I write to ask you if you will be so kind as to join us in a Novena which will begin on Friday next, August 6th? We say only one "Memorare" daily, and it is for the conversion of one upon whom very much depends.
It is very long since we had any news of you, (nearly a year and a half) we hope you are quite well.
I am afraid we shall not have our usual trip abroad this year as my husband's engagements will oblige us to be in London at the time when we are generallyp2in Belgium or France. Through this we certainly lose our charming visit to Brussels, as our friends[2] there will have left for the country before we could possibly leave England. It will be a great disappointment, but I try not to think about it. I must not be discontented. After the termination of our visit to Brussels last year, we spent a fortnight in Bruges, and then went on to Pontigny to join in the Pilgrimage,[3] arriving there quietly the evening before the Pilgrims from England came. We were not furnished with Pilgrims Tickets, but the Fathers of St. Edmé welcomed Mr. Buckler most kindly, and the dear Nuns took me. For the first few minutes I feltp3somewhat forlorn at being thus suddenly separated from my husband, and in the midst of strangers, but the kind, gentle Reverend Mother won my heart directly, and I felt quite at home with them all very soon. We shall never forget those two days at Pontigny! for they were some of the happiest of our lives, although Mr. Buckler and I only met in the church, and on the way to and from our respective Convents[4] The High Mass was a glorious sight, and the English voices sounded well in that beautiful church at Vespers and during the Procession by torch light. We remained at Pontigny until after the otherp4English Pilgrims had left, and went to Sens for a few days for the Sunday. There we had quite an ovation, every one was so kind to us. The Reverend Mother of Pontigny came at that same time to Sens to make a Retreat, and we went to see her at the Convent there soon after she arrived. It is the mother house and they have a beautiful church attached.[5] The Nuns were so kind as to ask me to stay with them altogether, but as they would not have Mr. Buckler too, I could not very well accept their offer. There is a room for me at Pontigny, they say, whenever I like to go. Is it not kind?
The last time I wrote to you I asked you to pray for the conversionp5of my youngest brother, whom I then fancied to be in a hopeful condition. I was mistaken, for since then he has married,[6] and taken a Curacy in Devonshire, which has somewhat changed his "views".
I hope the last very severe winter did not affect your health. We never remember such a season! I managed to struggle through it, but only by remaining very much indoors.
When in Paris last year wep6went to the Jesuit’s church in the rue de Sèvres to visit the tomb of Père Olivaint. Soon afterwards we heard of a wonderful cure of a sick child there. I intented to tell you about it now, but my letter would be too late for the post if I make it any longer.
