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,

Letter of encouragement from Msgr Onton Riberi.

ROUGH TRANSCRIPTION

Dear Miss Martin,
a little bit disappointed. ofcourse. the best thing te de is to
May thanks fer your letter. As yourself, I feel
wait instructiens from Mgrs. Moynagh andte act accerdingly.
further what has been planned when I will reach Calabar at the end
The only thing I can tell you now is that I will
of January.
last short stay in Rome. what I have done you can see frem the
enclosed letter, which should be returned te me at this address.
Meanwhile I have already dene something during my
Mgrs. Riberi C/0
Right Rev. Mgrs. W Porter, vicar Apestolic
Catholic Missien
At this address 1 hope to receive some goed news from you. I am
Cape Coast
(Geld Coast, B.W.A. J
Sailing on theursday and hepe te reach the Geld Coast on the ath
December
With every blessing, believe me

Indemnity form for the Liverpool & London & Globe insurance Co. Ltd. Partially filled out, with no signatures nor dates.

To Father Prior from Mary Martin regarding the finalising of constitutions.

TEXT

My dear Father Prior,

I was not able to arrange a meeting with His Excellency so as to return by the early train today so as to call at Tipperary on my return journey, so I wired asking permission to remain over until tomorrow, Saturday. I shall only see His Excellency this evening at 5 PM. He sounded disappointed on the phone that I had no news from Cork.

Yesterday, until late hours at night, I had a long talk with Fr. Whitney. He says I should remain in Cork and go out to see His Grace again. It is the personal touch that does things best. I shall consult His Excellency on this point and, if necessary, and all is well at Glenstal, I could go straight on tomorrow.

It is essential to have a draft of the provisional Constitutions to present to the Bishop if he accepts us, so as to prevent any fear of interference in this matter from him. Also, to have it definite about the question of the nun. This is their great concern, as they see a distant spirit in M.M.M., and to safeguard this, they consider it necessary for me to obtain a dispensation.

To have a principal house in Cork, where both I and the nun should be. The nun would act as Novice Mistress, with I in charge. We would keep Glenstal as it is, having the members, when they first come, go there for some months before going to the house of formation, leaving a reliable candidate there for me to keep constant supervision and intercourse from Cork, coming frequently to see them so much.

I saw by my letters this morning that you had not returned to Glenstal on Wednesday night as you had hoped.

Remember me kindly to Dom David. I am not writing to him as I know you will give him all the news. I hope God will hear our prayer very soon and give us an answer from the bishops, and all the grace we need to accomplish His work.

If possible, I would like to have a unit ready even 3 or 4 to take over the Leper Settlement next year, October 1937. The question is getting more urgent each day.

Yesterday, I heard news that fills me with great joy if it is true—that a congregation of Benedictines is to have a Province in Nigeria (whatever congregation the Secretary of Bishop Heinsley belongs.

What another touch of the tenderness and loving care of Our Father in heaven! What a consolation this will be to us all. I pray it is true, and I shall ask His Excellency this afternoon.

I also wrote to Dom Rupert to let me know all he can about the Missionary Benedictines in London. I heard yesterday that His Grace has cancer, but I would not wish this to spread. We might pray for him.

I hope I shall receive great light this afternoon. Pray much for your ever-grateful and obedient child of God.

Sr Mary.

Just received wire. Very Many thanks. I shall be back by the late train from Tipperary unless I find bus more convenient. Ask my children to pray much for success tomorrow.

As the Constitutions (provisional) are all-important, I am sending you the copy back in case you have time to get anything down.

Now that His Excellency cannot see me till this evening, I intend to spend all day studying and making notes on the English ones I have. But when I return, we shall have to get together and have things definite. If you do not have the time personally, perhaps Dom David could manage to do it with me. We could give our conference time to it.

