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Pax
15 / 3 / 36
Dear Miss Martin
How attentive is the Loving Providence ! Overcrowd train compartment is a bad fitted place to rebexion, and I landed last night at Boher without any definite idea about the talks we had with Bishop Shanahan and Mgr Bearzotti. But, on arriving, I found that my letter of Friday was probably still in way, for nobody...say no trap was there - and I had a lovely walk in the calm, mild night, under a milky sky, which gave light enough to find the way, and kept altogether the dear recollection of the resting nature. I had so an hour and a half to pray and think, and the conclusion is that the idea of Mgr Bearzotti is perhaps the best.
Some ten years ago, as I suppose Fr Gerard told you, a congregation of Benedictine Oblates was founded at Maredsous, for the purpose of ensuring a religious staff to the both Schools (Secondary, and Artcrafts). We met opposition in Rome, who refused to authorize a new confergation, and imposed to our Sister obligation to join an old one; they went first to make novitate with the Oblates of Heverle (suburb of Louvain); after some years, a new foundation was made by Heverle in Maredsous, and they sent a Superioress of theirs, and also a Mistress of novices, and our Sisters made henceforth their novitate in Maredsous, under the authority, of course of those two, but the actual direction was totally in the hands of the Fr Director. And, last year, the new foundation has already a good number of perpetual professes, was separated from Heverle, and erected as a special congregation, under His Grace the Bishop of Namur.
I am sure we could go on similar lines, and without the same difficulties, as the Holy See invites the existant Orders - say S. Benedict's - to form special separated branches for the new Medical work in Missions.
So, I would send an address of thanksgiving, as I told you, but, by the hands of Dom Pierre Bastien - a renown Canonist, and our Procurator in Rome; the address would mention that some Irish Girls, longing for sometimes for such work, and preparing themselves besing in the spirit of S. Benedict, and under guidance of his sons, ask for the Blessing of the Holy Father, and are ready to follow the libes traced in the recent Act of the S.C.de Propaganda Fide.
In the same time, I shall write to Maredsous, and ask for a complete exposition of what was done to obtain approval - and altogether, for kind communication of the Rules - we use to call them Constitutions, because the Rule is that of S. Benedict, adapted by the foresaid Constitutions.
I shall write also to an American Abbot, my old friend, and ask him for every particulars about the so numerous Houses of Benedictine Nuns, who live a very busy life in Schools and Colleges, Academies of Art and Hospital over the whole of United States. Their Constitutions would be a great help on resolving many problems, as by instance the question of Divine Office.
For the Constitutions of America and Maredsous, I write immediately: for D. Pierre Bastien, I expect the advice of His Excellence the Nuntio. But better

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15/3/36
I think to avoid long delays, and, as soon as you can give me a word about, I write to Rome, to know how Fr Bastien will understand the whole business. I know him personally (he is a monk of Maredsous) and acted always very friendly with him.) Then we shall draft the address - may the Holy Ghost inspire us.
Just to day, I see a little magazine, published by a new society of Missionaries - the inspiration of whom came from my brother - on Medical aid begun in An kuo, the town where was founded the first monastery of men and of women, founded by my brother, at the request of his Chinese Bishop. I should send it, but it is written in french. If it can help you, I will have it translated into english and sent over.
The boys received me, not only well, but heartily, and expressed me already two or three tires, that is was far better when I am here ...! Were it possible to give them all what I have in the heart, but has to pass by the mouth, and is kept by the horrible barrier of the language!
Your daughters delighted to hear that things are going ahead, and that your regretted absence means good work for M.M.M.
Dear Christopher was not the last to say his pleasure to have me again. He is in "great trouble" about his weekly letter: "Miss Martin is in Dublin, and I don't know where to find the address of Mummy" Of course, he thinks he had it, but the trouble is to know where he put it.
Graces and happiness must be bought by crosses. I found here a letter of Archbishop Harty, recalling Fr Ryan immediately. He must be on duty Saturday next, and His Grace wants him to be in Thurles a few days previously, to take instruction from his predecessor in the College. This is a bad stroke. Pray our dear Lord to give me light and help, and to love him every day more, and more sincerely - since to those who love God, all helps to good.
Best remembrances to your dear mother, and our so kind - and perfect "chauffeur"
May the blessing of God rest on you, and foster the saint work you associate me to.
Don BEDE LESSE