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
French notarized copy of CM founding documents, 1627-08-12, Paris
CM petitions
France (missions in)
French notarized copy collating two earlier documents: a) the CM foundation act (17 April 1625); and b) its approval by the archbishop of Paris (24 April 1626). The collation was sent to PF with the aim of having CM approved as a mission in 1627.
Additional comments
Coppo reads the signatures as "Delatre" and "Gavot"; see 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 252.
Delatie
T. Gavot
APF SOCG 198, 117r-120v
The original French versions of the two documents compiled here (i.e., foundation act of 1625 and approval by the archbishop in 1626) are available in P. Coste, ed., Saint Vincent de Paul: correspondance, entretiens, documents (Paris: 1920-25), vol. 13, doc. 59-60. The 1627 notarized version sent to PF (as well as its Latin translation) are mentioned 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 247, and by Bernard Jacqueline, "Missions en France," in Sacrae Congregationis De Propaganda Fide Rerum, ed. by Josef Metzler, Vol. I/2 (1622-1700) (Rome, Freiburg, Vienna: Herder, 1972), 111-148, here 131. Jacqueline erroneously dates it 5 Nov. 1627, after the date of the PF general congregation when the material was discussed (as noted on f. 120v). The PF notes on 120v were published and analyzed by Angelo 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 253-255. The unpublished portion of the notarized document and the few missing lines from the PF note published by Coppo are in the attached file.
1627-08-12
Latin translation in APF SOCG 198, f. 111r-114v (database item 21).
Original; signed; French; PF notes in Italian
French
Italian
Founding documents
24
Origin: Paris
Destination:
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
Petition on behalf of Blaise Féron to Urban VIII [1627], Paris
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Petition on behalf of Blaise Le Féron, requesting the approval of the CM as a mission. Approved by PF in November 1627.
Additional comments
Blaise Féron
APF SOCG 198, 116r, 121v
Briefly mentioned as 'duplicate of Le Féron's petition' 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 247. The version published in full by Coppo on pp. 225-233 comes from PF SOCG 387, f. 370r, 373v. The differences between the two versions are negligible.
[1627]
Addressed to Urban VIII
This is a duplicate of the petition in APF SOCG 387, f. 370r/note373v (database item 29).
Original; not signed; Italian
Italian
Petition
23
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 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
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
Report from Charles de Bourlon to SCC, 1662-09-23, Rome
Soissons
France (missions in)
Visitation
Visitation report by Charles de Bourlon, bishop of Soissons, from 1662. CM priests are not mentioned. For Montmirail, only two priories mentioned, one run by Augustinians, another by Benedictines (f. 7r). The report only refers in some detail to ordinaries (as well as the city cathedral and such) and most of the issues enumerated at the end regard jurisdiction controversies or clarifications. (The attached file contains the beginning of the document only).
Additional comments
The document is signed "Carolus Episcopus Suessionensis." Charles de Bourlon was bishop of Soissons between 1656-1685.
Charles de Bourlon
ASV Cong.Concilio Relat.Dioec. 772, 1r-12v, issue 2
1662-09-23
Addressed to SCC
See for the response, dated 26 September 1662, in corresponding ASV: ASV Cong.Concilio, Libri Litter. Visit. SS. Liminum (not in this database).
Original; signed; Latin. Folios unnumbered in the original; this is the second document in the box.
Latin
Report
98
Origin: Rome
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 Christophe Authier to the PF secretary [Francesco Ingoli] [1640]
Christophe Authier
Mission reports
Conversion
France (missions in)
Letter referring to the success of two missions ordered by the bishop of Valence in Estoile (in spring 1639) and St. Giovanni di Reyan (fall-winter 1639 to January 1640). The bishop himself donated 200 scudi for this purpose. The missionaries taught the catechism, preached, made peace among enemies, converted heretics, heard general confessions and gave communion to people from those localities and many more who came from neighbouring places; one of these places, for instance, only had 1,500 inhabitants, but 7,000 were reported to have confessed and received communion there; of all, only four or five people did not make general confession. PF notes on 346v indicate that Christophe Authier is the author of the letter and also that the Cardinal of Santa Croce requested, on behalf of Christophe Authier, the apostolic confirmation of Authier's "Congregation of the Missions" in the Aix diocese and other dioceses in France. PF notes also show that the cardinals decided to send a letter to Authier, indicating that he should not establish missions in places where there already are other missionaries sent by PF.
