Letter I. To Mother de Chantal

On Advent.

ist December 1610.

You desire, my very dear daughter, some good thoughts which may help our sisters to spend Advent well, and with as much devotion as they have desire of it.

What shall I say to you, my dear daughter, except that Holy Church conducts to-day her children to Saint Mary Major, to make the station and begin Advent there. Let us do the same, my daughter; let us enter in spirit into the intention of Holy Church, and in this unity, let us retire near to the holy Virgin, our good Mother and mistress. We shall see, in this month, three objects which are not only capable of occupying our souls, but which should enrapture our hearts with holy love. The first object is Mary conceived without sin; the second, St. John, child of grace, crying out in the desert that the ways must be made straight for the Spouse who is about to come; the third, the same Spouse and Saviour arriving by his holy birth to make us sing joyfully at Christmas, Em manuel, God with us.

There is enough to meditate upon, until I see you with the dear little flock, which may God bless.