Jewels from Jane - February 13
FEBRUARY 13
Sister Liguori McNamara
Matanzas, Cuba
Feb. 13, 1899
Dear Rev. Mother [Agatha Guthrie],
How to thank you and the Community for all the spiritual supply they are offering so abundantly to the throne of grace for us. Certainly we ought to be very good and grateful which we are in the very depth of our hearts, for certainly God has blessed our work in the Army, and I hope the little good we have tried to do will bear fruit a hundred fold for our dear Sisters in this world and all of us reap the benefit of the little sacrifices we have made in the next. Our services may not be needed very long as the regiments are to be mustered out, and one battalion of the regulars will be sufficient to guard this city. That was the decision of the last visit of General Brechenridge to Matanzas which will be put in effect in about three or four weeks unless something unforeseen occurs. The officials have their supply stations for the poor well-established in town and they are urging the city officials to take an active part and help. Our Spanish speaking priest did not stay very long with us. Father Bader does not know where he went. The Dominicans are to open a house on the Island, probably in Cienfuegos. Sr. Lydia is most anxious to return; has written to that effect to Father Bader and Major Glennon. Father Bader does not see why she should be so anxious to come back as long as she is at home. Sunday morning at 6:30 we went to Mass over to the Regiment streets. Father had a fly erected in a cluster of trees near the bay. Forty soldiers and the sisters received Holy Communion. It was most edifying to see so many men kneeling down on the wet soil adoring our dear Lord and receiving Him into their hearts. The reason we had Mass so early, Father announced the Sunday before, there would be two Masses every Sunday. He would say one, the Spanish father the other Mass, but he skipped out and left poor Father Bader all alone. In the afternoon we went to the church for benediction. The forty hours devotion are in all the churches. There is nothing at present that would interest you in camp. We have not received your box yet, or the one from Kansas City. I hope they are not lost. I am very much pleased at the changes you have made in St. Joseph Hospital [Kansas City]. Knowing that God directs all things for the best. Love to each of the dear Sisters and hope they have all escaped La Gripp. It has claimed my brother's only daughter the 12th of Jan. May her soul rest in peace. The Sisters all send love to you and wonder if you will pay us a visit before we leave Matanzas. I would like to send you some of these royal palms if I could. They are the most beautiful trees here, but they are too large to ship and perhaps when they would reach Carondelet they would be like the cup of tea on the car, not much account. We often laugh at Mother Seraphine's dislike for our Southern teas, which we consider very good. We have everything we could desire in the way of good--plenty of ice and ice water which is a great comfort in this hot country. Love to Mothers Liguori and St. John. Hoping to hear from you soon again, I am ever.
Your gratefully devoted,
Sr. Liguori [McNamara]
Spanish-American War correspondence
