CHAPTER XII
PASSING CLOUDS
The life of man on earth, as well as the life of communities and nations, is a constant vicissitude of joy and sorrow; scarcely has a consolation been tasted, when the bitterness of sorrow, mingling with joy, deprives it of its sweetness. Grief and pleasure succeed each other as the waves of the ocean. Even those dwellings of peace where happiness is found, as perfect as it can exist on earth, form no exception to this rule. As children of Adam we must all submit to the inevitable, and in time of peace prepare for war. Our Carmelite community, reposing on the summit of its solitary Carmel of Maryland, was soon to be disturbed in the enjoyment of its tranquility by unforeseen events. Their benefactress Madame de Villegas de Louvrange, was no more; in the year 1803 she had followed her cousin to the grave. By her will she had left the sum of 21,625 florins, together with her jewels, to the Carmelites of Maryland. This was a gift of her cousin and herself. Contrary to her pious expectations, as well as those of her illustrious cousin, their heirs contested the will, and unfortunately it was declared null, the law, it seems, not acknowledging a will made to a community. It appears, however, that for some reason or other the Carmelites neglected to sustain their right to the money, for in a letter, dated from Brussels, June 6th, 1804, Mr. J. de Wagenier, complains that, although he had in the month of October, of the preceding year, informed them of the matter, stating that the heirs had placed it in his hands, and requesting them to
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vindicate their rights, he had so far received no answer from them. In this letter he repeats the request. Whether after this, the nuns took any steps in the matter, we know not. The will at all events was declared null. However, in the year 1805, the heirs offered by letter to pay them a portion of the amount, namely, about 2,722 florins, at 4 per cent. interest, on condition that the community would charge itself with three anniversaries mentioned in the will of Madame de Villegas de Louvrange. In 1806 a compromise was effected between Mr. de Wagenier and Mr. de Swerte, the lawyer who acted for the community, in virtue of which the Sisters obtained 5,000 florins, leaving them, after their expenses were deducted, a balance of a little more than 4,713 florins, which they received. The obligation of the anniversary masses was accepted.
Scarcely had this cloud passed over, when another, and a darker one, rose above the horizon. Father Charles Neale, like Archbishop Carroll, and several of his brother priests in Maryland, had been members of the Society of Jesus up to the time of the Suppression. Nations and their sovereigns had conspired against this Society. It was suppressed in Portugal in 1758, France followed the example in 1762, Spain and Naples in 1767, and Austria soon afterwards. Clement XIV, finding himself pressed on all sides, yielded to the fury of the storm, and by his brief of July 21st, 1773, Dominus ac Redemptor , suppressed the Society of Jesus. The sons of St. Ignatius became then like sheep without a shepherd, scattered over the world. Nevertheless they clung together in smaller bodies, patiently awaiting the day that would behold their resurrection.
In America several of the ex-Jesuits formed among themselves a temporary or provisional organization with a superior, who was clothed with the power of appointing the members of the associated clergy, to the different stations within the provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania.1
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1Clarke, Lives, etc
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With the permission of Pius VII, the Society of Jesus was revived in Russia in 1801. As soon as Bishop Carroll had learned of this, he begged the superior, Father Gruber, to re-admit the Fathers living in the United States. He added that the property of the Society was preserved almost intact, and that it would support thirty religious. The letter which the bishop and his coadjutor, Leonard Neale, wrote to this effect, is dated May 25th, 1803. They requested that Father Gruber would send a Father to be the superior of the American Jesuits. There were at that time only thirteen Jesuits in Maryland, and nearly all broken with age and missionary toils. Father Gruber allowed them to re-enter the Society, and Fathers Robert Molyneux, Charles Neale, Charles Sewall and Sylvester Boarman, availed themselves of the permission. Father Molyneux was appointed superior.1 This was in 1805.2
Of course the hearts of the Carmelite Sisters were filled with joy at the happiness of their beloved Father; but if it is true that every cloud has a silver lining, it is no less certain that in this valley of tears joy is frequently followed by sorrow, and thus it was in this case. The new superior, Father Molyneux, thought of removing Father Charles Neale to another position, by appointing him master of novices. The good Sisters addressed a letter to Father Molyneux, earnestly entreating to be allowed to retain their spiritual Father. To this they received the following reply:
ST. THOMAS MANOR, June 15th, 1806.
