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 7
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Observes toujours la loi de Dicu,
Nuovo sempre sia il T'ostro selo,
Imitate the Saviors holy life,
Angwamisin, mino bimadisin. Mission Zum hil. Joseph in N. America,
24 Letter August II, 1836.
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in Juli, 1839, Dein Dich ewig liebender Bruder, Friedrich Baraga, m.s. pr.
From Paris Baraga went to Rome, thence to Vienna, where he arrived April 17, 1837. He paid a brief visit to his native province, Carniolia. In Laibach and other places he preached in the Slo- venian and German languages to im- mense multitudes. In Doebernig, in the church of St. George, where he had been baptized, he was so overcome by the sweet recollection of the happy moment of Baptism, that renewing with greatest fervor his baptismal vows, he knelt al- most a whole hour at the font, where forty years before he had received the sacrament of regeneration.25 In Vienna he gave the directors of the Leopoldine Society a more explicit account of his mission. He was also received in audi- ence by the royal family and was dined by the renowned Prince Metternich. Abun- dant donations, in money and church goods, came to him from all parts of the Austrian Empire. The purpose of his journey had been amply accomplished. On the 24th of May ( 1837) he left Havre on a sail boat. It took him fifty days to cross the Atlantic, arriving in New York, July 12th. More annoying were the dif- ficulties which he experienced with his church goods freight. On account of which he was delayed for several days in many places. He arrived at La Pointe on the 8th of October. Too late for any work on the church. He therefore de- voted himself during the winter entirely to the instruction of Indians.
Early in the spring the enlargement of the church was commenced, and con-
tinued all summer. "The completion of this church particularly inside has taken away considerable of my time, for I had to be present the most of the time, first to lay out the work and to encourage the men working. Workmen in this country are very expensive, and besides difficult to be had. For this reason I myself had to help, especially when we were furnish- ing the church. Thus after much worry, exertion and expenditure we succeeded in completing this mission church on the Ist of September, to the general joy and admiration of my Christians.
"It is built of wood, of course, but the inside, being plastered and white washed it appears as if built of solid masonry. The eighteen oil paintings which repre- sent the Birth, Death and the glorious Ascension of Jesus Christ contribute magnificently to its decoration. Indeed, they not only serve as decorations but facilitate the instruction of Indians in the mysteries of the religion as well as in the life of the Redeemer. The large picture. over the altar painted by Langus in Lai- bach is an excellent representation of St. Joseph in his workshop. The holy Vir- gin Mary is seated on one side, while the Infant Jesus looks on at his foster-father working. It is especially fitting for an Indian mission, because the Indians are naturally indolent. Missionaries are often compelled to animate them to work, and a more sublime example of industry, than the Holy Family, we could not place before them." 26
In the month of July, Baraga had the pleasure of a visit from Father Francis Pierz. He was on his way to Grand
26 Letter September 17, 1838. Annals XII., p. 69.
25 Verwyst, p. 185.
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Father Baraga his Vicar General for the territory of Wisconsin.28
This was the good Bishop's last visit to the northern missions. The arduous work, which the immense territory of his Diocese, exacted of him was too much for his physical strength. He felt him- self enfeebled and resigned in April 1837, but the Holy Father refused to accept his resignation and ordered him to come to Rome to substantiate his reasons for so doing, in person. He obeyed, but when he arrived in Rome, in 1839, softening of the brain had set in, and he was immedi- ately retired, leaving him the title of Bishop of Detroit. He remained in Rome till the Revolution of 1849; there- upon he retired into the Diocese of Mun- ster, Westphalia, and was cared for by the Sisters of Charity at their Hospital at Kloppenburg, until death relieved him of all earthly misery, December 29, 1871.
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In September 1840 appointment came to Father J. M. Odin 29 as Administrator of Detroit but he absolutely refused the episcopal honor. A zealous and worthy missionary was the next selection, with the instruction, from Rome, that a refusal will not be countenanced, and the Rever- end Peter Paul Lefevere was consecrated Bishop of Zela i. p., and made Apostolic administrator of Detroit.
