To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

February 27, 1820 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to her sister Euphrosine, "I have just received a letter from you well calculated to rejoice a heart as sensitive to affection as mine is.  My heart suffers in knowing you are so isolated at the country home.  May you find peace for your heart and solace for your soul! These graces often make for happiness in the midst of suffering."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

The Chateau de Vizille, a country home of the family of
Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne

January 3, 1812 ~  Philippine Duchesne writes to her sister Euphrosine, "One of the wishes in which I find the greatest joy this New Year is that God may let me be helpful to my dear ones.  The thought of our home at Grane, sheltering so many people and things dear to me, is constantly in my mind,  since I know my loved ones there are suffering and I can do nothing to ease the pain."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

Part of a collage of hearts - photo taken at
Villa Duchesne/ Oak Hill School

November 26, 1814 ~ Philippine writes to her sister Euphrosine, "When the desires of one's heart call for separation from a dearly lovcd family, it is not easy to speak of them.  The heart suffers, knowing it must cause suffering to others."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

Portrait of  Taylor by James Lambdin (1848)

September 1, 1849 ~ Philippine writes to her sister Euphrosine, "During the cholera epidemic this year the President of the United States, General Taylor, sent a message to every state in the Union, ordering the First Friday of August to be kept as a day of prayer, with all public work stopped, in order that the people might humble themselves before God and obtain a cessation of the epidemic."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

By the end of July cholera was rampant throughout the United States. President Zachary Taylor declared August 3, 1849, as nationwide day of "Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer." The following proclamation by New Jersey Governor Daniel Haines was published in the Paterson Intelligencer, August l, 1849.

PROCLAMATIONBy the Governor of New Jersey.
WHEREAS the President of the United States, in consideration of the prevailing pestilence, has set apart FRIDAY, the third day of August next, and recommended that it be observed throughout the United States, as a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer; and whereas I believe that the people of this State recognize the obligations of a Christian nation publicly to acknowledge their dependence upon Almighty God, and humbly to bow beneath the strokes of his afflictive providence, and fervently to supplicate his mercy; I do therefore hereby cordially respond to the sentiments expressed by the Chief Magistrate of the Union, and unite with him, in recommending to all the citizens of the State, the due and proper observance of the day named; and that abstaining from their worldly pursuits, they assemble themselves in their respective places of public worship, there with humble confession of sin and thankful acknowledgment of past mercies, unitedly and fervently to implore the Almighty Ruler of the Universe, to remove from us the scourge with which we are afflicted and speedily to restore to us the inestimable blessing of health.
Given under my hand at the city of Trenton, the twenty-sixth day of July, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty nine.
DAN’L HAINES

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

August 17, 1852 ~  Philippine writes to her sister Euphrosine, "Yesterday I received the Last Sacraments. I am leaving you sorrowfully because you are all alone.  But God has promised the hundredfold to those who leave father and mother for His sake, and you deserve this, too, for your sacrifices were greater than any made by your children.  Courage, then. One is always the richer for having made sacrifices for God. I carry into eternity my memory of your children and you. Adieu."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

Photo taken by MER in the gymnasium of
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart ~ Omaha, Nebraska
Site of the 39th AASH Biennial Conference ~ April 10-14, 2013

August 13, 1833 ~  Philippine writes to her sister Euphrosine, "I thank God for having disposed of all things by His adorable Providence so that you and your husband can spend your days in peace and happiness.  Adieu, dearest Sister.  My love to all your dear ones, especially to your husband. The love of my heart for you will never grow cold."

Taken from the book: "Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne"