USA > Alabama > A Catholic history of Alabama and the Floridas Volume 1 > Part 16
USA > Florida > A Catholic history of Alabama and the Floridas Volume 1 > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
Digitized by Google
239
ALABAMA AND THE FLORIDAS.
Four novices were received by Abbé Olivier, March I, 1811. At Sister St. Angela Johnson's reception, Oct. 21, 1813, he signed himself chaplain, " aumonier des Dames Ursulines." Abbé Olivier was still chap- lain to the Ursulines in 1815, when Very Rev. Father Du Bourg left for Rome. It is probable that this saintly priest died soon after, for he was over ninety, but no details are given, nor is his death even men- tioned in the Convent necrology, so far as we can learn.
The head of the American Church, Right Rev. John Carroll, was created Archbishop of Baltimore, and received the pallium, August 18, 1812, an aus- picious event that gave much impetus to Religion. Bishop Chevereux wrote to his grace on that occasion : " That you may for many years wear this vesture of holiness is the wish of all your children in Christ. God will, in His mercy, I hope, hear their prayers and prolong the life of our beloved and venerable Father."
The Acts of the Provincial Council of Baltimore (1829) were confirmed by His Holiness, Pope Pius VIII. September 30, 1830. The Catholic population was estimated at half a million in a population of twelve millions; but it was probably much more.
Digitized by Google
240
A CATHOLIC HISTORY OF
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THERE were few churches for the thousands of Catholics and most of them were wretched: "For precious stones and marbles," wrote one of the early missioners, " we employed only bark, but the path to heaven is as open through a roof of bark as through arched ceilings of silver and gold." They made the best of their privations and were satisfied till brighter days dawned. "He who lives content," say an Italian proverb, " will die singing." They trusted in the Providence that feeds the little birds of the desert and clothes the wild flowers of the forest.
The sufferings of the many martyrs of the early, Church in these regions we can understand and ex- plain. But the sufferings of those who planted the Faith " once delivered to the Saints," in regions which our feet tread to-day,-their courage, their tenacity, their fidelity, even to death, will probably never be fully known save to Him who was the sole cause and motive of their agonizing labors: " Jesus, the Author and finisher of our Faith."
In many parts of the country and at various times land was purchased by the wealthy or benevolent to be sold in small parcels, so as to attract industrious settlers. Captain George Brent purchased of Thomas, Lord Culpepper, thirty acres of land, and prepared to bring over a few. They applied to James II. for a
Digitized by Google
241
ALABAMA AND THE FLORIDAS.
guarantee of religious freedom, and his majesty, by patent, dated Feb. 10, 1687, granted " unto the peti- tioners and all and every the inhabitants, which are now or shall hereafter be settled in the same town, and tract of land belonging to them, the free exercise of their religion, without being prosecuted or molested upon any penal laws, or other, on account of the same."
The scheme of a grand union of all the American Colonies into one Government, with the broad charter of equal religious rights for all, which emanated from the able mind of James II. was not carried out for a century when the United Colonies shook off the yoke of the Protestant sovereigns of England. So that the liberty of conscience upon which the United States justly prides herself, originated in the liberal policy of poor calumniated James II.
The Code Napoleon was adopted 1808. Louisiana joined the Union 1812.
In encouraging the Marguilliers in early days, Father Sedilla evoked a spirit which he could not quell. It is not to be doubted that he regretted his unfortunate course when too late. Yet blood could scarcely wash out the injury he did to the Church in New Orleans. But "the mercies of God are over all His works " and though he certainly was for a time a schismatic, he never was a heretic.
Monseigneur Anthony Blanc was made Archbishop, July 19, 1850. His trials continued to the end. Arch- bishop, or, to speak more correctly, Father Perché, by tongue and pen sought to defend the right. But he did not do this with impunity. Every petty annoy- ance and insult which the enemies of religion could bestow they gave him in public, and even in private. 16
Digitized by Google
242
A CATHOLIC HISTORY OF
Here is an instance of what one informant calls their spite, as described by an eye-witness, or rather "an ear-witness : "
" We were awakened about midnight by frightful cries, at every moment redoubled. We saw by the light of the moon, a troop of men passing in front of the cloister, and howling like demons. Not knowing what might be the result, we rang the Reveil so that every one might be dressed in case of accident. Sev- eral on hearing the bell thought it was the usual hour for rising. Though we were frightened, yet great calm and silence were observed. After having listened and watched from the galleries, some of the Sisters understood it to be a charivari. These wretches had no spite against us, but against Father Perché, and, after some hours of tintamarre, the great uproar ceased, to our delight.
