Letter from Lorance to PF, [Algiers]
Algiers
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Letter from Lorance, vicar apostolic, to PF. Lorance wants to express his gratitude and consolation that was within the letter sent by PF on 12 December last year. This should have ended the problems with the Trinitarians and the English consul, however this is unfortunately not the case. When the discalzed Trinitarians arrived on 21 March, they publicly announced in the presence of the divan that it was false, and made up by Lorance. They also stated that they had never heard of Cardinal Altieri [Paluzio Altieri, the PF prefect], PF, Father Ferdinando d'Alva, the pope, or the vicar; they had only heard of Divan d'Algery. This led to the rejection of his request by the Dey, to detain money from the alms to pay for the debts of Sig'r Gianola [Giuseppa Giannola?]. At least 4,000 piastre are in the hands of the Trinitarians, but are meant for this purpose. The Trinitarians and the English consul gave gifts to the Dey, for which they now receive help in return. The Trinitarians also have Trinitarians passports, and the money was actually meant for the ransoming of slaves. PF still allows the collected alms to be used to pay for the debts of Giannola. Lorance wants PF to give him a letter that will protect him against the Divan, and he wants the Trinitarians to pay the 4,000 piastre. It is also important that PF confirms the authority of the vicar over the Trintarians; the discalzed Trinitarians staying in Algiers claim that they can errect altars in the houses they are staying in, celebrate mass, confess, and do all the functions independently from the vicar and bishop, in every part of Christendom. Dominico Lassari (the nephew of the pope), has finally been ransomed for 800 piastre da otto reali; 260 had been paid by bis brother and the pope, 30 by the Discalzed Trinitarians, and the rest 200 scudi came from the alms of the Trinitarians. He has included a letter by the same Lassari.
Additional comments
Lorence
APF SC Barbaria 1, 124r-125r
no date
[Adressed to PF]
original; signed
Italian
Letter
877
Origin: [Algiers]
Destination: Rome
Letter from Lorance to PF, [Algiers]
Algiers
Ransom
Slaves (Christian)
Trinitarians
Letter from Lorence, vicar apostolic, to PF. Last September Lorence sent two priests away. One of them is member of the Trinitarian order, and is named Gioan Antonio Vello. He had been the administrator of the hospital for nine years. At the end of his time, he had aquired a debt of 40,000 otto reali, though there were not any specific reasons for such spending; the only reason seems to be that he was involved in commerce. In Spain there is a priest of the same order, who paid a big part of the debts of Vello, through his fortune aquired in the wool industry. After this, Vello was sent to Spain. He later returned to Algiers were he organized great banquets for his friends, which caused a big scandal. The other priest is a certain Giovanni di Santa Maria, a Minor Observant. He once released 38 Portuguese, five of whom died, and the others left together with Giovanni to Livorno, on 23 November of this year. This all happened thanks to the king of Portugal who gave Lorence and the English consul 12,968 pezze da otto. Giovanni had debts for around 3,000, but they paid some creditors so that he and the freed slaves could leave. However, both Giovanni and Vello lived scandalous lives, and tried to take possessions from the slaves. Lorence asks PF to impede their return, and to write to the king of Portugal. There are still 11 Algerian vessels that raid other ships, and most raids happen on the oceans, and not in the Mediterranean.
Additional comments
Lorence
APF SC Barbaria 1, 71r-72v
no date
[Adressed to PF]
original; signed
Italian
Letter
876
Origin: [Algiers]
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of the priests of the Lescar diocese, [1622-1648]
France (missions in)
Petition on behalf of several priests of Calvaire, Bétharram, in the diocese of Lescar, requesting permission to establish a congregation of 24 priests under the title of the Blessed Virgin of the Mount Calvary. 15 years ago a miraculous image of the Virgin was discovered at the foot of the mountain of Bétharram, and since then so many pilgrims have visited, that with their donations a church and hostel (for pilgrims) was built, as well as houses for the priests. The congregation of secular priests was established by the bishop, with the approval of the king under the name of Mount Calvary of Bétharram. They are also asking for permission to celebrate mass one hour before daybreak and one hour after midday, and to also solicit charity donations throughout the kingdom without being molested. The petition is undated and unsigned.
