I was appointed also to wash up the
dishes, to scour the saucepans, to draw water from a deep well, to carry
each sister's pitcher to its proper place, and to scrub the tables in
the refectory. From these occupations I got on in time to making rope
shoes for the sisterhood, and to taking care of the great clock of the
convent; this last employment requiring me to pull up three immensely
heavy weights regularly every day. Seven years of my life passed in
this hard work, and I can honestly say that I never murmured over it.
To return, however, to the period of my admission into the convent.
After three months of probation, I took the veil on the twentieth of
January, seventeen hundred and twenty-five. The Archbishop did me the
honour to preside at the ceremony; and, in spite of the rigour of the
season, all Lyons poured into the church to see me take the vows. I was
deeply affected; but I never faltered in my resolution. I pronounced
the oaths with a firm voice, and with a tranquillity which astonished
all the spectators,--a tranquillity which has never once failed me since
that time.
Such is the story of my conversion. Providence sent me into the world
with an excellent nature, with a true heart, with a remarkable
susceptibility to the influence of estimable sentiments. My parents
neglected my education, and left me in the world, destitute of
everything but youth, beauty, and a lively temperament.
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