Letters 11–18

Letter 11

To Madame Blouet de Camilly.(2) The Saint urges her to continue her support

of the Refuge of Caen. ( 3 )

[1643]

Continue, my dear daughter, to put your confidence in God, and rest assured that our admirable Mother will take care of her children and send them all that is necessary. It is well , however, to feel the weight of the Cross; it is our glory and our crown. (1). Many of the letters in this collection are fragmentary. The short extracts are taken from the early biographies of the Saint, from the Annals of the Order of our Lady of Charity or from the Annals of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. This passage is from a letter written at Saint-Sauveur-leVicomte, where St. John Eudes was preaching a mission. Cf. Oeuvres Complètes du Bienheureux Jean Eudes, VOL 11, P. 41 (2). Anne Le Haguais married James Blouet, Lord of Camilly, whose family had received the title of nobility for services rendered to France in 1 6 1 0 . She had three sons and one daughter. One of the sons entered the Congregation of Jesus and Mary and succeeded St. John Eudes as superior general. For many years Madame de Camilly, a devout and pious lady, was under the spiritual guidance of the Saint. She assisted him on many occasions with her influence and her wealth, especially when he undertook to found his two religious orders. (3). See Letter 10, note 2, and The Origin of the Order of Our Lady of Charity, p. 19.

Letter 12

To Reverend Father William Gibieuf.(2) On his mother's cure, obtained

through the intercession of Cardinal de Bérulle( 3 )in April, 1634

November 25, 1643 ( 4 )

I witnessed a very obvious miracle which was wrought in the case of my mother. At a time when she was so ill in the crisis of a high fever that I no longer expected anything but death, she had brought to her a picture of Cardinal de Bérulle and some of his relics which I had given her, and upon kissing them and recommending herself to him, she found herself instantly cured. When I arrived to prepare her for death after having received word of her illness, I discovered her in church in good health. (1). This letter is taken from Germain Habert's Vie du Cardinal de Bérulle, p. 898. (2). Father Gibieuf, born at Bourges, entered the Congregation of the Oratory. He received his doctorate in theology at the Sorbonne and became one of the most prominent Oratorians of the day. During the absence of Cardinal de Bérulle, he was vicar general of the Order and religious superior of the Carmelite monasteries of France. He died at the Saint-Magloire Oratory in Paris in 1650. (3). Cardinal Peter de Bérulle (1575-1629) founded the Oratory of Jesus in 1611. (4). This letter was written eight months after St. John Eudes left the Oratory to found the Congregation of Jesus and Mary.

Letter 13

To the Priests of the Seminary at Caen.(1)

On humility, charity and pure love

Paris, December 9, 1643

My dearest brethren:

I am leaving Father Manchon(2) the task of writing you the news.(3) These few lines are only to assure you that you are all present in my heart, which is filled with unsurpassed affection and tenderness for you. But that is nothing; your real cause for rejoicing is that you are present in the Heart of Our Lord and His most holy Mother. Let us also bear them in our hearts and strive to keep them living and reigning there by means of true and profound humility, perfect and sincere charity, complete scorn for the world and self, and pure love for God. Those are the things in which you will find peace of soul and paradise on earth. I beseech Our Lord and His most holy Mother to (1). The first Eudists at Caen resided in a small house called The Mission, which was used as the seminary; they were then known as the Priests of the Seminary of Jesus and Mary of Caen. (2). Father Thomas Manchon (1617-1663) was one of the first five members of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. A gifted speaker he labored with the Saint on many of his missions. He also directed the Seminary of Lisieux and of Rouen, where he died on February 6, 1663. It might be well to mention here the names of the other four Eudists who accompanied the saintly Founder to the Shrine of our Lady of Deliverance, ten miles from Caen, on March 25, 1643, and dedicated their lives to the sanctification of the clergy and the preaching of missions. Besides Father Manchon, the first companions of St. John Eudes were Simon Mannoury of Lisieux, Peter Jourdan of Coutances, Andrew Godefroy of Caen, and John Fossey of Thorigny. The two last did not persevere, but were very soon replaced by James Finel and Richard Lemesle, both Priests of the diocese of Coutances, Normandy. Cf. Les Fleurs de Is Congrégation de Jésus et Marie, Vol. 1, P. 20. (3). What the news was we cannot say with certainty. Apparently the Saint went to Paris to request Anne of Austria, the Queen Mother, to use her influence to have his new Congregation approved by Rome. Practically nothing resulted from these negotiations. Cf. BOULAY, op. cit., Vol. 2, p. 68.