Additional comments
The diocese of Lescar is in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
Several priests from Lescar
APF SOCG 199, 124r, 137v
[1622-1648]
Addressed to PF
Original, unsigned and undated
Italian
Petition
265
Origin: [Calvaire]
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nuncio to France [Bernardino Spada] to the PF prefect [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1627-02-02, Paris
Cardinal rings
Cardinal Spada informs PF that the archbishop of Paris is heir (but not beneficiary) of the late Cardinal de Retz, and that he could perhaps be "lured" to pay the fee for his late brother's cardinal ring (which had not been paid) by way of a brief from the pope, which would do him honor, especially since he (the archbishop) seems well disposed toward "Rome." The note on the back indicates that PF did not deem a brief appropriate, but instead charged Cardinal Bentivoglio to send the archbishop a letter to this effect, and entreated Cardinal Spada to also work himself on convincing the archbishop, considering that he (Cardinal Spada) had had great success in convincing another French cardinal to pay the fee for his ring (i.e. Cardinal de Sourdis). Cardinal Spada was also asked to remind Cardinal de La Valette to honor his promise to pay his fee as well, if he wants to please PF, following the example of other French cardinals who paid their own. The second part of the letter/note refers to Gabriel Sionita's planned travel to Rome and request for supporting funds (granted by PF only to a max. of 100 scudi).
Date discussed 1627-03-08
Additional comments
a) Cardinal Spada was leaving the French nunciature that year. b) Other cardinals who had not paid for their rings according to the "constitution" of Pope Gregory XV are mentioned in other documents, together with the nuncio's efforts to extract the money. See for instance "Cardinale della Cueua" in SOCG 129, f. 3-3v/note6v (letter by the nuncio from Paris, 15 April 1627). Josef Metzler discusses the matter in "Foundation of the Congregation 'de Propaganda Fide' by Gregory XV," in J. Metzler, ed., Sacrae Congregationis de Propaganda Fide Memoria Rerum, vol. I/1 (Herder: Rome, Freiburg, Vienna, 1972), 79-111, here 99-100. Metzler notes that "most of the Italian Cardinals were prompt in making their offering" but that there were difficulties with the French. Metzler mentions that Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal de Sourdis eventually paid at the end of 1624, and de Sourdis even paid double, i.e. 1,000 scudi. For these cases, Metzler cites APF Lettere vol. 2 (1622-1623), f. 29v, 49r, and 64r-v. NB: The "constitution" of Gregory XV (1622) established that the fees traditionally paid by the heirs of the deceased cardinals for their cardinal rings be turned over to PF; a later decision by PF (same year) stated that current cardinals should feel free to make their payment in advance in order to support PF; and that, in the future, newly created cardinals would have to pay their fee to the PF on the day they were appointed (Metzler cites APF Acta vol. 3 (1622-1625) f. 5v-6r).
Bernardino Spada
APF SOCG 129, 2r, 7v
1627-02-02
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 4, 219 (database item 43).
Original; signed; Italian note on 7v in Italian and Latin.
Italian
Latin
Letter
1
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from Bernardino Spada to the PF prefect [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1627-05-10, Paris
Cardinal rings
Cardinal Spada informs PF that his efforts with the archbishop of Paris (regarding the cardinal ring fee issue) had the same effect as those of the former nuncio to France, Cardinal Bentivoglio. Spada says that details about the latter are attached, but the attached file does not directly follow the document (see Additional Comments). The rest of the letter deals with Gabriel Sionita's travel to Rome.
Additional comments
a) Cardinal Spada was leaving the French nunciature that year; b) the attached "details" are probably SOCG 129, f. 41r, 46v (database item 3).
[Bernardino Spada]
APF SOCG 129, 10r, 16v
1627-05-10
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 4 214r, 219r (database item 43).
