USA > Alabama > A Catholic history of Alabama and the Floridas Volume 1 > Part 15
USA > Florida > A Catholic history of Alabama and the Floridas Volume 1 > Part 15
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Jan. 25, 1781 Antonia Maria Pesez de Ramos made her profession in New Orleans Convent, with three other Spanish ladies. Father Sedilla presided, on part of Bishop Cyrillo, October 24, 1785. It fell to the lot of Mother Ramos to lead the Sisters who left New Orleans for Havana, where the Convent they founded still flourishes.
The first mention of Père Antoine is his presence at the profession of Sister Monica de Ramos and Sister Rita de Castillo, Jan. 25, 1781. He assisted at no other ceremony from 1785 to 1796, when he was at the profession of Sister St. Rosalie Bourque. His signature occurs for the last time at the profession of two Sisters, Aug. 5, 1802.
Mother Ramos is mentioned as having assembled the chapter, Aug. 23, 1787, to read to its members a certificate required by Monseñor Cyrillo, Bishop of Tricali. It was signed by all the Religious. It was highly appreciative of the worthy prelate, who, amid the trials and calumnies which awaited him in the
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outer world, was glad to have the testimony of these guileless souls as to his labors among themselves and their household, and the exalted sanctity of his life. May 27th, 1773, occurs the first signature of Fray Cyrillo of Barcelona, at a reception. He is mentioned as director and chaplain of the community The above certificate was given him in gratitude for his services in every relation in which he had stood towards the community. He officiated at a profession, May 27, 1775, and signed himself: " Fr Cyrillo de Barcelona aux. V. G." is on record several times as auxiliary Bishop of Cuba, under the authority of J. J. Echeverria, July 19, 1783, and at the profession of two Spanish ladies, Oct. 16, 1783. Meanwhile the work of the new Cathedral went on. It was blessed on the day and in the year appointed, in presence of all the civil and ecclesiastical authorities, Dec. 24, 1794, all eager to follow the beautiful ceremonies of the Holy Church.
We here transcribe Rev. Don Joaquin de Portillo's document concerning the dedication of the New Or- leans Cathedral.
" A procession of the chief persons in the city brought the Blessed Sacrament with all possible cere- mony from the Convent to the Cathedral, in presence of the ecclesiastical and civil authorities. At the open- ing of the ceremony, the illustrious benefactor pre- sented the keys of the Church to Governor Miro, who handed them to me, Don Joaquin de Portillo, (the celebrant). Immediately afterwards, Don Patricio Walsh, an Irish Priest, chaplain to the royal hospital, foreign Vicar, ecclesiastical judge of the Province for the Bishop of Havana-the Bishop elect of Louisiana not having yet taken possession-blessed the church. The Holy Sacrifice of the mass was then offered there
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for the first time and the magnificent ceremony filled the hearts of the faithful with joy. The Blessed Sacrament was carried with all possible solemnity to the new Church when I had sung the first mass and preached the first sermon. Benediction closed the ceremonies. There were salutes of artillery and the Te Deum was chanted by the whole congregation.
The Knight, (Almonaster), so commendable for his piety is almost without an equal. Three churches in this city in which are offered to Our Lord the wor- ship and sacrifice due to Him, are monuments of his piety.
God was praised and our benefactor warmly con- gratulated for all he had done in the interest of Re- ligion.
It is but just, therefore, that the people, and ministers of the Church, should return perpetual thanks to their illustrious and noble benefactor, Don Andres Almonaster y Roxas. To prevent this work from falling into oblivion, I name him here, for a perpetual remembrance, December 30, 1794."
