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Sister Teresa hopes that McMaster is overflowing with holy peace and love this Christmas. She greatly appreciated the nice box and in return he will receive a spiritual box from all of Carmel. The scapular she made for him is just like the one the Sisters wear at night and is from the same material as the holy Habit. Gertrude is remaining well and happy. P.S. The Mother will have the scapular blessed before sending it. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.

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Sister Teresa thanks McMaster for the box of dates he sent. She offered Holy Communion for him on Saint Joesph's day, and shall offer another for him on his birthday. She thanks him for the beautiful message he sent Reverend Mother Prioress. She will send him a case for the Dolar Beads she sent him before. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.

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She wrote the above letter to John in great haste, for it is just time for Matins. McMaster may read John's letter if he wishes. P.S. He should give her love to Jen, and thank her for her letters. :: I-2-m A.L.S. 1p. 32mo.

Scope and Contents She is writing at the Mother Louise's request. They celebrated Mother Louise's feast yesterday; she was pleased with the little things they had made for her. Sister Teresa has prayed much for Gertrude, and will continue to do so. Gertrude need not bring her sewing machine, for they have one already, and do little sewing on the machine. But she can bring the cards and programs she received from Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania; Convent of the Holy Child Jesus, as they may serve as patterns....

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She assures him of her prayers on his patron Saint's day, which is also the anniversary of his first Communion. All the sisters send their love and prayers. :: I-2-m A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

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She wishes him a happy birthday, and expresses the wish that he may have the blessings of Jesus and Mary. She asks him to trust in the Blessed Virgin, and have confidence in her. She encloses a picture of our Lady of Good Counsel. She prays much for him, and shall offer her Holy Communion for him on Friday. Enclosure not present. :: I-2-m A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents The past year has been a strange one for him, but he has trusted in God throughout, and she hopes his new year of life will be one of increased confidence in Him. She urges him to pray and meditate, and thinks when they meet he will thank her for doing so. She prays that his birthday may bring him peace and grace. If John sees Major John D. Keiley he should assure him of Sister Teresa's prayers for the soul of his deceased mother. She is sending gifts for John. :: I-2-m A.L.S. 6pp....

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She sends him birthday greetings and best wishes. They are fortunate to have their birthdays in May. She will pray for him, and asks his prayers for her birthday. :: I-2-m A.L.S. 2pp. 32mo.

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She misses him much, and he is often remembered and earnestly prayed for at Carmel. His father was happy to hear from John; she urges him to write his father and her. A.L.S. 3pp. 16mo. Enclosure:

Scope and Contents Sister Teresa writes to McMaster as Sunday will be her mother's anniversary. Little did he think fourteen years ago what blessings the good God had in store for him and his daughters. She was glad over Phonie's visit as he seemed full of life and spirits. The Mother just gave her permission to ask McMaster for some candles to burn before the Blessed Lady of Mt. Carmel. She still tends his lamp and it gives her great joy to know it is burning for him. She says Sister Martha continues in...

Scope and Contents She writes because of the fact that Sister Gertrude is in solitude, and cannot write. Sister Gertrude is enjoying her retreat. She will make her vows between six and seven this morning, the community will receive Holy Communion at the Mass at seven, and Sister Gertrude will receive at the late Mass at nine o'clock. She is sorry to hear that he has been suffering from influenza. Reverend Mother has taken cold. She will not write more, as she hopes to see him soon. :: I-2-f A.L.S. 2pp....

Scope and Contents Mother has told her to thank him for the food he sent her, also for the box of dates. Sister Teresa is Hebdomadary this week, for the first time, and she was delighted at the gift from him. It is a great honor to be Hebdomadary, the novices never hold the post until after their porfession. The Hebdomadary brings whatever alms are sent; she stands between God and the Community. She is the one to begin the Office, to say all the prayers of the Office, and to give the Asperges to the nuns...

Scope and Contents She thanks him for his long letter. He has the gift of saying the right thing at the right time. She assures him of her love, and begs him not to humble himself in his letters to her. Tomorrow she begins a novena to the Ven. Mother Anne of Jesus, which she asks McMaster to make with her. She continues the letter February 24. She is looking for a visit from him, and thinks he should come for Sister Gertrude's birthday. She thanks him for getting her the pictures of St. Raphael, but she...

Scope and Contents She is sending his gift, and wonders which gift of the Holy Ghost he will draw. She was able to be in Choir for Terce this morning, the first time in a month. She wonders how the Lord ever chose her for Carmel. She thanks him for his letter last fall. She received a picture that impressed her the other day which seemed a confirmation of his consoling words. Sister Gertrude is Hebdomadory for the first time this week, this great octave is a nice time for her to begin. They had not much...

Scope and Contents The Mother has asked her to thank McMaster for the letter he sent them, which was appreciated by all of them, since it was read at recreation. They are especially delighted with the articles he has written on the Blessed Virgin. She is sending him a picture of St. Simon Stock, which was given her on the day of her profession. He is her patron for this month. The Archbishop James Gibbons is coming to preach for them and bless their statue of St. Teresa. She hopes to serve the Lord better...

Scope and Contents Sister Teresa wishes McMaster a happy feast of his Patron Saint Alphonsus. She was very glad to receive Jennie's letter in which she tells her that he is well. She has heard but seldom from him lately and he knows how consoling his letters are. They shall be kept busy all day Saturday paying visits to the Choir and Oratory to gain the indulgence of Portinucula. The two pair of five Scapulars are for Phonie and him. They are all praying for the success of his business affairs. She has a...

