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Title: Coogan, Michael (Brother Declan) to Coogan (n. Nolan), Catherine, 1863
ID6315
CollectionCarlow-Coogan Letters
Filecoogan/4
Year1863
SenderCoogan, Michael (Brother Declan)
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationmonk/shoemaker
Sender Religionunknown
OriginMt. Melleray, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford
DestinationBallyloughan, Co. Carlow, Ireland
RecipientCoogan (n. Nolan), Catherine
Recipient Genderfemale
Relationshipson-mother
Source
Archive
Doc. No.
Date
Partial Date
Doc. Type
Logunknown
Word Count358
Genreentering the monastery, request for baptism certificate
Note
TranscriptMount Melleray
April 1, 1863

My Dear Mother, Brothers, and Sisters,

After a long and tiresome voyage I arrived at Cappoquin at 10 O' clock on Tuesday night where I got a very honest lodging and started this morning for here where I was received by Tom Joyce and all the brothers with the greatest kindness that could be at all. I was brought into a beautiful room which I was told was my own and remained there for a short time and was then conducted into the Chapel where I got three masses and was then brought by the Abbot into a room where I stood a close examination.

But thanks be to God I was received and will be learned to sing in the choir. I had to sing a hymn for him, and mind you that's a very good business.
But what surprised me more than all when I was called down to my dinner who was [there but] Father O' Bearne [?] and he leaped with joy when he saw me so far from home.

Go to any of the priests quick [and get] the certificate of Baptism in their own handwriting and send it the moment you get this for I cannot join the community till I get it--nor can't get the habit either, so don't delay.
Don't at all fret for me for I could not describe to you how happy I am. If heaven ever was anywhere, it's here. Nothing but priests everywhere I turn, so let my mother not attempt to fret for she'll get what she never expected--thousands of Masses for her soul.
You need not make any report about me till I write again before Sunday, but send that certificate as quick as possible. Poor Father O' Bearne enquired for you all and was overjoyed at seeing me.

No more at present from your son,
MC

Don't show this to Father Morris till I write again for no one will see it but one brother! Mind the way you will write now for Abbot must read it.
Direct to Mt. Melleray Monastery, Co. Waterford for MC