Congregation of the Mission: Founder
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CHRONOLOGICAL VINCENTIAN DICTIONARYThanks to the work of work of Rev. Rafael Villarroya, C.M. which Fr. Mitxtel Olabuegna, C.M. edited posthumously and Fr. Charles T. Plock CM who translated and provided the references to English langauge works (a time consuming work) we have here a collection of sayings of Vincent directed to the Congregation. (For further details see the Introduction to this work in Spanish.) Chapter VII: Vincent is Professed in the Congregation: 1630-1634
Chapter VIII: 1630-1634
February 15: The King ordered Parliament to ratify the Letters Patent of May 1627 which gave approval for the establishment of the Congregation of the Mission (CCD.XIIIa:252-253). February 19: Vincent and some missionaries returned from a mission and immediately left once again. Vincent planned to leave for Chelles in two days but became ill. He took this opportunity to meet with Marguerite Naseau and sent her to Louise (CCD.I:68). March: The Company of the Blessed Sacrament was established. They had been functioning provisionally since 1627. Their members included: Philip d'Angoumolis, Henry de Lévis [Duke of Ventaedour] and many other persons both religious and lay [Condren, Suffren, Solminihac, Potier, Bodean, Zamet, Olier, Vincent de Paul].... They met in the parish of Saint-Honoré. They had no Pontifical approval and because of the secrecy and anonymity of the group it was suppressed in 1661 by Mazarin. It seems as though there was also a group of women who were associated with this group (Coste [English edition] III:271-285; Pastor , XXVIII:220-223 [I do not have access to this work, so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). The Confraternity of Charity was established in the parish of Saint-Nicholas-du-Chardonnet and was united to the Confraternity of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Vincent counseled Louise in this matter and she became the President of this group (CCD.I:69-70; 71). A rule was also given to the group (CCD:XIIIb, 99-102). June: Monseiur Portail overcame his fear and mounted the pulpit (CCD.I:82-83). July 25: Vincent received 400 livres from Jean Souillard. This sum represented the arrears for four years, the length of time that Vincent was in Clichy (CCD.XIIIa:97-98). August: Vincent's nephew visited him in Paris (CCD.I:85:note 3). August 8: Vincent entered into a contract with N. Lemaire for the building of an ogran at Collège des Bons-Enfants at the cost of 150 livres (OC.X:98 [Translator's note: This citation makes reference to Document #40 -- Encargo de un organo para el colegio Bons-Enfants, 8 agosto 1630 -- I have been unable to locate this document in CCD.XIIIa or b; therefore I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). September: An investigation was begun on certain "Enlightened ones." Two priests who were imprisoned at the Bastille were questioned on this matter -- Pierre Guerin and Claude Bouquet. These priests were the founders and the protectors of a group of women [the future Daughters of the Cross] who lived in Roye [Picardia] and who dedicated themselves to education. On this occasion, one of them, Marie Sanier traveled to Paris and met with Madame Villeneuve. Years later, after a schism in the group, this same woman would establish the Daughters of the Cross in Paris. They took up residence in front of the house of the Visitation Sisters who lived on the rue d'Antoine. October 19: Vincent traveled to Moubuisson, near Pontoise CCD.(I:88:note 1). November: Vincent visited the Confraternity of Charity at Beauvais and had certain difficulties with the city officials (CCD.I:90). December 4: The priests of Paris expressed their opposition to the approval of the Congregation of the Mission. M. Étienne Le Tonnelier presented certain demands which were considered at the time that the Congregation was approved (CCD.XIIIa:253-257). The Prior of Saint-Lazare, Messire Adrien Le Bon encountered certain difficulties with his religious and he sought to exchange the priory for another benefice. Adrien Le Bon, together with Guillaume de Lestocq, the pastor of Saint-Laurent traveled to the Bons-Enfants to make an offer to Vincent. For the next six months Vincent considered this proposal (CCD.I:134-137; CCD.V:536-537; CCD.VIII:424-425; CCD.XIIIa:271-275;). February 5: Louise visited the Confraternity at Saint-Cloud. During communion Louise had a mystical experience. She was also concerned about her son and became ill (CCD.I:67-69; SWLM:704-705). February: Vincent sent some young country women to Louise who was in contact with other women, especially Marguerite Naseau (CCD.I:68; Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On