XXX. To Sister Paul Jéronyme de Monthoux, Mistress of Novices at Annecy.

Vive ✠ Jésus!

Grenoble, 26th April, 1618.

My poor Jéronyme,

I know all about your little difficulties with good Sister Assistant. You were like two children, but I see by your last letter you are now simple and frank as children ought to be with one another. What pleasure this gives me! It is just how I desire to see the heart of my dearest little Jéronyme. You must keep it up and make no reflections whatever on the past. As it helps you so much to tell me about your troubles, do so, my daughter, for I am very glad to know them. You will have to be very very generous in bearing with yourself and with others. Certainly, speak out fearlessly, in a spirit of charity and cordial confidence, to Sister Assistant of all you think proper. God be praised for the satisfactory way in which your dear novices are getting on. You should be continually helping them to advance, but do it gently, and bear with the little weaknesses which are in some. Yes, the Mistress can speak to them when necessary at their assembly and can send a young professed sister to fetch her work. Their letters ought to be given to her, who can doubt it? She can also speak to the novices during great silence but not without necessity. Should the number in the novitiate be considerable you must, in a spirit of charity, take what time you think necessary to satisfy them. I have a great affection for you, child. No, no; you must not say to the Sister Assistant, "Our Mother would not do that," unless it be in council, and then only if necessary and with great respect.