Discussions about two nurses. Mary Martin to Prior.

TEXT

Caritas
[March] 1936

Dear Father Prior,

I think I have two good Nurses willing, quite suitable for the position of nurse at Glenstal.

If It is convenient, and my room is not needed I intended returning tomorrow, Thursday, by the 6.20pm train. Then I could talk over the matter with you before deciding definitely deciding.

The brighter and younger of the two Miss McKenna asks ￡80a year. The other, Miss Cole, will come for £60 with the understanding of a rise in salary as the school increases. Miss Cole does not have such a good smart appearance, but she is a good nurse. I imagine she would be very easy to work with; she is 46 years.

Miss McKenna is 35 years old, a good nurse, and recommended to me by S. O'Reilly. I have asked them to send on their references to Glenstal and have promised to give them an answer on Friday.

Miss McKenna’s home is in Co. Limerick. She would like to have one day a month and 1/2 day a week free. I think she would take an interest in the growth of the college and improvements, as well as being kind and bright with the boys. Neither has had college experience, but I fear this is very hard to get.

You will be pleased to hear that Miss O'Rourke has decided to join our work, but she will not be free to come until November. Benedict sent her through St. Bernard—it was only yesterday she decided.

Miss Farrelly has also decided to join us, but to please her mother, she may have to first go into hospital for training.

I long to talk over our future work with you. The time is ripe now in Dublin for Vocations; we must organize something for them.

I think they have oblates of St. Benedict in Holland, that would suit our work and at the same time perhaps, be able to always continue looking after Glenstal.

In many ways, it seems I should be in Dublin for this, by (????) for the Missions. But on the other hand, more will be done by prayer, and perhaps a few days here in September before it closes. Miss O'Rourke will be able to help me.

Now, I thank you all for your prayers, as I am convinced it was them that got these two for M.M.M.

I did not hear from Father David about Br. Conrad, so I have done nothing more until I hear.

Sister Baptist sympathizes very much with your cross ,gives the same advice as I—Sr. Quinlan, if the parents are poor, and the best thing is to get him into the county home, then from there to a sanatorium.

I suppose you speak English very well by this

Please remember me to all the Fathers.

May I ask you to ask Fr John to wire me if it is convenient for me to go back tomorrow?

Your obedient child,
Marie Martin

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.

Various matters including Miss Freenie

TEXT:

My dear Father in Christ,

I know how your heart is feeling today. May God console you and give you all the courage you need to go ahead.

I am also suffering and a bit anxious about M. M.M., but through it all, I continue to trust God, to bring me safely through it all.

No further news from Mgrs. Ritere or Mgrs. Moynagh.

This morning, I was with the dentist and had two back teeth removed. Then he tried to get some old roots out, but with no success after much fishing in the dark, so I feel quite sore in the head.

Pray much over Miss Freenie. She is, I think, the right person and will take a few days to decide.

Mrs. Gavan Duffy rang me up this morning, and she thinks what I do now is for Miss Freenie to decide and then to take the matter in hand herself with you. Her going will be a different proposition for me. It will have to be faced from a more secular outlook—accommodation, etc., may have to be more carefully prepared, etc.

The feeling I have is that she was depressed after her visit, seeing the condition of things and how the place was .... But seems to be getting over the shock and facing the problem of taking it over in prayer

All will come right, I trust God for you.

I shall not look up Miss _ for a few days more, as I think Miss T. will go.

I shall hopefully see Dom David tomorrow, and he will have all your news.

I do not think Miss Hayes is the person you need, although I think she is very good in her own way.

Must close in great haste.

Your child for God,
Marie

Dom David and letters in french. From Mary Martin to "Father".

TEXT:

Caritas
Greenbank
Mountown

My dear Father in Christ,

Many thanks for your letter and all it contained. I am sorry to hear of Martha’s carelessness regarding the boys’ help and hope your words "I shall go now" mean she will attend to the boy—not that she left you.

She gave us all the impression the other day that she does not realize her position and responsibility. I hope the boy is better and that none of the boys' remarks were written home.

