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101
Magdalene cannot continue
visiting the hospital, because she almost has a hospital at home with sick
relatives. The case of Pojaghi worries her, while the doubt on the
Recluses of the Christian Retreat is resolved. Father De Vecchi has
dissuaded her from approaching them, for the moment.
My beloved Carolina
6 February l803
How indebted I am to you, my dear, two ordinary
mailings have passed and I have not been able to write to you. I cannot go
to visit the patients in the hospital, and the hospital has come to my
house. Our Viscontina will have told you that last week I hoped to be able
to write to you up to the last moment, then, because of my patient, it was
not possible. Thank God, however, my brother, as well as Sarego,
are well, that is, the first has perfectly recovered, the other gets up
for a few hours.
Because of this illness, my sister has been deprived
of the pleasure of knowing you; my dear Carolina I am convinced that
I, knowing you, consequently I love you and if I were to come to see
you, I would come there also with a malignant fever.
Now my uncle Borgia is more sickly than usual; I
expect him to return to bed one day or another. But let us come to
ourselves; I must answer two very precious letters of yours, and to
answer in an orderly manner I will start from the case of Pojaghi.
I will tell you that, when you want to tell me anything, that is, to warn
me of anything I may do wrong, it will be a gift to me, and I beg you to
always do it without calling this test of your friendship a pedantry as
you do in your dear letter. Regarding this particular matter, I cannot
deny you that it was a burden for me to see that I have been
troubling you indiscreetly, after being compelled to trouble you so much
at other times.
You are very right to say that this is not to have God
in sight but only the creature. Your letter, however, consoled me
somehow, but I think I am not totally wrong because I know how many other
appointments you have, without my adding new ones. Since you want my
opinion regarding the question whether to leave the girl with her
step-mother or to take her away, I would do as follows: I would let the
Parish Priest decide on the matter. I think that he certainly is a worthy
person, and might know the situation of the family where the girl is;
so you can remain calm in every way.
Among the things of which I spoke about with Fr. De
Vecchi during the meeting, I had the pleasure to deal with him as I will
tell you soon. We also spoke of the Recluses of the Christian
Retreat and he too is of your opinion, namely that,
for the time being, we must not entrust the youth to them, until we
know them well.
Therefore, my dear, don't hurry to write to Rome as the
news will reach there eventually.
You see, my dear, because of the girls I am
immediately forced to trouble you again, although I have tried to trouble
others, not to abuse of your goodness. I was told that, in the
Police of Milan there is a certain Mr. Giacomo Valenti
who has a brother here... But, My Dear, the mail is departing, and I don't
want to let another ordinary pass without writing to you. Goodbye, I
embrace you wholeheartedly, and best wishes to Visconti. Goodbye dear.
Your very affectionate Magdalene
102
The Government of the Cisalpina Republic has no
worries, though unbelief and depravation is spreading in its
terretories and there is a great increase of corruption in customs. Many
priests are worried, and especially in Verona, Don Leonardi, Don
Steeb and Magdalene of Canossa would like to organize a cycle of Missions
held by Father De Vecchi, a preacher of exceptional virtue and a
convincing orator. But the Government doesn’t like the idea and constantly
postpones the permission. While waiting in vain, Magdalene asks
Durini to intervene in another compassionate case. A vicious noble, a
certain Valenti, wastes all his possessions so that his wife
and three children live in poverty. An uncle in Milan, who is helping them,
is not aware of their situation: he should be advised to plan his
assistance in another way.
My beloved Carolina
13 February 1803
Here I am to tell you, my dear, what I could not
tell you in the last ordinary. First, I have the pleasure of telling you
that my two patients have almost recovered; uncle Borgia, contrary to my
expectations, is still up from bed, but still weak. I am in good health
and my brother-in-law Serego will confirm it. Since
his wife is well, he wants to make a trip to Milan even this year; I was
in doubt whether to take this chance to send you this letter, but for fear
that he might stop in Brescia too long and delay it, I will send it
by mail.
I have received two letters from our Viscontina and
none from you, my dear; you are right, I, too, haven’t written to you for
sometime, but still we continue our relationship, when we cannot write to
one another, through our common Friend.
If I do not write with my pen, be sure that I do so
with my heart, and I am convinced that you do the same.
I thank you for whatever you did, together with dear
Visconti, so that we might have Father De Vecchi. Tomorrow, I will see Don
Carlo Steeb, and in the next ordinary I will tell
you what he will tell me. Yesterday, reading to him the first letter from
the friend received by post, in which she mentions the difficulty in
getting it now, he asked if it were possible to get it for the novena of
Pentecost. From the letter I received today, and that he did not see,
I fear he will not have it even at that time.
Don Pietro Leonardi
was struck
by Father De Vecchi, who kindly described minutely to us all your
holy work, and left me a written description of it. Don Pietro
is making great progress in everything. He has about 30 boys. He causes me a great deal of
confusion just as yours friends do.
You, however, have a bigger advantage than myself
because you are the Lord’s instrument for His works. He keeps you hidden
from the eyes of the world and he crosses your paths so that you
cannot go personally, but His works are realized, and as for me, my dear,
everyone sees the little good I do. Words are more beautiful than Works,
and may God spare me from the fact that at my death nothing remains
but a little smoke. Anyway, dear Carolina, let us not lose heart.
I always fear that you may often be very disheartened.
Be of good cheer; the Divine Mercy will be our wealth; don't oppress your
heart too much, I will try to do the same. Pray for me, I will do the same
for you; the Lord will help us, but keep happy. I have told Father De
Vecchi what I believed opportune to do, or better to assist the work
of the Converts. He told me that he would like to know it, and he will
manage himself according to the opportunity.
I have no time to deal at length with this matter, this
time, as I have to finish telling you about the new trouble I
am forced to give you. In the other ordinary, I told you that a
certain Mr. Giacomo Valenti who works with the
police of Milan. He has a married brother here. He has various
children and, through his own fault, he has been reduced to
such a state of destitution that his wife could not even attend
church for lack of decent clothing. Yet she receives three liras of our
coin every day. Among these children there are two girls.
They wanted to
give me one of them, and I would have taken her but her age prevents me
from accepting her. They, too, were also in the same state as their mother,
and, worse still, illiterate and beautiful.
Some pious people felt compassion, they found someone
who offered to help for some months and placed them in one of our
Conservatories, which, although you already know
how miserable they are, they are a heaven for them. We know that their
father has written to his brother in Milan as if he were the one who put
the girls in a monastery, and asked him for financial help and squandered
that too.
Therefore, I beg you, my dear, if you have any prudent
person who could talk to this Mr. Valenti telling him that the girls have
been taken by pious people, and put in a Conservatory, for the time being,
until they find someone who can assist them, and that the assistance
he is able them give them, instead of handing it to his brother, to give
it to you, or to the one you think will send it to Verona by a sure
hand. My dear, the one who commands me does not want my name to be
mentioned because they are afraid, perhaps, that they beat me up. I am
joking you see, but really in order to avoid what might happen, they
don't want my name to be mentioned. Dear Carolina, you see that your
Friend often gives you occasions to be patient, and to cooperate to save
some souls. Goodbye, my very dear friend, Love me, believe me, I am all
yours, full of obligation, and affection.
