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Chronological Dictionary of Vincentian HistoryChapter IX: Vincent is Professed in the Congregation: 1640-1644
Vincent de Paul: 1640 January: Vincent asked Louise to return home from Angers where she was sick. She was, however, in the final stages of preparing a contract for the foundation of a hospital there. (CCD.II:1-2; 8; 12; 15; 23; 25; 35). Problems continued to mount: care for the foundlings (CCD.II:8), seeking a new house for the Sisters (CCD.II:24), greater involvement in the work with the galley slaves (CCD.II:25). January 12: During the General Assembly of the Ladies of the Hôtel-Dieu, it was decided to expand the work with the abandoned children (CCD.II:8, CCD.XIIIb:397). January 14: Louis Abelly, the Vicar General to bishop François Fouquet of Bayonne, asked for Vincent's counsel on dealing with religious: they should be corrected first by example, then spoken to with gentle and charitable words C suspension and excommunication should never be employed since this was not Jesus' way of dealing with people (CCD.II:5-6). January 19: Father Germain de Montevit died in Bar-le-Duc. The Jesuits offered a eulogy in his honor (CCD.II:29-30). January 29: Five priests left Paris for Annecy, thus fulfilling a contract that had been signed the previous year. Mother Chantal offered her evaluation of these priests (CCD.II:18; 31-33; 57-60;114-117). February: Brother Mathieu coordinated the relief efforts for the people of Lorraine. He made fifty-three trips to this land and wrote a narration recounting eighteen dangers from which he had escaped. There are many testimonies about his labor, testimonies received from the various places where he worked: the Bar-le-Duc, Saint-Mihiel, Pont-a-Moussojn, Luneville, Nomeny, Chateau-Santins, Dieuge, Moyenvic, Remiremont, Epinal, Mirecourt, Chatel-sur-Moselle, Stenay, Ramvervilliers... and many convents (CCD.II:30; 42; 46; 48; 52; 82; Conference to the Daughters of Charity, On Imitating the Conduct of Country Girls, [January 25, 1643], 77-78). February 21: Father Antoine Lucas organized the missions on the islands of France (CCD.II:27-29). February 28: Vincent gave some orientation to Louis Lebreton regarding several questions: about the house that he was looking for (CCD.II:36; 40), vows: should there just be one vow of stability (CCD.II:104; 141-142), a religious order or not? (CCD.II:142:note 4), receiving secular priests and the contributions that the Congregation has made to these priests (CCD.II:37-38; 43-45), observance of our Little Rule with regard to never discussing State matters (CCD.II:38-39; 45). April-May: The Baron de Renty made a significant contribution to the assistance that was being given to the nobles of Lorraine who were refugees in Paris. This work continued for seven or eight years and was later extended to Ireland and Scotland. The Baron de Renty died in 1649, but his work continued (CCD.II:54:note 5; 93-94; 285:note 1). June 1: Father Lebreton obtained permission to open a House in Rome and established himself there. Vincent said that the Company would go wherever the Holy Father wished (CCD.II:63-65). June 4: Vincent sent a report to the Collège de Montferrand about the instruction of Ordinands (CCD.XIIIa:312-313). June 17: Vincent visited the houses in Richelieu and Troyes. Having experienced the benefits of such visits, he instituted the office of Visitor and asked Father Dehorgny, as Visitor, to go to the house of Toul [Vincent took this idea from the Cathusians] (CCD.II:69; 72-73; 82). Later, Father Lamberto went as Visitor to the house at La Rose (CCD.II:78-79; 112-113). July 26: Difficulties arose in the mission in Annecy: Monsieur Escart was harsh in his zeal (CCD.II:88; CCD.VII:511-512), and Jacques Tholard was having difficulty in administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation (CCD.II:123). The missionaries were told to acquiesce to the suggestions of the Bishop in regard to the Ordinands [collect a florin a day], and should not abandon the missions even if the members of the Senate are opposed (CCD.II:89). Vincent approved their request for portable beds even though people will murmur about this. Finally, he instructed them to bring the furniture to the house by mule (CCD.II:91). August 25: The missionaries left their provisional house in Sancey and took up their abode in Troyes, on the right corner of the faubourg Croncels and the rue des Bas-Clos. The house was a gift from Noël Brulart de Sillery, but Vincent asked him to remove all the luxuries that he had placed there (CCD.II:101-102). August 26: The first canonical visitation was made at Saint-Lazare (CCD.II:113). A person, who wished to remain anonymous, made a contribution of 25,000 livres to the Congregation (CCD.II:119). September 26: Noël Brulart de Sillery, a great benefactor of the Congregation and the founder of the houses at Troyes and Annecy, died. He left 80,000 livres for the Internal Seminary (CCD.II:144). A brief biography can be found in I:97-98. October: Vincent traveled to Rueil to greet Richelieu (CCD.II:139, 145). There is a question whether he went there to ask Richelieu for peace (Abelly. [English Edition] I:189). November 13: Vincent told Jacques Tholard that his letters are always very dear to me. I think it would be well for you to make them a little shorter and in brief paragraphs, so that I can put the answer in the margin (CCD.II:153) November 14: Father Lebreton was making little headway in advancing the petition for the vows. At the same time Vincent was looking at different modalities for the vows. The work with the missions in Rome, however, was making progress (CCD.II:154-155; 155:note 4). January: Louise became ill at Angers where she was attempting to finalize a contract with the administrators of the hospital. She remained there until February 23rd (CCD.II:8; 12; 14-16). January 12: During the General Assembly of the Ladies of the Hôtel-Dieu, it was decided to expand the work with the abandoned children. Among the participants were Charlotte-Marguerite de Montmorency, the wife of Henri II de Bourbon and Marie de Vignerod de Pontocourlay. Vincent addressed this gathering (CCD.II:8; CCD.XIIIb:397). January 28: The Ladies had a painting made that depicted Our Lord of Charity [God is Love]. Here Jesus was represented with his hands extended, while a priest, on the left, was giving Communion to a sick person and on the right, a Sister was offering a glass of water to another sick person (CCD.II:14:note 9). February 1: Louise signed the Regulations for the Sisters of the Angers Hospital (CCD.XIIIb:114-116). This document was registered on March 1st, 1642 (CCD.XIIIb:117-119). February 10: Monsieur Claude Cornuel left an inheritance of six thousand livres on the condition that this money be used to help the galley salves. The priest from the parish of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet and the Daughters of Charity assisted in this work with the galley-slaves (CCD.II:26:note 3). March 11: The Hospital of the Incurables, built between 1633-1637, was inaugurated by Cardinal de la Rochefoucauld. Bishop Jean Pierre Camus, of the Diocese of Belley, died there (CCD.I:371, Conference to the Daughters of Charity, On Serving the Sick and the Care of One's Health, [November 11, 1657], 929-930; Retz, 1517 [Translator's Note: I do not have access to this work and so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text] ). July 5 and 19: Vincent gives a conference to the Daughters of Charity and intends to give a conference to them every fifteen days (Conference to the Daughters of Charity, On the Vocation of a Daughter of Charity, [July 5, 1640], 12-15; On the Vocation of a Daughter of Charity, [July 19, 1640], 16-22). At the end of the conferences some of the Daughters expressed their desire to take vows. August: At the request of Louise, Monsieur Lamberto made a canonical