Monsignor,

I hear that you did not deem it wise to consider as an official request to enter your diocese the letter that I had the honor to write you last January, although it was or such was my intention.

Monsignor, I was convinced that the Pastor of St. Adelaide de Pabos had approached you and that you had accepted theoretically, while fearing for us some unfortunate disillusions.

That is why I deemed it wise to send immediately two Sisters to St. Adelaide to examine the situation and to draft an exact and detailed report; and it was upon receipt of this information that I hurried to write my January 7 letter, Monsignor.

Renewal 

of 

the

official 

request 

of 

January 7,

1903

Soon upon their arrival in Pabos, our delegated Sisters had sent you, through the Pastor, a letter of recommendation from the Bishop of Vannes. The Sisters had planned to pay their homage personally to Your Highness as soon as the weather would allow them to undertake the trip to Rimouski.

If there is something that might have offended you in this matter, Monsignor, I am sincerely sorry and ask for your forgiveness. I assure you of my good faith and beg you to consider this affair as a misunderstanding.

In normal circumstances, Monsignor, I would have acquiesced in the decision of Your Highness, discreetly postponing my solicitation to work in the faith-education with the children of Gaspésie. 

However, religious congregations are currently going through such a crisis in our "poor" France that I cannot refrain from knocking at the door of your heart, which I am confident, will not deny the request that I make in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. You have given us hope that later it might be possible to hire us.

May I venture to ask, Monsignor, that I may not be subjected to recalling my two religious at a time when a great number of our  houses have been closed.

My Sisters ask only to be allowed to work for the glory of God; would I be compelled to send them back to the world that they have left? No, you would not want it, Monsignor. That is what prompts me to say  that we are not an nuisance : our Sisters love to work; we live poorly; we hope to become self-sufficient. I believe your Paternity will be happy 
to notice it some day.

Hoping to receive a favorable reply, I bow and ask for your blessing, Monsignor.  Please accept the expression of the deep respect with which I am honored to be, Monsignor, your humble servant. (C-2)

Crucial 

situation
 
of 

religious

 congregations

 in 

France