



Produced by Judith Wirawan, Karina Aleksandrova and the
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  SELECTED LETTERS OF
  ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL




  Nihil Obstat.
        F. THOMAS BERGH, O.S.B.,
              CENSOR DEPUTATUS.

  Imprimatur.
        EDM. CAN. SURMONT,
              VICARIUS GENERALIS.

  WESTMONASTERII,
        _Die 6 Novembris, 1917._





[Illustration: ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL.

(_Foundress of the Order of the Visitation._)]




  SELECTED LETTERS OF
  SAINT JANE FRANCES
  DE CHANTAL

  TRANSLATED BY
  THE SISTERS OF THE VISITATION
  HARROW

  WITH A PREFACE BY
  HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL BOURNE
  ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER


  R. & T. WASHBOURNE, LTD.
  PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON
  AND AT MANCHESTER, BIRMINGHAM, AND GLASGOW

  _All rights reserved_
  1918




PREFACE


We are all apt so to idealise the Saints whom we love to study and
honour, and strive to imitate, that we are in danger of forgetting that
they possessed a human nature like our own, subject to many trials,
weaknesses and frailties. They had to struggle as we have to struggle.
The only difference is that their constancy and perseverance were
greater far than ours.

Biographers are often responsible for the false tendency to which we
allude. They like to give us the finished portrait of the Saints, and
only too often they omit in great part the details of the long and weary
toil that went to make the picture which they delight to paint.

In the case of some of the Saints we are able to come nearer to the
reality by reading the letters which have been preserved, in which in
their own handwriting they have set down, without thought of those who
in later days might read their words, the details of their daily life
and struggle. Thus in the few selected Letters of the holy foundress of
the Visitation which are now being published in an English translation
we get glimpses of her real character and spiritual growth which may be
more helpful to us than many pages of formal biography. In one place she
excuses the brevity of a letter because she is "feeling the cold to-day
and pressed for time." In another she tells a Sister, "do everything to
get well, for it is only your nerves." Nerves are evidently not a new
malady nor a lately devised excuse. She knew the weariness of delay:
"still no news from Rome.... I think His Grace the Archbishop would be
glad to help us.... Beg him, I beseech you, to push on the matter."

Haste and weather had their effect on her as on us: "I write in such
haste that I forget half of what I want to say.... We will make a
chalice veil for you, but not until the very hot weather is over, for
one cannot work properly while it lasts."

What mother, especially in these days of sorrow and anxiety, can read
unmoved the Saint's own words as she speaks of her daughter's death, and
of her fears about her son. "I am almost in despair... so miserable am
I about it that I do not know which way to turn, if not to the
Providence of God, there to bury my longings, confiding to His hands not
only the honour but even the salvation of this already half lost child.
Oh! the incomparable anguish of this affliction. No other grief can come
near to it."

And then we feel her mingled grief and joy when at last she learnt that
this, her only son, had given up his life, fighting for his King, after
a humble and fervent reception of the Sacraments.

Thus in the midst of the daily small worries of life, and of the great
sorrows that at one time or other fall to the lot of all, we see a brave
and generous soul, with human gifts and qualities like to our own,
treading her appointed path to God.

No one can read her words without carrying therefrom fresh courage for
his life, and a new determination to battle steadfastly to the end.

                                          FRANCIS CARDINAL BOURNE,
                                        _Archbishop of Westminster._

  FEAST OF ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL,
        _August 21st, 1917._




TRANSLATORS' PREFACE


The letters here translated are, with a few mentioned exceptions,
selected from "Sainte Jeanne-Françoise Frémyot de Chantal: Sa Vie et ses
Oeuvres," "First edition entirely conformable to the original
manuscripts published under the supervision of the religious of the
Visitation of Holy Mary at Annecy, by E. Plon and Co., rue Garanciere
10, Paris, 1877."

The rendering cannot be looked upon as entirely literal, but the
translators have kept as closely to the original as was consistent with
an easy rendering in modern English.

The circular letter to the Sisters of the Visitation (page 152) is a
remarkable document worthy of the reader's special attention, as are
also the letters to "Dom John of St. Francis" on St. Francis de Sales,
and the subtle manifestation of St. Jane Frances' own state of soul in
her letter to "A great Servant of God."

It has been thought better to leave the superscription heading all the
Saint's letters, "Vive Jésus" (Let Jesus reign), as in the original, and
untranslated.