visitation of the house in Angers (ccd.II:81; SWLM:21). Louise was very concerned about this house since in many aspects it is different from the others. From the year of 1640, twenty letters are preserved that were written by Louise to the Abbé de Vaux. August 2 and 16: Vincent gave two more conferences to the Daughters (Conference to the Daughters of Charity, On Fidelity to Rising and on Prayer, [August 2, 1640], 22-30; On Fidelity to Rising and on Prayer, [August 16, 1640], 31-35). August 21: The Marquise de Maignelay, Claude-Marguerite de Gondi (CCD.II:109) asked the Daughters of Charity to work on her land. This request was granted the following year (CCD.II:109-111). September?: Louise began to draw up Rules for the houses and their activities: the house, parishes, children, the galley-slaves (CCD.II:131-132). November 28: Vincent and Louise made great strides in the consolidation of their Communities. They were convinced they were involved in a very worthwhile work: they are better then they were in the beginning, that after a few years I hope to remain on earth, the one whom God will give them will draw down upon them more blessings by her good example (CCD.II:163). ------------ For most of the year Louise was looking for a new house. In the beginning they looked for the house in Vukkette, but the following year they found one in front of Saint-Lazare (CCD.II:24; 137-138; 139; 150-151; 176). Do everything you can to get well (CCD.II:1). After speaking to them by example for a considerable time [Our Lord spoke this language to them for thirty years], He spoke to them gently, charitably and firmly, without, however, using suspensions, interdictions and excommunications (CCD.II:5). ... a prelate who acts in the same way will be of more benefit to those sorts of persons than all ecclesiastical censures put together. Our Lord and the saints accomplished more by suffering than by acting (CCD.II:5-6). Remember.... that roses are not gathered except in the midst of thorns and that heroic acts of virtue are accomplished only in weakness (CCD.II:21). We have a rule and, by the mercy of God, are exact in the practice of never getting mixed up in affairs of State, or even discussing them (CCD.II:38, 45, 362). How little it takes to be very holy: to do the Will of God in all things (CCD.II:47). Zeal is the soul of the virtues, but most certainly it must be according to knowledge (CCD.II:84). We must make a rule that they may not, under any pretext whatsoever, eat what is intended for the poor (CCD.II:107). May we set about stripping ourselves entirely of affection for anything that is not of God, be attached to things only for God and according to God (CCD.II:122). Obey God well and He will see that what you command is done (CCD.II:140). Always remember that in the spiritual life little account is taken of the beginnings. People attach importance to the progress and the end..... not to advance is to fall back (CCD.II:146). It is God's plan that those who are to help others spiritually, fall into the temptations of mind and body by which others can be tormented (CCD.II:152-153). Ordinarily God allows these things to happen to free us from some hidden pride and to engender in us holy humility.... All these things are nothing but exercises for your purgation, illumination, and perfection, and so that you can sympathize with those whom you see in similar dispositions. (CCD.II:152-153). No rule obliges one to sin if the substance of the act of transgression is not sinful in itself.... but we will do well to render ourselves exact to it on the mission just as at home (CCD.II:153). Your letters still console me, even though our affairs are making no progress (CCD.II:154). How good it is to let oneself be guided by His Providence (CCD.II:154). I think we shall decide to make the Good Purposes of living and dying in the Mission, the first year in the seminary; the simple vow of stability in the second year of the said seminary; and of making it solemnly in eight or ten years, as the Superior General sees fit (CCD.II:155). It seems that the majority of our friends are leaning that way [inflicting excommunication against proprietors every year] and that differences of opinion are common in the religious state (CCD.II:155). Zeal, like other virtues, becomes a vice through excess (CCD.II:157). Bless God, since you do not sin by defect, but rather by an excess of a virtue, because it will be less painful to moderate your zeal than to acquire it if you did not have it (CCD.II:159). How good God is to those who detach themselves from the affections of the world to unite themselves to Him! (CCD.II:160). I think there would be more humility in calling the Daughters of Charity by the title of Sisters rather then Daughters (CCD.II:164). That young woman needs an important duty to satisfy here quick mind (CCD.II:166). There are some persons that do not adjust at first to every little rule. Time takes care of everything (CCD.II:166)
Please forgive me, (Monsieur de Vaux), for I am so foolish that I behave the same way with God whose innumerable gifts to me inspire within me more admiration than thanksgiving (SWLM:22-23). I am so subject to committing faults that I should not be surprised by this. Since I am good for nothing, I can but hope that God can and will often derive glory from persons such as I, showing thereby that in His power He has no need of His creatures to carry out His plan (SWLM:24). I am very concerned about Sister Turgis. I believe, Monsieur de Vaux, that she needs a remedy if she is to avoid serious illness. However, she will have to be ordered to take it because she is extremely reluctant to take any drug (SWLM:26). I am afraid that, seeing the great charity which God gives you [De Vaux] for them, they will take advantage of it without considering the danger which this poses to you any more than they consider the danger to themselves. They are very much in the wrong if they want to conceal their illness when you or the administrators order them not to do so or when they do not remain sufficiently isolated (SWLM:27). You only tell me the good that they do. Do not be afraid, I beg of your, Monsieur de Vaux, also to speak to me of their faults (SWLM:27). Renew your good desires and believe that in the eyes of God the deed is already accomplished (SWLM:31). The best way to teach is to do.... Would to God that I would do what I say (SWLM:32). May the holy will of God be accomplished in us and through us in time and in eternity (SWLM:33). I have misgivings about those who have worked as domestics or who live in the city. However, the Spirit of God breathes where it will (SWLM:33-34). I am hurt that you have not written to me yourself even once since I left. Please do so, if you are able. But speak to me openly of your sufferings. I will read and understand everything (SWLM:34). You are unaware that when I am employed for some good work the faults that I commit in carrying it out invariably bring down upon it some sign of the justice of God to prove to me that I accomplish nothing worthwhile (SWLM:35). She [Barbe Angiboust] is a prudent woman who is not upset by rumors and who does not give rise to them. She is also very virtuous (SWLM:36). Perseverance then, my dear Sisters, must be the last flower in our crown since we must acquire it in the final moment of our lives by the grace and love of God (SWLM:37). We cannot keep malcontents here, nor can we put up with those who disedify the other sisters. I warned her that if she wished to remain she would have to change her comportment, and that she would not be fit to serve the poor for at least the next few years (SWLM:40). Tomorrow is the anniversary of the day, five or seven years ago, that, albeit poorly, the first sisters came together in community. This evening I had a thought which warmed my heart: .... they are better now than they were at the beginning (SWLM:42).
