Visit to Murroe

From Fr. Theodore OSB

From a Benediction outside of Glenstal

From the Abbot Alcuin Deutsch of St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota. Advising about the rule of the Benedictines Nuns.

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St. John's Abbey
Collegeville, Minn.

Very Rev. Dom Beda Lebbe, O.S.B.
St. Columba's Priory
Glenstal, Co. Limerick, Ireland.

My dear Dom Beda:

In my letter of April 20 I promised to send you copies of several Constitutions for Benedictine Sisters. I sent you three on the second of this month. That is all I can get for you at the present time. The Constitution for the Congregation that I have been trying to form is not yet available. As a matter of fact it is about the same in the Declarations as that of the Congregation of St. Scholastica. I introduced some important changes into the Constitution of the Congregation, but you will hardly need anything for a Congregation at the present time, since I imagine that you are for the present merely trying to establish a single community.

With a hearty God bless you and your community, I am

Yours fraternally,

St. John's Abbey
Collegeville, Minn.
April 20, 1936

Very Rev. Dom Beda Lebbe, O.S.B.
St. Columba's Priory
Glenstal, Co. Limerick, Ireland.

My dear Father Prior:

I don't know whether I should address you, "Povero Don Beda" (—Yes, I recall very well how I used to tease you in this way). And I suppose I ought to do it again to express my sympathy for you in having been exiled to Ireland and made Prior there. The last time I received a letter from there it was from my old friend "Monsignore Don Auberto." If I am not mistaken he has been thrown back by Ireland to the shores of Belgium.

It is a long time since I had any letter from a Benedictine in England or Ireland. But almost the same mail that brought your letter brought me one from Father Wilfrid Wilson with a reprint of the obituary of Father Joseph Dawson, which originally appeared in the Ampleforth Journal. It was a pleasure to know that neither you nor Don Wilfrido, whom I suppose you still remember, has forgotten me.

As to the service you request: a copy of the Constitution of the one or the other of the Benedictine Sister communities in this country. There is one Congregation embracing quite a number of the Benedictine communities. Its statutes have been approved by the Holy See. These communities engage only in school work. There is another group of houses out here in Minnesota and the neighboring States of the northwest of the U.S. For some years already [I] have been trying to get these together into a Congregation. I have succeeded so far that the statutes for it are at present before the Holy See and will, I hope, meet its approval before the end of this year.

I shall try to obtain for you a printed copy of the Constitutions of the first mentioned Congregation and a typewritten copy of the second. Then I shall try to get you a copy also of the Declarations on the Holy Rule that I drew up some years ago for the convent of St. Scholastica in Duluth, and a copy also of the recently revised constitutions for St. Benedict's Convent, four miles from here. There are some other convents that stand alone, but I do not even know whether they have anything except the will of the Prioress to guide them. As I shall have to write for copies of these constitutions, it may take two or three weeks after receipt of this letter before you get them.

Hoping that you are well and happy and that St. Columba's

ORIGINAL OCR

S. Jobnr Abbeg
Gmlleperllle, Man.
Very Rev. Dom Beda Lebbe, O.S.B.
St. Columba s Priory
Glenstal Co. Limerick, Ireland.
My dear Dom Beda:
copies of several Constitutions for Benedictine Sisters.1I sent
In my letter of April 20 I promised to send you
you three on the second of this month. That is all I can get for
you at the present time. The Constitution for the Congregation
that 1 have been trying to form is not yet available. As a matter
of fact it is about the same in the Beclarations as that of the
Congregation of St. Scholastica. I introduced some important
changes into the Constitution of the Congregation, but you will
hardly nced anything for a Congregation at the present time, since
1 imagine that you are for the present merely trying to cstablish
A Single community.
Mith a hearty God bless you and your comunity, I am
Yours fraternally,

