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CHAPTER XIV.
ARCHBISHOP MARÉCHAL.
Before his death Archbishop Neale had requested the Holy
See to appoint Mr. Ambrose Maréchal, a priest of St. Sulpice, as
his coadjutor. The request was granted, and by a brief, dated July 24th,
1817, Pius VII appointed him coadjutor to the Archbishop of Baltimore, with
the title of Bishop of Stauropolis. Meanwhile, however, Archbishop Neale
had died, and Father Maréchal had become administrator of the diocese.
He was born at Ingre, near Orleans, about the year 1766. Having, in deference
to the wishes of his parents, first studied law, he afterwards entered the
Society of St. Sulpice, at Orleans. The revolution in France drove him from
his country, and lie embarked for the United States with Fathers Matignon,
Richard and Ciquard. He was ordained on the eve of his departure from France,
and celebrated the Holy Sacrifice for the first time in Baltimore, where
he arrived June 24th, 1792. Having first labored in the ministry be became
in 1799 professor of theology at the seminary of Baltimore. In 1803 he returned
to France, in obedience to his superiors, but came back to America in 1812.
Having been appointed to the See of Philadelphia, he escaped this honor,
but only to receive a greater one.
In the year that Archbishop Maréchal became the
successor of the venerable prelates, Carroll and Neale, Miss Juliana Sewall
entered the Order of Mount Carmel, taking in religion the name of Ambrosia.
126
Archbishop Maréchal.
127
On her application for admission into the Order, Mr.
Maréchal, then administrator of the diocese, wrote the following
letter to the Prioress:
BALTIMORE,
4th October, 1817.
Revd
Mother,
Not only I most willingly authorize your worthy
director, the Revd Mr. Ch. Neale to examine Miss Juliana
Sewall, I even beg you to present him my best respects and request him
in my name to perform that important office. For, I am sure, no body can
do it with more prudence and discretion than this venerable gentleman.
The last time I went to Georgetown, I intended to push
my journey as far as Mount Carmel. I rejoiced at the idea of having the
consolation of seeing the daughters of St. Teresa in the United States
exhibiting the same examples of fervour and piety which have illustrated
so many convents of Carmelites in Europe. But unfortunately some unexpected
business deprived me from having this satisfaction. The feast of your
foundress is drawing near; will you have the charity on that day to recommend
me and the diocese to the particular prayers of your saintly community
?
In compliance with the laws of the church I will send
to his Holiness in a month or two an account of the present state of the
diocese of Baltimore. It would afford great pleasure to the Vicar of J.
C. to know that there is a convent of Carmelites in this country, and
to have an accurate description of it. Could you do for me what the Revd
Supr of the Visitandines of Georgetown has done? If
you be pleased to look at the following sketch,1 it will guide
you about the points I wish most particularly to know.
The Revd Mr. Bruté is now
at Emmittsburg—on his return I will beg him to write to you.
I remain respectfully, Revd Mother,
Your
humb. Servt.
A.
MARÉCHAL, V. G.
About this time the Carmelite nuns in America entered
into correspondence with their Sisters in France. The storms of the French
Revolution and the Napoleonic wars had
__________
1The sketch in question accompanied the letter.
128
Carmel in America
subsided,
and the French religious were returning to their convent-homes. The original
Carmelite monastery, founded by Blessed Mary of the Incarnation, and situated
in the Rue d'Enfer at Paris, had been restored, and other convents had been
established at the Rue Casini and Rue Vaugirard in the same city. Mother
Clare Joseph corresponded with these three houses, the first that were opened
in France, after the Revolution. She requested them to send her rosaries,
crucifixes and other articles of devotion that could not be obtained in
this country. Her request was favorably received, and the French religious
generously divided their little store of articles of devotion with their
American Sisters, and even made collections of money for the American foundation.
In the year 1817 the Sisters Of Mount Carmel in Maryland
received a letter from Sister Teresa of Jesus, of the Carmelite Convent
of the Rue d'Enfer at Paris. The writer expressed her joy at hearing that
there were daughters of St. Teresa in America, and that, as they had been
informed by Mr. Bruté,1
they were such a source of edification to the country. The same religious
sent their American Sisters, through Mr. Brute, a life of Blessed Mary of
the Incarnation, with her relics and the relics of St. Teresa. In the same
letter they write as follows: " You will learn with pleasure, I think,
dear Reverend Mother, that we have in France more than twenty reunions of'
our Order, and also novices and postulants." They also express the
hope that the return of Louis XVIII to France would afford protection to
their Order. In another letter the writer complains that although the Sisters
were not so poor as those in America, nevertheless they were in a worse
condition as regarded the number of members; for she adds that the Revolution
had destroyed everything, even the interior spirit.
