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Revision as of 20:11, 26 July 2009 by Merv (talk | contribs) (New page: ==7 May 1842, Fr Antoine Garin to Fr Jean-Claude Colin, Kororareka== ''Translated by Fr Brian Quin SM, July 2008'' :A M D G et D G H [to the greater glory of God and the glory of the Mo...)
7 May 1842, Fr Antoine Garin to Fr Jean-Claude Colin, Kororareka
Translated by Fr Brian Quin SM, July 2008
- A M D G et D G H [to the greater glory of God and the glory of the Mother of God]
- Bay of Islands, Kororareka, 7 May 1842
- To Reverend Father Superior General
- Very Reverend Father
- [1]
- I heard you say sometimes, and it is a thing frequently repeated by writers on the spiritual life, that adversities and trials are a good omen; we have a real need for this idea to come and mingle with quite contrary ones which nature would urge on us, and in my own case it has been very helpful for me, because in the middle of the sad situation in which we find ourselves and which keeps on getting worse, I have never lost confidence; I am even tempted to believe that if the good God wishes us to merit some extraordinary favours He wishes to humiliate us beforehand more than we have been yet, although we are already truly so. But I say it again, I still hope, and I believe that the Blessed Virgin who is the patroness and the Superior of this mission will not let it perish in this way. That is what keeps me from being discouraged, and happy. Our needs are very great, our poverty close to extreme, but it will cost God nothing to pull us out of the worst situation, and even if we were yet even worse off I would not give up hoping. Etiam si occiderit me, in ipso sperabo.[1] Father Epalle will give you details truly likely to afflict your heart, and do not think that he is exaggerating things; in my opinion and that of the Fathers whom we have consulted, no one was better suited to give you precise details, and according to their real views: Messrs Perret and Yvert agree. I will even say that right now he can do it better than the Bishop, because during the eleven months the Bishop has been away, many things have recently happened which Father Epalle has all seen for himself and through the regular letters from the Fathers who have described their needs to him our of the midst of their poverty.