Miss Frienne rang me up before leaving. She is considering the question but greatly fears herself she is not able for it. I would have no doubt about it if you and Dom David were

There, I think she would manage to place well and see to its interest. and do a great deal for Glenstal. We must only pray to God to guide her to do what is best for her own soul and Glenstal.

But certainly, you will have to make a change at Christmas, and I pray you may get through these next few weeks. It is God alone that can do it, for, humanly speaking, you have much too much to do.

You were very kind to send me that letter of yours in French and the beautiful and so true description of Dom David. It was because I thought you had such an opinion of him that I asked you straight in my letter the question, because I was mistaken once. I knew this for certain, so I was free to write fully to you.

There is no misunderstanding between us or Dom David. He will be a tremendous loss, as you say, even for two months, but he need rest and change and will, with God's help, come back feeling better and able to be again what you describe him to be to you in that letter.

I look forward to seeing him on Thursday. Ask him to come out here as soon as he is finished with his business in Dublin, and we can give him something to eat before sailing.

How do you like your beautiful gift? I am very excited over it, and my real devotion is to the cross in all its forms. As I am not sure what kind of chapel we will have at present, I think it is better to have it made on a stand. But do you not think it is rather short for the 14 " figure? I would have thought the 24" would look better, but then this might not be the style of cross you propose. As I am not artistic, I must leave this to you.

It is the very nicest remembrance I could have from Glenstal. We shall always be united in the great work of love and sacrifice under the shadow of the cross. I thank you from each one in M.M.M.

No further news except a cable from Mgrs. Rebere to His Excellency to say it was not necessary for me to go to Monte Carlo. Like your great Saint of today, I try to keep absolute faith in God, no matter how dark and impossible things seem.

As soon as I have news, I shall let you know.

I hope to hear all goes well and that there is nothing seriously wrong with the boy. Risk nothing, even if it means getting in a nurse temporarily to help.

I pray with all my heart for you, dear Father.

Your obedient and grateful child,

Marie

Will you please have Mass said for Marie and all our intentions on Saturday?

Matters concerning approval.

TEXT

Caritas
St. Patricks Day
My dear Father
I hope you found all
in order on your return +
that you were not too
tired I would have liked
much to return with you
in fact I had my bay + all
with me in the Car_ but
I suppose for Gods Work it
is better to remain
here How
I wish you were with me

for the interview with His
Excellency. I trust the Holy
Ghost to guide me
in all I say + to.
direct us_ Something must be
done fairly soon otherwise
all will 1 be in before us +
I feel I owe it to the souls
who have been so generous
during these past years of faith

• darkness _
  Sr. Whitney turned up
  Yesterday he thinks a letter
  as you suggested to His
  Holiness + the cardinal t
  Propaganda of Fide would
  he a very wise move so
  is to have their blessing
  on the work started at
  Glenstal.

I am taking these few days at
home resting +
praying awaiting
a ring pemthes
Excellency no news
up to this We think he has
not yet returned
.
. Whitney suggested we should
sound +. Hayes + ask him
what he thought about approachi
Bishop Harty. It is better for
As to do nothing in this way
till we
have the Nuncios
advice _
Also if the letter
from Rome was with as it
might help matters + if it
is possible to be an exempt
Congregation directly under
thh Pope + +ropaganda it
would relieve the Archbishop
all financial responsibility

I feel I must leave myself
your hands to be directed
now
each move
under The ad_
vice of the Nuncio + probably
your Abbot. who has great
power
One thing that is essential
for me to have now is
copy
Constitution
some existing Order that
we are taking as the bace
our own modified to
suit our special vocation

• works.
  So if you have
  rot already written for a
  copy of the Constitution from

the Benedictine Missionary Sisters
Brussel will you ask them
they will be
to generous as to
give as a copy_ then I
Can
start working away
at
the constitution seeing
what will be necessary to
alter etc
when you are writing will
you send me teachings
any points I should have
in writing further than
what is in the sketch
as Dom David has.
Have you still got the
correspondence from Arch. bisho

Harty..
I thank you from all my
heart for having
remained up to see
His Excellency some how I
believe we must work to. gether

• accomplish this + to be
  guided by the Holy Spirit it
  a new work the formation
  growth
  Great freedom to develope accord
  Should be slow with
  ing to Gods Holy Will. So that
  if we had a letter from
  Rome blessing the undertaking
  it might be only necessary
  or the present to ask His
  grace the following _
  to erect as int a pious
  Society

17/3/36
So own a house of our
our when the number make this
necessary
o be allowed to speak
publicly saying what we
are + what we are
aiming at
.
This would give as a
certain statis + prevent
for the moment becoming
a diocesan Congregation.
These are all only thoughts
prayer. I hope to have
much good advice after

my interview with His Excellency
Please pray much for me I am
in absolute darkness
with absolutely nothing
but a firm hope + trust in God
how my soul can enter into
the Ps. these days + the spirit
your retreat + how I thank
God + you for that great grace
I have asked Miss Leyden
to write to me definitel
if Miss Breen comes to. morrow
Wedesday if she has not
written the post is so bad
these days to the country
.
I hope you are not feeling
too tired after your hard time
in Dublin
I had a very satisfactory
interview with Matron at Holles
St. also with see. of enclosed paper

7/3/36
an aitie in this or even
to start with to publich
decree as in Catholic Times
with a paragraph stating
such a work is being
established in Ireland any
one with such vocation can
write for further information
secretary - however
nothing will be done without
advice from you_
your child for God.
Marie

Mary Martin to Father Prior. On the rule of St. Benedict.

TEXT

Feb. 1936
Dear Father Prior
How am I to thank you
for your letter of yesterday
corrections etc. My intention as
you say was just to give a
few principle + then to direct
them to the Rule of
St. Benedict
on the matter of Humility
Obedience Silence etc as I
want them to be grounded in
+His Spirit. I shall now improve

• make thing
  a little more

4.
you will be very
welcome here on Thursday
if that proves the best day for you
Miss O' Rourke will be down by the
early morning train on Monday
unless any thing unforseen turns
up. I hope she will be a great
source of joy as well as help to
she little staff at Glenstal.
Will you please till Lizzie I look
forward to her next letter I hope
it will come soon
Spiritually + physically I am going
through a time of great depression
I am treing though failing often
to accept all in a spirit of love
y + Faith with no other desire
but His holy Will for me The getting up
get out to get the air exhaus me
greatly so am not allowed to do much
write, etc.
definite now that I know your
wishes I thank you with all
my heart for every thing + the
arrangements you have made all
I hope is that it is in no way
over burdenng you or Dom David
how that you are short +
staff. of course both Miss Leyden
Miss t Rourke understand the
extra conference will only he given
it + when convenient to you
by Dom David I have already
instructed Miss L. + O' R that you are
their Superiors during my absence
now I shall explain the matter very
to Miss O' Rourke For health they
fully

Should seek your permission
to
Consult Matron during my absence
if they are not feeling well I
have also asked them to be very
simple child. like with you in all
Matters pertaining
to The Manage
ment of the house. work +
exterior permissions. And for all
Things relating to their religious
life spiritual reading, mortifications
etc to obey Dom David
I am greatly grieved to hear
of your new cross + pray
much
or you + that things will not
prove too serious_
look
forward with joy
your visit
when it is convenient

Mary Martin to Father. Speaking of how Father seems to have little interest left.

TEXT

My dear Father,

I was pleased to receive your very welcome letter. I regret to hear of Brother M.'s illness.

I have just received a wire from Mrs. Morpe, so I hope to meet her today, when I shall have firsthand news of you and all at Glenstal.

Your letter sounds very depressed, as if you have little interest left. May God, clear the way for you, and show you His Will in all things.

You have evidently forgotten, but in our last conversation, we spoke of a green and grey theme, with green as the school colors for blazers, etc. I sent you the patterns from Switzers, as Mother & I thought they were a beautiful color, and that the green would look well with the grey flannel.

However, I intend to do nothing until I hear from you about the tailor and also what Clerys did for you. I return the pattern of green for you to see at the edge of the grey.

