A French Canadian Nun’s letter to my 16 year old great Aunt Ida in 1908
A French Canadian Nun’s letter to my 16 year old great Aunt Ida in 1908.
I added this letter as part of my postings on family history. My great Aunt Ida was raised Roman Catholic. (She died a member of the United Church.) When her parents were in North Dakota, I believe they sent their young daughter, Ida, to a Catholic boarding school in Manitoba. She moved to Langdon North Dakota in 1905 at the age of 15. She might have been sent to the convent in 1906 at the age of 16. Nelson sold horses over the Manitoba border. There was a large Belgian population there. Jennie, Ida’s mother, was Belgian/American. There she made relations with a nun, who wrote this letter. It is interesting to read of the nun’s pleading to stay true to the Catholic faith, especially her exhortation to do daily acts of faith. The nun refers to English speaking girls, as the “English girls.” She is also encouraging her to follow the will of God even though it may be hard. Ignoring the theology of the letter, I think this nun’s heart is in the right place, trying to encourage a young girl in her walk of faith. It also shows a little bit of Manitoba history.
Click here to return to family history home page.
Click here to return to Nelson A Jesmer’s page
Link to the siblings of Ida: Harvey and Carl
Notre Dames de Lourdes
June, the 15th, 1908
Miss Ida May Jesmer
My dear little girl,
I was very glad when our Mother Superior told me, “You have a letter tonight. It comes from Saskatchewan. I don’t know who it must be. She is an English girl.” “Oh!” I said, “I know who wrote me. Is her name Ida May?” And Mother answered, “Yes.” I told her that you came two months ago to the convent of St Alphonse and that you were gone with your parents in the West.
Dear little Ida, do you remember you told me that you would become a Sister like us? And good girl as you were in the convent? Don’t forget, my dear child to be pious all your life and to pray everyday the Blessed Virgin, who is our dear Mother of Heaven and remember me in your good prayers will you?
I am here, at Notre Dame of Lourdes, since ten months. I left St Alphonse, last year in the month of July to go in the Province of Quebec where I have seen my dear parents and all my family, my nephew and nieces, etc. I am teaching here. We have in all the school, sixty five pupils. We have two little English girls. They are here to make their first communion and they are very studious. The first communion will be next Sunday, the 21st. It will be a nice feast for all. I saw the Father Stephen in my journey. I passed about a month in the village where he were, and now he is gone in another parish. I will give you his address and mine too, if you will write to him, he would be happy. I am sure to receive a letter from his dear little Ida. I think and I hope to go back in the province of Quebec in a few years again.
This is sure that I would not know you now, if you are so tall and so big, that is a good thing, but I wish you to believe always the same. I mean, you know, a good and pious girl, a true child of Jesus and Mary. It is too bad that you are so far of the church, you would be so happy and so glad to go to mass everyday as you did in the convent. Say every night, as you used to do, your beads and when you’ll die, you will be sure to be saved and with your dear parents. You must be happy certainly, but don’t forget that if Jesus wants you to be religious, you must be faithful to His call. Think often of the death and nothing will seem too hard for God and for your salvation.
Dear little Ida, it is time for supper and I must leave you to go to the pupils. Please excuse me and remember me to your parents. Good-bye dear little Ida. I believe sincerely yours.
Sister Mary Melanice
Of The Blessed Heart of Mary
Here is the address of the Father:
I mean Father Stephens:
Reverend Pere Etiomme
Cure ‘de Turgeon
Comte Labelle P.I.
Here is mine: Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba
Interact with us using Facebook