God calls us hourly and momentarily to the exercise of mortification; but nothing can be more false than the maxim that we should always choose that which mortifies us the most.
Such a plan would soon destroy our health, our reputation, our business, and the good works which Providence requires of us.
God calls us hourly and momentarily to the exercise of mortification; but nothing can be more false than the maxim that we should always choose that which mortifies us the most.
Fénelon, please know that I am a member of your fan club. I will read Christian Counsel again. 🙏
Le declares herself a member of Fénelon's fan club — three centuries later. I will read Christian Counsel again. The highest compliment: not that was interesting — but I'm going back. Fénelon's own teaching from entry 129: the hidden manna has an infinite variety of flavors. The second reading will yield flavors the first one missed.
The maxim that we should always choose the hardest thing is false — it would destroy the very good works Providence requires.
Avoiding what injures our health does not pamper the body; it conduces to a sober, and therefore mortified life.
Fénelon demolishes the false piety: self-will dressed in a hair shirt. The soul choosing its own suffering is still the soul in control. Still managing its own sanctification. Still holding the steering wheel. True mortification is sober, practical, ordered by God — not dramatic, not self-imposed, not designed to impress.
He takes away a certain want of pliability in the will, and a dangerous confidence in ourselves.
He blunts the desires, cools the passions, and detaches the man not only from exterior things, but from self.
He renders him mild, amiable, simple, lowly, ready to will or not, according to His good pleasure.
The soul mortified by God — not by self-chosen suffering but by God-ordered circumstances: mild, amiable, simple, lowly. The truly humble from entry 134. And the key: ready to will or not, according to His good pleasure. The pliable will — bent by God, not by self.
The packing. The transition. The bedroom office. The move to France. These are the mortifications that come in His order. Not chosen. Sent. And they produce what self-chosen suffering never could: detachment from self that is gentle, not grim.
God desires it, and is ready to effect it; let us not resist His will.
The mortification which comes in the order of God, is more serviceable than any enjoyment in devotion which should result from our own affection and choice.
The God-ordered mortification is more serviceable than the self-chosen devotion. The packing boxes more serviceable than a self-designed retreat. The bedroom office more serviceable than the perfect study. Because God ordered them — and what God orders, He uses.
Let it be so. Mary's words. Fénelon's clay. Le's testimony: absolutely nothing came from me. God desires it. He is ready to effect it. Let us not resist. 🙏
"Fénelon, please know that I am a member of your fan club. I will read Christian Counsel again."
Le · Caldas da Rainha · July 24, 2026 · Three centuries later — still gaining membersThe False Mortification
Always choosing the hardest thing is self-will in a hair shirt. The soul choosing its own suffering is still in control.
The True Mortification
God-ordered, not self-chosen. The circumstances He sends — more serviceable than self-imposed devotion.
What It Produces
Mild, amiable, simple, lowly. Ready to will or not according to His good pleasure. The pliable will — bent by God.
The Fan Club
Three centuries gone and still gaining members. I will read it again. The highest compliment: I'm going back.