From Sister Marie-Dosithée Guérin to her brother.
G+J
From our Mother of Le Mans
the 25 December 66
Dear brother
I don't want to let these beautiful Christmas celebrations pass without coming to talk to you for a few moments and at the same time answer your letter.
I am more and more enchanted with our dear Little Céline (Mme Guérin), I find that you are very spoiled by God, although without deserving it very much; I was very happy when you told me that she had received communion for our Mother (Mrs. Guérin mother, died on 9‑9‑1859) on the Day of the Dead, but it also gave me sad thoughts considering that you, who are much more obliged to it, you did not do it. And where are all those beautiful promises that you made to me a while ago, and I still had the simplicity to believe in them! Finally, dear brother, you must *[lv°] nevertheless decide and not remain the only one in the family far from the good Lord. What then, would you like for all eternity to be separated from your charming little companion, from your mother, from your father and from your sisters, that is not admissible; you may be waiting for death, but when you can't take it any longer, it's hardly possible to do such a difficult thing; Assuming you don't die a sudden death.
I think you're going to be very bored with my sermons, and that one fine day you'll send me to graze, but it will come to pass what may, I can't refrain from telling you, it pains me too much .
They say there's a new law that makes you a soldier until you're 50; we only needed that, you will probably leave on the first day (The situation has been tense in Europe since the defeat of the Austrians by the Prussians at Sadowa, 3-7-1866), so tell me what it is is, we live in a very strange century.
I think you have no trouble convincing yourself that I wish you a happy new year. *[2 r°] We know each other well enough to know that it cannot be otherwise, but I assure you that it will be good and very good if you do what I want of you.
Since your visit (in September-October) we have lost one of our Sisters, she ended as I want you and me to end, in the peace of an angel; everyone was in awe of her, when they gave her the last rites, it looked like she was someone else, so calm was she.
Farewell dear and much loved brother, believe that you are still the very dear youngest.
I `m kissing you with all my heart
your loving sister
Sr. Marie Dosithee Guérin
From the Von Ste Marie
DSB