S. Jobs Abben
Gollepeville, Han.
April 20, 1936
Very Rev. Dom Beda Lebbe. O.S.B.
St. Columba' s Priory
Glenstal Co. Limerick, Ireland.
My dear Father Prior.
Epovero Don Beda' (- Yes, I recall very well how I used to
I don't know whether I should address you,
tease you in this way. And 1 suppose I ought to do it again
to express my sympathy for you in having been exiled to the
Irish and made Prior there. The last time I received a letter
from there it was from my old friend "Monsignore Don Autberto.
1f 1 am not mistaken he has been thrown back by Ireland to the
shores of Belgium.
It is a long time since I had any letter from a Benedictine
in England or Ireland. But almost the same mail that brought
your letter brought me one from Father Wilfrid Wilson with a
reprint of the obituary of Father Joseph Dawson, which originally
Appcarcd in the Ampleforth Journal. It was a pleasure to Know
that neither you nor Don Wilfrido, whom 1 suppose you still re-
member, has forgotten me.
As to the service you request: a copy of the Constitution
of the one or the other of the Benedictine Sister communities
in this country. There is one Congregation embracing quite a
number of the Benedictine communities. 1ts statutes have been
Approved by the Holy See. These communities engage only in school
work. There is another group of houses out here in Minnesota and
the neighboring States of the northwest of the U.S. For some years
Already have been trying to get these together into a Congrega-
tion.I have succeeded so far that the statutes for it are at
present before the Holy See and will, I hope meet its approval
before the end of this year.
I shall try to obtain for you a printed copy of the Constitu-
tions of the first mentioned Congregation and a typewritten copy
of the second. Then I shall try to get you a copy also of the
Beclarations on the Holy Rule that I drew up some years ago for
the convent of St. Scholastica in Duluth, and a copy a1so of the
recently revised constitutions for St. Benedict's Convent, four
miles from here. There are some other convents that stand alone,
but 1 do not even know whether they have anything except the will
of the Prioress to guide them. As 1 shall have to write for copies
of these constitutions, it may take two or three wecks after re-
ceipt of this letter before you get them.
Hoping that you are well and happy and that St. Columba's

About a sick 11 year old boy

Advice from C. Heerey C.S.S.P. about coming to Nigeria

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My dear Sister Mary,

I hope you will pardon me for my long delay in replying to your most welcome letter last Xmas. It was a very great happiness to hear from you again and to hear such good reports on your work. I hope Our Dear Lord will continue to bless your little company till He sees it in the midst of the active life of the missionary world. I was expecting your second letter as promised and this partly explains my delay. As yet I do not know much about your position, but I take it that you are the nucleus of a great Medical Missionary Body, a body which my experience of this Mission has taught me is a very great need. There is nothing I would appreciate more than to have a body of Religious women who are qualified and authorized to run a Medical Mission in all its aspects and details.

You probably have heard of some of my experiences of these experiments of the Medical Missions run by a combination of Religious and lay people. With all the good will in the world on both sides, the position is fraught with many delicacies and difficulties. Anua has had its baptism of trials—trials is hardly the word—Satan's vendetta would be more suitable! Emekuku has also had its share, but the difficulties are in great part surmounted. I am blessed in having there an excellent doctor who puts the Mission work before any personal inconvenience.

The ideal thing would be a Society such as yours to take over every aspect of the Medical Mission—doctors and nurses all of one mind, with one common purpose and one common obedience. I could enter into many details, but I do not care to write them. If I were talking to you I would speak more freely. But I am convinced that your Society is the ideal one for a Medical Mission. I wish your Society every blessing and hope its members will grow rapidly and that you and your daughters will spread to many Missions and do immense work for souls through your medical labours.

Our celebrations of the golden Jubilee of the Mission and of the opening of the Cathedral were a great success. I am sorry I have not any snaps to send you. Miss Powell and Miss D'Arc[y] had been working in Emekuku Hospital since they came out till the beginning of Feb. They are two fine girls. I am sorry they have no doctor to work with them. I hope they will get one soon.

God bless you, I hope you will write again and tell me more of the society. Don't forget me in your prayers please.

Yours v. sincerely in J.C.

