LETTERS  OF

MAGDALENE OF CANOSSA

TO  COUNTESS  CAROLINA  DURINI

EP. I

151 - 200

201-250

My dearest Carolina,

2 April (1)805

How many things I would like to tell you, my dearest Carolina, but much more willingly I would tell them face to face, if I could, and if this would be a comfort to you.

          Alas! My dear friend, the Lord wants you to be totally his. For this the reason, I think, He has taken away a person so worthy of your affection. I am speaking in all sincerity. For a very long time I do not remember having felt so deeply the loss of anyone as this time, not even of one of my relatives. I imagine the situation you are in, seeing how many bonds, all aiming at the Divine Glory, are severed. God has done it, my dear. Let us adore His holy and merciful dispositions, with sorrow but also with consolation as well, because of the glory that this holy soul now enjoys, and for the love with which God has disposed this sorrow for you, my dear friend.

          Yes, dear Caroline, God will be also like a sister to you, for the short time you, and I too are separated. Your holy works will go on in the same way, because the Lord Himself will work in them, all the more.

          Sacrifice your sorrow willingly in the company of Mary Most Holy. In these holy times, try to calm your heart as far as possible with the thought of the happiness that your dear sister is enjoying and will enjoy eternally.

          You have so many proofs and have no reason at all to doubt. In spite of all this, my dear, I did not fail to provide prayers for her from everyone and for you as well. Fr. Pietro, has asked me to tell you a thousand things. He has assured me that he has prayed for you when he came to know about this. I begged him especially to tell Raimondi to pray. The Teacher, too, does not fail to pray during the Holy Sacrifice, but I do not think that she needs those prayers.       

         Yet I recommend him to pray for her in spite of this, since we have to follow the intentions of the Holy Church.

My dearest friend, my pen leaves you but not my heart. If you think I am able to comfort you in any way, command me in all freedom, to do whatever I can. Greet our dear Viscontina for me, to whom I am indebted for the news regarding yourself, and for the trouble she took in writing to me. I will write to her in the next ordinary mail. Goodbye, my dear, very dear Carlina. May the Lord be your strength and consolation. Goodbye, dear. My health is good. Goodbye.

Your Magdalene

PS. Do not tire yourself in writing to me. If our dear Luisa can, let her convey to me some news about you. I hope that she has received a letter from me. Again, goodbye.

My dearest Carolina

21 April 1805

From our Viscontina I hear enough news of your health, my beloved friend, and how I wish to boost up your courage.

I know that you have made the Spiritual Esercises this Lent. I hope that these have strengthened and consoled you.          

          However, do not write to me, my dear, because I fear that writing to me might disturb you more. Oh God, dear Carlina, how much happier than we, are those who have left this vale of tears and have reached their Homeland. Here below, we only hear of afflictions. I would like to write, if I can, to our Luisa, who, as I hear, is also mourning for the loss of her brother-in-law. Courage, my dear friend, courage. We, too, by the help of Divine Mercy will arrive at our eternal rest. God gives you a new assurance of this through the affliction He has sent you.

          My time for making the big decisions is drawing near, my dear. Remember me. When the things have been fixed, I will write to you. My health is quite well and I feel very well, except that I am saddened by your affliction.

          Goodbye, my dear, embrace our friend, if you cannot not write to her. Goodbye, I embrace you, and I am yours.

Your Magdalene

My dearest friend Carolina

(no date)

I suppose, my dear, that you have already returned from your trip to Piacenza. I hope you have benefited from it, spiritually, as well as physically. My dear Carolina, how much your last letter consoled me. May God grant you that spirit He wanted from you when He gave you the chance to make this big sacrifice. Do not doubt that what He has not yet given you, He will give you through the intercession of your sister, who, as not only you but many others who have known her firmly believe to be in Heaven. Do not doubt, however, that we shall pray for her in every way, and she will pray for us. What makes me suffer regarding you, my dear, forgive me if our friendship encourages me to go further, do you know what is it? It is that you are so disturbed. I would not wish that, as time goes by, when you do not feel so strongly the general detachment and that total abandonment in God which He now gives to you to sustain you, you would be doubly depressed. When you might not have sensible feelings like now, not for lack of knowledge, but for your usual delicate conscience, you might feel troubled, as it might seem to you that you are no longer attached to God alone.

           I have told the Archpriest Galvani to ask Raimondi to pray for you. Now, she is seriously ill. My dear friend, I recommend you to have courage in everything. Every day we are nearing Heaven and soon we will finally be there. Meanwhile, my dear, if the Lord does not allow new obstacles, I am close to the big moment when I will start on that road, that seems to be for me the road to Heaven. For love’s sake, renew, and ask others to renew their prayers for me. When Fr. De Vecchj returns to Milan, I will probably be able to tell you something precise. I know that you have done it in the past, but at present I need prayers even more, so that the Lord may dispose of everything in such a way that I may truly embrace His Divine Will. Goodbye, my dearest friend. I embrace you wholeheartedly. Remember not to strain yourself to write to me. Convey your news to me through our friend, if she can, or through Mrs Cecca whom I kindly beg you to greet. Goodbye, goodbye.