Observance of the Rule , [January 22, 1645], 184-185; On Meekness and the Practice of Mutual Respect , [August 19, 1646], 233). March: The Confraternity of Charity was established in the parish of Saint-Nicolas-de-Charedonnet. Louise became the first president (SWLM:5) Abril-May: Louise visited the Confraternity of Charity at Villepreux and there taught the children. She encountered certain difficulties with the pastor Monsieur Belin (CCD.I:269-270). She became ill and was concerned about her son (CCD.I:75). September: While traveling to Montmirail or Beauvais, Louise decided to visit her family in Attichy (CCD.I:85) October: Louise visited the Confraternity at Montmirail (CCD.I:86), and then the Confraternity at Villers-le-Bel (CCD.I:94-95). November: The events of "The Day of the Dupes" deeply affected Louise (Dirvin, Joseph, Louise de Marillac, [Farrar, Straus and Giroux New York, 1970], 90-92). Her uncle, Michel was immediately imprisoned and another uncle, Jean Louis, who had been imprisoned in Italy, was transferred to Paris to be brought to trial. Louise attempted to help them obtain their freedom (CCD.I:150). December: Louise visited the Confraternity at Heauvais and the surrounding areas; she marveled at the work that was being done by the men. As she departed, her coach hit a child, but neither she nor the child was injured (CCD.I:91-95) Louise painted a picture for Vincent (CCD.I:81). One beautiful diamond is worth more than a mountain of stones, and one virtuous act of acquiescence and submission is better than an abundance of good works done for others (CCD.I:75) Our Lord wants us to serve Him with common sense, and the opposite is called indiscreet zeal (CCD.I:79). God is love and wants us to go to him through love. Therefore, do not hold yourself bound to all these good resolutions (CCD.I:81). Be careful not to work too much. It is a ruse of the devil.... so that they end up not being able to do anything (CCD.I:92). A truly humble spirit.... acts like the honeybee which makes its honey equally well from the dew that falls on the wormwood as from that which falls on the rose (CCD.I:94). January: The Confraternity of Charity was established in the parishes of Saint-Eustache, Saint-Benoît and Saint-Merri and later in the parish of Saint-Sulpice (CCD.I:95-96). Vincent traveled to Montreuil-sous-Bois and the surrounding area. A Confraternity of Charity had been established there on April 11, 1627 (CCD.I:96;104). February 21: Jean François de Gondi, the Archbishop of Paris, demanded that the ordinands make a retreat. These retreats were begun in April and up until 1643, consisted of six sessions, after which the retreats were then reduced to five sessions. From 1639 the retreats became obligatory for all the priests residing in the Diocese of Paris and in 1649 these retreats became obligatory for those who would receive Minor Orders (CCD.I:181, note 3). April 4: Parliament approved and registered the Letters Patent of the King with regard to the Congregation of the Mission thereby recognizing the Congregation as a civil and legal entity (CCD.I:235 [Translator's note: This citation makes no sense at all since it does not talk about the Letters Patent. I have simply cross referenced the citation and placed it here to be faithful to the Spanish text]). May: Vincent was wounded when his horse kicked him (CCD.I:108). June: Monsieur Portail gave a mission in the region of Cevennes (CCD.I:110). July: Francois Du Coudray arrived in Rome to negotiate the approval of the Congregation of the Mission. According to Monsieur Durval there were five essential elements for the life of the Congregation that are not negotiable. Du Coudray remained in Rome until 1635 (CCD.I:111-113). August: Through the mediation of Monsieur De Coudray, Adrien Le Bon and Guillaume de Lestocq the conditions for the transfer of Saint-Lazare to the Congregation of the Mission were negociated (July 28, 2003.I:134-137). September-October: The plague afflicted many in Paris (CCD.I:114-115) October 24: The Statutes for the Seminary at the parish of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet were approved. This seminary was functioning since 1612 although the date of its official foundation was 1644. December 17: The religious at Saint Victor protested the handing over of Saint-Lazare to the Congregation (CCD.I:149, note 2; 151). January: Vincent reviewed with Louise her Rule of Life, especially the areas that concerned discipline and Communion (CCD.I:80-81; 96-97; SWLM:689-691). March: Louise visited the Confraternity of Charity at Montreuil where Martin Le Marinel was pastor (CCD.I:100 note 5; 99, note 1). Louise had problems with her son who did not wish to remain at Saint-Nicholas. He left for the Collège