Letter 559. To Mother Marie Aimée de Blonay

Superior at Lyons. [Annecy, 1624.]

Vive »K Jésus!

Indeed, my dearest Daughter, I am a little grieved that our good sisters are so eager to leave us, for it took them a long time coming here; but God has so permitted; yet I think their sojourn [at Annecy] has been of use to them. For, my daughter, this is indeed a most edifying and blessed house. Our holy Father has left his spirit here, for which may the glory be to God alone, and the recompense to His Saint! Yes, M. Michel Favre wishes to write out the ‘ Book of Customs’; it will take some time, but there is no hurry, for you have everything in the old one, except the chapter on ecclesiastical superiors. You do not say if you approve. I think you will, for I have tried to express the real sentiments and the exact words of our Blessed Father. So now that the will of God has been accomplished in this matter, may it be His will that it be observed, and if not, we must have patience in establishing what is only a matter of direction, preservation of customs, and explanation of the Rules. Still more must we patiently resign ourselves to see the Constitutions too often neglected and contravened even in the most essential points.

Have you heard what has happened at Grenoble? 4 Oh! in other monasteries as well the Rule is not observed as to the canonical visitation and as to elections. May God give us the grace to be more steadfast in future, when it will please Him to procure for us the Bull for the authorisation of the Rules and Constitutions.

I am longing to know what will be settled about the reception of our sisters of Avignon. Everywhere there is some difficulty. I should like to be able to tell you all, for I want you to know all the happenings in order that you

They tell me that the Archbishop of Lyons has told the Vicar-General all sorts of things about the foundation.

Certainly it would be wrong to charge ourselves with the inheritances of the sisters. You ought to hold out about this, without, however, quoting me at all, nor the ‘ Book of Customs.’ Believe me, our Blessed Father would never, in my opinion, have accepted this condition, he had too great a fear of burdening the monasteries with anxieties. May God put a stop to this and thus accomplish His holy will!

At least three sisters should go to Roanne, but good ones. It will be well to have a foundation there. I am very busy. Good-bye, my most dear daughter. God be praised.

P.S.—My daughter, pray for me that God in His goodness may make effectual my desires, and that I may no longer live save for Him alone in purity, simplicity and sincerity of life and works, of thought and affections. My daughter, again I have forgotten to tell you not to call me Superior of the monasteries at the head of your letters, for I am not, thank God. For ever so long I keep forgetting to tell you this. My desire is to be their most lowly and humble sister and servant. I have I know not what to say to you about the government of your daughters, but I have no time for it now. Tell me if you found our sisters to your liking. God be praised.¹

Footnotes

1. See note to Letter 588 on page 133. may get experience. But God will make good the deficiencies. I am writing to Madame de Chevriéres. Look at my letter and give it back to my cousin. ↩