Your Magdalen
103
Uncle Borgia is always
seriously ill and Magdalene has no time to write; therefore, she sends
only a simple greeting.
My beloved Carolina
Verona 28th February 1803
I
don't know what to think about your silence, my dear; oh God, perhaps you
are disgusted with me, I have not received a line from you in the last
two ordinaries.
I have
no free time at all because uncle Borgia, after I wrote you that he was
weak, has now gone to bed, and the heart attack this time is very
serious, and I don't know what will happen; the physician fears that he
will not recover from it, so do recommend him to the Lord, My Dear, and
forgive me if I cannot write to you, because you already know how old
people are. They cling like children to those who are with them. Accept
these words of mine and all that my heart would like to tell you. Write to
me at least one line. Greet for me dear Viscontina. Goodbye, love me, and
remember me.
Your Magdalene
104
There is a fleeting hope
about Father De Vecchi and Magdalene expresses her joy and that of Don
Steeb. Also the Valenti case has prospects of a solution and the Sisters
of the Convent of the Teresas are less anxious about the danger of being
suppressed: the Marquis Casati of Milan has promised to help them. Her
recompense to him would be her prayer to the good God, that he may grant
him his longed for heir.
My beloved Carolina,
6 March 1803
Of the
many things I should and would like to tell you, my beloved friend, I
will tell you what lack of time will permit me. My uncle is always in the
same state, however, he is going to be a chronic case up to the end,
rather than an immediate danger, as long as the insufficient breathing he
experiences from time to time, doesn’t accelerate his death. I recommend
him to your prayers.
I will
start by telling you that Don Carlo Steeb was very happy to be able to get Fr. De Vecchi one day, or the other.
I
thank you on his behalf, and on my part too for what you have done for my
poor Verona. We stand by Divine Providence. When the Lord is pleased to
send His mercy to us, it will be a great grace because I assure you that
even here the need is very great.
Regarding your disposition in helping me with regard to
Mr. Valenti,
I am very obliged to you, but do not worry if you have not been able to do
it immediately because, according to me, we would not have been in time
to prevent him in any way, because the girls' father wrote to Mr. Valenti
eight days before I begged your help. It will teach us for the future.
I was very happy to hear about Marquis Casati’s
recovery, do not doubt that the Teresas Sisters
will keep on praying on account of his great charity to them; they will
also pray for you, my dear, since you have been the cause for finding them
a good patron. An idea came to my mind about this. When Marquis Casati
had the goodness to come to greet me, seeing my Charles he showed a great
desire to have an heir, so I thought that the Tereses Sisters might pray
for him. I noticed in the lives of the saints that they first implored
God with a lot of prayers for a child, and I believe that this shows
that a family is able to educate a saint.
Have you finished the arrangements for the marriage, my
dear? I don't believe it, they will be rather interrupted than finished. I
know that his bride
is a very worthy young lady, just as worthy as the bridegroom. Since her
name is Magdalene, I hope that her name will remind you of your Magdalene.
It is because of an unusual combination that I have
these relationships; you should know, just between you and me, she had
been proposed to my brother, but while they were getting information,
which was excellent, it seems that the Lord had destined her to form the
happiness of another family, and not of ours. He disposed that the matter
was concluded with this Piedmontese gentleman, and I am pleased because
somehow he belongs to you.
Oh God, if you knew how much I quiver every time I
think who will be the bride of my brother. Do me this charity to keep him
present before the Lord God, that he may find a good Christian lady.
However, do not say anything about this, my Dear; you know that I can’t
keep anything from you.
Please give my best wishes to dear Viscontina, to whom
I will write as soon as possible. Tell her that I have received her dear
letter, but not yet the box of the Relics. Various times I wished to speak
to you of our Viscontina, my dear, because I felt it was a lack of trust
in you, but in the past, I tried to keep silent, fearing to show to our
common friend that we were on confidential terms; now that this danger, I
think, has gone, as soon as I have some spare time, I want to make up. I
cannot tell you how happy I am about the new idea, that the holy Work of
the hospital has given you concerning the girls; I will take this week to
think about some project. I am not good for anything else but to build
castles in the air. I have written more than what I thought, my dear.
Goodbye, dear Carolina, my usual compliments. Goodbye.
With regard to Father de Vecchi, do it yourself. If they can
get him they will have obtained a very special grace.
Your Magdalene
105
In Milan, a group of Priests
and Durini are thinking of a new work for abandoned girls and Magdalene
applauds the idea, but she wants to know more details so that she may
express, with competence, her opinion, which is being asking for.
My beloved Carolina
13
March 1803
You see, my dear, what a displeasing combination for me
the mail has become. I regularly receive your very precious letters and
you always receive mine later. You always have the goodness to bear with
me any way, but these delays annoy me. However, I can sincerely say that
the few moments of quietness I can steal from my patient, are for you.
Now my uncle
is quite better, and again gives us some hope that we will still have him
with us for some time. For fear of not being able write at length, I will
start to speak of your new beautiful project, hoping that you have already
received the other letter I wrote to you in the last ordinary.
Therefore, you want to know what I think, my beloved
Carolina; regarding that matter, as a whole, I would not be able to praise
it enough. I think it is far more for the Glory of God than that of the
Converts,
although that too is excellent. Regarding the carrying out of this plan,
you didn’t tell me, my dear, if by girls, you mean small girls to
educate, or young adults, half-educated, not yet instructed. Anyway your
project that thirty people donate a scudo a month, seems to me the most
suitable, provided you can find people of such good will, who do this
charity for God’s sake. I mean to say that administering this alms we do
not want to command, or disturb your work. If we are dealing with young
girls, this is what I think would burden you less.
If they are Milanese, then you may place them with
Stella and perhaps the Exposed,
if they are not from Milan, then it seems me you could find Orphanages in
their respective towns, and if they are good try to put them there. As for
the Veronese who are not nine years yet, and who are really in danger, I
offer you, my dear, to take as many as I can afford. About some from
Mantua I can still get information about the Imperial Orphanage,
and also try to find some places there by means of some acquaintances.
Thus, we could try places in various towns, and where
you think I can help you, if you are not displeased with this idea,
without compliments freely employ me. In this way you will be alleviated
of some of the burden, and you could stay with those who are really
abandoned or because the orphanages of their towns may be dangerous, or
because there would be no other way to accept them.
If you speak then of adult girls, the thing, my dear,
will be much harder, although I believe that
various Conservatories,
and especially the one founded by a certain Count Aldo
a few years ago in Ferrara, or in Bologna, receives them. In this case it
would be worthwhile to assist them in getting some jobs that bring some
advantages to the Work. In the future ordinary I will speak of the one of
which you have the Teacher in Milan. I will send you her full name and
address. She has also taught mine, however, don't say that I have told you
about her. I will tell you the reason later; in case you think it
opportune we will take the thing with the Teacher as a natural disposition
without showing that it comes from me. I would like to tell you that if
you ever wish to have the Rules of the Count Aldo, I can help you because
I have them.