Honoured Madam,
Your kind but truly afflicting letter of last Friday was faithfully delivered by Moses. Afflicting to me, as much as the subject on which it dwells is to yr Reverence and yr virtuous community. Yr fervent and earnest supplications for retaining with
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1 De Courcy, Shea. 2 Clarke.
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With great respect and esteem, I remain,
Yr Reverence's most obedient and humble servant,ROBERT MOLYNEUX, S.J.
It had been suggested that the novitiate of the Society should be established near the Carmelite monastery in Charles County.
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This plan, however, was entirely disapproved of by the Bishop, as we learn from his letter. He writes thus:
B ALT RE., June 29th, 1806.
Revd and hond Madam.
Your esteemed favour of the 19thof this month was found by me here at my return from a long excursion on the 26th. It contained information very material to your most religious community, neither known before or suspected by me, but which was confirmed by other letters received at the same time. I do indeed consider myself bound to bestow a particular and paternal solicitude and tender regard on the Spouses of Jesus Christ, who have committed all their dearest interests to the care of their ecclesiastical Superiors; and such was my opinion of the usefulness of the Rev. Mr. Neale to your community that I long since, indeed ever since his arrival abandoned all thoughts of assigning any employment to him incompatible with his services to you. But he is no more at my disposal, his regular Superior may require his removal without consulting me, and it seems he has exercised, or at least intends to exercise that prerogative, since without advising with me, he has adopted the resolution mentioned in your letter. Remonstrance and entreaty are all that is left to me, and these I have used in an address written yesterday, and which will be submitted to his consideration. Your prayers may give it an effect, which without them it probably will not produce. However, I could not reconcile it to my opinion to advise the settling of the Novitiate at Mr. Brooke's old mansion, for tho' I should be fully assured of the precautions of your religious prudence, not only against communication of any kind, but against every appearance of its possibility, yet the nearness of the two houses afford in such a country as this, an inexhaustible source for reproach, suspicion and calumny. The expedient which I have suggested for preserving to you Mr. Neale, is of a different nature; and perhaps it will make an impression on Mr. Molyneux, if he will only act from the impulse of his own judgment, and it be backed by a pathetic representation to him in your name and that of your community. To render these means more effectual, let me recommend to you to use some very persuasive argument to draw him to your house, where you might explain to him fully the disadvantages, which would inevitably ensue from Mr. Neale's departure.
Wishing most earnestly your deliverance out of your present embarrassment, and praying to Alm. God to grant his choicest
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blessings on yourself and your pious community; and presenting my particular respects to the Revd M. Sub-prioress, begging a share in the prayers of all. I am with high esteem and confidence,
Revd and hondMadam,
Yr most obed t St and Fr. in Christ,
J. Bispof Baltre.
P. S.—Mr. Beeston, now confined with gout, presents his respects to yourself and all the Ladies with you, and both of us offer the same to the Revd Mr. Neale.
This cloud of sorrow soon passed away; for Father Molyneux, yielding to the entreaty of Bishop Carroll, did not insist on the removal of Father Neale, so that the Carmelites had the happiness of beholding their beloved director still longer in their midst. Witness the following letter:
Reverend honoured Mother,
I remit the enclosed consolatory, and very polite and courtly letter of our good and condescending Bishop. I submit to his will in yr favor, tho' perhaps something is due to me, from having recommended Fr Neale to our Genl as a fit person to direct our Noviciate. I congratulate you on the event, and hope yr pious prayers will amply supply for yr gain and our loss in the services of your Fr. I remain in haste,
Rd and honoured Madam,
Yrs and Communitys most obdt and h. servant,
R. MOLYNEUX , S. J.
July 14th, 1806.
Father Molyneux appointed Father Neale Vice-Superior over all the Jesuits in Charles and St. Mary's Counties, as we learn from the letter we here insert:
To REV. F. CHARLES NEALE.
Rev. Dr Fr.
I think it expedient in my present situation to appoint you Vice Superior over all our Brethren in Charles and St. Mary's
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Cys, with all the powers, spiritual and temporal, granted to me by the Genl of the Society of Jesus, and do hereby appoint you as such.