C. Heerey C.S.Sp.

ORIGINAL OCR

My dear sister Mary.
I hope you will pardon me for my long delay
in replying to you most welcome letter last Kmas. It sas a
Very great happiness to hear from you again amd to hear such
good reports on your work. I hope Our Dear Lord will continue
to bless your little company till He sces it in the midst of the
Active life of the missionary world. I was expecting you second
Letter as promised and this partly explains my delay. Ad yet I
do not know much about your position, but I take it that you are
she nucleus of a great Medical Missionary Body. a body which m
experience of this of this Mission has taught me is a very great
73
need, There is nothing I would appreciate more than to have a
body of Religious momen who are qualified and authorized to run
A Medical Mission in all its aspects and details.
Younprobably have heard of some of my experiences of these
experiments of the Medical Missions run by a combination of Re-
Ligious and lay people. With all the good will in the world on
both sides, the position is fraugth with many delicacies and dit.
ficulties. anwa has had its baptism of trails- trails is hardly
the word- satan's vendella would be more suitable' Emeluku.
has also had its share, but the difficulties are in great parts
surmounted. I am blessed in having there an excellent doctor who
puts the Mission work before any personal inconvienience.
The ideal thing would be a Society such as yours to take
over every aspect of the Medical Mission - doctors and nurses all
of one mind, with one common purpose and one common obedience,
I could enter into many delails, but I do not care to write
them. 1f I were talking to you I would speak more freely. But
I am convinced that your Society is the idial one for A Medscal
Mission. I wish your Society every blessing and hope its members
will grow rapidly and that you and your daughters will spread to
many Missions and do immense work for souls through your medical
Labours.
Aur celebrations of the golden Jubilee of the M
R
CAHOLIG, MisszoN
ONITSHLA.
SOUTHER MIGERIA.

report of meeting with a Bishop

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According to your counsel we went today to approach His Grace. The interview was short. I hope it was useful even if no success has been actually reported presently. I shall try to tell you the things as exactly as I remember.

I was introduced about 15.50. I began:
"I come on a business which I hope will interest the diocese of Cashel and be useful to Glenstal. I wonder if Your Grace has already read the recent Instruction of the Propaganda about the medical care to be given to the mothers and babies."
His Grace: "I have nothing to do..."

"They want first of all a house in Dublin or Cork and that is essential. Let them approach the Archbishop of Dublin, and, as he accepts, I may then consider myself the affair."
I: "Excuse me, but I think the novitiate is the first to be decided, as they will not go to the University before receiving good religious formation."
H.G.: "No no, that novitiate is only a year to prepare them for the real trial, the training in Dublin. So, let us first ascertain with the Archbishop of Dublin. (L'ordine logico, è questo [The logical order is this])."

Since that moment, impossible to get other, and His Grace concludes: "This is the canonical way. So approach the Archbishop of Dublin and if accepted, to bring the thing to me, and I will consider it."
I tried to explain to Him that Ms Martin was about to write to Rome, in order to put herself at the disposal of the Holy See, and ask for directions.
He only answered that the canonical law was Dublin-Cashel.

Having nothing more to say or to hear, I went out. We hesitated if it would be better for Ms Martin to go herself — I thought the useful time was over. We saw then the secretary, Fr O'Connor. We got nothing very definite from him. He dissuaded from returning to His Grace — moreover, it was a few minutes before his dinner — but thought well to give him the letter destined to the Cardinal by Ms Martin. He will present it himself, and let His Grace reflect, and make at ease his mind on the case.

In a further interview I had alone with him, he expressed that probably His Grace will like to come in touch with the Archbishop. "The Bishops of Ireland want to keep in good relations. Those persons are most [in order?]. And His Grace would not like to seem interfering in their projects, with His Colleagues. And so, we are sure that the answer will be delayed — and for [a] long time. But, as the Archbishop knows now in what intention she goes to Rome, he would be not right if he felt offended by the sending of the prepared letter and we can go ahead without expecting."

Don't [forget?]
Baciando il sacro anello, mi confermo di Sua Eccellenza A. [Devotissi]mo
[Kissing the sacred ring, I confirm myself Your Excellency's most devoted]

with the Propaganda.
I.: "No, but the instruction could interest you."
H.G.: "Was it published in the Acta?"
I.: "I don't know but I have here the text."
His Grace reads attentively, somewhat terse. When he declared: "I don't see anything for me in that."
I.: "The question is that we have in Glenstal some girls, with Ms Martin who think of some Work..."
"You remember..."
H.G. sharply: "I remember indeed, I refused absolutely to establish any sort of religious congregation."
I.: "Of course, but the situation is somewhat different now. The Holy See invites to form new Congregations, and I thought it would be great to start immediately in Ireland in our diocese. I know many others are contemplating to make something in accordance with Rome's views. The Holy Child [Nuns] come from England into Meath, another group is coming from America to recruit in Cork. And for Glenstal it would be a big loss to see them go else[where]. We were so satisfied of the good services they did to the Priory and College."
H.G.: "What do you intend to do?"
I.: "They would have a novitiate there."
H.G.: "I don't like to have another community at Glenstal."
I.: "Or they will build a new house, and send then their members for medic[al] [studies]."

