Letter 186. To the same

Vive > Jésus!

My dearest Daughter,—Truly a surprise, not without somewhat of bewilderment, came to us late on Friday evening, when we received the order from his Lordship to start on Holy Thursday, or, at latest, on Easter Monday, so that he might establish the new monastery? before his departure, the date of which is uncertain, though urgent. ‘ This foundation,’ he says, ‘is absolutely in the hands of Providence. It is a risk,’ he says again, ‘ and more than a risk; but God demands it, and it is better to have no support save His most holy providence than to be guided by human

I beseech you see that your three daughters are here by Holy Saturday,} fitted out as you know is necessary—that is, [mean, with one good habit and sufficient linen—for the houses are poor everywhere. Secure, as best you can, with the assistance of your good father, M. de Palierne, a suitable man to accompany our sisters. Priests cannot be thought of this week, but that does not matter. Only pay the expenses of the carriage from Moulins to here, and our man’s return journey; all the rest we will see to.

God knows how distressed and grieved I am to have but Easter Day to spend with Sister Francoise Gabrielle [Bally]; but I will make it up on my returnjourney. Write to me at once to Paris about anything you wish to know from his Lordship, so that if he does not pass your way you may have the answers you require. My daughter, I must conclude, etc.¹

Footnotes

1. The First Monastery of Paris. wisdom and prudence.’ Madame de Gouffier tells me that we shall find them in all the straits and poverty imaginable, but quite happy. She gives me no details, only says that I should go and see, and that I shall need all my courage for God’s work. May His divine goodness give it to me, and the grace to employ it without reserve in the service of His most holy glory. See how necessary it is for us always to keep ourselves in lowliness, and to pray earnestly that through it God may be glorified. ↩