Your very affectionate Magdalene

My dearest Carolina

20 May (1) 805

I am preparing this letter, my dear, to hand it over to Fr. De Vecchi, who will be passing this way, today. You will get news of me from him, and perhaps also something more. In a short while I will write to you at length about my preoccupations which, together with your dear Magdalene, I beg you to keep close to the Lord in prayer.

          Though unworthy, I did not fail to pray especially for you after your last letter. My dear Carolina, please, revive your courage . The Lord will sustain you in your resignation, although I understand that such a situation naturally upsets you, and that such feelings will carry on for a long time. I wish that the thought of heaven and the design of love God has over you, will be your strength and support, at this time of whispers and rumours, which oppresses those already afflicted. Dear Carolina, pardon me if I am too straight forward because of my love for you. I see you are resigned, but yet very oppressed.

          I hope you have received another letter of mine answering the one you wrote to me before going to Piacenza.         

           Regarding, my dear, the young Boschetti, I did not yet find her relatives, as there are many families here with this name. Ask her to tell you which parish she belongs to and the location of her house. I am cautious in my search not to expose the girl, and this makes it even more difficult for me to find the way. However, as soon as I have found it, my dear, I will gladly try to reconcile her with her relatives.

          I beg you, my dear, to hand over to dear Viscontina the parcel of books Fr. De Vecchi will give you. Excuse me for sending it to you instead of sending it directly to her. I have no time to write to her. Embrace her for me; I will write to her with the Thursday ordinary mail. I wanted to send other books to both of you, but I have not been able to have them in time. I will send them on the first occasion. Goodbye dear, goodbye with all my heart.

Your Magdalene

My dearest Carolina

2 June 1805

In spite of searching so much, dear friend, I did not find any trace of the Boschetti family up to now. Kindly ask this poor young lady, my dear, in which parish, close to the Cathedral, she was staying, or at least, near to which church close to the Cathedral, she was living. Ask her if the cheese shop of her father was adjoining her house, or if it was located somewhere else. Then I will search again as quickly as possible to find it.

          I have sent the two letters to the Parish Priest of Isola della Scala, after adding the warmest recommendations, I knew. I expect an answer shortly and soon I will send it to you. Without compliments, my dear friend, in all liberty, command me freely for whatever I can do. May be by this time you have seen Fr. De Vecchi, my dear Carolina. Keep the news to yourself. You may have heard from him what his determination is, namely, that I follow my vocation, but remaining in Verona. In this ordinary post I cannot tell you more. However do not afflict yourself. Who knows that maybe one day we will meet again; and who knows, I may find insuperable obstacles, that may make us solve things in a different way?

          Meanwhile pray and ask people to pray much for me. I too will pray for you. Next time I will tell you about my fears. Meanwhile, get others to pray for me. I confess that it would be an indescribable consolation to be near you. The great affection that I have towards you would make me think that I could be of comfort to you for some moments. However I think God wants to be your only support. Try to amuse yourself as much as you can, because I see you very oppressed.

          Goodbye, dear, for love’s sake, do not reflect too much over yourself. God loves you very much. Trust in His unchangeable goodness and be as tranquil as you can.

           Goodbye, excuse me if my desire to see you cheered up, makes me go too far. Goodbye dear

Your Magdalene

My dearest Carolina

6 June 1805

The mail is leaving in a moment, my dear. I am sending you the answer of the Archpriest of Isola, who wrote to me assuring me of his great concern for the good outcome of the matter.

          Write to me more in detail regarding the Boschetti family, as I find no trace of it, though I have searched so much. Pray a lot for me.

Your Magdalene

My dearest Carolina

26 July (1)805

I will start by telling you, my dearest friend, that my sister has recovered, and also begins to feel well again. In spite of the physician’s fears and of an apparent serious illness, in four days, thanks to the Lord, the fever has subsided. Knowing your goodness, I start my letter from this point. In my last letter I wondered, rather I thought of giving you some trouble regarding providing subsistence to the Franciscan Religious of Isola. But now those of the place think that they have received the grace for their subsistence. So I thank you also on their behalf, for the good you would have done for them. And I also, dear Carolina, thank you. When will you be coming? Do not raise so many fears, and if you can, do not consider it a lot of difficulty. Dear friend, certainly, I will not go against the Divine Will. However, I would not wish that it is your extreme courteousness that deprives me of this joy. I did not even see the Visconti of Cremona.         