On another occasion when Father Perché was writ- ing one of his masterly polemic articles for the Propagateur Catholique, the mosquito net surrounding his table and chair took fire. He called aloud to a negro boy who slept in an adjoining room to help him to extinguish the fire. The boy came in such a hurry to the rescue of his master that he did not wait to be quite dressed. He noticed this when the fire was out, and hastened to apologize to his beloved Father. But the kind-hearted priest told him that was of no consequence, and sent him back to bed with many thanks for his prompt and effective action. Some noise and confusion on this occasion made sev- eral of the more wakeful occupants, fear it was another charivari.
Among other good works, Father Perché was mainly instrumental in winning to the ranks of the
Digitized by Google
243
ALABAMA AND THE FLORIDAS.
priesthood, that true poet, Adrien Rouquette, who, subdued by the fervent zeal of Abbé Perché, renounced the world and its pleasures to become a priest. Bishop Blanc conferred the order of subdeacon on him, Sept. 8, 1843, the first Creole of New Orleans that em- braced the ecclesiastical state since the Cession of Louisiana, 1803. On the same day, two hundred and twenty were confirmed at St. Mary's Church.
The periodical to which we have referred writes in 1842 :
" We learn with unfeigned satisfaction that the dis- sensions in the New Orleans diocese have been brought to a happy termination. The Archbishop of New Orleans has shown throughout these painful trans- actions such firmness united to condescension and for- bearance in the maintenance of his just authority, that the termination is such as to place beyond all doubt the rights that have been assailed."
Digitized by Google
244
A CATHOLIC HISTORY OF
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
IN 1838, Bishop Blanc of New Orleans sent Father John Timon, later Bishop of Buffalo, N. Y., to give one of his stirring missions to the Natchez people. Dr. Vandevelt was instructed to examine whether ar- rangements could be made for an episcopal see, and, by an anomaly, prepared the way for his predecessor.
The next anniversary of the victory of New Orleans, 1843, was celebrated with extra solemnity. Bishop Blanc officiated, with the Bishops of Mobile and Natchez. The Mobile Bishop preached in French, and the Bishop of Natchez in English.
Among the good works of Bishop Dubourg is one which has been useful not only to Alabama and the Floridas, but to every diocese in the world in mission- ary countries-his share in establishing the Associa- tion for the Propagation of the Faith. In Lyons, Bishop Dubourg inspired Madame Petit, a pious widow who had once resided in Baltimore, to form a small association in which each would pay a trifling sum weekly to aid his mission. From this, and a little association founded by Mademoiselle Pauline Marie Jaricot, to give aid to the laborers in Asia belonging to the Society of foreign missions in Paris, grew the Association for the Propagation of the Faith, finally organized at Lyons, May 3, 1822, under Very Rev. A. Inglesi, Vicar-General of Monseigneur Dubourg.
Digitized by Google
245
ALABAMA AND THE FLORIDAS.
The Bishop, who met the cross at all points, had trouble in connection with this official, whom some de- scribe as an unworthy adventurer. "In his strange career," writes Mr. Shea, " his part in establishing this great Association for the aid of the Catholic mis- sions throughout the world, is almost a redeeming trait."
Mademoiselle Jaricot was one of the holiest, most persecuted, most misunderstood, souls of the nineteenth century. To many missioners she furnished means to carry the gospel far and near, and her wealth seemed to increase in proportion as she gave it away.1
The Marguilliers or trustees were mostly free- masons. The French free-masons were confessedly atheistic, and, therefore, anti-religious. The English free-masons formally severed all relations with the French free-masons when the French free-masons struck the name of God from their Constitution and their Ritual.
As churches increased the Trustee difficulty dimin- ished. A plain wooden structure consecrated in New Orleans April 23, 1833, for English-speaking Catholics. This was afterwards replaced by the massive im- posing St. Patrick's Church, on Camp St., built by Father James Ignatius Mullen, Pastor of that Church for thirty years. His remains lie beneath the floor of the church he loved and served so well. In every way, he had supported the prelates of the city in their just rights, and was their faithful helper in all their good works. During the war he was an ardent champion of the South.
