USA > Michigan > Marquette County > Marquette > History Of The Diocese Of Sault Ste, Marie And Marquette; Containing A Full And Accurate Account Of The Development Of The Catholic Church In Upper Michigan, With Portraits Of Bishops, Priests And Illustrations Of Churches Old And New, Volume 1 > Part 19
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Following Bishop Messner's conclu- sion, Bishop Eis introduced Hon. Peter White who briefly referred to his long ac- quaintance with Bishop Baraga. He was happy to be present on the occasion when a man is being honored whom he had per- sonally known, revered and loved. Mr. White told the audience that it does him double pleasure to assist at the laying of the corner stone of the Baraga school, be- cause he was present when Bishop Bara- ga laid the corner stone of the first Cathe- dral and when he dedicated it; he saw the first Cathedral burn, and a new one built and consecrated. He in conclusion ex- tended to the pastor and congregation his congratulations for the noble work they have undertaken, and expressed the hope that the new school would be among the best of the city.
On the east side of the corner stone is the following inscription :
J. H. S. DIE OMNIUM SANCTORUM ANNIVERSARIO QUINQUAGESIMO CONSECRA- TIONIS FRIDERICI BARAGA PRIMI MARIANOPOLITANAE ET MARQUETTEN- SIS DIOCESEOS ANTISTITIS, FRIDERICUS EIS QUARTUS EJUSDEM DIOCESEOS EPISCOPUS HUNC LAPIDEM ANGULAREM POSUIT POSTERIS IN MEMORIAM. MCM III.19
On the south side is inscribed :
Rt. Rev. Frederic Eis, Bishop. Rev. Joseph G. Pinten, Rector. Building Committee : Joseph F. Neidhart, Charles R. McCabe, Francis Nys, John J. Connolly, George Barnes, George Ciesielski. John D. Chubb, Architect. Nov. I, A. D. 1903.
The most recent token of esteem and veneration for Bishop Baraga is ex- pressed in a resolution of an association of Slovenian priests in America at their third annual meeting in St. Paul, Minn. October 25, 1904, to name it "Baraga As- sociation" and to have it incorporated under that name. Monsignor Buh fath- ered the resolution.
Likewise, a lasting monument was raised to the memory of Bishop Baraga in his native country. In 1897 occurred the centenary of his birth. This did not escape the attention of his countrymen who were always proud that Baraga's cradle stood in their midst; nor did they wish to make the occasion of passing im- portance only, but wanted to leave to posterity a permanent mark of their es- teem. By public subscription money was raised to erect in the parish church at Dobernice, where Bishop Baraga was baptized, a marble bust of him. It was executed by Aloysius Progar, an aca- demic sculptor of Klagenfurth. Over half the cost was defrayed by the Sloven- ian priests of America, but the credit for so fitting a centennial commemoration is wholly due to the present pastor of Do- berniče, the Rev. Charles Jančigar, who with a commendable foresight not only fathered the idea of the monument, but made timely arrangements to have it in
18 Mining Journal Nov. 2, 1903.
19 On the feast of All Saints, the fiftieth anni- versary of the Consecration of Frederic Baraga, the first bishop of Sault Ste. Marie, Frederic Eis, the fourth bishop of the same diocese, has laid this corner stone for posterity in remembrance, 1903.
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place on the anniversary day. Accident- lavas in the shade of the Linden trees ally this day occurred at a period when planted in Baraga's childhood days. the Lazarist Fathers were conducting a Mission in the parish. This, of course, precluded temporarily the secular cele- bration, but the unveiling of the monu- ment was done in presence of an im- mense concourse of people; the oration was delivered by the Lazarist, Father Krivec.
