diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/50592-h/50592-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/50592-h/50592-h.htm | 10134 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 10134 deletions
diff --git a/old/50592-h/50592-h.htm b/old/50592-h/50592-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index f3f296d..0000000 --- a/old/50592-h/50592-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10134 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Selected Letters Of St. Jane Frances De Chantal. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.png"/> - <style type="text/css"> - -body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} -h1,h2 {text-align: center; clear: both;} -p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} - -hr {width: 33%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: 33.5%; margin-right: 33.5%; clear: both;} -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%} - -table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} - -.pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} - -small {font-size:70%;} -big {font-size:130%;} - -.space-above {margin-top: 3em;} -.center {text-align: center;} -.right {text-align: right;} -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} -.caption {font-weight: bold;} -.figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} -.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} -.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} -.fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; color: black; font-size:smaller; padding:0.5em; margin-bottom:5em; font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Selected Letters of Saint Jane Frances de -Chantal, by Jane Frances de Chantal - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Selected Letters of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal - -Author: Jane Frances de Chantal - -Translator: The Sisters of the Visitation - -Release Date: December 2, 2015 [EBook #50592] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SELECTED LETTERS--ST. JANE *** - - - - -Produced by Judith Wirawan, Karina Aleksandrova and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<p class="center"><big><b>SELECTED LETTERS OF<br /> -ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL</b></big></p> - - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="front matt"> -<tr><td align="left">Nihil Obstat.<br /> -<span style="margin-left:3em;">F. THOMAS BERGH, O.S.B.,</span>ers<br /> -<span style="margin-left:11em;"><span class="smcap">Censor Deputatus.</span></span></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Imprimatur.<br /> -<span style="margin-left:3em;">EDM. CAN. SURMONT,</span><br /> -<span style="margin-left:11em;"><span class="smcap">Vicarius Generalis.</span></span></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Westmonasterii</span>,<br /> -<span style="margin-left:3em;"><i>Die 6 Novembris, 1917.</i></span></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 485px;"> -<img src="images/frontis-004.png" width="485" height="600" alt="ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL. Foundress of the Order of the Visitation.)" /> -<span class="caption">ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL.<br /> -(<i>Foundress of the Order of the Visitation.</i>)</span></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h1>SELECTED LETTERS OF<br /> -SAINT JANE FRANCES<br /> -DE CHANTAL</h1> - -<p class="center space-above">TRANSLATED BY<br /> -<big>THE SISTERS OF THE VISITATION</big><br /> -<small>HARROW</small></p> - - -<p class="center space-above">WITH A PREFACE BY<br /> -<big>HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL BOURNE</big><br /> -<small>ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER</small></p> - -<p class="center space-above"><big>R. & T. WASHBOURNE, LTD.</big><br /> -PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON<br /> -AND AT MANCHESTER, BIRMINGHAM, AND GLASGOW</p> - - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="90%" summary="Cover page"> -<tr><td align="left"><i>All rights reserved</i></td><td align="right">1918</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2>PREFACE</h2> - - -<p>We are all apt so to idealise the Saints whom we -love to study and honour, and strive to imitate, that -we are in danger of forgetting that they possessed -a human nature like our own, subject to many trials, -weaknesses and frailties. They had to struggle as -we have to struggle. The only difference is that -their constancy and perseverance were greater far -than ours.</p> - -<p>Biographers are often responsible for the false -tendency to which we allude. They like to give us -the finished portrait of the Saints, and only too often -they omit in great part the details of the long and -weary toil that went to make the picture which they -delight to paint.</p> - -<p>In the case of some of the Saints we are able to -come nearer to the reality by reading the letters -which have been preserved, in which in their own -handwriting they have set down, without thought -of those who in later days might read their words, -the details of their daily life and struggle. Thus in -the few selected Letters of the holy foundress of the -Visitation which are now being published in an -English translation we get glimpses of her real -character and spiritual growth which may be more -helpful to us than many pages of formal biography. -In one place she excuses the brevity of a letter -because she is "feeling the cold to-day and pressed -for time." In another she tells a Sister, "do everything -to get well, for it is only your nerves." Nerves -are evidently not a new malady nor a lately devised -excuse. She knew the weariness of delay: "still no -news from Rome.... I think His Grace the Archbishop -would be glad to help us.... Beg him, I -beseech you, to push on the matter."</p> - -<p>Haste and weather had their effect on her as on -us: "I write in such haste that I forget half of what -I want to say.... We will make a chalice veil -for you, but not until the very hot weather is over, -for one cannot work properly while it lasts."</p> - -<p>What mother, especially in these days of sorrow -and anxiety, can read unmoved the Saint's own -words as she speaks of her daughter's death, and of her -fears about her son. "I am almost in despair ... -so miserable am I about it that I do not know which -way to turn, if not to the Providence of God, there to -bury my longings, confiding to His hands not only -the honour but even the salvation of this already -half lost child. Oh! the incomparable anguish of -this affliction. No other grief can come near to it."</p> - -<p>And then we feel her mingled grief and joy when -at last she learnt that this, her only son, had given -up his life, fighting for his King, after a humble and -fervent reception of the Sacraments.</p> - -<p>Thus in the midst of the daily small worries of -life, and of the great sorrows that at one time or -other fall to the lot of all, we see a brave and generous -soul, with human gifts and qualities like to our own, -treading her appointed path to God.</p> - -<p>No one can read her words without carrying therefrom -fresh courage for his life, and a new determination -to battle steadfastly to the end.</p> - -<p class="right">FRANCIS CARDINAL BOURNE,<br /> -<span style="margin-right:2em;"><i>Archbishop of Westminster.</i></span></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Feast of St. Jane Frances de Chantal</span>,<br /> -<span style="margin-left:3em;"><i>August 21st, 1917.</i></span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>TRANSLATORS' PREFACE</h2> - - -<p>The letters here translated are, with a few mentioned -exceptions, selected from "Sainte Jeanne-Françoise -Frémyot de Chantal: Sa Vie et ses Œuvres," "First -edition entirely conformable to the original manuscripts -published under the supervision of the -religious of the Visitation of Holy Mary at Annecy, -by E. Plon and Co., rue Garanciere 10, Paris, -1877."</p> - -<p>The rendering cannot be looked upon as entirely -literal, but the translators have kept as closely to -the original as was consistent with an easy rendering -in modern English.</p> - -<p>The circular letter to the Sisters of the Visitation -(page 152) is a remarkable document worthy of the -reader's special attention, as are also the letters to -"Dom John of St. Francis" on St. Francis de Sales, -and the subtle manifestation of St. Jane Frances' -own state of soul in her letter to "A great Servant -of God."</p> - -<p>It has been thought better to leave the superscription -heading all the Saint's letters, "Vive -Jésus" (Let Jesus reign), as in the original, and -untranslated.</p> - -<p>The title of "Sister Deposed" given to the immediate -predecessor in office of the actual Superior is -peculiar to the Visitation Order.</p> - -<p>There are, as will be seen, a few slight omissions, -but only when the matter was of no interest or -importance.</p> - -<p>The Saint, as the reader will observe, does not -keep to any fixed rule in regard to capital letters.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> -<tr><td align="right"><small>LETTER</small></td><td></td><td align="right"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td align="left">JUDGMENT OF ST. FRANCIS ON THE VIRTUES OF MOTHER DE CHANTAL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">I.</td><td align="left">TO ST. FRANCIS DE SALES</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">II.</td><td align="left">TO THE SAME</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_4">4</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">III.</td><td align="left">TO M. LEGROS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">IV.</td><td align="left">THE DUKE OF SAVOY TO ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">V.</td><td align="left">TO MADAME D'AUXERRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">VI.</td><td align="left">TO ST. FRANCIS DE SALES</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">VII.</td><td align="left">TO THE SISTERS OF THE MONASTERY OF ANNECY</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">VIII.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER J. C. DE BRÉCHARD</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_12">12</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">IX.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER P. M. DE CHÂTEL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_15">15</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">X.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XI.</td><td align="left">TO THE SAME</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XII.</td><td align="left">TO THE SAME</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XIII.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER P. M. DE CHÂTEL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XIV.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XV.</td><td align="left">TO SISTERS P. M. DE CHÂTEL AND M. A. DE BLONAY</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XVI.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XVII.</td><td align="left">TO MADAME DE GOUFFIER</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_40">40</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XVIII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XIX.</td><td align="left">SISTER M. A. DE BLONAY</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XX.</td><td align="left">TO THE SAME</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXI.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXII.</td><td align="left">TO THE SAME</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXIII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER J. C. DE BRÉCHARD</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXIV.</td><td align="left">TO M. DE NEUCHÈZE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXV.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXVI.</td><td align="left">TO MADAME DE LA FLÉCHÈRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_64">64</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXVII.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER P. J. DE MONTHOUX</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXVIII.</td><td align="left">TO M. MICHEL FAVRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXIX.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER A. M. ROSSET</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXX.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER P. J. DE MONTHOUX</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXXI.</td><td align="left">TO MADAME DE LA FLÉCHÈRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXXII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER J. C. DE BRÉCHARD</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXXIII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER P. M. DE CHÂTEL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXXIV.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXXV.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER M. A. HUMBERT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXXVI.</td><td align="left">TO THE SISTERS OF THE VISITATION AT BOURGES</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXXVII.</td><td align="left">TO THE SISTERS OF THE VISITATION AT MOULINS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXXVIII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER P. M. DE CHÂTEL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XXXIX.</td><td align="left">TO MADEMOISELLE DE CHANTAL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XL.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER J. C. DE BRÉCHARD</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XLI.</td><td align="left">TO MADEMOISELLE DE CHANTAL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_90">90</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XLII.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER M. M. LEGROS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XLIII.</td><td align="left">TO MADAME DU TERTRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_94">94</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XLIV.</td><td align="left">TO M. DE PALIERNE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XLV.</td><td align="left">TO ST. FRANCIS DE SALES</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XLVI.</td><td align="left">TO MADAME DE LA FLÉCHÈRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_102">102</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XLVII.</td><td align="left">TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_103">103</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XLVIII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XLIX.</td><td align="left">TO M. DE NEUCHÈZE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">L.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER A. C. DE BEAUMONT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_110">110</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LI.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_112">112</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER A. C. DE BEAUMONT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_116">116</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LIII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. H. DE CHASTELLUX</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LIV.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER M. M. MILLETOT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LV.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER F. G. DE LA GRAVE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LVI.</td><td align="left">TO THE BISHOP OF AUTUN</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LVII.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER A. M. ROSSET</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LVIII.</td><td align="left">TO THE REV. FATHER DOM JOHN DE SAINT FRANÇOIS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LIX.</td><td align="left">TO A RELIGIOUS OF THE FIRST MONASTERY OF THE VISITATION AT PARIS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_139">139</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LX.</td><td align="left">TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXI.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER A. C. DE SAUTEREAU</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_144">144</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER A. C. DE BEAUMONT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXIII.</td><td align="left">TO THE SAME</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_148">148</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXIV.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. A. FICHET</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXV.</td><td align="left">TO THE SISTERS OF THE VISITATION</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_152">152</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXVI.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER A. M. DE LAGE DE PUYLAURENS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXVII.</td><td align="left">TO THE BARON DE CHANTAL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXVIII.</td><td align="left">TO THE SAME</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_167">167</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXIX.</td><td align="left">TO M. DE COULANGES</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_168">168</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXX.</td><td align="left">TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXI.</td><td align="left">TO THE SAME</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. A. FICHET</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXIII.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER A. C. DE BEAUMONT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_173">173</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXIV.</td><td align="left">TO A VISITATION SUPERIOR</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_175">175</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXV.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER J. H. DE GÉRARD</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXVI.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER F. A. DE LA CROIX DE FÉSIGNEY</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_179">179</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXVII.</td><td align="left">TO ST. VINCENT DE PAUL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_181">181</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXVIII.</td><td align="left">TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_183">183</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXIX.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER FAVRE (EXTRACT)</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_185">185</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXX.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER A. M. CLÉMENT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXXI.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER C. C. DE CRÉMAUX DE LA GRANGE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_187">187</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXXII.</td><td align="left">TO M. POITON</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXXIII.</td><td align="left">TO DOM GALICE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_191">191</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXXIV.</td><td align="left">TO THE SAME</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_193">193</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXXV.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER A. M. CLÉMENT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_194">194</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXXVI.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER M. D. GOUBERT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_195">195</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXXVII.</td><td align="left">TO DOM GALICE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXXVIII.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER M. A. DE MORVILLE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">LXXXIX.</td><td align="left">TO M. DE COYSIA</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_201">201</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XC.</td><td align="left">TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XCI.</td><td align="left">TO MGR. ANDRÉ FRÉMYOT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XCII.</td><td align="left">TO A BLIND SISTER</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XCIII.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER B. M. DE HARAUCOURT</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_209">209</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XCIV.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER P. J. DE MONTHOUX</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XCV.</td><td align="left">TO M. NOËL BRULART</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XCVI.</td><td align="left">TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XCVII.</td><td align="left">TO M. NOËL BRULART (EXTRACT)</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_218">218</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XCVIII.</td><td align="left">TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_219">219</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">XCIX.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER M. A. DE RABUTIN</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_224">224</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">C.</td><td align="left">TO M. NOËL BRULART</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_225">225</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CI.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER M. A. LE ROY</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CII.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER A. L. DE MARIN DE SAINT MICHEL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_231">231</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CIII.</td><td align="left">TO THE ABBÉ DE VAUX</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_234">234</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CIV.</td><td align="left">TO A GREAT SERVANT OF GOD</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_237">237</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CV.</td><td align="left">TO MOTHER A. M. DE RABUTIN</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_243">243</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CVI.</td><td align="left">TO ST. VINCENT DE PAUL</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CVII.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER C. M. F. DE CUSANCE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_246">246</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CVIII.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER J. B. GOJOS</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_248">248</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CIX.</td><td align="left">TO SISTER L. A. DE LA FAYETTE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_249">249</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CX.</td><td align="left">TO THE DUCHESS DE MONTMORENCY</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_252">252</a></td></tr> -<tr><td align="right">CXI.</td><td align="left">TO A NOVICE</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_254">254</a></td></tr> -</table></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - - - -<h2>JUDGMENT OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES ON THE VIRTUES OF MOTHER DE CHANTAL</h2> - - -<p>"My brother de Thorens," said St. Francis to one -of his friends, "travelled last month into Burgundy -to fetch his little wife, and brought back with her -a mother-in-law whom neither he is worthy of having -nor I of serving. God has given her to me. She -has come to be my daughter in order that I may -teach her to die to the world and to live to Jesus -Christ. Urged by God's design over her she has -left all, and has provided for all with a strength -and prudence not common to her sex, such that in -her every action the good will find wherewith to -praise her and the wicked will not know in what -to blame her."</p> - -<p>In a letter the holy Bishop expresses himself as -follows: "The Queen Bee of our new hive, because -she is so eager in the pursuit of virtue, is much -tormented with sickness, yet she finds no remedy to -her liking save in the observance of her Rule. I -have never seen such singleness of intention, such -submission to authority, such detachment from all -things, such acceptance of the will of God, such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> -fervour in prayer as this good Mother shows. For -my part I believe that God will make her like unto -St. Paula, St. Angela, St. Catherine of Genoa, and -the other holy widows." Writing elsewhere to one -of his relations he says: "I feel unutterable consolation -in seeing the moderation of our dear Mother -in regard to all the obstacles that come in her way -and her total indifference to the things of earth. In -all truth I may say that, proportionately to the -graces received, a soul could not arrive at higher -perfection. I regard her as an honour to her sex, -one who with the science of the Saints leads a most -holy, hidden life concealed by an ordinary exterior, -who does nothing out of the common and yet is -irreproachable in all things."</p> - -<p>Once again, writing to a Bishop in answer to a -letter about Mother de Chantal, St. Francis says: -"I cannot speak but with respect of this most holy -soul which combines profound humility with a very -broad and very capable mind. She is simple and -sincere as a child, of a lofty and solid judgement. -A great soul with a courage for holy undertakings -beyond that of her sex. Indeed, I never read the -description of the valiant woman of Solomon without -thinking of Mother de Chantal. I write all this -to you in confidence, for this truly humble soul -would be greatly distressed if she knew that I had -said so much in her praise."</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p class="center"><big><b>SELECTED LETTERS OF ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL</b></big></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>I.<br /> - -<i>To St. Francis de Sales.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy, 1611.</span></p> - -<p>How soon may I hope for the happy day when I -shall irrevocably offer myself to my God? He has -so filled me with the thought of being entirely His, -and it has come home to me in such a wonderful and -powerful manner, that, were my emotion to last as -it now is, I could not live under its intensity. Never -have I had such a burning love and desire for the -evangelical life and for the great perfection to which -God calls me. What I feel about it is quite impossible -to put into words. But, alas! my resolve to -be very faithful to the greatness of the love of this -divine Saviour is balanced by the feeling of my incapacity -to correspond with it. Oh, how painful to -love is this barrier of powerlessness! But why do I -speak thus? By doing so I degrade, it seems to me, -the gift of God which urges me to live in perfect -poverty, in humble obedience, and in spotless -purity.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>II.<br /> -<i>To the Same.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy, 1612.</span></p> - -<p>My Lord and my own Father, I pray God to fill -your soul with His choicest blessings, with Himself, -and above all with the most pure love of Jesus. -Now, for fear others may alarm you, I am telling you -myself that this morning I was taken very ill. After -dinner I had a shivering fit and collapsed completely -for a time, but now, thank God, I feel quite well -again; so do not let this trouble you, for the love -of God, that God Whom my soul loves, adores, and -desires to serve with the utmost singleness of heart -and with perfect purity. Obtain for me, my Father, -when to-morrow you hold this divine Saviour, His -grace in such abundance that I may for ever adore, -serve, and love Him perfectly. It is an immense -consolation to know that you are occupied with that -heavenly work "the Divine Love."<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> With what -ardour I sigh for that love! Alas! my God, when -shall we see one another utterly consumed therewith?</p> - -<p>I have seen the good aunt: what a venerable old -lady she is! I assure you I am well now, and you -know I would not say so if it were not true. May -Jesus reign and His Holy Mother. Amen.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The Treatise on the Love of God.</p> -</div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2>III.<br /> -<i>To M. Legros at Dijon.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,<br /> -<i>18th June, 1612.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,</p> - -<p>We have given your daughter a true welcome. -This offering which you and she have made so -lovingly cannot fail to be very agreeable to the -good God. You may be consoled and at peace -about her for she is, and will always be, very dear -to me. God obliges me to have an exceeding great -care and love for all those whom He leads here and -the goodness of your heart, together with her confidence -in me, urges and binds me closely to her. -I have not leisure for more, but once again, let me -assure you that this dear little soul has found here -an affectionate Father and Mother, so you may be -happy about her. I am extremely obliged to you -for the trouble you have taken about that business -(illegible lines).... May God fill you with grace, -consolation, and strength to walk in the way of His -divine commandments! I affectionately salute all -your children, for whom I wish a like grace. Madame -Legros and I have agreed to be as sisters to one -another. I greatly love and esteem her: she is a -brave, generous woman. God guide her to Himself.</p> - -<p>Always, Sir, your very humble servant,</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Frémyot.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>IV.<br /> -<i>The Duke of Savoy to St. Jane Frances de Chantal.</i></h2> - - -<p><span class="smcap">Very Reverend Dearly Beloved and Devout Petitioner</span>,</p> - -<p>Your choice of my daughter, the Infanta -Duchess of Mantua, as your Mother and Protectress -gives us much pleasure. We are delighted that you -have erected your Congregation in our States, as we -profoundly esteem your piety, charity, and devotion, -and we desire by this letter to assure you that you -have our special protection, and that it is our wish -to aid, favour, and assist you in all that is necessary -for the carrying out of your good work. We have -written to this effect to our nephew the Marquis de -Lans and to our Senate of Savoy, to which you can -always have recourse. The Countess de Tournon -is charged to assist the Infanta at the solemnity -which you will be celebrating and to instruct her as -to her duties in regard to you. May I beg a remembrance -in your prayers and in those of your devout -flock, whom I pray God to have in His holy -keeping.</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Charles Emmanuel</span>,</span><br /> -<i>Duke of Savoy.</i></p> - -<p><span style="margin-left:2em;"><span class="smcap">Turin</span>,</span><br /> -<i>22nd</i> of <i>December</i>, 1613.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>V.<br /> -<i>To Madame d'Auxerre,<a name="FNanchor_A_2" id="FNanchor_A_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_2" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Foundress of the Monastery -of the Visitation at Lyons.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1614.</p> - -<p>Madame, My most dear and beloved Sister, The -grace of Our Lord be in your heart.</p> - -<p>He has been pleased to grant you your request and -it is He alone who has inspired you with this desire. -Again, He alone has put into the hearts of this little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> -Community a feeling of general satisfaction in regard -to your undertaking, and for this intention we have -communicated and prayed much. As for me I tell -you, trustfully, in confidence, that when I was speaking -to our Lord about this affair His divine goodness -seemed to make manifest to me that He Himself led -you here with His own hand. This consoled me -and made me resolve to give you what He commands, -and this my dearly loved Sister is my answer to -what you ask. I give it simply and in all sincerity. -O how happy you are to have been thus called -by God to this most excellent service. Respond -courageously to such abundant graces and remain -very humble and faithful to His holy will.</p> - -<p>I must say this one word more in answer to what -you feel as regards God's goodness in giving you as -guide this great and admirable servant of His.<a name="FNanchor_B_3" id="FNanchor_B_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_3" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> -Know, my dearest Sister, that I also so strongly feel -this, that every day I make a special act of thanksgiving -to God for it, and the longer we live the more -we shall understand what a grace it is. I remember, -in reference to it, a Capuchin once telling me that it -increased his regard for me to think of the peculiar -care and love that God must have for me to have -given me this grace.... Remain now full of -thanksgiving in peace and certainty, as much as -it is possible to have in this life, that you are -carrying out God's holy will.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> -<p>We pray continually for you. All our Sisters -unite with me in saluting you most cordially. I, -indeed, look upon your heart, my beloved Sister, as -mine own, and because this is the very truth you -must look upon my heart as yours in His who is our -only Love.</p> - -<p>Adieu. May we belong always wholly to God.</p> - -<p> -I remain with incomparable affection,</p> - -<p class="right"> -Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_2" id="Footnote_A_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_2"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> This pious widow together with two other ladies made -a journey to Annecy in 1613 in order to place themselves -under the direction of St. Francis de Sales. On their return -to Lyons all three petitioned the Archbishop, Mgr. de -Marquemont, to establish a Monastery of the Visitation in -that town. Before, however, acceding to their request he -asked St. Francis the object of the new Order. The Saint -at once replied: "To give God souls of prayer who will be -so interior as to be found worthy to serve and adore His -infinite Majesty in spirit and in truth. To the great -Orders already established in the Church we leave the -praiseworthy exercises and brilliant virtues by which they -honour Our Lord. But I wish that the Religious of my -Order should have no other ambition than to glorify Him -by their lowliness, so that this little Institute of the Visitation -may be as a dovecot of innocent doves whose care and -employment will be to meditate on the law of the Lord -without making itself seen or heard in the world, remaining -hidden in the clefts of the Rock and the Hollow places of -the wall there to give to their Beloved, as long as life shall -last, proofs of sorrow and love by their lowly and humble -sighing."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_3" id="Footnote_B_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_3"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> St. Francis de Sales.</p></div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2>VI.<br /> -<i>To St. Francis de Sales.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1614.</p> - -<p>I write because I cannot refrain from doing so; for -this morning I am more wearisome to myself than -usual. My interior state is so gravely defective -that, in anguish of spirit, I see myself giving way on -every side. Assuredly, my good Father, I am almost -overwhelmed by this abyss of misery. The presence -of God, which was formerly such a delight to me, -now makes me tremble all over and shudder with -fear. I bethink myself that the divine eye of Him -whom I adore, with entire submission, pierces right -through my soul looking with indignation upon all -my thoughts, words and works. Death itself, it -seems to me, would be less painful to bear than the -distress of mind which this occasions, and I feel as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> -if all things had power to harm me. I am afraid of -everything; I live in dread, not because of harm to -myself, but because I fear to displease God. Oh, -how far away His help seems! thinking of this I -spent last night in great bitterness and could utter -no other words than these, "My God, my God, -alas! why hast Thou forsaken me." At daybreak -God gave me a little light in the highest part of my -soul, yet only there; but it was almost imperceptible; -nor did the rest of my soul and its faculties share the -enjoyment, which lasted only about the time of half -a Hail Mary, then, trouble rushed back upon me -with a mighty force, and all was darkness. Notwithstanding -the weariness of this dereliction, I -said, though in utter dryness, "Do, Lord, whatever -is pleasing to Thee, I wish it. Annihilate me, I am -content. Overwhelm me, I most sincerely desire it. -Tear out, cut, burn, do just as Thou pleasest, I am -Thine." God has shown me that He does not make -much account of faith that comes of sentiment and -emotions. This is why, though against my inclination, -I never wish for sensible devotion. I do not -desire it. God is enough for me. Notwithstanding -my absolute misery I hope in Him, and I trust He -will continue to support me so that His will may be -accomplished in me. Take my feeble heart into -your hands, my true Father and Lord, and do what -you see to be wisest with it.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>VII.<br /> -<i>To the Sisters of the Monastery of the Visitation of Annecy.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Lyons</span>,</span><br /> -<i>16th February, 1615.</i></p> - -<p>Excuse me, I beg of you, my dearest and very good -Sisters, if I do not answer you each one separately, -which indeed the kindness you have shown me -deserves that I should do, and my affection for -you would desire: but neither head nor leisure -permit it, and besides, God be thanked for it, I see -no necessity to write to any one in particular. -Persevere in your good desires and every day become -more faithful to the observance of your holy Rules -and love them better. This alone, believe me, -should be your sole care. Cast not a look upon anything -else and be assured that you will walk upon -the right road and will make a good and prosperous -voyage. May God in His infinite mercy be with you -and bless you so that you may perfectly accomplish -His holy will. With all my heart I desire this, for -I love you all, and each one individually, with the -greatest possible affection, far beyond what you -could imagine. This I tell you all, not forgetting -those who have not written to me. God bless you, -my very dear daughters. May He be your sole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> -love and desire. Pray, I beseech you, for the needs -of your poor Mother, who is very affectionately</p> - -<p class="right">Your most humble and unworthy servant in our Lord.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2>VIII.<br /> -<i>To Sister Jeanne Charlotte de Bréchard, Assistant -and Mistress of Novices at Annecy.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Lyons</span>,</span><br /> -<i>July 9th, 1615.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Sister, my darling</span>,</p> - -<p>See now how trouble is lifted off your shoulders -by the presence you enjoy of my very honoured -Lord!<a name="FNanchor_A_4" id="FNanchor_A_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_4" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> He is most anxious to work at our Rules,<a name="FNanchor_B_5" id="FNanchor_B_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_5" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> -and is about to curtail them considerably at the -desire of the Archbishop of Lyons. I think he -intends to spend these months of July and August -at Annecy, for he tells me that during the great heat -he has more leisure, having fewer visitors. I shall -be very glad when he has finished the blessed book -so much desired and so long awaited.<a name="FNanchor_C_6" id="FNanchor_C_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_6" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> Until I have -put it into the printer's hands for publication I am -not, I believe, to leave here for Annecy. So if you -are in such great need of me, help by your fidelity -and your prayers to secure time for this good and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -dear Lord to complete the work. The whole day, -as far as he is free, ought to be devoted to it, but -though it no longer requires much application, yet -it progresses very slowly: such is the will of the -great God, and may His will be accomplished here -and everywhere. For all that, you must keep up -your courage; we shall find September upon us -before we know where we are, and then God will -console us. You cannot think how I am looking -forward to my return—I am simply longing for it; -but, my love, His Lordship does not agree with you -as to its present necessity; he considers I am more -useful here now, to satisfy certain persons. Meanwhile, -I am getting on with our little business, and -I trust, through the goodness of God and the brave -heart of my dearest Sister, that all will go tranquilly -till I return. Please God, I will do so at the -appointed time, when the business of the house will -be more pressing. Then I shall relieve my poor -little Sister of the burden as much as I am able, and -she will have nothing to do but to kindle in the hearts -of her dear novices the love of their Spouse, and to -caress her poor mother, who is so fond of her. Do -not forget the sweetmeats for the poor nor the dried -fruit, as much as you can procure of it. In the -month of September lay in a provision of butter and -cheese; Sister Anne Jacqueline (Coste) will help you -in this. I am a little surprised that you tell me -there is only corn enough for the end of this month,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> -for it ought to have lasted till the end of September. -Perhaps you have not paid for what was due, or you -may not have returned what was advanced to you -for the masons. Anyhow you must buy more as -soon as it is wanted; but for these two first months -purchase the old corn rather than the new. After -that, awaiting the season for laying in provisions, we -shall see as soon as possible if my son cannot return -part of what he has had from us, until he is able to -pay it all back.</p> - -<p>See that Sister Marguerite (Milletot) writes to say -that we shall keep her pension here, and tell her to -ask out boldly for the ewer and the gown about -which so many promises have been made to her. -They need make no excuse about not being able to -send them for it is quite easy to get things from here -to Dijon. You must treat poor Sister Mary Madeleine -(de Mouxy) very gently, and she will, I think, in -time, see for herself what is necessary. I am writing -in great haste, for this letter goes by the Bishop. It -is absolutely necessary to build the sacristies, complete -the church, and enclose the little court, for you -know we must have more accommodation. Then -we'll stop. As to the continuation of the buildings, -we must wait and see what can be done when what -we are now doing is finished. If we buy the houses, -as his Lordship tells me, and have the Fathers' -garden, that will be a good bit of business done.</p> - -<p>I salute affectionately my very dear and beloved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> -Sisters. May Jesus be all things to them, and they -all to Jesus. Amen.</p> - -<p>My kind remembrances also to my son M. Michel -(Favre),<a name="FNanchor_D_7" id="FNanchor_D_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_D_7" class="fnanchor">[D]</a> to all our friends, and to the workmen. -I send two combs for my daughters to tease the red -wool, and two ells of material to cover the bodice -of a dress for little Françoise, and two of stuff, which -is very ugly but most expensive, for the bodice of a -petticoat, for sleeves and neck kerchiefs, to last her -over the summer. Please God, for the future I'll choose -her clothing myself, and not trust it to anyone else.</p> - -<p>Goodbye, and a happy Vespers,<a name="FNanchor_E_8" id="FNanchor_E_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_E_8" class="fnanchor">[E]</a> my dear good -Sister. It is nearly noon and we are only just out -from table; for the Archbishop of Lyons, as usual, -came about 10 o'clock,<a name="FNanchor_F_9" id="FNanchor_F_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_F_9" class="fnanchor">[F]</a> and then came Madame -Saint Chamond. Give me your best prayers, for I -am most truly miserable. Nevertheless, may the -great God accomplish His holy will in us! Amen.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_4" id="Footnote_A_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_4"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> St. Francis de Sales.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_5" id="Footnote_B_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_5"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> The Saint here calls the Constitutions by this name.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_C_6" id="Footnote_C_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_6"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> The Treatise on the Love of God.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_D_7" id="Footnote_D_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_D_7"><span class="label">[D]</span></a> The Convent Chaplain at Annecy.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_E_8" id="Footnote_E_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_E_8"><span class="label">[E]</span></a> The Octave Day of the Feast of the Visitation.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_F_9" id="Footnote_F_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_F_9"><span class="label">[F]</span></a> The Sisters' dinner hour.</p></div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2>IX.<br /> -<i>To Sister Péronne Marie de Châtel at Lyons.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1615.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearly beloved Sister</span>,</p> - -<p>Your letters delight me, they are altogether -after my own heart, that heart that so loves its dear -Péronne. It is true, my child, that in this life we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> -must always be beginning anew, but if it were not so -where should we be? For this is essential to our -humility and to confidence, the two virtues our good -God asks of us. Be brave, train yourself to courage -and to exactitude in the observance. Keep a light -heart, and above all things put sadness far from you. -God is wholly ours, and we, my daughter, have no -other wish than to be wholly His. How then can -we be solicitous about anything whatsoever? When -you have time give me news of that heart that is so -dear to me and that I know so well, I say, so well, -thanks be to God.</p> - -<p>I am quite easy as to dearest Sister Marie Jacqueline, -for I never doubted but that she would be a -success, yet to hear your assurance of it is very -consoling. Give her all the help you can so as to -lighten as much as possible the burden of her charge. -Look after her health; I entrust it to you, and on -this point she is to go by what you say.</p> - -<p>I beseech you, my love, be a good example to -others, avoid all useless conversation, never absent -yourself from the community assemblies without -real necessity. Give challenges to spur each other -on to virtue. Let your chief care be to inculcate -recollection, practise it yourself in good earnest, it -ought to be preeminently our practice. Incite one -another to it, and to seek Our Lord, and our own -perfection in singleness of heart.</p> - -<p>I have received all your letters and the other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -things you sent by Chambéry, but they came very -late. Another time, my dearest daughter, to give -you comfort we'll talk as you desire, heart to heart, -but I am feeling the cold to-day, and am pressed for -time. In a word, humility, exact observance, holy -confidence and joy in God.</p> - -<p>Our very dear Father is, he says, entirely yours. -All our Sisters salute you. To conclude, you are, as -I told you the other day, my own dear Péronne, -whom I love with all my heart. When M. Michel -goes to see you he will give you plenty of news; he -is not, however, going for some little time yet.</p> - -<p> -Yours wholly in Jesus.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>X.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Lyons.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1615.</p> - -<p>They have taken me by surprise. Here is M. de -Boisy, who tells me that if I wish to write to you, my -daughter, now is the opportunity. He starts at -dawn, and so at dawn I write this letter in all haste. -Well, as to your letters, they always give me -pleasure and console me exceedingly. All praise to -the good God who I see leads you and holds you by -His paternal Hand, so that you have nothing to do -but to cling close to it, and leave yourself to Him, -walking with all possible humility, and simplicity,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> -under His holy protection, while you train your -little flock to advance faithfully, for it is in this way -that He wishes you to show your fidelity, and it is -for this end that I always tell you, my dearest, that -you should keep yourself, as much as the performance -of necessary duties allow, free and disengaged -from occupations, so that you may be continually in -the midst of your Sisters at the times that they are -assembled together, thus will you enlighten and -animate them in their duty by example as well as by -precept. I quite agree with our worthy and excellent -Archbishop. He is right, my daughter, believe me, -you must be Mother and Mistress. Nevertheless, it -is well to try the capacity of Sister Marie Aimée,<a name="FNanchor_A_10" id="FNanchor_A_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_10" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> -for she is good, though a little too reserved and -somewhat lazy, letting nature dictate, and yet I -hope that she will, notwithstanding, further the -progress of these dear children by good example -and by her tongue if she lets it loose. Moreover, as -you will often be unable to be with them yourself, -she can take your place, and thus be a constant -relief to you. Your resolve about Madame Raime -is quite to my mind. Deduct the amount of the -damask plums from what you receive and you can -ask M. de Medio<a name="FNanchor_B_11" id="FNanchor_B_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_11" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> and M. Voullart as to how to act. -Be at ease about the dearly loved Péronne Marie.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> -I never thought of what they told you, but do not -on that account delay to train these girls to housework, -for most certainly charity obliges you to give -the good daughter a rest after she has put the house -in good order, and others have been trained for this -purpose. Alas! my dearest daughter, I have great -compassion for poor Sister ——. Undoubtedly, her -imagination plays a large part in her case, but our -good Archbishop and the confessor ought to help -in the curing of her. Treat as despicable and in no -manner condone what she esteems so much in herself. -I will write to her as to the others when I have leisure. -You must take great care of the good Sister ——. -Keep her bright, and as much occupied as possible, -see that she eats and sleeps well, for usually any -weakness of the brain lends itself to such temptations -of the imagination, so, dear daughter, show her -infinite compassion, charity, and patience. God -and time will reveal to us what it is all about.</p> - -<p>Daylight is breaking, and I have nothing very -special to say except, indeed, that you ought to be -very grateful for the blessing God has conferred upon -you in giving you as fathers two such exceptionally -great and worthy prelates, whose remarkable piety -pleases God and man.<a name="FNanchor_C_12" id="FNanchor_C_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_12" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> I cannot tell you what a -consolation it is to me to see how God has united -these two souls, and I believe this union will bring -Him more glory than our little judgements are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> -capable of understanding. So with all my heart I -praise God for having given me this consolation -which I have so long prayed for and desired, clearly -seeing how much good it would effect, and the solace -of mind it would bring to our worthy Lord Archbishop, -whose goodness merits and needs it. His -dear Lordship here is full of kindness, and in perfect -accord with this prelate, and has a great reverence -for him. I will write as soon as possible to these -dear children; meanwhile, give them my affectionate -love. May the great Jesus fill their hearts with -sweetness, simplicity, and innocence! My respectful -and affectionate remembrance to my Lord -Archbishop. My regards also to good Father Philip -de Saint-Nizier, the chaplain, and whoever else you -think I ought to mention. Do not tell the President<a name="FNanchor_D_13" id="FNanchor_D_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_D_13" class="fnanchor">[D]</a> -that you do not get letters from me for I never fail -to write when there is an opportunity. Remember -me very specially to your two dear companions, my -daughters, and most dear Sisters.