The St. Joseph mission had become a regular, though yet, a small parish. The church, neat and quite large, was equip- ped with an altar, seats, and even a pul- pit. There was a regular choir, of which the leader was being paid for his services by the congregation. Three duly ap-
pointed trustees, two grown up mass- servers, and a sexton. The dwelling for the missionary was comfortable. And a cemetery was laid out along side of the church.
During the winter of 1838-39, Baraga employed his spare time composing an- other book, which he considered most necessary for his Indians. The book was called Gagikwe-masinaigan. It contained an extract of the Old Testament, of the acts of the Apostles and of the letters together with the Epistles and Gospels for all Sundays and festivals of the year. It was printed by Joseph A. Hermann, Cin- cinnati Ohio, in 1858.
About this time he had also written in the Slovenian language "Zlata jabel- ka," (Golden Apples). It was, however, printed first in 1844 by Blasnik in Lai- bach. This book is in circulation to this day and much cherished by his country- men.
In the summer of 1840 Baraga bought in New York a bell weighing four hun- dred and seventy seven pounds, and cost F.O.B., one hundred and seventy eight dollars. It was brought to La Pointe on the 2d of October. By this time he had come to realize that, through the increase of Canadians and half-breeds, the church had become too small. He resolved, dur- ing the coming summer, 1841, to tear down the church and with addition of new material erect a larger and more suitable one. It proved to be a greater undertaking than he had estimated. "Since I have been here, he writes, my congregation has considerably increased, partly through conversions, partly by new settlers, so much so, that I am again con- fronted by the pleasurable necessity of en-
28 Ibidem.
29 March 6. 1842, made, in obedience, Bishop of Claudiopolis and Vicar-Apostolic of Texas.
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PIUS PP. IX.
nd futuram rei memoriam. Jasulat Apostolicum officium quoi Nobis licet immerentitus Dire no consilio commissum est, uten cidesde procuratione co exequamin, quod inmajus Religioniserro- lumentum conducere d'iceatui Jamvero Venerables Birdies Archiepiscoju, et chuscopi frede valorum tourice Septentrionalis Statiunvin plenariam Synod und novissince congregati, gicos inter recensebatur administrator perpe. tuus Diceceu Detroiterwis ab Qu stolich. Sede constitutus probe intelligentes i salde profuturum rel cattolica et anima. rumbono li peninsula Superior status .Michig ansuna cum insulis ad jurisdictional CivileniejuSompeninsu law in praiseies pertinenti bus a Dices Detroitensi junta in Nica imtunyapostolicunverigitur cujus regimen committatur Artistiti chuscopati charactere, et dignitate excorinato, sol'it hac super tecniche preces porigenons du rarunt.No novio.cum nekel pottu. habeamus, quam ut Prikolica Vides utique terrariumagio in diesflorescat et vigent; habita prius Dere duyurmore accurate del bertone cui VI'99.MAMY.6. Cardinalibus negates Propagan Dae Fidei gernepasaules ad novi Secariatus erectionem Severiniundexistimasimus. Anque certa.Scientin, ac na- turn deliberazione Nostra, ceque Apostolical' Autoritatis plenitudine dictum peninsulanu Superiorem Status Michgan una cum, insulla as civilen jusden peninsular Superioris jurisdictionunmodo per tinentibus a Dicecesi Detroiterii per fire présentes fueras Vevidimus Jejungimus, ac dismembramus. eamque Si divisum ac desmembra tanvin peculiareni Vicariatum' Apostolicunverigimus, ejusq regiment Antistile committe volumul qui criscopale charactere. Mit insignities. Mancamies practice utensom regio quam. Siya Deserysimus, indica ratum Il postolicumerecia consenturium ountbil bistrimen condicion nobuo, ac dependentio quibus alli ficariatio Apostolica obnoxi Sunt. Non obstantebus Norton, et Cancelleriae Apostólica Fregula de jure quesito non tollendo nec non Benici MIT Graciastri Super Qui Mal "alig: apostolici acin Universalibus Provincialibusque, et Synodalious Conciliy editis generalibus vel specialitus Constitutionible, er le, dinationibus cererisque contrarios quibuscung. Datum Plomacanud & Mariam Majore Sub Annule Piscator diexxxIx: Julian. No Cell. Fortificatus Octavo
anno Pro Domino Card Lambruschini J. B- Brancaleone pastillais Justy
FACSIMILE OF APOSTOLIC LETTERS ERECTING THE VICARIATE APOSTOLIC OF UPPER MICHIGAN.