On the monument is inscribed in the Slovenian language :
"Irenej Friderik Baraga, roj. v gradu Malavas 29. junija 1797 in isti dan krščen v tej farni cerkvi. Po dovršenem pravos- lovju na Dunaju in bogoslovju v Ljubl- jani v mašnika posvečen 21. sept. 1823. Kapelan v Šmartnem pri Kranju in v Metliki. Od leta 1831 misijonar Otava in Očipve-Indijanov v Michiganu. Sev. Amerike; v škofa posvečen I. novb. 1853; v Gospodu zaspal 19. jan. 1868 v Marquette. Postavili častilci njigovi 1. 1897." 20
A month after the unveiling a popular celebration was held at the castle of Ma-
"" Irenaeus Frederic Baraga, born in the cas- tle of Malavas June 29, 1797, and baptized on the same day in this parish church; after completing a law-course in Vienna and that of theology in Laibach he was ordained priest Sept. 21, 1823; was assistant in St. Martin near Krainburg and in Metlika; from 1831 he was missionary of Ot- tawa and Otchipwe Indians in Michigan, North America; was consecrated Bishop November I, 1853: died in the Lord, January 19, 1868. Erected by his admirers A. D. 1897.
Our sketch would seem incomplete if we did not say a word of the monogram of the Holy Name of Jesus which Bishop Baraga used so extensively. In his diary we found it marked almost on every page. Whenever he recorded anything that either saddened him or something that he felt grateful for to Divine Provi- dence, he drew with his pen that hallowed monogram. When he became bishop he adopted it into his coat of arms. His con- fidence in the promises of Jesus Christ, so beautifully embodied in that monogram, "if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you," (John 16, 23. ) never faltered. No wonder then that God revealed His complacency upon this simple faith, at least. it is certainly significant that this great servant of God departed this life on the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. "Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord." ( Ps. 34, 5.)
After the death of Bishop Baraga, Father Jacker was charged with the gov- ernment of the diocese. There is hardly any question but that the same names, given by Baraga at the Plenary Council, were returned annotated to Rome. The Holy Father had chosen Rev. Ignatius Mrak for the second bishop of Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette.
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Chapter VIII.
THE RIGHT REV. IGNATIUS MRAK, D. D.
His origin and huis carly days .- His ordination to priesthood .- Becomes private tutor in a noble family .- Resolves to go to America .- Becomes assistant to Father Pierz at Arbre Croche .- Is made first Vicar General of the diocese of Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette .- Becomes second Bishop of the diocese .- Goes to the Vatican Council.
Ignatius Mrak was born of legitimate parentage, in the village Hotovle, of the parish of Poelland, in the province of Carniolia, Austria, on the 16th day of October 1818 and was baptized on the same day, in the parish church of St. Martin, by the assistant priest Francis Resch. His god-parents were Caspar Oblak and Gertrude Jereb. His father's christian name was Mathias and his mother's Mary, whose maiden name was Demscher. They were people of moder- ate circumstances, owned a farm of a good proportion, but the tilling of the soil on account of its poorness, cost its owners considerable labor and sacrifice. They had six children, from among whom Ignatius, for his extraordinary talents, was soon singled out for a higher education. He first attended the small parochial school at Poelland, and at the age of thirteen was sent to the neighbor- ing town of Krainburg, where. that year,
he completed the elementary course. In the fall of 1825 he entered the royal Gymnasium of Laibach and with fair suc- cess finished the first grade of Latin, al- though he experienced no little difficulty in seeing through the varied entangle- ment of the new classic language he undertook to acquire. The second year this hazy comprehension proved fatal, in as much as he was not promoted with his class, and a serious question arose at home, whether he should be al- lowed to try it over or be made to till the soil after the fashion of his ancestors. Between the frequent reproaches for his failure the parental love, like the sun be- hind a passing cloud, revealed itself with so much greater effect upon the young heart of Ignatius who more keenly felt the disgrace of his failure than even the wounded pride of the parents. Tears and resolutions commingled abundantly ! Seeing her progeny so repentant of a mis-
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Rev. Ignatius Mrak, to celebrate his first holy sacrifice of the Mass, in the parish church of St. Martin in Poelland, but on condition only, that all secular pomp and worldliness be avoided, and that he brings from the rector of said church a certificate to that effect." 1
Notwithstanding these restrictions, the jubilation of the entire parish ran high, and everybody seemed to have foreknown that the 'little failure' of young Ignatius was only a mischievious crotchet in life presaging his greatness in future!