ORIGINAL OCR

EAccordipg to your counselwe went today to approach His Gr. ohe in
7
Lerview was short. I hope it was useful even if no success has been
Actualdy reported presently. I shale try to tell you the thinse as
exactly as Mremembmen
I was intrcdncen sNomt 1550. I Hegan.
Mf come or s Musinea wbicb I hooe vidl iterest the diocase of GacE.
E1 and be usetud to Qlenatad worder if Your Grace has alrcady rer
Lhe recont Tastruoti p of the Eropagamds abont the medicad cnre to o
Mwen to the mothers and babies Mis Grace. - " am othing to do,

hew want Cirst of ald a house in Subldm or Gork ane that is es enti
1et themonnroach the rchbishop of Dubdir, and,os he accents, f may tle
Sonaidor mwaelc the aflair. Te. Exc ge me, ut Ithink the noviciate ie
the Mire to he decided, as thay mid not go to the Mhiversitit- before
raceiwings good neligions Gormation. - M.C. Mo no,that novicite is ore
a wear to orevares thom to the saae tial,te traipig in Subiim. St, te
Aust Firat aacertpip rith Ohe Archbishp of Dubir. (o ordine (ogico, e
Rim is inet"- Since that moment,impoasite to get other, gnd Me Grae
Soncludss. ohis is the canomical waw. So anproach Che AcchbisHGp oF SuG
Andsic acgepted,to bring the thing to me, and I wids consider it. & tru
Eo oxolaip Him that MscMartip Ma sbout to write to Rome, in order to
Sut herselc att the dispoaa) of the Moly sees,and ast Gor directions..
Ea on anamered that the cananicad aw was Dublia-bashel..
Mawing mothig more to saw or to bear, I went out. Me hesitated if it
Supd be better to Mss Mactin to go hersslt - I thought the uaeful ti
Rsower. He Aaw then the ecnetarw, Aer o'Gonmor. Me got nothing Yery G
Imite from bim. He dissuaded from Mreturrig to Mis Grace - moreower,ib
As O.dEe few miputes bePore pis dinner - but thought weld to give hi

various topics

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FEAST OF THE HOLY ROSARY 1936

My dear Father Prior,

Many thanks for your very welcome letter received this morning from Downside. I am very pleased to hear you had such a cordial welcome and that the place impressed you so much.

It is encouraging to see what the good will of men can accomplish when cooperating with God's Adorable Will strengthened by His Grace. I am sure they had just as many difficulties as you have now, when they started. We must both go faithfully ahead each in our different works faithfully corresponding to divine grace, cutting out everything that stands in the way of accomplishing such a tremendous work as foundation. It absorbs all that is in us poor limited human beings and if we allow our energy and time to be frustrated elsewhere God's work for us will suffer. How much I saw this during my last seven months at Glenstal and the difficulty to make a break from what I loved and appreciated so much.

Do you mean me to do anything with Briscoe Lawlor in reference to the curb?

When you are back and settled down I shall be glad to hear from you how you think the staff are getting on; the reports from my Daughters [are] not too bright. I foresee... do not let things get out of hand as it would be serious for anything to happen this year. Has Miss Hayes said anything further to you? I fear Mai with all her goodness is not all we would require as I fear she is the cause of the grumbling. Also I fear Nora will not be able for the work, she is very young and soft.

I fear Mr Egan is not finished completely yet although Fr Whitney is bringing his priests and students into it to-day. But you will see something of it. Desmond is very anxious to meet you some time; now that you have been to Downside I have promised him a visit in the Xmas holidays, when we shall all see you I hope.

I hope you found all well on your return. Has Fr Milerton turned up? I hear he is in Ireland again. I hope you will hear from Mr French [ffrench] of Galway; I spoke of Glenstal for His Boys, and gave a prospectus.

