L E T T E R S

580growing stronger, more mature; they are growing in strength and in spirit beyond,all expectation.Rettel has been marvelously reneved by his retreat at La Trappe, where Isent him not long ago after I had been there. Sidorowicz, a school colleague ofSemenenko, offers the highest hopes. Joseph Kozłowski is an example of mostregular Christian life, pius, quiet and industrious. Siennicki, the artist, alsocontinues to mature. I brought young Mikulski 710 back with me. The strongest andthe most zealous is the doctor, Terlecki. He is staying with us, but he does not yethave permission for residence in Paris. Turowski Leopold will live with us untileither he enters College Stanislas or goes to Rome.Outside of Paris we have many outstanding candidates. But, there is aproblem, a very difficult problem, with government permission for them to residein Paris. However, this will also be resolved with time. In general, we have nothad any real renegades. Everyone who entered has remained with us either hereor, if he has left the House for whatever reasons, he remains united with us inspirit and shares our hopes.Nevertheless, as Edward wrote you, our financial affairs are in very badshape. We are in existence three years. In that time we have equally satisfied theneeds of all, without any regard to what they could bring in with them, and ithappened that some could bring nothing. Therefore, there are debts. We have nomoney with which to provide for any further rental. Up to now, we have beensleeping on bare mattresses, without sheets, because we haven’t had enoughmoney to buy any!... Under horse blankets.The third category. There would not be such peace and unity among us, asthere has been and still is, Thank God, if everyone insisted on passing judgment,and if every decision had to be discussed. There is authority among us and it isvery strong because it depends on mutual confidence and love. These continue togrow and lead to an ever more fervent obedience, practically without limit. Ishould explain to you that our principles and notions of authority, of interiororganization and government, took form among us a result of our initial710 Francis Mikulski was brought to Paris by Jański about April 28, 1838.