– In the middle of June of 1876, Mother Maddalena and Mother Constance received the long-awaited letter from Father Bernardine, the head of the Franciscan Order. He tried to console them in their trials and encourage them to continue to try to found a Poor Clare monastery in the United States: Your generosity in leaving Europe, your patience during the prolonged uncertainty and during the present difficulties, the opinion of worthy persons with whom you have spoken of this affair, the offers made to help you, the several postulants who have presented themselves to you—all this rather induces me to think that God wishes to have this foundation made. I cannot do otherwise than tell you that in spite of my silence, sorrowful to you and to me, I have never ceased blessing you and praying for you, and that often I offered for you the Holy Sacrifice, and that I have for you the same fatherly solicitude that I once had; with all my heart I sympathize with you in all your trials, and I admire your patience and generosity, and I thank Jesus that He gives you these graces.