I called at several places about stove for class-room; there are none of the stoves set in large enough in capacity of heat for the room so I send you down illustration of the "Romesse" etc. They suggest if you could find [the] second flue in the room to have a stove at each end of the room, as I showed you in the previous illustration. I await your instruction before going any further.

In union of prayer and love in the hearts of Jesus and Mary,

Your ever grateful child for God,
OCR ORIGINAL TEXT

dear father Erior. Mary thanke foryour wery welcome letter reccived
this mornins Crom Dornside. I am very sleased to hear wou had such a
cordial Melcome andthat Che rlace imoressed tou sc ouc.
Mt is encouragins to see what the cood will of men can
Accomplishwhen cooperating with God's Adorable will strensthened be
His Grace. I am sure they had sust as many difficudties as wou have
now,when they started. We must both so faithfuldy ahesd cach in our

Nou mean me to do any thing with Briscoe Lawlor in reference to Me
curb9
When you are back and seltled down 1 shall be glad to hear frmum
Nou how you thinke the staff are getting on the reports from my DauAh.
Hers is not too bright. foresee do not det tngs get out of Hand a-
it would be serious for apything to HapeanthiS JeAr. HafMSS Hayes
said any thing furcher to you. I fear Wai with sld hercgoodness ie
not all we womld require as Ifear she is the cause of the gruumbling.
Mao I fear Mora will not be able for the work. she is very young
And soct.
Ifenr Mltegan is not finished completely yet although RF
Nhitney is bringing his pricS and studends into it to-day. But Jou
AAA SGG SomeVHinG of it. Desmond ie YeTy anNioue to meet Jou some
Mime nor that you have been to ponnside I have promised mim a visit
in the Smas wolidays, when we shald al sce yom Inope. etM2
I Hope ou found ald weld on your return, Has Pr MMAeTton
turned uo. Ihear he is ib Meland agaim.
D
1p umom of prayer and love ip the hearts of Jcsus and Mary
Your evers grateful chhe forcod,
degerent works faithfully correspondins to dirchcrdgsace, cuttins oul
everwthins that stands in the way of accomclishins such a tremendiates
morke as foundation. it absorbs all that is in us poor limited human
Lcins and if we allow our enerey and time to be frustrated clse where
Codis work for us wild suffer. Mow mouch I saw this durins oy dast Smen
months at Clenstal and then.difficulty to mane a break from what ILov.
cdrand sppreciatcd se souch.
3 hope wou wild hear from Mr Erenchlffrenchd of Gal.
moy Isncke of clenstal for His Boys, and gave a prospectus.
I called at several places about stove for class-rooi
there are none of the stoves set in lange enough in capacity of heat
for the room so I send you down illustration of the "Romesse etc.
They suggest if you could find toe second fue in the room to have a
Stove at cach end of the room, as I showed you in the previous ildus-
tration. I await your instruction before going any further. Also did

Recommendation of the work.

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Dear Miss Martin,

I thank you for your letter in which you mention that you intend to write to His Eminence, Cardinal Fumasoni Biondi, to obtain His blessing for the great work you mean to undertake for the cause of Christ in Africa: i.e., A MISSIONARY MEDICAL RELIGIOUS CONGREGATION, should God will you to do so, His will to be expressed through the blessing of the Holy See, followed by the approval of the Bishops in whose Dioceses this new grand work would be established.

I would like to recommend this Work, the great need of which I am in a position to appreciate, having been for years Ordinary of the Vicariate of S. Nigeria, W. Africa, but, being only a retired Bishop now residing in a religious community in Dublin, my recommendation can have no other value than what is personal to an old missionary in my position.

I am fully aware of your great Apostolic Zeal combined with your love for Africa's dark children, for I have seen you at work in Africa as a lay lady-missionary so long ago as 1921! I also know that for years you have been praying, working, suffering unceasingly that the work you now intend to get blessed by the Holy See might one day be inaugurated.

In my present position given to me by God to pray—and by prayer continue to work for my old Mission in Nigeria, while preparing at the same time to meet Our Lord's Judgment in the near future—I will pray very specially for the success of the future "Missionary Medical Religious Congregation": that God, through the voice of the Holy See, and the voice of the Hierarchy in Ireland, may bless it in its inception and bless you, you who have the splendid courage to face what, humanly speaking, is an impossible task, because you have absolute confidence in God from whom you believe this Call comes.