dispose of us all according to their Heart,(4) in whose love I embrace all of you together and individually and remain with all sincerity, Devotedly yours,

John Eudes,

Priest of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary.

(4). The Saint uses an expression which is now a common prayer in the Church: Fac cor nostrum secundum cor tuum. Boulay, Ibid., Vol. 2, p. 67.

Letter 14

To Father Richard Le Mesle.(1) Concerning successful negotiations.( 2 )

Rejoice that so far the Blessed Virgin has strengthened, helped and guided you in this whole matter, and continue to thank her, for her assistance is very evident. The less help you receive from earth, the more shall you receive from heaven. Let us put our trust in Our Lord and His holy Mother and abandon ourselves to their holy will, overlooking nothing that can be done in their interests, and welcoming, for the sake of their love, all the difficulties which arise, and which they permit only to beautify and enrich your soul, and to render it more pleasing to His Divine Majesty. (1). Father Le Mesle (1608-1661) joined the Congregation of Jesus and Mary a short time after the foundation in 1643. He was a man of great prudence and zeal and worked successfully in the first Eudist Seminaries at Coutances and Caen. He died on October 21, 1661. Cf. Les Fleurs de Ia Congrégation de Jésus et Marie, Vol. 1, p. 10. (2). The parents of Mr. Nicholas Blouet de Than, a wealthy gentleman of Caen, were trying to prevent their son from giving a substantial donation to the Eudists for the founding of the Caen Seminary. Father Le Mesle persuaded them to allow their son to turn over to the Congregation of Jesus and Mary an income of 1500 livres and 3000 livres of arrears. Mr. Nicholas Blouet de Than became a Eudist on August 15, 1644. Cf. BOULAY, Op. Cit., Vol. 2, P. 85

Letter 15

To Mr. and Madame Blouet de Camilly(2 ) On the affairs of Our Lady of

Charity,(3) and the proper dispositions for receiving Communion

March 5, 1644

My dearest spiritual brother and sister:

I received your letter. Blessed be God for the fervor of Messrs de Lion and de Repichon! (4) As soon as Mr. Dubuisson(5) arrives in Bayeux,(6) please let us know how the matter stands. Mr. de Lion writes me that it would be well, if the thing is urgent, to send the pastor of Notre Dame.(7) Please consult with Mr. Dubuisson about that, and then I will do whatever you decide upon together.

Rejoice, dearest sister, and have no fear of receiving Communion as (1). This letter was written from Coutances, Normandy, where St. John Eudes was preaching the Lenten sermons. Cf. Oeuvres Complètes, Vol. 11, 41. (2) See Letter 11, note 2. Mr. James de Camilly was also a staunch friend of the Saint, who often called them his "spiritual brother" as he did in this letter. (3). Monastery of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge founded at Caen in 1642. See Letter 10, note 2. (4). Mr. Robert de Répichon, sieur d'Avenay and de Lion, belonged to one of the oldest and most illustrious families of Normandy. He promised the Saint 14,000 livres for the foundation of the Caen Seminary on condition that the letters patent would he registered in Parliament and that the Seminary would be recognized by the Mayor and Councillors of Caen within two years. As difficulties prevented the Saint from carrying out these conditions, Mr. de Répichon contributed only 3 0 0 0 livres. Cf. Boulay, op. cit., Vol. 2, pp. 87-88. In 1646 Mr. de Répichon defrayed the expenses of the mission which St. John Eudes preached at Lion-sur-Mer, ten miles from Caen. Cf. Boulay, Ibid. Vol. 2, P. 192. Mr. de Lion was the son of Mr. Robert de Répichon. He was a pious young man, who, acting on the advice of the Saint, entered the Congregation of the Oratory. (5). An excellent Catholic gentleman, who defrayed the expenses of the Vimoutiers mission which St. John Eudes preached in 1645. Vimoutiers is a small town of 3000 inhabitants situated between Lisieux and Argentan in Normandy. Mr. Dubuisson received the missionaries in his own home and waited upon them himself. Cf. Boulay, Ibid., Vol. 2, P. 178. (6). A small town about 17 miles north west of Caen. (7). The Rector of Notre Dame Church at Caen. Cf. Boulay, ibid., Vol. 2, P. 466.

