CHAPTER XXIII.
CHANGES AND DEATHS.
Since 1834, Rev. Father Gildea, pastor of St. James' Church in Baltimore, had, with the assistance of some other priests, attended to the spiritual wants of the Carmelites, but finally the last hour struck also for him, and he died on the 18th of February, 1845. He had been chaplain of the Sisters during a period of great anxiety, and may be ranked among their benefactors in America. His successor in the spiritual direction of the convent was Rev. Hugh Griffin.
Mother Angela of St. Teresa had been prioress since 1836, that is during two terms, for reasons already mentioned. On April 14th, 1845, the elections took place again, and Sister Gertrude of the Visitation, Ann Bradburn, was canonically elected prioress. The Archbishop presided at the election.
The following year several presents of books and other useful articles arrived from Antwerp, whence they were sent by Mother Seraphina, the superioress of the Carmelite community of that city.
The Jesuit Fathers, who in years gone by had done so much for the Carmelites of Maryland, were still the friends of the community, as they have always remained. In the spring of 1846, Father Dzierozynski, with whom we have already been made acquainted, and who then resided at Frederick in Maryland, wrote the Sisters the following letter:
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FREDERICK, March 24th, 1846.
P. X.
Revd Dear Mother in Xt,
I return you our best thanks for the cuttings of your excellent grapes, which you had the kindness to send as by Dr. Miller— We already planted them. You will I hope, pray for their prosperous growth—And if Almighty God blesses them with the abundance of fruits, the good Novices of Frederick shall have a perpetual memorial of the kindness of Mt. Carmel, & will call them the Grapes of Mt. Carmel.
I hope Revd Dear Mother, & good Sisters, you do not forget to pray for us in Baltimore equally, as you kindly used to do, when at Mt. Carmel in Charles Co.
Please to present my best respects to your Holy Community, & recommend us to their pious, & fervent prayers. And believe me,
Revd Dr Mother,
Your most obedt. servant in Xt.,
FRANCIS DZIEROZYNSKI, S. J.
Bishop Fitzpatrick of Boston, coadjutor to Bishop Fenwick, wrote a few months later the following interesting letter to Sister Stanislas:
COLLEGE OF H. CROSS, WORCESTER, June 22nd , 1846.
My dear Sister Stanney,
Being away from Boston & out of the reach of so many persons who take up all my time when there, I have a little leisure to answer your last letter. I should have answered sooner had it been possible for me to do so. The principal desire which you have to hear from me is to receive news of Father Ben's health. But there is no occasion, I presume for me to say much on that subject now. I wrote to Stanney of Georgetown some weeks ago, in consequence of a terrible scolding which she sent me, & I suppose you are long since in possession of what I wrote to her, for she understands that what I write to her belongs equally to you, & that she is bound in justice to hand you over your share. The Bishop still continues in the same state as when I wrote last to Georgetown. He is comfortable save a severe smarting in his legs which makes him suffer occasionally, but which, though painful, is not dangerous. Present appearances give us a hope of
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enjoying yet for some time the presence of our good Father in the midst of us, tho' we cannot expect that he will again be restored to perfect health, except by the intervention of Divine Mercy which we must earnestly pray for. I came up here to the College on Saturday last, & shall remain until Wednesday, when I am to bless the new & splendid church which has lately been erected here. There will be a great number of priests present on the occasion, & it will be a fine ceremony, most glorious for the Church of our Blessed Lord. Whilst we poor fighting soldiers on the field of the world are engaged in contest with the enemy, I hope that you all to whom God has given the " better part " still keep your hands raised to heaven, praying for safety, & our success. Carmelites & Nuns in the solitude, & peace of the cloister can do much for the conversion of souls by their prayers, as priests, & Missionaries can, by their preaching, & labours. They can do even more. For nothing but Divine grace can enlighten & convert sinners & heretics, & this precious grace is drawn down from heaven by prayer, & not by preaching. Let then the children of Mt. Carmel pray devoutly, & constantly for the triumph of the Church, the extension of our holy faith, & the salvation of souls for whom our Dear Lord suffered death, & let them particularly invoke for this end the aid, & protection of the Immaculate Mother under whose care the church of the United States has lately been solemnly placed, & who can alone by her power destroy all heresies in the universal world. Yesterday was St. Aloysius day. I confirmed 23 of the students of the College, a more pious collection of youths I never saw, it was a delight to witness the devotion, & fervour manifestly pervading the candidates for Confirmation, & all the students of the Institution; they seemed to have received a large share of the spirit of their holy & angelic Patron St. Aloysius. Father Ben in establishing this College has done a great thing for religion & for the glory of God: May this with all his other good works secure to him a crown of unfading brightness in heaven.
