Letter 985. To Mother Anne Marguerite Clément,+

Vive >& Jésus! My very dear Daughter,—That which takes place in you, of which you write to me, proceeds from our good God. I know nothing to add to what you tell me you do, which is to do nothing save to leave yourself to the mercy of love, and to receive humbly the lights and graces which it indeed wishes to give you. For what you manifest to me is solid: of this there is no room for doubt. I have but one thing, 1 The letters of Mother de Chantal to Mother Clément not having been preserved, we have to be content with reproducing and putting together several fragments such as they are found in her manuscript Life, kept in the archives of the Visitation at Annecy, dearest daughter, to tell you: remain in peace as to what regards your interior, for, of course, it is God who is acting in you.

As to sensible feelings of nature, you ought to divert your mind from them, and make no account of them, but look with singleness of intention only at God, without giving yourself up to the delights and sweetnesses which nature takes in such things.

Be strict with yourself about this. Have no scruple, my very dear daughter, in giving some little time to those souls who desire to consult you about their conscience; for we must do all we can to console our neighbour, provided always that it can be done without interfering with our duty to our sisters or to our charge, for we must pay our debts before we give alms.

As the Rule gives liberty to the sisters to speak of matters of conscience to capable persons, they should be cured of such little weaknesses as not wishing to ask for this permission; and when they want it, encourage them to do so without feeling obliged to tell the subject [of their conversation] to the Superior or anyone else. Above all, I conjure you, dearest daughter, recommend you, I pray you in the name of God, to be very careful what kind of disposition of mind the subjects have whom you admit into your house; for although you may be able to put up with those you accept, another superior after you might not, and they would be a continual trial to all. It is an immense charity to leave wrong-headed people in the world, because they do great harm in religion. Certainly you should not make much account of the amendment of novices when the time of their profession is approaching. If she of whom you speak to me has a naturally frivolous mind, you know that the Rule says very clearly that she ought not to be received. For my part, I should not receive her even though she may have done well during her year of novitiate. As to the other one, it will be much better for her to aim at mortifying her judgment and her will than at corporal austerities. If that sister [postulant] that you have sent away on account of having scrofula gets cured by the King’s touch, there is no doubt whatever but that you can take her back.

It seems to me that we ought not to name the persons who tell us some secret thing, and if it is a matter of sin or conscience we are bound to secrecy. Otherwise we may mention it to some discreet person; yet it would be better to keep silence altogether, unless for necessity or utility. In having to do with such characters one does great things for God. I beseech His goodness that you may so use your opportunity. Such persons must be treated gently, perseveringly, and resolutely—in a word, sent away if not suitable. But for bodily infirmities, oh, my daughter! they must be hidden and kept a secret in our heart. Our holy Founder did not consider that such should prevent us from keeping those daughters who have talents suitable for religion. Our sisters are wrong if they give too much weight to this point. There is no doubt that you can let your out-sister novice remain a novice, since she is not anxious to make her profession. By this means you keep your liberty, and she hers.

In reference to the chant of our Office, truly it would grieve me much if it were changed. Here it is not thought disagreeable if it is chanted, as marked, in a moderate tone, softly, and a little briskly. Indeed, it is considered devotional rather than unpleasant. As to the entrance of this good widow lady, if she is useful to your house, and if it is to the profit of her soul, and if she has all the good points you say, you can let her in provided your worthy Bishop approves; but I warn you it is a great subjection to have secular ladies in the monastery, and it ought not to be done without much consideration.