De la Croix, Father Cyril, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1866 February 12

From what he has seen since he has been here, he is convinced that it is impossible to do lasting good in this parish without schools. If there are none, in 10 years there will be no faith or religion at Baton Rouge. The Protestant schools are filled with Catholic children. 9 out of 10 persons are affiliated with the Freemasons. He regrets more and more his little parish of St. Gabriel. On Sunday the church is three-fourths empty. The first Sunday in January he began catechism classes; today he has around 80 children but it is only a small half of those who should come. Ever since he came the little orphanage has been after him to take charge of its administration. He has refused saying it would have no good results unless there were Sisters at the head. Its 12 years of existence prove that. Several Sundays ago the ladies who run it passed a resolution to give it over to a religious community for a girls' school to which the orphanage would be attached. They asked De la Croix to write to Odin to ask where they could find such a Community. If the Sisters of St. Joseph could take charge, they would have a magnificent field for good. De la Croix received Odin's letter and the report of Father Frederick Larnaudie ; he will show it to the trustees as soon as can call a meeting. :: VI-2-k A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.