January: Brother Mathieu continued to collect alms and took these donation to the people of Lorraine (CCD.II:173). Monsieur Robertde Sergis , a great missionary died (CCD.I:79; CCD.II:167; 173). Saint-Lazare and the house of the Daughters became a refuge for those who were leaving Lorraine. Here they were fed and helped in obtaining work. The priests of the Tuesday's Conferences gave a mission to the refugees in La Chapelle. They also gave a mission in the town of Saint-German and to the Court that was also at Saint-German-en- Laye (Conference to the Missionaries, On the Method to be Followed in Preaching, [August 29,1655], 267-268; Abelly. [English Edition] II:220-224). January 7: Monsieur Charles de Condren, the 20th Superior General of the Oratorians, died (CCD.I:164:note 3). January 13: Vincent was appointed Visitor of the Principal Convent of the Jacobins [Dominicans] in Paris. He attempted to settle the disputes that had arisen between the Superiors and religious of the convent (CCD.XIIIa:136-137). March 23: Claude Bernard died in Paris. He was a poor priest who took a special interest in those prisoners who were condemned to death. He founded a seminary, the Trente-Trois Seminary, at the Hotêl d'Albiac that was intended to train poor men for the priesthood (CCD.VIII:203:note 1; Pastor, XXVIII:21 [translator's note: I do not have access to this work and therefore I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]; Hillairet, II:139, 500 [Translator's note: I do not have access to this work and therefore I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). April 12: A House was established, north of Paris, in Crecy (CCD.II:313:note 5; CCD.VII:16; CCD.XIIIa:422; Conference to the Missionaries, On Indifference, [May 16, 1659], 566). June: Saint Cyran, imprisoned in Vincennes, took lodging in a luxurious room that was given to him by Messieur d'Hocquincourt. July 11: Monsieur Lebreton obtained permission to establish the Congregation in Rome (CCD.II:171; 214; 231-231; CCD.XIIIa:313). August: Monsieur Dohorgny visited the house in Annecy. Vincent insisted that the seminary be for priests or persons seeking ordination and not for children (CCD.II:172:note 8; 214; 226; 236; 248-252). Aguustinus, the book written by Cornelius Jansen, was repressed in Paris (CCD.II:550:note 4). September 6: Vincent bought two houses in front of Saint-Lazare where the Daughters established their Motherhouse (CCD.II:209:note 9; 210-211:note 4). October 4 - November 11: Jane Frances Chantal arrived in Paris to visit the Visitation Monateries (CCD.II:233:note 8; 228; SWLM:63). October 17: Monsieur Lebreton died in Rome [from the plague] after having given a mission in Ostia. He had never been able to establish the house there for which he had been given permission in July. Vincent had considered sending Monsieur Codoing there but this transfer did not occur until the following year (CCD.II:231-232). October 19: The Archbishop of Paris approved vows for the Congregation of the Mission (CCD.XIIIa:315). December: This missionaries began work in the Diocese of Mende (CCD.II:234). After the substitutes arrived in Annecy, Monsieur Codoing left for Rome always following step by step Divine Providence and never deciding affairs without first consulting me, even though I may be slow in answering and in doing things (CCD.II:236-237). December 7: Vincent bought property in Luçon that consisted of a main building, cellars, storerooms, and a large courtyard at one end of which were stables, with a lodge in the corner of the other end.(CCD.XIIIa:317). December 13: Jane Frances Chantal died and Vincent had a vision of the three globes (CCD.II:238-239; 241; 248; CCD.XIIIa:137-139). December 25: Two poor people began to take their meals at Vincent's table.
