Letter XI. To Madame de Cornillon, his Sister

On the death of their mother.

4th If arch, 1 6 10.

My dearest Sister, my Child, — Let us console ourselves as best we can in this departure of our good mother; for the graces which God has employed, in her regard, to prepare her for so happy an end, are very certain marks that her soul is sweetly received into the arms of his Divine mercy, and that it is blessed by being delivered and disentangled from the burdens of this world. And we also, dear sister, shall be blessed in our turn, if, like her, we live the rest of our days in the fear and love of our Lord, as we promised one another that day at Annecy.

His Divine Majesty attracts us thus to the desire of heaven, drawing thither, little by little, all that was dearest to us here below. Be then quite consoled, my dear child; and if your heart cannot help feeling pain at this separation, moderate it at least so far by the acquiescence we owe to the good pleasure of our Saviour, that his goodness may not be offended, nor the fruit which he has placed in your womb be badly affected.

And I must add this word for your contentment: this poor good mother, before quitting Annecy, revised all the state of her conscience, renewed all the good resolutions she had made of serving God, and became so contented with me that more could not be; for God did not will that she should be in a state of melancholy, when he took her to himself. So then, my dear sister, my child, always love me well; for I am more yours than ever; and may it please God that you may be able to come and spend the Holy Week with us! I should end it very much consoled. Good-day, my child, I am your brother, &c.