Jewels from Jane, March 1 (one)

Carondelet, 1 March 1840

Monseigneur:

I have the honor to present my respects and to say that I have taken votes for Sister Marie Joseph [Mary Francis Joseph Dillon]. She is received. She had nearly all the votes. I assure you that I am very much pleased with the votes. I beg you to name the day that you judge proper to receive her vows and to examine her. I should like to know some days ahead so that she can make a short retreat.

If it will not inconvenience you, could you come a day (Thursday or Sunday)when we have no class. Forgive me for asking this, but the Sisters want to make a great feast of this as she is the first that we have received into our congregation. However, whatever day you designate will be a feast day, because I feel that you will give a holiday for our children as well as for the Sisters. We all await the day eagerly.

I have the honor to be with the most profound respect your very unworthy daughter,

Sister Celestine [Pommerel]

P.S. Pardon me again. I wish to know if you think it well that I invite Father Fontbonne for the feast day.

Letter to Bishop Rosati
Translated from the French

Anne Eliza Dillon was the first American woman to enter the Congregation. She was born at Saint Charles, Missouri in 1820 and was the daughter of Patrick McAndrews Dillon, a wealthy Irish land-holder of St. Louis. Her mother died when she was a child, and together with a younger sister, she was placed with the Ladies of the Sacred Heart at their Academy in St. Louis, where she received an excellent education and acquired great fluency in French. It was here at school in 1836 that she met Sisters Delphine and Felicite, who during their first few months in America went every day to the Sacred Heart Convent for English lessons.
from Sister Lucida Savage's book, The Congregation of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, c1927

Jewels from Jane, Feb. 9

Carondelet, February 9, 1838

Monseigneur:

I present my humble respects and beg Your Lordship please to give me permission to go to St. Louis to have the honor of talking with you. There are many things I would like to talk with you about which I cannot express in a letter and which I think you should know. Yesterday evening I had a difficult interview with Father Saulnier [Pastor of Sts. Mary & Joseph Parish] on the matter of singing because, after having asked advice of my Sisters and heard their reasoning, I had the weakness to give them permission to sing by rote and to respond at Mass. About that they said things that I cannot express. So, Monseigneur. I have great need, in my difficulty, to have the honor of an interview with Your Lordship. Please honor me with a brief reply.

Receive, Monseigneur, the humble respects of her who has the honor of being, of Your Lordship,

Your very humble and respectful servant,

Sister Marie Delphine Fontbonne

Letter to Bishop Rosati
Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, Feb. 6

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

Jewels from Jane, Feb

February, 1838

Monseigneur:
I do not know if we have fully understood the manner of filling out the sheet of paper you sent us. We put down no conversions nor baptisms because it is still an impossibility for us to instruct the Americans.

Our chapel will be raised in the month of March and then, Monseigneur, we will have need of your being kind enough to give us a little money.

Receive, Monseigneur, the respect and gratitude of Your submissive daughters of the community of Kahokias.

Sister Febronie Fontbonne

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, January 6

Carondelet, January 6, 1839

Right Reverend Joseph Rosati

Monseigneur:

Your Lordship will please be kind enough to excuse my tardiness in executing your orders. I come today to acquit myself by giving the number of children whom we have received in your school for the year 1838.

Boarders: nine
Day pupils: thirty-eight
Orphans: two

I profit by this occasion to beg Your Lordship to be so kind as to give the permission for us to go to Cahokia to visit our Sisters and from there we will go to see Mr. Bourginon, who owes us nearly $60.00 for the board of his daughter. We have written him several times but have received no answer. I think that our presence will oblige him to pay us. I leave it all to your decision.

Receive, Your Lordship, the sincere homage of one who has the honor to be

Your obedient daughter

Sister Marie Delphine [Fontbonne]

Copied from the original in the archives of the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Sister Monica Corrigan June 23, 1890

Jewels from Jane, January 5

"The year 1839 was marked by...memorable events for the congregation. His Eminence, Cardinal Fesch, father and benefactor of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, died in Rome. Archbishop de Pins was relieved from his duties as administrator of the diocese...At the same time Father Cholleton resigned his position as Vicar General and Superior of the congregation...On this occasion Mother Saint John opened her heart about her sorrow to her daughters in America and exhorted them to have absolute confidence in God in their trials. 'That has been,' she said, 'all my resource in the troubles, miseries and tribulations of my long life. God can do all things. Without Him, we can do nothing. We must cast ourselves like little children into His arms.'

