Letter from Art to Helen

Rt. Reverend Monsignor Arthur Michael Leary
Born: December 15, 1903
Died: May 19, 1968
Relation to Author: Grand Uncle (Brother of Helen Leary)

Helen Leary (married name, Keenan)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Grandmother

The post below is a typed version of a letter from Arthur Leary to Helen Leary (married name Keenan). The letter is about Helen's engagement and upcoming marriage to Hubert Keenan. Arthur was in Washington, DC at the time getting his master's degree from Catholic University. Arthur talks about the plans and also gets philosophical and gives some advice. Enjoy!

Update:
I forgot to mention that this letter was sent 75 years ago today!

Update II: 
You can see the scanned version of the letter here: (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, envelope)

The Catholic University of America

Washington, D.C.

July 24, 1937

My Dear Helen,

Now that you have recovered from the shock of last Thursday I hasten to tell you that your plans sound mighty good to me. You have worked out every detail, and there is no reason why this should not be a grand affair unless “the parson” makes his usual quota of blunders i.e. the officiating minister in the person of your “over heated” brother. May I venture to suggest that it might be better if I spoke to the Father Hoffman about placing you in the sanctuary? He would prefer that himself I feel confident but he has said on other occasions that the sanctuary was too small. How about a collapsible bride and groom? However I shall gently and diplomatically suggest it to him in some way. The banns will be published for the 1st time tomorrow while the Learys will patronize the neighboring parish. If there is anything at all that I can do to help you for this big event in your lives be assured that I shall be very pleased. I’m sorry that I have not been home to officiate at the mock weddings or take part in them as a blushing bride or groom and to participate in all the planning. Perhaps it is well for I wouldn’t be of much help – all bachelors like me don’t know much of these things having never experienced the thrill of preparing for such an event.

I’m sure that you and the Hub will be very happy. You know each other as brother and sister. You know each other's little whims and weaknesses. You have each other in spite of them because you see the good points in each other. They must be magnified and developed as you walk along life’s road together. The others must be lost or forgotten or what may be even more ideal, recognized but understood in the light that every human being is far from perfect. Life has its heartaches and dark hours, let them be the means of binding you even more closely together. It has its joys and its hours of sunshine. Enjoy them, look forward to them and make them the means of driving away the dark clouds that may cross your path occasionally. It is a beautiful tribute to you both that knowing all these things you are nevertheless ready and wiling to face the future with courage and hope. God will guide your every step for you will both gently but firmly place your hands in His. He will lead you to understand everything, especially your selves, in the light of His loving Providence. You are both blessed by a long, steady and strong tradition in the Catholic faith. What a blessing! To live that faith every moment of the day is a certain guarantee of happiness. There is no other way. Faith and love in God; faith and love in yourselves; faith and love in others; let no one rob you of your priceless treasures. Be interested in each other, smile from dawn to dusk especially when the going is hardest, encourage one another, avoid arguments at all times, (the best way to ruin an argument is to avoid it), respect each other’s opinions, if you are ever wrong be the first to admit it, see things from the other’s point of view, be sympathetic, loyal and true, ever ready to concede a point for the sake of harmony, in a word, “Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.” These, my dear are the natural virtues upon which you will build a rich and glorious supernatural life.

Have I preached too much? No, I can hear you say for you realize how interested I am that you start out rightly with very definite principles. We must plan for the future. We must lay down very definite rules of conduct if we are to reap the fruits of happiness. Nothing haphazard every succeeds. If ever either of you steps down from the ideals you have set up for yourselves – simply forget the fall – rise up courageously and start anew as though nothing had happened. Life can be such a joy in a humble cottage or in a stately mansion if we but make it so. My vote goes to the farmer for I think it has greater possibilities. Smile, be hopeful, rejoice in your mutual love for each other, thank God for everything with a humble request that He be kept close to you and you, above all, to Him. May God bless you both! I shall follow you daily at mass in my prayers, at all times, ready to encourage, help and love you as I always have and always will. Tonight I returned from Philadelphia where I went by train this A.M. to see the Mother General of the Grey Nuns.

We have had a splendid week. Weather man has been most kind. Hope the old boy can hold out for two more weeks. This heat gets me down. So, I says, says I, Art take it easy. You haven’t much to lose, so I sit and just let what will ooze out.

Aunt Eva will accompany us home. We should be an L.I. two weeks from tonight.

I have spoken my piece. I hope you have not been annoyed. I shall now take my rest. It is nearly 10 P.M.

Love to all the folks. I shall see you soon.

Art.

P.S. Should we invite Father Dan to the big affair? I suggested to him already that he should be there. He no doubt will.