Letter XX. To Mother de Chastel, at Grenoble

On the difference which had arisen 'between the Countess de Dalet and her mother: * vows of chastity: duties of daughters to parents: how religious superiors should act as between mother and daughter.

AFTER all, my very dear daughter, it is true, as I have often said to you, that discretion is a virtue without which no virtue is virtue, not even devotion, if true devotion can be without true discretion.

This good lady, of whose fine and rare qualities you were the first to make me an admirer, sadly complains of her daughter for that having found a swarm of bees with their honey she occupies herself too much with them and eats too much honey, contrary to the advice of the Wise Man, who said: Thou hast found honey; eat what is sufficient for thee.^ She will have told you all her reasons better than I could lay them before you, except this perhaps, that your religious house has great obligations to her, as you yourself have written to me. Take care, my dear daughter, to contribute all you can to the satisfaction of this mother as re gards this her daughter, who is indeed obliged to give up, I do not say a few, but many of her consolations,

• See t Prov. xxv. 1 6.

however spiritual they may be, in order to leave many to her mother.

I confess that I do not understand how a mother of so much sense, perfection, and piety, and a daughter of such great virtue and devotion, do not remain entirely united in that great God, who is the God of union and conjunction: but still I know that this does happen, and that even Angels, without ceasing to be Angels, have contrary wills on the same subject, without, how ever, any division or dissension, because they perfectly love the will of God, which as soon as it appears is embraced and adored by all. Ah! is there no way to make these two ladies love it, this holy will? For I am sure they would both yield themselves to its obedience.

This good lady, the mother, speaks to me of a vow of chastity made by her daughter, and says that it is rashly taken. This I do not touch; for many things must be considered before it can be decided that a vow of chastity can or should be dispensed from, or is capable of dispensation, since there is nothing to be esteemed like the chaste soul. But this mother speaks of another thing, which is that she would rather have her daughter altogether a religious, since in that case they will no longer ask her to be security, and the administration of the children's fortunes will be con fided to her. But here again I do not? know what to say, as I do not know what is the vocation of Heaven, and I see this good lady's children so young: this is the thing which gives me more concern than the rest.

All that the lady complains of is that her daughter keeps her purse to herself, amidst the many troubles and trials in which she sees her mother to be, and does not give her any assistance. Now this, my dear daughter, is quite against my sentiments. St. Francis could not approve the ants' hoarding, but it seems to me that a daughter who has means should never spare them for her mother, and I speak of what is wanted for her peace of mind and just satisfaction.

I write to you with my head full of business, and amid much confusion. And further, I am writing to you by guess-work; for I am sure that to speak rightly on this occasion I should have to hear the parties at full length. But so long as this cannot be, the mother's side must be taken; there is always a just presumption in her favour.

At the same time, she only asks you to use your influence to moderate the zeal which this good daughter has for her retreats; and this is a thing which cannot and should not be refused, as moderation is always good in all exercises, except in that of loving God, whom one ought not to love by measure. Use then your efforts for this moderation, to which it will be easy to bring this good daughter, since her good mother permits her to go and enjoy her devotion in peace at all the great feasts of the year, and also for three days every six weeks, which is a good deal.

I have said enough: I am sure, my dear daughter, that after having invoked the Holy Spirit he will give you light to properly effect or advise this moderation. I am in Our Lord entirely yours. I beseech him ever to reign in your soul, in your dear congregation, and to inspire all of you to pray often for me. Amen.