Mary Martin to Prior. Martin prepares to return to Glenstal and gives instructions for the sisters in her absence, esp. regarding the Matron.

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Caritas
96 L Leson St.
Suthu
2021-08-31/158
May 35

Dear Father Prior,
Just a line to say
all goes on well, the Srs

were very pleased to day.
They both say it is a case
of patience, so say a prayer
God may grant me this grace.
You know I should love to be
back with you all, even to
sit in a chair but till
all danger is over of anything
going wrong I fear the Srs
will not hear of it.
If all continues to go on
well during the coming week
I shall probably be allowed
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home next week, as it is so
near her & the doctors. I shall
be very glad of this to save
the great expense. If only the
rails would drop off things
would go so much more quickly.
All I hope is that you are
not our worked & that things
are working well.
Will you please thank Matron
for her letter, I was glad to
receive it & chall see to all
the points she mention.
No. 1. Will you please tell Lizzie
to give Matron the same breakfast
as the boys also Dinner & Supper.
The Matron always got the same
food as the boys. Evidently
she has not seen & only gets
tea & bread & butter for Supper.
I do not wish Lizzie if possible
to know Matron wrote asking for a
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you are not having too much
trouble & are satisfied with
her cooking both for the Fathers
and College. The great thing for
Lizzie is to keep her occupied
she is perfectly happy baking
& cooking, so if you think
well you could get her to
bake oftener brown bread &
instead of buying cake for
guests she could make one.
Now it is hard to know
what about a Menu, as
there from Lizzie you have
a good deal of meat of
your own these times.
I shall not make a new one
out, perhaps you could use
the one of the 12nd & 19th Sept.
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May 35

Making all the changes you think
Letter + necessary -
I am making out time table
for the maids before finishing
them off I am asking Matron
for a few particulars of
hours etc + also her opinion
of Rose + of she would
be a suitable person to help
Mai in the dining-room
instead of Miss Leyden-
Will you tell Fr David, Rose
is supposed to have a unique
vocation but I have not
approached this sole of the
question yet but I would
be glad dining the time
of my absence to know
what you all think of her.

Tuberculosis, and updates on novices.

...

Question by Mary Martin about Dom David and finances.

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,

Note discussing Ms. O Rourke and her influence. That it will bring back a better spirit.

TEXT:
Dear Father Prior,

Many thanks for Your letter, I agree with that the influence Miss O’Rourke will probably be sufficient to bring back a better spirit. I feel I may have failed by not writing oftener, to Cook she needs constant help since I felt unhappy about her. I have written more often and will continue to do so.

When I hear definitely as to the course you intend to adopt, I shall write fully to them all, as it will be an occasion when I can speak of things in general without leaving suspicion of having heard stories.

Probably from now on, they, Mary and herself, will begin to take advantage, of the spiritual life at Glenstal. If so all will improve under the influence of God’s grace.

I shall be very glad that Miss O’Rourke will have the chance of getting a better knowledge of the cooking. I believe it will not be long now till we shall not be so much depending on Iizzie.

I shall have two very busy days for M.M.M. tomorrow and Sunday, also treatment,
so if my daughters do not hear from me, they will understand.

I shall write fully to them when I hear what you and Dom David have decided.

I have an idea it was probably the meat at dinner the boys complained about.

I would do as you said about breakfast. It is the usual breakfast in Irish homes: bacon and eggs, sometimes poached eggs on toast, and now and again sausages.
Sausages and Mash potatoes are generally a favorite supper dish.
I pray much for every thing.

Note requesting the school prospectus for a friend.

TEXT
Dear Father Prior,
This is just a hurried line to ask you to send me a few prospectuses of Glenstal School when you next write.

A married schoolgirl friend of mine has two boys at school at Ampleforth the 3rd is at Wicklow and will probably leave this summer. She spoke to me of Glenstal but understood it was a preparatory school.

I understand they are considering sending this boy to an Irish school. I shall be seeing her again on Tuesday afternoon; she is to come and see me.

I wonder, will it be Dublin or Galway that will see you next week?

Has Father John heard anything more from Clerys? It is such a long time ago, they find it hard to trace it.

Mother returned the steamer with a letter from Dom Columba for an order of ten cups. If he has heard nothing more from them, I shall arrange for it to be deducted from the bill and settle things up with them.
Remember me to all.
yours in Jesus,
Sr. Mary

Letter expressing grief at some news, seemingly relating to Dom David.

TEXT
My dear Father,
It is unnecessary for me
to tell you the grief your letter of
this morning caused. I shall not
mention what I feel about this matter.
As regards Glenstal, you know that already,
but I must mention this fact, and that
is that M.M.M. is losing her most
valuable spiritual father. He spent himself
in our years of spiritual formation.
It is to him we owe the solid
spiritual foundation and spirit of love and
unity that exists within her members.
I prefer not to write any more on this
point, as I have never been able to
understand the situation and the deep
misunderstanding that arose after I
left Glenstal between you and Dom
David. "May God’s adorable will be
done in all things."

It is true, Fr. Moynagh’s father died
last month.
I am glad to hear you have hopes
of help from Maredsous and the
prospect of more novices.
You have a very hard time before
you, and it will mean great cooperation
to carry it all through and hard
work to pay the interest of the loan
each year.
I saw Dom Matthew. He is
working hard for the school, but
I fear this decision about Dom David
will affect him very much.
I fear it is impossible for me to
get down before the exhibition in
Cork. I am very busy indeed, and I
fear it would mean neglect of my
duty towards M.M.M. I would love
it otherwise, unless I get down for a day with
In union of prayer.