          Write to me something about yourself first, and then also about her.

          I had the answer from the Parish Priest of Isola. It is contrary to our desires. I wanted to include it in this letter, but I think, instead, I will tell you about it briefly. He tells me, that the brothers of Stovara do not want to accept her, because one of them is in such a state of poverty that he is sickly and is trying to get into the hospital. The other is a waiter in an inn in another village outside Isola. The Parish priest says that not even this brother can receive her. My dear Carlina, think of another way to find some employment and lodging for this poor girl, suitable for her soul. Write to me and I too, will try some other ways to help her. For example, if, beside her brothers, she has some other relatives where she could be well placed.

          Regarding your beloved Magdalene my dear, she is in her usual situation, and she needs much prayer. I am paying attention to the destination of some pious place, that could be vacated according to what they say here. Or if the storm has really subsided, things will be decided soon. It seems to me, my dear, that it is more useful for the work I have in hand, that I wait for some more time, rather than establish ourselves in a place, and afterwards realize that we could have settled down in a better one.

          Then, if God will gracefully save, as I desire, all the places consecrated to Him, I can peacefully try to buy a place, choosing the one which seems the best, as here we have many of them. Meanwhile, dear, pray for me, that the Lord Himself may plant this work, according to His heart. Goodbye, my dear friend

your Magdalene

Dearly beloved Carolina

12 September (1)805

I may seem negligent to you, my dearest friend, in replying to your most esteemed letter, which I have received from Marquis Casati. But be reassured that it was only the impossibility of writing that produces my silence. I cannot spend too many words in giving reasons, being sure that you, knowing how much I love you, are convinced that being unable to write costs me very much. When writing to you I cannot bring myself to use another person to do so.

          I did not have the fortune to see Casati when he came to Verona. I think I was with my girls. He kindly wrote to me, including your dear letter, and promised to come to see me on his return, which would be on the 18^th , but I believe it is impossible that he will return in such a short time. Your health, my dear Carolina, worries me, greatly. Ah! why am I not close to you? And why do your doctors not send you to Mont'Ortone? .

          Without tiring yourself to write, give me news of yourself through anyone you want, provided I come to know it, but I recommend to you, please be sincere. I do not have courage to ask our friend Luisa, to whom I owe so many replies. Tell her, however, many things for me. Be assured that we do not forget to pray for you, with our poor prayers. Do pray for us too.

          I thank you for your concern and for the good person, you introduced to me, to deal with the matter regarding my vocation. These are still the same. I will take advantage of this. Not being able to write at length, you will come to know the result orally. You, too, do not worry about me if war breaks out. This time it afflicts me, as it does everyone who has some sense of humanity and reasoning. But I am not afraid, as at other times, I think it is because I have got accustomed to it. Goodbye, dear, dear friend. Take care of yourself, but really, start caring for yourself by trying to amuse yourself. I embrace you, and I am wholeheartedly.

Your very affectionate friend

Magdalene

My dearest Carlina

27 September (1)805

I hoped, my beloved friend, to have some news about you, at least after Marquis Casati's arrival in Milan, having confided to him how much your silence pains me. I confess that I hoped that he would persuade you to give me some news, or to have it sent to me with sincerity. But I fear that you are sick, my dear Carolina, and for fear of afflicting me, you do not want to tell me anything. I assure you, my dear, that in this way you give me a double affliction, because of the great affection I have for you. I beg you as much as I can, if not through others, at least through Mrs Cecca whom I dearly greet, to tell me something about how you are, and as soon as possible.

          You might have heard from the same Marquis Casati about my good health and the situation of my affairs. I do not have anything else to say, for the time being. Having taken advantage of your kind suggestion, I have found him willing to help me in my case. He may have told you also that I had the great pleasure of speaking at length with the Visconti of Cremona, who had the goodness also to come and see my girls. She spoke much of her institution and I am even more than ever convinced that to establish everything in a stable way, one must first train those, who in turn will train the others, that is…

          I have greatly admired the goodness and humility of this noble lady. And I thank the one who has given me the opportunity of knowing the one and the other.

         Dear Carolina, I embrace you wholeheartedly. Write to me, or get someone to write to me immediately. Goodbye.

Your Magdalene

My dearest friend Verona

28 October (1)805

The mail that is about to be despatched allows me only a moment, my dear, to give you some news, which, thanks to the Lord, is excellent. I cannot extend my thanks to you for your concern for me and for my family, as I am in a hurry . I am very grateful to you for it. The situation of our new house is so good, that on the day of the battle, although so near the city, we hardly heard any noise. We did not suffer at all, and our house which is located opposite to the battle, was only slightly damaged. They tell us that both garrisons of the so called two Veronas, will try not to damage the city if they have to attack one another again. My dear, do not worry about me. I am not at all afraid. Only pray and make people to pray for us, that God may bring peace to this city, which, in spite of the great discipline of the troops, is under great pressure. If you can, even this time, try to send news of me to our friend. I embrace you heartily.

