| Title: | Coogan, Michael (Brother Declan) to Coogan, William, 1872 |
|---|---|
| ID | 6337 |
| Collection | Carlow-Coogan Letters |
| File | coogan/26 |
| Year | 1872 |
| Sender | Coogan, Michael (Brother Declan) |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | monk/shoemaker |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Mt. Melleray, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford |
| Destination | Harlem, NYC, USA |
| Recipient | Coogan, William |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 552 |
| Genre | reprimand for not writing, his mother's health, prayer, enquiry about his brother's religious practices, Father Bruke in America |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Mount Melleray August 16th, 1872 My Very Dear Brother, I think it untimely [?] to make an excuse for delaying my answer so long; the very long silence with which you teased me is amply sufficient to claim for me a large excuse. Nevertheless charity is by means injured between us, for you are all as dear to my heart as ever. I'm delighted to hear that my poor Mother is yet living and continuing pretty stout. Let her avoid as much as she can the influence of the very strong heat which has such a very bad effect. The mortality occasioned by sunstroke should be to you all an additional reason to do all in your power to keep yourselves in the Grace and Friendship of God as you know not when some of you might be called away, and death without the Grace of God is but a passage to eternal torments. I pray for you all every day without exception and I now claim a share in all your prayers, that is, in the prayers of you all as I'm not very well in health for some few weeks past but I hope to be well shortly. It's not very serious so don't be uneasy. I was sorry to hear of sister Margaret and her husband being ill. I had the prayers of the Community offered for them soon after receiving your letter. I must tell you with the most cordial affection that I always feel disappointed when I read your letters by reason of you never telling me what I'd always wish to hear. That is: how you go on regarding your religious duties and how you spend the Sunday, for that is the day to lay up a store of Grace for the whole week. And also I'd wish to know what work you are all engaged in every day. Tell me also about Hugh and all my relations. You have never told me a word about Brother James, which omission makes me always uneasy. Tell me all about him the next time you write and please don't forget. I had a knowledge of Father Burk's being in America. I'm not surprised that he caused much religious excitement. I'm sorry I cannot receive the papers containing his sermons for we are not allowed even to read one line of any paper. Nevertheless the Abbot is thankful for your kind proposal and sends his blessing to you all but as the responsibility of the observance of strict [discipline?] devolves on him, I would not for the world ask leave to receive newspapers so that I must with many thanks decline the offer. Pray for poor Ireland. She is now in a very poor condition from much rain for more than a year. We have little or no hopes of any turf this year and had but little last season. Tell my poor mother to be thinking of nothing henceforth but death and be always preparing for it. Constant prayer to the B. Virgin with the frequent use of confession and communion will obtain that grace and blessing for her and you all. I never heard from James. Remember [me] most cordially to Mary Meaney but above all to my Mother. I remain &c. your loving br. M. Coogan |