January: This was a Year of Jubilee in Paris. Difficulties arose in the house in Angers and there were too many people telling the Daughters what to do. Louise continued her correspondence with Monsieur L'Abbe de Vaux (SWLM:44, 45, 63). The Rule was given to the Daughters at the Hospital at Angers (CCD.XIIIb:108-114). February 12: A house was established at Sedan (CCD:III:35-36, 172-174; SWLM:45 [translator's note: I am not sure why this reference is given. In the Spanish text since there is no reference to the house at Sedan so I have cited the cross reference]). Louise proposed that Marie Joly (CCD:I: 174; SWLM:47) leave her work with the Confraternity of Saint-Germain-de-l'Auxerrois and go to Sedan. At the same time Louise was concerned since she would be alone and was unable to read (CCD.II:175-176;178; 182). February-March: Various women made a retreat in La Chapelle, among them was a rich actress (CCD.II:517, 217). April: Jeanne Lepeintre (CCD.I:485:note 3; SWLM:77-78) placed a kerchief over her head in the form of coiffe. Vincent and Louise, with great patience, tried to correct her attitude (CCD.II:198; 206; 210). May 9: The Ladies of Charity rented two houses in front of Saint-Lazare for the establishment of the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity. In November the Daughters took up residence there. Vincent bought some furnishings for the house thus making it livable for the Daughters (CCD.II:209; 189; Coste, Filies de la Charite, 70-73 [I do not have access to this work therefore I cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). May 29: Louise obtained permission from Michel le Masle, Prior and Lord des Roches de Saint-Paul to teach the poor in a new house in the district of Saint-Denis (SWLM:50-51). August-September: Monsieur Lamberto made a second visit to the house in Angers SWLM:44, 55-56, 61-62). August 16: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters (Conference to the Daughters of Charity: Explanation of the Rule, [August 16, 1641], 36-41). October: The Daughters established a house at Nanteuil-le-Haudoin at the insistence of the Marquise de Maignelay (CCD.II:109-110; SWLM:43). October 16: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters (Conference to the Daughters of Charity, On the Jubilee, [October 15, 1841], 42-47); Monsieur Georges Froger, the pastor of Saint-Nicolas-de-Chardonnet saw that Sister Jeanne was not suited for the work with the galley-slaves. Louise considered sending Barbe Angiboust in her place (CCD.II:197).
It is true that the need we have for well-trained Sisters is very important to me (CCD.II:177). The mind which has found some facility and even some sweetness in the consideration of a virtue, flatters itself into thinking that it is quite virtuous. Nevertheless, in order to become soundly virtuous, it is advisable to make good practical resolutions concerning particular acts of virtues and to be faithful to carrying them out afterwards (CCD.II:217). I have a particular devotion to following the adorable Providence of God step by step (CCD.II:237; 499; 502; 517; 521). Since it is a maxim of the saints that when a matter has been decided in the presence of God, after many prayers, and the seeking of advice, we must reject and consider as a temptation whatever is suggested to the contrary (CCD.II:256).
Louise's Letters: 1641 We are not insensitive and recognize that it was no little thing for these good girls to leave everything. She could suffer a great deal, and not being able to find relief in her troubles, it is feared that she will become discouraged (SWLM:47). How troublesome self-love is! It causes us totally to lose our perspective and even at times to forget God. If some of you are worried or troubled, I beg of you, in the name of God, to turn immediately to prayer and be very faithful to our Rules and to the practice of the virtues required by your state (SWLM:52). I am not at all concerned that you did not consider the girl..... to be suitable, but I am very disturbed that our sisters are evincing too much spiritual fastidiousness. If there is a way of doing so, I beg you, Monsieur de Vaux, to be so charitable as to help them to overcome this dangerous weakness (SWLM:52). You know how cautious one must be not to admit into a community those who are not suited for it..... Please be careful that their desire to come is not motivated by a wish to see Paris or a need to earn a living. Be sure that they are strong and healthy (SWLM:53). I beg our dear Jesus Crucified to attach us firmly to His Cross so that we may be closely united to Him by His love and that our little suffering and the little we accomplish may be in and for His love (SWLM:54). All of this makes me realize how difficult self-knowledge is for human nature (SWLM:54). Blessed be God that your health [Sister Elisabeth Martin] is better! Take care of yourself for the love of God and reflect that one way to do this is to remain cheerful by conforming yourself completely to the holy will of God and not worrying about anything. State your needs very simply and do not be upset that your illness makes you useless. You are the only one who thinks so (SWLM:56). Could your Charity please remember to send me the material that you promised me so that I could speak to our sisters two or three times a week in order to try to encourage them. It seems to me that I merit great punishment because of all their failings.... How can it be that God has granted me the grace of communicating with Him through you for so many years and I am still as I am? (SWLM:59). They [the Daughters] were afraid that the priests might want to make them religious (SWLM:62; 64).
January: Monsieur François Bourgoing established a seminary at Saint Magloire in Paris and received 14 clerics [this seminary had been founded in 1618; Berulle took charge of the seminary in 1620 when problems had developed with the religious and with the income] (CCD.XIIIa:201). Philippe-Emmanuel de Gondi, at the intercession of his sister, returned to the Seminary at Maglorie. February: Monsieur Codoing, together with Monsieur German and Brother Jean Martin, left for Rome, traveling first to Lyons and then to Marseilles and then Rome (CCD.II:251, 262). February 24: Vincent and some older missionaries took vows. The previous year, these vows had been approved by the Archbishop of Paris (CCD.III:246; 269 [Translator's note: I do not understand the reason for this reference but I have cited the cross reference]; CCD.V:318:note 9). April 8: Monsieur Codoing and several other missionaries established themselves in the Morone Palace near the bridge of Saint Sixtus. This was the first official house in Rome and the confreres remained there until 1644 (CCD.II:215:note 6; 309:note 27). April 23: A second attempt was made to join the Congregation of the Mission with the Congrégation des missionnaires du clergé, later known as the Congrégacion du Saint-Sacrement pout la direction des Missions et des Séminaires (CCD.II:276:note 1). This Congregation was established by the Bull Altitudo issued on September of 1647 (CCD.II:280-281; 465-467) and approved on June 4, 1644 (CCD.II:307:note 15). May 16: The King accepted the Bull Salvatoris Nostri which gave Pontifical approval to the Congregation (CCD.XIIIa:321-322). June: Vincent traveled to Richelieu (CCD.II:297:note 2). June 20: The parish of Saint-Yves was offered to the Congregation but the plan was never realized (CCD.II:295; 299-300; 362; CCD.XIIIa:332-333). June 29: A Major Seminary was begun at the Bons-Enfants. The minor seminarians moved to a building at the end of the enclosure of Saint-Lazare which was called the seminary of Saint-Charles (CCD.II:585:note 12, CCD.XIIIa:200-201). June-July: Jean-Jacques Olier, together with François-Etienne de Caulet and Monsieur de Ferrier established the Sulpicians. Since December of 1641 they had lived together with a group of clerics in Vaugirard (CCD.II:308:note 20 and 21; CCD.IV:314-315). July: Vincent went to Beauvais and visited the Ursulines for the third time (CCD.II:303:note 1). July 4: The Duchesse d'Aiguillon received the missionaries on her land at Agen and Comdom. They were accommodated at Notre-Dame de la Rose (CCD.II:318-319). August: Jean-Jacques Olier took possession of Saint-Sulpice which had been offered to him by Guillone'Harcourt Fiesque. October: Monsieur Blatiron and Brunet left for Rome (CCD.II:338; Pastor XXXI:174 [Translator's note: I do not have access to this work and therefore I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Sapnish text]). October 7: Monsieur Pille died (CCD.II:363-389). October 13-23: First Assembly of the Congregation of the Missions. During this gathering the following themes were dealt with: the Rule, Rules for the Assembly, Provinces, Assistants, Admonitor, Second Novitiate, Vows (CCD.II:342-345; CCD.XIIIa:322-331). November 8: Louis Robinea entered the Congregation. He would become Vincent's secretary in 1645 (CCD.IV:424). December 4: Cardinal Richelieu died and was buried in the Sorbonne. In his will he left some of his belongings to the Congregation of the Mission (Michel Carmona, Richelieu and Auguste Baily, Richelieu [Translator's note: I do not have access to these books, therefore I simply cite the references as they appear in the Spanish text]). At the Bons-Enfants another conference of priests was created and they were called the Thursday Conferences [the feast day of professors] (Abelly. [English Edition] I:147).