I thought you had decided not to have black and striped trousers, and that you thought an all-grey suit would suit for Sunday for all. The bigger boys would have a grey tweed coat with grey flannels for everyday wear, and the small boys would have corduroy and pullovers. However, Mrs. Thorpe may have some news for me.

I felt so forcefully when I was speaking to you on all these questions last week that your mind was preoccupied. I do not wish to do anything you do not wish, but one must really come to a decision.

You did not say anything about the Matron. Have you heard anything?

The more I think of things, perhaps it might be well to have Miss McKenna who knows you, the place, and the difficulties, as you evidently had an idea of running ...

Caritas
Dear Father Prior
Many many thanks for your letter of
New Years day +returning I.
Letter so promptly.
Ishall deal with all that relates to
Glenstal + the reopening of The College first
Iwrote to Miss Leydon to return to Glenstal
on Monday the 17th if she has any difficultie
about which she wishes to see me to come
by 9.15Am train to Dublin, she ought to
catch the 5 pm to Limerick, if Ohe does
not need to see me, she may go direct to
Glenstal. I told her to find out cheapest
route.
It would be well for Mary to have fires
set in Dormitories, + if possible have the floors
waxed + teachers. rooms + Matrons in order.
Cook says she can spare Mary_
Mai will have plenty of time to have
her department in order.
Matron wrote me a very good letter, she seems
Epiphany Sunday
1935.

full of joy and energy for the next term.
I shall certainly send a companion to Miss
Leyden- but ir will not be for a few weeks.
If I send Miss O' Rourke it means she must
give up her office + resign_ she will have to give
them a couple of weeks notice. She ofcarse is the
only one of the four earning and unless things
were very definite as to he possibility of
continuing at Glenstal to would be very unwise
for her to resign. On the other hand if they
have a fairly regular life + start religious
instructions on the vows, she will be one of
the ones that would benefit most from them

• would be a help to Miss Leyden and
  someone I would feel great confidence in
  having there
  Miss Moynagh would be a good worker
  humble + spiritual but not of the same character.
  More Miss Leydons type. As her teeth were all
  very bad, I advised her to have them all
  out. This she had done before Christmas. I
  am awaiting a letter from her in which she
  will tell me how soon she would be fit to
  go to Glenstal if I needed her
  Thank you very much for granting me

The material request I wrote about. I agree
with you in all you say on these matters

• feel just as you do about these money
  matters. I shall do as you request + hope you
  will also draw up your own ideal then we
  can discuss the whole question .
  Naturally I am sorry we shall not see
  you this month. hon The other hand for The College
  I am glad you are not leaving Glenstal so
  soon after The opening. Also this gives no
  all more time to pray + reflect over all matters
  so important only because they are dealing with
  Gods Eternal Will.
  I think till my return it is just as
  well to give my room to Miss Leydons
  companion that would leave Cook + Mai
  Mary + Miss Leydon. If you think it better
  to have Mary + Cook well + good or if
  you think Lizzie would like it + that it
  would do her good, she + Miss Leydon
  could share the front. room It is better for
  you + Matron to arrange this matter but
  certainly I prefer to have my room used
  it will make things more comfortable + healthy.
  Dear Father now I come to thank you for

what I must value, the special course of
instructions to my daughters, as you so nicely
put it, if you find it convenient + necessary
I shall of course have no objection to them being
increasid It is a excellent plan to allow
them to confere with Dom David for
explanations + counsel if they need them
I shall leave things reen as they did at the
end of last term till the companion arrives
then we shall maps out things for the two
(there is alway a little danger of a Matron
getting +putting in one thing after another on
Her work is not heavy as things are at Glenstal
at prisent) I have written to Matron stating
Miss Leyden returns but that it is absolutely
necessary she has certain + regular time for
her spiritual exercises
.
Like you. at present I feel overwhelmed
wrth responsibilities a religious life is such a
high ideal, we shall be united in prayer for
The same great end, our own individual
perfection + them that as wished by God in
Glenstal + the future M.M.Mr .
I shall not speak of your coming.
I am grieved to hear Dom Gerard has received
Lerch reports, certainly they were not from me
or any of my subjects. I am ashamed.

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