usual, for every soul clothed with divine grace is prepared for Holy Communion, even though the senses are not garbed in the beautiful raiment of devout feelings and divine consolations, but remain in great dryness and poverty of devotion.

We are praying daily for you and all your affairs. I wrote you by the last mail what reply was received in that connection. Our admirable Mother has promised to give a farthing(8) to her daughters, our Sisters; she calls it a farthing because she has not a very high opinion of temporal things. Of this farthing she sent me two hundred livres today which I have in my possession. I do not know how much of the farthing still remains,(9) nor by what means to forward it to you. If Mr. de la Mare,(10) or some other person, could send someone to call for it here and deliver it to you in Caen, that would be excellent.

At any rate, I am asking you to give this sum to them little by little, according to their needs and your own discretion. If I do not find any other way to get it to you, I shall bring it at Easter.

I am with all my heart, in Jesus and Mary, Devotedly yours, JOHN EUDES, priest.

P. S. Please tell Mr. de Lion that it is absolutely imperative for him to go to Bayeux himself, and ask Mr. Dubuisson to tell him that he alone can do more there than anyone else in the world.

I greet and embrace all our brethren, especially our dearest Brother Dubuisson. Greetings also to our Sisters, particularly Madame de Montfort.(11)

Please put the address and postage on the letter I am writing to our (8). Mary des VALLÉES, a saintly woman of Coutances, gave the Saint 800 livres for the Monastery of Our Lady of Charity at Caen. This may be the farthing to which the Saint refers in this letter. See Letter 17, note 3. (9). This money received was on account and the Saint says that he does not know how much of the 800 livres remains to be drawn. Oeuvres Complètes, Vol. 11, P. 42. Boulay, Op. cit. VOL. 2, P. 94 (10). The editors of the English translation were unable to identify this gentleman. (11). A sister of Mr. John de Bernières. See note 12. She assisted the Saint on many occasions. I n 1641 she paid the expenses of the mission preached by St. John Eudes at Ramilly. Cf. Boulay, op. cit., Vol. 1, P. 288, P. 334.

Brother de Bernières,(12) and also mail that of Father Chrysostom,(13) after having scaled them both, as well as the few lines to Mr. Poisson.(14)

Never forget to date your letters.

(12). John de Bernières, a devoted friend of St. John Eudes, was born at Caen in 1602 and died there in 1659. He was very pious and charitable. Despite the fact that he was treasurer of France in the city of Caen, he spent a great deal of time in prayer and good works. Acting on the advice of his spiritual director, he built a house called The Hermitage, in the vicinity of the Ursuline Monastery and formed a community of devout laymen who lived with him. Mr. de Bernières was most generous to St. John Eudes when the latter was organizing the first house of Our Lady of Charity. Cf. Boulay, ibid., Vol. 1, pp. 287-288. (13). Father John Chrysostom was a member of the Order of St. Francis. He was a very holy and learned man from whom the Saint received wise advice in 1641 and 1642 when he was contemplating the founding of his two orders. It was through this devoted religious that St. John Eudes consulted St. Vincent dce Paul concerning the foundation of the Caen Seminary. Father Chrysostom died in 1 6 4 5 . Cf. Boulay, op. cit., Vol. 2, p. 196. (14). Peter Poisson was a publisher of Caen. He brought out the first edition of The Kingdom of Jesus in 1637.

