Letter II. To a Married Lady

Advantages of a holy marriage; how we ought to live in that state.

At Lyons, the Eve of our Lady's, Sth September, 161 2. Madam, — The hope which I have always had, from a year ago till now, of going into France, has held me back from reminding you by letter of my inviolable affection to your service, as I thought some happy chance would give me the means of paying you this duty in person; but now that I hardly any longer hope for this good, and this trusty bearer gives me so safe an opportunity, I rejoice with you, my dearest daughter — for that word is more cordial.

I rejoice and I praise our Lord for the good and happy marriage you have made, which will serve you as a foundation whereon to build and erect for yourself a sweet and agreeable life in this world, and to pass happily this mortality in the most holy fear of God, in which by his grace you have been nourished from your cradle. Everybody tells me that your husband is one of the best and most accomplished chevaliers of France, and that your union is not only formed by a holy friendship which will ever tighten it more and more, but also blessed with fertility.

You must then correspond to all the favours of heaven, my dearest child; for they are without doubt given you that you may profit by them unto the glory of him that gave them to you, and your own salvation. I am sure, my dearest daughter, that you employ your strength for this, knowing that on this depends the happiness of your household and of yourself, in this fleeting life, and the assurance of immortal life after this.

Well, now, in this new state of marriage in which you are, renew often the resolution we have made of living virtuously and holily, in whatever state God might place us.

And if you think good, continue to favour me with your filial love, as on my part, I assure you, my dearest daughter, that having my heart filled with paternal affection, I never celebrate the most Holy Mass without very particularly recommending to God you and your worthy husband, to whom I am, and always will be, as I am to you, Madam, your very humble, &c.