Jewels From Jane

Jewels from Jane, March 1 (one)

2008-07-30T09:28:00.003-05:00

Carondelet, 1 March 1840

Monseigneur:

I have the honor to present my respects and to say that I have taken votes for Sister Marie Joseph [Mary Francis Joseph Dillon]. She is received. She had nearly all the votes. I assure you that I am very much pleased with the votes. I beg you to name the day that you judge proper to receive her vows and to examine her. I should like to know some days ahead so that she can make a short retreat.

If it will not inconvenience you, could you come a day (Thursday or Sunday)when we have no class. Forgive me for asking this, but the Sisters want to make a great feast of this as she is the first that we have received into our congregation. However, whatever day you designate will be a feast day, because I feel that you will give a holiday for our children as well as for the Sisters. We all await the day eagerly.

I have the honor to be with the most profound respect your very unworthy daughter,

Sister Celestine [Pommerel]

P.S. Pardon me again. I wish to know if you think it well that I invite Father Fontbonne for the feast day.

Letter to Bishop Rosati
Translated from the French

Anne Eliza Dillon was the first American woman to enter the Congregation. She was born at Saint Charles, Missouri in 1820 and was the daughter of Patrick McAndrews Dillon, a wealthy Irish land-holder of St. Louis. Her mother died when she was a child, and together with a younger sister, she was placed with the Ladies of the Sacred Heart at their Academy in St. Louis, where she received an excellent education and acquired great fluency in French. It was here at school in 1836 that she met Sisters Delphine and Felicite, who during their first few months in America went every day to the Sacred Heart Convent for English lessons.
from Sister Lucida Savage's book, The Congregation of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, c1927

Jewels from Jane, March 1 (two)

2008-07-30T09:28:00.002-05:00

Tucson, Arizona Territory, March 1, 1870

To the Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph

Madame:

I have the honor to write you these few words to announce to you that Monseigneur Salpointe is sending to you eight hundred piastres to help with the preliminary expense occasioned by the departure of your good Sisters whom you deign to send us. Bishop Salpointe must have told you in his letter of last week that this sum is going to you from here to San Francisco, and from there it will reach you.

I hope, therefore, that we will at last have the happiness so desired of having your dear Sisters come at the earliest possible date to Tucson to take charge of this interesting part of our population. I have no need to tell you that they will be welcomed. It is still feared that they will not come; hasten therefore as much as you can their departure, conforming however with the letter of His Excellency, who left last Saturday for Fort Yuma and should return for Holy Week.

Your devoted servant who recommends himself to your good prayers,

Theo Jouvenceau
Vicar General

Translation of letter written in French to Mother St. John Facemaz

Jewels from Jane, Feb. 9

2008-07-30T09:27:00.005-05:00

Carondelet, February 9, 1838

Monseigneur:

I present my humble respects and beg Your Lordship please to give me permission to go to St. Louis to have the honor of talking with you. There are many things I would like to talk with you about which I cannot express in a letter and which I think you should know. Yesterday evening I had a difficult interview with Father Saulnier [Pastor of Sts. Mary & Joseph Parish] on the matter of singing because, after having asked advice of my Sisters and heard their reasoning, I had the weakness to give them permission to sing by rote and to respond at Mass. About that they said things that I cannot express. So, Monseigneur. I have great need, in my difficulty, to have the honor of an interview with Your Lordship. Please honor me with a brief reply.

Receive, Monseigneur, the humble respects of her who has the honor of being, of Your Lordship,

Your very humble and respectful servant,

Sister Marie Delphine Fontbonne

Letter to Bishop Rosati
Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, Feb. 24

2008-07-30T09:27:00.004-05:00

"Bishop Gerald O'Hara described this order of Sisters working in his diocese [Savannah] to Cardinal Dougherty of Philadelphia in a February 24, 1944 letter while requesting permission for the sisters to seek vocations in Philadelphia. He affirmed, 'The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph here is small and the Sisters have great difficulty in securing vocations. It is for this reason that they would like to try the more populous Catholic centers.' He suggests allowing the Sisters to speak to upper class high school girls of Philadelphia in order to recruit girls for the order. To Archbishop Spellman of New York, Bishop O'Hara recounts that 'here in Georgia we have a small province of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who have charge of various schools and other institutions in the diocese. These Sisters are doing heroic work in the Southland, but...they are greatly hampered by the fewness of vocations that they secure here where the Catholic population is so small.' These letters are revealing, for they clearly give evidence that the Sisters had difficulty in finding enough religious vocations to staff all the apostolates of their province.

"Despite the growth and success of the Augusta Province, the lack of vocations resulted in the merging of the Province with the Saint Louis Province in 1961. For some years other Sisters of Saint Joseph Provinces in the United States including Los Angeles, Saint Louis, Saint Paul, and Latham, New York, had sent sisters to help staff the various institutions in the Augusta Province. Mount Saint Joseph Academy merged with Boys Catholic School on November 5, 1957 when Bishop Gerald O'Hara dedicated a new school named Aquinas High School on Highland Avenue. Six Marist Brothers taught the boys while six Sisters of Saint Joseph taught the girls. The first sisters at Aquinas were Sisters Marie Cecile Bennett, Bernardine Torley, Carmelita Dowling, Marie Celine Gorman, Victoria Marie Ogilvie, and Mary Bernard Schweers. Mount Saint Joseph on Monte Sano Avenue continued as an elementary school until its sale to Saint Mary's on-the-Hill Parish located on the 1400 block of Monte Sano Avenue in 1960. The last elementary class of Mount Saint Joseph graduated in June 1960, and by 1961 Saint Mary's on-the-Hill Catholic School was operating at 1218-20 Monte Sano Avenue, the previous location of the high school of Mount Saint Joseph (the corner of Monte Sano and Helen). The new building that housed Saint Mary's School opened in the fall of 1960 and was staffed by seven Sisters of Saint Joseph and lay teachers.

"The Superior General of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet in Saint Louis, Mother Eucharista Galvin, wrote to Bishop Thomas McDonough on March 2, 1961, to inform him that Rome had authorized the merging of the provinces and had set September 1, 1961 as the official date for the transfer. She assured the Bishop that the merging was for the benefit of the Sisters and their apostolate in the Diocese of Savannah. Later the same year, a week before the transfer, the last Superior of the Augusta Province, Sister Eulalia Murray, informed Bishop McDonough on particulars of the transfer...

"The Sisters of Saint Joseph have left an indelible mark in the Catholic educational system of Augusta. Their journey of dedication to provide quality Catholic education to Augusta's children lives on through Saint Mary's Elementary School and Aquinas High School. The 1200 block of Monte Sano Avenue may no longer house the once beautiful and picturesque campus of Mount Saint Joseph and the Sisters' of Saint Joseph Convent, but the efforts of these pious and hardworking women live on today in the many lives they touched and in those who continue to study on this block of Augusta."

From "A Journey of Dedication through Education: Sisters of Saint Joseph in Augusta, Georgia" by Pablo Manuel Migone, June, 2005

Jewels from Jane, February 25

2008-07-30T09:27:00.003-05:00

February 25, 1870

Mother St. John [Facemaz], Carondelet

Good Mother,

I have gathered the sum which we determined for the Sisters' journey, which sum has become greater than I had desired. There is no money voluntarily given on the part of the people. They are holding back until the Sisters arrive. So I have had the honor of telling you in my last letter, but they are poor at the present.

$800.00 is all that I am able to set down for today, and this sum will be sent next Thursday by way of California. In case this sum is insufficient, let not the departure of the Sisters be retarded because of this; have the kindness to add the amount needed and I will be responsible. Always, if possible, try to get a reduction of price. I intended that the Sisters come by San Francisco as far as San Diego, where we would have them stay, but have the kindness to state in advance the day of departure from Carondelet, in order that we may prepare the passage for San Diego. I leave tomorrow to visit the most extreme place of my diocese on the coast of California at Fort Yuma, where I hope to receive the Sisters and continue as far as Tucson.

Accept the homage of your very humble servant who recommends himself to your good prayers and to those of your community.

J. B. Salpointe
[John Baptist Salpointe, Vicar-Apostolic of Arizona]

Translated from the French

"Reverend Mother Saint John [Facemaz] had refused the request made in 1868 by Bishop Lamy [to send Sisters to Tucson], her reason being that the existing schools required all the Sisters at her command. Father Salpointe, however, was persistent. Appointed Vicar-Apostolic of Arizona on its separation from the diocese of Santa Fe, he proceeded to France, where he was consecrated at Clermont on June 20, 1869. From Lyons, and again from Clermont, he renewed his petitions to Mother Saint John, and expressed his intention of stopping at Carondelet on his return, hoping that Sisters would be ready by that time to accompany him to Tucson. He arrived at St. Louis in the fall, but was obliged to depart without the desired community. He had secured a promise, however, from Mother Saint John, that Sisters would be sent after the annual profession of vows in March."

from Sister Lucida Savage's book, The Congregation of St. Joseph of Carondelet

The Sisters started the "Trek" to Tucson on April 20, 1870.

Jewels from Jane, Feb. 4

2008-07-30T09:26:00.005-05:00

"The school in Chimbote [Peru], placed under the patronage of Saint Rose of Lima, was considerably larger than Cristo Rey in Ica. Not surprisingly, life seemed to be more complicated for the sisters in Chimbote than in Ica. The sisters summarized the history of their first year saying:

On February 4, 1963, Sisters Martina, Kathleen and David Marie [Eileen O'Loughlin, Rosemary O'Malley and Teresa Avalos] arrived in Chimbote amidst much luggage and excitement and took up temporary dwelling in a small gray house commonly referred to as Casa 41. We were joined on March 12 by two Dominican Sisters, Dominica and Herman Marie who were to help staff the school with us for one year, or until they could launch out on their own catechetical work. After living in Casa 41 for two months we moved into our present larger house thanks to the efforts of our Prelate Nullius, Monsenor Burke. Monsenor Burke, a Dominican, arrived in Chimbote about a week after we did, and was quick to offer us his support and backing in our work.
All during the month of March we had registration of pupils and by April 1, we considered ourselves ready to begin the year. However, the minister of Education had other ideas and instead of commencing classes on April 1st, he scheduled a week-long session of teachers' meetings - all in Spanish, of course. Finally, after the second rescheduling, classes got underway on April 8 with seven classrooms...from Kindergarten to Quinto ano (equivalent to sixth grade). Sister Kathleen taught Kindergarten, Sister David Marie presided in first grade and Sister Dominica had second grade. Sister Herman Marie was placed in the upper grades teaching fourth grade. The other grades were taught by lay teachers...
Part of the 'getting adjusted' pains of the first year was the task of filling out countless forms of every kind for the Minister of Education. Report cards are given out every two months, and with this, much red tape and endless papers... Included in our work during the school year was the teaching of catechism in a 'barriada' in our neighborhood...On December 1, a group of these children passed a small quiz on the fundamentals of their religion given by the Dominican Fathers and were able to receive their first Holy Communion. The Dominican Fathers are in charge of our parish, San Pedro...
Since the whole system of education in Peru is a little different from ours, and since everything was new, we passed our first year in Chimbote trying to keep one step ahead of the Minister of Education and thus our first adventurous year flew by quickly and the last month of school, December, was upon us without any warning. On December 13, we officially ended our first school year in Chimbote with a small program in the evening during which our pastor passed out the report cards.
Looking back on our activities, we realize how powerful the grace of God was to have helped us through that difficult apprenticeship of learning and adjusting to a completely new system of education and the Latin mentality too."

from Mary McGlone's book: Comunidad para el Mundo: The History of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the Vice Province of Peru

Jewels from Jane, Feb. 6

2008-07-30T09:26:00.004-05:00

Carondelet, 6 February 1838

Monseigneur:

I have the honor of writing to you to inform you of several things connected with our institution. It seems to me that the last time I had the honor of speaking to you, you told me that nothing must be done contrary to our rule. For this reason I beg Your Lordship to let me know if I may permit my Sisters to write to the pastor [Father Saulnier] or if I must say nothing of the matter, for they never ask permission. This happens very often. It seems to me that if they have something to say, they can go to the confessional. I believe you told me that he was not our superior and that, but for confession, we have nothing to do with him. Will Your Lordship permit me to beg you to send us an extraordinary confessor. I believe that would be a great good.

Allow me, Monseigneur, to ask a great favor. This favor is to relieve me of the office of superior. You would give me great pleasure, because I see it is impossible for me to discharge the duties which that office imposes and to satisfy the Sisters. To satisfy them would mean to let them do all that they wish. They complain that I govern them too strictly. Forgive me if I have taken a liberty in telling you all this. I believe it is necessary for my peace of soul. I firmly resolve to address myself to you in whatever may happen and always to do what you wish.

Your Excellency, we have here Monsieur le Brun. He is in a very sad condition. His leg hurts greatly. He fears being a charge to us. He worries a great deal, for he sees we are not rich. Furthermore, Monsieur Saulnier [Pastor of Sts. Mary and Joseph Parish] wrote him a letter which hurt him very much, saying that he embarrassed us. Far from that, we would desire to do more for the good old man, who is so easy to please and who will probably be sick the rest of his life. He is preparing to return to St. Louis to finish the winter.

Receive, Monseigneur, the very humble respects of her who is with the highest regard,

Your humble and submissive servant,

Sister Marie Delphine Fontbonne

Letter to Bishop Rosati
Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, Feb. 7

2008-07-30T09:26:00.003-05:00

Gillick Bros.
Contractors
319 W. Steins St.
St. Louis, Mo.

Telephones
Victor 901
South 978

February 7, 1910

Sisters of St. Joseph, City.

Reverend Mother: [Agnes Gonzaga Ryan]

We propose to furnish all material and labor necessary for the construction of Power House & Laundry building, alterations and additions, to be located at St. Joseph's Academy, Kansas St. [Holly Hills] & Minnesota Ave., St. Louis, Mo., according to Plans and Specifications as follows:

For the construction of Power House & Laundry building and alterations to Minnesota Ave. Building and Fence Wall, including demolition of old Boiler House & Laundry building, for the sum of Sixty-Two Thousand Four Hundred Twenty-Four Dollars ($62424.00).

For the facing of Ironing Room and Wash Room with Enamel Brick, add to the above amount the sum of One Thousand Four Hundred Thirty ($1430.00) Dollars.

In case walls of Ironing Room and Wash Room are plastered, add to the first amount the sum of Four Hundred Forty Five ($445.00) Dollars.

For the construction of Tunnel between proposed Power House and Minnesota Ave. Building, add to the first amount the sum of Three Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty ($3780.00) Dollars.

Respectfully submitted,

Document in Motherhouse file

Jewels from Jane, January 30

2008-07-30T09:25:00.005-05:00

"...the devotion of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, at first exercised only in the prisons of Lyons, had gone beyond the city. Everywhere their influence had produced such improvements that the Supervisory Commission was struck by it and conceived the project of prison reform. It drew up a report which was printed and addressed to the Minister of the Interior. This report, quite full of praise for the Sisters of Saint Joseph, gave an unexpected expansion to the work of the prisons...

"Three months after the publication of this report, the Prefect of Bas Rhine asked for six or eight Sisters of Saint Joseph for the central prison of Hagueneau, where only women were imprisoned. Some time later, the Prefect of the North asked for some for the prison of Lille. Since these requests had not been foreseen, the Superiors were not prepared to answer at once. In the Chamber of Deputies, everybody agreed that the reform of the prisons was needed, especially in the prisons for women where men supervised. But not everybody wished the reform to be made in the same manner. Hence, the different systems, and the hot discussions which ended in one decision,--the need of immediate action and the finding of supervisors who possessed all desirable qualities.

"'Give me five hundred Sisters,' exclaimed M. Thiers, 'and I will undertake to reform all the prisons in the kingdom. With their rosaries on their sides, they will certainly have more influence than the keepers with their swords.'

"'That is possible,' somebody answered, 'but where shall we find these five hundred Religious who will consent to enclose themselves with the prisoners day and night.?'

"A member of the Assembly spoke of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and the well-conducted prisons of Lyons. The Inspector General of the prisons, Charles Lucas, was commissioned to ascertain the state of affairs for himself, to see the Superior of this convent and to ask her if she would accept the supervision of all the prisons of France, beginning with the central houses. The offer was accepted, in principle, but on the condition that the prisons would be served according to the possibilities of the community.

"At once, the Minister of the Interior asked for two hundred Sisters. These would have been given willingly but the community did not have them. The Superior asked for time and as God wanted this work, He bestowed vocations. The Novitiate of the Solitude was filled and it was with the greatest care that these young subjects were prepared for this special mission which requires as much firmness as kindness and supernatural spirit.

"Demands came from every quarter. On January 30, 1840, the Inspector General announced that the Minister of the Interior sanctioned the Prefect of Herault, who made an agreement with the congregation...

"The prisons suddently assumed an unforseen importance. This work had already necessitated a special training. The unexpected growth of this second division could harm the good progress of the Institute, the unity of spirit and the entire observance of the Rule. That was a subject of great anxiety for Mother Saint John [Fontbonne]. This useful and fruitful apostolic movement must not be stopped, but the other works of the community must neither be submerged nor compromised. One way alone would settle all difficulties: that is, to have two different congregations. The Archbishop having approved this plan, the Sisters worked at once to realize it and to look for a place where they would locate the novitiate for the Sisters who were to have the service of the prisons. [It was decided to locate it at Haute Vienne.]

"Cardinal Fesch died in Rome, in 1839. The Bishop of Le Puy, Monsignor de Boland, succeeded him as Archbishop of Lyons. On January 30, 1841, he issued an ordinance which permitted the Sisters of Saint Joseph to choose freely between the community for the prisons or the community for teaching and other charitable works. Those who chose the prisons were authorized to leave the diocese under the direction of Mother Saint Augustine Quinon.

"The new congregation retained the name of Saint Joseph, but it added that of Mary. The Sisters also kept the original habit. The black underveil was replaced by a white one; over this white underveil was in turn placed a blue one and the black veil was pinned over these two. One could soon see a few of the Sisters Marie-Joseph in all the prisons. Those who desire to know them will still find them in the Prison Saint Lazare, Paris. The Sisters of Saint Joseph continued their work in the prisons of Lyons until the Sisters of Marie-Joseph, having satisfied the most pressing needs, were in a position to furnish subjects for Lyons.

"We can admire here the supernatural disinterestedness of Mother Saint John, as we can throughout the entire course of her life. She never tried to draw profit from a situation. Interest for souls was the only motive of her deeds and her decisions. She never put God at the service of her Institute; she put her Institute at the service of God."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, Jan. 31

2008-07-30T09:25:00.004-05:00

January 31, 1956

Dear Mother Provincial,

At a meeting of the General Council on January 26, 1956, it was unanimously decided that we should ask for volunteers for the proposed mission to Japan. Those who volunteer should have made final vows by September, 1956, and should not have reached their thirty-sixth birthday. They should be told that, unless an exceptional situation arises, they will be expected to remain in Japan from eight to ten years before returning for a home visit.

Will you please make these things known to them when you send copies of the enclosed form [application request] to each of your houses. Please ask the Sisters who wish to complete the form to have it in your hands by March 15, 1956.

Please do not make your final decision of the Sister for the assignment this year until we return from our visit to Japan. At that time we can tell you something of the health, education, character, and personality needs, etc., which those who are experienced in the field may recommend. Then you may be able to make a better choice.

That God may bless you and our Province is my most earnest prayer.

Very sincerely yours in the Sacred Heart,

Mother Eucharista Galvin
Superior General

Letter written to provincial superiors from Mother Eucharista Galvin.
The Congregation is celebrating fifty years in Japan this year.

Jewels from Jane, Feb

2008-07-30T09:25:00.003-05:00

February, 1838

Monseigneur:
I do not know if we have fully understood the manner of filling out the sheet of paper you sent us. We put down no conversions nor baptisms because it is still an impossibility for us to instruct the Americans.

Our chapel will be raised in the month of March and then, Monseigneur, we will have need of your being kind enough to give us a little money.

Receive, Monseigneur, the respect and gratitude of Your submissive daughters of the community of Kahokias.

Sister Febronie Fontbonne

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, Jan. 19

2008-07-30T09:24:00.005-05:00

Wednesday, January 19, 1944

"Our whistle has blown three times. At its first sound we and all our companion ships turned course. 'They say' - 1. that we are to have a sham battle with some American submarine; 2. that we are having maneuvers; 3. that there are American submarines in this area which we must practice avoiding.

"It is now afternoon and we have been having a free show. First of all, we sighted an airplane and two vessels to our right. The latter proved to be corvettes, one of which stayed in the same position, the other cut across and is now protecting our left flank. An airplane dropped a smoke bomb close to one of the other ships, then another far behind us, after which a submarine appeared. According to one of the officers there are three subs in our vicinity. Tonight we will see more bombs, and tomorrow we will see the subs in our midst on surface. Occasionally we hear a shot but know not its source. It is supposed to be definite information that we will be in tomorrow noon."

Memories of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger (Sister Virginia) of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who was one of the four Sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944

Jewels from Jane, Jan. 20

2008-07-30T09:24:00.004-05:00

Thursday, January 20, 1944

"The decks were swabbed extra early that morning. Sister Raymond and I got out as soon as possible to see everything. There were red and green lights twinkling from all the ships of our convoy - almost like a set of Christmas trees bobbing up and down in the darkness. (I forgot to mention that the evening before, at about 6:00 P.M. the Captain pointed out Hawaii in the distance - the Big Island. He used the usual 'Follow my finger' technique with the result that after ten minutes or more of acute eyestrain, we did make out a vague outline off on the horizon which could just as well have been a cloud - but we figured the Captain knows, so went down to pack. Our suitcase looked like something Macbeth's witches had been stirring around - an unholy mess!)

"So, back to Thursday morning, when it began to get light! Molokai lay alongside us. Looking back we could see the outline of Haleakala on Maui. We cruised along Molokai for some time, but not on the Settlement side. It looked bare and uninhabited in the faint light, and we found out later that it is comparatively so.

"By now the waters were gorgeous - blue, green of various shades and hues. Fishing boats were passing us, and by ten or so, we were in sight of Oahu, heading for Honolulu Harbor. The Island looked so hilly that it was hard to believe there was enough level land for a city. Many of our passengers were coming Home (had been stranded on the coast) and were eagerly pointing out Diamond Head Punchbowl, and as we came nearer, even buildings of the city.

"There seemed to be a lot of ships in the Harbor, several immense troop ships - filled. The G.I.'s on one of them kept chanting, 'You'll be sorry!' as we pulled in. But we never were! (Except to leave)

"Cecil, our cabin boy, had brought our suitcases up from our cabins to the deck, but from there on it was 'carry your own, or the same shall not leave the Permanente.' It must have been at least one o'clock when we finally walked down the gangplank, but not to any welcoming group of Sisters such as everyone else has had, not to be snowed under with leis, but just to plow through mountains of trunks, potatoes, onions, all already unloaded from the hold of the Permanente. We had caught sight of two priests, one wearing a bit of purple, but by the time we navigated a circuitous route through the trunks, potatoes, onions, the Purple had been ordered off the Pier. Yep, even the Bishop didn't rate in war time. So, only Father Gienzer, Superintendent of Schools, was left to greet us - because he had a Port Chaplain card.

"However, once we reached the street, we were all (priests and sisters) whisked off to the Cathedral by the priests of different parishes. There we were met by a large group waiting to take us all to our various missions. Mother Virginia [Becker] had come for us four. The journal which she wrote later will give some of the details. The Te Deum she mentioned was not a success! The Bishop did intone it in Latin. We who say it weekly in Latin had our books packed away and were a bit timid about carrying on a-four. The Maryknolls had their books because they say it daily, but in English! So the Bishop finally had to carry on alone.