</p> - -<p>Good-morning, my love. May Jesus be your all. -Amen.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_10" id="Footnote_A_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_10"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Sister Marie Aimée de Blonay had just been made -Mistress of Novices, a charge which she greatly dreaded.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_11" id="Footnote_B_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_11"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Canon of Lyons.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_C_12" id="Footnote_C_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_12"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> St. Francis de Sales and Mgr. de Marquemont.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_D_13" id="Footnote_D_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_D_13"><span class="label">[D]</span></a> Antoine Favre, Mother Marie Jacqueline's father.</p></div> - -</div> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<h2>XI.<br /> -<i>To the Same.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1615.</p> - -<p>... I think you have received both the letters -that I have written to you since our arrival. Now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> -to answer yours, which has been a joy beyond words -to me: so is it in your power, my dearest Sister and -friend, to give me true pleasure. You are indeed -happy in serving our Lord and His holy Mother: -give your service, my beloved friend, with boundless -joy and courage. Our very good Father, whom as -yet I have hardly seen, wrote you the other day an -excellent and beautiful letter.<a name="FNanchor_A_14" id="FNanchor_A_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_14" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Ah! how blessed -are they who hide themselves in the sacred breast of -the Saviour, and elsewhere find no delight. But I -really must answer your letter. I am writing during -the Sisters' supper, and I have had no time as yet to -converse with any of them. Keep firm to the line -you have adopted with M. de Saint-Nizier, that is -all I have to say on that point. I must answer -Père Théodose, but it is you who ought to do this. -Yes, I told Sister —— that you would give her a -little book on perfection, but she must not let her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> -imagination run away with her, so as to think she -possesses all the good qualities she desires and which -she hears discussed. Keep her gently and cordially -humble, and believe me, my love, she will, please -God, do very well.</p> - -<p>There are countless things, my dearest Sister, that -I long to say about the true and sincere affection I -have for you, and this because I verily believe that -we are not separated, but more united than ever, for -our mutual intercourse by letter brings home to us, -it seems to me, all the more forcibly our affection. -O God! may this love be eternal: our life here is -too short to suffice for the enjoyment of so great a -good! But to answer your little questions. God -be praised for the zeal of our good Sisters in holy -obedience. Oh! but it is sweet and pleasant news -to me, and for them an inestimable treasure. I -beseech these dearest daughters, whom I truly love, -to give all the consolation possible by following after -perfection holily and faithfully. Oh, my God, we -have only, my dearest one, my Sister, to die or to -love our good Saviour. Amen.</p> - -<p>His Lordship has, through the chaplain, acceded -to the desire of Madame Colin. You have answered -N. right well; no thanks are needed in such matters. -If I can I will write to M.; if not, do it yourself, my -love, for these are our affairs. Believe me, I pray -much, and will continue to do so for you, and still -more for your dear Father and Mother....</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_14" id="Footnote_A_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_14"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> In this letter, having consoled her for the departure of -Sister J. F. de Chantal, Saint Francis addresses these sweet -words to her: "We need never part from one another, we -whom the very blood of Our Lord—that is to say, His love, -through the merits of His blood—binds and unites together. -Indeed, as for me, I am in very truth so entirely yours that -in proportion to the distance that these two or three days -of journeying seem to separate us corporally the more -strongly and with the more affection am I united spiritually -to you as to my very dear daughter. You will be the first -after our Mother (de Chantal) in my prayers and my solicitude, -a solicitude, however, which is more sweet through -the extreme confidence which I have in the heavenly care -of divine Providence for your soul."—(M. S. Lives of the -First Mothers, by Mère de Chaugy.)</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XII.<br /> -<i>To the Same.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1615.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Sister, my darling</span>,</p> - -<p>First of all it is quite true that I am entirely -at your service. Next, it is from no lack of diligence -on my part that you have been kept so long without -news of us, for we have frequently sent to the trades-people -to find out if any were going to Lyons. -You must not, then, think that I am wanting in care -or affection for you. I do not know how that -traveller you speak of passed through without my -knowing. Now to answer your letters, though I -assure you I have to do so in the greatest haste. -We have sent you our Office books, and the carrier -has delivered everything from you—the beautiful -candlesticks and the crucifixes, for which, above all, -we thank you. God will give you all that is necessary -to instruct these girls from Riom. It is well that -you have them, for it is essential that they come -either here or to Lyons, otherwise it would be impossible -for us for a good long while to provide subjects -suitable for foundations. Truly the making of -Superiors is not the matter of a day.</p> - -<p>The First President of Toulouse has written to -his Lordship asking for Sisters for a foundation, and -he has replied that he will see to subjects being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> -formed for it. This community is becoming very -large, and needs assiduous care. Mademoiselle du -Châtelard and Mademoiselle d'Avise were here last -week, and asked with great humility and earnestness -that the votes might be taken for their admittance -as probationers. This has been done, and they are -coming at the beginning of the approaching great -feasts. Both souls are altogether to my liking. -Several others are applying for admission....</p> - -<p>We must charitably bear with N., and employ -both the green wood and the dry to keep her brothers -and sisters away from her, and to induce her -to curtail her correspondence. She is in bondage -to these things, and never will she have courage to -break her chains if she is not helped. May God in -His mercy take her by His good hand and lead her -out of all superfluous cares. His grace the Archbishop -has acted prudently in at once settling that -her sister is not to be received, to do otherwise would -have been inexpedient. She ought not to put upon -us these great obligations to <i>Madame la présidente</i> -Le Blanc<a name="FNanchor_A_15" id="FNanchor_A_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_15" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> who is one of those women of the world -whom I greatly admire. A thousand cordial salutations -to her.</p> - -<p>My darling, for the love of God always write quite -openly to me about all your little affairs, and don't -take the trouble to copy your letters. I say this not -only for myself but also on the part of our good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -Lord, and it will suffice to write only to one or other -of us, for we are as one by the grace of God, and I -see that so much writing gives you headaches. -This too will economize your time. You will easily -be excused by everybody, except perhaps by the -dear brother de Boisy<a name="FNanchor_B_16" id="FNanchor_B_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_16" class="fnanchor">[B]</a>, for the rest they must write -to you and not expect answers unless you have time -and want to recreate yourself. I am undecided -whether or no to write to M. Austrain, but in any -case be sure to offer him my respects. His little -daughter<a name="FNanchor_C_17" id="FNanchor_C_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_17" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> is indeed very happy. Three of us have -the special care of her. She is very charming, but -M. and Mme. Austrain ought to inculcate obedience, -and tell her that they always hold it in reverence. -I am very fond of her and so are all our Sisters. -Assure them of this, and that I greatly desire to -serve them and to give them satisfaction in regard -to her. In reference to this over affection that you -have for me, you are doing quite right. Alas! -dearest daughter, I am not exempt from these -feelings. In such things be very generous in the -guard you keep over yourself; hardly ever speak of -it, still less think of it: feelings of this kind should be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> -borne with silently and sweetly, taking, as it were, -no notice of them.</p> - -<p>How consoled I should be if M. D. is caught in the -net. May the good God do this mercy. I want you -to get news of the temporal affairs of our late good -Sister Marie Renée (Trunel) from the General of the -Feuillants, and to ask his opinion; the first paper -which Sister Péronne Marie (de Châtel) sent was a -rough draft; you will have received what we wrote -to you by M. Voullart. For God's sake, darling, do -all you can soon to procure the money that should -come to us for Sister F. A., as we are in great necessity, -and nobody wants to pay us. M. Voullart has -the authority for receiving it (illegible lines)....</p> - -<p>Adieu, my love, I am all right as to health, but I -want to improve otherwise when I have time to -think about it. I intend to take full advantage of -my co-adjutrice. I don't know which to choose -unless Sister N. Sister P. M. [de Châtel] would make -an excellent one. Some day please God I hope to -have her, meantime I advise you to make use of her -for yourself.</p> - -<p>Adieu, once more. Let us be His for ever and -ever.<a name="FNanchor_D_18" id="FNanchor_D_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_D_18" class="fnanchor">[D]</a></p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_15" id="Footnote_A_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_15"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> See note to Letter XIX., page 49.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_16" id="Footnote_B_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_16"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> The Count de Boisy was brother of St. Francis de -Sales.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_C_17" id="Footnote_C_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_17"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> The Monastery of Lyons was under obligations to M. -Austrain, and St. Jane Frances took his little daughter back -with her to Annecy at his desire. Subsequent letters show -that this child did not respond to the Saint's kindness and -had to be sent away.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_D_18" id="Footnote_D_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_D_18"><span class="label">[D]</span></a> The Lives of Mother Favre, de Bréchard and de Châtel -are given in the "Lives of the First Mothers of the Visitation," -by Mother de Chaugy. There is a recent life of -Mother de Châtel under the title of "Péronne Marie" (Burns -and Oates), in which are introduced slight character-sketches -of Mothers Favre, de Bréchard, de Blonay and de Sautereau.</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p></div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XIII.<br /> -<i>To Sister Péronne Marie de Châtel at Lyons.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>January, 1616.</i></p> - -<p>At last, my dearest daughter, I take up your letter -to answer it as far as I am able. May the good God -inspire me to say what is for His glory and your -consolation. All the repugnances of which you -speak, all your feelings, aversions, difficulties, are all -to my judgement for your greater good, and you -are bound not to yield to them. You should keep -making resolutions every day to fight and resist -them—nevertheless when you fall, say fifty times a -day, never on any account be astonished or uneasy, -but quite gently reproach yourself, and take up -again the practice of the contrary virtue, saying all -the time words of love and confidence to Our Lord, -and saying them just as much after you have fallen -into a thousand faults as if you had only fallen into -one. Do not forget all we have said to you on this -subject, and practise it for the love of God, being -assured that God will draw His glory and your perfection -out of this infirmity, never have a doubt on this -point, and bear up bravely and sweetly whatever -happens. If sometimes you feel weak, cowardly, -with no confidence in God, compel your lips to utter -words the very opposite to your feelings, and say<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> -them firmly. My Saviour, my all, notwithstanding -my miseries, and my distrust, I trust Thee out and -out, for Thou art the strength of the weak, the -refuge of the miserable, the wealth of the poor, in a -word Thou art my Saviour, who hast ever loved the -sinner. Now these and like words, my dearest -daughter, you can say, and though with neither -devotion nor tears, yet with set purpose. Then pass -on to divert your mind in some way, for the Almighty -will not let you escape from His hand, which -has so securely captured you, and do you not see -how His sweet goodness comes to your succour in so -striking and profitable a manner?</p> - -<p>I beg of you preserve the remembrance of the -instructions you have received in the past, and -put them into practice, whenever occasion offers. -When you feel the need of writing to me, write. I -will always answer you promptly, and with the -truthfulness of a heart that is wholly yours. Be -very careful to give good example. Fidelity and -exactness in observance is, as you know, necessary -for this, and also a well-ordered exterior, the basis of -which depends on the practice of the presence of -God. As far as you can quietly manage it release -yourself from household duties. I have already -spoken to Sister<a name="FNanchor_A_19" id="FNanchor_A_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_19" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> about this, and you will, I think, -find her of my opinion, for otherwise those for -whom the charges are intended cannot be fittingly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> -trained. Certainly, my love, I am altogether -satisfied and consoled with your dear little Mother, -who is with you; every one tells me how well she -gets on and what you yourself continue to write -about her gives me increasing pleasure, for I know -with what sincerity you speak. I trust in God that -she will be one day a great and worthy servant of -His and that she will do good to many. She ought -to steep herself ever more in humility and grow in -resignation: help her according to your little lights, -and tell her simply in all truth, what seems to you -for her own good and for that of the house. God -knows how sincerely I love her; I know her heart and -how she feels under obligation to you, while you are -conscious that the obligation is on your side. I am -well aware of the help and profit that I receive from -my coadjutrix; such is an inestimable blessing for -superiors, who from the multiplicity of affairs cannot -give sufficient attention to minor things which it is -expedient should be remedied. Let me once more -beg of you, my dear little Péronne, to further in -every way you can my desire that our dear Sister's -spirits are kept up, and without teasing her have an -eye to her health; tell her frankly what is necessary, -and see that she does it, for she ought to yield to you -in this, just as you should obey her quite simply -when she orders what she considers necessary for -your health. You can humbly represent to her how -much you feel able to do, but in such a way that she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> -may have no reason to distrust or be displeased with -you. It is better to exceed in charity than in labour, -and for God's sake never give way to disquietude: do -everything you can to get well, for it is only your -nerves. I must conclude, for I am feeling somewhat -indisposed. A hundred thousand loves to all our -dearest sisters; indeed with all my heart I love your -little flock. May their thoughts be ever set on their -Spouse, and may they hold intercourse with Him -like pure, sweet, simple, chaste doves. I embrace -them all, big and little, lovingly and tenderly, in -spirit, but above all do I embrace my well-loved -Péronne. His Lordship salutes you and loves you -tenderly. Vive Jésus.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_19" id="Footnote_A_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_19"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XIV.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Lyons.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>January 4th, 1616.</i></p> - -<p>Only one word, my poor dear daughter, for there -is no time to write as much as I should wish. -Hardly has one been told that there is an opportunity -of sending a letter than they come to fetch it. For -the love of God, my dear friend, do not allow yourself -to be so easily carried away by your affections. -Hold fast in God your spirit, your love, and all your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> -pleasure. Keep your heart strong and generous, -and interior joy will come back to you. We are not -separated, my dearest daughter, be assured of this, -and when it is necessary to think and speak of me -accustom yourself to do so with a free and joyous -spirit as if I were present to you. Ah! my love, to -know that our good God is everywhere, and that He -is always ready to be to us, Father, Mother, sweet -and gentle Spouse, should indeed make us happy. -I am very glad that you have taken Mme. de -Chevrières for a mother;<a name="FNanchor_A_20" id="FNanchor_A_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_20" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> she is a virtuous and useful -friend and I greatly like her: offer her my humble -respects. Our poor dear Sisters' Christmas carols -are very nice. I love all these dear hearts: tell them -so, darling, I beg of you....</p> - -<p>In your next letter say how you are really feeling, -for I cannot say that I like to hear of your getting -thin. My daughter de Thorens has written to me -(illegible lines), speaks of the marriage of M. de -Foras with Françoise. Madame is wrong, I assure -you, my dear friend, in blaming his Lordship<a name="FNanchor_B_21" id="FNanchor_B_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_21" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> for -not writing to her. I see very little of him, and I -cannot tell you how long it is since I last spoke with -him: he is overwhelmed with business. However,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> -if I see him I will ask him to write to her, and I shall -do so myself, if possible.</p> - -<p>Well, most certainly I pity the good Archbishop -of Lyons with his rules: the poor man is worrying -himself to death over them. Why on earth does he -not fish where he knows there is plenty of water. -Do not send the regulations that he has made for us -without also sending the rules, and get to know as -tactfully as you can what he is planning and the -cause of this delay.</p> - -<p>As to exterior mortifications, they are performed -here in the right spirit and with devotion. You -know them: Some prostrate across the doorway with -face to the ground, others hold out their arms in the -form of a cross, others again wear a cord round -their neck, and ask pardon, or mention and deplore -their imperfections out loud, ask for an alms and the -like. However, I permit them but rarely, because -frequency lessens their power, and when done with -devotion they profit and mortify those who perform -them, and edify the others. You can of course allow -them, but only at the times set down, unless the -Sisters ask your permission, and let this come from -themselves (illegible lines).</p> - -<p>They have come to fetch the letters. Good-day, -dearest daughter. Always yours. Be humble in all -things, and practice mortification of spirit. Vive -Jésus.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_20" id="Footnote_A_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_20"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> It was a common custom at this epoch to contract -spiritual alliances as a mark of reverence, gratitude, and -affection. It is of such an alliance that Saint Jane Frances -here approves. Madame de Chevrières was a pious and -devoted friend of the monastery at Lyons.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_21" id="Footnote_B_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_21"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> St. Francis de Sales.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XV.<br /> -<i>To Sisters Péronne Marie de Châtel and Marie Aimée de Blonay.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1616.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughters</span>,</p> - -<p>I will begin by answering your last letter, and -then go back as far as I am able to the preceding -one, saying, please God, what He wishes me to say -to you.</p> - -<p>First, then, my dear daughter, I'll tell you what -Our Lord wants of you and of us all, a humble -and tranquil submission to His most holy will in -whatsoever happens, for everything is, without -question, ordained by divine Providence for His -glory, and for our gain; henceforth to be indifferent -to health or sickness, consolation or desolation, the -enjoyment or privation of what we most cherish, -should be our aim. May our hearts have but one -desire, that His holy will be accomplished in us and -in regard to us. Let us not philosophize on things -that happen to ourselves or to others, but, as I have -already said, remaining sweetly humble, and tranquil, -in the condition in which God has placed us. In -pain patient, in sorrow enduring, in action active, -without stopping to think whether we commit faults -in this way or that, for such reflections are nothing -but self-love.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> - -<p>Instead of all that, look at God, and take faithfully -as it presents itself every opportunity of practising -suitable virtues. When you fail through cowardice -or infidelity be not disturbed, make no reflections, -humble yourself in meekness and confusion before -God, and then lose no time in rising up again by an -act of courage and holy confidence.</p> - -<p>Now, my daughter (Péronne Marie), and my little -one (Marie Aimée), do thus; this letter is for you -both in common, for I know that your hearts hide -nothing from one another. In future, as I have so -little leisure, I will always write to you together, -unless you tell me that, for some particular reason, -you wish me to answer you individually, in which -case I will willingly do so, for I am at your disposal. -Believe me, I love you with all my heart, and I have -to bear my fair share in the mortification of your -absence, though indeed you are more than ever -present to me in spirit; but the good God has -arranged it so, and all is sweet in His holy -will.</p> - -<p>You, my Péronne, and the little Sister, when -you happen to be ill, receive relief willingly and -graciously. And mind, in whatever form it comes, -whether it be to rise, to go to bed, to eat, obey simply, -and without making difficulties. My dear Péronne, -walk manfully in your old way, both as to the -interior, and the exterior. When you are asked what -point of prayer you take, and the like, answer boldly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> -as to what you have done or thought formerly in -this way: "I have had such thoughts in prayer or -done such things while walking about, or when in -bed"; but do not say: "To-day, or at such an hour, -I have done such a thing." It is not necessary to be -so explicit, but simply say, "I have done or seen -such a thing," and have no scruple in calling all your -good aspirations and thoughts prayer, for they are -prayer, and so, for the matter of that, are all our -actions when done to please God. It is enough to -salute your good Angel morning and evening. -Attention to the presence of God and of Our Lady -includes all, for the blessed Spirits are engulphed in -the abyss of the Divinity, and it is more perfect to -walk simply. When a novice says to you, "What -are you thinking of?" answer frankly, "I am thinking -of God," without saying (if it is not so), I was -thinking of the Passion, and the like, for no doubt -to mention a particular subject (if we were not -thinking of it) would be an untruth. Say simply, -"I was thinking of Our Lord," and you might, for -example, add, "My God, how happy we should be -if we could always have the Holy Passion or the -Nativity before our eyes." This gives edification -enough. I see nothing else to say.</p> - -<p>Oh! but yes; just a word for my Little One. I beg -of you, my dearest Sister, not to trouble about what -you feel or do not feel—this I say once for all. Serve -Our Lord as it pleases Him, and while He keeps you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> -in the desert serve Him there with good courage. -He made His dear Israelites spend forty years there, -accomplishing a journey that they could have made -in forty days. Take courage then, and be satisfied -with saying, and being able to say, though without -relish, "I wish to live wholly for God and never to -offend Him;" and when you stumble, as is sure to -happen (be it a hundred times a day), rise up again -by an act of confidence. Do likewise towards your -neighbour, be content with having the desire to love -him, or desiring to desire it, and to procure for him -all possible good, and, opportunity given, minister -gently to him.</p> - -<p>In short take bravely the road in which God leads -you—it is a safe one, although you may not have all -the light and satisfaction you would like; but it is -quite time to abandon to Our Lord all these plans -and desires, and to walk blindly, as divine Providence -wills, believing that it will lead you aright. Now, -adieu. Our good M. Michel (Favre) will tell you all -the news. Needless to say, I recommend him to -you, for I am extremely fond of him. He is our -dear brother and child: entirely devoted to us. -Thousands of cordial messages to those most dear -daughters of my heart, and special messages to whom -you know, and to all, for indeed I most truly love -them all.</p> - -<p>Adieu, my beloved daughters.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>XVI.<br /> -<i>To Mother M. J. Favre.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1616.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Your letter deeply touches me. May God -give us genuine humility, sweetness, and submission, -for with these virtues there is truth, but without -them usually deception and no sure dependence. -No need to consult about this good woman, she must -be put out, for a thousand reasons. Unless God -give you light to the contrary, beware of acting on -any human reasons put forward by her relations. -You must drink the chalice, my daughter, and bear -with contempt for the sake of exact observance. -But act, I pray you, in this matter with gentleness -and consideration, saying nothing that might cause -any trouble to this poor woman.<a name="FNanchor_A_22" id="FNanchor_A_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_22" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> -<p>As to Mlle. N., we only have knowledge of her -in so far as to be able to say that we fear her becoming -very dejected from her melancholy and unstable -temperament. However, you will have to receive -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>her for a first trial and to tell her frankly that she -will be obliged to undergo at least four months' -probation in the house before she receives the habit. -As to the condition she wishes to lay down of being -always with you after her profession, it is not to be -heard of. She must not claim to make arrangements -on becoming a Religious, as if she was purchasing a -farm-house; therefore, should there be no conditions -in her contract, and no reserves, the only thing she -can reserve to herself is the resolution never to do her -own will, and to live peaceably and humbly in the -Congregation. I beg of you, my true daughter, -maintain a gentle and a humble, a generous and a -joyous heart in the midst of the bustle of affairs, for -this God requires of you.</p> - -<p>You are right in thinking our Sisters de Châtel -and de Blonay are two pearls of virtue. They have -not a little obliged me in so candidly opening their -hearts to you. I never doubted but that they would -do so, and I am sure you will always receive consolation -and support from them. Gently encourage -the dear <i>Cadette</i><a name="FNanchor_B_23" id="FNanchor_B_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_23" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> to be more expansive and open-hearted -with the sisters. She can do it if she look -humbly unto God and overcome herself. I beg of -her to teach her novices to see the advantage of -correction, and to love it. They ought to aspire to -great purity of life and become familiar in their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> -communications with their divine Spouse. I shall -not write to them now; it suffices that we two, -whom God has so intimately united, confer with one -another. God bless you, my child, I am very glad -to know the state of your heart. Keep it one with -God in fidelity to the Rule and a stranger to all unprofitable -things; for, my true daughter, God has -appointed you for my succour and to carry with me -the burden which He Himself has laid upon me. Do -not say that you are inconsolable on account of our -separation. I assure you that I write much more -to you than I tell our sisters here. We do not -see one another it is true, but that is all, and I think -a little corporal absence renders you more present -to the mind than if you were present. In everything -else we never make any difference between you -and our Sisters here, if it be not that you are more -loved and more carefully instructed. Now pity -yourself no more, since Jesus Christ is the privileged -bond that unites us.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_22" id="Footnote_A_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_22"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Elsewhere St. Jane Frances thus sums up for her -daughters the views expressed to her on religious life by -their Founder, St. Francis de Sales. "In truth, there are -few monasteries which do not possess some one who gives -a great example of virtue, but the majority are weak and -neither great nor elevated in character. This evil is -brought about by persons becoming religious who are not -yet really good Christians. Such know indeed their Founder -and their constitutions, but they have little knowledge of -Jesus Christ and His gospels. They aspire to become -perfect in a day, while yet they are unaware of their own -miseries and need of justification. They expect to be -cured without thoroughly knowing their disease or the -physician. They begin with the roof instead of with the -foundations, and are eager to offer to the divine Master -what He has only recommended as a counsel, without taking -the trouble to give Him what He exacts as a debt. From -hence come so many dissensions, murmurings, and complaints -about trivial things, so much imprudence, so many -indiscretions, suspicions, rash judgements, attachments to -one's own inclinations and way of thinking, and to trifles; -such impatience of contempt, so little fervour in prayer, -so little reverence for the holy mysteries, so little fruit from -confession and frequent communion, such a poor conception -and idea of the life to come, so little gratitude to Jesus -Christ, so little solidity and dignity in the practices of -devotion. The remedy for all these evils is to employ the -time of noviceship in learning truly to know the adorable -Master; His precepts, maxims and counsels, by a thorough -explanation of His gospel; truly to understand the nobility -of man, whom God only can render happy; his fall and his -misery, which the Incarnation and the death of a God could -alone remedy: the corruption of his heart, of which self-love -is master; the inability in himself to do any good -without the grace of Jesus Christ: the never-ending danger -from that concupiscence which, though conquered, is -always within him; the necessity of continual prayer, of -solitude, of penance, in order to keep the senses subject -to the spirit; truly to understand how terrible God is in His -judgements, how heinous are the sins committed after -baptism, how differently we shall look upon things after -death, and what a heavy responsibility for us will be the life -and death of the Redeemer: truly to learn the folly of -despising these truths and the sanctity which the grace of -the law of this Jesus exacts from us, He who is our Saviour -and our Model."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_23" id="Footnote_B_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_23"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> A name given by St. Francis to Mother Marie Aimée -de Blonay.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XVII.<br /> -<i>To Madame de Gouffier.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy.</span></span><br /> -<i>17th July, 1616.</i></p> - -<p>I can only send you this little note, my dearest -daughter, but his Lordship is answering your letters. -Our Sisters (Favre and de Châtel) are to arrive this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> -evening, so you can imagine how busy we are getting -ready for them. God be blessed for all you tell me, -and may the work you have undertaken be to you a -precious crown for the greater honour of God and -for our consolation.</p> - -<p>Certainly, very dear daughter, if the glory of God -and your reputation were not so much involved in -this transaction we should never risk sending our -sisters. Our reasons would be unalterable in regard -to anyone save you yourself. Sister Jeanne Charlotte -will tell you what they are. The experience of -Lyons has taught us to walk circumspectly. But -we have not the heart to disappoint this daughter -who is so much one of ourselves. May God be your -portion and ours for all eternity! It is impossible -for me to leave this house at present, so I cannot -accompany the Sisters whom we are sending to -Lyons. They will arrive, please God, on the 29th -of this month, and they can start with you on the -5th or 6th of August, but not before. We shall write -again by them. May God love us, and our love be -all for Jesus eternally.</p> - -<p>Adieu, my daughter. I embrace you with all my -soul which is wholly yours. But let us not engage -in any more combats until we are fully armed! I -prefer to have few monasteries and those well -established than many badly provided.<a name="FNanchor_A_24" id="FNanchor_A_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_24" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_24" id="Footnote_A_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_24"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Madame de Gouffier, a religious of the Order of the -Holy Ghost, was attracted to greater devotion by reading -the "Introduction to a Devout Life," and made a long -journey to confer with its author, St. Francis de Sales. -The Sister annalist of the Order tells us that Madame de -Gouffier, on arriving, "Devoutly ferreted out all she could -about the rising Congregation to see if it might not be the -promised land designed by God for her, in which she hoped -to find rivers flowing with milk and honey. Full of -admiration for the new Institute, Madame de Gouffier wished -to become a member, but insurmountable impediments -opposed her design, and she could only obtain permission -to wear the religious habit within the enclosure, where she -was known under the name of Sister Marie Elizabeth. -With tireless energy the new benefactress gave a helping -hand to the foundations of Lyons, Moulins, and Paris, in all -of which houses she successively sojourned, ever seeking to -make herself useful to the Sisters, whose virtue was indisputably -made manifest by the thorns without number with -which, all unwittingly, she strewed their paths. Towards -the end of 1621 Madame de Gouffier quitted her exile here -below for the true <i>Promised Land</i>."</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p></div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XVIII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Lyons.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy.</span></span><br /> -<i>June, 1616.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My own dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>You and all the dear Sisters to whom I am -in debt must needs be perpetually pardoning me. -Only at the last moment are we told of an opportunity -to send letters, and having no time to get mine -ready beforehand I am constrained to write in a -breathless fashion. They have just come to say -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>that Sire Pierre sets out to-morrow. Patience in all -things! However, as I want to write to our sisters, -and very fully to you, and very particularly to my -son M. Michel, those letters I will send by the chaplain. -You now know for certain what are our good -Lord's intentions regarding the Religious question: -I mean the conversion of our Congregation into a -Religious Order, with the conditions laid down for -us, which are all excellent, and about which our -resolution is unalterable. This step has been before -the Archbishop of Lyons for a long time, and he did -not wish it to be known. But what does it matter -to us, I pray you, whether our vows are solemn, or -made as they are in public, or whether we are to be -called a <i>Religious Order</i> or a <i>Congregation</i>? Such -things do not signify at all. We have always shown -that we are willing for it on condition that nothing -whatever is changed as to the end of our Institute -or the means of attaining that end, to which, thanks -be to God, we have, up to this, adhered for His glory -and the salvation of our neighbour. We do not ask -or seek to be brought forward, and only wish to be -left as we are, content to remain in our littleness, -and infinitely preferring it if the glory of God does -not demand otherwise.</p> - -<p>Now, dearest daughter, your mind will be clear -on this subject, and you can satisfy those who make -inquiries. I greatly desire that our good Father -Rector, a man of great virtue and capability, should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> -know all, and give his opinion on the whole matter -to the Bishop, who is anxious to have it. His last -letter to me gives the impression that he thinks quite -the reverse of the above. For the rest, dearest -daughter, if you have an opportunity get the Archbishop -to write and tell his Lordship how he means -to act in regard to the Bishop's last letter, for this is -of importance to the affair in Rome; but do not let -him see any eagerness on your part or that you have -been asked to do this. Enough on this subject.</p> - -<p>What a grace has not the good God done us these -six years in having called us to true perfection by a -manner of life so fitting to our sex. Ever blessed -be this divine Saviour. I tried to-day to renew my -heart fervently so as henceforth to live in accordance -with God's holy will. My great longing for you, -who are so dear to me, is that you may bravely cast -aside all that is not of God, and having but one -heart, that you may keep it exclusively for the one -Saviour, who has given His dear life to win our -love and our salvation....</p> - -<p>Let us have a great love for our Sisters and bear -gently and sweetly with their little miseries and -weaknesses, without which we shall never be, and -thus make good use of the first-fruits of the spirit -which God has diffused on us here, and on you.</p> - -<p>What joy took possession of my heart yesterday, -dearest daughter, when I caught a glimpse of a -chance of seeing you again, and what noise and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> -excitement at recreation when I gave the news of -your coming! Truly it is delightful to see how they -all love you. Don't you think that it is quite -necessary for me to keep my pleasure to myself in -case you do not come, for they would all be so -disappointed? Alas! my poor Péronne, if she is not -cured she must come back to Annecy, for she will be -useless to you and the change of air may be good for -her. God knows how welcome she will be, but I -fear you will miss her for your little ménage: however, -God will provide.</p> - -<p>I hope you will not give the habit to the good -N. until she has completed her six months. If I -have time I will write her a little note; if I cannot, -her humility will bear with me, and her charity will -be indulgent to me. I beg of her to ask God to -grant me the grace of being entirely His.</p> - -<p>A thousand salutations, daughter darling, to you -and all your dear flock (a little special word to our -two).<a name="FNanchor_A_25" id="FNanchor_A_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_25" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Remembrance also to the Rev. Father -Rector, to my dear nephew, and to whom else you -please. Aye, truly sister de Gouffier may well be -admired! I shall write to her by the chaplain when -he returns. She is only losing her time, and I am -astonished that she has not written to me. Yes, -indeed, she is losing her time. Adieu, my darling, -<i>this holy day of the Feast of St. Claude</i>.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_25" id="Footnote_A_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_25"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Srs. Péronne Marie de Châtel and Marie Aimée de Blonay.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XIX.<br /> -<i>To Sister Marie Aimée de Blonay, Mistress of Novices at Lyons.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_26" id="FNanchor_A_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_26" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1616.</p> - -<p>Who can doubt, little one, but that a thousand -imperfections are mingled with all our actions. We -must humble ourselves and own to it, but never be -surprised nor worry about it. Neither is it well to -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>play with the thought, but having made an interior -act of holy humility, turn from it at once and pay no -further attention to your feelings. Now let me hear -no more about them, but use them all as a means of -humbling yourself and of abasing yourself before -God. Behave yourself in His presence as being -truly nothing, and if you do, these feelings about -which you talk will not do you any harm though -they will make you suffer. Indeed, as much may -be said of this fault of over-sensitiveness. Pray -what does it matter whether you are dense and -stolid or over-sensitive? Any one can see that all -this is simply self-love seeking its satisfaction. For -the love of God let me hear no more of it: love -your own insignificance and the most holy will of -God which has allotted it to you, then whether you -are liked or disliked, reserved or ready-tongued, it -should be one and the same thing to you. Do not -pose as an ignorant person, but try to speak to each -one as being in the presence of God and in the way -He inspires you. If you are content with what you -have said your self-love will be satisfied, if not -content, then you have an opportunity of practising -holy humility. In a word aim at indifference and -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>cut short absolutely this introspection and all these -reflections you make on yourself. This I have told -you over and over again.</p> - -<p>I can well believe that you are at a loss how to -answer these young persons who want to know, -forsooth, the difference between contemplation -and meditation. How can it be, Sister (The -Superior) puts up with them, or that you do in -her absence? Sweet Jesus, what has become of -humility? Stop it all, and give them books and -conferences treating of the virtues, and tell them -that they must set about practising them. Later -on they can talk about high things—for by the -exercise of true and solid virtue light comes from -Him who is the Master of the humble, and whose -delight it is to be with souls that are simple and -innocent. At the end of all, when they have become -Angels, they may talk as the Angels do. As to -prayer, be at peace and do not attempt anything -beyond keeping yourself tranquilly near Our Lord. -This too I have often told you. In a word you are -not to move any more than a statue can do. Your -one wish has to be to give pleasure to God; now if -He in His goodness shows you what you have to do, -is it right for you to turn from this to do something -else because this, His will, has no interest for you? -You must take care not to fall into this fault, but be -simple; don't think much about yourself and just do -the best you can.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> - -<p>You have thoroughly satisfied your self-love, in -writing me this paper. However, I will not return -it to you, although I think that were I to do so it -would be a mortification to you. Live wholly with -all simplicity in God. I have a great affection for -Sister Barbe Marie.<a name="FNanchor_B_27" id="FNanchor_B_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_27" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> Take care of her, teach her to -restrain her over anxiety, which makes her so eager -for her own advancement and for that of everybody -else.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_26" id="Footnote_A_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_26"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> We are told in the "History of the Foundation of -Annecy" that Sister Marie Aimée de Blonay fulfilled her -duties as Mistress of Novices with such submission and -reverence as entirely to justify the beautiful name of "The -Living Rule," by which she is known throughout the Order; -for her actions and her teaching were a faithful carrying -out of what she had learned from its two holy Founders. -She often inculcated the following doctrine: "Just as the -Gospel of Jesus Christ is, and always must be, the universal -foundation of our obedience and of our belief, even though -there were a million new worlds, so should the particular -maxims of the Visitation of Annecy be common to all houses -of the Institute, even though it should increase to millions -upon millions of monasteries." It gave St. Francis such -pleasure to hear this ingenious comparison of the Rule to -the Gospel that he ordered the following to be inserted in -the acts and conditions of establishment for every new -foundation: "That the Sisters undertake to live according -to the Rules, Constitutions, and customs of the Monastery -of Annecy." And in answer to a letter about this time -from his dear "Cadette," he says: "My daughter, make -use of this light all your life. Tell what you have seen, -teach what you have heard at Annecy. This root is indeed -little, insignificant, and hidden, but the branch that -separates from it is fit for nothing but to be cut down and -cast into the fire."</p> - -<p>The life of Mother Marie Aimée de Blonay was written -by Charles Auguste de Sales, nephew and one of the -successors of St. Francis de Sales in the See of Geneva.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_27" id="Footnote_B_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_27"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Madame la Présidente Le Blanc, who was converted from -a life of worldliness by St. Francis de Sales, and became a -great benefactress to the new Institute. When at Lyons -she lived in the Convent like a religious, and wished to be -called Sister Barbe Marie.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XX.<br /> -<i>To the Same.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy.</span></span><br /> -<i>January, 1617.</i></p> - -<p>Truly, my dearest little one, you give me extreme -pleasure by writing so fully and so simply. Always -do so. I have shown your letter to his Lordship, -who is very fond of you. God will be with you and -all will go well. Never doubt but that divine Providence -will guide and support you in all things, if you -give yourself wholly into Its hands. Employ such -little talents as you possess faithfully, and they will -increase. For the rest what a pity it is that we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> -allow ourselves to be upset about what we are and -how we perform our duties. Let us set about them -with simplicity, looking unto God, trusting to His -goodness, then all will be accomplished, all will be -sanctified.</p> - -<p>How consoling it is to hear of your courageous -postulants! Salute all of them affectionately for -me, but to your last novice I pray you to offer my -heart, which I offer her to serve her and to love her -perfectly in Our Lord. What you tell me in your -letter of her fidelity to observance already gives me -great consolation in her regard.</p> - -<p>Oh, Saviour of my soul! how blessed it will be -for her if she persevere! I exhort all our dear -novices to constancy, and I beg of them to take my -word for it, that their peace will be perfect if they -hold fast without swerving to the observance. May -they forget themselves and all things else in order -to achieve thoroughly this one thing, which is of so -much importance. If they aim at it always faithfully -and humbly, it will bring them inestimable -happiness.</p> - -<p>Daylight is failing me, my daughter.</p> - -<p class="right">Your very affectionate</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>XXI.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Lyons.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>10th April, 1617.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My most dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>I am sending you back our good Sister -(Madame Colin). I see nothing in her that merits -rejection. Her manner is a little dry, but that is -natural to her, and I think she will improve, for she -is most anxious to be gracious. She certainly seems -to me to have, in the service of God, a well-directed -heart, and a well-disposed mind. She will give you -all our news and tell you about his Lordship, who, I -feel sure, is altogether overworked. She has seen -how he is overwhelmed with business. Grenoble -was the last straw, on account of the endless letters -it has entailed; they are too much for him. If only -those ladies would have a little more consideration -and confine their correspondence with him to what -is useful, or to their spiritual needs! I am told that -some of them will be visiting you. For God's sake -see if through them you cannot discretely manage -to curtail unnecessary appeals to him. You know -how kind he is and how he never fails to send them a -reply, although we are told that if he does not -greatly retrench his correspondence it will have a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -very injurious effect on his health, and will shorten -his days—days which are wholly at the service of -God and his neighbour. This is a matter which it -seems to me ought to concern everybody: so I am -writing to Dijon, Chambéry, St. Catherine, and -everywhere I can think of, to ask them to spare him -as much as possible and only to write in cases of -absolute necessity, or at least utility; for in such -cases it cannot be avoided.</p> - -<p>No doubt you perceive that I am a little disturbed, -and indeed I am; for this morning I heard several -things about him which have greatly upset me, and -you know how valuable his life is to us—more it -could not be. He will return next year to Grenoble. -A great many people, and I believe half the diocese, -regret it, especially M. de Boisy: but I do not, for it -cannot be much prejudice to the bishopric, and is -sure to be for God's glory, and he will, please God, -reap a double harvest in this second visit. He -greatly praises the goodness and piety of the people -of Grenoble and particularly of the ladies. Poor -Sister Barbe Marie arrived too late, but she made -up for lost time and his Lordship has completely -won her.</p> - -<p>This woman has an excellent heart. She it is, I -am told, who ought to introduce the ladies to us. -Encourage her as much as possible to establish the -Visitation at Grenoble. It is really very wonderful -how on all sides they are asking for us, and we have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> -no desire to settle ourselves anywhere, except at -Grenoble. Everything looks encouraging in that -direction. The ladies there are enthusiastic to have -a foundation. Recommend the affair to Our Lord, -for it seems to me that it will be for His glory. Our -dear Sister (Barbe Marie) will tell you everything. -She has written to me three times since the return -of his Lordship and I once to her. This is only fair, -for she is not as busy as I am. She is quite devoted -to you. Get a thurible made out of that beautiful -cup; we often need one and have to inconvenience -our neighbours by borrowing from them. Sell our -watch, my child, to help to pay for the making of it. -You will have to do this for we are short of money. -Good Madame Colin insists on our keeping her -watch, but I shall not do so on any account unless -she consents to take the value of it. It keeps good -time and we have much need of such a one.