Libr@rsi

I 1656-58] RELA TION OF 1637-58 273
of her heart and the thanks that she gave us all.
If she reveled in the joy of this favor, our little Com-
munity felt no less delight at having given its holy
garb to the first Savage girl of these regions who
ever had the happiness to enter a Religious order.
But we did not long possess her on earth ;
for God,
choosing to pluck this first- fruit, which was already
ripe, suffered her ailment to bring her to the point
of death. Her Nurse, who never left her night or
day, notified me of this, and I immediately caused
the last Sacrament to be administered, which she
received with a mind fixed solely on God. Accord-
ing to custom, she asked forgiveness of all the
Community present, with the sentiments of a true
daughter of mercy; and offered, without ceasing,
many [loi] excellent acts of the highest virtue, to
which she was from time to time prompted.
made every one retire except the Superior,
She
who
asked her whether she would like to take the vows
of the holy profession. Our dear patient answered
her discreetly that it would be a great favor to her,
but that she did not deserve it and dared not ask it ;
yet, if it were granted her, her joy would be com-
plete. The Superior, judging that she had still some
time to live, did not hasten, but allowed that day to
pass. On the following, however, which was Saturday,
seeing that she was nearing her end, she said
to her :
*
My dear Sister, do you wish to take the
vows?' Then our dying innocent, as if awaking,
exclaimed with eagerness, '
Ah, what a passionate
desire I have for that
'
!
privilege Thus the Mother
was obliged to let her take the vows ; and in the
same instant she fell into the death-agony. Our
Community was summoned, and with admiration