First Report from Notre Dame, Indiana

December, 1842. Father Edward Sorin, superior of the first colony to America, writes back to Father Moreau at Le Mans on the group's experience in moving from St. Peter's (near Vincennes) up to Notre Dame the previous month. The colony had been in America for one year. Trans. Edward Heston, CSC.

Notre-Dame du Lac

December 5, 1842

Beloved Father,

It is a long time since I have sent you any news about ourselves. But in the name of the beautiful title with which I am so pleased and happy to head my letter, you will be so kind as to pardon my delay. It was hardly possible for me to write you sooner. I was waiting every day for Providence to provide me with an opportunity to give you definte information. It is only today, rather tonight at eleven o'clock, that I can do so. I do not wish to put off my letter any longer, for in just a few minutes this would mean one day more of delay.

First, let me tell you that I received your note for 510 francs: I have just cashed it. During the last htree months, I have had two letters from you, and I am deeply grateful for them. Please express my thanks, too, to the secretary who wrote the first one. I trust that God has preserved in our beloved fmaily of Holy Cross the joy which these letters expressed and which they have made us feel even here at far-off St. Peter's.

Now, good Father, a word about your sons in America. "Man proposes, but God disposes" runs the old Christian adage. I never understood this better than now. When I arrived at St. Peter's and, particularly, when I witnessed the warm reception accorded us, not only by the Catholics, but by everyone without distinction, I believed that it was there that God wanted to see us settle down permanently and that this was the portion of His vineyard where we were to labor and die. With this conviction, which daily grew stronger, we set to work actively; preparations had previously been made to build the next spring. In a word, we were, as they say in English, almost "settled" at St. Peter's. Then, when we least dreamed of it, Providence permitted that we be offered an excellent piece of property, about 640 acres in extent. This land is located in the County of St. Joseph on the banks of the St. Joseph River, not far from the city of St. Joseph. It is a delightfully quiet place, about twenty minutes from South Bend. This attractive spot has taken from the lake which it surrounds the beautiful name of Notre-Dame du Lac. Besides, it is the cetner of the Indian Missions, the Missions of the Badins, Deseilles and Petits.

Tell me, dear Father, could priests of Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix and Brothers of St. Joseph refuse such an offer? Still, not wishing to rush, I took time for prayer and reflection. Finally, after discussing the matter in council, it was decided that we would gratefully accept the generous offer of our worthy and beloved Bishop and that we would ask St. Peter to allow us to go to Notre-Dame, to the country dedicated to Our Lady's holy Spouse, our august Patron. Some days later, I set out with seven of our most courageous religious, those who could be most helpful in making preparations for the arrival some months later of the rest of the house and the colony which we are awaiting so anxiously from France.

It was the sixteenth of November. It required no ordinary courage to undertake such a journey at this season of the year. I cannot help admiring the sentiments with which God was pleased to inspire our little group. We had more than a hundred leagues to travel through the snow. Our first day out, the cold became so biting that we could go no more than two and a half leagues. This cold was not to leave us even for a moment. Each morning as we headed due north the wind seemed more icy. But with the help of God no one fell sick, and on the eleventh day after our departure from St. Peter's, five of us reached South Bend. The three others had to travel more slowly with an ox-cart loaded with our most essential belongings. At South Bend they had been looking forward to our coming. We were welcomed there as we had been fifteen months previous in New York. A few hours later, we were at Notre-Dame du Lac. It is from there that I write you now.

Everything was frozen over. Yet it all seemed so beautiful. The lake, especially, with its broad carpet of dazzling white show, quite naturally reminded us of the spotless purity of our august Lady whose name it bears, and also of the purity of soul that should mark the new inhabitants of this chosen spot. Our dwelling struck us as being just about the same as at St. Peter's. We just glanced at it, though, because we were in a hurry to enjoy all the scenery along the lakeshore about which we had heard so much. Though it was quite cold, we went to the very end of the lake, and like children, came back fascinated with the marvelous beauties of our new home. May this new Eden be always the refuge of innocence and virtue! Here I could willingly exclaim with the Prophet: "The Lord ruleth me...He hath brought me up on the water of refreshment."

