Lac La Biche - History - Religious Communities

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NUNS

Propagation 2

Since the beginning of March, many families have been reduced to begging. Generous Father Leduc has authorized us to give food to those who are hungry. It is fortunate that we have a lot of remaining fish, as these poor, famished people are not embarrassed to come beg for food: one would think that the fish belonged to them rather than to us; they drink and eat without considering offering us even the smallest service. The other day when she had finished serving these poor people, Sister St. Michel said to one young man who was about 16 years old, "Alexis, come on and bring in a few armfuls of wood!" He did it, but two days later when he came again to eat, he asked for his payment. When it was my turn to serve them, I noticed another young man who was so poorly dressed that I felt sorry for him, it being so cold outside. I asked him if he would like to work in exchange for a pair of pants that he most certainly needed; I thought my proposition would make him rejoice. Not at all. He became pensive, reflected for a long time, and, with a sigh, asked, "What will you make me do?" He thought that he was well enough dressed; I had to turn around to laugh. Poor savages, they are more frightened of work than of misery! It’s the result of their poor education. As you are well aware, the education of the children here is the base of a civilized future for the people, but alas, our resources are so limited, so limited that we might even be forced to abandon the little that we have already undertaken with this goal in mind. We hope so much to be rescued by the charitable and generous souls of our Canada. As you have mentioned in your letters, already some people have already made great sacrifices on account of our work. Please let me ask for your intervention to ensure that these generous benefactors are aware of our deep feelings of respect and gratitude.

I have not yet described the blessing that fell upon us during the pre-Lenten period. For the first time, we had the ineffable joy to have the 40 Hours. A great number of our poor people came to the services. Beyond these times, only the people of the Mission were able to enjoy the delicious comfort of faithfully staying by the side of our Dear Lord Jesus. Our dear children also came one by one into His saintly presence to pray for their benefactors and benefactresses, among whom you are not the last.

During the night of Maundy Thursday to Good Friday, we organized ourselves so as to always have two or three people from the house with the Blessed Sacrament. Our children asked for and obtained the permission to have their turn on the watch. I was thrilled to see them hurry to get out of bed for their turn at the altar. Some of the littlest ones slept a bit at the feet of the Divine Master, but I’m sure He did not take offense. The storms that continually plague us kept most of our people from coming on Holy Saturday, as instead they retreated into their homes. The weather was a little better on Easter Sunday, and almost all of the Catholics came to the church; there was a crowd. After the Holy Mass, a magnificent 35-foot cross was erected opposite our house on the edge of the lake. This pious monument had a profound impression on our poor people. I assure you that our zealous missionaries spare no expense for the promotion of the reign of Our Saviour Jesus Christ in this part of the cups that have been entrusted to their protection.

A quick word about our harvest: 150 bushels of barley and 138 bales of bad hay are all we have. Since last autumn, we have already eaten almost 80 bales. We estimate that we will sow 80 bales this spring, and beyond that we will just have to eat biscuits, etc. etc. from now until the next crop. Our potatoes kept well this winter; our garden crop was very small, and this year we will gather even less as we have so few seeds to plant. Those from your charity that we had hoped for will arrive too late, our men will not have returned from Carlton with our things before the beginning of June. Our chickens are still alive, but only because of our care to winter them and to keep them away from the dogs.

It seems to me, Dear Mother, that you would not be satisfied if I ended this long letter without saying a word about all of us. Our health is weak; however, all of us manage to keep up with the workload as well as can be expected. The devotion of our dear girls merits high praise. Often, I cheer myself up by considering the wealth that they are earning for themselves in eternity; their health is good.

Good and compassionate Mother, I am including with this letter a short list of articles that we need the most desperately, in the hope that you will once again find sensitive and generous souls who will not refuse to come to our rescue.

Please excuse the lack of continuity in this letter. We are so occupied with preparing the clothing, the provisions, etc., of the Missionaries who are continually coming and going that it is impossible for me to write in a more orderly fashion.

My Dear Sisters will write to you.

This letter would not be complete if I did not write something for our unknown Benefactor; the fact that we are ignorant of his name is no obstacle to the gratitude that we feel towards him. I took upon myself the task of expressing our feelings to him, and I am certain that it would be your pleasure to convey these in my place.

For two days now, the weather has been good; if this continues, we will soon be welcoming spring, which we anxiously await. Hay is rare and our animals are thin. I worry that many will die. Just today, April 12th, we’ve heard that the dike at the mill is broken, which means a lack of bread. The travelers take with them the little bit of flour that we have left. At the house, we live as well as we can. At least we have lots of fish to eat.

If I ever have the chance to see you once more, Dear Mother, that day would be one of the happiest of my life.

Please convey my respectful and filial sentiments to our Very Honorable Mother and know that you, Very Dear Sister Assistant, are thought of affectionately and with gratitude.

Devotedly yours in Our Saviour,

Sister Youville,
Sister of Charity