_____
1Mr. Bruté had also forwarded letters to France for
the Carmelites of Maryland
Archbishop
Maréchal. 129
The bulls, by which Archbishop Marechal was appointed,
reached Baltimore, November 10th, 1817, and be was consecrated by Bishop
Cheverus of Boston, on the 14th of December following.
A letter written by him a few days later to the Mother
Prioress of the Carmelites, was probably an answer to a congratulatory letter
on her part. It reads as follows:
BALTIMORE,
19th Xber, 1817.
Revd
Mother,
Although I do not deserve the praises contained in
your letter, still under one respect they were agreeable to me; because
they proceed from your great charity, and give me hope that you and your
saintly community will draw upon me the blessings of heaven by your fervent
prayers. And if I stand in need of the grace of my Saviour, on entering
into my formidable office, how much more shall I not want it when the
endless cares and difficulties that attend the administration of such
an extensive diocese shall press upon me? Continue then, my dear and Reverend
Mother, to raise your hands to the throne of Divine Mercy in my behalf,
as long as it shall please God to keep me in this miserable world. You
have my leave to receive the three persons mentioned in your favour. For
I presume that such is the state of your temporal affairs that you can
support them, without exposing your community to any danger. The laws
of the church are very strict on that subject. They forbid us to permit
that religious communities should ever receive more nuns than they can
maintain; lest for want of temporal means persons bound by solemn vows
should be forced to separate and go again into the world
.
... But such is my opinion of your prudence and wisdom, that I grant you
without any fear the permission you solicit. Be pleased to present my
respectful compliments to the Rd Mr. Ch. Neale, whom
I authorize to examine the young ladies above mentioned.
I
remain with respect,
Revd
and Dr Mother,
Your
obt. & humb. Servt,
+
AMB., Arch. Balt.
Among the three young ladies, mentioned in the preceding
letter, were probably the Misses Jamison and Smith, who entered the Order
in 1818.
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Carmel in America
In 1818 Archbishop Marechal wrote the following letter:
GEORGETOWN,
23d August, 1818.
Revd
Mother,
I feel truly happy to inform you that I have obtained
from the Holy See the privilege of organizing in your chapel an association
of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. You will receive herein enclosed
many papers relative to the first kind of devotion. It is very proper
that you should conform yourself, as far as possible, to the various instructions
they contain, although many are rather directive than obligatory. As to
the devotion to the Heart of Mary, the Mother of God, they did not send
me any rules about it. So you will be under the necessity of having recourse
to some books of piety which treat on that devotion. Whilst you and your
saintly sisters shall pour forth their fervent prayers in the presence
of Jesus and his Blessed Mother, I hope their charity will prompt them
to remember him who remains with a tender and respectful affection,
Their
obt. humb. Servt.,
+
AMB., Arch. Balto.
P. S.-My respectful compts to your good and amiable
director. I hope he is as merry as ever.
A few days after the receipt of this letter, Mother Clare
Joseph Dickenson sent an answer to Georgetown by Rev. Francis Neale. It
reads as follows:
MOUNT
CARMEL, Aug. 26, 1818.
Most
Reverend Sir,
I received with joy and gratitude your Reverence's
much esteemed favor, with the enclosed grants handed me by the Revd Mr.
Kolhman, there seems not to be any Diploma sent by the Congregation of
Rites, which aggregates us to the Arch Confraternity at Rome; but I suppose
it was not judged necessary. I return your Reverence many grateful thanks
for all the pains you have taken in procuring us these grants, and be
assured that your Spiritual Daughters of Mount Carmel will ever most cheerfully
perform their duty in recommending your Reverence to Almighty God in the
best manner they are able. All of them join me in presenting their respects,
begging your Paternal Benediction and a share in your holy Sacrifices.