For a short time only postulants of French origin, born in the Colony, were invited to the Ursuline Con-
1 See Life by M. J. Maurin.
Digitized by Google
246
A CATHOLIC HISTORY OF
vent. But the monastery became, like the city, cos- mopolitan, and therefore of more general usefulness than if confined to a single nationality. There were even subjects with Indian blood in their veins. This was the case, too, in the older regions of Canada. Teresa, an Indian maiden, who spent two years with the Ursulines of Quebec, returned to her own people to spread the Faith among them, which she did very successfully.
Coureurs de bois purchased furs and others peltries from the Indians and brought them by canoes to New Orleans, Biloxi, and Mobile. They were said to be a connecting link between the palace of Versailles and the wigwams of America. But the coast bounded by the Mexican Gulf never became famous for mineral wealth.
Digitized by Google
247
ALABAMA AND THE FLORIDAS.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
IT was during Denis Prieur's administration ('28-'30) that Father Antonio de Sedilla died. His death occurred in a cabin thatched with palmetto leaves, which he had built in the square behind the Cathedral.
The name by which Father Sedilla was known in the world was Antonio Ildefonso Mareno d'Arze. He was born in Sedilla a small town in the province of Granada, Nov. 18, 1748. In early youth he entered the Capuchin Order, where he obtained the title of Lector in Sacra Theologia.
In 1779, he was sent, with five of his brethren, to New Orleans, to take the place of the French Monks. Nov. 25, 1785, six years after his arrival in New Orleans, he was appointed Rector of St. Louis Parish. Four years later, 1789, he was sent back to Spain for an alleged attempt to introduce the Inquisition into New Orleans. This so alarmed the fears of the Spanish Governor (Miro) as to induce that function- ary to exile the priest. Within twenty-four hours after he heard it, a platoon of soldiers filed into the priest's room, and forcibly carried him to a ship about to sail for Cadiz.
Miro, in a special report to his Government, dated June 3, 1789, gives his account of the affair : " When I read the communication of that Capuchine, I shud-
Digitized by Google
348
A CATHOLIC HISTORY OF
dered. His Majesty has ordered me to foster the in- crease of population in this province. The mere mention of the Inquisition, uttered in New Orleans, would be sufficient to check immigration which is successfully progressing, but it would also be capable of driving away those who have recently come; and I even fear, in spite of my having sent Father Sedilla out of the country, the most frightful consequences may ensue from the mere suspicion of the cause of his dismissal." In Spain the duties of the Holy Office were sometimes relegated to the Capuchine Monks, of which Order Père Antoine was a member.
Governor Miro has been blamed for his treatment of Père Antoine on this occasion.
" His conduct," says Dr. Castellanos, " in this whole transaction was unjust, arbitrary, and unworthy of the reputation of one of Louisiana's most enlightened governors." Another writer says: "Père Antoine was sent with the title of Commissioner of the Holy Office (Inquisition) in Louisiana. Without the smallest ceremony Miro had him seized, and conveyed on board a vessel which departed with him for Spain that same day.1 (Andoyo's History, 1785).
Despite the indignation shown in some quarters at the summary action of Governor Miro, it may be that, if the matter were put to the vote of the in- habitants of New Orleans, the Governor would be sustained in his endeavor to keep that, rather po- litical than religious, machine, out of New Orleans
1 In a recent account of the expulsion of Father Sedilla, we learned, that Governor Miro did not act in this matter on his own responsibility, but consulted the Captain General of Cuba, by whose advice he was guided. This we have from a private source.
Digitized by Google
249
ALABAMA AND THE FLORIDAS.
at all hazards. Nothing unpleasant happened the Friar. He may even have been pleased to get an unexpected trip to his native land, at no cost to himself or his family. What is certain is that he returned to the watery city in good health and spirits, and probably re- sumed his former duties.
He was not present in the Ursuline Convent from 1785 to 1796. Part of these years he was absent in Spain, on that fateful journey. He did not, so far as we know, officiate in the Ursuline Chapel after 1802. It was in that year that the disturbances began which culminated in the schism that had such de- plorable results, results that did not cease with the life of this remarkable man, though there is reason to hope that he repented of the past.
In 1837, March II, the Marguilliers obtained from the legislature permission to mortgage the Bishop's Cathedral for their own purposes, for two hundred thousand dollars. They sent delegates to Europe to conclude the business, but they wasted two thousand dollars in the vain effort.
The free-masons desired to erect, in a Catholic cemetery, a masonic monument as a common receptacle, for their deceased members. It is well known that the Catholic clergy do not admit to the sacraments members of secret associations. Those who die with- out withdrawing from such societies, are not buried with the rites of the Catholic religion, or in conse- crated ground.
