From Sister Marie-Dosithée Guérin to her brother Isidore.
V+J.
From our Mother of Le Mans
the 27 December 1862
Dear brother
How happy I am to be able to write to you because I believe it does you good and consoles you, it seems to me that you really need consolation being so far from your family and leading such a new kind of life, you who until now you have been surrounded by the care and solicitude of your parents, you are going to find yourself quite alone in the midst of this modern Babylon; it is true that I am often there in spirit, because you hardly get out of my mind: I fear, I hope, I pray, and I await the outcome of all this, because I do not know where it will lead ( Isidore has been enrolled since mid-December at the School of Pharmacy in Paris), finally I have great confidence that the Blessed Virgin will protect you; you belong to him, so you have to live in such a way as to merit his protection. He. it is true that you are in the midst of corruption and impiety, but always remember the instructions of your holy Mother, of her faith and her *[1v°] virtues, I am quite sure that she prays well for his dear child. I remember with happiness that shortly before her death (Mme Louise Guérin, born on 11‑7‑1804, in Pré‑en‑Pail (Orne), had died on September 9, 1859, rue Saint‑Blaise in Alençon) I I wrote to her that it was impossible for a child of so many prayers to perish, she was completely consoled and filled with confidence; I also always heard her say that she wouldn't let you go to Paris alone to finish your studies and that she would accompany you; I think she keeps her word and that she will always protect you, guide you and pray for you, I advise you to have recourse to her in your needs, I am sure that she will help you.
I wish you a happy new year, I don't think you doubt it. We cannot know what will happen to us during the course of this year, finally it will only happen to us what the good God wills, what I want is that he bless you and make you happy in this world and in the other, finally happy like me, that says it all.
I don't know if you've heard from Zélie, that poor sister isn't very healthy *[2 r°]; therefore go and recommend her to ND des Victoires, ask her to give him health for his New Year's gifts. Your little goddaughter (Pauline) is fine now she is doing better, when you see her she will be all tall and reasonable. Zélie says she's charming, that she looks like baby Jesus. Alas my dear child I often imagine your childhood, you were so pretty and so innocent that I would like you better small than big.
You will not forget me with my uncle (Ambroise Guérin, to whom this letter is addressed, "in little Ivry near Paris". Mr. Isidore Guérin senior had six brothers and sisters. Ambroise was the 6th of 7 children. He had married Julienne Savary (+ 21-3-1878) and was to die without children on April 4, 1880) and from my aunt I thank them for all the kindness they have for you.
Farewell my very dear brother I embrace you with all my heart and wish you all the blessings of heaven, write to me and mark me all the smallest details of your life, if you knew how much they interest me; Above all, do not allow yourself to follow all the bad examples that surround you on all sides.
I embrace you, your loving sister
Sr. M. Dosithee Guérin
of the Von Ste Marie
DSB
