Delving into 19 letters by Venerable Bruno Lanteri, readers will quickly understand how devout Venerable Bruno was in his Catholic faith. A resident of Turin, Italy, in the early 18th century, during a time of great stress and turmoil, including the war and the French Revolution, Lanteri worked to support many troubled individuals in his community.

The author of this EWTN Publishing book, If You Want Peace in This Life: The Spiritual Letters of Venerable Bruno Lanteri, is Father Timothy Gallagher, a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. He has taught at two seminaries, served as a provincial in his community, appeared on EWTN, and has written 20 books on spiritual themes, including several books about Venerable Bruno.

This particular book underscores Father Gallagher’s deep interest in spirituality and devotion to God, themes found in this venerable’s letters to anonymous friends and parishioners. Each letter addresses a spiritual or life struggle the sender was undergoing. To help the person in need, advice is given about how that person could find peace, selecting a basic spiritual theme that Father Gallagher responds to at the end of each letter. These themes include the following:

1. Be not troubled by temptations. Every person undergoes temptations, chances that God provides so that each person understands the spiritual life and commits to it. Jesus also underwent temptations; and like Jesus, we must bear temptations, learn to move on despite our failings, and vow to God never to do any act that will displease him.

“Therefore, both in time of temptation and after, always keep your soul in peace, with freedom of heart. In this way, you will serve God more fully and with joy,” wrote Venerable Bruno.

2. Prioritize meditation and spiritual reading. When feeling discouraged, the direct pathway to peace of mind is faithfulness to God’s sacraments and the spiritual life. These can eliminate anxiety.

Still discouraged and sad? Practice prayerful meditation, commit to spiritual reading and find confidence in God’s true blessings. Attend Mass often, even daily; go to confession. These practices inspire a firm hope in God’s lovingkindness.

3. Follow God, and he will set you free. What is God asking you to do? Venerable Bruno noted that the pathway to peace also involves conforming one’s will to God’s will.

To obey God’s will and to have hope in his infinite mercy helps souls to overcome suffering and to be patient, caring and generous of heart. But to pursue one’s own passion and desires is to ignore God’s loving grace and one’s salvation.

4. Cultivate this remedy for sadness. Venerable Bruno told his contacts that humility is how God wants people to undergo trials. Humility is God’s way of erasing one’s pride, and that allows God to distribute his kindness and inspires sad souls to live in God’s presence.

As Venerable Bruno wrote, “Reflect further that his presence is not fruitless and barren but that he gives you spiritual weapons, that is, his holy grace.”

5. Find peace in this life. First, accept the present circumstances. Remember that God’s presence, and be dedicated to the joys of heaven. Venerable Bruno advised in one of his letters, “Be of good heart, then, seek always to be joyful, and entrust yourself as much as you can to God. Dismiss any doubt; always tell him that you never want consciously to offend him. Do not be troubled. God is with you, and he is helping you.”

6. Attend Mass regularly. Venerable Lanteri noted, “To miss Mass without reason is to lack faith or zeal for our salvation.” In particular, people must remember that the Sacrifice of the Mass replicates how Jesus sacrificed himself on Calvary and how he descends on the altar to pour out his mercy to mankind. For Catholics, Mass is a prime way to venerate Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary and “from which we can draw the greatest fruit,” a soul filled with fervor.

7. Find daily energy. Wake up feeling exhausted? Do not fret about a lack of energy. Venerable Bruno advised a friend not to be surprised by fatigue that can be caused by age or physical problems. Instead, one should begin every day with patience and be faithful with spiritual practices. What God wants is for people to adhere to the will of God “and to hope only in His infinite mercy.”