Two excerpts from the Grey Nuns Codex Historicus of life at St. Paul Mission

In Brocket, Albert 1879-1936, which is being circulated by retired Calgary Bishop Fred Henry. 

Triumph II 19

“The joy of all who dwell above, 
The joy of all below,
To whom he manifests his love
And grants his name to know.
To them the cross with all its shame, 
With all its grace is giv’n; 
Their name, an everlasting name, 
Their joy, the joy of heav’n.
They suffer with their Lord below, 
They reign with him above,
Their profit and their joy to know
The myst’ry of his love

January 29, 1931  – page  170

Mr. Rayner, auditor of the Department of Indian Affairs, came today to inspect the school's accounts.

February 12, 1931 

Funeral of little Emily Mustache, a student who had been ill for a long time.

May 11, 1931 

Lina Salway, married Jan. 18 to Paul Smith, caught a cold a few days later, started coughing, got worse quickly and died yesterday, despite the good care she received at the hospital and been buried today surrounded by a large crowd deeply moved by such a sudden death.

June 27, 1931– page 171

Annual treaty. Alek Crow Eagle, a former student, who is dying of consumption, is now receiving communion in viaticum.

June 30, 1931 – page 171

The boys from school are going on vacation.

July 9, 1931 – page 171

Alek Crow Eagle was buried on the 6th.

October 9, 1931 – page 172

We pull out our potatoes: we have barely harvested the seed and we have to buy ten tons to suffice the school's needs. The carrots, onions, cabbages, etc., however, succeeded quite well, despite the drought, thanks to the work and know-how of Brother Barreau.

October 7, 1931

Mr. Lancaster, Reserve Agent, and Mr. Gardner Smith, former school building inspector, came to dinner: it was with great difficulty that we were able to find enough suitable water to serve them tea!

December 25, 1931

Christmas. 43 Indians, in addition to the students, made their devotions. 230 meals given on this occasion, then the Christmas tree.

December 28, 1931 

A few cases of small pox have just broken out at school and the Doctor is putting us in quarantine.

1932

January 1, 1932 — page 173

The year begins with a bereavement: little Florence Bastien, ill for a few weeks and who had been watched over since the 27th, died this morning.

Let us pray : We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world!

TRIUMPH II  20 

January 31, 1932  – page 173

There were a few mild cases of measles at school on the first days of the month and because of this we have been quarantined until today.

On the 30th, Dr. Wall, a specialist from Ottawa, came to examine the eyes of the students and found that four boys and a girl were attacked by trachoma and he prescribed the appropriate treatment.

March 12, 1932 

Mr. Rayner, auditor of the Indian Department, inspects the school accounts and dines here with the agent.

March 16, 1932  

Dr. Mills, dentist from Macleod, came today to treat the students' teeth.

March 24, 1932 

Eventful Holy Thursday. Guy Yellow Wings, student, has been ill for a few days as have several other students. Dr. Dubuc, who came this morning, said he had pneumonia and asked that he be taken to the hospital immediately, lying on a mattress in a buggy while snowing heavily!

April 7, 1932 

After having been very ill, Guy Yellow Wings is finally recovered and is returning home today….

August 2, 1932 – page 174

Mark One Owl, a former student of the Protestant school, makes his abjuration today and marries Marg. M. Sarceeman, from our school.

December 12, 1932 – page 175

[Father Levern is absent from August 16 to December 12.]

Return of Father Levern and Brother Barreau, and departure of Father Salaun. Measles was rampant at the school, which was quarantined from August 25 to October 9.

October 10, 1932  

Jack Little Leaf comes to school. His father, James, a Protestant, had to endure a very strong struggle before obtaining the agent's consent...

October 17, 1932 

Joseph Smith enters the school.

December 18, 1932 

On December 18, James F. Bad Eagle, and on the 20th, Andrew Provost, also arrived.