Marie Aimée de Blonay fulfilled her duties as Mistress of Novices with
such submission and reverence as entirely to justify the beautiful name
of "The Living Rule," by which she is known throughout the Order; for
her actions and her teaching were a faithful carrying out of what she
had learned from its two holy Founders. She often inculcated the
following doctrine: "Just as the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, and always
must be, the universal foundation of our obedience and of our belief,
even though there were a million new worlds, so should the particular
maxims of the Visitation of Annecy be common to all houses of the
Institute, even though it should increase to millions upon millions of
monasteries." It gave St. Francis such pleasure to hear this ingenious
comparison of the Rule to the Gospel that he ordered the following to be
inserted in the acts and conditions of establishment for every new
foundation: "That the Sisters undertake to live according to the Rules,
Constitutions, and customs of the Monastery of Annecy." And in answer to
a letter about this time from his dear "Cadette," he says: "My daughter,
make use of this light all your life. Tell what you have seen, teach
what you have heard at Annecy. This root is indeed little,
insignificant, and hidden, but the branch that separates from it is fit
for nothing but to be cut down and cast into the fire."
The life of Mother Marie Aimée de Blonay was written by Charles Auguste
de Sales, nephew and one of the successors of St. Francis de Sales in
the See of Geneva.
[B] Madame la Présidente Le Blanc, who was converted from a life of
worldliness by St. Francis de Sales, and became a great benefactress to
the new Institute. When at Lyons she lived in the Convent like a
religious, and wished to be called Sister Barbe Marie.
XX. _To the Same._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY.
_January, 1617._
Truly, my dearest little one, you give me extreme pleasure by writing so
fully and so simply. Always do so. I have shown your letter to his
Lordship, who is very fond of you. God will be with you and all will go
well. Never doubt but that divine Providence will guide and support you
in all things, if you give yourself wholly into Its hands. Employ such
little talents as you possess faithfully, and they will increase. For
the rest what a pity it is that we allow ourselves to be upset about
what we are and how we perform our duties. Let us set about them with
simplicity, looking unto God, trusting to His goodness, then all will be
accomplished, all will be sanctified.
How consoling it is to hear of your courageous postulants! Salute all of
them affectionately for me, but to your last novice I pray you to offer
my heart, which I offer her to serve her and to love her perfectly in
Our Lord. What you tell me in your letter of her fidelity to observance
already gives me great consolation in her regard.
Oh, Saviour of my soul! how blessed it will be for her if she persevere!
I exhort all our dear novices to constancy, and I beg of them to take my
word for it, that their peace will be perfect if they hold fast without
swerving to the observance. May they forget themselves and all things
else in order to achieve thoroughly this one thing, which is of so much
importance. If they aim at it always faithfully and humbly, it will
bring them inestimable happiness.
Daylight is failing me, my daughter.
Your very affectionate
XXI. _To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Lyons._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY,
_10th April, 1617._
MY MOST DEAR DAUGHTER,
I am sending you back our good Sister (Madame Colin). I see nothing in
her that merits rejection. Her manner is a little dry, but that is
natural to her, and I think she will improve, for she is most anxious to
be gracious. She certainly seems to me to have, in the service of God, a
well-directed heart, and a well-disposed mind. She will give you all our
news and tell you about his Lordship, who, I feel sure, is altogether
overworked. She has seen how he is overwhelmed with business. Grenoble
was the last straw, on account of the endless letters it has entailed;
they are too much for him. If only those ladies would have a little more
consideration and confine their correspondence with him to what is
useful, or to their spiritual needs! I am told that some of them will be
visiting you. For God's sake see if through them you cannot discretely
manage to curtail unnecessary appeals to him. You know how kind he is
and how he never fails to send them a reply, although we are told that
if he does not greatly retrench his correspondence it will have a very
injurious effect on his health, and will shorten his days--days which
are wholly at the service of God and his neighbour. This is a matter
which it seems to me ought to concern everybody: so I am writing to
Dijon, Chambéry, St. Catherine, and everywhere I can think of, to ask
them to spare him as much as possible and only to write in cases of
absolute necessity, or at least utility; for in such cases it cannot be
avoided.
