Egan, Michael De Burgo, Emmitsburg, Maryland, to Catherine Josephine Seton, Baltimore, Maryland, 1826 January 6

Egan intended to write her sooner but was busy with the Christmas season. He has respite from confessions for the evening, so will begin writing. He received her letter three weeks ago and was pleased by it. He wishes her season's greetings. "9th Jan." He has been entirely occupied in the confessional. This was her day and he assures her he did not forget it. There was a solemn mass at St. Joseph's the 4th for Mother Elizabeth Seton. He prays for her conditionally; if she does not need it, the intention is for Richard. Five years have passed. Time flies to eternity and is important only as a means to it. Many people forget this. He remembers their mother's expression, "Faith and Love." "13th." He has heard that her William Seton is in Washington and he supposes she will at last meet and embrace him. He will enjoy her and William's company, as she mentioned in her letter. But she never said when that would be. He keeps house by himself on the hill. The new college is built but will need additions next spring. William, he thinks, would like to see it. He would write him a letter if he knew where to send it. All are well at the Seminary and St. Joseph's. Sister Martha is healthy, lively, and wild, and devoted to her. Father Simon Gabriel Bruté saw only three or four days ago the letter she pinned in the "Essai sur l'indifference." He wrote a note on the 4th which immediately follows this note. Egan tells her that Bruté is attached to her. The Catholic Prelate, Dr. John England's sermon to the supreme council Congress was given newspaper notice as being liberal. Egan hopes he did not temporize and not remark that America is getting over its bigotry. It is not ignorance so much as unwillingness to sacrifice which keeps so many out of the Church. Zealous priests are needed. Three new priests were ordained at the Seminary during the last six months. Two, Father Mr. [sic] Miller and a deacon, Mr. Marshall, went to Cincinnati after ten years here. Father Curran is pastor at Lebanon, Pennsylvania and doing well. Egan thinks it harder for a priest to get to heaven than for anyone else and asks Josephine to pray for him. He wishes he had some of his mother's love of God, or even some of Josephine's "love of gratitude," which however is not the pure love of God, but a step below it, since it has something of self in it. He writes to her as he thinks and perhaps more spiritually than he would say to her present. He tells her not to hurry herself with the stole and that though another priest took the one he had at the Seminary Father Dubois [DuBois] has one he can use until she comes. Little Robert is well and will make his first communion February 2. This is also his own birthday and the day he made his communion. He asks to be remembered to Miss Emily.` The following is added: