An in depth discussion of the novices and their progress starting with Mary Murphy.

Letter on various subjects. Undated. Begins by mentioning the illness of the Mother of Father Prior.

TEXT
Caritas
ENBANK
MONKSTOWN
Dear Father Prior
I am more
than
grieved to hear
of your
Mothers serious
illness
And the sorrow
this will
Cause you. I hope + pray
he attack will subside
that you will have
better news
her in
your next
letter
.
I pray extra much for her
you during these
days. May Gods adorab
Will be done in all things.
you can imagine my dis.
appointment on Friday when
returned home from the
hospital +. I found
Dom David had been her
or over an hour waiting
or me we only
had a
short time
to. gether as
he had to be with
Ma
foor at
15.
I hope his tour will bear
much fruit
GREENBANK,
MONKSTOWN
I shall be glad to have the
Frospectese. I spoke to one
of the Nuns of Cabra
Dominican Convent + shall
pay them another Visit
before returning
to Glenstal
Also it would be
well
to work up a
connection
with Dominicans at Wickle
this May, be done
my
friend sends her
joy
to Glenstal The
fees, are
they to
be the same
or
2
Slightly reduced sthope
have the question
languages as she
your special features it
is one of the things the
parents find lacking very
Much in Irish schools_
I shall probably very soon
now pay my promised visit
The Nuncio is there any
hing special you would
abey me to consult him
about
further than T-krmuss
letter +
what if any
definite steps I should
take with Arch-bishop
Harty.

Note informing of the approval of the house of studies in Dublin by the Archbishop there.

TEXT
My dear Father,
Just as I should have been arranging for Christmas, I was kept busy over the all-important question. T.G. after days of great anxiety, we have received permission from His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin to open a house of studies, but we may not use it as our Novitiate House

I am very grateful for This permission it makes my work much harder, not being allowed to have it as a Novitiate, but it is God’s Will, so He will help me through all, as He has always done.

Pray God to guide what is best to do about the Novitiate. I am renting Rosemount for the first year till we see our way.
All my best Christmas wishes sent to you and all the Community,

Sr. Magdalen to Dom Bede about history of the M.M.M.

Short note giving update on her health.

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

...

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 from Prior to Mary Martin about the case of Ms. Nugent and her work in the kitchen.

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