LVI To Mgr. the Bishop of Autun
Vive ✠ Jésus!
Annecy, 1623.
My Lord,
I have heard of your kindness to our poor Sisters of Moulins in regard to the difficulties they have had with their Foundress, and that by the grace of God you and your Council, recognizing the true virtue and uprightness of the Superior and of her Religious, gave them protection and comfort in their extreme affliction. But, my Lord, from what I learn, they at the present moment need more than ever your paternal assistance, and I humbly beg your Lordship in the name of our good God to help them. If, in order to restore tranquility in their monastery, it is only necessary to return the money to our good Sister Foundress, so that she may live elsewhere, certainly we shall be content to do so, for we love better to live poorly and keep our observance than to abound in riches and be thwarted in it. The Providence of God will never fail us as long as we persevere in fidelity to His holy service; and our delight is, under its protection, to live in poverty. See, my Lord, how I lay my sentiments before you in all simplicity. If, however, our Sister the Foundress continues to enjoy the happiness she possesses I shall rejoice provided she content herself with the privileges which you, my Lord, have either confirmed or granted her, and for the rest that she live as is fitting to her condition.
Beseeching you my Lord, very humbly and with all earnestness to provide help for these good servants of God, and trusting that through your kindness and piety the divine mercy may come to their aid, I pray God to spread in abundance His holy benedictions upon you and your Church.
I remain, with humble reverence, etc.