Author's Preface

Researching the history of Saint Labre's 100 years has uncovered literally thousands of letters, articles, pictures and reports - more than enough material for several volumes. It would be impossible to do this material justice in the number of pages planned for this centennial history.

A typical history with footnotes and a record of the main events of the mission's life would in a short sketch such as this miss the flavor of the area, of the people, of the natural flow of life with all its pains, joys, fears, hopes, conflicts and resolutions. So many elements from different angles have come together to form Saint Labre Indian Mission that I have decided to treat this centennial as an actual portrait. The first chapter will be the bare charcoal sketch, the dates, the principal persons and events of the story of the mission. The rest of the book will add the colors, the perspective, the light & shadows, the background and the details of the portrait.

The hand of the Lord has been at work here at the Saint Labre Indian Mission in the lives of all who have come & gone & all who have stayed. This portrait is an attempt to see behind the buildings, the accomplishments, the programs and reports into those lives. But, of course, the point of view is my own and affected by my prejudices and limitations. I have recorded what has fascinated me and hope that those who read the book will gain some understanding of what the Lord has been doing here at Saint Labre this hundred years.

April 1984

Sister Carlan Kraman