"Shortly after his installation, Archbishop de Bonald visited the motherhouse and saw her whom he already knew in the retreat of her own choice. He did not approve of this obscurity which, though inspired by humility, might produce an unfavorable impression. Mother Saint John had to leave this room and take one more suitable to her dignity in the convent. The Sisters keep, in the treasury of the motherhouse, a magnificent cross of massive gold in which precious relics are encased. We do not know whether this cross was given to Mother Saint John by Archbishop de Bonald at this visit or under other circumstances.

"Some rather troubled letters arrived...from America. Mother Saint John answered in 1842: 'Do not be uneasy. Thank God, I am enjoying all my faculties as well now as if I were but fifty, although I am eight-three. I rise with the community; I assist at all the exercises; I write, read, sew and knit without using spectacles. Help me to bless God for the time and strength He is giving me to prepare for eternity.

"Bishop Rosati had to return to France on account of his health. On January 5, 1842, she wrote: 'For three or four months, I have hoped that Bishop Rosati of Saint Louis would come to Lyons. I have waited for him until now, but, since he has not arrived, I can wait no longer. I have a great desire to write to you.'

"One day during the winter of 1843, Mother Saint John fell on the ice in the yard. As she was unable to rise, her daughters ran to her assistance and carried her to her room. After examination, it was found that besides several bruises, she had dislocated her shoulder. The doctor considered an operation necessary. He added that it would be long, hard and painful and asked to be assisted by another doctor. The operation was performed. Doctor Bonnet, chief doctor of the Hotel-Dieu, and Doctor Berlioz performed this painful task. She, with eyes fixed on the crucifix, offered no complaint, nor uttered a single moan. 'It is very good to deal with saintly people,' Said Doctor Bonnet, 'one can operate as he wishes.' This good Mother in the midst of great suffering has just given her daughters an example of heroic patience and sublime resignation.

"The operation over, Mother Sacred Heart [Mother Saint John's successor as Superior General] continued her care for the patient in the most delicate manner. She and her community persevered in prayer to obtain the recovery of the dear one. God was not deaf to these supplications. Mother Saint John recovered more quickly than they had expected and one could see the venerable convalescent walking again through the corridors of the house, though now she had to use a cane to make her step more steady. At length, laden with years and merits, the Mother bent like the sheaf of wheat that is ripe for the harvest. Sadly realizing that the end was more and more imminent, Mother Sacred Heart sent a letter to all the convents.

"'I regret to tell you that the health of Reverend Mother causes us great uneasiness.' Later she wrote: 'Since our last letter, the state of Mother Saint John alarms us, although she is somewhat better. Let us continue to ask of Our Lord the prolongation of a life which is so dear to us.'"

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography translation adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, January 4

"About 1834, Bishop Rosati, the first Bishop of Saint Louis, was in double perplexity. He had neither money nor priests. To obtain both, he wrote to Father Charles Cholleton, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Lyons, hoping, through his agency, to obtain help from the original work which a Lyonnaise, Mademoiselle Pauline Jaricot, of the parish of Saint Polycarp, had just founded in that city. The work of distant missions had appealed to this virtuous Christian and she interested the young working-girls in it. Every Saturday, Mademoiselle Jaricot asked them for an alms of one cent for the missions. It was from this humble beginning that the Society for the Propagation of the Faith developed--a work solemnly approved in 1813 by Pius VII. Bishop Rosati came to it as a petitioner through the mediation of the Vicar General. Father Cholleton answered the prelate: 'It is in quality of your vicar that I presented myself to the Society of the Propagation of the Faith and that I hope to obtain abundant help. I do not doubt that Archbishop de Pins will also send you priests.' He might have added that the Superior General of the Sisters of Saint Joseph would find Religious for the schools. Father Cholleton did not then know that someone was thinking of endowing America with communities of that congregation. This person was the Countess de la Rochejaquelein.

