Some words from her father on that special occasion. To quote King Louis XVI:
It is from the depths of my heart, my daughter, that I bless you, asking Heaven to grant you the grace to appreciate well the great action you are about to perform. Your heart is innocent and pure in the eyes of God, your prayers must be pleasing to Him. Offer them to Him for your mother and for me. Ask Him to give me the graces necessary to bring about the happiness of those over whom He has given me dominion, and whom I must consider as my children; ask Him to deign to conserve in this Kingdom, the purity of religion, and remember well, my daughter, that this holy religion is the source of happiness and the support in the adversities of life. Do not believe you are safe from them. You are quite young, but you have already seen your father afflicted more than once. You do not know, my daughter, what Providence has destined for you; whether you will remain in this Kingdom or go to dwell in another. In whatever place the hand of God puts you, remember that you must edify by your example, do good as often as you find the occasion for it. But above all, my child, relieve the unfortunate with all your power. God has caused us to be born into the rank where we are only to work for their happiness and to console them in their pains. Go to the altars where you are expected, and beseech the God of mercy never to let you forget the advice of your father.
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7 comments:
He was a "Benevolent Monarch" in the truest sense of the words. May they all rest in peace.
Beautiful portrait. Especially like the Lily-of-the-Valley. Who was the artist?
Indeed, Gette.
Either Kucharski or Vigee-Lebrun, Tubbs.
Thank you for re-posting these beautiful words.
In her younger portraits, I think the princess looks more like her father; in the later ones, more like her mother.
King Louis XVI was truly His Most Christian Majesty. The words speak of love,duty,respect and most of all kindness. His Majesty's words point to a man conscious of his Christian duty and his deep responsibilty to God and his people. Rest in peace good King Louis XVI and may Her Royal Highness never be parted again from her father on earth and her father in heaven. Thank you Elena Maria for sharing this most beautiful letter.
+JMJ+
What a beautiful letter! Too many parents take their children's First Holy Communion for granted. I have a friend who grew up in a lapsed family: when we met in Catholic school, she told her mother she felt left out because she was the only one not receiving Communion at school Masses because she hadn't had a proper First Holy Communion; and her mother told her, "First Holy Communion is just ceremonial. Go ahead and receive the Host if you want to."
And even in such cases, a parent's view of Holy Communion has immeasurable influence on his or her child. My friend's attitude towards the sacraments has been pretty much the same since then: they are something she is entitled to when she wants them, and something she doesn't have to care about when she's busy with other things.
That's a shame, E.
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