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, 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.