Letter 86

From Quebec. To her son. 15 September 1644.

My dear and beloved son,

I cannot let this opportunity to write to you pass and so I am giving myself the satisfaction of doing so. One of our best men, lieutenant to the Governor of New France and one of our best friends is here. He has promised me to see you for he tries to please me in every way he can. He may appear to you like a courtier but in fact he is a man of great prayer and virtue. His house, which is close to ours, is regulated like a house of religious people. His two daughters are our boarders. They are young women who have imbibed virtue with their mother’s milk, for she is one of the purest souls I have ever known.

I tell you this, my dear son, so that you will honour this gentleman, as well as to show you there are devout souls in Canada. He is going to France for the concerns of the country and of the French colony. He will tell you everything that is happening here. Since he once gave us advice concerning our business affairs, he has had permission from the Father Superior of the Mission to enter our Monastery. He will tell you all the news if you would like to ask him.

My very dear son, the ships are about to weigh anchor so I cannot open my heart to you as you would like. I am extremely tired because of the number of letters I have written, I think I have written more than two hundred. One must do all this along with our other duties while the ships are here. I have written four letters to you, I think you should have received one in the month of September and the other two in December. This one is simply to renew my affection and my strong desire for your sanctity. I am edified by all you have told me of your holy order. I cannot stop blessing God for having called you there. Don’t stop praying for me and recommending me to the prayers and sacrifices of all the Fathers. I consider them my own, since they are yours. I am giving myself the happiness of writing to the Reverend Prior of your house and that of Tiron. All my sisters and Madame, our Foundress send you greetings. Please offer all these to God and myself as well, who am my dear and beloved son, your very humble and affectionate mother.

15 September 1644.
Kelly, Sr M. St. Dominic, O.S.U. Marie of the Incarnation 1599 - 1672 Correspondence, (translated from the French edition by Dom Guy Oury Monk of Solesmes), Irish Ursuline Union, 2000, p. 88 - 89.