Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

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1841-1842

pg 11             The burial was another even in which all the passengers took 
Her Death    part.  The captain himself invited F. Sorin to perform the 
             funeral ceremony, assuring him beforehand that everything would 
             be carried out in silence and with decorum.  At the hour 
             appointed, the body was borne by four sailors on a plank five or 
             six feet long; it was made to rest on the edge of the vessel 
             until the priest had recited the usual prayers, and during all 
             the time the crew and passengers stood uncovered and silent as if 
             they had been in a church.  The prayers being finished and the 
             signal given to the bearers, they tipped the plank up, the little 
             corpse slid gently off, and the next instant it was heard 
             dropping into the sea; but the soul which had taken its departure 
             was already in heaven.
                  This little even called forth sentiments of gratitude 
             amongst the pious travellers and caused them to say many a 
             fervent prayer to the new tutelar angel whom they had sent to 
             God. The little Mary, they said to one another, owes us much; she 
             will not forget those that have made her so happy.  Many years 
             afterwards, they still loved to recall their little Mary, who on 
             her side appears not to have forgotten them.