January: The Daughters leave their house at La Chapelle and took up residence in front of the Saint-Lazare property. January 6: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters (Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On the Faults and Failings of the Past Year, [January 6, 1642], 48-52). February; Monsieur L'Abbé de Vaux went to Paris and remained there until May (SWLM:66; 69). March 9: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters (Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On Tending the Sick Poor, [March 9, 1642], 53-55). March 16: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters (Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On How to Nurse the Sick Poor, [March 16, 1642], 56-60). March 25: Louise and four other Daughters pronounced their perpetual vows (CCD.V:356; SWLM:64). May: Difficulties arose between the Daughters and the Confraternity at Saint-Sulpice (SWLM:71; 72; 79). June 7: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters (Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On Obedience, [June 7, 1642], 61-70). A beam in the Motherhouse, in the meeting room of the Daughters, broke and fell (CCD.II:289-290; 576-577; Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On the Love of Our Vocation and on Helping the Poor, [February 13, 1646], 220; SWLM:75, 768). July: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters (Conference to the Daughters of Charity, On the Virtues of Marguerite Naseau, [July, 1642], 71-73). A Daughter from the Hôtel-Dieu fell into the Seine River where she was washing (SWLM:66; 77-78). Sister Anne has given us every possible proof of her sorrow for her slowness in obeying. She made a retreat and made a decision to live and die as a Daughter of Charity. She left with Sister Dalmagne to teach school in Nanteuil (SWLM:77). September: During fifteen days, Louise visited the Confraternities at Liancourt and its surrounding area (CCD.II:329; 337). The Daughters considered beginning a work there during that same year [1642] (SWLM:78; 83-84). The Daughteres established a house at Fontenay-aux-Roses (CCD.II:217-218; SWLM:47; 64). The Daughters established a house at Issy (CCD.II:399-400; SWLM:64; 86). Louise received permission from Vincent to honor the
hidden life of Jesus in his mother's
womb by praying nine Our Father's
and three Hail Mary's [the Little Rosary] (SWLM:140).
God's affairs are accomplished gradually and almost imperceptibly and His sprit is neither violent nor tempestuous (CCD.II:257). Let us reflect that we shall always do God's Will and He will do ours when we carry out that of our Superiors, and that we fall into thousands of difficulties and disorders when we act otherwise (CCD.II:267). Be on your guard against natural ardor.... I wish to remain in this practice of neither concluding nor undertaking anything while I am caught up in these ardent hopes at the prospect of great benefits (CCD.II:278). I beg God several times a day to bless them and increase their number, and to reduce us to nothing if we do not serve Him according to the plan He has for us (CCD.II:309). Remember that the best way to make a tree grow very tall is to lop off its branches, and that animals that eat too much when young, wear themselves out... If necessity urges us to make haste, then let it be slowly (CCD.II:310). His Divine Goodness asks that we never do good in any place to make ourselves look important, but that we always consider Him directly, immediately, and without intermediary in all our actions..... avoid as far as possible putting yourself forward.... never do anything out of human respect (CCD.II:315) Such is my belief, such is my experience (CCD.II:316) One thing consoles me, namely, that only with great difficulty can a proud spirit survive in the Company (CCD.II:326). Superiors should be changed more frequently (CCD.II:331). One must be firm and unchanging with regard to the end but gentle and humble as to the means, although I practice this so poorly (CCD.II:332; 336; 402). The Superior is not obliged to follow the majority opinion, and matters brought up are to be resolved between God and himself, except that he must answer at the visitation for the outcome of what he does contrary to the opinion of his council (CCD.II:336). I have always avoided performing acts of piety in one place in order to render myself worthy of esteem in another (CCD:3551). God knows and has made known to men how much more he blesses a small chosen number than a large number among whom there are those who fear hardship and who are attached to their wives, vineyards and homes (CCD:356). Ten men who are what they should be are worth a hundred;
and a hundred who are not really called, or who do not correspond to
God's designs, are not worth ten (CCD:II:361).
With regard to Sister Madeline, I think that she could easily say two decades of her chaplet daily..... As for sleeping on straw, that seems to me to be more the shadow than the reality of mortification (SWLM:65) Louise's letter about spiritual retreats should be read in its entirety (SWLM:69-70). I beg you to love one another dearly and to take care of the sick of the hospital and especially of your sick sisters (SWLM:74). Be very courageous then in the distrust you must have for yourself (SWLM:75). Alas! My poor Sister Marie-Marthe Trumeau, here you are sick again. God wills it. Will it also (SWLM:76). I am a bit overwhelmed by all the spiritual and emotional problems faced by the greater number of our sisters. I assure you, Monsieur, that my inability to help these poor girls reach perfection is a subject of humiliation for me before God and the world (SWLM:76). I am often caught by surprise like this because I have
very little experience in conversation. I am ashamed of this before
God because I do not use this separation from the world to be closer
to Him (SWLM:82).
