Short note from Mary Martin to Father Prior at 2am in the Grafton street writing rooms.

TEXT

Caritas
Switzers
WRITING ROOMS
GRAFTON STREET
DUBLIN
4-pm. Friday
Dear Father Prior
Just a line to catch
post. Here I am + little
done so far. I have been
to Maguire + Catchell
now go on
to
9+C
Martins to get prices
from them for lavatories
After which I shall go to
Clerys.
Luckily I met Mrs
Betty Leonard she seems
anxious to send her
son to Glenstal if she
Can afford it at all.

next Sept. He
is
11/2 yrs.
has never
been to school
before. so may be back.
ward in studies she says
he is very good at Maths.

• likes English History +
  Geography
  but know no
  Irish or Latin
  She is a personal friend
  Mrs Kelly + Mangan_
  Mrs. Kelly intends sending
  her boy who is only
• to Kellashee. for a
  year + would then like
  to send him on to Glenstal
  Ml Mangans boy is at
  Killashee will be leaving
  1936

Switzers
WRITING ROOMS
GRAFTON STREET
DUBLIN
probably in September + is
anxious to know all about
Glenstal.
So it is necessar
to have your article on
Benedictine Education put
with print + Prospectus
sent to them
as soon
as possible. To.morrow
I have a meeting at 1 O'ck
to meet My Cousin
Maura Leonard ( who straa
to say was at school for
a year at the Benedictines
Kylemore when they
were in Wexford, she lives
hear +
is
a great friend
of M
Mangan + Mrs D. Kelly
3.

If we have great trust +
a little courage
to gr
forward I see great
prospects for your school
may be necessary to
spend a little money
to have things in order _
as for instance the
lavatories on ground floor
where there should be
wash basins also. If you
have time will you look
at the wash. basin in
front lavatory I am not
sure if it is broken
no
When the shops dose
(1936)

Switzers
WRITING ROOMS
GRAFTON STREET
DUBLIN
.
to see Sister Baptist about
O Heas Son _
I did my best to have
My teeth seen to do
as to have an opportunity
talking to Mr. Hogan
but he cannot give me
an appointment till thursda
next so my teeth will
have to wait for next
visit to Dublin
I just rang up home
now to hear I was to
ring ap 23386 which
I did not knowing who
I was to get on too .
discovered it was His

Excellency be wanted to
know if you were coming
up
or not be had
had a letter to say
you might be up
So I said I left yesterday
that you had not
made up your mind
He wants you to stay
with him if you
come up_ I said I
would probably know
to. morrow morning +
would ring him up.
I shall go + see him
on Sunday probably
Should the letter from
1936

Switzers
WRITING ROOMS
GRAFTON STREET
Rome come
to. morrow Sat
DUBLIN

• you are not coming
  will you
  wire me +
  Send it by 4 pm train
  I shall meet it.
  Of course open it
  read it + give the contains
  to Dom David if you
  think well on reading it
  tell my daughters I
  leave it to your + Dom Davids
  discretion. I shall wait till
  afternoon before ringing up
  His Excellency
  if no
  wire by 12 o ck I shall
  know no little.
  Please give my love to

my daughters
I hope
they
keeps in great fervour of
spirit with cheerful +
generous hearts
called + left parcil
at Dismond Moreland they
were all out. I thanked
od for
it savid a little
time.
Noo Mast closed. You will
be glad to hear they all
think I look better this
time
Union of prayer + love
in the hearts of Jesus +Mary
your child for God
Marie
1936)

Italian letter to "Eminenza Reverendissima". Presumably the Nuncio. About sending people to Nigeria.

Mmuinenza Reverendissima,
Ringrazio profondamente vostra Minenza Reverendissima
della venerata lettera lettera del 5 Maggio u.s. Le parele di inco-
raggiamento e la Benedizione, che vostra Minenza con tanta bonta
ha voluto avere per la Signorina Martin e per le sue compagne,sono
riuscite loro dd grande conforto e di nuovo stimolo per perseverare
nel lore generoso proposito.
Msse stanne attualmente continuando e compiendo la loro
preparazione negli 1stituti ed Ospedali di qui e sperane in un tempo
relativamente breve di poter inviare un primo drapello di infermiere
in Nigeria, presse il Prefette Apostolico mons. Moynagh, che ha loro
scritte e le ha invitate a recarsi cola, dicende che metteva a loro
disposizione un Ospedale della Prefettura Apostolica.
Durante questi mesi, confomme alle venerate direttive
di Yostra Mminenza, non abbiamo mancato di esporre il nostro desiderio
A queste Autorita diocesane. Per ora la Sig. na Martin e compagne po-
tranno formare una specie di Associazione direi privata, fiduciose di
poter un siorne costituire una Congresazkone religiosa riconosciuta
da un vescove in Irlanda o in Migeria.
Chine al bacio della sacra Porpora e rinnovando l'espres
sione della piu viva gratitudine, mi professo,
dell'mninenza vostra Reverendissima,
umilissime ed ebbedientissime servitore