Letter 16

To Mademoiselle Eustace de Taillefer, (1)afterwards Sister Mary of the Assumption. The Saint encourages her in her vocation, and speaks to

her of Margaret Morin (2) with whom she was living at that time

[1644]

My dearest daughter:

I implore Our Lord and His most holy Mother to be your strength in this present affliction and temptation of yours which grieves me deeply. And have I not reason indeed to be distressed? I see that souls whom God has entrusted to me,(3) and who are dearer to me than life itself, are in anguish at this moment and in great danger of losing their vocation, and then of falling into the clutches of the infernal wolf; (1). Renée Eustace de Taillefer entered the Refuge of Caen following the mission preached by the Saint at Valognes in 1643. She took the habit of the Order on February 12, 1645, was professed on June 2, 1652, and died on May 30, 1668. In 1644 the Community of the Refuge passed through a formidable crisis. Margaret Morin, who was acting as directress, sought to introduce aspirit entirely at variance with that which Saint John Eudes was striving to implant. This divergence of viewpoint between the founder and the directress led to the withdrawal of several postulants for whom the Saint had been harboring great hopes. Mademoiselle de Taillefer saw her sister, who had entered the Community with her, leave under these circumstances. She herself was on the point of abandoning her vocation, and it was to dissuade her from doing so that the Saint wrote her this letter. Cf. Boulay, Op. Cit., Vol. 2, pp. 99-101. (2). Margaret Morin, a native of Coutances who had made her home in Caen, was born a Protestant. After her conversion she devoted herself to the performance of good works. Saint John Eudes decided upon her as the one to give him the assistance he needed in the founding of Our Lady of Charity. But Margaret Morin was unable to share his views and gave up the work in 1644. After her departure she remained several years in Caen in charge of the Hospital of the Petits-Renfermés. In 1652, i n company with Mary du Bosc, she founded the Order of the Sisters of Charity of Bayeux, was professed on June 1, 1657 and died there in the odor of sanctity on October 1st of the same year. (3). Reference is made here either to three postulants whom the Saint had sent to the Refuge of Caen, following the missions of Saint Sauveur-le-Vicomte and Valognes (1643), all of whom gave up their vocations with the exception of Mademoiselle de Taillefer, or to the directresses who were placed i n charge of the work along with Margaret Morin, and who abandoned it when she did. Cf. Ory, op. cit., P. 24

yet I am not allowed to see them and speak to them in order to prevent it. She who stands in the way of this ought indeed to fear the vengeance of God. With all my heart do I pray Him, however, to have mercy on her. As for you, my dearest daughter, I beseech you, in God's name, to do nothing until I have spoken with you. Be patient a little longer and avoid temptation. Rest assured that in a few days you will be as happy and consoled as you are now disheartened.

Consider, my dear daughter, that divine Providence has directed you to me, and that it has pleased Him to make me instrumental in winning you over to His service. That is why I am entreating you, in the name of Our Lord and His most holy Mother, to grant me what I am asking of you, which i s not to leave your house until I have first talked with you. She to whom you listen would have you believe that I am turning her out of the house, which is in nowise true, for I have always said, and I still say, that if she wishes to remain obedient and not rebel against all the things I have said to her, but rather comply as she should, I shall be very pleased if she remains. If she leaves, therefore, it i s certainly not by my command but through her own disobedience. Finally, my dear daughter, I implore you once again to have a little patience, and you will see how this storm blows over.

What I am saying to you is intended for all our dear Sisters as well, whom I love, in truth , with my whole heart. Be so good as to tell them what I have told you, and you will be doing something very pleasing to God.

Your most affectionate father,

JOHN EUDES, priest of the Congregation

of Jesus and Mary

P. S. Kneel for a moment at the feet of the most Blessed Virgin Mary and give yourself to her, asking for strength. She is your true Mother and will never forsake you.

Letter 17

To Madame Blouet de Camilly. To induce her to give her daughter to

God

[March 1644]

We pray daily here to God for you and all that concerns you. Continue to receive Holy Communion according to the rule I gave you in parting.

