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

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1854

pg 210       and encouragement.  There only did the members let their hearts 
             expand.  The best friends avoided one another, and when they did 
             meet, each sought to read in the other's eyes the fears that were 
             in his own heart.  All the beauty and all the joy of Notre Dame 
             had departed by degrees.  The people were prepared at any day for 
             the last extremities.
                  Meanwhile everyone, in silence and as far as his strength 
             permitted, attended to his work.  Neither complaints nor murmurs 
             nor regrets were heard.  All seemed to be resigned to the will of 
             God, whatever that will might decree.  Not only was there 
             resignation, but there was prayer, and in prayer one dared to 
             hope.  It was sweet to think that God is infinitely rich in mercy, 
             that he sometimes calls us back even from the gates of the tomb.  
             Everyone felt that we never trust in the Lord in vain; and the 
             more serious and desperate affairs seemed to be, the more did they 
             take pleasure in saying to our merciful Lord, that is was worthy 
             of him to extend his mighty hand and save the Lake, where all was 
             going to ruin. De lacu miseria et de tuto facis.
                  O my God! through what agonies is pleased thee then to make