AI ASSISTED TRANSLATION:

Most Reverend Eminence, I deeply thank Your Most Reverend Eminence for the revered letter of May 5th. The words of encouragement and the blessing that Your Eminence, with such kindness, has given to Miss Martin and her companions have been a great comfort to them and a new incentive to persevere in their generous purpose. They are currently continuing and completing their preparation in the institutions and hospitals here, and they hope, in a relatively short time, to send a first group of nurses to Nigeria, to the Apostolic Prefect Mons. Moynagh, who has written to them and invited them to come there, stating that he is making a hospital of the Apostolic Prefecture available to them. During these months, in accordance with the revered directives of Your Eminence, we have not failed to express our desire to these diocesan authorities. For now, Miss Martin and her companions can form a kind of private association, confident that one day they will be able to establish a recognized religious congregation either by a bishop in Ireland or in Nigeria. Bowing to the kiss of the sacred Purple and renewing the expression of the most vivid gratitude, I profess myself, Your Most Reverend Eminence's most humble and obedient servant.

Draft letter from probably the Prior to the local Bishop inquiring about confirmations, and stating that Mother Mary Martin has left Glenstal.

The boys have come back—and in greater numbers than I expected. We now have 17 and are full of hope for the future of your Glenstal School. May I ask if it is Your Grace's intention to come up here before long, since some of the boys are not confirmed yet, and Y.G. expressed the wish to perform the sacred rites? I wonder if the season is very suitable—and, of course, I leave all to the judgment and decision of Y.G. Nevertheless, if you intended to come before Christmas, I could venture to suggest a feast day, such as the Immaculate Conception. I also want to notify Y.G. that from the reopening of the school in September, Miss Martin has definitely left Glenstal. As Y.G. suggested in our last conversation, she intended to have her companions trained in public as lay nurses. I remain, dear Lord Archbishop,

On a letter received from the Nuncio.

TEXT

Caritas
Glenstal Priory
Murroe
July 1936

My dear Father,

When I next meet Dom David, I hope to have news of you.

All is very quiet here, going as peacefully as befits a monastery. The Clerk of the Weather has never stopped weeping since you left, so the two guests—Vincent and Miss Moynagh—are experiencing very bad weather.

I received a very kind letter from His Excellency in response to mine. He had written to Dom Dominic but had received no reply.

I am, of course, very glad to know that Father Prior at Glenstal approves of the decision you have reached regarding the foundation and erection of a medical society or mission. There may be an opportunity for him to discuss the whole matter upon his return from Belgium. Meanwhile, I am still awaiting a reply from Rome regarding the questions I sent on your behalf.

Rest assured that he will be more than happy to assist you in any way he can. Beaucotte joins me in sending you our best wishes until we meet again.

Will you write to me from London? I shall be in Dublin to meet you. I wrote today to Father Whitney to inform him of our decision.

We are moving forward with the work as a lay society at home, as it will likely be through his vicariate that we proceed first.

Last night, I could not help but think how strange it all is—going back to Calabar. If the mission is established there, it will be exactly as the instruction from the Pope to Bishop Thanahai in 1893. When I was placed in the novitiate in Africa, I wonder if I failed Him by returning home. I would not have done so except for my vow of obedience.

I spoke to Father John today regarding the painting and the roof, as there had been no progress. I also mentioned the trimming of the trees around the house, as they block air from reaching the pantries and light from entering the dormitory.

I hope you are getting some rest and that the Holy Spirit enlightens you for the future of your work here. I now see so clearly what my task must be—to sacrifice everything and accomplish His will, focusing on the essentials and not allowing my energy to be drained by external concerns until we are firmly established as a society. Then, we can embrace much more.

I have received a blessing from God in the form of very humble but solid souls to build upon. They remind me of Christ’s chosen few at the beginning of the Apostolic School, and I trust He will send me more as I move forward in His will—those with the necessary qualifications as well.

I shall write again as soon as I have more news. I wish I could do more for you now, but nothing can be decided in your absence.

I pray for you often, dear Father, in gratitude for all you have done for us, the poor children of Mary. Each night, we offer a special prayer for you.

Come back well for God's work, and take care of yourself as much as possible. You have hard years ahead, but nothing is too difficult for those who love.