(REDUCED FROM 17XII IN.).
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larging my church. It is now almost completed. Inside it is actually fur- nished, only on the outside some things remain to be done. Besides, building ex- penses have run up higher than I had calculated, and I find myself considerably indebted. Yet I hope, with the help of God, to pay all.30
Paying of church debts is not an easy matter even in our days when resources are greater. How much more in those days! Baraga owed the Trading Com- pany the sum of four hundred dollars. Little, if anything, could come from his congregation, hence he depended entirely on his friends in Austria. But even from there, the help did not come fast enough. The company looked for its money. In this dilemma Baraga wrote to His Grace, the Archbishop of Vienna, a letter in which he unwittingly revealed how sensi- tive he was about dunning. He says : "In this present embarrassment I humbly undertake to write to you. Last summer Father Pierz wrote to me, that he had received from Vienna the assurance of a significant help from the Leo- poldine Society for himself and me. Re- lying upon this, I renovated my church and contracted an indebtedness of four hundred dollars with the Trading Com- pany. However, to this day the assis- tance has not reached me, and the Company to whom I owe the above sum,
30 Letter August 27, 1841. A. XV.
commenced to dun me, as they have done so even today. Therefore I take the lib- erty to beg your Princely Grace to have the above sum forwarded to the Rt. Rev. Paul Pierre Lefevere, Bishop of Detroit, with the special injunction that it is for my mission. I hope that your Princely Grace will not consider this, my most humble request, as indiscreet. I am not laboring here for my own interests, as merchants do, but solely to carry out the purpose for which individual members of the Leopoldine Society give their small contributions, namely, the conversion of savages, and the sanctification of the con- verts in this so wild and inhospitable, strange land where all civilized comforts are wanting. Besides this request is the first of its kind, and I assure your Princely Grace that after my church. debt is paid, I shall never be so persistent, but shall content myself with what your Princely Grace, or other benefactors of missions may willingly send me." 31
This letter had its intended effect. Ac- cording to our postal facilities, a long time elapsed before the money reached Baraga. On the 12th of September, 1843, he gratefully acknowledges the re- ceipt of the letter, and although the money had not yet come, he says: "I am able only to thank your Grace, the good God will repay you." 32
31 Letter October 12, 1842. A. XVI.
32 Letter September 12, 1843. A. XVII.
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Chapter III.
Baraga establishes the mission at L'Anse .- Writes his Indian Grammar. He visits Eagle Harbor, his first white mission. His activity at L'Anse.
Amidst his labors at La Pointe, Baraga had been receiving letters from other places requesting him to kindly accord them a visit. One of these was from L'Anse. Mr. Crebassa relates his corre- spondence in the following letter. "I will now give a few facts regarding Reverend Father Baraga, the second priest who came to L'Anse. ( The first was René Ménard, S. J. in 1660.) I came to L'Anse in 1837, and was employed by the American Fur Company. An old chief named Penaushi came to see me every Sunday. I had an old Bible, printed in the French language in the year 1815, and the old chief used to re- quest me to read to him from the book and explain it, which I did to the best of my ablity. He desired to know if I could get a priest to come here, and I replied that I would write to Father Baraga, who was then at La Pointe, Wisconsin, and was the only priest in this portion of the Country. Accordingly I wrote to Father Baraga, explaining matters, and invited him to come. That was in 1840. He re- plied that he could not leave La Pointe, as he had a church and a large congre- gation there. Each year I wrote to him, and at last, in 1843, I received the fol-
lowing letter, written in French, which is correctly translated in English.
