Letter XXXV. To Mother Favre

On unity of spirit amongst the houses of the Visitation: the soul that trulj/ loves God must have no attachment to any particular work or plan.

2nd February 1622.*

I CANNOT think, my dearest daughter, that my Lord Archbishop will introduce any further laws into your house, since he has seen that those which have been laid down are, thanks to God, well observed. But if it please him to make some notable change, you must beseech him that he would deign to make his ordi nances compatible with the holy uniformity which these houses ought to have in their form of living; in which those gentlemen whom you know will help you with their explanations and intercession. For, in truth, it would in my opinion be a thing far from edifying to separate and make different the spirit which God has meant to be one in all the houses. But I hope in Our Lord that he will give you the mouth and the wisdom f needed for this occasion, to answer holily, humbly, and sweetly. Live all of you in this sacred confidence, my dear daughter.

I wrote the other day to our sisters of Valence, and the dear, gentle little foundress is happy indeed to have to suffer something for Our Lord, who having founded

• The French has no date. [Tr.] f Luke xxi. 15.

LET. xxxv.] Later Letters to Visitation. 233 the Church militant and triumphant on the cross, always favours those who endure the cross: and as this little being is to remain but a short time in this world, it is good that her leisure should be employed in suffering.

I am astonished at these good sisters being so fond of their charges. What a pity, my dear daughter! She who loves the Master alone, serves him cheerfully and almost alike in all charges. Daughters with such dispositions would certainly not have been good for celebrating the mystery of to-day; for if Our Lady had put Our Lord into their arms they would never have been willing to give him back; but St. Simeon clearly shows that according to his name * he had perfect obedience, receiving this sweet charge so sweetly and giving it up so joyously.

I also wonder much at that other sister who cannot be satisfied where she is. Those who have strong health do not depend upon the air, but there are some who cannot exist save by changing climate. When shall we seek only God? 0 how happy shall we be when we have reached that point! — for everywhere shall we have what we seek, and seek what we have. May God make you progress ever more and more in his pure love, my very dear daughter, with all your dear sisters, whom I salute, &c.

• Which signifies, obedient.