Archbishop
Maréchal. 131
Some time past I wrote to our worthy friend, the Revd
Mr. Whitfield, expressive of our grateful sentiments for his and your
generous present of wine received on the 10th of July last. I hope the
letter reached him and that your Reverence will kindly assure him of the
prayers and good wishes of his Spiritual Sisters. Our good Father sends
his kind respects to your Reverence; he is much as usual, greatly troubled
with pains and infirmities he bears with uncommon patience and cheerfulness.
I have had the pleasure and advantage of knowing him for almost 40 years,
and in all this time he has never changed, consequently I may say he is
as merry as ever.
Our Sister Ambrosia1will, in all probability,
be admitted to her religious Vows some time in October next. I recommend
her to your holy prayers that she may prove herself a worthy Daughter
of St. Teresa.
With
true esteem, and most profound respect,
I
remain,
Most
Reverend Sir, Your Reverence's most humble and most
obedient
Servant and Daughter in X.,
SR.
CLARE JOSEPH OF THE SACRED HEART,
F.
DICKENSON.
Sister Teresa of Jesus, Juliana Sewall, made her vows
on the 26th of October, 1818, in the 20th year of her age. She was born
in Georgetown, D. C., and was the daughter of Clement Sewall and his wife
Eleanor Carberry, daughter of John Carberry. Her father had been one of
General Washington's staff officers during the Revolutionary War, and was
very dear to the General, as the following incident proves. He was once
wounded in battle, and the commander-in-chief stopped on the battlefield
until his officer's wounds had been attended to. Juliana herself was a pet
of General Washington, who often held her on his knee during her infancy.
Her mother died when she was about twelve years old, and feeling her loss
very keenly, she begged the Blessed Virgin to be her mother, thus imitating
the great Teresa of Jesus, whose name she was destined to bear. The Blessed
Virgin was always faithful to her trust. One day, when Juliana was about
four
__________
1Miss Juliana Sewall.
132
Carmel in America
teen,
she went to take a walk, in company with some young children. They wandered
on, without reflecting on the distance, when, about dusk they found themselves
on an unfrequented road, at a considerable distance from home. Looking towards
a hill, just opposite to where they were walking, they beheld a figure dressed
in white, and of a very grave and majestic appearance, who motioned to them
to advance no farther. Startled by the apparition, they immediately retraced
their steps. When they related to their parents what had happened to them,
it was found they had been in a very dangerous locality, and it was thought
that our Blessed Lady had sent them a warning. Be this as it may, Juliana
was always thankful to her heavenly Mother for her protection. Sceptics
may smile at the idea of supposing this to be in any way preternatural,
but for us, who know that God has given his angels charge over us, it need
not be surprising.
Juliana Sewall possessed a frank and candid nature, and
a warm and generous disposition. She united a loving heart to a strong and
masculine intellect, another trait of similarity between herself and the
great St. Teresa. She was fond of pleasure, enjoyed society, and was much
sought after, but while she was still young, the grace of God touched her
heart, and she heard His voice calling her to a higher vocation.
When she was about sixteen, a ball was given at the White
House, during the administration of President Madison, and all the surviving
officers of the Revolutionary War had been invited. To her father, Major
Sewall, who, as we have seen, belonged to the staff of General Washington,
and was the oldest surviving officer, belonged the honor of opening the
dance; but as he was unable to attend, Juliana went in his stead to represent
the family. She enjoyed the distinction, for she was to open the first dance
with a senior officer. The moment had arrived, but, to the disappointment
of her partner, she could not be found anywhere. Search was made for her,
and she was finally discovered on her knees in a corner of the dressing-room,
whither she had repaired to
Archbishop
Maréchal. 133
recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, which she had been accustomed to
say daily, but which had been forgotten on this day, until it occurred to
her mind in the ball-room. After her prayer, she joined the dancers with
her accustomed gayety.
The immediate occasion of her entering the convent appears
to have been the following incident which she herself relates. She was called
to attend the funeral of an intimate friend, a young lady of remarkable
beauty, whose death had been a severe blow to her. The cemetery was at some
distance from her home, and the coffin that contained the mortal remains
of her friend was borne the entire distance, as was then the custom, upon
the shoulders of pall-bearers. By an unforeseen accident, the coffin slipped
from the hands of the bearers, and the body of the dead girl, clad in its
white robes, was thrown out upon the roadside. Miss Sewall was so deeply
impressed by the sight of the dead body, that she immediately resolved to
enter the religious state.