"Mr. Pierre Crebassa, My Dear Friend-I received your letter on the 6th of the month with great pleasure, and I think I am obliged to accept your invita- tion. There is now a three years' resis- tance to the invitation to go to L'Anse, for I don't like to leave my children, but now I cannot resist any longer, for I think it is the will of God that I go. It's for that reason I promise you, I shall go to L'Anse, if God will let me live. I think I shall go in the schooner of Mr. Menden- hall, the "Algonquin," in the beginning of May, and I shall go to the 'Soo,' for the schooner will not go to L'Anse, and from the Soo I shall get some opportun- ity to go to your place.
"Dear Sir, I pray you tell your In- dians if I see that they will join the Cath- olic religion I will stay with them the fore part of the summer, and I will go back with you in the month of July to La Pointe. You can also tell your Indians that if I see that they embrace the Cath- olic religion in great numbers, I shall try to stay with them, if I can, and get another in my place at La Pointe, if our
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Superior, the Bishop, gives his consent. I am, dear Sir, your sincere friend,
FREDERIC BARAGA, Missionary Priest. LA POINTE, March 13th, 1843." 1
To fulfill his promise, Baraga actually arrived in L'Anse on the 24th of May (1843) and remained twenty days. Even during this short stay some Indians were converted and baptized. This fact Baraga recorded on the first pages of the Bap- tismal record, still kept at the Mission, the verbatim copy is given elsewhere in this book.
While at L'Anse, Baraga was accorded hospitality in the house of Mr. Crebassa, who also placed half of the dwelling at his disposal that he might say Mass there and give instructions. After twenty days so- journ in L'Anse, he returned in a canoe accompanied by two men, to La Pointe. Upon his arrival he wrote to Mr. Cre- bassa the following English letter :
"Mr. P. Crebassa, L'Anse, Mich., Dear Sir-I write you only a few lines to thank you for all your charity and goodness to me. I am unable to recompense you for all your kindness and services. I pray to God that He may do, what I cannot, and that He may bless you in this world and in the next.
"I hope you do on Sundays, as I re- quested of you before I left your place, for the good work. Also that Almighty God may recompense you. I beg you to continue this good work as long as you remain there.
"Our voyage has been somewhat disa- greeable, but short. We arrived here on Friday at six o'clock in the afternoon. Your men intended to start the following
day, but Isidore felt a little wanting in energy, but they will start tomorrow morning. You will please give these little incidents to Marimann.
With much respect, your sincere friend, FREDERIC BARAGA. "The beads you will give to Nancy, together with my friendly salutation.
LA POINTE, June 18th, 1843." 2
Prospects for more conversions and the establishment of a new mission, at L'Anse, proved exceedingly bright Here, Baraga's self sacrifice and unsel- fishness show themselves more than at any other moment in his life. It was the conversion of souls, and not comfort he sought. He writes to the Archbishop of Vienna, Sept. 12th, 1843: "I have now concluded to establish, this fall, a mission on Lake Superior, some one hundred and eighty miles from here. It will be, as I hope, according to the promises and as- surances of the pagans living there, for the salvation of many souls. Here in La Pointe conversions of . pagans are now very rare. Hence, I desire to preach else- where the Gospel to the pitiable pagan In- dians. I am certain of gaining more of them where I intend to start a new mis- sion, than here. Ah, what a consolation, what an unspeakable pleasure to gain im- mortal souls for Jesus Christ !