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McMaster may have learned of the death of their Sister Rebekah Ritchie on May 7. Before her death she requested her portfolio be brought to her and directed that the enclosed letter be read to her. Before the reading was finished she became agitated and ordered it put away. She did not bring up the subject again. He thought it best to send it to McMaster and would have done so before, except that it had been mislaid. :: I-1-m A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

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She tells him that she prays for him always, and in case he is ill and in need of extra prayers, to notify her. She is very happy, and asks McMaster to tell "Dobbin" and Mrs. Keiley she shall write to them soon. She tells him not to send her a black shawl, and informs him confidentially that she will be called "Sister Gertrude". Note at top: Sister Teresa is well. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents She wishes him a Merry Christmas, knowing that he misses her; knowing, however, that really he is glad she is in the convent. This year it will be his duty to comfort their father, but she knows God will give him special graces to do it. She trusts he will be coming to see her during the Holidays, and that he will help his new sister with the Christmas tree. Last Christmas he was far away; now it is much better, She hopes he took care of himself in Montreal, and hopes he has a good time...

Scope and Contents Her father promised to forward the letter if she wrote John. She is glad he is cheerful when he would be tempted to be otherwise. Mrs. Keiley says he is planning to return a week before Christmas; Gertrude trusts she will see him then, and that he will get to Philadelphia as he had hoped. Sister Teresa McMaster, D.C. laughed when Gertrude explained a joke to her. A letter from Miss Aggie Harper said John looked well. Gertrude hopes he is having a pleasant trip, and bids him be cheerful...

Scope and Contents Having been told by Mother Beatrix of the Holy Spirit, D.C. that she might write John, she asks what he thought of Scranton, Pennsylvania. She had always thought that part of the country very beautiful and would have envied him were she not on a journey even more beautiful. She hopes he remains brave and cheerful as he promised. She is glad they can look back to happy hours together, and glad he has such a nice adopted sister. If he manages to write to her, he should tell whether he...

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Gertrude writes him to thank him for all he has done, but the shawl he sent she cannot use. She asks if he or Mrs. Keiley remembered the thimbles. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Gertrude wishes McMaster a very happy Feast and remarks what a satisfying day it is. She is so glad he had a happy Sunday, the first alone. It is God who helps both of them by giving him his strength. She hopes he does not mean literally "Forget thy Father's house and thine own People" because the end and aim of a Carmelite life is not to love people less but love God more. Mother Beatrix told her that he did not put too much gossip in his letters. The Sisters told her to tell him that...

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She came to Elizabeth July 26, 1883 with the Sheas, and went to a place called Mauch Chunk in Pennsylvania. Her father told her he was sending letters, and she could write, so she is making use of the opportunity. She hopes he is happy; his friends ask about him constantly. She had a nice time at Sharon a few weeks ago. She cannot write a long letter but sends much love with this. :: I-2-m A.L.S. 2pp. 16mo.

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Gertrude calls herself his old step-wife, and hopes he will not miss her too much. He will be alone Easter morning, but the Keileys will take care of him, and he has promised to call her if he needs her. She is going to Sharon and then to Baltimore, than back home. Sister Saint John is patient, feeling she will be cured in time. She asks that her good wishes be given to the Keileys. She will be home Tuesday unless the weather is very bad. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 5pp. 16mo.

Scope and Contents She was glad to have his letter, for every line as writes is precious, since he cannot be with them. She hopes her letter of Feb. 12, 1884 reached him while he was still at Lisbon, and supposes he is now on the ocean again. She wishes him a pleasant voyage both to Key Frances and New York, and hopes their letters will reach him. She has not managed to see "the little body" of whom John spoke, nor has she seen Shorty. Her birthday will be spent at Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, but she will...

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Having been informed by her father that there is a steamer leaving New York on March 8, 1884, she is writing a few lines to John. She has been visiting Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, where she found Sister St. John McMaster, S.H.C.J. not much better, but bright and cheerful. She hopes the voyage to Key Frances West Indies and to New York will not be stormy. Maurice Francis Egan said he had written; she hopes the letters reach John. She sends him much love. :: I-2-m A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.

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She is writing after her father told her there is a chance that her letter may reach John. She has been praying for him and for his safety. The Keileys have been asking about him and when he will return. She hopes he will not forget the Feast of the Annunciation; and she hopes he received the letter she wrote to Lisbon on February 12, 1884. :: I-2-m A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents His father brought home John's letters Feb. 11, 1884, and they were happy to hear from him. She is writing this letter on the hope that he will be delayed at Lisbon; it will not reach him otherwise. If they have not written him it is not because they do not love him. She encloses a story her Father read her with tears in her eyes last Saturday. When they saw the notice of the safe arrival of the Havilah two weeks ago they thanked God for John's safe arrival. Many prayers are being...

Scope and Contents Gertrude wonders if this little letter will reach him. They have had cold weather in New York and she hopes it is warmer where he is. They spent a quiet Christmas, missing him very much; they will be very glad to hear of his safe arrival in Lisbon Many prayers are being offered for his safety, and his friends are asking about him constantly. Though she cannot write more, she is sure this letter carries much love. Her father is well and looking for news from him. They all hope to see him...