No doubt you perceive that I am a little disturbed, and indeed I am; for
this morning I heard several things about him which have greatly upset
me, and you know how valuable his life is to us--more it could not be.
He will return next year to Grenoble. A great many people, and I believe
half the diocese, regret it, especially M. de Boisy: but I do not, for
it cannot be much prejudice to the bishopric, and is sure to be for
God's glory, and he will, please God, reap a double harvest in this
second visit. He greatly praises the goodness and piety of the people of
Grenoble and particularly of the ladies. Poor Sister Barbe Marie arrived
too late, but she made up for lost time and his Lordship has completely
won her.
This woman has an excellent heart. She it is, I am told, who ought to
introduce the ladies to us. Encourage her as much as possible to
establish the Visitation at Grenoble. It is really very wonderful how on
all sides they are asking for us, and we have no desire to settle
ourselves anywhere, except at Grenoble. Everything looks encouraging in
that direction. The ladies there are enthusiastic to have a foundation.
Recommend the affair to Our Lord, for it seems to me that it will be for
His glory. Our dear Sister (Barbe Marie) will tell you everything. She
has written to me three times since the return of his Lordship and I
once to her. This is only fair, for she is not as busy as I am. She is
quite devoted to you. Get a thurible made out of that beautiful cup; we
often need one and have to inconvenience our neighbours by borrowing
from them. Sell our watch, my child, to help to pay for the making of
it. You will have to do this for we are short of money. Good Madame
Colin insists on our keeping her watch, but I shall not do so on any
account unless she consents to take the value of it. It keeps good time
and we have much need of such a one.
My poor dear Sister, I dearly love you. Live solely for God by giving
yourself up entirely to His holy will and letting it act. Indeed, I long
to do likewise and I pray God to let me die if I do not love Him
henceforth with all my strength. Such is the desire of the miserable
little heart of your poor Mother who has the toothache, so she must stop
writing as soon as she has made up her mind what answer to give
Monseigneur of Bourges. Our good Bishop will come for it this evening.
We seldom, I assure you, see him now. But we do not mind so long as he
can get through all his work. Would to God that I could relieve him of
it!
Now this is the answer to the Archbishop of Bourges. Write to the
grand-nephew as from yourself and say that if the matter is urgent we
shall find great difficulty in providing Sisters, not having any yet
sufficiently trained. I believe that Monseigneur intends first sending
Cardinal Bellarmine's letter to the Father Rector, and afterwards to his
Grace of Lyons....
I can understand poor N.'s temptation. Alas! from what I hear the poor
Sister seems quite to have gone astray. God grant she may get into the
right way again. In conclusion, dear daughter, I hope you will not take
too much to heart what I have said about his Lordship's correspondence,
I acknowledge to have written forcibly because it is doing him so much
harm. Yesterday I let him know that I was going to write all round in
the hope of curtailing it, and he told me that I must not do so, for he
could manage very well. You understand, dearest daughter, I am not
addressing myself to you, nor to any of our Sisters, for I don't wish to
stop them from writing to him when they require his advice. Oh, indeed I
do not! not them, nor any one. I only mean that discretion should be
used in this matter.
Adieu, my most dear daughter. I embrace you lovingly in spirit and am
wholly yours in our sweet Saviour. Amen.
XXII. _To the Same._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY, 1617.
I have three quarters of an hour free, my dearest daughter, and seize
the opportunity to write to you. You have indeed given me very special
pleasure by speaking a little of your beloved self and of your dear
daughters. God be praised for all you tell me of both the one and the
other. Oh! my love, if you but persevere in serving our great and gentle
Redeemer with the highest part of your soul, indifferent as you say to
all that presents itself, true happiness will be yours. Souls who act
thus are royal souls. May the divine Majesty give you the grace of
faithful perseverance.
You have done well to discontinue your retreat. I assure you I never
undertake mine in the very hot weather on account of the great
drowsiness which it causes. Well, if God wishes us to walk like one who
is blind and groping in the dark, what does it matter? We know that He
is with us.
I am surprised at what you tell me about Paris and Chalons,[A] we have
heard nothing of it from any one else. It would be a great boon to us
not to separate for a year: but the Holy will of God comes before all
things, and grace urges us to the acceptance of it. If they send me, it
will do me good to see you again.