If you have any instruction for the Master of Novices, send them forward. Take care to secure payment for my horse and Sulky, also the debt due to College from Mrs. Hagan, to whom I write by this opportunity. My respects to Rd Mother, etc. Adieu in haste,R OBT M OLYNEUX, S. J.
Oct. lst, 1806.
P. S.—The Noviciate begins l0th day of this month, Feast of S. Francis Borgia.
You may begin at the same time and pray for the happy issue of this first beginning. But you must come hither to make yr profession.R. M.
Rev. Chas. Neale made his vows as a professed Father of the Society of Jesus, in the Church at Georgetown, before a numerous assembly, on November 13th, 1806. The relations between the Carmelites and the Jesuits continued to be of a very friendly nature. The following interesting letter will prove this:
G EORGETOWN, 2nd, 1807.
Reverend Mother,We received by the means of the Revd Mr. Pile & George King the promised vestment in the best order; with what joy, it is not easy to describe. The present is the more valued by our grateful Novices, because it comes from the holy Mount Carmel. They all, & I especially wish for an opportunity of testifying the sentiments of our liveliest gratitude by something more than words; if ever Providence puts it in our power to do so, there is none among us, who shall not think himself happy. In the meantime I am confident, St. Ignatius will not let himself be overcome by the generosity of St. Teresa, & he will be no less concerned towards the promoting of her faithful Daughters, than she was for the advancement of this little Society whilst in life.—I am very grateful for your Reverence's letting me know the news concerning these three friends of mine, & I take the liberty of joining here a letter for Sister Mary Theresa, to whom I beg your Reverence to be so kind as to send it, whenever an occasion
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offers— Revd Father Molyneux sends his kindest regards to the Revd Mother; he knows pretty well what has become of the Cassock because it renders him very good services.
With regard to the terms agreed to, there shall be nothing wanting, & Mt. Carmel shall always have in our Annals the first rank among the benefactors of our Noviceship. I finish by recommending myself & our little flock to your Reverence's, & holy Community's pious remembrance. Thus it will come to pass, that so many fervent servants of God lifting up their hands in holy prayers, the Soldiers of Jesus Christ will prove victorious against his enemies.
Believe me to be with the highest esteem & liveliest gratitude, Reverend Mother
Your most humble, & grateful servant
ANTHONY KOHLMANN, S. J.
Revd Father Molyneux, jointly with Father Epinette, & the other Reverend gentlemen present to the Revd Fr. Neale, the Revd Mother, & her pious Community their most respectful civilities.
P. C. Being called to Alexandria in this moment, I cannot send the letter for Ster Mary Theresa but after some days.
In the year 1807 the Community was visited by death, for the third time since its existence. Another of the foundresses, Sister Mary Eleonora of St. Francis Xavier, Mathews, niece of Mother Bernardina, departed this life, October 28th, 1807, in the 50th year of her age, and the 20th of her religious life. She died quite suddenly of heart disease. Having retired at night in her usual health, she was found next morning dead on her couch, her face resting on her crucifix.
God, however, raised up new members to supply the place of those, whom in course of time, it would please Him to call from this life to eternity. The year that witnessed the death of Sister Eleonora, beheld also the admission into the Order of Sister Euphrasia of the Infant Jesus, Mudd, and the following year, that of Sister Ursula of St. Albert, Mudd. In 1807 Mother Clare Joseph wrote to England: "We are twenty in community; sixteen professed, three lay-Sisters, and two strong, healthy, robust, pious, well-disposed choir novices of
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such a stamp, as I confide, will prove fit props to keep up all our holy observances. . . . We expect shortly another novice who bears a very excellent character." The same letter gives us some further information concerning the state of the community. "Without rent or revenues,"she writes,"we depend on Providence, and the works of our hands, productive of plentiful crops of wheat, corn and tobacco, a good mill supplying our large and healthy community with every necessary of life. . . . We raise a large stock of sheep, yielding a considerable quantity of wool, black and white, which we spin and weave, to clothe ourselves and negroes. The situation of our monastery is pleasant, rural and healthy, being on the top of a high hill. We have excellent water and a very extensive enclosure, containing near three acres of land. The place is solitary, suitable to our eremitical Order. We are seldom troubled with visitors, their curiosity being long since satisfied, so that we are left in peace and without molestation from any quarter, though it is to be feared we shall not continue to enjoy our accustomed tranquillity, if England and this country should unfortunately commence a war, which is at present in debate. . . . We shall endeavor to avert this blow, in all appearance dreadful to the welfare of this country, by storming heaven, soliciting the help of all your good and fervent prayers, that no such misfortune may befall us. I hope Bonaparte's reign is expiring; we hear that he has lost his army in a battle with the Russians, who have gained a considerable victory over him." She also asks the English nuns to send her breviaries, diurnals, crucifixes, beads, pictures, etc.
