From Sister Marie‑Dosithée to Mr. and Mrs. Guérin. May 26, 1872.
V. + J.
From our Mother of Le Mans
the 26 Mai 1872
My Dear Brother, and my dear Sister,
You are going to call me lazy, you expected a quicker response, but I am counting on my forgiveness, which I am about to obtain easily because of your kindness and because I rarely fall into this fault having the habit of answering following.
I see with sorrow that my sister-in-law is recovering with difficulty; I agree with Isidore, I believe that if you could stay in the country for a while you would do very well; for me, I have unlimited confidence in the great outdoors, it has done me so much good and even saved my life, that I would gladly recommend it to everyone; it would also strengthen the little girls. See the children of the countryside how strong they are despite their bad food, it's because work and fresh air replace better [1v°] food. I also believe that sea bathing will do you a lot of good (stay in Trouville) and that you will end up recovering completely. As for the pleasure of seeing you, we don't know if it's for this year, we live in such extraordinary times that we can't count on anything except misfortunes, but in the end God is there, and after all it won't happen. that what he wants, the malice of men may be great, they will not go beyond what they will be allowed; I believe that if they were free to do what they wanted it would be universal destruction, and although God allows man to act to chastise him, he nevertheless puts a brake on it and protects those who hope in him according to the degree of their trust. “Cast your care in the Lord and he will feed you” (Ps 54:23).
We had a visit from Zélie, her husband, and little Céline on Pentecost Monday (May 20); they were happy with their children. Mary is now part of the Congregation of the Holy Angels and if she wants to work carefully this year to reform what is defective in her, she can be a child of Mary next year, but I doubt she can do her first communion in a few weeks, pray for her so that she gets ready for it; she is frivolous but she has a good heart; I think she will write to you for this time, it's a pity you can't be there, but there's no way to think about it. The older ones will have a retreat preached by a Capuchin Father during the octave of the Sacred Heart. This retreat [2 r°] takes place every year both for the current residents and for the former ones who take great pleasure in returning; for me, who is always wild, I always dread this period a little, I find myself quite intimidated and disconcerted to meet these tall young girls; finally, as one must not be selfish, I am nevertheless delighted with the good that results from it, one often sees small conversions there, such a child who before was dissipated and disobedient suddenly changes and turns to the side of devotion and this are not passing devotions, but epoch-making in their lives. Here is Marie, tall and thoughtful, this retirement will do her good.
I must tell you, dear sister, of your little gem of a child (Jeanne), but she is charming! and you must be happy with your two little angels, raise them well and you will have much consolation. Tell him that his aunt from Le Mans loves him and that she will never forget her little Jeanne. I really hope that the good Lord will complete the joy of the family by restoring perfect health to the dear little mother. In short, my dear friends, you have many thanksgivings to give to God because you are visibly blessed, except for the misfortunes that have happened to you, but these are inevitable accidents in life and to which you must resign yourself.
I'm doing quite well at the moment, although I've had enough trouble getting through the spring this year, but here comes the heat and I'll be perfectly fine, it's no wonder that I sometimes feel small discomforts that are very little.
The consecration of our diocese to the Sacred Heart will take place shortly, we are very happy about it, soon all of France will be consecrated to it and then there is reason to hope that all the calamities which [2v°] afflict us will cease, but for that we would have to pray more than we do, for us, let's do what we can.
While waiting for the happiness of seeing you, I embrace you from the bottom of my heart.
Your loving sister
Sr. M. Dosithee Guérin
From the Von Ste Marie. .
D.S:B.