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
2
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nuncio to France [Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno] to the PF prefect [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1627-07-16, Paris
Cardinal rings
The new nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, lets PF know that the solution suggested by PF in a letter from 20 May 1627, namely to collect the fee for the ring of late Cardinal de Retz via litigation with the owners of his goods, would be too difficult and costly. Instead, he tried to convince the archbishop of Paris to pay the fee out of "liberality" and for the sake of the pope and PF. The archbishop promissed to do so, but with a delay of "several months." The nuncio accepted the promise without rushing the archbishop to fulfill it by the time of the following PF general meeting; the nuncio is going to follow up with the archbishop in order to make sure that he pays the fee.
Date discussed 1627-08-13
Additional comments
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 129, 21r-v, 28v
1627-07-16
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
APF SOCG 129 & APF SOCG 130 passim
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 4, 219 (database item 43).
Original; signed; Italian note in Italian and Latin.
Italian
Latin
Letter
4
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from François Veron to the PF secretary [Francesco Ingoli], 1627-08-26, Paris
Other secular missionaries
France (missions in)
François Veron's reply to PF's response regarding his proposal to establish a Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith in France; he also wants to send a book he wrote on the method of disputing against heretics.
Additional comments
The PF note on 82v indicates that a reply was sent on 19 September 1627.
François Veron
APF SOCG 129, 79r-v, 82v
1627-08-26
Addressed to [Francesco Ingoli]
Original; signed; Latin
Latin
Letter
5
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, to the PF prefect [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1627-09-26, Paris
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, recommending CM in support of its first 1628 petition for approval by PF.
Date discussed 1627-11-05
Additional comments
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 198, 115r, 122v
Published and analyzed by A. Coppo in "Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. 'De Propaganda Fide,''' in Annali della Missione 80:1 (1973): 222-255, here 248-255. Coppos' transcription of the main text is faithful to the original, with some words modernized. For discrepancies between the original text of the notes on 122v and Coppo's transcription, see attached file.
1627-09-26
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
22
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Blaise Féron to Urban VIII [1627]
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Petition on behalf of Blaise Le Féron on behalf of CM, requesting its confirmation by PF as a mission. Approved by PF in November 1627.
Additional comments
As noted by Coppo, an additional "memoriale" was probably attached to this petition, which detailed the faculties requested for the missionaries ("infrascritte"); the "joined memo" is also noted on 374v. That document is missing. Coppo argues that it is very unlikely that the said "memoriale" was the 1625 founding contract of CM or the act of approval of that contract by the archbishop of Paris. See A. Coppo, 'Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. 'De Propaganda Fide,'' in Annali della Missione 80:1 (1973), 222-255, here 233.
The date and place are taken from the duplicate, see: SOCG 198, 116r, 121v (database item 23).
Blaise Féron
APF SOCG 387, 370r, 373v
Published in full (including the PF notes) and analyzed by A. Coppo in "Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. 'De Propaganda Fide,''' in Annali della Missione 80:1 (1973): 222-255, here 225-233. For minor discrepancies between the original and Coppo, see attached file.
[1627]
Addressed to Urban VIII
See duplicate: APF SOCG 198, 116r, 121v (database item 23).
Original; not signed; not dated; Italian
Italian
Petition
29
Origin: [Paris]
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Philippe-Emmanuel de Gondi to PF [1627]
Capuchins
France (missions in)
Galleys
Summary of petition submitted by Philippe-Emmanuel de Gondi, count of Joigny, general of Triremes, requesting PF to grant the Capuchins the license to hear confessions on the land of Joigny, because the inhabitants of the land are ignorant of religious matters and there are no other members of reformed religious (orders) to educate them.
Date discussed 1627-04-16
Additional comments
Philippe-Emmanuel de Gondi
APF SOCG 387, 142r, 148v
[1627]
Addressed to PF
See for a similar petition by the general: APF SOCG 129, 140r-141r (database item 6).
For the pope's rejection of the request: APF ACTA 4, 208, 237 (database items 42 and 45).
For the approval APF ACTA 17, 64 (not in this database).
Contemp. copy; not signed; undated; Italian
Italian
Petition
28
Origin: [France]
Destination: Rome
Letter from François Veron to the PF secretary Francesco Ingoli], 1628-03-04, Paris
Other secular missionaries
France (missions in)
Letters from François Veron relating news on heretics in France and requesting the support of PF for his congregation. The note indicates that PF was going to advise Veron to start by approaching the nuncio for support, and that the nuncio's approval of his person and activities were instrumental in the matter.
