XLIX To M. de Neuchèze
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Dijon,
June 8, 1622.
So engrossing is Paris, my dear nephew, that if I do not refresh your memory about your old aunt she runs the chance of your forgetting all about her. Yet for all that I do not think you would forget me. I have received too many proofs of your good nature for that. But, tell me, what are you doing in that great Paris amidst so many honours and such worldly luxuries? Oh! I beseech of you, dear child, guard yourself vigilantly on every side, lest an undue affection for these things take hold of you. My God! how I hate them all. And am I not right, dearest nephew, since they leave no time for reflection, and no desire for eternal goods? All is sacrificed to perishable enjoyments. For the love of God beware of them. I would have you protect your dear soul with a very watchful care, so that however abundantly you possess temporal things they may never take possession of you. Rise quickly and holily above them all. This advice goes to you direct from my heart, and as coming thence I know you will receive it. Now and always I am most affectionately desirous of obtaining for you through the divine Goodness an abundance of blessings, all that it is in my power to procure, that you may enjoy God’s grace in this life and in the next His glory. These, dearest nephew, are the wishes of her who remains always,
Your very humble aunt and servant.
P.S.—Allow me very affectionately to salute good M. Robert DapantorA and all your household. Dear Sister PariseB took the habit on St. Claud’s Day. Mgr. de Langres gave it to her and performed the whole ceremony. She sends you affectionate messages, as does likewise the deceasedC Mother of Bourges and all that little family of nine daughters. If they dared they would all beg of you respectfully to salute on their part his Grace the Archbishop.
Notes
A Former tutor of the young Baron de Chantal.
B Sister Marie Claire Parise was the foundress of the Visitation Monastery at Dijon—a humble and fervent soul. While still a secular she asked God never to permit her to be without suffering of some kind for His love. He heard her prayer, and her life was a continual interior martyrdom, nevertheless joy and tranquility of soul never abandoned her. Having with the utmost solicitude and care established the monastery of Dijon, she was sent to Beaune, on its foundation in 1632, and there died in the odour of sanctity.
C A nickname given by the Saint to Sister Anne Marie Rosset when she was deposed from the Superiorship of Bourges.