The glory of Almonaster did not fail to offend some less fortunate, or less generous than he. Some sus- pected him of ambition, others disputed his right to control the affairs of his Hospital. Governor Miro, his friend, referred the matter to the Spanish King, Carlos IV. who did speedy justice to the princely, benefactor : His majesty writes :
"Having duly considered the above in this, my Council of the Indies, the aforesaid Don Andres Almonaster is to be relieved from the obligation of accounting for his administrative acts in said Hospital. He is authorized to occupy
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the most prominent place in his church, second only to that of the royal vice-patron, (the Intendant of the Province), and to receive the kiss of peace (La Paz) during the celebration of mass. He is entitled to assistance in case of necessity. And, in order that the faithful fulfillment of the requirements of said ordi- nances, should meet, with, my royal approbation, it is again ordered that the aforesaid Almonaster, whatever may occur, or he may undertake, is to be treated with distinction, be given support, and aid, and be greeted with solicitous regard, so as in future to preclude all further cause of complaint, as one who has proved grateful to my royal person (grata a me real persona,) by the achievement of great works by drawing so generously upon his own resources for the construc- tion of the parochial church, the nun's Convent, the Charity Hospital, and the government buildings, which had been destroyed by hurricanes and by fire. All of which he has accomplished in honor to Religion and to the State, of his own free will, and for the edification and encouragement of mankind.
" Wherefore, I do hereby order and command the aforesaid Governor of the Province of Louisiana, and also the Intendant of my Royal Exchequer, together with all the judges and justices of the above-mentioned province, to keep, comply with, and execute, this, my Royal Decree, without contravening it, for such is my royal will."
YO EL REY.
Given at San Ildefonso, August 10, 1794.
Nothing is more fleeting than earthly glory. In the same Register in which Don Joaquin de Portillo had written the praises of the founder of the Cathedral,
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Don Perez recorded the death of Don Almonaster y Roxas. He died suddenly aged seventy-three, without receiving the last Sacraments of the Church. His re- mains lie under the altar of the Sacred Heart in the Cathedral basement.
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE Society of Jesus in early days was authorized to found missions in every part of Louisiana and it is not too much to suppose that the Jesuits founded schools with their Churches. But at the Suppression, all were swept away. Bishop Peñalvert bewailed that little or nothing was now done for the Indians. He seems to have forgotten that they were in special charge of the Jesuits, and that the Jesuits had been driven out of the Colony.
By Papal Bull, Sept. 1, 1805, Louisiana fell under the care of Dr. Carroll of Baltimore. But no change was made during the life of Very Rev. Patrick Walsh. Meanwhile the Spanish Governors, Salcedo and Casa- calvo, had been replaced by Claiborne, the first Ameri- can Governor. Writing to him, Father Walsh spoke of Père Antoine as " a refractory monk," " supported in his apostacy by the fanaticism of a misguided popu- lace." The reply of the governor was a sort of lecture, not at all to the point, to the legitimate Pastor though it was certainly plausible :
" If those who profess to be followers of the meek and humble Jesus, instead of preaching brotherly love to men, · .
. should labor to excite dissen- tion and distrust, there is, indeed, reason to fear that the church itself may cease to be an object of venera- tion."
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Père Antoine and a band of usurpers had already driven out the lawfully appointed Pastors, and done all they could to make the Church itself " cease to be an object of veneration."
A not inconsiderable number of the natives of Louisiana were known from time to time to intrigue for the return of the Spaniards to power. When the loyalty of the unfortunate Spaniard was suspected, while he continued to disturb public tranquillity, Governor Claiborne's eyes were opened: "We have here," he wrote, "a Spanish Priest who is a very dangerous man. He rebelled against the Superiors of his own Church, and would even rebel, I am persuaded, against this government, whenever a fit occasion may serve."
Meekness and humility were not the weapons which the worthy Governor used when he had reason to sus- pect the incumbent of the Cathedral of being a rebel against the Federal Government. He summoned the Father before him, and compelled him to take a formal oath of allegiance Dec. 29, 1806. Bishop Carroll ap- pointed the aged Father Olivier his Vicar General in Louisiana. The new Vicar General was also resisted in his efforts to remove the recalcitrant Père. He then ? appealed to the Vicar General in Cuba. His appeal, bristling with charges by no means complimentary to Père Antoine himself, was returned by the Cuban Superior to the accused.
In making arrangements for the diocese he was leaving, Bishop Peñalvert gave no special charge or office to Father Antonio de Sedilla. He was merely one of the four assistants, who usually lived at the Cathedral.
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CHAPTER XXXV.
