- Archbishop Perche wrote again on February 13, 1877, to Mother Maddalena, asking her to make a foundation in his diocese:
I am called by God to be your Father; I am little known in Rome and, I think, I am but little esteemed there, enjoying little or no consideration and having no influence whatever, so that from that direction I can be of no use to you. Here even, where I am better known and enjoy the confidence of my flock, I have adversaries, and whilst some will rejoice at your coming, others, even among our Catholics, will call me a fool, a visionary, for bringing into Louisiana poor women, living on alms and devoted to that contemplative life which these consider a useless one. But we must remember that all great works contributing most to the glory of God and to the salvation of souls have for their foundation the Folly of the Cross. Besides, to the soul that sees only God, what matter the erratic judgments of men and their vain opinions?  
Come, then, for I am sure that your prayers, presented to your Celestial Spouse by our good and sweet Mother, Mary Immaculate, will be all powerful, and that you will draw upon my diocese and myself the spiritual and temporal favors we need.