</p> - -<p>My poor dear Sister, I dearly love you. Live -solely for God by giving yourself up entirely to His -holy will and letting it act. Indeed, I long to do -likewise and I pray God to let me die if I do not love -Him henceforth with all my strength. Such is the -desire of the miserable little heart of your poor -Mother who has the toothache, so she must stop -writing as soon as she has made up her mind what -answer to give Monseigneur of Bourges. Our good -Bishop will come for it this evening. We seldom, -I assure you, see him now. But we do not mind so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> -long as he can get through all his work. Would to -God that I could relieve him of it!</p> - -<p>Now this is the answer to the Archbishop of -Bourges. Write to the grand-nephew as from yourself -and say that if the matter is urgent we shall find -great difficulty in providing Sisters, not having any -yet sufficiently trained. I believe that Monseigneur -intends first sending Cardinal Bellarmine's letter to -the Father Rector, and afterwards to his Grace of -Lyons....</p> - -<p>I can understand poor N.'s temptation. Alas! -from what I hear the poor Sister seems quite to have -gone astray. God grant she may get into the right -way again. In conclusion, dear daughter, I hope -you will not take too much to heart what I have said -about his Lordship's correspondence, I acknowledge -to have written forcibly because it is doing him so -much harm. Yesterday I let him know that I was -going to write all round in the hope of curtailing -it, and he told me that I must not do so, for he -could manage very well. You understand, dearest -daughter, I am not addressing myself to you, nor to -any of our Sisters, for I don't wish to stop them from -writing to him when they require his advice. Oh, -indeed I do not! not them, nor any one. I only -mean that discretion should be used in this matter.</p> - -<p>Adieu, my most dear daughter. I embrace you -lovingly in spirit and am wholly yours in our sweet -Saviour. Amen.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>XXII.<br /> -<i>To the Same.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1617.</p> - -<p>I have three quarters of an hour free, my dearest -daughter, and seize the opportunity to write to you. -You have indeed given me very special pleasure by -speaking a little of your beloved self and of your dear -daughters. God be praised for all you tell me of -both the one and the other. Oh! my love, if you -but persevere in serving our great and gentle -Redeemer with the highest part of your soul, indifferent -as you say to all that presents itself, true -happiness will be yours. Souls who act thus are -royal souls. May the divine Majesty give you the -grace of faithful perseverance.</p> - -<p>You have done well to discontinue your retreat. -I assure you I never undertake mine in the very hot -weather on account of the great drowsiness which it -causes. Well, if God wishes us to walk like one -who is blind and groping in the dark, what does it -matter? We know that He is with us.</p> - -<p>I am surprised at what you tell me about Paris -and Chalons,<a name="FNanchor_A_28" id="FNanchor_A_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_28" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> we have heard nothing of it from any -one else. It would be a great boon to us not to -separate for a year: but the Holy will of God comes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -before all things, and grace urges us to the acceptance -of it. If they send me, it will do me good to see you -again.</p> - -<p>I do not quite know what to say of Sister ——<a name="FNanchor_B_29" id="FNanchor_B_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_29" class="fnanchor">[B]</a>; -tell me about her a little more in detail and of the -effects on her of what she feels.</p> - -<p>Consult the Rev. Father Rector and get her to -speak to him herself. She should certainly use -every endeavour to hide what you tell me of, and -should never abandon herself to it; but if there is -humility and simple obedience we need have no -anxiety. You should insist emphatically upon -simplicity, truth, and straightforwardness in all her -actions, above all when she has these consolations. -But in a word, if she possesses virtue you need -fear nothing, even though they may come from the -evil spirit. Nature or the imagination would seem -to me more dangerous. Speak of this, I beg of you, -in her presence to the Father Rector.</p> - -<p>I assure you I am consoled to hear about little -Orlandin. But the other little one, Raton, how is she -going on? My daughter, you do singularly well -not to keep those girls that are unsuitable. Try to -win over their friends so that they may be satisfied -with our own choice of subjects, even though those -we choose may not have much dowry. My God! -how important it is to have good subjects! I shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> -be sorry if Sister N. goes, for I think that in time she -may make a good novice mistress and so relieve that -daughter<a name="FNanchor_C_30" id="FNanchor_C_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_30" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> whose mind is so wearied by the charge. -The continuance of this weariness of hers gives me -pain. Oh! my daughter, how true it is that we -must be more than women to serve God above all -natural humours and inclinations. Yet what happiness -so to subdue nature that grace reigns in its -stead! May it please the good God to assist us, for -we can do nothing without His succour.</p> - -<p>I have just written a line to M. Austrain, who begs -of us to keep his daughter at least till September. -We will willingly do so for his sake, but I own to you, -daughter, that she is no gain to us.<a name="FNanchor_D_31" id="FNanchor_D_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_D_31" class="fnanchor">[D]</a></p> - -<p>Still no news from Rome. I think His grace the -Archbishop<a name="FNanchor_E_32" id="FNanchor_E_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_E_32" class="fnanchor">[E]</a> would be glad to help us should this -business be delayed. Beg of him, I beseech you, -to push on the matter and above all by using the -privileges which the Father Procurator says that -he has obtained for us. It is really impossible to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> -submit to anything else. I think, daughter, that -you will do well to write him a humble, dignified, -earnest request on the subject, for I fear the Father -Procurator may be a little slow in following it up: -but write as from yourself. My child, I must conclude. -May God be all to you. Amen.</p> - -<p>May His goodness be blessed. Believe me to be -always devoted to you and Sister Barbe Marie and -to all your daughters.... My child, I write in -such haste that I forget half of what I want to say. -Yes, indeed, most willingly will we make a chalice -veil for you, but not until the very hot weather is -over, for one cannot work neatly while it lasts. I -do not know if we have the silks: Sister Péronne -Marie says we have not, but she will write to you -about it.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_28" id="Footnote_A_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_28"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Projected foundations in these towns.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_29" id="Footnote_B_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_29"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> A Sister at Lyons who enjoyed great spiritual consolations. -Her name is not given.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_C_30" id="Footnote_C_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_30"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> Sister Marie Aimée de Blonay.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_D_31" id="Footnote_D_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_D_31"><span class="label">[D]</span></a> In another letter to Mother Favre, dated July 3rd, -1617, Saint Jane Frances writes: "The little Christine is -very much frightened at the prospect of returning to her -father (M. Austrain), for she knows that he does not want -her, and she dislikes still more the thought of going to St. -Ursula. A lady came here from Neuville some time ago, -and ever since the little Austrain has desired to be sent -there. She is now imploring her father to let her go to that -town. Help us, I beg of you, to get rid of her quietly and -with courage."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_E_32" id="Footnote_E_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_E_32"><span class="label">[E]</span></a> Mgr. de Marquemont.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXIII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Jeanne Charlotte de Bréchard, Superior at -Moulins. On the death of the Saint's daughter, Madame de Thorens.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_33" id="FNanchor_A_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_33" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>September, 1617.</i></p> - -<p>Ah, Lord Jesus, grant that we may love Thee -perfectly and Thee alone. His divine Goodness has -truly pierced the depths of my heart, and I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> -overwhelmed with sorrow at the death of my -daughter de Thorens. Yet what can I do but lovingly -kiss the dear hand that has given this terrible blow? -May it be blessed for ever! Indeed, this daughter -was as lovable and as sensible as could be found at -her age. I admired her great virtue and was -consoled to see her firm resolve to dedicate herself -entirely to God. O good Jesus, I did not deserve -to have such a companion, and perhaps it was not -good for us to have in this life such enjoyment and -such contentment as she and I had in one another's -society. So she is happy in the sovereign good -which I have always desired for her, and God has -surrounded my affliction with so many mercies and -favours that trying to forget myself in my righteous -sorrow I bless and thank Him for a grace which I -dearly prize.<a name="FNanchor_B_34" id="FNanchor_B_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_34" class="fnanchor">[B]</a></p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_33" id="Footnote_A_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_33"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Marie Aimée de Chantal was born in 1593; married, in -1609, Bernard de Sales, Baron de Thorens: died in 1617. -In September of this year the young widow gave birth to a -daughter at the Visitation Monastery, Annecy, where she -happened to be staying, and was unexpectedly taken ill. -The infant only lived to receive baptism, and Marie Aimée -died two days later, having made her profession in the -Order on her deathbed. St. Francis de Sales, who received -her vows, said he had never seen so holy a death.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_34" id="Footnote_B_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_34"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> The rest of this letter has been cut off.</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p></div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXIV.<br /> -<i>To M. de Neuchèze, the Saint's nephew.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>November 6th, 1617.</i></p> - -<p>I feel sure, my dearest nephew, that, alas! you -must already know of the death of my dear one.<a name="FNanchor_A_35" id="FNanchor_A_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_35" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> -Five days after her decease we announced the news -to Mgr. of Bourges,<a name="FNanchor_B_36" id="FNanchor_B_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_36" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> but I fear the letters may -have been lost. It has truly, my child, been a great -grief to me to be deprived of the presence of this -dear, amiable daughter, but with all my heart I -adore and embrace the divine will which has sent -me this sorrow. There is much to console me in her -happy and holy death, while I am almost in despair -at the thought of the state of soul of your cousin.<a name="FNanchor_C_37" id="FNanchor_C_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_37" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> -So miserable am I about it that I do not know which -way to turn, if not to the Providence of God, there -to bury my longings, confiding to His hands not only -the honour but even the salvation of this already -half lost child. Oh! the incomparable anguish of -this affliction! No other grief, my dearest nephew, -can come near to it. If it were not that I am tied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> -down here by a violent ague I would have already -set out to be with him. I am asking him to come -to me: if he does not, I beseech Mgr. of Bourges to -find some pretext for visiting him, and for remaining -with him till he comes to Nantua. Alas! he must -be helped. I implore of you to do all you can in -the matter. I can say no more. I am overwhelmed -with sorrow, and my tears blind me. Obtain for -him the prayers of all those good souls who walk -steadily in the fear of God. My salutations to all -the household. My dearest nephew, may His goodness -grant you all blessings.</p> - -<p>Believe me always your humble aunt and servant,</p> - -<p class="right"> -Sister J. F. Frémyot of the Visitation.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_35" id="Footnote_A_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_35"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The Saint's daughter, Madame de Thorens.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_36" id="Footnote_B_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_36"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Archbishop of Bourges, brother of St. Jane Frances. -M. de Neuchèze was Vicar-General and Chancellor of his -Diocese.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_C_37" id="Footnote_C_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_37"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> The Saint's son, Celse Benigne.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXV.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Lyons.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>25th November, 1617.</i></p> - -<p>This severe mortification which the good N. has -given you is, my dearest daughter, the fruit of the -holy cross. Ah! may God grant us the grace to -profit by every mortification that He sends us. You -are indeed blessed; for see how the divine Saviour -lays on you burden upon burden. May His goodness -give you His holy strength. He will do so, daughter,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> -for with your whole soul you have given yourself -into the arms of divine Providence, and you have no -other arms to bear you up and no other breast on -which to repose in love save His. Abide there as a -gentle dove in all simplicity and tranquility, not -making account of your afflictions but looking only -at the <i>Heart</i> of Him who has sent them to you.</p> - -<p>Here we have truly shed many tears and prayed -much for our dear one who is taken from us.<a name="FNanchor_A_38" id="FNanchor_A_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_38" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> I -have, however, much consolation; for could there -have come a greater happiness to this pure and -innocent soul than to meet her Saviour? Rejoice -in her repose, my dearest daughter.</p> - -<p>In order not to lose this opportunity of writing to -you I am doing so without having given myself time -to look over your letters again. Believe me, -daughter, that if we are faithful to our vocation, -and if in our little efforts we seek only the pure glory -of God, His majesty will raise us up.</p> - -<p>His Lordship wishes us to make another attempt -before sending to Rome M. de Sainte-Catherine, who -will be an admirable agent. God will help us, -daughter, but we must keep lowly and patient and -let ourselves be trampled under foot. His Lordship -hopes that this new petition, supported by our -Rules and the testimonials, will settle the matter. -If the Archbishop thinks well to write a new letter -of recommendation, from himself, to this gentleman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> -who is acting for him, it is quite as it should be, so -long as this gentleman acts in unison with the Father -Procurator of the Barnabites. But to ask him to -send these attestations to the house of Lyons would, -I think, be loss of time, as they have already been -sent here. The Prince, on his side, has heard that -the matter is being taken up warmly. Ah! well, -we have done what we can, and the success of it we -must leave to the Providence of God and ask Him -to guide and fashion this work according to His holy -will. I hope we shall have some news in a few weeks.</p> - -<p>His Lordship left us yesterday, and he asked me -to send you his apologies for not having written to -you, but he will write from Grenoble. He is absolutely -overwhelmed with business. We spoke of -our vow of obedience, and he believes it to be -pleasing to God. He asked me how you bore that -sharp mortification; but alas! I could not tell him.</p> - -<p>Yes, my dear daughter, we read the Catechism to -the Sisters four times a week,<a name="FNanchor_B_39" id="FNanchor_B_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_39" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> and if any one wants -to know over and above what is in the book I check -her, saying that she and I must submit our understandings -to what we read without questioning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> -beyond, and this I find does much good, for such as -we are very ignorant.</p> - -<p>Thank you a thousand times for the beautiful wax -candles. They are most acceptable, but one lasts -for a whole year. We have never seen the blessed -grains of incense.</p> - -<p>Please forward the packet from Dôle at once, and -securely. There is one from his Lordship from -Paris. My darling, I am wholly yours and salute -you all.</p> - -<p>This St. Catherine's Day.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_38" id="Footnote_A_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_38"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Madame de Thorens, the Saint's daughter.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_39" id="Footnote_B_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_39"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> St. Jane Frances' insistence on the simple Catechism -instructions was peculiarly applicable to the time in which -she lived, for the Jansenist heresy, added to the errors -of Protestantism, gave rise to a subtle and questioning -attitude of mind, and women, misled by their masters in -error, set themselves up as Doctors in the new heretical -schools of learning.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXVI.<br /> -<i>To Madame de la Fléchère.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_40" id="FNanchor_A_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_40" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1617.</p> - -<p>Oh! may our most good and sweet Saviour be the -strength and life of your soul, which is dear to me in -very truth beyond all others, with, as you know, one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> -exception, which does not bear comparison. Ah! -my Sister, let us by faithful obedience press forward, -enlarging our love for this all lovable Saviour. No, -we have it not in our power to render Him a service, -we are of too small account for that, but in the name -of His Goodness let us do all we can to please Him, -depending on Him, and on His Providence, so that -it may be our sole support. I have no time to -write, but I must send you this line to content my -own heart and to salute yours. Adieu, and good -morning, my Sister all dear to me.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_40" id="Footnote_A_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_40"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> In writing to a mutual friend, M. Philippe de Quoex, -St. Francis de Sales says of Madame de la Fléchère: "With -the exception of Madame de Chantal I do not think that I -have ever met in any woman a soul stronger, a mind more -reasonable, a humility more sincere." Madame de la -Fléchère lived at Rumilly, and was a lifelong friend of St. -Jane Frances, to whom she gave her château for a Visitation -foundation, which Convent her daughter Françoise de -la Fléchère in later years governed. Madame de la Fléchère -was received into the Order on her deathbed. -</p> -<p> -There are no less than sixty letters extant from St. -Francis de Sales to Madame de la Fléchère.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXVII.<br /> -<i>To Sister Paule Jéronyme de Monthoux,<a name="FNanchor_A_41" id="FNanchor_A_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_41" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Mistress -of Novices at Annecy.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Grenoble</span>, 1618.</p> - -<p>I have received all your letters, my poor dear -daughter; they came in two sets and you have had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> -replies to the first five, but I still have four by me -with questions to answer.</p> - -<p>There is no doubt whatever that the novices should -have recourse to their Mistress in every matter, -which the Rule says they are to treat with her, and -it is but fitting that they should be as exact as possible -on this point. Sister Assistant should give her -instructions through you: for to act otherwise would -be very prejudicial to them.</p> - -<p>Yes, you do well to tell me the more important -things, but you do wrong to call me a Saint. Take -it to confession, and never do it again. My God! -I am nothing but a sink of miseries.</p> - -<p>You are right to devote yourself as much as -possible to your duties in the novitiate. The body -is indeed a poor thing, yet be careful to do nothing -to injure your health. May God bless your remedies, -though I very much doubt their curing you: however, -in all things we must look solely for His good -pleasure. You are quite wrong, my daughter, in -thinking that Sister Assistant is not altogether open -with you. Do not make such reflections and don't -hesitate about taking your own line. Has not good -M. —— the Senator been right? Remember me -most affectionately and respectfully to him. Meantime -I am very much concerned about your illness. -You ought to consult the doctor and do whatever -he tells you. Salute the good man cordially -for me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> - -<p>How is it the infirmarian never gives me one word -of news? Well, my dear, I am very fond of her all the -same. I beg of her to gain the mastery over that -heart of hers so that she may train herself to gentleness -and simple observance; however, I will tell this -dear daughter, Marie Adrienne (Fichet), of this -myself. I am glad that you are employing little -Sister Françoise Marguerite (Favrot). Test her -well so that she may advance in the virtues of -religion.</p> - -<p>If these dear novices hold fast to all that is marked -down for them, and I entreat them to do so, they -will make great progress. Do not be afraid to write -quite candidly to me; letters are slow but sure in -coming. I wish you could be a little clearer and -more detailed in speaking of the causes which -prevent the Superior from being quite fitted for her -office; I thought they were exterior rather than -interior. Ah! what a pity that our negligence should -be of such prejudice to the service of our good God. -Write openly and walk faithfully in uprightness, -simplicity, and great gentleness, bearing with your -neighbour, and supporting her without stint. Seek -God in all things and be faithful to Him. He looks -to the intention. Speak out boldly, with entire -confidence to our good M. Michel; he is a good and -sincere man. Adieu, my daughter. May the great -Jesus make you all His own. Amen.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_41" id="Footnote_A_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_41"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Sister Paule Jéronyme de Monthoux de Annemasse -was the first Superior of the foundation of Nevers, 1620, and -in 1625 of that of Blois. Her biographer, Mother de Chaugy, -tells us that in the houses she founded the virtues of -simplicity, poverty, and humility were so successfully -implanted by her that it could truly be said: "The workman -is recognized in the perfection of his work." She died -at Blois in 1661, where her memory was held in such -veneration that a tombstone was erected in her honour, -half of which tombstone was in the Nun's choir and half -in the secular chapel, in order thus to satisfy the devotion -of the people.</p></div> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXVIII.<br /> -<i>To M. Michel Favre, Confessor to St. Francis de -Sales, and to the Religious of the Visitation at Annecy.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Grenoble</span>, 1618.</p> - -<p>Most truly, good Father and dear son, do I long -for leisure to write as my heart dictates to you, but -it is impossible. My feelings towards you are those -of a mother, and greatly have you consoled me by -your kindness in telling me how God has made -known His will to those two dear sisters who aspire -to Him and find their rest in His paternal bosom. -It gives me ineffable consolation, seeing that I myself -have this same attraction, but I should like to know -the very words that were communicated to them so -that I may feed my soul upon them. This I say -from my heart. Give me then this satisfaction, and -do you also nourish yourself with this sacred manna. -Truly having this, how can we seek elsewhere for -other place of security and rest?</p> - -<p>Alas! dear Father, how pitiable are our infirmities -and imperfections! These two Sisters appear to me -to be unduly observant of one another. They have -this defect by nature, and I think it better that I -should not tell them of it, lest they suffer from -jealousy, both having so much affection for me and -such a desire to please me; but if you put it before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> -them and induce them to be more simple, cordial, -and open with one another that is all that is needed -to set matters right, for I plainly see that each fears -to do wrong. Sister Assistant, who seems to me the -least in fault, ought to divert Sister N.'s mind, and -be trustful and more companionable, compassionately -bearing with her, and in this way draw her out of her -melancholy. That is how I should act, and by so -doing I have often relieved and cured souls: warming -their hearts with confidence, talking over matters -with them quite openly, while consulting them as if -I had need of their advice, and trusting them; yet -referring neither to their state of melancholy, nor to -the subjects on which they philosophize; neither to -their difficulties nor to the concerns of their neighbour. -In a word, let these sisters act as charity will -teach them, if they but ask Our Lord. For, as our very -dear Lord<a name="FNanchor_A_42" id="FNanchor_A_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_42" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> said to me yesterday, "It is to the humble -souls that the divine Goodness gives true wisdom."</p> - -<p>Verily, if there is any lack of conformity to the -teachings of our Institute it is most improper that -the sister novices should know of it. This is a thing -of importance, and is too serious to be dealt with -merely as we may feel inclined. The Mistress should -lead the Novices according to the ordinary exercises -of the house, and if on some occasion she differs in -opinion as to these, she should communicate with -the Superior, and learn from her how to act. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> -for ordinary things, when the sisters who are under -the charge of the Mistress come to speak to the -Superior of their interior state and their difficulties -she should, before answering, ask them if they have -spoken to their Mistress and what she said on the -subject. If their Mistress has wisely instructed, let -her confirm what the Mistress has said, and encourage -them to follow her direction; if, on the contrary, -the Mistress has led them astray she ought -not to let the novice know it, but put her imperceptibly -on the right way, and then go herself to the -Mistress, talk the matter over with her, instructing -her, and instilling into her a desire to serve the -Sisters affectionately. To me it seems always better, -when necessary, to nourish the esteem and confidence -of the novices for their Mistress. I should like the -Superior to speak to them as far as possible only -through her, except when the Rule ordains otherwise. -But I have already written so much about -this that I hope it will be done; for I certainly see -that our Sister Assistant has an excellent heart. -She must be encouraged to get out of herself, and to -seek the advancement and repose of the Sisters with -simplicity and integrity: only speaking to them for -this end, and to console them: for sometimes for our -own satisfaction we have an awkward way of teasing -and worrying others by inopportunely returning to a -subject which we should never do if we gave ourselves -time to reflect.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> - -<p>I write to you as to a trusty friend. Manage it -all, very dear Father, as you think best. It seems -to me that if you do it as coming from yourself it -will be better received than if they thought you had -complained to me, or than if I said it myself.</p> - -<p>Certainly this life is full of mortifications, therefore -it is necessary to keep ourselves above it, looking -for a better life in which you will clearly see how -sincerely I am,</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_42" id="Footnote_A_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_42"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> St. Francis de Sales.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXIX.<br /> -<i>To Sister Anne Marie Rosset, Assistant at Annecy.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Grenoble</span>, 1618.</p> - -<p>It will be a great comfort to you, my very dear -Sister, to see His Lordship,<a name="FNanchor_A_43" id="FNanchor_A_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_43" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> and to hear that all the -people here expect to become more fervent in the -service of Our Lord by means of this house. God -grant it may be so! What a consolation it is to -hear that Sister Paule Jéronyme is fulfilling so well -her very important charge. I hope all our dear -Sisters will by a faithful and strict observance of -our holy Rules advance every day in the way of -Our Lord. To this fidelity, in the name of our -sweetest Saviour, I exhort them, and I embrace -them all in spirit with true and most sincere love. -They should continue as the Rule teaches, and with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> -earnestness, to pray for the health and the growth -in holiness of his Lordship. And let them neither -forget us, nor the other new and dear foundations -that are being planted here and there by the hand -of Our Lord; for these ought to be as dear to us as -our own, since it is the divine Will that we dwell in -perfect union of heart, as by the grace of God we do. -Salute all our friends for me, especially dear Madame -de la Valbonne, not forgetting my poor old Sister -Anne Jacqueline, nor my friends the workmen, for -whom I have a great liking.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_43" id="Footnote_A_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_43"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> St. Francis de Sales left Grenoble to return to Annecy -just at this time.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXX.<br /> -<i>To Sister Paul Jéronyme de Monthoux, Mistress of Novices at Annecy.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Grenoble</span>,</span><br /> -<i>26th April, 1618.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My poor Jéronyme</span>,</p> - -<p>I know all about your little difficulties with -good Sister Assistant. You were like two children, -but I see by your last letter you are now simple and -frank as children ought to be with one another. -What pleasure this gives me! It is just how I desire -to see the heart of my dearest little Jéronyme. You -must keep it up and make no reflections whatever -on the past. As it helps you so much to tell me -about your troubles, do so, my daughter, for I am -very glad to know them. You will have to be very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> -very generous in bearing with yourself and with -others. Certainly, speak out fearlessly, in a spirit -of charity and cordial confidence, to Sister Assistant -of all you think proper. God be praised for the -satisfactory way in which your dear novices are -getting on. You should be continually helping them -to advance, but do it gently, and bear with the little -weaknesses which are in some. Yes, the Mistress -can speak to them when necessary at their assembly -and can send a young professed sister to fetch her -work. Their letters ought to be given to her, who -can doubt it? She can also speak to the novices -during great silence but not without necessity. -Should the number in the novitiate be considerable -you must, in a spirit of charity, take what time you -think necessary to satisfy them. I have a great -affection for you, child. No, no; you must not say -to the Sister Assistant, "Our Mother would not do -that," unless it be in council, and then only if -necessary and with great respect.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>XXXI.<br /> -<i>To Madame de la Fléchère.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Bourges</span>,</span><br /> -<i>2nd February, 1619.</i></p> - -<p>Only one word, my dearest Sister, for it is not long -since I wrote to you, and I await good news of you. -My own, thank God, is good. Our little house goes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> -on peaceably, its good odour increasing. As to my -children, I hope my daughter's marriage with M. de -Foras will soon be arranged, and that she will settle -in Burgundy.<a name="FNanchor_A_44" id="FNanchor_A_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_44" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> - -<p>My son<a name="FNanchor_B_45" id="FNanchor_B_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_45" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> gives me as keen a sorrow as ever a mother -could suffer—the cause I will tell you when we meet. -He is at court, brave and gallant as he can be, and -they tell me, that he is resolved to conduct himself -well and to make his fortune. My own wish is that -he should do so with our good Prince, but I know -not what he will do. My dear Father will help him. -I am overwhelmed with letters that have to be -answered, so I must conclude. O, my very dear -Sister, may the great Jesus be our only love! -Amen.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_44" id="Footnote_A_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_44"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> This marriage never took place, for, though St. Jane -Frances desired it, Françoise could not make up her mind -to accept the gentleman.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_45" id="Footnote_B_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_45"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Celse Benigne, in whose character good and bad -qualities were so mingled that he was at once the joy and -the anguish of his mother, each time he risked the life of -both his soul and body by the unfortunate duels in which -he was so often engaged, nearly broke her heart. In -order to avoid the seductions of Paris and the dangerous -influence of his friends, the Saint was anxious to have him -attached to the Court of Savoy, but her project did not -find favour with the young Baron.</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p></div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXXII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Jeanne Charlotte de Bréchard, Superior at Moulins.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>July 9th, 1619.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>This is only a line to announce the arrival of -a good young lady<a name="FNanchor_A_46" id="FNanchor_A_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_46" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> whom his Lordship and I are -sending to you. She needs a home to retire to, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -ardently desires to find it with us. Now, as we cannot -have her here, we hope you will welcome her -and look after her lovingly and charitably. She is -a lady of quality and can give a good pension. She -will not come to you for a fortnight, so that you may -have time to get everything suitably ready for her. -See that she has a little room with a very neat and -comfortable bed and all things as we are accustomed -to have them. Adieu, she will give you all our news. -Do not expect his Lordship for the clothing ceremony. -Alas! this good and dear Father feels far from well. -Pray for him. I wrote to you the other day.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_46" id="Footnote_A_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_46"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The lady so charitably recommended to Mother de -Bréchard was Mademoiselle de Morville (Madame du -Tertre). Left a widow at twenty-two, she had long before -given herself up to a life of vanity and worldly pleasure. -Her parents, anxious to safeguard her honour and the -future of her children, procured for her an introduction to -St. Francis de Sales, who was then in Paris. The result of -this acquaintance was that Madame du Tertre quickly -renounced her unedifying life and asked to be admitted into -a Visitation Monastery, not as an aspirant to religious life -but as a secular benefactress. -</p> -<p> -Thinking it desirable to remove her to a distance from -Paris, where the temptations to return to her former life -might prove too strong for one so weak and so recently -converted, St. Francis arranged with her family and with -Mother de Chantal to ask Mother de Bréchard to give her a -home in her convent. His solicitude was ill repaid. This -volatile and mischievous young woman brought endless -bitterness to his heart, and to that of St. Jane Frances, -while she was the source of misery and contention in the -community in which she lived. In due time, acting upon -the advice of their holy Founder, who was ever too hopeful -in his views about Madame du Tertre, she was allowed to -make her profession, but she soon relapsed into her former -disedifying and uncontrolled manner of living, thereby -becoming the cause of great suffering to the Institute. A -letter of St. Jane Frances' shows that her repentance at -the end was genuine, and that she died happily in peace -with God.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXXIII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Péronne Marie de Châtel, Superior at Grenoble.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>, 1619.</p> - -<p>You ask me, my dear daughter, if we are poor. -Yes, indeed we are, but I hardly ever give it a -thought. Heaven and earth may pass away, but -the word of God remains eternally as the foundation -of our hope. He has said that if we seek His kingdom -and His justice all the rest shall be added unto us. -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>I believe Him, and I trust in Him. The extreme -necessity in which we sometimes find ourselves gives -us opportunities of practising holy confidence in -God and rare perfection. Truly we already see how -wise it is to adhere to Him and to hope in Him -against all human hope, for our foundation has been -a thousand times more successful than we dared to -anticipate.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>XXXIV.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Lyons.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>September 29, 1619.</i></p> - -<p>What a great consolation for you, my very dear -daughter, to have the joy of a little visit from our -dearest Father! It is such a relief that he is out of -Paris, where the epidemic<a name="FNanchor_A_47" id="FNanchor_A_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_47" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> is so bad that his -departure was a delight to me. Although it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> -surrounds us do not fear for us, daughter, only pray -earnestly that we may accomplish the most holy -will of our good God. I have every confidence that -nothing will happen but what is His good pleasure, -and what pleases Him pleases us. So if it is His -will I shall often write to you, and I will address all -my letters to his Lordship, who has desired me to -keep him well acquainted with our news. I wish -you could find out the best address for our letters -and tell me also how you will send yours. It would -be well to take advantage of M. Rousselet when he -returns to this town, for he has a brother at Lyons.</p> - -<p>I do not give you any news, dear daughter, for I -have commissioned my nephew de Boisy to do it; -and besides, you know it is a thing which is distasteful -to me. One thing only is necessary—to possess -God, and for this I have a burning desire. This -alone is happiness. All the rest is mere smoke. -Cling then with constancy to this holy aim. Write -to me of your interior state: you will be reviewing -it now.<a name="FNanchor_B_48" id="FNanchor_B_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_48" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> O God, how I love that heart of my great -and dear daughter! I long to see it generous, pure, -perfect, in a word united in a holy union with the -<i>Heart</i> of its amiable and adorable God. Adieu, my -daughter, a thousand good mornings to you and to -your dear flock. I do not know if his Grace of -Lyons has returned: he will mayhap want to delay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> -the change of your congregation into a monastery.<a name="FNanchor_C_49" id="FNanchor_C_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_49" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> -It is, however, expedient that it should be done -before you are taken away. His Lordship will speak -to you of this. But it must be managed very tactfully. -One word in conclusion. Test your daughters -well before their profession.</p> - -<p>Adieu, my daughter. I am always yours in Our -Lord. You know this. May He be blessed! St. -Michael's Day.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_47" id="Footnote_A_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_47"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> We read in the inedited "Foundations of the First -Monastery of Paris": "In the years 1619 and 1620 God -permitted a terrible plague to break out in Paris. Terror -drove away not only the court but almost the entire population, -who sought safety in flight. So deserted did this -great city become that we are told the grass grew in the -streets. As might be expected in such circumstances, the -alms upon which our newly established Community subsisted -entirely ceased, and to add to our misfortunes we -were surrounded by infected houses. All day long we -could hear the tinkle of the little bell that announced the -passing of the death waggon in front of the house."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_48" id="Footnote_B_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_48"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> The autumn has always been the season appointed for -the annual Retreats of the Sisters of the Visitation.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_C_49" id="Footnote_C_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_49"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> The Archbishop of Lyons, Mgr. de Marquemont, -although the first to urge that the Visitation should have -enclosure and solemn vows, was the last to put in force the -Bull erecting it into a Religious Order. He held back in -the hope of inducing the house at Lyons to undertake -the reciting of the great Canonical Office.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXXV.<br /> -<i>To Sister Marie-Avoye Humbert, at Moulins.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>, 1619.</p> - -<p>I want you to know, my dear little daughter, what -a great consolation your letter has been to me. You -have portrayed your interior state with much -simplicity, and believe me, little one, I tenderly love -that heart of yours and would willingly undergo -much for its perfection. May God hear my prayer, -and give you the grace to cut short these perpetual -reflections on everything that you do. They dissipate -your spirit. May He enable you instead to use -all your powers and thoughts in the practice of such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> -virtues as come in your way. How happy would -you then be, and I how consoled! Make a fresh -start in good earnest, my darling, I beg of you. For -faults of inadvertence and suchlike, humble yourself -in spirit before God, and after that do not give them -another thought. You will do this, will you not, -my love? Ah, do! I ask it through the love you -bear to your poor mother. For the rest, say out -boldly everything in your letters; they always console -me. Let nothing worry you. Always yours -in sincerity. Pray much for me. May the sweet -Jesus accomplish in you His holy will!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>XXXVI.<br /> -<i>To the Sisters of the Visitation of Bourges.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>October 3, 1619.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My beloved Daughters</span>,</p> - -<p>The affection I bear you is my only motive -in striving to serve and console you: I need no other -spur, for that one is boundless. But God does not -intend that we should see each other for the present, -and we willingly submit our desires to His holy will. -Meanwhile, let us prepare ourselves by a greater -fidelity to observance to profit by the occasion should -He arrange a meeting for us.</p> - -<p>Above all things, dear daughters, dwell together,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> -I beseech of you, in a great and magnanimous love -of His holy will, and a gentle mutual support of -one another, which will ravish the <span class="smcap">Heart</span> of the -sovereign Goodness: for our good Saviour has said -that it is by our love for one another that we shall -be recognized as His disciples.</p> - -<p>No leisure for more—I recommend myself to your -prayers. May God dwell habitually in your midst -and heap upon you His choicest graces!</p> - -<p>Yours always in Him. May He be blessed!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>XXXVII.<br /> -<i>To the Sisters of the Visitation of Moulins.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>December 14th, 1619.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughters</span>,</p> - -<p>We are now beginning a new year, and with -my whole heart I come to beg a favour of you. For -the sake of the honour and privilege of being -daughters of Our Lady will you not grant it to me? -for all the affection of which I am capable is bound -up in the asking. It is this, to make a strong and -effectual resolve to walk in the way of exact observance, -obeying simply, in all humility and meekness.</p> - -<p>In the name of God, let not self-conceit be seen -amongst you, nor desire of offices, nor of high places;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> -but rather, in the knowledge of your own weaknesses -and miseries, cultivate a great love of humiliations, -of self-abasement, and of all things lowly. Never -use sharp words one to another. Holy gentleness, -cordiality, and union of heart should reign instead -among you, so that a gracious affability may season -all your words and actions, and no shadow of -repugnance ever show itself. Do not think about -whether you are loved more or less than another. -Kill such little foxes, I pray you, for they will steal -away the peace of your hearts. We should never -desire to be loved, but believe that we get as much -affection as God sees good for us.</p> - -<p>Never make questions as to whom the charges are -given; never desire them. The divine will ought to -be the rule of our will and enough for us. Now, -my dear Sisters, give the Holy Virgin, our Lady, the -pleasure of seeing you serve our sweet Master, her -dear Son, by being faithful to these little counsels -which I give on their part, and in their presence. -I ask this of you through the infinite goodness of -the Son and Mother, while I beseech them to grant -you a superabundance of graces and their eternal -benediction. Amen.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>XXXVIII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Péronne-Marie de Châtel,<a name="FNanchor_A_50" id="FNanchor_A_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_50" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Superior at Grenoble.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>January 13th, 1620.</i></p> - -<p>Ah! how is it, my darling, my dearest daughter, -that you expect a severe letter from me? I tell -you candidly, and glory be to God for it, your heart -is too good to deserve scolding, and even if it were -not, I have no inclination to scold. In a letter which -I received from his Lordship speaking of the houses -(of the Institute) that he has visited, he says: "To -speak quite openly, at Grenoble I have found one -who is a Superior altogether after my own heart." -Now, you may imagine, my daughter, what good it -did my heart to hear this. Yes, indeed I love you -very dearly, but I can give you no better advice than -to walk straight on in your own path, which is a -good one, without turning to right or left. You -are wonderful in the way you complain of yourself. -Remember, that if God permits you to be so unfaithful, -He allows these little negligences so that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> -you may always have wherewith to humble yourself. -When God consoles you receive His consolations -quite simply, accepting alike good and ill. -In a word, my daughter, you must unite yourself -to God in everything, and by everything, and lead -your daughters in the same way. As to a spiritual -Father, nothing more can be done. You must -continue to have patience for a little longer and God -will provide you with one. Meanwhile be all things -to your daughters, and then all will go well. It is -a great consolation to hear that they are so good. -Oh! Lord Jesus, pour down Thy graces upon this -chosen company. Pray much for us. The choice -of a house here depends upon his Lordship, and we -are at our wits' end to find a suitable one; however, -we hope to be settled this summer. Well, my -daughter, God alone suffices; were He our only consolation, -and did we never wish for any other, how -happy we should be! Let us hold to this, for -nothing else matters. Adieu, my love. Pray, and get -prayers for my children, I beseech you. You are -most truly, believe me, the very dear daughter of -my heart.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_50" id="Footnote_A_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_50"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Such was the reputation for fervour of the Monastery of -Grenoble that many distinguished members of the Society -of Jesus, and of other Orders, spoke of it as a "Furnace of -Prayer," and a "School of Virtues," but the humility of -Mother de Châtel hid from her the great work that God was -accomplishing through her means in her own community.</p></div> -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XXXIX.<br /> -<i>To Mademoiselle de Chantal.</i></h2> - -<p class="center">[The Saint tells her daughter of M. de Toulonjon's proposal -of marriage.]</p> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>, 1620.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Let us bless God who takes such care of His -children who trust in Him. His divine Providence -is arranging for you something that I think you will -like: and for my part, it is altogether desirable to me. -Your brother is going to see you and he will tell you -about the gentleman,<a name="FNanchor_A_51" id="FNanchor_A_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_51" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> whom you do not know but -who has seen you. He is our neighbour at Monthelon, -a fine straightforward, brave gentleman, rich -too, and with a very well-appointed house. We are -extremely pleased at the honourable way in which -he comes to make his courtship. Tell me promptly -and candidly, I beg of you, my dear daughter, if -your affections are free, for if so, and that you -continue as reasonable and submissive as you -promised me to be in your last letter, you will be -happier than you or I could have dreamt of. For -the love of God, my darling, put your whole heart -entirely into the hands of God and don't let yourself -be prejudiced by any foolish talking, or taken up -with silly thoughts and apprehensions. Let us act,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> -for your happiness is dearer to us than it is to -yourself.