Letter XXVII. To a Lady

Parents ought to bless God when their children consecrate themselves to his service.

Your letter, which M. Crichant has given me, is a great comfort to me, my dearest daughter, making it

Letters to Married Woi?ien. 105 easy to see that as I do not forget your heart, so yours does not forget mine.

You have truly cause to bless God for the inspiration which he gives to your daughter, choosing her for the better part in this mortal life. But, my child, we must do all things in their time. It is truly not I that have fixed the age at which women may become religious, but the Holy Council of Trent.

Believe me, my dearest daughter, if there is nothing extraordinarily urgent, keep quietly in obedience to the ordinary laws of the Church. Obedience is better than sacrifices* It is a sort of obedience very agreeable to God to want no dispensation without great need. Our Lady asked no leave to bring forth before the time, nor to speak with our Lord before the age at which children are accustomed to speak.

Go on quietly, then, and all will turn to blessing, even for your own self: after the child God will open the door to the mother: and it is not forbidden to seethe, in the sacrifice, the mother sheep in the milk of her little one. On every occasion I will serve you very affectionately. You have no need of my help on these occasions, because God has left you the reverend Father Suffren and because these Sisters of the Visitation are so much obliged to your loving kindness. And as you have carpeted their oratory on the day of their entry into the new house, they should do much to carpet their monastery with your good affections, and with those of your dear daughter.

• 1 Kings, xv. 22.

io6 St. Francis de Sales.

Recommend me to the mercy of God, and the goodness of his mother. Your most humble, &c.