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 September. Perhaps you have not
paid for what was due, or you may not have returned what was advanced to
you for the masons. Anyhow you must buy more as soon as it is wanted;
but for these two first months purchase the old corn rather than the
new. After that, awaiting the season for laying in provisions, we shall
see as soon as possible if my son cannot return part of what he has had
from us, until he is able to pay it all back.
See that Sister Marguerite (Milletot) writes to say that we shall keep
her pension here, and tell her to ask out boldly for the ewer and the
gown about which so many promises have been made to her. They need make
no excuse about not being able to send them for it is quite easy to get
things from here to Dijon. You must treat poor Sister Mary Madeleine (de
Mouxy) very gently, and she will, I think, in time, see for herself what
is necessary. I am writing in great haste, for this letter goes by the
Bishop. It is absolutely necessary to build the sacristies, complete the
church, and enclose the little court, for you know we must have more
accommodation. Then we'll stop. As to the continuation of the buildings,
we must wait and see what can be done when what we are now doing is
finished. If we buy the houses, as his Lordship tells me, and have the
Fathers' garden, that will be a good bit of business done.
I salute affectionately my very dear and beloved Sisters. May Jesus be
all things to them, and they all to Jesus. Amen.
My kind remembrances also to my son M. Michel (Favre),[D] to all our
friends, and to the workmen. I send two combs for my daughters to tease
the red wool, and two ells of material to cover the bodice of a dress
for little Françoise, and two of stuff, which is very ugly but most
expensive, for the bodice of a petticoat, for sleeves and neck
kerchiefs, to last her over the summer. Please God, for the future I'll
choose her clothing myself, and not trust it to anyone else.
Goodbye, and a happy Vespers,[E] my dear good Sister. It is nearly noon
and we are only just out from table; for the Archbishop of Lyons, as
usual, came about 10 o'clock,[F] and then came Madame Saint Chamond.
Give me your best prayers, for I am most truly miserable. Nevertheless,
may the great God accomplish His holy will in us! Amen.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] St. Francis de Sales.
[B] The Saint here calls the Constitutions by this name.
[C] The Treatise on the Love of God.
[D] The Convent Chaplain at Annecy.
[E] The Octave Day of the Feast of the Visitation.
[F] The Sisters' dinner hour.
IX. _To Sister Péronne Marie de Châtel at Lyons._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY, 1615.
MY DEARLY BELOVED SISTER,
Your letters delight me, they are altogether after my own heart, that
heart that so loves its dear Péronne. It is true, my child, that in this
life we must always be beginning anew, but if it were not so where
should we be? For this is essential to our humility and to confidence,
the two virtues our good God asks of us. Be brave, train yourself to
courage and to exactitude in the observance. Keep a light heart, and
above all things put sadness far from you. God is wholly ours, and we,
my daughter, have no other wish than to be wholly His. How then can we
be solicitous about anything whatsoever? When you have time give me news
of that heart that is so dear to me and that I know so well, I say, so
well, thanks be to God.
I am quite easy as to dearest Sister Marie Jacqueline, for I never
doubted but that she would be a success, yet to hear your assurance of
it is very consoling. Give her all the help you can so as to lighten as
much as possible the burden of her charge. Look after her health; I
entrust it to you, and on this point she is to go by what you say.
I beseech you, my love, be a good example to others, avoid all useless
conversation, never absent yourself from the community assemblies
without real necessity. Give challenges to spur each other on to virtue.
Let your chief care be to inculcate recollection, practise it yourself
in good earnest, it ought to be preeminently our practice. Incite one
another to it, and to seek Our Lord, and our own perfection in
singleness of heart.
I have received all your letters and the other things you sent by
Chambéry, but they came very late. Another time, my dearest daughter, to
give you comfort we'll talk as you desire, heart to heart, but I am
feeling the cold to-day, and am pressed for time. In a word, humility,
exact observance, holy confidence and joy in God.
