Letter 33 of Saint-Cyran

My Reverend Mother, I was very surprised that you wish me to become involved in the matter of admission to your order of the candidate, Mademoiselle de Chamesson, since it seems obvious that you are unaware that I must maintain a state of solitude and silence at this time. But it seems nonetheless that you have foreseen a certain disposition of my spirit that wishes that I speak on the occasion that you have offered me. If you knew me better, you would not have had to write giving me great proof of the charity you offer this girl. By the profession of belief I make as a Christian, she belongs to me more intimately than my own heart and it would never have permitted me to be indifferent where it is a question of a girl’s salvation. I am sure that your heart is involved just as intimately in the matter.

   I dealt with her before God in the discussion I had based on my memory of her treating her in the way I would wish someone treat me if I faced a similar decision. This includes everything I should say to you in detail of the particular cares I took in order to answer by my prayers and my attentiveness what you desire from me.

  One aspect seems to me at present clear. I judge that you should be content to remove the obscurity that your charity towards her brings to the situation. For there is nothing so natural among those who love, especially when the love derives from charity, than to cover over with clouds and darkness the bad conduct of those they love.

   I can not however help you to be content with the main problem. I hope that God will bring to birth a solution from the advice in a letter I will send to you later. Meanwhile you should simply wait a little while and not press her in order to give room for the Holy Spirit to make the changes that are necessary in her soul. The naivety alone with which she laid bare to you the bottom of her heart merits that you do her this favor. Remember what I told you on another occasion about the religious vocation of girls and how to avoid when dealing with them the many dangers and pains they pass through on the path towards devoting their lives to God.

Translated from the French by Daniel McNeill

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