Marry Fanfan!'(1)Marry that lovely "Lily Bud"! (2) Oh, if you but knew how those words, though you spoke them laughingly, have left me heart-broken! Nevertheless, I too am of the opinion that she should be married, but to a heavenly and divine Spouse Who is King of heaven and earth. T r y , my dear daughter, to incline her gradually to this divine marriage, for that adorable Spouse i s considering her, but He wants her to consider Him in return. The Eagle(3) was speaking to me about it two days ago, and of her own accord, without my bringing up the subject, she confessed that she i s worried about her. She urged me to tell you to prepare her little by little to be the bride of the divine Spouse, that is, to become a nun. She told me she fears very much that the girl does not give enough consideration to this most amiable Spouse, who complained about it, and that she regards her enemy, the world, a little too much. She said that you should guard against this, frequently counseling her to hate the world with its vanities and fashions which the most holy Virgin abominates and which always arouse her wrath. She also said that you should be careful with whom and in what way she seeks diversion, and that you should insist on (1). An affectionate nickname given to Mademoiselle de Camilly by the members of the family circle. (2). A nickname given to her by St. John Eudes. (3), A figurative name for Mary des Vallées, a holy woman of Coutances, Normandy, who was born at Saint Sauveur Lendelin, diocese of Coutances, on February 18, 1590. St. John Eudes met her during a mission in August, 1641. He received many special graces from God through Mary des Vallées. See Memoriale Beneficiorum Dei, note 27.

joining her sometimes in her recreation. ( 4 ) All that is the language of the Eagle, spoken of her own volition, and I noticed that she was preoccupied with all these things. She revealed to me that she often thinks about them-not that she has any knowledge of something more, as she assured me. just the same, it is a warning that deserves your careful consideration, my dear daughter, and ought to be put to good use. I forgot to mention that the Eagle also told me that you should advise her to meditate a little and should often speak to her of Our Lord, striving to imbue her with a great hatred for the world and sin, and a great love for Him Who desires complete possession of her heart.

All the Josephs, the Eagles, the Vines and the Earthworms(5) greet you in Jesus and Mary, who live and reign for ever in all hearts in heaven and on earth! Amen, amen! So be it! I embrace our spiritual brother.

I am writing a letter to someone ( 6 ) and am sending it to Madame de Caen,(7) with instructions to deliver it to you or have it delivered to you. When you receive it I beg of you to give it, or be sure to have it given, to the person to whom it is addressed. But be careful not to let anyone know that it has passed through the hands of Madame de Caen; please (4). A girl (Mademoiselle de Camilly) in whom Mary des Vallées took great interest would sometimes indulge in the singing of profane and worldly songs. This she did, however, with such secrecy that even her own mother had no knowledge of it. But Our Lord informed Sister Mary about it, though she was eighteen leagues distant, and commanded her to warn the mother. She did so through a note written in these terms: « Warning to our lovely Lily Bud whom the divine Spouse is considering. He wishes her to behold Him in turn and He reproaches her for taking pleasure in the singing of profane songs. Profane songs are a plague which destroys chastity; be careful of them. » «As soon as the mother received this warning she spoke about it to her daughter, who confessed that it was true that she sometimes sang these songs; but from then on she abstained completely from them." Vie Admirable de Marie des Vallées, Bk. 8, Ch. 9, Quebec MS. Madame de Camilly's daughter joined the Benedictines of Holy Trinity, where she died a holy death on August 23, 1654. (5). Figurative names for devout and humble friends of the Saint. In this letter be refers to Mary des Vallées as The Eagle. (6). We are unable to say who this person was and why the letter was first sent to dame de Budos, the Abbess of Holy Trinity, and then to Madame de Camilly. (7). The Abbess of Holy Trinity Monastery held the title of Madame de Caen. She took that name because it had been the title of the second abbess, who was a daughter of William the Conqueror. Cf. Trébutien, Caen, son histoire, ses monuments, 3rd edition, p. 156.

deliver it as if you had received it directly from me and inform this person that if she wishes to make a reply, she should give it to Father Mannoury(8) if he is still there. If he is not, let her give it to you, and you can mail it to me. If Madame de Caen sends for you, be sure to conceal (9) from her that you know anything about this matter. (8). Father Simon Mannoury (1614-1687) was one of the first five members of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. He made two journeys to Rome in 1645 and 1646 to obtain the approbation of the Holy See for the Caen Seminary and for the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. The second journey was a successful one. Later Father Mannoury became rector of the Lisieux, Caen and Evreux Seminary. He died March 23, 1687, Cf. Les Fleurs de In Congrégation de Jésus et Marie, Vol. 1, p. 103 (9). The reason of this secrecy is unknown.