The title of "Sister Deposed" given to the immediate predecessor in
office of the actual Superior is peculiar to the Visitation Order.

There are, as will be seen, a few slight omissions, but only when the
matter was of no interest or importance.

The Saint, as the reader will observe, does not keep to any fixed rule
in regard to capital letters.




CONTENTS


  LETTER                                                          PAGE

  JUDGMENT OF ST. FRANCIS ON THE VIRTUES OF MOTHER DE CHANTAL        1

  I. TO ST. FRANCIS DE SALES                                         3

  II. TO THE SAME                                                    4

  III. TO M. LEGROS                                                  5

  IV. THE DUKE OF SAVOY TO ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL               6

  V. TO MADAME D'AUXERRE                                             7

  VI. TO ST. FRANCIS DE SALES                                        9

  VII. TO THE SISTERS OF THE MONASTERY OF ANNECY                    11

  VIII. TO SISTER J. C. DE BRÉCHARD                                 12

  IX. TO SISTER P. M. DE CHÂTEL                                     15

  X. TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE                                          17

  XI. TO THE SAME                                                   20

  XII. TO THE SAME                                                  23

  III. TO SISTER P. M. DE CHÂTEL                                    27

  XIV. TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE                                        30

  XV. TO SISTERS P. M. DE CHÂTEL AND M. A. DE BLONAY                33

  XVI. TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE                                        37

  XVII. TO MADAME DE GOUFFIER                                       40

  XVIII. TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE                                      42

  XIX. SISTER M. A. DE BLONAY                                       46

  XX. TO THE SAME                                                   49

  XXI. TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE                                        51

  XXII. TO THE SAME                                                 55

  XXIII. TO MOTHER J. C. DE BRÉCHARD                                58

  XXIV. TO M. DE NEUCHÈZE                                           60

  XXV. TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE                                        61

  XXVI. TO MADAME DE LA FLÉCHÈRE                                    64

  XXVII. TO SISTER P. J. DE MONTHOUX                                65

  XXVIII. TO M. MICHEL FAVRE                                        68

  XXIX. TO SISTER A. M. ROSSET                                      71

  XXX. TO SISTER P. J. DE MONTHOUX                                  72

  XXXI. TO MADAME DE LA FLÉCHÈRE                                    73

  XXXII. TO MOTHER J. C. DE BRÉCHARD                                75

  XXXIII. TO MOTHER P. M. DE CHÂTEL                                 76

  XXXIV. TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE                                      77

  XXXV. TO SISTER M. A. HUMBERT                                     79

  XXXVI. TO THE SISTERS OF THE VISITATION AT BOURGES                80

  XXXVII. TO THE SISTERS OF THE VISITATION AT MOULINS               81

  XXXVIII. TO MOTHER P. M. DE CHÂTEL                                83

  XXXIX. TO MADEMOISELLE DE CHANTAL                                 85

  XL. TO MOTHER J. C. DE BRÉCHARD                                   87

  XLI. TO MADEMOISELLE DE CHANTAL                                   90

  XLII. TO SISTER M. M. LEGROS                                      92

  XLIII. TO MADAME DU TERTRE                                        94

  XLIV. TO M. DE PALIERNE                                           95

  XLV. TO ST. FRANCIS DE SALES                                     100

  XLVI. TO MADAME DE LA FLÉCHÈRE                                   102

  XLVII. TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON                              103

  XLVIII. TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE                                    105

  XLIX. TO M. DE NEUCHÈZE                                          108

  L. TO MOTHER A. C. DE BEAUMONT                                   110

  LI. TO MOTHER M. J. FAVRE                                        112

  LII. TO MOTHER A. C. DE BEAUMONT                                 116

  LIII. TO MOTHER M. H. DE CHASTELLUX                              118

  LIV. TO SISTER M. M. MILLETOT                                    123

  LV. TO SISTER F. G. DE LA GRAVE                                  124

  LVI. TO THE BISHOP OF AUTUN                                      125

  LVII. TO SISTER A. M. ROSSET                                     127

  LVIII. TO THE REV. FATHER DOM JOHN DE SAINT FRANÇOIS             129

  LIX. TO A RELIGIOUS OF THE FIRST MONASTERY OF THE VISITATION
       AT PARIS                                                    139