Additional comments
[François Veron]
APF SOCG 131, 56r-63v
1628-03-04
Addressed to [Francesco Ingoli]
Originals; signed; Latin and French; PF notes in Italian
Latin
French
Letter
20
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nuncio to France [Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno] to the PF prefect [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1628-05-26, Paris
Cardinal rings
The nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, writes to Cardinal Ludovisi about various matters; among which is the "cardinalizio" (cardinal ring fee) of Cardinal de Retz, which the archbishop of Paris had promised to pay the previous summer. The nuncio says that all he has received so far were kind words, but that he will do everything possible to obtain "facts."
Additional comments
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 130, 34r, 35v
1628-05-26
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
7
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nuncio to France [Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno] to the PF prefect [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1628-06-21, Chives
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, to Cardinal Ludovisi accompanying the first CM petition asking for approval of the congregation by PF in 1628. The nuncio strongly recommends the CM missionaries and their "Institute." The first part of the letter refers to other matters (i.e. Protestants being tolerated too much in Poschiavo and in Lower Engadine by Monsieur de Mesmin).
Date discussed 1628-08-22
Additional comments
The letter was written "di Chius nel Campo sotto la Roccella" (Chives, the army camp below La Rochelle, during the siege of that city).
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 130, 44r-45v
Part of letter relevant to CM published in P. Coste, ed., Saint Vincent de Paul: correspondance, entretiens, documents (Paris: 1920-25), vol. 13, doc. 67. The English translation (available in P. Coste, ed., Saint Vincent de Paul: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents (Brooklyn, NY: 1985-2010), vol. 13a, doc. 67.) is not based on Coste's initial transcription but on the text published and analyzed by A. Coppo in "Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. "De Propaganda Fide,"' Annali della Missione 79:3-4 (1972): 37-65, here 42-44 (because Coste's version has a few discrepancies from the original). Coppo's text is faithful to the original with two exceptions: a) it gives "Poschiano" instead of "Poschiauo" (Poschiavo) in the first paragraph of the letter (not related to CM); and b) the ommission of one redundant word. Place names are modernized both in Coste (English edition) and in Coppo.
1628-06-21
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
Original letter, signed, Italian
Italian
Letter
9
Origin: Chives
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nunico to France [Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno] to the PF secretary [Francesco Ingoli], 1628-07-23, Chives
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, accompanying two letters from King Louis XIII recommending CM to Pope Urban VIII and to the French ambassador to the Apostolic See, the count of Béthune. The nuncio's letter serves to introduce the king's letters but also to reiterate the nuncio's support for CM.
Date discussed 1628-09-05
Additional comments
a) Written at the camp at Chives, below La Rochelle, during the siege of that city;
b) The king's letters mentioned by the nuncio are not included in this SOCG volume. Coste published their texts based on copies found in Paris; the originals are missing;
c) The PF note on 57v consigns the matter to PF general of 5 September 1628, but Coppo thinks this might be a mistake, since CM was not discussed on 5 September, but on 25 September.
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 130, 54r, 57v
Main text published in P. Coste, ed., Saint Vincent de Paul: correspondance, entretiens, documents (Paris: 1920-25), vol. 13, doc. 70. The PF notes on 57v were published and analyzed by A. Coppo in "Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. 'De Propaganda Fide,''' Annali della Missione 79:3-4 (1972): 37-65, here 44-45. For discrepancies between the original and the published texts (only one word in Coppo), see attached file.
1628-07-23
Addressed to [Francesco Ingoli]
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
12
Origin: Chives
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of CM Superior Vincent de Paul to Urban VIII, 1628-08-01, Paris
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Second petition on behalf of CM requesting approval in 1628; it repeats the demands of the first petition and adds two new clauses (singled out in the PF notes on 62r). The additions underline that: a) the priests would do their work free of charge; and b) the superior would have powers of decision regarding the selection, dispatch, and dismissal of members from CM.
