Letter XXII. From Mother De Chastel, Superioress at Grenoble, to the Saint

She asks to be allowed to resign her charge.

About May 1621.

MY LORD — The infirmity under which I suffer oppresses me to such an extent that it sometimes brings me down to a tedium and disgust of my life. God having given me a great natural aversion for Offices, sufficiently teaches me by this chastisement that he has not destined me for them. I do not think I can any longer in conscience hold a place which I do not merit. It is doing an injustice to my sisters, who are the spouses of Jesus Christ, to leave them any longer a superior incapable of serving them on account of her infirmities, incapable of instructing them, and un worthy to govern them for want of virtue. This reproach continually gnaws my heart; and when the worm attacks this first and chief part, all the rest of my body gives way to sadness, and remains without strength or courage.