"Even at that time, the 'Annals' of the Propagation of the Faith gave an account to the associates of the use of the sums received, of the progress of the work and the requests made. The reading of the 'Annals' had revealed to the countess the great poverty of the mission of the Mississippi. Her heart was touched and at once she thought of the Sisters of Saint Joseph to convert and teach the Indians. She felt that Religious are indispensable wherever missionary labors are to be performed. There are so many works created around a mission which the Sisters alone can efficiently accomplish. After obtaining the promise from Mother Saint John [Fontbonne] that she would give the Sisters for America, if His Lordship desired them, Madame de la Rochejaquelein asked Father Odin to propose them in her name, saying that she would defray the expenses of the first foundation.

"The Bishop of Saint Louis saw at once the increase of burdens which would result from the opening of schools, and delayed his answer. [But after receiving a letter from the Countess he] accepted the offer and even asked that, to the six Sisters proposed, they send two more, specially trained to teach the deaf and dumb. In the meantime, Mother Saint John was preparing her daughters for the uncertain mission that might be confided to them. Instructions and counsels were given to these souls destined for this special apostolate. She reminded them that they would often be without spiritual help, when circumstances required it. The priest, obliged to traverse long distances in the vast forests to carry the consolations of religion to the sick and the dying, would not always be with them in the morning to give them the Eucharistic Bread. It might happen that sometimes he would not be present on Sunday to celebrate Mass. In these days of spiritual poverty they will have to remember that they carry their temple within them and that God has more than one way of giving Himself to souls. In these days, also, when all will seem to be lacking to nourish, enlighten and console them, they must remember that grace is never wanting, and that they have all the necessary means of sanctification in the actual state of things. Deprived of all exterior help, they can, by means of interior assistance, increase in themselves the life of God which will sanctify them and make their own lives fruitful.

"Bishop Rosati's answer settled all doubt and the Sisters of Saint Joseph accepted the invitation to the American missions. As Mother Saint John did not wish to impose this exile on anybody, she made an appeal to her daughters, recommending them to pray, to consult their director, to weigh the matter well and, after that, to follow Divine inspiration. Divine inspiration grouped a goodly number. When the Sisters came to offer themselves to the Superior General, the latter saw, foremost among them, her two nieces, Sister Febronia and Sister Marie Delphine Fontbonne, daughters of her only brother, Claude Fontbonne. This sight afflicted the heart of the venerable Superior, but she generously accepted the sacrifice.

"From this numerous group, seven were chosen. Six were to leave within a short time, Sisters Febronia and Delphine Fontbonne, Sister Febronia Chapellon, Sister Saint Protais Deboille, Sister Philomene Vilaine and Sister Marguerite Boute. The Christian name of the countess was added to that of the last. She was thenceforth called Sister Felicite. The seventh, Sister Celestine Pommerel and Julie Fournier, a postulant, began at once to study the language of the deaf-mutes and would depart for America when they were capable of teaching it.

"Archbishop de Pins asked for volunteers. From them, he chose a priest and two seminarians, as the needs of the diocese would not permit greater sacrifices. The priest chosen was Father James Fontbonne, Mother Saint John's nephew. The immolation was complete.

"At the motherhouse, everybody was edified at the sacrifice and the simple, sublime manner with which it was made. One of the Sisters inspired by the circumstances, dramatized the biblical scene of the father preparing to sacrifice his son. Abraham's sacrifice was represented in the novitiate a few days before the departure. The allusion was too striking not to bring tears; they flowed abundantly, but hearts were comforted by them.

"All was ready. Father Cholleton appointed Sister Febronia Fontbonne Superior of the little colony. Through delicacy and fear of acting from natural inclination, Mother Saint John did not wish to make the choice. She even felt sorrow in signing the new Superior's letter of obedience. Since the Vicar General had decided and regulated everything, the virtuous aunt gave the niece, whom she cherished, counsels full of wisdom and affection.