Date discussed 1628-09-25
Additional comments
The second 1628 petition for the approval of CM and the related letters of recommendation from the nuncio, king, and queen of France were not discussed together with the first petition on 22 August 1628, but two PF meetings later, on 25 September 1628, most likely because of post delays. Coppo wonders if Secretary Ingoli might have intentionally left aside these newer materials, even if they arrived before the 22 August congregation (see A. Coppo, 'Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. 'De Propaganda Fide'', Annali della Missione 79:3-4 (1972), 37-65, here 50), but there is no evidence to that effect other than the relation showing that Ingoli had already reached a (negative) conclusion about the matter before the meeting of 22 August (see database item 10).
Vincent de Paul, Jean de la Salle, Jean Bécu, François du Coudray, Antoine Portail, Louis Callon, Jean Dehorgny, Joseph Brunet, Antoine Lucas
APF SOCG 130, 60r-63v
Main text in P. Coste, ed., Saint Vincent de Paul: correspondance, entretiens, documents (Paris: 1920-25), vol. 1, doc. 28.; note published and analyzed in A. Coppo, "Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. 'De Propaganda Fide,''' Annali della Missione 79:3-4 (1972): 37-65, here 53-55. For minor discrepancies between the original and the text published by Coste, see the attached file.
1628-08-01
Addressed to Urban VIII
See for the letter from the nuncio to France to Cardinal Ludovisi, accompanying this petition: APF SOCG 130, 59r, 65v (database item 13).
Original; signed; Latin note also in Latin
Latin
Petition
14
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, to [Ludovico Ludovisi], 1628-08-15, Chives
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Petitions for faculties
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, to Cardinal Ludovisi, accompanying the second 1628 petition for the approval of CM. The nuncio reiterates his support for CM, and defers to Cardinal Ludovisi the decision about the form and content of the faculties requested by CM.
Date discussed 1628-09-25
Additional comments
Written at the camp at Chives, below La Rochelle, during the siege of that city.
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 130, 59r, 65v
Main text in P. Coste, ed., Saint Vincent de Paul: correspondance, entretiens, documents (Paris: 1920-25), vol. 13, doc. 71.; note published and analyzed in A. Coppo, "Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. 'De Propaganda Fide,''' Annali della Missione 79:3-4 (1972): 37-65, here 55-57. For discrepancies between the original and the published texts, see attached file.
1628-08-15
Addressed to [Ludovico Ludovisi]
See for the petition itself: APF SOCG 130 60r-63v (database item 14).
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
13
Origin: Chives
Destination: Rome
Letter from Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno to the PF secretary [Francesco Ingoli], 1628-08-17, Chives
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, to PF Secretary Ingoli accompanying: a) a letter from the reigning queen (Anna of Austria) recommending CM to French Ambassador de Béthune; b) the second petition in 1628 for PF approval of CM; and c) the nuncio's own recommendation addressed to Cardinal Ludovisi. In this letter to Ingoli, the nuncio shortly mentions that the "missionaries" want "something more" and that he strongly recommends the matter to Ludovisi. The first part of the letter refers to a different matter (an Arabic typeset requested by the PF printing house).
Date discussed 1628-09-25
Additional comments
a) Written from "the camp below La Rochelle", probably Chives;
b) The queen's letter is missing.
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 130, 66r-v, 73v
Main text and note published and analyzed in A. Coppo, "Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. 'De Propaganda Fide,''' Annali della Missione 79:3-4 (1972): 37-65, here 57-59.
1628-08-17
Addressed to [Francesco Ingoli]
Original; signed; Italian; written in the nuncio's own hand.
Italian
Letter
15
Origin: Chives
Destination: Rome
Letter from the nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, to the PF secretary [Francesco Ingoli], 1628-09-11, Chives
CM petitions
France (missions in)
The nuncio to France, Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno, lets Secretary Ingoli know that he would be disappointed if the matter of CM would not amount to a successful conclusion. He asks that PF at least send a "handful of articles" for these good priests, who otherwise would be too afflicted if they heard about the total rejection of their wish.
