Letter 1074. To Mother Marie Jacqueline Favre

The enclosed letter is for Sister M. M. I greatly fear that the little Mother’s distrustful mind may be somewhat difficult to cure, and it does so much harm. Oh! truly those ways of our sister N. are altogether human. Hence my reason for not wishing to have her here, for I have no time to give her the attention she needs. All the same, her heart is good and she has good impulses; she only lacks courage to rid herself of the world and of herself. I think you will be a great help to her in her present straits, but you will have to treat her with confidence, without, however, flattering her. There is good in her, but it is very hard to get at. M. Vincent is indeed a worthy servant of God, and it is a comfort to me to see that you recognise it. [The rest of this letter 1s cut off. On the back of 1t the following 1s written. ] I have not time to write to our sister of the town! [the other house]. She tells me that at your monastery they are always wishing for the Superior of Bourges.? This is distressing, for besides her having been detrimental to the house of Bourges, her brother would bring his Court friends to your parlour and turn your house into a worldly court. My God, what a grief this would be to me, for amidst so much intercourse with the world I dread the loss of our simplicity and of our union with God. May His goodness protect us

! Sister Marie Angélique Lhuillier, Superior of the first monastery.

• Mother Anne Marie de Lage de Puylaurens, whose brother the Duke was attached to the Court. It is evident from this letter that the Saint had not the same dread of evil consequences resulting from Mother de

Lage’s government of the first monastery as if she had charge of the second monastery—why, it is difficult to say.

LETTER rro9 199 from such a misfortune! Our sister the Superior of the town tells me that this dear sister of Bourges will have to succeed her in her own charge, as there is no one capable in the house. This I think fitting, provided this same sister stays some months with you to learn the true spirit of the Institute.