"The departure was fixed for January 4, 1836. On the eve of this day, the six chosen ones said goodby to the assembled community. There was a scene of touching humility in this last reunion. The six missionaries casting themselves at the feet of their Sisters begged them to bless them and to pardon them for the trouble they had caused them and for any bad example which they had given. With great overflowing of heart, Mother Saint John blessed the six valiant missionaries and the Sisters whom they were about to leave."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph of Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, January 1, 1836

January 1, 1836

Monseigneur:

The Abbe Fontbonne, who will have the honor of handing you this letter, is full of zeal for the missions across the sea, for which he has long sighed. He is happy to consecrate himself there under your auspices and direction. I hope that you will soon learn his virtues and merit and that he will render himself worthy of your benevolence in every respect. His vocation has been proved and gives the best hopes. He has with him his two sisters [Febronie and Delphine Fontbonne], religious of St. Joseph, accompanied by four companions of the same order [Sister Marguerite-Felicite Boute, Sister Febronie Chappelon, Sister Saint Protais Deboille, Sister Philomene Vilaine]. They will be excellent catechists, good nurses for the sick, perfect sacristans, zealous teachers, and their services can but second powerfully the work of God in your country.

Permit me, Monseigneur, to recommend this evangelical colony to your charitable solicitude; it will respond to your needs by entire submission and more than ordinary devotion. May it also be your consolation and aid in your pastoral solicitude. That is the end they propose to themselves; and it is in this confidence that I recommend them to you in assuring you of the respect with which I am, Monseigneur,

Your very humble and very obedient servant
+J. C. Gaston, archbishop

"The within is a copy of the letter written by Bishop Pins of Lyons, France, to Bishop Rosati, introducing the first Sisters of St. Joseph that came to America. The original is kept with the Archives of the Archdiocese of St. Louis
Sister Monica [Corrigan]
June 23, 1890"

Jewels from Jane, December 27

Carondelet, December 27, 1839

Your Blessing
Monsignor

We cannot allow New Year's day to pass without expressing to you again our very deep sentiments of gratitude and veneration that we, all of us, have for you, for the numberless good actions with which you spoil us daily.

We shall always remember it and we hope to continue to deserve it by our good behavior and by fulfilling your desires. These are the feelings we all have and we beg you to accept our wishes for a happy year, wishes that all of us send you. If Heaven is sensible of our prayer, the new year will be for you one of happiness and will be followed by numerous others for our happiness and that of all the people of the Diocese.

We have the honor to be with the deepest respect your very humble and obedient daughters

Sister Felicite [Boute]
Sister Philomene [Vilaine]
Sister St. John [Fournier]
Sister Marie Francis Joseph [Dillon]
Sister Celestine [Pommerel]
Sister [Marie] Josephine [Valois]

Letter to Bishop Rosati
Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, December 24

Dec. 24, 1839

Monsignor

Mr. Loisel asked me for a yearly contribution as a parishioner. I was very surprised considering that a similar request has never been made to us in Europe or here. On the contrary most of the pastors are helping and sustaining poor establishments such as ours, while we are obliged to look for work from outside and to work without any relaxation in order to cope with the needs of our community. We find it almost impossible to recruit because the girls do not give any dowry. With our privations and our thrift we saved about a hundred gourdes [20 cents] for repairs to the house, and we lent to him, being embarrassed because we imagine he will think we are wealthy.

We do not refuse to pay this contribution if this is your will, but we are afraid to introduce into our congregation obligations contrary to the customary habits. We will not be the last to help the churches when we can.

Accept, Monsignor, the deep respect and the submission of your very obedient daughters.

On behalf of everyone,
Sister Febronie [Fontbonne]Superior
Cahokias, the 24th of December, 1839

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, Dec 21

Carondelet, December 21, 1838

Right Reverend Joseph Rosati

Monseigneur:

I have the honor to write to you to set forth my little worries. I am sending you the letters that Father Saulnier has written to me. You will see by them how things stand. As to the questions asked me, the first concerns the feast of St. Joseph. You know that you said to me that, as we have indulgence that day, you wished it to be the same as in France and that you accorded another indulgence on the 19th of March, St. Joseph's day. The second question regards the dinner. We have always done as in France because I did not see a change necessary and consequently did not ask dispensation.

The third question is why we are not godmothers though our Sisters are. When I was asked if Sister Celestine could be godmother, I answered that it could not be. I did not say that we could get the permission because it was not necessary that people of the world know all that passes between us and our superiors; furthermore, knowing the obligation that a godmother contracts between herself and her godson or daughter, I thought it would be better to refuse than to accept. If we are godmother for one child, soon we would be for several. Now you see what my sentiments are; you will do as you see fit. I shall always be happy to conform to your wishes in all things and everywhere.