Date discussed 1628-10-17
Additional comments
a) Written from "the camp below La Rochelle", probably Chives;
b) PF note on 71v indicates that the nuncio's letter was brought to discussion in PF general congregation of 17 October 1628. Evidently the letter was received by Ingoli after the meeting of 25 September 1628, when the second petition of CM was discussed and rejected;
c) Coppo points to the familiar tone of the letter, which suggests that the relations between the nuncio and Ingoli were very cordial; this also explains the confidential suggestion to at least gather a "handful of articles" to apease the "good priests." Coppo assumes that, at the time when he wrote this letter, the nuncio had not yet received the letter from PF (dated 1 September, located in Lettere Volgare 7, f. 119r-v (database item 38)) which let him know about the cardinals' decision to reject the first petition of CM, which had been taken in the general meeting of 22 August 1628.
Giovanni Francesco Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 130, 68r-v, 71v
Main text and note published and analyzed in A. Coppo, "Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. 'De Propaganda Fide,''' Annali della Missione79:3-4 (1972): 37-65, here 59-61. There is only one discrepancy between the original and the published text: "afflitti" (f. 68r) is transcribed by Coppo as "affetti" (p. 60).
1628-09-11
Addressed to [Francesco Ingoli]
Original; signed; Italian; written in the nuncio's own hand.
Italian
Letter
16
Origin: Chives
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Brother Léonard to PF [1628], Paris
Capuchins
France (missions in)
Petition on behalf of Brother Léonard. Faculties requested by the provincial of the Capuchins from the Paris province, so that their mission in that province may continue with good results, according to the suggestions of the nuncio to France. The first clause asks for the renewal and extension of the papal bull giving them the right to bring their mission not only to the heretics but also to the Catholics, especially for hearing confessions. The fifth clause asks for the right to exercise these faculties everywhere in the province, except for the most important cities and towns. The sixth and last clause mentions that all conditions are subject to approval by ordinaries. The note on 41v summarizes the document and adds, regarding the fifth clause, that it was included in order to "not allow the Capuchin missionaries to hear confessions everywhere."
Date discussed 1628-06-20
Additional comments
Letter signed "F. Leonardus" (probably Father Léonard of Paris).
Brother Léonard
APF SOCG 130, 40r-v, 41v
[1628]
Addressed to PF
Original; signed; Latin; PF notes in Italian and Latin.
Latin
Italian
Petition
8
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of CM Superior Vincent de Paul and other CM members to Urban VIII [1628], Paris
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Petition on behalf of Vincent de Paul and the first CM missionaries to Pope Urban VIII for the establishment of their congregation; a note on 52v shows that the request was presented by Cardinal Bentivoglio in the PF general meeting of 22 August 1628.
Date discussed 1628-08-22
Additional comments
Vincent de Paul, Louis Callon, François du Coudray, Antoine Portail, Jean de la Salle, Jean Bécu, Antoine Lucas, Joseph Brunet, Jean Dehorgny
APF SOCG 130, 49r-51r, 52v
The main text, in the original Latin, was published in P. Coste, ed., Saint Vincent de Paul: correspondance, entretiens, documents (Paris: 1920-25), vol. 1, doc. 26. Part of the main text ("conditiones") was translated into Italian and the entire PF note was published in the original Italian by A. Coppo in "Documenti inediti per la storia della Congregazione della Missione, presso l'archivio della S. C. "De Propaganda Fide,''' Annali della Missione 79:3-4 (1972): 37-65, here 39-41. Coste's transcription is faithful to the original with the exception of minor discrepancies, most of which were probably generated by the scanner (see attached file).
[1628]
Addressed to Urban VIII
Original; 8 signatures; seal (detached, enclosed); main text in Latin; PF note in Italian.
Latin
Italian
Petition
11
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Christophe Authier to Urban VIII [1633-1648], Brignon
Christophe Authier
France (missions in)
Petition asking the pope to confirm the establishment of the Congregation of Priests and Missionaries of the Clergy (Congregatio Parochorum et Missionariorum Cleri), and the election of Christophe Authier as its director. Attached is a copy of Salvatoris Nostri (the papal bull confirming CM as a religious congregation in January 1633). The PF note on 123v refers to CM rather than to Authier's congregation and it dates its foundation incorrectly ("della qual è capo D. Vincenzo di Paul p'te secolare e fù fondata in Parigi dell anno 1632"). The other notation on f. 123v is "S. Croce."
