Letter XXX. To a Superioress of the Visitation

On longanimity and resignation. The excellence of founding a religious house: privileges of founders.

ANNECY, igth August 1618.

TELL me, my dear daughter, what is your heart doing? It is, I assure myself, more brave than usual in this holy Octave, in which we celebrate the triumphs of our Queen, in whose protection our spirit reposes and our little congregation breathes. 0 my daughter, we must keep this heart uplifted, nor suffer that any accident of dryness, anxiety, or weariness cast it down, for although such may separate it from the sensible consolation of charity, yet can they not separate it from real charity, which is God's sovereign grace to us during this mortal life. Our imperfections in treating affairs, whether interior or exterior, are a great subject of humility, and humility produces and nourishes generosity.

But what privilege have founders before God? Their privileges are great, because they share after a special way in all the good things done in the monastery and by occasion of the monastery. It is a work of charity almost the most excellent that one can do; much greater, without doubt, than to build a hospital, receive pilgrims, support orphans. But before men there is no further privilege than that of being supported and assisted and honoured in the monastery, in which secular foundresses generally obtain the right of entrance, and after death particular benefits.

But this daughter, desirous to be a religious, will, I am sure, assert her privilege, as far as she is concerned, by obeying better than the rest, and by making the best progress she can in humility, purity of heart, sweetness, modesty, and obedience; since the privilege of true religious is to abound in the love of the heavenly Beloved.

For the rest, I rejoice that this daughter makes so good an election, and that quitting men's love, so little lovely, she consecrates herself to the most lovely love of her God, the true Spouse of noble souls.