Your very obliged and affectionate

Friend, Magdalene of Canossa

My dearest Carolina

Verona 17 November 1805

I have always had news about you from our common friend, my dear Carolina. I am happy to hear that your health is getting better day by day, after being in the country-side. I would have preferred that instead of running into winter, we were running into the summer so that you could stay there until you were completely well. I would not like, my dear, that on your return to Milan, to make up for the time you think you have lost, although this is not so, you go back to your occupations with so much activity, as to lose completely the little that you have may gained.

          Dear friend, do not be so afraid of inactivity, as, indeed, you have no reason to think yourself so. Rather I am afraid that you may deprive yourself of that little bit of health you have, which you have to preserve in order to serve the Lord longer, and for the consolation of your Magdalene. After having spoken of your health, here I am to tell you that mine is excellent; thanks to God, I had no fears in the battles of these days. My sister-in-law did not suffer at all and all of us are excellently well.

          Instead, I am sorry to see that the carrying out of my resolutions have been somewhat held up, because, unless the will of the Lord is clear, in the present circumstances, it would appear more opportune and prudent to wait. Continue, my dear, to pray for me, that I may profit from this delay, to prepare myself for this work, by acquiring all the virtues I lack, this being the reason why the Lord does not fulfil my desires. Therefore, for this purpose, I beg of you to have me commended to the Blessed Virgin once again by those good people whom you know, since I am in great need

          I write at length to you, my dear, sending you this letter through the special occasion of Marquis Casati’s coming.     

          If you are in Milan, convey my greetings to dear Luisa. Otherwise do it when you will see her. I heartily embrace you, my dear friend, and I am forever, beloved Carolina

your very affectionate friend

Magdalene Canossa

PS. I never told you that during those battles we lodged in the Boys’ Retreat of Fr. Leonardi. He is always in the Military Hospitals where great and continuous conversions are taking place. He works together with Fr. Carlo Steeb, some Filippini, the Capuchins , Franciscans and others. beside our priests, who help equally the body and the soul. Fr. Pietro is the head. It seems impossible that he withstands so much fatigue. Fr. Steeb is happy to see several Austrian schismatics and heretics return to the Holy Church. The first step to take with these people is physical assistance. I imagine that in Milan, they will be taken care of well, in everything, by all of you, because you have a big Hospital. But you fear about the spiritual assistance. My dear, encourage the Heads of your Holy Institution, and give them the example of Verona. I would like you too to have the merit of the conversion and salvation of so many souls. Here, almost all the officials too are converted. Goodbye again, my dear. This letter was not finished before the departure of Carlotti, so that I am sending it to you by post.

My dearest Carolina

22 February 1806

If possible, I want to write to you many, many things, my dearest Carolina, since it has been a long time that, for lack of physical time I was not able to entertain myself with you. First of all let me say that my health is excellent, and that the weakness of my stomach is much better. Besides, with the lodging of the Princes, I have been very busy because my Carlino, who has had an acute illness of the chest, that worries me. But he has almost recovered from it. Our Viscontina may have told you that, at the moment, my good sister-in-law is in bed. She gave birth to a baby-girl last Saturday, and is very well. All this takes my time, my dear. But let us come to ourselves.

           You will be given the letter of Fr. Pietro who is still in the country-side, and is slowly recovering from his illness. You have been very well informed about my feathers, but as far as our plans are concerned I knew and I could do nothing. I may have been presented for about two minutes, if it is true. After that, to avoid being invited to those dances and festivals, as rumours say, and to other similar meetings, I felt the need to say, or to ask others to say, that my system of life is quite a retired one, and away from the world, a thing that was easily believed, as I presented myself with feathers and with frills, out of my usual way of dressing, but in the same ordinary form of clothing. Therefore, I was not called, nor introduced any more. I tried to see if I could succeed in getting acquainted with the Bavarian Governess , who, they say, dresses modestly and is also good, but it was not possible. If you have a way to approach that party, it would be the only means I know in Milan. My dear friend, true Christian courage is necessary in your Milanese ladies.      

          The Princess is fundamentally good, but she is very young, and I feel compassion for her because she is in the midst of such corruption.

          To restrain this stream, we need, my dear, to embank it closer to the first source. Another time I will tell you what I think on this point. But if you have the means meanwhile, do not forget the Bavarian ladies. They are very attached to the Princess, and rightly so. She deserves it, and to have her loved and respected by the people, they would understand and help. The younger of the two was also dressing quite modestly. In Milan they would say that she was very modest. I did not see her, but they told me that she was modest, even by our standards.

