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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 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 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...

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...

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She enjoyed his short note, which his father gave her to read. She vonders how he enjoyed his first day at sea, and tells him his father is anxious that he should write a line from Richmond. She is glad he had such a fine Captain. They shall pray for him. Perhaps she ought to stand at a parlor window each morning, watching a little girl going to school. She sends him much love. :: I-2-m A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Her father has been looking for a letter from John, but he is probably busy. If is hard not to hear from him; they miss him very much. She wonders how he likes his new life, as he is leaving Richmond tomorrow to go on his first long voyage. She cannot write a long letter because there is not much that would interest him. She has sent his address to Sister St. John McMaster, S.H.C.J., and is going to the Keileys this morning to say good-bye. She sends him her good wishes. :: I-2-m A.L.S....

Scope and Contents They miss him, and are anzious about his health and welfare. If he is good and devout, he will get along. His allusion to her as the "dear old woman" is sweet, but not very complimentary. She wonders if he was seasick. The Browns, the Harpers, the Keileys, and Mrs. Hanword have all inquired about his health. She greeted Bob Lahy at the Church door and he seemed very surprised. A girl whom John would have liked to meet stayed with her the other day. Mrs. Moore died June 8, 1883. Her...

Scope and Contents Having heard from her father that another steamer is about to sail for Rio de Janiero she writes John again. She hopes the yellow fever and small pox epidemics in Rio are over before John arrives. It is now almost two months since he left home. She meets Georgie on the street occasionally, but Georgie never looks at her. She thinks John will be glad to get inside a church again. They hope to hear from him soon. August 7, 1883, The steamer leaves today, so she writes a few more words....

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Sister Gertrude is making a Novena for the Assumption. The office was beautiful last night, the whole of the Matins being chanted. There was a visitor in the shape of a bat but the nuns did not falter as they were lost in reverence for God's presence. Her children begin their retreat tonight. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.

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Sister Gertrude received McMaster's letter yesterday and so she will be looking for him on the 30th. This will not be a long letter as she must write to Sister Saint John and Dobbin. She is glad that he is pleased with their dear boy. The time of her profession is drawing nearer and she cannot realize that wonderful washing of the soul. P.S. She received the strawberries which arrived safely. Sister Teresa is much better. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.

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The Prioress instructed Sister Gertrude to write McMaster that she and Sister Teresa drew "Knowledge" for him. Sister Gertrude drew "Understanding" which made him realize the excellence of a religious vocation. She wished that this could be an angel to whisper in his ear the love and prayers he has at the chapel. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

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Sister Gertrude knows that McMaster will pray for Sister Martha who passed away today. She sends her love to Dobbin. :: I-2-e A.L. 1p. 12mo.

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Sister Gerturde received McMaster's letter Wednesday. In regards to his coming visit the Mother suggested the Feast of Mt. Carmel. Mother did not know just what kind of notes he wanted on Sister Martha but she gave her an idea. She received a note from Sister St. John on the death of Mother F. de Boyia at Sharon. Enclosed is a short biography of Sister Martha. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 7pp 12mo.

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Sister Gertrude was pleased with the lemons McMaster sent. The candles came safely and delighted Sister Teresa. She wishes that he will have a Mass said for the Reverend Mother as it is her birthday. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

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She writes that they have just had their first meditation. She is near Sister St. John, who is in rather less pain, and whom the doctor hopes to cure. The nuns are very fond of Sister St. John, and there is nothing McMaster can do for her. The Mother thinks McMaster should defer his visit to Sharon for a few weeks. She herself is going to Mrs. Robert W. Lesley's, Thursday, and will write him from there. She instructs him to send for her in case he is ill. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

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She has received his letter, and tells him not to mind the damp weather. Sister St. John is much better. Gertrude is going to Mrs. Robert Lesley's to stay with her most of the time until Tuesday April 15.. She shall not stay in Baltimore overnight, and does not think she shall need any money. She got the butter from Krumwiede's but did not pay for it. In a marginal note she tells him to take care of himself, and call her if he should want her before Easter. :: I-2-e A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Gertrude did not write February 7, 1879 because she knew Mother M. Walburga S.H.C.J. was writing to tell McMaster about the law suit. His letters came February 9. 1879 and afforded her much amusements, however, she is glad he has cooled off somewhat. She wishes he could have seen Mother Blandina's face when she was told about the organ; it would have repaid him. If Cornish and Company included a list of organ stops he should send it; if not, he should get one. Gertrude is going to the...