Bruté, Father Simon, Emmitsburg, Maryland, to Catherine Josephine Seton, Emmitsburg, Maryland, 1824 January 8

"One day more..." It is near the 4th. Bruté asks whether he can pass the day without "trying" his union to her sorrow. A priest's care for spirituals is most sacred to be assumed among the heavenly ones. If God gave him grace for it or if he could transmit to her the grace of the father of orphans... He weeps now. He wept earlier today at the altar and since upon receiving back books used by mother. Every heart feels Josephine's pain but God alone will remain in her heart as true father and friend. The most precious things of sympathy and love in this world are imperfect and unavailing. His mother in France whom he will see no more told him that God alone is the unabating friend. The hurry and business of life soon carries every one his own way so that even the kindliest cannot offer much care to the wounded soul, God alone within keeps company with her at whatever she is engaged. He speaks to her of his divine rights and will and her trust in His providence which, caring for His least creatures, must care much more for men. She is happy in having honoured His providence by the side of her suffering mother. "...let us turn wholy that side." She should indeed do what prudence and friends show best, but should feel that her whole confidence and solace rests "the only side of God." Love and submission to Him bring blessings. These two wards will come to her always from that grave or rather from beyond. To the last her mother spoke of love and embrace of the most high will. If Josephine makes this submission day and night she will be blessed even in her present excess of grief. He asks her to receive kindly this father of the soul as he comes round the bleeding heart. The Christ does not offer assuming words, "How silent rather he would remain." Bruté only repeats, as from the heart of Josephine's mother, the one name which is duty, comfort and hope: God, the Trinity. Saints and angels say it and mother "though we pray, we hope.", P.S. Bruté asks her to take back this picture not present sent to Bec--the sketch when but three and the two books of a Kempis and La Valliere?. :: II-1-a A.L. 4pp. 12mo., 1