BISHOP PENALVERT Y CARDINAS on leaving for Guatemala established Canon Thomas Hassett and Very Rev. Patricio Walsh, as his Vicars, and Ad- ministrators of the Diocese. Father Hassett who had long been delicate and was anxious to leave a climate that had never agreed with him, died rather suddenly, in April, 1804. The administration fell to Father Walsh who had resided twelve years in Louisiana, and whose fine administrative abilities, large experi- ence, and perfect knowledge of French, English, and Spanish, especially fitted him for the important and difficult office. His authority was at once disputed by Father Sedilla, who claimed to be independent of him. Troubles and litigation followed, and he was obliged to withdraw the faculties of Father Sedilla and his pretended Vicars, and to place the Cathedral, of which they had taken forcible possession, under an interdict. He then designated the Ursuline chapel as the only place for the administration of the Sacraments and the celebration of the divine offices. The learned priest then issued a Pastoral of much erudition and eloquence, in which he spoke with no uncertain voice :
PASTORAL LETTER.1
MY VERY DEAR BRETHREN :
Patricio Walsh, Vicar-General, Proviseur and spiritual governor of the Diocese of Louisiana : to all
1 This Pastoral Letter is written in French, which we have translated.
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the faithful, Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman, of the city of New Orleans. Salvation in Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In virtue of the powers which have been accorded to us by Monseñor Peñalvert y Cardenas, lately Bishop of this diocese, duly authorized to name one or several grand vicars to replace him until the Sovereign Pontiff would provide in some other manner
No priest can perform pastoral functions unless he is authorized by ecclesiastical power. .
. A priest who has been deprived of it, cannot be con- sidered a lawful minister of the Word and of the Sacraments. This my Dear Brethren, is of Faith and has been decided by the Council of Trent.
"If any one," says the Holy Council, " sustains that ministers who have not received the ecclesiastical and canonical power of the Word and the Sacraments, can administer them, let him be anathema."
The Holy Council decrees that those who, having been called and instituted by the people, or secular power, or the magistrate, have the temerity, to in- gratiate themselves into the functions of the ministry, are not ministers of the Church, but robbers, who have not entered by the door of the sheep-fold.
* *
The Fathers of the same Council declare null all marriages made in the presence of any other priest than the true pastor, at least that the priest who blesses them be approved by the true Pastor, or by the Ordinary, that is to say, the Bishop, or his grand Vicar.
Finally the same Council regards as null the absolu- tion given by a priest who has not ordinary jurisdic- tion or delegated jurisdiction.
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" You must not forget, my brethren, that an occu- menical Council such as that of Trent, of which you have heard the decrees, is a holy assembly when the Church by the mouth of her chief Pastors forms the decision and purposes to the faithful the infallible rules of devotion, and, for a Catholic not to believe and not to submit to these councils is to renounce the quality of child of the Church, to excommunicate one's-self, to put one's-self in the rank of infidels, as we are warned by Jesus Christ Himself :
" Whoever will not hear the Church, let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican." Matt. XIII. 17.
Whence I conclude, my dear brethren, and if you wish to be Catholics, you must conclude with me, first, that a priest cannot lawfully announce the Word of God, or administer the Sacraments without mission, or ecclesiastical or canonical approbation.
"That acts of authority or jurisdiction which he does, as, to absolve penitents, bless marriages, without mission are null in the eyes of the Church: in fine that all sacraments that he administers are profanation on part of him who administers them and those who receive them.
" I cannot, without rendering myself grievously sin- ful before God, and before you, leave you in ignorance that a priest interdicted of all ecclesiastical functions, and rash enough to undertake them by his own au- thority, falls into schism and irregularity. Schism is a culpable and voluntary separation from the Church : irregularity, in this case, an inability to receive any order, any ecclesiastical dignity. It belongs to the Sovereign Pontiff to absolve from schism and dispense from irregularity.
" Such is the invariable doctrine of the Catholic,
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Apostolic, and Roman Church of which, without doubt, you do not wish to cease to be children. Never- theless, my brethren, those who have any difficulty or doubts as to the reality of our powers which, being spiritual cannot depend on change of time or govern- ment, let them come to us with confidence. Always ready to answer you and to instruct you, we will de- stroy your doubts, give reason for our faith, and strive to build up yours. We will instruct and help you, the strong and the weak, the learned and the simple. " Providence has established me your Pastor. Woe to me if I fail to instruct you, but woe to you, if you will not hear my voice. God is my witness that I carry you in my heart.
