Letter 1337. To Mademoiselle de la Fléchére,+

at Rumilly. [Annecy, 1634.] Vive >» Jésus!

My very dear Daughter,—I have offered my communion the more efficaciously to recommend you to our divine Saviour and to receive His holy guidance in a matter of such importance, about which, nevertheless, you ought not

1 A branch of an Irish family settled for some centuries in Savoy. Mademoiselle de la Fléchére, through the intermarrying of her ancestors with many of the leading families of the country, and because of her own exceptional qualities, seemed endowed with all that constitutes earthly happiness. But the Holy Spirit revealed to her a higher source of blessedness in the irrevocable offering of herself to God. Long and painful were her struggles before grace ultimately conquered, and Mademoiselle de la Fléchére entered the novitiate at Annecy [1634]. Her fervour in undertaking the religious life merited the following high eulogium from St. Jane Frances de Chantal: ‘ She has begun by perfection, and her donation of herself to God has been so fervent, so generous, so complete, that nothing remains to her save the unalterable resolution never to recall it, and never to make either peace or truce with self-love. Sister Francoise Innocente [the name she received] is a true Levite. The sword of mortification is always in her hand, to slay not only her unruly passions but to reject even the smallest things that appeal to nature or give her the least satisfaction. Let her pursue her way as God is leading her. She walks, I assure you, in a transport of love. I do not mean in the simple fervour of love, but in the vehemence and rapture of a transport of holy love.’ In return for this donation of herself to God, heavenly favours were lavishly bestowed upon this magnanimous girl. Ecstasies, revelations, intellectual visions, loving transports of her heart in the heart of Jesus, all were familiar to her, and created in her soul a thirst for immolation. Mother Francoise Innocente was assistant and mistress of novices at Annecy and Superior at Rumilly. She seems to have received something of the same power of attraction over others exercised by St. Francis, and of that divine zeal which, to quote an authority in the spiritual life, God bestows upon such souls as hold the mastery over their own hearts. On April 15, 1655, this generous victim, consumed by penance and by love, quitted earth to bury herself in the bosom of Eternal Love, leaving behind her such a memory of virtue that her name has ever since been synonymous with religious heroism in the Order of the Visitation.—Lives of the Twelve Superiors of the Visitation.

to delay long in making up your mind; for to remain in an undecided state is not desirable. Now, the first thing to do, dearest daughter, is to tranquillise your mind by putting aside all thoughts and considerations on the subject and placing yourself with indifference in the hands of God, or, failing the power to do this, to follow at least with entire resignation His holy will in the choice of the vocation in which, from all eternity, He intends that you should serve Him. For, daughter, our salvation depends primarily on the loyal following of His divine disposal. Communicate then and faithfully pray for this intention without losing your time in turning the thought about in your mind. Take note only of inward lights and feelings, if it should please God to give you such; and if He does not, ask Him with confidence to make known to you His will through the interposition of creatures whom He may put in your way. Meanwhile we shall pray much for you. I remain, always yours.