(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.
2
(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.
2
1820 January 13
Richard (S.S., Father Gabriel) "Delegate from Michigan"
Manuscript Indian prayer book and catechism in which is inscribed the name of Marie Amable Biscornet Omasinaigan, January 13, 1820 (in French). Some of the titles written in French are in the handwriting of Richard. In pencil is a greeting from Richard to John Calhoun in Richard's hand.
III-2-m Bound ms. with leather binding (Indian dialect of text not determined.) 150pp. used 2
1820 Jan. 11
Brooke, Roger:
Hermitage (Maryland)
to Father (Simon Gabriel) Brute:
Mt. St. Mary, Emmitsburg, Maryland
When he saw Brute, Brute promised to go with him to see his son. The son continues very unwell and the doctor has forbide him to leave his room. He has a slay and horses and a good driver and will go with Brute of he will agree. He is to tell the boy as Brooke himself is unwell at present.
II-3-o - A.L.S. - - 1p. {8vo.} 1
1820 Feb. 27
(Flaget), Benedict Joseph Bishop of:
Bardstown, (Kentucky)
to Father (Simon Gabriel) Brute:
Emmitsburg, Maryland
Flaget does not know why their correspondance has ceased, but if he is the cause he is without malice, but Brute's response has taken away any cause of ill-feeling as his letters have always done Father (Guy Ignatius) Chabrat, the first fruit of his episcopacy bears this letter and Brute can ask him many questions about affairs in Kentucky for which Brute is to give him some letters of introduction to some of his friends. Flaget asks if it true that Brute has left the Sulpicians. He heard this but he does not understand this from Father (John) Dubois nor from the Sulpicians. He asks Brute to enlighten him. Some have told him of the annoyances they have had to endure at Emmitsburgh and finally of the capitulation in which Father (John) Dubois was left in charge of the field. This is a very great evil that the priests and brothers misunderstand. It is with pleasure that he learns that the seminary and the college are flourishing. He wishes them courage and perserverance. P.S. He sends his regards to Dubois. He asks that Brute give an account of the Masses acquitted for them. Bishops (Jean) David says it is 200 but Flaget does not think it is only a hundred.
II-2-o - A.L.S. - (French) - 3pp. {4to.} 4
1820 Mar. 2
Brute, Father S(imon Gabriel):
At. Mr. Brook's
to Father M. Zocchi:
Taneytown, (Maryland)
When Mr. (Roger) Brooke spoke to Zocchi's coming to say Mass for his poor son he expressed his personal satisfaction, raised not possible objection and said that though it was not the custom of Father (Jean) Dubois, he would explain it to him when I returned home. He did and thought he would hear that Zocchi had come which would have been a consolation. Last Friday Brooke told Brute that Zocchi on his visit said that he had received a letter that would prevent his saying the mass. Brute thought that Dubois has written, but Dubois said he had not written but would have agreed with Brute on the matter. They would be pleased not only that Father Zocchi would bring the Blessed Sacrament to the boy but that he would say the Mass for him and that they would not consider this an exception to their rule.
II-3-o - A.L.S. - (English) - 2pp. {8vo.} 3
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 April 14
Cheverus, Jean Bishop of:
Boston, (Massachusetts)
to Father S(imon Gabriel) Brute:
Emmitsburg, Maryland
Apologizing for the delay in answering Brute's letter of January 9 which include a letter to Brute's brother and an offering under seal, Cheverus says he will go for the Ursulines in June. He is also later with a letter to Mother (Elizabeth Seton) but he did send on the letter to William Seton. The news from Havana is that all is well on the Macedoian. He will write to her and to Mrs. Clarke, whose letter could not have displeased him since he did not get it. He is ashamed to write to the reverend Mother and superior for bringing the matter to a successful issue. Monsignor Burke had told him of the young person and now writes that she is married. He has sent the letter on to Brute's brother with a procuration of Madame Duplessis. The question is an inheritance of which she has great need. He has two priest with him and two others on missions. They had more than 700 Communions. The first Communions will take place May 5. An Irishman has committed a murder worse than anything Cheverus has heard of in his 24 years. He is to be hung and has been attend by Father (Philip Lariscy) along with the 3 other pirates doomed to the same fate. Last year four other pirates were hung. 2 were Catholics and the other two became converts. The 3 in jail said they wanted no other minister that Father Lariscy, a brave Irish Augustinian. His new confreres are Father Paul McQuade and Father Patrick Byrne whom he ordained Saturday before Passion Sunday. He lived with Cheverus for the past two years. Cheverus thinks they should give one priest more to Emmitsburg. He himself has all he can employ but none can replace the one he has lost. P.S. He sends respects to those he knows. He will send some brochures at the first opportunity.
