In the spring of 1838, on their return from Europe, the Connellys accepted an invitation to live and work at Grand Coteau. In this remote Louisiana outpost, Pierce taught English at the Jesuit college and Cornelia taught music at the Sacred Heart School while raising their children, which now numbered four, and tutoring. Their faith was supported by spiritual direction, retreats, and conversation with the priests and nuns. Their spiritual lives and personal relationships endured a series of painfilled events. Here, in July 1839, their second daughter, Mary Magdalene, was born but died after only two months.

In early 1840, still grieving the death of her baby daughter, Cornelia made her first retreat of three days. God touched her deeply and her interior life was profoundly changed. She gave herself in a new way to God, desiring to do God’s will as it was made known to her through her duties and the events of daily life.

Within five months her beloved John Henry, two years old, was scalded in a tragic accident and died in Cornelia’s arms. From this anguish was born in her a life-long devotion to Mary as Mother of Sorrows. On October 13 of that same year another heartbreak came: Pierce told her that he was certain that God was calling him to pursue the priesthood and the Church. Cornelia was four months pregnant with their fifth child, Frank, and urged her husband to consider his proposal carefully but added characteristically that if God asked it of her, she would make the sacrifice — and with all her heart