</p> - -<p>If it please the great God to bring this affair to a -satisfactory termination, verily you will be happy -and well pleased, for this gentleman is all that I -could desire for you. All the rest I leave for your -brother to tell you. Do not speak about this matter -to anyone, but pray and send me your answer as -soon as you can. Now don't fail to do so. Write -by two routes and promptly. In fifteen days I shall -send to the coach office for your answer, and I beg -of you to have it there for me. As regards other -business, I have already asked you to urge M. -Coulon to sell Foretz. Be sure to see to this; for we -must have three thousand crowns in ready money, -as I have promised that sum. Arrange that M. -Coulon pays you in full, at latest within six months; -urge him, and be careful to see that there is no unnecessary -expenditure. I write in the greatest -haste. God bless you, my child. Unite with me in -praising and blessing Him always. I shall settle -things to your best advantage, so have no fear, -dearest daughter.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_51" id="Footnote_A_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_51"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> M. de Toulonjon.</p></div> - -</div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XL.<br /> -<i>To Mother Jeanne Charlotte de Bréchard, Superior at Moulins.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>March 12th, 1620.</i></p> - -<p>I know well, my dearest Sister, how deeply you -felt the news of my son's accident,<a name="FNanchor_A_52" id="FNanchor_A_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_52" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> for your heart -is so full of love for me that all my sorrows are -sorrows to you. I did not mention it when writing -because I did not think of it. God has given me the -grace not to be very much upset by this news, which -was broken to me bluntly enough. Indeed, it was -an unlooked for happening, and one in which a wiser -man than he could not have refused to come to the -assistance of an injured friend. Such is the way of -the world. All the same he got into trouble about -it, without, however, being too much inconvenienced, -and the affair is now all settled. The good gentleman -whom the sergeant tried to take away was -badly wounded and has not yet recovered; but -thank God all the rest are on their feet again.</p> - -<p>Your prayers will be of use to my son and he needs -them. We are thinking of marrying my daughter<a name="FNanchor_B_53" id="FNanchor_B_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_53" class="fnanchor">[B]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> -to M. de Toulonjon, the brother of Mme. de la -Poivrière. The matter has been proposed to us -through M. Dautesy. My nephew d'Effran and my -son know him well, and they consider it a very -advantageous match for my daughter and advise me -not to refuse. The gentleman declared his intentions -most honourably and with all deference. He is a -frank, honest man.</p> - -<p>Do not speak of this for the present, my love, but -pray about it, for I fear my daughter's irresolution. -She is a painful anxiety to me.</p> - -<p>Our M. Lefevre has not come; if you can tell me -where he is staying I would invite him, or indeed -beg of him to come here; however, the chancellor is -very likely to be with the King.</p> - -<p>The girl I proposed to you as a lay sister lives near -Moulins, but if you have others whom you yourself -know, do not trouble about her, it does not signify. -Your plan of treating with the Sisters for the Nevers -foundation is, I consider, admirable. They have -done the same at Orleans. But, my dear friend, see -that everything is on a very secure footing and only -treat with good subjects, such as you know they -ought to be. For the rest visit and find out all -about the place they propose selling to you before -you purchase it, and arrange, if you can, as they -have done at Orleans, to purchase in case it proves -suitable, and if not desirable as a permanent residence, -to rent it. What you tell me about the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> -Carmelites wishing to take it keeps me in a state -of uncertainty, for they are extremely prudent and -have very competent people to help them. But the -good Father of our Sisters (Bonsidat) can do much -with the advice of the Jesuits. I think, or rather I -fear, they may be very glad to put us off now that -the Carmelites are coming. Indeed, we must put -the affair into the hands of God and follow good -counsel as you are doing. You should make quite -certain of the consent of the gentlemen of Nevers -and of the authorities of the town before taking the -Sisters there; for this reason we must obtain it, at -latest, by Easter, as it is so far from Nessy, and I -think those for Orleans will be sent by Pentecost. -By the way, you have not told me if they have sent -you a mistress of novices; but as dear Sister Marie -Hélène (de Chastellux) is doing so well I think you -might do with her. Certainly, my child, if the -Superior of Nevers is from Nessy that is enough. -Don't urge Mgr. of Lyons, but let him do as he likes. -Your spiritual Father can give permission for the -departure of the Sisters.</p> - -<p>You see I am writing in breathless haste. We are -always overwhelmed with work here; but to-day it -is because I have a heavy cold for which I was bled -yesterday. You know how subject I am to these -colds, but you need not be in the very least anxious -about me. Would to God, my dearest friend, that you -kept as well as I do, and that they took as much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> -care of you! It distresses me that you have no one -to look after you. May God in His goodness provide -you with someone! Take what care you can of -yourself, I beseech you.</p> - -<p>I have had no news of his Lordship for a long time, -but I know he is quite well. Thank God, I think he -will soon go to Piedmont. M. de Boisy is coadjutor -in the bishopric of Geneva. No more time. I -salute your dear family and your hostess. I cannot -write more. Good-bye, my dearest and best of -daughters, for whom I have such a special love. -Urge on your daughters gently in the way of holy -tranquillity and recollection. Amen.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_52" id="Footnote_A_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_52"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The young Baron de Chantal had just been compromised, -not in a duel, but in one of those sudden assaults -so common at that period, in which he took part in order to -defend a friend who had been attacked.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_53" id="Footnote_B_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_53"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Françoise de Chantal.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XLI.<br /> -<i>To Mademoiselle de Chantal.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>, 1620.</p> - -<p>Listen to this, daughter dear. M. de Toulonjon -finds himself free for eight or ten days, and off he is -going to know whether you consider him too old to -please you; for as regards everything else he is in -hopes of finding favour with you. As for me, to be -candid with you I see nothing to find fault within -him, and even nothing more to wish for. I never -before remember feeling such satisfaction about a -temporal matter. Our Lord has given me this -feeling. It is not so much this gentleman's good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> -nature and good birth that attracts me as his mind, -disposition, candour, his good sense, uprightness, -and reputation. In a word, my dear Françoise, we -may well bless God about this affair. In gratitude -to Him, my child, you should try to love and serve -Him better than you have ever done and to let -nothing whatsoever prevent you from frequenting -the sacraments and from practising humility and -gentleness. Take the Devout Life for your guide -and it will lead you safely. Do not lose your time -over such little vanities as jewels and clothes. You -are about to possess them in abundance, but, dear -daughter, never forget that we should use the good -things God gives us without being attached to them, -and everything that the world esteems should be -looked upon in this light. Henceforth, let your -ambition be to be adorned with honour and modest -discretion in the position into which you are about -to enter. Indeed I am gratified that your relatives -and I have arranged this marriage without you. It -is thus that the wise act, and I should like always -to be your counsellor. Besides, your brother, who -has a good judgment, is charmed with this alliance. -M. de Toulonjon it is true is some fifteen years your -senior, but, my child, you will be far happier with -him than if you married a foolish, inconsiderate -young scamp such as are the young men of to-day. -You are marrying a man who is nothing of all this, -who never gambles, but who has passed his life at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> -court and in the battlefield with honour and who has -a high appointment from the King. You will not -have the good judgment with which I credit you if -you do not receive him cordially and frankly. Do -so, my daughter, with a good grace, and be assured -that God has you in His mind and will not forget you -if you throw yourself tenderly into His arms, for He -takes care of those who trust in Him.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>XLII.<br /> -<i>To Sister Marie-Marthe Legros, at Bourges.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>, 1620.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Sister</span>,</p> - -<p>I understand perfectly, and have never -doubted but that your intention was upright. Don't -be afraid to tell me what you think it your duty to -mention, but, my love, do not worry yourself about -such things, if they are not manifest faults. Leave -them to the coadjutrix, who ought to do her duty -in all humility and cordiality. Tell her from me -that I will do all she asks me, but I cannot write -to her this time. For God's sake observe the rules -punctually, and have all of you but one heart and -one soul, and so will your love be perfect in Our -Lord. Give my affectionate love to my poor fat -Sister M. M., and dear little M. Louise; both are in -my heart. I wish all happiness to the two dear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> -daughters Marie-Françoise and Anne-Marie; I pray -God to give them and all of you the virtue of holy -obedience, the mother of all virtues.</p> - -<p>Be sure to tell the dear professed that they have a -bigger share of my heart than they dream of. But -as to the reception to the habit of Sister —— this -child has not the conditions marked, why then have -they given her their votes? They do not set -sufficient value on fidelity to the Rule. Votes should -never be given in the hope of amendment, you should -see the improvement first before giving the habit, -and the same with regard to Sister C. M.: she should -not make her profession at the end of the year. -Why! in truth she has only really conducted herself -as a novice for six months, so she ought, I consider, -to be kept back, and this will prove her perseverance -and bring home to her that she does not deserve to -be professed, and that with humility and submission, -such matters should be left in the hands of the -Superior, and the Sisters. By this prolongation of -her trial, her virtue and her dispositions will be -tested.</p> - -<p>May God in His goodness give you all His spirit, -and the grace to weigh well all our Rules, so that -they may be observed and followed even to the most -insignificant point, for in this our happiness consists.</p> - -<p>Adieu to you, my dear Sister, and to all our dear -professed. Let us love God and accomplish His -will, I beseech you, my dearly loved daughter.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>XLIII.<br /> -<i>To Madame du Tertre.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>11 August, 1620.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Having a little free time I make use of it to -beg of you in the name of God to accept the judgement -of the Bishop of Geneva, to whom you have -referred this affair, and who considers that what was -so deliberately settled on the house of Nevers should -remain with that house. You, my dearest daughter, -ought to be indifferent about such matters so long -as we give you all you desire. Why should you -trouble as to what use we make of your gift since -quite sufficient is provided for your maintenance? -If you keep to your holy desire of living amongst us -and giving yourself entirely to God you must, if you -please, trust his Lordship and show that you are -satisfied with his decision. As for us, we desire -neither law-suit nor contention, and a hundred times -would we prefer to return all you have given us -rather than retain it with the least accompanying -unpleasantness: for we value peace with holy poverty -incomparably more than all the goods this world -can give us.</p> - -<p>The Bishop of Geneva will not disclaim what I now -say to you. I am a little surprised that, since his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> -letters have arrived, we have received no news except -that much pressure is being brought to bear on our -Sisters of Nevers to induce them to return the money -they have received. It is their Bishop tells me this. -You understand, my very dear daughter, that if you -desire to persevere, as I believe you do, you must -please, now that you are acquainted with the views -of his Lordship of Geneva, cease to discuss this -matter.</p> - -<p>Our poor Sisters of both houses are sorely afflicted -at having to give ear to a style of conversation with -which they are unacquainted—peace is more to -them than such things. Let them have it, then, I -pray you.</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:5em;">Believe me,</span><br /> -Always yours, etc.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XLIV.<br /> -<i>To M. de Palierne, Treasurer of France at Moulins.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>August 15, 1620.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,</p> - -<p>Your regard for the Bishop of Geneva and -for our little Institute, together with the prudence -with which you have always guided our Convent of -Moulins, gives me hope that you will find a means -of adjusting the opposing claims of the Bishop of -Nevers and Madame du Tertre. The pregnant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> -arguments you put forward bear, I acknowledge, -great weight, but so do those of his Lordship of -Nevers. I see much to consider on both sides. Yet -I tell you frankly, and it seems to me that I am not -unreasonable in my opinion, that, in consideration -of Madame du Tertre's resolve to live with us, what -she has so freely given ought to be left with the house -of Nevers: otherwise she would have to make a -virtue of necessity, and this we should be sorry to -oblige her to do. But I am chiefly influenced by the -fact that the authorities of Nevers only gave permission -for the establishment of the Convent because -Madame du Tertre accompanied her petition by a -promise of ten thousand crowns, which promise was -followed by the actual purchase in her name of a -property, and the payment of a third of the foundation -money; and on the strength of this the Sisters -were received. Possession was afterwards taken of -the house. The Sisters were installed by the Bishop, -enclosure established, and the Blessed Sacrament -reserved. Since that day the Divine Office<a name="FNanchor_A_54" id="FNanchor_A_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_54" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> has been -continuously recited. Thus, the foundation is, as you -see, completely established. How, then, can Madame -du Tertre, having undertaken the financial establishment -of this house, now draw back without upsetting -the whole affair? For as his Lordship of Nevers has -upon two occasions plainly told me, the spiritual -foundation cannot exist without the temporal.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> -<p>Do you not see, Sir, that to do what this young -lady wishes would mean ruining one of our houses -to ensure abundance to the other house.</p> - -<p>My very dear brother, may I, Sir, so call you? -When writing to you, I have often thought of doing -so because of my sisterly confidence in, and affection -for you, and because of the obligations under which -you have placed me. This I say simply and frankly, -though perhaps somewhat unconventionally. Allow -me Sir, my very dear brother, to tell you that the -property is not ours to divide. As Madame du -Tertre no longer wishes to adhere to her first resolve, -she may be at liberty to take back what she has -given, but I do not know what justice would have -to say on this point. Still, putting justice aside, -the Bishop of Geneva would surely not approve of -our retaining one <i>teston</i><a name="FNanchor_B_55" id="FNanchor_B_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_55" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> that was not freely given. -Oh! of that there is no doubt. But as she has -entered amongst us, and as our house of Moulins is -satisfied with the twenty thousand francs she -brings, acknowledging that this sum is quite sufficient -to provide the young lady with all she requires, -and as the affair concerns our own houses, is it not -better to follow the advice of his Lordship of Geneva -and share the ten thousand crowns between the two -houses? or at least leave ten thousand francs to -Nevers, so that that house may not be ruined. It -was upon the assurance of this from our Moulins<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -sisters that those of Nevers decided to go to that -town. Before God, how can we possibly put into -the power of the Bishop of Nevers such a favourable -pretext for sending the sisters away? Oh! can you -not see, my very dear brother, how shameful it -would be, and how prejudicial to the service of God? -Although the houses are ours, and we have the -principal interest in them, the agreement has been -more to the advantage of this dear young lady than -to us. For with her twenty thousand francs she -possesses at Moulins all the privileges she could hope -for were it fifty thousand, and besides, when there is -just reason, in virtue of her title of benefactress, -she is free to pass on to Nevers and there enjoy the -same rights as are conferred on her at Moulins. This, -in my opinion, is a very just arrangement and I most -humbly beg of you to induce her to accept it. Use -your influence with her, I beseech of you, for the -honour and glory of God and of His Blessed Mother, -and also for the love you bear our little Institute. -Madame du Tertre desired to know the wishes of the -Bishop of Geneva, and he has acceded to her request. -Let her then accommodate herself to his views and -live in peace. I appeal to you in the name of God, -for I see no other way of settling this affair, and I -own candidly that I can obtain nothing more from -his Lordship of Nevers, who holds out for the full -sum and writes about it in a very matter-of-fact way. -I answer as God directs me, resolved through His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> -grace to place all in His hands and to remain in -peace and submission to whatever divine Providence -ordains.</p> - -<p>I beg of our Sisters of Moulins to do whatever -justice demands. Oh! what a shame it would be to -see our houses sueing one another! A thousand -times rather would I prefer to see them overwhelmed -with reproaches and poverty than that this should -ever happen. If, dearest brother, after all these -humble petitions and arguments, Madame du Tertre -and our Sisters of Moulins wish to act against those -of Nevers she must do as she pleases; but we shall -neither blame them nor defend ourselves, for to do -so would not be the will of God, and under these -circumstances I am persuaded it would be better -for one or other entirely to surrender its claim. -Such, too, is the opinion of his Lordship of Geneva.</p> - -<p>Oblige me by telling our Sister, the Superior of -Moulins, that I have already written to her, as by -accident she may not have yet received my letter. -This, that I now write to you, will also serve for good -Madame du Tertre, it being all I am able for, as I -have a slight indisposition which is becoming -habitual with me. I have no other wish than that -she should be treated sweetly and cordially with all -affection as she certainly merits. But, I assure you, -Nevers was entirely her own free choice: I have -ample evidence of this in her letters. God only -knows all that has passed on this subject. Our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> -poor Sister Superior may have appeared somewhat -inflexible and shown how much she felt this rupture. -But, dearest brother, in consideration for her position -we must throw over this fault of weakness or -surprise, the mantle of holy charity, that mantle -which bears with all, excuses all, and hides all the -defects of her children. These last lines are in -confidence for your own ear only, your goodness and -piety encouraging me to confide in you. I beseech -of you in conclusion to use all the influence at your -command in favour of peace and charity. Believe -me, I am truly indifferent to everything except the -glory of God.</p> - -<p>I remain, Sir, very dear brother, with much -affection,</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:7em;">Your humble and obliged</span><br /> -Sister and servant in Our Lord.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_54" id="Footnote_A_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_54"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The Little Office of Our Lady.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_55" id="Footnote_B_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_55"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> An old French coin.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XLV.<br /> -<i>To St. Francis de Sales.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>August, 1621.</i></p> - -<p>Pray much, my incomparable Father, for the -Archbishop of Bourges,<a name="FNanchor_A_56" id="FNanchor_A_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_56" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> and ask our Sisters to pray<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> -for him. What is this storm after all in comparison -with the sufferings of Our Lord in His Passion? -I beseech His divine Majesty, to which I have consecrated -myself, to let my brother's part in this -affair serve entirely for His glory, and I doubt not -but that it will be so. The doctor was thunderstruck -when they told him that Mgr. of Bourges had -been removed and M. N. given the Archbishopric. -He speaks of nothing but the universal affection of -the people of Bourges for our good Archbishop, who -feels this blow though he has taken it in his usual -good-natured way. You who know him can understand -how detrimental the change will be to the -poor and to the religious Houses, to both of whom -he has been such a benefactor. Our Sisters will not -be the least sufferers, for he loved them much and -was extremely good to them. A word from you -would be an immense consolation to him.</p> - -<p>May the sweet Jesus fill your heart with His most -pure love, and may we eternally repose in Him. -Amen.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_56" id="Footnote_A_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_56"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The Archbishop of Bourges, being one of those who -discovered the ambitious conspiracy hatched by Condé, -Governor of Berry, for which he was arrested in September, -1616, became, upon that Prince's release several -years later, the object of his special vengeance. He -obliged Mgr. Frémyot to resign his Archiepiscopal See, -assigning him in compensation the abbeys of Ferrières, and -Breteuil, and also the priory of Nogent-le-Rotrou.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XLVI.<br /> -<i>To Madame de la Fléchère.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>, 1621.</p> - -<p>Madame, I pray that God may always be your -strength, your love, and your hope, for in my littleness -I have an incomparable affection for you. Eh! -but your letters, dear, best of sisters, console me, -and yet I truly feel with you who bear the burden -of sharp and hidden sorrows. But after all, how -happy we should be to suffer such things with only -the eye of God to look upon them. Truly our crosses -ought greatly to raise our courage, seeing that by -them we attain to a union all secret with our sweet -Master, the greatness of whose sufferings nor men -nor angels can ever conceive. Take comfort in this -thought when pain is at its height. Still, you ought -not to conceal your pain from our <i>Blessed Father</i> -(but I think you do not).</p> - -<p>We can, it seems to me, so name him, as there is a -worthy ecclesiastic here who calls him <i>the true -Father</i>. I am sure, dearest sister, that each day he -strives after a higher perfection. Happy they who -have the example of his rare virtues before them, -but far happier they who imitate them! God grant -us the grace to be of this number, and may my -weakness not hold me back. I shall be satisfied if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> -I follow him a hundred steps behind. I am very -glad that your sister has the comfort of staying with -you and that your son is good. May God give him -the grace to persevere, and may he root all vanity -out of your daughter's heart. Mine is very extravagant. -It is well that she has found such a good and -prudent husband. When I see her I do my best to -make her sensible and to show her her mistake. I -recommend her to your prayers. My son is also -most extravagant, but otherwise he is brave, loveable, -and esteemed at court, where the King has -given him a very honourable post for one so young. -But all this is vanity. I value more your remembrance -of him before God than all these dignities. -He is always here, I mean with the court, or in his -garrison. I trust to the prayers of our Blessed -Father to save these children's souls, and that is all -I care about.</p> - -<p>Adieu, dearest Sister.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>XLVII.<br /> -<i>To the Countess de Toulonjon.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>, 1621.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>The dress I am sending you is really quite -perfect and is the most beautiful that can be procured. -If your brother were very rich it would be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> -a pleasure to him to pay the bill for you, but as it is -he begs of you to be satisfied with his good-will, for -he has not wherewith to pay it. Be content with -this dress, for it is handsome and quite sufficiently -stylish, and because you so long for it I want to -satisfy you. M. de Toulonjon writes that you have -not a single gown except the one you are wearing. -I cannot understand this, as during the last seventeen -months you have had four silk dresses and the -brocade costume about which you told me. What -then am I to think, I pray you, dear Françoise? -Oh! God bless you, my daughter; do be content and -let it be seen that you are the child of parents who -were altogether reasonable, peaceful, and constant -in their perfect affection, and this it is that I desire -for you.</p> - -<p>I write in haste. A thousand salutations to all -your dear relatives. Do not expect your brother: -he cannot go to you, and I do not wish him to. You -have my nephew. Courage, my child, be not a silly, -frivolous girl, troubling over trifles, and letting them -take up your thoughts. Urge M. de Toulonjon to -send me the money for the dress. The amount of -the bill is, I understand, 500 livres, and I have not -got the money to pay it, so let me have it by the -first opportunity, as I do not wish to remain in debt -here.</p> - -<p>God bless you, dearest Françon. I am in a great -hurry.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>XLVIII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Montferrand.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Dijon</span>,</span><br /> -<i>May, 1622.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Your letter of the 17th of March is the only -one I have received; the others will no doubt come -to hand later, God willing. You must not put off -your departure beyond the date you mention. I do -wish you were here, for it certainly does delay me -not to have you. Your presence here is needed, -and as the affairs of dear Mme. de Dalet are hopeless -you had better come away as soon as ever you can. -The house of Montferrand ought to finance your -journey from the place whence you came to them, -and the house of Lyons should do likewise; but your -coming here is hardly more than your going to -Nessy.<a name="FNanchor_A_57" id="FNanchor_A_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_57" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> I shall write to the Lyons Sisters in -reference to this.</p> - -<p>We are, thank God, poor here, yet, God be praised, -nothing is wanting to us. A widow of good family, -discreet and genial, wants to live with us as a -benefactress. She proposes giving her furniture and -2,000 crowns, besides defraying all her own expenses.</p> - -<p>We have received two good children, and find no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> -lack of aspirants for our life, but the important -thing is to be careful in our choice. In my opinion -you will be pleased with those you will find here. -Yesterday we went with Mgr. de Langres<a name="FNanchor_B_58" id="FNanchor_B_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_58" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> to look -for a house. It is not easy to find a suitable one, -but Our Lord will help us. We are advised to -bide our time and to put up with the house that -adjoins this, which is sufficiently commodious for a -beginning. Moreover, to the money the good lady -(the benefactress) intends giving us she will add -sufficient to enable us to be housed here. Then -upon our leaving this house, which will be at the -end of three or four years, if not sooner, she will give -us the 2,000 crowns. Everybody agrees in thinking -this a most advantageous offer. The worst of it is -that the garden is very small: the courts are quite -suitable. Dijon is very much shut in, and it is -difficult to find a house to rent that will accommodate -us. That in which we now are is small -and has no garden or courtyard except one -hardly bigger than a table. Even as I write it -makes me laugh to think of it; and I must tell you -besides that if we want to get a little fresh air we -have to climb on the roof. Nevertheless, we are, -thank God, as merry and as contented as we can be. -Be on your guard, my <i>great daughter</i>,<a name="FNanchor_C_59" id="FNanchor_C_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_59" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> against that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> -dislike which you have of coming here. Overcome -it, I beg of you, for everybody who knows that you -are coming is delighted at the idea, and as for me, -I simply cannot tell you how I am looking forward -to it. Oh! what a joy to see you once more for a -little while. It will do me a world of good. Who -are those timorous people who say that they must -not use terms of affection to me? I don't agree -with them at all, neither should you. Our hearts -could not stand that.</p> - -<p>The Archbishop of Lyons is in trouble as to who -will take you back. They have made a great fuss -about Sister ——. If our <i>Cadette</i> is removed I am -afraid that house will fail. She has never been -elected: see to this if you can at your deposition, -and don't stop longer than just to arrange about it. -Let me have news of you again before you start. -What will Mme. de Chazeron's plan come to? I -most affectionately salute your <i>successor</i>. It has -always been a source of regret to me that I have not -seen your community: none the less do I love it, -and I send my warm greetings to it and to all its -good friends.</p> - -<p> -With all my heart, your affectionate,</p> - -<p>P.S.—Ask the Sisters, I beseech you, to pray hard -and continually for my poor son till he is won back -to Our Lord.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_57" id="Footnote_A_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_57"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> A popular name for Annecy.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_58" id="Footnote_B_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_58"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Monseigneur Sebastian Zamet, Bishop of Langres, in -which diocese Dijon was situated.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_C_59" id="Footnote_C_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_59"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> A title given to Mother Favre by St. Francis.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XLIX.<br /> -<i>To M. de Neuchèze.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Dijon</span>,</span><br /> -<i>June 8, 1622.</i></p> - -<p>So engrossing is Paris, my dear nephew, that if I -do not refresh your memory about your old aunt she -runs the chance of your forgetting all about her. -Yet for all that I do not think you would forget me. -I have received too many proofs of your good nature -for that. But, tell me, what are you doing in that -great Paris amidst so many honours and such -worldly luxuries? Oh! I beseech of you, dear child, -guard yourself vigilantly on every side, lest an undue -affection for these things take hold of you. My -God! how I hate them all. And am I not right, -dearest nephew, since they leave no time for reflection, -and no desire for eternal goods? All is -sacrificed to perishable enjoyments. For the love of -God beware of them. I would have you protect -your dear soul with a very watchful care, so that -however abundantly you possess temporal things -they may never take possession of you. Rise -quickly and holily above them all. This advice -goes to you direct from my heart, and as coming -thence I know you will receive it. Now and always -I am most affectionately desirous of obtaining for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> -you through the divine Goodness an abundance of -blessings, all that it is in my power to procure, that -you may enjoy God's grace in this life and in the -next His glory. These, dearest nephew, are the -wishes of her who remains always,</p> - -<p class="right">Your very humble aunt and servant.</p> - -<p>P.S.—Allow me very affectionately to salute good -M. Robert Dapantor<a name="FNanchor_A_60" id="FNanchor_A_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_60" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> and all your household. -Dear Sister Parise<a name="FNanchor_B_61" id="FNanchor_B_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_61" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> took the habit on St. Claud's -Day. Mgr. de Langres gave it to her and performed -the whole ceremony. She sends you affectionate -messages, as does likewise the deceased<a name="FNanchor_C_62" id="FNanchor_C_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_62" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> Mother of -Bourges and all that little family of nine daughters. -If they dared they would all beg of you respectfully -to salute on their part his Grace the -Archbishop.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_60" id="Footnote_A_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_60"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Former tutor of the young Baron de Chantal.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_61" id="Footnote_B_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_61"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Sister Marie Claire Parise was the foundress of the -Visitation Monastery at Dijon—a humble and fervent soul. -While still a secular she asked God never to permit her to -be without suffering of some kind for His love. He heard -her prayer, and her life was a continual interior martyrdom, -nevertheless joy and tranquility of soul never abandoned -her. Having with the utmost solicitude and care established -the monastery of Dijon, she was sent to Beaune, on its -foundation in 1632, and there died in the odour of -sanctity.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_C_62" id="Footnote_C_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_62"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> A nickname given by the Saint to Sister Anne Marie -Rosset when she was deposed from the Superiorship of -Bourges.</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p></div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>L.<br /> -<i>To Mother Anne Catherine de Beaumont, Superior of -the First Monastery of Paris.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Dijon</span>,</span><br /> -<i>30th June, 1622.</i></p> - -<p>I cannot but believe, my dearest daughter, that -there is more artifice than martyrdom about our -N., and I assure you I find it very difficult to think -otherwise. If she were reproved, or passed over, -I expect it would cure her. There will be nothing -but trouble if God does not put His hand to the -work. May His divine Goodness apply the remedy. -I enclose her letter, and my reply. What a strange -thing is this spirit of the world! You must remain -patient and firm under its hard criticism. As -you will see by my answers all your letters have -reached me.</p> - -<p>It certainly is a rare thing, my child, in a large -community not to find someone who is a trial, but -that so many are good is a great subject of consolation. -For the love of God, I pray you don't imagine -that it is through your fault that others do not -advance. That is not so, thank God. They will be -very happy, my dearest daughter, if they follow -your advice, and do as you do. In a word I am of -opinion that in this (the support of feeble souls) -consists in great part the cross of poor Superiors.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> -The strength of mind God gives you to reprimand -will be of great service to them. Persevere in -allowing nothing contrary to perfection. For zeal -combined with gentleness is of great force in animating -hearts, and the like of us women need to be -perpetually egged on and kept up to the mark.</p> - -<p>I feel I must just simply tell you the truth. All -you say about yourself gives me great cause to praise -God. It is all excellent. Go always, as you now -do, to God alone. I had much consolation in reading -your letter and above all in seeing what courage -God has given you. Verily, my dear Sister, he who -loves not, he who trusts not, he who rests not wholly -in the arms of divine Providence must be hard as -flint and altogether insensible. In these arms, then, -at His mercy, let us dwell so that He may do as He -pleases with us.</p> - -<p>I cannot tell you how grateful I feel to God for -the graces that I see and know you to have received, -and it seems to me that for this I am under a great -obligation of gratitude to Him.</p> - -<p>Instruct, and speak continually to your daughters -of the sweet, sure, abundant mercy of God towards -those souls who hand themselves over to Him, -trusting Him out and out. I am very glad about -little de B. I think she will be a good child if she can -bear mortification, but the gentleness which is -practised with us will make it easy for her. Goodbye, -my dearest daughter; I am truly overwhelmed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> -here with visits and writing. I salute all my friends -and above all our poor Sisters of Villeneuve.</p> - -<p>Show these letters to the Rev. Father. It only -needs a little time to get the postulant away. We -must do this, and say nothing, except that as the -Chapter has not received her she cannot be kept, -and we must bear the consequences patiently. God -will direct all and you will draw profit from it. The -good Father who brings you these letters is a great -friend of our Institute, and we are under many -obligations to him.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>LI.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Dijon.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Lyons</span>,</span><br /> -<i>8th December, 1622.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My own dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Here we are returned from our dear little -Montferrand where I certainly found excellent souls, -full of desire to advance in the perfect observance. -The poor Superior<a name="FNanchor_A_63" id="FNanchor_A_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_63" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> was almost broken by the dread -of her charge; this she told me you already knew -from herself; I have left her greatly encouraged. -She truly gives me pleasure, for her judgement is -good, her aspirations are good, and she possesses an -exceedingly good appearance and manner (several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> -illegible lines). My daughter, perform the Office, -I beg of you, as it is marked. These fancies pass. -His Lordship wishes us to keep up a tone not too -high, but moderate, and to sing clearly, distinctly, -and evenly: as for other faults I do not know of any, -unless some defect in pronunciation. I very much -desire that we should observe the same manner of -singing the Office in all the houses; changes I find -slip in. But for the future his Lordship will mark -how it is to be carried out, and then we have only to -keep to what is settled. At St. Etienne they drag -shockingly. By the way there is an excellent -Superior there who carries out her charge with great -discretion.<a name="FNanchor_B_64" id="FNanchor_B_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_64" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> You know how exact she is, she fits -into her office admirably. I tell her that she is in -her element. Certainly all goes well in that house, -and I am delighted with it.... Monseigneur is -here,<a name="FNanchor_C_65" id="FNanchor_C_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_65" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> and we see a little of him. He does not wish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> -us to leave yet; this I think is out of consideration -for the Archbishop of Bourges. Sister Marie de -Valence is also here. She is undoubtedly a most -humble and simple soul, without any constrained or -peculiar ways, and her little daughter is the same.</p> - -<p>I pray you, my child, manage if you can to get the -letters from Madame de Puy-d'Orbe; I wish you -could help her, for she greatly needs it.</p> - -<p>His Lordship wants us seriously to contemplate -a means of keeping the houses united. He intends -to consult the great Jesuit Fathers about it, and he -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>wishes us always to have recourse to them, for he -says no one comes up to them. I am very glad the -Father Rector likes you so much; he has always done -so. Salute him very affectionately for me, also the -good Father Gentil, I have the highest respect for -them both. But above all do I honour with a -singular reverence and affection Mgr. de Langres. -Assure him of it, my child. When he goes to -Dijon and when I know he is there I shall write -to him.</p> - -<p>M. Gariot is here: he will worry you with his -suggestions, but it is not necessary, I think, to do -all he wants, at least I don't: above all in the parlour, -where I cut him short; nevertheless, my Love, have -his affairs recommended to Councillor Berbisey. -This is urgent, for he wishes to start. My good -cousin, I must tell you, is in admiration of you -(three lines illegible). He has a good heart; be -quite open with him, and with the good Sister de -Vigney, who is also very fond of you, as indeed are -all the others.</p> - -<p>Adieu, my child, my truly amiable and dearest -daughter. God be blessed—Our Lady's Day—have -prayers said for our affairs. Salute on my behalf -all our relatives, our friends, and whoever else you -wish.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_63" id="Footnote_A_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_63"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Mother Marie Jacqueline Compain.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_64" id="Footnote_B_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_64"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> The foundation of St. Etienne had but just been made, -and Mother Françoise Jéronyme de Vilette named Superior.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_C_65" id="Footnote_C_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_65"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> "On December 8th, 1622, while King Louis XIII. was -making his state entry into Lyons amidst a great display of -pomp on the part of the two courts of France and Savoy, -St. Francis de Sales, wishing, like a true father, to enjoy the -society of his daughters, sent off all his retinue to see the -fête and came by himself to the Convent parlour. There -in the course of conversation with us he drew a contrast -between the feast which the Church that day celebrated, -and the political feast the town was keeping in honour of -the King's entry. -</p> -<p> -"Our worthy Mother de Chantal, who was present, was -overjoyed to meet again the father of her soul, but this -meeting was not to give her the consolation for which she -had hoped. The town was crowded with persons of -distinction, all of whom flocked to the Visitation, there to -meet 'the Sun of Prelates,' as they called St. Francis de -Sales. One day the Archbishop of Bourges and his nephew, -the Abbé de Neuchèze, the devout Sister Marie de Valence, -and Père Cotton, S. J., all met in our parlour, so that it was -said our house was the meeting-place of all the holiest -people, and had become, so to say, a court of Heaven, -while the court of the Royal Princess was being held in the -town. -</p> -<p> -"Upon a certain day St. Francis, having some hours free, -came to the parlour to confer with the Venerable Foundress; -but much as she wished to speak to him of her interior -state, he would not permit her to do so, deferring all that -until their return to Annecy, desiring her to visit the -Monasteries of Valence, Grenoble, and Belley before returning -to Savoy. St. Jane Frances at once set out, never -dreaming that she had seen her blessed Father for the last -time on earth." (Taken from the "History of the Foundation -of Lyons.") St. Francis died on the 28th of that same -month.</p></div> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Anne Catherine de Beaumont, Superior of -the First Monastery of Paris.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1623.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Sister</span>,</p> - -<p>It is indeed true that the privation of the -presence of my beloved Father is the greatest sorrow -I could have: for it was my priceless privilege and -my sole joy in this life. But since it has pleased God -to deprive me of it I acquiesce in His good pleasure -with all my heart, consoling myself in that I can now -say with truth: "He is my supreme and only consolation." -Alas! my dearest Sister, ought not this to -be enough and even all-satisfying? Truly that heart -is too avaricious for which God is not enough: and -miserable is the heart which is satisfied with anything -less than God. I owe it to you, and it is my -wish to tell both you and Sister Hélène-Angélique -(L'huillier), since by the goodness of God you are so -perfectly united, that this most holy soul, who in -life gave us so many perfumes of virtue, gives us -still the manifestation of them.<a name="FNanchor_A_66" id="FNanchor_A_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_66" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> The greater part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> -of the sisters here perceived numberless times and -in divers places odours so sweet and extraordinary -that we can but think it is our Blessed Father who -visits us and makes us understand by these celestial -perfumes that he is praying for us. How this -penetrates me, dearest Sister! On Sunday I was -quite overcome, for three distinct times I was -conscious of them.</p> - -<p>It would take too long to tell you how God is -manifesting His most humble Servant. In a word -there is much for which to thank and glorify Him. -Do so then, my daughter, whom my soul loves, and -let your gratitude be shown by faithful observance -to all we have learnt. Oh! what honour and -happiness is comparable to that of serving in humble -and absolute submission the holy will of our good -God! Let us only think of, only seek this glorious -eternity, for there is our Sovereign Good, with whom -we shall eternally rejoice. May He be blessed!</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_66" id="Footnote_A_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_66"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> We read in the history of the foundation of Annecy: -"As soon as the blessed body (of St. Francis de Sales) had -been carried into the first Monastery, celestial perfumes -were perceived throughout the entire house, on account of -which our worthy Mother forbade the Sacristan, who alone -had in her keeping pastilles and perfumes, to use any of -them, and a like obedience she gave to all the Sisters, -forbidding them to handle or put any scented thing anywhere -in the house. But all these precautions only served -the better to make known the favour Our Lord had granted, -for the cloisters, corridors, choir, oratories, and other places -of the Monastery were perfumed with a most fragrant -odour, which, like a heavenly unction, spread many interior -graces upon the Community."</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LIII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie Hélène de Chastellux, Superior at Moulins.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1623.</p> - -<p>Glory be to God, dearest Daughter, that this -disagreement between you and our Sisters of Nevers -has come to an end. I have known of it for a long -time. Henceforth, I conjure you, live together in -perfect and sweet union, for such was the desire of -our Blessed Father.</p> - -<p>I shall write to our Sister the Superior of Paris, -and if she can leave you the dowry of Sister M. -Marguerite I am sure she will do so, for she is no -lover of money, but justice must be maintained.</p> - -<p>For God's sake keep far from you all desire of -being well off. Love poverty and God will make -you abound in true riches: this is the spirit of our -Blessed Father. He could not tolerate any eagerness -in us for temporal goods, or that we should be -solicitous at all about them. It consoled him to see -souls love and esteem poverty. Surely it is but -reasonable that we who are vowed to it should no -longer hold dear the riches we have renounced. -And it is with the great Master that this contract -has been made. Oh! my daughter, be not angry -with me for speaking thus. I do not accuse you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> -of this evil, but I speak because I have an extreme -desire to see holy poverty honoured and cherished -amongst us, and my heart's wish is that every soul -in the Institute should love it.</p> - -<p>O Jesu! never burden yourself, daughter dearest, -with girls who have no religious vocation, nor fitting -dispositions for our manner of life. After having -exercised charity for some months towards this girl, -if God does not truly touch her heart and if she does -not genuinely desire to be a Religious, you ought in -all humility to ask these gentlemen, her relations, -to take her away: for how does it look, I pray you, -to keep girls in the convent who are simply boarders -and <i>must</i> have their meals apart? Certainly, -daughter, this must not be done, and I feel confident -that Sister Marie Aimée (de Morville) is too good-hearted -not to help this girl to overcome herself, -and send her to eat with the community while she is -with you. My God, how we must guard ourselves -against this miserable world, and take every precaution, -lest its spirit enter into our monasteries. -May God in His mercy preserve us from it!</p> - -<p>I have the greatest aversion to this title <i>Mère -ancienne</i>, because it is against the Rule and therefore -against the spirit of our Blessed Father. You -will see a little reference to it in the last conference -he gave at Lyons. I should like to see our Sisters -hold in such reverence his memory, and the Rule, -that in comparison to them they could give no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> -thought at all to their own silly fancies and inclinations, -and I am sure Sister Jeanne Charlotte (de -Bréchard) would agree with me, as she ought to in -this. Alack! what honour is there in such things? -Rather is honour to be found in perfect observance. -I am very sorry for poor Sister M. Catherine (Chariel), -but she ought to be faithful to the exercises, in as -much, at least, as depends on herself, by the exterior -observance of them, and she should refuse to consent -to those evil reflections, resisting them with the -sword of the spirit. This much God has put in our -power, and never can we fall except by our own -will. If she is faithful to this, God will be satisfied, -but she must submit herself absolutely. I will -write to her.</p> - -<p>Be most careful to let no coolness exist between -you and the Jesuit Fathers, and give them no excuse -for keeping away from you. Our Blessed Father -would not have approved of it. Soon, please God, -you will see in the Directory what he said to me at -Lyons on this point. Recall them gently, daughter, -and give them your former confidence. Although -the good Father you mention did not take the -matter rightly the Jesuits are too wise and too good -to keep up a grudge against us.