Our very dear Father is, he says, entirely yours. All our Sisters salute
you. To conclude, you are, as I told you the other day, my own dear
Péronne, whom I love with all my heart. When M. Michel goes to see you
he will give you plenty of news; he is not, however, going for some
little time yet.
Yours wholly in Jesus.
X. _To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Lyons._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY, 1615.
They have taken me by surprise. Here is M. de Boisy, who tells me that
if I wish to write to you, my daughter, now is the opportunity. He
starts at dawn, and so at dawn I write this letter in all haste. Well,
as to your letters, they always give me pleasure and console me
exceedingly. All praise to the good God who I see leads you and holds
you by His paternal Hand, so that you have nothing to do but to cling
close to it, and leave yourself to Him, walking with all possible
humility, and simplicity, under His holy protection, while you train
your little flock to advance faithfully, for it is in this way that He
wishes you to show your fidelity, and it is for this end that I always
tell you, my dearest, that you should keep yourself, as much as the
performance of necessary duties allow, free and disengaged from
occupations, so that you may be continually in the midst of your Sisters
at the times that they are assembled together, thus will you enlighten
and animate them in their duty by example as well as by precept. I quite
agree with our worthy and excellent Archbishop. He is right, my
daughter, believe me, you must be Mother and Mistress. Nevertheless, it
is well to try the capacity of Sister Marie Aimée,[A] for she is good,
though a little too reserved and somewhat lazy, letting nature dictate,
and yet I hope that she will, notwithstanding, further the progress of
these dear children by good example and by her tongue if she lets it
loose. Moreover, as you will often be unable to be with them yourself,
she can take your place, and thus be a constant relief to you. Your
resolve about Madame Raime is quite to my mind. Deduct the amount of the
damask plums from what you receive and you can ask M. de Medio[B] and M.
Voullart as to how to act. Be at ease about the dearly loved Péronne
Marie. I never thought of what they told you, but do not on that
account delay to train these girls to housework, for most certainly
charity obliges you to give the good daughter a rest after she has put
the house in good order, and others have been trained for this purpose.
Alas! my dearest daughter, I have great compassion for poor Sister ----.
Undoubtedly, her imagination plays a large part in her case, but our
good Archbishop and the confessor ought to help in the curing of her.
Treat as despicable and in no manner condone what she esteems so much in
herself. I will write to her as to the others when I have leisure. You
must take great care of the good Sister ----. Keep her bright, and as
much occupied as possible, see that she eats and sleeps well, for
usually any weakness of the brain lends itself to such temptations of
the imagination, so, dear daughter, show her infinite compassion,
charity, and patience. God and time will reveal to us what it is all
about.
Daylight is breaking, and I have nothing very special to say except,
indeed, that you ought to be very grateful for the blessing God has
conferred upon you in giving you as fathers two such exceptionally great
and worthy prelates, whose remarkable piety pleases God and man.[C] I
cannot tell you what a consolation it is to me to see how God has united
these two souls, and I believe this union will bring Him more glory than
our little judgements are capable of understanding. So with all my
heart I praise God for having given me this consolation which I have so
long prayed for and desired, clearly seeing how much good it would
effect, and the solace of mind it would bring to our worthy Lord
Archbishop, whose goodness merits and needs it. His dear Lordship here
is full of kindness, and in perfect accord with this prelate, and has a
great reverence for him. I will write as soon as possible to these dear
children; meanwhile, give them my affectionate love. May the great Jesus
fill their hearts with sweetness, simplicity, and innocence! My
respectful and affectionate remembrance to my Lord Archbishop. My
regards also to good Father Philip de Saint-Nizier, the chaplain, and
whoever else you think I ought to mention. Do not tell the President[D]
that you do not get letters from me for I never fail to write when there
is an opportunity. Remember me very specially to your two dear
companions, my daughters, and most dear Sisters.
Good-morning, my love. May Jesus be your all. Amen.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] Sister Marie Aimée de Blonay had just been made Mistress of Novices,
a charge which she greatly dreaded.