Additional comments
a) Written sometime between 1633 and 1648 in Brignon (Dax diocese); and b) neither Vincent de Paul, nor CM are mentioned in Authier's petition, but a copy of Salvatoris Nostri (the bull confirming CM in January 1633) was attached to it (the two are written in the same hand, and on the same kind of paper).
Christophe Authier
APF SOCG 199, 111r-123v
[1633-1648]
Addressed to Urban VIII
Original; not signed; undated; Latin; PF notes in Italian
Latin
Italian
Petition
25
Origin: Brignon
Destination: Rome
Letter from Father Hyacinth to PF [1633]
CEC
Letter from Father Hyacinth to PF in which he asks for "communication... of all the typesets and books in foreign languages [possessed by PF], and.. the matrixes of certain typesets, which do not exist in France, assuring that he will do the same with all the characters and books that are printed in France." The PF notes on 80v mention that the letter was given to Cardinal Onofrio [Antonio Barberini Sr.] in the PF meeting of 12 July 1633; further another notation reads: "to be done." For the original Italian of cited fragments see attached file.
Date discussed 1633-07-12
Additional comments
Father Hyacinth was probably in Rome at that time. See: APF SOCG 199, 81r-92v (database item 59).
Father Hyacinth
APF SOCG 199, 80r-v
[1633]
Addressed to PF
Original; undated; Italian
Italian
Letter
58
Origin: [Rome]
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Father Hyacinth to PF, [1633]
CEC
Capuchins
France (missions in)
Conversion
Petition on behalf of Capuchin Father Hyacinth, requesting PF's confirmation of the "Company of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross," which he had established in Paris with the approval of the archbishop of Paris, with the main goal of converting heretics. A PF note on 169v indicates that the matter was assigned to Cardinal Spada for presentation at a PF meeting.
Additional comments
Father Hyacinth
APF SOCG 393, 139r-v
[1633]
Addressed to PF
Italian
Petition
266
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Petition on behalf of Father Hyacinth to PF, [1633]
Capuchins
Levant
Petition on behalf of Father Hyacinth to PF requesting 20 new missionaries for the mission in the Levant, in order to replace the ones who are sick.
Additional comments
Father Hyacinth
APF SOCG 393, 170r-v
[1633]
Addressed to PF
Petition
267
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Letters from CEC to Father Hyacinth, 1633, Paris
CEC
Series of letters from members of CEC to Father Hyacinth, who was in Rome at that time, trying to get CEC approved by the pope. The letters were presented to Cardinal Honuphrius in PF general meeting of 12 July 1633. See attached file for an extended summary and the transcripts of three letters.
Date discussed 1633-07-12
Additional comments
All letters in the same hand; including signatures; the first letter is in Latin; the rest are in Italian.
Ives Vignal; Cordemoy; Corbin; Germani; Ragueneau; Mahaut
APF SOCG 199, 81r-92v
1633
Addressed to Father Hyacinth
Original; signed
Latin
Italian
Letter
59
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Two reports from CEC to PF, 1635-03-02, 1635-03-20, Paris
CEC
Conversion
France (missions in)
Two reports on the activities of CEC, most likely written by Father Hyacinth. The first report lists 30 cases of conversion and is dated 2 March 1635; the second gives additional examples of CEC activities and results thereof, and is dated 20 March.
Date discussed 1635-05-28
Additional comments
CEC
APF SOCG 199, 96r-110v
1635-03-02, 1635-03-20
Addressed to PF
Original; Latin
Latin
Report
62
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from Claude Bouthillier to PF, 1635-07, St-Germain-en-Laye
CEC
Conversion
France (missions in)
Letter containing a copy of King Louis XIII's approval of CEC and its right to make use of the pope's confirmation brief, which had been sent on 5 June 1634. The document itself is an Italian translation of a letter from the king’s councillor and secretary of state Claude Bouthillier, seemingly addressed to PF; it reports that the king, on 4 July 1634 in St Germain-en-Laye, approved "the establishment of a congregation under the name of the Exaltation of the Saint Cross, instituted for helping the conversion of heretics and for the assistance of the newly converted" (f. 94r; for the Italian version of this excerpt, see the attached transcription).