Dear
Carolina, accept my heart, not the length of the letter of the one who
writes to you. My wishes to my dear Viscontina and my usual compliments.
Pray for me, I have no more time, goodbye dear, very dear friend.
Your Magdalene
106
Magdalene continues nursing her dying uncle, therefore, she limits
herself to brief news and thanks.
My beloved Carolina,
20 March 1803
I
start this letter in the antechamber of my uncle who is sleeping, and I
will write to my beloved Carolina until he wakes up. He is improving, but
very slowly. Let us come to business. In this mail I didn’t receive your
dear letters, but I had the pleasure of receiving one and to hear news
about you from my brother-in-law Serego, who conveys his compliments to
you and has assured me that you are very well. You inconvenienced
yourself with the books, my dear, and I infinitely thank for it; I do not
know what my brother-in-law told you. To tell you the truth, I wanted him
to see about them so as not to inconvenience you. My uncle has woken up
too soon, I can only add a last word. Kindly tell all these things to our
Viscontina, and tell her that her box has arrived safely. I thank her for
the picture, and that I will write to her in the next ordinary. To you, my
beloved friend, I will do the same. Goodbye, meanwhile pray for the one
who loves you, and who is all yours. Goodbye
Your Magdalene
107
Magdalene has little time but
is involved in many affairs; she managed, though only for a few days, to
follow the Holy Exercises, to take comfort in the various sermons held in
Verona, though she is still waiting for that of Father De Vecchi. Now she
would like to resolve the problem of Viscontina, who let her understand
that she could be her companion in her charitable activity in Verona; she
can also point out a valid help for the new work in view in Milan.
My beloved Carolina
2nd April 1803
I will answer your last two ordinaries,
my dearest Carolina, however I do not know whether I will be able to tell
you all that I would like to say. I have seen, my dear, a new proof of
your good heart, and of your attachment to me in your description of the
persons more suitable for my brother. Do me the charity to recommend him
to the Lord so that He may bless him.
I have communicated your letter to the Tutor
who appreciated it very much. I will try to be as calm as possible on the
choice God allows them to make, either concerning those you mention, or of
any other who has been proposed to him. I believe that you can see
further ahead than the others for a thousand reasons, consequently, I
would prefer that you make the choice where you see things clear. However,
it is convenient that I be indifferent as much as I can.
It was impossible for me to reply to you even last
week. My Dearest Carolina, I resume writing this letter today, Holy
Saturday, to finish it, perhaps, on Easter day. I did not forget to pray
for your husband
during these days; I too have made the Holy Exercises, even if only for a
few days, preached by Don Leonardi and another religious priest of St.
Luke’s
and, if the Lord permits, I should profit from it. This year here in
Verona, besides the Exercises for those who will be ordained
on one and on the other side, that is the Austrian and the Republican
side, there were Spiritual Exercises for the people in five churches. It
seems that the Lord still looks at this city with special mercy, it is
enough that we correspond. You might, perhaps, say, why do you wish to
have Father De Vecchi when you have them? For a thousand reasons that I
cannot tell you now since time is lacking, having so many other things to
tell you.
My dear, I have not missed to pray for you, too,
though weakly. I thank you for your charity in remembering me in your
prayers. Continue doing so because my need cannot be greater. I am on the
verge of taking on a third Teacher. If things go well, I will open an
external school. I will tell subsequently how things go. A great deal of
good could come from this. A third thing I would like to say, but oh God,
being alone I don't see any hope for it now. I would like to speak to you
more at length, but My Dear Carolina, you dishearten me because you don't
tell me anything on the subject of our Viscontina.
I am afraid I have displeased you, sincerely without any intention, and
with a heart that disdains giving you any displeasure.
If you could answer me a word on this point it would
console me a lot. I am looking for an occasion to send you the Rules of
Count Aldo,
who, as I heard, is already enjoying Heaven, a prize for his charity. The
name of that woman who has taught that job to my girls is Giovanna
Chierici. She is a woman of government we say, in the Gherardini House,
for the widow Litta Gherardini.
I will tell you that she is a widow, advanced in age, who seems to me very
good, but I don't know her well enough to be able to judge her with
certainty, if she would be able or not to preside over a similar work.
She is very skilful in washing veils, lace, to colour
muslin, to wash ribbons of every colour, stockings of silk and similar
things, and this is the job she taught my girls, but in a short time,
because she was leaving, and in that little time I was very happy about
her in every way, but I was not able to discuss things in depth. She
lives, being a retired person,
with the Gherardini family, with one of her married daughters, and she
told me that to colour this muslin in Milan, she and her daughter earned
one or half a shield
a day, if I remember well. Although she is advanced in age, her activity
is amazing. In our city these jobs bring great advantages. I don’t know if
it is the same for you. She also washes dresses embroidered with gold, and
with colours. My girls cannot profit from this because they are very
small. Besides this is not the one I wrote to you about, I have already
spoken about that one. I thought that Father De Vecchi had told you about
her. He knows her very well and he told me to let him do it.
She is the Marchioness Cavriani,
who seemed to be well interested in Verona with regard to the Converts.
I don't want to deprive my city perhaps taking a good person away, but if
she had to work for the greater Glory of God in Milan, I wished, for my
peace, to tell everything to Father De Vecchi. Even here it would be good
if some people could think about the poor Converts who leave the hospital,
but there is no one, but your city is more populated, consequently... I
thought, therefore, to tell everything to Father De’ Vecchi; I won’t
repeat it because I have no time. You see together with him, what is best
for the greater glory of the Lord.
I
could not get the new books of the three Hours
except the one of Holy Thursday; I will send them together with the
Rules. The function, they tell me, was better than last year. Tell this
also to dear Viscontina. They say this time that the function was more
devout. Father Gian Battista
was the reader. I went there, but I could not enter on account of the big
crowd. I will write to you more extensively on another occasion.
Goodbye my Dear, very Dear Friend, greet Viscontina,
and Arconati for me; how much I need to talk to you, but on paper we
can explain too little. Love me as much as I love you; when you will
receive this letter of mine, Festivities will be over. You might not see
them on paper yet, but I wish, from the bottom of my heart, that you may
be happy. Goodbye Dear, time is lacking.
PS. My
uncle is better and is out of bed.
Your Magdalene
10
April
1803
108
Since
the various attempts to moderate the immorality of fashion are not
successful, Magdalene and Father Giambattista Bertolini take another
direction, which is conveyed to Durini.
My beloved Carolina
22nd April 1803
What does this silence of yours mean, my dear friend?
Last week I thought that being a festive week you would be immersed in
prayer but this makes me fear a great deal for your health as I do not
see any response from you at all. Do me this favour, if you want me to be
calm, write to me two lines... I have not sent you this letter by post, my
dear, since my brother had the chance to go to Milan on account of
business in the city. Think how my heart would follow him so as to see
you again and our Viscontina and to get acquainted with Arconati.
