Letter III. To a Sister of the Visitation. on the Birth of Christ

MY DEAR DAUGHTER — Behold most sweet little Jesus, who is going to be born in our commemoration, on this approaching feast. And since he is born to visit us on the part of his Eternal Father, and the shep herds and kings will in return come to visit him in the cradle, I think that he is the Father and the Child both together of Saint Marie of the Visitation.

Well then, caress him fondly; give him good hospitality, with all our sisters, sing beautiful canticles to him, and above all adore him, fervently and sweetly, and in him his poverty, his humility, his obedience and his sweetness, in imitation of his most holy Mother and of St. Joseph: and take of him one of those precious tears, sweet dew of heaven, and put it on your heart, in order that it may never know sorrow save what rejoices this sweet Infant; and when you recommend to him your soul, recommend equally to him mine, which is certainly all yours.

I salute affectionately all the dear company of our sisters, whom I look upon as simple shepherdesses watching over their flocks, that is, their affections, and going at the summons of the Angel to do homage to the divine Infant, and as offering him as a pledge of their eternal service the fairest of their lambs, which is their love, without reserve or exception.