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

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1852

pg 162       Holiness and to obtain from him precious.  During most of this 
             time he lived with Mgr. de Merode, Chamberlain of the Pope, and 
             during the rest with his confrere F. Drouelle, Superior of Vigna 
             Pia.
                  The great point that almost solely occupied the attention of 
             those two Fathers was the approbation of the Association of the 
             Holy See.  The matter was examined but could not be settled on 
             account of the recent difficulties of Picpus, and the opposition 
             of a French prelate.  Nevertheless, all things were left on a good 
             footing, and F. Sorin carried with him from Rome, amongst other 
             consolations, the assurance of the good will of His Holiness 
             towards Sainte Croix and its foundations in other lands.
                  On his return to France he received letters from N.D. du Lac 
             pressing him urgently to hasten his return.  He therefore departed 
             at once with three ecclesiastics and four young postulants for the 
             Sisters.  Besides, he took with him a number of objects valuable 
             for the missions.
                  Since the departure of F. Sorin for France the Work had 
             developed beyond his expectations.  At the time of his return 
             there were sixty boarders at the university and thirty at the 
             academy, fifteen postulants for the Brothers, eight for the 
             priests, and eight for the Sisters.