Letters written in 1847
To the Most Honourable Mother McMullen, Superior of the Sisters of Charity, General Hospital, Montreal
General Hospital of Bytown, April 26, 1847
My very dear Mother,
We finished our retreat very happy, with the hope of doing better. Sr. Rodriguez did not make hers because she was sick; if she is able, she will enter into retreat with Srs. Curran, Normant and Dube. The latter two will take the habit with Sr. Curran.
Sister Assistant is not longer in charge of the men’s ward, she is the first visitor to the sick and the needy with Sr. Xavier. The latter also takes care of the dining room and the linens. Sr. Pigeon cares for the orphan girls and Sr. Dube is in the men’s ward. Sr. Rivet came down from the Novitiate these days; we will begin to form a small Community; until now, I have been alone.
The Hospital for the immigrants will be built on our land and two Sisters will care for them. We are being given 12/6 per week for each patient; the medicine, the wine and the fruits, as well as the burial expenses will be paid separately. Our Father has received this week an answer to his petition of last summer to the Ordnance, it would seem that we will receive the land requested, that is, seven double lots.
It is impossible for us to obtain here the crosses and rings needed for the Sisters who will make profession this year. I ask you to have a cross and a ring made for Sr. Hagan and Sr. St. Peter, the latter giving us solid hopes. I am quite sure she will make profession with Sr. Hagan. As for Sr. St. Peter’s ring, through Mr. Curran, I will send you the one belonging to Sr. Rodriguez, which fits her well. Sr. Hagan can bring it when she returns. I would prefer that Sr. Hagan not be aware that you are having a cross, etc. made for her. I ask you to send me her invoice separately to be paid by her parents; please also give her a dress and petticoat made of plain serge, small sleeves, two capes and 6 black headdresses, a large headdress.
We pray for all our dear Sisters and in particular for our good Mother. Our profound respects to our dear Father Larre whom we await after the retreats along with our good Father Superior. You also are expected, our dear Mother, as soon as we have a Bishop, or sooner if that delays. I have noted all that we cannot fulfill in our rules because of our present circumstance. I am not sending them to you because it would be easier for you to settle that here on site, rather than in Montreal.
I am in my last year, thank God. With our good Master’s grace, I will have the joy of passing the leadership on to another who would, I hope, do so much better than I: I curb the joy I have in thinking of this for I could well die this summer or at any time; that is what stops me and forces me to wait with indifference the moment when I will be freed from my chains.
Farewell, good Mother, I embrace you as well as all our Sisters. My founder McNulty came last week to find out if you had written to Mr. Marcoux. Please send us some Lily and Tulip bulbs through Mr. Curran, as well as other plants, if you wish, such as Lilacs, Acacia, Willow, snowballs, etc. etc.
Your devoted and respectful daughter,
Sr. É. Bruyère
Please have one or the other of our Sisters wear the rings that you are having made so that if they tarnish you can have them refinished.
Your child,
É. B.