[B] Canon of Lyons.
[C] St. Francis de Sales and Mgr. de Marquemont.
[D] Antoine Favre, Mother Marie Jacqueline's father.
XI. _To the Same._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY, 1615.
... I think you have received both the letters that I have written to
you since our arrival. Now to answer yours, which has been a joy beyond
words to me: so is it in your power, my dearest Sister and friend, to
give me true pleasure. You are indeed happy in serving our Lord and His
holy Mother: give your service, my beloved friend, with boundless joy
and courage. Our very good Father, whom as yet I have hardly seen, wrote
you the other day an excellent and beautiful letter.[A] Ah! how blessed
are they who hide themselves in the sacred breast of the Saviour, and
elsewhere find no delight. But I really must answer your letter. I am
writing during the Sisters' supper, and I have had no time as yet to
converse with any of them. Keep firm to the line you have adopted with
M. de Saint-Nizier, that is all I have to say on that point. I must
answer Père Théodose, but it is you who ought to do this. Yes, I told
Sister ---- that you would give her a little book on perfection, but she
must not let her imagination run away with her, so as to think she
possesses all the good qualities she desires and which she hears
discussed. Keep her gently and cordially humble, and believe me, my
love, she will, please God, do very well.
There are countless things, my dearest Sister, that I long to say about
the true and sincere affection I have for you, and this because I verily
believe that we are not separated, but more united than ever, for our
mutual intercourse by letter brings home to us, it seems to me, all the
more forcibly our affection. O God! may this love be eternal: our life
here is too short to suffice for the enjoyment of so great a good! But
to answer your little questions. God be praised for the zeal of our good
Sisters in holy obedience. Oh! but it is sweet and pleasant news to me,
and for them an inestimable treasure. I beseech these dearest daughters,
whom I truly love, to give all the consolation possible by following
after perfection holily and faithfully. Oh, my God, we have only, my
dearest one, my Sister, to die or to love our good Saviour. Amen.
His Lordship has, through the chaplain, acceded to the desire of Madame
Colin. You have answered N. right well; no thanks are needed in such
matters. If I can I will write to M.; if not, do it yourself, my love,
for these are our affairs. Believe me, I pray much, and will continue to
do so for you, and still more for your dear Father and Mother....
FOOTNOTE:
[A] In this letter, having consoled her for the departure of Sister J.
F. de Chantal, Saint Francis addresses these sweet words to her: "We
need never part from one another, we whom the very blood of Our
Lord--that is to say, His love, through the merits of His blood--binds
and unites together. Indeed, as for me, I am in very truth so entirely
yours that in proportion to the distance that these two or three days of
journeying seem to separate us corporally the more strongly and with the
more affection am I united spiritually to you as to my very dear
daughter. You will be the first after our Mother (de Chantal) in my
prayers and my solicitude, a solicitude, however, which is more sweet
through the extreme confidence which I have in the heavenly care of
divine Providence for your soul."--(M. S. Lives of the First Mothers, by
Mère de Chaugy.)
XII. _To the Same._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY, 1615.
MY DEAREST SISTER, MY DARLING,
First of all it is quite true that I am entirely at your service. Next,
it is from no lack of diligence on my part that you have been kept so
long without news of us, for we have frequently sent to the
trades-people to find out if any were going to Lyons. You must not,
then, think that I am wanting in care or affection for you. I do not
know how that traveller you speak of passed through without my knowing.
Now to answer your letters, though I assure you I have to do so in the
greatest haste. We have sent you our Office books, and the carrier has
delivered everything from you--the beautiful candlesticks and the
crucifixes, for which, above all, we thank you. God will give you all
that is necessary to instruct these girls from Riom. It is well that you
have them, for it is essential that they come either here or to Lyons,
otherwise it would be impossible for us for a good long while to provide
subjects suitable for foundations. Truly the making of Superiors is not
the matter of a day.