The fourth question is about singing. You know you told us that it would be necessary for us to sing when there would be no choir. We have done so up to the present, except this last Sunday, when M. le Cure said to our Sisters that he would say a low Mass. I do not know why he told me such a thing.

The fifth is why is it difficult when it should be easy? I cannot imagine why he tells me these things: I must let our Sisters do all that they wish; for example, write to Him when they please, speak to him alone when they wish, rise, retire, pray, eat, work, when they are ready. Thus we will have no need of rules and we will be seculars and not religious.

The sixth question is why we do not fast. I answered that you had dispensed us and that I believe that it would be failing in obedience if we fasted.

There, Your Lordship, are several things that worry me. Please tell me what I should do. I find myself in a very sad situation, and as long as I shall be with Father Saulnier and the Sisters who are with me, I shall be in the same embarrassment. One would say they have made their vows to obey Father Saulnier and not their bishop, superior, and constitutions. Pardon me, Your Lordship, if I tire you. I am ready to do all that you wish me to do for the glory of God and my salvation. Arrange matters so that all that will end if it is the will of God.

I have written you concerning the profession of Sister St. John. Kindly tell me when you can come to examine her so that she may be put in retreat for several days. Your Lordship, if you can send us an extraordinary confessor, you will give me great pleasure.

Receive, Your Lordship, the humble respects of her who is with the highest consideration of Your Lordship.

The daughter humble and submissive

Sister M. Delphine Fontbonne

Translation from the French

Jewels from Jane, December 19

Carondelet, December 19, 1837

Monseigneur:

Be kind enough to excuse and pardon the liberty I take in writing to beg you kindly to grant the desire of Miss Dillon [Sister Mary Francis Joseph] and give her the religious habit on January 3, as you promised. She desires it with much ardor. She has the disposition for the religious life. She has edified us during the little while she has lived with us. That is why I do not fear that she be given the habit and admitted to our Congregation. That, Monseigneur, is what my duty urges me to tell you now. I leave all to you as you judge fitting.

There is also Sister Philomene [Vilaine], who has finished her novitiate, that is, has had the habit for two years. She desires very much to make her vows. I can put no obstacle in her way, judging by her conduct during her time of trial. I know well enough her good will, disposition, and great devotion. I leave all to your decision.

We have received the prospectus which you had the kindness to send us. We cannot express our gratitude for all your kindness in our regard. Please receive our thanks and do not forget in your prayers her who has the honor of being, with the highest consideration, Monseigneur,

Your humble servant,
Sister Marie Delphine [Fontbonne, niece of Mother St. John Fontbonne]

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Translated from the French

Sister Francis Joseph Dillon received the habit on January 3, 1838. She died on Oct. 30, 1842 at the age of 22.

Sister Philomene Vilaine came to the United States as a novice with the first group of pioneer sisters in 1836, having received the habit the day before the departure.

Jewels from Jane, December 17

Carondelet, December 17, 1838

Right Reverend Joseph Rosati

Your Lordship:

You will pardon the liberty I take in writing to report to you that I had the votes taken for my dear Sister St. John [Fournier]; she received all of them, which gives me great pleasure. We ardently desire that if Your Lordship judges proper you come to receive her vows on the 27th of this month, which is her feast day.

Please, Your Lordship, honor us with an answer in order that we may prepare the Sister for the day you will designate.

If I am not being indiscreet, I beg Your Lordship to be kind enough to come and examine the Sister.

I have the honor to be with the highest consideration,

Your very humble and obedient daughter in J.C.

Sister Marie Delphine [Fontbonne]

Copied from the original in the archives of the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Sister Monica Corrigan
Translation from the French

Today is also the day that Jeanne Fontbonne, Mother St. John, received the habit in 1778.

Jewels from Jane, December 9

"Carondelet, December 9, 1837

"Monseigneur

"I come again to beg pardon for the liberty I take to write to you, but the fear that you did not receive my last letter makes me come again to implore your kindness and to express the desire that I have to make holy profession when Miss Dillon [Sister Frances Joseph Dillon - first American to enter the Congregation] will receive the holy habit. It is true that I still lack five months to have completed my two years' novitiate; but, my Lord, I think that your great generosity will do me the favor of shortening the time, which I find very long. However, if you judge it proper to have me finish my two years, I submit, hoping that the sacrifice will be agreeable to God and serve to prepare me to make a still greater one. But it seems to me that when I have made my vows I will be more pleasing to God and will have more strength to combat and resist the snares the enemy of my salvation will lay for me. So, Monseigneur, be so kind as to examine the wishes of her who recommends herself to your prayers.