Father Mrak paid little attention to the augury of his co-parishioners, his mind was turned to his future. Fieldmarshall Baron Peter Pirquet had applied to the Prince-Bishop for a tutor for his son. Father Mrak sought the appointment to which his bishop reluctantly consented. The post was not so easily filled because the government, with unrelaxing sever- ity, demanded of the applicant a rigid examination, equivalent to that of a pro- fessorship. Father Mrak took the exami- nation and received the appointment. The bishop gave him this letter of recom- mendation :
"We make known to all that bearer, Rev. Ignatius Mrak, secular priest of Our diocese and tutor to the son of his Excel- lency Peter Pirquet, Baron of Cesena, Im-
1 Reverendo Domino Ignatio Mrak, neo- ordinato Presbytero Dioceseos Nostrae, primum suum sacro-sanctum Missae sacrificium in Eccle- sia parochiali S. Martini in Poelland offerendi hisce, ea tamen lege, licentiam damus, ut omnem pompam saecularem ac strepitum profanum de- vitet et a R. D. Rectore praefatae Ecclesiae testi- monium afferat, Primitias decenter celebratas fuisse.
Ex officio episcopali Labaci die 14. Augusti 1837. ANTONIUS ALOYSIUS, L. S. Episcopus.
(In diocesan Archives, Marquette.)
perial Fieldmarshall, desiring to go with him into the Austrian domain in Italy, has humbly petitioned Us to allow him the departure and to furnish him this let- ter of commendation; favoring his re- quest, We grant him permission to remain outside of Our diocese during the term of one year, at the same time attest that in- asmuch as the exercise of sacred rites of Priesthood are concerned, he is in no way restricted, that he is of good morals and for the care of souls approved in Our dio- cese; We, therefore, as much as it be- hooveth Us in the Lord, commend him, by these presents, to all to whom he shall `come." 2
Father Mrak sojourned in Legnago, near Verona, six months and remained altogether two years in the service of that noble family. Returning to the diocese he was made, January 27, 1840, third as- sistant to the pastor, the Rev. John Traun, who had been pastor in Poelland, Mrak's native parish, when Mrak was born. From this assistantship he was
" Notum facimus, praesentium exhibitorem R. D. Ignatium Mrak, Dioceseos Nostrae Presby- terum saecularem et informatorem filii Dni. Petri Pirquet Lib. Bar. a Cesenatico caes. reg. Prom- areschalli campi generalis cum eodem in Italiam Austriacam ire cupientem, humiliter nobis sup- plicasse et facultatem huic discedendi et litteras commendatitias sibi largiremur; cujus petitioni annuentes mox dictam facultatem, extra Nostram Diocesim commorandi, ad annum duraturam, eidem hisce concedimus, simulque attestamur, eundem nullo, quoad constat, impedimento a sacrorum, imprimis vero Presbyteratus Ordinis exercitio prohibitum, sed bonis moribus praedi- tum, et pro cura animarum in Diocesi Nostra ex- ercenda approbatum esse; quo circa eundem om- nium, quibus praesentes exhiberi contigerit, fa- voribus, quantum in Domino possumus, com- mendamus.
Ex Residentia Nostra Episcopali, Labaci die 30. Septembris 1838.
L. S.
ANTONIUS ALOYSIUS, Episcopus. ANTONIUS KOS, Notarius.
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For two years the two missionaries worked in fraternal harmony. The num- ber of adult Christians, recruited mostly from among heathen Indians, had in- creased to 1842 souls. But as they were scattered in the most distant locations, one missionary was almost continually traveling. To avoid unnecessary going back and forth the two missionaries de- cided to divide the missions into two separate jurisdictions. Father Mrak, who had by this time attained sufficient fluency of the Chippewa dialect, was able to take care of a mission by himself. The propo- sition was placed before Bishop Lefevere. On the 10th of July 1847 he visited the missions in person and gladly granted the request Father Pierz retained Arbre
. Croche, Cheboygan, Agakathiwing. Grand Traverse and Mahgigong with 1242 souls, and Father Mrak moved to La Croix, and assumed spiritual care of Middletown, Castor Islands and Manis- tee, altogether 600 souls. In the spring of 1851 Father Pierz, not having any more Indians to convert, left Michigan and took a new field of labor in Minne- sota. Father Mrak remained in his much loved La Croix till his elevation to the episcopate, though he suffered there many ups and downs in his career.
In 1853, the Vicariate Apostolic of Upper Michigan being established. Bish- op Lefevere ceded to Bishop Baraga some counties in northern Lower Michi- gan, thus Father Mrak came under the jurisdiction of the new diocese.