"For the establishing of new missions a little assistance is always necessary. A chapel, house and a school have to be built. It is true, these buildings are con- structed only of wood, but the builders have to be fed and paid. If your Princely Grace would again send me, next spring. a small pecuniary assistance, it would cer- tainly be a seasonable benefit unto the
" Verwyst, p. 208.
1 Verwyst, p. 206.
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PIUS PP. IX .
Dilecta Fili, salutemet Apostolicam Benedictionem. Apostolatus officium, mertis licet inguaribu, flobis ce alto comunitsum quo Eccle diarum omnium regimini divina dispositione presidentes, utiliter exequi, adjuvante Dno cupientes, sollicite corde reformu; et solertes, ut cum de Eccliar um ijusarum regiminibus agitar comunittendis, tales cit in Pastores per aficere Stadcamus, qui Joquitum duse curac credi tum scient non solum Doctrina verbi, sed etiam exemplo beni ogeris informare, committalque Sibi Ecclesias in Statu pacifico, et tranquillo ve Lint, et valeant, auctore Dro salubriter regere, et feliciter qubernare. Dudum siquidem provisionsm Lechiarum omnium nun excantium; que que in posterum vacature ordinationi, et provisioni fix reservavimus, decorrente ex tune irritamct inone, di decid super his & quo quan quav is quite s center; vel ignor anter cantigerit attenteri. Postmodun vero Giali Eclia tomyzonensi, que sub etor chiepatu I tauro politano in partibus infidelium existit, dotato pastoris destituta, Nos ad jusdem felix de cajas provisionem celorom, atque felicem, in que nullus queter Mos se potuit, aut protest intromettere, reservatione, et decreto obsistem supradicti, ne illa longe vacationis expenatur incommodit, jex terno, ac sollicite studio intendentes post deliberationem, quai deproficiendo cidem Ecclis personam utalem acfructusbon cum 918 77 11. J. E. R. Con Finalibus negotus Propaganda Fidei per vepolitis habemus Diligentem, Femum xo Je qui ex legitimo matrimonio procrea tus, et in state legitima constitutes existis, quique religionis studio, doctrina ju udentix conundaris seulos mentis fix Pirexinus. Quibus ensibus mature pergensis te, Filete file & quibus v is excommunicationis, suspensionis, et inter Ficti, sluis que ecclesiasticis censuri, sententil et penis quovit modo, et qualunque de causa late, si quais forte incurristi, hujus tantum rei gratis absolventes et ab solution fore consentes. Randen Elem Eccliam Amyzonendem de persona tux Mobil, et memoratis Co Finalibus of turin exigenteom meritorum acepta, de corum Le Forum consilio Aute Aplica tenore pitium providemus Jeque ille in Gum graficimus et Pastorem curam, regimen, et adminem gilius Lective tibi in spiritualibut et temporalibus plenarie committente, in Illo qui det gratian et la gatus Jons confli, quod dirigente Die actus tuos fita Ecclia per tus circumssectionis industriam, et studium utilites ; et prospere dirigetur, et in Milibus, et temporalibut Orthodoxk Religio incrementa Sus cy nict. Jagum igitur Die tuis impositum humoris prompts anime devotione amy lecteurs curamet ximnem fitas itx stu_ Gris fileliter prudenter que exercere, ut Ecclia pita gaudeat se percile gubernatoriet fructuoso admire esse commissamet Ju poster ster_ ne retributionis premium fram quoque, et Jedis Aplica uberius exinde conseque mercaril bene dictionem, et gratiaun. "Proterea Jibi ut. as celiain gitain quamdiu ab infidelibus Detinebitur, accedere, et ayud com personaliter residere minime tener it exdem toute Aplica concedi mud, et indulgent. Ceterum alex que inter cedere postent comoditate augmentum favorabiliter respacientes, Fibi, ut a quo cumque, quem malue ed Catholico Antistite Ata hujus dedis gration, et communem habente, scitil et in hoc ci assistentibut Juobut alis gris, vel quatenus hi commode reperi rinon poterunt, Juobut corum loco Pliy bacularibut, vel cujusque Ord", Conguis, et Institute Regribut Similem jita Hope befit gratiam, et comminem ha_ bentibus mums