Letter 1207. To Mother Mane Marguerite Michel

I suspect, dearest daughter, that you have had a good deal of consolation in seeing Pére de Lizolaz [Jesuit] and hearing all the details of news about our monasteries of Nessy and Chambéry. You did quite right to make your annual confessions to him, and to show him every kind of confidence. He will, I think, be useful to you, for he is a great servant of God and most affectionately solicitous to help our Institute. I have no doubt but that this devout desire on his part will tend to the glory of God and of our Blessed Father, who will obtain abundant graces for you too, dear daughter. Eh! but I must tell you what peculiar pleasure your dear self and your dear family have given me by your rejoicings for the favours granted by the supreme Majesty through the intercession of the Bienheureux [St. Francis de Sales]. How happy we are to be daughters of so holy a Father! May God give us grace to imitate his virtues! There is every reason to praise God in that you find so many souls in your neighbourhood disposed to receive our spirit.

My dearest daughter, if the Bishop will not give you leave for your foundation you must have patience. Divine Providence, which orders all things so wisely, will in its own time bring to a successful issue those things destined for the glory of God, and that is all we ought to care about. I am delighted that you have relinquished your claim in favour of those good religious, although, as you were the first to bid for the house, if you had outbidden them you would not have done wrong, for in such a matter as the purchase of religious houses well-ordered charity begins at home. But God be praised, who has thus arranged things and ordained that you should live elsewhere, although it will be more expensive: that cannot be helped. Yet you will, I think, be better accommodated. However, I observe that the house is very much shut in—at least, if the roof is not much higher than ours, which is only six feet. Fresh air is one of the most necessary things for a monastery: it invigorates body and mind. Tell me if you have a view of the country, or if the neighbouring houses overlook yours: for that would be a great inconvenience which you should see to before you come to terms. As to those religious houses who despise yours and the Institute, see, I pray you, the answer our Blessed Father made in reference to such. J am very glad you have acted as you have done.

Regarding M. Chassignet’s withdrawing his patronage from your house, I remember his expressing dissatisfaction to me about it a year orsoago. But, as you say, it all serves for the glory of God and the good of your house—however, you must take every opportunity of letting him see your respect and affection for him, so that we may not fail in gratitude for his good offices and the obligation under which we are to him. We saw the Procurator-General of Déle at Annecy. He came there to accomplish a vow at the tomb of our Blessed Father. He offered to render us any assistance in his power, and begged of me to tell you so. To conclude, most dear daughter, it is to me an immense consolation to know that the interior spirit of our sisters is so good, and that your beloved heart continues its virtuous course. May God in His infinite mercy make the treasures of His holy love more and more abound in you and in your blessed community, and may you walk always in the exact observance of our holy Institute!

I send you the Memoirs for the Life of our Blessed Father. Give them into good Pére de Lizolaz’ own hands. I write from Lyons, where we have come for three weeks. Adieu. I remain wholly yours.

Be sure, daughter, if you have any influence use it that Pére de Lizolaz may have nothing to turn him aside from his work.