You, & the Community must not feel hurt that I did not visit you on my last passage through Baltimore. I was not well as Mr. Spaulding can testify, & was quite unfit for visiting. We will try to do better another time, & I am sure you are too good natured to keep any rancour.
May Carmel's flowret never droop
Upon its chosen plain;
And earthward never may it stoop
Its purity to stain.
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With buds of promise may it teem
Like Aaron's mystic rod;
Until it flourish by the stream
Which laves the throne of God.
Remember us all to the prayers of the Community.
God bless you,
+ JOHN BERNARD, Coadj'r Bp. of Bn.
Only a short time after the above letter was written, Bishop Fenwick went to his eternal home. The episcopacy had been for him an honor and a burden; many were the trials he had to endure: it was during his government of the See of Boston, that the Ursuline convent at Charlestown, Mass., was laid in ashes. But finally the day had come when be could rest from his labors. For some time before his death he had suffered greatly and with much patience. He died on the 11th of August, 1846. His last words were : "In te, Domine, speravi, non confundar in aeternum. In Thee, 0 Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded."1 The Carmelites lost in Bishop Fenwick one of their early friends and the one who had assisted their lamented Father, Charles Neale, on his deathbed. Thus we all pass away, one after the other, from scenes of time to the eternal years.
On May 8th, 1847, Sister Louise of St. John Evangelist, Magdalen Peckocheck, made her profession. On the 24th of November, following, Miss Catherine Pendergast was also admitted to profession. Her religious name was Sister Seraphina of the Blessed Sacrament. She was born at Havre-de- Grace, Maryland, of Charles Pendergast and Ellen O'Brien, and she was in her 22nd year.
Some months before the admission of these two new members, one place had been left vacant by the death of Sister Martha of the Holy Cross, Bridget Larner. She died on the 10th of February, 1847, in the 47th year of her age, and the
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1See Clarke, Vol. 1.
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18th of her religious profession. She had been a useful and laborious lay Sister.
Having become afflicted with a cancer in the breast, she kept it concealed, bore her sufferings in silence and continued to perform her ordinary duties, so that no one suspected her condition. One day she received an accidental blow, and the great pain causing her to feel faint, the infirmarian inquired into her state, and she was thus obliged to reveal her disease. A physician was summoned, who declared that the cancer had reached an advanced stage, and that the Sister could not live six weeks.
It is not for us to judge the intentions of this good Sister, which no doubt were sincere and in good faith; but according to our opinion the concealing of such a serious malady, and one that may have such fatal consequences, can by no means be excused. The Sister will certainly be rewarded according to the purity of her intentions, but her example, though it may be admirable, ought certainly not to be imitated.
Sister Martha, having been informed of her condition, immediately began to prepare for death. She made a general confession, and afterwards asked pardon of every Sister for any pain or disedification she might have given her.
Contrary to the expectation of the physician her life was prolonged for eighteen months, during which time her great patience, recollection and union with God were a constant subject of edification to the community.
It is customary for the Sisters to keep a vigil in the choir until the burial of a deceased member, but poor Sister Martha fearing lest the offensive odor caused by the cancer would prevent her remains from being laid out in the choir, asked God to remove the obstacle, and He was pleased to hear her prayers, for the odor disappeared at her death, and the Sisters felt most happy and consoled whilst praying beside her mortal remains.
On the 25th of March, 1848, Sister Ann of Jesus, Miss Sarah Faherty, was admitted to profession.
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On the 14th of the following month the elections took place, and Mother Angela of St. Teresa was again elected prioress. Archbishop Eccleston presided at the election.
On the 21st of November of the same year Sister Alberta of St. Alexius, Miss Mary Jane Smith, made her profession. Miss Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pa., of John Smith and Mary Fisher; she made her vows in the 19th year of her age.
On the 24th of September, 1849, Sister Juliana of the Blessed Sacrament, Miss Mary Rebecca Cannon, made her profession. She was born in Baltimore, of Thomas Cannon and Harriet Tucker, and was in her 21st year. She was a convert to our holy Faith, and her vocation to the Order of Carmel met with great opposition, particularly from her father, who would never be reconciled to it and even refused to see her after her entrance into the convent.
Mother Gertrude of the Visitation, Ann Bradburn, who was sub-prioress, did not live to the end of her term; she died on All-Souls' Day, 1849, in the 49th year of her age, and the 31st of her religious profession. She had a great love for regular observance, and edified all by her many virtues.