January 4: At the request of Bishop Alain de Solminhac, a house was established at Cahors. The missionaries arrived there on June 12 (CCD.II:428; OC.X:337 [Translator's note: The Spanish text refers to document 143 Alain de Solminhac and the Seminary at Cahors. I have been unable to find this document in CCD.XIIIa or CCD.XIIIb so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). January 13: Louis XIII authorized the Daughters of the Providence of God to establish a house in Paris. February 16: The Abbe de Saint-Cyran left his prison at the Château de Vincennes (CCD.I:392:note 1). March-April: Jean Duval, Bsihop of Babylon returned from his mission in the East and attempted to sent up a seminary to help the Persian mission. He was not successful in this undertaking. Later this same place would become a seminary for foreign missionaries established by Messieurs Pallu, Laval and Pique (CCD.II:457, Pastor, XXX:172, XXXI:123-125 [Translator's note: I do not have access to this work so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). Missions were given to the galley salves in Marseilles: five missionaries, eight priests of M. Arthier's Congregation [Congregation of the Priests of the Blessed Sacrament], some Oratorians and Jesuits and some Italian priests were involved in this work. On each ship there were 40 galley slaves, 275 prisoners who had been pressed into service and 90 soldiers. They were about so leave port to participate in the battle of Cataluña. (CCD.II:407:note 10; OC:II:321 [Translator's note: The Spanish citation refers to a letter to the Missionaries in Marseilles. I was unable to find this letter in volume two and simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). April: At the insistence of King Louis XIII and with the supplication of Monsieur Dinet, Vincent compiled a list of possible candidates for the episcopacy (CCD.II:427) May 2: The Duchesse d'Aiguillon decided to give five thousand livres annually to support the house in Rome. This money was derived from the income of the lease of the Rouen coaches (CCD.II::430). May 7: With the help of Abraham de Fabert, a house was established at Sedan. The contract was signed on June 14, 1644 and the parish contract was signed on October 21st . The money for this work [24,000 livres] came from the inheritance that the King had left for this work (CCD.II:468; 483; CCD.VI:5; CCD.XIIIa:339-341). May 11: In Marseilles, the ship Monreale did not leave for Cataluña and so the mission continued there with great success. Ten Turkish men were converted and a ceremony was held on the 31st. Bishop Jean -Baptiste Gault, who had participated in the mission and who had become bishop of Marseilles in January, died on May 23rd (CCD.II:437; 439-440; Pastor, XXVIII:208, 232 [Translator's note: I do not have access to this work and so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). May 14: Vincent attended to King Louis XIII during the final days of his life. Word was sent to him while he was at Saint-German-en-Laye in April. Vincent spent a day with the King. When the King became ill again Vincent returned to his bedside and spent three days with him before he died on the Feast of the Ascension, May 14 (CCD.II:435). A few day later Vincent was name to the Council of Conscience. He joined Mazarin, Seguier, and bishops of Beauvais and Lisieux and other Kings and Princes. June 12: At the insistence of Marguerite de Gondi, the Marquise de Maignelay, Ann of Austria accepted Jean-François-Paul de Gondi as Coadjutor to the Diocese of Paris. Louis XIII had previously rejected this nomination and offered him the small diocese of Agde, but the newly nominated bishop refused this offer (CCD.II:442-443; Retz, XXXIX [Translator's note: I do not have access to this work and so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). June 19: Pope Urban VIII issued the Anti-Jansenist Bull In Eminenti which was dated March 2, 1642. This document caused much dissent in France and Antoine Arnauld published three pamphlets refuting the Papal document, calling it a false document (Pastor, XXVIII:353-356 [Translator's note: I do not have access to this work and therefore I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). July 4: Vincent was informed by the Papal Nuncio that François Perrochel was named as Bishop of Boulogne. He was consecrated at Saint-Lazare on June 11, 1645 (CCD.I:277:note 8; OC.X:150-161 [Translator's note: The Spanish citation has to be wrong since it refers to Document 54-62, all of which have nothing to do with the matter under consideration. I simply cite this reference as it appears in the Spanish text, but I am confident that this is not a correct reference. I have no idea what the correct reference should be]). July 10: Monsieur Codoing proposed that the Superior General should reside in Rome. Vincent saw many problems with this proposal (CCD.II:453). July 25: With the help of the Duchesse d'Aiguillon a house was established in Marseilles (CCD.II:464-465; 567:note 2; 574-575). A contract was agreed upon (CCD.XIIIa:335-337) and the obligations folr caring for the galley-slaves was spelled out (OC.X:375 [Translator's note: This is a reference to document 161: Atribuciones del capellan real de las galleras, I was unable to find it in CCD.XIIIa or CCD.XIIIb so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). A rule was given to the missionaries in Marseilles (OC.X:376-378 [Translator's note: This is a reference to document 162: Reglamento para los sacerdotes de la mision de Marsella encargados de los galeotes, I was unable to it find it in CCD.XIIIa or CCD.XIIIb, so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). The missionaries arrived in Marseilles the following year and Monsieur Dufestel was named superior (OC.X:562 [Translator's Note: This is a reference to document 196: Lista de fundaciones de los misioneros (1625-1660) y nombres de los superiores, I was unable to find it in CCD.XIIIa or CCD.XIIIb, so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). August: Antoine Arnauld published his book De la Frecuente Comunion. This was his response to a pamphlet written by the Jesuit Pierre de Sesmasisons. The situation was provoked by two women: Madeleine de Souvre, Marquise de Sable, who followed the Jesuit teaching and A.de Rohan-Guemene who followed the doctrine of Port Royal (CCD.III:319-330; Pastor, XXVIII:365-370 [Translator's note: I do not have access to this work so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). October 5: Pope Urban VIII gave the Papal Bull to Jean-François-Paul de Gondi who was named Coadjutor with the right of succession to the See of Paris. He received his doctorate at the Sorbonne on October 19th and in November made a retreat at Saint-Lazare. He was ordained a priest and then consecrated bishop on the 31st of January (Retz, Memorias, XXXIX:159, 173 [Translator's note: I do not have access to this work and so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). October 11: Saint-Cyran died and he was buried in the parish of Saint-Jacques-de-Haut-Pas (CCD.I:392; CCD.II:489-490). November: J.H. de Buddes was mortally wounded during the battle of Rottweil and died on November 24, 1643. He was buried at Saint-Lazare (OC.X:150 [Translator's note: This is a reference to document 54: San Vicent devuelve los restos mortales del Mariscal Guebriant, I was unable to find it in CCD.XIIIa or CCD.XIIIb, so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). Vincent was named Vicar-General of Saint-Ouen Abbey
in Rouen (CCD.IV:197; Vincentiana,#5,
[1988], 517). His friend, Grégoire Tarrisse was named the
Abbot of Saint-Maur or of the Congregation of France [Reformed Benedictines]
(CCD.II:307:note 16; CCD.III:112:note 10).
