Feast of the Assumption (15th August). Letter to Prior.

TEXT:
Caritas
MONKSTOWN.
Eve of the Assumption
1934
Dear Father Prior
Since writing
to Dom
David I heard the Nurse
Rockwell College is leaving
as they are getting Nuns
to look after things.
enclose the answer I receiv
from
Sr. Mc Carthy
to the
letter I wrote asking
was
true
that Miss Foley
was leaving on receivin
this
this morning
Fr. McCarthy to communicate at
once with Miss Foley to hope
to get in touch
with her personally
very soon. In the meantime
you or Dom Gerard might
like to write to some of
your personal friends
among the Fathers as to
the character of Miss Foley
Miss O' Hanlon is a very
good nurse looks capable
is good at minding
She is bright and was
to. wards
much attracted
the spiritual atmosphere
at Glenstal she was
educated by the Holy Child
Nuns at Harrogate is I think
deeply religious without much
show + I feel Greenbank
if she came to MONKSTOWN
Glenstal as Nurse. Matron
she would be anxious
help in every way
to. wards
the success of the college.
She is very fond of children
She has no college experience
but has acted as Matron
in a hospital.
the finds the salary very
small + owing
to the
reasons I mentioned
in
my letter
to Dom David
could not possibily
take the position
at Glensta
I promised her
I would put
the
facts of her case before
you

• see if you would be
  able to give a
  salary on the
  other hand she realizes how
  difficult things must be
  or you till the college
  increases. I shall keep in
  touch with (in case others
  her
  fail. The salary
  has
  Always been considered
  a little bit small.
  should like very much to
  know your wish on
  this
  Matter.
  There is no use returning
  to Glenstal till I am sure
  a
  Matron.

Before deciding
as
to whether
it is necessary
have
three maids with the cook
I would like
to know
you have any
more aplicati
for next term. Has
turned up
yet
I
Baptist says
they
have
decided
to send
their boy
to Glenstal
I regret
to have to say
fear the Fitzgeralds have
decided
to send their
boy to Clongowes, there
just

a very slight chance still
perhaps if you wrote enclosing
a prospectus or
Letter still if one o
the fathers were in town and
called. The Mother is not
keen on Clongowes. I shall
call this week + do my
best
I met Frank McCann on
Sunday, he did not seem
upset by the change,
he
is coming back
May I have the permission
to get somethings that are
necessary
or
the kitchen
and household at Glenstal.
As Mr. O' Toole in down with
you will be glad to hear I am
in touch with two very fine
vocation I trust
God to direct to. wards
the Medical Missionary Society
but I fear even if they do
join
the little company they
will not be free to come
tell November or December.
So I shall probably
have
to staff Glenstal with paid
hands
this term
I am very sorry to hear of
the illness of Br. Conrad I feel
very much for him he was so

• happy.
  Are you satisfied with the
  present cooking
  I shall write I again when I hear
  from Miss Foley
  Please remember me to Dom

Mary Martin thanks the Prior for his counsel on beginning Medical Missionaries of Mary (M.M.M.) and comments on his journey, including visit to Dom Columba. Informs of arrangements made at the monastery in her absence.

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6
i (o)
p
Greenbank
Monkstown.
Friday I./3./35