de Clermont in Paris which was administered by the Jesuits (CCD.I:99, note 3; 106; 109). April: The Confraternity of Charity was established at Brie-Comte-Robert (CCD.XIIIb:5-8). August 28: The priests of the Mission, Louise de Marillac and Gilles Guérin entered into a contract (CCD.XIIIa:259-262). September-November: The plague afflicted many in Paris and Vincent sent Louise to visit the Confraternities at Champagne, Montmirail, Mesnil, Berges, Loisy, Soulieres, Goudron and Villeseneux (CCD.I:116-117). September 13: Louise's aunt, Catherine de Médicis, the Queen's cousin and the wife of the Marshal Louise de Marillac [imprisoned and awaiting trial], died (CCD.I:122:note 6). October-November: Louise left the house of M. Guérin on the rue Saint-Victor and moved into the house of M. Veron on the rue Versalles (CCD.I:128; 159; 213). November: Louise visited the Confraternity at Champagne once again and became ill. She asked for a medical certificate so that she could eat meat on the days of abstinence. She was unhappy at this time and a man attempted to blackmail her saying that she had promised to marry him (CCD.I:138; 144-145). Mademoiselle Savin died. She had introduced the use of the soup kettle for the distribution of assistance to the poor (CCD.I:103, note 13;138). We must believe that one who delights in holy poverty to a sovereign degree cannot be impoverished (CCD.I:99). Saul was looking for a she-ass and a found a kingdom; Saint Louis, for the conquest of the Holy Land and he found the conquest of himself.... You are trying to become the servant of those poor young women, and God wants you to be His own, and perhaps of more people than you would be in that way (CCD.I:111). You must make it understood that the poor are being damned for want of knowing the things necessary for salvation, and for lack of confession (CCD.I:112). We are leading a life in Paris almost as solitary as that of the Carthusians.... This solitude makes us long for work in the country; and that work, for solitude (CCD.I:120). A good mind is better at that age [18 years] than a poor one at the age of fifty (CCD.I:129). One who says things quite plainly as they are and puts his faith in God is pleasing to God, as is, I think, this line of action. Truth and humility go well together (CCD.I:140). We must accept illness as we would a divine state (CCD.I:145). January 7: A contract was signed in Châtelet that gave Saint-Lazare to the Congregation (CCD.I:2-48-249; CCD.III:337-338; CCD.XIIIa:263, 274). January 8: The Archbishop approved the above mentioned contract. The Congregation was obliged to allow eight missionaries to offer missions in the Diocese and during a period of 15 days, other missionaries offered, at no cost, retreats to the ordinands of the diocese (CCD.13a:275ff). About 25 members of the Congregation took possession of Saint-Lazare which comprised about 80 acres of land (CCD.XIIIa:274; CCD.XIIIb:279, note 4). Vincent bought a horse so that he could travel to Paris [he was about 4 kilometers from the center of the city] (Abelly [English edition]I:252-253). January: The King approved the contract that gave Saint-Lazare to the Congregation (CCD.XIIIa:280). January 20: A contract was agreed upon and Vincent committed himself in perpetuity to give missions in Toulouse, Bordeaux and Provence (CCD.1:207). Nicolás Vivien donated 10,000 livres for this work (CCD.XIIIa:373, note 9). February 13: Cardinal Bentivoglio received Vincent's petition requesting the Holy See's approval of the Congregation. The Cardinal gave a favorable report on April 30 th ( Vincentiana , [1972], 857). March 24: The Municipal Government approved the contract which gave Saint-Lazare to the Congregation of the Mission (CCD.XIIIa:283-286). May 13: The Prior of Saint-Victor, Saint-Genoveva and some other priests voiced their opposition to the granting of Saint-Lazare to the Congregation. July: Noël Brulart de Sillery, a nobleman and diplomat, left his palace, and through the influence of Vincent, went to live in a modest house near the first monastery of the Visitation (CCD.I:97, note 1; 185, note 1). August 21: Parliament rejected the petition of the Prior of Saint-Victory with regard to Saint-Lazare (CCD.XIIIa:283). September 7: Parliament decreed and pointed out some changes that ought to be made in the contract that was drawn up by Brother Adrien Le Bon (CCD.XIIIa:283). December 21:Brother Adrien Le Bon made the changes requested by Parliament (CCD.XIIIa:283). December 31: The Archbishop again approved the contract (CCD.XIIIa:283). Dognon dedicated the second edition of his book Le bon Lanbourer to Vincent de Paul. Vincent obtained from the King and the city officials permission to turn an old square tower into a hospital for the