A strong obstacle, however, opposed the accomplishment
of her noble desire of consecrating herself to God ; she was at the head
of her father's household, and had a younger sister who needed her care.
But she was one who could overcome any difficulty that might present itself.
She used a strange means to reach her end. In order to be freed from the
duties that kept her at home, she tried to persuade her father to enter
into a second marriage. But be, perfectly contented with the manner in which
things were going, and having no suspicions of her intention, was unwilling
to yield to her advice. However she prevailed upon him, and after due consideration,
he made choice of a partner, who was, in every way, suited to be a mother
to his young daughter, and to contribute to his own happiness. Juliana then
avowed her intention of becoming a nun, and her father, though deeply grieved,
gave his consent.
Father Francis Neale, her confessor, in his letter to
Mother Clare Joseph, petitioning for her entrance into the monastery, says:
"She is the favorite child of her father; he sees more sense and judgment
in her, than in any other of his children."
134
Carmel in America
Having entered religion, she received the name of Teresa; a name that had
been borne by her aunt, Sister Teresa Carberry, the first novice who had
joined the community, and whose memory was held in benediction by all.
On January 18th, 1819, two Carmelites, Sister Ambrosia
of the Heart of Mary and Sister Stanislaus of the Infant Jesus, made their
vows. Sister Ambrosia, whose name in the world was Catherine Jamison, was
born in Frederick County, Maryland, of Leonard Jamison and Mary Smith, daughter
of Leonard Smith. From her earliest years she showed great signs of piety
and love for holy things, and always remained a person of remarkable innocence
and simplicity of character. When quite young, she was sent for her education
to St. Joseph's Academy at Emmittsburg, which was then presided over by
Mother Seton, the venerable Foundress of the Sisters of Charity in the United
States. Sister Ambrosia always esteemed it a great favor from God to have
been placed under the care of this holy woman, who prepared her for her
First Communion, and planted in her young soul the seeds of virtue. Amongst
other pious practices, Mother Seton taught the children under her care,
whenever they received any new article of clothing, to say a Hail Mary,
offering the garment to our Blessed Lady and begging her protection whilst
wearing it. This little custom Sister Ambrosia observed until her death,
and frequently inculcated it to the young religious. Miss Jamison entered
the convent in her 18th year, full of life and health, and possessed of
much natural grace and beauty. As she had been very delicately brought up,
she felt keenly the austerities of the observance; although she was animated
with great courage to endure them for the love of God.
The companion of Sister Ambrosia, who also made her vows
on the 18th of January, was Miss Mary Smith, in religion; Sister Stanislaus
of the Infant Jesus. She was born in Frederick County, Maryland. Her parents
were Joseph Smith and Teresa Jamison, daughter of Henry Jamison.
Archbishop
Maréchal. 135
Although her father loved her tenderly, he, nevertheless,
courageously sacrificed her to God, and even conducted her himself to Carmel.
She entered the convent at the age of seventeen, and was so frail and delicate
in appearance that the Sisters exclaimed when they saw her: " Why has
Mr. Smith brought this little creature here to die?" She had never
been able to observe the abstinence prescribed by the church, and the negro
maid, who waited upon her in her father's house, had orders to follow her
from one room to the other with a pillow, lest she should become weak and
faint. However the air of Mount Carmel seemed to give her health and strength
; she was at once found able to follow the regular observance, and she continued
to practice the fasting and abstinence of the rule, until after fifty years
of religious life.
Like her cousin, Sister Ambrosia, who had entered the
novitiate with her, she had received her education at St. Joseph's Academy,
Emmittsburg, and always entertained the deepest sentiments of love and gratitude
for Mother Seton. This venerable Mother had a great esteem and affection
for her two children, and not long before her death wrote them these few
lines: "Now, dearest children, who called me mother so often, and so
tenderly in our dear Lord, show your truly compassionate love and help my
poor soul, so soon to meet its last judgment: pray for it now and when it
is gone. Yours, E. A. S. in Christ;"
The little slip of paper, on which the foregoing words
were written, was preserved as a precious treasure, and whilst praying for
the soul of Mother Seton, our good sisters often besought her intercession
before God.