My dear Father,
I hope the rest of your Journey planed out very
Satisfactory, after all your disappointments of the previous
day. Ialso hope you were not too rushed for your trainand
That your found your niece very well and happy in Ireland?
Please accept my very sincerest thanks for giving
Me so much of your valuable time, since your talks I am
renewed in spirit and courage and feel confident M.M.M.will
Be formed as God Wills under the influence and guidance of
The Sons of Saint Benedict and Dom Marmion. We are Pri(e)vi(e)leged,
and I hope in some small way we shall be of use to you though it can I fear only be in the material sense.
How is the poor finger? Iam very glad to heank [think] you
will have it dressed regularly and by expert hands.
I wrote to Matron yesterday thanking her for all
she was doing for me during my absence and for the way she had
Arranged the works under your direction for Miss O’Rourke and
Miss Leyden. I also mentioned that the staff could go for
a long walk with her once every two weeks. Ialso asked her if
she would like me to write to Marry.
Iam enclosing the paper with the few questions you
Wish to discuss with Dom David as well as the copy of an agree-
ment as I drew up, When you have all details discussed and we
have a mutual agreement between us , I shall type a copy of same
And send it down to you.
I hope you found Dom Columba in good spiritsand not
Suffering too much I think very often of himm. You know ofcourse
If it would be helpful or convenient for Dom Columba to stay
Here on his way he will be very welcome
Imust close now to catch the post with all good
wishes to you and all The Monks Boys, Teachers, and Staff.
Ido not expect an answerto this for a long time
you will be very busy on yiur return.

    Your ever grate and Ihope Obedient Child,

Mary Martin writes to Prior, preparing to launch M.M.M. (Medical Missionaries of Mary). She details final obstacles, including retainment of staff, fundraising, spiritual maturity. Postscript concerns reassignment of staff, including Miss O'Rouke and Miss Leyden and M.M.M. moving ahead.

TRANSCRIPTION:
--- Page 1 ---
Caritas
2021-08-06/149
Epiphany Sunday - letter continued. 1935.

Dear Father Prior
I continue from where I stopped
early this evening to catch post.
I am grived & hear Dom firard
has received such alarming reports, they
were certainly not from me or any of my
subjects. I am ashamed to say I have
never written to him since he paid me
a visit in '96' I was intending writing
to him to-morrow & shall certainly do so
now - I never felt so happy about M. M. M.
& as far as I know my relations with Glenstal
are unchanged. I have always longed since
Dom firard left to talk all these matters over
with you, incuse you would have any difficult
views or plans for Glenstal. I am always
prepared for different outlooks from individuals
& could quite understand some not wishing
to take on the extra [f]burden of M. M. M.
with all the responsibilities already attached
to the foundation at Glenstal, as I fully realize,

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2
only too well, how little help we can give in return for all we receive from you and your Monks. —
Ishall deal solely with M. M. M. from
our point of view, having received definite
encouragement to go on, hard as the task seems.
Fr. Kelly has just been in Dublin for a few
days and we discussed all the problems,
especially Fr. Vermersch's letter in detail,
which gives me courage & definite lives to
make a start, he does not minimize the
difficulties of such a work, wisely adding,
"Now, if God will, He can move every difficulty"
I go confidently ahead believing if it is
His Will He will bring the work & a successful
issue, if I and my daaphtus (as you so nicely
put it), correspond to His paces and inspirations
at each step, if it is not His Will the work
will fail. I love Him equally in failure as
in success, also, I may never be the one
to bring it into being, Ishall do my very
best to try and sow the seed.
From the beginning Iwant to make one point
very clear :--- I have no desire to start as
a Diocesan Congregation - All Missionary

--- Page 3 ---
3/
Bishops advise me to aim at being directly
under "Congregation Propaganda de Fede" first
have their approbation & then apply to an Irish
Bishop.
1) Iam enclosing a few letters that
deal with the period of Dom Gerardo's
approach to His Excellency, Archbishop Harty,
these will give you as much knowledge and
information as Ihave on this matter.
2) Fr Kelly with his knowledge of me,
now that Fr Vermersch says it is possible,
advises me after having spent a “year at Glenstal under your direction and
Spirtual formation to apply for a dispensation
from having to do another noviciate. What would yous & Dom Davids opinion (See on this point? –
The time has come to make a very
definite and deliberate start. Istill have the great desire to have myself & the first
few pioneers at least instructed and prepared
for their private vows under Benedictine influence.
Do you think with the responsibilities I have
of trying to establish this work that we can
come to some suitable agreement so that for you and
M. M. M.