Another difficulty arose about the same time, from the fact that the property of their mill, situated at a short distance from the convent, was disputed.
A letter, dated at Lanherne, March 18th, 1808, brought the news of the death of the old friend and benefactress of the American Carmelites, Sister Teresa of Jesus, Coudrey. She died at Lanherne, on March 3d, of the same year, having been twenty-five years a professed Sister of the Order. She
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remained a warm friend of the foundation in America, and kept up to the end a correspondence with her Sisters in Maryland.
From the following letter of Father Molyneux, we learn the condition of the Novitiate at Georgetown :
G. T. C., Feb. 23rd, 1808.
Honoured Madam,
P. C.1
I profit by the favorable opportunity of my good & trusty friend Dicks, coming down to visit his wife & children to salute yr Reverence, & all & every one of your holy Community, & to thank you & them for the share I & mine have enjoyed in yr pious prayers & Religious exercises for the prosperity & increase of our little Society. Our Novices also salute you. Four of whom are going through the second year of the Study of Theology—namely, two Fenwicks, Spink, & Eddin, four others are employed in teaching the classes, Greek, Latin, French, Writing, Arithmetic, & Mathematics—five others are strictly confined to the Exercises of the Noviceship under the care of the Revd Father Francis Neale, & Anthony Kolhman, Father Epinette is the Professor of Divinity, Spiritual Father, & Instructor of our young Students: he is the Chaplain of the latter, & I of the Novices. We have also two Lay Brothers in the 2nd year's Noviceship, one is the Clerk, the other our Cook, two also in the first, one a good Carpenter, the other a shoemaker, besides Br Mobbery, who is at St. lnigoe's in quality of Catechist, & House Steward. There are two other postulants for the same degree.—We are at present in good health, & I have reason to thank God, that all appears to go on with edification, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.
I have been thus particular knowing it will afford much comfort to yr Revce & all yr good and worthy subjects, to whom & everyone I send my blessing, & most respectful compliments, & have the honour to remain
Yr & their
Most humble & obedient Servant
R OBT M OLYNEUXP. S.—Good Dick is desirous of delivering this with his own hands to afford him an opportunity of begging some of yr choicest
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1Pax Christi: The Peace of Christ
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garden seeds, also grafts of your best fruit trees as peach, apple, & cherry. Respects to Fr. Charles etc. . . . Tell him we want wheat, & money, & everything, St. Thomas can send us. Domine Salva nos, perimus.
The circumstances of the College at this time are such, as Dick cannot be spared to enjoy his intended Visit. I wish all good religious persons wd be willing with the same humble resignation to submit to unforeseen disappointments.
R. M———x.
On the 21st of June, 1808, two Sisters made their profession. They were Sister Anastasia of St. Joseph and Sister Euphrasia of the Infant Jesus. The name of the former was Teresa Bevins. She was the daughter of Henry Bevins and Rebecca Cook, and was born in Montgomery County, Maryland. She made her profession in the 24th year of her age. Sister Anastasia became a very exemplary religious. Sister Euphrasia of the Infant Jesus, who made her profession on the same day as Sister Anastasia, was Ann Mudd, a native of Charles County, Maryland, and daughter of Henry Mudd and Aloysia Mahony, daughter of Basil Mahony. She was twenty-six years old when she made her profession.
Towards the close of the year 1808 Sister Ursula of St. Albert was added to the number of professed religious of the Order of Mount Carmel in Maryland. Her name was Rebecca Mudd. She was a daughter of Clement Mudd and Mary Pidgeon, daughter of John Pidgeon. She made her profession on the 8th of December, 1808, in the 34th year of her age.