I do not quite know what to say of Sister ----[B]; tell me about her a
little more in detail and of the effects on her of what she feels.
Consult the Rev. Father Rector and get her to speak to him herself. She
should certainly use every endeavour to hide what you tell me of, and
should never abandon herself to it; but if there is humility and simple
obedience we need have no anxiety. You should insist emphatically upon
simplicity, truth, and straightforwardness in all her actions, above all
when she has these consolations. But in a word, if she possesses virtue
you need fear nothing, even though they may come from the evil spirit.
Nature or the imagination would seem to me more dangerous. Speak of
this, I beg of you, in her presence to the Father Rector.
I assure you I am consoled to hear about little Orlandin. But the other
little one, Raton, how is she going on? My daughter, you do singularly
well not to keep those girls that are unsuitable. Try to win over their
friends so that they may be satisfied with our own choice of subjects,
even though those we choose may not have much dowry. My God! how
important it is to have good subjects! I shall be sorry if Sister N.
goes, for I think that in time she may make a good novice mistress and
so relieve that daughter[C] whose mind is so wearied by the charge. The
continuance of this weariness of hers gives me pain. Oh! my daughter,
how true it is that we must be more than women to serve God above all
natural humours and inclinations. Yet what happiness so to subdue nature
that grace reigns in its stead! May it please the good God to assist us,
for we can do nothing without His succour.
I have just written a line to M. Austrain, who begs of us to keep his
daughter at least till September. We will willingly do so for his sake,
but I own to you, daughter, that she is no gain to us.[D]
Still no news from Rome. I think His grace the Archbishop[E] would be
glad to help us should this business be delayed. Beg of him, I beseech
you, to push on the matter and above all by using the privileges which
the Father Procurator says that he has obtained for us. It is really
impossible to submit to anything else. I think, daughter, that you will
do well to write him a humble, dignified, earnest request on the
subject, for I fear the Father Procurator may be a little slow in
following it up: but write as from yourself. My child, I must conclude.
May God be all to you. Amen.
May His goodness be blessed. Believe me to be always devoted to you and
Sister Barbe Marie and to all your daughters.... My child, I write in
such haste that I forget half of what I want to say. Yes, indeed, most
willingly will we make a chalice veil for you, but not until the very
hot weather is over, for one cannot work neatly while it lasts. I do not
know if we have the silks: Sister Péronne Marie says we have not, but
she will write to you about it.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] Projected foundations in these towns.
[B] A Sister at Lyons who enjoyed great spiritual consolations. Her name
is not given.
[C] Sister Marie Aimée de Blonay.
[D] In another letter to Mother Favre, dated July 3rd, 1617, Saint Jane
Frances writes: "The little Christine is very much frightened at the
prospect of returning to her father (M. Austrain), for she knows that he
does not want her, and she dislikes still more the thought of going to
St. Ursula. A lady came here from Neuville some time ago, and ever since
the little Austrain has desired to be sent there. She is now imploring
her father to let her go to that town. Help us, I beg of you, to get rid
of her quietly and with courage."
[E] Mgr. de Marquemont.
XXIII. _To Mother Jeanne Charlotte de Bréchard, Superior at Moulins. On
the death of the Saint's daughter, Madame de Thorens._[A]
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY,
_September, 1617._
Ah, Lord Jesus, grant that we may love Thee perfectly and Thee alone.
His divine Goodness has truly pierced the depths of my heart, and I am
overwhelmed with sorrow at the death of my daughter de Thorens. Yet what
can I do but lovingly kiss the dear hand that has given this terrible
blow? May it be blessed for ever! Indeed, this daughter was as lovable
and as sensible as could be found at her age. I admired her great virtue
and was consoled to see her firm resolve to dedicate herself entirely to
God. O good Jesus, I did not deserve to have such a companion, and
perhaps it was not good for us to have in this life such enjoyment and
such contentment as she and I had in one another's society. So she is
happy in the sovereign good which I have always desired for her, and God
has surrounded my affliction with so many mercies and favours that
trying to forget myself in my righteous sorrow I bless and thank Him for
a grace which I dearly prize.[B]
FOOTNOTES:
[A] Marie Aimée de Chantal was born in 1593; married, in 1609, Bernard
de Sales, Baron de Thorens: died in 1617. In September of this year the
young widow gave birth to a daughter at the Visitation Monastery,
Annecy, where she happened to be staying, and was unexpectedly taken
ill. The infant only lived to receive baptism, and Marie Aimée died two
days later, having made her profession in the Order on her deathbed. St.
