Letter 1338. To Madame de Toulonjon, the Saint’s Daughter

My very dear and true Daughter,—I am determined that this letter, which I write in haste, shall go to you by —.,so that you may know, my child, that I would not willingly lose an opportunity of writing to you: for you are so dear and precious to me that to console you is to console myself, and I know that your heart has no love comparable to that you bear me. And indeed my heart responds: there is nothing in its power that it would not do to please you. This I have no hesitation in saying, and that I am taking all possible care of your dear little girl, Madeleine,? that she may be well trained in true virtue, and thus be enabled one day to give you the satisfaction you desire: for it grieves me greatly to see you so destitute of anyone to whom you can give your confidence and who could console your poor weary heart. Oh! my most dear daughter, how happy you would be if you could but occupy that heart of yours with the love of its Saviour and with an appreciation of real, eternal things: for one little grain of divine consolation is of more value to the soul and gives it more contentment than all the pleasures and joys of the whole world put together. It is an inexpressible happiness to me to know that you are trying in your ennwi to have recourse to and comfort from the fatherly loving-kindness of our good God.

I do not think we shall pass through Piedmont this year. I have quite made up my mind to go to Moulins notwithstanding my infirmities, which for some time have been rather trying. A good Oratorian Father who has come here tells me that our Superior of Moulins is determined to bring about her deposition because she has been assured that the Bishop of Autun wishes it. I can see that things are pointing in that direction, for this Father, who has come here on account of it and knows what he is about, sees that it will have to’be. May God’s glory and the renovation of that poor house be the result! I salute M. Lusse, and kiss in spirit your dear little children. From the depths of my heart I wish them, and above all you, my most dear daughter, God’s most holy blessings, etc.¹