Lefranc, Father John, St. Mary of the Barrens, Missouri, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1841 October 1

Lefranc does not regret being put back on the path he should never have left; it is the fear of being obliged to leave it again which troubles him. The first time Lefranc fell into the sin he prayed that religion would not suffer. He became hardened and spent several years in the crime. He left France resolved never to exercise his ministry. By chance he became acquainted with Father John Francis Brasseur who urged him to write to Blanc and to the Jesuits. Brasseur talked to Blanc about him when Blanc gave confirmation at St. Martinville. At New Orleans Lefranc's confessor talked to Blanc about him. Lefranc was surprised at the softness with this Blanc and his priests treated him. He had been refused by the Bishop of Soissons; Mobile refused a priest a hundred times less guilty. Blanc's dealings with the Bishop of Vincennes forced Lefranc to tell Blanc things of which he would not have spoken. Bishop Celestin de la Hailandière in taking him did not know that soon Lefranc's whole life would be known in his diocese. The bishop's cousin, Father Louis Ducoudray, unfortunately very imprudent, has no secrets form his sisters who came to live in America. They knew Lefranc's life; if one wants to make something public all you have to do is to tell o ne of them. Lefranc decided to make known to Blanc the real reason for his refusal. He will stay at the seminary some time longer; he believes Anthony Andrieux, C.M. will not take his place until after finishing his novitiate. There are four Lazarist brothers who are studying English and several novices who are at Cape Girardeau; it would not be in the interests of their college to have secular priests. Lefranc will leave the seminary only when they order him to or when his money runs out. :: V-4-l A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.