"Our greeting at St. Theresa's was grand - at last we each received a lei.

"The most welcome word spoken after the greeting and a cold drink was Bath! After eleven days it was like heaven, and so were the clean clothes.

"In the evening most of the neighboring priests dropped in to meet the 'New Sisters.' In fact, it was quite a while before we stopped feeling like goldfish.

"Mother Virginia's letter can fill in from here.

"I have just one more word to say - I'd go back gladly any day!"

Memories of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger (Sister Virginia) of the St. Louis Province of The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who was one of the four Sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944. She wrote this last entry on December 6, 1953 since "There were so many things to do and see the last day that this was put aside and never finished. Thursday, January 20, was landing date, and here is some of it."

Jewels from Jane, January 27

2008-07-30T09:24:00.003-05:00

Office of Gillick Bros.
7925 Minnesota Ave.
St. Louis, Mo.

January 27, 1906

Sisters of St. Joseph, City.

Reverend Mother:

We propose to refloor the connecting Corridor between Convent Building and New Chapel on first floor with Maple and Black Walnut flooring alternating and filled and varnished for the sum of Four Hundred and Thirty ($430.00) Dollars.

Respectfully yours,

Gillick Bros.

When the "new" chapel (present Holy Family Chapel) was finished in 1899 it was free-standing. A connection was later built from the 1865 building to this chapel. The outside porch was enclosed and staircases added so the sisters could get to the chapel without going outside. The above letter refers to the flooring in the connection outside the old Priest's dining room.

Jewels from Jane, January 16

2008-07-30T09:23:00.005-05:00

Sunday, January 16, 1944

"Comparable to the pictures we have seen of Mass on the battlefields was the Mass at which we were privileged to assist this morning. With the church pennant flying above Old Glory to announce services, the Maryknoll Fathers made use of a large box (bulkhead) containing life-preservers, for an altar. They had one of their blankets spread beneath the altar cloth. For a background they had tacked up a blue spread against the outer wall of the radio room, and pinned a small crucifix onto it. Father Ziemmba vested for Mass while Father Morgan stood by, holding everything in place on the altar, a necessary duty, due to the high wind. Father Chisholm announced the order of services - Mass, during which it would not be necessary to kneel, except to receive Communion; after Mass, a short sermon, closing with 'Holy God, we Priase Thy Name.' The congregation, approximately a hundred including the Sisters, was attentive, some members devoutly, others curiously so. Many were non-Catholics; even the little Baptist minister was present. None could fail to have been impressed. At the last Gospel Father Chilshom intoned the Veni Creator. He gave his sermon on Marriage, based on the Gospel for the day. Some of us wondered at its appropriateness, but heard later of one soul that it touched in a vulnerable spot.

"Protestant services were held later by the Congregationalist minister, Reverend Mauver. We heard a resume of his sermon from his wife, who sits at table with us, and whom we call Mrs. Minister. She is very friendly. We are sure she'll be calling on us in Honolulu. The day was quiet as befits the Lord's Day. Everyone seemed dressed up except the Sisters.

"Despite the clouds and wind all day long, the evening sky was glorious. We found out that the phosphorus in the water is a species of seaweed."

Memories of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger (Sister Virginia) of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, on of the four Sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944.

Jewels from Jane, Jan. 17

2008-07-30T09:23:00.004-05:00

Monday, January 17, 1944

"Today is the most beautiful day we have had so far. The ocean is deep blue, silver where the sun shines. It is warm at last. The Captain says that in another day we will be seeing flying fish. Father Lima entertained us on the boat deck with a constant flow of jokes, and with some of his experiences in China, to which he hopes to return as soon as the war is over. He comes from a family of New England whaling men. Before lunch the Captain stopped to talk to us again. We may get in Thursday and will probably dock in Pearl Harbor. Our ship is the only one carrying women and children passengers. At one-thirty we had a fire and boat drill. At the present moment, Sister Mary Ellen, Maryknoll, and Sister Gabriel Joseph [Gussin] are struggling with a game of solitaire, moving little red sticks from one hole to another with no success so far."

Memories of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger (Sister Virginia) of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, one of the four Sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944

Jewels from Jane, Jan. 18

2008-07-30T09:23:00.003-05:00

Tuesday, January 18, 1944

"We are very definitely in the tropics or semi-tropics. Many of the passengers are busily acquiring a sun tan, the upper deck being the favorite place for its acquisition. Some of us saw our first flying-fish. They are small, and in the sun appear to be silver. They suddenly appear, darting out of the water, and fly a foot or two above the waves for perhaps fifty feet or more. There seem to be about forty or fifty in a school.

"A plane flew over during the morning, Hawaii-bound. Sister [Mary] Raymond [Peplinski] identified it as a bomber. We were not in a position to see, but the Maryknoll Sisters told us there was great activity on the bridge at its approach. At lunch the minister's wife told us that the San Francisco-bound Clipper had also flown over. We heard today that we may arrive Thursday noon. By then we will have acquired so many kinks from sitting in odd positions we won't be able to use the chairs at St. Theresa's."

Memories of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger (Sister Virginia) of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who was one of the four Sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944.

Jewels from Jane, Jan. 12

2008-07-30T09:22:00.007-05:00

Wednesday, January 12, 1944

"Since there was no Mass today, we rose at seven. It was quite light since we had turned our watches back an hour the night before. We watched the magnificent sunrise before going down to a delicious breakfast. The meals continue to be very good. Rumors are as numerous aboard ship as they were on land. They say we are to be joined by six oil-tankers coming out from San Pedro, though as yet there is no sign of them. It was and is very windy today, so that many of the passengers are carrying their blankets besides their life jackets. The latter are our constant companions by compulsion. We were met at the dining room door with: 'No life jacket, no eat!' Sister Evelyn Joseph promptly dubbed them 'dinner jackets.' During the afternoon, on the boat deck, we met and revised our opinion of our Captain. He proves to be a man of wide experience, genial humor, and contrary to our first impression, is not bigoted. He said it is the first time he has ever carried Sisters on his ship. He spoke to us for at least an hour, telling us many things of interest about his voyages, the war, etc. Our ship is forty-one years old; it now belongs to Henry Kaiser who used it for hauling cement and has now leased it to the Navy for the duration. Captain Baker says he ought to donate it to the Japs for scrap when the war is over.

"It has grown increasingly more windy so that we are anticipating a rough night."

Memories of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger (Sister Virginia) of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. She was one of four Sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944.

Jewels from Jane, Jan. 13

2008-07-30T09:22:00.006-05:00

Thursday, January 13, 1944

"Last night did not disappoint our expectations. We now know all the Permanente can give us in the way of activity - pitch, roll, toss, and then pitch, roll and toss again. At ten o'clock we were awakened by a blast from our own whistle, but since nothing happened, decided one of our convoy members must have come too close and was being warned away. In spite of the strong wind we kept the cabin door open. With six persons in such a very small space we need all the air possible. We dress as quickly as we can so that the door doesn't have to be closed too long for comfort. We still continue to keep well, rough weather notwithstanding. In fact, the other Sisters and some of the secular passengers are commenting on our good health. We attribute it to our activity -- we pace the deck rapidly and vigorously after each meal.

"Our cabin boy, Cecil Uhruh, is very solicitous for our comfort. He confessed today to aspirations to a literary career. He lent us some of his books - Ruskin, Lamb, Popular Science magazines.

"We had a bit of excitement in the middle of the afternoon. The alarm sounded, everyone dashed into a life jacket and out on deck. We were then informed the signal was for gun practice, so we hastened forward to watch the men in the gun turrets. The object of their interest was a ship south of us just visible at the horizon line. Soon word was circulating about that it was an American cruiser, so all relaxed again.

"There was no moon, but there were plenty of stars last night, and phosphorus in the water. Three cheers - the plumbing failed only once today."

Memories of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger, (Sister Virginia) of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. She was one of the four Sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944.

Jewels from Jane, January 14

2008-07-30T09:22:00.005-05:00

Friday, January 14, 1944

"An artist could find ample material for homely sketches. The passengers are stretched out in every available space on the decks and that means very literally, on deck. Most of them spread out the blankets from their bunks and either sit or lounge with little regard for the passers-by. Comfort is the main object. The main diversions are reading and card-playing. Most of the sea-sick passengers have recovered sufficiently to be out, though the Maryknollers and Franciscans are still carrying food up from the dining cabin. Cecil says we are his best sailors, which statement provokes an argument as to the relative merits of Mothersill's or no Mothersill's pills. We are all sunburning beautifully, since we spend most of our time on the boat deck. There are only two others, A and B. We were rudely interrupted early this afternoon for a drill. We dashed for B deck, lifeboat No. 4, and watched while it was lowered a bit - at least we know it works. The Captain said we would not practice getting into the lifeboats; when we get in, it will be for keeps."

Remembrances of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger [Sister Virginia] of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, one of the four sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944.

Jewels from Jane, January 15

2008-07-30T09:22:00.004-05:00

Saturday, January 15, 1944

"The glorious sunrise gave promise of a beautiful day, but the promise remains unfulfilled for we have been driven into our 2x4 cabin several times by rain. During the downpours our companion ships are almost invisible. No one who has not traveled in a convoy can imagine what a thrill it is to see the other ships around and behind us. The one that is supposed to be delaying our progress flounders along seeming to have difficulty keeping a direct route. The latest report is that we will reach Pearl Harbor next Saturday. Mass is scheduled for 9:15 tomorrow on the boat deck, weather permitting. All the Sisters assembled for choir practice a few minutes ago. Father Chisholm has a sermon prepared, so we hope all will go well. The Congregationalist and Baptist Ministers are planning to have services.

"We are learning about our fellow passengers by degrees. The majority are to be Civil Service and Defense Workers in the Islands. Some of the women are going to join their husbands. Mrs. Johnston, who shares our cabin is a reporter, as is her husband, whose headquarters are in Honolulu. (P.S.- 1953 - Our other cabin member was Miss Alladine Bell, teacher of speech at the University of Hawaii.)

"The four priests are to receive their appointments from Bishop Sweeney. The Senior, Father Chisholm, entertains us with his accordion. He learned to play it during a period in his missionary career when for seven years he was isolated from the company of other white men. He and two of the Maryknoll Sisters in the present group returned from the Orient on the Gripsholm last year. The Baptist minister aboard, Mister Taba, is a Filipino. Sister Ramona Marie knows his family, all Catholics in the Philippines. The Baptists sent him to the United States to be educated. Mr. Foley is an interesting character and certainly an asset to the group. He lent his relic of the True Cross to one of the prostrate Maryknoll Sisters, who immediately went down to her first meal in days. He played his harmonica all evening long, while most of the passengers on B deck sang. Gone with the war are the deck games, nightly movies, etc. that our dear Sisters think we are enjoying. All entertainment on the Permanente is of our own making, with a bit of help from the Maryknoll Sisters' checkers, solitaire, etc."

Remembrances of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger (Sister Virginia) of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet who was one of the four Sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944.

Jewels from Jane, January 7, 1883

2008-07-30T09:21:00.005-05:00

"When our Sisters from America went to Rome to have their rule approved, Madame the Comtesse [de la Rochejacquelin] had them come to Usse. The companion spent several days with us; from here they went to the motherhouse.

"It was for the first departure that the Comtesse de la Rochejacquelin, who was in exile and at Lyons undoubtedly at that moment, parted with all her jewels in behalf of the Sisters who were leaving for America. She could give nothing else for all her goods, her fortune, were seized. All these objects were turned over to Father Cholleton; one single chain was sold for 18,000 francs. One diamond could not be sold; the jeweler said he had not the price. It was placed in a crown of the Virgin in the cathedral of Lyons.

"I could not tell you the number of communities she encouraged, supported, or founded. It was she who was charged with requesting our Sisters for La Vendee, l'Anjou, Poitou, and Touraine. She encouraged benefactors to take care of the first expenses; she also loved to call us all her little Sisters. What did she not do for our sisters at Annecy, Chambery, Denmark, even England. These mothehouses kept her in touch with all their foundations and knew how to draw on her liberality.
"Madame, the Countess, was a saintly woman, a true Christian; I could even say a religious, for she was of the Third Order of St. Francis. For more than thirty years before her death she received Holy Communion nearly every day, read or had read a spiritual lecture, said her rosary, recited the Office of the Blessed Virgin. She worked for the poor. How much material we cut out, prepared, etc. I never knew anyone so charitable. She had no repairs made on her chateaux in order to have more for the poor, for good works, and she deprived herself of many things for the same end. God alone knows all the good she has done. Several months before her death she felt tired without, however, remaining in bed. On the first of January, 1883, she was seized with a weakness while going downstairs from her chapel; however, she regained her usual state of health. But in the night of January 6-7, toward midnight, she felt her end approaching. She recommended herself to God and died an instant later. The maid called the chaplain, who had just time to give her final absolution. She died the night of Saturday to Sunday; we kept the remains until Thursday. The photographer came Wednesday and was astonished she had not changed. The nobility came from all sides and viewed our dear Comtesse. They kissed her hand, they wept for their good friend. The entire parish assisted at the funeral. Madame, the Comtesse, died at her chateau d'Usse, January 7, 1883, aged 84 years."

Notes from a sister in France
Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, January 10

2008-07-30T09:21:00.004-05:00

January 10, 1944

"For the benefit of posterity (at the suggestion of Reverend Mother Mary Pius [Neenan])we now propose to set down an accurate account of our Sisters' first trip to Honolulu during war time. We hereby dedicate this journal to our dear Reverend Mother who hastened to San Francisco to bid us farewell. On August eleventh, 1943, Sisters Gabriel Joseph [Gussin] and Aloysia [Dugger] left St. Louis for Los Angeles to join Sisters Raymond and Evelyn Joseph. After a series of inoculations the Sisters set out for San Francisco on September thirteenth. For four months we enjoyed the generous hospitality of Mother Agnes Marie and the Sisters of Star of the Sea Convent. On the third of January we received official notice to report to the Navy Department for sailing instructions. After signing numerous official documents and receiving warnings of the necessity for absolute secrecy in the matter, we took possession of the coveted priority ratings - permission to buy our tickets. With the tickets came the notice to report at 1:30 P.M. on January tenth at Pier 42. At 1:00 P.M. we said a last goodbye to Reverend Mother, Mother William, Mother Killian, Mother Agnes Marie and all Star of the Sea Community. With Father Lenone we then honked down the street. Until Father stopped to fix the offending horn, we sounded like a bridal party. With our arrival at the Pier came our first worry - two trunks were missing! After a diligent search we located the wandering luggage and once more breathed freely. By three-thirty the baggage inspection was finished to our satisfaction - nothing was confiscated. Soon after came the moment for which we have waited with eager anticipation. We walked up the gangplank of the S.S. Permanente! Now, let all who have sailed the ocean in times of peace, or who have any pre-conceived ideas of ocean travel, harken to this. There are about three-hundred fifty passengers aboard this ship - originally a freighter. Among the group are four Maryknoll priests, twenty-one Maryknoll Sisters, three Franciscan Sisters and we four. Six Sisters are assigned to each cabin. We four are disappointed to find two seculars appointed to fill out our number. The young ladies seemed as distressed as we at first, but we are all making the best of it, realizing that in war time such things can't be helped. Our cabin contains six narrow bunks, three deep, or three high, a sink with running water, cold only, and one dim light. There are no chairs, no tables. In fact, the only time we sit comfortably is at meals since there are no deck chairs, and too little space between for one to sit up in, or even on the edge of, the bunks.

We were assigned to the first sitting at table; therefore we will eat (when able) at 7:30, 11:30 and 4:30. Our first dinner was delicious. When we finished we were fortunate enough to find a small bench at the stern of the ship where we watched preparations to cast off. At 6:15 we said, 'Dear native land, farewell!' The joke was on us - at 8:00 P.M. we turned in, anchored in the middle of San Francisco Bay. Getting ready for bed proved very interesting and entertaining. We worked in two's since the floor space is very limited. A 9x12 rug would have to be cut down to fit; that includes the space occupied by the bunks. It took a bit of ingenuity to find a place for all the details of our clothing, but at length we were all tucked in, with the alarm set for five o'clock."

Written by Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger, [Sister Virginia] of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet - one of four sisters missioned to Hawaii during the war, 1944

Jewels from Jane, January 11

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Tuesday, January 11, 1944

"We began the day in San Francisco Bay with Mass at five-thirty, or rather four Masses. It was an occasion we shall never forget. The Captain was reluctant to grant the permission, but the Chief Steward gladly allowed the use of the men's dining room, provided we were finished shortly after six. It made us think of the catacombs as we hurried through the darkness. The priests had already spread altar cloths over the red checked tablecloths and with the help of the Maryknoll Sisters were setting up the other necessities for Mass. We had to hand over our Missals and prayerbooks to support the altar cards and Missal stand. Two Masses were said simultaneously, Fathers Chisholm and Lima first, while Fathers Zimba and Morgan answered. Everything was done very quietly and quickly. We all received Holy communion. Before the last Masses were finished, the work of the day was beginning in the galley, so that we couldn't tarry a moment too long. We then repaired to the boat deck, where we stood and said all our vocal prayers for the day, in total darkness, watching the lights of San Francisco and Oakland. After a hearty breakfast, we made up our bunks. At nine, the general alarm rang for all to appear on deck dressed in their life jackets. After instructions on how to adjust them, and on what to do with the red light, whistle and knife that accompanied the jackets, an officer informed us that this is not a pleasure trip, that we are to observe complete blackout from dusk to dawn. No one is allowed on the boat deck after sundown, and all decks must be cleared at nine o'clock. There is to be no smoking after sundown since the light of a match can be seen for two miles. He stated further that the dining room is to be used at no other time, nor for any other purpose, except meals.

"Soon we heard we were leaving in a short time. It was 'anchors aweigh' at ten-forty. So far there are in the convoy seven ships and a destroyer. In single file we sailed under the Bay Bridge. From the railing we watched Coit Tower (from which we had so often and so longingly watched the Bay.) Before we reached the Golden Gate, we had to answer the call for lunch. We hurried through it, coming back on deck at the precise moment we passed under the Golden Gate Bridge. We watched while mine sweepers went ahead, making sure our way was safe. Two blimps circled around us constantly, while airplanes flew far ahead, then back again. At one o'clock we stopped near a yacht from which a rowboat put out to pick up an officer from our ship. We continued very slowly whle we were getting into convoy formation. We are now in the lead with two cargo ships beside us and four more, two by two, behind us. A destoyer stays ahead to protect us. Before sundown we were entirely out of sight of land. We were disappointed to learn that we may not have Mass during the week because, due to blackout regulations, no one may be on deck before seven in the morning. If the weather permits we may have Mass on deck Sunday. We all went to bed very early, partly to avoid our lay companions, who are now quite friendly. A group of passengers gave an impromptu concert on deck, singing many old favorites to the accompaniment of Mr. Foley's harmonica. All are well - good sailors so far. A few of the Maryknollers have been laid low."

Memories of Sister Mary Aloysia Dugger, Virginia Dugger, of the St. Louis Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet - one of the four Sisters who were missioned to Hawaii during the war in 1944

Jewels from Jane, January 7, 1867

2008-07-30T09:20:00.005-05:00

Kanzas City, Mo Jan. 7th, 1867

Mother Agatha [Guthrie],

Madame,

I presume Mother Francis [Joseph Ivory] told you all about our educational prospects in Kanzas City, especially about our Grand Festival by which, I think, 1,500 dollars will be realised. The only partial difficulty on the part of the people, that I dread, will arise on account of the rigid enforcement of a Rule excluding boys of twelve years and upwards from the boys school. I apprehend this difficulty for the following reasons. The members of my congregation have contributed some $15,000 to the convent building with the hope that their children would there find a catholic education. The Sisters have now about 150 parochial children at one dollar per month some 75 are boys, eight of whom are aged from 12 to 14 years. Now, Mother Francis informs me that all the boys from 12 upwards must be dismissed. That is, dismissed already out of the building which their liberality has just completed, and for no other cause but for the misfortune of being 12 years of age. Mother Francis gives me as a reason, that they apprehend trouble in governing or correcting these larger boys. The sisters inform me that these very boys have given no trouble yet, on the contrary, that they are quiet innocent children. So say the Sisters. My own experience enables me to say that I found boys of 14 less troublesome by far than boys of 8 or 10 years of age. What makes the matter worse for us just now is the fact that we have neither teacher nor schoolhouse for these boys. I had, until lately a catholic teacher but the high rent of schoolhouse and difficult times caused him to discontinue. I have now no other chance for them but the convent school if they be excluded from that, then they will run wild about the streets, -- it will be impossible to get them to church on Sundays or to attend at catechism etc. This I am very sure will be the consequence. The parents will express their indignation in the presence of the children, everyone will say that they have been disappointed etc. etc.

I felt so trouble-minded over the announcement that I concluded to address you, -- requesting you to authorise the Mother here to suspend this Rule, for a time at least, and give me the time of next Summer to provide for the larger boys. If this request be not granted, then, I fear, my hopes regarding the first communion and other religious practices of these children will be sadly disappointed.

Please send me a reply as soon as possible. -- I have begged the sisters not to dismiss anymore until I will have heard from you.

Most respectfully yours etc.,

Bernard Donnelly

Parish children were taught at St. Teresa's Academy at this time.

It was written in the Custom book of this time that the Sisters were not allowed to teach older boys.

Mother Agatha Guthrie was assistant to Mother St. John Facemaz.

Jane Behlmann, csj
Province Archivist
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
6400 Minnesota Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63111-2899
Phone: 314-678-0320
FAX: 314-481-2366
email: jbehlmann@csjsl.org

Jewels from Jane, January 6

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Carondelet, January 6, 1839

Right Reverend Joseph Rosati

Monseigneur:

Your Lordship will please be kind enough to excuse my tardiness in executing your orders. I come today to acquit myself by giving the number of children whom we have received in your school for the year 1838.

Boarders: nine
Day pupils: thirty-eight
Orphans: two

I profit by this occasion to beg Your Lordship to be so kind as to give the permission for us to go to Cahokia to visit our Sisters and from there we will go to see Mr. Bourginon, who owes us nearly $60.00 for the board of his daughter. We have written him several times but have received no answer. I think that our presence will oblige him to pay us. I leave it all to your decision.

Receive, Your Lordship, the sincere homage of one who has the honor to be

Your obedient daughter

Sister Marie Delphine [Fontbonne]

Copied from the original in the archives of the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Sister Monica Corrigan June 23, 1890

Jewels from Jane, January 5

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"The year 1839 was marked by...memorable events for the congregation. His Eminence, Cardinal Fesch, father and benefactor of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, died in Rome. Archbishop de Pins was relieved from his duties as administrator of the diocese...At the same time Father Cholleton resigned his position as Vicar General and Superior of the congregation...On this occasion Mother Saint John opened her heart about her sorrow to her daughters in America and exhorted them to have absolute confidence in God in their trials. 'That has been,' she said, 'all my resource in the troubles, miseries and tribulations of my long life. God can do all things. Without Him, we can do nothing. We must cast ourselves like little children into His arms.'

"Shortly after his installation, Archbishop de Bonald visited the motherhouse and saw her whom he already knew in the retreat of her own choice. He did not approve of this obscurity which, though inspired by humility, might produce an unfavorable impression. Mother Saint John had to leave this room and take one more suitable to her dignity in the convent. The Sisters keep, in the treasury of the motherhouse, a magnificent cross of massive gold in which precious relics are encased. We do not know whether this cross was given to Mother Saint John by Archbishop de Bonald at this visit or under other circumstances.

"Some rather troubled letters arrived...from America. Mother Saint John answered in 1842: 'Do not be uneasy. Thank God, I am enjoying all my faculties as well now as if I were but fifty, although I am eight-three. I rise with the community; I assist at all the exercises; I write, read, sew and knit without using spectacles. Help me to bless God for the time and strength He is giving me to prepare for eternity.

