the scale of S. Ben.) Here or at the 5.- and 6.- it is to impress the vitue of "discretion" 5 (among the "Spiritual duties") Reading must be directed. There is an exercise of obedience and self denial. That point is very important. They want to nourish their piety and spiritual life by exact and extent knowledge; they want also to form their minds in many things not strictly or by themselves spiritual: study, etc. They ought also, I think, to know somewhat about the events of abroad. But ordinary and frequent reading of newspape…