II-3-o - A.L.S. - (French) - 3pp.6
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
1820 July 27
(Flaget) B(enedict) J(oseph), Bishop of Bardstown:
Hardinsburg, K(entuck)y
to Father (Simon Gabriel) Brute:
Emmitsburg, Maryland
Flaget rejoices that Brute is still in the company and praises him for his work and marvelous success. This is not a compliment, it is a fact because (Fathers Charles) Nerinckx and (Guy Ignatious) Chabrat who were eye witnesses of the work have told him, and they are not flatterers. He admires what they have done and can not understand it. For if six priests did not work that these two are doing he would consider them sifficiently employed. One thing troubles Flaget that is that both are subject to die, and since they are no longer supported by the seminaristes of Baltimore what would happen if one of the two should die. Why should the good bishop worry. Is God not mighty enough to continue and even to perfect the work that he had started? From then on Flaget will be an admirer and not a fault finder. Since the departure of (Fathers Charles) N(erinck)x and (Guy Ignatious) Chabrat from "Chezapye" Flaget has not heard of anything about them nor their boat. Each day of their absence is like a week especially at the time that this letter is being written. He is sixty miles from Bardstown and also there is a young priest who is seriously ill. This misfortune, beside adding to the physical work, worries Flaget about the whole future of this missionary. The extraordinary success that he has had in the two and a half years since his ordination has given Flaget hopes of his success, but it appears that the plans of the Divine Providence differs. However at all times, and in all circumstances, Flaget is resigned to the will of God but he admits that the loss of the young man would greatly distress him. Abell's reputation as a preacher is universal among protestants as well as Catholics and many people traveled twenty miles to have the pleasure of hearing him preach. He sends his respect to Father (Jean) Dubois and to Mother (Elizabeth) Seton. P.S. To quite himself he asks Brute how he is mourneful Father Byrne performs mircles. He asks what Brute thinks of young Comisky who has been chased from the seminary and the diocese. Bishop Jean David has been well for fortnight.
II-2-o - A.L.S. - (French) - 3pp. {4}
(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.
1
1820 Dec. 19
(Cheverus) John Bishop of:
Boston, Massachusetts
to Father Simon (Gabriel) Brute:
Emmitsburg, Maryland
Cheverus blushes at the unanswered letter of Brute of St. Ursula's day. He hopes that Mother (Elizabeth Seton) will be left many years yet for her children his Ursulines pray for that favor. He can never think of the mountain without emotion. The two novices he brought from Canada have made their solemn vows on the feast of St. Ursula. A great number of Protestants were there. He took for his text from A Cor 6,9,10 Quasi morientes et ecce vivimus. "The Community consists of four persons and a lay person. The Ursulines teach more than a hundred young girls in the forenoon and in the afternoon. They do not yet receive boarders but have day scholars. He thought he was in the cenacle when he visit the Sulpicians in Montreal. The canadian clergy were very edifying. Abbe Calonne is an apostle. Bishop Burke who died in Halifax November 29 is a great loss. He had just began to build a cathedral. In Boston they are going along slowly. They had 700 Communions at Christmas. Catholic in Massachusetts are as acceptable as are Hews and Mohametans etc. Cheverus asks Brute to transmit the two notes enclosed. He has a small relic of St. Vincent De Paul with its authntication if Brute wants it. He sends his regards to Father (Jean) Dubois.
II-3-o - A.L.S. - (French) - 3pp. {4to.} 3