"Bishop Rosati had to return to France on account of his health. On January 5, 1842, she wrote: 'For three or four months, I have hoped that Bishop Rosati of Saint Louis would come to Lyons. I have waited for him until now, but, since he has not arrived, I can wait no longer. I have a great desire to write to you.'

"One day during the winter of 1843, Mother Saint John fell on the ice in the yard. As she was unable to rise, her daughters ran to her assistance and carried her to her room. After examination, it was found that besides several bruises, she had dislocated her shoulder. The doctor considered an operation necessary. He added that it would be long, hard and painful and asked to be assisted by another doctor. The operation was performed. Doctor Bonnet, chief doctor of the Hotel-Dieu, and Doctor Berlioz performed this painful task. She, with eyes fixed on the crucifix, offered no complaint, nor uttered a single moan. 'It is very good to deal with saintly people,' Said Doctor Bonnet, 'one can operate as he wishes.' This good Mother in the midst of great suffering has just given her daughters an example of heroic patience and sublime resignation.

"The operation over, Mother Sacred Heart [Mother Saint John's successor as Superior General] continued her care for the patient in the most delicate manner. She and her community persevered in prayer to obtain the recovery of the dear one. God was not deaf to these supplications. Mother Saint John recovered more quickly than they had expected and one could see the venerable convalescent walking again through the corridors of the house, though now she had to use a cane to make her step more steady. At length, laden with years and merits, the Mother bent like the sheaf of wheat that is ripe for the harvest. Sadly realizing that the end was more and more imminent, Mother Sacred Heart sent a letter to all the convents.

"'I regret to tell you that the health of Reverend Mother causes us great uneasiness.' Later she wrote: 'Since our last letter, the state of Mother Saint John alarms us, although she is somewhat better. Let us continue to ask of Our Lord the prolongation of a life which is so dear to us.'"

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography translation adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, January 4

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"About 1834, Bishop Rosati, the first Bishop of Saint Louis, was in double perplexity. He had neither money nor priests. To obtain both, he wrote to Father Charles Cholleton, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Lyons, hoping, through his agency, to obtain help from the original work which a Lyonnaise, Mademoiselle Pauline Jaricot, of the parish of Saint Polycarp, had just founded in that city. The work of distant missions had appealed to this virtuous Christian and she interested the young working-girls in it. Every Saturday, Mademoiselle Jaricot asked them for an alms of one cent for the missions. It was from this humble beginning that the Society for the Propagation of the Faith developed--a work solemnly approved in 1813 by Pius VII. Bishop Rosati came to it as a petitioner through the mediation of the Vicar General. Father Cholleton answered the prelate: 'It is in quality of your vicar that I presented myself to the Society of the Propagation of the Faith and that I hope to obtain abundant help. I do not doubt that Archbishop de Pins will also send you priests.' He might have added that the Superior General of the Sisters of Saint Joseph would find Religious for the schools. Father Cholleton did not then know that someone was thinking of endowing America with communities of that congregation. This person was the Countess de la Rochejaquelein.

"Even at that time, the 'Annals' of the Propagation of the Faith gave an account to the associates of the use of the sums received, of the progress of the work and the requests made. The reading of the 'Annals' had revealed to the countess the great poverty of the mission of the Mississippi. Her heart was touched and at once she thought of the Sisters of Saint Joseph to convert and teach the Indians. She felt that Religious are indispensable wherever missionary labors are to be performed. There are so many works created around a mission which the Sisters alone can efficiently accomplish. After obtaining the promise from Mother Saint John [Fontbonne] that she would give the Sisters for America, if His Lordship desired them, Madame de la Rochejaquelein asked Father Odin to propose them in her name, saying that she would defray the expenses of the first foundation.

"The Bishop of Saint Louis saw at once the increase of burdens which would result from the opening of schools, and delayed his answer. [But after receiving a letter from the Countess he] accepted the offer and even asked that, to the six Sisters proposed, they send two more, specially trained to teach the deaf and dumb. In the meantime, Mother Saint John was preparing her daughters for the uncertain mission that might be confided to them. Instructions and counsels were given to these souls destined for this special apostolate. She reminded them that they would often be without spiritual help, when circumstances required it. The priest, obliged to traverse long distances in the vast forests to carry the consolations of religion to the sick and the dying, would not always be with them in the morning to give them the Eucharistic Bread. It might happen that sometimes he would not be present on Sunday to celebrate Mass. In these days of spiritual poverty they will have to remember that they carry their temple within them and that God has more than one way of giving Himself to souls. In these days, also, when all will seem to be lacking to nourish, enlighten and console them, they must remember that grace is never wanting, and that they have all the necessary means of sanctification in the actual state of things. Deprived of all exterior help, they can, by means of interior assistance, increase in themselves the life of God which will sanctify them and make their own lives fruitful.

"Bishop Rosati's answer settled all doubt and the Sisters of Saint Joseph accepted the invitation to the American missions. As Mother Saint John did not wish to impose this exile on anybody, she made an appeal to her daughters, recommending them to pray, to consult their director, to weigh the matter well and, after that, to follow Divine inspiration. Divine inspiration grouped a goodly number. When the Sisters came to offer themselves to the Superior General, the latter saw, foremost among them, her two nieces, Sister Febronia and Sister Marie Delphine Fontbonne, daughters of her only brother, Claude Fontbonne. This sight afflicted the heart of the venerable Superior, but she generously accepted the sacrifice.

"From this numerous group, seven were chosen. Six were to leave within a short time, Sisters Febronia and Delphine Fontbonne, Sister Febronia Chapellon, Sister Saint Protais Deboille, Sister Philomene Vilaine and Sister Marguerite Boute. The Christian name of the countess was added to that of the last. She was thenceforth called Sister Felicite. The seventh, Sister Celestine Pommerel and Julie Fournier, a postulant, began at once to study the language of the deaf-mutes and would depart for America when they were capable of teaching it.

"Archbishop de Pins asked for volunteers. From them, he chose a priest and two seminarians, as the needs of the diocese would not permit greater sacrifices. The priest chosen was Father James Fontbonne, Mother Saint John's nephew. The immolation was complete.

"At the motherhouse, everybody was edified at the sacrifice and the simple, sublime manner with which it was made. One of the Sisters inspired by the circumstances, dramatized the biblical scene of the father preparing to sacrifice his son. Abraham's sacrifice was represented in the novitiate a few days before the departure. The allusion was too striking not to bring tears; they flowed abundantly, but hearts were comforted by them.

"All was ready. Father Cholleton appointed Sister Febronia Fontbonne Superior of the little colony. Through delicacy and fear of acting from natural inclination, Mother Saint John did not wish to make the choice. She even felt sorrow in signing the new Superior's letter of obedience. Since the Vicar General had decided and regulated everything, the virtuous aunt gave the niece, whom she cherished, counsels full of wisdom and affection.

"The departure was fixed for January 4, 1836. On the eve of this day, the six chosen ones said goodby to the assembled community. There was a scene of touching humility in this last reunion. The six missionaries casting themselves at the feet of their Sisters begged them to bless them and to pardon them for the trouble they had caused them and for any bad example which they had given. With great overflowing of heart, Mother Saint John blessed the six valiant missionaries and the Sisters whom they were about to leave."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph of Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, Jan. 3, 1838

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"In October of the same year,[1837] Carondelet received its first American postulant. She was Anne Eliza Dillon, daughter of Patrick McAndrews Dillon, a rich Irishman of Saint Louis. Miss Dillon, born at Saint Charles, Missouri, in 1820, lost her mother when she was quite young. She and her sister were sent to the Mesdames of the Sacred Heart in Saint Louis as boarders. They received an excellent education and spoke French fluently.

"Sister Delphine and her companions, who went to the Sacred Heart convent to take lessons in English, met Miss Dillon there. The latter had been appointed by the Superior to hold long and frequent conversations with the Sisters in their native language. These conversations had drawn these souls close together and permitted them to appreciate one another. Miss Dillon was strongly attached to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, whose simple, modest and deeply sincere virtues she admired. The next year, when she learned of the foundation of Carondelet, the extreme poverty of this house and the serenity of soul with which the Sisters bore with disagreeable things, she said to herself: 'I shall be one of them.'

"Mr. Dillon refused to consent to his daughter's wish. The young girl was firm, struggled respectfully with paternal authority and succeeded in winning this consent. She entered in October and was clothed with the habit of the Institute on January 3, 1838, receiving the name of Sister Mary Francis Joseph. She was generally known as Sister Mary Joseph. Sister Mary Joseph was a blessing from God for the young community, as she was capable of teaching French as well as English. She was a valuable asset. Her affable manner, and her exquisite delicacy made the common life easy and pleasant; while at the same time, her solid, amiable virtue and her invincible strength of character filled Mother Delphine's soul with joy and hope. Her example attracted excellent subjects to Carondelet.

"As the number of pupils increased daily, it was again necessary to enlarge the house. The resources from France made this possible. Several young people of the most respectable families entered the novitiate where they walked ardently 'in the hard road of sacrifice and perfection.' Grace seemed to change privations into sweetness; they were so happy to forget themselves, to deny themselves and to suffer. As the grain cast into the earth seems to die before taking root and growing into a beautiful stem, so the religious establishment of Carondelet, after taking root in the most absolute distress, began to grow and to blossom; and its flowers promised the beautiful fruits which it still continues to produce."

from Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography translation adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, Jan. 3, 1836

2008-07-30T09:03:00.001-05:00

3 Jan. 1836

We, Superior General of Sisters of Saint Joseph

Have given and by these testaments we give obedience to

Sister Febronie, nee Fontbonne
Sister Marie Delphine, nee Fontbonne
Siser Marie Febronie, nee Chapellon
Sister Marie Felicite, nee Boute
Sister St. Protais, nee Deboille
Sister Philomene, nee Vilaine

For the parish of St. Louis America

Diocese of St. Louis

Department of

Given at Lyon, the third of January in the year of our Savior Jesus Christ 1836.

Mother Fontbonne Superior
(signed)

Sealed for legality of the signature and witness of Mother Fontbonne, Superior General of St. Joseph, Lyon, 3 January 1836

Cholleton, V.G. [Father Charles Cholleton, Vicar General of Lyons]
(signed)

Seal of Motherhouse
Seal of Archdiocese of Lyon

The above named Sisters left this day for the American mission.

Jewels from Jane, January 1, 1829

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"God blessed the works of the Institute in such a visible manner that appeals came to the Motherhouse of the Chartreux from all sections. Whenever she could do so, Mother Saint John [Fontbonne] answered these requests; but, though subjects came in large numbers, it was impossible to satisfy everybody. Besides the local parishes of the Diocese of Lyons, always the first supplied, convents of Saint Joseph were opened in many other dioceses...

"A priest wrote to Mother Saint John: 'There is, in my parish, a group of devout women who are called Sisters. They live in community and have a Superior although they have taken no vows. They occupy themselves with the schools and the children. Send us a Superior from Lyons, to teach and train them.'

"We have in our possession a collection of letters full of praise for these modest workers; almost all have come from priests whose apostolate they assisted. Let us quote a few of them: 'Since I have had the happiness of having this convent in my parish, I have had the greatest consolation; and I see that the Lord is pleased to bless my people. With the assistance of a religious community, priests can do something; without them, their ministry is paralyzed.'

"from another: 'With this spirit of humility and perfect self-denial which distinguishes them, the Sisters have done immense good.'

"and again: 'M.P. is surprised that two Sisters have been able to do so much and to be sufficient for so many employments.'

"another writes: 'They are more loved and respected than the priests.'

"If from some places, the motherhouse was congratulated with the reports of the affiliations, in others subordination was not wanted. Each bishop was anxious to have a motherhouse and novitiate for his own diocese. Mother Saint John was not surprised by that. It was the original idea of the founders and, until the Revolution, each convent had its autonomy. The constitutions...say: 'The Sisters of the congregation will recognize as their lawful Superiors, the bishops of the dioceses in which they reside. They will always have for them a deep respect, a great submission and a very exact obedience in all things which they command them, considering them as holding the place of Jesus Christ, invested with His character and His authority over them. The bishops can visit the houses and the Sisters in their dioceses, and demand an account from the Superiors, of both the spiritual and temporal state of their houses. They can make rules for the general good of the house and the conduct of the Sisters, in order to maintain or renew the full observance of the present constitutions. They may also, if they deem it useful or necessary, change the Superiors and Sisters from one house to another, and even send them out of their dioceses when other bishops ask for them.'

"The Archbishop of Lyons had been wisely inspired in introducing into the Institute a central government which attached the communities to one another and placed them under the direction of a Superior General, who, knowing the needs and resources of each, could establish a wise balance, which favored the good functioning of the works of the congregation. He had been wisely inspired in prescribing a single novitiate in which all the members of the congregation would be imbued with the same spirit and find the necessary means for the proper religious training..

"This indispensable reorganization, the two founders, Bishop de Maupas and Father Medaille, would have surely exacted if they could have foreseen that the 'Little Design' would assume such great proportions and that the Sisters of Saint Joseph would one day cover the globe. Nevertheless, the Archbishop could not take from the bishops their rights of jurisdiction over the communities in their dioceses. To decide all difficulties, there was an understanding among the prelates and it was agreed that henceforth the communities established by the Motherhouse of Lyons would remain attached to their center, and thus disputes and demands were closed.

"When everything was settled, Archbishop de Pins issued the following ordinance:

"...Wishing to assure to all and to each of our dear daughters, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the valuable and important fruits of a complete novitiate in the motherhouse where they will draw at the same time the spirit of their state, a solid piety and the knowledge necessary to them;...we have decreed what follows:
'1. Dating from January 1, 1829, no Sister of Saint Joseph, without exception, will be admitted to holy profession until after spending an entire year in the Novitiate of the Motherhouse of Lyons, so that everyone will spend there two or three months before the reception and nine or ten months after the reception in the space of two years prescribed by their constitutions from which we do not intend to deviate in any way.
'2. We authorize the Superior General to shorten this trial, even by six months, when she will judge it suitable in favor of the lay Sisters.
'3. Copies of the present decree will be sent to Mother Saint John [Fontbonne] who will have them entered on the registers of the congregation and who will testify for us, at least every three months, the execution of the present ordinance...

"The Vicar General who was to give an account of the execution of this ordinance was, in 1828, Father Charles Cholleton, nephew of Father Claude Cholleton, of saintly memory. The nephew, like the uncle, had great love for the community. He assisted Mother Saint John in her delicate and painful task. The Novitiate of Saint-Pons was closed in spite of the regrets of the Bishop of Montpellier, who did not wish to oppose the Archbishop of Lyons in removing the novitiate from his diocese. Montpeyroux, Bedarieux and Meze, which opened shortly after, received their subjects from the Motherhouse of Lyons and had to send their postulants there.

"The means of communication becoming easier from day to day, the difficulty of traveling was lessened. 'Holy souls increased and flourished at the motherouse under the impetus and influence of the worthy Superior General.'"

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph of Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, January 1, 1836

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January 1, 1836

Monseigneur:

The Abbe Fontbonne, who will have the honor of handing you this letter, is full of zeal for the missions across the sea, for which he has long sighed. He is happy to consecrate himself there under your auspices and direction. I hope that you will soon learn his virtues and merit and that he will render himself worthy of your benevolence in every respect. His vocation has been proved and gives the best hopes. He has with him his two sisters [Febronie and Delphine Fontbonne], religious of St. Joseph, accompanied by four companions of the same order [Sister Marguerite-Felicite Boute, Sister Febronie Chappelon, Sister Saint Protais Deboille, Sister Philomene Vilaine]. They will be excellent catechists, good nurses for the sick, perfect sacristans, zealous teachers, and their services can but second powerfully the work of God in your country.

Permit me, Monseigneur, to recommend this evangelical colony to your charitable solicitude; it will respond to your needs by entire submission and more than ordinary devotion. May it also be your consolation and aid in your pastoral solicitude. That is the end they propose to themselves; and it is in this confidence that I recommend them to you in assuring you of the respect with which I am, Monseigneur,

Your very humble and very obedient servant
+J. C. Gaston, archbishop

"The within is a copy of the letter written by Bishop Pins of Lyons, France, to Bishop Rosati, introducing the first Sisters of St. Joseph that came to America. The original is kept with the Archives of the Archdiocese of St. Louis
Sister Monica [Corrigan]
June 23, 1890"

Jewels from Jane, December 29

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St. Louis, Mo.,

December 29, 1921

Academy of St. Joseph
6400 Minnesota Av.

To Max Risch Dr.
Real Estate, Loans & Insurance
Rents Collected
6220 Michigan Ave.
Riverside 302W

Aug. 28 1 Holstein cow & calf $125.00
Nov. 23 1 Holstein cow 75.00
Total $200.00

Paid 1/13/22
Max Risch
Thank you

Handwritten document in Motherhouse file

Jewels from Jane, December 27

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Carondelet, December 27, 1839

Your Blessing
Monsignor

We cannot allow New Year's day to pass without expressing to you again our very deep sentiments of gratitude and veneration that we, all of us, have for you, for the numberless good actions with which you spoil us daily.

We shall always remember it and we hope to continue to deserve it by our good behavior and by fulfilling your desires. These are the feelings we all have and we beg you to accept our wishes for a happy year, wishes that all of us send you. If Heaven is sensible of our prayer, the new year will be for you one of happiness and will be followed by numerous others for our happiness and that of all the people of the Diocese.

We have the honor to be with the deepest respect your very humble and obedient daughters

Sister Felicite [Boute]
Sister Philomene [Vilaine]
Sister St. John [Fournier]
Sister Marie Francis Joseph [Dillon]
Sister Celestine [Pommerel]
Sister [Marie] Josephine [Valois]

Letter to Bishop Rosati
Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, December 24

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Dec. 24, 1839

Monsignor

Mr. Loisel asked me for a yearly contribution as a parishioner. I was very surprised considering that a similar request has never been made to us in Europe or here. On the contrary most of the pastors are helping and sustaining poor establishments such as ours, while we are obliged to look for work from outside and to work without any relaxation in order to cope with the needs of our community. We find it almost impossible to recruit because the girls do not give any dowry. With our privations and our thrift we saved about a hundred gourdes [20 cents] for repairs to the house, and we lent to him, being embarrassed because we imagine he will think we are wealthy.

We do not refuse to pay this contribution if this is your will, but we are afraid to introduce into our congregation obligations contrary to the customary habits. We will not be the last to help the churches when we can.

Accept, Monsignor, the deep respect and the submission of your very obedient daughters.

On behalf of everyone,
Sister Febronie [Fontbonne]Superior
Cahokias, the 24th of December, 1839

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, Dec 21

2008-07-30T09:00:00.006-05:00

Carondelet, December 21, 1838

Right Reverend Joseph Rosati

Monseigneur:

I have the honor to write to you to set forth my little worries. I am sending you the letters that Father Saulnier has written to me. You will see by them how things stand. As to the questions asked me, the first concerns the feast of St. Joseph. You know that you said to me that, as we have indulgence that day, you wished it to be the same as in France and that you accorded another indulgence on the 19th of March, St. Joseph's day. The second question regards the dinner. We have always done as in France because I did not see a change necessary and consequently did not ask dispensation.

The third question is why we are not godmothers though our Sisters are. When I was asked if Sister Celestine could be godmother, I answered that it could not be. I did not say that we could get the permission because it was not necessary that people of the world know all that passes between us and our superiors; furthermore, knowing the obligation that a godmother contracts between herself and her godson or daughter, I thought it would be better to refuse than to accept. If we are godmother for one child, soon we would be for several. Now you see what my sentiments are; you will do as you see fit. I shall always be happy to conform to your wishes in all things and everywhere.

The fourth question is about singing. You know you told us that it would be necessary for us to sing when there would be no choir. We have done so up to the present, except this last Sunday, when M. le Cure said to our Sisters that he would say a low Mass. I do not know why he told me such a thing.

The fifth is why is it difficult when it should be easy? I cannot imagine why he tells me these things: I must let our Sisters do all that they wish; for example, write to Him when they please, speak to him alone when they wish, rise, retire, pray, eat, work, when they are ready. Thus we will have no need of rules and we will be seculars and not religious.

The sixth question is why we do not fast. I answered that you had dispensed us and that I believe that it would be failing in obedience if we fasted.

There, Your Lordship, are several things that worry me. Please tell me what I should do. I find myself in a very sad situation, and as long as I shall be with Father Saulnier and the Sisters who are with me, I shall be in the same embarrassment. One would say they have made their vows to obey Father Saulnier and not their bishop, superior, and constitutions. Pardon me, Your Lordship, if I tire you. I am ready to do all that you wish me to do for the glory of God and my salvation. Arrange matters so that all that will end if it is the will of God.

I have written you concerning the profession of Sister St. John. Kindly tell me when you can come to examine her so that she may be put in retreat for several days. Your Lordship, if you can send us an extraordinary confessor, you will give me great pleasure.

Receive, Your Lordship, the humble respects of her who is with the highest consideration of Your Lordship.

The daughter humble and submissive

Sister M. Delphine Fontbonne

Translation from the French

Jewels from Jane, December 20

2008-07-30T09:00:00.004-05:00

(To Mother Delphine Fontbonne)

20 Dec. 1838

My Sister in J.C.

I leave my breviary to tell you my sentiments on several matters; I believe that you do not do as I do, which is to loosen the bridle on all the horses that wish to run a little faster than they should run, but that run because they do not know what to do. It is very good, very well, to have the constitutions of your society kept. I approve of you in all that and I will ever and always be on your side. However, there is that which we must all do to all and for greater precaution. We must address ourselves in all things and everywhere to our superiors. Well, your superior is the Bishop; he is the same to me; you must, therefore, ask him exactly and precisely what I am going to say to you.

1st Why? The 3 January is St. Joseph, when it is the 19 March (in this country)
2nd Why? Dinner at 11 o'clock when in Cahokia it is at 12 o'clock?
3rd Why? The Sisters in Cahokia are godmothers when these of here are not?
4th Why? You do not sing when there is no one to sing?
5th Why? You make things difficult when they should be easy?
6th Why? Also in several of your constitutions you do not follow because you are in this country--as fasting and abstinence?

Therefore, Sister, I tell you for your conduct and for mine, since all is at the disposition of the Bishop according to your own constitutions, will you not consult and arrange and fix and determine once for good all these things and many others; the Bishop's answer will leave me in less disquietude. It is he who answers, not I, though I have faculties and powers from him:

Will it be the 19th of March for St. Joseph? Will dinner be at 11 or 12 o"clock? Will the Sisters be permitted to be godmothers? Will they be permitted to sing at High Mass when there is no one else to sing? Will it be permitted for you not to conform to your rules on occasion with good reason, even political, for the good of the house and other circumstances, as feasts of Saints? Will it be permitted on Saturdays and other days of fast to eat breakfast? What must be done? Ask and you will see and you will not confuse me and you will not give me a single worry as to the six whys.

Pray for the one who is your servant,

Edmund Saulnier [Pastor of Sts. Mary and Joseph Parish]

Carondelet, Dec. 20, 1838

Copied from the original in the archives of the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Sister Monica Corrigan on June 23, 1890.

Jewels from Jane, December 19

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Carondelet, December 19, 1837

Monseigneur:

Be kind enough to excuse and pardon the liberty I take in writing to beg you kindly to grant the desire of Miss Dillon [Sister Mary Francis Joseph] and give her the religious habit on January 3, as you promised. She desires it with much ardor. She has the disposition for the religious life. She has edified us during the little while she has lived with us. That is why I do not fear that she be given the habit and admitted to our Congregation. That, Monseigneur, is what my duty urges me to tell you now. I leave all to you as you judge fitting.

