Letter 241. To Mother Anne Marie Rosset

My very dear Daughter,—I am writing to our sisters: you can see the letter without telling them that you have seen it, then moisten the wafer for sealing it, close it up, and give it to them if you think it well to do so. You must be brave in putting up with these little humours, which will soon pass. No, there is nothing to be gained by keeping on

For the love of God, be cordial, frank, trustful, open and communicative with the sisters, especially with the sister assistant, and when some are not of your opinion, take counsel simply and then try gently to unite them, for they ought to yield. But for the love of God, my child, gain their submission by dint of kindness, patience, instruction, making them read carefully his Lordship’s Conferences, for love gains all. Refer them always to the Conferences and the Rule which so perfectly teach what you and they ought to do. Yes, my daughter, true charity requires of us to forget the faults of our neighbour, so as not to wish him ill, but charity does not risk the welfare of a community which depends on the virtue and prudence of the minds of its members. Since this sister? knows that you intend to try her, she will be on her guard, but it is very easy to know if at bottom her disposition is good and if God has changed her; for if that is not clear, and tested for more than a year, there must be no conniving at, nor question of, her profession. Explain it quite simply to the Archbishop and the Father Rector, and you need not fear but that their opinions will coincide with yours.

The world is wonderful in its wisdom! What! regularly established religious under the Rule of St. Augustine who make the three essential vows are not really bound to the religious life? Is it the manner of pronouncing them that makes them solemn? Is it not the declaration made by the Church? and then do they not say that they have made a vow to God of chastity, obedience, and poverty according to the Rules and Constitutions of this house which are all based upon obedience due to ecclesiastical superiors? My God! what can one do save to remain in peace, and let them talk.

Now I do indeed wish that good Sister did not worry so much about her profession. It only shows us clearly her absolute unfitness for making it and the reason why it has been delayed. His Lordship says in one word all that can be said on the subject. Jf she is a good religious she will not repent waiting; and this is true, for her profession is only delayed in order to know if she has humility and submission. This she will show if she acknowledges that she deserves to be put off and comports herself with all gentleness of demeanour, trusting in God and in the charity of the sisters. I hope our letter will make the sisters enter into themselves and keep themselves more within the limits of the Rule. In short, the happiness of religion consists in neither superiors nor inferiors departing from their Rule. Always refer them to it and gently point out the superfluity of one’s own opinions. For love of God, my darling, so govern that there may be but one heart and one will in your family, and let that be the will of God in us, and let us possess it with sweet delight and pleasant manner. I am called away, so I must end. Say good-bye to my dear nephew,! to whom I should like to write, but I cannot. A thousand salutations to all and to Madame de Jars.¹²³⁴

Footnotes

1. Madame du Tertre, having passed several months at the Visitation of Moulins, was so much edified by the virtue of Mother de Bréchard that she wished to embrace religious life under her direction. And as at this time there was question of founding a monastery at Nevers, she offered to consecrate to it her whole property, on condition that Mother de Bréchard should be named superior and that she should accompany her to the new house. ↩

2. St. Francis de Sales. little ——. On the contrary, only just await some fresh evidence on her part to show that she has not a suitable mind—for I do not think it ever will be suitable. God has indeed permitted that she should receive the habit without having the right dispositions. Her case will serve as a lesson to us, and the sisters also, never to admit subjects who in the least way show that they can act as she has done. You cannot go wrong with the advice of and obedience to the Archbishop, and you will do well to take counsel from him on all important matters, as the Rule says. But in all else that you need advice about ask the Father Rector, so as not to importune his Lordship? with your little matters. My dear sister, ask counsel of these two only, as far as you can, so that what passes in the house may not go beyond, for it would be prejudicial to it if these little difficulties got known outside. ↩

3. St. Francis de Sales. 2 A novice. ↩

4. The Abbé de Neuchéze. ↩