sick galley salves who were lodged in the faubourg Saint-Honoré. The Compagnie de Saint-Sacrement helped in this work (CCD.I:168, note 2). Work began on the church for the Visitation Convent on the rue du Saint-Antoine. A wooden bridge was built on the Rue du Bac, which enabled materials to be brought to the construction site of the Louvre. May 10: Louise's uncle, J. Louis de Marillac, was executed. He was imprisoned on November 30, 1630 and sentenced on May 8, 1632 (CCD.I:156; SWLM:8). May-June: Louise moved to the Rue de Versalles (CCD.I:158; 160; 213:note 3). July 7: Louise visited the Confraternity in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges and in Crosnes (CCD.I:162-163). August 7: Michel de Marillac died in his prison cell in Châteaudum where he had been imprisoned since 1630 (SWLM:8). Louise visited the Confraternity at Asnières (CCD.I:173, note 1) and during the same year visited the Charities at Aerain, Sannois, Francoville, Herblay and Conflans (SWLM:705). Louise helped care for the galley slaves in Saint-Bernard's Tower. The priests from her parish, Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet, were also very involved in this work. In 1640, the Daughters took on this work (CCD.I:168, note 2). Louise visited the Confraternities in the Diocese of Soissons. The way our relatives go to God is of no importance to us, provided they go to Him (CCD.I:157). As for the candlesticks you gave to Sainte-Marie, I commend you for that, provided they are not silver (CCD.I:175). The King of France issued the Letters patent confirming the union of Saint-Lazare to the Mission (CCD.XIIIa:293-295) Pope Urban VIII [1623-1644] approved the Bull Salvatoris Nostri and thus approved the Congregation of the Mission. It was communicated on October 30 th , issued on March 14 th , 1634 and definitively executed on November 22 nd , 1634. It was signed in St. Peter's on January 12 th , 1633 (CCD.XIIIa:296-304; CCDI:172; Anales. [1983]). Vincent was wounded as the result of a fall from his horse (CCD.I:199) May 23: Vincent and Prior Adrien Le Bon signed a contract for a place at the Saint-Laurent Fair which lasted eight days (CCD.XIIIa:305-306). June 13: Initial contacts were made at the Tuesday Conferences (CCD.I:201; Abelly. [English Edition], II:210) July 9: The first meeting of those who formed the Tuesday Conferences was held. They determined the order to be observed in their conferences and elected some officers to maintain this order (CCD.XIIIa;140-143). They proposed as a theme for their first meeting "The Ecclesiastical Spirit" (CCD.I:202-203). Later they gave a mission for those who were building the Church of Saint-Marie for the Visitation Sisters (CCD.I:203-204, note 4). November 14: The Pope approved the Constitutions of the Hospitaler Nuns of the Charity of Our Lady. At the request of the Archbishop of Paris, Vincent, together with others, intervened in this matter (CCD.XIIIa:103-104). November 29: The Daughters of Charity began to organize themselves in the house of Louise on the rue d'Versalles (CCD.I:213; 217-218). December: The participants in the Tuesday Conferences gave a mission in the Hospital at Quinze-Vingts and established a Confraternity of Charity there (CCD.I:258) February: Marguerite Naseau died from the plague which she contracted when she was helping patients in the hospital of Saint-Louis in Paris (CCD.I:131, note 2; 189, note 11; SWLM:8). Marguerite Naseau was born in Suresnes on July 6, 1594 to Leufroy Neseau and Denise G. She was baptized by G. Gloria and her godparents were Marguerite Gloria and C. Cochery (Register of Catholics in Suresnes 1580-1613). Vincent considered Marguerite the first Daughter of Charity, who showed the way to the other Sisters. The world loved her because everything about her was loveable. She had worked in the parishes of Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Nicolas, Saint-Benoit and again in Saint Nicolas (Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On the Virtues of Marguerite Naseau , [July 1642], 71; On the Love of Our Vocation , [February 16, 1646], 217-218; On the Love of Our Vocation, [December 25, 1648], 406; On the Spirit of the Company , [February 25, 1653], 534; On Fidelity to the Rules, [August 8, 1655], 720). Louise visited the Confraternities of Charity in Beauvais, Verneuil, Pont-Saint-Maxence, Gournay, Neufville-le-Roy, Bulles (CCD.I:188; SWLM:720-725). April: Madame Goussault traveled to Angers and she hoped to bring some Daughters of Charity there (CCD.I:191-196). November 29: Louise gathered in her house 5 or 6 young women who came from different towns and villages. Louise also helped the Confraternities of Charity in Paris and took up residence on the rue de Versalles opposite