"DIRECTORS OF CONSCIENCES."
(TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")
you permit a Catholic priest to recall your readers' attention to a passage in the review of the "Life of St. Jane Frances," which appeared in your number of the 21st September Speaking of Friar Minim, the director of St. Jane Frances, your reviewer says :—" He made her bind herself to him by four vows, —the first, a simple vow of obedience ; the second, not to speak to others of the details of his direction ; the third, never to leave- him ; and the fourth, to speak to no one but himself of her interior- state. It is true these vows seem to have lain but lightly upon. her, when the director seen in her vision once appeared, but what of a system under which such vows are not only permitted, but- commended ? "
The gravity of a passage like the above, in the present temper of European society, cannot be exaggerated. That part of the Catholic priest's office which consists of spiritual direction is quite sufficiently under the ban of the modern spirit without being made- answerable for apocryphal tyranny. In default of more competent witnesses, I have no hesitation in saying that such vows as Friar Minim (according to your reviewer) caused Jane Frances to take- are not only not ' commended ' by the Catholic system,' but are ' not even permitted.' And as regards the two last, which are the most important as safeguards of despotism, I will add that Friar- Minim grossly misconducted himself in imposing such promises, and unless I am greatly mistaken, thereby subjected himself to. suspension from the office of director. But it may be said, at all events the acknowledged power of the director is clearly open to.
serious abuse. The conduct of Jane Frances, herself the most obedient of women, is a sufficient answer to this objection. Her- vows "sat lightly upon her" when the new director appeared,— that is, such vows are, to the meanest capacity, entirely null and void.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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