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540 (15) In the even<strong>in</strong>g when I was writ<strong>in</strong>g, I heard a voice <strong>in</strong> <strong>my</strong> cell which said, “Do<br />

not leave this Congregation; have <strong>mercy</strong> upon yourself, such great suffer<strong>in</strong>gs are<br />

<strong>in</strong> store for you.” When I looked <strong>in</strong> the direction of the voice, I saw noth<strong>in</strong>g, and I<br />

cont<strong>in</strong>ued to write. Suddenly, I heard a noise and the words: “When you leave, we<br />

will destroy you. Do not torture us.” I glanced around and saw many ugly<br />

monsters. So I mentally made the Sign of the Cross and they disappeared<br />

immediately. How terribly ugly Satan is! The poor damned <strong>soul</strong>s that have to keep<br />

him company! Just the sight of him is more disgust<strong>in</strong>g than all the torments of hell.<br />

541 A short time later, I heard this voice <strong>in</strong> <strong>my</strong> <strong>soul</strong>: Do not fear anyth<strong>in</strong>g; noth<strong>in</strong>g<br />

will happen to you aga<strong>in</strong>st My will. After these words of the Lord, a strange<br />

power entered <strong>my</strong> <strong>soul</strong>. I rejoiced greatly that God is so good.<br />

542 (16) Postulancy. 108 Age of admission: any person between the ages of fifteen and<br />

thirty. Firstly, the spirit with which the candidate is imbued and her character are to<br />

be taken <strong>in</strong>to consideration, whether she has a strong will and the courage to<br />

follow <strong>in</strong> Jesus‟ footsteps with joy and gladness, as God loves a cheerful giver.<br />

She must despise the world and herself. The lack of a dowry will never be an<br />

obstacle to admission. All formalities concern<strong>in</strong>g the candidate must be clear; no<br />

complicated cases should be admitted.<br />

Melancholy persons, those disposed to sadness, those suffer<strong>in</strong>g from contagious<br />

diseases, those of an unstable character and those who are <strong>in</strong>cl<strong>in</strong>ed to be<br />

suspicious of others are not adaptable to the religious life and must not be<br />

admitted. Members should be selected with greatest care, as one ill-fitt<strong>in</strong>g<br />

member is enough to throw the whole convent <strong>in</strong>to confusion.<br />

543 The duration of the postulancy. The postulancy will last one year. (17) Dur<strong>in</strong>g this<br />

time, the candidate should exam<strong>in</strong>e whether she is attracted to this type of life and<br />

whether it is suitable to her. The directress should also diligently consider whether<br />

or not the person <strong>in</strong> question is suitable for this type of life. After a year, if the<br />

postulant shows evidence of a stable will and an earnest desire to serve God, she<br />

should be admitted to the novitiate.<br />

544 The novitiate 109 is to last one year, without any <strong>in</strong>terruption. At this time the novice<br />

should be taught about the virtues relat<strong>in</strong>g to the vows and about the importance of<br />

the vows. The directress should do her utmost to provide a solid formation. Let<br />

her tra<strong>in</strong> the novices <strong>in</strong> the practice of humility, because only a humble heart keeps<br />

the vows easily and experiences the great joys that God pours out upon the faithful<br />

<strong>soul</strong>.<br />

The novices should not be burdened with duties that entail responsibilities, so that<br />

they may be free to devote themselves to their own perfection. They are obliged to<br />

observe the rules and statutes strictly, as are the postulants.<br />

545 (18) After a year of novitiate, if the novice proves faithful, she may be admitted to<br />

make her profession for one year. This is to be repeated for three years. She may<br />

then be given duties of responsibility. However, she will still belong to the<br />

novitiate, and once a week she must attend conferences together with the novices,<br />

155

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