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Catholic priest (1581-1660) canonized in 1737, known as the patron saint of all works of charity. He had been abducted by the Barbary pirates and held captive as a slave for two years before escaping and returning to France, where he dedicated the rest of his life to alleviating poverty and aiding those who suffer. Scarce LS in French, signed “Vincent de Paul,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 6.5, August 8, 1659. Letter to Jacques Pesnelle, the Superior in Genoa, Italy, touching upon several topics regarding assignments and the governance of the community. In part (translated): "You tell me that, on the advice of M. Jolly, you are going to give a mission in M. [Lejuge’s] birthplace and are taking that good priest with you. Fine! I am very glad of this, and you saw in my previous letters that I asked you to do so. I only hoped that it would not be during this period set aside for your rest…Please let us know how your work is progressing and how you are tolerating the hot weather. We will ask God to give you the strength to support it, in proportion to the need, which will be great.
We must be content with the good will of M. Rodolphe-Maria Brignole, since God is satisfied with it, and be submissive to Providence in the reduction his parents have made of most of his alms to you.
I was consoled to learn of the idea with which God inspired you of proposing one-day retreats to your little community, of their fondness for making them, and of the blessing God has given this. Since God is not dependent on time, He sometimes grants more graces in one day than in eight, and we profit more by short retreats than by long ones because they are more inviting and less wearisome.
We have not included in the Rules many minor practices which are observed—and should be observed —in the Company. It has always been the custom here not to go into the garden outside the time of recreation without permission. We often recommend this, and you should do the same.
I certainly hope that M. Lejuge’s fever has not lingered and that, if he was seriously ill, you did not fail to take good care of them, as we must always do for the consolation and relief of our sick men. We still have a few here in this house, but none of them is seriously ill just now. Since M. Caron wants to leave, it is better for him to go during his [seminary] than after. Nevertheless, you must not pressure him."
De Paul adds a ten-line postscript in his own hand, commenting on that concluding statement: "This good M. Caron has not acted in an upright manner by entering the Company with the idea of leaving it. If you look only at the fact, [is it] just for him [to] leave? He is asking his parents to send him money to return home. What an injustice it would be to have put the Company to so much expense, with the intention of leaving it without any plausible reason. I ask God to forgive him."
In very good to fine condition, with scattered small areas of paper loss, none of which affect Vincent's handwriting.
Published as No. 2935 in the Correspondence of St. Vincent de Paul, Vol. 8, edited by Pierre Coste.
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