Francis de Sales, who received her vows, said he had never seen so holy
a death.
[B] The rest of this letter has been cut off.
XXIV. _To M. de Neuchèze, the Saint's nephew._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY,
_November 6th, 1617._
I feel sure, my dearest nephew, that, alas! you must already know of the
death of my dear one.[A] Five days after her decease we announced the
news to Mgr. of Bourges,[B] but I fear the letters may have been lost.
It has truly, my child, been a great grief to me to be deprived of the
presence of this dear, amiable daughter, but with all my heart I adore
and embrace the divine will which has sent me this sorrow. There is much
to console me in her happy and holy death, while I am almost in despair
at the thought of the state of soul of your cousin.[C] So miserable am I
about it that I do not know which way to turn, if not to the Providence
of God, there to bury my longings, confiding to His hands not only the
honour but even the salvation of this already half lost child. Oh! the
incomparable anguish of this affliction! No other grief, my dearest
nephew, can come near to it. If it were not that I am tied down here by
a violent ague I would have already set out to be with him. I am asking
him to come to me: if he does not, I beseech Mgr. of Bourges to find
some pretext for visiting him, and for remaining with him till he comes
to Nantua. Alas! he must be helped. I implore of you to do all you can
in the matter. I can say no more. I am overwhelmed with sorrow, and my
tears blind me. Obtain for him the prayers of all those good souls who
walk steadily in the fear of God. My salutations to all the household.
My dearest nephew, may His goodness grant you all blessings.
Believe me always your humble aunt and servant,
Sister J. F. Frémyot of the Visitation.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] The Saint's daughter, Madame de Thorens.
[B] Archbishop of Bourges, brother of St. Jane Frances. M. de Neuchèze
was Vicar-General and Chancellor of his Diocese.
[C] The Saint's son, Celse Benigne.
XXV. _To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre, Superior at Lyons._
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY,
_25th November, 1617._
This severe mortification which the good N. has given you is, my dearest
daughter, the fruit of the holy cross. Ah! may God grant us the grace to
profit by every mortification that He sends us. You are indeed blessed;
for see how the divine Saviour lays on you burden upon burden. May His
goodness give you His holy strength. He will do so, daughter, for with
your whole soul you have given yourself into the arms of divine
Providence, and you have no other arms to bear you up and no other
breast on which to repose in love save His. Abide there as a gentle dove
in all simplicity and tranquility, not making account of your
afflictions but looking only at the _Heart_ of Him who has sent them to
you.
Here we have truly shed many tears and prayed much for our dear one who
is taken from us.[A] I have, however, much consolation; for could there
have come a greater happiness to this pure and innocent soul than to
meet her Saviour? Rejoice in her repose, my dearest daughter.
In order not to lose this opportunity of writing to you I am doing so
without having given myself time to look over your letters again.
Believe me, daughter, that if we are faithful to our vocation, and if in
our little efforts we seek only the pure glory of God, His majesty will
raise us up.
His Lordship wishes us to make another attempt before sending to Rome M.
de Sainte-Catherine, who will be an admirable agent. God will help us,
daughter, but we must keep lowly and patient and let ourselves be
trampled under foot. His Lordship hopes that this new petition,
supported by our Rules and the testimonials, will settle the matter. If
the Archbishop thinks well to write a new letter of recommendation, from
himself, to this gentleman who is acting for him, it is quite as it
should be, so long as this gentleman acts in unison with the Father
Procurator of the Barnabites. But to ask him to send these attestations
to the house of Lyons would, I think, be loss of time, as they have
already been sent here. The Prince, on his side, has heard that the
matter is being taken up warmly. Ah! well, we have done what we can, and
the success of it we must leave to the Providence of God and ask Him to
guide and fashion this work according to His holy will. I hope we shall
have some news in a few weeks.