Your humble servant,

Sister St. John [Fournier]

Sister St. John came from France as a postulant with Mother Celestine Pommerel in 1837. They arrived at the log cabin in Carondelet on September 10, 1837.

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, Dec. 2

Carondelet, 2 December 1837

Monseigneur:

I have the honor of writing you to beg you to accept my most respectful homage and to ask if you judge it fitting for us to receive into our house a young person who has presented herself as an orphan, who has offered to do anything, even the most laborious, provided we teach her her catechism. She has not yet received her first Communion. We have let her come to class until I could speak to you, and I forgot about her the day we had the honor of your visit. This young person appears to have good sentiments. She desires even to remain with us entirely and to become a religious. She is still very young. She is only thirteen years old, and she is not instructed; but while waiting, we will examine her if you wish that we receive her.

Please do not forget in your prayers her who has the honor of being with the highest consideration, Monseigneur,

Your very humble and obedient servant,

Sister Marie Delphine [Fontbonne]

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Jewels from Jane,June 30

From the time that Carondelet was first settled in 1767, a piece of ground was reserved and religiously kept as the site of the future church [Sts. Mary and Joseph] and last resting place of the dead. When the town was surveyed and the blocks numbered, the church site became number eighty-two, and the cemetery ground fifty-seven. These two blocks, together with blocks fifty-eight and fifty-nine, which adjoined the cemetery on the south, were deeded to Father Saulnier [Pastor of Sts. Mary and Joseph Church] by the Trustees of the town on September 10, 1835.

Block number fifty-eight was the lot on which stood the log cottage given to the Sisters by Bishop Rosati. On June 30, 1838, a deed to this block was given to the Sisters by Father Saulnier. He had already sold block fifty-nine, which adjoined it on the south, to a Mr. Solomon of Natchez, Mississippi. This gentleman dying suddenly a short time after, the ground (block 59) fell into the hands of the Public Administrator, by whom it was sold at public auction on July 25, 1840. Bryan Mullanphy bought it, and on December 23, 1842, deeded it unconditionally to the Sisters as a Christmas gift.

Notes from Sister Monica’s diary, Jan, 1922

Jewels from Jane,June 10

Letter from Countess Rochejaquelin to Bishop Rosati, June 10, 1835

“I think the excellent Father Odin and the Vicar General of Lyons have written to you several times on the subject of the desire I have to send Sisters of St. Joseph to America. Your silence on this subject proves either that the letters did not reach you or that you are not anxious for this establishment. If, indeed, you have any objections to it, I wonder what they may be.

“It is not a vague idea to do a good work in America which has made me propose them to you. Protected by Divine Providence, in a singular manner, in all the difficulties and misfortunes to which I have been exposed, I promised God, in so far as He would deign to bless this design, to send six Sisters of St. Joseph to America to convert the savages, to teach their children and those of Protestant families, and to convert also those to whom the missionaries, too busy or too few, are able to make but passing visits. The reading of the Annals of the Propagation of the Faith made me shed tears over these harvests for which there are no laborers.

“These incomparable Sisters, once they are established, could be sent two by two into little villages, and there prepare the way for Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. A settlement near the Indian territories, built on a rather wide plain, could be, after a short time, of the greatest advantage.

“My Lord, perhaps you do not know the Sisters of St. Joseph. They…make perpetual vows. Their Rule obliges them to all the virtues of the cloister joined to those which exact and ardent charity for their fellow-beings. It was the first thought of St. Francis de Sales; one which he renounced, with sorrow, for his Visitation. Thus piety, interior recollection, self-denial, humility and prayer on the one hand, and on the other a devotion, without restriction, to all works of charity. They work in free schools, paid boarding houses, great hospitals, hospices for the elderly or abandoned children, jails, refuges for the poor, home care for the sick, the care of people with scabies and ringworm; in pharmacies, at manual labor, sewing and weaving.