In a French entry in an ancient manuscript we find : " Mgr. Dubourg, after his consecration 1816, obtained many indulgences for us. Before this epoch, there had been a schism in the Parish, so that all good Catholics came to our Church. This was the origin of our
Digitized by Google
250
A CATHOLIC HISTORY OF
two masses on Sunday. During the schism, our mothers suffered a great deal, so that they were desirous of quitting the country. They wrote to the Holy Father who had the goodness to reply :
" MADAME : 1
"Your letter of the 2nd of May reached us only towards the end of September. We are very sensible of your good wishes for our preservation and the success of our enterprises, always directed to the glory of God and the advantage of the Church. As to the inquietudes that agitate you, regarding your spiritual direction, they cannot last, for M. Dubourg has re- ceived from us Bulls, and has been consecrated at Rome by our order, Bishop of the diocese of New Orleans, to which he will soon return. You may then be tranquil as to your future, and give up the project of going to France; you can do much more for Re- ligion where you are. Therefore, we exhort you to redouble your zeal for young persons of your sex, and for the eternal salvation of your neighbor. We have your Community continually present, especially in our prayers to obtain for you all the graces you need, and we give you, with effusion of heart, our Apostolic Benediction.
Given at Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, the 16th of October, 1815, of our Pontificate, the sixteenth year. PIUS VII. P.
In 1812, Bishop Carroll sent Rev. William Dubourg to rectify abuses, but he met many obstacles from those who should have aided him, that he was com-
1 To Soeur Thérèse Farjon, Supérieure, and the nuns.
Digitized by Google
251
ALABAMA AND THE FLORIDAS.
pelled again to close the Cathedral under an interdict. For several years it remained closed, and mass was celebrated in the Ursuline Chapel alone, by the pious octogenarian, Abbé Olivier.
Abbé Dubourg on this visit to Rome represented to the Propaganda the state of Religion in the diocese. He was consecrated Bishop on the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, Sept. 24, 1815, by Cardinal Doria Pamphili, in the Church of St. Louis of the French. The new Bishop collected in France and Belgium a fresh band of missioners and four excellent priests from Rome.
The French King gave much aid and encourage- ment, and placed at his disposal the frigate Caravane, to transport himself and his party to America. Bishop Dubourg exerted himself to fill vacancies, and have the gospel preached in the Northern part of his diocese. When traveling in the country parishes,1 he was nearly drowned while crossing a bayou on a tree.
He reached Natchitoches in time to administer the last Sacraments to Mademoiselle de Mezières, grand- daughter of the Duke of Orleans. "We were some time in Natchitoches when a mulatto interrupted our dinner : " " Monseigneur," said he, "Mademoiselle de Mezières is dying, and asks for you." Father Dubourg went to the sick lady. "The good God," said she, "has heard me. For thirty years I have prayed to obtain the grace of not dying without the Sacraments." She made a general confession, received the Sacraments with deep fervor, and died half an hour after.
This lady, Mademoiselle Colette de Mezières, was
1 The mission of Monseigneur Dubourg to Natchitoches was under- taken in 1825. His visits to the country parishes (counties) were always most successful. They took the form of retreats or missions.
Digitized by Google
252
A CATHOLIC HISTORY OF
cousin-german to Madame de Genlis, and grand- daughter of the Duke of Orleans, father of Egalite.1
Near the ancient Ursuline Convent, an edifice of much strength and solidity, is the Ursuline Chapel, so often mentioned in this history. A Spanish inscrip- tion, on a marble tablet, in the middle of the façade, says, it was built during the reign of Carlos III., A D. 1787, by Don Andrés Almonaster y Roxas. Don Estevan Miro being Governor of the Province-a plain unpretending, but spacious building. Here the Catholics of New Orleans found a Refuge while the Cathedral was in the hands of the schismatics.
Archbishop Carroll expected Very Rev. Father Dubourg to take possession of the New Orleans Cathedral, and assert his position as head of the church, and Administrator Apostolic. But he did not even attempt to say mass in the Cathedral. When he proceeded to suspend the soi-disant vicar, such violence was shown by Father Sedilla's party that the Adminis- trator Apostolic seems to have become alarmed for his personal safety and withdrew from the city.