The First President of Toulouse has written to his Lordship asking for
Sisters for a foundation, and he has replied that he will see to
subjects being formed for it. This community is becoming very large,
and needs assiduous care. Mademoiselle du Châtelard and Mademoiselle
d'Avise were here last week, and asked with great humility and
earnestness that the votes might be taken for their admittance as
probationers. This has been done, and they are coming at the beginning
of the approaching great feasts. Both souls are altogether to my liking.
Several others are applying for admission....
We must charitably bear with N., and employ both the green wood and the
dry to keep her brothers and sisters away from her, and to induce her to
curtail her correspondence. She is in bondage to these things, and never
will she have courage to break her chains if she is not helped. May God
in His mercy take her by His good hand and lead her out of all
superfluous cares. His grace the Archbishop has acted prudently in at
once settling that her sister is not to be received, to do otherwise
would have been inexpedient. She ought not to put upon us these great
obligations to _Madame la présidente_ Le Blanc[A] who is one of those
women of the world whom I greatly admire. A thousand cordial salutations
to her.
My darling, for the love of God always write quite openly to me about
all your little affairs, and don't take the trouble to copy your
letters. I say this not only for myself but also on the part of our
good Lord, and it will suffice to write only to one or other of us, for
we are as one by the grace of God, and I see that so much writing gives
you headaches. This too will economize your time. You will easily be
excused by everybody, except perhaps by the dear brother de Boisy[B],
for the rest they must write to you and not expect answers unless you
have time and want to recreate yourself. I am undecided whether or no to
write to M. Austrain, but in any case be sure to offer him my respects.
His little daughter[C] is indeed very happy. Three of us have the
special care of her. She is very charming, but M. and Mme. Austrain
ought to inculcate obedience, and tell her that they always hold it in
reverence. I am very fond of her and so are all our Sisters. Assure them
of this, and that I greatly desire to serve them and to give them
satisfaction in regard to her. In reference to this over affection that
you have for me, you are doing quite right. Alas! dearest daughter, I am
not exempt from these feelings. In such things be very generous in the
guard you keep over yourself; hardly ever speak of it, still less think
of it: feelings of this kind should be borne with silently and sweetly,
taking, as it were, no notice of them.
How consoled I should be if M. D. is caught in the net. May the good God
do this mercy. I want you to get news of the temporal affairs of our
late good Sister Marie Renée (Trunel) from the General of the
Feuillants, and to ask his opinion; the first paper which Sister Péronne
Marie (de Châtel) sent was a rough draft; you will have received what we
wrote to you by M. Voullart. For God's sake, darling, do all you can
soon to procure the money that should come to us for Sister F. A., as we
are in great necessity, and nobody wants to pay us. M. Voullart has the
authority for receiving it (illegible lines)....
Adieu, my love, I am all right as to health, but I want to improve
otherwise when I have time to think about it. I intend to take full
advantage of my co-adjutrice. I don't know which to choose unless Sister
N. Sister P. M. [de Châtel] would make an excellent one. Some day please
God I hope to have her, meantime I advise you to make use of her for
yourself.
Adieu, once more. Let us be His for ever and ever.[D]
FOOTNOTES:
[A] See note to Letter XIX., page 49.
[B] The Count de Boisy was brother of St. Francis de Sales.
[C] The Monastery of Lyons was under obligations to M. Austrain, and St.
Jane Frances took his little daughter back with her to Annecy at his
desire. Subsequent letters show that this child did not respond to the
Saint's kindness and had to be sent away.
[D] The Lives of Mother Favre, de Bréchard and de Châtel are given in
the "Lives of the First Mothers of the Visitation," by Mother de Chaugy.
There is a recent life of Mother de Châtel under the title of "Péronne
Marie" (Burns and Oates), in which are introduced slight
character-sketches of Mothers Favre, de Bréchard, de Blonay and de
Sautereau.
