Letter 577. To the same

[(Chambéry] 15 October [1624]. Vive >] Jésus!

My very dear Daughter . . . It will be such a comfort to see Pére dom Juste again. He is a true Israelite. If

Pére Dufour does not pass your way in a fortnight’s time, let me know, so that I may tell you what he said about Avignon. Don’t fear about M. Parnet; those living on this side know nothing about it. For God’s sake train those sisters of good judgment and virtue carefully, for they are rare.

When do you think you will have your election? If the Archbishop is not back you will need all the time between this and the Ascension to get everything ready. However, I leave that to your prudence and your zeal for the observance. It is a great consolation that your daughters are so satisfactory; I praise God for it. Indeed, they are just the same here, and Sister Marie Gaspard [d’Avise] has given great satisfaction in my absence and done exceedingly well. If she were not so timid and so tender she would do good service. But God will see to that. I recommend her to your prayers, and also our Sister Marie Adrienne [Fichet], who has such a good heart and such a capable mind, such an attraction for piety and such a love of the Rule. And yet—there is a something—I do not know how to express it. Our Blessed Father liked her greatly, and wished to see her in charge, but I have not dared to make her superior so far. Pray for them, for they are both capable of much good.

A bookseller of Lyons has sent me the works of M. de Longueterre which he has printed, and he asks me to give him our Blessed Father’s writings to print. Will you thank him for his books and say that, at his request, I will speak to the Bishop of Geneva? God be praised.

P.S.—My dearest daughter, love me well, but be on your guard not to show admiration for what I do; and when you see anything unsuitable in my letters, please do not fail to tell me of it simply. Pray for her whom God has given you without reserve.