" Sweetness, persuasion, charity, condescension, but only permissible condescension, will make you the ob- jects of my ministry, and this conduct is not less conformable to my inclination than agreeable to my duty.
"I weep without ceasing till Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, be formed in you.
" Finding ourselves charged with the government of this diocese, under the weight of which we weep before God, we believe it our duty to labor in these evil days to fortify you in the faith. I say, in the joy of my soul, there are among you those who have never be- lied the promises of baptism, and who rejoice heaven and earth by their fidelity and their attachment to the dogmas of our Holy Faith.1
1 Done at New Orleans, the 27th day of March, the year of grace, 1805, by Mons. the Vicar General, Olivier, Sec. of the Bishopric.
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The schism which followed Father Walsh's taking possession, was excited to some extent by the mar- guillers or Church Wardens. He had been in Louisiana twelve years before the arrival of Bishop Peñalvert, and was appointed co-administrator with Canon Hassett. He took special interest in the Ursuline Convent. When the nuns addressed a memorial to the President of the United States, who sent a most gracious reply, Father Walsh sent copies of these documents to the Editor of the Moniteur, asking him to give them space in his paper. His letter is extant in French: We give a translation :
" A l'Editeur du Moniteur : New Orleans, Sep- tember, 12, 1804:
" A memorial has been addressed by the Ursuline Religious of the city to the President of the United States. As this memorial and the cordial, encouraging reply of the President, would surely give pleasure to the inhabitants of Louisiana, who all, without doubt, take a deep interest in the prosperity of this religious establishment, I beg you to insert them in your next number, in French and also in English.
I remain, Monsieur, Your humble servant, Patrick Walsh, Vicar-General.
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CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE Vicar-General continued to labor by tongue and pen for the restoration of peace and charity, but he labored in vain. He died suddenly after an illness of five days, August 22, 1806. Posthumous honors of every description were lavished on a priest who, during life, had, by his sterling virtue, won the respect of friend and foe. Father Walsh's official title was : "Vicar-General and Governor ad interim" of the diocese. The Cathedral being under an interdict, in consequence of the usurpation of Father Sedilla, the Ursuline chapel was the only place in which mass could be offered, or the sacraments administered. The loss of this worthy priest to New Orleans was simply inde- scribable. He was rarely gifted as a linguist and thus peculiarly fitted to labor in a cosmopolitan city.
By royal cedula, August 1793, was transferred the right of patronage in the Church of New Orleans to Don Andres Almonester, by the King of Spain. This is mentioned in a letter from Baron Carondelet to the Duke of Alcudia, Jan. 18, 1794.
This Knight so commendable for his charities to the city of his adoption has not even had consecrated to his memory the name of a single street. The Church alone cherishes the memory of this good nobleman, through the tolling of her bells repeats through history, his admirable charity, and her eternal gratitude. As
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we have mentioned, Don Andres Almonester y Roxas died suddenly in his 74th year, in New Orleans, April 26, 1798. A marble slab over the crypt in which he was buried records his titles and services. But his noblest monument is the Church he raised to the honor of the most High.
The Cathedral has a tenure, to speak in legal phrase, of every Saturday offering services for the soul of its founder, and every Saturday evening as the sun sets, or, after the evening Angelus, the silvery sounds of the tolling bells recalls the memory of the best benefactor of the city he loved so well.
We heard these sweet toned bells on Easter Satur- day evening for about half an hour after six, in the ancient Cathedral, and united with the worshipers in prayers for the repose of the soul of the founder. R. I. P. Mar. 30, 1907.
After the lamented death of Father Walsh the Church of New Orleans was without a head. Bishop Carroll wrote, Nov. 17, 1806, to James Madison, Secre- tary of State: "The only clergyman in Louisiana, in any degree qualified to act with vigor and determi- nation in restoring order in the Catholic Church, is a French emigrant priest, far from any attachment to the present system of his country. This clergyman re- joices sincerely in the cession of that country to the United States."
The war between the usurping parties and legitimate authority was soon at its height.
From another passage in the Bishop's letter we find that a "Mr. Castillon, head of the municipality, em- ployed a certain Castanedo, who was furnished with four thousand dollars, to obtain a recommendation from the Emperor Napoleon for the immediate nomi-
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nation of Sedilla to the bishopric of New Orleans! In his reply, Mr. Madison remarks: "Of the Spanish Friar, Antonio de Sedilla, the accounts here agree with the character you have formed of him. The intrigue and connections of Antonio Sedilla have drawn on him the watchful attentions of the government."
