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Scope and Contents On the 6th Lucas received Blanc's letter to which he hastens to reply. Blanc's advice coincides perfectly with Lucas' way of thinking. The reason for Lucas' exposing this case is that Father Giles F. Martin had made remarks about a respectable family who came to Lucas and who had approached the Sacraments on All Saints day and who had been to dances several times and had given Lucas their reasons so that as their confessor he could not refuse absolution nor say anything to justify himself....

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From time to time Father Giles F. Martin, who is well, has told Lucas that he costs Martin $600. The little salary Martin gives him, his board and the upkeep of his horse could well cost him that. Since Lucas has been with Martin, Martin has received nothing from the trustees except the fees from some burials, but he is far from being paid. Lucas leaves it to Blanc as to what he should do. :: V-5-a A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents Almost four weeks have gone by since Lucas' last letter to Blanc and he has not had a reply. In his first letter he stated his desire for a change, in the second he asked for it and in his third he begged for it. Father Giles F. Martin puts him aside except for sick calls and funerals. When Lucas say Martin so sick and deprived of all means, he took it upon himself to make collections and in about 6 months had 1300 piastres for him and paid all his debts. Last year when Martin went to see...

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Lucas felt ill when he was at Blanc's and worse while returning. He went up above on Saturday, for fear he would not be able to go on Sunday, as he usually does. Next Monday he wants to meet with the Churchwardens for the final arrangements before he leaves for New York. He is sorry that he must leave without a replacement but he cannot remain; he can hardly stand up. :: VI-2-a A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.

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Lucas asks for a dispensation for Robert Dumouy and Alzire Mahier, related on the maternal side and both free persons of color. :: VI-1-a A.L.S. French 2pp. 8vo.

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Blanc will recall Lucas' request to make a trip to his native country. Being alone, he has had to preach in season and out to have things go right. For three years, at the approach of spring, he has trouble with his stomach. He believes a trip would bolster his health, not having the responsibility of a parish for a while. :: VI-1-a A.L.S. French 3pp. 8vo.

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Lucas asks for a dispensation for Jean Baptist Richard and Marie Celima Daigre . In spite of the great heat, Lucas' health is very good. There is little sickness in his parish. :: V-5-n A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.

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They are assured by the news in the papers that Blanc is improving. Lucas' health and circumstances have prevented him from visiting Blanc. The sick are well and working to complete the season's activities. They await the volumes of the Propagation of the Faith. :: VI-1-o A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents The Jubilee was celebrated as well as possible. The collection yielded $24.90, $12.45 for the poor; $12.45 for the Propagation of the Faith. Lucas sends $12 more for the subscribers to the books the vicar-general sent recently. There is a rumor that Father Charles Chambost has taken the ornaments from the church at Plaquemine. Lucas would never believe that and it is not so. Chambost bought some himself and received a great quantity from Father Duplex, Superior of the Seminary of Lyon....

Scope and Contents Lucas received Blanc's letter which asked if there was not some error about the $12.45 Lucas sent for the poor. After Blanc's mandate Lucas announced that in order to gain the Jubilee indulgence, two alms must be given: one for the Propagation of the Faith and one for the poor. The Church is the primary poor, so he told the president of the wardens to spend part of it for three surplices. Last week Lucas received a letter to go see a sick person at Pointe Coupee but he did not; he received...

Scope and Contents Lucas received Blanc's letter of last Sunday. Lucas has not been well, and needs help if he is to continue the Lenten services. His dealings with the corporation will end in a few days. The pews will be rented Sunday in the church up above, and on Palm Sunday down below, so all his replacement will have to do is continue and augment this. Lucas plans to leave at the beginning of May, but wants a visit from Blanc first. If Blanc can come for Confirmation on April 28 he will try to be ready....

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Lucas would have appreciated an assistant for Holy Week had it been possible. He hopes he can have everything ready for the Confirmations May 5. He asks Blanc to bring his ritual to bless a chalice and ask his servant ? to bring the Holy Oils. :: VI-2-a A.L.S. French 1p. 8vo.

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Lucas wants to know when his successor will arrive. As usual, he is vomiting and wishes to go as soon as possible. :: VI-2-a A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.

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When leaving Pointe Coupee Blanc said he would write to let him know about his replacement. His failing health prevents his carrying out his duties. He asks Blanc to send his successor to whom the wardens will give the same fees they gave Lucas. Lucas has left all his things in the church. The parish is well supplied with the necessities. :: VI-2-a A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.

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Last Sunday after Blanc left Lucas announced his departure. They are waiting impatiently for one of the priests from Pointe Coupee, Louisiana . Lucas wants to leave June 10 and asks Blanc for a celebret. During repeated requests over 15 months Lucas kept thinking someone would come soon. :: VI-2-a A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.

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At last his new church is finished so that it can be blessed for services. The day is set for Quasimodo Sunday. Lucas expects Blanc for this ceremony. If he cannot come, Lucas asks the authorization to do it. He intends to dedicate it to Sts. Peter and Paul. He would have as assistant Father Joseph Michael Paret who will preach in English. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.