There is also Sister Philomene [Vilaine], who has finished her novitiate, that is, has had the habit for two years. She desires very much to make her vows. I can put no obstacle in her way, judging by her conduct during her time of trial. I know well enough her good will, disposition, and great devotion. I leave all to your decision.

We have received the prospectus which you had the kindness to send us. We cannot express our gratitude for all your kindness in our regard. Please receive our thanks and do not forget in your prayers her who has the honor of being, with the highest consideration, Monseigneur,

Your humble servant,
Sister Marie Delphine [Fontbonne, niece of Mother St. John Fontbonne]

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Translated from the French

Sister Francis Joseph Dillon received the habit on January 3, 1838. She died on Oct. 30, 1842 at the age of 22.

Sister Philomene Vilaine came to the United States as a novice with the first group of pioneer sisters in 1836, having received the habit the day before the departure.

Jewels from Jane, December 17

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Carondelet, December 17, 1838

Right Reverend Joseph Rosati

Your Lordship:

You will pardon the liberty I take in writing to report to you that I had the votes taken for my dear Sister St. John [Fournier]; she received all of them, which gives me great pleasure. We ardently desire that if Your Lordship judges proper you come to receive her vows on the 27th of this month, which is her feast day.

Please, Your Lordship, honor us with an answer in order that we may prepare the Sister for the day you will designate.

If I am not being indiscreet, I beg Your Lordship to be kind enough to come and examine the Sister.

I have the honor to be with the highest consideration,

Your very humble and obedient daughter in J.C.

Sister Marie Delphine [Fontbonne]

Copied from the original in the archives of the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Sister Monica Corrigan
Translation from the French

Today is also the day that Jeanne Fontbonne, Mother St. John, received the habit in 1778.

Jewels from Jane, December 9

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"Carondelet, December 9, 1837

"Monseigneur

"I come again to beg pardon for the liberty I take to write to you, but the fear that you did not receive my last letter makes me come again to implore your kindness and to express the desire that I have to make holy profession when Miss Dillon [Sister Frances Joseph Dillon - first American to enter the Congregation] will receive the holy habit. It is true that I still lack five months to have completed my two years' novitiate; but, my Lord, I think that your great generosity will do me the favor of shortening the time, which I find very long. However, if you judge it proper to have me finish my two years, I submit, hoping that the sacrifice will be agreeable to God and serve to prepare me to make a still greater one. But it seems to me that when I have made my vows I will be more pleasing to God and will have more strength to combat and resist the snares the enemy of my salvation will lay for me. So, Monseigneur, be so kind as to examine the wishes of her who recommends herself to your prayers.

Your humble servant,

Sister St. John [Fournier]

Sister St. John came from France as a postulant with Mother Celestine Pommerel in 1837. They arrived at the log cabin in Carondelet on September 10, 1837.

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Translated from the French

Jewels from Jane, Dec. 8

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"On December 8, 1854, the first foundation of the Congregation of Saint Joseph in New York State was made at Canandaigua, sometimes called 'Sleeping Beauty.' In response to an appeal made by the Right Reverend John Timon, Bishop of the newly erected See of Buffalo, a band of four Sisters--Mother Agnes Spencer, Sister Frances Joseph Ivory, Sister Petronella Roscoe and Sister Theodosia Hageman--had been sent from Carondelet to make this new establishment. Early in January, 1855, the Sisters opened an academy and free school and took charge of the orphans. A novitiate was established and postulants were received into the community. The ceremony of profession took place in Saint Mary's Church until 1858.

"In 1857, Bishop Timon asked the community to open an institution for deaf-mutes in Buffalo, N.Y. Three Sisters who had studied, in France, the most recent methods for this work, were sent from Carondelet. In 1865, the Sisters addressed a petition to the New York Legislature, asking that the Le Couteulx Institute might be included among those to which the State annually made appropriation for the education of the deaf and dumb. A bill to that effect was passed on April 28, 1875. The foundation in Buffalo was under the care of the motherhouse in Canandaigua until 1861 when the administration was transferred to Buffalo, N.Y.

"In 1864, a band of Sisters opened an orphanage in Rochester, N.Y., primarily to care for those children who had lost their fathers in the Civil War. In 1868 the Buffalo diocese was divided. The new Diocese of Rochester was erected under its first bishop, Right Reverend Bernard J. McQuaid, and the affiliation of the Sisters with Buffalo was dissolved. The new bishop selected the community as the teaching congregation of his diocese and established their motherhouse at Rochester."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography translation adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Picture of Mother Agnes Spencer attached

Jane Behlmann, csj
Province Archivist
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet
6400 Minnesota Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63111-2899
Phone: 314-678-0320
FAX: 314-481-2366
email: jbehlmann@csjsl.org

Jewels from Jane, Dec. 7

2008-07-30T08:58:00.003-05:00

"December 7, 1941, was my turn to stay home. I had checked all the names in the classrooms and was taking the boys in rank to church for Mass. I had all the boys and another sister had all the girls. We were running late so I was trying to hurry the boys along but they kept stopping to look up at a plane. They kept saying 'Sister, one bomber, one bomber.' I looked up and the plane was flying so low that I could see the pilot's face. I often wonder if he might not have been the man who gave orders to start the bombing because we just got in the door of the church when the most deafening noise you can imagine began. You can't imagine how loud it was; one hundred planes bombing simultaneously. I thought there might have been an acident over at Pearl Harbor and all the ammunition had been tripped off all at once. We had had a tour of Pearl Harbor about three weeks before and all the communication lines had been explained to us. So I kept thinking, it can't be an enemy, no enemy can get in here. Now, if I thought this was for real I'd get under a pew. It seemed like every vehicle in Honolulu was passing by, just racing past our church. In a few minutes a man came rushing in saying frantically, 'Give me my kids, give me my kids. I want them out of here. They'll get these tall buildings first.' Because we did not recognize this man we had a hard time finding his children. He had no sooner gone when a lady came asking for her children. I knew her and easily found her two. At communion time Mother Virginia [Becker] came down the aisle telling us that Pearl Harbor had been raided. I kept thinking - raided - what does that mean? The only time I had heard of a raid was during prohibition time when the policemen would raid the saloons.

"Finally, Mass ended and there was a moment of quiet. As the boys and I came out of church, we saw all the Koreans on the porch for nine o'clock Mass because nine o'clock was the Korean Mass. They had such serious looks on their faces that one would think their last friend had been buried. When we got outside and saw the sky, we just stood still in our tracks. I had never seen smoke so black and so shiny, the whole sky was filled with it. Across the street was an Army man and I wondered how one man could yell so loud, 'Take cover, take cover, you fools.' The children scattered. Then I went around the church to the side door where Father Athanasius, our pastor, Mother Virginia, and Sister Faber were trying to figure out what this was. Father kept saying, 'Whatever it is it can't be war.' And he went off to the rectory. The others said they were going to the convent to turn on the radio to find out what it was. I thought I'll find out soon enough so I'll just go into nine o'clock Mass as I always do. We used to say our office during the Korean sermon. Well, we had just gone into church when all that racket started again. It was the second wave, only this time it seemed even worse because we could hear things falling apart. One time I thought, now that was the kindergarten. I allowed myself one peak out the window and the kindergarten was still standing. I guess it was the electric plant next door. I was thinking, 'I'll die saying the Office.' It turned out two houses had gotten hit at the end of our block.

"After Mass we finally got back to the convent again. Our biggest concern was for our sisters who were out teaching catechism, especially the three that taught at Schofield Barracks. They used to take the children to Mass first and then take them to catechism after Mass. A certain man used to drive them there every Sunday. We were used to maneuvers, etc. when we'd hear shooting, so when this car was going by Pearl Harbor, they saw the plances with the Rising Suns on them they thought they were making the maneuvers lifelike.

"The next minute they saw smoke and all the noise. When the driver saw that this was for real he said, 'Sisters, I'm sorry, I can't take you to Schofield. I have the keys for ammunition in my pocket. I have to get to work.' He did find someone to take them onto Schofield and when they got to Schofield they said all the officers were out in front of their houses shooting at the different planes. I was so concerned about them getting home because all I could think of was coming back they have to pass Pearl Harbor. I remembered all those oil tanks they would have to go by. Anyway, someone got them a bus and they were the only three on the bus back to Honolulu. At one time they were so afraid that the bus driver stopped the bus and they all got out and hid in the cane fields. They did finally arrive home safely and how grateful we were.

"It didn't occur to me that Sunday that we wouldn't be having school the next day. I had papers in my classroom that needed to be graded. I thought I would go over there and get those papers. Every time I went outside and looked up at the sky instead of going across the property where my classroom was, I ducked back in the house. I tried this several times. I was watching the boys behind our house I think they got the idea they'd play some ball and they did the same as I did; come out, see the sky, duck back into the house. Everytime the noise started I always thought somehow or another I was going to die. I remember thinking I'd die pouring the water; I'll die doing this or that.

"Early in the afternoon we already had a military governor and we had to have our radios turned on at all times to hear his orders. Around four o'clock in the afternoon, some sisters thought they would take a walk. Immediately a military man was there saying, 'Those white gimps you are wearing can be seen from the planes. You'd better get back in the house.' We couldn't even go out for a walk in our own yard. The most important order we got from the military governor was about the blackout. Absolutely no lights could be seen or could be shown. It seemed to me every group of little houses had what I thought of as its guardian soldier who would have to see to it that no lights were on.

"Night prayers, which included the Litany of the Saints had to be said without a light. Sister Thomasina and I used to get up on Monday mornings early to do the wash and at six o'clock the rest of the community would come out to hang it up. This evening Sister Thomasina said, 'How are we going to do that wash in the morning with no light?' I said, 'Oh, the moon will be shining. We'll see. We'll get along all right.' When I got down there the next morning it was so black. It must have been a new moon or something; you couldn't see a hand before your face. After a little while, I began to feel my way around and then Sister Thomasina came down. When she looked her first words were, 'Where's the moon?' We were in the blackout for four years. We had to do everything in the dark and we had funny stories about the blackout. Father's housekeeper said she bumped her head in the dark and wanted to put some salve on her forehead. She smelled what she had in her hand and it turned out to be shoe polish she had put on her head.

"One time the servicemen wanted to give us a treat, black cows. In the dark we had sodas and ice cream. We had put them in the sink. As we served them Sister Felix was sitting next to me and asked, 'Do you have ice cream in your glass?' I said, 'Yes.' She said she had no ice cream in her glass. I said she must because 'We put one scoop of ice cream in every glass.' I could hear her spoon hitting against the glass. She said, 'I'm going down to that room and get our blacked out flashlight and see if I have ice cream in here.' We went down there and saw she had no ice cream in her glass. So we went to the kitchen with that flashlight and there on the kitchen sink was her scoop of ice cream. We had missed the glass.

"During the blackout days we learned the hardest thing to do in the dark was to get the toothpaste onto the toothbrush. The way to do it was to put the toothbrush between your thumb and first finger and you'll get it on.

"That first night as we started up the stairs to go to bed I wondered how many times I was supposed to have died today. We just got to the landing we saw through the window on the landing that all of Pearl Harbor was fire red...All of the black smoke of the day had turned to red, red, red. I thought there would be nothing left in Pearl Harbor. So, we turned back and decided we would keep vigil before the Blessed Sacrament that night. We decided on a list of turns, two of us at a time. We did that all during the time we were not in school, and on weekends after school started.

"There was no school for six weeks but this was still a busy time. Everyone on the island had to be fingerprinted. The fingerprinting was not so bad for us because all we had to do was to wait in the long lines. We knew that gas masks were coming, but during the interim, we had to sew a facemask for each one of our students. When school resumed each classroom was equipped with two pails, newspapers, and a bottle of Clorox. Two eighth grade girls were assigned to each primary classroom to help the teacher in case of an attack. The two girls were to get the water, help make the classroom airtight by stuffing Clorox soaked newspaper all around the windows and doors. The masks that we made had to be dipped in the Clorox water before they were put on the children...There were about four different sizes of gas masks and we were to look at the general contour of the faces and then choose one that we thought would fit the face. Then we'd do the specifics of fitting. It was funny, we had done this so much that anytime we went on a bus or in a group of people the first thing I would think would be A1, C2; I would always think of the genreal size when I saw a person...

"For the safety of our children in case of another air raid, the army dug trenches. Our whole schoolyard was filled with open trenches, one trench for each classroom. When we practiced for this it seemed to me that the children were out there under heaven. I remember saying to the sister whose class was next to mine, 'I'm going to have mine bring potato sacks for some kind of camouflage.' She said, 'I'm going to put my shawl over them.' After awhile I think the army saw that this wasn't any good so they built air raid shelters and the back part of our grounds was all filled with shelters, one shelter for each classroom. The children just fit. I had 63 so it was a tight fit in our air raid shelter. We had to plan entertainment and things in case we had to go out there. There was no second attack, but we did practice.

At first we were told if there were a second attack on the islands St. Theresa's would be a sight for big guns and we sisters would all go up to the hospital to live. I'm glad that didn't go through, although I don't know if what actually happened was any better. The next plan was that we would be an evacuation center. To prepare for this everyone of us had a certain station, a certain responsibility and mine was food. I was going to have to take care of all the meals. I had to work very closely with the health department and they told me we could not even have a dishpan. Every dish had to be washed under running water. I said, 'We can't cope with that.' They said, 'Yes you can. You get your men to build you some troughs down to School street and you just let the water run down to the street.' I didn't know that running water was that important, more important even than soap, for preventing infection. They kept telling me, 'you don't want an infection in your camp.' So we had our running water. So every time, and it happened eight times during the war, that there was an alarm, all I was thinking of was what are we going to have. I would be planning the first meal instead of being afraid. The one thing about that food business was the paperwork. I don't know how we ever would have coped with that. It seems we had papers and papers for every can we used. I'm glad that never came to pass.

"During the war we washed our sheets on Saturdays. The other washing was done on Mondays. One Saturday we had all the sheets out on the line and didn't the alarms go off. We had to take all the sheets down and put them in water until Monday. I couldn't believe it when the next Saturday again we had all the sheets on the line, and again all the alarms went off. I couldn't believe that two weeks in a row we would have the sheets in the water over the weekend. Anyway, the second time I looked over towards Pearl Harbor and there was a beautiful double rainbow, just like a gateway into the harbor. All I could think was, 'That's a sign everything is going to be safe.'

"Another thing we had to do in order to be ready for a second attack was to get acquainted with the hospital. They wanted us sisters to feel at home in every department so we could be assigned anywhere to help in case of need. Several of us went to the hospital at a time. We began at central supply worked there about two weeks to get the feel of it. Then we were changed to another department, and then another, and then another. At the end of our training session we were given a little slip telling us where to report in case of need. I thought I was going to be assigned to bedside care and when I got my paper I was told to go to surgery. It was really quite an experience and I was present for many operations...

"The beginning of the war was the most frightening time for us because the Japanese had been very successful in each of their campaigns, the Philippines, Singapore, etc. These all fell. Because our rectory was the local office for civilian defense we knew a large fleet set out from Japan headed for Hawaii. We were supposed to be the Emperor's birthday present and his birthday was near the end of June. We had alert, double alert, and triple alert. We were told there were no maneuvers these days, if we heard a shot we should get down on the ground. I thought if I lived until June 29th I would never be afraid again...

"All during the war we entertained servicemen. New York's 27th Division Signal Corps was located on the property adjoining us. Those boys were at our place every free minute they had. Also, the boys from the Navy and Marine Corps would come in the evenings or late afternoons...We would have wonderful Bridge games and then there would be all kinds of other conversations. One problem was the officers were not allowed to associate with the enlisted men. So when the officers came, they would go to the kitchen and play cards there and felt free to help themselves to anything they found in the icebox. On Sunday evenings there would be so many for supper there was no way to get the dishes finished in time for Benediction. So there was sort of a general rule that the Catholics went to Benediction and the Protestants stayed home and did the dishes. Then on Monday morning we would never know where we would find the things. Just for devilment they'd have put the coffeepot with the cups or something.

"While servicemen were preparing to go on a campaign, probably for security reasons, they did not know their destination. They learned this only after they were at sea. Our boys had an expression, 'down under.' When they told us they were going 'down under' we doubled our prayers for them because we could tell they were nervous. One time they made a code two pages long of all the possible places they could be going. The code was very simple. 'Dear Sisters' meant one place, 'dear friends' would mean another, 'how are you' would mean something else, 'God bless you' at the end of the letter meant Saipan. So when we received a letter ending with 'God bless you,' and the newpaper headlines read 'Saipan invaded' we knew our boys were involved. I could see why the government didn't want the families to know where their sons were. If we felt so bad for the boys, how much worse it must have been for their families.

"Speaking of coffeepots, as soon as you can't get something that is when your's will break. About the first week of the war our percolator gave out. There was no way to buy a percolator, so for the rest of the war we had to boil our coffee. Everything that came to us during the war had to come in convoys. Sometimes we would go out on a Saturday morning and you could always tell if a convoy had come in, and what it brought to us, because everybody on the street would have one. I remember one Saturday everybody came with a mop. Another Saturday everybody had a dishpan. As far as food went, we faired pretty well because we all had victory gardens. One funny thing though, the only vegetable we had in the war was rutabagas and we had a lot of jokes about that. I remember one sister saying that rutabagas were always her favorite fruit. For my part, I was happy they weren't turnips...

"There was a rule during the war that we had to have our identification card and our gas masks with us at all times. So on school days the first thing we had to do in the morning was to check to see that our children had their gas masks and identification cards. Anyone who came without these had to go home to get them.

"At this time I taught catechism at Waipahu since there was no school there yet. This meant I had to pass Pearl Harbor at least twice a week. There were mounds of debris all along the highway and every few feet there was a sign that said 'Absolutely no Cameras Allowed Here.' I have never seen a picture of all the wreckage along the side of the highway. I remember it was June before we saw the first sign of a ship being raised and that was the Oklahoma. I remember them saying from the marks on the wall that they could tell that the boys lived on that ship underwater until almost Christmas. We knew the chaplain on that ship, Father Schmidt. He wasn't one that got off. Some of the boys were pushed through a porthole to safety on December 7th, but Father Schmidt didn't make it. So, later when I heard that those boys were under water all that time my only consolation was that Father Schmidt was down there with them. He must have been some comfort to them.

"I don't think we can ever realize what our poor boys went through on that December 7th morning. Those who survived had to swim through burning water to shore. The following week when we'd see them in town, you could see all the layers of skin on their faces because their faces were burned. In school when we learned that so many people had been killed in battle I somehow never envisioned the corpses, but here we had first hand sight of it. All day long large army trucks passed in front of our house on School Street. I kept thinking 4 times 5 are 20, (4 across, 5 high) were 20 bodies taken to a nearby cemetery. All the Navy casualties were buried near Pearl Harbor at a place we called Red Hill. However, all the casualties from the Army were taken to a neighboring cemetery of ours, Nuuanu Cemetery. These places were just for temporary burial because eventually all would be buried in the Punch Bowl Crater which was being prepared and became a beautiful cemetery for the military.

"One Sunday afternoon Father took us to visit Nuuanu Cemetery. There we saw the long trenches they had dug, and they must have had those boxes close to one another because every few feet there would be a stick with a dog tag on it. Some families sent for the remains of their loved ones. All the rest were buried in Punch Bowl Crater when it was ready."

Remembrances of Sister Regina Catherine Brandt, resident at Nazareth Living Center

Used with permission.

Jewels from Jane, Dec. 5

2008-07-30T08:58:00.002-05:00

Kanzas City, Mo. Dec. 5th, 1865

Sister St. John [Facemaz]

Madame

Please hand the enclosed 20 dollar bill to Rose Walsh.

Permit me to respectfully inquire about the possibility of obtaining some of your Sisters to take charge of a young Ladies' Academy in this city. We have a building nearly completed of the following dimensions, front 30 by 54 feet, L. Wing, 22 1/2 by 42 1/2 and all three stories high. The number of rooms are six, each 20 by 27 ft. Three [?]... Each 41 by 21. Three Halls, each 10 by 27 feet. The Roses can describe the location etc. to you. This building has a square of about two Acres of ground attached to it. Our church is on the adjoining square.

Your kindness at all times to me and mine induces me to beg you will be pleased to take my appeal under advisement. The rapid increase of Population etc. in this place is truly astonishing. My congregation has more than doubled within the last six months. The Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads are in full operation to this point. There is every prospect of a large city here. I have been urged as much by Protestants as by Catholics to erect this building. We would be willing to place the whole concern in your hands on such terms and conditions as the most Rev. Archbishop [Kenrick] would suggest. R. Qualey informs me that our building is far superior in style, convenience and location to the one at Hannibal, to which I understand, some members of your community have already gone. [St. Aloysius Acadamy opened in 1865]

Please send me a reply, and state to me, without hesitation, what you may be able to do for us, -- make suggestions, -- give me information, -- ask questions, -- give advice, -- name conditions, do everything in your reply, to instruct me in this matter. The Archbishop is aware of my exertions in getting up this building. Awaiting your reply I remain

Your humble & [?]...servant

Bernard Donnelly

Handwritten letter

The diocese of St. Louis included all of the state of Missouri at this time. Father Donnelly was commissioned to establish missions on the western border of the state and in the newly acquired triangle of land called the Platte Purchase.

St. Teresa's Academy opened in Kansas City in 1866

Jewels from Jane, Dec. 4

2008-07-30T08:57:00.003-05:00

Peoria Ill December 4th 1862

To the Mother Superior of St. Joseph Convent
Carondelet, Mo.

Dear Madame,

The Rt. Rev. James Duggan Bishop of Chicago has written me stating that he has obtained a promise of a religious Community of your order to come here. The conditions you wrote him he has made known to me. All of said conditions we are willing to comply with. I have just rented an elegant building & will have it furnished immediately with all the necessaries for the present occupation and when the Sisters come they can tell us what else is wanting.

Since I am unacquainted with your community you will please have the goodness to excuse me for the following suggestions which may and may not be out of place to make beforehand. For years this city has been promised a community of Sisters and efforts were made, but all failed. At present I have renewed these efforts and the people in general are willing to do all in their power to sustain them. This city has a population of Eighteen Thousand about two thirds protestant and liberal willing to send their daughters to a good school conducted by the Sisters on fair terms.

There are very good schools there and the Sisters will be expected to surpass them in every respect. All will depend on themselves to meet these anticipations and I assure you there will be no danger but that you will succeed in all your efforts (God willing) We require at least two of the very best teachers to open a private or select school at your residence and four others for parochial schools. I do not think you can get along without six sisters. Send us some of your most accomplished in order to meet the anticipations of the public at large. Sisters are held in the highest esteem for accomplishments, etc. etc., etc.---

Hoping that you will meet these anticipations I shall send the Rev. Father Abraham Ryan on Monday next 8th Dec to escort the Sisters here to their new field of labors. In the meantime I shall get your house in readiness to receive you comfortably. Should you not be able to come by the latter part of next week you will please telegraph me on reciept of this. I hope and trust there will be no delay as we are now undergoing expence with the full assurance that we will have the Sisters forthwith. Trusting that the above will meet your approval believe me to be

Yours respectfully

[Rev.] H. Coyle [Pastor of St. Mary's Parish]

Letter to Mother St. John Facemaz

Academy of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Peoria, Il. Opened in 1863.

Jewels from Jane, Dec. 2

2008-07-30T08:57:00.002-05:00

Carondelet, 2 December 1837

Monseigneur:

I have the honor of writing you to beg you to accept my most respectful homage and to ask if you judge it fitting for us to receive into our house a young person who has presented herself as an orphan, who has offered to do anything, even the most laborious, provided we teach her her catechism. She has not yet received her first Communion. We have let her come to class until I could speak to you, and I forgot about her the day we had the honor of your visit. This young person appears to have good sentiments. She desires even to remain with us entirely and to become a religious. She is still very young. She is only thirteen years old, and she is not instructed; but while waiting, we will examine her if you wish that we receive her.