The circumstances don't allow it, so it is better not
to think of it, and speak about other things. I am sending you the
Veronese books of our function, I don't know if you will like them. To
me, yours seem more affectionate. I also add the music, my dear Carolina,
so that you may have a complete idea of the taste in Verona. In this case
love for my city doesn't distort my judgment, as our production seems a
lot inferior to yours. Appreciate them as they are. Since I am certain of
this occasion, I will tell you what we discussed with Father Giambattista
Bertolini.
When I saw that our attempts did not succeed as we
wished with regard to clothing, one day, while talking of the indecent
fashion which we see here, though they tell me that they are much less
indecent than in other places, we were trying to find a remedy. Since
Father has one or two penitents among the most fashionable women, and
another still who can be considered the latest authority
on the matter, if she would continue to go to him, because actually she
has been known to him only for a short time now, we concluded that, if we
could manage to convince her to accept the latest yet decent fashion, we
would find a solution to most of our problems.
He
wanted your model; may God bless the remainder if some others will come,
from time to time. Send me some. Then I will let you know the result.
Goodbye dear, very dear Carolina, I am always short
with my pen, but with my heart I am always yours.
Goodbye, my usual compliments.
Your Magdalene
PS.
Since I have no time to write to dear Viscontina, I am sending you the
book delivered to me for her by Father Giambattista and I add six other
copies, that I beg you to give her from for me. Embrace her heartily, and
tell her that I will write as soon as possible. Regarding the article to
remedy to the indecency of the clothing, I beg you to tell me if you know
any person who is a real friend of Melzi. Then I will tell you the reason.
Goodbye once again.
109
Magdalene is worried
five churches: she feels that, on account of
the frequent trips of her brother and his Tutor, a decision is going to be
made in Milan regarding the choice of her brother’s bride. However, she is
not informed and prays that her Bonifacio may find a companion worthy of
him. That choice may lead to other developments: Magdalene’s possible
orientation to clarify her future mission.
Beloved Carolina
30 April 1803
It
will be much easier for you to imagine it, than for me to explain how
happy I was in receiving today you dear letter, dated 26th
April. I don't know for what reason, but instead of receiving it
yesterday, the day of the mail, it has been brought to me only
today. I believed that even this week I would be deprived of the pleasure
of your letters, and a thousand thoughts questioned me about your silence.
May the Lord be thanked, my beloved Carolina, for the reason that has
deprived me of this happiness. I hope you have also remembered me in your
prayers. I hope you will receive a letter of mine either from my brother or from his Tutor.
To frankly speak between both of us, I don’t know what
their intention is about the bride, as they have not spoken to me about it
before their departure, and I, my Dear, for fear of making mistakes,
although I did have several chances, I did not mention anything. I
believe, however, that the Tutor did not come for nothing. My Dear, I am
more convinced, that out of your great love for your Magdalene, you would
have sacrificed the love for your city rather than friendship, but if the
young lady is already engaged, we will say that the Lord has not wanted
to give us not even this one. Meanwhile, I keep asking for prayer from
all the people whom I believe are the best.
May God bless him out of his mercy. I assure you, Dear
Carolina, that by the grace of the Lord, my brother is very good, and I
think that a Christian bride united to him would cooperate a lot in our
City to the Divine Glory. As for me, talking to you with that friendship
that I really profess to you, the idea of a sister-in-law doesn't give me
thoughts, much more because, My Beloved Carolina, I do not know when the
two bonds that hold me, that is, Carlino, and my sick uncle, will be
loosened and which will be God’s plans for me. And here is one of the
motives for which I would like Viscontina with me, so as to have her
example and her insights, a person who could be my teacher and companion,
and facilitate my way with my family so as to give myself freely to
those things which the Lord seems to will from me, merely out of His
mercy.
What, my dear, has given me courage to address some
word to our friend, has been a sentence in one of her letters, in which,
jokingly, she told me to keep a place for her among my teachers, so that
she could come to learn. I am happy not to have displeased you on this
point, and I cannot but to admire our Viscontina more and more, and not to
desire her more and more for the sake of Verona, but for the good that, I
think, could come about. As for me, my dear Carolina, if I were in Milan I
would not but enjoy your company and the small things that I do, which in
this city mean a lot, as there are no provisions, while in your city they
would mean nothing at all. I am unable to do great things, but if the One
who performs small things through me, would like me to do greater things,
if it is for a greater good, I would not mind to remain in Verona or to
come to Milan.
Goodbye, my dear, very dear friend, love me and believe me I am all yours.
A thousand greetings to Arconti whom I deeply wish to know. Goodbye.
I hope that Father Giambattista
has found a way to be helpful in the question of fashion, since he has
managed to obtain, as his penitents, some of the ladies who are an
authority in this field.
May
the Lord bless everything. Goodbye.
Your Magdalene
110
Unclear hints of problems in the Durini household.
Magdalene’s hurry is due to the arrival of the third teacher, who
interrupts her writing.
My beloved Carolina
9 May 1803
With great sorrow I read in your very precious letter
about Viscontina’s great loss as well as
yours; and since I cannot but take interest in all that concerns you,
I regret too, a great deal that you have lost your evening engagement,
which I believe was very useful for your soul and for your body, allow me
to tell you: your good heart, which at times is oppressed, needs the
joy of Arconati, and, if you want me to be calm, do me the favour of
writing to me how you spend your evening now. I don't know how Father
Giovanbattista managed to fend himself from
the cold weather, no need for you to worry about it, my dear. We will do
what we can, and the Lord will appreciate our good will. I cannot tell you
more because I have been interrupted. My third Teacher came, pray for me.
Goodbye, Dear, be of good cheer, and greet Arconati for me.
Your very affectionate Magdalene
111
Magdalene has been able to host a niece of Durini; she
congratulates her for the politeness of the young girl with whom she was
able to speak of her friend, the only recompense for the impossibility of
meeting her directly. The Valenti case perhaps may have an excellent
solution. Now Magdalene knows that the grandmother of the three
girls is wealthy and is lodging with the Salesian Nuns of Porta Orientale
in Milan: Durini could explain to her the sorrowful situation of her
relatives.
My Beloved Carolina
22 May 1803
I must reply to two very precious letters of yours, my
dear Carolina. I received one from your amiable niece,
the other from Marquis Casati. I will do as much as I can since I have
many sick people to look after in these days. Uncle Borgia suffers from
lack of breath repeatedly so that we fear more and more of chronic dropsy,
Maffei and all her young daughters have measles
but all of them are better, seven of my girls had it and six of them
are convalescing.
A little girl sick with severe fever which has never
left her since she came, is now dying. She will receive Viaticum tomorrow
morning. Since she is only nine years old, the Sacrament will also be her
first Holy Communion; pray for her so that she may soon go to Heaven. I
will tell her to pray for you.
Talking about persons in good health, I want to tell
you that your good niece has arrived here very safely. All of us have
admired her good qualities, and I tell you this with my usual
sincerity. She remained one day only after her arrival, as she
wished to be in Venice on the day of Ascension. I took as much time
as possible off to enjoy her company, not as much as I wished on
account of my patients. I assure you that especially her behaviour
and her gentleness aroused in me a great respect for her.