</p> - -<p>I think I know Père de Géney, if it is the same; he -is a very good Religious in whom you can confide. -Converse in a trustful spirit with them all, but above -all with the Jesuits and their Rector. He spoke the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> -truth to you in saying that the Sisters are satisfied -and feel the improvement. Keep your courage ever -higher, my most dear daughter, and always, I -beseech you, govern in a spirit of extreme gentleness. -Look sometimes at the advice I give to Superiors, -and although I am worthless Our Lord has allowed -Himself to speak through me in this. May He be -blessed for ever!</p> - -<p>If Sister M. Charlotte (de Feu) is eighteen or -twenty let her in the name of God follow the community, -and if on that account she suffers somewhat -she will be very happy. At least do not let her be -the judge of her own needs, and she should submit -herself to you. Give her plenty to do, and then be -at her side to help her. You ought not to have sent -out that letter that you did not understand, though -it is true when written to one of ourselves there is -less danger.</p> - -<p>Bear with the old woman, I beg of you, and you -will gain her to God. I rather prefer your writing -during recreation than in the evening. I do this, -and in the midst of our Sisters. Get Sister Jeanne -Charlotte or someone else to help you in this, and -write little except to our monasteries; but you -should read a good quarter of an hour every evening -after <i>Matins</i>, for this will be useful to you. We -should wear ourselves out in the service of our -neighbour, and doing so we shall be happy.</p> - -<p>Certainly, daughter, the dormitory ought not to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> -made into an infirmary: if doing otherwise gives a -little more trouble to the sisters they will have all -the more merit. Alas! my God, the poor have far -more than this to put up with. Our Blessed Father's -maxim was to refuse no inconvenience, and to ask -for no relief, yet if relief was given him he accepted -it. Oh, daughter, great courage is needed to seek -God alone, bearing all for love of Him.</p> - -<p>I am a little surprised to have no news of Sister -Jeanne Charlotte, and Sister Marie Aimée. Had I -time I would send them a note to waken them up, -and assure them that I belong to them, but for this -time give them my message and tell them that I -wrote to them when I was at Moulins the last time, -at least to the elder sister. May God in His goodness -hold you in His holy hand. I am devoted to you -more than I could ever put into words. God be -Blessed!</p> - -<p>I salute all our sisters, especially Sister Assistant, -for whom I have a great affection, but I wish she -would write to me once more, then I would answer -her fully. It is because I have not had time that I -have not done so. God be Blessed!</p> - -<p>P.S.—It has occurred to me that I ought to send -you the first sheet of the Directory—all that is yet -out—in which is set down how the Office ought to be -performed on the great feasts of our Lord. His -Lordship will be satisfied at its being performed in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> -this manner. The change must be effected quietly -and imperceptibly. Our Sisters are very much -pleased with it.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>LIV.<br /> -<i>To Sister Marie Marguerite Milletot at Dijon.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1623.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Do not be astonished at seeing yourself -surrounded by spiritual enemies; only guard your -heart so that they may not enter. But I know you -would die a thousand times over rather than let -them do so. Remain then in peace and patience, -awaiting your deliverance by our good Saviour, and -He will free you sooner than you think. This trial -is, dearest daughter, hard to bear, but believe me if -you had any other you would find it equally so. -This life is only given us to combat. Every one has -his own cross. Oh God! how heavy is the burden -to me of my own extreme misery and of my own -infidelities! May the good God deliver me from -myself! Be brave, daughter dearest, he who does -not conquer shall never be crowned. I beseech the -divine Goodness to strengthen you in this combat. -Pray to the good God for</p> - -<p class="right">Your humble and unworthy Mother.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>LV.<br /> -<i>To Sister Françoise Gasparde de la Grave,<a name="FNanchor_A_67" id="FNanchor_A_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_67" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Assistant -to the Superior at Belley.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1623.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Do you know that these fears and self-torturings -about your past confessions are pure temptations -of the devil? Make a firm stand and take no -heed of them, dear daughter, for the devil is only -trying in his malice to deceive you. Bear with his -attacks and the suffering that comes of them gently -and humbly, submitting to the good pleasure of God, -who permits them to test your fidelity and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> -confidence. Pay no regard to anything the tempter -suggests. Never let your mind argue about it; but -suffer it without yielding consent. Throw yourself -upon the mercy of the divine Mercy. Leave to it -the care of your salvation and of everything regarding -you. Tell God that you have entire trust in His -goodness, and although it may seem to you that you -have not any, never cease to assure Him that you -have, and always will have with the assistance of -His grace. This I command you to do. And bear -patiently the burden without desiring to be delivered -from it; for that would be a brave sort of virtue -which never wished to be attacked, and a grand -fidelity that which would surrender at the first -approach of the enemy! Remain firm without -wishing ever to confess past sins a second time, or -ever swerving from your duty of patience and confidence -in God: and you will see how God draws His -glory and your good out of this temptation, for -which may He in His infinite goodness be blessed.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_67" id="Footnote_A_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_67"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Sister Françoise-Gasparde de la Grave, professed of the -first Monastery of Annecy in 1617, was specially loved and -trained by St. Francis de Sales, and always showed herself -worthy of her great master. She was chiefly remarkable -for her calm and unalterable sweetness in the midst of the -contradictions of all kinds with which she was surrounded. -"My Blessed Father has taught me," she would say on -such occasions, "that the love of one's own abjection ought -never to be one step distant from our hearts." She was -successively Superior at Belley, Bourges, and Perigueux, -from which last house she contributed to the foundation at -Tulle. Having governed the Monastery of Seyssel for three -years, she returned to the house of her profession, where -she died in 1638. After her decease they found she had -carefully written down all the humiliating things that had -ever been said to her. On the corner of this packet was -written: "The enclosed are to perfume my heart with the -precious odour of humiliation."</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LVI.<br /> -<i>To Mgr. the Bishop of Autun.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1623.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My Lord</span>,</p> - -<p>I have heard of your kindness to our poor -Sisters of Moulins in regard to the difficulties they -have had with their Foundress, and that by the -grace of God you and your Council, recognizing the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> -true virtue and uprightness of the Superior and of -her Religious, gave them protection and comfort in -their extreme affliction. But, my Lord, from what -I learn, they at the present moment need more than -ever your paternal assistance, and I humbly beg -your Lordship in the name of our good God to help -them. If, in order to restore tranquility in their -monastery, it is only necessary to return the money -to our good Sister Foundress, so that she may live -elsewhere, certainly we shall be content to do so, -for we love better to live poorly and keep our -observance than to abound in riches and be thwarted -in it. The Providence of God will never fail us as -long as we persevere in fidelity to His holy service; -and our delight is, under its protection, to live in -poverty. See, my Lord, how I lay my sentiments -before you in all simplicity. If, however, our Sister -the Foundress continues to enjoy the happiness she -possesses I shall rejoice provided she content herself -with the privileges which you, my Lord, have either -confirmed or granted her, and for the rest that she -live as is fitting to her condition.</p> - -<p>Beseeching you my Lord, very humbly and with -all earnestness to provide help for these good -servants of God, and trusting that through your -kindness and piety the divine mercy may come to -their aid, I pray God to spread in abundance His -holy benedictions upon you and your Church.</p> - -<p class="right">I remain, with humble reverence, etc.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>LVII.<br /> -<i>To Sister Anne Marie Rosset, Assistant and Mistress -of Novices at Dijon.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1623.</p> - -<p>You know and you can never doubt how truly you -are my dearest daughter. Lay claim to this title -more and more by your charity in praying for me. -Indeed, my daughter, this dear Mother (Favre) is a -soul of true virtue. She is all for God, for the Rule, -and for me. I hope you will always continue to -feel that you have a faithful friend in her. The -spirit of religion and even religion itself is destroyed -by preoccupation about miserable human affections. -If the intelligence of the Sisters be not clouded by -them nor by self-love they will see the guidance of -God over this soul, and through her over other souls, -and will themselves be established in solid virtue. -Keep the spirit of your novices at a high level and -do it with vigour. Engrave in their hearts this -maxim, that the love of their divine Saviour is the -only love for them, and that in Him they must love -their neighbour according to the order of duty and -true charity. Oh God! what should we seek on -earth or aspire to in heaven save Thee who art our -portion and our eternal inheritance? My daughter, -a Religious of the Visitation who should attach -herself to anything whatsoever but God is not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> -worthy of her vocation. Make this very clear to -our Sisters. Each one must have a holy zeal to -attain eternal life by the path which God has -marked out for her. If our Sisters really love their -holy Founder they will prove it not only by the -attention and pleasure with which they read his -writings, for all the world delights in them, but also -by faithfully carrying out his teachings. That incomparable -love and sweetness towards their neighbour, -that profound humility and lowliness of which -he was so great a lover, and which put him at enmity -with all ostentation, should above all be practised by -them. Finally, let them make theirs the glorious gift -he enjoyed of devout attention to the presence of God.</p> - -<p>My daughter, see that the spiritual exercises are -held in great esteem by the novices. Bring this -about: for prayer, recollection, and frequent ejaculatory -prayer are the oil of benediction in -monasteries. Give good books to those dear novices -to read, so that their minds may be filled with -profitable food wherewith to make useful reflection, -and to undeceive themselves as to the value of the -false maxims of the world. Make them value -thoroughly the acts and exercises of their Directory, -so that their memory being well stored with spiritual -things, and their understanding well enlightened, -our divine Master will (as I hope) soon warm their -wills with His holy love.</p> - -<p class="right">Your devoted.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>LVIII.<br /> -<i>To the Rev. Father Dom John de Saint François, -General of the Order of Feuillants.</i></h2> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">On St. Francis de Sales.</span><a name="FNanchor_A_68" id="FNanchor_A_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_68" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right">1624.</p> - -<p>Alas! my Rev. Father, you command me to do -what is beyond my capacity. The intimate knowledge -that God has permitted me to acquire of the -interior life of my blessed Father and Lord, and -especially that with which He has favoured me since -this holy man's decease (for the object being present -somewhat, it seems to me, obscured the light), is, I -feel, altogether beyond my deserts: and I confess to -you quite frankly that I have no facility whatever -in expressing myself. Yet to obey your Reverence -and for the love and respect which I owe to the -authority by which you command, I will write what -comes to my mind in all simplicity, in the presence -of God.</p> - -<p>First, then, I have always observed in him the -perfect gift of faith accompanied with great clearness, -certitude, perception, and extreme suavity. -It was a subject upon which he spoke admirably, -and he once told me that God had bestowed upon -him much light and knowledge of the mysteries of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> -our holy faith, and he thought that he had a good -grasp of the correct interpretation of the Church's -teachings to her children. To this his life and -writings bear witness.</p> - -<p>God had so fully illuminated this holy soul, or, as -he put it, shed so clear a light in the highest point -of his soul, that he had, so to say, but to open the -eyes of his spirit and the excellencies of the truths -of faith lay before him, and from this proceeded -raptures, ecstacies, and celestial ardours. He submitted -himself to the truths thus unveiled to him by -a simple yielding up of his will, and the place wherein -these illuminations were centred he called "The -Sanctuary of God." It was his place of retreat, his -every day abode, for notwithstanding continual -exterior occupation he held his spirit in this interior -solitude as much as was possible. The one longing, -the sole aspiration and desire of this holy man, it -always seemed to me, was to live by faith and -according to the maxims of the Gospel. He used to -say that the true way to serve God was to follow Him -and walk in His footsteps by the pure light of grace, -without the support of consolations, of feeling, of -light, other than that of bare faith, and for this -reason he valued derelictions, desolation, and dryness -of spirit. He never stopped, he said, to think -whether or no he had consolations, and that if Our -Lord sent them he received them in simplicity; if -they were not given him he made no reflections about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> -their loss. But as a matter of fact he usually had -great sensible sweetness, as was betrayed by his -countenance, however slightly he withdrew into -himself, which he was in the habit of doing. Thus -did he draw good out of all things, turning all -to the profit of his soul. The time of preparation -for his sermons, which he usually spent walking -about, was one of special illumination for him. -Study, he said, provided him with prayer, and he -came from it enlightened and full of holy affections.</p> - -<p>Several years ago he told me that he had no sensible -devotion in prayer, and that God operated in -him without feeling, but by sentiments and illuminations, -which were diffused in the intellectual -part of his soul, the inferior part having no share -therein. These were for the most part perceptions -and sensibilities of simple unity and heavenly -emotions which he did not try to fathom: for his -practice was to hold himself in humility and lowliness -before God with the trustful reverence of a -loving child.</p> - -<p>When writing to me he has often asked me to -remind him when we met to tell me what God had -given him in prayer. When I did so he would say, -"These things are so impalpable, so pure, so intangible, -that one cannot explain them when they have -passed, only their effects remain in the soul."</p> - -<p>For several years before his decease there was -left him little leisure for prayer, as business overwhelmed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> -him, and one day when I asked him if he -had any time for prayer, he said: "No, but I do -what is the same." In such wise he held himself -always united to God, saying that in this life work -and labour are prayer. And most certainly his life -was a continual prayer. Though, from what has -been said, it is easy to believe that the delightful -union of his soul with God in prayer was not his -only enjoyment. Oh! indeed it was not, for however -the will of God was presented to him he equally -loved it. And in his last years he had, I believe, -attained such purity in his love that all things were -the same to him so long as he saw God's will in -them. There was nothing in the world, as he used -to say, that could give him any satisfaction out of -God. Thus he lived, as was manifest to those who -knew him, no more in himself but truly Jesus Christ -lived in him. This universality in his love of the -will of God was the more excellent and the purer by -reason of the clear light which God diffused in his -soul, and because of it his soul was neither subject -to change nor to deception, and by it he perceived -in himself the first movements of self-love which he -faithfully suppressed the more perfectly to be united -to God. He told me, that, sometimes in the depth -of his greatest afflictions, he felt consolations beyond -comparison more sweet than at ordinary times, for -by means of this intimate union with God things -most bitter became to him most sweet.</p> - -<p>But, if your Reverence wishes to see clearly the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> -state of this holy soul on these points, read, if you -please, the three or four last chapters in the "Divine -Love."<a name="FNanchor_B_69" id="FNanchor_B_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_69" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> All his actions were animated with the -sole motive of pleasing God, and truly (as he says in -this sacred book) he asked nought of heaven nor of -earth but to see the will of God accomplished. How -many times has he not repeated over to me those -words of David: "O! Lord, what have I in heaven, -and besides Thee what do I desire on earth? Thou -art my portion and my eternal inheritance." He -lived on the principle that what was not God was -nothing to him. His eminent virtue and that -universal indifference which was remarked in him -by all were the product of this perfect union. I -never read those chapters which treat of it in the -ninth book of "Divine Love" without seeing clearly -that as occasions arose he practised what he taught.</p> - -<p>That admirable but little known maxim, <i>Ask for -nothing, desire nothing, refuse nothing</i>, which he -faithfully carried out to the very end of his life, -could not originate with one who was not entirely -indifferent and dead to self. In regard to his -actions such incomparable equality of mind did he -possess that there was no changeableness in his -attitude. He unquestionably felt keen resentment -when subjected to rudeness or insult, above all -when God was offended, or his neighbour oppressed; -but on such occasions, as is mentioned in his memoirs, -he exercised complete self-control and would retire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> -into himself with God and remain silent. Yet he -none the less set to work, and that promptly, to -remedy the evil, for he was the refuge, the succour, -the support of all.</p> - -<p>Because he had acquired a perfect mastery of his -passions, there reigned in his soul complete submission -to God, and in his heart an imperturbable -peace. "What is there that could disturb our -peace?" he said to me at Lyons. "When all is in -confusion around me it does not trouble me, for -what is all the world besides in comparison with -peace of heart?" This power was the outcome of his -intense and virile faith, for he regarded all things, -the least and the greatest, as ordained by that -divine Providence in which he reposed with more -tranquility than a child on its mother's bosom. He -used to say that Our Lord taught him this lesson -from his youth, and that if he could be born again -he would despise human prudence more than ever, -and would let himself be still more entirely governed -by divine Providence. He had very great illumination -on this subject, and conveyed it forcibly to the -souls he counselled and governed. All the undertakings -God committed to him he placed under the -protection of this supreme government, and never -was he more certain of an affair or more content -amidst vicissitudes than when he had no other -support than God. On the contrary, when human -prudence foresaw the impossibility of the execution<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> -of a design his firm confidence in God alone remained -unshaken. Therefore did he live without solicitude. -I remarked this to him when he had made up his -mind to establish our Congregation, and he replied: -"I have no light as to how to do it, but I am sure -that God will do it"; and so it came about, and that -far more quickly than he anticipated. Speaking of -this confidence in God, I remember once many years -ago, when attacked with a violent temptation, which -he bravely resisted, he wrote to me: "I feel very -much under its pressure. It seems to me that I -have no strength to resist and that I should succumb -if the occasion were presented to me, but the weaker -I feel the more do I trust in God, and I assure myself -that were the object to present itself, I should be -invested with the power of God, and that my -enemies would be as lambkins before me."</p> - -<p>Our Saint was not exempt from the stirrings of -passions nor did he wish nor think it desirable to be -so. Except for the purpose of governing and checking -them, which he said gave him pleasure, they -were disregarded by him; and he looked upon them -as excellent opportunities for practising virtue and -establishing it more solidly in the soul. His own -were so absolutely under his control that they obeyed -him as slaves, and in the end hardly showed themselves -at all. His was a manifestly bold and generous -soul, very dear Father, strong to bear burdens and -responsibilities and to carry out the undertakings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> -with which God inspired him. Nothing, as he said, -could induce him to abandon these; not an inch -would he abate, and he had a courage that conquered -all difficulties.</p> - -<p>Certainly such perseverance as his, required -wonderful strength of mind, for who has ever seen -him out of humour, or losing one iota of self-control? -Who has ever seen his patience ruffled or his soul -embittered against any one whomsoever? and all -because he had a guileless heart.</p> - -<p>That he was gentle, humble, and gracious none -could fail to remark. His mind was clearer, freer, -and broader than any other I have come in contact -with; the prudence and the wisdom natural and -supernatural with which God had endowed him -were excellent and solid.</p> - -<p>Our Lord indeed forgot nothing in perfecting His -work. "Charity," as he says, "entering into a -soul brings with it every other virtue sweetly and -unostentatiously in the degree and measure by -which charity animated it." He made no mysteries, -and did nothing that might excite admiration; there -was no singularity about him, no display of great -virtue to exalt him in the eyes of the vulgar. He -walked the common way, but in so supernatural a -manner that it seemed to me that of all to be admired -in his life this was the most admirable trait. He -had no affected ways, neither casting up his eyes -nor closing them, but he kept them modestly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> -lowered and made no unnecessary gestures. His -face, passive, sweet, and grave, portrayed the profound -tranquility within.</p> - -<p>Whoever observed his outward bearing was unfailingly -impressed. Whether at prayer, reciting -the office, or saying Mass, his countenance shone -with angelic splendour, but it was above all at the -consecration of the Mass that it seemed to radiate. -This has been remarked to me a thousand times. -He had a special devotion to this adorable Sacrament. -It was his true life, his sole strength, and -when carrying it in Procession he looked like one on -fire with love. As his outpourings of love when -before the Divine Sacrament, and his wonderful -devotion to our Lady are treated of elsewhere I will -not speak of them here.</p> - -<p>Oh, how worthy of admiration was the order with -which God had endowed this blessed soul! so much -was it under the control of reason, so calm, and so -lucid the light shed by God within it that absolutely -nothing passed therein that was hidden from him.</p> - -<p>So clear was his view in regard to perfection of -spirit that he could distinguish between the most -subtle and intangible sensibilities, and never willingly -would he tolerate the less perfect in his soul; his -burning love could not suffer it. It was not that he -did not commit some imperfections, but they were -always from frailty or pure surprise, and I never -knew him to leave in his heart one single attachment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> -however small, that was contrary to perfection. -Purer than the sun, whiter than the snow in every -act, resolve, and desire, he was united to God not -only by his purity, but in humility and simplicity.</p> - -<p>To hear him speak of God and of perfection was a -delight, for his terms were precise and intelligible, -so that they easily brought home to the understanding -the high and subtle points of the spiritual life -and this great gift he used for the guidance of souls. -Reading the depths of their hearts and clearly seeing -the motives from which they acted, he guided and -governed them with a skill other than that of this -world. His indefatigable charity for souls is well -known, and the incomparable delight with which he -laboured amongst sinners, never resting till he had -put the conscience in peace and set the soul on its -way to heaven. What care did he not bestow upon -the weak and repentant sinner, making himself one -with him, weeping together with him over his sins, -and becoming so one in heart with his penitent that -none could conceal anything from him.</p> - -<p>Zeal for the salvation of souls was, I consider, his -dominant virtue, and in a sense it may be said that -he preferred the service of his neighbour, for whom -he wore himself out, to the immediate service of -God. His charity was regulated in a remarkable -manner, for he loved the many souls for whom he -had a special regard, and they were great in number, -not equally yet perfectly, and purely, recognizing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> -the most estimable virtue and the measure of grace -in each and giving it place accordingly in his regard. -While to all he bore the utmost respect because he -saw God in his neighbour and him in God, yet his -humility never prevented him from reverencing the -dignity of his position as Bishop, and with what -gravity and majesty he bore himself in it.</p> - -<p>I now venture to repeat what so many persons -have said to me—that when they saw this man it -seemed to them that they looked upon Our Lord on -earth. And to me he always appeared the living -picture in which the Son of God, Our Lord, was -portrayed, for most truly the order and economy of -his soul was divine.</p> - -<p>I remain, my Reverend Father,<br /> -<span style="margin-left:2em;">Your very humble, obedient, and unworthy -daughter and servant in Our Lord,</span></p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Sister Jane Frances Frémyot</span><br /> -(<i>Of the Visitation of Holy Mary</i>).</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_68" id="Footnote_A_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_68"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> This letter is taken from "Sainte Jeanne-Françoise -Frémyot de Chantal: Sa Vie et ses Œuvres," Vol. II.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_69" id="Footnote_B_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_69"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> The treatise on the Love of God.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LIX.<br /> -<i>To a Religious of the First Monastery of the -Visitation at Paris.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1625.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>The wings of this little butterfly that thrusts -itself out into the light before its time need to be -clipped; otherwise it will come to destruction. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> -in like manner, my daughter, as soon as you perceive -your mind taking these high flights you must bring -it down to the foot of the crucifix by a profound but -gentle act of humility, holding yourself there all -confused and abashed. Your doing this will put an -end to the trouble. Walk simply, my daughter, -and you will walk happily. Crush self-love, stamp -it out; and with it self-esteem. Let true humility -take its place, that humility which always and in all -circumstances aims at oblivion and at being under -the feet of all. This lesson is a difficult one, but -God invites you to the practice of it. Follow His -will and His example and He will lead you on until -you attain that perfection to which His Providence -has called you. Strive to keep your thoughts off -yourself, and never scrutinize what is passing within -you. Let this truth dwell in your heart and have -it always before your mind that whatever little good -there may be in you is from God, and that therefore -you have no right to take pride in it, nor to -think any the better of yourself because of it. -Remember that of yourself you are mere nothingness, -possessing only the abjection of your sins and -of your countless imperfections. And bearing this -in mind, welcome contempt and all that kills pride. -Make use for this end of that thought of yours that -the Sisters may very justly think you to be full of -self-love and self-esteem, or of any other such -humiliating reflection. Desire to be employed in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> -low and abject things. Not that you should seek -them, but that you be always disposed willingly to -accept them. Beg your good Mother to help you to -acquire this dear virtue of humility, without, however, -asking for anything in particular; for to choose -would spoil everything. If you do all this you will -find the source of true life, and if you do it not, you -will never have any peace nor be able to correspond -to your vocation and to the designs of God over you. I -beseech His Goodness to grant you this precious grace.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2>LX.<br /> -<i>To the Countess de Toulonjon.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Chambéry</span>, 1625.</p> - -<p>Not as soon as I thought, my dearest daughter, -shall we have the pleasure of seeing Mgr. of Bourges, -and indeed it will be a very great pleasure. Ever -since he was cured of his illness and received the -other graces which Our Lord has bestowed upon -him I feel drawn to him by a peculiar appreciation: -and neither do I wish to cease, nor can I cease, from -praising and thanking our good God for His great -mercy to him. Although he frequently writes to -me he has made no allusion in any of his letters to -what you tell me he has done for my son.<a name="FNanchor_A_70" id="FNanchor_A_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_70" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> I will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> -speak to him about it when I have the honour of -meeting him, and see if I cannot have the good -fortune of obtaining from him something to your -advantage. He always appears to me to have a -great affection for you, but I do not think he has -much in the way of temporal goods beyond the -furniture of his house. However, I know little about -this. But my good and dearest daughter, even if -this good lord has altogether forgotten you, why -on that account give way to sorrow and resentment? -Oh! cease to do so, my daughter, for you might offend -God by it. You are too much attached to the -things of this life and take them too much to heart. -What have you to fear? Is it that the fact of -having so many children deprives you of the means -of providing for and educating them according to -their birth and your ambition? Have no such -apprehensions, I beg of you, for in this you wrong -the Providence of Him who gives them to you, and -who is good enough and rich enough to nourish them -and provide for them as is expedient to His glory -and their salvation. That is all that we should -desire for our children, and not look for worldly -prosperity in this miserable and mortal life.</p> - -<p>Now my dearest daughter, lovingly look upon all -these little creatures as entrusted to you by God,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> -who has given them to you; care for them, cherish -them tenderly, and bring them up not in vanity, but -faithfully in the fear of God. So doing, and trustfully -leaving all these anxieties of yours to divine -Providence, you will see how sweetly and tenderly -it will provide for all, so that you will have good -reason to bless and rely wholly upon it. Take my -advice, dearest daughter, and cast yourself into these -safe arms: serve God, cast aside vanity, live in -perfect harmony with him whom God has given you, -interest yourself in the good government of your -household, be active and diligent in applying yourself -to that work, and begin from this time forth to -live after the manners and customs of a true mother. -If I had not had the courage to do this from the -beginning in my married life we should not have had -the means of livelihood, for we had a smaller income -than you have and were fifteen thousand crowns in -debt. Be brave then, dearest daughter; employ -your time and your mind not in worrying and being -anxious about the future, but in serving God and -your household, for such is the divine will. Act thus, -and you will see how blessings will attend your undertakings. -I feel that I am bound to speak thus fully -and openly to you, and I hope that you will profit by -what I say, for I say it with much love and with a -great desire for your good; and that you will often -read over this letter and put its contents in practice. -May God grant you this grace, and may His Goodness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> -pour abundantly upon you and your dear family -His choicest blessings. I cordially salute them all.</p> - -<p>You know, dearest child, how you are my very own -and most dear daughter, and that I am your very -humble mother, most lovingly desirous of your true -happiness.</p> -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_70" id="Footnote_A_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_70"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Madame de Toulonjon having learnt that her uncle, -the Archbishop of Bourges, had made his will in favour of her -brother, the Baron de Chantal, and left her out, was deeply -wounded at this proceeding, and when writing to her holy -Mother had justified herself for her anxieties by alleging -the obligation to provide for the future of her children.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXI.<br /> -<i>To Sister Anne Catherine de Sautereau, Mistress of -Novices at Grenoble.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1626.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>I will do as you desire and in God's presence -will write what He in His Goodness inspires me to -say. I am praying that I may do this. First, then, -it seems to me, my daughter, that in your devotion -you should strive to be generous, noble, frank and -sincere, and build upon a groundwork of profound -humility which engenders true obedience, sweet -charity, and that artless simplicity that makes us -amiable to every one alike, bearing with and excusing -all. Try to instil this same spirit into your novices -and into all the souls that God may at any time put -under your care.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, dearest daughter, you must -leave yourself wholly in the hands of God, so that -your dear soul and the souls of those you guide, may -be, as far as you can make them, independent of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> -that is not God; aiming straight and with such -singleness of purpose that friendships, looks, words -may never be wasted in frivolous amusement with -creatures. By walking in the perfect way of exact -observance of the rules of the Institute, all impediments -are left behind on the road and not given a -thought; for in all things the eye of God only, that -is, His divine good pleasure, is considered. This is a -road without bypaths, daughter, but it is solid, short, -simple, and safe, and by it the soul quickly attains -to a rare union with God which is her end. Let us -then faithfully pursue this way. Truly it cuts short -multiplicity and leads us to that unity which is the -one thing necessary. I know that you are attracted -to this happiness. Give yourself up to it, then, and -you will repose quite at your ease in the bosom of -divine Providence; for souls who cast aside every -aim and end but that of pleasing God are bound to -dwell in peace in this tabernacle.</p> - -<p>Abraham (I do love this patriarch) left his country -and his family to obey God, but, my daughter -dearest, the only Son of God accomplished the will -of His heavenly Father by remaining in the country -of his birth and working there.<a name="FNanchor_A_71" id="FNanchor_A_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_71" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Be satisfied, then, -to imitate the Saviour, for no perfection can equal -His. And do not look elsewhere, but apply yourself -with diligence to do lovingly and cheerfully the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> -works that Providence and obedience put into your -hands. The chief exercises of the novitiate are -mortification and prayer. I have said enough, and -perhaps too much, to one whom God Himself enlightens -and directs. I pray His Goodness to bring -your spirit to the perfection of His most pure love. -Your soul is endeared to me more than I can tell you. -Rest assured of this and pray for her who is wholly -yours in Our Lord. God be praised!</p> -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_71" id="Footnote_A_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_71"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Sister Anne Catherine de Sautereau was a native of -Grenoble.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Anne Catherine de Beaumont, Superior -of the First Monastery of Paris.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>Jan. 6, 1626.</i></p> - -<p>Praise be to our Good God! I assure you, my -very dear daughter, that it has been a great consolation -to me to read your letter and to see the state -of your good heart, in which I perceive the divine -Goodness diffuses many holy and profitable lights -which you turn to good account. These thoughts -are worthy of being noted; they are beautiful, and -are great graces from the divine mercy. And so is -this diversity of states in which you continually find -yourself, for it holds the soul more detached and -more simply united to its God in whom all its happiness -consists. I see also that suffering is not wanting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> -to you. Suffering is the crucible in which Our Lord -wishes entirely to purify you. Your interior correspondence -ought wholly to consist in a simple handing -over of yourself, in a complete self-surrender; -then for the exterior, humility, submissiveness and -meekness. And I beseech you, even if interior -lights superabound, not to fail to seek counsel, -preferring the opinions of others to your own, in as -far as it is possible. This is one of the chief fruits -of that most holy humility which should inspire -all our actions. Indeed, had your letter been as -long again it would only have been all the more -welcome to me. May God give me the grace to -draw profit from it! Although in my unworthiness -I cannot walk by so high and excellent a way, still, -I hope that it will do me good.</p> - -<p>I am very glad that you have received those -two good subjects, and I thank you with all my -heart for our little Adrienne. It is quite true that -our dear Mgr. Bourges grows daily in piety and -devotion, which, methinks, must be real because -there is so much humility, meekness of heart, and -detachment from the things of earth about it. We -shall pray very specially for good M. de N. He is a -person whom I always look up to, and so I do to the -Rev. Father Superior. I send them both my -respectful salutations. Hold yourself very humble, -my dearest daughter, and think yourself very unworthy -of the graces of God: for this little holding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> -back will draw them on you all the more. I pray -His Goodness daily to increase these graces in your -soul, which I love more than I can express.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>LXIII.<br /> -<i>To the Same.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>28th Jan., 1626.</i></p> - -<p>I see quite well, good dear daughter, that nothing -will satisfy that heart of yours unless you make -clear to me the holy affection it has for my miserable -little heart, and I reciprocate your love to a degree -that I cannot express. Oh God! what will it be to -love each other with a love that is ever present and -beyond all earthly love, for such is the gift the great -Lover of our souls will bestow on us! Let us try, -my daughter, to grow in this divine love from moment -to moment. Alas! I desire it, but you—you -possess it. For this may God be praised and also -for the good order of your house, which our dear -Father M. Vincent<a name="FNanchor_A_72" id="FNanchor_A_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_72" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> tells me is a matter worthy of -great thanksgiving and consolation.</p> - -<p>Believe me, it is a true delight to me to know -that our Rules are so faithfully kept. Now observe -from this how Mother Superiors should see that the -Rule is carried out in regard to Ecclesiastical<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> -Superiors, and how the Mothers themselves should -faithfully observe what is prescribed for them, so -that by example we may instruct and strengthen -those whom God has committed to our care. Pray -continually, I beg of you, for our dear Father, Dom -Juste, and for the affair of the Beatification of our -Blessed Father. Our Holy Father the Pope has -issued a Decree about beatifications which causes -me some apprehension.<a name="FNanchor_B_73" id="FNanchor_B_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_73" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> But in all things we must -conform our wills to that of God.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_72" id="Footnote_A_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_72"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> St. Vincent de Paul.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_73" id="Footnote_B_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_73"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> The fears of St. Jane Frances were not without cause, -for the popular enthusiasm occasioned by the many -miracles wrought through the intercession of the holy -Bishop resulted in many <i>ex voto</i> offerings and much public -worship being paid to his remains, all of which was forbidden -by the Decree, pending the decision of the Church.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXIV.<br /> -<i>Mother Marie Adrienne Fichet, Superior at Rumilly.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1626.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>The letters I receive from your Sisters -Councillors are the greatest comfort to me, for they -bear witness to the union and content that reigns -between you and them. If you practice all you -teach, there is every reason that this should not -only continue but increase. Let the old feel that -you are satisfied with them, treating them with -cordial love, respect and confidence. Be one in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> -heart with them as true sisters ought to be; for -although they should honour and obey you as their -Mother, still, you ought to treat them as sisters and -companions. And to the young be as a benign -mother with her daughters, not pressing them too -much unless it be to encourage them in a loving way. -What I am writing is in reference to your last letter, -in which you tell me that you often say they must -be open with you. My dear daughter, you must -lead them to this openness by kindness and encouragement; -for the spirit of the Visitation is one -of gentleness, and this must be preserved at all costs, -else yours would not be a Visitation house even -though all the rest of the Rules should be observed, -for this, the most important of our characteristics -would be wanting. Let then this holy gentleness -with every one be your chief care. Retiring and -tranquil in all your undertakings, carry them out -prudently so that God may be glorified by your -intercourse with those outside the monastery and by -the sweetness of your government with those within. -You are aware that your natural disposition needs -bridling and that you must keep it in check. Do -this then for God and you will receive all manner of -graces. Keep near the good God and read carefully -your Rules, for He wishes that in the charge He has -committed to you you should become a living Rule, -to His sovereign glory.</p> - -<p>I had not thought of saying all this to you, but as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> -I write God has put it into my mind. Profit by it -then, my very dear daughter, and let this letter -serve you for a long time and for always, as I am -sure my good Angel and yours have dictated it. If -you saw my heart and its keen affection for your -welfare, you would indeed love me.</p> - -<p>For the rest, his Lordship bids me take our Sisters -into Lorraine. If I can manage it, and that he -approves, I'll go a little out of my way to see you. -I send you some relics of our holy Father. Madame -Garbillon seems inclined to take her daughter to you -herself after Easter. There are still plenty of others, -but we shall try to send you those who are fairly -well off. However, you will be obliged to floor your -dormitory in order to accommodate so many subjects. -See to this in good time so as to have in the -necessary planks and wood. Also have the garden -wall raised a little. This, and the well, is, in my -opinion, all you need.</p> - -<p>I cannot express to you, my dearest daughter, -how I love your little house. In it may God make -you worthy to serve Him and all your dear daughters -perfectly, not forgetting the good and dear Sister -de la Fléchère, who has lodged us so comfortably. -Show her much affection and comfort her with all -simplicity and confidence. The poor woman needs -it, for she is in great trouble about her affairs. -Good-bye, dearest daughter.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours most affectionately.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> - -<p>Pray for me that I may do God's holy will. -Amen.</p> - -<p>P.S.—I must add this word. Study meekness -and humble gravity. I beg it of you. The Chapter -on Religious Modesty, well practised, will give you -this grace.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>LXV.<br /> -<i>To the Sisters of the Visitation.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_74" id="FNanchor_A_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_74" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1626.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Sisters</span>,</p> - -<p>I present to you, in all the sincerity of my -heart, the directions and customs which have been -established in this monastery by our late holy Father -and Founder, having arranged them in what seemed -to me the most convenient form for their preservation. -And I have added, following his injunctions, -some things which he had written with his own hand, -and others, which he had marked, but had not yet -written.</p> - -<p>The majority of the Sisters who have known him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> -are aware, as I am, that it was his wish that these -Directories, Ceremonials, and Customs should, in the -future, be for ever observed in all our monasteries of -the Visitation, in order, permanently, to keep up the -union and conformity which until now has existed -between them and the first monastery. To further -this end, it has been my desire, by means of the first -Sisters of our holy Order and of the entire Chapter -here, to make them known, so that with me they may -bear witness, to those who succeed us, that they are -the same Directories, Ceremonials, Customs, and -Ordinances which were established in this monastery -of Annecy by our said holy Founder, and that they -have been observed by these first Sisters, and by all -the Communities which they governed, in as far as -they have been communicated to them. But because -it has pleased divine Providence to confer on me, -though so unworthy, the honour, grace and happiness -of being one of the first sisters employed in -beginning this most admirable and holy manner of -life, our holy Father and Founder has instructed me -and them with peculiar care. Therefore, dearest -Sisters, I think it will not be distasteful to you if I -exhort you to be faithful to the observance of things -which have been recommended for the welfare of -our souls with such tender love and zeal. Nor do -I think you will gainsay my recalling you to some -notable points to which I know he specially wished -that we should adhere.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> - -<p>This I do in true affection, for, to me they sum up -all that is necessary for us and nothing more is -needed by us. His great fear, our Blessed Father -told me, was lest we should not thoroughly devote -ourselves to the practice of the Rule. And I, also -fearing this, pray God that our very apprehension -may make us all the more faithful to our observance. -"The precepts," he said, "of all virtue and perfection -are contained in our Rules and Constitutions." -Oh, how true this is! For if we have but one heart -in God, if we honour Him in the person of one -another; if we are simple, humble, chaste, poor, -retiring, and all else that is prescribed, shall we not -fulfil all perfection? Again, he said that our -Institute teaches us sufficiently what to do, and our -part is to do it. Let us, then, labour, I beseech you, -very dear Sisters, with our whole hearts, whether it -be in obeying or in commanding, to become living -Rules, not according to our own human wisdom and -prudence, but according to what is set down, practising -it, exactly and punctually, to the letter, without -gloss or comment; and let us rather die than under -any pretext whatsoever depart from this holy way.</p> - -<p>The peculiar obedience we owe their Lordships, -our prelates, is a special virtue of our Institute. -They ought to be its protectors and consequently -cannot command us anything at variance with it. -Many a time has our Blessed Father exhorted us to -be on our guard against opening the door to any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> -change, for with it all will go. Not even in things -of small importance would he have us yield, for -little changes open the way to greater, and if we -want to keep intact what we have received, and -what has been so wisely instituted, we must change -nothing. Old established customs, though but -mediocre, are better than new ones that appear to -us more desirable. Above all he charged Superiors -to take heed to this, and insisted that the good -or evil estate of their monasteries rests in their -hands; that care and attention to their duty should, -in them, be universal; that they ought not to neglect -even the most insignificant points; and said that -their love, cordial support, and zeal for the perfection -of the Sisters in exact observance would make their -monasteries abodes of happiness, and preserve their -Institute. We must aspire, then, to nothing more -and to nothing less than what is prescribed for us. -All these words of Our Blessed Father should be -engraven on our hearts and practised literally. If, -however, times and places demonstrate the necessity -of accommodating in some point, and the change -affects in no way the Rules, Constitutions, and -Customs essential to the conformity of the convents, -such change can be made. But we should first -consult the Spiritual Father, some capable and pious -persons, and the old established monasteries of the -Order, above all Annecy, which latter, after having -maturely considered the proposition, should confer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> -with the monastery of Lyons, so that the changes -introduced may not be made lightly, nor except -when of great utility for the welfare of the monasteries -and in cases of evident necessity. Another grave -fear entertained by Our Blessed Father was, lest -the spirit of worldly prudence and wisdom should -glide in amongst us. Here also then should we be -on our guard, for it would be our ruin; above all if -it crept in in regard to the election of Mother -Superiors and of those Sisters who have the chief -charges in the monasteries. Most careful and conscientious -should the Sisters be on this point, never -receiving any Superior but her whom they themselves -have elected; for this the Rule commands. -Make no account on these occasions of certain -natural or acquired talents, of the gift of speaking -well, of fine presence, of certain attractive qualities, -of brightness of manner, of nobility, or of many -years of priority in age or in Religion, nor of such -qualities which if they be not accompanied with -what is solid, should not be considered by us. -Rather let us choose those who have discretion and -good judgement, who are simple, sincere, humble, -who have zeal for the observance. Not those who -abound in their own sense, for such as are affected -with this malady usually discredit the spirit of -religion in order to introduce their own. We should -employ those who do not seek the higher charges, -judging themselves unworthy of any.