In this excerpt from the Circular letter to the Sisters in 1842, accompanying the first ecclesiastical approval, Fr Jean-Baptiste Debrabant exhorts them toward "helping and supporting each other in genuine charity.
“God will examine your true interior humility and submission; He will know whether or not you have charity. Train yourselves, therefore to become “interior” souls; learn to love recollection, prayer, examine of conscience; study your holy Rule, practice simplicity, mortification; Study your Holy Rule constantly and observe all its articles. Read and re-read constantly the opening chapters of the section of the 'common rule' this describes for you the principal virtues of your Institute.
Oh, beautiful simplicity, oh, gentle spirit of holy obedience; charity, celestial virtue: recollection; may these virtues be engraved on the heart of all my very dear Sisters of La Sainte Union, so that all may become acceptable to Jesus and Mary, by forming together but one heart and one soul, helping and supporting each other in genuine charity.
Yes, my very dear daughters love each other sincerely; cherish all your sisters so completely in your heart that it will always be a great joy to receive those who come to you from other houses of the Institute, either as passing visitors or as new members of your community. In this way you will express the sentiments of a true Religious of La Sainte Union, by your friendliness, your kindness and your joyful eagerness to provide all that is useful and helpful for your sisters whom you love in Jesus and Mary.
May this happy union so unite every house that all may see there but one heart, one spirit and one will, as was the case with the Holy Family of Nazareth. Therefore, love each other, my very dear children; I will repeat this to you a thousand times.
Love each other for the love of God who loves you with an infinite love, and whom we must love with all our strength. Charity is the basis of our life both here and in Paradise. Lack of charity means death in time and in eternity”.
From the Circular Letter in the form of a historical account of the origin, trials and progress of the Congregation of the Holy Union of the Sacred Hearts — Addressed by the Founder to all the Religious Sisters, on the occasion of the ecclesiastical approval, April 8, 1842
Love each other for the love of God who loves you with an infinite love, and whom we must love with all our strength. Charity is the basis of our life both here and in Paradise. Lack of charity means death in time and in eternity.