Then, Marquis Casati confirmed to me excellent
news about you and I received your letter in which you say that I might
see you again. You should know that at times I think of what would
satisfy me most in this world: I must say that, as you understand,
one of my most outstanding wishes would be that of seeing you again,
so that, My Dear, if you can, give me this consolation. Regarding Mr.
James Valenti they made me believe that his
mother, called Teresa, widow Valenti, is at the Salesians,
near the Oriental Door. She retired there so as to
live peacefully among the present circumstances. If this is so, it will be
easier for you to find a way to help this lady to be concerned with her
nieces, as Mr. James had suggested you, or to help him, if you can do this
charity to these poor girls, try again later. Forgive me for everything,
my dearest friend; lots of greetings to Visconti and Arconati;
I should speak to you of Father De Vecchi, but sleep forces me
to embrace you, and to go to sleep since midnight is at hand. Goodbye.
Your very affectionate
Magdalene
112
If Durini would be convinced that the cure of the Waters of Mount
Ortona might be very useful to her physical comfort, it would
be also the only chance for the two friends to meet, which doesn't
seem possible in any other way. After all, in Verona there are a lot
of people who wish the Milanese countess to visit them again.
My Beloved Carolina
29 May 1803
I have made a judgment on you, my dear, not having
received your letters in this ordinary; the judgment is this, that you
have been busy in attending the holy missions. Did you ask the Holy
Spirit for the grace your Magdalene needs so much? I am sure you did
as I also had done for you.
Most of my patients are well, others are convalescing;
uncle Borgia is better, only my poor little girl
is still dying with no hope of recovery. She has received the Anointing of
the Sick. She is perfectly clear in the mind but goes on suffering.
Recommend her to the Holy Virgin, I feel such pain for her, indeed.
My beloved Carolina, how much joy I will experience if the
dream about Mount Ortona could be accomplish, so
that I may see again a friend like you. I don't want even to ponder
too much on this thought. If it will not take place I will feel too much
displeased. I believe, My Dear, that you do not need to be solicited as I
know how much you, too, love me. For this reason, my dear, overcome
whatever is possible, and give me first, and all the others who know you,
this satisfaction. Remember that all, here, repeat what I am telling you,
and it would be a real consolation for all of us. So as not to
disobey your command, I end this letter before going to bed, since
midnight is round the corner, and I need to sleep a lot. Goodbye, my dear.
My usual compliments. Goodbye.
Your Magdalene
113
Physical tiredness, partly due to constantly assisting
her uncle, who is always seriously ill, doesn't prevent Magdalene
from comforting her friend on her husbands’ illness and from
conveying to her the happy announcement: that she has opened the
external school in the house of the girls.
My beloved Carolina
3
July 1803
To say it frankly, I, too, my dear friend, would not
like us to get accustomed to letting a few weeks go by without writing to
each other. The greatest motive for my silence, or, better,
the only one is the uninterrupted illness of uncle Borgia, who
wishes me to stay with him; consequently my free moments are very limited,
and I am so busy that it is often impossible for me to write. Thank
God, my dear I am well, and I always love you as usual.
I would like to hear that your husband is well again
and to know you are calm; however, as much as I know you, you do not fail
in resignation, but rather your heart, that loves a great deal,
spurs you to fear about some great evil which does not exist. You know
that St. Francis of Sales praised a similar heart
in the Saint of Chantal, only he wished that she
would be more calm. My dear Carolina, you seem to be born to torment
yourself. I thank you for the news you give me about my brother, and for
your goodness in getting the tickets for him; the chariot races and
jockeys seem to me indifferent, and I am very sure that he was not
scandalized by this gentleness.
How many things I would like to tell you but lack of
time prevents me from doing so. Your thanks concerning Fraganeschi
displease me because we did not do anything for her; especially because I
am very busy with the sick. On Saturday, started in the House of the girls
the School for external pupils. Pray that it may go on well. What about
our dear Viscontina? Goodbye my dear Carolina, midnight is ringing and
sleep forces me to embrace you. Goodbye, many regards to Arconati. Has the
Teacher handed over to you the Paper of the Rules of the girls of Count
Aldo?
How are Louise and the Canoness? Goodbye, I’m
going to bed, dear Carolina.
Your Magdalene
114
Count Durini’s illness worries even Magdalene, not so much for
its gravity, which is not yet visible, as for Carolina who is more and
more psychologically disturbed. The momentary return of Fr. Fontana to
Milan will help her. Meanwhile they can focus their attention on two
other problems: a new attempt to limit immorality brought about by
the fashions and the " storm " that is raging against religious
Institutes.
My Beloved Carolina
10 July 1803
I will let go for a little while. Yet you should not
think that I’ll be pleased if we do not write to each other for weeks.
I have given you a bad example when my uncle was ill,
now that he is better, I will make up for it, and if you won't correct
yourself as I hope, I will write to you twice a week. I am a little
worried about your husband, on account of your silence. Please, give
me some news for my peace, because besides my respect for him, I cannot
but be concerned for the one who belongs to you, and of whom you are
concerned.
Regarding the Count’s illness, I heard that they
ordered him to take the waters of Abano. How
much I wish, if this remedy is useful as they say here, that your
physicians may know about it as ours do!
I did not write to you any more with regard to the
trustworthy Fr. de' Vecchi, because Don Carlo did not reply to me. I
think that the latter’s zeal is obstructed by insuperable difficulties,
this is why he told me lately that perhaps he will make a trip to Milan
and conclude orally, with regard to what he has been able to obtain
here. If you see Father de Vecchi, please, convey my regards.
17 July
You see, my dear, because of all my pride, I have not
been able to end this letter at the last ordinary. On Friday, I had the
joy of receiving your very precious letter. You are, therefore, in the
country-side, my dear Carolina. Enjoy yourself as much as you can or,
better, try to raise your spirits as much as you can, and if you have some
spare time, give some moment to your Magdalene. I am glad about the
news you give me of Fr. Fontana’s return to
Milan for some months. I imagine that he will help you to calm yourself.
This is what I think you need.
Although it is useless for you, I want to send you the
printed Rules of Fr. Bellavite. Perhaps they could
in part help you for the plan of the Converts; if
not you will at least have an idea of the sanctity of the person who wrote
them. I finally opened the school for external pupils, but I only have
four little girls, as it is only one week since its opening. I beg
you to pray for me as I am in great need of prayer.
Listen, my dear, to another idea which came to my mind
about the clothing, that we hardly started here, and of which I don't know
the result: to speak to, or let some physician of a well known religion,
order the girls to wear the corset for health reasons, and if it is
possible, that all women should wear it. In fact, I remember, that when I
wanted to be a discalced, since the discalced Sisters do not wear a corset,
though they wear something similar under their habit, our ladies
were all shocked at the thought of all the illnesses I would
have to face for not wearing one. The storm which
is gathering, frightens me, I recommend the calamity again to Casati. Here,
by unceasing prayer we will try to disarm the threats of God’s power.
