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

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1854

pg 199            But alas! it was only the forerunner of the dreadful stroke 
             that was soon to fall like a thunder-clap on N.D. du Lac.  Ten 
             days after the burial of F. Curley, F. Cointet himself fell sick 
             on his return from a mission.  It would be useless to attempt here 
             to describe the fears and anguish of the whole house during the 
             eight days of his malady.  For eleven years he had been the glory, 
             the light, the joy, and the life of the community and of the 
             mission.  His piety, zeal and devotedness had never for a moment 
             lagged.  Gifted with wonderful activity and rare talents, he had 
             employed every day since his arrival in the New World in the 
             salvation of souls and to the glory of God.  Of him could be said, 
             although in a far inferior manner, what is written of the Saviour 
             of men: "He went about doing good."--Acts X., 38.  To preserve 
             such a precious life, everyone in the house had considered it a 
             duty to offer his own life; but God willed this great sacrifice, 
             and there only remained for the community to bend their wills and 
             to seek consolation in the words of Our Saviour: Fiat voluntas 
             tua.
                  The death of this dear Father caused universal mourning to