Girard0585

31 December 1846 — Brother Marie-Nizier (Jean-Marie Delorme) to Father Jean-Claude Colin, Futuna

Translated by Peter McConnell, October 2010

Jesus, Mary, Joseph. Island of Futuna 31 / 12/ 1846.

Very reverend father,

[1]

During the month I found out that you had received the letter I wrote to you concerning the Reverend Father Chanel and that you are still asking for new information concerning that worthy priest. I think, Reverend father, that at that time when you made that new request you had not yet received the details which had been written and that we had entrusted to the English whaler La Marguerite a huge packet of letters which was entrusted to it during the month of September 1845. I think that is right. The first memoire doesn’t contain the levels of material included in the second account; if you did not receive that and if we in Futuna are advised, I could rewrite those details I sent you.

[2]

I love to keep in my heart the gentle hope that although I have not the good fortune tomorrow of being able to kneel at your feet to receive the abundant blessings which you invoke from heaven on those of our other children who will have that ineffable pleasure, I will not have lost any part of your paternal memory of me, and that those same blessings will cross with the speed of lightning the immense space which separates us physically and will draw the heavenly dew of graces to expel the barrenness from my heat. So accept, Reverend Father, the wishes, the vows and the homage which I give you on this day which make hearts shake with joy, the most wretched of your children

[3]

Receive the expression of the feelings of my heart. I have the honour of being respectfully, Reverend father, your very humble and most unworthy son in Jesus and Mary.

Brother Marie-Nizier

Catechist.

[4]

PS The request for a watch which I made in my letter addressed to Father Brosse is to be sent to its destination only if you give your approval.