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> - -<p>Such sisters will do admirably all that obedience -orders and the spirit of God will govern in them. -Believe me, this point is of great importance, my -dearest Sisters. Be faithful to it, then, I beg of you.</p> - -<p>In the same way must we dread human prudence -and human considerations in the reception of subjects -(the good choice of which is essential for the -preservation of the Institute); above all of subjects -who are infirm or defective in body. You will tell -me that this has been so often recommended in our -writings that there is no need for me to speak of it -here. Yes, this is true, yet I cannot refrain from -repeating myself, because I see that this article on -the reception of those who have some bodily defect -is often combated by wise persons, and is quite -contrary to natural prudence, which sometimes -furnishes so many good reasons that poor charity -has trouble enough to hold herself above it. Wherefore, -to observe this point intact we need great -courage, and we should often call to mind that it is -the end of our Institute, and the desire of desires -of our holy Institutor, as is shown by his warning -to those who infringe it. And see how by this law -he has provided us with a means of practising the -two cherished virtues of our Congregation to which -he so constantly exhorted us: gentle charity towards -our neighbour, and love of our own humiliation. -All that can help us to gain these virtues ought to -be very dear to us, since they are the foundation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> -and mainstay of the whole spiritual edifice of the -Visitation. Let us then cleave to them, humbling -ourselves more and more, so that we may accept -lovingly and with a welcome all that is abject in the -eyes of the world. Thus may we esteem ourselves -very poor and little in comparison to others, desiring -no other excellence than not to excel, depending -wholly on the good pleasure of God, seeking in all -things only His glory, for this, as you know, is the -characteristic of the daughters of the Visitation. -Oh! my dearest daughters, how we should prize -it! It is the one thing worth caring about. For -the love of God, let us preserve it in its entirety, and -beware of the desire of excelling and of self-esteem, -which would rob us of it. Continually bear in mind -all that our Blessed Father has both left us in his -writings and said to us on this subject, so that our -undertakings may be adorned with this holy virtue. -I shudder as I write and cannot keep back my tears -from the fear that some day this spirit will be lessened -or lost. Oh my God! permit not this, but rather -let our Institute cease to be. My Sisters, I entreat -you to be faithful. When I recall the labours, cares, -and pains through which our holy Founder established -and confirmed us as we now are, and his intense -desire that this spirit should continue unimpaired, -I feel that I would willingly give my life to preserve -it. With all the strength of my soul then I say: -Be jealous of it, for it is the supreme means of drawing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> -down upon us the grace of God, in whose hands -Our Blessed Father has left us with the assurance -that within the paternal Arms of the sovereign -Providence of God we shall never lack grace to -maintain our Institute in its first fervour, provided -we are faithful to its spirit.</p> - -<p>When at Lyons he gave me the good and solid -reasons on which he had formed his final resolve to -leave us under the authority of their Lordships the -prelates. He added, with a deep and humble sense -of confidence: "Jesus Christ will be your Head and -your Protector—the happiness of your Congregation -will not depend on being placed under the government -of one Superior, but on the fidelity of each -Sister individually, and of all together, to unite -themselves to God by an exact and punctual -observance." These are very consoling and striking -words, full of faith as they are. I am aware that -they are in the Book of Customs, yet I feel impelled -to quote them again here, for I should like to write -them in a hundred places, and above all in the -depths of your hearts. We should look upon them -as the last will and testament of our holy Founder, -and by faithful practice keep them inviolably. In -them we shall find our happiness and the one and -only means of preserving untarnished the spirit of -our Institute, which is a spirit strong and finely -tempered. By means of them shall we also learn -how to hide ourselves and how to dwell in peace in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> -the paternal bosom of our good God, humbly -trusting that these his words will produce deeds. -So we must not be anxious, no matter what happens -to us, but remain ever tranquil, striving with the -assistance of divine grace not to philosophize on -what may never come about. For our Blessed -Father said to me: "To maintain our Congregation -we may search in vain amongst human means for -any better way than our Rule."</p> - -<p>He likewise told me that he intended to put things -still more plainly, so as to secure that unity and -conformity amongst the monasteries and that spirit -of humility, with all of which God had already so -abundantly blessed them; for he longed above all -things that they should continue as they are. He -ordered me to see that, to the permissions for foundations -given by the Bishops, the article on "Foundations" -which is in the Book of Customs should be -added. The principal exterior means that he judged -suitable for keeping up union was conformity to and -correspondence with Annecy in everything regarding -the complete observance received from him. "Although," -he said, "it is established in a small town, -it has nevertheless been the will of divine Providence -that the germ of the Congregation of the Visitation -should be formed there, and there receive its law -and foundations." Wherefore the other monasteries -of the Visitation are always to acknowledge the -house of Annecy as their mother and source, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> -maintain with it the closest union of charity, conforming -themselves entirely to it, having particular -intercourse with it, and referring to it in order to be -instructed in the doubts and difficulties which may -arise in practising the Rule and Customs. Such, I -assure you with entire truthfulness, was his express -wish, and he informed me of it in a manner full of -graciousness and wisdom. Conformity to his wishes, -and likewise the happiness which this monastery -possesses in being the depository of his holy body, -will always induce the other houses to keep up an -affectionate union with us here. And as he asked -this on your parts so did he desire that Annecy -should make you all a return of unstinted service, -giving both materially and of its members with a -great zeal and a large-hearted affection, while keeping -up the observance even to the most minute -regulations conscientiously and exactly, so that here -it may be always found practised in its pristine -vigour and integrity.</p> - -<p>I must not omit to repeat these words of his, also -said to me at Lyons: "It is by a special providence -of God that the Jesuit Fathers have so great an -affection and charity for us. We should value this -and return it, holding them in singular respect and -giving them our confidence, for they will be a great -help to us. It is not, however, necessary so to -attach ourselves to their Order as to lose our liberty, -for this we must jealously guard. Neither should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> -it prevent us from union with other Orders with -which we ought to keep in touch, for our Congregation -should have a universal spirit"; and again: -"I do not mean that those who counsel our Sisters -are to change their exercises or their manner of -carrying them out, for there must be no change, and -in this they must be firm."</p> - -<p>Such is almost word for word what I learned from -his lips, and to know his will is sufficient, I feel -assured, in the goodness of your hearts, to render -you docile to it. For me, it but remains to urge you -to this, not only exteriorly, but what is of far more -consequence, interiorly, in the spirit, to be cordial, -gentle, humble, artless, poor with a poverty which -keeps us to a holy medium in everything, avoiding -superfluities and all that savours of ostentation. To -all this I affectionately entreat you with all the -earnestness of which I am capable. I cannot truly -bring my letter to a close without congratulating this -dear convent of Annecy on the privileges and graces -with which eternal Providence has been pleased to -favour it in rendering it lovable and worthy of respect -to all the other houses, for where will true daughters -of this Order be found who hold it not in high esteem -and who envy it not its privileges, above all that of -being the dear guardians of the sacred body of its -Founder?—verily, a most precious grace, for which it -ought unceasingly to offer the sacrifice of praise to -the divine Majesty. But, my very dear daughters,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> -what, think you, ought to be this sacrifice of praise -in thanksgiving for so great a benefit? None other -surely than the constant and persevering offering -of a very exact and holy observance to all contained -in the Institute, so that it will always there be found -practised in its perfect vigour and integrity. See, -my dear daughters, to what our birthright obliges us.</p> - -<p>Let us then remain very humble, very poor in -our own esteem, and in holy fear before God, showing -our appreciation of the dignity conferred upon us -not by esteeming ourselves above others, which -would but turn to harm the priceless gifts we possess, -but rather by being the most humble, the most lowly, -the most faithful of all.</p> - -<p>May God grant us this grace! Amen.</p> - -<p class="space-above">May I venture to add a very humble prayer to -our Sisters the Superiors, that they will keep in mind -this word of the Rule: "Let us be before God under -the feet of all our Sisters"? Ah! my God, if we -treat them so, if we love our Sisters with a truly -maternal love, which is solicitous, vigilant, zealous for -the welfare of its children; if we govern them not -according to our own views we shall draw upon our -family all manner of blessings. Let them feel that -you have a mother's heart and solicitude for them, -keeping their minds tranquil and contented, and you -can do what you like with them.</p> - -<p>All I have said above, very dear Sisters, I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> -said solely moved by love and desire. I reiterate -it all with the most emphatic and tender entreaties -from the depth of my heart. All our happiness is -shut up in it. We are obliged to it by vow. It is -our way of perfection of which we shall have to render -an account at the hour of death. Think well on this.</p> - -<p>I pray the divine Goodness, through the intercession -of His Holy Mother and of our Blessed -Father, to pour on you all the abundant treasures of -His grace, so that generously and cheerfully you may -continue to walk on this road, gaining by it the fullness -of all perfection in this life and in the next the -prize of a blessed eternity.</p> - -<p>Pardon the great length of this letter and its -confidences, and obtain from the divine Mercy eternal -salvation for her who wishes you God's best graces -in abundance and who is, with unbounded affection,</p> - -<p class="right">Devotedly yours.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_74" id="Footnote_A_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_74"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Saint Jane Frances originally intended this letter to -serve as a Preface to the Book of Customs, but deeming that -she had spoken with too much authority therein, and also -in order not to give any pretext for the calumnies of those -who accused her of desiring to pose as General of her Order, -the holy foundress kept back its publication, and never in -her lifetime gave it to the Institute. Amongst her sisters -she would not accept any other title than that of Eldest -Daughter of the Family.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXVI.<br /> -<i>To Sister Anne Marie de Lage de Puylaurens, -Assistant and Mistress of Novices at Bourges.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1626.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>God has indeed favoured you in giving you -His holy light and strength to extricate yourself from -the dangerous temptation against your good, virtuous -Mother. It is the devil's doing, in the hope of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> -upsetting you both by disuniting you. God be -blessed who has delivered you. Take great care -never to fall into it again and keep invariably united -to your written Rule, and to the living rule which is -your Superior. For it may be that God will permit -you to be under a very imperfect Superior, and, if -so, endure it. The spirit of God is there for you, -and think of nothing save that. Most assuredly, if -faithful you will never come to grief by this road.</p> - -<p>Yes, of course, dearest daughter, your timidity -comes from self-love. For the love of God, master -your inclination and live as the Rule tells us, according -to reason and to the will of God. If you yourself -do not make up your mind to this, there is no way of -helping you. You can be told what you ought to do, -but no one can do it but yourself. Be brave then. -God requires this of you. He calls you to a high -perfection, and your true way, the solitary road by -which you can attain it, is by corresponding faithfully -to the exact observance of the Institute, and -this with a holy fervour of spirit, humbly, sweetly -and simply. It consoles me to hear that you have -cut short your introspections, and that you are -more tranquil in the desire for your advancement, -this eagerness comes from nothing but self-love. Be -watchful against it always, I beg of you, and -accustom yourself to regard the will of God in all -things and to unite yourself to it. There is nothing -changed in the ceremonial. You can take as you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> -think fit from the Book of Customs and the Spiritual -Directory for the instruction of your Novices, whom -I affectionately salute, and you also whom my soul -cherishes with a special and cordial love. I beseech -of you to be cordial and generous.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>LXVII.<br /> -<i>To the Baron de Chantal, the Saint's Son.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1626.</p> - -<p>I have an intense longing for news of you, as I -cannot but feel anxious about this pain you are -suffering. If I could but ease it by bearing it in my -own body! God so willing, what a relief it would -be to me, for my heart is sore at the thought of you. -Yet, believe me, my dearest Son, this suffering is -sent for the profit of your soul. Bear it then as -sweetly and as patiently as you can. It will help to -win heaven for you. Lift up your heart often to -that blessed country. The happiness that awaits -us there is eternal, while the sorrows of this life soon -pass away. And I beseech you, my own beloved -Son, since your condition obliges you to row on the -tempestuous sea of this world, try never to swallow -its waters, but drink rather of those of Divine grace, -turning in all your needs with a loving, filial trust -to that source of mercy. Love above all else, and -fear to displease, the God of sovereign goodness who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> -alone can make you happy both here and hereafter. -That you may possess in abundance His most -precious graces is the abiding wish of her who with all -her heart loves and cherishes you, her own special one.</p> - -<p class="right">Your good Mother.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2>LXVIII.<br /> -<i>To the Same.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1627.</p> - -<p>May blessings of every description be bestowed -upon my very dear son and beloved daughter for -this new year and for always, so that after having -lived long and happily together here on earth they -may continue in the enjoyment of one another in -eternal glory. This is my wish of wishes for you, -dearest son, and for that most charming little wife -whom God has given you and whom I love so -tenderly for your sake. I long for news as to the -health of both of you and of the dear little daughter,<a name="FNanchor_A_75" id="FNanchor_A_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_75" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> -whom may God also make altogether His own if it -please Him.</p> - -<p>I still look forward to visiting you next summer, -as Mother de Châtel, who is Superior here (at -Annecy), desires me to go to Orleans, and you are so -near that I hope to be able to see you and your little -family. This consolation I promise myself with the -help of divine Providence which I unceasingly invoke<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> -for you, that it may lead you securely through all -the miseries and temptations of this wretched life, -beset as it is with occasions of separating us from -God's holy fear and love. My beloved son, never -put a foot outside the safe keeping of this love and -fear. Think of the eternal life to which we are all -journeying and of the instability of this one, which -is but a roadway on which we pass from one sorrow -to another. In the name of God let us so live here -that we may live together eternally in everlasting -happiness and glory. This desire consumes the -heart of your unworthy Mother, who loves you -beyond words.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_75" id="Footnote_A_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_75"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Marie de Chantal, afterwards Madame de Sévigné.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXIX.<br /> -<i>To M. de Coulanges, Junior, at Paris.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>12th January, 1627.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,</p> - -<p>I bless God with all my heart for the good -news you give me of your happy marriage and of the -complete recovery of my son. Indeed, I am allied -to your honourable family by so many obligations -and so close an affection that I cannot but share in a -large measure all the good and evil fortune that -befalls you; therefore have I every reason, seeing -you so happy in this marriage, to rejoice with you -and to congratulate your family. Thanking God, as -I do with all my heart, for this great blessing, I beg<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> -of Him in His infinite goodness to spread an abundance -of graces upon your union and to give you many -prosperous years. Such, Sir, are the wishes of my -heart for you and for your wife, whom I pray to -believe me to be her very humble servant.</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:11em;">Always your very</span><br /> -humble and affectionate servant.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2>LXX.<br /> -<i>To the Countess de Toulonjon.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1627.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>May God in His infinite goodness recompense -you by an abundance of spiritual and temporal -blessings for the loss you have sustained in the death -of a son,<a name="FNanchor_A_76" id="FNanchor_A_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_76" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> tidings of which have reached me. I -know that you will have received this visitation of -God with a patient and loving submission to His -good pleasure, for in this valley of tears we must -expect many afflictions and but few consolations. -Keep lifting up your thoughts to Eternal Life, where -alone is to be found true repose. Into it cast all -your heart and all your hopes, and teach the little -one (Gabrielle<a name="FNanchor_B_77" id="FNanchor_B_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_77" class="fnanchor">[B]</a>) this lesson while she is still young.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_76" id="Footnote_A_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_76"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Madame de Toulonjon unhappily lost several of her -children at birth.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_77" id="Footnote_B_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_77"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Gabrielle de Toulonjon married her cousin, de Bussy -Rabutin, of unenviable celebrity. Needless to say, the -union was not for her a happy one.</p> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p></div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXI.<br /> -<i>To the Same.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1627.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>May the sweet Saviour fill you and all those -dear to you with His holy love. I do not know -whether you have received my last letter in answer -to your confidential one. I am looking out for good -news. The tender love I bear you cannot but make -me a little anxious. However, I trust that God in -His love will support you and bring you safely -through. Now that a satisfactory peace<a name="FNanchor_A_78" id="FNanchor_A_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_78" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> is, thank -God, concluded, I hope to have the consolation of -seeing you this year. Nevertheless, dearest daughter, -do not let yourself be taken up too much with -this hope, so that if divine Providence should -put obstacles in the way you may not be greatly -upset; for beyond everything I want you to love His -holy guidance, and He is so good that He always -arranges what is best for His children, one of whom -you most assuredly are. How I long to impress upon -you this truth, that nothing can happen except by -the order and disposition of the Eternal Will. I -salute dear Gabrielle.</p> - -<p class="right">Ever your Mother, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_78" id="Footnote_A_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_78"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> A temporary peace made, during the Thirty Years' -War, with the Huguenots in May, 1626, and called the -Peace of Monzon.</p></div> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie-Adrienne Fichet, Superior at Rumilly.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1627.</p> - -<p>[The first lines are illegible.]</p> - -<p>As to your temptations, divert your mind from -them, and in this do violence to yourself, but let it be -a gentle violence, and yet taking good hold. This -firmness tempered with mildness is, my daughter, -the course for you. God has hidden the prize of -eternal glory in the conquest and mortification of -ourselves, but a conquest and a mortification that -are always accompanied with sweetness; otherwise, -with your quick nature you will be the cause of -suffering not only to yourself but likewise to others. -Hence, gentleness is an important factor in government, -and when allied to generosity, I daily see how -much souls are helped and supported by it. You -are aware of the very special love which I have for -your soul, and your house is to me as one of our own -dormitories here. They speak of your monastery -as being unfortunate, and ask how it is that it is so -afflicted. Such affliction should not be spoken of -as a misfortune, as it is the means of bringing glory -to God; for not one of your Sisters has died whose -soul is not giving Him praise in Heaven. This is, -dearest daughter, the language of the world. That<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> -of God is quite otherwise: for whenever a house is -visited by such tribulation as does not offend Him -it is a great mark of His benediction upon that -community. Now continue to be on your guard -lest there be any asperity in your corrections, for -hardness is neither becoming nor fruitful. Those -who have the charge of others are not usually able -to say with St. Paul: "I am innocent of your -blood,"<a name="FNanchor_A_79" id="FNanchor_A_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_79" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> meaning of the faults which these people -commit. On the contrary most commonly we are -guilty not only of our own faults but likewise of -those of others. For either we are too severe, or too -lenient; we have either corrected with harshness, -not seasoning our words with the sugar of holy -charity, or have neglected to correct at all.</p> - -<p>I have nothing more to say, dearest daughter, but -that I forward the money for the new habit you have -made for me, and I beseech you, on the first opportunity, -to send me back the old one which the sisters -have kept. There is nothing upsets me more than -these exterior manifestations of imaginary sanctity -in me; they are simply snares that the devil lays to -make me tumble into the pitfall of pride. I am -already a sufficient stumbling-block to myself without -your adding to it. I implore of you, all of you, -not to be the occasion to me of so dangerous a -temptation, and if anyone has anything belonging -to me they will oblige me by burning it. Would to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> -God that my sisters treated me as I deserve before -Him, then I should have some hope that by humiliations -I might become what they imagine me to be: -but this providing me with continual temptations to -vanity is a thing insupportable to me. I tell you -this with sorrow in my heart and tears in my eyes. -The good N. and N. are very happy in having so -many exterior humiliations. I cherish them more -on account of these, and believe them to be, in God's -judgement, which is so different from that of men, -all the greater because of them.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_79" id="Footnote_A_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_79"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Acts, XX, 26.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXIII.<br /> -<i>To Mother Anne Catherine de Beaumont, Superior of -the First Monastery of Paris.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>August 12th, 1627.</i></p> - -<p>How good it is, my dearest daughter, to rest in -God and seek only His glory! See how He has -guided this election, which has been a great consolation -to me, and I have every hope that this dear -Mother Hélène Angelique (L'huillier) will rule with -such humility and gentleness that much glory will -accrue to God, and the Sisters be consoled and -satisfied. The Bishop of Geneva is very glad that -things have turned out as they have done. When -you are in the new house I think you will do well to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> -send him word of your deposition and tell him of the -nature of your new office.</p> - -<p>Our Blessed Father's process<a name="FNanchor_A_80" id="FNanchor_A_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_80" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> is, thank God, -progressing well. The Depositions are bringing to -light treasures of virtue and sanctity: His incomparable -charity and profound humility shine conspicuously -throughout; but, for the matter of that, there -is no virtue that does not shine in him, for he -possessed all in a pre-eminent degree. Lord Jesus, -what a glorious thing it is to be a saint! May God -make us worthy daughters of such a Father, and -may we above all have the grace to imitate his -humility and his poor opinion of himself! Oh how -happy we should be if we could love this lowliness -and poverty so much prized by him.</p> - -<p>The Archbishop of Bourges will be here till -October; but he will not be able to finish the business. -The Bishop of Belley will then take it up, -for it is going to be a long affair. We start for -Orleans (D.V.) at latest on the 15th of October.</p> - -<p>If Sister M. M.'s mind is not in accord with that -of her superior of Paris, and she is not satisfied, -though it seems to me she ought to be, you would -be doing a great charity to take her away with you. -It is a misery to see poor souls like this who are not -content with things as they are; however, they are -objects of our charity and our forebearance. Goodbye, -very dear daughter; I pray God to fill you and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> -all our dear Sisters with His holy love. I salute all, -but in particular Sister Assistant. Our Sister the -Superior of Blois writes to tell me that their good -foundress has died. Help to relieve them if you -can in reference to the foundation.<a name="FNanchor_B_81" id="FNanchor_B_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_81" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> They have -confidence that you will do your best for them, and -do it, I beg of you.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_80" id="Footnote_A_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_80"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Process of Beatification.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_81" id="Footnote_B_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_81"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> This is to say, see that the sum promised by the -foundress for the founding of a convent is forthcoming.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXIV.<br /> -<i>To a Visitation Superior.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1627.</p> - -<p>Thank you, my dear daughter, for praying for my -son. With his death,<a name="FNanchor_A_82" id="FNanchor_A_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_82" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> most truly, came to me not a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> -feeling of death so much as of life for the soul of my -child, and God has given me a very clear light and a -very tender gratitude for His mercy towards this -soul. Alas! not one of the fears that used to come -upon me of his dying in one of those duels into which -his friends enticed him but was harder to bear than -has been this good and Christian death. And -although it has deeply affected me, yet the consolation -in the thought that my son has given his blood -for the Faith outweighs the sorrow. Besides, dear -daughter, it is a long time now since I have given -him and everything to Our Lord, by whose goodness -I hope to obtain the grace no more to desire aught -save to see Him dispose of all things to His liking in -time and in eternity.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_82" id="Footnote_A_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_82"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The death of the Baron de Chantal is related by a -contemporary historian in the following terms: "Chantal -was chosen to head the first squadron of Volunteers, which -at this time comprised the whole flower of the Court, and -finding himself under orders to defend the Isle of Ré against -the English on July, 22nd, 1627, held his post with such -tenacious courage during six hours, although he had -received twenty-six pike wounds, of which he died two -hours later, that the heroism of his death was the subject -of universal praise, and all mourned him as his valour -merited. He was thirty-one years of age. The end of this -gallant gentleman was as Christian as it was self-sacrificing. -On the morning of the combat he prepared himself by the -reception of the Sacraments, and breathed his last in sentiments -of the most sincere piety. The following day Toitas -claimed his body from the English General, and it was then -embalmed and buried in the Isle of Ré, his heart having -been sent to his sorrowing widow, who had it buried with -honour in the church of the Minims in Paris, from whence -it was afterwards removed to the Church of the Visitation -Monastery, Rue St. Antoine."</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXV.<br /> -<i>To Mother Jeanne Hélène de Gérard, Superior at Embrun.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>14th September, 1627.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Mother</span>,</p> - -<p>I have just received your letter, and as we are -on the point of starting for Orleans I can neither -give my answer the attention the matter deserves, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>God with His wonted goodness will make up for my -deficiencies. Those good subjects to whose admittance -your Archbishop objects must not, of course, -be received, and if the Fathers write to me in reference -to them I will keep to his Lordship's commands.</p> - -<p>It is impossible for a superior to undertake to give -all her orders at the Obedience<a name="FNanchor_A_83" id="FNanchor_A_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_83" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> although it is well -for her to think a little beforehand of what she intends -to say at that time. The defect you mention is a -mere trifle, but that of urging on spirits over much, -although there is rarely sin, owing to your purity of -intention, is, however, a matter of great importance: -therefore, my dearest Sister, do, I beg of you, proceed -gently in this holy work.</p> - -<p>Read with attention the writings of our holy -Founder (St. Francis de Sales), and you will there see -the extreme sweetness and suavity with which he led -souls, and how marvellously they thus advanced. -Follow his spirit closely, I pray you, animating -all, encouraging all, yet always with gentleness. -Commonly speaking, we have more strength for -bearing up on great occasions than on small ones, -so it is that being overcome by slight difficulties we -get to know, through the grace of God, how weak -we are, and in this way He keeps us humble and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> -dependent on Him. These little attacks which give -you heart-aches are nothing to an enlightened mind -resolved to will only as God wills; and this, I know, -is your own sole aim.</p> - -<p>Your sincerity in telling me this thought (that you -are more enlightened than I am) has given me great -pleasure. Such openness and simplicity of heart is -the cream of virtue, which I desire for the daughters -of the Visitation. May God increase it in you, -together with the love of your own humiliation and -holy liberty of mind.</p> - -<p>Keep to this way, very dear daughter, and God -will, I trust, make you experience the wonders of His -mercy. Abide, I pray you, between the arms of -divine Providence and of holy Obedience, and let -not your desires outstep these limits.</p> - -<p>Believe me, daughter, it is to God's glory that you -finish your term of office. I mean your triennial -term in the charge of which obedience has placed -you. I have a thousand reasons, both for God's -sake and for what is becoming in yourself, to show -you that this is the Visitation spirit, but I have no -leisure to write them. Give us the comfort of seeing -you persevere generously. You have only eighteen -months to get through. It will soon pass, and at -the end of it you will have abundance of consolation -for having satisfied the good pleasure of God who -asks this of you. Before that time, please God you -will confer and resolve together as to who is to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> -your successor, and also about the buildings in -regard to which it would be well to have the opinion -of the Archbishop so as to conform to it as much as -possible.... I want to say a few words to Sister -Anne Marie (Bon) and then hasten to finish.</p> - -<p>Praying God abundantly to spread His holy -benedictions upon you and all your dear family, I -recommend myself with great earnestness to your -prayers, that in this journey, and at all times, I may -accomplish the holy will of God. I shall always -answer your letters whenever I receive them, for -God has given me a very sincere affection for you and -for your little house, and my desire is to respond to -the holy confidence you place in me with so much -candour and fidelity.</p> - -<p>Adieu, dearest daughter. Believe me, with my -whole heart,</p> - -<p class="right">Your very humble sister and servant.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_83" id="Footnote_A_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_83"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Before the Sisters disperse at the morning and evening -recreations they receive "Obediences" from the Superior -as to any change of employment or any special devotions -in the course of the day.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXVI.<br /> -<i>To Sister Françoise-Angélique de la Croix de Fésigney, -Mistress of Novices at Riom.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_84" id="FNanchor_A_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_84" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Orleans</span>, 1627.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Little One</span>,</p> - -<p>Your letter has given me much consolation, -for in it I see somewhat more determination to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> -follow the advice we have given you, which, for you, -is the only suitable advice. Keep your heart on -high and confide with holy joy, and no reserves, in -the goodness of God. He has designed to make -choice of you for His service in the Monastery in -which He has placed you: where no doubt there are -others more capable than you, but that does not -signify in God's eyes. It is humility, not capacity, -He looks for. The most humble and the most -faithful to His divine will contents Him most, and -this is, I know, the way in which you are determined -to serve Him. Live where you now are as you used -to live at Nessy, growing in perfection by perseverance -in the practice of virtue. This is all I ask of -you. And if you give way now and again, be not -cast down by such falls, but for love of God rise -again with courage. It will give me great pleasure -if you try to suppress childish ways. I wish I -could make you see this. Should you, however, -fall into them sometimes, do not worry. In a word, -dearest little one, guide your novices boldly according -to the teaching of the Directory and you will see how -God will bless your care of them. For my part I -feel sure He wishes to use you for the well-being of -your monastery, for, as you know, all depends on -the novitiate.</p> - -<p>I never thought much of good Sister Madeleine. -Let her not think that I believe in her revelations. -Most assuredly God does not give such to souls who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> -are so full of imperfections. She can tell untruths -about what I said to her just as she does about other -things. Try, however, to gain her and give poor -Sister, the Superior, all the comfort you can. I -write in haste. I should like to write often, but I -cannot. However, we shall meet again, please God. -My daughter, my dearest little one, be henceforth, I -repeat, joyous and generous in the service of the -good God. Ask Him always how you should speak -and act, and be assured that in everything for your -good and for that of your dear novices He Himself -will act and speak through you. I salute most -affectionately the novices whom I dearly love, and -all our Sisters. May God put Sister N. in the right -way.</p> - -<p class="right">Adieu, daughter.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_84" id="Footnote_A_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_84"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> This Sister was a relative of St. Francis de Sales. St. -Jane Frances, who never flattered, used to call her "the -little Saint."</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXVII.<br /> -<i>To St. Vincent de Paul.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_85" id="FNanchor_A_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_85" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>December, 1627.</i></p> - -<p>Now that you are working in the Province of -Lyons, my very dear Father, we shall have no -opportunity of seeing you for a long time, yet it is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> -not for us to gainsay what God arranges. May He -be blessed in all things. But, very dear Father, I -am taking advantage of the liberty which in your -charity you have given me to continue importuning -you with my confidence, and I do so in all simplicity.</p> - -<p>I gave four days to the Exercises (Retreat), and -no more, on account of the amount of business that -has come unexpectedly upon me. During those -days I realized how much I need to labour at acquiring -humility and at bearing with my neighbour. I -have been trying to acquire these virtues during the -past year, and with Our Lord's help have practised -them somewhat. But it is His doing, not mine, and -if it please Him I will so continue as He gives me -many opportunities for the practice of them. For -my part it seems to me that I am in a simple state -of waiting on the good pleasure of God to do whatever -He wills with me. I have no desires, no plans; -I hold to nothing, and very willingly leave myself in -His hands; still, I do this without sensible devotion, -but I think it is all right at the bottom of my heart. -I just do at the present moment what seems to me -necessary without thinking any further, or planning -for the future. The whole inferior part of my being -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>is frequently in revolt, and this causes me much -distress. I can but bear with it, knowing that -through patience I shall possess my soul. Moreover, -I have an ever increasing weariness of my -charge, for I cannot endure the labour it entails, and -I am obliged to force myself to do the necessary -work which is wearisome to both mind and body. No -matter how I am occupied, my imagination gives -me a good deal of trouble, and it all makes me sick -at heart. Our Lord permits me besides to have -many exterior difficulties, so that nothing in life -gives me pleasure save only the will of God who -wills them. I beseech you to implore Him to have -mercy on me, and I shall never fail to pray Him with -all my heart to give you the strength you need for -the charge that He has entrusted to you.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_85" id="Footnote_A_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_85"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The reciprocal affection and veneration of St. Vincent -de Paul and St. Francis de Sales is well known. Both -trained in the school of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the one -the apostle of Charity, the other of Gentleness, these two -souls bore so striking a resemblance to one another that -when, upon the death of St. Francis, St. Chantal placed -herself under the guidance of St. Vincent de Paul, she is -said to have felt that she had made no change in her spiritual -direction. Of her intimate correspondence with St. -Vincent, which continued until her death, there remains, -unfortunately, but a mere fragment.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXVIII.<br /> -<i>To the Countess de Toulonjon.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>,</span><br /> -<i>10th of May, 1628.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My good, dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>May God be your eternal joy and consolation! -The Bishop of Chalons has written to tell me what -a comfort it has been to him to have had you near -him for a little while, and his only regret is that you -could not have stayed longer. He is most kind-hearted....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>M. Coulon, at the request of M. de Coulanges, has -brought me all the contracts, in order to let me see -just how things have been, which indeed I knew -already, and an account of which I have given in a -memorandum to M. de Bussy for you, so that M. de -Saint-Satur may make up his mind either to relinquish -his claim or to make it good: for M. de -Coulanges wishes to hear our side of the matter -before putting my son's property in order. This is, -dearest daughter, my reason for begging of you to -settle how you intend to act, for if this business is -dragged on, the property will be spent to the ruin -of the little de Chantal child. I hope Our Lord in -His goodness will let us see clearly the truth, and -that seeing it we may preserve that blessed peace -and harmony which is more precious in families than -all the goods of the world. M. Coulon will have told -you how greatly M. de Coulanges and my daughter -de Chantal desire that this union amongst us should -be maintained, and that things should be arranged -amicably and without delay; of this I can assure -you, dearest daughter, so pray think the matter -over; for to tell me that you will give it all up if I -so desire is not the point at all. If you have a just -claim I have no wish that it should not be satisfied, -this being only reasonable; but if you have none, -which I think is the case, and that the title-deeds -show it as plain as day, I would wish you to put in -no claim, so that the affairs of this poor little child<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> -may be arranged in peace. Should God take her to -Himself you will then have wherewith to be satisfied. -While awaiting the great comfort of seeing you, -you ought, I think, to act conclusively in the -matter.</p> - -<p>Praying God to spread in abundance His holiest -blessings upon you and upon our poor child, I -remain, very dear daughter, notwithstanding all -surmises to the contrary, in very truth and with -my whole heart your Mother, who has for you -that incomparable maternal love which God has -given me and which by His grace will never grow -less.</p> - -<p>I salute M. de Saint-Satur, whose most humble -servant I am.</p> - -<p class="right">Good-bye, my dearest daughter.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2>LXXIX.<br /> -<i>Extract from a letter to Mother Favre.</i></h2> - - -<p>Writing from Bourges, 1628, to Mother Favre, -who had just been elected Superior of the Second -Monastery of Paris, St. Chantal says: "Your good -Father (St. Vincent de Paul), for whom I feel so -much reverence and affection, thanks me for the -gift we have given him of you. This is, I think, to -forstall your being taken away. I shall see to it -with the Bishop of Geneva and with you yourself.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> -What a rogue you are! But all the more are you -my truly loved daughter, for whom I have an incomparable -affection. I send my salutations to -whoever you wish. God be blessed!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>LXXX.<br /> -<i>To Sister Anne Marguerite Clément at Orleans.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Dijon</span>, 1628.</p> - -<p>Yes, indeed, my dearest daughter, God should -be all in all to you. The one cherished good of -the soul is to be alone with her God. Remain in -this state of simple detachment, loving and obeying -Our Lord in the person of your Superior and following -blindly her guidance and her commands. I -know full well that you have given me your heart -and that God has lodged it in mine, and this is why -I hope nothing may ever take it thence. Through -His grace we have been trained in the same spirit -and vocation in this world; may we continue -together to love and praise the supreme Beloved of -our souls for all eternity. Since God has deprived -you of the power to use the intellectual faculties of -your soul, do not attempt to do so, but acquiesce in -His good pleasure. Be as a child in the arms of its -nurse, letting God do just as He likes with you -through holy obedience, and try little by little to -forget self. I do not think there is any other means<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> -of securing stable peace of soul than the giving oneself -up absolutely, in order to be led and directed by -obedience.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2>LXXXI.<br /> -<i>To Mother Catherine-Charlotte de Crémaux de la Grange.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1629.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>The good gentleman<a name="FNanchor_A_86" id="FNanchor_A_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_86" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> who is making your -foundation at Condrieu manifests a great regard for -it and much piety, courtesy, and humility in the -articles of his foundation which I have seen. Indeed -it is but reasonable to do all you can to please him. -However, in regard to this first proposition of naming -those whom he wishes to be received without a -dowry, you must if possible arrange that the Sisters -have the liberty to choose the subjects, lest those -he names may not be suitable. This is an important -point for the preservation of peace in our Institute, -as usually those who present subjects have such a -strong desire to see them received that, if they prove -to have no vocations, the Sisters by sending them -away make for themselves enemies instead of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> -friends: so have a clear agreement on this point. -It is quite necessary, in order not to be constrained -to take those who are found to be unsuitable. -The Book of Customs will afford light on this -matter....</p> - -<p>As to the Fourth Article, the instruction of young -girls. To take boarders is contrary to the spirit of -our Institute. Our Blessed Father never approved -of it. I do not know if you will find amongst his -letters one which he wrote to a superior who had -been approached on this subject by her Bishop. -The Book of Customs permits indeed that three -young girls, but not more, between the ages of ten -and twelve, whose parents destine them for the -Religious life, should be instructed and trained for -it. If therefore one could manage to give satisfaction -by arranging such instructions as they desire -in the parlour to young girls, and to some friends, -that could be done on feast-days, and on one day in -the week besides, but to act otherwise would be -contrary to the Institute. Such is my humble -opinion, since you desire to have it.<a name="FNanchor_B_87" id="FNanchor_B_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_87" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> We received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> -your letters yesterday, and will answer them as -soon as we can, but the bearer only gave us time to -open them. We shall have the answers ready to -send you on the first opportunity that presents -itself.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_86" id="Footnote_A_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_86"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> This foundation was made from Lyons by M. de Villars, -whose brother, Mgr. de Villars, Archbishop of Vienne, -presided at the installation of the Sisters at Condrieu, -January 1st, 1630.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_87" id="Footnote_B_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_87"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> The Little Sisters, of whom St. Jane Frances herself -deemed it sometimes necessary to increase the numbers, -have long since been superseded by small secular schools. -The needs of the times, and the solicitations of the Bishops, -under direct obedience to whom St. Francis wished his -daughters always to remain, impelled the Mother Superiors -of various monasteries, including that of Annecy, to deviate -from the original design of the founders in so far as to open -schools. But where this departure from the original Rule -is not found necessary, the houses continue to be purely -contemplative. It is interesting to note that on the deathbed -of the Venerable Mother Chappuis, her daughters -desiring to know her dying wish in reference to their own -school, she said: "It neither interferes with the silence, -the regularity, nor the solitude of the Sisters, and is neither -against the Rule, nor against the spirit of the Institute." -We are told that at Troyes, where this venerable -servant of God died, the Community, apart from the few -engaged in teaching, was absolutely ignorant of what -passed in the school, knowing neither the names nor the -numbers of the school-children.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXXII.<br /> -<i>To M. Poiton,<a name="FNanchor_A_88" id="FNanchor_A_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_88" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> at Chambery.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>Feb. 2nd, 1630.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My good and very dear Brother</span>,</p> - -<p>I have already thanked God for your safe -return, and when writing to my Sister the Superior -(of Chambery) sent you my good wishes. Now, -while renewing them, I would like to tell you how -very much I desire to see you and talk over some -matters of interest with you, so I hope this poor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> -town will soon be restored to entire liberty.