Letter XXIII. To Madame de Chantal

It is a great happiness to keep ourselves humble at the foot of the cross.

Rumilly, 20th March, 1608. My dear Child, — Let us keep ourselves, I beseech you, quite at the very bottom of the cross; too happy if some drop of this balm which distils on all sides, fall into our heart, and if we can gather some of these tiny blades of grass which grow round about. Oh! I should like, my dearest daughter, to entertain you a little with the grandeur of this blessed saint (St. Joseph), whom our soul loves, because he has fostered the love of our heart and the heart of our love, — taking these words: Lord, do good to the good and upright of heart* O true God, I say, how good and right of heart must this saint have been, since our Lord did him so much good, giving him the Mother and the Son? For, having these two pledges, he might cause envy in the angels, and challenge all heaven together to have more good than he; for what is there among the angels to compare with the queen of angels, and in God beyond God?

Good night, my all dear child, I beg this great saint, who has so often fondled our Lord, and so often cradled him, to give you the interior caresses which are required for the advancement of your love towards this Redeemer, and abundance of interior peace, giving you a thousand blessings. Vive Jesus, Vive Marie, and also this great St. Joseph who has so cherished our life.

Adieu, my child; the widow of Nairn calls me to the funeral of her dear son.t It is not on such a subject that I fail to think on what you write me about your son. God's let us be without end, without reserve, without measure! Jesus be our crown! Mary be our honey! I am, in the name of the Son and of the Mother, your, &c.

• Ps. cxxiv. 4. f Alluding to the Gospel for Thursday, fourth week of Lent.