Merv: Created page with "==25 July 1844 - Father Joseph-André Chevron to his nephews and nieces, Tonga== '' Based on the original, APM, Chevron file. ''A sheet measuring 18 × 11 cm and forming two written pages. This sheet is attached to doc. 306, to which it is sewn with white thread.'' ''Translated by Merv Duffy and ChatGPT, September 2026. '' ''[p. 1]'' :J(esus) M(ary) J(oseph)
Tonga, 25 July 1844
:My dear nephews“Nephews..."

2026-09-11T04:16:16Z

Created page with "==25 July 1844 - Father Joseph-André Chevron to his nephews and nieces, Tonga== '' Based on the original, APM, Chevron file. ''A sheet measuring 18 × 11 cm and forming two written pages. This sheet is attached to doc. 306, to which it is sewn with white thread.'' ''Translated by Merv Duffy and ChatGPT, September 2026. '' ''[p. 1]'' :J(esus) M(ary) J(oseph) <div style="text-align:right;">Tonga, 25 July 1844</div> :My dear nephews<ref group="ms">“Nephews..."

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==25 July 1844 - Father Joseph-André Chevron to his nephews and nieces, Tonga==
'' Based on the original, [[APM]], Chevron file.

''A sheet measuring 18 × 11 cm and forming two written pages. This sheet is attached to doc. 306, to which it is sewn with white thread.''

''Translated by Merv Duffy and ChatGPT, September 2026. ''

''[p. 1]''

:J(esus) M(ary) J(oseph)

<div style="text-align:right;">Tonga, 25 July 1844</div>

:My dear nephews<ref group="ms">“Nephews” replaces the beginning of the word “little...” in the manuscript.</ref> and nieces,

;[1]: I have received all your letters, which gave me very real pleasure. Above all, I like to hear you promise to pray for our poor islanders, and even more to be very good so that you may deserve one day to be reunited in heaven. This reunion may take place sooner than you think. How unhappy anyone who found himself absent would be! Ah, therefore work ardently to become good and fervent Christians. The Holy Spirit compares piety to a path that at first appears narrow and difficult, but along which, once one has entered it, one runs easily and without difficulty. Take care not to be discouraged by its entrance; enter courageously. Pray to Mary, our good and powerful Mother, that she herself may serve as your guide and support. Be devoted to the Blessed Virgin, and the path of virtue will be a gentle and easy way for you. Do not turn your eyes away from the good examples that you receive each day from the parents whom the good God, in His mercy, has given you; follow their ''[p. 2]'' advice.

;[2]: If you could see here so many children who are very unhappy in this world, and who perhaps will be even more unhappy in the next for want of good parents, you would appreciate their value<ref group="ms">The word translated as “their” was added above the line in the manuscript.</ref> and would thank the good God each day for having given you virtuous parents. Pray for them as well. The prayer of children for their parents is very pleasing to God. It receives a new impetus toward Him, imparted to it by gratitude. Pray also for me, who does not forget you for a single day.

;[3]: I wish I could still be near you, to join my advice and prayers to those of your parents, but that is not God's will, and God's will is the most sacred thing on earth for us. Love one another as brothers and sisters should. Each of you, write me your own little letter; tell me everything that you are doing. I was pleased to receive your pictures and the other little gifts sent to the children here who bear your names. Everything has been distributed except the pictures, which are of no use to them at present. Some give thanks; others, still fearful and ignorant, run away joyfully. Pray for them.

;[4]: I embrace you all: Éléonore, Joannes, Marius, Marie, Joséphine, Amand, Urbain, Herminie, Joséphine, Louise, and little Rose and Fanny, whom I do not know, but whom I hope to see one day in heaven.

<div style="text-align:right;">Your uncle, J(oseph) Chevron</div>

===Notes===
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