Letter 1850. To Mother Mane Héléne de Chastellux

Superior at Semur. Moulins, 6 December, 164.

Vive > Jésus!

My very dear Daughter,—I know you will be delighted to get news of us, as I certainly am to give it, and also to ask for yours. Here we are, thanks to our good God, back from our journey and fairly well again. I had a little trouble from being somewhat poorly, and was obliged to stop ten or twelve days at our monastery at Nevers to recover and regain strength. I cannot tell you, dear daughter, the consolation I have received in all our houses that we visited. We found so many good souls and such zeal for exact observance. At Paris I did not forget to speak to Sister de Monsors, in whom I found a little difficulty as to her vocation; but, having talked the matter out, she has made a good resolution and will, I think, be firm about it. She will make an excellent member. Her little habit was on when she entered, and she thinks of taking that of a novice; but her father is away from home, and he wishes her to leave us in order to be Abbess of Saint-Andoche: but I do not think that she will agree to that. She is one who will, I hope, do well.

With all my heart I praise and bless God for the consolations He gives you in the guidance of your dear family, as I learn from our good sisters here. May He, I pray, continue to pour out upon you His holy blessings. A thousand salutations to our dear sisters; I beseech them to continue to lighten your labour by their fidelity to observance. You know, dearest daughter, how entirely I am your very humble, etc.