Letter V. To Mother de Chantal

Same subject.

MOST affectionately I give you good-night, my dear mother, beseeching God that as he has reduced you to the sweet holy purity and simplicity of children, he would henceforth take you in his arms like St. Martial,* to carry you as he chooses to the perfection of his love. And take courage; for if he has stripped you of consolations and the sense of his presence, it is in order that even his presence may no longer occupy your heart, but himself and his good pleasure, as with her who wishing to embrace him and stay at his feet was sent elsewhere. Touch me not, he said to her, but go, tell Simon and my brethren^ Well — we will talk of it together. Blessed are the naked of heart, for Our Lord will clothe them. May his goodness deign not to leave me with so little sanctity, in a profession and at an age when I ought to have so much. My mother, live joyously before God and bless him with me for ever and ever. Amen.