(182-)
Bruté, Father Simon
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)
to Catherine Josephine Seton
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)
He thought so much of (Mrs. Elizabeth Seton) her mother's daily 118th psalm that he went to copy down verses for her. Her mother will pray for her. He kneels in the choir of this earth before the tabernacle of divine mysteries, the joy of her Mother who is happy before the throne, lost in the praise and love which they aspire to. He hopes she is actually in Heaven but in the humble and wise spirit of the church she says she does not know. Only the worldly, presumptuous affirm so. Even in view of the tender mercy of their crucified Lord, they (we) think of God's infinite holiness and their meek use of grace. They find out "just any farther trial awaits them as expiation and purification." But they rejoice that the good souls are safe in union with the adorable will and are helped by their prayers. And the more acceptable and fervent prayers of these saints in turn are offered for us. If he wants to see Josephine saved, then how much more her holy mother. Anna and Bec should also be saved. Josephine should be good. She may say he is forever carrying her to the other world. This is true. Indeed, as he told her, he is no friend for her in the ways of this life but rather is it his consecrated concern to teach that these little things if done in grace can bring her great merit. Grace is God's tender support and mercy and the love of offering and suffering and the blood of Jesus. It is the presence of the Lord to one's soul, incessantly, every moment. Her mother used to speak of "the grace of the moment." He hopes Josephine aspires humbly for it and obeys it perseveringly all her life till Eternity. Even if her mother is actually in heaven they do not know it and should pray for her in charity. There is a note beneath the outside address and in another hand. It says Josephine's baptismal name was Catherine, her confirmation name, Josephine. It is signed, R(obert S(eton).
II-1-a A.D. 3pp. 12mo.
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(182-) ( )
B(rut)é, (Father) S(imon)
(Mt. St. Mary's, Maryland)
to (Catherine) Josephine (Seton)
(Baltimore, Maryland)
He asks her to accept this New Testament and Imitation as from her mother. She can diversify her reading of English by reading French. He hopes Emilie (Prime) will not refuse the same offering. He puts her in charge of it after Emilie, and hopes they will help one another to continue to be as good girls as they can, for Christ, their own eternity, and for her (Mother Seton) whose good example can suffice. Heaven is the whole object of life. Besides, living for heaven is the best life on earth. He asks Mother Seton if it is not so and asks her to answer from her "little wood." He asks Josephine to pray for him. (Robert Seton's note on back: "From Bruté").
II-1-a Note S (French) 1p. 12mo.
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1820 Mar. 27
Leonard, J. (?)
Plaquemines, Louisiana
Permission is given to Father (Constantine) Maenhault to celebrate the marriage of Jules Delery and Caroline Lanaux. (On back of permit): Jules is the oldest son of Francois Delery and Marie Desillest; Caroline is the daughter of the late Charles Lanaux and Aglaé Roussel of New Orleans.
V-4-c D.S. 2pp. 12mo.
7
1820 July 23
(Seton, Elizabeth, Mrs.)
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)
to (William Seton, Jr.)
( )
She asks if the cry of her heart does not reach him. She repeats his name as a prayer before the tabernacle in tears. He would be pained to see her agonized heart. She is not worried because of the present separation in this life but because she may lose him for eternity. She dreads lest his faith be lost since it has everything to extinguish it and nothing to nourish it. If she did not see Bec and Nina above what would keep her heart from breaking.
II-1-a A.L. (unsigned) 2pp. 12mo.
1
(182?) Aug. 23
Bruté, Simon Gabriel
Emmitsburg, Maryland
to (William Gaston)
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)
It was a great disappointment but more severe for those who are the occasion of it. They had already been interrupted this evening during which they meant to talk. They had to compensate tomorrow, as (Gaston) promised to come early in the morning. Mr. Beverly, of Alexandria's daughter just came requesting him to go and see her father tomorrow. Her father was hurt in a fall from his carriage and lies in a tavern six miles away, where she and her mother will meet him and bring the author of the letter along. They were waiting in Clarksburg to take their father home. (Bruté) will try to be back soon for a new chance to be "together" and treat a few of so many subjects "together." A few, unless daily they could renew the talk; what should they think and say of this and that? The talk is only begun here when the summons are (sic) given: come, soul, enter. The joy and knowledge of eternity, (Bruté enlarges on this notion of eternity). It is inexpressible and we come to it so soon. He does not understand why our body is to be eternal. He strives in astronomical and scriptural language to describe eternity and the greatness of God. He is more to God than the whole universe. He asks if it is of himself, Gaston, that God said, "I loved thee...before the world was made." Christ was crucified and instituted the Eucharist for him. He quotes St. Paul and comments to the effect that we must suffer with Christ by denying our bad nature and be "Jesufied, a word of the dictionary of dear Mother Elizabeth Seton." He contrasts the virtues with vices and the world's goods. Time is not to waste but to secure eternity. He believes in the Communion of Saints. The most astonishing mystery is that men can disobey: God commands, man refuses. When man was in honor he did not realize it. thus would be their talk if they met, but practice would remain the (starting) point for both.
II-1-a A.L. 4pp. 12mo.
3
1820 (Aug. 25) St. Louis' Day
Bruté, Father Simon,
St. Joseph
to (William Seton)
Bruté read in the Gazette a letter written by a military instructor at West Point recording with admiration how a cadet on watch duty stood fearless while lightening played on the point of his bayonet. Bruté sighed as he read of this youth in danger of death and not fearing. Two sisters of charity come to bring milk to the dairy below the chapel. He noticed how, obliged to pass near the workmen, they curb their glance in exact purity and sweetness, fixing it on their feet--the holy fear they have of violating their rule in the slightest and of displeasing their divine Master. Bruté, no military instructor, feels touched and attracted only by this blessed fear in which he saw their heart set. They fear death no more than the cadet. With what tranquility good Jane confided herself (to God) her last Sunday. Death--the West Point youth ought to have a lively fear of death if he is in sin and dreams of Hell, if he does not dream of Heaven and the love of God. Death--in the same Gazette there is told of two young cadets engaged in a duel. They have no fear of death and the military instructor can admire (!) Horrors. Turenne did not fear death when he received the mortal bullet. But he feared God and had received communion that morning. Charles of Blois did not fear death, but in the battle took time out for confession and absolution before he perished. Under his (coat of) arms is found a hair shirt. David, renounced as warrior against beasts and giants, begged God to fill his heart and flesh with holy fear. St. Louis did not fear death. He attended on the shore the barbarians whom he had gone seeking. Bruté exclaims about St. Louis' fear of God. His mother Blanche had told him as a child she would rather see him dead than have him commit a mortal sin. Bruté wishes the poor cadets and midshipmen could have at West Point a holy preacher, such as military schools in France are provided with, to form them in sanctity while they are being formed in bravery. William might ask how well this might form saints of them. God knows, but it would not fail (altogether), as has been seen to happen in such circumstances. Note by (Robert Seton):
"Bruté to W. Seton."
II-1-a A.L. (French) 2pp. 8vo.
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