Letter 126

From Quebec to her son. May 17, 1650.
New Iroquois hostilities. The Hurons retire to Quebec. She studies their language, she longs for eternity.

My dear son,

The fact that a frigate from Quebec is going to the fisheries at Isle Percé gives me the opportunity of writing this little note to you for they will meet some fishing vessels there which will return to France sooner than the ones from here. In giving myself this happiness I think that I give to you as well since you and are one in Our Lord.

Let me tell you that since the letters I wrote to you last October, the whole country has been at peace. We still don’t know what happened among the Hurons except that in November our Fathers completed their fort, which has very strong walls. We learned this from a Huron who travelled three hundred leagues through underbrush and unblazed trails for fear of being apprehended. This fort is to be a refuge for the Hurons fleeing from their enemies as well as for the Fathers of the Mission. As for those who live in the countryside, God alone can protect them.

As I have already said, we ourselves have been in peace, although fifteen days ago some Iroquois appeared. Some of them were captured and the others put to flight. Some of them however, have done what they never dared do before. Previously, they never came closer to us than about forty leagues, but this time they ventured to within three leagues of here, attacking the dwelling of one of our inhabitants, killing two of his servants, and putting his whole family to flight. They pillaged his house and all his possessions. From there they set fire to the house of a good gentleman which is a little farther off. These incursions have terrified all the inhabitants who are scattered here and there, the better to carry out their business. It is rumoured that the Iroquois are armed in great numbers to come to attack us, but do not worry about us, for our house, besides being very strong, is also protected by the cannon from the fort. But this is not the source of our confidence and our strength: it is our Jesus who is that.

Father Bressani who left in September to go to the Mission, returned after travelling only fifty leagues. He has spent the Winter here with a group of Hurons whom he instructed. Our three houses of Religious along with some charitable lay people are contributing to feed these poor exiles who have just left for their own country to look for the rest of their families to bring them here closer to us. These new inhabitants are forcing us to study the Huron language, which I had never attempted before, being satisfied to know that of the Algonquins and Montagnais, who are always with us.

Perhaps you will laugh that at the age of fifty I am beginning the study of a new language, but one must undertake everything for the service of God and the salvation of our neighbour. I began this study a week after the octave of All Saints. Father Bressani has very kindly been my teacher up to the present. Since we can study languages only in the Winter I hope that someone else will come this Autumn who will provide us with the same help. Pray to Our Lord that He will open my spirit for His Glory so that I can render Him this little service.

Let us do even better, my dearest son, let us study the action and language of the saints, and above all of the Saint of Saints. I believe that you are doing it very well. For myself I have the desire but I confess to you that I am not proceeding as quickly as I believe God wants me to. Please recommend this to Him. It is time for me to think seriously about eternity, for although I have a strong constitution and good health, I think that when one reaches the age of fifty one must believe that life will not go on much longer.

This fills me with joy, but essentially I do not wish for either life or death. I think that as our soul tends naturally to its last end, mine feeling it approach, rejoices at the thought. It is in the loving resting place of eternity that having finished our course, we shall see each other through God’s Mercy. What happiness! Who would not rejoice while waiting to possess it? These are the sweet thoughts which overwhelm my soul with a peace I cannot express. When I speak of eternity, I mean the enjoyment of the eternal God whose goodness never tires of showering us with His favours in this mortal life will Himself take pleasure in inundating us with them in eternity.

I will not risk writing to you more fully. I am entrusting this letter to chance, never having experimented with this way before. If you receive it, let me know so that we will not neglect any means of sending you our news. We are awaiting yours and that of our friends. May it be good news through His grace! As I finish this letter I learn that the young men have been mustered to fight the Iroquois, who are very close. People are very much afraid of them because they hide in the underbrush and pounce on people when they least expect them. They are real murderers who cannot be suppressed for they mock even the most skilful.

From Quebec. 17 May 1650
The translation of this letter is from Irene Mahoney, Selected Writings.
p. 151-152.