Please do not forget in your prayers her who has the honor of being with the highest consideration, Monseigneur,

Your very humble and obedient servant,

Sister Marie Delphine [Fontbonne]

Letter to Bishop Rosati

Jewels from Jane, Nov. 29

2008-07-30T08:56:00.003-05:00

Sister M. Euphemia Ract-Madoux died in our Community at Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, on the 29th day of November, 1881, in the forty-seventh year of her age and the twenty-fifth of her religious profession.

Many years of the religious life of this dear sister were devoted to the instruction of little children, in which she was eminently successful. She labored with great zeal and in the spirit of a true religious. She suffered much from ill-health, during the last year of her life, but remained at ther post, until she had to be helped out of the school room, where she had fainted away. Paralysis set in afterwards, which considerably increased her sufferings and deprived her of the faculty of speech. Her consciousness, however, remained unclouded to the end. Having been provided with the last Sacraments and blessings of the Church, she peacefully expired on the eve of the feast of the Apostle St. Andrew. May she rest in peace. Amen.

From the Necrology

Many of us have wondered about Euphemia for many years. She was born in 1834 to Claude Benjamin and Gabrielle Derripes Ract-Madoux in Chevron, France. She entered in Moutiers, France and was received on July 2, 1856. She was professed on October 10, 1858 in Moutiers. She arrived in Carondelet from Moutiers in 1859 along with Sister Dositheus Grand and Sister M. Regis Duc-Martin. She is buried in Valle Spring Cemetery in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

Jewels from Jane, November 25

2008-07-30T08:56:00.002-05:00

"In order to know better the needs of all the works of charity in the Empire and the means for satisfying them, the Emperor called together, in Paris, in 1807, a general chapter of all the Religious Hospitalers of the Empire. The assembly was set for November 27. Long before this date, the Cardinal [Fesch] had gone to Paris and when the time came for the chapter, he wrote to Father Cholleton to attend it.

"Father Cholleton [founder and spiritual director of the Black Daughters] had hardly recovered from an illness that had brought him to the brink of death. He went, nevertheless, at the invitation of the Cardinal; and scarcely had he arrived in the capital, when the fatigue of the journey obliged him to go to bed from which he never arose. On November 25, [1807] two days before the opening of the Assembly, he expired, dying in as saintly a manner as he had lived."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne by a Sister of Saint Joseph of Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, November 24

2008-07-30T08:55:00.001-05:00

St. Louis Post-Dispatch November 24, 1929

WORLD CURIOS IN MUSEUM AT CARONDELET CONVENT
Eagle, Stuffed and Mounted, Which Survived 36 Civil War Engagements, Is Chief Attraction

"'Old Abe,' who went through 36 engagements in the Civil War unscathed as mascot of the Eighteenth Wisconsin Infantry, perches today, stuffed and mounted, near the ceiling in a museum in the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 6400 Minnesota Avenue.

"'Old Abe' was a golden eagle, and is now the principal exhibit in the unusual collection of bird life which is the feature of a collection of curios gathered from all parts of the world by the Sisters of St. Joseph since the founding of the convent in Carondelet 88 years ago.

"The story of the founding of the museum has been forgotten, according to Sister Lucida [Savage], who is now in charge of the exhibits. Soon after the original convent was built in 1841--at that time it was a one-room [two-room] log cabin--a small bunch of wool, sheared from a lamb near Jerusalem, was received from a man visiting the Holy Land, and since that time the collection, entirely gathered by the nuns, has increased until an extra room soon will be needed to hold all the exhibits.

"Besides the collection of bird life, the museum contains a collection of wood specimens and marbles, two large cases filled with specimens of Indian basket weaving, and exhibit of corals and semi-precious stones, a stamp collection, relics from the Holy Land and oddities from various parts of the world.

"One of the most interesting exhibits is a three-foot lattice-work cross, made entirely of pieces of cigar boxes, which was made by a convict during his two-year incarceration in Joliet, Ill. Prison.

"Another featured curio is a 200-year-old altar-bread iron, reputed to have belonged originally to a family by the name of Wilhelm, which for many generations supplied altar bread in the diocese of Speyer, Germany. It is said that in the sacking of the town by French soldiers in 1792, when thye attempted to take the iron, its metal claws caught in the crevices of the wall and resisted all attempts to pull it loose.

"Another interesting wood specimen is 10-inch oak cross, a copy of the famous Muiredach Cross, the original of which is in Monasterboice, Ireland.

"Most forest trees of North America are represented in the wood collection. Bits of their bark surround a small piece of wood from the chapel built by Pierre Marquette at St. Ignace in 1671. Other odd bits include a splinter from one of the beams which supported one of the guns at the old Spanish fort in New Orleans; a wooden pin seven inches long and one inch in diameter which was used in place of a spike in the building of a frame house in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., about 1820, and a piece of bark from a coffee tree planted by Thomas Jefferson on the grounds at Mount Vernon.

"Among the marbles is a small [?] on a base of unpolished quartz.

"A copy of Raphael's 'Madonna of the Fish,' carved on a small piece of hardwood, is a featured curio. Every feature of the painting is perfectly reproduced in the carving. It was given to the Sisters by the Marchesa Ferrari."

The Museum was located on the third floor of the 1891 classroom building - West wing, Minnesota Ave.
Note picture attachments.
Also attached is a more detailed description of the Museum.

Jewels from Jane, Nov. 22

2008-07-30T08:54:00.001-05:00

"This improvement did not last long. Mother Sacred Heart [Mother Saint John Fontbonne's successor as Superior General] had to write soon: 'The health of our venerated Mother Saint John has been failing for some days. This causes us grave fears, since her great age renders her unable to fight against the sickness. We must hope in God. Let us redouble our prayers for her preservation. You know how justly she is entitled to our filial love. She has been, so to speak, the maker of our congregation. Her long administration has been remarkable for the wisdom of her acts, her counsels and the fruitfulness of her works. There is scarcely one among us, whom she has not received to her holy vows. Her goodness, her great perfection and her admirable regularity have made her, and still make her, at the age of eighty-four, a model for all. Should not these memories excite in us an ardent desire for the restoration of her health? With what fervor ought we not united in prayer to God that He leave to us for our imitation, our gratitude, and our love, one so full of experience, virtues and merits?'

"This letter, dated March 11, 1843, evoked in the congregation a redoubling of prayers. God showed that He heard them, by prolonging the life of the dear invalid for several months. The time was drawing near when Mother Saint John was to depart to see Him for Whom she had suffered. She languished for several months. Her daughters flocked around her. Each one wished to lavish cares on her, and to receive her counsels, because they felt that they were the last. Mother Sacred Heart spent herself and spared nothing to prolong those precious days.

"The dear patient was more than ever admirable. No complaint and no moan came from her lips; and the peace of her soul radiated her countenance. With perfect calmness, she spoke of her death. 'Have I much longer to live?' she asked a few moments before her death. 'Your chains will soon be broken,' was the answer. At these words, a celestial smile shone on her face. Calmly and peacefully she waited, wishing only to do the will of God. She did not wait long. With an almost imperceptible sigh, she left the earth... Mother Sacred Heart wrote: 'Our Reverend Mother Saint John is no more. After sixty-three and a half years of religious profession, God called her to Himself, on the morning of November 22, 1843, aged eighty-four years and eight months. Her last moments were as beautiful as her life had been. Patience and her usual sweetness accompanied her to the end. She died the death of the just, full of years and merits. Her obsequies took place on the twenty-third, with a religious pomp, worthy of her who was its object. All the Sisters, who were able, came to take part in the ceremonies. It was very consoling to see them, in the name of the whole congregation, pay a last tribute of regret and love to her whom we had so long venerated as a most perfect Religious, the wisest and most prudent of Superiors and the most tender of mothers. We are happy to express our gratitude to them. Let us remember in our prayers the soul of our beloved Mother and may the ardor of our supplications in her behalf correspond to the benefits we have received from her, and to the rich heritage of religious traditions she has bequeathed to us.'

"Mother Saint John is no more. To her daughters of the two worlds, who venerate her, what remains today? There remains her portrait which they are happy to contemplate. There remains her memory which brings them back to the source of their Institute and renews their fervor. The last years of Mother Saint John, with all their sufferings and humiliations, are a fitting close to a life which, from earliest childhood, was spent solely in the service of God. Without those years, which were the real test of her virtue, Mother Saint John's example to the world would have lost much of its lustre, while her soul would have been deprived of great merit before God. Without those years, the crowning proof of her pure, unselfish love ..., the blessings obtained by their holy Foundress would not have enriched, during all these years, her Religious family throughout the world...

"We read in Canon Rivaux that Mother Saint John had received from the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VII, a brief in which she was appointed Superior General of the Congregation of Saint Joseph for life; but her modesty kept it constantly hidden. It was found when she changed her room. However great a distinction is this brief, in our opinion it does less honor to Mother Saint John than the beautiful, dignified and simple manner with which she bore her trial. 'A great suffering is a great majesty.' God wished to add this to all the other dignities of His Chosen One.

"'Three months after the death of Mother Saint John, when one of her daughters, who was quite devoted to her, offered to the Cure of Ars an honorarium for Masses for the repose of her soul, the holy priest refused, saying: 'Your Reverend Mother does not need them. She is high in glory. I know it.'

"When the humble Mother Saint John gave an account of her stewardship, she could show to her Judge more than three thousand Religious and two hundred forty-four convents of Saint Joseph founded or restored to unity from 1807 to 1838."

from Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography translation adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, Nov. 21

2008-07-30T08:52:00.002-05:00

Office of Gillick Bros. Bricklayers, Builders and Brick Manufacturers, 321 West Stein Street St. Louis
Nov 21, 1896

To Sisters of St. Joseph

We propose to furnish all material and labor necessary to build a chimney sixty feet high, 13" x 13" on inside and 3'3" x 3'3" on outside lined with fire brick twenty five feet high with proper foundation for the sum of two hundred and ninety two ($292.00) dollars and if lined with fire brick to top add thirty two ($32.00) dollars, this bid includes the iron pipe connections between kiln and stack also clean out door.

Respect
Gillick Bros.

P.S. This bid includes painting

[Just something fun from the Motherhouse file.]

Jewels from Jane, Oct. 31

2008-07-17T13:23:00.005-05:00

St. Joseph Male Orphan Asylum
October 31st 1880 (?)
St. Louis, Mo.

Dear Rev. Mother Agatha [Guthrie],

This is just a mere sketch of what I would like to relate to you about the past years of my religious life.
Sr. M. Aloysius [Fitzsimmons]

"Sister M. Aloysius Fitzsimmons was received by Rev. Mother Celestine [Pommerel] in the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Carondelet, Mo. in the first branch of the order in America, March 17th, 1839. The same year July 2nd received the Holy Habit of the order from Rev. Father Ven Bon in the humble log house where I spent so many happy days. My companion, Mary Kelley [Nally?], in religion Sr. M. Francis. There were with me in the novitiate Sr. Mary Joseph Dillon, Sr. Antoinette [Kincaid], Sr. Adel...

"Mother St. John [Founier] was the first superioress in St. Louis, she had charge of the colored school [opened Feb. 5, 1845 on Third and Poplar Streets]. The sisters that were there were Sr. M. Protia [St. Protais Deboille], Sr. M. Joseph, Sr. M. Antoinette, Sr. Teresa [Struckhoff], & Sr. Aloysius had her turn there, we then got the asylum & was paid by the Archbishop. After 4 years hard work, Mother St. John went to Philadelpia."

Handwritten note in Motherhouse file

Jewels from Jane, November 5

2008-07-17T13:23:00.004-05:00

"After founding the American mission, three years of labor still remained to her [Mother St. John Fontbonne]...

"In 1836, when she saw the names of her nieces on the list of missionaries for Missouri, she felt that a fiber of her heart had snapped and a sweet dream had vanished. Although her soul was young, her body was worn out; and she had decided to free herself from the responsibilities and cares of administration. She intended to spend the remaining years of her life in retreat and prayer. She had already prepared the place of this retreat in her mind. Her authority of Superior General would end in 1838. Before that date, she would appoint one of her nieces Superior in a small house of the Institute. At the assembling of the General Chapter, she would resign and retire to the house governed by her niece--there to live and die in peace.

"That was her plan. It was not God's, however...While waiting for the time of the elections, she continued her noble task. According to the precepts of the Rule she visited her communities and, among them, that of Grand-Lemps, near Grenoble in the Department of l'Isere. This visit, which took place the day after the departure of the missionaries to the New World, brought great consolation.

"After the signing of the Concordat, Father Caillet, Confessor of the Faith and parish priest of Grand-Lemps, had established a little association of pious women who lived in community without taking vows. This association had for its aim to help the priest in his ministry with the sick and with the children. Later, Father Caillet, named Vicar General of Grenoble, left Grand-Lemps. After his departure, those who were called 'Sisters' were dispersed. Seven, however, did not want to be separated. These women were exposed to all kinds of annoyances. They would have succumbed if Divine Providence had not sent Mademoiselle de Virieu to their assistance...

"Touched by the trials of these pious associates, who rendered excellent services in the parish, Mademoiselle de Varieu bought them property not far from the manor, and advised these virtuous women to affiliate themselves with the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Lyons. The steps which were taken toward this end succeeded. Mother Saint John sent two Sisters to teach them the Rule which would govern them henceforth. This new state of affairs brought several recruits and, on November 5, 1836, Father Caillet presided at the first reception of the habit. There were five choir and two lay Sisters. Five of the former associates did not consider themselves able to conform to the Rule of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. They remained in the house as assistants and were the objects, on the part of their companions, of consideration and most affectionate care.

"Mother Saint John came to visit this community toward the end of her life. She would never have her portrait taken despite the entreaties of her daughters. Mademoiselle de Virieu knew of this refusal. She resolved to make this portrait the next time the venerable Mother came to her community; because, on occasions like this, Mother Saint John never failed to visit their benefactress. When the visitor presented herself, the countess received her hospitably and began a long conversation, during which Mademoiselle Stephanie sketched the features of the Mother, without her suspecting that the artist was reproducing her countenance on canvas. When she noticed it, the outline was drawn. She had to pose a few minutes until the portrait was finished.

"It is to this visit to the Manor of Virieu that the Sisters of Saint Joseph owe the consolation of being able to contemplate the features of their venerable Mother. Mother Saint John was seventy-eight years old when she took this journey. It is rather late for a portrait, but let us regret nothing. If age no longer shows the graces of youth, it, by contrast, makes resplendent the traces of sanctity."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography translation adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, Nov. 9

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Hancock, Nov. 9th, 1865

Very Reverend Mother Superior [Mother St. John Facemaz],

On beholding the date of your last extremely welcome letter (Sept. 21st), I am almost ashamed to reopen correspondence. I should at least have acknowledged the receipt and expressed my gratitude in a few words until time and circumstances would allow me to write the answer your generous offer deserved. Even now I shall hardly be able to give you a correct idea of the situation in which your good Sisters will find themselves when once laboring in this remote region. Still, I hope that what I have to say, will be sufficient to remove your apprehensions and to confirm you in your resolution of taking our schools in hand as early as convenient.

First, as to local distance, this appears more formidable than it is in reality. I believe you supply and visit places the journey to which is accompanied with more fatigue and much less pleasant than this one in prospect for your Sisters next summer.

Chicago, which you reach in 14 hours, probably offers you more than one hospitable religious house. Between that City and the harbors of Lake Superior (of which ours is the most frequented) safe and comfortable Steamers ply from May to the middle of November, making the trip in from three to five days, and there being two or three weekly departures the delay in the City cannot be considerable. But even this can be avoided and the travelling time greatly shortened by taking the cars (North Western R.R.) to Green-Bay (about 12 hours ride), then the Mail-Boat to Escanaba (10 hours), again the cars to Marquette (3 hours) and thence the Mail-Boat to this place (8 hours). The connection is generally uninterrupted, but in case of some unforeseen delay the establishment of the Sisters de Notre Dame at Greenbay and that of the Ursulines at Marquette would serve as places of refuge. In winter, Stage-Sleighs, connecting with the Peninsular R.R., run between here and Green-Bay and bring passengers through in four or five days; some ladies have availed themselves of this conveyance, and in case of necessity it could be used. But in less than five years, perhaps much sooner, we shall be able to perform the whole journey by rail, the entire distance between Carondelet and Hancock being not much more than twice that from the former place to Chicago!

The importance of our mission here as being situated in the centre of a rapidly growing population, principally Catholic (Irish, German and Canadian),will at once appear to you, if I draw a rapid sketch of its history since the day I first visited the place, about ten years ago. I had to attend it once a month from an Indian Mission, 25 miles distant. The congregation used to gather in the dining room of a log house, about 12 x 20. The number of baptisms did not exceed 25 in a year, and thus it remained until about seven years ago, when some of the richer veins were struck and the influx of the population commenced to become stronger. At present Portage Lake consists of two villages (Houghton and Hancock) surrounded by some twenty mines. Since last Spring there are six priests here (four in Hancock), who baptize yearly over 400 children and attend two churches, by far too small for the number of Catholics, so that two much larger ones will have to be built next summer. It is true, they cannot be compared with those of your cities, neither are there any very wealthy Catholics here; but on the other hand we have no paupers, work being abundant at all seasons and wages paid regularly. But what is more worth than this, the children--as far as I am able to judge--generally show a much better dispositon than those of a city population, and only want a better training than what we have hitherto been able to give them, to form the nucleus of an excellent and truly catholic people.

It must surprise you that under such circumstances no more than what I mentioned in a former letter, has been done for educational purposes. Looking aside from the various disappointments, likewise mentioned before, the answer is that the energies of the only missionary who labored here for the greater part of the time (some transient appointments having proved complete failures), were taxed to such an extent that, like many other important objects of the pastoral office, that of erecting schools could but imperfectly be attended to. Very little, I confess, has been done. But send us good Sisters, Very Rev. Mother Superior, and a new era in the progress of our holy religion in Portage Lake will commence.

I had some hope that before the close of the season we would be able to put up at least the frame-work of our school-house and partly on this account I delayed answering you; I should have liked to have good news. But an addition we were obliged to make to the presbytery, together with some other necessary improvements, left us rather short of means, and being unwilling to contract an additional debt, I concluded, with regret, to wait until next spring. Before the end of April scarcely any building is done in these parts; for I cannot conceal it from you that our winters are rather long: so it may be June or even July before the school-house will be fit for use. Still I have no doubt but that the St. Patrick's Hall, a spacious building opposite our church and belonging to an Irish society, will be thrown open for the use of your Sisters at whatever time they may come. If you send them before the school-house is finished, they will have the advantage of judging themselves of the adaptability of our plans in regard to the inside arrangements, and of expressing their wishes in this respect.

You wish to know whether the congregation be willing to pay a certain salary to such Sisters as would be employed in teaching a parochial school. My idea always was--and I believe the good Sister with whom I conversed in Carondelet, confirmed me in it--that the congregation should furnish the buildings and all the necessary furniture and pay a certain amount for each Sister employed in teaching. But if you prefer the system of self-supporting schools, charging each pupil a certain amount (not too high for the means of our people) and employing the savings in such a manner as you deem fit, there will be not the least difficulty in making our arrangements accordingly. On the contrary, it will cause us less trouble and perhaps give more satisfaction to the people themselves, who will like to see you as comfortable as possible.

But allow me to mention at this occasion, that the first thing we want here is an ordinary day-school. If circumstances should favour the erection of an academy, we would lend all the help in our power, and I confidently hope that before long you will have one in the place or in the neighborhood.

But the first Sisters you send will have to exert themselves in the more humble occupation of teaching the branches commonly taught in public schools, and if they are able to teach them well, their success will be as great as their merit, and it will be the best encouragement for the people, catholics as well as protestants, to assist them in the erection of an academy, as soon as required.

The deed of the dwelling-house destined for the Sisters, is held by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Baraga, he has promised to make it over to the community.

The fare from St. Louis to Hancock, by taking a through-ticket for the over-land route from Chicago, was last summer about $25; by the Lake route (as illustrated on the enclosed leaf) a few dollars more. But persons carrying much baggage will probably find the Lake route as cheap and more pleasant, though longer.

I should like to make some more remarks; but your questions being, I hope, sufficiently answered and the letter already so long, I conclude by recommending myself and colleagues to your and your community's prayer.
I remain, Very Reverend Mother,

Yours
Respectfully in Christ

Edw. Jacker [Pastor at St. Anne Parish, Hancock, Michigan]

Jewels from Jane,Oct.30

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"On October 30, 1842, we lost our dear Sister Francis Joseph [Anne Eliza Dillon – age 22]. Well do I remember the rough box which the village carpenter made for her last couch, but which was transformed into a beautiful casket by the deft, ingenious hands of the heroic band of which she was a worthy member. I seem still to see the great tears that, silently and unheeded, fell on the black cloth, with each stroke of the hammer, as they prepared that lonely abode for the earthly remains of our beloved teacher. It was on a Sunday afternoon after Vespers that she was borne by the Sisters, followed closely by her white-haired, sorrow-stricken father and her youngest sister, to her last resting place, a sheltered, quiet spot, in the north east corner of the little cemetery near the village church [Sts Mary and Joseph]."

From the diary of Eliza McKenney Brouillet

(Student at St. Joseph's Academy from 1840-1846)

Sister Francis Joseph Dillon was the first American to enter the Congregation.

She was born in St. Charles, MO in 1820.

"She was the daughter of Patrick McAndrews Dillon, a wealthy Irish land-holder of St. Louis. Her mother died when she was a child, and together with a younger sister, she was placed with the Ladies of the Sacred Heart at their Academy in St. Louis, where she received an excellent education and acquired great fluency in French. It was here at school in 1836 that she met Sisters Delphine [Fontbonne] and Felicite [Boute], who during their first few months in America went to the Sacred Heart Convent for English lessons. The young girl was drawn irresistibly to the two Sisters...she was attracted by poverty; and on finishing her education, she gave up everything that she possessed of this world's goods, and with the reluctant consent of her father, went to Carondelet and asked for the poor habit of a Sister of Saint Joseph. This she received on January 3, 1838."

From The Congregation of St. Joseph of Carondelet by Sister Lucida Savage

Jewels from Jane, Oct. 24

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St. Joseph's Mother House
6400 Minnesota Avenue
St. Louis, Mo.

Mark 50th Anniversary of Laying of St. Joseph's Chapel Cornerstone; Bishop of Marquette Pontificates

"The Most Rev. Thomas L. Noa, Bishop of the Marquette (Mich.) Diocese, pontificated at Mass on Wednesday morning, October 15, at the St. Joseph Mother House, 6400 Minnesota Avenue. The date marked the 50th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of the present chapel and the 297th aniversary of the founding of the Congregation of St. Joseph in Le Puy, Velay, France. He was assisted at Mass by the Rev. Leo Ohleyer, O.F.M., chaplain.

"Among the members of the Mother House community with whom the Bishop visited are two postulants who left his See city for St. Louis a few weeks before he was installed on September 24: Mary Jean Desrochers [S. Mary Baraga] and Elizabeth O'Donnell. The Bishop on the day following his visit to St. Joseph's Mother House was present at the consecration ceremonies in Belleville, Ill., for the Most Rev. Joseph M. Mueller, who succeeds Bishop Noa as Coadjutor Bishop of the Sioux City Diocese.

"The Sisters of St. Joseph teach in the grade and high schools of the Cathedral of Marquette, having been invited there by the saintly Bishop Baraga. They also are in charge of schools in Negaunee, Ishpeming, Kingsford, L'Anse, and Hancock, Mich., and conduct a hospital in Hancock."

