Letter 838. To the same

My very dear Daughter,—You will see by the enclosed note from M. Chapet that Cordelier is the printer of the ‘Conferences.’ Take care that he does not send the proofs to another town, and for the love of God do not easily credit what they tell you, for most assuredly they [the ‘ Conferences ’} are in print. Settle this matter, I beg of you. I have seen to those you sent me.

In the depth of my heart I feel that you are ready for of his Conferences. It came out in 1629 under the title of Tvue and Faithful Conferences of the Blessed Francis de Sales, Bishop and Prince of Geneva.

Such is the history, in short, of the publication of the Conferences. We give it in order to explain the difficulties to which the Saint in several of her letters during 1628 and the following years refers, whatever God asks of you through your ecclesiastical superior. You may be sure that I would do all I possibly could to prevent your being put in charge again until, at least, you have had a year’s rest, but [after that] to remain where you are cannot be thought of. We must do our duty, my daughter, and what God requires of us, and let people talk as they will. No one minds what is said at Lyons; this is private: for in what do we differ from other religious women? But of course at the commencement of an order who would think of employing the children and leaving the mothers idle? Those were not our Blessed Father’s views, I know that. And for this reason those who have governed consecutively for six years, having had, if possible, a year’s rest, can, according to necessity, be more freely employed than those who are without experience.

I am that religious of quality: the good prelate is genuinely tyrannising over me here, and says that he in no wise wishes me to visit the Lyons houses nor any other of our houses in his diocese. I do indeed deserve this chastisement, yet not for the fault he imputes to me. God clearly showed me that He willed me to make this journey—the houses here can vouch for it; but you see, my daughter, we must let the world have its say and remain silent; God will speak for us. There is a something, I know not what, between this good prelate and our Archbishop of Bourges, but we had better say nothing about it. Send the carriage also quietly to Bourg, I beg of you, when they ask you for it. Say nothing to the Vicar-General, for it is not yet settled here that you are to be employed, and it will only be if it is absolutely necessary.

They tell me that the same man, Cordelier, said, if I mistake not, that they also speak of printing the sermons of our Blessed Father. Oh, but we must absolutely put a stop to this! To conclude, tell M. Cceursilly that the paper he used for the ‘Book of Customs’ is exceedingly poor, and if he uses the same for the Rules we shall be very much dissatisfied with him. Your good Archbishop of Lyons is of profit tomy soul. Take out of all copies of the ‘ Book of Customs’ the letter I wrote to our sisters and burn it, for his

Grace would censure it well. Have it replaced by what you will find in the packet. I remain, etc.

P.S.— You see how urgent are the letters to Nessy. If you have no immediate opportunity, please send them by an express messenger.