Salesian Literature

LETTERS OF SFS

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Madame de Limojon

 

Jeanne-Louise de Genton, daughter of the nobleman, François de Genton, married Jean de Limojon in 1598.  the couple lived not far from the Château de Sales, in the town of LaRoche where it is very l ikely that Madame de Limojon had the opportunity of hearing sermons of Francis de Sales on various occasion.   He was her spiritual director at the time this letter was written.

 

A heart gentle toward one’s neighbour and humble toward God

 

A heart gentle toward one’s neighbour and humble toward God

May 3, 1604[1]

 

Madam,

 

I had no reason to refuse Monsieur Mondon’s request since not only does it promise to be carried out in a fine, charitable way, but also because it gives me the opportunity of receiving letter from you, letters full of good news.

 

Yes, truly, ever so gently we must continue to cut out of our lives all that is superfluous and worldly.  Don’t you see that no one prunes vines by hacking them with an axe but by cutting them very carefully with a pruning hook, one shoot at a time?

 

I saw a piece of sculpture once that an artist had worked at for ten years before it was completed; during all that time which chisel and burin he never stopped chipping away at everything that was in the way of exact proportions.  No, there is no doubt about it, we cannot possibly arrive in a day where we aspire to be.  We have to take this step today; tomorrow, another; and thus, step by step, achieve self-mastery, which is no small victory.

 

I beg you, keep up confidently and sincerely this holy pursuit on which depends all the consolation you will have at the hour of your death, all true peace in this present life, and every assurance of the next life.  I know this is a huge undertaking, but still it is not as great as the reward.  There is nothing that a generous person cannot do with the help of the Creator (cf. Phil. 4:13).  And how happy you will be if in the midst of the world you keep Jesus Christ in your heart!  I beg Him to live and rule there eternally.

 

Keep in mind the main lesson He left us – in three words so that we would never forget it an could repeat it a hundred times a day: “Learn of me,” He said, “that I am gentle and humble of heart” (Mt. 11:29).  That says it all: to have a heart gentle toward one’s neighbour and humble toward God.  At every moment give this heart, the very heart of your heart, to our Saviour.  You will see that as this divine, delicate Lover takes His place in your heart, the world with its vanities and superfluities will leave.

 

I have said this to you in person, madam, and now I write it: I don’t want a devotion that is bizarre, confused, neurotic, strained, and sad, but rather, a gentle, attractive, peaceful piety; in a word, a piety that is quite spontaneous and wins the love of God, first of all, and after that, the love of others.  I’ve already written too much for this time, considering the little leisure I have.

 

Only I must respond to what you ask me about how you should write to me from now on.  Do you want to know how? Write to me freely, sincerely and simply.  I have nothing else to say about that except that you should not write “bishop” or any other formality in your letters; it is sufficient to put “father,” and there is a reason for that.  I am not someone who stands on ceremony, but I am someone who loves and honours you with my whole heart for many reasons, above all because I hope that Our Lord wishes to have you as His very own.  Be His, madam, be His, I beg you.  Note well and remember what I  haves said to you: at every minute offer and give your heart to God, long for Him, make your devotion pleasing, especially to your husband, and live in the joy of having chosen this kind of life.

 

I pray God to hold you always by the hand; do likewise for me and say a few prayers at the foot of the Cross for my soul which is entirely devoted to serving you and all who are most dear to me.

 

I am, madam, your very affectionate and most humble servant in Our Lord.

 

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[1] Oeuvres, XIII, 58-60: Letter CCXCI.

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