The Book of Heaven
—Unofficial Version—

February 21, 1900

Purity is obtained through mortification, and mortification renders the soul worthy of sympathy.

This morning my lovable Jesus began to make His usual delays.  May He be always blessed, for He always starts from the beginning!  Indeed it takes the patience of a saint to bear Him; and one would have to deal with Jesus to see how much patience it takes!  One who has not experienced it, cannot believe it, and it is almost impossible not to have a few huffs with Him.

Then, after being patient in waiting and waiting for Him, finally He came and told me:  “My daughter, the gift of purity is not a natural gift, but an attained grace; and it is obtained by rendering oneself worthy of sympathy.  The soul becomes so through mortifications and through sufferings.  Oh, how worthy of sympathy becomes the mortified and suffering soul!  Oh, how striking she is!  And I feel such sympathy as to go mad for her, and whatever she wants, I give to her.  When you are deprived of Me, suffer my privation for love of Me, which is the most painful suffering for you, and I will feel more sympathy than before, and will grant you new gifts.”