the shop with sign of l'Epée-Royal (CCD.I:213, note 3). Little by little Vincent discerned and accepted the function and the structure of the Ladies of Charity, which were now being formed. Gobillon gives us the date of the foundation of the Daughters (CCD.I:200; 215-217; CCD.II:600; CCD.III:59-62; Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On the Spirit of the Company , [February 25, 1653], 534; On Fidelity to the Rules, [August 8, 1655], 720; Gobillon: 51-52 [translator's note: Since I do not have access Gobillon's book, I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). God does not consider the outcome of the good work undertaken but the charity that accompanied it (CCD.I:205). In the name of God, do not do it any more [give gifts to Vincent] (CCD.I:220) They must be trained in the knowledge of solid virtues before we can make use of them (CCD.I:217). I think your good angel did what you told me in the letter you wrote me. Four or five days ago, he communicated with mine concerning the Charity of your young women. It is true; he prompted me to recall it often and I gave that good work serious thought (CCD.I:216). January: There was a plan for the Congregation of the Mission to join with the Congregation of the Missionary Priests of the Most Blessed Sacrament, founded by Christophe d' Authier de Sisgau in Avignon in 1632. Another attempt at unification was made between 1642-1644 (CCD.I:221-223). February 3: Through a Papal Bull, the Holy See recognized the Congregation of France, composed of several houses of the Canons Regulars spread throughout the provinces of the Kingdom. They were dependent on the Monastery of Sainte-Geneviève, founded by Cardinal de la Rochefoucauld. The reform of the Monastery was carried forth by Monsieur Charles Faure who in October, was elected Superior General of the Congregation of France for three years (CCD.I:224:note; Orcajo BAC:228 [Translator's note: I do not have access to Orcajo's work, I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). March-April: Vincent gave a mission in Villers-sous-Saint-Leu (CCD.I:235) April-May: Ladies of Charity are established at the Hôtel-Dieu. In 1608, and then again in 1612, attempts were made to better the conditions at this hospital in Paris (Hôtel-Dieu). In spiritual matters the hospital was dependent on the Council of Notre-Dame, and in temporal concerns on the Governors of the Hospital. There were about 150 hospital sisters (Augustinians) who eventually left the hospital. Madame Groussault and some other women visited the hospital and were concerned about the lack of care that was given to patients. As Ladies of Charity they wanted to intervene in this matter and so they proposed their plan to Vincent. Vincent responded by saying: "Don't meddle in someone else's affairs" (Abelly. [English Edition] I:152). Madame Groussault did not give up so easily and spoke to the Archbishop who in turn convinced Vincent to take up the project. The Ladies had their first meeting in the house of Madame Groussault. Vincent was there and several other women who were interested in the project at the Hôtel-Dieu: Isbeau Blondeau, the widow of Villesabin, Madame Dumecq, Marie Dalibray, widow of J.B. de Sinctot and Marie Lumague, the widow of Pollalion. They approved a plan of action and agreed to meet again to organize and plan the project in greater detail. (CCD.I:230-231). A copy of their Rule has been preserved (CCD.XIIIb:443-447). A second meeting of the Ladies took place and this time more women were in attendance [Seguier, Traversay, Fouquet]. Madame Groussault was elected President of the group. They agreed to go in groups of four to visit and sick [they were accompanied by one of the Sisters from the hospital]. In the beginning their role was spiritual, that is, they brought the sick some book to read and helped them prepare for confession. Soon other functions were added: they began to bring the sick some jellies, soups, broth, preserves and every other kind of sweet (CCD.I:246). Ladies at the Hôtel-Dieu: Charlotte-Marguerite de Montmorency, wife of Prince Henry II of Condé (CCD.II:8). Madame Marie de Wignerod de Pontcourlay, Marquis, widow of Combalet [March 4, 1604-1675] (CCD.I:321). Geneviève Fayet, widow of Goussauld (CCD.I:161; 511-512; 528; 569; CCD.XIIIb:390-396). Marie Lumague, widow of Pollalion [September 29, 2599-September 4, 1657], founder of the Daughters of Providence (CCD.I:161; Anales, [May, l983],360). Isabelle de Fay, a relative and friend of Louise, died in 1635 (CCD.I:24-25, note). Marie des Landres, wife of Chretien de Lamoignon [1576-December 31, 1651]. Madeleine de Lamoignon [September 18, 1609-April 4, 1687] (CCD.I:384; CCD.II:208; 247, note 4). Madeleine Deffita de Viole [died