Goodbye, beloved Carolina, a thousand regards to Arconati when you see her.
Goodbye, love me and remember that I will be always
All yours Magdalene
115
The" storm" is always threatening and Magdalene asks if
indeed the pontifical Decree about the suppression of the Regular
Institutes has already arrived in Milan. She is embittered for everyone,
but hopes that at least the Filippino Fathers, who are not Regular, are
not subject to the Decree.
My Beloved Carolina
31 July 1803
Here I am again, without receiving your very dear
letters for fifteen days, my beloved Carolina. You had promised me to
write from your country-side residence, but you have teased me. If I
did not think that you are still on holiday, I would begin to fear that
you do not love me as much as you did up to now. Forgive me, my dear, this
is an injustice which you do not deserve. However, do me this favour: drop
at least two lines, some news about you.
The storm of which you
spoke to me threatens more and more, and in the houses there is a general
feeling of dismay, which is extended to the families of those involved.
Nicolini who is praying and begs for prayer,
recommends herself to you, and to Casati. Give me the news you know about
this matter. Also this year it has been planned for me to go to
Parma, but I have no wish to go. The only motive, which attracts me a
little, would be that of seeing again the Luigine Nuns so as to draw new light for my school, which, thanks to the Lord, goes
on well but slowly. Our Austrian Nuns are
very consoled with the permit they received to wear a habit, or are
about to receive, and the same is for the Religious on the other bank.
The departing mail, forces me to embrace you, my dear
Carolina, goodbye I embrace you, and I am
Your Magdalene
PS. My letter could not depart with the Monday
ordinary, therefore, if you allow me, I add two other words. I was
told that you returned from your holiday on Friday, therefore, I hope, my
dear, to receive news from you.
Here people say that the Decree from the Holy Father,
with the consent of His Holiness to the suppression of all Regular
Institutes, has reached Milan. Such a thing causes great sorrow, indeed,
to those who love Religion and the Republic.
I hope, if this is true, that the Filippino Fathers are
not included in this decree, since theirs is not a Regular Institute,
as you well know. Tell me, please, your opinion.
I cannot tell you yet about the Austrian Nuns’
permission to dress, since some people say one thing and others
another. I will tell you another time.
You might have received the Rules of Father
Bellavite, from the Teacher . Sorry for not writing to you, for lack of
time.
Tell me also what you think about them, as well, and
what Arconati says. To her, and to our Viscontina convey my deepest
regards. Again I embrace you, and I am all yours, Goodbye.
116
While continually receiving news of various kinds, some worrying and
others more tranquil, Magdalene hopes to make a trip to Milan.
My Beloved Carolina,
7 August 1803
On Friday I was happy to receive your very
precious letter, my dear Carolina; although it was brief I was very
pleased with it. Yesterday morning I had the consolation to see my
brother returning in good health after a very safe trip. I was
also confirmed concerning the good news about you. I wish to hear
that your mother-in-law is back to health so that you may at this moment
be at peace and free. Do not tire yourself too much, my dear. Since the
person who returned to Milan will remain for three
or four months, so you may do everything peacefully. May the Lord grant
you that peace which will spur you on to work ever more for His Glory.
Your last letter makes me regret for having written to
you that I fear you do not love me anymore as once upon a time. I was
wrong, forgive me. I can see that it is not impossible for me to go to
Milan, but it is still a hope; let us see if it will come true. The
news regarding the newly established houses, seems to have calmed down.
What does Casati think about this? And what do you think? I beg you to
tell me what you can, so that we won’t be any surprises.
What’s happening to my dear Viscontina? I have written
to her eight or ten days ago but I had no reply.
I presume that she is not
able to, but not knowing anything in detail for some time worries me.
Goodbye, dear, the Teacher and my brother convey to you their compliments
and thanks, together with mine. Goodbye my usual regards, I embrace
you heartily.
Your Magdalene
117
A teacher of the «Retreat» is seriously sick and her
forced absence from the job endangers the running of the school and the
boarding-school. On account of this, Magdalene’s letter is brief.
My Beloved Carolina
14 August 1803
I already wrote to you, and I want to keep it, for you,
my beloved Carolina, keep silent as much as you want and I will continue
to write to you until I help you to resume your usual correspondence. I
know that you are quite busy, but a few lines are enough for me. I beg you
to recommend the work of my girls to the Lord, because beside the usual
need, I have, at the moment, one of the Teachers seriously sick and in
great pain, not only, but it could be for a very long time, since she has
articular pains. See, for the internal girls and the external school I
have only three Teachers. When one is sick, it is difficult to find a
suitable replacement, unless the Lord sends me someone. I beg you to pray
for me. Goodbye dear Carolina, love me. Extend my usual compliments to
those whom you know, I embrace you, and I am
All Your Magdalene
118
There is a new possibility of a trip to Milan, as well as going to
Mantua and Parma, a ray of light among the great storms: anxieties
and hopes, therefore, for both the noble ladies.
My Beloved Carolina
21
August 1803
I must forgive you your silence, my beloved Carolina,
as I too needed indulgence for the same reason. When we have sick people
we cannot make any plan at all. However, I feel sorry for the suffering of
your mother-in-law, because when one is advanced
in age, long illnesses cause great fear. Give me news when you write to
me.
My dear Carolina, the idea of coming to Milan is just a
hope, perhaps I will be mistaken, but if I were able to come, and were to
go often to my relatives, I know that Arconati lives next to them, so that
somehow we will find a way to meet. The point is, my dear, that I may be
able to come. Enough, let the Lord do as He wishes. I believe that after
tomorrow I will go for a few days to the country-side, then to Mantua from
where I will write, and perhaps to Parma.
May the Lord kindly keep the storms
away entirely. In this season they would ruin our rites. The whole point
is that our Archbishop , on his return, may
bless us all against these fears.
Tell me, I beg you, if your physicians have taken any
interest in humanity. Goodbye, dear friend, if I go to Mantua I will write
to you at length because I will have time. Goodbye, you are revered by my
dear ones. Give my usual compliments to everyone, I embrace you, and
I am
All yours M.C. (Magdalene Canossa)
119
Even the last attempt to intervene in fashion has
little effect, therefore, it is better to let it drop since results are so
poor. Also the Valenti problem must be clarified so as to come to a
solution.
Beloved Carolina
4 September 1803: Verona
My short trip to Mantua deprived me of the joy of
writing to you with the last ordinary. I did not go through Mantua, you
see, my dear Carolina and I stopped such a short while that I had no
opportunity to write to you. I don’t know whether I will return in a few
days’ time for family affairs, meanwhile I will write to you from
here, my dear, and if I will leave, I will write to you from where I
will be. I must reply to your two very precious letters. First of
all I rejoice to hear that your mother-in-law is
recovering. I wish her good health, but while Father Fontana
is in Milan I would like you to be free.
I do not think that our physicians as well as yours are
prepared to write for the sake of humanity. They only exhort by
words, and according to my opinion, unless it an eminent person who writes,
this is not helpful, because some famous person may oppose a
mediocre one, and do a lot of evil. I believe we should be satisfied with
the little we can do through our words.