          Concerning my matters, this is what I did, my dear. I wanted to try to keep a Convent in a village opened, since the suppression of it would be the ruin of the youth and the poor sick people, and to present that Memorial I involved Verri, according to your advice. I will hear about the result later, since she promised to do it in Milan.

          I also became acquainted with the Marchioness Litta , because one evening I paid her a visit, as she too was lodging in the house. They teased me a lot about the Veronese ladies. But regarding my girls and my attire, I took the chance to ask Litta for the permission to write her a letter, if I needed it. To this question she replied gently to me and with a lot of concern. I, however, asked the question in general, thinking more about the Teresas and not about my girls.

          It is up to me now, my dear, to recommend myself to you and to Casati, because without bringing up this idea, you and I should be informed of the moment when we can deal with our Monasteries, before the Decree takes effect, either with Litta, if you think so, or as you and Marquis Casati will think best.

          Goodbye dear Carlina. I have so many other things to tell you, but I am tired of writing. I will write to you as soon as possible. I do not fail to remember you and dear Luisa in my poor prayers. I embrace her too. Please pray the Holy Sorrowful Virgin for me. Goodbye heartily, I am

All Yours Magdalene

PS. Kindly get information , my dear, if your Salesians are allowed to wear a habit and if they can, at what age and under what conditions they accept a youth, who wishes to be a Salesian.

Magdalene has no time to write, but she needs to know if the Rescripts are effective also on the territories of the right bank of the Adige, where Magdalene had set her eyes on a place. Would Durini be able, with prudence, to find out about this?

My beloved Carolina

16 March (1)806

I thank you, my beloved Carolina, for all the trouble you have undertaken, and for the news you give me. Today I have been at the Teresas who are very grateful, and I have told Nicolini, who, to her deep sorrow, has been appointed Superior again, to pray for you. Soon after receiving your dear letters, I asked her to tell the nuns to offer a general Holy Communion for you. Do not be afraid, my dear Carlina. The Lord will assist you. Cheer up and do not fear so much.      

            The Raimondi, too, will pray for you. Be calm. Regarding the matters you kindly wrote to me about, here we are in great suspense, because they say that Napoleon’s Code will be out on the first of April, and that this will have some terrible consequences.

             I still have some hope that, for Italy, many of its articles will be modified. If it comes into force as it did in France, I too would be in trouble regarding the house of my girls and the value of this house. Or, to explain it better, the value on which monastic capitals are based, of which I pay the interest. If you know, my dear, anything definite about the time of the publication of the Code, and if this will affect the Monasteries, do me the favour of giving me some information about it. I will regulate myself accordingly, with regard to my small and poor work, and also for my poor Teresas. Subsequently, I will speak, or I will let the Prefect speak about what you so kindly wrote to me. And thinking again, I also feel that we could involve Litta in the matter of the Nuns. I believe that she would be the right person, if we have to deal with an appeal for the house of the girls.

             I do not remember if I told you, my dear, that Verri is involved in presenting a Memorandum so that a Monastery of the Franciscans may be given back, because its absence causes a great spiritual damage to a big place. Since you have the means to do so, you will do me a great charity. Please, can you solicit her on my behalf? I do not know anything about the young lady who wants to become a Salesian. I will disturb you again, in case she makes up her mind. May the Lord bless the words you will say to the Governess.

              My dear, if he will show us other means we will try them. Embrace Viscontina for me and tell her that this year, as far as I know, there will not be the function of the Three Hours.

Goodbye, my dear, I leave you in the arms of Our Lady of Sorrows who, no doubt, will be your strength and will give you that comfort which, I understand, you are in need of, if you lean on Her. Do pray, and ask people to pray for me. You can imagine that, like you, I too have a great need for prayer. Goodbye, dear, I am wholeheartedly

My beloved friend

Verona 2 April (1)806

I have not received any news of you through the last few some ordinary mails, dear friend. I suppose that the reason is that you are at prayer, and I feel happy because I hope that you will also remember me. With all good reasons you will tell me that, in these holy days, it would be better that I pray rather than write. But, my dear, the matter is urgent, and I am forced to disturb you even if it is the day of Easter, since a delay could greatly jeopardize the matter. You already know that I have accepted your kind concern, regarding soliciting Verri in the matter of putting back a convent of Religious, in a village where they have done a lot of good.

           Now there is a new development, and with some handling, I believe it will be easier to involve the Minister of Cult in our favour. It is necessary that I tell you the whole thing, so that you may understand me well, my dear Carlina.     

