Letter 1758. To Sister Marie Suzanne Duret

My very dear Daughter,—I would indeed, for the consolation of your good Father, like to take you away, but my sister the Superior and likewise the community implore of me not to do so, therefore I cannot in conscience remove you. You ought, however, to write to your Father, and Sister Jeanne Thérése will tell you what to say on our part.

Try to reciprocate the affection of your sisters and give them what they expect of you, but, above all, correspond with Our Lord’s present designs. And this, through God’s goodness, I have every hope you will do, my daughter, by great fidelity in following the holy lights and good desires given you in your retreat; by humility, the very acme of which is the absolute yielding up and surrendering of one’s self to God, and by faithfully living in His divine presence. Never trouble to reflect how you got there, but unceasingly multiply, while it is in your power, the returnings and soarings of your heart to Him.

For God’s sake, my dearest daughter, get rid of self, of self-seeking, self-interest; seek only God and the advancement of the souls you are serving. Be absolutely gentle and patient in His holy service and He will bless you. I pray Him to do so, and you to recommend me to His mercy, and ask all your sister novices to do so. I salute them, wishing them the true humility of exact observance. Yours, etc.¹