The Secret of Success

Mary

My child, the practices and the dispositions I have recommended to you will lead you to identify yourself with Jesus only on one condition, namely, that you apply yourself to them under my direction. Jesus has told you: it is the will of the Father who made me Mother of His Son that no one shall perfectly resemble the Son except through me.

2. Sometimes it happens that your ardor cools: spiritual work becomes hard, progress slows down and finally ceases altogether; finally, you begin to lose ground, you retreat! You try to pull yourself together but in vain; then you lose courage. You ask yourself: “What has caused this languidness? What will dispel it?” You do not know. Well, the first cause of your trouble is invariably a weakening of your union with me, and the first remedy lies in working more faithfully under my direction. Without me, you cannot succeed; with me, you cannot fail.

3. Do you want success to crown all your efforts? Let me repeat what I have already said, so that you get to realize its importance: Always come to me and submit your plans to me, in order never to act except in my name. Every time you are about to make a resolution, ask me what I desire of you, and tell me what you decide to do.

4. I am not going to answer you, of course, by a revelation, but, if you come to me in all confidence and with the sincere intention of executing what seems to be my will, you will ordinarily understand whether or not I approve of your resolves. If I seem to approve, confide them to me, so that I may help you realize them. If I do not, pray and reflect; then submit to me another but more precise resolution which I can approve.

5. You will not consult me in this way for very long without perceiving that you advance more rapidly in a few days than you used to in several months, on condition, however, that you really wait for my answer and do not allow your eagerness to carry you ahead too soon. If you faithfully turn to me for a moment before all your actions, I will direct you in everything. Now, there is only one end to which I can direct you: to Jesus, to Jesus who will become the life of your life.

The Faithful Soul:
O Mary, Mother of Good Counsel, enlighten, guide, and assist me now and forever. Amen.