From Sister Marie‑Dosithée Guérin to Mr. and Mrs. Guérin. May 15, 1870.
V. + J.
From our Mother of Le Mans
the 15 Mai 1870
My dear brother and my dear sister,
Your dear little letter gave me great pleasure, although I heard from you through Zélie who told me that Isidore had intended to come and see me during his trip to Alencon (in April); but I beg you, my dear friend, to put an end to your regrets: neither of us would be any further ahead now and it would have pained me to see you wear yourself out by prolonging your journey; I am very happy to see you, but on condition that you do not suffer from it; otherwise for a long time, sometimes more than six months, this thought of not having seen you as well as I would have liked and in suffering, pursues me everywhere; that is why I had asked Zélie not to urge my venerable father to come and see me again, because I noticed that the conditions in which he saw me were always very painful to him and that was so sensitive to me that I I still feel bad about it when I think about it.
[lv°] For the matter you are talking to me about, you understand very well that I cannot give you advice, I don't know anything about it, but what I do is to pray, I have started a novena at Ne‑De du Sacré-Coeur which will end on Sunday: many of our sisters are kind enough to join me, and I assure you that I have no doubt that things are going very well; but it is not said that to go well you will conclude your market (The market will be concluded on May 16), perhaps it would not be appropriate: but you see I am very confident that since you continue the little charity that you started, Ne-De du Sacré-Coeur will be favorable to you and things will be done for the best. I also advise you in a matter of this importance to promise either alms or some good work so that things succeed as it should either conclude or give up this affair.
You will receive a Photograph of your Malagasy (according to the then widespread custom, the Guérins had "bought" a Malagasy, by paying an offering of 5 F to support his Christian education and his baptism), we asked for them, it may take be still some time; but I warn you that he is not very handsome, I saw him, having chosen him from a [2 r°] group; we also asked for a letter but I don't know if he knows how to write; finally he will learn, and sooner or later we will receive some.
My health is still good and very good, I spent the winter admirably, the good Lord still does not want me; you have to work a little longer, time passes quickly, eternity will soon arrive. I cannot help shuddering at seeing my dear little brother with what ardor you devote yourself to the affairs of the world, I fear that this will make you forget the great and unique affair, the one we should have most at heart. -and yet the most neglected; Finally try to think about it.
I also have a small reproach to make to you; but I'm wrong it's not a reproach because I'm convinced that you did it for the best. When I saw my poor sister (Friday, April 29), she was still quite saddened by what you had told her that she had not taken good care of her little Hélène; I am convinced of one thing, it is that it was the will of God that she should die because in the end the disease was not known from the start, the doctor saw only weakness and his prescriptions [2 v°] were limited to tonics; it is true that it was quite difficult to know it was not characterized enough and when the symptoms appeared it was too late. That's what poor Zélie says herself, do you see the best doctors are wrong, when the good Lord wants something he doesn't allow us to remedy it. So I beg you my dear brother, try to go very slowly in the little reproaches that you think it useful to make to him; but I think she doesn't deserve it, all I can say is that she is a very unhappy mother, she is also in a position that requires precautions. (in the sixth month of her eighth maternity) and moreover, there had just been a debacle at her house which had been very painful to her (the sale of the jewelry to Mr. Martin's nephew, in April), finally all that I can to say is that life is not sweet to her and that she will die without having known happiness). You both love each other very much, and I know you can't see each other without teasing each other, I'm telling you this because you're stronger and because of that you have more control over yourself, so that, in the brief moments that you will be with her, you say and do as she wishes [3 r°] once again it is not to hurt you that I am telling you this because you know very well that you love her a lot as well as all your people.
I bless the Lord that my sister-in-law is better, it didn't worry me, but it pained me to see this dear sister suffer, whom I love with all my heart, you see, I am made like this, your sufferings become mine; but finally I hope that after the test will come the consolation and that you will be blessed in your children and your businesses but make good works, I could not engage you too much there, that is completely necessary. You ask me what you owe me, first it's not in a hurry, I asked you for 20 frs worth of medicine and sent 5 frs worth of stamps; then Zélie must have given you 10 frs that I had sent her, now you only owe me 5 frs, since I had paid myself Malagasy by only giving you 15 frs out of the 20 frs that I owed you.
If you could give me or cause to be given news of your affair as soon as it is finished; by then my mind will be in suspense.
[3 r° tv]. I embrace you with all my heart as well as my dear little niece; my little girls kiss you too.
Sr. M. Dosithee Guérin
of the Von Ste Marie.
DSB