  LX. TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON                                 141

  LXI. TO SISTER A. C. DE SAUTEREAU                                144

  LXII. TO MOTHER A. C. DE BEAUMONT                                146

  LXIII. TO THE SAME                                               148

  LXIV. TO MOTHER M. A. FICHET                                     149

  LXV. TO THE SISTERS OF THE VISITATION                            152

  LXVI. TO SISTER A. M. DE LAGE DE PUYLAURENS                      164

  LXVII. TO THE BARON DE CHANTAL                                   166

  LXVIII. TO THE SAME                                              167

  LXIX. TO M. DE COULANGES                                         168

  LXX. TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON                                169

  LXXI. TO THE SAME                                                170

  LXXII. TO MOTHER M. A. FICHET                                    171

  LXXIII. TO MOTHER A. C. DE BEAUMONT                              173

  LXXIV. TO A VISITATION SUPERIOR                                  175

  LXXV. TO MOTHER J. H. DE GÉRARD                                  176

  LXXVI. TO SISTER F. A. DE LA CROIX DE FÉSIGNEY                   179

  LXXVII. TO ST. VINCENT DE PAUL                                   181

  LXXVIII. TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON                            183

  LXXIX. TO MOTHER FAVRE (EXTRACT)                                 185

  LXXX. TO SISTER A. M. CLÉMENT                                    186

  LXXXI. TO MOTHER C. C. DE CRÉMAUX DE LA GRANGE                   187

  LXXXII. TO M. POITON                                             189

  LXXXIII. TO DOM GALICE                                           191

  LXXXIV. TO THE SAME                                              193

  LXXXV. TO MOTHER A. M. CLÉMENT                                   194

  LXXXVI. TO SISTER M. D. GOUBERT                                  195

  LXXXVII. TO DOM GALICE                                           196

  LXXXVIII. TO SISTER M. A. DE MORVILLE                            198

  LXXXIX. TO M. DE COYSIA                                          201

  XC. TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON                                 203

  XCI. TO MGR. ANDRÉ FRÉMYOT                                       205

  XCII. TO A BLIND SISTER                                          208

  XCIII. TO SISTER B. M. DE HARAUCOURT                             209

  XCIV. TO SISTER P. J. DE MONTHOUX                                211

  XCV. TO M. NOËL BRULART                                          214

  XCVI. TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON                               216

  XCVII. TO M. NOËL BRULART (EXTRACT)                              218

  XCVIII. TO THE COUNTESS DE TOULONJON                             219

  XCIX. TO SISTER M. A. DE RABUTIN                                 224

  C. TO M. NOËL BRULART                                            225

  CI. TO MOTHER M. A. LE ROY                                       229

  CII. TO SISTER A. L. DE MARIN DE SAINT MICHEL                    231

  CIII. TO THE ABBÉ DE VAUX                                        234

  CIV. TO A GREAT SERVANT OF GOD                                   237

  CV. TO MOTHER A. M. DE RABUTIN                                   243

  CVI. TO ST. VINCENT DE PAUL                                      244

  CVII. TO SISTER C. M. F. DE CUSANCE                              246

  CVIII. TO SISTER J. B. GOJOS                                     248

  CIX. TO SISTER L. A. DE LA FAYETTE                               249

  CX. TO THE DUCHESS DE MONTMORENCY                                252

  CXI. TO A NOVICE                                                 254




JUDGMENT OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES ON THE VIRTUES OF MOTHER DE CHANTAL


"My brother de Thorens," said St. Francis to one of his friends,
"travelled last month into Burgundy to fetch his little wife, and
brought back with her a mother-in-law whom neither he is worthy of
having nor I of serving. God has given her to me. She has come to be my
daughter in order that I may teach her to die to the world and to live
to Jesus Christ. Urged by God's design over her she has left all, and
has provided for all with a strength and prudence not common to her sex,
such that in her every action the good will find wherewith to praise her
and the wicked will not know in what to blame her."