Once more, we felt that providence had been good to us, and we blessed God from the dpeths of our soul. When we returned to the house of Lady Mary, as the Arabs call her, we found it too wretched to attempt to pass the night there. Consequently, as the air was becoming more biting, we returned without much ado to the first lodging which had been prepared for us in the city. The next day we set to work to install ourselves as best we could at Notre-Dame du Lac. This did not take long, for we had but few things to put in order. The day after, the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, I said my first Mass at Notre-Dame. I celebrated on the spot where Father Petit had often said Mass before me, on the tomb of the pious and saintly Father Deseille, whose memory still lives in this whole region.

While visiting his beloved missions for the last time, this same Father Deseille announced to his people that they would not see him again in this world. He was then still young, healthy and vigorous. A few days after his return to Notre-Dame, he realized that death was near, and since there was no priest on hand to give him the spiritual assistance which his piety so ardently desired, he had himself helped to the altar. There he gave himself Viaticum, then came down the steps and died.

His body, according to his request, was buried at the foot of the altar. I have already met here men of various religous beliefs, but everyone in this localtity holds the memory of this holy man in benediction. I cannot tell you how happy we are to possess the precious remains of this saintly missionary! The death of Father Deseille was a great loss for the Mission, espeically for the Indians among whom he had done so much good.

This loss could be compensated only by the arrival of Father Benjamin Petit. In the past, I knew this worthy apostle of the Indians only through the newspapers. But now that I possess whatever books and writings he left to the missions, that everyone is continually mentioning Father Petit, and that everything here, from the altar on which I say Mass to the very table on which I write these lines, reminds me of him, I intend to study him and to take him as my model. Even if I cannot imitate him, I shall try, at least, to tell you later of the great deeds he did here.

While on this subject, will you permit me, dear Father, to share with you a preoccupation which gives me no rest? Briefly, it is this: Notre-Dame du Lac was given to us by His Lordship only on condition that we establish here a college or boarding school at the earliest opportunity. As there is no other school within more than fifty leagues, this college cannot fail to succeed, even if it receives only little help from our good friends in France. Before long, it will develop on a large scale becaue, in the whole United States, it is evidently the one college whoose location offers it most chances of success. It will be one of the most powerful means of good in this country. At the same time, it will bring in a very useful annual income for the Brothers' novitiate. Once the Sisters arrive--and their presence is ardently desired--they must be prepared not merely to look after the laundry and the infirmary but also to conduct a school, perhaps a boarding school. Who knows but that God has waiting for them here, as at St. Peter's, some good and pious novices? Finally, dear Father, you cannot help seeing that this new branch of your family is destined to grow under the protection of Our Lady of the Lake and of St. Joseph. At least, this is my deep conviction. Time will tell if I am wrong.

But the deeper my gratitude for all these many heavenly blessings on our work, the more keenly do I realize my inablity to direct it any longer. It is all well and good that you should give me five or six Brothers to be brought ot America. But you must understand that the situation is different now. Now we need an able leader possessed, as far as possible, of all the qualities called for by our Constitutions. It is for you, Reverend Father, to make your choice in keeping with the requirements of such a position. For my part, in all honesty, I recognize my inability as well as my reluctance to have any further part in this undertaking, unless it be to live in it under obedience. This alone can make me happy. This does not mean I am tired of the work of the Brothers and that I want to be recalled to France. No, neither is true, dear Father. I love the work of the Brothers as much, I think, as anyone can love it, and less than ever do I think of returning to France. But to be entirely frank with you, I also love the savages of Father Deseille and Father Petit. I thank Heaven that I am now among them. No, I am convinced that God had some speical design in view when, over many years, He inspired me with such a great desire to labor for them. All this was without any cooperation on my part, and now I cannot belive that He has brought me among them from afar simply to see them, without being able to work for them.