Reprinted from THE CATHOLIC HERALD October 24, 1947

The cornerstone was laid in 1897. The building was finished in 1899.

Jewels from Jane, Oct. 13

2008-07-17T13:20:00.001-05:00

Mother St. John Facemaz died at seven p.m. on the thirteenth day of October, 1900 at our Mother House, Carondelet, in the seventy-fifth year of her age and the fifty-sixth of her religious life.

Born of, and brought up by pious and thoroughly Christian parents, her whole life was stamped with that strong and enlightened faith which is the heritage of the Saints. From her earliest years her aspirations were for the religious life. To the ordinary sacrifices made by a religious on quitting the world, in order to become the Spouse of Jesus Christ, Mother St. John felt called to add another, perhaps even greater - that of leaving the cradle of her religious life in France and placing the great ocean between herself and those near and dear to her, in obedience to a strong attraction she had for a missionary life.

This, she hoped might be realized, when in 1818, shortly after her profession, the first colony of Sisters of St. Joseph set out from Annecy to Visagapatan in the East Indies. Most fervent prayers were offered for the accomplishment of God's will in this respect. The realization of this her most ardent desire, seemed almost within her grasp, when in 1854, Mother St. John Croissat, then Superioress General of the Congregation of Chambery, resigned her charge to follow the urgent appeal coming from Visagapatan in India. Those sent in 1848 failed to reach there, having been prevailed upon by the French settlements in another province of that vast empire, to remain among them. The Community was looking for recruits and our dear Mother St. John had strong hopes of being one of the chosen companions of this devoted religious. The Lord, however, had other plans in her regard, for toward the end of the year 1854, she, with three other sisters was sent to the aid of the American missions which were then multiplying in all directions.

A few months after her arrival she was chosen to fill the office of Mistress of novices at the Mother house, and on the death of our dear and much-lamented Mother Celestine, Mother St. John was appointed to succeed her.

For fifteen years, during which our dear Mother guarded with zealous care the cherished interests and devotedly guided the destinies of St. Joseph's children, the Congregation of Carondelet had abundant opportunities to be edified by her many virtues, especially by her devotedness, her spirit of obedience, prayer and her zeal for religious discipline. More edifying still, was the touching example of her humility, obedience, charity, and her reverence for Superiors, after she had laid down the burden of authority and retired to the rank of a simple religious.

It pleased our Lord to employ Mother St. John as His faithful instrument to push forward and to see realized the long-formed and ardently-desired project of obtaining the approbation of St. Joseph's Institute and Constitutions from the Holy See. Three times she journeyed to Rome for this object; the last time, when she went as companion with Reverend Mother [Agatha Guthrie], she saw all past efforts crowned with final success.

God alone, the recompence of all sacrifices, and the generous rewarder of every good deed, will know how to repay her faithful labors in behalf of the Congregation, which owes her an eternal debt of gratitude.

As gold is refined in the fire so was our dear Mother tried and purified in the crucible of suffering, especially during the last five years of her life, all of which she bore with admirable patience, humility and fortitude.

Fortified by the last sacraments, and repeatedly favored with the blessings of Holy Church, she sweetly passed to her reward.

from the Necrology

Attached you will find a prayer service which may be used to celebrate Mother St. John's death anniversary. It was written by Carol Campbell, CSJA, a member of the Celebrating Our Heritage Committee.

Jewels from Jane, Oct. 7

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"Amazed at the work in Philadelphia, the Bishop of Toronto, Right Reverend Armand Charbonnel, asked for Sisters and obtained them. His Lordship, on his return from Rome in the autumn of 1851, visited Bishop Kenrick in Philadelphia. While there, he met Mother Delphine whose aunt, Reverend Mother Saint John [Fontbonne], was well known to the Charbonnel family. The Bishop, esteeming the young kinswoman as a valiant woman and capable of undertaking a work which he had in mind, begged the good Bishop Kenrick to allow her, with three other Sisters, to come to his aid in Toronto, where they arrived on October 7, 1851.

"In a letter addressed to Father Denavit, director of the Grand Seminary of Lyons, Bishop Charbonnel said, with reference to the Sisters of Saint Joseph:

'I could make use of one hundred of them at once, if I had them. The Sisters are called to do immense good here. They give everything but absolution.' Mother Delphine went from Toronto to establish a mission in Hamilton. Returning to Toronto to assist in caring for the victims of a typhus epidemic, she contracted the disease and died a victim of her devotion on February 7, 1856."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography translation adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, Oct. 15

2008-07-17T13:19:00.002-05:00

"The last important work undertaken by Reverend Mother Agatha [Guthrie] was the erection of Holy Family Chapel in Carondelet, the corner stone of which was laid on October 15, 1897, by Archbishop Kain of St. Louis. To the building and furnishing of this, she devoted the closing years of her life. The chapel is late Romanesque in style, the lofty arches of the ceiling supported on ornate Corinthian columns. An ambulatory runs around three sides of the clerestory, beneath which, as a unique feature, are the Stations of the Cross in round medalions, forming part of the decorative scheme. In the sanctuary are three marble altars, the main one being the gift of Mary Gillick of St. Louis, mother of the architect [Aloysius F. Gillick]. A marble altar rail, presented by Mrs. Louise Sauer, encloses the transepts [ only sections of the altar rail were kept since the renovations], the north one of which is the Martyrs' Chapel. [The Martyrs' Altar is not made of marble but of wood carved by Joseph Litteneker, brother of the three Litteneker Sisters - Mary Julia, Mary Lidwina, Mary Mechtilda] In the south transept is a memorial altar in black and white marble, above which is a sculptured panel representing the death of Saint Joseph. This and the statues of the Apostles set around the walls of the ground story [no longer there] and the Holy Family Group over the main altar, were done by Joseph Sibbel of New York. [He sculpted the statue of St. Patrick in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.] Bishop Eis of Marquette was the donor of a fine pipe organ, and many other friends of the Congregation deemed it a privilege to contribute to the noble edifice, a monument to Reverend Mother Agatha's zeal for the beauty of God's House. She had, herself, saved for years gold ornaments and jewelry, given up to her by different Sisters at their entrance into the novitiate; and this was utilized in the making of a chalice, an exquisite bit of workmanship, which, a little larger than ordinary size, contains four hundred and fifty pennyweight of pure gold, and is set with opals, amethysts, topazes and diamonds. Three months of continuous work on the part of engravers produced beautiful designs, symbolic wheat and grapes in green and gold, and initials outlined with gems.

"In Holy Family Chapel was celebrated the golden jubilee of Reverend Mother's profession. The fiftieth anniversary of that event fell on October 15, 1902; but the humble Superior-General, in order to avoid any demonstration in her honor, such as she knew the Sisters were preparing to make, quietly left the Mother House in the early fall of 1902 for an extended visitation of the province. On her return in February, 1903, the postponed celebration took place..."

From Sister Lucida Savage's book THE CONGREGATION OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET

Jewels from Jane, Oct. 2

2008-07-17T13:18:00.003-05:00

This is the credential which has been placed by me in the foundations of the house of the Sisters of Carondelet.

On the second day of October in the year of Our Lord, one thousand eight hundred forty one [1841], in the pontificate of Gregory XVI, and Joseph Rosati being our Bishop of St. Louis in the occupied state of Missouri, I, the undersigned, Pastor and moderator of this Parish of Carondelet under the name of Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel [Sts. Mary and Joseph], laid the first foundations of this building under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, and the Holy Angels. The Sisters of St. Joseph who are going to live in this building and I have placed our names and signatures as worthy witnesses.

Ed. M. Saulnier

Soeur Celestine [Pommerel], Spr.
Soeur Felicite [Boute]
Soeur St. Jean [Fournier]
Soeur Philomene [Villaine]
Soeur Marie Joseph [Dillon]
Soeur Febronie [Fontbonne]

Architect - John Pitcher

Taken from the Baptismal Record of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, now SS. Mary and Joseph Parish

This is the oldest section of the convent. Mother Celestine began to build this first section in 1840, just four years after the arrival of the sisters from France. It was completed in time for the 1841 graduation of St. Joseph Academy. At the time this section was built there were 79 day students, 12 boarders, 9 deaf children and 4 orphans, plus the sisters. This building is north of where the log cabin was located. The total cost in 1841 when it was finished was $1050. It has been used continuously since that time.

Jewels from Jane, Oct. 6

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"In 1809, Father Coccard, parish priest of Sury-le-Comtal, Department of the Loire, asked Father Bouchard for Sisters. His request was so earnestly made that the Vicar General felt he had to demand an immediate acquiescence from Mother Saint John. At that time, the community was quite in its beginning. Mother Saint John had no available subjects. What could she do? Sury needed Sisters. The perplexed Mother had to take teachers from the establishments in Saint-Etienne and send them to this other school. Three Sisters were then chosen for Sury. Sister Marcoux, the Superior, was among the number. The little colony set out on October 6, [1809] and soon arrived in a place where nobody awaited them, not even the one who had requested them, since he did not count on their arriving so soon. Neither house, classes nor resources were ready for them.

"The worthy priest, grieved at their discomfort, offered them his rectory, which they did not accept. They had already decided to return to Saint-Etienne, when an unusual settlement of their difficulty was proposed to them. While the situation was being discussed with the priest, some pious Christian women of the parish, hoping to overcome the difficulty, had gone in quest of a lodging. The proverb says: 'What women want, God wants.' Not only the women but the whole community wanted the Sisters. They were there, they must not let them go. Here is what these zealous Christians suggested.

"'There is a stable not far from here. The proprietor promises to quarter his horse in another place and to give you the stable, if it suits you. Will you accept it?'

"A stable was something that resembled so closely the manger of Bethlehem, that it was deemed most suitable for the Sisters of Saint Joseph. They accepted and slept on the straw. The next day, after consoling themselves with a fervent communion and pious prayers, they set to work. It was a question of transforming this place into a convent. The stable was large. One corner served as a dormitory, another as an oratory, a third as a kitchen and refectory, and a fourth as a parlor. The kitchen had no fireplace; two disjointed stones did instead of it. Glass was lacking in the windows; oiled paper replaced it. One charitable neighbor brought potatoes, another lent a kettle, some others gave covering to put over the straw. In short, everything was arranged and the Sisters found the food and the poverty of their Bethlehem delightful. Finally, the parish priest secured a site for the school and everything was satisfactory."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 29

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Mother St. John Fontbonne dispersed the community because of the French Revolution September 29, 1792.

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 30

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This writing, witnesseth, that I, the undersigned, Mother Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph at Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, have on this thirtieth day of September, A.D. 1907, accepted and received from Mrs. Barbara Hamm of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, the sum of One Thousand Dollars, upon the express condition however, that said sum of One Thousand Dollars is to be held by me and my successors in the position of Mother Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph at Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, in trust, and to be invested by me and my said successors in such loans and securities as I and they shall deem expedient and best, the annual interest whereof to be applied and paid to the Sisters of St. Joseph at Ste. Genevieve to defray the tuition, in the Lower Grades, at the Parochial School of the Parish of Ste. Genevieve, of fourteen of such of the poor children of the said Parish of Ste. Genevieve as are unable to pay their own tuition.

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of September, A.D. 1907.
Sister Mary Lucida [Savage]

Received of John L. Boverie, Executor of the will of Barbara Hamm, deceased, the bequest made and set out in the "Fifth" clause of the last will of the said Barbara Hamm, deceased, aforesaid, as follows:

I give and bequeath to the Mother Superior of the Convent of St. Joseph at Ste. Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve County, State of Missouri and to her Successors the sum of One Thousand Dollars, to be held by her and her Successors in trust, and to be invested by her and her Successors in such securities or loans as they may deem expedient and best, the annual interest whereof to be applied and paid to the Sisters of St. Joseph at Ste. Genevieve to defray the tuition of such poor children of the parish of Ste. Genevieve as are unable to pay their tuition at the Parochial School of Ste. Genevieve.

Sister John Berchmans
Mother Superior of the Convent of St. Joseph at Ste. Genevieve
Dec. 17, 1918

Legal documents from Ste. Genevieve file

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 23

2008-07-17T13:16:00.003-05:00

"Mother M. Felicite Boute died at our House of Retreat at Nazareth on the 23rd day of September, 1881, in the seventy-first year of her age and the forty-sixth of her religious profession.

"This dear Mother was one of the six Sisters of St. Joseph, that composed the first colony sent from France, to establish our Congregation in America. There are probably few of our Sisters who have not had occasion to become personally acquainted with this venerable and true religious, and who have not been edified by the example of her many virtues especially her humility, her child-like simplicity and candor, her exact obedience and love of the Rule, and her cheerful gaiety during the hours of recreation. Her memory will be held in benediction by all who knew her, and learned to appreciate her worth. Mother Felicite died of apoplexy, and though her death was sudden, it was not unprovided. It bore the stamp of God's special love and favor in her regard. For a long time past, but particularly during the last year of her life, she seemed to live, as if each day was to be her last. May she rest in peace. Amen."

From Necrology of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 25

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Lyons, Iowa Sept. 25th 1868

Academy of Sisters of St. Joseph
Carondelet
Mother St. John [Facemaz] Supr.

Honored & dear Mother,

Perhaps you will recollect that a little over a year ago, I had the honor to write to you with regard to a formation of your good Sisters in this thriving place. At the time you answered me that then you could not possibly furnish subjects for the new colony, but that in one year from that time you would endeavor to comply with our wishes. Since then a great many changes have happened hereabouts. My congregation has been subdivided a second time, & a new church erected within two miles at a place called Clinton which is as large, if not larger than Lyons, there being about ten thousand inhabitants [of] the two places, of which one third, or at least one fourth are Catholics. Now in Lyons our new church if not the largest at least the finest in Iowa, is approaching completion. The old frame Church which is nearly one hundred feet long by 30 wide will make fine school rooms. We shall occupy the new church towards the early part of next summer. Therefore we wish to prepare the way for our schools, of which we are in a sad need. Since I wrote to you last, the Sisters of Mercy from Chicago have opened a Day and a Boarding school in DeWitt twenty miles from here, & it is near but to say that they have already a [?]school, & yet it is only a country town. But I want the Sisters of St. Joseph. I shall never forget their kindness in receiving into their Asylum without almost any remuneration an orphan boy who was entirely forsaken. Therefore dear Mother, should you give me any encouragement, I would set about preparing things, [?] your suggestions for opening a school here during the course of the coming year.

Hoping then that you will favorably receive my request, I remain
With a sincere and profound respect
Your humble [servant] in Christ
Fr. C. Jean

Handwritten letter
This request, among many others, was not able to be filled by Mother St. John Facemaz.

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 9

2008-07-17T13:15:00.006-05:00

"On September 9, [1837] after five days of heavy rain, as the Sisters [Celestine Pommerel and St. John Fournier who had just arrived from France] were preparing to leave Saint Louis to go to Carondelet, the Bishop said to them: 'I did not wish you to lose your fresh, pink cheeks.' He did not tell them that, if he kept them while the rain lasted, it was because, at Carondelet, he had to enlarge the very small house which at present had no roof.

"'The day of our arrival, the weather was beautiful,' said Sister Saint John. 'Our first care was to open the trunks and distribute the presents from France. Everybody was joyful, when suddenly, a down-pour of rain flooded our heads, our trunks and our books. Our books especially caused us anxiety.'

"'Our good Mother Delphine, having provided for our arrival, of which she now was beginning to despair, [they had been so long on the ocean] had rented near the garden a hut abandoned for three years by the owners. We hastened to go there, but made little progress, as the mud reached to our ankles. Some mattresses stretched on the floor would have permitted us to have a little rest, if we had not had for our companions, rats, mice, and parasites of all kinds, which, without fear if not without reproaches, ran over our beds. At last, the roof was put on the house, the hut was emptied and the plague ended, as does everything here below.'

"The next week, the Bishop brought the first deaf-mute. The poor child became blind a few years later and died insane at the age of twenty."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography translation adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 12

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Hannibal
Sept. 12th 1863

Dear Mother St. John [Facemaz]

Yesterday we purchased the Seminary and the small house in front for the use of the Sisters. We will set about repairs immediately and endeavour to make it as comfortable as possible. It is likely that we may be able to rent the vacant ground near it for a number of years as it belongs to [?] that will not be of age for several years. Please write to me saying what time the Sisters may be able to come to open school.

I am, Mother St. John, yours truly in Christ

[Rev.] T. Ledwith [Pastor of St. Mary's Parish]

St. Mary's elementary school opened in 1865 and over the years was also known as St. Aloysius Academy, St. Joseph Academy, and Immaculate Conception School. In the 1870's and 1880's it included a school for the deaf. In 1964 it combined with Blessed Sacrament school having a faculty including Sisters of St. Joseph and School Sisters of Notre Dame. The Sisters withdrew in 1969.

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 16

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"After establishing themselves in Augusta and further expanding their educational efforts, the Sisters sought the affiliation of their community with the community of Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet in Missouri. Bishop Keiley encouraged this move and requested a personal approval or disapproval from each Sister of Saint Joseph in Georgia. Nine-tenths of the sisters supported the affiliation, so the affiliation went forward and was approved by Rome on September 16, 1922. On this day, the Augusta Province of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet was instituted with 55 sisters. Mother Regis Passmore, the last superior of the diocesan community, gave way to Mother Rose Columba McGinnis of Saint Louis who became the new provincial."

From "A Journey of Dedication through Education: Sisters of Saint Joseph in Augusta, Georgia" by Pablo Manuel Migone June, 2005

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 5

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J.M.J.
Hancock, Sept. 5th, 1865

Very Reverend Mother Superior,

It must seem very strange to you that I left your kind letter of July 4th so long unanswered; but upon perusing the following lines I hope you will excuse my long silence. I cannot deny that the content of your letter somewhat surprised me, as Bishop Baraga, relying himself on Father Menet's assertion, had assured me of the contrary, namely that upon application the Sisters would be sent immediately. But as Divine Providence has ordained otherwise, we must cheerfully submit and be thankful for the hope still held out to us; for I trust, I have by my long silence not yet forfeited the promise so kindly made by you.

But you will judge yourself!
There has been an Academy of the Ursuline Nuns in operation at Ontonagon (a place belonging to this diocese) for nearly three years; but of late, the business in that region having become rather dull, a serious fear was entertained that the boarding school would not be sufficiently supported any longer, and the Superiors of that institution seemed to be quite anxious to transfer the convent to this place as being more central and more stirring. Now as long as I entertained the hope of obtaining Sisters of your order I did not feel inclined to make my offers to that end; but when I received your letter, I reflected on the expediency of inviting the Ursulines to this place, if they were willing to immediately take charge of the day-school. Our Rt. Rev. Bishop was at that time going to Ontonagon to inspect the state of affairs there and I had to await his return before coming to a decision. Thus one week after an other escaped and only now I know that the establishment of the Ursulines will be continued to be kept at Ontonagon.

I hope this candid statement of the only cause that made me delay so long in answering you, will not give umbrage so as to make you reject my renewed request to provide us with Sisters of your order under the conditions and at the time mentioned in your letter. I would not have hesitated a moment to avail myself of your kind offer, had not the apparent probability or necessity of the Ursulines' removal to Hancock and the desire to procure religious teachers at the earliest date thus far biassed [sic]my mind as to make me wait for the Bishop's decision before giving you a definitive answer.

As for the various desires expressed in your letter, I promise you, Very Rev. Mother Superior, that I will do all in my power to have everything in readiness until next spring. The building of a new school house has been delaid [sic] so long because the difficulty of raising the necessary funds would have been materially lessened by the presence of the Sisters whose mere sight would encourage the congregation to make any sacrifice; for having been flattered so long with promises never fulfilled our people have almost given up the hope of seeing the education of their children entrusted to a religious community. But in spite of this discouragement we will with the assistance of God be able to prepare whatever is necessary for the first outset; as for the future I have not the least doubt that means will be abundant as soon as the fruits of your Sisters' pious labours will become visible.

Finally I beseech you not to retaliate, but to let me know as soon as convenient, whether you are still willing to send three Sisters early next spring, i.e. in the month of May, for then only the navigation opens in the Upper Lakes. On my part, I promise faithfully to wait and not to enter into negotiations with any other order.

Recommending myself to your prayers, I remain, Very Rev. Mother Superior,

Yours faithfully in [Christ]
Edward Jacker [Pastor at St. Anne Parish, Hancock, Michigan]

Letter to Mother St. John Facemaz

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 6

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St. Stephen's Church

Chicago Sept. 6th 1871

Dear Mother Superior [Mother St. John Facemaz]

I presume that Mother Joseph has acquainted you with the subject of this letter. I would like, if it were possible, to get two more sisters for my school. The school in point of numbers, has surpassed my most sanguine expectations. I never imagined that I would have such an attendance at a parochial school. Although there are primary and branch public schools in my parish, with a capacity of seating twenty two hundred boys and girls, still I have nearly five hundred boys and girls. Such is the popularity of the school that I will be compelled to announce next Sunday the impossibility of receiving any more children, on account of the smallness of my school-rooms. When you consider the number of children in my school, you will perceive the necessity of having additional assistance in teaching. Where teachers are overtaxed, and children are neglected, there is always a dissatisfaction among parents, many of whom suppose that Sisters are possessed of supernatural strength.

I have incurred great expense in order that the school should be a success, and I know you can appreciate the interest I feel in its welfare. The sisters I endeavour to make as comfortable as possible, having procurred for their accommodation a splendid carriage, which takes them from and to the Asylum daily. It is my intention, should the school prove favorable, to locate the sisters in my parish, providing them with a convent suitable for their wants. This I will endeavour to accomplish, with God's assistance before the lapse of a year. Dear Mother, allow me to supplicate you in the name of our Holy mother, Mary, to send me two Sisters in order that the good work already commenced may be carried to a happy completion. Allow me to use a very commonplace expression, "There is nothing like striking the iron while it is hot."

Hoping that your answer will be favorable, I remain,

Yours Sincerely in Christ and Our Holy Mother Mary,

S. M. Barrett
Pastor St. Stephen's Church

N.B. I forgot to mention that I have three Protestant children attending my school, whose parents urgently solicited me to accept them. If Protestants are anxious to send their children in the beginning, what may we expect as the school progresses?

I cheerfully endorse and recommend the petition of Father Barret. I sincerely hope you may be able to furnish him with the Sisters of your Community,
Thomas Foley
Bishop of Chicago

St. Stephen's in Chicago, opened in 1871. The convent opened in 1872 and closed in 1910.

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 4

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"At times as close as possible to one another, warm rays of the sun, piercing the Lyonnais fogs, were directed to America. The letters from the Chartreux addressed to Cahokia or to Carondelet were indeed rays of sunshine. Once, one of these letters announced to both communities, the reception of Mademoiselle Fournier, to whom Mother Saint John had given her own name, to recall to her dear missionaires that she did not forget them. The young novice was to leave with Sister Celestine Pommerel and both would soon join them. There was a great feast in the two convents the day this news arrived. It was the beginning of 1837, when, calculating according to their own voyage, the Sisters remarked that surely the two Sisters would be with them before the end of May. It was not so. May passed, then June, July and August. No Sisters and no news--only a letter from Lyons stating that the travelers had embarked at Brest, on the frigate Hermione which had on board six hundred soldiers and forty officers. At Cahokia, at Carondelet and at Saint Louis everybody was very anxious, and, without daring to voice their fears, they believed that the travelers were lost at sea.

"On September 4, [1837] the two Sisters disembarked at Saint Louis and presented themselves at the episcopal residence, stating their names. His Lordship, agreeably surprised, received them at once. The Sisters had resumed the secular dress, therefore there was nothing to prove that they were Sisters. He invited them to converse together in signs to assure himself of their identity. The Sisters, who were suffering from hunger and fatigue, would have preferred to put that off until later. They had to submit however. Sister Celestine asked Sister Saint John in the language of the deaf and dumb: 'Of what are you thinking, Sister?'