January: Louise told Sister Jeanne to return from Issy because the supporters of this project were not attending to the needs of the Daughters. The pastor intervened and the Daughters returned. In 1649, however, the house was closed (SWLM:86; 88). January 25: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters (Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On Imitating the Conduct of Country Girls, [January 25, 1643], 74-85). February: The daughter-in-law of Michel de Marillac, Marie Creil [a Carmelite], took charge of the publication of father-in-law's writings (SWLM:33-34; 89). March: Sister Jeanne Dalmagne became ill at Nanteuil (SWLM:107-108). April 26: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters (Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On the Union that Should Exist between Members of the Community, [April 26, 1643], 86-101). June: The Ladies of Charity began to explore a way to obtain the château Bicêtre for the abandoned children. Louise did not see this as an adequate site for the children (SWLM:94; 98-99). June 13: Jean François Paul de Gondi is named Coadjuator Bishop of Paris. Louise saw this as an opportunity to have son assist the Coadjuator in his ministry (CCD.II:442-443; SWLM:93). Louise's cousins, Mlle. Angelique d'Atry, Mme. Anne de Maure, and Monsieur de Attichy [a Jesuit], spoke to Louise about the economic and social condition of her son, Michel and reproached her for doing nothing for him. She reminded her cousins that her late husband had devoted all his time and his life to looking after the affairs of the d'Attichy family while completely neglecting those of his own family (SWLM:97). June 14: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters (Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, Explanation of the Rule, [June 14, 1643], 102-117). December 7: Vincent gave a conference to the Daughters. (Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On the Foundlings, [December 7, 1643], 116-128). From this year forward, the Seal of the Daughters of
Charity read: The Charity of Christ urges us (SWLM:91-92; II Corinthians 5:14; Constitutions of
the Daughters of Charity, 1).
Monsieur Pillé, by his inactivity and by his suffering alone, is doing more for God and for the house then I and our whole Company are doing by constant activity and work (CCD.II:373). When their actions [the actions of our neighbor] have a hundred facets, let us put into practice the advice of our blessed Father, always to see their best side (CCD.II:401). When I said that you must be unwavering as to the end and gentle as to the means, I am describing to you the soul of good leadership, and one without the other spoils everything (CCD.II:403). Charity is the cement which binds Communities to God and persons to one another (CCD.II:413). It is true that the Company does need men; but it would be so much better to have fewer men than to have a number of difficult individuals and deeds of that sort. Ten good men will do more for God than a hundred of those people (CCD.II:421). Remember, Monsieur, that the downfall of most Communities comes from the cowardice of Superiors in not holding firm and in not purging them of the troublesome and incorrigible (CCD.II:422). I hope that your establishment is neither sumptuous nor showy. The works of God are not done is such a way, and those of the world are (CCD.II:427). A Superior of the Congregation has a better knowledge of the persons who compose it than anyone else..... I have great confidence in gifted persons, but experience shows me every day how very little is to be expected from human talents and human instruments, of no matter what nationality (CCD.II:432-433). I no more trust in human means for divine ends than I do in the devil (CCD.II:433). Multiplicity of houses is troublesome and causes murmuring. If it is necessary, we will have to go ahead and let people talk (CCD.II:462). All things have their definite and opportune time, and not before or after it (CCD.II:470).
It is not sufficient, Monsieur (De Vaux), to have clearly shown me this evil or to have taught me the true remedy for it. You must also assist me in putting these remedies into practice (SWLM:89). I see that the spiritual immaturity of our poor sisters is continuing. It seems to me that they are bearing the fruit of the miserable garden of my weak initial formation (SWLM:91). If you are dissatisfied with yourself, this is perhaps a sign that you have been pleasing to our good God. I beg this of Him for you with all my heart (SWLM:91). I adore with all my heart the manner in which Divine
Providence seems to be arranging your (Sister Jeanne Dalmagne) life. If
it is the most holy will of God to call your soul to him, may His holy
name be blessed! He knows how much I regret not being able to assist
you in this final act of love which I am confident you will make by willingly
offering your soul to the Eternal Father (SWLM:108).