In a letter the holy Bishop expresses himself as follows: "The Queen Bee
of our new hive, because she is so eager in the pursuit of virtue, is
much tormented with sickness, yet she finds no remedy to her liking save
in the observance of her Rule. I have never seen such singleness of
intention, such submission to authority, such detachment from all
things, such acceptance of the will of God, such fervour in prayer as
this good Mother shows. For my part I believe that God will make her
like unto St. Paula, St. Angela, St. Catherine of Genoa, and the other
holy widows." Writing elsewhere to one of his relations he says: "I feel
unutterable consolation in seeing the moderation of our dear Mother in
regard to all the obstacles that come in her way and her total
indifference to the things of earth. In all truth I may say that,
proportionately to the graces received, a soul could not arrive at
higher perfection. I regard her as an honour to her sex, one who with
the science of the Saints leads a most holy, hidden life concealed by an
ordinary exterior, who does nothing out of the common and yet is
irreproachable in all things."

Once again, writing to a Bishop in answer to a letter about Mother de
Chantal, St. Francis says: "I cannot speak but with respect of this most
holy soul which combines profound humility with a very broad and very
capable mind. She is simple and sincere as a child, of a lofty and solid
judgement. A great soul with a courage for holy undertakings beyond that
of her sex. Indeed, I never read the description of the valiant woman of
Solomon without thinking of Mother de Chantal. I write all this to you
in confidence, for this truly humble soul would be greatly distressed if
she knew that I had said so much in her praise."




SELECTED LETTERS OF ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL




I. _To St. Francis de Sales._


Vive [+] Jésus!

                                                       ANNECY, 1611.

How soon may I hope for the happy day when I shall irrevocably offer
myself to my God? He has so filled me with the thought of being entirely
His, and it has come home to me in such a wonderful and powerful manner,
that, were my emotion to last as it now is, I could not live under its
intensity. Never have I had such a burning love and desire for the
evangelical life and for the great perfection to which God calls me.
What I feel about it is quite impossible to put into words. But, alas!
my resolve to be very faithful to the greatness of the love of this
divine Saviour is balanced by the feeling of my incapacity to correspond
with it. Oh, how painful to love is this barrier of powerlessness! But
why do I speak thus? By doing so I degrade, it seems to me, the gift of
God which urges me to live in perfect poverty, in humble obedience, and
in spotless purity.




II. _To the Same._


Vive [+] Jésus!

                                                       ANNECY, 1612.

My Lord and my own Father, I pray God to fill your soul with His
choicest blessings, with Himself, and above all with the most pure love
of Jesus. Now, for fear others may alarm you, I am telling you myself
that this morning I was taken very ill. After dinner I had a shivering
fit and collapsed completely for a time, but now, thank God, I feel
quite well again; so do not let this trouble you, for the love of God,
that God Whom my soul loves, adores, and desires to serve with the
utmost singleness of heart and with perfect purity. Obtain for me, my
Father, when to-morrow you hold this divine Saviour, His grace in such
abundance that I may for ever adore, serve, and love Him perfectly. It
is an immense consolation to know that you are occupied with that
heavenly work "the Divine Love."[A] With what ardour I sigh for that
love! Alas! my God, when shall we see one another utterly consumed
therewith?

I have seen the good aunt: what a venerable old lady she is! I assure
you I am well now, and you know I would not say so if it were not true.
May Jesus reign and His Holy Mother. Amen.


FOOTNOTE:

[A] The Treatise on the Love of God.




III. _To M. Legros at Dijon._


Vive [+] Jésus!

                                                       ANNECY,
                                                  _18th June, 1612._
  SIR,

We have given your daughter a true welcome. This offering which you and
she have made so lovingly cannot fail to be very agreeable to the good
God. You may be consoled and at peace about her for she is, and will
always be, very dear to me. God obliges me to have an exceeding great
care and love for all those whom He leads here and the goodness of your
heart, together with her confidence in me, urges and binds me closely to
her. I have not leisure for more, but once again, let me assure you that
this dear little soul has found here an affectionate Father and Mother,
so you may be happy about her. I am extremely obliged to you for the
trouble you have taken about that business (illegible lines).... May God
fill you with grace, consolation, and strength to walk in the way of His
divine commandments! I affectionately salute all your children, for whom
I wish a like grace. Madame Legros and I have agreed to be as sisters to
one another. I greatly love and esteem her: she is a brave, generous
woman. God guide her to Himself.

                          Always, Sir, your very humble servant,
                                                            FRÉMYOT.




