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

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1841-1842

pg 14             Arrival in New York.  On Sept 13th the vessel entered New 
Dept. 13th,  York bay, probably one of the most beautiful in the world.  It 
eve of the   would be hardly possible to describe the sentiments of joy of the 
Exaltation   pious band at sight of this strange land which they had come so 
of the Holy  far in search of, through so many dangers and fatigues.  It was a 
Cross.       little after sunset when F. Sorin set foot on land with a few of 
A Happy      the passengers, the general landing being deferred till next day.  
Presage.     One of his first acts on this soil so much desired was to fall 
             prostrate and embrace it, as a sign of adoption and at the same 
             time of profound gratitude to God for the blessing of the 
             prosperous voyage.
                  The arrival of the new missionaries could not have taken 
             place at a more striking and propitious time.  It was the eve of 
             the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, so that F. Sorin was able to 
             celebrate his first mass in America on the day of the feast.  
             This happy coincidence was of a kind to make a deep impression on 
             the heart of the young religious of Holy Cross, who himself had 
             placed all his confidence in the virtue of the Holy Cross, and 
             who desired rather than feared to suffer for the love of Christ.