His Lordship left us yesterday, and he asked me to send you his
apologies for not having written to you, but he will write from
Grenoble. He is absolutely overwhelmed with business. We spoke of our
vow of obedience, and he believes it to be pleasing to God. He asked me
how you bore that sharp mortification; but alas! I could not tell him.
Yes, my dear daughter, we read the Catechism to the Sisters four times a
week,[B] and if any one wants to know over and above what is in the book
I check her, saying that she and I must submit our understandings to
what we read without questioning beyond, and this I find does much
good, for such as we are very ignorant.
Thank you a thousand times for the beautiful wax candles. They are most
acceptable, but one lasts for a whole year. We have never seen the
blessed grains of incense.
Please forward the packet from Dôle at once, and securely. There is one
from his Lordship from Paris. My darling, I am wholly yours and salute
you all.
This St. Catherine's Day.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] Madame de Thorens, the Saint's daughter.
[B] St. Jane Frances' insistence on the simple Catechism instructions
was peculiarly applicable to the time in which she lived, for the
Jansenist heresy, added to the errors of Protestantism, gave rise to a
subtle and questioning attitude of mind, and women, misled by their
masters in error, set themselves up as Doctors in the new heretical
schools of learning.
XXVI. _To Madame de la Fléchère._[A]
Vive [+] Jésus!
ANNECY, 1617.
Oh! may our most good and sweet Saviour be the strength and life of your
soul, which is dear to me in very truth beyond all others, with, as you
know, one exception, which does not bear comparison. Ah! my Sister, let
us by faithful obedience press forward, enlarging our love for this all
lovable Saviour. No, we have it not in our power to render Him a
service, we are of too small account for that, but in the name of His
Goodness let us do all we can to please Him, depending on Him, and on
His Providence, so that it may be our sole support. I have no time to
write, but I must send you this line to content my own heart and to
salute yours. Adieu, and good morning, my Sister all dear to me.
FOOTNOTE:
[A] In writing to a mutual friend, M. Philippe de Quoex, St. Francis de
Sales says of Madame de la Fléchère: "With the exception of Madame de
Chantal I do not think that I have ever met in any woman a soul
stronger, a mind more reasonable, a humility more sincere." Madame de la
Fléchère lived at Rumilly, and was a lifelong friend of St. Jane
Frances, to whom she gave her château for a Visitation foundation, which
Convent her daughter Françoise de la Fléchère in later years governed.
Madame de la Fléchère was received into the Order on her deathbed.
There are no less than sixty letters extant from St. Francis de Sales to
Madame de la Fléchère.
XXVII. _To Sister Paule Jéronyme de Monthoux,[A] Mistress of Novices at
Annecy._
Vive [+] Jésus!
GRENOBLE, 1618.
I have received all your letters, my poor dear daughter; they came in
two sets and you have had replies to the first five, but I still have
four by me with questions to answer.
There is no doubt whatever that the novices should have recourse to
their Mistress in every matter, which the Rule says they are to treat
with her, and it is but fitting that they should be as exact as possible
on this point. Sister Assistant should give her instructions through
you: for to act otherwise would be very prejudicial to them.
Yes, you do well to tell me the more important things, but you do wrong
to call me a Saint. Take it to confession, and never do it again. My
God! I am nothing but a sink of miseries.
You are right to devote yourself as much as possible to your duties in
the novitiate. The body is indeed a poor thing, yet be careful to do
nothing to injure your health. May God bless your remedies, though I
very much doubt their curing you: however, in all things we must look
solely for His good pleasure. You are quite wrong, my daughter, in
thinking that Sister Assistant is not altogether open with you. Do not
make such reflections and don't hesitate about taking your own line. Has
not good M. ---- the Senator been right? Remember me most affectionately
and respectfully to him. Meantime I am very much concerned about your
illness. You ought to consult the doctor and do whatever he tells you.
Salute the good man cordially for me.
How is it the infirmarian never gives me one word of news? Well, my
dear, I am very fond of her all the same. I beg of her to gain the
mastery over that heart of hers so that she may train herself to
gentleness and simple observance; however, I will tell this dear
daughter, Marie Adrienne (Fichet), of this myself. I am glad that you
are employing little Sister Françoise Marguerite (Favrot). Test her well
so that she may advance in the virtues of religion.