Consecrationis recipere libere, et licite posti, etc aleas; eidenque Antistati ist, receptis x Te print Catholice Fidei professione juxta A, ticules quidem at defilica dede propostos, at Ilio,et Rix Lectio nomine fidelitatis Habita solito juramento, pitum munus Sibi ctucte Nia inguendere li cite vale at exdem toute plenum, et liber am harum devie tribuimus facultate. Volumes tamen extenque tutte precipinus, atque de cernimus, ut niti receptis & Jejer Stun Antestitem juramento, et professione fidei budi inte dentistes Consecrationis munus Sibi imprendere Juque illut recipere jured um Arteritis idem Antites i Pontificalis official exerciti, et tam igute quem The a regimeine, et domine felixrum warum Sus pensi sitis eo ipso. Hon ob stan Con stitutionibus Auctionibus Afelicit, ceteris que contrari quitus cumque. Datum Roma apud J. Mariam Majorcan Jub Amando Piscatoris Die XXIX Julie ATEROSCL. III Pontificatus Mostra
Octavo
Pro Domino Caroli Lambruschini Po. B- Brancaloni Castellana debilly
FACSIMILE OF APOSTOLIC LETTER APPOINTING REV. FREDERIC BARAGA AS BISHOP OF AMYZONIA IN PARTIBUS INFIDELIUM.
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eternal salvation of many precious souls. Oh, the salvation of a single immortal soul is more worth than all the millions of this world !" 3
If Baraga had been driven from Grand River, as some would have it, here, at least, nothing compelled him to leave the so well organized and, we may say, so well equipped mission, unless he quitted it himself.
Baraga came to L'Anse a second time on the 24th of October 1843. This time with the intention of establishing a per- manent mission and to remain there. With the help of the already converted Indians, and of all who would lend a will- ing hand, he commenced building a log church and an adjoining presbytery, all under one roof. The upbuilding ot the congregation was also earnestly begun. "Soon after my arrival," Father Baraga writes, "I started an Indian school; in this work I am assisted by some pious and able individuals, whom I have brought with me from La Pointe. I have fifty one scholars of whom twenty are boys, three men, nineteen girls and nine women. These are taught first to read, and are instructed in Catechism; after that they learn to write and count. Most of my scholars learn to read readily, be- cause they find much pleasure in it. Some of them have learned to read in less than two months." 4
Thus the good Father Baraga seems to have been again right in his element. Teaching and catechising Indians, was his supreme happiness. "My mission progresses well and I cease not to thank
3 Annals XVII.
4 Letter, February 12, 1844. A. XVIII.
the good God for it! In this short time of my being here I have had many con- soling conversions of Indians, and there are still many preparing for Baptism. On Christmas twenty nine pagans were re- generated of 'water and the Holy Spirit.' To date there were fifty six baptisms in this mission." 5
"Considering all this, I firmly believe that it was the will of God that I should establish here a permanent mission. Therefore, I commenced soon after my arrival, the construction of a small church, a dwelling for the missionary and a school, also a few small houses for the newly converted, for as long as these In- dians live scattered in the woods, they cannot be civilized, nor held to industry and cleanliness. For this reason I have adopted a plan according to the fashion of the good old Jesuits of Paraguay, to gather them into a village. My Indians are much pleased with this arrangement and all have promised to live in houses after the fashion of the Whites." "
Baraga actually built, first fifteen houses, and then seven more for the use of the Indians. His church was so far completed, during the winter and the fol- lowing spring, that he read Mass in it for the first time, the third Sunday after Pentecost, June 16th, 1844.
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