First point. Particulars concerning the father and mother of the servant of God

Her answer on the first point was :

With regard to the childhood of this Blessed Prelate, I know nothing except by hearsay, not having become acquainted with him until after he had been consecrated Bishop; but it is a well known fact that he was born in holy wedlock, at the Chateau de Sales, in the parish of Thorens. It is equally well known that his parents were people of the highest character as well as of a noble and ancient family, that they were most charitable to their neighbours, and very good Catholics; and with regard to the latter point we are assured that not one of them was ever suspected of heresy, although living in such close proximity to Geneva. Indeed, an ex cellent remark, made by the father of our Blessed Founder to some people whose report may be trusted, has come to my ears, namely : " that he did not care to embrace a religion, which he had seen spring up into existence, and which was really his junior by twelve years."

It is a fact known to the public that this Blessed Prelate was baptized in the Parish Church of St. Maurice at Thorens, and I believe that his parents had him confirmed at the proper age.

I knew the late Madame Francoise de Sionnaz, the mother of our Blessed Founder, most intimately; and am aware that she is believed to have offered this child to God even before his birth. She was one of the most estimable women of her time known to me; her soul was noble and generous, pure, innocent, and simple. She was the true mother and tender guardian of the poor; modest, humble, and kindly to all, very calm and gentle in her household; ruling her family wisely, and taking care to bring them up in the fear of God; frequently approaching the Divine Sacraments of holy Confession and Communion; and, out of the devotion and rever ence which she bore to her blessed son, she became his spiritual daughter. From his own lips and from those of many others I have learned that she died a most sweet and holy death, and that after her decease she was more beautiful to look upon in her calm serenity, than can be imagined; and all this is true, and well known to the world, as I have related it in detail.