(Brooklyn, New York: New City Press, 1991)

Louise's Illumination Experience

On the Feast of Pentecost, during holy Mass or while I was praying in the church, my mind was instantly freed of all doubt.

I was advised that I should remain with my husband and that a time would come when I would be in a position to make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and that I would be in a small community where others would do the same. I then understood that I would be in a place where I could help my neighbor but I did not understand how this would be possible since there was to be so much coming and going.

I was also assured that I should remain at peace concerning my director; that God would give me one whom He seemed to show me. It was repugnant to me to accept him, nevertheless, I acquiesced. It seemed to me that I did not yet have to make this change.

My third doubt was removed by the inner assurance I felt that it was God who was teaching me these things and that, believing there is a God, I should not doubt the rest.

I have always believed that I received this grace from the Blessed Bishop of Geneva because, before his death, I had greatly desired to communicate these trials to him and because since that time, I have had great devotion to him and have received many graces through him. On that occasion, I had a reason for believing this to be so, although I cannot now remember it.

(Feast of Pentecost, June 4, 1623).

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On Suffering

"My very dear Sisters, you have indeed suffered great trials. However, have you stopped to consider that it is only right that the servants of the poor should suffer with their masters? Oh, how obliged we are often to reflect upon this! Let us make every effort to acquire the virtues that God expects of us in thanksgiving for the graces God's goodness lavishes upon us every day. In the name of God, I beg you to strive to cultivate solid virtue, especially humility and gentleness."

(February 17, 1652).

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Openness to God's Grace

"I beg God to grant you all the graces you need to become great saints, believing as I do that you are unstinting in your efforts to correspond with them. I beg God to grant you the strength you need to cope with the heavy demands of your work and I am in His most holy love, my Sister, your very humble Sister and very loving servant..."

(May 13, 1659).

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Louise's Spiritual Testament

"My dear sisters, I continue to ask God for His blessings for you and pray that God will grant you the grace to persevere in your vocation in order to serve God in the manner asked of you.

Take good care of the service of the poor. Above all, live together in great union and cordiality, loving one another in imitation of the union and life of Christ.

Pray earnestly to the Blessed Virgin, that she may be your only Mother!"

(Recorded by the Sisters at Louise's death bed, March 15, 1660).

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On Gratitude

"Our interior conversation with God should consist in the continuous remembrance of God's holy presence. When pleasant things happen to us or when our undertakings succeed as we wish them to, before abandoning ourselves to the joy of the moment, let us glance interiorly toward God with thanks for His mercy, since it is God's love alone which affords us this consolation. Therefore, let us accept it in this light by an act of love. We must develop the practice of making frequent acts of the desire to know God and ourselves...."