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, 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, Mar. 25

"At last they arrived in St. Louis, the Episcopal City of Bishop Rosati, March 25, 1836.

"When they arrived the Bishop was in hope that he been in time to say Mass but it was too late. They go first to the Cathedral to thank God for their happy voyage. Then the Bishop send them to the Sisters of St. Vincent Hospital. The Sisters put them in little house that they had on Third Street in the end of their garden. Some time Bishop come to say Mass in Sisters Chapel and all the Sisters of St. Joseph went with them. But during the Holy Week the Sisters go to the Cathedral to attend at the ceremonies.

"They had the visit of Father and some priest. They try to see who could pronounce best the English.

"A holy priest, Father Doutreluigne, CM, Parish priest in Cahokia 3 miles [across the river in Illinois] from St. Louis, ardently desire to have Sisters of St. Joseph's instruct the children of this parish, compose in great part of Canadian. During two years this good priest eat only corn bread and often deprive himself of nourishment that he might found an establishment that could assist him in his holy ministry. The Bishop Rosati touch [through] his zeal and charity decide to give him the Sisters.

"Then he select Mother Febronie Fontbonne that was nominate our Superieuress in Lyons was to continue and go to Cahokia. Sister Mary Febronie Chapellon and Sister St. Protais Deboille would go to Cahokia. Sister M. Delphine Fontbonne, Sister Felicity Boute and Sister Philomene Devilaine would remain in St. Louis to learn English.

"The day of the depart had arrived. All started from St. Louis; His Lordship accompany his Dear Daughters in Cahokia. When they had cross the Mississippi they find number of people that had come from Cahokia with their little carts. They were waiting on shore, then every one go on carts and started in woods. They arrived about at noon. Their first visit was in Church [still standing today] to adore Our Lord in blessed Sacrament. When they had their dinner in priest house, the Priest had only two rooms, one for himself, the other his housekeeper and family, and for the cooking they had a little passage between. They had nice corn bread -- some like it very much and some not like it. After dinner the Bishop and Father Fontbonne went to the convent to fix the cooking stove.

"The population of Cahokia speak a kind of French Canadian, less difficult to comprehend and to learn than the English. They were all so glad and happy to receive the Sisters and with joy they prove for what they think they need.

"One day a Lady send to them a large bowl of pottage of rice gombeau [gumbo] and chicken. They put it on Sisters table. But looking at it they said we could not eat for it was Friday. They told it to the Lady, who said that it had no meat, she had only boiled the chicken in it. They had grand laugh at her simplicity.

"Madame Turgon, a rich lady, had built for the Sisters a pretty nice Chapel close to the Convent, and the Sisters could decorate it with the ornaments that they brought from France.

"Immediately they open their School they had great number of children, and [so many] boarders that they were oblige to enlarge the house.

"Those brave Canadiens love that French establishment and the sound of the Convent bell of the little Chapel of the Sisters on the shore of Mississippi, and on the borders of the great forest that surround them had indefinite charm.

"They venerated the Sisters as saints and charitable country women [who] come from the same Mother as their Catholic France to have care of their sick, their poor, their children. For them they think of them as their Mothers.

"But the Father Doutreluingue had not the pleasure to enjoy the fruits of his labor and sacrifice for he had purchased the house and pay for it from his one privation [need] and economy.

"He was commanded by his Superior Father Timan to go home. The Sisters feel it very much and were very much afflicted to be deprived of so good benefactor for he had given them the house and the field.

"Bishop Rosati send them a young French priest Father Condamine in the month of August. He fell sick with bilious fever. He was on point of death. Then it happen that Father Doutreluingue was traveling pass in Cahokia, find the priest so sick, remain with him, had care of him until he die, give him the last sacraments and sing High Mass and perform the funeral service. He is bury in Church yard near the Church.

"The Sisters were very thankful to God to have sent the good Father Doutreluingue to assist Father Condamine. Some of the Sisters had been very sick already, they were [a] little better but they would not let them go to Mass and funeral.

"Madame Jarrot and family were good benefactor to the Sisters. If they had need of some things the Sisters go to them as they would go to their own Father.

