Letter XVI. To Mother Favre, Superioress at Lyons

The excellence of her vocation: advice in temptation: care for observance of rule and for encouraging generosity of spirit. Various salutations.

ANNECY, i^th December 1615.

IT is true, my dear daughter, we have long delayed writing to you; moreover, on my part, for three weeks I am dragging on between health and sickness; but it is not that which has hindered me from writing; the fact is, no opportunity, either slight or great, has presented itself. In future when there is none here we will send to Chambery, for there it is never wanting. But do not you, my dear daughter, write so many letters each time; it will suffice when you have written all to our dear mother, to put one single little note for the poor father, who says nothing except that he is all yours.

I am pleased beyond what can be expressed to see that you ardently love your vocation; that alone can sanctify you, and nothing without that. Thanks to God, we see that his divine Providence wills to use it for the good of many souls in various places where they want this Congregation, which by miracle seems to be fertile in the very instant of its birth.

I certainly think that of those young persons who want to see the practice and nature of the rules you must make a part come here, that you may not be over charged with an excessive care, nor similarly our dear Sister Marie-Aim^e, whom I see already, methinks, tottering a little under the burden: but you will increase her courage, and will give her the strength of a generous zeal on the foundation of a profound humility.

I have seen the temptation. Alas! my dearest daughter, we must have some; this one sometimes harasses the heart, but never terrifies it, if it be some what on its guard and remain brave. Humble yourself profoundly, and be not alarmed. Lilies which grow among thorns are whiter, and roses by the waterside smell sweeter and become musky: He who has not been tempted, what does he know? *

If your trouble lie in some sensible feeling, as you seem to give me to think, change your corporal exer cises when you are attacked by it; if you cannot well change your exercises, change your place and posture. It is driven away by these various changes. If it lie

• Eccles. xxxiv. 9. IV. I in your imagination, sing, keep with the others, change your spiritual exercises, that is, pass from one to the other, and the changing of place will help you here again.

Above all, be not discouraged; but often renew your vows, and humble yourself before God. Promise victory to your heart on the part of the Blessed Virgin. If anything be a scruple to you, say it boldly and bravely, without making any reflection on it, when you approach the Sacrament of Penance. But I hope in God that with a noble spirit you will keep yourself exempt from all that can cause scruple.

I am quite willing that you should wear the hair-shirt once a week, unless you recognise that this makes you too slothful in other more important exercises, as sometimes happens.

Keep firmly, my dear daughter, to the strict observance of the rules, and the religious behaviour of yourself and the whole house. Cause great respect to be shown to sacred places and things. The care which you will take in all this will be very agree able to Our Lord, above all if it be taken with humility, sweetness, and tranquillity.

Our sisters will tell you all the news here, and of the reception of the good Madame de Chatelar, and Mile. d'Avise. This disgusts the world a little; but it cannot be helped, Our Lord must be served.

I told our Sister de Gouffier that I wanted hence forward to give generosity to the devotion of our sisters, and to take away the sensitiveness which one often has for oneself — that little softness which dis turbs our peace, makes us desire spiritual and interior privileges, makes us excuse our humours and flatter our inclinations. But, my dear daughter, we have not yet got to it, though truly all make progress towards it. Well, I doubt not that God gives you the same sentiments, since you are one same spirit with all of us.

I approve your continuing to call our mother, mother, since this is a consolation to you, and your calling me father, for I have towards you a heart far more than paternal. Know this, my dear daughter, that since you are in office you are always so present to me, that I seem to myself to be perpetually with you, not without making a thousand thousand wishes about your dear soul.

Be most careful to offer a little salutation to my Lord the Archbishop sometimes on my part. You could not think what I owe to him, or how God blessed the little visit which he made here. I salute M. de Saint Nizier, of whom you think so much; may God increase blessings upon him and upon our reverend chaplain. Also, I salute Madame the wife of President Le Blanc, when you see her, and M. Colin and M. Yulliat, not to mention my dear Sister Marie-Peronne, to whom I belong entirely, as to all our good sisters. Lastly, \ salute your heart, which mine cherishes with all its strength, wishing it the blessing of Our Saviour's — to which be glory eternally, Amen, as to that of his holy Mother, Our Lady.

Your renewal of vows not having been made on the Presentation, you can make it on New Year's day, or on the day of the Kings, or when my Lord Arch bishop chooses; for I have no doubt you wish that it should be he who will receive them. Our sisters here said before Mass, while I was vesting, the Veni Creator; and after the renewal, the Laudate Dominum omnes gentes, and pronounced their vows very solemnly. My dear daughter, I am all yours.