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.