"Upon a certain day St. Francis, having some hours free, came to the parlour to confer with the Venerable Foundress; but much as she wished to speak to him of her interior state, he would not permit her to do so, deferring all that until their return to Annecy, desiring her to visit the Monasteries of Valence, Grenoble, and Belley before returning to Savoy. St. Jane Frances at once set out, never dreaming that she had seen her blessed Father for the last time on earth." (Taken from the "History of the Foundation of Lyons.") St. Francis died on the 28th of that same month.
LII.
To Mother Anne Catherine de Beaumont, Superior of the First Monastery of Paris.
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1623.
My very dear Sister,
It is indeed true that the privation of the presence of my beloved Father is the greatest sorrow I could have: for it was my priceless privilege and my sole joy in this life. But since it has pleased God to deprive me of it I acquiesce in His good pleasure with all my heart, consoling myself in that I can now say with truth: "He is my supreme and only consolation." Alas! my dearest Sister, ought not this to be enough and even all-satisfying? Truly that heart is too avaricious for which God is not enough: and miserable is the heart which is satisfied with anything less than God. I owe it to you, and it is my wish to tell both you and Sister Hélène-Angélique (L'huillier), since by the goodness of God you are so perfectly united, that this most holy soul, who in life gave us so many perfumes of virtue, gives us still the manifestation of them.[A] The greater part of the sisters here perceived numberless times and in divers places odours so sweet and extraordinary that we can but think it is our Blessed Father who visits us and makes us understand by these celestial perfumes that he is praying for us. How this penetrates me, dearest Sister! On Sunday I was quite overcome, for three distinct times I was conscious of them.
It would take too long to tell you how God is manifesting His most humble Servant. In a word there is much for which to thank and glorify Him. Do so then, my daughter, whom my soul loves, and let your gratitude be shown by faithful observance to all we have learnt. Oh! what honour and happiness is comparable to that of serving in humble and absolute submission the holy will of our good God! Let us only think of, only seek this glorious eternity, for there is our Sovereign Good, with whom we shall eternally rejoice. May He be blessed!
Yours, etc.