About this deplorable schism throughout its whole history there is much information in contemporary Catholic literature, as in the United States Catholic Magazine, official organ of the Archbishop of Balti- more-which sincerely deplores the painful events it recorded.
Above is mentioned a Mr. Castillon who is, probably the second husband of the young widow of Almonester. This lady in the early days of her widowhood married a Creole of that name who may be the person men- tioned in the above letter. The wealth, the beauty, and the high connection, of the widow, did not save her from giving offence to her fellow-citizens who could not forgive the marriage. They assembled in hun- dreds about her mansion and treated herself and her husband to the greatest Charivari1 in history. It is said to have lasted four days and four nights, and nearly killed the young couple who had, by marrying, provoked their wrath. We hear little about the con- nections of Almonester after this. His daughter, the Baroness Pontalba, lived chiefly in Paris, where she purchased the mansion built by Louis XIV, for the Duc de Maine, and containing 400 rooms. She died in 1874, April 20; her three sons inherited the vast fortune of their mother.
When a priest was named by the ecclesiastical
1 Charivari, a sort of mock serenade at a widow's second marriage, peculiar to Louisiana.
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authorities, pastor of the Cathedral, the marguilliers, as a rule, refused to recognize him. They even claimed the right of patronage formerly enjoyed by the King of Spain. This right had never been transferred to them, nor could they receive it from a federal, or state, government.
In an action which they brought against the Bishop, they were defeated. The Supreme Court, to which they appealed, confirmed the judgment of the lower court. Judge Bullard declared the right to nominate a curate, or the Juspatronatus of the Spanish law, is abrogated in this State. The wardens cannot compel the Bishop to institute a Parish Priest of their own ap- pointment, nor is he, in any sense, subordinate to the wardens of any one of the churches within his diocese, in relation to his clerical functions."
The president of the Board of Trustees was also Grand Master of the grand Masonic Lodge, and he and they seemed bent on giving annoyance. They refused to recognize any of the Curates legitimately appointed, and spoke to them in terms of insult. Fi- nally, the clergy were obliged to withdraw from the parochial residence, and the faithful were attended from the Bishop's house and the Convent, and, later, from St. Augustine's Church.
Indeed, it was time to take some such step, for even their personal liberty was interfered with. Once when the venerable Father Perché was about to ascend the pulpit, by order of the Bishop who was present, two young men approached, and forbade him to preach. This put an end to the ceremonies for that occasion.
Outside the Cathedral, services were regularly held in two chapels in New Orleans : the Ursuline and chapel of the Charity Hospital. These were the only places
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in which mass could be celebrated. The nuns were very uneasy at this state of things.
"I regret," says the Annalist to whom we are so deeply indebted, " not having been more inquisitive during the lifetime of the good mothers and sisters who were the despositaries of the early traditions, hav- ing lived several years with some of the pupils and novices of our venerated Foundresses. Some things I heard from them I have kept a note of; but other things have slipped from my memory, or left thereon only a vague idea."
Valuing so highly what we have received, we deeply regret what our scribe could have given under other circumstances. What she has given us, however, we have thankfully received, and transferred as jewels to our own pages.
Abbé Olivier, the successor of Fathers Walsh and Hassett, was past eighty and was scarcely able, from age and infirmity, to control the turbulent elements under his charge; and Rev. Mr. Nerincks absolutely refused to become administrator Apostolic, to which office he was invited. Rev. Mr. Sibourd was sent to New Orleans by Archbishop Carroll. This zealous priest endeavored to collect the English-speaking Catholics at the Ursuline Chapel, but found few to profit by his ministry. His Sunday sermons and his care in preparing candidates for First Communion, produced a good effect. Father Sedilla and his as- sistants were compelled by his example to preach. Abbé Olivier, had been appointed chaplain to the Ursu- lines by Very Rev. Patrick Walsh, in which office he succeeded Father Felix Quintana, Capuchin. Father Quintana's signature is found at the reception of a novice, Nov. 21, 1803.
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