Recognizing Father Mrak's services, Bishop Baraga made him his Vicar Gen- eral. November 20, 1859. "By virtue of this decree We appoint, the beloved in Christ, the Very Rev. Ignatius Mrak,
Vicar General of Our Sault Ste. Marie diocese, because great are his merits in our missions in which he labored, with prudence and extraordinary zeal, fifteen years, and has by the grace of Almighty God, brought many Indians from the darkness of paganism to the light of the holy Gospel, receiving them among the number of children of the Holy Mother Church." The Latin fac-simile is an- nexed.
In August 1860 Father Mrak sailed to his native land to visit his relatives, and if possible to bring new missionaries for the diocese. Bishop Baraga issued him the following plenipontiary letters: "Be it known to all, that We have given per- mission to Our Vicar General, the Very Rev. Ignatius Mrak, to undertake the journey across the Atlantic, that he may above all other things, seek missionaries, of whom there is a great scarcity, for Our Sault Ste. Marie diocese in his own native land or elsewhere, and We give him the power to adopt priests for this dio- cese. Given in the Mission of B. Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, at (Eagle- town) Grand Traverse, Michigan, July 20, 1860." €
Father Mrak returned to his Indian mission in October of the same year, but we are not able to say whether or not he had been successful in his mis- sion. We know, however, that Father Mrak became dissatisfied with his lot at La Croix. Early in 1863 he wrote to Bishop Baraga that he intended to leave the missions with the opening of navi- gation, and return to his native country. Bishop Baraga, loath to lose so conscien- tious and excellent a missionary, wrote " Latin original is reproduced.
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him to desist from his intentions for the quest you to write to Father Mrak of sake of the immortal souls whom he could Grand Traverse, and to persuade him not to leave our missions. He wrote to me the other day that next spring he intends to quit this country and to go to Europe. save by remaining in the missionary field. Not trusting to his own persuasive pow- er, Bishop Baraga did not hesitate to re-
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veal to Bishop Lefevere the designs of I wrote him immediately and entreated Mrak. On January 17, 1863, he wrote to him not to do that. I also proposed to him a change of place, to take one of the two L'Arbre-Croche missions, if he pre- the same bishop as follows: "My Lord! I write you these few lines in order to re-
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ferred them to the missions of Grand Traverse; and I would then place one of the L'Arbre-Croche missionaries in Grand Traverse.
recommend him earnestly to remain in our missions. I also beg your Lordship to ask him the true reason of so strange an intention of going back to his own
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"I told him that he could not leave now our missions with good conscience, as he knows well all the languages that are nec- essary there. I request your Lordship to
country. And when you receive an an- swer from him, I pray you to communi- cate it to me." 7
" Original .at Notre Dame University, Indiana.
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The correspondence between the three gentlemen would certainly prove interest- ing, but it would be more interesting to know 'the true reason' why Father Mrak decided to leave the missions. We have been unable to fathom the mystery. But evidently the pressure brought to bear upon him, was sufficient to offset his no- tions. We are equally certain, for the reason that Mrak remained in his mis- sion, and afterwards, as retired bishop, returned to it, that it was not the discon- tentment with his mission that inclined him to the strange resolution. The reason must have been from an external cause.
Father Mrak stayed-and stayed in that humble position until after the death of Baraga. He was not even made ad- ministrator of the diocese upon the death of the bishop. All this had no effect upon him. He was not ambitious for eccle- siastical honors. He remained absolutely indifferent even when the official an- nouncement was made, and the Apostolic Briefs had arrived that he was to succeed Bishop Baraga in the episcopal See of Sault Ste. and Marquette. We reproduce fac-similes of letters, from the diocesan archives-wondering at the same time that they were not lost-throwing a splendid light upon the character of Bish- op Mrak.
Here is the first one, although chrono- logically it should be the second :
"Cincinnati, 13, Dec. 1868.
RIGHT REVD. DEAR FRIEND.
Mgr. Mrak has not answered either of two letters I sent him announcing the re- ception of the Apostolic Letters for his consecration as bishop of Marquette.
Will you not as his best neighbor and friend encourage him to accept, were it
only to consecrate his few remaining years of noble life of sacrifices by sub- mitting to the Episcopal yoke. The Holy Father, as you well know, is so distressed when Bulls are sent back to Him.
