Item 2021-08-31/156 - Lizzie

Four A4 pages, double sided

Mary Martin to Prior on various practical matters, including concerns about Lizzie's work, training Miss Magnagh, Martin's health, visit of Father Abbot.

Date switches between St. Benedict's feast day, March 22nd, April 21.

TRANSCRIPTON:
--- Page 1 ---
2/18/2022 Mass. 19/35
Page 4
see
21 April '35
Greenbank
Monkstown
Feast of St. Benedict
1935

2021-08-31/156
Dear Father Prior,
We are all very closely united
to-day in celebrating the feast of St. Benedict
I hope he will unite as all more & more
in our aim and spirit. Owing to the feast of
St. Patrick having been celebrated on Monday
the 19th I have gone absolutely astray in
dates, it was only late last night I realized
to-day would be the feast.
I was very pleased to received your long
letter also the enclosed from Dom David, Cook
& Mai. All of which have helped greatly to
clear up my mind on a little uneasiness
I had over the domestic situation. I must
do all I can to get Miss Magnagh trained
as I feel Lizzie is unreliable & really may
not be doing over share of the work if she
did she would not have much time to
spare, also Mais' letter which I enclose

--- Page 2 ---

as I think it is Letter you should know
all as I am absent.
I had two very satisfactory letters from Matron
all is well with her, her whole desire is
do everything she can to help us all
during my absence, although she is timid
about interfering - my opinion is unchanged
though. I think it is much wiser you
hold on to the kitchen etc, you could never
know now when there would be a flare.
up from Lizzie - being out late at night,
if this is true, is strictly against my
Wishes and arrangements, the cleanliness
of the kitchen etc is under her care -
she is also responsible for seeing that the
back door is locked each night at
9.pm - no one is to be out without
your express permission - One of these
days some of these things may come to
your knowledge - it would be better for
you to have to deal with Lizzie -

--- Page 3 ---
4
As you say I always found Lizzie
much better when she is kept well occupied.
She would be quite busy enough if she
did her share of work in the kitchen.
I regret to say Ruowles are out of the
oranges for Marmalade & they fear it is
too late now to get another consignment
however if they do, they will forward
you on sufficient to make 37 lbs of
Marmalade with instruction.
I would give the boys marmalade
at tea, also the lot of tea for
the teachers, as it would be unwise
for the Boys to have very strong tea.
Mation in her own way may try to
keep Mary up to the mark, she was
an excellent girl & used to do her
work very thoroughly. I pray God may
let me find somewhere I can get
a quick training in cooking for
Miss Magnagh then my great assister for
the staff in Glenstal would no longer exist.
Matron is very happy & longs for my return.

--- Page 4 ---
21 April 35

It would of course be unwise to act on any
of the information I am going to you. Lizzie
evidently fears Mai reporting things, it is
the first time she has complained to me.
I shall write to Lizzie this week-end & do my
list, without giving Mai away, of influencing
her to a better spirit. I shall also answer Mai.
There is one thing I do "not approve of
in Mai's letter she says she is "fasting from
Meat & eggs" personally I do not think she is
strong enough with the work she has to do, to
fast. When I am writing I shall tell her to
consult either you or Father David on this
point & to abide by your decision. Matron
mentioned in one of her letters that she was a little lit uneasy about Mai's health.
How I would love to be able to return, even
if it was only to relieve you of these domestic
worries. But I fear I would be of little use
as I am & in a very short time you would
have all the trouble of sending me back to
Dublin. However St. Benedict may arrange it
all to-day, Fr. Quinlan is coming out this evening,
I shall approach him on the question again.

--- Page 5 ---
5
2 16th and March 38 21 April 35

Stupidly I did not realize Dom Columbia
was sinking so fast & would have to have
Glenstal as quickly - I am glad this ordeal
is over it must have been heart-breaking for
you all. Then the long wait & missing
the train & yet this was all foreseen by our Divine
Lord & His loving Providence - I must confess
I found it very hard to write, but I should
say to know what to say - as I did not
think that it would be well for me to give
the impression that I know the whole truth.
Although for his own sake, I think it is
a great grace from God when one knows one
is suffering for something that science cannot
cure, it takes away so much of the suffering
attached to a long illness where things are
uncertain it is often so difficult to know where
His perfection lies- The only way I can find
real peace of mind is obedience, as I discover
self-love, pride etc are so suttle especially
in a person such as I am and my
great longing is to due to self so as to be strong in Christ - I long to go back
to Glenstal & feel with God’s grace & will power I would probably be able for it, although

--- Page 6 ---
6/
precisely I do not feel equal to even
the amount I am trying to do at present
the heart muscles have seen sadly effected
by the poison - however Doctor Quinlan
come to-night, he has not seen me
for two weeks. I shall see what he
has to say & then ask him about
returning soon -
I am delighted to hear of Father's
Abbots' visit & would like very much
to le there, just to get his blessing each
right after Compline, owing to the languages
we are unable to converse - You & Dom
David know all the desires of my heart
& you will le able to discuss the sole
matter over with him both for yourselves
& me & then give me his views.
For me all things are difficult at present
owing to great darkness, temptations against
faith and overwhelmed with sense of my
absolute unworthiness & unfitness for the work

--- Page 7 ---
7
G Ist + 2nd March 35 (21 April 35)

before me and wondering whether it is all
delusion etc. - It is not the first time this has
happened so I am happy awaiting God’s good
pleasure in blind faith. - I do not think such
a time as this is good to come to any discussion
or make a change in my vocation. All I ask you
is to pray much that I may have patience in
all - not so de;uded or offend our Divine Lord.
22nd March.
I had to leave this unfinished so shall
add Fr. Quinlans report, he says the foot
is improving, though very slowly but says it
is well to have the drainage so long as there
remains any septic trouble. I remained up
till he arrived so that he could guide the
action on my heart, unfortunately for any
hope of getting back immediately, he found
it very fast 160 a min, so advised me to
go slower in my progress & to be guided
by that feeling of exhaustion & tiredness
& to only just do the bear necessity of
walking & standing, taking a complete
rest when feeling tired. He said it would
be very unwise now after getting through
everything so well to force things now, the

--- Page 8 ---
6
21 April 35

muscles of the heart have gone through a great
strain after shock, operations & poisoning, so that
it must be very practically be accustomed to
activity. I spoke of going back to Glenstal
be could not possibly recommend it at
present, be said it might be another 2.3
months but at the very least 6 weeks
& then it would only be a case of returning
to direct things. That after the operation he
said probably I would be fit enough to
go back at the end of April - I have
it all in Our Lords hands & in the mean
time all my life & prayers are His to use
as He Wills for all the things I would
like to be able to do for Him -
I grieve only for you. But let Matron
help you all she can without giving
up the authority & if you really see Lizzie
is getting unsatisfactory just let me know &
I will be on the look out for another Cook
during these weeks. I shall do all that is
in my power to have Miss Magnagh trained
so that we shall have her for emergencies
& holidays -
By the way I do not think you need

--- Page 9 ---
worry much about all the talk & the reopening
of Jorey School, I do not think it will
ever take place in the life of this Bishop
also I think Downside would be very
slow in such a step. I hear Fr. Sewwthan
has gone over to Downside but that
is all I know. Jerard Marpry has been
in bed with the flue so I have not been
able to get in touch with him.
Please remember me to all at Glenstal
I hope to write for all our feast day
25th March - and please give all my
sincere & humble respect to the Father
Abbot, I feel it would be selfish to
ask him to come here his time is
always short & precious.
Your patient child for God-
Sr Mary

• English

• Latin