Reflection:

1. Angers was a city with bishopric, university and court. Its position near the sea, its river network, its large population and its fertile land were the envy of other cities. The hospital was a mess. It got better when its governess was changed, and with the help of volunteers called the “sisters servants of the sick poor, in a spirit of humility, meekness and Charity.” But this governess died, everything collapsed. Mrs. Goussault asked Vincent to send Daughters of Charity. When they arrived in 1640 “there were about 30 or 40 patients, men and women. The poor of the city did not want to go to the hospital, and if they were forced to go, tried to take their own nightgowns.” The foundation seemed an adventure: it was the first time that the Daughters of Charity were in charge of a hospital, without having beside them the Ladies of Charity (AIC); they were more than 150 miles away from Paris. But it was a success. People said that everything had improved, and the administrators feared that the Sisters would become the owners. So they began to criticize and murmur about them. Saint Louise, aware of this, wrote this letter.
2. Also today we complain without reason about many things in community life, we murmur of the Sisters, our family, criticize our friends, spouses do not endure, there is no respect between parents and children, nor the Sisters among themselves. Often cited as an excuse is familiarity and trust, but favoring oneself.
3. Respect, understanding and tolerance are needed: respect between spouses, parents, children, among friends and the Sisters of the community, so that each one would be what he or she is and what he or she wants to be, without harming anyone, understanding and tolerating others faults and weaknesses, always valuing the positive aspects they have more than the negative.