April 4, 1678] (CCD.I:313, note 3). Anne Petau de Traversay (CCD.I:336). Charlotte de Ligny, widow of Vialart de Herse [died in 1662] (CCD.I:291, note 3). Marie de Maupeou, widow of Foquet (CCD.III:87, note 4). Madeleine Fabri de Sétguier [November 22, 1597-February, 6, 1683] (CCD.I:221. note 4). Louise de Béon, widow of Loménie, comte de Brienne [died September 2, 1665] (CCD.II:444, note 4). Marie de Orleans [1625-1707] daughter of Henry de Longueville and Louise de Borbon-Soisson, wife of Henri de Valengay (CCD.I:101 [Translator's note: The Spanish reference is OC.I:166:note and this corresponds to CCD.I:101 in the English edition, but there is no reference here to Marie de Orleans so I simply include the citation but have no idea as to the why of this citation]; CCD.IV:201, note 1; CCD.XIIb;440). Louise Marie de Gonzaga, daughter of the Duke of Nevers-Mantua, she became the Queen of Poland through her marriage to Wlandyslaw IV and dies with her brother Jan Casimir (CCD.III:244, note 4; CCD.IV:62, note 2; CCD.IV:201-202). Marie de Hauthefort [1615-1691] wife of Schomberg (CCD.III:508, note 3, [Translators note: the Spanish edition gives the name Marie de Hauthefort and the English edition has the same person with the name Anne de la Guiche]). Marie l'Huillier d'Interville, wife of Villeneuve, foundress of the Daughters of the Cross (CCD.I:130, note 4). July: Vincent asked the Holy See to give Saint-Lazare to the Congregation of the Mission. This request was granted in March of the following year (CCD.I:248). July 25: Vincent adviced Monsieur de Coudray about the way to secure Saint-Lazare for the Congregation and told him not to translate the Bible from Syriac into Latin. While the translation might be useful to the curiosity of some preachers it would be of no use to the poor (CCD.I:244-245) August 24: The Confraternity of Charity was established at Argentuil and was authorized to function from March 17 th . Later another Confraternity was established at Gallardon (CCD.XIIIb:5; 103) November 12: The Confraternity of Charity was established at Neufchâtel-en-Bray (CCD.XIIIb:5) December 5: Jean de Montholon was incarcerated at Saint-Lazare for having secretly married Jeanne Jeannesson whose social status his family considered beneath his own. Later he escaped from the house (CCD.I:266, note 3; 273-274). December 30: A contract was signed that obliged the Congregation to give missions every six years in Gentilly and Ferreux. Retreats for diocesan priests were set up at Saint-Lazare. Monsieur Jean Coqueret made a retreat there and later many of his followers went there for their retreats (CCD.I:190; Conferences to the Missionaries, Synopsis of a Conference, [no date], 803-809) March 25: Louise renewed her vow as a widow and dedicated herself to the formation of the Daughters of Charity. [In 1642, she and the other Sisters made a perpetual vow to serve the poor]. Louise prepared a Rule of Life for the Community and worked with the young women who were coming to her from many distinct villages and towns (CCD.I:223-224; 238; 239; Anales . [October, 1982], 619). July 1: Barbe Angiboust entered the Daughters (CCD.I:299; SWLM:12, note 1). July: With the establishment of the Ladies of Chraity at the Hôtel-Dieu, the Daughters began to work in the hospital. From the time of their foundation the Ladies of Charity counted on the assistance of the Daughters. At their initial meeting it seemed as though the Ladies would work with the Augustinian Sisters, but in July these sisters left for La Chapelle and the Ladies remained and had their own floor in the hospital (CCD.I:230-231; 234; Conference to the Daughters of Charity, Explanation of the Rule, [July 31, 1634], 6-7). July 31: Vincent gave the Rules and Regulations to the Daughters who then were 12 in number. Two of them worked in Saint-Sauveur, two in Saint-Nicolas, three in Saint-Paul, one in Saint -Benoit and the rest in the Hôtel-Dieu (Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, Explanation of the Rule, [July 31, 1634], 1, 7). Because an excess of the word of God dat illis nauseam [nauseates them], ... it is God's good pleasure that we adapt ourselves to people's moods, to place, and to times (CCD.I:228). All things come to him who waits (CCD.I:234) Simplicity is the virtue I love the most and to which, I think, I pay the most attention in my actions; and, if it is permissible for me to say so, I would say that I am practicing it with some progress by the mercy of God (CCD.I:265). For the love of God, Monsieur [Vincent], ask the divine mercy to let you know my needs; otherwise, I will believe that he wishes to abandon me completely because He allowed you to feel this way (SWLM:11).
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