[A] St. Francis de Sales.
[B] The Saint here calls the Constitutions by this name.
[C] The Treatise on the Love of God.
[D] The Convent Chaplain at Annecy.
[E] The Octave Day of the Feast of the Visitation.
[F] The Sisters' dinner hour.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1615.
My dearly beloved Sister,
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 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.
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.
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.
I have received all your letters and the other 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.
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.
Yours wholly in Jesus.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1615.
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, 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] 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[B] and M. Voullart as to how to act. Be at ease about the dearly loved Péronne Marie. 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.
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.[C] 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 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[D] 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.
Good-morning, my love. May Jesus be your all. Amen.
[A] Sister Marie Aimée de Blonay had just been made Mistress of Novices, a charge which she greatly dreaded.
[B] Canon of Lyons.
[C] St. Francis de Sales and Mgr. de Marquemont.
[D] Antoine Favre, Mother Marie Jacqueline's father.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1615.
... I think you have received both the letters that I have written to you since our arrival. Now 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] 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 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.
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.
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....
[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.)
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1615.
My dearest Sister, my darling,
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.
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 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....
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 Madame la présidente Le Blanc[A] who is one of those women of the world whom I greatly admire. A thousand cordial salutations to her.
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 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[B], 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[C] 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 borne with silently and sweetly, taking, as it were, no notice of them.
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)....
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.
Adieu, once more. Let us be His for ever and ever.[D]
[A] See note to Letter XIX., page 49.
[B] The Count de Boisy was brother of St. Francis de Sales.
[C] 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.
[D] 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.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,
January, 1616.
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 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?
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] about this, and you will, I think, find her of my opinion, for otherwise those for whom the charges are intended cannot be fittingly 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 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.
[A] Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,
January 4th, 1616.
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 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] 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....
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[B] 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, if I see him I will ask him to write to her, and I shall do so myself, if possible.
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.
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).
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.
[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.
[B] St. Francis de Sales.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1616.
My dearest Daughters,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Adieu, my beloved daughters.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1616.
My very dear Daughter,
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]
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 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.
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 Cadette[B] 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 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.
Yours, etc.
[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."
[B] A name given by St. Francis to Mother Marie Aimée de Blonay.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy.
17th July, 1616.
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 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.
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.
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]