[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 Promised Land."
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy.
June, 1616.
My own dearest Daughter,
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 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 Religious Order or a Congregation? 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.
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 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.
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....
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.
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 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.
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.
A thousand salutations, daughter darling, to you and all your dear flock (a little special word to our two).[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, this holy day of the Feast of St. Claude.
Yours, etc.
[A] Srs. Péronne Marie de Châtel and Marie Aimée de Blonay.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1616.
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 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 cut short absolutely this introspection and all these reflections you make on yourself. This I have told you over and over again.
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.
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.[B] 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.
[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."
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.
[B] 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.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy.
January, 1617.
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 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.
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.
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.
Daylight is failing me, my daughter.
Your very affectionate
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,
10th April, 1617.
My most dear Daughter,
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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 long as he can get through all his work. Would to God that I could relieve him of it!
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....
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.
Adieu, my most dear daughter. I embrace you lovingly in spirit and am wholly yours in our sweet Saviour. Amen.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1617.
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.
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.
I am surprised at what you tell me about Paris and Chalons,[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 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.
I do not quite know what to say of Sister ——[B]; tell me about her a little more in detail and of the effects on her of what she feels.
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.
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 be sorry if Sister N. goes, for I think that in time she may make a good novice mistress and so relieve that daughter[C] 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.
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.[D]
Still no news from Rome. I think His grace the Archbishop[E] 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 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.
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.
[A] Projected foundations in these towns.
[B] A Sister at Lyons who enjoyed great spiritual consolations. Her name is not given.
[C] Sister Marie Aimée de Blonay.
[D] 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."
[E] Mgr. de Marquemont.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,
September, 1617.
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 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.[B]
[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.
[B] The rest of this letter has been cut off.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,
November 6th, 1617.
I feel sure, my dearest nephew, that, alas! you must already know of the death of my dear one.[A] Five days after her decease we announced the news to Mgr. of Bourges,[B] 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.[C] 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 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.
Believe me always your humble aunt and servant,
Sister J. F. Frémyot of the Visitation.
[A] The Saint's daughter, Madame de Thorens.
[B] Archbishop of Bourges, brother of St. Jane Frances. M. de Neuchèze was Vicar-General and Chancellor of his Diocese.
[C] The Saint's son, Celse Benigne.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,
25th November, 1617.
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, 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 Heart of Him who has sent them to you.
Here we have truly shed many tears and prayed much for our dear one who is taken from us.[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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Yes, my dear daughter, we read the Catechism to the Sisters four times a week,[B] 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 beyond, and this I find does much good, for such as we are very ignorant.
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.
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.
This St. Catherine's Day.
[A] Madame de Thorens, the Saint's daughter.
[B] 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.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1617.
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 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.
[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.
There are no less than sixty letters extant from St. Francis de Sales to Madame de la Fléchère.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Grenoble, 1618.
I have received all your letters, my poor dear daughter; they came in two sets and you have had replies to the first five, but I still have four by me with questions to answer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
[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.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Grenoble, 1618.
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?
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 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] said to me yesterday, "It is to the humble souls that the divine Goodness gives true wisdom."
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 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.
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.
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,
Yours, etc.