Selected Letters of Saint Jane Frances de ChantalChantal, Jeanne-Françoise de, Saint
Religion
Selected Letters of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal
Chantal, Jeanne-Françoise de, Saint
Chantal, Jeanne-Françoise de, Saint, 1572-1641 -- Correspondence
I beg of our Sisters of Moulins to do whatever justice demands. Oh! what
a shame it would be to see our houses sueing one another! A thousand
times rather would I prefer to see them overwhelmed with reproaches and
poverty than that this should ever happen. If, dearest brother, after
all these humble petitions and arguments, Madame du Tertre and our
Sisters of Moulins wish to act against those of Nevers she must do as
she pleases; but we shall neither blame them nor defend ourselves, for
to do so would not be the will of God, and under these circumstances I
am persuaded it would be better for one or other entirely to surrender
its claim. Such, too, is the opinion of his Lordship of Geneva.
Oblige me by telling our Sister, the Superior of Moulins, that I have
already written to her, as by accident she may not have yet received my
letter. This, that I now write to you, will also serve for good Madame
du Tertre, it being all I am able for, as I have a slight indisposition
which is becoming habitual with me. I have no other wish than that she
should be treated sweetly and cordially with all affection as she
certainly merits. But, I assure you, Nevers was entirely her own free
choice: I have ample evidence of this in her letters. God only knows all
that has passed on this subject. Our poor Sister Superior may have
appeared somewhat inflexible and shown how much she felt this rupture.
But, dearest brother, in consideration for her position we must throw
over this fault of weakness or surprise, the mantle of holy charity,
that mantle which bears with all, excuses all, and hides all the defects
of her children. These last lines are in confidence for your own ear
only, your goodness and piety encouraging me to confide in you. I
beseech of you in conclusion to use all the influence at your command in
favour of peace and charity. Believe me, I am truly indifferent to
everything except the glory of God.
I remain, Sir, very dear brother, with much affection,
Your humble and obliged
Sister and servant in Our Lord.
FOOTNOTES:
[A] The Little Office of Our Lady.
[B] An old French coin.
XLV. _To St. Francis de Sales._
Vive [+] Jésus!
PARIS,
_August, 1621._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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