| Title: | Coogan, William to Coogan, Matthew, 1869 |
|---|---|
| ID | 6329 |
| Collection | Carlow-Coogan Letters |
| File | coogan/18 |
| Year | 1869 |
| Sender | Coogan, William |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | monk |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | New Melleray, Dubuque, Iowa, USA |
| Destination | Harlem, NYC, USA |
| Recipient | Coogan, Matthew |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 635 |
| Genre | religious commentary, being happy in the monastery, family, decease |
| Note | |
| Transcript | New Melleray, Dubuque, Iowa Feb. 8th, 1869 My Dear Matthew, I received your welcome letter of the 3rd inst. which gave me great pleasure to hear of you all being in the enjoyment of perfect health and spirits and filled with the spirit of religion. I feel very grateful to you for your kindness in writing for the certificate with such punctuality, and I was also delighted to find how much you appreciate the monastic life. And truly it is the greatest grace which the Almighty God bestows in this life, even on his own dearest children, that of a vocation to the religious state. Nothing can so powerfully excite us to live holily as the example of those who are holy. Example convinces us of the possibility of virtue, makes it practicable and . . . [corner torn] it to us already illustrates [torn] . . . were, prepared for our [torn]. . . . The good example which you daily experience in the religious life naturally stimulates you to the practice of piety, for living in a monastery without leading a holy life is just going against the tide. And now that you encourage me so strongly in the matter, allow me to suggest to you your obligation in the matter as charity begins at home. You have a soul as well as me, and why not adopt the same means, a great many know what they ought to do but still they won't do it. Narrow is the way that leadeth to life and few there are who find it, and broad is the way the leadeth to destruction and many there are who go in thereat. But in creating us Almighty God has fixed a certain place for each and every one of us, but still has left us a free will so that we may blame ourselves if we don't ask for graces necessary for the salvation of our souls; the . . . [torn] . . . us, for the knowledge without . . . [torn] . . . . add to our condemnation at [torn] . . . are called but few are chosen. I am getting on pretty well, thank God. My health remains good as usual. I do get a little cold sometimes but nothing worth notice. Please pray fervently for me during the holy Season of Lent that I may receive every grace which I stand in need of. Pray also for the poor suffering souls in Purgatory, particularly our own friends, and for all poor sinners. I wrote to James last November and I never heard from since. I will write to him in a few days again, and I will also get prayers offered for himself and family. I haven't heard from Brother Declan since I wrote to you last. But I expect to get a letter from him soon. I was sorry to hear of the deaths of John Caulfield and Thomas Byrne. I got prayers offered for both. I was glad to hear from Mrs. Doyle and family. I expect to write to her after some little time. I know she would be glad to hear from me. You can tell my mother to offer up the rosary for my intentions sometimes during Lent. And I hope you will all be very kind to her and give her all the comfort you can for the little time she has to be with you, and let Mary Meany remember always to act with the greatest respect towards and to be obedient to her in all things. Please remember me most kindly to Patrick, Mr. Sexton, Bridget, and families and to all friends. And wishing you all the blessings of this New Year, I remain my Dear Brother, Yours very gratefully, William Coogan |
