Carondelet, 6 February 1838
Monseigneur:
I have the honor of writing to you to inform you of several things connected with our institution. It seems to me that the last time I had the honor of speaking to you, you told me that nothing must be done contrary to our rule. For this reason I beg Your Lordship to let me know if I may permit my Sisters to write to the pastor [Father Saulnier] or if I must say nothing of the matter, for they never ask permission. This happens very often. It seems to me that if they have something to say, they can go to the confessional. I believe you told me that he was not our superior and that, but for confession, we have nothing to do with him. Will Your Lordship permit me to beg you to send us an extraordinary confessor. I believe that would be a great good.
Allow me, Monseigneur, to ask a great favor. This favor is to relieve me of the office of superior. You would give me great pleasure, because I see it is impossible for me to discharge the duties which that office imposes and to satisfy the Sisters. To satisfy them would mean to let them do all that they wish. They complain that I govern them too strictly. Forgive me if I have taken a liberty in telling you all this. I believe it is necessary for my peace of soul. I firmly resolve to address myself to you in whatever may happen and always to do what you wish.
Your Excellency, we have here Monsieur le Brun. He is in a very sad condition. His leg hurts greatly. He fears being a charge to us. He worries a great deal, for he sees we are not rich. Furthermore, Monsieur Saulnier [Pastor of Sts. Mary and Joseph Parish] wrote him a letter which hurt him very much, saying that he embarrassed us. Far from that, we would desire to do more for the good old man, who is so easy to please and who will probably be sick the rest of his life. He is preparing to return to St. Louis to finish the winter.
Receive, Monseigneur, the very humble respects of her who is with the highest regard,
Your humble and submissive servant,
Sister Marie Delphine Fontbonne
Letter to Bishop Rosati
Translated from the French
Monseigneur:
I have the honor of writing to you to inform you of several things connected with our institution. It seems to me that the last time I had the honor of speaking to you, you told me that nothing must be done contrary to our rule. For this reason I beg Your Lordship to let me know if I may permit my Sisters to write to the pastor [Father Saulnier] or if I must say nothing of the matter, for they never ask permission. This happens very often. It seems to me that if they have something to say, they can go to the confessional. I believe you told me that he was not our superior and that, but for confession, we have nothing to do with him. Will Your Lordship permit me to beg you to send us an extraordinary confessor. I believe that would be a great good.
Allow me, Monseigneur, to ask a great favor. This favor is to relieve me of the office of superior. You would give me great pleasure, because I see it is impossible for me to discharge the duties which that office imposes and to satisfy the Sisters. To satisfy them would mean to let them do all that they wish. They complain that I govern them too strictly. Forgive me if I have taken a liberty in telling you all this. I believe it is necessary for my peace of soul. I firmly resolve to address myself to you in whatever may happen and always to do what you wish.
Your Excellency, we have here Monsieur le Brun. He is in a very sad condition. His leg hurts greatly. He fears being a charge to us. He worries a great deal, for he sees we are not rich. Furthermore, Monsieur Saulnier [Pastor of Sts. Mary and Joseph Parish] wrote him a letter which hurt him very much, saying that he embarrassed us. Far from that, we would desire to do more for the good old man, who is so easy to please and who will probably be sick the rest of his life. He is preparing to return to St. Louis to finish the winter.
Receive, Monseigneur, the very humble respects of her who is with the highest regard,
Your humble and submissive servant,
Sister Marie Delphine Fontbonne
Letter to Bishop Rosati
Translated from the French
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