[A]Madame de Toulonjon unhappily lost several of her children at birth.[B]Gabrielle de Toulonjon married her cousin, de Bussy Rabutin, of unenviable celebrity. Needless to say, the union was not for her a happy one.
[A]Madame de Toulonjon unhappily lost several of her children at birth.
[A]Madame de Toulonjon unhappily lost several of her children at birth.
[B]Gabrielle de Toulonjon married her cousin, de Bussy Rabutin, of unenviable celebrity. Needless to say, the union was not for her a happy one.
[B]Gabrielle de Toulonjon married her cousin, de Bussy Rabutin, of unenviable celebrity. Needless to say, the union was not for her a happy one.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1627.
My very dear Daughter,
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]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.
Ever your Mother, etc.
[A]A temporary peace made, during the Thirty Years' War, with the Huguenots in May, 1626, and called the Peace of Monzon.
[A]A temporary peace made, during the Thirty Years' War, with the Huguenots in May, 1626, and called the Peace of Monzon.
[A]A temporary peace made, during the Thirty Years' War, with the Huguenots in May, 1626, and called the Peace of Monzon.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1627.
[The first lines are illegible.]
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. Thatof 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]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.
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 toGod 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.
Yours, etc.
[A]Acts, XX, 26.
[A]Acts, XX, 26.
[A]Acts, XX, 26.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,August 12th, 1627.
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 tosend him word of your deposition and tell him of the nature of your new office.
Our Blessed Father's process[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.
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.
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 andall 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.[B]They have confidence that you will do your best for them, and do it, I beg of you.
[A]Process of Beatification.[B]This is to say, see that the sum promised by the foundress for the founding of a convent is forthcoming.
[A]Process of Beatification.
[A]Process of Beatification.
[B]This is to say, see that the sum promised by the foundress for the founding of a convent is forthcoming.
[B]This is to say, see that the sum promised by the foundress for the founding of a convent is forthcoming.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1627.
Thank you, my dear daughter, for praying for my son. With his death,[A]most truly, came to me not afeeling 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.
[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."
[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."
[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."
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,14th September, 1627.
My very dear Mother,
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,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.
It is impossible for a superior to undertake to give all her orders at the Obedience[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.
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 anddependent 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.
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.
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.
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 beyour 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.
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.
Adieu, dearest daughter. Believe me, with my whole heart,
Your very humble sister and servant.
[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.
[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.
[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.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Orleans, 1627.
My dearest Little One,
Your letter has given me much consolation, for in it I see somewhat more determination tofollow 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.
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 whoare 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.
Adieu, daughter.
[A]This Sister was a relative of St. Francis de Sales. St. Jane Frances, who never flattered, used to call her "the little Saint."
[A]This Sister was a relative of St. Francis de Sales. St. Jane Frances, who never flattered, used to call her "the little Saint."
[A]This Sister was a relative of St. Francis de Sales. St. Jane Frances, who never flattered, used to call her "the little Saint."
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Paris,December, 1627.
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 isnot 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.
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 beingis 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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Paris,10th of May, 1628.
My good, dearest Daughter,
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....
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 childmay 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.
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.
I salute M. de Saint-Satur, whose most humble servant I am.
Good-bye, my dearest daughter.
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.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!"
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Dijon, 1628.
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 meansof securing stable peace of soul than the giving oneself up absolutely, in order to be led and directed by obedience.
Yours, etc.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1629.
My very dear Daughter,
The good gentleman[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 offriends: 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....
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.[B]We receivedyour 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.
[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.[B]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.
[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.
[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.
[B]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.
[B]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.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,Feb. 2nd, 1630.
My good and very dear Brother,
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 poortown will soon be restored to entire liberty.[B]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 ourhouses 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.
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,
Yours, etc.
[A]The Convent lawyer.[B]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.
[A]The Convent lawyer.
[A]The Convent lawyer.
[B]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.
[B]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.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,February, 1630.
My Rev. Father,
May the love of our Divine Saviour be the life of your soul....
I am very incompetent to give a useful answer to your letter in reference to my Sister the Superior of Montargis:[A]I beg of Our Lord to enlighten me thatwhat 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,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.
[A]Mother Anne Marguerite Clément.
[A]Mother Anne Marguerite Clément.
[A]Mother Anne Marguerite Clément.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy,August, 1630.
My Rev. Father,
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 overflowon 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.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1631.
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.
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.
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.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1631.
My dearest Sister,
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 itconsist 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.
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.
I remain, in His holy love,Yours, etc.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1632.
Very Rev. Father,
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 operatein this privileged soul,[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 recompenseyou 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,
Yours, etc.