Have no fear, dear Father, of wounding my self-love by thus changing my first obedience. On the contrary, I will be proud of it, for I see nothing in the world comparable to the life of a missionary among the savages. I have been told what is demanded of a missionary among them; and with the help of God I hope to succeed in this work some day. I am still young; I shall learn their language quickly. In a year I hope to be able to understand them. I shall write to you frequently about my dear Indians and, no doubt, everything about them will interest you. Let me then hasten to my dear savages. Yes, it is all settled. I am sure you grant my request. You allow me to look upon this shepherdless flock henceforth as my chosen portion. May you be blessed for your goodness, good Father! Please write as soon as possible, so that I may see your permission with my own eyes. Tomorrow, or rather today, I shall begin to study their language, and when your letter arrives, I hope to be able to express my thanks in Indian.

About six weeks ago, as you have perhaps heard, Abbé Chartier, Superior of the Seminary of Vincennes, became an Auxiliary Priest of Holy Cross. I acted with the understanding that you approve the admission into our Community of any whom I shall judge to be sent to us by God. I had asked him to preach our Brothers' annual retreat last August. After that I kept him for eight days more for my own retreat. Three weeks later, he asked to return to St. Peter's and was admitted there into the Congregation. He is at present, and will remain, in charge of the parish and the greater portion of the Community until such time as the waters of the Wabash are high enoguh to permit the transportation of our little community with the least possible expense. He will then come here with the Brothers we left at St. Peter's. Kindly let me know when you want him to go to France for his profesison. As for his novitiate, I think you will alllow him to make it here, especially after the arrival of the priest whom I requested of you above. I do not believe his presence will give you any reason to withold the priest whom you intend to send us. Some two weeks ago, the Bishop told me that, instead of sending only one priest you would do well to send us two. I need not remind you of your promise: one priest, two Brothers, three Sisters--that is what is written in black and white. We shall not yield anyone. Everything is agreed upon, of course; that is what is coming to us. I forgot to tell you that one of these good Sisters is indispensable for the Indian Mission.

I have chatted along at length; I canot correct my old faults. Please exucse me again this time. If I knew whom you have chosen for our mission even though I am a little tired, I would stay up still longer to congratulate them on their beautiful vocation. I would tell them of our beautiful lake, of our delightful river banks, etc. O what happiness I behold in store for those generous souls who have no fears of the icy North! True, it is somewhat cold here; but even though at times the blood does not circulate freely down to the tips of our members, nevertheless, as long as the heart can beat with love for the work of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, what more is needed to make a Chrstian or a religious happy?

Have no fear, then, except that of lacking confidence in God. We shall pray for you daily. The month of May is not the time to start, but you should be with us, if not for the whole, at least for the end of the month of March. Otherwise, as His Lordship recently informed me, travelling expenses will be much greater. At New York, you will find directions of continuing your jouney to the shore of Lake Michigan, which is only thirteen or fouteen leagues from here; and your arrival at Notre-Dame du Lac will not only double our joys, but will increase them a hundredfold. Oh, how sincerely we shall thank God! Then we shall speak of the blessings and the goodness of this loving Providence. You will tell us all that has happened at Sainte-Croix since we left, and the different incidents of your long journey. Together we shall sing a canticle of gratitude to God, a hymn of joy to Our Lady, as we did last night when the rest of our little group arrived.

Please present my respects to the Bishop, and to his Vicars General; to Fathers Heurtebize and Fillion; to all the priests of your seminary; to Monsieur and Madame Pasquier; to the worthy members of your Councils of St. Joseph and of the Good Shepherd; to the Carmelites and to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. No, I do not forget anyone, even though I mention only a few.

As for our fellow religious of Holy Cross, they know well that we love them all as brothers, from Fr. Chappé down to the youngest of the family, with a heartfelt, sincere, and enduring love. The Brothers, Sisters, the students--everything that belongs to Holy Cross is dear to us beyond expression. Let them accept this assurance from us. In return, we ask them only a daily rememberance before our Lord and His holy Mother.

Consequently, pray very much for us and especially for the poor Indian missionary, who calls himself the devoted servant of all and of you especially, dear Father,

E. Sorin

Please send news of me to my family and to those at Parcé.

The statue of Edward Sorin, CSC, at the University of Notre Dame.

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