Salesian Literature

LETTERS OF SFS

 

Madame de Granieu

 

Daughter of a King’s Counsellor, Laurence de Ferrus had married François de Granieu in 1595.  they lived in Grenoble and were among the many who came to appreciate Francis de Sales when he preached there in Advent 1616 and Lent 1617.  In fact during those visits he resided in their home.

 

By that time Madame de Granieu was already advanced in a prayer life which had begun even before her marriage, and she was blessed in having a husband who not only affirmed her in this respect but who was himself a devout Christian, and known as such.

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Their friendship with Francis, which was sustained and nourished by Madame’s correspondence, was such that Francis could not refuse a favour she asked: as indicated in one letter selected, he agreed to have portraits painted of Madame de Chantal and of himself.  The latter is known as the Turin portrait, since the original is preserved at the Visitation monastery of Turin.

 

The best prayer is that which keeps us so occupied with God

 

The best prayer is that which keeps us so occupied with God

Annecy, June 8, 1618[1]

 

Since I have this opportunity of writing to you, I will tell you, my dear daughter, that our mother[2] speaks the truth: I am extremely overwhelmed, not so much by events as by difficulties which I cannot avoid.  Nevertheless, dear daughter, I certainly would not want you, because of that, to stop writing to me whenever you wish, for your letters are refreshing and most delightful.  But you must be indulgent with me, excusing me when I am somewhat slow in answering.  I can assure you that it is only through necessity that I would putt off writing, for my spirit enjoys conversing with yours.

 

I could never refuse you anything, my very dear daughter; and so the two portraits you want will be painted.  How I wish the image of our heavenly Father were preserved in my soul in a true likeness! (cf. Gen. 1:26-27)  My dear daughter, you would do me a great favour if you prayed that this likeness be restored in me.

 

Your kind of prayer is very good, indeed much better than if you made many reflections and used many words, for these are only meant to arouse our affections; if God is pleased to give us affections without the reflections and words, this is a great grace.  The secret of secrets in prayer is to follow our attraction in simplicity of heart.  Take the trouble to read, or to have read to you if it is too much for your eyes, the seventh book of the Treatise on the Love of God; you will find there all you need to know about prayer.

 

I remember that one day when you told me in confession how you prayed, I said that it was a very good way and that although you ought to prepare a point for meditation, if God drew you to a particular affection as soon as you came into His presence, then you were not to hold on to the point, but follow the affection; the more simple and peaceful it is, the better, for then it will bind your soul more closely to its object.  Once you have resolved to follow your affection, dearest daughter, don’t waste time during prayer trying to understand exactly what you are doing or how you are praying; for the best prayer is that which keeps us so occupied with God that we don’t think about ourselves or about what we are doing.  In short, we must go to prayer simply, in good faith, and artlessly, wanting to be close to God so as to love Him, to unite ourselves to Him.  True love has scarcely any method.

 

Be at peace, my dearest daughter, and walk faithfully along the path which God has marked out for you.  Take care to bring contentment to him to whom God has espoused you; like a honey bee, while you are carefully making the honey of devotion, at the same time make the wax of your household affairs; for if honey is sweet to the taste of Our Lord who ate butter and honey while on earth, wax also honours Him since it used to make the candles which give light to those around us.

 

God, who has taken you by the hand and set you on the way of His glory, will be your guide, my dear daughter (cf. Pss. 73:23-24; 139:10).  I shall never stop begging Him to do so, for, believe me, my very dear daughter, I cherish your heart and soul tenderly and with a most fatherly love.  May God render you ever more His. Amen.  Live Jesus!

 

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[1] Oeuvres, XVIII, 237-240: Letter MCDXLI.

[2] In April 1618 Mother de Chantal had founded a Visitation convent in Grenoble, where she stayed on for six weeks.

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