Mother Gertrude was most careful to perform every action, no matter how insignificant, in the most perfect manner. She was deeply impressed by these words: "Cursed is he who doth the work of God negligently." Sometimes when she felt inclined to perform carelessly some little duty, such as sweeping her cell, the remembrance of those words would recall her to greater diligence.
For many years she taught in the school, but her exterior occupations never seemed to interfere with her interior recollection and her spirit of silence. After school hours she joyfully returned to the community, attended all the exercises and never failed to be present in choir at the night office. In the various positions of mistress of novices, sub-prioress and prioress, which she at different times occupied, she always gave great satisfaction and edification to the community.
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During the course of the same year the extraordinary confessor of the monastery, Rev. Father Deluol, left Baltimore to return to France, his native country. He was deeply regretted by his Carmelite children. Rev. Wm. Clarke, S. J., was appointed extraordinary confessor in his stead, and continued in this position until 1855.
Father Deluol continued to take a great interest in the Carmelites of Baltimore. He wrote them from Paris on February 14th, 1852: "Late in the hour as it is, still I'll venture to wish you a happy New-Year, with many returns of the same. And this wish which comes from the core of my heart, applies also to all and every member of your holy community, and not only my wishes, but my prayers, though poor, are offered up for you daily, particularly at the altar.—Now I must tell you an interesting fact concerning prayer—You know that in the last century Louis XV, King of France, had a daughter who became a Carmelite nun, under the name of (I believe) Mary Louise,—well her father, the King, made her a present of a splendid statue, at the foot of which was engraved in large letters, 'Regina Decor Carmeli.' She accepted of it; but after some time, she made a present of it to our community, namely, to St. Sulpice. This beautiful statue is placed on a high pedestal, in the midst of the park of our country seat, which is about three miles and a half from our grand seminary in the city of Paris—where we spend the whole time of our vacation from the 15th of August to the 10th of October—and the rest of the time of the year we go there every Wednesday. Every day during our vacation and every Wednesday during the rest of the year, I go on my knees before that precious Madonna, and breathe a prayer for my dear children of Mount Carmel of Aisquith St. Balto.—and each time I do it, it seems with a greater satisfaction."
On the 10th of October, 1849, Sister Martha of the Holy Cross, Cecilia Murray, made her profession. She was born in County Donegal, Ireland, of Hugh Murray and Ann Gallon.
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A few months later, on the 23rd of January, 1850, Sister Barbara of the Blessed Trinity, Mary Early, made her profession. She was born in County Donegal, Ireland, of John Early and Ann Martin.
It was in the Carmelite community as in every other community on this earth: as new members came, old ones departed; side by side with the record of professions we find the record of deaths. The typhoid fever made its appearance in the community. Sister Anastasia, the portress, had given a basket of provisions to a poor woman who had been ill of that disease. She herself caught it, and thus introduced it into the community. On the 2nd of March, 1850, Sister Ursula of St. Albert, Rebecca Mudd, fell a victim to the disease, at the very ripe age of 81, and in the 42nd year of her religious profession. She was remarkable for her love of poverty and obedience. She received the last Sacraments.
Fifteen days later, on the 17th of the same month, the death-knell was again heard. Sister Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Jane Hammersley, died, in the 73rd year of her age and the 56th of her religious profession.
Sister Joseph was a religious of great virtue, and particularly distinguished by her humility, always choosing by preference the lowliest occupations. More than fifty-five years had passed away since the young, wealthy and beautiful Jane Hammersley, whom the reader undoubtedly remembers, presented herself at Old Mount Carmel in Charles County, to beg for admission into the order, that gladly received her. During those long years Sister Joseph had given beautiful examples of virtue. She was animated with the greatest charity towards her Sisters, and was always ready to render them any service at no matter what cost to herself. She was very industrious, and even when she had grown old and had lost the sight of one eye, she still had charge of the clothing room of the community, an office the duties of which she most carefully fulfilled.
As we have already remarked, she had been very beautiful in her youth; in her old age she happened once accidentally
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to behold her face in a mirror: “Can this be Jennie Hammersley,” she exclaimed, “this wrinkled old woman!”
In her last illness she gave great edification by her patience and resignation. She was very devout to the Infant Jesus, the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. Before her death, which was caused by typhoid fever, she had the happiness of receiving the last Sacraments.
The next victim of the typhoid fever was Sister Austin of the Purification, Mary Bradford. She died on the 21st of March in the same year, in the 76th year of her age, and the 48th of her religious profession. She received the Sacraments of the dying with great fervor. She had been a very laborious and useful member of the community. From the time the epidemic broke out, she seemed to have a presentiment that she would be attacked by it.
