Election of Mother Claude Marie d’Ailly 1653.
The two triennials of our Very Honored Mother Claude Marie Dauvaine having ended, we elected in 1653 our Most Honored Mother Claude Marie d’Ailly, professed of this House. She walked in the footsteps of those who had preceded her, working continually and with all her power to procure the spiritual and temporal good of this Community. God, who knew the uprightness of spirit and purity of intention of this dear Mother, inspired the Very Honored Mother Marie-Madeleine Framery, Superior of our Monastery of Meaux, to give her the same charity as that of Melun, which had given us only a few years before; for although this first charity had done us much good, it was not sufficient for our needs.
Two Sisters from Meaux also came to help this Monastery.
Two of her dearest daughters had the courage to sacrifice to the charity, the sweetness and consolation they enjoyed in their house of profession, where they were much loved and esteemed, to come and share our poverty, and relieve it of their dowries, which were used to pay the rest of our debts. These dear Sisters were named Marie Agnes the King, and Helen Angelica the Great; the latter was accompanied by her sister, a fervent one who was named Sister Louise Catherine. All three were great nuns, and rendered many services to our Community where they died in a holy way. They were so well supplied with linen, clothes, books, and other things, that the services of the house were accommodated, and they began to breathe a little more easily.
The Governess’s affection for the Community
Madame la Maréchale, Duchesse de Scombert, herself brought us our charitable Sisters. This virtuous lady, who was governess of the city of Metz, sometimes honored us with her visits, which she accompanied with her benefices, following her example, the ladies who entered with her, gave us some alms. One day, Monsieur le Maréchal wanted to come in and see our house; as he visited all the offices, he entered the shoemaker’s shop, where one of our venerable elders was mending old shoes; he took pleasure in seeing her work, and wishing to pay her for this amusement, the next day he had leather bought and sent to her.