Letters written in 1847
To Mother Marguerite-Dorothée Beaubien, General Hospital of the Grey Nuns, Montreal
Bytown, January 11, 1847
My very dear Mother,
Had I found an opportunity, you would not have preceded me. Your good letter was a felt delight; I admired your charity in always remembering your daughters in Bytown, they who write to you so little. It is true that there is not much time, and the tasks are so numerous, but notwithstanding, my dear Mother, you always live in the heart of each of your daughters and of your granddaughters. Our postulants all know your story and they will share it with those who will follow after them. I thank you with all my heart for your good wishes. I ask you to place us all in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Sister St. Joseph gave you our news probably better than I would be able to do in this letter. We need two or three educated postulants, we have already requested them from St. Joseph, our good Father, and he still has not sent them. I ask you to help us obtain them. This good Father never refuses us anything, but at times, he wants us to plead with him. I believe you know that our Father Telmon has purchased twenty-four lots for us, of which twelve are all of one piece.
There is talk of a Bishop for Bytown. Pray, my dear Mother, so that we may keep our dear Father Telmon. We would lose so much in losing him. I know you always pray much for us, but I especially request prayers for our good Father and for several good postulants.
Here we live in true unity; we are quite happy and the work is never lacking. We now have a lovely and prayerful little chapel. Sister Assistant asks that you forgive her silence; you know that she does not write with ease. She embraces you wholeheartedly and asks to be remembered in your prayers. My other companions share the same feelings. Sister Rivet wrote to you before New Year’s Day, her letter is included with this one.
I am always, my dearly-loved Mother,
Your loving daughter,
Sister E. Bruyère