Paris,
January 13th, 1620.
Ah! how is it, my darling, my dearest daughter, that you expect a severe letter from me? I tell you candidly, and glory be to God for it, your heart is too good to deserve scolding, and even if it were not, I have no inclination to scold. In a letter which I received from his Lordship speaking of the houses (of the Institute) that he has visited, he says: "To speak quite openly, at Grenoble I have found one who is a Superior altogether after my own heart." Now, you may imagine, my daughter, what good it did my heart to hear this. Yes, indeed I love you very dearly, but I can give you no better advice than to walk straight on in your own path, which is a good one, without turning to right or left. You are wonderful in the way you complain of yourself. Remember, that if God permits you to be so unfaithful, He allows these little negligences so that you may always have wherewith to humble yourself. When God consoles you receive His consolations quite simply, accepting alike good and ill. In a word, my daughter, you must unite yourself to God in everything, and by everything, and lead your daughters in the same way. As to a spiritual Father, nothing more can be done. You must continue to have patience for a little longer and God will provide you with one. Meanwhile be all things to your daughters, and then all will go well. It is a great consolation to hear that they are so good. Oh! Lord Jesus, pour down Thy graces upon this chosen company. Pray much for us. The choice of a house here depends upon his Lordship, and we are at our wits' end to find a suitable one; however, we hope to be settled this summer. Well, my daughter, God alone suffices; were He our only consolation, and did we never wish for any other, how happy we should be! Let us hold to this, for nothing else matters. Adieu, my love. Pray, and get prayers for my children, I beseech you. You are most truly, believe me, the very dear daughter of my heart.
[A] Such was the reputation for fervour of the Monastery of Grenoble that many distinguished members of the Society of Jesus, and of other Orders, spoke of it as a "Furnace of Prayer," and a "School of Virtues," but the humility of Mother de Châtel hid from her the great work that God was accomplishing through her means in her own community.
XXXIX.
To Mademoiselle de Chantal.
[The Saint tells her daughter of M. de Toulonjon's proposal of marriage.]
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Paris, 1620.
My dearest Daughter,