"Madame Boismenu and family were also very good to the Sisters. They often bring chickens and other things that they think the Sisters would like to have. For long time they had not need to buy anything to eat.

"Bishop Rosati send Father Loisel to Cahokia. He was from St. Louis. His mother and sisters were living in St. Louis. He remain until the high water of 1844.

"As the Sisters were sick, Sister Philomine had to come from St. Louis to Cahokia to take care of them but one could not be cure[d].”

From the handwritten journal of Sister St. Protais Deboille

She never mastered the English language very well.

Jewels from Jane, March 5

The six sisters who left France in 1836 have been on the ocean for 49 days.

Now they will start up the Mississippi River on the George Collier.

March 5-March 24, 1836

"Before they arrived on the Gulf of Mexico the vessel [The Natchez] was taken by violent storm that the ship was must [almost] submerge and after it was so foggy and the mist was so thick that they could see nothing. But in middle of all trials Father Fontbonne encourage and support so well the little community that he was the Director. That the sweet calm resignation and patience of the Sisters, their serene modesty, their faith and their confidence in God and their charity towards the passengers made them [esteemed] and revered by equipage [crew].

"They had to wait until the steamer come to bring the ship on Mississippi. When they had been a day on Mississippi the boiler of the steamer burnt out. They hear the crack and noise; everyone came out to see what it was; everyone was very much frighting [frightened]. There was only a man thrown in Mississippi. They never see him again. He had charge of the fire; few minutes before he was speaking with Father Fontbonne saying to him that it was his last voyage, that his wife all time tell him not go for she not like him to expose himself [to the danger of drowning].

"When they arrived in New Orleans they were so glad, but Father Fontbonne would not let [them] come out until he had see the Bishop. He came back with a carriage to take the Sisters to the Ursuline Nuns where Bishop Blanc and Bishop Rosati come to see them.

"Most Rev. Anthony Blanc, first bishop of New Orleans, was consatrete [consecrated] November 22, 1835 and Bishop Rosati and Father Timen, C.M., Supr., had come for the consecration and had pass the winter. Were waiting for the Sisters -- they remain some days with the Ursulines to take little repose after the fatigue of so long voyage. The Ursulines not like to see the Sisters with their habit as they had been in ship. They said that people would think that some Nuns had escape from the convent. Before they could go in City they had to put on a cape and mourning veil. They had to go on the Mississippi in same way. The Sisters do not like it very much because they had [worn] their habit all the time, only one night in stage they put night cap [on] and they came from the diligence [stage-coach] with it, walk on the streets of Paris to go to the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul. It was grand sight to look at them. The Sisters of St. Vincent laugh at them and make them quick to change. They were look like beggars.

"The Sisters were very kindly received by the religious Ursulines. They remain some days with them, visit the Cathedral, The Hospital of the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul.

"And it was very pleasant for the grass was green. They go to take little walk in Sisters field and sit down under the trees, make their lecture, prayers and meditation and their recreation.

"When everything was ready the little caravan conducted by Rt. Rev. Bishop Rosati, Father Fontbonne and Father Timon, they ascended the Mississippi. They remain [take] eleven days to come to St. Louis. Then good Father Timon come some time bring to them some things new to eat. When the steamer stop, great merry little Nigros [negroes] come on the bank of Mississippi to see us.

"This great and admirable charity that the Sisters received from everyone make us remember the first Christians that, when the Pagans see them, said -- look at these Christians how they love one another.

From the handwritten journal of Sister St. Protais Deboille.

She never mastered the English language very well

Jewels from Jane, January 17

Today, January 17, 1836:

"The little brave company confided themselves without fear to the waves of the ocean January 17, St. Anthony Feast, 1836 in the morning. They all go to Chapel of Our Lady the Star of the Sea. Father Fontbonne celebrate the Holy Mass and all the Sisters go to holy communion. They come back, take breakfast, thank Madame Dodard for her kindness. She give them a big jar of jelly, a bottle of liqueur she had, fraid that we be sick on the ocean.

"The traverse was long, dangerous and painful. They remain 49 days on the ocean. Some were very sick but others were able to wait on the sick.