"'I am thinking of the good bread we ate in France and which I need so much at this moment.'

"At this unexpected answer, Sister Celestine lost her gravity. The Bishop, seeing her laugh, asked the reason. Sister Celestine repeated her companion's answer. At once, the good Bishop crossed the room, opened a closet, took food and obliged the Sisters to eat. Their hunger ended the examination.

"Father Cholleton had given a letter to the Sisters for the Bishop: 'It is a great consolation for me to present to your Lordship the two Sisters for whom you asked last year. The first, Sister Celestine, twenty-three years old, is professed. The second, Sister Saint John, a novice, is twenty-two years old. She will esteem herself very happy to make her profession into your hands when you find her sufficiently prepared. Both are animated with the best dispositions, are capable of assisting your plans and of bringing your work to a good end. Madame de la Rochejaquelein has given them three thousand francs. If you wish to thank her, her address is: Lausanne, Switzerland.'

"After narrating their voyage to the Bishop, it was decided that the Sisters would remain some days in Saint Louis; and then, Doctor Rodie, a Catholic native of San Domingo, would lend his carriage, and Black Margaret would take them to their convent. Black Margaret was the doctor's colored servant. She spoke excellent French and, on the way, entertained the Sisters with the history of Saint Louis and its surroundings. She told them that Carondelet was originally called Prairie a Catalan, the name of the one who first occupied it; then it was called Louisburg; and finally, in 1796, Carondelet, the name of the last Spanish governor of Louisiana. The inhabitants of this country were called, jokingly, Vide Poche (Empty Pocket); while the trappers named Saint Louis, Paincourt (Short-of-Bread) because the inhabitants were not rich.

"The travelers arrived at Carondelet during the evening recreation. As the Sisters had not been notified, there was great surprise and still greater joy at seeing again, in the flesh, those whom they had no longer expected to see. Astonishment reached its height, when the Sisters learned that the newcomers were better informed than they about the history of the country and the past and present conditions of the village.

"The Sisters had been three months on sea, never suspecting the anxiety they caused on both sides of the ocean. After [they narrated their experiences on the water] the Te Deum and the Magnificat burst from all hearts. Sister Celestine gave Mother Delphine a letter from Father Cholleton: 'You will be pleased at my promptness in sending you these two zealous and well-instructed aids, so capable of helping you...'

"At once the large trunks from Lyons were opened. They found clothes for the Sisters and the orphans, and beautiful things for the chapel which, until then, existed only in a dream. Then everybody felt that the great heart of Reverend Mother Saint John [Fontbonne] was beating quite near theirs, and that the power of her love threw a bridge over the ocean and abolished distances."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography translation adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, August 24

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"After a five-day voyage in the Pacific Ocean, the nine sister founders [Mary Virginia Becker, Mary Zenaide Belanger, Mary Felix Jochem, Frances Celine Leahy, Alice Josephine Tornovich, Mary Faber Vanderwerf, Adele Marie Lemon, Mary Anne Bahner, Ann Patrice O'Connor] arrived at the port of Honolulu on the morning of August 24, 1938. From the moment of their arrival, the profuse hospitality characteristic of the Islands began to teach them about the culture of the people awaiting them. The sisters said:

Will any of us ever forget our arrival in Honolulu, the strains of "Aloha" and the undercurrent of excitement? Remember the hula girls, the reporters, the exotic flowers, the animated throng on the pier, and especially the diverse group that came to welcome us on that never-to-be-forgotten August twenty-fourth?
There to greet us were the Sacred Heart Fathers, Sacred Heart Sisters, Franciscan and Maryknoll Sisters, and...Father Valentine who represented the Bishop...[who]was over on the Island of Molokai....The Marianist Priests and Brothers were there, and...our future pastor accompanied by a large group of his parishioners. As we stepped ashore, we were greeted warmly with dozens of leis. Will you ever forget that moment?

"While the flowers brightened the black of their habits, the sisters later commented on the stains they left on the guimpe: 'A nun's attire in those days was never designed to be worn with flowers.'

"In addition to teaching in St. Theresa's School, the sisters took charge of catechesis in public schools, on plantations and at the Schofield Army Base. The students at the parish school represented 17 distinct nationalities."

From Mary McGlone's book: Comunidad para el Mundo: The History of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the Vice Province of Peru

Jewels from Jane, Sept. 3

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"Twelve novices made their vows in Carondelet during 1854, the largest number that had yet been professed in one year; but Mother Celestine still found the number too small to meet the growing needs of the Congregation, and appealed to the Mother House at Lyons for recruits. Lyons could not spare subjects for America at that time, but aid came from an unexpected quarter. In Savoy, in a Seminary of the diocese of Tarentaise, was Abbe Miege, brother of John B. Miege, Vicar Apostolic of Indian Territory. Abbe Miege was a friend of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Moutiers, and through him his brother in America entered into correspondence with these Sisters. The result of the correspondence and also of a consultation between Bishop Miege and Mother Celestine in the summer of 1854, was an arrangement made by him with the Superiors in Moutiers, who promised to send Sisters from that place to Carondelet, with a view to undertaking later the education of the Indian children in his vast territory. [The jurisdiction of Bishop Miege extended over Kansas and Nebraska, and included all the Indian tribes west to the Rocky Mountains. He was then residing at St. Mary's Kansas, in the neighborhood of the Potawatomi settlements.]

"Mother Therese Buisson was Superior of the pious community of Moutiers, which had become deeply interested in the foreign missions through the Annals of the Propagation of the Faith. The zeal of the Sisters was stimulated by the recent departure from Savoy of many priests and religious for the East Indies, among the latter, members of the neighboring communities of Annecy and Chambery. [The first Sisters of St. Joseph to go to the Indies left France in 1848. In the fall of 1853, another band of six left, accompanied by several Fathers of the Society of St. Francis de Sales.]

"Mother Therese had no difficulty in getting volunteers for America and from them she chose Sister Euphrasia Meiller, late Superior at St. Sigismond, Sister Saint John Facemaz, Sister Gonzaga Grand, and Sister Leonie Martin. The most fervent daughters of Moutiers, Abbe Bouchage calls this first missionary band of a community which he describes as composed of 'select souls whose names should be inscribed on the tablets of history for the edification of the faithful and as an example to the religious of the future.'

"Leaving Moutiers on September 3, 1854, accompanied by Mother Therese, the missionaries made brief visits to the communities of St. Sigismond and Chambery, and then proceeded by stage to Lyons. Here they were warmly received by Mother Sacred Heart Tezenas, successor to Mother Saint John Fontbonne. At Lyons, they parted with Mother Therese, and placing themselves, as did the missionaries of 1836, under the protection of our Lady of Fourvieres, proceeded to Paris, where they remained for a short time at a house of the Congregation in the Rue Monceau. They sailed from Havre on October 21, and by a strange coincidence, the name of the vessel was Heidelberg, the same as that on which the first Sisters came in 1836. [The first Sisters came on the Natchez.] On board was Right Reverend Augustus Mary Martin with four priests and several seminarians for his diocese of Natchitoches, Louisiana.

"The Sisters landed at New Orleans December 7, the same date on which another band, as yet strangers to them, arrived in Canandaigua. After a few days spent with the Tertiary Carmelites in New Orleans, they proceeded by steamer to St. Louis, which they reached December 21, and where they were welcomed with open arms by Sister Felicite [Boute] at St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum. On the following day, Mother Celestine, who had come in to meet them, conducted them to Carondelet. Brave and courageous souls, who had obeyed literally the Gospel precept to forsake home and country, whey entered at once into the active life of the community, to which at least three of them, were to render long and faithful service. [Sister Euphrasia Meiller died in March 1859. The Sisters of St. Joseph did not go to Bishop Meige's diocese. On the occasion of that prelate's visit to St. Louis during the Provincial Council of 1858, the Superior of a colony of Sisters of Charity from Nashville, looking for a home in another diocese, appealed to him on the advice of the Jesuit, Father De Smet; and with the permission of Archbishop Kenrick, was received with her community under his jurisdiction.] Though young in years, they were all women of unusual ability, thoroughly imbued with the principles of the religious life, and animated by the spirit of sacrifice that characterized the pioneers of 1836. In Sister Saint John, who was in her thirtieth year and had spent eleven years in the convent, Mother Celestine, herself a woman of deep piety, was quick to recognize the strong and enlightened faith that measured temporal things only in the light of eternity, and the remarkable spiritual insight that rendered her peculiarly fitted for the guidance of others. Sister Saint John was chosen a member of the Council at the Mother House, and in that capacity, rendered invaluable assistance to Mother Celestine."

From The Congregation of Saint Joseph of Carondelet by Sister Mary Lucida Savage.

Jewels from Jane, August 17

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"The chaplain of this prison [Prison of Saint Joseph], Father Besson, had met some truly interesting souls among the young women prisoners. If they had done wrong, it was because they did not know the good; and, since they had discovered the sweetness and charm of virtue, they were attached to it. Knowing the world and the dangers that awaited them there, these poor women were seized with fright at the thought of their freedom. Their misfortune was in not having any family or, what was still worse, in being obliged to live in the midst of an unworthy one.

"The prudent chaplain understood these terrors. He felt, then, for these sheep, who, in a short time, would fall again among wolves. He knew that he must protect them from danger; and he begged his confreres to come to his assistance. Aided by their alms, in 1812 he rented a small apartment in Rue Poits d'Ainay and brought there six of these young women whom he placed under the direction of a Sister of Saint Joseph. The latter found work for them, thus providing for their support. Others who were freed came to join these six. Soon there were so many that the house was too small.

"People of means interested themselves in this work of rescue...and gave a house in a retired part of Montauban...as a shelter for the penitents. The Lyonnais charity completed the liberality. Other gifts permitted the buying of looms, spindles and land around the house. The property admirably located on the slope of Fourviere, was quite suitable. The Virgin, enthroned on the summit, watched over these rescued sheep. Nothing disturbed the peace of the place. They called it The Solitude, and in 1824, the young women were transferred there.

"Mother Saint Polycarp was appointed Superior of this house. She came to live there with the Sisters mentioned above. The prisons were not neglected, but this work, which was the complement, assumed great proportions. Soon more than one hundred penitents peopled The Solitude, and the requests were always increasing. Soul and body were well cared for in this sojourn of peace. Work, prayer, pure, holy and healthy joy made virtue easier every day. No one was there through force. Honest homes were formed for these regenerated souls, when they felt themselves strong enough, either to return to their families or to be placed in Christian workshops.

"With a maternal eye filled with interest, Mother Saint John [Fontbonne] followed the progress of these works which were complementary one to the other. She admired her daughters, but she was uneasy about the crushing labor that devolved on each one. She understood that, though the formation given in the Novitiate of the Chartreux was excellent for the Sisters engaged in teaching or in the care of the sick, it was not perfectly adapted to the care of prisoners. Another training was needed for this very different work.

"With the consent of Archbishop de Pins it was resolved that the Sisters would open at 29 Chemin de Montauban, near The Solitude, in newly constructed buildings, a special novitiate where aspirants who felt themselves called to this work might be trained in the religious life. As a consequence, by virture of her title of Superior, Mother Saint Polycarp was named 'Provincial of the Division of the Prisons,' but always under the obedience of the Superior General of the Chartreux. With all necessary liberty for initiative, they left her the entire responsibility of this novitiate and the work for which it had been created. This innovation was so much the more opportune as the needs manifested were very great. Until 1824, the Sisters of Saint Joseph were concerned only with the prisoners of Lyons. In October, 1824, at the request of the Municipal Council of Montbrison, some Sisters were sent for its prison. About the same time Villefranche-sur-Saone made a similar request, offering the Sisters a home in the prison.

"This permanent residence seemed to Mother Saint John and to Mother Saint Polycarp a great advantage for the prisoners. The Sisters could help these unfortunate people at night. During the day, they could watch over their needs and, by soothing their moral sufferings, render easier the task of consoling them and bringing them back to God. Mother Saint Polycarp went to these places to examine the situation. The good Mother did not expect to make a triumphal entrance into the prisons. She knew too well the mentality of those who lived there and the prejudices this type of people harbored against those who wore the religious habit.

"It often happened that she was received with insults and threats. This did not annoy her. The Sister who accompanied her said that she often asked the guard to remove momentarily the chains which hurt the prisoners. Then, on her knees, she removed the worms, dressed the wounds, lifted the poor sore feet and wrapped them carefully with the white linen that she had brought. These sullen hearts, which did not know the workings of Christian charity, were amazed and very often repented. The relief resulting from these charitable visits soon made them desired; and a touching confidence was sometimes established between the prisoner and the one who had brought a little sunshine into his heart. It must have been thus in the prison of Villefranche, for one of the prisoners, in gratitude, painted the portrait of Mother Saint Polycarp. When it was finished, he wrote on the back of the canvas:

"Elizabeth Duplex, born in Lyons, on August 17, 1780. She commenced the work of the prisons on October 15, 1807, and entered the convent of Saint Joseph, where she received the habit and the name, Sister Saint Polycarp. She was the first Provincial of the Sisters of Saint Joseph for the Prisons. 'Mother of orphans, mother of the unfortunate, Model of virtue, her kind beneficence alleviates the sufferings of the poor prisoners and transforms a place of horror into a haven of happiness.' By an inmate of the Prison of Villefranche, 1829"

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, August 21

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, August 21st, 1866

Sister St. John [Facemaz],

Madame,

We are now approaching the end of August, the period at which you encouraged me to expect furniture etc. to arrive here for our expected Academy [St. Teresa]. The building is all but completed. The plaistering is finished, carpenter will be through this week and the painters are at work. I thought it my duty to announce to you that the building will be finished on or before the first of September. I have also been expecting a prospectus from you for insertion in the local papers. Please write and send me instructions.

I have to announce to you that there is a great deal of sickness here this season--chiefly fevers. A party of Emigrants, passing this way to Southern Kanzas had several deaths in their camp outside the city limits. I visited three persons who had symptoms of cholera who all got well in a few [?]--but at the present writing I do not know of a single case of cholera in Kanzas City.

Memoranda--please return the draught of our new building--also a new acct with the girls for last year. I have somehow mislaid the acct first furnished.

There is no occasion to be uneasy about the title to the convent lot and appurtenances because the conveyance belongs to the Archbishop. You know there will be no difficulty with him. His Grace is not now at home but he can make the conveyance at any time. The understanding is that I advise the whole square be attached to the building. Please write immediately and inform me when the Sisters may be expected.

The Roses are well,--they long to see the Sisters.

Respectfully yours, etc.

Bernard Donnelly

Father Donnelly was commissioned by Archbishop Kenrick to build missions on the western border of the state.

Jewels from Jane, August 12

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"Cahokia, as well as Carondelet, had its joys and consolations. In 1838, a stone chapel was built. The countess had supplied part of the money, a rich woman of the country gave the rest and Mother Saint John [Fontbonne] sent, God knows with what joy, stations of the cross, candlesticks, candelabra, ornaments, flowers and a bell made in Lyons. On August 12 of that year, Bishop Rosati blessed the bell and the chapel. The same day, Sister Saint Protais made her vows.

"The good Canadians were delighted because they loved their 'Abbey,' and the peal of the Catholic bell on the river bank and the edges of the forest had a great charm for them. The Sisters were saints who had come from France to teach their children, to help their poor and to assist their sick. They venerated and loved them as their mothers.

"From Switzerland the countess wrote: 'On what are you living? Is your health good? Answer me quickly because I wish to send you a package. Tell me the things you need. Give me details of your establishments, of the good they do and the resources you have.' She gave them information about the convents of Touraine, Vendee and other cities.

"Mother Saint John, from afar, sustained her dear, generous missionaries by most encouraging exhortations: 'All here recalls to me the memory of my well-loved children; and I still meet you in all the places where I saw you so many times. It seems to me, that it is a century since I have heard from you, and I do not know how you are. The affection I have for you does not permit me to remain waiting any longer; for the distance which separates us, far from lessening my affection, makes it only more intense and tender. If the ocean separates us, eternity will unite us. I cannot express to you perfectly the joy I experience in this thought. Eternity will unite us, gives me consolation. What joy on our first meeting in Heaven. We will then be united, never more to be separated. Write to me at the first chance. Give me details of all you do or suffer. Pour into the heart of a Mother, who loves you tenderly, your sorrow, your cares and your joys, if you have any. I will share all. Do not let me think that America makes you forget your old Mother, who embraces you all in Our Lord Jesus Christ. In whatever part of this world we may be, we are never exiled, never far from the eyes of our Heavenly Father. In Europe, as well as in America, He is everywhere witness of our works and struggles. When I think that you are separated from me in another world, I am consoled by the thought that we are all united in the bosom of God. My entire wish is that you be saints, and that your communities be regular and edifying. I implore God to pour down upon you His choicest blessings and to assist you always with His grace.'

"In the American communities, each word of these precious letters was received with religious respect; and the ocean only apparently separated the Mother from her daughters. Her daughers found the venerable Mother's heart in her letters and in all the little packages she sent them from France--money, pictures, crucifixes, rosaries and medals for the pupils, the novices and their relatives. Since her daughters had left Lyons, in spite of her great age, she multiplied her visits to Fourviere. She used to say: 'I must bring my children's needs to the Blessed Virgin.' The following words express the value the Sisters placed on her motherly interest: 'Her prayers have been a gentle, fruitful rain on our American mustard seed, as her example, virtue and advice have been for us a torch and a rule of perfection.'"

"...the Mississippi was a bad neighbor for the convent of Cahokia and for the inhabitants of the country. Without considering the harm it might do to the people of its vicinity, it suddenly overflowed its banks and flooded the country. Mother Febronia had warnings of this danger on several occasions and was forced to seek refuge with the Sisters in Carondelet. When the waters subsided, the Sisters returned to their plague-stricken neighborhood, which they found ravaged by fever, the aftermath of the flood.

"In 1839, Mother Febronia was so seriously ill that Mother Delphine asked to be relieved from her duties in Carondelet that she might take care of her. She spent almost a year in Cahokia and left it to go to Saint Louis, where His Lordship confided to her the direction of the schools.

"Floods again visited the ill-fated Cahokia, compelling the entire population to flee. The Sisters, entrapped in their convent, saw the waters reach the first floor and continue to rise. Death seemed inevitable when suddenly a boat, sailing over the fields, the palisades and the enclosures, approached the convent. A plank, thrown from the boat to the window, served as a footbridge. The Sisters were saved. Once again Carondelet was a refuge.

"As a result of this flood and of the fevers that followed in its train, Cahokia was completely depopulated and the mission was abandoned. Mother Febronia contracted an illness from which she suffered so intensely that she and her namesake, Sister Febronia, who was also in poor health, were ordered by the doctors to return to France."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography translation adapted from the original French edition by a Sister of Saint Joseph Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, August 14

2008-07-17T13:11:00.002-05:00

"On August 14, 1807, Mother Saint John [Fontbonne] was, for the first time, in the presence of those whom Heaven destined to become her daughters [The Black Daughters]. She did not know them, nor did they know her. At once, however, a supernatural feeling drew them together and a bond of love united them. In a transport of faith, the daughters cast themselves into the arms of their Mother, and trembling with emotion, the Mother pressed the children to her heart, an affecting scene which fills one with admiration...

"These twelve Black Daughters [To teach them to crush human respect Father Cholleton, their founder, made them dress in a costume which was neither religious nor secular]who renounced, at the desire of the Cardinal [Fesch], their first formation, to submit to the demands of a Rule which they had not chosen, to an authority which had given no proof yet of devotion nor of ability, and to a direction of whose wisdom and gravity they were as yet ignorant, were also admirable.

"With a simplicity above all praise, she, who had been directress of the group, immediately resigned her authority and became the humble disciple of the new Superior [Mother Saint John Fontbonne]. She was Anne Matrat, of Valla-en-Gier, in the Department of the Loire. She was the first to enter Maison Pascal. We do not know whether or not that was the motive for placing her at the head. We rather believe that it was on account of her rare qualities...

"Mother Saint John wanted to know and to study thoroughly the life these pious women had lived in order to adapt them, as gently as possible, to the one which would replace it...The fourth floor of Maison Pascal was a home of fervor. Seeing this, Mother Saint John was overwhelmed with sentiments of humility and gratitude towards Him Who had led her into the midst of these cheerful, frank and generous souls, who showed neither defiance, annoyance, nor reserve with respect to a Superior whom they did not know and to whom they opened their hearts as children to their mother. An affection full of confidence and charity was established between them and it never relaxed.

"The Rule of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, composed by a priest of the Society of Jesus, Father Medaille, is full of the spirit of Saint Ignatius. It is wise and, at the same time, firm. This Rule was written, keeping in view the apostolic life that was the life of Jesus Christ Himself, the perfect Model of Religious.

"Every religious life, even every Christian life, must have its portion of penance, expiation and reparation; but there are different ways of doing penance, of expiating and of making reparation. The mortification, at times very hard, of the mutual living of a common life; the fatigue of service; the demands of the sick; the ingratitude of those who are the objects of our devotion, and a thousand other things have an expiatory and a reparatory value. Are they not more difficult to bear than the penances of one's choice?

"Mother Saint John tried to make her dear daughters understand this truth. One day she made them bring her all the instruments of penance they had for their use. These fervent souls had to make the sacrifice of them through obedience, and, gradually, the wise, prudent Mother abolished from their life what might have endangered their health. At the same time she carefully preserved the character of austerity that gives nobility to the religious life and a redeeming value to the simplest deeds. The community of Maison Pascal kept this character of fervor and holiness so well that it is still called with good reason "The Pearl of the Institute."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography from the original French edition adapted by a Sister of Saint Joseph of Brentwood, NY

Jewels from Jane, August 1

2008-07-17T13:10:00.004-05:00

"During her first year as General Superior, Mother Eucharista Galvin received a letter from the Maryknoll Fathers asking for the help of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Kyoto, Japan. Before making a decision about the request, she and her assistant, Sister Edward Marie Mahaney, traveled to Japan to understand the needs and see how the Sisters of St. Joseph might respond. The experience of the trip impressed them very favorably and within one year, four Sisters of St. Joseph had arrived at the port of Yokohama to found the first mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet outside the territories of the United States. Founding the mission to Japan, the Congregation initiated a new policy in which every province would share in the privilege of sending personnel to the missions. The first four sisters assigned to Japan were Sisters Irmina Kelehan (SP), Eva Francis Cereghino (LA), Thomas Paul Hoodack (A), and Serena John O'Meara [Rachel](SL).

"As had happened in 1836 with the first six French missionaries to leave for America, the General Superior accompanied the missionaries to Japan to their port of embarkation in California. There, before they left, she gave them a letter to read on their journey. That letter explained her hopes for them.

August 1, 1956

Dear Sister Irmina and Community,

While you are enjoying your two weeks' sea voyage, I hope you will have time to think along with me about your mission and its importance to our Congregation and to the people of Japan.

You are planting a new branch of our Community in a foreign country, the first since the one planted by the little band of Sisters from France who ventured to America in the eighteen thirties. On the banks of the Mississippi, at the little village of Carondelet, then six miles from the city of St. Louis, those sisters undertook a transplanting in America, which has grown into a mighty tree. At present there are over four thousand Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, direct descendants of this original foundation, and over 12,000 Sisters in off-shoots from the original planting in America.

These first Sisters opened a novitiate as soon as candidates applied for entrance, and you have permission to do likewise. We hope and pray that the members who seek holiness in our Kyoto novitiate will increase through the years so that, from a small beginning, God may give an increase of ten, a hundred, or even a thousand fold in Japanese vocations in answer to your prayers and ours for workers in His vineyard.