The question of medical help is getting more and more urgent. The Holy Rosary Nuns are taking on the work, but the priests from the Mission tell me it is very unsatisfactory owing to their formation. They have lately received two Lady Doctors into the Novitiate. Of course, they have no difficulty in obtaining subjects, as they have the Dominican Nuns and Holy Ghost Fathers helping them. I am glad they are helping, even though the work they can do is limited. They can assist in the great need.

Yesterday, I also had a visit from one of the sisters attached to the Catholic African Missionary Society. She was very pleased to hear of the work being started and has promised to pray and do all she can to help us. She said her Bishop O'Rourke would be deeply interested in the work.

I was expecting news of Amyer this morning from Miss O' Loughlin, but none came, so I take it that all goes well with him. It is well that he should rest, as his pulse is fast and irregular. As I hear, he has a bad heart, and this explains the tiredness you noticed.

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.

Illness of Columba. Letter of Mary Martin to Father Prior.

TEXT

caritas
Dear Father Prior
Many thanks for your card
I am very grieved to hear Dom
Columba is so seriously ill I hope
he is not suffering too much I
joined you all this morning in
the Novena to Abbot Columba + shall
offer Mass + Holy Communion each morning
for his recovery if it is for Gods
greater Glory this may interfere
with your little trys to Dublin
which will not disappoint me I know
your interest as everything + God is
watching over as all + the Works
Sunday

I hope at else goes well Miss OR.
will go down by 9.3o am train
to.morrow Monday I think you will
find she understands how you wish
their obedience to be during my
absence.
For the present I think 5:30 is
early enough for Miss L + O' R to
rise They will have time to make
their morning prayer + 1/2 hour meditation
before Mass unless they have domestic
duties to do before if so they can
aarrange these matters with you
and you will give Miss O'R. a
table of her domestic works
Owing to the conditions of
my health, I have not been able
will you explain please to them
to write much to the staff a matron
My heart muscles are very weak
after the poisoning + long tie trying
to get up so as to get the air takes
all the energy I have but
gradually this will improve
It there is anything we can do for
you in Dublin or for F. C please
do not hesitate to let me know
My brothers wedding will be on
tnesday next they are all very
busy preparing for the great day.
It is strange how I should be at
home for it but unable to be
present_ the Dr considers it
would he too much for me I
am really glad as it would have
been a very great strain to me +

night only delay my cure which is
Slow enough as it is Please remember
them in your prayer on that day
I shall write during the week
to our Religious Superior how I
wish I were fit enough to start off
with Miss O' R on Monday evendentl
Our Lord wishes to try my patience

• to leach me many more lesson as
  an invalide I have a good deal
  of physical suffering lately Dom Col
  Shall have a share in this as well as
  my prayers
  when you are busy as you must be
  now I never expect a letter from
  you uat can talk over all when
  we next meet_
  your obedient child for God.
  St Mary

Caritas .
My dear Father
card this morning but disappointed to
Iwas pleased to receive your
hear you did not see the tailor
time is going on + little done O
fear.
Yesterday Wednesday I saw His Excellen
He adked for you + said he was
glad you were writing to His Eminence
The Cardinal S.P. de 7. Ithink it would
e well to send on the letter to
His Excellency as soon as possible.
He has advised me to rent a house
for the 1st year Ishall do +
have a applied for lists of houses
to rent. He thought the financial
burden would be to great on the
house we thought so suitable.
after this I met Dom David
he looks well + as good + active
as ever in his heart + mind
from there Iwent to the
[1936]
Greenbank
Monkstown
Thursday