The time had become worse than usual, and that is saying much during Father Dubourg's connection with Louisiana. Priests had been driven from their
1 The Duke of Orleans having secretly married Madame de Montisson Miss Collette their daughter was married in this country, had five chil- dren, three boys and two girls who, not wanting to form a mesalliance, were not married. At the time of our arrival at Natchitoches, there were remaining of this family, only M. Ala. de Mezieres, a very aged man, and Mdlle de M., sixty-two years old.
Much good was done for religion at this visit. Sixty were confirmed, who knew the catechism before our arrival, three hundred and fifty children were baptized, several marriages blessed; and arrangements were made for building two or three churches. To this day there is in Nachitoches a " Mézières Street.
Digitized by Google
253
ALABAMA AND THE FLORIDAS.
parishes. They had been forced into dug-outs and sent adrift on the awful river. His life in Europe was a scene of terror. When little more than a boy he had to flee from Paris, from Bordeaux from Spain. Infidels and rebels had made life a burden to him in America. Some of the worst wretches of the evil days of France lived, moved, and had their being in New Orleans. Lakanal, the regicide, was head of a college, a few streets off.
Father Dubourg seemed always to have feared for his life in New Orleans. He was never popular in America. A famous historian remarks that many persons who are utterly fearless by constitution, are terrified by the thought or fear of assassination.
Yet it was hoped these miserable forms of what, in these days, might, perhaps be described under the generic name of nervousness, would wear away. The climate was mild-in the latitude of Cairo. The weather was seldom extremely sultry or unhealthy. Ice was considered so unwholesome that the mayor ordered the first cargo that arrived to be dumped into the river. Some of the pleasantest people in the world lived in New Orleans as well as many of the most dangerous. The comfort of the city was much in- creased when its streets were paved with cobble stones, in 1821, and water-works introduced in 1826. To this day drinking water is preserved in immense cisterns, and river water used for cleansing purposes.
At the invasion of New Orleans by the English, Monsignore Dubourg showed courage and determina- tion. He issued a pastoral appointing public prayers in the churches, directing all to implore the protection of heaven, " while our brave warriors, led on by the hero of the Floridas, prepare to defend our altars
Digitized by Google
254
A CATHOLIC HISTORY OF
and our firesides against foreign invasion." ( Mon- signeur Dubourg to Archbishop Carroll, 1814.)
While the battle raged between untrained American troops, and English soldiers, led by one of Welling- ton's experienced generals, the ladies of New Orleans gathered in the chapel of the Convent to pray for the success of the American arms.
" The story of the battle is strange. Everything fell out favorably for Jackson, as if by magic. The English lost their way, fired into each other disobeyed orders, neglected precautions . At night the American works were hardly damaged, while the English works were battered to pieces." 1
From their galleries and dormer windows the nuns could see the smoke rising from the plains of Chalmette, Jan. 8, and hear the rumbling of cannon and the report of rifles. All night long they watched before the Blessed Sacrament and besought the God of battles to give victory to the American army. Over the front entrance of the monastery was exposed an image of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, brought from France by Mother St. Michael and other holy women, Dec. 31, 1810.
.
The statue is still religiously preserved in a chapel of its own. Like most miraculous statues, it cannot be called beautiful, if judged by the canons of art. But it is a precious relic, upon which one cannot gaze without emotion. Humanly speaking, there was not a chance of victory for the Americans. Years after, Marshal Soult deemed their victory unaccountable. The Marshal said it was well General Packenham was killed on the field, " otherwise he would have been
1 Life of A. Jackson, ii, 39.
Digitized by Google
255
ALABAMA AND THE FLORIDAS.
held accountable for the destruction of that fine army," for which he deserved " to be shot as a blunderer."
No wonder then that Jackson, a man of deep re- ligious feeling, attributed the glory of his grand victory to the God of Armies. By his desire a solemn thanksgiving service was held, January, 23d. At the door of the venerable Cathedral, Abbé Dubourg ad- dressed the Conqueror in words that will live forever, and placed on his head a laurel crown. With a modesty equal to his bravery, Jackson made a most felicitous reply, attributing his success to the special aid of the Most High, and the bravery of his fellow soldiers. Every year since, on that 8th of January, at first, in the Cathedral, but, later, in the Ursuline Chapel, a solemn High mass of thanksgiving is cele- brated, and a Te Deum sung for the mercy which gave the American army so grand a victory; and, to this day, the 8th of January is celebrated as a State Holi- day. The Plaza, or Place d' Armes, scene of so many interesting pageants, has become Jackson Square, and an equestrian statue of the Victor, commemorates his fame and the gratitude of Louisiana, in the midst of that historic ground.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.