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In reply to Blanc's letter of March 12, it is impossible to be ready for April 17 for Confirmation. Here everyone farms and in April he would have hardly anyone. He will have quite a large First Communion for May 8 if Blanc could come then. Last week Lucas wrote to ask Blanc to come to bless his new church on Quasimodo Sunday or give Lucas permission. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents On April 3 the blessing of his church took place, dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul . Father Joseph Michael Paret assisted and delivered a sermon in English on the Real Presence which pleased Lucas greatly because of the great number of Protestants there. After Mass the pews were rented, giving him almost enough to pay all the debt. There were also some baptisms. In his last letter, Blanc said he would be at Donaldson on Ascension day and could be at Lucas' on May 8. The Latona arrives here...

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Lucas asks for a dispensation for élesphore Aucoin and Elodie Hébert . Also one for Eugène Templet and élestine Templet :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 2pp. 8vo.

Scope and Contents There was general satisfaction on seeing Lucas here again. He found his house in disorder. The floor of the church has fallen in. The trustees are consulting how to make this urgent repair. In the upper part of Lucas' parish all is in disorder. Father F.M. Brunet performed one marriage, all the others were before the judge; they said neither Brunet nor his successor suited them. However, they seem in favor of building a chapel. Lucas believes the small sum used?; $300 down below and $200 for...

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Lucas asks for a dispensation for érance Dérichebourg and Euphroisine Labauve his aunt and cousin by marriage. He has 10 children and she has 8. As for the integrity of the receipt about which Blanc spoke, no doubt in that regard. :: VI-1-c A.L.S. French 2pp. 8vo.

Scope and Contents Since his return to his parish, things have been moving rapidly. As he said in his last letter, the floor of the church had almost entirely fallen in. For two weeks they have been working to repair it. Last Sunday Lucas said Mass in the school. When repairs on the church are finished, they will proceed to the enlargement of his house. At different times, they have wanted to build a church in the upper part of the parish but never carried out his plan. Lately, Lucas opened a subscription...

Scope and Contents Lucas has carried out the commission Blanc gave him about the trustees. They replied that they knew no one better able than Lucas to get this sum from Blanc. Lucas positively refused, telling them that it was their affair without saying that Blanc had refused Lucas the use of this money so that they could not interpret it as ill will. Lucas consented to inform Blanc that their wish is to have Blanc send them a note. The name of the president is Belizaire Landry . One family told Lucas that...

Scope and Contents Lucas replies to Blanc's letter of July 31. Blanc says he is disposed to pay the trustees the part coming to them from the legacy of Father Peter Francis Beauprez, $382. Today the president of the trustees was going to write to Blanc to ask about the money. Lucas told him not to write but to send his bill. Lucas is glad Blanc is about to send this sum as he is tiring of their impatience and that of the workers on the enlargement of his house. Lucas notes that nothing has been put aside for...

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Lucas asks for a dispensation for Jean Baptiste Labauve who wishes to marry for the fifth time. This time he wishes to marry Alida Dérischebourg :: VI-1-n A.L.S. French 1p. 4to.

Scope and Contents Lucas' two churches are out of debt. In one the pews will be rented on Palm Sunday, in the other on Easter Sunday where they will have First Communion. Lucas' poor health has already caused him to ask Blanc for permission to go to France in April. Now he asks a third time. Lucas will sell all he has to his successor at a very moderate price. He will leave neither debt nor immorality at Baton Rouge. Lucas has never forgotten that Blanc is his Bishop who ordained him 15 years ago. :: VI-1-n...

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Blanc's latest letter pleased Lucas. Blanc asked if Lucas could be ready for Confirmation the 4th Sunday after Easter. He cannot because it is the first Sunday of May and he must be up above. If Blanc could come the 3rd Sunday, the 25th, it would please Lucas very much. Blanc could come on the Capitol on Friday at 4 and be at Lucas's on Saturday morning. :: VI-1-n A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.

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William Very and Margarita Larisse ask for a dispensation. :: VI-1-i A.L.S. Latin 1p. 4to.

Scope and Contents From the newspapers, Lucas has seen with pleasure that Blanc's health has held up. The week after Easter, Lucas went down to the city thinking to see Blanc or to see him arrive before leaving, but being disappointed he sends his expressions of joy at his safe return. Last week someone came to ask about placing two orphans, one 9 and one 7 in the asylum. Lucas advised him to wait until he wrote to the president to learn if there was room and means to receive them. A reply from Blanc will be a...

Scope and Contents In reply to Blanc's letter of the 25th about the time of Confirmation: having had a First Communion of 19 at L'Anse on April 1, and another down below of 29 on Ascension day, of which some will not respond, Lucas believes it would be better to wait until next Lent, to have a greater number. Numbers are running out since Blanc has been there often in the last two years. On Pentecost Lucas announced the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The triduum was well attended. Last January, the...