Your unworthy child in God,
Marie Martin

Caritas
Glenstal Priory
Greenbank
Saturday

My dear Father,

I hope you were not disappointed that I was not at the tram this morning. I was ready and all set to go in by bus when I got a ring from you, but as no ring came—and my sister had a bad cold—I remained here in prayer. I know you will write any instructions you have for me.

I slept well from yesterday to last night. It is a great relief that the letter has gone in God’s name. I fear so much delay owing to Holy Week coming so soon, etc. They would not accept your envelope for registration owing to the tears at the bottom, so you should have seen me trying to copy yours.

I rang up Father Paschal—he, like myself, is relieved that the letter has gone. He advises me to do nothing further about the issue of Cork until we have an answer, which he says I shall probably receive by this day week.

Today, I have an appointment with Father Burke at 3 p.m., so I shall thank him and say it is an admirable suggestion, but it is better to do nothing until I receive an answer from P. de Fide with instructions.

Much work of preparing the ground can be done these days so that when we have something definite, we can go ahead with love, joy, and trust.

While it is good to know there is a chance of another diocese, this will only be considered if Cashel is closed to us ,unless you definitely prefer not to have the extra burden of M.M.M. at Glenstal. We would all like to remain with you if this is God's Will and if we can continue to help you at Glenstal in a very humble way.

We must have patience and see what is the Will of God, which will be shown to us by events and circumstances. I live by faith and have great charity, praying that our dear friend Henry may show some definite change in his attitude toward things.

Tomorrow, I shall see Miss Dunne and perhaps manage Cappagh and some other likely places for vocations.

When do you think I should return I shall try and have done all I know I can do at present by Monday evening or Tuesday.

Yesterday, I met Father Theil. He has promised to help me with vocations but would like to have something definite or even a letter from someone in authority to show me subjects. I said the only letters I had were from Ms Moynagh, Father Whitney, and Bishop Shanahan. He asked for a copy of these. Could you let me have a copy of the one from Bishop Shanahan? I have not got one, as I sent the original to Rome.

Ask my children to pray very earnestly these days and to live in great recollection and love.

I forgot to mention to you that I left Miss O'Rourke in charge this time.

Now, Father, to the most important matter—to thank you with all my heart for having come up to Dublin and remaining so long. But it was, to my mind, necessary that His Excellency should be clear of all you wish regarding how you are to help us with your great support. I need it.

Mary Martin to Father. Gratitude to the Nuncio.

TEXT:
My dear Father,

I was glad to receive your unexpected letter this morning. I know how happy you are to be back in your Monastery again, and for this reason, I found it very hard to ask you to remain over, but I felt it was necessary, especially if it is ever to be that we remain at Glenstal.

I have just written to His Excellency trying to express my gratitude, which is impossible. Did you ever see such trouble and kindness? I know full well that it is he alone who will be able to guide us safely in our delicate situation, putting all my trust in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and through Our Mother.

This time, in a sense, to say being under Benedictine influence in a country such as Ireland will not make my work so easy to accomplish. I realized this from the beginning, but if it is the Will of God. He can and will remove all obstacles and prejudices that may be there. On the other hand, He may want the Novitiate house elsewhere, which will be shown to us by events.

I was speaking on the phone yesterday to His Excellency. He told me you had gone, and that you were answering. He has placed himself absolutely at my disposal at any time, so I asked him in my letter today if I could avail myself again of his counsel and direction when I receive the letter from Rome.

Is there any reason for me remaining up here? Would it not be better now? I enclose the bills I paid, including the one that has come several times from Maguire and Gatchell for the porridge pot. O Connor took off 2 /- so the whole came to 5.19.9

I hope Miss O'Rourke and Miss Moycugh will manage things well tomorrow morning for you. I am anxious to make them more responsible in case I should have to be away for any length of time. The fish has been ordered for Wednesday and Friday.

I hope you were not too tired after all your rushing about. I am feeling very tired, so I remain quietly at home, trying to get my correspondence up to date and all my papers in order. I am preparing a copy of all Henry’s letters in case they are needed.

I am very sorry to hear Dom David is in bed with a cold. I feared this when leaving, but it would be better to return tomorrow evening and have these days in prayer with our Lord and doing my duty for Glenstal and M.M.M with my children, as I shall probably have to come up again very soon.

I did not see Fr. Burke on Saturday; he was called away. It was providential, I think. At present, it is better to remain hidden with our Lord this week in prayer, taking no steps or moves till I hear from Rome. The devil gets so active and uses even the holiest people to destroy God's work.

It is hard to do anything solid or definite about vocations with P???? until we are recognized by either Rome or a bishop. - individuals, I can do something with, and thank God Miss ??? was much helped yesterday by our interview. She will probably make up her mind at Easter.