XIII. _To Sister Péronne Marie de Châtel at Lyons._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY,
_January, 1616._
At last, my dearest daughter, I take up your letter to answer it as far
as I am able. May the good God inspire me to say what is for His glory
and your consolation. All the repugnances of which you speak, all your
feelings, aversions, difficulties, are all to my judgement for your
greater good, and you are bound not to yield to them. You should keep
making resolutions every day to fight and resist them--nevertheless when
you fall, say fifty times a day, never on any account be astonished or
uneasy, but quite gently reproach yourself, and take up again the
practice of the contrary virtue, saying all the time words of love and
confidence to Our Lord, and saying them just as much after you have
fallen into a thousand faults as if you had only fallen into one. Do not
forget all we have said to you on this subject, and practise it for the
love of God, being assured that God will draw His glory and your
perfection out of this infirmity, never have a doubt on this point, and
bear up bravely and sweetly whatever happens. If sometimes you feel
weak, cowardly, with no confidence in God, compel your lips to utter
words the very opposite to your feelings, and say them firmly. My
Saviour, my all, notwithstanding my miseries, and my distrust, I trust
Thee out and out, for Thou art the strength of the weak, the refuge of
the miserable, the wealth of the poor, in a word Thou art my Saviour,
who hast ever loved the sinner. Now these and like words, my dearest
daughter, you can say, and though with neither devotion nor tears, yet
with set purpose. Then pass on to divert your mind in some way, for the
Almighty will not let you escape from His hand, which has so securely
captured you, and do you not see how His sweet goodness comes to your
succour in so striking and profitable a manner?
I beg of you preserve the remembrance of the instructions you have
received in the past, and put them into practice, whenever occasion
offers. When you feel the need of writing to me, write. I will always
answer you promptly, and with the truthfulness of a heart that is wholly
yours. Be very careful to give good example. Fidelity and exactness in
observance is, as you know, necessary for this, and also a well-ordered
exterior, the basis of which depends on the practice of the presence of
God. As far as you can quietly manage it release yourself from household
duties. I have already spoken to Sister[A] about this, and you will, I
think, find her of my opinion, for otherwise those for whom the charges
are intended cannot be fittingly trained. Certainly, my love, I am
altogether satisfied and consoled with your dear little Mother, who is
with you; every one tells me how well she gets on and what you yourself
continue to write about her gives me increasing pleasure, for I know
with what sincerity you speak. I trust in God that she will be one day a
great and worthy servant of His and that she will do good to many. She
ought to steep herself ever more in humility and grow in resignation:
help her according to your little lights, and tell her simply in all
truth, what seems to you for her own good and for that of the house. God
knows how sincerely I love her; I know her heart and how she feels under
obligation to you, while you are conscious that the obligation is on
your side. I am well aware of the help and profit that I receive from my
coadjutrix; such is an inestimable blessing for superiors, who from the
multiplicity of affairs cannot give sufficient attention to minor things
which it is expedient should be remedied. Let me once more beg of you,
my dear little Péronne, to further in every way you can my desire that
our dear Sister's spirits are kept up, and without teasing her have an
eye to her health; tell her frankly what is necessary, and see that she
does it, for she ought to yield to you in this, just as you should obey
her quite simply when she orders what she considers necessary for your
health. You can humbly represent to her how much you feel able to do,
but in such a way that she may have no reason to distrust or be
displeased with you. It is better to exceed in charity than in labour,
and for God's sake never give way to disquietude: do everything you can
to get well, for it is only your nerves. I must conclude, for I am
feeling somewhat indisposed. A hundred thousand loves to all our dearest
sisters; indeed with all my heart I love your little flock. May their
thoughts be ever set on their Spouse, and may they hold intercourse with
Him like pure, sweet, simple, chaste doves. I embrace them all, big and
little, lovingly and tenderly, in spirit, but above all do I embrace my
well-loved Péronne. His Lordship salutes you and loves you tenderly.
Vive Jésus.
FOOTNOTE:
[A] Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre.
XIV. _To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Lyons._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY,
_January 4th, 1616._