Letter 1450. To a Superior of the Visitation

My most dear Daughter,—I have already told you that we have, thank God, accomplished our obedience in the journey which the ardent charity of our good sisters made us undertake. It did me good, upon our arrival here, to find everything going in both houses with the blessing of God upon it. Our Lord seems to take pleasure amongst these innocent souls who serve Him so willingly and so joyously.

Unite with me in thanking His infinite sweetness, and, I conjure you, harbour no fear nor suspicion of my true and inviolable affection for you. I forget all about past things, because that we should stretch out towards those that lie before us is my desire—each one, dearest daughter, according to the opportunities afforded in the charge God has given her. If we leave self for the love of Him and to do His will, we shall be happy and we shall lose nothing by the exchange; for His goodness abounds in mercy to all, but especially to those who labour to purify and to bring to perfection souls consecrated to Him. Those restless spirits who blame your gentleness certainly do very wrong; but as you say, my daughter, we must endure all and help all, for this is how the saints acted.

Your union with other religious houses of women gives me great pleasure. Be friendly with all, but familiar with few. This was one of our Blessed Father’s pet maxims.

It is consoling to hear that Sister N. succeeds so well in the novitiate, for therein lies the foundation and the happiness of our houses: on which account virtuous and wellformed sisters must be carefully chosen for the charge. I mean, those well grounded in true observance. Let me add one word more. Beware of becoming scrupulous, and never allow your daughters to be so: for, after sin, nothing is so detrimental to the spiritual life as melancholy and vain scruples. Go on your way then, my dear daughter, advancing more and more in the holy love of God by sweet observance of the Rules, and by continuing your gentleness of administration both as to spiritual and temporal things; and recall to mind often our Blessed Father’s saying: ‘ Sugar never spoils any sauce.’