Letters of Maria Celeste:

17 August 1623

Most Illustrious Lord Father

This morning I learned from our steward that you find yourself ill in Florence, Sire: and because it sounds to me like something outside your normal behavior to leave home when you are troubled by your pains, I am filled with apprehension, and fear that you are in much worse condition than usual.

Therefore I beseech you to send news of yourself via this steward, so that, if you are not faring as badly as we fear, we can calm our anxious spirits. And truly I never take notice of living cloistered as a nun, except when I hear that you are sick, because then I would like to be free to come to visit and care for you with all the diligence that I could muster. But even though I cannot, I thank the Lord God for everything, knowing full well that not a leaf turns without His willing it so.

If there is anything you need, and you will only tell us what it is, we shall never fail to try to fulfill it in the very best way we know how. Meanwhile we continue, as is our custom, to pray the Lord for your coveted health, and ask that He grant you His holy grace. And I close with loving regards to you from all of us, with all our hearts.

From San Matteo, the 17th day of August 1623.

Most affectionate daughter,
S. M. Celeste