--- Page 4 ---
4
My idea would be to get my daughters around
me, do all together a years novitiate for
private vows and then as individuals join a
3nd Order. When the year was completed Iwould
like to send these I consider suitable for their
training as nurses - My idea is also to train one of my daughters to be able to take my place at Glenstal during my absence, which
from time to time will be unavoidable
during the first few years -
Now the difficulties that present them-
selves to me for M. M. M. are: -
a) Accommodation for more than three
at a time, this may work out alright,
as some will be ready for training moving
on to make room for others
b) If we were running the whole of
the domestic work, we would need to be a
bigger staff than would be employed as
seculars, otherwise there would not be
sufficient time for a regular life of prayer, Sp. reading conferences. It would also be necessary for them to have a certain amount
of time for study, recreation in common &
propaganda work, as we are not earning.

--- Page 5 ---
5
c)
It would mean dismissing secular
staff according as we had subjects to
take their place, this would be very
difficult to do especially if the present staff, Mai Lizzie & Mary are really satisfactory
d) Getting in contact with vocations &
meeting future subjects.
e) Holiday time. Shall & we be able to
remain on at Glenstal? -
Ido not see any difficulty at
present as regards or position and
understanding with His Grace, The Archbishop
of Cashel, you will see by my letter that I clearly mentioned my ultimate
aim, he is aware of this and still gave the permission for me to go with my companions to Glenstal, helping in any way we could & receiving in return a spiritual formation on religious principles.
You will also probably see difficulties
on your side which we can discuss when we next meet. D. V. Ithought it
would be helpful for you to have the enclosed before & perhaps you would like to talk things over with Don David & your council.

--- Page 6 ---
6
Like you I hate money question, my desire
would always be to give generously wherever I
could help but now I am faced with great
responsibilities as God’s instrument of being a Mother
to M. M. M. & circumstances having changed
slightly at least for a year I felt found to
ask you for a little more help. As you ask me
I shall draw up a project that we can discuss,
perhaps you will do one also from what you
Think just. It is really impossible for me in
one way, as I can never balance spiritual
graces & privileges with material natures,
you see for that reason my utter poverty spiritually
& materialistic
As you see, none of these difficulties are very
dis & can mostly be overcome by coming to
a definite understanding and agreement for the time
being, say one year at least. A time may
come when it will be absolutely necessary to have a house in Dublin -
My real difficulty is a matter of conscience
& a question that causes me much thought. -
I think you know how much I love the work of God
at Glenstal, my longing to see you will established
in Ireland with a good College - My one fear

--- Page 7 ---
7
is having the responsibility of M. M. M. as to do
Will for me, will I do justice in the position
I hold for Glenstal. I have prayed much over
this, I see it is perhaps possible if I were more
obedient to Drs, especially in the matter of manual
work, I must use my more intellectual gifts for
His Glory governing powers etc, and also to preserve
the very limited physical strength at my
disposal. I know I failed badly in this
last year, circumstances practically made
it impossible to do otherwise now I feel sound
in conscience to have Glenstal so staffed that
I shall be free for the administrative work of
M.M.M. & in the position I hold at Glenstal.
I also see the great advantage my position offers
me at Glenstal where I shall be trying to live
& learning to deal in all these questions of
government & administration from the Religions
spirit & attitude, a thing I have had no
practical experience in. I have had novitiate
after novitiate in the hidden life of manual
work since I gave God my life. Now I must
become more generous, giving myself in a way I
find hardest, shoulder the cross bravely although
I am absolutely incapable, I trust for also lately

