My very dear Mother,
I have just received your letter, and as we are on the point of starting for Orleans I can neither give my answer the attention the matter deserves, God with His wonted goodness will make up for my deficiencies. Those good subjects to whose admittance your Archbishop objects must not, of course, be received, and if the Fathers write to me in reference to them I will keep to his Lordship's commands.
It is impossible for a superior to undertake to give all her orders at the Obedience[A] although it is well for her to think a little beforehand of what she intends to say at that time. The defect you mention is a mere trifle, but that of urging on spirits over much, although there is rarely sin, owing to your purity of intention, is, however, a matter of great importance: therefore, my dearest Sister, do, I beg of you, proceed gently in this holy work.
Read with attention the writings of our holy Founder (St. Francis de Sales), and you will there see the extreme sweetness and suavity with which he led souls, and how marvellously they thus advanced. Follow his spirit closely, I pray you, animating all, encouraging all, yet always with gentleness. Commonly speaking, we have more strength for bearing up on great occasions than on small ones, so it is that being overcome by slight difficulties we get to know, through the grace of God, how weak we are, and in this way He keeps us humble and dependent on Him. These little attacks which give you heart-aches are nothing to an enlightened mind resolved to will only as God wills; and this, I know, is your own sole aim.
Your sincerity in telling me this thought (that you are more enlightened than I am) has given me great pleasure. Such openness and simplicity of heart is the cream of virtue, which I desire for the daughters of the Visitation. May God increase it in you, together with the love of your own humiliation and holy liberty of mind.
Keep to this way, very dear daughter, and God will, I trust, make you experience the wonders of His mercy. Abide, I pray you, between the arms of divine Providence and of holy Obedience, and let not your desires outstep these limits.
Believe me, daughter, it is to God's glory that you finish your term of office. I mean your triennial term in the charge of which obedience has placed you. I have a thousand reasons, both for God's sake and for what is becoming in yourself, to show you that this is the Visitation spirit, but I have no leisure to write them. Give us the comfort of seeing you persevere generously. You have only eighteen months to get through. It will soon pass, and at the end of it you will have abundance of consolation for having satisfied the good pleasure of God who asks this of you. Before that time, please God you will confer and resolve together as to who is to be your successor, and also about the buildings in regard to which it would be well to have the opinion of the Archbishop so as to conform to it as much as possible.... I want to say a few words to Sister Anne Marie (Bon) and then hasten to finish.
Praying God abundantly to spread His holy benedictions upon you and all your dear family, I recommend myself with great earnestness to your prayers, that in this journey, and at all times, I may accomplish the holy will of God. I shall always answer your letters whenever I receive them, for God has given me a very sincere affection for you and for your little house, and my desire is to respond to the holy confidence you place in me with so much candour and fidelity.
Adieu, dearest daughter. Believe me, with my whole heart,
Your very humble sister and servant.