I am very grateful to you for whatever you have been able to do by means
of lady Valenti, and I also warmly thank Marquis
Casati too. I do not add anything else, but if it were possible to let
this lady know that we do not ask anything for Paolo Valenti, that she is
only asked for some help for his two daughters, who, out of dire need,
have been put in one of our retreats where they are safeguarded and
educated in the best way possible. But with an education different from
that of their birth, and their personal worth, because they really behave
very well;
that the help they ask comes from the idea that their
father could be helped by her or by his brother, but it comes from
their need, because the monthly contribution which is given them out of
charity, at times is lacking, and it might be taken away because the one
who gives it to them cannot afford it. Then, the two beautiful and good
girls would have to return to asking for alms. Finally, that they ask for
it out of charity, not out of duty. If the Lord will assist them along
this path, he will bless your words, my dear Carolina; anyway, he will
compensate you for your charity, in Heaven.
I have no more time to tell you as much as I would like.
Best wishes to dear Viscontina, and goodbye with all my heart.
Your Magdalene
PS. I didn't reflect, my dear, to tell
you that besides the two girls, there is also a very needy boy, who lives
with his father and mother and if this lady Valenti wishes, and
would be able to help these poor innocent people, it would be a great
help. However, act according to your prudence.
120
Magdalene will return shortly to Mantua and, even if she will remain
for a little, she won't miss visiting Fr. Bellavite’s work. The meeting
with that Father revives and disheartens her at the same time,
because she feels so far from his holiness and his confidence in God. She
must also rectify a mistake about the information of the Valenti case.
My Beloved Carolina
Verona 17 September 1803
I start this letter today, my beloved friend, to be more certain to end
it before the departure of the mail, as I want to say various things, if
possible. I was not able to write to you in the last ordinary as I
wished because both my uncle and Carlino were not well.
My uncle is as usual, that is, out of bed, and Carlino has recovered. I
think that in the oncoming week I will make a trip again to the
country-side, and to Mantua to bring home an aunt of mine, who has been
with me here since, as I wrote, I returned from there.
When I am in Mantua, my great entertainment consists in spending as
much time as possible with the girls of Father Bellavite.
I confess, my dear, that I am rather depressed, not so much for the
number, the direction, and for what the Prioress says about the
fervour of those girls. You told me some time ago in one of your
letters in which you encouraged me, and I really needed it, that we need
take heart to persevere in overcoming the difficulties and therefore
I need Fr. Bellavite’s sanctity and trust in God. Assist
me, my dear, with your prayer to the Lord. I am in great need. The storm
which then worried me has ceased totally, the two sick teachers have now
recovered quite well, but every day I realize how much I need divine help.
When you can, kindly, tell me what is happening to Mademoiselle Luoise.
I must make up for a great mistake on my part regarding the
case of Mr. Valenti, whose daughters you cared
for. The name of the father of the girls I recommended to you is not
Paolo but Antonio; and he was at the Venetian Service at the time of
our Republic of St. Mark. The girls say that their father had other
brothers, the name of one of them could be Paolo.
I am glad of your mother-in-law’s improvement, and I hope it may
continue. A thousand regards to Mrs. Arconati, and to Viscontina. How is
your Work in the Hospital, and of the Converts
proceeding? Reply to these questions of mine at
your convenience. Meanwhile, love me, remember me, and be assured that I
am, and I will be always wholeheartedly
All your Magdalene
18 September
121 2 October 1803
Durini, perhaps, doubts about offering to the Lord the
interruption of the correspondence with the Veronese friend, but Magdalene
is convinced that the Lord likes that friendship and that, rather, it will
also continue after death. Therefore, the one who arrives first in heaven
will have to pray for the other, until the other, too, goes there.
Meanwhile, the two Veronese priests are pressing again the government to
allow Fr. De Vecchi to preach.
My Beloved Carolina
I should have written this letter also from Mantua, my
dear friend, because I had to return there, but due to the change of plans
of our guests, I had to stay in Verona; with the firm intention that our
correspondence doesn't have to change anymore. What do you say about it,
my dear?
You tell me, and rightly so, that we should die a little every day to
something, but since I hope that our friendship is not displeasing to the
Lord, I think that it should be the last thing to die to in this world and
it may even be strengthened after death. Better still, if you allow me, my
wish is that we make a pact, that is, that the first one of us, whom the
Lord in His mercy, will welcome to heaven, should always pray for the one
who remains behind, till we are reunited. Tell me, do you agree?.
I pass from death to life now. I cannot say what
happened to Mademoiselle Louise because she never
says a word. I always dream of seeing my dear friends again, one day
or the other, and if this could come about, Mademoiselle Louise is a
person I would like very much to know. Now let us speak a little of the
highly esteemed Fr. De’ Vecchi. Fr.Charles Steeb has not been able to
conclude anything about the Missions, up to now. Now, my dear, Fr.
Pietro has given me the errand to beg you to tell Fr. De’ Vecchi that he
begs him, if he has no other commitment after the Missions in Mantua,
not to take any other until Fr. Pietro has a definitive answer,
which will come in a few days’ time.
I, my dear Carolina, would rather say this, that you ask Fr. De’ Vecchi if,
immediately after the Missions in Mantua, he has precise appointments, if
the licence can be obtained, if he would be free to do this good work for
our poor Verona. In case he is engaged immediately after, then, would he
be able, during his apostolic travel, to grant to do us this favour?
My very dear friend, forgive me also for this trouble,
goodbye, dear. I have no time. My usual regards and goodbye in a hurry,
but wholeheartedly.
Your Magdalene
122
The irregular service of the mail causes some uneasiness to the two
friends who cannot attend at the right moment to various needs.
However, it is beautiful to commemorate, with this last writing, the first
meeting of the two noble ladies in Verona.
My
beloved Carolina
Verona 8 October (1)803
With equal amazement and sorrow I notice, my dear friend, from your very
precious letter I received this morning, that the letters I wrote to you,
by four ordinary mails have been lost. I feel sorry because, out of
goodness and friendship, you worried about my health, which, thank God, is
excellent. I regret it because it was about some affairs, and I am sorry
because I don't know how this disorder has come about. Let us see if
this letter too will suffer the same crisis as the others; I want to carry
it myself to the Post. I remember that another time something
similar happened, then, after a while, it all came back to normal. From
your last letter I hear with great pleasure about the new Pious
Institution that holy Religious and those good
ladies are going to establish in Milan.