          At the moment when the concentration of the various Monasteries took place as the Decree of last year commanded, for the whole Kingdom, one of the Monasteries of the Minors of strict Observance that was suppressed, was that of Isola della Scala, a village partly under Verona and partly under Mantua. But in the past, it was considered a Veronese village. The same decree permitted another Monastery of the same Minors at Ostiglia, to carry on. This Convent is composed of only a few subjects, is dilapidated, in a bad state, and just for such a motive, ordinarily not suited for living in.

            The Municipality of Isola appealed strongly to the Office of Cult in Milan, since the suppression of their Convent would be a notable damage to the country. But since the Decree was already published, the Minister was resolved to satisfy those of Isola della Scala, but, in order to have a valid motive for exemption he wanted to have a proof of what I told you above about the Religious of Ostiglia. The Guardian was very disposed to do it, but the inhabitants of Ostiglia opposed him strongly. Therefore for lack of a certificate the Decree was carried out, and the Convent of Isola was suppressed, and that of Ostiglia remained.

          At present, having experienced that the continuance of the other monastery would be better, the Religious of Ostiglia spontaneously sent a petition to the Prefect of Mantua, a copy of which is enclosed here, in which they ask exactly what we had desired. Here is, therefore, my dear, what I would like from you. You will naturally know up to what point Countess Verri can negotiate. If you think it is superfluous to explain all the reasons I mentioned because we can obtain it without them, please, solicit the matter, and do not use it. If you think otherwise, inform Verri, so that she may approach the Minister, as all the steps in Mantua have already been taken.

          Note that Verri does not know anything about the matter of Ostiglia, not even the beginning, since I simply begged her to present the Memorandum so that the Convent of Isola may be returned. I did not tell her anything more because at that time it was superfluous. If you think I should write to Verri, let me know. I have no difficulty in doing that. If you will think it better to involve our Prefect, I will let him know. In short, tell me what you think is the better thing I can do. I do not know how to straighten out this matter since it affects so many souls. Dear Carolina, forgive me. I embrace you with all my heart, and with all my affection, wishing you a happy Easter, goodbye

Your Magdalene

My beloved Carlina

24 April 1806

I have received two very precious letters of yours, and two also from our dear Visconti. I have also received the French books for Fr. Carlo, who thanks you with all his heart. I too do the same for all the trouble both of you have undertaken. Oh God! My dear friend, what on earth is happening to this poor Verona; the Parishes are being restricted and closed. I hope this will all come to an end soon! I would not have dreamt of seeing so much sorrow in this people.

          Let us come to ourselves now. We need to pray, my dear, as you say. Let us speak of what remains, and of what we have already spoken about. The Prefectures in Mantua, and Verona are both in favour of the re-establishment of the Convent of Isola. The Convent of Ostiglia has already been suppressed. Only I feel sorry because those Religious have been added on to the Convent of the Graces in Mantua. In spite of all this, let us not lose courage. When the Decree of last year was to be implemented, Giudici was determined and ready to allow the survival of the convent of Isola instead of that of Ostiglia, provided the number of religious remained the same.

          The Prefecture in Verona does not want to appeal to the Minister for the Cult, since it had received an order from the same Minister, during the execution of the first decree, that appeals will not be received anymore. But if the Minister himself will ask for information, that will be the most favourable way. Therefore, my dear, in the next ordinary mail, I will write to Verri. I will send her the Memorandum of the Municipality for the Minister, as it was not possible, though I solicited as much as I could, to take all steps in Mantua, and in Verona, and also to have the Memorandum.

          I think it would be good, if you could do me the favour to inform Verri about all this, because dear Carlina, I have no strength in my stomach to write so much. Beg her for me, if, meanwhile, by word, she could approach the Minister, informing him in our favour, so that in this brief interval, there may not be any other appeals from Mantua, and so that no other place may be re-admitted instead of that of Isola. Note that Giudici was well disposed, if those of Ostiglia were willing to let it go.

         Giudici passed this way the other day, but the matter was so secret that nothing was known until after his departure. They assure me that no absolute decision has yet been taken regarding the Monasteries, that is, which ones will remain and which ones will be grouped together.

          The present Prefect gave me hope about the Teresas, as they are the only institute whose members are considered semi-mendicant. They have the required number, having 21 Choir Sisters, beside the Extern Sisters, the Postulants and the Boarders. I do hope they will not think of joining them to those of Vicenza, of Padua, or of Venice, because they are all from Verona. I warmly recommend them to your charity and dexterity, and to the charity and dexterity of Marquis Casati.

          You already know that they desire nothing but to live in their nest, alone with God alone. If they will allow them to live there, they will carry out their duty, and they will receive it; but they do not ask for anything. When the new Prefect comes I will look for support from him. Meanwhile I recommend them to you. As for Isola we are certain to get support in every way, because the alderman of the Minister for the Cult has been persuaded about it. I had asked dear Viscontina for some suggestions regarding a Monastery in Verona, called St. George, which was previously under the Austrians, In fact I wrote to Venice because that convent could be useful for education, for the poor of that parish and to that Church which is a parish. But I already hear a thousand comforting news about it. So I do not bother you for this. Only tell this to dear Viscounti and to Casati, so that in case they hear about it, they too will cooperate. I blush to give you so much trouble, although it means doing some good. Yet I know I am always bothering you.