You have probably heard some comments to the effect that you are needed in your homeland and should be allowed to serve the Church there. Why are we, nevertheless, asking you to sacrifice so much by sending you among strangers and non-Christians?

First of all, we are urged by obedience to Christ's own command, "Go and teach all nations;" second, we are impelled by the expressed wish of the Holy See that all religious congregations who can do so help the Church by entering the foreign mission field. These are the basic and most essential reasons. There are others. A branch which stops sending forth new growth becomes less productive and eventually dies. No matter how much our work is needed in our homeland, if we settle down to physically comfortable but enervating surroundings in a spiritually frustrating environment, some of us may become somewhat spiritually imperturbable and unproductive. We love our "little Institute" too much to risk that happening. In fact, the opening of this new mission has already, I believe, enlivened the zeal of the whole Congregation. Everyone can have a part in praying for its success and in helping provide the material needs for the work. You, yourselves, are demonstrating to all that our Sisters are willing to leave creature comforts and the enjoyment of friends and relatives to pursue souls....

This project is a concerted effort to help Sisters, pupils, and friends enhance their zeal and charity. So it is partly for our own welfare that we launch forth to gain souls for Christ in Japan. Our desire for an even holier membership is our hope that God will reward our efforts by giving the Japanese people among whom you work the graces they need to accept the true Faith. Your and our growth in holiness will be the chief force to obtain the graces which will bring forth fruit abundantly.

Souls are won usually in an atmosphere of peace. We hope that your living among the Japanese people will produce better relations between our country and theirs. You will represent the best in Christianity and in American citizenship. You will bring the Prince of Peace with you as you light the sanctuary lamp in your convent. Your solace and inspiration in difficult and trying situations will be that Christ is with you and that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered daily in your home.

The people must learn to know and love you before they will come to you to learn about the Church. Your first need, therefore, is to master the language - first, the universal language of selfless love and, second, the tongue of the Japanese people.

We trust God to answer our earnest prayer for your well-being and success. We, who work with you spiritually and materially for a "great harvest of souls", will eagerly read of your experiences in the cherished letters you write home.

I am not going to burden you with advice because we have chosen you as very responsible members and because you will have to depend upon the more experienced missioners in the field for advice. Mother Joseph, the foundress of the Maryknoll Sisters, will give you the key to the chief character traits needed for a missionary Sister in the following quotation, "I would have her distinguished by Christlike charity, a limpid simplicity of soul, heroic generosity, selflessness, unswerving loyalty, prudent zeal, an orderly mind, gracious courtesy, an adaptable disposition, solid piety, and the saving grace of a sense of humor."

Now, my dear Sisters, even though our hearts urge us do otherwise, we send you forth to help plant and cultivate the seeds of the true Faith in souls. You must be patient in waiting for the increase. It will be our privilege and our joy to be with you praying for God's grace for you in your needs; and it is also our pleasure and our duty to pledge to you all the material aid in our power to further the work. Again, may God bestow on you abundant graces for your own sanctification and for your apostolate. God bless you and keep you near to Him always.

Devotedly your in the Heart of Christ,

Sr. Eucharista [Galvin]"

from Mary Mc Glone's book: Comunidad para el Mundo: The History of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the Vice Province of Peru

Jewels from Jane, August 9

2008-07-17T13:10:00.003-05:00

Today, August 9, is the feast of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein).

Sister Stephanie Stueber wrote a review of the book EDITH STEIN. THOUGHTS ON HER LIFE AND TIMES by Henry Bordeaux c1959, for publication in the St. Louis Review. Here is her book review.

"When one sincerely meditates on a woman who is at once a Jew, a Catholic, a philosopher, a Carmelite, a mystic, and a martyr, a woman who is described as 'a witness of the spirit of the highest order' (p. 18), the ascent to prayer is spontaneous and the gaze towards spiritual heights is magnetic. So it is with this simple little book by Henry Bordeaux. One is drawn to aspire to the things of the spirit--the spirit whose life is truth, humility, love, suffering; the spirit who breathed so freely in the soul of Edith Stein.

"This book is not a biography of Edith Stein, who as Sister Benedicta of the Cross, went to an ignominious yet heroic death in one of Hitler's gas chambers. Neither is this book an exposition of the life and thought of a Christian scholar who gave up all--family, nationality, learning, life--for Christ. In a series of reflections on the soul qualities which make Edith Stein eminently and genuinely Christian, Bordeaux associates other individuals, related situations--all of which combine to dramatize man's yearning search for God, a search unusually poignant in our century, unusually tense and intense.

"In the contemporary milieu, where truth is so distorted and egoism is so exalted, Bordeaux is significantly drawn to admire Edith Stein's simplicity and humility. Aptly he summarizes her as a woman who 'was true' (p. 32). Her pure and instinctive love of truth literally drove her to face realities honestly, to follow their implications courageously, and to be humble graciously. 'Inspired only by the love of truth in which was hidden the love of God, Who finally appeared to her in all His splendor' (p. 32), Edith Stein answered the demands of Truth Who led her from reason to faith, from philosophy to prayer, from scholarship to suffering. Because in life she was a person 'who never ceased to grow' (p. 62), Edith Stein in death will never cease to inspire souls to seek the heights of mystical contemplation, the depth of mystical silence, and the breadths of mystical love.

"Bordeaux's thoughts on Edith Stein's life and times are 'deep, deep thoughts,' which by their simplicity solicit admiration for one who was true and by their brevity beckon further study of one who in love followed Truth."

From Stephanie's drop file

Jewels from Jane, July 27

2008-07-17T13:09:00.001-05:00

"Mother Saint John [Fontbonne] was neither frightened nor saddened at the thought of leaving this earth, and her example inflamed the Sisters with supernatural courage.

"The greatest suffering of the little family of Saint Joseph was the deprivation of religious assistance. The Sisters had been in prison for several months without any notice as to the term of their imprisonment. One day the jailer said brutally to Mother Saint John: 'Citizeness, it is your turn tomorrow.' 'Thanks be to God!' answered the noble Mother, trembling with joy.

"The jailer had addressed Mother Saint John only, but her daughters thought that their fate would not be different from that of their Mother. All prepared to climb the steps of the guillotine. 'Tomorrow,' said the prisoners among themselves, 'will be the most beautiful day in our lives, we must get our garments ready.' The little community still possessed a small amount of money. The Sisters decided unanimously that it should be spent in the preparing of their modest clothing for the great festival of the morrow. These resolutions taken, they all waited in prayer, picturing the Heaven which was about to open for them.

"We should note, however, that our prisoners could not be guillotined the next day, for no executions had taken place in Saint Didier. 'Tomorrow your turn' meant 'tomorrow the departure for the court without appeal, in Le Puy, and the day after that, the execution.' The law stated that condemned persons had to be put to death within twenty-four hours.

"...Yet, Heaven did not open. Mother Saint John's work was not finished. In order that she might accomplish her task, Divine Providence gave an unexpected turn to events. Those whom Robespierre desired to send to the guillotine, sent him there and, let it be said in passing, the tyrant did not go gracefully. His death did not end the Revolution. There were still many sad days after his death, but the disappearance of this creature of blood permitted people to breathe again. At any rate, many prisoners indirectly owed their freedom to him. Mother Saint John and her companions were among the number. When their dungeon opened on July 27, 1794 all stood ready to go forth to death.

"God willed otherwise. Instead of having chains put on their hands, they were told that they were free. 'At this news which brought so much joy to the others,' Canon Rivaux tells us that Mother Saint John cried out sorrowfully: 'Ah, my Sisters, we are not worthy of the grace to die for our holy religion. Our sins have been an obstacle to this great favor.' The saintly Mother, during the remainder of her life, regretted having lost the palm of martyrdom, which had escaped her at the moment she believed herself about to hold it.

"When in later years, people spoke to her of this heroic epoch of her life and of what she had suffered in prison, she adroitly turned the conversation to speak of those Sisters who had not been spared and of their glorious martyrdom. For her, all suffering was as nothing because she had not received the crown of martyrdom."

Below is a quote from part of the document releasing the sisters from prison. The deed is in the archives of Bas.

"The citizenesses, Jeanne and Marie Fontbonne (ex-Josephines) of the above-mentioned convent of the Sisters of this community, originally of this commune of Bas, have requested the registration of their discharge from the prison of Montfranc."

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography adapted from a translation of the original French edition by a Sister of St. Joseph, Brentwood, New York

Jewels from Jane, July 12

2008-07-17T13:08:00.003-05:00

Portage Lake, Michigan, 12th July 1864

Rev. Mother St. John [Facemaz]
Peace of Christ

I already wrote to Rev. and most amiable Mother Leonie to find out if any of your zealous sisters could soon be sent to Sault Ste. Marie and on what conditions; but as Rev. Father Tellier will take the affair in hand I shall not interfere.

Another affair. Rev. Fathers Jacker and Sweeney, of Portage, desire to have a community on their mission. You might bring up three or four Sisters with you. Be assured that all your reasonable demands shall be readily granted. Bishop Baraga gives his consent.

If you prefer to visit the place first, all your expenses shall be paid by these reverend gentlemen, even if you were not to accept the place.

You may leave Detroit or Chicago and make for the Sault Ste. Marie, thence to Portage Lake, Lake Superior, Michigan.

I shall soon return to Sault Marie. You may direct a letter to Rev. Richard Bascter, S.J. Care of L. P. Trempe Sault Ste. Marie Michigan. Or you may write to Rev. Edward Jacker Portage Lake, Lake Superior, Hancock, Michigan

Yours in Christ
Richard Bascter, S. J.

Rev. Mother St. John
Carondelet
Near St. Louis
Missouri

St. Mary's, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan opened in 1866. It closed in 1873 because of an inability to be self-supportive.

St. Anne's, Hancock, Michigan opened in 1866 and closed in 1871 because of a financial depression. In 1877 it reopened as St. Patrick Parish which was also staffed by our Sisters.

The attachment shows a picture of the Sisters who were missioned at St. Anne's in the year 1870-71. The picture of the Sister at the lower left shows clearly the plain front which our habit used to have.

Jewels from Jane, July 14

2008-07-17T13:08:00.002-05:00

"In 1805, the wearing of a religious costume was permitted by law. Clothed in secular dress, they [The Black Daughters] had been living the life of Sisters of Saint Joseph in Maison Pascal for almost a year. The time for wearing its habit had come. On July 14, 1808, the twelve postulants were clothed in the habit and received a religious name. The Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Lyons was just restored. Here are the names of the first Sisters:

“Mother Saint John, Superior and foundress

Anne Matrat, Sister Saint Francis Regis

Jeanne Marie Matrat, Sister Saint Claire

Anne Marie Didier, Sister Saint Paul

Suzanne Marcoux, Sister Saint John Baptist

Jeanne Poitrasson-Gonnet, Sister Saint Francis de Sales

Philippine Menard, Sister Saint Teresa

Benoite Perrin, Sister Marie

Antoinette Monteillier, Sister Saint Michael

Marie Anne Pitiot, Sister Saint Augustine

Antoinette Cessier, Sister Marie Joseph

Marie Louise Foret, Sister Saint Madeleine

Elizabeth Placon, Sister Saint Agnes

“From that day, no longer existed the Society of Black Daughters; it was now the Society of Saint Joseph. They had taken care not to say ‘Congregation,’ as that term would have been sufficient to make the society suspected in the eyes of the Revolutionaires. It was not of importance to let the public know that they were reviving the Institute. The important thing was to revive it. Under a different name the Sisters continued to occupy themselves with the same works; and not only were the Sisters themselves appreciated, but their habit was saluted with veneration wherever they went.

“With respect to the dress, let us say that it underwent a transformation at that time. In the first Rule, printed with the permission of Monsignor de Villars, Archbishop of Vienne, in 1693, we read: ‘The Sisters of Saint Joseph shall be dressed as virtuous, modest widows.’ The head-dress of the widows of the seventeenth century, the epoch of the founding of the Institute, consisted of a hood of white linen, joined under the chin and partly covered with a cap of black silk. When, after the Revolution, the Sisters of Saint Joseph could resume their religious habit, widows no longer dressed in that fashion. Mother Saint John thought it possible, without deviating from the spirit of the founders, to replace the cap by the veil. In 1650, widows wore a white fichu over their shoulders; the Sisters had adopted this fichu. After the Concordat, the fichu was replaced by the guimpe. The habit then assumed a monastic tone which is suitable to virgins.”

From Mother Saint John Fontbonne: A Biography adapted from the French by a Sister of Saint Joseph of Brentwood, NY

Jewels from Jane, July 3

2008-07-17T13:07:00.003-05:00

"In his pastoral letter of 1850 Archbishop Kenrick showed his deep appreciation of the excellent work [of the German St. Vincent Orphan Society:]

"'Besides the two asylums already in existence, we have deemed it advisable to approve the erection of a German Male and Female Asylum, as well to comply with the wishes of that portion of our flock who use the German language, as to diminish the burdens on the existing Asylums, and to obviate the necessity of making additions to them, which otherwise would soon be necessary. A large and suitable lot has been secured for this purpose, on very favorable terms, and at a price far below its actual value; and we earnestly recommend the undertaking to your charitable consideration.'

"...Five sisters of St. Joseph, from Carondelet, Angela [Hanner], Febronia [Boyer], Adelheid[e] [O'Brien], Stanislaus [Saul]and Ignatia [us] [Witmond] took charge of the new Orphan Home on July 3rd, 1851 [July 2, 1851]. Mother Angela served as Superior of the community.

"Archbishop Kenrick ordered that two collections be taken up annually for the German orphans in all the German Churches of the city. The first collection realized the sum of $369.05; from St. Joseph's Church $116.25; St. Mary's $87.50; Holy Trinity $74.00; Sts. Peter and Paul's, $64.80 and St. Vincent's $26.50.

"On July 25th, 1851, the first orphan girl, Anna Schwerdt, was received into the home; in the following week two boys, Andrew Schwartz and John Gehrig, were entered. Two months later the Home harbored 30 children...

"In its long career of seventy-five years the German St. Vincent Orphan Home experienced many sad vicissitudes, from fire, pestilence and other evils. The saddest was the recurrence in 1854 of the dreadful epidemic that in 1849, had led to the foundation of the Home, the cholera. Within the brief period of two weeks, one sister, Ignatia, and fourteen children fell victims to the awful scourge. On one sad day six little corpses lay in the house; and for fear of contagion, the sisters had to lay them away in the old disused cemetery within the enclosure, until proper burial could be held...

"On the 29th day of December 1888 the Daughters of the Blessed Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, or as they are now better known the Sisters of Christian Charity, succeeded the Sisters of St. Joseph in the administration of the German St. Vincent Orphan Home...Driven out of Germany by the so-called Kulturkampf the Sisters came to America in 1873 and took up their abode, first in New Orleans, and then at Wilkesbarre, PA, until several years ago, when the mother house was removed to Wilmette, Ill."

from History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Rev. John Rothensteiner c1928

Orphan girls who entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet from St. Vincent's Orphan Home:

Helena Dorothy St. Clair (Sister Apollonia)

Josephine Riehl (Sister Mary Bertha)

Marie Schlinkmann (Sister Mary Leocadia)

Augusta Ellermann (Sister Mary Calista)

Emilia Dierker (Sister Mary Clare)

Caroline Kunz (Sister Mary Simplicia)

Elizabeth Reis (Sister Mary Clotilda)

Theresa Stratmann (Sister Mary Dominica)

Odelia Hasenmueller (Sister Francis Nazaria)

Jewels from Jane, July 5

2008-07-17T13:07:00.002-05:00

Bloomington the 5th of July 1864

Dear Sr. St. John [Facemaz]

Your letter of the 30th of May is received in due time. Permit me to say that I am much pleased to know that a colony of your good Com. Are about to take charge of our institution [St. Joseph Academy]. I trust you will bless the undertaking. I shall be always willing and ready to help it in every way I can. I spoke to the Bishop last a week ago about the chaplain. I have no doubt but he will regulate that matter immediately

I think I can secure a halffare [unreadable word]for the Sisters coming to Bloomington. Please inform me how many are coming and on what day I may expect them to arrive.

The people are very anxious to see them here perminantly and expect that they will be able to compete successfully with the other institutions of learning in the city-- Begging to be remembered in your pious prayers and that of your holy community,
I remain affectionately

[Father] T. Kennedy

St. Joseph Academy, an elementary parochial school, was opened in 1864 in Holy Trinity Parish in Bloomington, IL and transferred to the Sinsinawa Dominicans in 1876.

Jewels from Jane, July 2

2008-07-17T13:06:00.001-05:00

"The day finally arrived when the sisters and their house became the target of violence. When it happened, it was the terrorists rather than the military who were behind the mayhem. Sister Francine Costello explained the events of that fateful July 2, 1991.

At around 2 p.m., I returned to Moho [from a trip to Puno, Peru]. There were no signs of any presence at that time.

I went into the house where Gloria [Zapata] and Celia [DuRea] were resting. I washed my clothes to get ready to travel to Lima because I was about to go to visit my family in Hawaii...For some reason, I had already taken my suitcases into Puno, I don't know why, but if I hand't, I would have lost everything.

I put down my wallet and then I heard shots. I ran out of the house and Gloria and Celia arrived. We talked about what we were hearing. "It must be the police station...It must be Sendero or Tupac Amaru... No, maybe it's a fight...That can't be; it has to be Sendero..." Then we said, "Maybe we should go into the house. They could come here." The sounds of shots continued... "It would be better to go to the Church because the walls are thicker and from there we can get out into the plaza or into our yard." They knew that we would be at home.

I was especially afraid because I knew that some of them had been looking for me in Puno...So I sat outside of the Church.

When I went into the church, Gloria wasn't there. She had gone up the street toward the police station to see what was happening. When she ran across a number of men with machine guns, she turned around and came back, absolutely pallid.

She came into the church and said, "Sendero is here." Ramon [the parish caretaker] was there and we closed the door...The armed men came down the street and went to the newly constructed municipal building right next door to our old convent and the parish office...

They opened everything up and told the people "Take whatever you want."

We went back into the house to put on more clothes, and Gloria went to put the padlock on the gate. I said, "Gloria, it's worthless, they'll shoot it off. Let's get to the church."

We heard shots hitting the door. Then we went out the main door and I said, "Let's go to the house of a particular elderly woman four blocks down the street."

With that, we met a family who said, "Sister, they know where you are...and that you are going to the grandmother's house." They rushed us into their house where we were crying and holding onto one another. I said, "I want the other two sisters to find refuge somewhere else, but I won't be with them because I think they are going to be looking for me."

Celia and Gloria said, "No, we are staying together." With that, we heard another explosion.

The family said "You can't go down to so and so's house, because they just blew up the Bank of the Nation and she lives right there." So then, what? We didn't know.

"Sisters, stay calm, we're going to find a place." Then they took out a ladder and put it against the wall...we went over the wall, and from there we could see everything...

I was worried about Celia because Gloria and I were not so noticeable. The terrorists were now going from house to house. The family looked for blankets for Celia, sent her up to the attic, and said, "No matter what you hear, don't move." Gloria and I stayed below with Celia above.

It was a cold night, so we prepared tea and shared some bread. One of our friends went up to our house and tried to prevent people from stealing everything...Others came and told us that the terrorists had left, but that people continued to ransack the house...that everything was gone...

"When Sister Celia DuRea talked about that day, she remembered the woman who opened her home to the sisters. She said:

Francine Costello and Gloria Zapata were there, and because I was the only white person in the town, Frannie felt that I needed to hide. So we went across the street and I climbed up in the roof of our neighbors' house and was there for about six hours, listening to gunshots...

Late in the evening, Frannie and Gloria and I and the woman that had harbored us sat together and prayed. She was a very valiant woman because, if they had found us in her house, she would have been assassinated. Her husband was not there; she had two younger daughters...I will never forget how she risked her life for us.

"When the sisters returned to their house, they found it in a state of utter chaos from the looting."

from Mary McGlone's book: Comunidad para el Mundo: The History of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the Vice Province of Peru

Jewels from Jane, July 3

2008-07-17T13:05:00.003-05:00

"In his pastoral letter of 1850 Archbishop Kenrick showed his deep appreciation of the excellent work [of the German St. Vincent Orphan Society:]

"Besides the two asylums already in existence, we have deemed it advisable to approve the erection of a German Male and Female Asylum, as well to comply with the wishes of that portion of our flock who use the German language, as to diminish the burdens on the existing Asylums, and to obviate the necessity of making additions to them, which otherwise would soon be necessary. A large and suitable lot has been secured for this purpose, on very favorable terms, and at a price far below its actual value; and we earnestly recommend the undertaking to your charitable consideration."

from History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Rev. John Rothensteiner c1928

Orphan girls who entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet from St. Vincent's Orphan Home:

Helena Dorothy St. Clair (Sister Apollonia)

Josephine Riehl (Sister Mary Bertha)

Marie Schlinkmann (Sister Mary Leocadia)

Augusta Ellermann (Sister Mary Calista)

Emilia Dierker (Sister Mary Clare)

Caroline Kunz (Sister Mary Simplicia)

Elizabeth Reis (Sister Mary Clotilda)

Theresa Stratmann (Sister Mary Dominica)

Odelia Hasenmueller (Sister Francis Nazaria)

Jewels from Jane,June 30

2008-07-17T13:05:00.002-05:00

From the time that Carondelet was first settled in 1767, a piece of ground was reserved and religiously kept as the site of the future church [Sts. Mary and Joseph] and last resting place of the dead. When the town was surveyed and the blocks numbered, the church site became number eighty-two, and the cemetery ground fifty-seven. These two blocks, together with blocks fifty-eight and fifty-nine, which adjoined the cemetery on the south, were deeded to Father Saulnier [Pastor of Sts. Mary and Joseph Church] by the Trustees of the town on September 10, 1835.

Block number fifty-eight was the lot on which stood the log cottage given to the Sisters by Bishop Rosati. On June 30, 1838, a deed to this block was given to the Sisters by Father Saulnier. He had already sold block fifty-nine, which adjoined it on the south, to a Mr. Solomon of Natchez, Mississippi. This gentleman dying suddenly a short time after, the ground (block 59) fell into the hands of the Public Administrator, by whom it was sold at public auction on July 25, 1840. Bryan Mullanphy bought it, and on December 23, 1842, deeded it unconditionally to the Sisters as a Christmas gift.

Notes from Sister Monica’s diary, Jan, 1922

Jewels from Jane,June 19

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"Archbishop Kenrick had a fatherly interest in the Sisters of St. Joseph and was always concerned about their welfare. He had encouraged sending sisters from Carondelet to other dioceses, but as time passed he favored stabilizing and strengthening the congregation by means of an approved central government. He felt that the ties of friendship and loyalty among the various houses needed the seal of authority. In 1856 Father August S. Paris, C.M., the spiritual father of the community at Carondelet, made a trip to Europe and found that the superiors in France favored an independent American government. Mother Celestine planned a general visitation of all the American missions in order to secure the cooperation of the sisters and bishops involved. However, before these plans could be carried out, she died, on June 7, 1857.

"At the election of a new superior, Mother Seraphine Coughlin, superior in St. Paul, was chosen; but on the plea of poor health and inability, she asked to be relieved. Her request was seconded by the petition of Monsignor Augustine Ravoux, administrator of the diocese of St. Paul. Upon the authority invested in him as ecclesiastical superior, Archbishop Kenrick then appointed Mother St. John Facemaz in her stead. [This took place on June 19, 1857, 10 days after the interment of Mother Celestine.] The new superior possessed shrewd business instinct together with a talent for organization. Since her arrival in 1854 from Annecy, France, she had been closely associated with Mother Celestine, and at the time of her appointment was a member of the council at the motherhouse and had been actively engaged in the plans for the adoption of a general government."

from Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet by Sister Dolorita Marie Dougherty

Jewels from Jane, July 2

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