It is impossible to get them to take anything for it.

If you wish me to remain up here these few days, will you wire me tomorrow, unless you have already written directions which I will receive tomorrow morning? Otherwise, I shall return tomorrow evening and be with you all. I am ready to do whatever you wish.

With a heart full of love and gratitude to you for your generosity and kindness. I pray much for you and all.

Your child for God,
Marie

Letter in French to the Prior regarding Mary Martin. Author not signed. Letter comes from Anvers, France.

Letter to Father Prior from Mary Martin regarding the cancelled visit of Father David. Though the date is marked 1935 in the letter by someone else afterwards, it is most likely 1934 because of the context.

TEXT

• Leeson St
  Caritas
  Dublin
  Dear Father Prior
  Many thanks for your
  letter + Post card only received
  this Morning Naturally I
  was disappointed when Dom
  David did not turn up
  Yesterday but on the other
  hand they, at least these
  things T.P. do not effect me
  much now We had arranged
  to have no visitors so as
  to be well strong for his
  visit. now I have it still
  to look forward to + I hope
  in two weeks time
  A pare
  my toes healed enough to be
  able to go home but God alone
  kwows these things for certain.
  D.Quinlan returned on Sunday
  he came yesterday + the St
  have decided it is better
  to take of the tops of the 1st
  toe + part of the big toe
  this little separation ￡ will
  probably be done on either
  Thursday or Friday next if
  My rheumatism chases us
  Last Friday I got rather an
  acute attack of Rheumatism
  which has left me rather
  more weak + tried. To-day
  I am better but slept badly
  I know once more you will
  all pray for me that in all
  recovery
• that the sickness will
  not go further afield. the
  boys keep well_ I hope Matron
  will see light soon about Rose
• that Fr John has her
  insured + the card stamped
  up to date in case she has
  to go to hospital or is
  unable to work for some
  time.
  All the cards should
  be kept stamped up to
  date.
  Ask Matron
  to write
  if there is any thing.
  she needs
  from Dublin
  to help her for Rose
  I am also sorry to hear the
  boys are not eating well
  I remember at breakfast they
  used to eat a very good
  plate of porridge ( which must
  be made thick) I plenty of known
  Sugar + Milk a cup of tea
  Bacon + Egg but hardly any
  bread + butter
  For dinner the smaller boys
  eat little but they all used
  to eat a very big
  plenty of bread + butter +
  Jam Supper was another
  meat they did not eat much
  at but then they have a
  glass of milk.
  forgot to
  tell Matron Frank Mc Cann
  used to have a glass
  Milk at 11 am if he is
  inclined to loose weight
  They all should eat well
  now especially if there are
  colds going about the
  house
  I regretted very much having
  to send you this further burden
  Miss claims I may
  confess honestly all the suffering
  of my accident is nothing
  compared to the first few
  months but it all had to be
  to bring things right for Glenstal
  Both Srs say I am going
  on slowly + surely. I am
  naving Beers treatment now
  for my toes + start infectio
  to.morrow. I am not suffering
  so much now + with a
  pill I sometimes get 3 to 4
  hours sleep. so am feeling
  better.
  I believe Our Lord will
  let me grow here apart from
  you all in the spirit of
  St. Benedict I read +
  study his Rule + Christ the
  Life of the Monk + pray +
  May become more + more
  Christlike.
• Davids visit gave me
  great joy for which I thank
  you . Mother + my sister were
  charmed with the News _
  His Excellency The Nuncio
  ts coming to see me to.morrow
  thanking you again I shall
  allways remain your grateful
• unworthy child in Jesus + Mary
  Sr Mary
  ( S. Tell Fr. David I shall
  arrange as he directs for
  Nun to meet Sister
  M. M

From Mary Martin to Father Prior mentioning two possible vocations.

TEXT

Caritas
Dear Father Prior
It was good to see you
again + better still to hear
the Doctor found nothing seriously
wrong .
I have The permission ( with
a promise not to kneel or
stand from me) to attend
the ceremonies to-morrow +
Friday. Thank God even though
it means resting afterwards

• do not want to trouble
  you now all I want to let
  MONKSTOWN
  Spy Wednesday

you know
is that Miss O' Rourke
your direction
will takes cooks
place whenever you wish to
give .er a few days holidays
It might be well for Miss O Rour
to have a few days with Cook
before she goes if you think
well of it_ I told Miss O'Rourke
to arrange all with you.
It was very good of you to
arrange for Miss Clery to stay
hope she will be much impressed
by the ceremonies at Glenstal

• also with the life + spirit
  my two daughters_
  Two likely vocation may
  down for the day on Monday.