God bless you and your project, along with all those who in any way help you to carry it out. May God give you in His own good time and in His own way the answer you now seek from the Holy See, so that your conscience may be at rest. Should the answer be in the affirmative, then with what zeal will you not spend the remainder of your life in the building up of this work you have so much at heart.

ORIGINAL OCR
Mear Miss MartiR.
mantion that you intend to write to His Muinence, Cardinal
I thanl wou fot yous Lettet I MhicN yon
FaimaAon Bionds, to obtain His Llessing for the graab
Mor you mean to undertake for the cause of Christ ire
Africas Ae,,A MIEStONARY MMDICAL AELIGLOUS CONARPAATZON.,
mhord God wild yon to do s0, His will to Be expresseG
throuch the Blessins of the Hely ses, E0llomed By tho
Approval of the Siahors in whoae loceses this new arano
Mork would be cstablishedf
Hould 1ike to recommend this Mork the MrenG
need of. which I am in a position to appreciate, having
Dean for yaars Ordinary of the Vicariats of S.Migerid,
W.Africa, but, eing only a retdred Bishop now rasiding
Aa 2 relislous olmunity it Bublin, M recommmendation caG
have no other walus than what is personal to an s1d
missonary in y PosltloRe
1 a Hully aware ofyour Mreat ApoBtblie ZeaE
Lombined with your Love for Africa's dark children, fox
Ihave seen you at work in Africs as a 1ay lady-missionarr
50 Lons ago as 1921f a1so Maow that for years yon Have
been praying, working, surfering unceasingly that the worE
Jou now intend to set Blesscd 5y the Hely ses micht ong
Day be ibausuratedr
Ad by prayer continus to Mork for My 31d Mission 1a
1n my presant position given to me bydod to pray-
Migeriag while preparing at the same time to meet our Lord's
Judanent in the near future Ewild pray very Spesiallr
for the succass of the future "Missionory Medical Religious
Longregation'/ that God, through the voice of the Holy See,
And the voice or the Hierarchy in Ireland, M/ Blass 1t 1nn
1tS inception and Bless yon yon who have the splendid
rouraae to a2s Mhat, HMly spcmkins, 1sAn Amoossible
LasE, Because youchave absslute confidence in 9o0 from whomG
3su bclieve thdis Cadl comes.
Aod blcas you and your proiect, along wit all those
Mho in a way help you to carry it out. May90d Sive
Jou in Mis omn good time and in His omn way the ansmer yon
Hom SdaM Irom the MolySaeS0 that Jou COAdienoe Mr
De at rest. Should the Anewer e in the offimativs, theR
mith what zeal will you not spend the remainder of your
Life in the buildine up of this work you Have so much ag
Heart.

Acknowledging instructions of Congregation

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My Lord Cardinal,

The instructions issued by this Sacred Congregation to Religious Institutes of Women on February 11th, 1936, has afforded great joy and encouragement to those who realize from their own experience the urgent need of making more adequate provision for the care of mothers and children in pagan lands. After several years of active Missionary work in Africa and a careful study of the whole delicate question, I have long desired to take part in the forme

qualified doctor. one fourth-year medical student intending to join when qualified, and five other candidates, including one qualified nurse, are considering joining.

From the outset our little Society has striven, not only that its members should be fully qualified as doctors and nurses, but also that they should be thoroughly imbued with the spirit of their holy vocation. For the provision of the spiritual safeguarding of our members, we have been able, thanks to the benevolence of His Grace the Archbishop of Cashel, to put ourselves, since 1934, for our spiritual formation under the direction of the Benedictine Fathers in Glenstal Priory, Murroe, Limerick.

A member of the Community was appointed as Spiritual Director, and has instructed the members in the obligations of the religious life, and more particularly in the spirit and work of the future Institute, directing them in the practice of religious virtue.

With regard to the financial aspect of our undertaking, we have hitherto been self-supporting, having an income of £250 per annum, the pension of one of our members, and a sum of £1000, first contribution to building fund. The generous contributions of the Irish people may be relied upon as soon as the work will have received official sanction from the Apostolic See, when it is our intention to start burses for training expenses.