Wishing you and yours. Rt. Revd and Beloved Brother, a most happy Xmas and New Year, I remain ever yours,
J. B. PURCELL, Archbishop. RIGHT REVD P. P. LEFEVERE, D. D. Bishop, Detroit."
To Father Mrak the Archbishop wrote as follows :
"Cincinnati, 23d, Dec. '68.
RT. REV. DEAR FRIEND :
This is the third letter I address to you, besides requesting Rt. Revd. Bishops Henni and Lefevere and Very Revd Ed. Jacker to inform you that I have received the Apostolic Letters for your consecra- tion as Bishop of Marquette.
All are anxious that you should ac- cept-and the Holy Father will be dis- tressed and displeased if you refuse. I stated in my first letter that if you come to Cincinnati our good Catholics will treat you to an outfit, and we shall be delighted if you remain with us, and we shall give you enough to do until spring.
So, Rt. Revd. and Beloved friend ac- cept and give the remaining years of your life to that good God to whom its preced- ing portion has been so faithfully conse- crated.
Hoping I am to hear from you, and in the meantime wishing you a most hap- py Christmas and New Year, I remain your faithful brother in Christ.
J. B. PURCELL, Archbishop.
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pression is hard to say. Father Mrak Bishop-Elect, Marquette." took his own good time about it. Finally, after the Christmas festivities were end-
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had the desired effect, or the combined ed, he went, beginning of February, to forces of Bishops Lefevere and Henni Cincinnati. Even then, so the story runs, and Father Jacker made any telling im- the Archbishop used all his persuasive
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power to hitch him up into the "episcopal yoke."
Father Mrak had come to Cincinnati empty handed, without money or the nec- essary episcopal outfit. The Archbishop then, made his promise good. One of his old purple cassocks was cleaned and al- tered, by the Sisters, to fit the bishop- elect. Bishop Lefevere gave him an old pectoral cross and ring, both of silver, and at this writing in possession of Rev. Fa- ther Menard of Escanaba. The rest chari- table hands, from among the flock, sup- plied.
The Brief of appointment reads in translation thus :
PIUS IX. POPE.
Beloved Son, Health and Apostolic Benediction. The office of the Apostolate, conferred upon Us, not through Our own merits, by divine Providence, from on High, by which We preside over the government of all churches, striving, with the help of the Lord, usefully to exercise, We are solicitous in Our own heart and watchful, that when there is a question of committting the government of same, We endeavor to give them such pastors, as know how to teach people entrusted to their care, not only by word of doctrine, but also by example of good work, and are desirous and capable, under God, healthfully to guide and happily to govern, the churches commissioned to them, in peace and tranquillity. Since We have reserved the provision for all churches, that are now and shall in future become vacant, to Our own disposition and de- clared thenceforth null and void all efforts to the contrary, no matter by what authority, whether knowingly or unknowingly made. The episcopal church,
then, of Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette, being deprived of a pastor, that it may no longer suffer from the inconveniences of a vacancy being desirous with paternal and solicitous interest to make quick and happy provision, in which no one could or can intermix by decree or reserva- tion, contrary to this, after a deligent deliberation, which We have had about placing at the head of the same church a useful and fruitful person, with Our Venerable Brothers the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, in charge of the Propaganda Fide, We turned Our atten- tion to you, who, born of lawful wedlock and of lawful age, are highly commended. besides the piety in which you excel, for providence, zeal for promotion of religion and other virtues. Duly considering all this, we absolve you and hold you ab- solved, in so far as this matter is con- cerned, from whatsoever excommunica- tion, suspension, interdict and all other ecclesiastical sentences, censures and punishments, no matter what way or for what reason pronounced, if you have per- haps incurred any, in virtue of Our Apos- tolic authority, with the advice of the same venerable Brothers, by these presents, We make provision for said church of Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette in your person, which is acceptable to Us and the fore- mentioned Cardinals on account of the ex- cellence of your merits, We appoint you bishop and pastor, fully committing to you the care, rule and administration of that church, in spirituals and temporals, trusting in Him who bestoweth graces and gifts that said church, the Lord guiding your actions, will prosper as well in spirituals as in temporals, by your watchful diligence and studiousness, that
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