the afternoon for the college _

Will you try to see Miss M. Hayes
the boys liked her
Unfortunately Imissed Ms Duff
St Baptist again.
bring to the account of work
for sometimes as Imust start off
again looking for a house torent.
I think it will be a great relief
to you when all the visitors go so as
to have time for all the things you have to
Have you arranged anything about the
lavatories? The sweep? I have severals
times reminded Fr. John nothing done
They will make pillows outof
Please remember me to my children +
thank them for this letter+ poetry- Ask
Miss Murphy to send glasses ago to me
I pray much for you. may God
strengthen +guide you in all things
We must both work hard in union
Very nice for a college tie the one
without the writing marked with x is my
choice also Mother. You can have them
green with grey strips or grey with green
strip.
Switzers is also sending you patterns
of grey Flannel for Blazers with a
green binding + the estimate.
2) Clerys. They are sending patterns
or suits + sketch. also grey flannel
for Blazers + Caps. Pullovers
weeks time about. Foot. Tall Jerseys
Pants Gym costumes etc. Ithought this
the most satisfactory for you
They will also send the patterns
Ihope you will be able to come to
a definite decision soon any how O
we can add in in ink_

Letter thanking the prior for his welcome, and discussing various pious subjects.

Letter seeking advice regarding nursing training, and other matters relating to establishing a religious congregation.

TEXT
Caritas
29 Dec : 1934
MONKSTOWN
My dear i. Prior
To-day we sing the grand
Te Deum in thanksgiving
to
God for all the graces +
blessings of the old year my
praises go up to God thanking
Him for every thing especially
for the graces I received at
Glenstal + during
my illness
they were precious beyond
words next year I hope for as
all they will be even richer
even if it Means more toes .
I was very very pleased to see
Lizzie looking so well + happy
she too has greatly
improved
.
. she is
really happy at Glenstal + wants
to do her hest to please you all
I have written to Miss Leyden
to return to you on the 7 Jan.
if you would prefere her to
have a companion It could
send perhaps Miss Moynagh
or Miss O' Rourke till I am
able to go down myself. If
you would like this arrangement
then the work should be devided
they should have regular time
for prayer + if it were possible
to have instruction on the religious
life say once every two weeks
as well as the general instruction
to the maids They should be able
if there were two to undertake the
Fathers mending. Owing to financia
circumstances
would have to ask you MONKSTOWN
to give them their full keep laundry
etc. I think Dom Gerard arranged
with Fr. John that M.M.M. travelling
expenses were paid, he will be
able to tell you, it was
so but
I always tried to do all I
could as long as I was in
The position to do so as I
feel we would be more than
repaid for the little we could
do for Glenstal in the spiritual
formation we would receive

• the privilege
  being
  in
  a religious atmosphere.
  Now I am faced with all
  the sure signs + blessing
  a work
  That is really Gods To be successful
  at must live +
  practise all the
  characteris tie of far
  Divine Lords Life. One
  of the great blessings of last
  year is M.M.M. starts in real
  this
  poverty like the spirit o
  holy Season
  Wee are doing all we can in
  a quiet way up here to collect
  enough friends to pay the fees,
  for the nursing training
  Please let me know what you
  two were going I would
  prefere_ I
  like if possible that they had
  instructions on the vows as I
  think for the first few years
  we shall have to remain as
  secular with private vows
  practising the works we propose
  to undertake eventually as religious
  I await my return or your will
  looked forward visit to dicuss
  all our future plans
  for Glenstal + M.M.M. MONKSTOWN
  As for Miss Hayes T.G. she
  seems less better over the whole
  thing
• wrote to. day to ask
  me when she might
  expect
  your visit.
  you will not
  hear further from
  her unless
  you write to her_
  I hope
  home
  alright
  fear
  her time was
  very
  rushed
  was very
  good
  her
  give her
  day
  me.
  The stumps are beginning to
  show healthy signs of healing
  I am still confined to bed +just
  temperature . It is
  running a slight
  A case of patience
  humility + perfect trust in God
  to cure me in His own time
  I must be striped of all self
• this is a painful + long
  process _
  with all loving wishes to
  everyone for 1935.
  Your grateful
  obedient
  child in Jesus + Mary
  Mary
  31 just received enclose will
  yon read it, show it to Dom
  .
  Davide I would like to have
  it
  back by
  return
• possible as
  I need it on Wednesday or
  Thursday - M.M

Letter to "Father" regarding a timetable, presumably of Mary Martin. Sent from Blackrock College