--- Page 8 ---
8

and see in Glenstal for my own formation under your direction, a wonderful opportunity under exceptional privileges and favourable circumstances of being trained in all these matters, Lat. Whether I shall do justice for Glenstal is The Question, I keep asking myself. Certainly conditions are more favourable now &
you will have such a good knowledge of
everything it will really take little of your
time to express your wishes to me once or
twice a week & then for me to carry them
out accordingly. I still hope it is practical
to continue the two Lat such a decision rest with you -
I also enclose items of Clereys bill & marked with & the things I got for the College etc. Things marked M were for our use in sitting-room. I enclose also a cheque of balance for Laundry bills - Hope this is all in order & that you will be able to understand.
I am sorry this missed the post to-day Lat could not get to finish it till too late for post - I hope it will not weary you, it is well you have a whole month to read it. "

[Postscript Ends]
He is showing a very sense and paternal interest in M.M.M. - as soon as I am able he wishes to see me and discuss possibilities of being directly under P. de Fiole - & one relationship at present with the Lec. Lere
Pray much for me–I never forget you all–

--- Page 9 ---
Wishing you a very successful turn & a
great spirit of love & union among the
Staff.
I am still confined to bed & have to
Leave the mysteries again for lip toe, it is
not healed yet. It will be cured in God’s
own time & when I have learned all the
lessons God means me to learn
Remember me to all the Monks
Your unworthy cover patient & shedent
child in Jesus & Mary
Sr Mary

[Postscript Begins]

Hope you have good news from your niece &
that she is very happy.
I also hope all the staff turned up
Miss Leyden did not come here, so I
take it she went direct to you –
After this few days of prayer, reflection &
consultation with Fr. Kelly & Miss Reyder I shall
probably get Miss O’Rourke to resign, as
I feel she would le the one to gain most from your
instructions & be the greatest help to you & Miss L.
during my attence -
It puts a big responsibility on to me but
As His Excellency the Nuucio says in a work such as God asks me to
form we must be ready to take big risks–when I have heard from
you I intend putting my plan before Him, if he agrees to it I shall go ahead

Mary Martin to Prior of Glenstal about various admirative matters, including discussing being directly under propaganda with Nuncio, Miss Leydon and Miss O Rourke settling in, inquiries about the Benedictine Missionaries in London, and Martin's health.

TRANSCRIPTION:
--- Page 1 ---
Caritos

Post Script:
P.S. the Rev Fr.
Trafford was here
to-day, I did
Not see him but
I wish to say he
returned to
England to-night

Greenbank
Minkstown
Sunday 20th Jan. 1835

2021-08-06-1/51

Dear Father Prior
Many thanks for you two notes, I
am delighted to hear you are in full swing
again. I suppose all the boys are back
by now, very well and happy.
" As regard Ms Fitzgerald, I think
the best thing of all is to send the Prospectus
if you have it ready with a note saying
you hope call in the near future.
I shall ask her to come out to see me
as it will be sometime before I am able to
call on her. I suppose you know that the
Rev. Father Trafford is over in Dublin for a few
weeks.
" Rang up Dorthy O'Rielly this
morning, unfortunately only last Friday
she arranged with an Irish girl. Dorothy
is very disappointed as she would so much
like to have a Belgium girl. Perhaps later
on, if this girl does not prove satisfactory

--- Page 2 ---
2/
25 Jul 35
we can reopen the position again.
3 If you have the envelope of my first letter will you please look at the date of the post-mark from Dublin.
4 The Nuncio has promised to talk over
the matter of being directly under Propaganda
on my next visit. I do not want to
discuss further till I have seen you & we
come to some definite plan as to what you
believe would be the best plan to realize
bringing into being M. M. M. one thing very
definite from the advice from Fr. Nolan of the
Corporation of Religions - Fr. Vanerselon & the Nuncio
is to go very slowly - to start as seculars
having according to a religious rule drawn up
to suit our works - We shall of course
eventually have to seek a Bishops appropriation
but the time is not ripe for that as yet. We
have really all we need from His grace to
make the start at Glenstal, if we can
continue both works ratiofactory - Fact & prudence
will have to be our virtues as regards His
Grace. We must take certain risks in faith,
otherwise, God’s work will never be accomplished
if we do not take it at Glenstal we shall

--- Page 3 ---
3
have to make a start elsewhere, perhaps
Dublin under similar circumstances.
I await your visit with joy & shall
come to no definite conclusions, till
I have heard your views & received your
advice on the questions in my last letter.
Mrs. Leyden wrote asking permission
to help Mai at serving the Supper, I
am answering "Yes" if it is according
to your wishes - Mrs. O’Rourke arrived
on the 11th D. V. will help to divide the
work, and give them all a little time
for recreation, prayer, rest & time to look
after their personal things - mending etc.
I always feel the great will of the present
day is that continual rush no time for
reflection etc. & the real work of God.
Do you or Dom David by any chance know
anything about the "Benedictine Missionaries"
Mothu Frideswide Lare Fose.
11 Bedford Place, London W.C. 1.
I think they originally came from Balvaria -
My faithful friend & I has just been
he says the toe is improving very slowly, if it

--- Page 4 ---
28 Jan 35
4
troubles crosses our path.
successful issue no matter what crosses
you are patient child. - I have

still continues to ooze by next week he
think it would be well to have the toe x-rayed
see how the bone is - He gave Miss O'Rourke
a good till of health.
Miss O'Rourke is greatly looking forward to her
start at Glenstal where I hope above all she
will develope on some religious principles
after the example of the Sons of St. Benedict and
Don Maurion- Think there is a very good
foundation to build on - she will have more
difficulties than Miss Leyden as she realizes
things very keenly & has a high idea of what
a religious should be - she also realizes very
much the responsibility the first few members have.
Please remember me to all the Monks I know
they all pray for me, I need them badly
a long illness is a time of great trials & one
needs great grace, not to fail in patience
absolute adornment of love etc. - then where to
draw the line - everything at present seems
so far away from all I aspire after - and
yet though temptation & periods of depression
are great at times, I am happy as I know
it is what God wants of me at present &
His Will is my only real happiness -
Have taken a tig responsibility & steps in asking
Miss O'Rourke to resign - I trust God to quide us

Side:
& to bring all to a successful issue no matter what crosses
& troubles cross our path. Your ever grateful child, Sr Mary

Mary Martin to Prior. Discussions of bringing in another maid and Martin's continued health troubles.

TRANSCRIPTION:
Page 1

[Postscript]
Please remember me to all the Fathers, Matrons & replain it is hard to come to all at present.
I shall let you know
The result
Your obedient child
In Jesus smary
Marié

Monday
2021/08/31-157 May 35

Dear Father Prior,
I was indeed
pleased to receive your
letter this morning & all
it contains. I am pleased
to here all goes on well at
Glenstal & that May is satisfactory
so far. Now I can easily get
another maid but I had hoped
to be able to manage with
the staff we have with the help
of a boy for the fire, boots
& coal during this term as the
Page 2
brothers are able to give a
hand at some of the heavy
house-work on Wednesday
& Saturdays - However as
there is difficulty with Fr. John
over this question & I am
not on the spot to get my
own boy for a few hours
each day, it is better to get
the extra maid especially if
you wish it -
I am writing to-day to
Sr M. Paul to see if she still
has the between maid she
wrote about last week. If you
do have the extra maid, it
will le well to give Miss Leyden
some mending for the fathers.
This need to do the boy’s boots for
me last time & very well, they
only take ½ hr at most. He asks
Page 3
is supposed to bring in the coal