Additional comments
Written after in July 1635 (after the 4th).
Claude Bouthillier
APF SOCG 199, 94r-v
1635-07
Addressed to PF
Translated copy; signed
Italian
Letter
60
Origin: Germain-en-Laye
Destination: Rome
Report sent to PF [1639], Paris
Other religious orders
Capuchins
France (missions in)
Report on the "state of missions in the Province of Paris," with no particulars given (seems to refer to the Capuchins). Classification of types of missions. Folded inside the first folio there is another folio (same paper, same handwriting) on the mission in Canada, to which Father Hyacinth was appointed as superior; then a paragraph on the mission in England. A paragraph at the end says that the approval for the mission in the Province [of Paris?] expires this July and needs extending for another ten years. A separate folio with names of missionaries and other details is mentioned, but that folio is missing.
Date discussed 1639-07-18
Additional comments
In the middle there is a folded folio with a map of the Mediterranean basin and its surroundings, showing centers "taken" by the Province of Paris and the Province of Touraine, especially in the Middle East. The map (or at least the explanatory note accompanying it) seems unfinished.
APF SOCG 199, 333r-v, 338v
[1639]
Addressed to PF
Original; not signed
Latin
Report
66
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Report from Christophe Authier to PF [1640 or 1641]
Christophe Authier
Mission reports
France (missions in)
'Report on the progress of Christophe Authier and his companions in France'. Detailed reports of the two missions mentioned in the previous letter (on f. 345r, 346v (database item 67), as well as six others. On f. 386r there is a testimony by the bishop of Valence in support of Authier's missions, written in Valence on 13 July 1641.
Additional comments
Written in either 1640 or 1641.
Christophe Authier
APF SOCG 199, 353r-387v
1640-1641
Addressed to PF
See for references to some of the same missions: APF SOCG 199, 345r, 346v (database item 67).
Original; sign.; Latin; summary of main ideas in margins by PF
Latin
Report
68
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Letter from Joseph Marie de Suarès to PF, 1641-05-24
Christophe Authier
France (missions in)
Conversion
The bishop of Vaison informs PF about the "spiritual progress and great results" of the "secular priests associated in a congregation called of the Missionaries, which is very useful to the Church, both for the conversion of heretics, and for the propagation of piety and devotion vis-à-vis the Holy sacraments," which he hears is also the case in neighboring dioceses. One of these priests, whom he brought to Vaurias and who has been preaching, hearing confessions, and teaching catechism, has made a great impression on the people and [thanks to him], the heretics are more easily converted. The bishop is ready to serve the faith and follow the decisions of PF in all matters etc.
Additional comments
Despite the name confusion ('a congregation called of the Missionaries'), it seems that this document is in reference to the congregation of Christophe Authier, rather than that of Vincent de Paul. In support of his congregation, Authier started a rather vigorous campaign in the early 1640's: for instance, he had the bishops of Vason, Valence, Aix, and others send letters to PF recommending him and his companions. By comparison, CM had a much weaker campaign in the late 1620s.
Joseph Marie de Suarès
APF SOCG 83, 432r-v, 443v
1641-05-24
Addressed to PF
Other documents related to Authier are also in this volume (requests for the confirmation of his congregation, written by Authier himself; requests from PF to the nuncio for information on Authier's and his associates' character; edict by the bishop of Valence referring to the "Congregation of Missionary Priests" [Authier's congregation] according to which nobody can take minor or sacred orders unless they spend 20 days under the discipline of these priests; and the statutes of this congregation (f. 434v-439v and ff). Authier also requests apostolic confirmation of his congregation in a letter (treating other subjects as well) written on 1 October 1641: APF SOCG 83, 374r, 384v (not in this database).
Original; signed; Italian; the note on 443v is only a summary with no additional information from the PF
Italian
Letter
71
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome