Germain, Father Joseph, Turin, Italy, to Archbishop Napoleon Joseph Perché, Bordeaux, France, 1880 May 15

Perché's silence shows that he did not receive Germain's letter of April, so he will give him a resumé of it. He will probably be astonished that he is still in Italy since he had planned to go to London and study English while waiting for the month of August. On the feast of St. Thomas he was received in an audience by the Holy Father. Several days later, Father Laurencon, S.J., presented him to Cardinal John Baptist Pitra, who is so skillful and so wise in the direction of souls. Pitra spoke with admiration of Perché when he told him what Perché had done for him, and he congratulated him upon being called to Louisiana which lacks preachers, educators, and apostles in sufficient numbers. Fortified by these encouragements, he left for Turin since he desired to spend a longer time in solitude and the Prior of Three Fountains had given him a letter for the chaplain of the Trappists at Turin, and also because Laurencon persuaded him to stop at Turin to see the celebrated Don Bosco whose Salesian Fathers are already in South America. Laurencon gave him a letter of recommendation for Father Franco, S.J., provincial of the Jesuits in Upper Italy and the friend of good works at Turin. Father Jouet sent him to a priest who is very zealous for the devotion to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. He arrived at Turin on Easter Sunday and, after visiting Franco, went to the Trappists who wanted him not only to spend Holy Week in their monastery but also to preach to them and help them celebrate the anniversary of St. Benedict. Franco, who has become his spiritual director, advised him to accept. Later they urged him to remain for the feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph in order to lay the foundations for an orphanage for poor girls. It was then that he wrote to consult Perché about his desire to remain at Turin for the Spring and Summer. He has been offered as English teacher at the Oratory of Don Bosco, an Irish missionary, part of whose family lives at New Orleans. He is staying at the house next to the celebrated sanctuary of the Consolata. In the evening he goes to the Oratory of Don Bosco for English and Italian lessons. He believes the Salesians would like to go to New Orleans. Franco went to Rome several days ago. Laurencon was gravely ill; he is now very well. It would be impossible to find the same favorable conditions at London. :: VI-3-b A.L.S. French 8pp. 12mo.