Quote of the day, 31 December: St. Zélie Guérin

My dear brother,

I wish you a happy New Year and desire with all my heart that you do well in your studies. I’m sure you’ll succeed if you want to, this depends only on you. God protects all who trust in Him. Not a single person has ever been abandoned by Him.

When I think of what God, in whom I’ve put all my trust and in whose hands I’ve put the care of my whole life, has done for me and my husband, I don’t doubt that His Divine Providence watches over His children with special care.

If you want to give me a New Year’s gift and would agree to this one request I’m asking of you, I’d be happier than if you sent me all of Paris. Here it is: you live very close to Notre-Dame des Victoires. Well! Go there just once a day and say a Hail Mary to the Blessed Mother. You’ll see that she’ll protect you in a very special way, and that she’ll help you succeed in this world and give you eternal happiness. What I’m saying to you is not exaggerated piety and unfounded on my part. I have reason to have trust in the Blessed Mother, I’ve received favors from her that only I know.

Saint Zélie Guérin Martin

From Saint Zélie to her brother Isidore Guérin (excerpts)
Alençon, 1 January 1863

Translation of the family correspondence courtesy of the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux. Featured image: the altar of the Archconfraternity of Notre-Dame des Victoires in the basilica; photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P. (Some rights reserved).