Letter XXXI. To a Superioress of the Visitation

On the freedom of spiritual communications.

PARIS, 2ist January 1619.

MY DEAR DAUGHTER — As to the matters which you name to me, the rule as to the extraordinary confessor must not be altered, nor must any one trouble weak sisters who want to communicate with the extraordinary more than four times a year; but it behoves that if the sisters have not the confidence to ask to speak to him, he himself should have it to speak to them sometimes; and if he have it not you must give it him, if he be a father who can receive it.

For as a just liberty of communication must be provided for the sisters, so must they be kept in

LET. XXXVIL] Earlier Letters to Visitation. 165 the rule of simplicity and humility; and it is not reasonable that the weakness of some should cause extraordinary confessions to be multiplied for all the congregation, and should put the poor ordinary confessor in grief and distress.

In short, if each sister is to be free to believe in her interior inclinations, submission and union will cease, and with it the congregation — which God forbid. Those, then, who want to confer extra ordinarily let them do so in the spirit of a sweet liberty; let them confess if they like while making their communication, without urging the rest to the same desire, and without artfully leading them to imitate themselves.

Here, we are trying to overcome the temptations aroused against the introduction of the Yisitation, and hope that we shall do so. May God bless you! Your very affectionate father and servant in Jesus Christ, &c.