From Sister Marie‑Dosithée Guérin to Mme Martin. May 29, 1869.
V. + J.
From our Mother of Le Mans
My dear sister,
If you don't absolutely want to come on Monday, I would prefer that you delay (sic) your trip for eight days; I had a cold again this week, I think I would be a bit tired if I stayed in the parlor for a long time, but don't worry, it's nothing; the doctor says I'll only have it for two or three days, I'm already much better and I wouldn't have written it without another circumstance which made me think that you would have regretted coming so soon; it is that probably Mary will make her first communion at the Visitation. I went to speak last Tuesday to Mr Boulangé, our chaplain, I read to him what you had written to me about your fears, that the importance [1v°] of such a great action, telling him however that you free to act as he wishes. He told me the reasons he had for having 9-year-old children make communion. It seems that the Holy Father (Pius IX.) wrote to the bishops of France to tell them that children should be made to communicate when they have reached the age of reason, that Our Lord took possession of these innocent hearts before the passions are developed, and that it is not so much to understand as to love that NS desires. There is nothing decided for Marie. Mr. Boulangé will only give a definitive answer 10 or 12 days before (Marie will make her first communion on July 2), in order to see the attention and the piety that she will put into preparing herself.
For me, I believe that the good Lord will enter her little heart with pleasure, this poor child does everything she can, she enters into everything I tell her, does practices of mortification in the refectory, because she was very difficult ; well, until then I'll see her almost every day and follow her closely; also write to her as often as you can so that she doesn't miss any help (encourage her to apply herself, she leaves a lot to be desired on this)
I'm not very happy with Pauline, she's lazy and dissipated, send her a little letter when you have the chance to write. Tell him that you [2r°]....)
I forgot to ask you for Marie's baptism certificate. Farewell dear sister, I still have many things to tell you but it will be for your next trip: also expect to be scolded, I have learned several things from you which deserve it.
Kiss my brother-in-law and the children well for me.
Your loving sister
Sr. M. Dosithee Guérin
From the Von Ste Marie
DSB