My beloved Carolina

28 April (1806)

With this ordinary mail, I am sending the Memorandum of Isola to Verri. If you happen to see her, solicit her, I beg you. Know, my dear, that the Commune is busy, and it gets more and more busy. This is because something great has happened. I will write to you about it on other occasion. I think it is better not to mention it to Verri. I tell you this, my dear, because amid all the trouble, you have taken for me, you may be happy to see that you are doing something very acceptable to God. We only need to have faith.

          Dear Carolina, my family is about to go to the countryside for some months. They allow me to stay on in the city, and also to live with my girls. If the Blessed Virgin will dispose that this comes true, even though they wish me to return home in the evening to sleep, the step is already a good one. The ascent begins. Pray, dear friend, for your Magdalene, who needs strength and virtue, in a word, everything.

          I will write to you about the outcome of my hopes. May the Lord grant that I benefit from His many divine mercies. Ask dear Viscontina too to pray for me. The Teresas need the help of Milan in order to stay on. I do not recommend them to you, because it is superfluous, I only assure you that they will correspond with you and Casati through the support of their prayers. Goodbye dear.

Your Magdalene

Your Magdalene

(No date. The letter was sent on 22 May 1806).

My dearest Carolina, in the last postal delivery I received a letter from Verri. My dear, I have the consolation to tell you that she has kindly informed me that the Decree has been issued in favour of Isola. I cannot tell you how consoled I feel, and I cannot describe the consolation of those people of the village to whom I have communicated the news. I also thank you for everything, and do not doubt that when the Decree will be published here, I will request those good Religious to pray particularly for you, who have had the greatest hand in this matter. I will write to Verri too. But if you see her, thank her also for me. Goodbye most heartily. Please pray to Mary Most Holy for

Your Magdalene

Beloved Carlina

3 July (1)806

I am writing in this ordinary delivery, also to our Viscontina. My dear, you, too, must forgive my delay in writing, which,  I assure you, was unintentional. I must answer to a letter of yours from which, if I did not know you, I would have judged that you do not love me anymore. You express so many excuses, while you have done me only a lot of favours. And supposing there was, which I assure you is not so, a deception in your way of description, you make a lot of apologies to your Magdalene. I beg you, my beloved Carlina, please do not use such terms with me. Rather, I thank you for everything, and for your peace I also add that not only from your letter, but here in Verona, and in Isola, I heard reasons contrary to those we had expressed.

          I am asking someone else to write, my dear, since I have some fever with a light expulsion, as there is influenza in our country. Today, I have no fever and I am put of bed. But you already know my usual difficulty in writing, and every little thing makes it still more difficult for me to write. I received your regards and news of you from the Missionary Canon Pacetti. He will have also given you mine. Before leaving for Venice he left me a letter with an enclosed petition for the Minister of Internal Affairs. As I have had no special occasion to send it, I think it is best I send it to you by mail. Your charity makes any solicitation on this matter superfluous. I suppose that the Canon is determined to give you this trouble, because his companion who was in Milan, was a preacher in the jails, and had no heart to be away from there.

          My Teresas send you, through me, their heartfelt gratitude in hearing the news spread around here of their financial support. This news seems to be supported by an imperial decree. They will make a general holy communion, for you and for Marquis Casati.

           If I could tell you how much I am grateful to you for Nicolini, who is now Superior, I would write until tomorrow. Goodbye , dear Carlina. I embrace you wholeheartedly. Remember me.

Your very affectionate Magdalene

My beloved Carolina

Verona 17 August 1806

Just a few lines to tell you that I am very well, my dear Carlina. Somebody else is writing for me, because I know that you want it this way, and because I am still weak, although the inconvenience was not much. I think they call it chicken-pox. However I assure you that I have recovered, and that I feel much better.

          Embrace for me dear Viscontina, goodbye; remember to pray for me, and to ask others to pray for me.

I cannot but tell you that I hope to see you in Verona, as you have planned last year. Many compliments to Marquis Casati. My Teresas desire that I renew their thanks to both of them. Goodbye, again, I embrace you heartily and I am

Your Magdalene

Beloved Carlina

31 August (1)806

I was pleased to hear excellent news about you from Marquis Casati, my dear friend, but at the same time, I am confused to see, my dear, that you always want to disturb yourself. The ring is very dear to me for what it represents, and for the one who sends it to me, and because such a holy soul, wore it. Even Monsignor Pacetti related to me many things about her and the very rare divine gifts she possessed.