“If you had seen, as I, their spirit of poverty and humility; it is evangelical. I have known them for thirteen years. I have established several convents and contributed to the establishment of others. The East of France is alive with the activity of these Sisters. I have sent them to the West. They are not numerous enough for the demands….

“My Lord, the spirit of the Congregation of Saint Joseph is something without precedent. It is this poverty and this lowliness which Our Lord taught, and which conquers the world. It seems to me that if I succeed in establishing the Sisters of St. Joseph in your America, near the savages, and near so many heretics in your diocese, I shall have done, during my life, something pleasing to God to win His mercy for my sins. I know what I have given is not enough, but I will give more, I will help; only say, My Lord, what you think is necessary for the beginning.

“I pray you to answer as soon as possible. I am anxious that the work be accomplished. Be persuaded that I am altogether unwilling to impose my views on you as to the place and the best means to be taken to accomplish this end. Do what you think best. I have but one desire; namely, that they not be far from the territory of the savages and that they work for the conversion of poor Indians and poor Protestants…for all unhappy sects….

“I am imposing on your time which is so valuable. Permit me to ask you to remember me to Madame Henrietta Kersaint, my cousin, a Religious of the Sacred Heart in Saint Louis. I ask her prayers and yours particularly, while begging you to accept my sentiments of respectful consideration and devotion in Our Lord.

“I have the honor of being your very humble and very obedient servant,

Felicite de Duras, Countess de la Rochejaquelin”

Jewels from Jane, May 5

Carondelet May 5, 1839

Your Blessing

Monsignor

Having learned that you leave tomorrow, I hasten to write you, in order to ask if you judge it appropriate if we would make our retreat which is indicated for our institution from the Ascension to Pentecost, or if you prefer that we delay it until our vacation time that the gentlemen of the corporation will give us from July 15 to August 15, when we will be a little more free. I leave everything to your will and we shall do as you desire. We will appreciate your answer and the honor of a visit from you as soon as possible. We would like, all of us, to see you, and our little dumb girls do not desire it less than we. Everyday they look in the direction of St. Louis hoping to see you coming. Waiting for this honor, I pray you to accept my respect and I am

Your humble and obedient daughter,

Sister Marie Delphine [Fontbonne]

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Translated from the French

In reference to the "gentlemen of the corporation" Sister Lucida Savage has this to say in her book, The Congregation of St. Joseph of Carondelet:

"The state school [for the deaf] did not become a reality until 1847; but on February 13, 1839, an appropriation of two thousand dollars was granted by the legislature 'for the annual tuition of such deaf and dumb children now or hereafter received in the deaf and dumb asylum at the town of Carondelet in the county of St. Louis.' This fund, which did not become available until the end of 1839, was to be administered pro rata, for such pupils only as were residents of Missouri and after they had spent six months in school. Only three of the mutes who were in the convent at this time belonged to the State, Emily Johnson, and Mary Musdach of St. Louis, and Teresa Bernard of Florisssant. A fourth, Mary Jane Hurley, was an orphan, dependent on the charity of the Sisters.

"Before any part of the appropriation materialized, financial assistance came from another quarter, and with it a practical recognition of the services which the Sisters were rendering to the village. For two years they had been teaching almost gratuitously all the children who came to them. This number did not at any time exceed thirty-eight, exclusive of mutes and orphans. Early in April, the school commissioners, Messers N. Paupe and Joseph Le Blond, called at the convent and made an agreement with the Sisters which was unanimously adopted by the Board of Trustees at their meeting on April 23. This agreement stipulated for a salary to be paid the Sisters 'by the Corporation of Carondelet to educate in the ordinary branches of the English and French languages the female children of the town of Carondelet, from six to eighteen years old.'

"The salary so opportunely offered seemed a fortune to the struggling community, as indeed it must have been, with markets providing eggs three for a penny, butter six cents a pound and other commodities in proportion. Besides, their own carefully tended garden was a summer-long source of supply; and an orchard of six pear trees, planted by the pioneers in 1836 and dedicated with mock ceremony to themselves--a tree to each--was beginning to bear the luscious fruit which it continued to produce for over fifty years. [The last of these trees was destroyed by a storm in the summer of 1889.] Had they been worldly wise they would have followed the suggestion of a practical-minded Sister and opened a bank account; but theirs was the wisdom of the Gospel, and their surplus capital was invested in small luxuries for the poor and sick whom they met on their daily rounds of charity."

