Letter 1622. To Sister Anne Francoise Bourgeat

at Avignon. Annecy, 12 June, 1639. Vive > Jésus!

My very dear Daughter,—I had not realised that Sister Superior and our sisters had given their consent that you may

} From her entrance into the First Monastery of Lyons in 1620, Sister Anne Frangoise Bourgeat understood ‘the incomparable beauty of a soul that is despoiled of all earthly things and possessed by God alone.’ St. Francis de Sales advised Mother de Blonay to take special care of this young professed, ‘ because,’ he said, ‘ if she fall she will fall from a great height, and if she persevere she will attain to great perfection.’ The old memoirs tell us that ‘she was one of those souls whom God leads from grace to be elected out of your house of Avignon, but since they have done so, how can it be undone, unless the Cardinal prevents it? for your place of residence depends on him... .

I do not indeed remember what our Blessed Father said to you, but you will tell me when you have time. You will certainly find a family of benediction, for these dear sisters of Marseilles are very good. I believe they will be a great consolation to you, and you to them. Pray much for me, my dearest daughter, when you are at Marseilles, and ask our sisters to do so. I think the Cardinal, with his views, will tell you to go. Yours, etc.