January: The missionaries arrived in Marseilles. As General-Chaplains. they took charge of giving missions to the galley slaves. In 1645, they worked in the Hospital and in 1648 in the seminary [they remained in the seminary until 1649 when the plague afflicted many there]. With a donation from M. de la Corte, the seminary was reopened in 1656 with seminarians from Saint-Victor. The seminary was finally closed in 1658 (OC.X:562 [Translator's Note: This is a reference to document 196: Lista de fundaciones de los misioneros (1625-1660) y nombres de los superiores, I was unable to find it in CCD.XIIIa or CCD.XIIIb, so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). January 16: Vincent was named Royal Chaplain to the Galleys and was able to delegate his authority and rights to the superior of the house in Marseilles (CCD.II:567:note 2; CCD.XIIIa:337-338). January 31: Jean-François-Paul de Gondi was ordained in November 1643, and was consecrated on this date as the coadjutor of Paris (CCD:II:442, note 2). February 20: Vincent obtained permission to rebuild the enclosure walls of Saint Lazare (CCD.II:589:note 3). February-March: Vincent planned to send missionaries to Barcelona [Toledo in 1658, Plasencia in 1660] (CCD.II:498-499; 502; 507; 520-521). April 20: The Archbishop of Paris officially erected the seminary of the priestly community of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet. The statutes are dated 1631 but the seminary was actually begun in 1612. June 7: Vincente handed over the body of J.H. de Buddes who had been buried in Saint-Lazare the previous year (OC.X:150 [Translator's note: This is a reference to document 54: San Vicente devuelve los restos mortales del Mariscal Guebriant, I was unable to find it in CCD.XIIIa or CCD.XIIIb, so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). June 14: Louis XIV approved the donation that Louis XIII had left to Vincent: 64,000 livres for the missions, of which 24,000 livres was set aside for the foundation at Sedan where thirteen houses were bought for children. The Ladies of Charity payed 1300 livres annually for the upkeep of these houses and Saint-Lazare payed 800 (CCD.XIIIa:339-341). July-September: Vincent was gravely ill. Monsieur Dufour offered himself to God and died (CCD.II:530:note 2; SWLM:116). July 28: Brother Bertrand Ducournau entered the Congregation. Vincent made him secretary in 1645. The first letter written by Brother Ducournau was that of May 3, 1645. (CCD.III:8:note 1). Notices, 377: He was so filled with the many things that he wanted to say about our most blessed Father, that if he had not written them, I believe he would have exploded. September-October: Vincent traveled to Richelieu, Fontainebleau, Chartres, Freneville and Orsigny (CCD.II:526-537; 551:note 1). September 29: A house is established in Montmirail (CCD:II:674, note 2). September: This missionaries in Rome moved into a house on Bufalo Street and attempted to buy it. (CCD.II:426; 505; 551-553). November 29: A house was established at Saintes (OC.X:562 [Translator's Note: This is a reference to document 196: Lista de fundaciones de los misioneros (1625-1660) y nombres de los superiores, I was unable to find it in CCD.XIIIa or CCD. XIIIb, so I simply cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]). December 22: Vincent accepted the contract-donation of a little farm that was offered to him by M. and Mlle. Norais (CCD.II:538:note 6; CCD.III:397-399; CCD.VII:265-266). Monsieur Almeras translated the book of Jean Busée,
SJ from Latin into French (Coste. [English Edition], III:6-7; Orcajo,
BAC, 121 [Translator's note: I do not have access to this work and so I simply
cite the reference as it appears in the Spanish text]).
Louise de Marillac: 1644 February: Monsieur Lambert once again visited the house of the Daughters in Angers (SWLM:101) March 25: Sister Jeanne Dalmagne died in Paris (Herblay, note 1611 [Translator's note: I do not have access to this work, therefore I simply cite this reference as it appears in the Spanish text]; Conferences to the Daughters of Charity, On the Virtues of Sister Jeanne Dalmagne, [January 15, 1645], 160-179). June 30: The seal of the Daughters of Charity was engraved with the words The charity of Christ urges us (CCD.II:512-413 [Translator's note: the Spanish text makes reference to these pages but once again I do not understand why so I simply cite the cross-reference as it appears in the English edition of the complete works of Vincent]). October 14-17: Louise made a pilgrimage to Chartres
and consecrated the Daughters of Charity to the Virgin of Chartres. This
was done on Monday, October 17 (CCD.II:526-527:note 3; SWLM:121-122).
There is a great difference between being Catholic and being just (CCD.II:495-496 [I have been unable to find this exact quote on these pages. I have translated the Spanish text and given the cross reference but again, these exact words I could not find]). I do not hold that the long coat is much more effective in keeping them from evil (CCD.II:513). Nature has its own ways of acting, art has its rules, and the Holy See its precautions (CCD.II:515). We are not sufficiently virtuous to be able to carry
the burden of abundance and that of apostolic virtue and I fear we may
never be, and that the former may ruin the latter (CCD.II:517-518).
So our good God wills you [Vincent] to be ill. May He be forever blessed! However, He also wills that for His love, you manifest the same charity toward your body as you would toward the body of a poor person. If I dared, my Most Honored Father, I would go so far as to tell you that He absolutely wills you to do so (SWLM:102). You teach me a great lesson .... by desiring God to change things from which you could derive satisfaction into crosses. It seems to me that this is a powerful means for us to purify our intentions in the unknown circumstances that await us (SWLM:107). Monsieur Vincent has seen your letters. He does not approve of the title AReverend Mother.@ Oh my dear Sisters, we are not the ones who should be using such terms! That is why I urge you to speak more simply (SWLM:111). I know that we all have faults and I more than anyone. However, the support we owe to one another should prevent us from noticing the weaknesses of our sisters, except if we are able to help them (SWLM:112). Where are the gentleness and charity that you must preserve so carefully when dealing with our dear masters, the sick poor? If we deviate in the slightest from the conviction that they are the members of Jesus Christ, it will infallibly lead to the weakening of these beautiful virtues in us (SWLM:113). This my dear Sisters, is what it means to be a true Daughter of Charity, for the mark of charity in a soul is, among all other virtues, this ability to put up with everything (SWLM:114). So you are offended when the Fathers of the Poor humiliate you in front of your masters, the poor. Do not give them cause to do so. Do everything so well that they will find nothing to criticize (SWLM:115). I know, my dear Sister, that is very difficult for us to carry out our responsibilities well, but God who has given them to us will not deny us (SWLM:116). Look upon yourself as the beast of burden of the house, the one who must carry the entire load. This you will be when you treat all our sisters with great forbearance and gentleness, often overlooking their faults so as to keep your own before your eyes, warning them charitably of their failings when it will be most beneficial for them (SWLM:118). Oh how relieved I would be if I could make known my fears! They all end in the dread of being abandoned by God, which I have often merited (SWLM:120). Translated by Charles T. Plock, C.M. |