Eventually, dowries and pensions of candidates will be received. From the Mission field, we shall have financial support from the Vicars Apostolic, salaries from the Government for our qualified doctors and nurses, and Government grants for the hospitals.

As for the prospects of our missionary work, Mons. Moynagh, prefect Apostolic of Calabar, has a Hospital awaiting our first unit, which will be ready to

ation of a new Society which, while embracing all branches of medical assistance, would, in imitation of Our Lady's visitation to St. Elizabeth, be dedicated more specially to maternity cases—a project which seems to conform exactly to the desire of this Sacred Congregation.

Actuated by the same motives, a number of Irish women have joined with me in dedicating their lives to the spiritual and bodily succour of their sisters in missionary countries. This group at present consists of two certified midwives, one of whom is a fully-trained nurse, two members, having completed time of probation and spiritual year, leaving for maternity training in the National Maternity Hospital this spring, having first taken private vows. Other members are being spiritually formed and tested with the view of being trained technically. One A

ORIGINAL OCR TEXT
M Lord Cardinal,
Ahs inetructione issueb by this Lacreq
Lonerepation to Keligious etatutions of Women on
Fepruary Llch., 1036, nas afforded orcat soy anq
Encouragoment to those who realize from thcir om
Erperiencs the ursent nesd of making mors adeouate
provision for the care of mothers and childrem im
Dgam lands. AGter several years of active Missionary
Mork in Africe snd a crcful study of the whcle dclicate
Aucstion, have lons desircd to take sart in the forme

Aualified doctor. one Courcheyaar madical student in-
Lending to scim when qualificd. and Cive other candidates,
Including one qualified nurse, are considering scining.
Irom the outset our litvle Society has striven,
not ondy that irs members snouls Se Sully qualiticd as
Aoctors and nurscs, but alse chat thoy should be thoromehdy
imbued wich the spirit of their holy vocation.For the
provision of the spirituol safepuarding of our memberS.
We have bcen able, thanks to the benevolence of Mis GracE
the Archbichop of Cashel,(to put oursclves, since 1084,
for our epicitual formation under the direction of the
Benedrctins fatmere in Caenetal Eriory, Aurroe, Limerick.
A mamber of the Commity wae appoined as Spiritual
Dircctor, and Has instpucted the members in the oblige
Aticne of the raligious 1ile, and more pamticularly in the
Sbirit and worke of the Suture Ioecitute, directing the
19 the practite of religious virtuE-
MitB repard to the financial aspect of our umder-
Laking, we have hicherte Seem sclf-supporting, Having ar
Income of 2250 per annum, the pension of one ofour
Mebers, and a oum of 1000, first concribution to building
fund. he seneroue contributions of the irish people mas
De rclicd upon as scon. as the work will Have rccclved
Ssficial sanctiom from the Apostolic Sce, when it is our
Imtention to start burses for training exDenses.
Mventually, domrias and pensions of candidates wili Be
reccived. om che Mssion ficld, we shall have financial
Support from che Wicars Apostolic, salaries from the
Hovermmont (or our cualificd doctore and hurecs, and
Hovernment grants for the hospitale.
He for the proepecte of our miesionary MorES
Hons. Moynach, presect Apostolic of Calabar, Has s Hos.
Sitad amadtins our arst unit, Mich sil se ready to
Ation of a new Society waich, while amoracime all
branches of medical acsistance, would, in imitation o2
Dur lady's weitaciom to St.micabeth, be dedicated
more specialiy to maternity cascse a prosect thich scemo
1o conform exactly to the dcsire of this sacred Con.
Sresation.
Actuated My/ the same Motives, & nanber o2
mrieh women have icined wich me in dedicating thciD
Lives to the epirituol and bodily succour of thcir
Listers in missionary couptrias. This group at
prepent consists of two certified midwives, one on
mhom is & Sudly-trainod nurse, two members, HavinG
complcted time of wronation and spiritual year. icawire
for matomity troinine i the Mational Matermitr
Moepital this srdng. Having irot taken private womo
Sther membors are being spiritualdy Cored and teSteG
Mich the wie oA Scine LrAined tocnoieLe One A