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

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1855

pg 254            6.  Milwaukee is amongst the most important cities of the 
             West, containing at the present day nearly 40,000 souls.  For 
             beauty and salubrity it has no equal beyond the lakes.  It is 
             situated on the western shore of Lake Michigan, five hours ride 
             from Chicago, and consequently eight hours from Notre Dame.  The 
             Germans predominate, although the English-speaking population is 
             also numerous.
                  The Brothers' school was founded at the request as well as at 
             the cost of Mgr. Henni himself, in the basement of his old 
             cathedral, for Irish children, the Germans being already provided 
             with excellent schools in charge of laymen.  Thus far there are 
             only two Brothers with some fifty children.  Still, amongst all 
             the foundations of the Society in this country, it is the one that 
             offers the best prospects for the Society, seeing that the diocese 
             of Milwaukee is more exclusively Catholic, and that our holy 
             religion is more flourishing there than anywhere else in the U.S.  
             It therefore appears to be beyond doubt that this school, if 
             properly managed, will be a success, especially in procuring 
             vocations.
                  7.  New York.  In 1854 Mother M. of the Five Wounds having 
             gone to France to collect for her Ouvroir in New Orleans, she somehow
             or other obtained an obedience from the Rev. F. Rector to found
             a similar house in New York, and she had even collected for that
             purpose.  The Archbishop of New York being in Rome at the time 
             could not be consulted, and on her return from France Mother Five
             Wounds could not know for certain whether or not her services were
             desired in New York.  The Archbishop had not yet returned, 
             otherwise it seems that she would not have gone back to New 
             Orleans.
                  She went there, however, but after some months returned to 
             New York on the invitation of the Rev. F. Madeore of the Fathers 
             of Mercy, who had communicated the project to His Grace and 
             obtained his approbation.  She left New Orleans with the consent 
             of her superior, F. Guesdon, but not being able to procure a 
             location or furniture without binding herself to meet all the 
             expenses and assume all the responsibilities of the enterprise, F.