Letter XII. To the Same

On courageous humility and on equableness of mind: praise of Dom Sans Spiritual Exercises: it is possible to pass a day without venial sin: she is not to practise too many austerities.

About August 1619.*

THERE shall then no more be My Lord with me for you, nor Madame for you with me; the old cordial and

• The French says, "Before I2th September 1619." [Tr.J

LETT

.xiii.] Further Letters Outside Visitation. 299 charitable names of father and daughter are more Christian, more sweet, and of greater force to testify the sacred love which Our Lord has willed to be be tween us. I say thus boldly which God has willed between us, because I feel it strongly, and I believe that this feeling comes from nowhere else. And besides I know that it is profitable to me, and that it encourages me to do better; that is why I will preserve it care fully. Tell you to do the same I will not; for if it please God he will inspire you with it, and I cannot doubt that he will.

So, my dear daughter, then, the truth is that I am at present in such great uncertainty as to the time of my departure, that I dare no longer promise myself the consolation of seeing you again with my mortal eyes: but if I have the leisure I will do so, with great affection; and if I see that this might be an important benefit for your soul I will do all I can to ensure it.

In any case, my dear daughter, remember what I have told you: God has cast his eyes on you to make use of you in matters of consequence, and to draw you to an excellent sort of life. Respect then his election, and follow faithfully his intention. Continually ani mate your courage with humility, and your humility and desire of being humble animate with confidence in God, so that your courage may be humble and your humility courageous.

Season every part of your conduct, both interior and exterior, with sincerity, sweetness, and cheerfulness, according to the direction of the Apostle *: Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice; let your modesty le known to all men. And if possible be equal in * Phil. iv. 4, 5.

temper, and let all your actions display the resolution you have made to love constantly the love of God.

This good bearer, whom I love cordially because he is all yours, carries to you the book of Father Dom Sans, General of the Feuillants, in which there is great and profound spiritual doctrine, full of very important maxims. If it were to seem to you that he was leading you out of that holy joyousness which I have so strongly recommended you, believe that this is not his aim, but only to make this joy serious and grave, as also it should be: and when I say grave, I do not say taciturn, nor affected, nor gloomy, nor disdainful, nor haughty, but I mean to say holy and charitable.

The good Father holds an opinion, founded on his virtue and humility, that one cannot pass a day with out a venial sin deserving of accusation in confession.* But in this point experience has made me see the contrary; for I have found several souls who when well examined had nothing which I could observe to be a sin, and amongst others the blessed servant of God, Mile. Acarie. I do not say that perhaps some venial faults did not escape her, but I do say that she could not note them in her examination, nor I in her confession, and that therefore I had reason to make her repeat the accusation of some former fault.

You will not say this to any one, if you please, my dear daughter; for I so highly revere this good Father and all he says that I would not have it known that even in this I do not agree with him. Besides, I do not know how he has treated this point, not having read it in his book which I have not yet seen, but only having heard him say it; and further I am speaking to your heart in confidence.

• Page 131 of fourth edition: " Sur la Confession." [Tr.]

LET. xiv.] Further Letters O^^ts^de Visitation. 301

Do not burden yourself with too many vigils and austerities, my dear daughter; for I know well what I am saying in this. But go to the royal port of the religious life by the royal road of the love of God and your neighbour, of humility and gentleness.

If ever you write me news of your heart, you have no need to sign your name, nor to mention the place from which you write, nor to speak of yourself, but only of that daughter whom I have recommended to you.

I do not know why I write to you thus at large; it is my heart which does not weary of speaking to yours. But I must finish in order to go and take my bath, since I am in the hands of the doctor. May God be for ever in the midst of your heart, my dear daughter, and I am with all mine unchangeably your father and servant.