L2O18401103
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APM Z208 3 November 1840
- AMDG et DGH
- Lyons, 3 November 1840
- I beg you, tell me everything you can, in the interests of the mission. Do not be afraid of shocking me. I know I commit many mistakes, but I want to [redeem? - illegible word] myself. Please take a big piece of paper and write on it, please, your reflections, as they occur to you. [This seems to have been written as an afterthought - translator’s note]
Reverend Father
- I beg you, tell me everything you can, in the interests of the mission. Do not be afraid of shocking me. I know I commit many mistakes, but I want to [redeem? - illegible word] myself. Please take a big piece of paper and write on it, please, your reflections, as they occur to you. [This seems to have been written as an afterthought - translator’s note]
- I have had the honour of receiving the letter you deigned to write to me from Kororareka, dated 21 February last.[1] It is true, Father, that I would attain the perfect fulfilment of my vows if I was allowed to cross the seas to go and work under the orders of our good and holy Bishop for the conversion of these dear Oceanians, who are so often in my thoughts, and first in my affections. However it may turn out for me [Quoi qu’il en soit de moi], if by staying in Lyons I can work for the glory of God and be of use to our mission. I will stay there my whole life if necessary. The task which R[everend] F[ather] Superior [General] has entrusted to me is very important [Almost immediately on entry to the Society, Father Colin made him Procurator for the Missions and Secretary General - translator’s note] and without the grace of God it would be impossible for me to fulfil it well. But I do have a real liking for this work, and as well by reason of obedience I will work at making myself more capable of performing this task. Since the beginning – even in this latest dispatch [of missionaries - translator’s note] I have made great mistakes. May I not make them any more in the future! Anyway I did not have wrong intentions. I hope, Reverend Father, that you will deign, in spite of my unworthiness, to pray for me, and commend me to the prayers of these good savages; that is the only reward I desire for my small efforts.
- I have had the honour of receiving the letter you deigned to write to me from Kororareka, dated 21 February last.[1] It is true, Father, that I would attain the perfect fulfilment of my vows if I was allowed to cross the seas to go and work under the orders of our good and holy Bishop for the conversion of these dear Oceanians, who are so often in my thoughts, and first in my affections. However it may turn out for me [Quoi qu’il en soit de moi], if by staying in Lyons I can work for the glory of God and be of use to our mission. I will stay there my whole life if necessary. The task which R[everend] F[ather] Superior [General] has entrusted to me is very important [Almost immediately on entry to the Society, Father Colin made him Procurator for the Missions and Secretary General - translator’s note] and without the grace of God it would be impossible for me to fulfil it well. But I do have a real liking for this work, and as well by reason of obedience I will work at making myself more capable of performing this task. Since the beginning – even in this latest dispatch [of missionaries - translator’s note] I have made great mistakes. May I not make them any more in the future! Anyway I did not have wrong intentions. I hope, Reverend Father, that you will deign, in spite of my unworthiness, to pray for me, and commend me to the prayers of these good savages; that is the only reward I desire for my small efforts.