"We had some nice people on board; some children, three young men that had finished their study in Paris for Doctor were going home. They said to a Seminarist (Seminarian) that was with us that if he would take the medicine that they would give to him he would not be sick. He took it. It made him so sick that he was almost dead. The Sisters had to take care of him. He got better.

"When the weather was good they go on deck, there they say their prayers, lecture and meditation, and also take their recreation.

"Sometimes the sea was magnificent with the billows of waves dashing on the deck as if the vessel [The Natchez] was going down in the abyss. Then during the tempest some big monsters of fishes were swimming around the vessel. Once a Sister say that she could not live without her Mass prayer book. Then the Supr. Say - Why Sister, could you not live without your missal? She answer - No Mother. Then she said - give it to me. It was pretty old. She took it, put fire on, burn the book, throw the ashes in the ocean. The Sister feel pretty bad....The others say to the Sister - now you must use some other books. But when Father Fontbonne heard it he go down and bring a nice prayer book to the Sister - a grand new one. You may think how the Sister was glad to receive it.

"They begin the Lent on the ocean and for some it was the first time they were oblige to fast. They had permission to eat meat but it was no need because they had plenty other things to eat. The Captain was very good to them. When passing near some Island he bring them some bananas, oranges and other fruit, he bring it on the deck for them to eat.”

From Sister St. Protais Deboille's manuscript. She never mastered the English language very well.

Jewels from Jane, January 4

From the handwritten journal of Sister St. Protais Deboille

(She never mastered the English language very well.)

"On 4 January 1836 early in morning they went at Fourviere before they depart for America. The little brave and valiant Colony [group of sisters] descended the Hill of Chartreux. At some little distance, the last contour or crescent, they turn to take the last glance of the convent.

"From the Hill of the Chartreux the Colony go to the Hill of Fourviere. They wish, as the Colony of Bordeaux, to consacret [consecrate] themselves and to pray her to bless the mission that they go to establish.

"Revd. Mother St. John had preceded her daughters. They find their Mother prostrated at the foot of the altar praying our blessed Lady to give her benediction to the Sisters and to be for them the Star of the Sea.

"Father Fontbonne offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at Notre Dame of Fourviere and all the Sisters received the Holy Communion, Mother St. John uniting herself to her dear holy Nephew. The venerable aunt renew her wishes for him and his sisters. Their companions did the same, all hoping to be blessed by our Lady of Fourviere preparing themselves to the last adieu.

"When come down they had a modest breakfast at the Sisters of Apothecary of dispensary on Tupin Street to mitigate Mother St. John sorrow. The Superior of the dispensary procures with dexterity a conversation of a moment with a priest and the Superioress General during this time. The little Caravane [caravan] coming out furtively to take the diligence [stage coach] for Paris. But what was their astonishment to see their Revd. Mother who had come to the diligence to say a last adieu and to have a glance more of her dear children.

"When they were leaving Lyons some turn. Soon the departure was accomplish back, crying and saying "Adieu city, we will see you no more", but one sister told others "Do not cry, we are going to take a little ride." The excellente Mother Josephine present herself alone to Mother St. John and filial and devote [devout] heart knew to pour on the heart of her Superior the sweet and consoling balsam of religion. These two hearts worthy of one of the other they unite themselves to bless the Lord, mixing their tears and their affliction to their maternal and filial compassion. From this day the Revd. Mother redouble her pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fourviere to recommend her beloved children of the new world.

“The Sisters arrived in Paris, remain little time with the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul. They visit Our Lady of Victory church, some asylum, Hotel Dieu and Stephen of Grais. They could not enter in the Magdelaine, they were fix[ing] it.”

Jewels from Jane, January 3

On this date, January 3, 1836 the sisters who were to come to America were preparing to leave Lyon. From Sister St. Protais Deboille's handwritten journal we read:

"The third of January we went at Archbishop palace to ask the benediction of Archbishop Monsigneur of Pins who had the administration of the Diocese. Cardinal Fesch, uncle of Napoleon, was exiled in Rome. He gave us feu advice.

"Father Fontbonne was with us and present[ed] us to the Archbishop. After we arrived to the community they [from here the references to the sisters includes herself even though she usually refers to the sisters as 'they'] pay visit to the parish priest and they had supper in Revd. [Reverend] Mother St. John room."