A few months after the profession of Sisters Ambrosia
and Stanislaus, Sister Barbara of St. Joseph, with whom we have already
become acquainted, made her profession. Her name was Grace Fenwick-Neale,
widow of Mr. Edward Neale. She was born in St. Mary's County,, Maryland,
and was the daughter of Edward Fenwick and Ann Webb, daughter of William
Webb.
136
Carmel in America
From her earliest childhood she bad desired to be a nun,
and had promised our Lord, that if it were ever in her power, she would
enter the religious state. As there were no convents in this country, and
circumstances prevented her going abroad, she was unable to accomplish her
design, and being strongly urged by her family to accept the addresses of
Mr. Edward Neale, she, at length, gave him her hand in marriage.
When the monastery was founded in Charles County, she
went to visit the community, and was so deeply impressed by what she witnessed,
that all her early desires were renewed, and she promised again to our Lord,
that if she were ever free she would retire to the cloister.
It pleased our Lord in a few years to call her husband
to Himself, but she was left with a young babe that needed a mother's care.
She then said to our Lord: "You have taken my companion, but what am
I to do with this infant?" The child died within six months, and she
saw in this second bereavement another proof that our Lord required her
to sacrifice all earthly ties and enter religion. She had been left executrix
of her husband's estate and guardian of her children, so that business affairs
and other necessary arrangements detained her in the world a few years longer.
Having taken the advice of learned and spiritual men,
she determined to follow the call of God, and confided her children to the
care of her brother-in-law, Mr. Robert Brent. Her heart was rent with grief;
but she consummated the sacrifice with the greatest generosity. For her
children, the sacrifice was hardly less great than for their mother. They
could not at first resign themselves to giving up one they loved so tenderly.
Finding all their entreaties in vain, her two eldest sons intercepted the
carriage, in which she was driving from home, and threw themselves across
her path, so that she could not proceed on her way. But, like another Saint
Chantal, she remained firm, notwithstanding the agony her heart endured,
and her sons seeing that resistance was useless, allowed her to continue
her journey.
Archbishop
Maréchal. 137
While she was in the novitiate, the Archbishop, having
been informed of the matter, wrote the following letter to the Prioress:
December
27th, 1818.
Revd
Mother,
I rely so much on your great prudence and enlightened
piety, that I feel not the smallest difficulty in granting to Sister Barbary
the dispensation from the Divine Office you ask for. On that respect my
mind is perfectly easy. But I am told that she has left in the world young
daughters who might stand in need of her care and protection. Whether
it be the case or not, it is impossible for me to know. For it is manifest
she could not lawfully take her solemn vows, if truly her children were
exposed in consequence of them to any danger of loosing either their morals
or religion. Although I presume you and your good Father, the Rd
C. Neale, have been particularly attentive to see that the children may
not suffer on any account by the profession of their mother, yet it is
my sacred duty to invite you both to ponder again this important subject
before God. If after a mature examination you judge that these young daughters
are provided for, both as to their temporal and spiritual happiness, then
you may admit the mother to her solemn vows.
I rejoice to hear that Sister Ambrosia has made her
profession. I hope from her great charity that, although she laid aside
her name of probation for Teresa, she will not forget Ambrose
in her prayers and fervent communions.1
May Almighty God continue to shed upon your saintly
community the abundance of His grace, and may you all love and serve Him,
like the saints in heaven, with an always increasing fervour and perfection!
My best and sincere complts to your excellent Director.
I
remain respectfully,
Revd
Mother,
AMB.,
Arch. Balt.
__________
1To understand this remark of the Archbishop, the reader must
be informed that Miss Juliana Sewall had at first received the name of Ambrosia.
Being a niece of Sister Teresa, Carberry, the first novice professed at
Mount Carmel, she had desired to have the same name as her aunt, but could
not obtain it, as it was already borne by a novice. This novice, having
left the community during the course of the year, Miss Sewall's desire was
complied with, and she obtained the name of Teresa. The name of Ambrosia
was then given to Miss Jamison, who had originally been called Sister Isabella.
138
Carmel in America
The difficulties in her case having been settled, Sister
Barbara was allowed to make her profession on June 17th, 1819.
On the Feast of the Sacred Heart, June 18th, 1819, the
Confraternity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was erected in the church of
the Carmelite nuns. The sisters of the monastery were enrolled in it, and
in course of time many seculars became members. We find the names of the
following persons:
