Jewels from Jane, March 1 (two)

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, February 25

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, Dec. 5

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

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, Nov. 9

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. 13

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, Sept. 25

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. 12

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. 5

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

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. 3

"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 21

, 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, July 12

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 5

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,June 19

"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, May 27

Bloomington the 27th of May, 1864

Dear Mother St. John [Facemaz]

I have seen Bishop Duggan last week.

He is very willing that the property (that half that I pointed out to you) with the building be deeded to you, and that you assume one half of the amount of the loan be secured for the erection of the building. The amount of that loan is three thousand five hundred (3500) the amount you are required to accept will be seventeen hundred and fifty (1750)
The whole of this amount is secured by mortgage on the property.

The Bishop requests me to say to you that he will be home until the tenth of next July and that he will very cheerfully come to receive the Sisters at Bloomington any time they can come up to that time and in case you cannot come before that time that Dr. Dunning ... will come to receive you and that he will visit Bloomington in September

Hoping that this arrangement will be agreeable to you, and wishing to see you soon in this city, am requesting the privilege of recommending myself to a participation of the prayers of yourself and community

I remain very respectfully in Christ

[Father] T. Kennedy

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

Jewels from Jane, May 2

On May 2, 1860, after three days of retreat, sisters representing all the houses in the dioceses of St. Louis, Toronto (Canada), Wheeling, Natchez, Albany and Saint Paul met at Carondelet to form a Congregation. These were all the communities of St. Joseph that had been founded directly or indirectly from Carondelet. There were no delegates from Buffalo, Philadelphia or Brooklyn; the bishops of those dioceses wanted their sisters to remain autonomous. The sisters who attended the meeting approved the basic structure of a new congregation. Bishop Kenrick presented a plan that recommended the erection of three provinces, with centers in St. Louis, Canada, and the eastern part of the United States, with provisions for forming new provinces according to need. The plan included details about the governance of the provinces, the role of the Superior General, the organization of novitiates and elections of General and Provincial Superiors. During the meeting, the delegates from Toronto decided to accede to the desire of their bishop and remain under diocesan jurisdiction.

In the end, the plan was adapted to propose three provinces: St. Louis, St. Paul and Troy (New York). By accepting the plan, the sisters committed themselves to support the process of seeking ecclesial approval to form a new Congregation. As their first official act, the sisters elected Mother St. John Facemaz as Superior General and then commissioned her to represent them in negotiations with Rome.

From “Comunidad para el Mundo: The History of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the Vice Province of Peru”

Jewels from Jane, April 22

April 22, 1870 Happy to Miss Connections

"In the morning we refreshed ourselves with a nice cup of coffee, then proceeded on our journey. The weather was cool and pleasant -- an Indian boy played the violin for the entertainment of the passengers.

"Reverend Mother treated us to apples and maple sugar, and presented us with little statues of Our Blessed Mother as souvenirs; but in spite of all there was a sad cloud overhanging us. It was not surprising, as we were to part from Rev. Mother in a few hours -- and that, perhaps, forever in this world; but, as in similar difficulties, we had recourse to our good Father St. Joseph. We were detained about two hours after time, but yet we feared that the San Francisco train would wait for us, as we wished it gone, for then we could remain one day more with Reverend Mother. As we approached Omaha, some of us were crying and others praying, but all were looking eagerly to see if the train was there. We did not wait long as a messenger came with the welcome news that the train had just left. Thanks be to God! Escaped from every lip, and was in every heart. We then went to the convent of the Sisters of Mercy, where we received the most cordial welcome from those good Sisters. We remained there until the next morning."

From "Trek of the Seven Sisters" by Sister Monica Corrigan

Jewels from Jane, April 23

Saturday, April 23, 1870 Final Good-Bye

"When we had had the consolation of hearing Mass, and receiving the Bishop's blessing, we went to the depot. Reverend Mother procured our tickets, refreshments and other conveniences for the journey. The dreaded moment of parting had almost arrived. That moment we shall never forget! We were all seated in the cars when she came in with her little purchases, and at the same time to say 'good-bye.' We then lost all self-control and wept bitterly after she left us, our eyes following until she entered the carriage and drove out of sight. The Arizona missionaries had made their first great sacrifice, in leaving their dear Mother! The same day we passed through the beautiful valley of La Platte; took supper at Clark's 121 miles from Omaha. Sister Ambrosia [Arnichaud] and I went out to purchase some tea. We received it as an alms and with it several mortifications. The cars were so densely crowded that night that we were unable to sleep.

From "Trek of the Seven Sisters" by Sister Monica Corrigan

The attachment shows a picture of the seven sisters.

Jewels from Jane, April 21

Thursday, April 21, 1870 On to Omaha

"We were kindly welcomed by our good Sisters, and had the pleasure of meeting there [in Kansas City] Mother Agatha [Guthrie], who had been sick, but was better then. We spent the day quite pleasantly. It again became our duty to say goodbye; but we were much encouraged on hearing that Rev. Mother St. John [Facemaz] had concluded to accompany us as far as Omaha, Nebraska. We took the cars at 7:00 p.m. and were comfortably seated, as the cars were new and clean, and but moderately filled. We changed cars during the night -- it was, indeed, a change in every respect, as the cars were filled with emigrants, crying children, etc. To conclude from the offensive atmosphere in the cars, they must have had any amount of spoiled chickens, eggs, cigars, etc. In this motley crowd we spent the remainder of our second night."

From Sister Monica Corrigan's diary - "Trek of the Seven Sisters"