A letter to Comte Jacques Bougidure

[lechat]

Comte Jacques Bougidure



My esteemed Lord,

I do apologise for the brevity and suddenness of this letter.

However, I must inform you that I have been called on a Mission to do the work of our Lord for the foreseeable future.  Much as I have enjoyed the opportunity you gave me to oversee your delightful little chapel at Chevreuse, I am afraid I will not be able to continue my ministry there while I am away.  And while I would dearly like to return to it should I survive, may I suggest that the needs of your peasants come first, and that if you happen to meet any other diligent young priests over the coming weeks, perhaps they would be in a better position than i to provide those needs.

It has been my honour to serve you in some way, and I hope to do so again.

Your humble servant

Father Gerard Chatten
Curate of Sens
Acting Abbe of Chevreuse
Regimental Chaplain Royal Foot Guards
Missionary

[Jacques Bougiedure]

Father Gerard,

I am delighted to hear that you will be joining the expedition to West Africa departing at the beginning of June! The trip promises great adventure and riches to those that accompany the expedition. Indeed, were it not for my duties as Controller General of Finances for His Most Christian Majesty, Louis XIII, King of France and Navarre, I should accompany the expedition myself.

I shall endeavour to find another priest to minister to the flock in Chevreuse in your absence but rest assured that the living is yours upon your triumphal return from taking God’s Word to the heathens of darkest Africa.

I look forward to reading your report in La Voix de Paris.

In Service to God,
Sieur Jacques Bougiedure
Comte de Chevreuse