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ARMELLE

Armelle was born in 1696, the daughter of George Nicolas, at Campenac in France. The family was poor and every child had to work as soon as able. Armelle sought service in a neighboring town and was much appreciated because of her hard work.
She was unable to read or write, but others read to her. Once, the whole story of the Passion was read to her. “This had an indescribable effect on Armelle who had hitherto known no details at all, only that the Savior had been crucified. Her mind seized on one event after another, her whole soul melted in grief and love, for she seemed to hear interiorly the words: ‘it was love that caused Him to suffer thus.’ . . .One alone filled her horizon, Jesus. Deep repentance and a hatred against all sin filled her heart which at the same time overflowed with the desire to serve Him and to suffer something for Him.”


She had very real struggles with the powers of darkness, but God brought her through. Her mistress at another place of work was very cruel to her, insisting that she keep on working in spite of her ill-health. She endured much ill-treatment, without any complaint or endeavor to explain how ill she felt.
“It seemed to me,” she said, “my sufferings were nothing to what I desired to suffer following the example of Christ. His image was ever before my eyes; as He was instructing me inwardly as a teacher and I was listening to His voice as a pupil, always seeking to learn from Him, I scarcely took heed of how I was treated outwardly. I was shut in with myself; I held on to the divine Love, and did not lose sight of His presence. I conversed with Him, rejoiced to suffer a little for Him, and asked Him for a measure of that patience He showed in His own earthly Life.”
The following sayings are from her biography:
“During my work I talk with Him as with a friend, I love Him and rejoice in Him. Even when my work demands my whole attention my heart is always turned to Him. When the work is finished I hurry back to Him. He taught me that as long as I looked toward Him I should not sin, nor cease to love Him. He gave me a greater desire to fulfill my duties as a domestic servant than to enjoy meditation and prayer. Indeed, I found Him much better at my work than at the wrong time in church. To keep to my converse with God was my real and ceaseless, as it were my only duty, within or beneath all other duties. . . .
“When I consider the great advantages of being a servant I cannot cease to praise God for making me one. No other state in the world would be so dear to me. I can live in it quietly without any taking note of me. Who would think of paying respect to a poor servant? Anyone may rebuke her, look down on her, find fault with what she does or says. Is not that the most excellent school of humility? In what other state could one learn so well? For this reason should not all servants consider themselves fortunate? When servants complain to me of the very things which should help them, I am astonished; I say in my mind, if only you knew how salutary it is to be blamed and despised and kept strictly you would rejoice instead of grieving! But how few know the blessedness of suffering with Christ in being rejected of men and having to bear their contempt.”
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