IV. _The Duke of Savoy to St. Jane Frances de Chantal._


  VERY REVEREND DEARLY BELOVED AND DEVOUT PETITIONER,

Your choice of my daughter, the Infanta Duchess of Mantua, as your
Mother and Protectress gives us much pleasure. We are delighted that you
have erected your Congregation in our States, as we profoundly esteem
your piety, charity, and devotion, and we desire by this letter to
assure you that you have our special protection, and that it is our wish
to aid, favour, and assist you in all that is necessary for the carrying
out of your good work. We have written to this effect to our nephew the
Marquis de Lans and to our Senate of Savoy, to which you can always have
recourse. The Countess de Tournon is charged to assist the Infanta at
the solemnity which you will be celebrating and to instruct her as to
her duties in regard to you. May I beg a remembrance in your prayers and
in those of your devout flock, whom I pray God to have in His holy
keeping.

                                               CHARLES EMMANUEL,
                                                    _Duke of Savoy._
             TURIN,
  _22nd_ of _December_, 1613.




V. _To Madame d'Auxerre,[A] Foundress of the Monastery of the Visitation
at Lyons._


Vive [+] Jésus!

                                                       ANNECY, 1614.

Madame, My most dear and beloved Sister, The grace of Our Lord be in
your heart.

He has been pleased to grant you your request and it is He alone who has
inspired you with this desire. Again, He alone has put into the hearts
of this little Community a feeling of general satisfaction in regard to
your undertaking, and for this intention we have communicated and prayed
much. As for me I tell you, trustfully, in confidence, that when I was
speaking to our Lord about this affair His divine goodness seemed to
make manifest to me that He Himself led you here with His own hand. This
consoled me and made me resolve to give you what He commands, and this
my dearly loved Sister is my answer to what you ask. I give it simply
and in all sincerity. O how happy you are to have been thus called by
God to this most excellent service. Respond courageously to such
abundant graces and remain very humble and faithful to His holy will.

I must say this one word more in answer to what you feel as regards
God's goodness in giving you as guide this great and admirable servant
of His.[B] Know, my dearest Sister, that I also so strongly feel this,
that every day I make a special act of thanksgiving to God for it, and
the longer we live the more we shall understand what a grace it is. I
remember, in reference to it, a Capuchin once telling me that it
increased his regard for me to think of the peculiar care and love that
God must have for me to have given me this grace.... Remain now full of
thanksgiving in peace and certainty, as much as it is possible to have
in this life, that you are carrying out God's holy will.

We pray continually for you. All our Sisters unite with me in saluting
you most cordially. I, indeed, look upon your heart, my beloved Sister,
as mine own, and because this is the very truth you must look upon my
heart as yours in His who is our only Love.

Adieu. May we belong always wholly to God.

                           I remain with incomparable affection,
                                                         Yours, etc.


FOOTNOTES:

[A] This pious widow together with two other ladies made a journey to
Annecy in 1613 in order to place themselves under the direction of St.
Francis de Sales. On their return to Lyons all three petitioned the
Archbishop, Mgr. de Marquemont, to establish a Monastery of the
Visitation in that town. Before, however, acceding to their request he
asked St. Francis the object of the new Order. The Saint at once
replied: "To give God souls of prayer who will be so interior as to be
found worthy to serve and adore His infinite Majesty in spirit and in
truth. To the great Orders already established in the Church we leave
the praiseworthy exercises and brilliant virtues by which they honour
Our Lord. But I wish that the Religious of my Order should have no other
ambition than to glorify Him by their lowliness, so that this little
Institute of the Visitation may be as a dovecot of innocent doves whose
care and employment will be to meditate on the law of the Lord without
making itself seen or heard in the world, remaining hidden in the clefts
of the Rock and the Hollow places of the wall there to give to their
Beloved, as long as life shall last, proofs of sorrow and love by their
lowly and humble sighing."

[B] St. Francis de Sales.




VI. _To St. Francis de Sales._


Vive [+] Jésus!

                                                       ANNECY, 1614.