Tell me, at least, if you know, what is the purpose of
this institution. Passing the other day from the church of the Discalced
Fathers, who have started the novena of Saint Teresa, I also remembered
the kind entertainment we had along the road after the Benediction and the
special anniversary of our dear Viscontina. Greet her and Arconati, when
you see them. I would like to repeat to you the content of the other
letters but fearing that this may follow the same path as the others,
I wait until I have a reply to this. If this reaches you, I pray you to
tell me when Fr. De’ Vecchi will come to Mantua. Goodbye, my very
dear Carolina, how much I would like to go back to that time when I think
how happy I was to be near you! Goodbye, Beloved friend. I am and I will
be always
All your Magdalene
123
The fashions are toning down a little, at least in
Verona, though not for moral reasons, but for fear of pathological
consequences; but even this can serve a purpose. Studying the Rules of the
work of Father Bellavite, Magdalene, for the first time, doubts that her
plan can merge with this priest from Mantua. Something does not seem to
work, though her admiration for him has not diminished. Meanwhile, Marquis
Casati’s involvement in caring for situations comes to the fore: the case
of Valenti and that, even more delicate, of the Religious.
My beloved Carolina
16 October 1803
Finally, my dear, I hear that you have received my
various letters, and I was so glad to get your last very precious
one, because it was so long. I thank you for replying to all my letters,
and I take advantage of referring to some of the articles, because of your
friendship.
I did not at all set aside the articles of the
physicians, my dear. I only hope that the doctors write for the good of
humanity; I hope that they suggest a good remedy for the disturbances
people suffer. I do not know if they will succeed to convince the public.
I do not know about Milan, but here some of our ladies, to prevent these
illnesses, have slowly begun to wear the bust again, either for their own
convenience or in order to follow the fashion of Paris. The Lord will
reward you in Heaven for all you have done for the poor girls and the
little boy Valenti. However, if Casati feels that
it is not the moment to make a new attempt, do it at the most opportune
time. Only it would be enough for this lady to know whom she has been
assisting. At times, if she can, instead of assisting the children, she
may help their father, without even going through you. And in cases that
are so desperate she could get some help, even if only at death,
remembering these poor victims of other people's misbehaviour, being
cautious so that the others too may not be destroyed.
Let us come to Fr. Bellavite. I
too agree that his Rules seem so full of the Spirit of God and they
clearly show the heart of the one who wrote them. But to tell you the
truth, certainly due to my weakness they seem to me too perfect for our
girls. In spite of this I say that his sanctity will help to put them into
practice in more ways than one. This is because the Lord will grant
success to what he does, and since he is the confessor of all the teachers
and girls you can see how much easier it is to imbue all with the same
spirit. I did not deal closely with those teachers, with the exception of
the Prioress, whom I know to be a soul as described by the Rules: full of
God, of charity and creativity.
Besides knowing Bellavite, I do not know any of the
teachers who were present at the beginning of this Work
and who are still teaching there, except the Prioress. What surprised me
and gave me great pleasure this year in this Institution has been the
great veneration and admirable dependence that all have towards the
Prioress.
I have other things to tell you on this matter, and on
the Missions, but I have no time, goodbye, dearest, until my next letter.
Goodbye
Your Magdalene
PS. I forgot to tell you, my dear, that here people are
afraid of a thunderstorm. Some time ago Niccolini's house was damaged by lightning. It might again
damage our gardens, what do you say? Let us remind Casati about the
lightning-conductor.
124
Uncle Borgia is very seriously ill and Magdalene feels
it deeply. She cannot wait to give her friend in Milan the longed-for
news: her brother, Marquis Bonifacio, has chosen young Countess Francesca
Castiglioni, as a bride, worthy of him, indeed. Durini knows her.
My beloved Carolina
5 November (1)803
Although both of us were prepared to bear up with one
another, when our correspondence is interrupted by a just reason, another
similarity unites us. You, my beloved friend have your mother-in-law unwell and I have my uncle who has already received Holy Viaticum 8 days ago and is still struggling
against death.
This time the disease is so far advanced that we have little hope that
he will recover. He seems, however, to still go on for some time.
I beg you, my dear, pray and ask for prayers for him, that the Lord may
grant him perseverance, patience and a holy death.
I must speak to you of another matter, my beloved
Carolina, but I confess that my head is so obstructed by these thoughts of
my uncle, that I doubt I shall be able to speak as I feel of a topic that
fills my family with joy. At last the Lord has expressed His Will to my
brother, and he has chosen Countess Francesca Castiglione
as his bride. You already understand who I mean, my dear. I mentioned the
title on purpose so that you may understand who she is: the daughter of
Castiglioni Crivelli. However, do not tell anybody
else what I am writing to you, except to your husband and our Viscontina,
until the matter is known also in Milan. I cannot dispense myself from
telling you this for a thousand reasons, among them, affection, and
friendship are the first ones. Goodbye, my beloved friend. I am going to
my uncle, who today, 7 November, when I end this letter, is very seriously
ill. Pray for him.
Your Magdalene
125
Magdalene is not well. A persistent cough prevents her
from writing, but she does not want to leave Durini without telling her
news. Stella is her secretary. Though she tries her best, she shows her
poor education. In fact, there are quite a lot of spelling mistakes,
even though the content reflects very much Magdalene’s thinking. It
contains news of a general nature.
Beloved Carolina
Today: 28 November (1)803
Do not worry, my dear Carolina, if this time I make use
of Stella to write to you. Beside my uncle Borgia,
who is always suffering, I am coughing continuously, but the cough is
diminishing and has forced me to be in bed only for one day for blood
letting. But it is difficult for me to write so that I take advantage of
our friendship to get help from somebody else; I am glad about the
improvement of your dear little nephew; it is
useless to tell you this, but, please, keep him away from the air because
you well remember what happened in Verona, as Doctor Zoppi
related to us when you were here. One day or the other I believe that you
will see my brother, who since Saturday is at his bride’s home in Mozzate;
I will write to you more by the next ordinary mail, hoping to be able to
do it myself.
Meanwhile, I embrace you wholeheartedly. My usual
compliments.
Goodbye. The secretary kisses your hands and begs you to
recommend her to the Lord, assuring you that she, too, will pray for you.
Again goodbye
Yours beloved Carolina
PS. Do not worry. This is just a little indisposition.
Your Magdalene
126
The young Countess Castiglioni is going to belong to
the Canossa Family and Magdalene is happy about this. She would like her
to be an example for the Veronese ladies both regarding fashions, and
about going to the theatre. She could do greater good than many
preachers together, through her dignified elegance and her refusal to
attend indecent shows. Arconati, who is her family’s friend,
recommended by Durini, could exhort her.
My dearest Carolina
4 December 1803
I start telling you that my cough is a great deal
better. However, my dear Carolina, if you can, do not tell my brother or
the Teacher that I have written to you, as it would seem that I have
neglected writing to the Castiglioni family. As a
fact, my strength allows me to write very little, and I have no time since
my uncle’s health remains poor and he does not leave me free even for a
moment.
I assure you that I am taking care of myself as much as possible, and
as much as the circumstances I am in, allow me. A proof of this is my
silence and this letter. To tire myself less, I am writing it in bed,
and I would not write to you at length if I did not hope that we could get
much good out of it.
To speak with our usual frankness and friendship, pray,
my dear, for your Magdalene who has, perhaps, never been in such great
need of prayer. On another occasion I’ll tell you the reasons. Meanwhile
pray for me.
You may have heard that my brother, at the moment I am writing to you,
has perhaps already got married. However, |