• sticks for the fires- the maid
  of the different department looks
  after the fires. I did not think
  they would be needed for some
  time yet. I am sorry you are
  having these domestic worries with
  all the real work you have on
  your hands -
  I am sending you two estimates
  for beds one from Clerys &
  the other from Arnotts - I fear
  from what I dear you cannot
  get exactly to same pattern
  Bed as we have in the large
  size. Also they are in black we
  shall have to enamel them white
  ourselves - You can either write
  direct yourself or if you let
  me know I shall have them
  sent down at once - Is it 3 you
  need?
  Page 4
  May 25
  The Doctors were to have come
  this morning to discuss whether
  it is well to leave here or not
  but have not turned up as yet.
  It is still very painful at night
  & I get little sleep even
  with drugs, just pray God gives
  me this grace of patience & that
  I grow in sanctity, nothing else
  matters. Till the toes come back
  to life & the Leg are healed
  they cannot feel sure of things
  so I fear I shall not be
  fact in a few days -
  When does Dom Feard leave?
  I suppose he will go to Lei Tusthn
  then I shall see him -
  We used to put paper in the
  drawers & over the clothes one
  of their towels before they used
  to do nothing. We thought of curtains
  last term & think it a good plan.

Dom Gerard and practical matters.

Short note giving update on her health.

About a letter ready to be typed up on Glenstal headed paper.

Letter from Bishop John Harty to Dom Bede. The Bishop is making clear that he has never given his sanctum for the establishment of the Society of Women at Glenstal, according to Canon Law.

My dear Father,

I am very grieved to hear of your further cross except for the assurance that is a further sign of God’s love for you. I had letter from Dom David much grieved.

I look forward to seeing Mrs. Thorp today. I thought it was yesterday she was coming up. I thank God all goes well with my daughters and that their spirit continues to be good. Dear Father, I value this more than all the money in the world, and this is the foundation in the Gospel. I am sure our Lord means He will not leave us starving, and even to starve for love of Him is nothing if the spirit of Christ dwells in us.

I’m still without a house. Yesterday was the most successful, today I go to see a few more. It is difficult to get anything at a reasonable price and then with accommodation for us to increase. I saw one yesterday, Greenfield on the Donnybrook road 8 mins walk to tram and Church. Bus passes the gate. It is a house that I feel, if all goes well, would suit to buy next year. There are good outhouses for building purposes later on and a garden supplying fruit and veg, a good hen run, and if necessary enough grass for a cow. Pray God to direct me in all things.

I await your letter of tomorrow with all your instructions for the school. We all here think a green is a nicer color than the red for a school, as you have in mind, but if you decide on the red, it is there—the blazer at Clery’s,Tie at Tyson, and you know of this. The green has been sent as an alternative.

Have you had time to write to His Excellency yet over the letter for Propaganda? As I am, anxious we are in order with the S. Congregation. I enclose the last letter from His Excellency, which he was posting the day I went out to see him about the house. I will not go to see him again till I have something definite, as he is very busy these days.

Let me know any more thoughts about the Matron if you have, if you have seen Miss Hayes. Thank my child Mary for her long letter. I was delighted to receive it. The priest seemed pleased with their visit. I am glad to see they manage well without me. God bless them and make them more and more after His and Mary’s heart.

I have not had time to see my children except Miss O’Rourke. All goes well with them, I hear it. They all realize we must work hard and cooperate with grace. With God’s help, we must make the Society then to work all, if ahead. You will now have a quiet time and pray and think for all that lies before you. I see much of you, Glenstal. United always in love and prayer in the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Your child for God,
Marie
I cannot say what day I shall be back but shall try to be back on Friday or Saturday, if not early next week.
M.M.

I shall have the lists ready so that if you wish and I cannot return till next week, I can forward them on from here if you send me list of address.

for Glenstal. Someone heard she was being engaged and rang me up thinking I was engaging her. I shall speak more fully when we meet. Be careful and get good references and then take up their character before engaging any more.

I am glad to hear Miss Hayes gets on well, but do you realize she is depending and counting much on Miss Moynagh and Nichols? It is Moynagh that I think is keeping the peace. We can talk it all over when we meet.

I hope to have time to write more fully tomorrow and remember me to my daughters and tell them to pray much in their work. Every step means more activity from the devil. We are closely bound to the Cross in love and union with Jesus, our souls.

Your grateful child for God,
Marie