Letter 18

To Madame Blouet de Camilly. On the purchase of a house for the religious of

Our Lady of Charity

[March 1644]

I was hoping to receive a letter from you in today's mail, my dearest daughter, to learn how you feel about Mr. de Montfort's house,(1) but I heard only from our brother Mannoury,(2) who wrote that he is coming to see me. I assume that you are sending me word through him.

Father Mannoury informs me that he and Father Jourdan(3) inspected Mr. de Montfort's house and found it wonderfully suitable and habitable. According to all that he writes me, we must not allow this opportunity to pass. The house is rather close to the Oratory, (4)but that matters little. (1). Mr. de Montfort was Mr. John de Bernières's brother-in-law (See Letter 13, notes 11 and 12). The Saint was at that time trying to purchase a house at Caen for his new foundation, The Order of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge. Cf. Ory, op. cit., P. 23. (2). See Letter 17, note 8. (3). Father Peter Jourdan (1608-1661) was one of St. John Eudes's first companions. He was a saintly priest and an excellent spiritual director. He died on December 27, 1661. See Les Fleurs de la Congrégation de Jésus et Marie, Vol. 1, P. 13; Boulay, OP. cit., Vol. 2, P. 8. (4). St. John Eudes was a former Oratorian. After he left the Congregation of the Oratory, his former confrères strove their utmost to hinder the development of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. Cf. Boulay, op. cit., Vol. 2, pp. 259-264.

However, I am leaving it all to your judgment and to that of our spiritual brother.(5) I am sending you the letter written me by Father Mannoury. Read it, please, and give it some thought. I implore our good Mother to inspire you with her will in this matter. If you judge the house to be suitable, kindly write Mr. de Bernières(6) to take it from Mr. Patri(7) and to close the deal.

We are making a novena here for the Bayeux affair(8) and for the Bulls of approbation(9) for our sisters. The novena consists in reciting once daily the Veni Creator, the Memorare and the Ave Maria filia Dei Patris;( 1 0 )Monstra te esse Matrem admirabilem twelve times; and twelve times these words which were recommended to the Eagle:(11) Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Virgo cui data est omnes potestas in caelo et in terra, fiat nobis secundum verbum tuum, that is, be it done unto us according to thy promises. I beg of you and our fair "Lily Bud" (12) to join us in this novena, and our dear sisters too, but without telling them about the Bayeux affair which must always be kept secret. I am making the same request of our dear Father Jourdan. Recommend it also to the Mother of St. Joseph, to the poor, and to the Visitation Sisters.

The Eagle also told me yesterday that you should try little by little to instil in Fanfan ( 1 3 ) a n affection for the things of God and have her choose her recreation along the same lines. She added that the evil spirit, perceiving your desire to give her to God, is striving now to attract her to the world, and that you, for your part, must exercise extraordinary care if she is to respond to Him Who calls her. She told me all that of her own accord, without my speaking to her about it, for she has great affection and concern for Fanfan and all her interests. That (5). Mr. James Blouet de Cantilly, her husband. (6). See Letter 15, note 12. (7). Probably the real estate agent. (8). Something relating to the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. Cf. Ory, Op. cit., P. 23. (9). Papal approbation of the Order of Our Lady of Charity. (10). A prayer to Our Blessed Lady recited daily in the two orders founded by St. John Eudes. See The Priest: His Dignity and Obligations (New York, 1947), P. 171. (11). See Letter 17, note 3 (12). See Letter 17, note 2. (13). See Letter 17, note 1.

makes me wonderfully happy, since it is a very great favor to you.

Adieu, my dear daughter. I remain devotedly yours,

John Eudes,

Priest of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary.