Letter 283. To Mother Marnie Jacqueline Favre

Believe me, my dearest grande fille, you keep your place very securely in my heart, and if it has done you a great deal of good to receive my letters, so has it certainly done me good to receive yours, and above all to see your determination of heart to follow the designs of God. Oh, my daughter, ask boldly this grace for me: I so earnestly desire it. Yet I always feel this attraction towards the Father [St. Francis de Sales], although there is neither eagerness nor uneasiness about it. I am likely enough to be deprived of him for a long time still; however, I say with all my heart, May the most holy will of God be done! Amen. There is a great deal to do here. Our sisters have not yet left.1_ I believe they will go at the beginning of the month. Our Sister Claude Agnes Joly de la Roche is truly a valiant daughter. She will do very well there, I think, and will, please God, take with her a good flock of postulants.

You do well not to speak of your departure until the time comes, but meanwhile lose no time in putting the future superior into the way of things and getting her the goodwill of those within and without. Yes, write to me when you hope to be able to retire without prejudice to the house.

I think all will calm down at Moulins and at Nevers. Madame du Tertre has taken the habit with edification (God be praised for it). Certainly, if M. de Maussac } goes to see you, you ought to persuade him that a superior should be elected at Lyons. ... May God guide all. We are getting our house in order here. It suits fairly well, thank God. May Jesus be eternally glorified in it.¹