Jewels from Jane, May 5

Carondelet May 5, 1839

Your Blessing

Monsignor

Having learned that you leave tomorrow, I hasten to write you, in order to ask if you judge it appropriate if we would make our retreat which is indicated for our institutuion from the Ascension to Pentecost, or if you prefer that we delay it until our vacation time that the gentlemen of the corporation will give us from July 15 to August 15, when we will be a little more free. I leave everything to your will and we shall do as you desire. We will appreciate your answer and the honor of a visit from you as soon as possible. We would like, all of us, to see you, and our little dumb girls do not desire it less than we. Everyday they look in the direction of St. Louis hoping to see you coming. Waiting for this honor, I pray you to accept my respect and I am

Your humble and obedient daughter,

Sister Marie Delphine [Fontbonne]

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Translated from the French

In reference to the "gentlemen of the corporation" Sister Lucida Savage has this to say in her book, The Congregation of St. Joseph of Carondelet:

"The state school [for the deaf] did not become a reality until 1847; but on February 13, 1839, an appropriation of two thousand dollars was granted by the legislature 'for the annual tuition of such deaf and dumb children now or hereafter received in the deaf and dumb asylum at the town of Carondelet in the county of St. Louis.' This fund, which did not become available until the end of 1839, was to be administered pro rata, for such pupils only as were residents of Missouri and after they had spent six months in school. Only three of the mutes who were in the convent at this time belonged to the State, Emily Johnson, and Mary Musdach of St. Louis, and Teresa Bernard of Florissasnt. A fourth, Mary Jane Hurley, was an orphan, dependent on the charity of the Sisters.

"Before any part of the appropriation materialized, financial assistance came from another quarter, and with it a practical recognition of the services which the Sisters were rendering to the village. For two years they had been teaching almost gratuitously all the children who came to them. This number did not at any time exceed thirty-eight, exclusive of mutes and orphans. Early in April, the school commissioners, Messers N. Paupe and Joseph Le Blond, called at the convent and made an agreement with the Sisters which was unanimously adopted by the Board of Trustees at their meeting on April 23. This agreement stipulated for a salary to be paid the Sisters 'by the Corporation of Carondelet to educate in the ordinary branches of the English and French languages the female children of the town of Carondelet, from six to eighteen years old.'

"The salary so opportunely offered seemed a fortune to the struggling community, as indeed it must have been, with markets providing eggs three for a penny, butter six cents a pound and other commodities in proportion. Besides, their own carefully tended garden was a summer-long source of supply; and an orchard of six pears trees, planted by the pioneers in 1836 and dedicated with mock ceremony to themselves--a tree to each--was beginning to bear the luscious fruit which it continued to produce for over fifty years. [The last of these trees was destroyed by a storm in the summer of 1889.] Had they been worldly wise they would have followed the suggestion of a practical-minded Sister and opened a bank account; but theirs was the wisdom of the Gospel, and their surplus capital was invested in small luxuries for the poor and sick whom they met on their daily rounds of charity."

Jewels from Jane, April 16

Enclosed is a letter from Father Saulnier to Bishop Rosati.

April 16, 1838

Here are my ideas: first of all, yesterday for the first time since I am a priest I have not announced to my parishoners the High Mass and Sunday Vespers for this reason that the Monday after Easter I will not have anybody to answer at the High Mass, the Sisters of St. Joseph excepted, who are forbidden to sing in Latin during the morning. Because of this prohibition of the Sisters of St. Joseph I reached the conclusion that I was not allowed to sing, because that day is not of obligation, in order to avoid having to answer my own singing.

My intention is the following:

1st That because the Sisters of St. Joseph have the permission to sing Sunday evening they may have it for the morning too, in case no singer, male or female, lay parishioner is available.

2nd The Sisters do not give me any help, or better are not of any help for the singing in the morning or in the evening (for any priest who may be here singing on Sunday) when lay singers, male or female, may answer for the officiating priest the few responses necessary.

By Rev. Edmund Saulnier [Pastor of Sts. Mary and Joseph Parish]