"When having passed, unharmed, through the most dangerous portion of our route, we returned fervent, heartfelt thanks to our good God, for our preservation. After refreshing ourselves with a cup of coffee, we continued until within fifteen miles of Tucson, when we stopped for a short rest.
"The citizens desired us to remain there all night, as they wished us to enter Tucson in daylight, where a grand reception was in preparation. After considerable reasoning, they became very enthusiastic over the matter, but Father finally succeeded in obtaining their consent for us to enter that night. Four men went in advance, with the joyful tidings of our arrival. We were expected about 6:00 o'clock p.m. and were afterwards informed that the ladies and children had stationed themselves on the housetops, being too modest to mix in the crowd with the men.
"At about three miles from the town we were met by the procession which was headed by four priests on horseback; but as we came in sight, they dismounted, and ran rather than walked to meet us; the crowd, in the meantime, discharging firearms.
"Before we reached the city, their number had increased to about three thousand; some discharging firearms, others bearing lighted torches; all walking in order, and heads uncovered. The city was illuminated -- fireworks in full play. Balls of combustible matter were thrown in the streets through which we passed; at each explosion Sister Euphrasia made the sign of the Cross.
"All the bells in the city were pealing forth their merriest strains. On reaching the convent we found our good Bishop in company of several ladies and gentlemen, awaiting our arrival.
"We feel truly grateful to these good people for their kind receptin, as it is a convincing testimony of their reverence of our holy faith. The Bishop conducted us to our dormitory; one of the priests brought us some water and, after arranging our toilet, the ladies ushered us into the refectory where a nice supper was prepared for us.
"When we had finished our repast, they departed, leaving us in quiet possession of our new home: 'St. Joseph's Convent, Tucson, Arizona.' Our first act was to return thanks to our merciful Lord, to our dear Mother, Mary, and likewise to our glorious Patriarch, St. Joseph, for preserving us from the many and great dangers to which we were exposed for the love of Jesus and the salvation of souls.
"Now, that we are settled in our new home, we trust our good Sisters will continue to pray for us, recommending the success of our missions, our schools and our own spiritual welfare, to our dear Lord, to the end that we may labor earnestly to promote His greater glory, and have this, alone, in view, in all our undertakings.
Dear Reverend Mother and Sisters in Christ.
Sister Monica of the Sacred Heart
From Trek of the Seven Sisters: Diary of Sister Monica Corrigan, 1870
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