The Book of Heaven
—Unofficial Version—

June 2, 1905

Patience is the nourishment of perseverance.

This morning, on coming, blessed Jesus told me:  “My daughter, patience is the nourishment of perseverance.  In fact, patience keeps passions in their place and strengthens all virtues; and by receiving from patience the attitude of continuous life, the virtues do not feel the tiredness that inconstancy produces, which is so easy for the creature.  So, the soul does not lose heart if she is mortified or humiliated, because patience immediately administers to her the necessary nourishment, and forms in her a stronger and more stable bond of perseverance.  Nor does she push herself too much if she is consoled and elevated, because as patience nourishes perseverance, she contains herself within moderation without going out of its boundaries.  In addition to this, since patience is nourishment, and as long as one nourishes himself it can be said that he has life, that he is not dead - in the same way, as long as she has patience, the soul will enjoy the life of perseverance.”