Six or seven of the community fell sick of the disease, but only the three last mentioned succumbed. During this time of trial Dr. Ferdinand Chatard,1 the devoted friend and physician of the community, was untiring in his services. He visited the sick two or three times a day, and even late at night, when the danger was great. He did all he could for the relief of the sick and the help and comfort of the rest of the community.
Rev. Bernard Hafkenscheid, Provincial of the Redemptorists,2 who had lately come to Baltimore, was also a most
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1Among the first to make the acquaintance of the nuns in Baltimore was the eminent physician, Dr. Pierre Chatard, who gave his services gratuitously to the community and was indefatigable in his attentions as long as he lived. His son, Ferdinand, then came to fulfil the same kind offices to the Sisters, and proved himself in every way a devoted friend and father. Until advancing years compelled him to retire from active duty, he continued in regular attendance upon the community. About the year 1876, Dr. P. Chatard, Jr., became the physician of the convent, and shows himself the devoted and worthy successor of his father and grandfather.
2Father Bernard was born December 12th, 1807, at Amsterdam, in Holland. He entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, and was the most popular preacher of his time in his native country. He came to
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devoted friend of the community. He assisted the sick, gave them the consolations of religion and prepared them for their passage to eternity. He remained all night by the bedside of Sister Austin, whose agony was prolonged, and his saintly presence was a great comfort to the community.
On the 3rd of December, 1850, death once more cast a shadow over the community, when Sister Seraphina of the Blessed Sacrament, Catherine Pendergast, a young religious, lay cold and lifeless. She had been in religion less than four years, and was in the 26th year of her age.
Her years in religion were few, but they were filled with good works. She was very self-sacrificing, charitable and kind and most assiduous at labor. This love for work did not leave her even in her last illness. She was occupied in preparing some Agnus Dei, and continued sewing until the day before her death, hoping to complete the number proposed. When she had laid the last one in the box, she handed it to a Sister, saying that her work was now finished, and God would soon call her. She expected her end as calmly, as one would any ordinary event of this life.
She received the Last Sacraments with the most fervent devotion, and edified her Sisters by her silence, patience and resignation. She had a special devotion to St. John of the Cross and St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi.
During the course of the year 1850 a floral fair was held by some charitable ladies for the benefit of the Carmelite church and choir. The proceeds of this fair enabled the Sisters to have pews placed in their church, and to have the church and choir painted.
On March lst, 1851, Father Neumann, C. Ss. R., afterwards Bishop of Philadelphia, became confessor of the monastery. John Nepomucene Neumann was born at Prachatitz,
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America for the first time in 1845, and was appointed Provincial in the United States in 1850. After the expiration of his term of office he returned to Europe. He died at Wittem, in Holland, September 2, 1865. (Life of F. Bernard , Claessens.)
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in Bohemia, on March 20th, 1811. He came to America in 1836, and was ordained priest by Bishop Dubois, of New York, on the 25th of June of the same year. He had made his studies in his own country. After working for several years with great zeal in the secular ministry, he joined the Congregation of the Redemptorists in 1840. Seven years later he became Vice-Provincial of the Redemptorists in America, and in 1851, as we have seen, confessor of the Carmelites.
On the 11th of April, Sister Bernardina of St. Joseph, Catharine Ford, departed this life in the 63rd year of her age and the 39th of her religious profession.
She was noted for her spirit of charity, a virtue she especially exhibited in the office of Provisor, which she held for some time, being most thoughtful in attending to all the wants of the Sisters. During two years she endured a painful cancer, for which she had to undergo several operations. The physicians wished to place her under the influence of chloroform, but her love of suffering made her refuse this alleviation, and holding her crucifix in her hands, she said she needed no other help. The surgeon, who was a Protestant, was very much moved at the strength of mind she displayed, and he often said afterwards, that he had never seen such courage in any one. One of the Sisters of Charity, who stood by her side, wishing to take her crucifix after the operation, found it nearly imbedded in her hands, she had clasped it so tightly. Her patience in all her sufferings was heroic, nor was she ever known to utter a complaint. She always seemed united with God in prayer.
Sister Bernardina was characterized by a special devotion towards the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. Before her death she had the happiness of receiving the last Sacraments.
For several years Archbishop Eccleston had been in bad health. On one of his visits to Georgetown, where he had a residence near the Visitation Convent, his health became seriously impaired, so much so that all hope of recovery soon
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disappeared. He received the last Sacraments and died an edifying death, on April 22nd, 1851. Archbishop Eccleston was a man of varied learning, and an eloquent speaker. He presided at five of the provincial councils of Baltimore. Bishop Kenrick, of Philadelphia, celebrated the Mass at his funeral, and Bishop McGill, of Richmond, preached the sermon.1
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1 Clarke, Vol. 1.