<a name="FNanchor_B_89" id="FNanchor_B_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_89" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> Meanwhile, -dear brother, you will, with your usual kindness, -take steps to accelerate the lawsuit against M. -de la Ravoir, and this I very strongly recommend -to you, as I am greatly astonished to see such apathy -about an affair, that is so clear. It is now two -years, or at least a year and a half, since the suit -was begun, and it is of great importance to all our -monasteries in Savoy. As to us here, if the judgment -is not in our favour it will later entail a number -of legal proceedings and annoyances, for many are -awaiting the result of this case to go to law with us -themselves. M. Fichet, who is at Chambery, has -already done so, and hopes to deprive us of the -dowry of his sister, who died here after a year and a -day of profession. The ground upon which he -bases his claim is, that, notwithstanding her profession, -she made a will leaving everything to this -monastery. You see, dear brother, how much the -peace or trouble of our houses of Savoy, in regard -to the Sisters' dowries, depends on the issue of M. -Ravoir's case. If you can still procure legal approval -of our exemption from the tax upon salt all our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> -houses will be under fresh obligations to you, and, -besides, you will be helping towards our Sisters' -buildings while awaiting the time when you can -help us to build our church.</p> - -<p>Pray convey my remembrances to the Commander -Baldain. I never write to him because letters only -worry him, and, besides, I am myself so overwhelmed -with letters and business, owing to the -number of our monasteries that correspond with -this one, that I am hardly able to get through it all. -From day to day we are expecting the removal of -the restrictions on this town, after which we shall -converse with leisure, fully and freely. I beseech -Our Lord to shed upon you His choicest blessings. -Recommending myself to your good prayers, believe -me with the same affection that I always have for you,</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_88" id="Footnote_A_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_88"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The Convent lawyer.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_89" id="Footnote_B_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_89"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> In the spring of this year (1630) the invading armies -of Louis XIII. reached Annecy. The little town bravely -but ineffectually resisted. On capitulation one of the -clauses it stipulated, and which was granted by the Commander-in-Chief -of the French Army, was that the body -of the venerable Francis de Sales should never be removed -nor taken out of Annecy.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXXIII.<br /> -<i>To Dom Galice, Barnabite Father at Montargis.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>February, 1630.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My Rev. Father</span>,</p> - -<p>May the love of our Divine Saviour be the -life of your soul....</p> - -<p>I am very incompetent to give a useful answer to -your letter in reference to my Sister the Superior of -Montargis:<a name="FNanchor_A_90" id="FNanchor_A_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_90" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> I beg of Our Lord to enlighten me that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> -what I say may be in accordance with His good -pleasure. In the spiritual life of this Sister I have -always seen many traits of special communication -from God. Her humility is genuine, her charity -towards her neighbour practical, her manner of -treating with her Superiors straight and simple, -and she has a real love of mortification, and of the -practice of virtue. These are solid dispositions and -such as are usually favoured by God. He has, I see, -given your Reverence so clear and discerning a light -in regard to the workings of grace in this soul and so -much wisdom and counsel in guiding her that we -can but look on with silent admiration. All I have -to say is that I have never seen anything clearer, -more simple, humble, and artless, than the terms, in -which, with such lucidity, she manifests the operations -of God in her, and the activities of her own -soul. To me it is impossible to believe that she is -moved by any other than the Spirit of God. It is -said that we know the tree by its fruit, and as her -tree brings forth the fruit of solid virtue there is -nothing, I think, to fear. With your approval, my -very dear Father, I venture to say that the suitable -accompaniment to such great favours is interior -recollection and self-humiliation. She writes to me -somewhat fully of her feelings. I reply briefly, but, -as I think, sufficiently. Let her pay little attention -to what passes in her, and fix the eyes of her mind on -the unity and simplicity of the presence of God,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> -leaving it to do its own work. As to communion, -your Reverence will allow it to her as your prudence -and discretion dictate. I am told that the Bishop -of Sens is a man of a very interior spirit and of great -piety. If he visits this convent it would be well, -I have been thinking, subject to your approval, to -let him know what passes in this dear soul: this -would give us much light, or at any rate it would -give us confidence. I am quite of your opinion that -it would be well for her to write what passes within -her.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_90" id="Footnote_A_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_90"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Mother Anne Marguerite Clément.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXXIV.<br /> -<i>To the Same.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>August, 1630.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My Rev. Father</span>,</p> - -<p>My dear Sister, the Superior, is very happy -to be privileged to receive so many graces in such a -spirit of deep humility and detachment. This is -the touchstone by which to prove that they are from -God, and which keeps in security the soul of the -recipient. She serves truly a good Master; yet I am -always of the same opinion that she ought not to be -too much carried away by these affections for fear -that in weakening the body they might unfit her for -the duties of her charge. It would be well for her -to restrain her emotions so as to keep them in the -superior part of her soul and thus prevent an overflow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> -on the body: this is a safer way. To hear from -time to time of what passes within her would, my -very dear Father, be an immense consolation to me: -say, for instance, towards the end of the year, or as -your Reverence judges best.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>LXXXV.<br /> -<i>To Mother Anne Marguerite Clément, Superior at Montargis.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1631.</p> - -<p>I am very well satisfied, my dearest daughter, -with the favourable opinion of your Bishop as to -your dealings with God. Blessed for ever be He -who is so infinitely good as to deign to communicate -Himself in such plenitude to His poor and unworthy -creature.</p> - -<p>My daughter, there is nothing for me to say on -this head. Do faithfully whatever your worthy -Bishop desires you to do. You have only to look at -God and to let Him work, completely forgetting -yourself in Him. Since He in His love permits you -to speak to Him so lovingly and familiarly I pray -you, dearest daughter, present to Him sometimes -my miserable little heart, humbly beseeching Him to -make it entirely His, to strip it of all that does not -find favour in His sight, and to give it the grace to -do and suffer all things whatsoever that His good -pleasure wills.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> - -<p>Earnestly recommend to Him our poor little -Congregation, that His spirit may reign therein, and -commend me often to His most holy love. Do this -so heartily that I may feel the effects in as full a -measure as His adorable will permits. Give me -always your sweet affection in that holy love. I -have read the two pages of your letter regarding -your interior state, upon which I say nothing, save -to praise God for the graces and lights that He -vouchsafes to you. It is not for the creature to use -empty and insipid words when the Creator Himself -deigns to speak.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>LXXXVI.<br /> -<i>To Sister Marie Denise Goubert, of the First Monastery of Lyons.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1631.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Sister</span>,</p> - -<p>I have read and re-read your letter, at the -end of which you beg of me to tell you if you are -deceiving yourself in the belief which you hold as -strong as an article of faith (to begin with, it is a -grave fault to believe one's imagination in the same -way as one believes an article of faith) that your -spirit is lost in God, as you describe it to be. Now -I tell you plainly, with my wonted sincerity, that I -believe you are deceiving yourself; for true lowliness -is not made up in the imagination, nor does it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> -consist in having many affections and lights to -discourse on such things as you do. When one sees -such lights in a soul dead to self it gives great consolation. -But, my daughter, you are very far -from such happiness, for you are bristling with self-love. -Try to acquire genuine humility, which -consists in the death or the allaying of your passions, -inclinations, sentiments: your presumption, vanity, -and self-love; having achieved this you must labour -constantly and perseveringly by a continual mortification -of your whole being. Begin by retrenching -the vain flights of your imaginations and the activity -of your understanding. I would wish you not to be -so subtle in your questions.</p> - -<p>In a word, my daughter, you must become truly -humble and really mortified, and then God will live -and reign in you. Take the advice and follow the -guidance of your good Mother, and God will bless -you. That God may do so is my prayer to Him.</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;">I remain, in His holy love,</span><br /> -Yours, etc.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h2>LXXXVII.<br /> -<i>To Dom Galice, Barnabite Father at Montargis.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1632.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Very Rev. Father</span>,</p> - -<p>I most humbly thank you for the trouble you -have taken in writing me so full an account of what -it has pleased Our Lord in His goodness to operate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> -in this privileged soul,<a name="FNanchor_A_91" id="FNanchor_A_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_91" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> and of the favourable judgement -which the Archbishop of Sens and the Rev. -Fathers de Condren and de Suffren have formed of -her. I do not think that it would be advisable at -present to seek further evidence, lest, as you say, -the peace of her spirit might thereby be disturbed. -As for me, knowing as I have done for a long time -the true humility, simplicity, and sincerity of this -soul, it seems to me almost impossible to doubt that -what passes in her is from God. From her infancy, -preventing graces have been evident in her—graces -quite exceptional in one of her age; and when received -into this house she, from the very first, manifested -in all her actions the true virtues of religion, and as -she can herself tell your Reverence, God led her by -very rare lights and sentiments of devotion to seek -Him alone. I see by her letter to me that she does -not wish to remain inactive, and this comes from the -ardent desire that she has to please God. But I think, -my Rev. Father, that all she has to do is to leave -herself in Our Lord's hands, simply regarding Him -without the distraction of any other thought. God -will give you the light requisite for the guidance of -this holy soul, since He has placed her under your -care and direction. Indeed she is fortunate in -having met your Reverence, who takes such a -paternal interest in her, and there is good reason to -praise God. The divine Goodness will recompense<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> -you abundantly, besides which I believe, very Rev. -Father, that this charge is light and comforting to -you. Do not forget to remember in the Holy -Sacrifice her who desires for you the most pure love -of our Lord, and who is truly,</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_91" id="Footnote_A_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_91"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Mother Anne Marguerite Clément.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXXVIII.<br /> -<i>To Sister Marie Aimée de Morville, at Moulins.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1632.</p> - -<p>I have just come from holy communion, my -dearest daughter, at which I blessed and thanked -the God of infinite goodness for the loud call with -which He has been pleased to bid you turn back to -Him, and I besought Him with all the energy of my -soul to keep so firm a hold upon you that nothing -ever again may draw you away. For this I hope, -dearest daughter, through His grace and your faithful -co-operation. I cannot but think that your -heart is too good ever to forget His superabundant -mercies to you. Ponder often on that counsel given -by both the Princes of the Apostles; Labour in fear -and trembling by good works to make sure your -vocation.<a name="FNanchor_A_92" id="FNanchor_A_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_92" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Your past miserable experience ought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> -surely to make you tremble, and fearful of again -falling, and very watchful in avoiding all occasions -of temptation, especially those which you know to be -most prejudicial, such as conversations, intimacies, -affections, and communications with the outside -world, and even with spiritual persons unless rarely -and from true necessity. Then will it be your -delight to find contentment in the instructions you -will receive from the good Mother (Marie Angélique -de Bigny), who has a singular love for you, and is -besides both capable and full of charity. Her tears, -fasts, austerities, and prayers so frequently offered -to God on your behalf will, I doubt not, have touched -His heart, and helped to achieve your conversion. -To her will be given without fail every help requisite -for your happiness, and by means of her will His -Goodness lead you in the straight path. I have a -strong belief that those who submit not themselves -to the guidance of their Superiors submit not to -God. In a word, apply yourself to do rather than -to learn; this is my wish for you. We have in -abundance holy and solid instructions in the Institute. -For none better could we wish, and none are -better adapted to lead us to the great perfection -that our vocation demands. May the study and -the practice of them henceforth be your delight. -To this I conjure you so that by means of them you -may offer to the divine Goodness fruits worthy of -His mercy and to the Institute the perfume of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> -holy and sincere conversion. Thus will be assuaged -the sorrow and shame that by your past disorders -you have made it suffer, and all our hearts will be -filled with consolation. So much do I feel consoled -by the generous acts you have made<a name="FNanchor_B_93" id="FNanchor_B_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_93" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> that my -displeasure at the past is all gone, and I assure you -you are now within my heart, where I cherish you -most truly and affectionately, and believe me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> -you will receive from all of the Institute and from -me nothing but proofs of love and affection.</p> - -<p>I think it would be well some months hence, when -you have given yourself time to test your perseverance, -that you should give testimony of it to the -houses of the Institute by some humbly written -note, to make satisfaction for your past misconduct. -You have done well, dearest daughter, in giving -yourself unreservedly to God. His Providence will -not fail you nor permit you to be in want of anything. -If the good sister who used to serve you is worthy -of the favour you desire for her, most willingly can -it be granted, but not till she has proved her perseverance -in well-doing for some years. I pray God -to shed abundantly upon you the assistance of His -grace.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_92" id="Footnote_A_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_92"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> "Labour the more that by good works you may make -sure your calling and election." 2 Pet. i. 10. -</p> -<p> -"With fear and trembling work your own salvation." -Phil. ii. 12.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_93" id="Footnote_B_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_93"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> In the early part of the summer of this year, 1632, -says the Mother de Chaugy, "it pleased God to open the -eyes of the Benefactress of our monastery of Moulins by -means of a dream. One night she dreamt that she saw a -torch suddenly extinguished by someone at the moment it -seemed to be trying to give forth more light. Taking this -as a divine warning that her life would, when she least -expected it, be thus suddenly extinguished, it evoked a keen -remorse for her past conduct. She sought her Superior, -and with every mark of genuine sorrow begged, for God's -sake, to be permitted once more to enter the novitiate, of -which petition the good Mother warmly approved. Sister -Marie Aimée, now desiring to make public reparation for the -scandal she had given, asked to do so at the open grille. -This was allowed, and having there renewed her profession, -she tore up the document containing the list of privileges -which had been granted to her as Benefactress and Co-foundress -with Madame de Gouffier. At the same time she -begged to be allowed the favour of living as a simple -religious, while confessing herself unworthy of such a grace. -From this time she became the consolation and the edification -of all her Sisters, an example of fidelity to the holy -Rule, and for fifteen months her obedience, mortification, -and piety were all that could be desired. At the end of -that time the dream which had wrought her conversion was -verified. She was taken suddenly ill, and had only time, -before passing from this life, to implore the mercy of Him -who came to save the repentant sinner."</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>LXXXIX.<br /> -<i>To M. de Coysia, Counsellor to the Royal Senate of Savoy.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>19th March, 1633.</i></p> - -<p>Alas! Sir, what is this that I have just heard? -That you are arrested and charged with fresh -accusations! Our good God, in permitting so much -affliction, can have no other design than by it to -make you conformable to His beloved Son our most -gentle Redeemer. If you shut your eyes to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> -things of earth and open them to eternal truths this -tribulation, accepted with loving and patient submission, -will, in the end, work a weight of glory and -bring you solid peace. One single spark of this true -honour is worth more, a million times, than all the -prosperity that the world could offer, which, as you -know, Sir, is all deceit and illusion. Ponder well -over the accusations with which the most holy Son -of the Eternal Father was charged, the pains that -He suffered, followed as they were by a terrible and -ignominious death. You are not more innocent -than He. And all this He suffered for you, for me, -for all ungrateful men, because it was the good -pleasure of His Eternal Father, with a love, patience, -and humility incomprehensible to us. So do you, -Sir, seek to imitate this portion of His Passion. -Lovingly embrace His will. Resign yourself absolutely -to it. Place yourself and all your affairs in -His hands, so that He may dispose of all according -to His good pleasure....</p> - -<p>I need not assure you of our prayers: both affection -and duty claim them. May Our Lord be the -joy and consolation of Madame, my most dear sister, -and of yourself.</p> - -<p class="right">Always sincerely your very humble servant.</p> - -<p>Feast of the glorious Saint Joseph, to whom I -recommend you with all my heart.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>XC.<br /> -<i>To the Countess de Toulonjon, at Pignerol.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1633.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>I hear that God is about to give you again -the blessing of motherhood, and I like to console -myself with the hope that you thank Him for this -grace and for all the prosperity you enjoy, taking all -from His hand who sends you these good things, -not to be employed in pomp and vain display, but to -make you advance in holy humility and loving fear -of Him. Tell me, daughter, and tell me quite -honestly and frankly, what are your sentiments upon -this point? for I always have a certain dread that -the atmosphere of this world's affluence and honours -may smother us if we do not keep well before our -minds the thought of their instability, the certainty -that we must one day leave them, and the uncertainty -of the coming of that day. Think often of death -and of the blessed eternity those will enjoy who -value true happiness above all perishable things. -Impress these truths on your daughter, for they are -the best and most permanent heritage that you can -give her. Make her dearly prize the happiness of -living in the holy love of God, and in the fear of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> -offending Him. These things, as you know, I have -always, from your tenderest years, striven to -engrave on your heart, and especially did I advise -you to fulfil all your duties towards your husband, -as God ordains. This advice I now reiterate. You -should give him all the satisfaction in your power. -Tell me also your thoughts on this point. Ah! for -the love of God, daughter, let not your head be -turned by the honours and good things which you -have in such abundance. I am told that you have -become sarcastic. Believe me, dearest daughter, it -is by Christian modesty and a gentle and gracious -manner to all that you ought to make yourself -known. Turning others into ridicule is not becoming -in one of your position and age. Try to conquer -and attract hearts by the means I have just pointed -out, and to surpass all in prudence and holy reticence -of action. Take this advice from your mother, who -loves you and desires to see you altogether perfect -in your station. May God give you the grace to -be so!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>XCI.<br /> -<i>To Mgr. André Frémyot, formerly Archbishop of -Bourges (the Saint's brother).</i></h2> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">On the Death of her Daughter-in-Law, -Mme. de Chantal.</span><a name="FNanchor_A_94" id="FNanchor_A_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_94" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></p> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1633.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very honoured Lord</span>,</p> - -<p>We have but to adore with profound submission -the will of our good God, and lovingly to -kiss the rod with which He chastises His elect. Yes, -indeed, notwithstanding all the repugnance of -nature, I praise and thank Him a thousand times, -because He is our good God, who sends us with the -same love joys and sorrows, and even for the most -part causes greater profit to come to us through -affliction than through prosperity. Yet is it not -strange that knowing and experiencing this we -should feel so keenly as we do the death of those we -love?—for I own to you that upon opening the little -note that announced the death of my poor dear -daughter I was so overcome that had I been standing -I think I should have fallen. I never remember -any previous sorrow to have had the effect of this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> -note upon me. O! my Jesus! What a climax of -grief it has been to my poor feeble heart and how -your trouble has added to mine! It is most natural -that you should feel it as you do, and at your age -too; what a sweetness and support you have lost in -this daughter who so lovingly looked after your -health and every want of yours. All this makes me -suffer more than I can say, for whatever touches -you touches me acutely. But when I reflect that -by means of these privations, lovingly accepted, our -good God wishes to be Himself everything to us, -and that the least advance we make in His love is -worth more than all the world with all its joys, and -that in those sharp trials which deprive us of our -sweetest pleasure He prizes above all the union of -our will with His—truly, I say, when I consider -these things, I find myself impelled to acknowledge -that the more sorrows that come upon one the more -is one favoured by God. I hope that before now -you will yourself have received this light and found -comfort in it. First emotions [of grief], my beloved -and dearest Lord, are inevitable, and our sweet -Saviour is not offended by them. But I trust that -after them He will abundantly fill you with consolations; -this I pray for unceasingly. Distract -yourself as much as you can and let the confident -hope that we shall be united in a blessed eternity -fortify you. The virtuous life and holy death of -our dearly loved daughter gives strong hope that in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> -God's mercy she is already in this enjoyment. We -are after all here only to prepare for future happiness, -and the sooner we possess it the happier -for us.</p> - -<p>I am writing to M. and Mme. de Coulanges, to -whom this terrible loss must have been a great blow. -I believe they will take into their heart the poor -little orphan<a name="FNanchor_B_95" id="FNanchor_B_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_95" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> and always keep her there. Verily -when my thoughts turn to her I have to hold them -in. I trust that God, to whom I confide her, will -be Father and Protector to her, and I give her -up to the care of the Blessed Virgin with all my -heart.</p> - -<p>Our Sisters of both Convents upon this occasion -have forgotten nothing. Besides their own love for -the dear deceased they also felt very much for your -sorrow in her loss and for mine. There is some -comfort in knowing that she is to be left, with the -heart of my poor son, in the care of the Sisters. -Your judge of Nantua told me the other day that -you are at N. I was very glad, my dear Lord, to -hear it, as it will help to give you the distraction -that you ought to seek.</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;">My Lord,</span><br /> -Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_94" id="Footnote_A_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_94"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The young Baroness de Chantal died August 20th, -1633, and was buried in the vault at the Visitation Monastery, -Rue St. Antoine.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_95" id="Footnote_B_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_95"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Marie de Chantal, afterwards Mme. de Sévigné.</p></div> - -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XCII.<br /> -<i>To a blind Sister</i><a name="FNanchor_A_96" id="FNanchor_A_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_96" class="fnanchor">[A]</a>.</h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right">[Date not given.]</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Your letter consoles me, for it tells me with -what patience you have accepted your cross, and -what profit, by your submission to the good pleasure -of God, you are drawing from it. He, it may be, -deprives you of the light of the body in order to make -you more abundantly enjoy that of the spirit, and -this is a great motive for blessing Him. As a saint -once said to one who was blind and very holy: -"There is nothing to be proud of in bodily sight; we -have it in common with the beasts; but we may well -rejoice in God's having given us the interior light -by which we see and know His goodness." I am -very glad that our good Sisters are so affectionately -attentive in their care of you, as this gives you -pleasure. I envy them in having the opportunity, -for, I must tell you, what will perhaps console you. -I have always set very little value on corporal sight, -being of opinion that, except for the reading of good -books and somebody else's devotions, it is a hindrance -rather than a help in the spiritual life, so it is -almost more desirable to be without it than to enjoy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> -it, as in its absence the interior sight remains firmer, -more purified from external objects, and more -solidly fixed on God. This is indeed the only thing, -it seems to me, worth desiring. If, nevertheless, -you feel inspired to ask your cure of God, do so, but -always with your former resignation, and pray for -her who is all, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_96" id="Footnote_A_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_96"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> From "Sainte Chantal: Pensées et Lettres." P. Téqui, -29, rue de Tournon, Paris. 1899.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XCIII.<br /> -<i>To Sister Bonne Marie de Haraucourt at Nancy.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_97" id="FNanchor_A_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_97" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1633.</p> - -<p>God bless you, my dearest daughter, for the good -news you send me of the convalescence of the good -prelate....</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> -<p>To return to yourself, whom I so dearly love. -Repose in peace in your state of spiritual poverty. -Blessed are the poor, for God will reclothe them. -How happy should we be if our hearts were stript -of all that is not God, and if we loved so to be. What -a blessed thing it is to be in obscurity, with no -devotion, no spiritual enlightenment, no consolation -from creatures. Oh, my daughter, when a soul -finds herself in this state, what can she do save hide -herself like a little fledgeling, and nestle under the -wing of her good mother Providence, remaining -hidden there, not venturing to come out for fear the -kite might capture her—this, then, is your place of -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>repose where there is naught to fear, and in what -better place could you be? And what richer -clothing could you have than to be covered beneath -the shelter of the sweet providence of your heavenly -Father? Dwell there, and be well content to possess -this singular privilege. You know, my daughter, -that you have a place in my heart from which no -one can ever dislodge you.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_97" id="Footnote_A_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_97"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Sister Bonne Marie de Haraucourt, whose memory is -venerated in the Visitation Order, spent her youth in the -midst of the gaieties of the Court of Lorraine without ever -reflecting that she had a Jesus to imitate or a heaven to -gain. On terms of intimacy with the Duchess Nicloe, wife -of Charles IV., this girl became intoxicated with the flattery -by which she was surrounded because of her beauty and -her wit, when of a sudden the same words that converted -the great Arsenius, "Fuge, Tace, Quiesce,"* fell upon her -ear. The arrival of St. Jane Frances in Lorraine at the -moment (1626) was propitious, and the young Court -favourite made no delay in answering the call. With -mingled feelings of joy at the thought of the great sacrifice, -and of dread of what it entailed, she offered herself to the -Saint. Soon after the arrival of Mademoiselle de Haraucourt -at the Visitation of Pont-a-Mousson, the flower of -the younger ladies of the Court, captivated by her example, -followed her there, where, regardless of the opinion of the -world, they led a life hidden with God. After seven years -of solitude and prayer, Sister Bonne Marie was sent to help -Mother P. J. Favrot in the reform of the Penitentiary at -Nancy, and she obtained leave to found there a Convent of -her own Order, with the holy desire to perpetuate in this -town, where she feared to have so much offended in the -past, a homage of unceasing reparation. -</p> -<p> -The Princes of Lorraine, and the Court, cherished and -protected the new foundation, but soon after, the horrors -of the Swedish war and the consequent departure of the -Princess, left the little Community in a most pitiable state -of destitution. Elected Superior at this critical time, Sister -Bonne Marie, by the heroism of her faith, wrought wonders -equal to those of great miracle-workers amongst the Saints. -When no longer Superior, this holy Nun, by the force of her -example, was the life and soul of her Convent at Nancy, as -she had been the joy and support of Mother Favrot at -Pont-a-Mousson. She died February 26th, 1666. (<i>Année -Sainte</i>, Vol. II). -</p> -<p> -* Fly, be silent and be at peace.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XCIV.<br /> -<i>To Sister Paule Jéronyme de Monthoux, Sister -Deposed,<a name="FNanchor_A_98" id="FNanchor_A_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_98" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> at Blois.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1633.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Your letter by which I see that you are in the -midst of suffering fills me with compassion. However, -the Superior<a name="FNanchor_B_99" id="FNanchor_B_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_99" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> being such as she is, I do not -think it desirable to remove you at present, for your -absence would, I fear, make matters worse.</p> - -<p>You ought to follow faithfully the attraction you -mention in your last letter of wishing to live in -profound humility in order to imitate more perfectly -the divine Saviour who was subject not only to His -Father but to His children, to His creatures. As -you know, they did not treat Him well, but with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> -infinite contempt and opprobium, and all this -suffering He bore without complaint. If, then, you -have the courage to suffer in humility, sweetness, -patience, silence, all that presents itself to you, I most -truly believe that by so doing you will become holy, -that your service will be agreeable to the divine -Majesty, will work great good to the Institute, and -in particular to your own house.</p> - -<p>These little things you mention to me, that the -Mother does not wash the dishes, and does not -sweep, I should take no notice of, except to bring -them to her notice just once in a casual way and -humbly. But when you remark important things, -tell her of them with gentleness and affection, and -try to win her heart, for if you once gain that you -can do as you will with her. Neglect nothing that -you think could further this end. With my pen as -with my whole heart I beseech you to do all you -possibly can to remedy this evil. You see how it is, -beloved daughter; the older Sisters do not like to be -the fault-finders. I gather this from their letters, -and I see also that they fail in humility and respect -towards the Mother. Certainly when a Sister, whoever -she may be, is in charge as Mother, the same -obedience and respect should be given to her as to -her predecessor. To act otherwise is to prove that -we have no virtue and that we do not, as is our duty, -regard God in the creature. So should it be when -she is in office. And when she is no longer Superior<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> -let us cherish her as a sister, and keeping ourselves -in humility, meddle as little as possible with anything. -If it is requisite to admonish it ought to be -done with such respect and charity that no harm -can come of it. In a word, as you would wish that -others should act towards you if you were Superior, -so do you to them. I assure you, dearest daughter, -it grieves me more than I can tell you when I know -that the newly elected Mothers and the Sisters -deposed are not in harmony; for it is clear as noon-day -that this comes from a want of humility. -Wherever such a misfortune exists it is the ruin of -peace and of the observance of the Rule, and that -house is no longer held in good esteem.</p> - -<p>May God put His hand to this reformation. If -I outlive my term of office I am resolved to keep -myself so much in the background, and so ignorant -of the affairs of the house that I can give umbrage -to no one. Should I see wrong I shall certainly -speak of it, but with all possible gentleness and -humility, and having done so, if it is not put right -I shall hold my tongue until the [Ecclesiastical] -Superior's visit, then I shall simply represent the -matter without exaggeration to him. To conclude, -dearest daughter, do everything God suggests to you -for the good of your Convent and for peace. Charity -remedies all things. I am writing a long letter to the -(Mother) Superior. Receive all I say as coming from -a heart that only desires your good, and is entirely,</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_98" id="Footnote_A_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_98"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> In the Visitation Order the former Superior upon the -election of her successor is called "Sister Deposed."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_99" id="Footnote_B_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_99"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Mother Marie Michel Gervain was not re-elected.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XCV.<br /> -<i>To M. Noël Brulart, the Commander de Sillery.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_100" id="FNanchor_A_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_100" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right">[Date not given.]</p> - -<p>Now see, my most dear Brother, how you have -fallen into the state to which I always feared your -great fervour would reduce you. And yet you say -that you fear to flatter yourself and are not sufficiently -on your guard against your own cowardliness. -My true Father, for the love of God make no such -reflections: for believe me all these little apprehensions -that you are not doing enough are not half so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> -pleasing to God as would be your submission in -accepting the relief you require both for body and -mind. God only wants your heart. Our uselessness -and powerlessness when lovingly accepted -through reverence and devotion to His most holy -will are more agreeable to Him than if we were -perpetually doing violence to ourselves by great -works of penance. Indeed, as you know, it is the -height of perfection to will in regard to ourselves as -God wills. And since He has given you a delicate -constitution He wishes you to take care of it, so do -not want to exact from it what He in His gentleness -does not ask. A mild and tranquil inaction is what -He requires of you, resting near Him, without paying -any attention whatsoever either to the suggestions -of your understanding or the movements of your -will, unless it be to say some words of love, fidelity, -and simple acquiescence offered gently and tranquilly -without effort, and without desire to feel consolation -or satisfaction in them. This practised with peace -and repose of spirit will be very agreeable to God, -more so, I think, than anything else you could do. -Bear this state then, letting it take the place of the -excessive application of mind which has reduced you -to your present condition. Just one word more. -Believe me, if instead of the four or five hours which -you spend every day on your knees you would spend -one hour—that is a quarter of an hour after rising, -another in preparation for holy Mass, the same in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> -thanksgiving, and one short quarter for the evening -examen—that should be quite sufficient. Try for -the love of God, by repose of body and mind, and by -taking plenty of good nourishing food, to regain -your former strength. If I did not feel it my duty -to make this request I should not be writing to you -so soon. And I trust through your goodness and all -your fatherliness towards us that, for our consolation, -you will not overlook anything which you feel -may help towards your recovery, or that you think -will make you stronger in the future. I have not -written to our charming and lovable dearest -daughter,<a name="FNanchor_B_101" id="FNanchor_B_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_101" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> because she does not know of your illness.</p> - -<p>A word to the good mother, who, though we -write seldom to each other, I know to be so dear -to you in Our Lord.</p> - -<p>I pray God in His mercy to preserve you for many -years for the service of His glory and the happiness -of our Congregation. Amen.</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;">I am, Sir,</span><br /> -Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_100" id="Footnote_A_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_100"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Noël Brulart, Commander of the Order of St. John of -Jerusalem (better known in the correspondence of St. Jane -Frances as the Commander de Sillery), after a brilliant career -at Court, where as Ambassador to the courts of Spain and -Rome he displayed all the pride and splendour that his -great revenues enabled him to gratify, fell under the influence -of St. Vincent de Paul, and the Visitation Nuns, by whom -he was excited to a higher ambition, and in 1632, in the -fifty-fourth year of his age, giving up his worldly career, -became a Priest and consecrated his wealth to relieving the -unfortunate and furthering the interests of religion. A -generous benefactor to the Visitation Order, amongst many -other gifts he built the Church of the first monastery of -Paris (designed by Mansard), where he was buried. It is -now, alas! the Protestant temple of the Rue St. Antoine, -near the Bastille. Commander de Sillery closed a life of -rare sanctity on the 26th Sep., 1640, in the sixty-third year -of his age. The above letter is taken from the "Lettres -de S<sup>te</sup> Jeanne Françoise Frémoit de Chantal." Tournei -edition. J. Casterman, 1848.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_101" id="Footnote_B_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_101"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Presumably Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XCVI.<br /> -<i>To the Countess de Toulonjon, at Alonne.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1634.</p> - -<p>I see by your letter that you are in great grief, -and it touches me deeply. There is no doubt about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> -it, your troubles are great, and viewed in this world's -judgement they are of a very distressing nature. -But look up, above these low and wretched passing -things, to that blessed eternity in which is to be -found great and endless consolation, and you will be -glad that those for whom you mourn are in the -happy possession of it, and a sweet peace will fill your -heart amidst the vicissitudes of this mortal life. Ah! -when shall we give a little reflection to these truths -of faith? When shall we, dearest daughter, relish -the sweetness of the divine will? When shall we -see in all that happens to us the good pleasure of -God? Whether He sends prosperity or adversity, -He intends all equally for our greater good, and -gives all with a love which to us is incomprehensible. -But, miserable creatures that we are, we turn into -poison the remedies meant for our cure. Let us not -do this any more, rather let us lovingly submit like -obedient children and co-operate with the designs -of our heavenly Father, whose only aim in sending -us affliction is to unite us more intimately to Himself. -If we so act, He will be all to us, He will take -the place of brother, son, husband, mother, of all -things. Take courage from these strengthening -thoughts. I pray Our Lord to give you a knowledge -of the rich treasures which He, in His goodness, -shuts up in the afflictions He sends us.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>XCVII.<br /> -<i>Extract from a letter to M. Noël Brulart, the -Commander de Sillery, at Paris.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_102" id="FNanchor_A_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_102" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1634.</p> - -<p>The state of your mind, which you narrate with so -much simplicity, is incomparably better and safer -than if you were overflowing with consolations and -sensible love of God. This interior peace, this -stability in God, these lights, which although slight, -transient, and devoid of definite reasoning, yet -retain the soul in the state in which God has placed -her, are all infallible marks that He reigns in you, -and give great hope that His goodness desires to -lead you in a wholly intellectual way to a state of -great purity and simplicity; hence you should, I -think, my dearest brother, seek no other devotion -than looking unto God purely and simply, and -letting Him accomplish His will in you. This -Divine Saviour being the only object of your affections -and desires, the solitary pleasure of your heart, -all that He will accomplish in you will be for His -greater glory, and for your own sanctification. Be, -then, as content to be powerless, idle, dry, and arid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> -before God, as if you were actively at work, and in -the enjoyment of His gifts of devotion and contentment. -As all consists in union with God one state -ought to be as pleasing to you as another. Age and -health no longer permitting you to be active, you -will apparently have to spend the remainder of your -days in this heavenly exercise by which your mind -will be renewed. So will you be uninterruptedly -employed in the love and repose of God, and I -believe that the fruit which will result therefrom -will enrich your soul, give glory to His divine -Majesty, and even edification to your neighbour, for -this salutary exercise teaches contempt of all earthly -things, and is a great proof to the world of the true -piety and happiness that are to be so completely -found in God.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_102" id="Footnote_A_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_102"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Taken from the "Life of Noël Brulart de Sillery," -Paris, at the Monastery of the Visitation of Holy Mary, -Rue d'Enfer-Saint-Michel, 72. 1843.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XCVIII.<br /> -<i>To the Countess de Toulonjon.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right">1634.</p> - -<p>You wish, my very dear daughter, to have in -writing my desires in your regard. Here they are.<a name="FNanchor_A_103" id="FNanchor_A_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_103" class="fnanchor">[A]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> -The strongest longing I have is that you should live -as a true Christian widow, modest in dress, reserved -in action, and above all in conversation. On this -account you must avoid having to do with vain and -worldly young men. If you do otherwise, my -dearest daughter, although by the grace of God I -hold your virtue to be unapproachable and feel -surer of it than of my own, it might easily be sullied, -and your conduct would surely be criticised when it -became known that you receive such persons and -take pleasure in their society. I beseech of you, -trust me in this. Your honour and my own and my -peace of mind are involved. I know well that there -is no living in this world without some sharing in -the pleasures it offers, but, believe me, you will never -find stable enjoyment save in God, in virtue, and in a -just and reasonable attention to the education of -your children, to the management of their affairs, -and to the care of your household. If you seek it -elsewhere you will have a thousand tribulations of -heart and mind. Well do I know this. I would -not have you refuse the lawful pleasure that is to be -found in the upright conversation of the virtuous -and in their visits, although in the circumstances in -which God has placed you it would be desirable to -receive visitors but rarely. In a word, dearest child, -for God's glory, for the love and reverence you owe -to the memory of your dear husband, for the preservation -of your good name, and the edification of your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> -daughter, who, without doubt, models herself upon -you, you must keep your inclinations a little in -check, submitting them to God, to reason, to your -own well-being and to that of your children. You -must also bear in mind what is due and becoming -to your birth and your condition and to the comfort -of your neighbours. You will be greatly helped in -this by faithfully following the little practices of -devotion of which I have spoken to you, and which -I will now again set down.</p> - -<p>Upon awakening in the morning, turn your -thoughts to God present everywhere, and place your -heart and your whole being in the hands of His -goodness. Then think briefly on the good that it -will be in your power to do that day, and the evil you -should avoid, above all on that defect to which you -are most subject, resolving by the grace of God to -do good and avoid evil. Having risen from bed, -kneel on your bed, or elsewhere, and adore God from -the depths of your soul, thanking His goodness for -all the graces and benefits that He has bestowed -upon you, for a moment's reflection will show you -how you are surrounded by His mercies and what -a special care He has had of you. This thought -ought indeed to touch your heart, which offer Him -anew with your resolutions, affections, thoughts, -words and works of that day, in union with that -sacred offering which our divine Saviour made of -Himself upon the tree of the cross, and ask Him for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> -His holy grace and assistance to guide you through -the day. Beg afterwards for His holy blessing with -that of the Blessed Virgin, of your good angel and -your holy patrons, saluting them by a simple inclination -of the head and an interior act of reverence. -All this can be done in the space of two Paters and -Aves. Next, do not waste time over your toilette. -As far as possible assist at holy Mass every day as -attentively and devoutly as you can by using such -holy considerations as are taught in Philothea.<a name="FNanchor_B_104" id="FNanchor_B_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_104" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> If -you cannot be present at Mass hear it spiritually -as the same book teaches. Philothea ought to be -your book of predilection and your spiritual guide. -Either during holy Mass, if you cannot give other -time, or at some other hour, withdraw a little into -some quiet place every morning, and make about a -quarter of an hour's prayer from your heart, placing -yourself in God's presence, or at His sacred feet, or -at those of the most holy Virgin, as a daughter before -her father or her dear mother, and converse with the -divine Majesty in humble, filial confidence. Do this -either by reflecting on some mystery of Faith, or in -accordance with some need you may have, or as -your mind suggests. Conclude all by an act of -great desire of loving and pleasing God, renewing -your holy resolutions and invoking His grace. Let -your chief care be to do everything with purity of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> -intention, and often offer up your actions to God by -holy affections, frequently calling to mind His goodness -as He will suggest or your own heart will -dictate.</p> - -<p>Read every day for a quarter or half an hour some -spiritual book, preferably Philothea. Before supper, -either walking about or retiring apart, place yourself -in the hands of God by some holy aspirations. -Before going to bed examine your conscience and, -prostrate before God, adore, thank, and invoke Him, -offering Him your soul. If you are able, add the -Litany of Our Lady, your attendants making the -responses. Communicate at least on each first -Sunday of the month and on the chief feasts, such -as those of Our Lord, and our Lady, and the feast -of St. Joseph, to whom I wish you to be devout.</p> - -<p>Try to subdue your passions and bring them and -your inclinations under the law of reason and of the -holy will of God: otherwise you will never have -anything but trouble and uneasiness of soul. God -permits or sends to His predestined children, for -their good and as a means of bringing them to His -glorious beatitude, the afflictions and contradictions -of this life. My dearest daughter, if you are so -happy as sweetly and patiently to accept all that -He sends, then be assured you will begin to taste -even here on earth something of the delights of the -blessed eternity of glory. But for this you must -serve God willingly and love Him supremely, seeking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> -His pleasure, choosing His divine will through holy -obedience in preference to your own will, desires, or -inclinations.</p> - -<p>May God in His sweet goodness grant you this -grace, dearest daughter; I unceasingly implore it of -Him from my heart, which is that of one who loves -you as her own with her entire capacity for loving. -Amen.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_103" id="Footnote_A_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_103"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> These counsels had been given verbally by St. Jane -Frances to Madame de Toulonjon at the time of her sojourn -at Annecy, where she came to pass the first months of her -widowhood, and the Saint at the request of her daughter -wrote them down for her so that she might be able often -to read them over, and thus more faithfully adhere to her -mother's pious recommendations.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_104" id="Footnote_B_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_104"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> "The Introduction to a Devout Life," by St. Francis -de Sales, Chapter XIV. of the second part.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>XCIX.<br /> -<i>To Sister Marie Aimée de Rabutin,<a name="FNanchor_A_105" id="FNanchor_A_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_105" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Mistress of -Novices at Annecy.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Paris</span>, 1635.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Daughter dear</span>,</p> - -<p>You attribute everything to your negligence! -Accept the good that comes to you, and when God -withdraws Himself do not run after Him. You are -always doing His will provided you keep yourself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> -under His hand without desiring anything whatsoever -save to do His will. These doubts against -Faith that you tell me of He permits so that you may -make frequent acts of this virtue. For you see, my -daughter, He only sends temptations to souls whom -He intends to raise to high perfection. All the -doubts and fears lest you may have consented come -from the evil spirit. Pay no heed to them, unless -to say, "Get thee behind me, Satan, for I am at -peace in God."</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_105" id="Footnote_A_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_105"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Marie Aimée de Rabutin possessed all the caustic wit -for which the de Rabutins were distinguished, and had no -other thought than of pleasure and of her independence, -until St. Jane Frances won her to Christ. "Make haste, -my daughter," she said to her, "for God is the enemy of -delay." From the entrance of Mademoiselle de Rabutin -into the Monastery of Annecy (1624) her fervour was without -bounds, and were it not for obedience her austerities -would have shortened her life. When she was elected -Superior at Thonon St. Jane Frances said to the outsister -who came to fetch her: "Make the most of the time your -new Superior rules you, for you have never had and perhaps -never will have her equal." She governed several monasteries -and died in 1678. Her praises are summed up in these -words of St. Jane Frances: "When once Mother Marie -Aimée returns to Annecy she must not be taken away -again, for although she is my relative, I cannot help saying -that she has always been a living rule and a model of perfect -observance." (Archives of the Visitation, Annecy.)</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>C.<br /> -<i>To M. Noël Brulart, Commander de Sillery, at Paris.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Valence</span>,</span><br /> -<i>2nd July, 1636.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My most honoured, beloved, and dearest Father</span>,</p> - -<p>I certainly have no wish to delay in answering -your kind and cordial letter, which gives such a -lucid account of the finale of this wicked affair<a name="FNanchor_A_106" id="FNanchor_A_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_106" class="fnanchor">[A]</a>, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> -above all of the good odour of those little servants -of the Lord, our Sisters of the Faubourg, and of the -reparation made to them. Oh! how good God is! -and how prompt in coming by ways which confound -the prudence of the worldly-wise to the succour of -the innocent. For the greatness of His mercies may -He be for ever blessed! You must have been -deeply moved in the goodness of your heart on -witnessing such a marked and fatherly interposition -of Providence in this grave crisis. Truly happy are -the souls who repose entirely in the pitying and -loving bosom of this heavenly Father. You cannot -think what this grace has wrought in my heart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> -towards God, whom we can never sufficiently thank -for it, and towards you, my very dear Father, for -the incomparable assistance which you have given -these poor daughters of mine. It is quite impossible -to express to you what I feel, and always shall feel, -for the succour and the support in all our necessities -which God has given us through you is a priceless -treasure from which we draw both spiritual and -temporal profit. May the sweet Saviour bless you -with His richest graces and recompense you with -His divine love. My poor Sisters needed this -experience so that they might learn to trust themselves -entirely to your paternal care. They have -written to me expressing their gratitude and begging -of me to help them to return you fitting thanks. It -is a sweet Providence, I cannot but think, that has -permitted the evil act of that miserable man, so -that by means of it a more complete union should -be established between our two monasteries (of -Paris), and that Our Lord should have made use of -you as the bond of union, for they themselves -recognize this and write of it to me. God be blessed! -This story deserves to be recorded for posterity. -But if it is possible I should be glad to know every -circumstance of it in detail, for from certain things -that have been written to me, it seems as if this man -took the money to invest it for the benefit of our -Sisters. I want to know the truth about this, and -for what object it was confided to him. My Sister,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> -the Superior of the Faubourg, tells me that on Sunday -evening when I had said adieu to her, M. de -Lamoignon took fifty-four thousand francs of it to -buy an office for his son. I am asking Sister to write -to me about this matter, for you must not trouble -to do so....</p> - -<p>We have visited our houses of Pont-Saint-Esprit, -Avignon, Montpellier, Arles, Aix, and Marseilles, -where certainly everything is blessed, and in all of -which the observance is kept with great exactitude. -It is most consoling to see on all sides how the -Sisters love and esteem their vocation. All these -houses have excellent Superiors. When at Aix we -saw those of Digne, Draguignan, Grasse, and -Forcalquier. The four are invaluable Mothers -capable of putting their hands to anything in which -divine Providence may employ them, and of rendering -all manner of good service to God and the -Institute.</p> - -<p>We also met at Aix the Superiors of Sisteron, Apt, -and Toulon, humble and virtuous souls, but not -possessing the useful talents of the first four. In -returning from Provence I stopped at our house of -Crest, where I again found very good Sisters with a -young Mother of thirty, but of a capable mind, -judicious and zealous. She keeps straight to the -grand road of the Rule, "for fear," she says, "of -going astray." She gave me great satisfaction. -Now I am at Valence, where it appears to me the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> -community is feeling somewhat the effects of having -had young Superiors for eight years in succession; -nevertheless they keep to the exterior observance -and manifest an ardent desire to profit by our stay. -I have not yet spoken with them, but I intend to do -so. The Superior is good, gentle, capable, and -willing, but is wanting in experience; this, please -God, will come. These Sisters are in need of one who -is firm and experienced. I hope, as next year will -be that of their election, that God will look after -them in this matter according to their needs.</p> - -<p>Pardon my bad writing, but I forget half I wish -to say. We went from Marseilles to Sainte-Baume, -a place of great devotion.</p> - -<p>Always your very humble, obedient, and obliged -daughter, and servant in Our Lord.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_106" id="Footnote_A_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_106"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> We quote the following extract from the "History of -the Foundation of the Visitation Order": -"A person of good social position had, it is said, borrowed -a very large sum of money from the Second monastery of -the Visitation at Paris, promising immediately to send a -written acknowledgement of this loan, and to repay it at -the end of a fortnight. But upon receiving the money he -at once absconded. Informed of his departure, Mother -Marie Agnes Le Roy took active steps to recover the -money, which was the entire capital of her community. -The immediate result of her inquiries was that the affair -became public, and the friends of the accused, who were -very numerous, all took his part and spread the grossest -calumnies against the victims of his treachery. But God -taking charge of their defence providentially brought back -to Paris the culprit, who thus fell into the hands of those -who were seeking him. He made restitution, in so far as -to acknowledge with confusion that he had taken the money, -intending to speculate with it, but he appears to have been -unable to restore to the Convent the entire sum." -</p> -<p> -The Nuns claimed no other punishment for him than the -avowal of his discreditable conduct.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CI.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie Agnes Le Roy, Superior of the -Second Monastery of Paris.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Valence</span>, 1636.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My well-beloved and dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>For this indeed you are to me in so peculiar and -intimate a way that no dearer term can I add to it, -and no other feeling than this loving one could my -heart entertain towards you, seeing the way in -which you look upon the true and solid lights and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> -affections of heart that God has given you. My -daughter, I am quite enchanted with your letter.<a name="FNanchor_A_107" id="FNanchor_A_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_107" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> -I cannot keep myself from kissing it and pressing it -to my heart, for every word of it from beginning to -end has deeply moved me. I shall carefully treasure -it. Nothing else have I to say, my true daughter, -if not that you ought, in order fully and worthily to -correspond with such graces, to keep your heart -firmly set on God, and casting out all that is not -He, jealously and faithfully preserve the rare -treasure which the divine Goodness has confided to -your hands. Spread the good odour all you can in -the hearts of your daughters, and may everyone -who comes in contact with you feel that the virtues -of the crucified and despised Saviour go out from -you. Recommend my heart with your own to Him -and let them be as one in His divine love.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_107" id="Footnote_A_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_107"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> This letter, which so charmed St. Jane Frances, contained -an account of the intimate feelings of Mother Marie -Agnes Le Roy, when she found herself under the calumny -spoken of in the preceding letter to the Commander de -Sillery. To quote from her letter: "It seems to me," she -says, "that it is a particular grace to have been chosen to -bear this humiliation. Our Lord is so good that He gives -me very great pleasure and contentment in it, because it -shows His special love for me, and seeing that it has all -happened to imprint in my heart the spirit of lowliness and -humility I am greatly consoled and incited to redouble my -little efforts to procure Him glory.... -</p> -<p> -"Ah, my dear mother, how wise such occurrences make -us, and what fruit they bear!" (History of the Foundation -of the Second Monastery of Paris.)</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p></div> - - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CII.<br /> -<i>To Sister Anne Louise de Marin de Saint Michel, -Superior at Forcalquier.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>April 5th, 1637.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>May our most gentle Saviour in His goodness -fill our souls with the merits of His holy Passion! -Alas! my daughter, if you knew me such as I really -am you would not desire many years of life for me -in this valley of tears, but rather that God in His -merciful goodness should soon take me to Himself. -Still less should you think that sanctity was ripe in -me, for truly all I can discover within my soul is very -great poverty and misery. To speak quite in confidence -to you and to you alone: it has pleased the -divine Goodness to deprive me of all light and consolation, -and to let me be overwhelmed with darkness -and affliction. In a word, I am she for whom -our good Mother has asked you to pray, and I -beseech you to do it with all the compassionate -affection and the loving charity which God has -put into your heart for me. For indeed, dearest -daughter, I am in sore need of your prayers; no other -desire am I conscious of save that God may hold me -in His blessed hands and so keep me from offending<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> -Him. To do and suffer all, for and according to His -good pleasure, is enough for me. I tell you all quite -openly in order that you may speak of me to the -<i>Heart</i> of our divine Saviour, whom I bless and thank -for the graces that He continues to bestow upon -you, with the growth of that intimate realization of -His divine presence. Oh, how precious, how glorious -is this grace! Yet this gift of His presence is not -the same as His presence in the divine Sacrament, -where His Sacred Body and Soul and Divinity all in -the most real sense dwell with us, and remain with us -in our miserable tabernacles until the species is -consumed. Nevertheless in the gift of the presence -of God this eternal Truth remains in us by essence, -by power, and by grace, and to be conscious of this -is an exceptional favour. You will understand this -better by reading the books that treat of it. In the -"Treatise of Divine Love" I think you will find it -admirably explained. What I now tell you I have -learnt there, or heard in sermons. Oh! what a -happiness for a soul to possess her God in peace, and -to be possessed entirely by Him! I am surprised -that what I say contents you and gives you peace, -but it is because our good God makes all things -work to good for those who love Him.</p> - -<p>Once again I beseech of you to recommend me to -His divine mercy, and I pray that in you He may -perfect His rare graces. All you have to do is to -leave yourself in the hands of this heavenly Workman, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> -to be very faithful in paying no heed to -what passes in you, but always keep the eye of your -mind fixed on God. Of a truth I desire myself to -be very attentive to this point, but my mind is so -restless that I am not able to do so, and this is a -constant trouble to me. See how I give you all my -confidence. Will you not also tell me your thoughts, -and it will be a consolation and a profit to me, if -God so wills. May He bless you and all your Sisters -to whose devout prayers I recommend myself. Those -amongst us are most blessed who long for the holy -perfection of their vocation. Divine Providence -when it sees well will increase their number, neither -will it fail to provide all things necessary for the -maintenance of those who leave themselves in its -care and only think of conforming to its good -pleasure.</p> - -<p>Believe me, always yours entirely in our Lord. -May He be blessed.</p> - -<p class="space-above">Palm Sunday. On this day Holy Church bids us -sing,</p> - -<blockquote> -<p>"The Saviour comes in the multitude of His mercies."</p> -</blockquote> - -<p>May our souls eternally praise Him. Amen.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>CIII.<br /> -<i>To the Abbê de Vaux.</i><a name="FNanchor_A_108" id="FNanchor_A_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_108" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1637.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear and very hon. Brother</span>,</p> - -<p>May the sacred love of our divine Saviour be -our eternal life! The little preface or pretended -excuse in your letter is not quite in keeping with the -simple confidence with which we have resolved to -treat each other, which I believe God desires and -ratifies, and with the profession you make of wishing -to live in the entire simplicity and candour of the -Visitation spirit, which one certainly cannot but -see in you. I bless God for it with all my heart, and -know not how to thank Him for His infinite Goodness -in having given such a friend to our Congregation, -and such a support to the new plant which Providence -has set in the garden of the church of Angers. Now -I say all this straight out from my heart; will you -not receive it, then, in this wise, my very dear -brother, and unite with me in praising God, for to -Him we owe it all. He is the sole author of all good -things, hence should all glory be referred to Him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> -Your whole bearing with our Sisters is extremely -pleasing to me. Sister Mary Euphrasia Turpin has -a good heart, a fine intelligence, and loves the Rule, -which I advise her closely to follow, above all in the -guidance of her Novices. Will you not also give -her this advice? You will find her pliant, open, and -easy to convince.</p> - -<p>We must let Mother Claire Madeleine de Pierre -complete her three years,<a name="FNanchor_B_109" id="FNanchor_B_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_109" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> and I hope by that time -divine Providence will have provided a successor. -It is a very serious matter in a new foundation when -a superior is often ill, and cannot follow the common -life. By seeking pretexts, without necessity, to dispense -herself, however little, from the exercises, she -does great harm to herself and her community. She -who ought to be a model of good example to her -Sisters. How miserable and dangerous is this false -liberty. May God preserve us from it! What -responsibility have not such superiors on their -consciences, and what an account they will have to -render, not only for their own faults but for those -which have been committed in imitation of them, -and for impeding their own perfection and that of -those under their care. This is far-reaching, my -dear brother, so speak of it occasionally, I beg of -you. A true daughter of the Visitation is a great -treasure—may God give us all the grace to become<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> -such. You do not tell me if the Sisters are still in -your house. How good you are to them! I pray -God to reward you with the glorious gift of His -eternal City. To Him you owe much for having -given you the heart and the generous soul you -possess, wherein there is but the one desire, to serve -Him. Go forward, dear brother, forward, always -advancing and increasing in the purity and perfection -of divine love, and may God give you the grace faithfully -to correspond to the great favours He bestows -upon you. This is, I know, your great wish, and I -seem to see our Blessed Father looking down upon -you as one of His most cherished children. God -knows how I esteem you in His sight. But alas! -my own poverty and misery are beyond description. -May God diminish them for the sake of His glory. -I trust to His Goodness and to the prayers that are -offered for my needs....</p> - -<p>There is no doubt that this difficulty of not being -able to make considerations in prayer leads to a -more simple form of prayer, and a soul thus led -ought to adhere to this way to which God is undoubtedly -calling her, however faint may be the -call, and although the calm and facility of dwelling -reverently before Him which it brings be but slight. -Neither ought she to forsake it because of her -indigent state nor because of her wanderings of -mind, but remain patiently and tranquilly before -Our Lord, not giving willing consent to distractions,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> -but when worried by them just say from time to -time words of submission, abandonment, confidence, -and love of the divine will, and give up discoursing -with the understanding; indeed it is useless to split -our heads trying to do so, for it will be of no avail. -The great secret of prayer is to follow our attraction -and to go to it in good faith.</p> - -<p>A soul who wishes to live in the presence of God -should be very faithful to the practice of virtue, to -great purity of heart, and to an unconditional surrender -of herself to the divine will. When she sees -herself walking in this way she need fear nothing, -but if she has great consolations and facilities in -prayer without the practice of these virtues, she -certainly ought to fear. Truly this manner of prayer -has in its simplicity a wonderful power of leading -souls to a total despoliation of themselves. Yet -they usually enjoy neither relish nor sensible -devotion.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_108" id="Footnote_A_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_108"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Guy Lanier Abbé de Vaux not only put his own house -at the disposal of the Sisters foundresses of the Visitation -at Angers, but continued in after years to give them -constant proofs of his paternal affection. He was one of -the most virtuous ecclesiastics of the seventeenth century.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_B_109" id="Footnote_B_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_109"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Each election in the Visitation Monasteries is for a -period of three years.</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CIV.<br /> -<i>To a great Servant of God.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>December, 1637.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Mother</span>,</p> - -<p>May Our Lord fill our souls with the consolations -and with the merits of His most holy -Nativity.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> - -<p>It is about a month since I received your letter -of November 9th in which I read your true goodness -and loving care of me in my never-ending trials. -However, by the grace of God they are somewhat -less acute than when I last wrote. At that time -Our Lord had sent me a great sorrow in the death of -the virtuous Mother (de Châtel), who is a serious -loss to me. It seems as if God wishes to deprive me -of all help both of nature and of grace. This our -Blessed Father prophecied to me before I was a -Religious. With all my heart I adore the most holy -will of God, and the only good I desire is its complete -fulfilment. May I have the grace never to -resist it. If it is perfectly wrought out in me how -happy I shall be. Pray for this, dearest Mother, -I beg of you. Strange to say, when writing to you -I can never altogether keep back my tears, though -otherwise I rarely weep, unless perchance when I -reflect upon those precious virtues<a name="FNanchor_A_110" id="FNanchor_A_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_110" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> of which I feel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> -deprived, and thoughts against them rise up within -me that are like daggers to my heart. Yet I am -conscious that these divine treasures exist, but where -I know not, and it seems to me that I do at least -desire them and would willingly suffer anything in -order to have the enjoyment of them. My mind -pictures untold delights for souls who possess them: -were I to dwell on this thought I should be parched -up with sorrow, because I care for nothing in comparison -with them. Could I be so fortunate as to -die for Holy Church, nay, even for the least article -of our Faith, how happy I should be; for, thank -God, there is no point that I doubt about, though it -seems to me that I am destitute of all faith.</p> - -<p>To tell you further, dearest Mother, shortly after -my last letter to you it pleased the divine Goodness -somewhat to relieve me of the great oppression and -desolation from which I was then suffering, by -giving me a sensible feeling of the divine presence. -I have already told you that I have never been -altogether without some slight and almost imperceptible -feeling of the presence of God, by which in -the midst of a storm of troubles and temptations my -spirit never wholly loses its tranquility, and as -long as I maintain myself in that presence my soul -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>is calm notwithstanding the piteous struggle. When -it first pleased our Lord to give me some relief in the -terrible temptations under which I laboured for so -many years after I made my Vow,<a name="FNanchor_A_111" id="FNanchor_A_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_111" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> I received the -grace of a simple consciousness of His presence at -prayer, and remaining in it I used to surrender myself -up to Him and become absorbed and at rest in Him. -This favour has not been withdrawn from me, notwithstanding -that by my infidelities I have often -hindered it; yielding to apprehensions that I should -be useless in this state, and, wanting to do something -on my own part, I used to spoil all. I am still often -subject to this same fear, not, however, when at -prayer, but at other exercises; I am always wanting -to make acts, or to do something, and yet I feel that -by so doing I am taking myself from my centre—that -this looking straight at God alone is the only -remedy for me, the sole relief in all the troubles, -temptations, and accidents of life. If I followed my -attraction, I should certainly never seek any other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> -way than this, for when I think to fortify my soul -by reflections and discourses, or by acts of resignation, -for all of which I have to do violence to self, I -only succeed in exposing myself to fresh troubles -and temptations, and finding therein nought but -dryness and dissatisfaction, I have perforce to return -to this simple surrender to God. Apparently He -wishes thus to show me that He desires on this -subject a total cutting off of the activities and workings -of my mind, so that His activity and not mine -should undertake the care of all. Mayhap He -requires this of me not only on the subject of Faith -but on all others as well, for in every trouble and in -every spiritual exercise to look at Him is all that He -seems to want of me, and the more unwaveringly I -do so the better I find myself, and the quicker my -troubles pass. But the activity of my mind is such -that I am always in need of comfort and encouragement. -Alas! my dearest Father often spoke to me -of this. Yet recalling the past, I see that my -sufferings at that time were not the troubles I now -endure. Then it was only my distracted prayers -and such-like trifles that troubled and sometimes -deceived me, for which I am not sorry, as there was -no real danger; God was there, and I had only to -keep myself steadfast to Him. But in my present -trials I am as one always on the edge of a -precipice.</p> - -<p>Our late Mother (Péronne de Châtel) was an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> -immense help to me, for she taught me to walk with -simplicity, firmly and fearlessly in the presence of -God, and that sufficed for all. The more completely -I am stript of all sentiment, all relish, all repose in -God, the more do I seem to gain strength and peace -of soul, and the more clearly do I see that there is -nothing to lean upon but God alone, purely, and -simply. One of our Sisters<a name="FNanchor_C_112" id="FNanchor_C_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_112" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> is drawn by this absolute -detachment to a degree that it is almost impossible -to surpass, and our good Mother (de Châtel) -told me that God gave this Sister to me as an example -to follow. She wrote at the request of our late -Mother an account of her interior state to which I -have added in detail. She is a soul of great virtue -and her detachment is marvellous. Speaking of -this, some days ago, Our Lord gave me a light so -vivid and set it before me in a manner so luminous -that I saw without a shadow of doubt that I must -no longer cast my eyes upon myself about anything -whatsoever, nor even question my Beloved, -but in all simplicity and repose become absorbed -in Him. Now since this day of alleviation it seems -to me that I have kept myself more continuously -in God's presence, and I have but seldom had -those violent temptations—only two or three -times.</p> - -<p>This is, I think, all that I can give myself time to -say at present. If I have not expressed myself well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> -to this distinguished servant of God you will not -fail to understand me and will tell me what he -says.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_110" id="Footnote_A_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_110"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The following extract from a letter of St. Francis to -Mme. de Chantal, March 28th, 1612, tells us what these -virtues were: he says, "But let us come to the interior trial -which you write to me about. It is in reality a certain -insensibility which deprives you of the enjoyment not only -of consolations and inspirations but also of faith, hope, and -charity. You have them all the time, and in a very good -condition, but you do not enjoy them: in fact you are like -an infant whose guardian takes away from him the administration -of all his goods in such sort that, while in reality all -is his, yet he handles and seems to possess no more than -what he requires for living, and as St. Paul says in this, -'He differeth nothing from a servant though he be lord -of all things.' In the same way, my dear daughter, God -does not want you to have the management of your faith, -your hope, or of your charity, nor to enjoy them except -just to live, and to use them on occasions of pure necessity."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_111" id="Footnote_A_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_111"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> On September 2nd, 1604, Saint Jane Frances made a -vow of perpetual chastity and of obedience to St. Francis -de Sales, from this time until her death she suffered from -temptations against Faith in varying intensity. On -Oct. 4th of this same year (1604), St. Francis wrote to her, -"You ask a remedy for the temptations against faith which -assail you. Never argue with them, but do as the children -of Israel, who threw the bones of the Paschal Lamb into -the fire without attempting to break them," and again: -"Oh, my daughter, it is a good sign when the enemy urges -so vehemently from without, it is a sign he is not within."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_C_112" id="Footnote_C_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_112"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> Sister Anne Marie Rosset.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CV.<br /> -<i>To Mother Marie Aimée de Rabutin, Superior at Thonon.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>,</span><br /> -<i>October 15th, 1639.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>May God be always blessed in all things and -may He be particularly blessed for the good health -you tell me you enjoy, and for the care you take to -do all that is prescribed to keep you well. I am -sending you a box of lozenges. Take them as -directed besides the other remedies. I beg of you -to take them regularly, for they are sweet, not unpleasant, -and very inexpensive. Do not, I beseech -of you, undertake any extra fasting nor abstain more -than you can easily manage. Continue cheerfully -to make use of the little alleviations that are settled -for you, and any others that your weakness may -require, just as you would see that others did. Drink -your wine, at least half your portion, for your wine-cups -are very small.<a name="FNanchor_A_113" id="FNanchor_A_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_113" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Neither rise earlier nor go to -bed later than the others, nor undertake any -laborious work, for I know your health would not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> -stand it. Take the discipline only on Fridays. -Possess your spirit in peace and calm, and pass gently -through this miserable life, not taking too much to -heart the faults of your sisters, nor their little ways -of worrying you. Do your best amongst them, and -leave the rest to God. Pray, and get prayers, that -it may please God to turn the miseries and calamities -of this world to His glory and to the salvation of His -people, and do not forget me. If you would like me -to write to Sister J. Antoine I will do so. However, -she must be kept to the promises she made to me—tell -her that I have spoken to you about them and -have asked you to let me know how she is going on. -May God be your support. Blessed be He and His -holy Mother. Amen.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_113" id="Footnote_A_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_113"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> These wine-cups held about two small glasses.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CVI.<br /> -<i>To St. Vincent de Paul at Paris.</i></h2> - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">On the Arrival of -the Lazarist Fathers at Annecy.</span></p> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1640.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very dear Father</span>,</p> - -<p>Praised be our divine Saviour who for His -great glory and the salvation of many souls has -brought your dear children happily here. Their -coming is a subject of thanksgiving to Our Lord from -everyone, but most of all from the Bishop of Geneva<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> -and myself, to whom it is an unbounded consolation. -We look upon them as our true brothers, with whom, -in simple openheartedness and confidence we are as -one, and they too feel this. I have had a conversation -with them, and truly they speak as if they were -daughters of the Visitation. All are full of goodness -and candour. The third and the fifth need a little -help to get out of themselves. I shall tell their -Superior, M. Escarts, of it. He is a Saint, and a -man truly equal to his charge. I have given them -each a practice of virtue. With God's help, for our -mutual consolation and to obey you, I will always -lovingly continue so to do, for indeed, my dear -Father, there is much to speak of to these dear souls. -The good Father N. has manifested his own difficulties -to me with the utmost simplicity. He has -an upright heart and a good judgement, but it will -be difficult for him to persevere. I have begged of -him to put aside all thought of either leaving or -staying, and to apply himself in good earnest to do -God's work, leaving himself trustfully to His Providence. -I wish he could settle down, as he is a soul -of great promise. In fact they are all charming and -have already given great edification in this town -during the three or four days that they have been -here. Their spirit is very like that of my dear and -good Father.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h2>CVII.<br /> -<i>To Sister Claire-Marie-Françoise de Cusance<a name="FNanchor_A_114" id="FNanchor_A_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_114" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> at Gray.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1640.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Your letter fills me with tender compassion, -but it also gives me very real comfort, seeing how -joyfully God is enabling you to make your passage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> -through this life to Him. You will love and adore -Him in an eternity of glory, for this is the only good -that is worth setting our hearts upon. Here we are -all regretting your absence, and envying you your -happiness, but our regret and our envy are more -than balanced by our gratitude to God who is taking -you so mercifully to Himself. Oh! how hard and -long is this life for those who yearn to be with Him! -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>You must do, my daughter, as your good Mother -desires about your state of health.</p> - -<p>Most earnestly do I beg of you to ask God that I -may live and die in His grace and according to His -good pleasure. Do not refuse me this favour, and -when you see Him do not forget to speak to Him -about me. Be kind to me in this.</p> - -<p>I remain,</p> - -<p class="right">Yours affectionately in His love. Amen</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_114" id="Footnote_A_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_114"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> This religious belonged to the ancient family of the -Counts of Berghen, Champlitte, and Belvoir. At the age -of thirteen, upon the foundation of the Monastery of -Champlitte, she was taken there and given the title of -Foundress. Her arrival was the signal for a great ovation. -Cannons boomed forth their welcome, while the Magistrates -harangued, and the people cheered her, acclaiming the great -and good deeds of her ancestors. In this wise did the child -enter into her new life of poverty, obedience, and chastity. -Soon after her entrance the war between France and Spain -obliged the Community to leave Champlitte for the little -town of Gray. Here fresh trials awaited it; the plague -broke out, and so awful were its ravages that the town was -soon a veritable sepulchre. Yet none of the terrors that -surrounded her shook the resolution of the brave child. -Full of confidence in God she remained calm and joyful -in the midst of unheard-of privations. -</p> -<p> -The fame of her courage and her virtue went abroad and -even before her profession she was the object of public -veneration, for the people loved her and claimed her as their -own heroine. At the age of sixteen, Sister Claire-Marie-Françoise -de Cusance made her solemn vows and became -the Saint Stanislaus Kostka of the Visitation. She died -two years after her profession, having spent those eighteen -years of life more like an angel than a woman, and having -enjoyed many supernatural communications. No sooner -was her death known, than the Mayor ordered all the bells -of the town of Gray to be tolled, on which the inhabitants -at once announced their intention of assisting at the -obsequies with torch-lights to honour not so much her -birth as her high virtue. The Visitation Monastery had -not as yet a cemetery of their own, so the religious of the -Annunciation, at their urgent request were given the holy -remains, which for some days they exposed to public -veneration. Numerous were the graces obtained during -those days by the devout inhabitants through the mediation -of the holy nun. Her portrait was circulated in Flanders -where [like Sœur Thérèse of Lisieux in our day] she was -venerated, though not yet on the Altars of the Church. -Fourteen days after the obsequies had been celebrated a -religious of the Annunciation wrote to the Mother Superior -of the Visitation at Gray. "This dear deceased is still quite -beautiful and her body quite flexible, the veins are to be -seen in her person as in a living body, which proves to us -that it was truly the temple of a pure and angelic soul. -Several persons have noticed a fragrant perfume exhaling -from the coffin, and others have received extraordinary -graces and interior illumination when praying beside it." -(Taken from Vol. IX. of the "Lives of the Sisters of the -Visitation.")]</p></div></div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CVIII.<br /> -<i>To Sister Jeanne Benigne Gojos,<a name="FNanchor_A_115" id="FNanchor_A_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_115" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> Lay Sister at Turin.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1640.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My daughter most dear</span>,</p> - -<p>Your few words explaining your interior occupation -have made your soul as clear to me as if it lay -open before mine eyes. All that passes within you -and without you is God's own work.</p> - -<p>Regarding your interior life, my advice is: Give -God a free hand to do as He likes, while you look -on in loving simplicity. And as to the exterior:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> -Practise virtue by making faithful use from moment -to moment of the opportunities provided by divine -Providence. But it is superfluous for me to offer -advice, as the heart that is governed by God needs -no other guidance. Beseech of Him in His goodness, -my dear daughter, to accomplish in us His holy -will, without let or hindrance on our part.</p> - -<p class="right">Yours, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_115" id="Footnote_A_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_115"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Sister Jeanne Benigne Gojos died at Turin, in the odour -of sanctity, November 5th, 1692. Her life was written -under the title of "The Charm of Divine Love," and it -possesses all the beauty of true mysticism. It is hoped -that one day she may be raised to the Altars of the Church. -St. Jane Frances said of her: "From the day of her profession -she seemed no longer to be on earth."</p></div> -</div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CIX.<br /> -<i>To the Sister Louise-Angélique de la Fayette,<a name="FNanchor_A_116" id="FNanchor_A_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_116" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> at the -First Monastery of Paris.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Annecy</span>, 1641.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My dearest Daughter</span>,</p> - -<p>Though not personally acquainted with you, -none the less do I know and dearly love you. Your -letter shows me quite clearly the state of your mind,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> -and the source of your trouble and embarrassment. -It comes from your over-eagerness in seeking to -arrive at the perfection you desire, instead of -patiently and submissively awaiting the will of Him -who alone can give it to you. Now if you wish -truly to acquire the spirit of your vocation you will -have to correct this fault, and carry out whatever -instructions are given you, gently and faithfully, -repressing your desires and your thoughts in order, -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>in God's good time, to become a true Visitation nun. -I think, if I am not mistaken, that you are not -content simply to make acts requisite for your -training in perfection, but you want to feel and be -conscious that you have made them. This satisfaction -you should give up, and content yourself with -saying to God without sensible feeling: "I wish with -all my heart to perform such and such practices of -virtue for Thy good pleasure." Then perform them -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>although with dryness and wish for nothing better -than in this manner lovingly to serve Him. If you -do this you will soon find yourself in possession of -that calm and holy peace so necessary to souls who -desire to live by the spirit, and not according to -their own views and inclinations. Your repose and -spiritual advancement depend, I can see, on these -things. May God fill you with Himself and give you -the grace to practice all that is taught you by her to -whose guidance He has committed you.</p> - -<p class="right">I am affectionately yours.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_116" id="Footnote_A_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_116"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Marie-Louise Motier de la Fayette became maid of -honour to Anne of Austria at the age of fourteen. Her -beauty and the promise of great ability for which she was -afterwards so remarkable attracted the King Louis XIII. -His devotion to her which lasted all his life was that of a -brother to a most dear sister. He turned to her in his -troubles and relied and acted on her advice. When at the -age of nineteen she decided to retire into the Monastery -of the Visitation, for which she had not ceased to long during -her short life at Court, the King opposed her vocation, but -seeing that her happiness was bound up with it he at last -gave his consent. Yet he never ceased to visit this devoted -friend who continued to exercise over him a wise and -salutary influence. Richelieu, jealous of her power with -the King, was sensibly relieved by her entrance into religion. -However, hearing one day that Louis had spent three hours -at the Rue St. Antoine with this young religious, he was -thoroughly frightened, and sending for Père Caussin, the -King's confessor, he said: "I am greatly astonished that the -King has made such a mystery to me of this visit. It has -caused a great sensation, and the public are persuaded that -the consequences of it will be serious. My friends have -come to offer to defend me at the peril of their lives." -"What can you mean, Monseigneur?" replied the Jesuit -Father. "Surely you do not fear Mademoiselle de la Fayette? -she is but a child." "You are a simple man," replied the -Cardinal, pressing the Priest's hand; "but you will have to -learn the wickedness of the world. Know then that this -child has had it in her mind to ruin all." -</p> -<p> -Notwithstanding the discontent—nay, even the abject -terror—of the powerful Cardinal, Louis continued his visits, -which always took place in the grilled parlour: for although -as King he had a right to enter the monastery he never took -advantage of this royal privilege. -</p> -<p> -Upon the foundation of the monastery of Chaillot, for -which Henrietta Maria of England herself chose the house, -Mlle. de la Fayette, now Sister Louise-Angélique, was sent -as one of the foundresses, and was elected Superior there on -the decease of Mother L'huillier. After the death of Louis -XIII., Louis XIV., Charles II., and James II. of England, -Anne of Austria, and Marie Thérèse, all continued to frequent -the monastery in order to learn how to sanctify respectively -their triumphs or their misfortunes. The unfortunate -Queen Henrietta Maria took up her residence there. -Mlle. D'Aumale, afterwards Queen of Poland, the Princess -Louise Hollandine, daughter of Frederick V. of Bohemia -(the champion of Protestanism in Germany) and grand-daughter -of James I. of England, were instructed by and -lived with the nuns. Later, Marie Beatrice, widow of -James II., lived at the monastery. Yet all this concourse -of the great ones of the world did not tarnish the virtue nor -dissipate the mind of that lover of solitude and of penance, -Louise Angélique de la Fayette. She died as Superior at -Chaillot, January 11th, 1665, loved and venerated by all -who knew her. It is little known that the world owes the -birth of Louis XIV. to the wise advice of this holy nun, who -pressed home upon the King his conjugal duty. -</p> -<p> -Taken from, firstly, the original manuscript letter of Père -Caussin, S. J., to Sister de la Fayette, found amongst her -papers after her death; secondly, from the memoirs of -Mme. de Motteville, a personal friend of Sister de la Fayette; -thirdly, from the History of Louis XIII., by P. Griffet, who -had recourse to the memoir of Père Caussin for these incidents.</p></div> - -</div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CX.<br /> -<i>To Madame the Duchess de Montmorency (née des Ursins).</i><a name="FNanchor_A_117" id="FNanchor_A_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_117" class="fnanchor">[A]</a></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right"><span style="margin-right:2em;"><span class="smcap">Moulins</span>,</span><br /> -<i>19th June, 1641.</i></p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very honoured and very dear Madame, -and by divine grace our true and beloved Sister</span>,</p> - -<p>I bless and thank our good God for enabling -you so courageously to show forth the power of His -divine Love. Your entrance into Religion will be -for His greater glory and for the happiness of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> -little Congregation. O my dearest Sister, My well -beloved of God, with what overflowing consolation -you have filled my soul! I have just received your -letter, which has been a long time on the road, and -I now write in haste not to lose the opportunity of -this messenger who goes direct to Lyons, as I am -anxious to tell you that I consider that in no way -have I now either the strength or the capacity to -undertake the superiorship of any of our monasteries.</p> - -<p>The Bishop and our Sisters, the latter very unwillingly, -have partly consented not to have me -re-elected here. Still, I assure you if his Lordship -gives me an obedience to go to you I do not think I -could possibly have a command more to my liking, -and I pray God if this is His will that He may inspire -the Bishop to send me. It would be an immense -consolation to me to give the veil to one so full of -desire as you are to revive the true spirit of our -Blessed Father. May our good God complete in -you the high perfection which He has so gloriously -begun.</p> - -<p>I am most truly your poor humble and unworthy -servant in Our Lord, etc.</p> - -<div class="footnotes"> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_A_117" id="Footnote_A_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_117"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> When becoming a postulant at the Visitation, the -Duchess de Montmorency wished not only to renounce her -titles of nobility, but also to change her baptismal name of -Marie-Félice, a custom which was not usual at that time. -She was named Marie after Marie de Medicis, and Félice -after her maternal uncle Félix Peretti (Pope Sixtus the -Fifth). At her clothing she dropped these names and was -from henceforth only known as Sister M. Henriette. She -became Superior at Moulins some years after the death of -St. Jane Frances.</p></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2>CXI.<br /> -<i>To a Novice.</i></h2> - - -<p class="center">Vive ✠ Jésus!</p> - -<p class="right">[<i>Undated.</i>]</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">My very good and dear Brother</span>,</p> - -<p>I have been absent for four weeks, and only -yesterday on my return received your letter. It -gave me, I assure you, very great consolation, and -I am full of gratitude to the God of divine goodness -for His mercies to you. The evil spirit cannot give -this attraction you speak of; he draws us away from -good. On the other hand, our loving Saviour sheds -His perfume in our hearts, so that young souls may -be drawn to follow Him by the sweetness of His -odour.</p> - -<p>Rejoice, then, in this grace with great humility, -my dearest brother, and by means of it grow stronger -in your vocation and in the practice of all virtue, -above all in that of self-renunciation, so that you -may advance in union of soul with God. Give yourself -wholly into His hands. That done, have no -fear of the evil spirit but of God alone, for, having -quitted all things and yourself in your desire to -belong to Him, Satan can do you no harm. Go -forward quite simply, ruminating but little. The -affection I feel for you, as a mother for her son,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> -draws from me these words of advice, but I know -the best counsel is not wanting to you where you are. -May God lead you Himself to the height of perfection -to which He has called you, and always keep you -within His holy hand. I never forget to ask this -of His Goodness. Neither do you forget me when -speaking to Him.</p> - -<p>Believe me, I am, and always will be,</p> - -<p class="right">Your most affectionate, etc.</p> - -<hr /> -<p class="center"><i>Printed in England</i></p> -<hr /> - -<div class="transnote"> -<h2>Transcriber's Notes:</h2> - -<p>Obvious printer's errors have been repaired, other inconsistent -spellings have been kept, including inconsistent use of diacritical mark -(e.g. "Abbé" and "Abbê"), inconsistent use of hyphen (e.g. "Françoise -Gasparde" and "Françoise-Gasparde").</p> - -<p>Page 122, word "be" added to sentence "...how the Office ought to [be] -performed..."</p> -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Selected Letters of Saint Jane Frances -de Chantal, by Jane Frances de Chantal - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SELECTED LETTERS--ST. JANE *** - -***** This file should be named 50592-h.htm or 50592-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/5/9/50592/ - -Produced by Judith Wirawan, Karina Aleksandrova and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> |