          But if you are sending it so that I may remember you, I confess that I told even Casati, that you could have spared such a gift since you are present to me more than other person.

           I warmly thank you for it, but I also remind you to recommend me very much to the portrait on the ring. I, too, will not forget to pray for you. I have perfectly recovered from the little illness I have had, and, to prove it, I will tell you, that I have made a trip to our mountains, to the famous sanctuary of the Holy Virgin, called Madonna della Corona, and I really enjoyed myself.

          I have talked at length about all our business with Casati, to whom I am really very grateful. I have done what you suggested last year, I have asked him his opinion on every thing, knowing how good, shrewd and prudent he is. I hope that he will return to Milan passing through this same road of Verona. Then, I will be able to listen better to his suggestions. Perhaps, I will then have to trouble both of you again, or perhaps not. Meanwhile, my dear, recommend me to Mary Most Holy. We have talked also about that Memorandum I sent you, which was handed to me by Canon Pacetti..

          He was kind to get information here about the matter, because I did not know anything about it. He told me he has found a case needing assistance. Then he taught me how to draw up a new Memorandum. I am afraid of not knowing how to do it well as he told me. Therefore, I will try to follow, but if I will not succeed I will wait for the return of Pacetti. He had told Casati as well to wait for his return. But Casati replied to me that he regrets that in this way a deserving case may have to remain in jail for a longer time.

          Hence, my dear, if I ever succeed in doing it, I will have to disturb you again. Every time we have to see each other something or the other happens. Dear Carlina! Is it possible that every year new obstacles have to arise? I, too, was almost on the point of coming to Milan. But even on my part I did not see the thing work out. But now let us not speak of this.

          I have heard with inexpressible joy that dear Viscontina, to whom I will write as soon as possible, and to whom I beg you to convey my compliments, comes to start her holy work in your house. I am so glad because it will be a great relief for her, especially because of her bereavement, and I rejoiced because, besides the good you will accomplish, this will be a relief to you as well, and comfort too, if your Milanese girls are like our Veronese ones. Goodbye dear, my very dear friend. I embrace you wholeheartedly and I am full of affection.

Your Magdalene

176

Beloved Carolina

(No date)

After having received your very precious letter of the 10^th, my very dear friend, to which I replied, as you well know, I received, three days ago, a letter from our State Property Office. It tells me that the General Direction of the State Property Office does not think of accepting the appeal, as it is not endorsed by some support from the primary local authority, but asserting that such a Pious place is for charitable purposes. Considering this, soon I will be able to take advantage of the decisions that will be issued regarding the sale of properties available from the State Property Office.

          I confess that, my dear Carlina, this letter mortified me quite a lot, especially for the reasons I told you about in my last letter, and also for fear of not seeing close at hand, the moment I hope to be able to start to do some good.

          However, as a consequence of this answer, I asked for a certificate for the utility and existence of my work, and the need of a place to extend it, and how much in need the famous street of St. Zeno is. Then I had to get one from our Capitular Vicar and one from the Municipality of Verona. Then, as consequence of my appeal to the Prefecture, the Secretary, in the absence of the Prefect who is in Milan, attached to my request today to our office of the State Property, a Decree similar to the certificates, the same two certificates to this Office of our State Property Office, which will send them to Milan tomorrow, when I will send you this letter of mine. Now, my dear, what remains is that you do me the favour to solicit the matter over there, seeing that, as nothing is missing now, they may favour the request.

          It will not be difficult for you also to investigate the motive for this first negative answer, because, according to what you wrote to me, some doubts came later. I have also thought, in the absence of our Prefect who is in Milan, to get an informative letter and of recommendation to the same Prefect from one of his friends, so that he may favour the matter. I do not know, however, if this letter will arrive on time, before he departs from there. But in any case, the proper papers have departed, and this will be something additional. If you can, write to me, one way or another, especially if I have to take other steps. Goodbye dear. I thank you for everything. My compliments to Marquis Casati.      

          Pray a great deal for me. With my usual hurry and gratitude, I embrace you. Goodbye

Your Magdalene

Beloved Carolina

Verona 13 January 1807

I always have to start with a thousand thanks, my dear friend, for all your care, and for troubling you such a lot.

          I would have liked my dear, to purchase the convent, but the scarcity of my means makes it impossible for me to do so now. You are my friend and I, who can talk to you freely, wish to tell you that though I was with my girls for many days and nights, the affection of my family does not see me yet in any way separated from them. To keep me somehow bound to them, they only give me what we call a little pocket money, except when they go to the country-side, and they welcome me back warmly when I come home.

          As soon as I have this place, I am in agreement with them that I will go to live there permanently. We have agreed th