Letter VII. To a Superioress of the Visitation

How to act when criticised: how to secure the love and the respect of subjects.

2nd October 1619.

MY VERY DEAR DAUGHTER — Take good care not to fall into any discouragement when you are murmured at or criticised a little. No, my dear daughter; for I assure you that the business of finding fault is very easy, and that of doing better very difficult. There needs but very little ability to find fault, and some thing to talk about, in those who govern or in their government; and when some one reproves us, or points out to us the imperfections in our conduct, we ought to listen quietly to it all, then lay it before God, and take counsel about it with our assistant sisters; and after that do what is considered best, with a holy confidence that God will bring all to his glory.

Do not be quick to promise; but ask time to make up your mind in matters of any consequence. This is fitting in order to secure the good success of our affairs, and to nourish humility. St. Bernard writing to one of my predecessors, Arducius, Bishop of Geneva: " Do all things," he says, " with counsel, but the counsel of a few persons, who are peaceable, wise and good." Do this so sweetly that your inferiors may not take occasion to lose the respect which is due to your office, nor to think that you have need of them for governing; modestly let them know, without saying it, that you are acting BO to follow the rule of modesty and humi-

LET. vii.] Later Letters to Visitation. 1 79 lity, and what is prescribed by the constitutions. For you see, my dear daughter, it behoves as far as possible to act so that the respect of our inferiors for us may not diminish love, nor love diminish respect.

Do not trouble yourself at being a little governed by that good soul outside; but go on peacefully, either acting according to her advice in things where there lies no danger in contenting her, or acting otherwise when the greater glory of God requires it; and then you must, as cleverly as you can, gain her approval.

If there be some sister who does not show sufficient respect for you, let her know it through one of the others whom you may judge the most suitable for this, not as if from you but as if from this person herself. And in order that your gentleness may in no way re semble timidity or be regarded as such, if you were to see a sister who made a profession of not showing this respect, you would have yourself sweetly to show her, by herself, that she ought to honour your office and work with the rest to preserve in dignity the charge which binds together the whole congregation in one body and one spirit.

Well now, my dear daughter, keep yourself entirely in God, and be humbly courageous in his service, and often recommend to him my soul, which, with all its affection, cherishes yours most perfectly, and wishes it a thousand thousand benedictions. When I say to you: do not show this letter, I mean, do not show it indiscriminately; for if it be a satisfaction to you to show it to some one, I am very willing. Your very affectionate father and servant, &c.