I write because I cannot refrain from doing so; for this morning I am
more wearisome to myself than usual. My interior state is so gravely
defective that, in anguish of spirit, I see myself giving way on every
side. Assuredly, my good Father, I am almost overwhelmed by this abyss
of misery. The presence of God, which was formerly such a delight to me,
now makes me tremble all over and shudder with fear. I bethink myself
that the divine eye of Him whom I adore, with entire submission, pierces
right through my soul looking with indignation upon all my thoughts,
words and works. Death itself, it seems to me, would be less painful to
bear than the distress of mind which this occasions, and I feel as if
all things had power to harm me. I am afraid of everything; I live in
dread, not because of harm to myself, but because I fear to displease
God. Oh, how far away His help seems! thinking of this I spent last
night in great bitterness and could utter no other words than these, "My
God, my God, alas! why hast Thou forsaken me." At daybreak God gave me a
little light in the highest part of my soul, yet only there; but it was
almost imperceptible; nor did the rest of my soul and its faculties
share the enjoyment, which lasted only about the time of half a Hail
Mary, then, trouble rushed back upon me with a mighty force, and all was
darkness. Notwithstanding the weariness of this dereliction, I said,
though in utter dryness, "Do, Lord, whatever is pleasing to Thee, I wish
it. Annihilate me, I am content. Overwhelm me, I most sincerely desire
it. Tear out, cut, burn, do just as Thou pleasest, I am Thine." God has
shown me that He does not make much account of faith that comes of
sentiment and emotions. This is why, though against my inclination, I
never wish for sensible devotion. I do not desire it. God is enough for
me. Notwithstanding my absolute misery I hope in Him, and I trust He
will continue to support me so that His will may be accomplished in me.
Take my feeble heart into your hands, my true Father and Lord, and do
what you see to be wisest with it.




VII. _To the Sisters of the Monastery of the Visitation of Annecy._


Vive [+] Jésus!

                                                     LYONS,
                                              _16th February, 1615._

Excuse me, I beg of you, my dearest and very good Sisters, if I do not
answer you each one separately, which indeed the kindness you have shown
me deserves that I should do, and my affection for you would desire: but
neither head nor leisure permit it, and besides, God be thanked for it,
I see no necessity to write to any one in particular. Persevere in your
good desires and every day become more faithful to the observance of
your holy Rules and love them better. This alone, believe me, should be
your sole care. Cast not a look upon anything else and be assured that
you will walk upon the right road and will make a good and prosperous
voyage. May God in His infinite mercy be with you and bless you so that
you may perfectly accomplish His holy will. With all my heart I desire
this, for I love you all, and each one individually, with the greatest
possible affection, far beyond what you could imagine. This I tell you
all, not forgetting those who have not written to me. God bless you, my
very dear daughters. May He be your sole love and desire. Pray, I
beseech you, for the needs of your poor Mother, who is very
affectionately

                  Your most humble and unworthy servant in our Lord.




VIII. _To Sister Jeanne Charlotte de Bréchard, Assistant and Mistress of
Novices at Annecy._


Vive [+] Jésus!

                                                        LYONS,
                                                   _July 9th, 1615._
  MY DEAREST SISTER, MY DARLING,

See now how trouble is lifted off your shoulders by the presence you
enjoy of my very honoured Lord![A] He is most anxious to work at our
Rules,[B] and is about to curtail them considerably at the desire of the
Archbishop of Lyons. I think he intends to spend these months of July
and August at Annecy, for he tells me that during the great heat he has
more leisure, having fewer visitors. I shall be very glad when he has
finished the blessed book so much desired and so long awaited.[C] Until
I have put it into the printer's hands for publication I am not, I
believe, to leave here for Annecy. So if you are in such great need of
me, help by your fidelity and your prayers to secure time for this good
and dear Lord to complete the work. The whole day, as far as he is
free, ought to be devoted to it, but though it no longer requires much
application, yet it progresses very slowly: such is the will of the
great God, and may His will be accomplished here and everywhere. For all
that, you must keep up your courage; we shall find September upon us
before we know where we are, and then God will console us. You cannot
think how I am looking forward to my return--I am simply longing for it;
but, my love, His Lordship does not agree with you as to its present
necessity; he considers I am more useful here now, to satisfy certain
persons. Meanwhile, I am getting on with our little business, and I
trust, through the goodness of God and the brave heart of my dearest
Sister, that all will go tranquilly till I return. Please God, I will do
so at the appointed time, when the business of the house will be more
pressing. Then I shall relieve my poor little Sister of the burden as
much as I am able, and she will have nothing to do but to kindle in the
hearts of her dear novices the love of their Spouse, and to caress her
poor mother, who is so fond of her. Do not forget the sweetmeats for the
poor nor the dried fruit, as much as you can procure of it. In the month
of September lay in a provision of butter and cheese; Sister Anne
Jacqueline (Coste) will help you in this. I am a little surprised that
you tell me there is only corn enough for the end of this month, for it
ought to have lasted till the end of