Date discussed 1640-08-20
Additional comments
a) Based on the content of the letter and the date of discussion in PF, the letter was written sometime between January and August 1640; and b) According to PF notes on 346v, the author of the letter is Christophe Authier.
Christophe Authier
APF SOCG 199, 345r, 346v
1640
Addressed to [Francesco Ingoli]
See for references to the same missions: APF SOCG 199, 353r-387v (database item 68).
Original; not signed; undated; Italian
Italian
Letter
67
Origin: unknown
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 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
Petition on behalf of CM to Urban VIII [1640]
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Petitions for faculties
Petition for permission that CM priests may grant plenary indulgence to those who make general or particular confession, as well as indulgence for ten years to those who listen to their exhortations. The petition also requests that CM members receive the faculty to absolve sins (regardless of how great they are), to cancel or change vows (with the exception of the vows of chastity), to enter a religious order, and to make pilgrimage to Jerusalem and St. Jacob. Permission was also requested to allow CM priests to transmit faculties to their inferiors, or whomever they bring along in their missions.
Date discussed 1640
Additional comments
The Vincentiana edition was not consulted for the purposes of this database.
CM
APF SOCG 401 , 590r, 591v
P. Coste, ed., Saint Vincent de Paul: Correspondence, Conferences, Documents (Brooklyn, NY: 1985-2010), vol. 13a, doc. 85b (English translation); also in Vincentiana (see footnote in Coste).
[1640]
Addressed to Urban VIII
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 14, 17r, 23r-v (database item 146).
See also: APF SOCG 401, 587r, 594v (database item 155) and APF LETTERE 20 9v-10r (database item 157).
Original; unsigned, undated; Italian; no PF notes on the back
Italian
Petition
156
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Rome]
CEC founding documents from Jean-François de Gondi to PF, 1634-09-26, Paris
CEC
Capuchins
Conversion
France (missions in)
Collation of documents related to CEC, done by notary Delatie on 26 September 1634 for PF. The collation includes: a) a notarized confirmation by Jean-François de Gondi, archbishop of Paris, who is to be superior, president, and moderator of the said congregation, given in Paris, 6 May 1634 (f. 71-72v); and b) the constitutions and statutes of the CEC (f. 72v-77v), including nine chapters on the aims of the congregation, its internal organization, and the election of officials; the original had been signed by the archbishop of Paris.
Additional comments
The documents mention that the CEC was instituted on 14 September 1632 at the initiative of "Pater Frater Hyacinthus Presbyterus predicator ordinis Fratrum Capucinorum Sancti Francisci," who had converted many heretics in Paris (congregation formed by Hyacinth "et alii’"-names not mentioned in this doc.), under the name "Congregatio Exaltationis Sanctae Crucis."
Jean-François de Gondi
Delatie
APF SOCG 199, 71r-78v
1634-09-26
Addressed to PF
Contemporary notarized copy; copy of original sign. and original notary signature; Latin
Latin
Founding documents
Statutes
56
Origin: Paris
Destination:
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
PF decree concerning Authier's congregation, 1647-04-01, Rome
Christophe Authier
France (missions in)
PF decree concerning the statutes of Christophe Authier's congregation in Valence.
Additional comments
Francesco Ingoli
APF SOCG 199, 166r
1647-04-01
See for the actual statutes and follow-up notes: APF SOCG 199 167r-174v (database item 197) and APF SOCG 199 165r-v (database item 199).
Original; signed; Latin and Italian
Latin
Italian
Decree
27
Origin: Rome
Destination:
Notes by PF secretary [Francesco Ingoli] about the CM [1628], Rome
CM petitions
France (missions in)
Summary of Vincent de Paul's petition for approval of CM, with PF Secretary Ingoli's (unfavorable) opinion on the matter; Cardinal Bentivoglio was charged to present the matter in the PF general meeting of 22 August 1628.
Date discussed 1628-08-22
Additional comments
This document questions the idea put forth in P. Coste, Saint Vincent de Paul: correspondance, entretiens, documents (1920-25) vol. I, doc. 26 (footnote) that the rejection of the petition was due to Cardinal Bentivoglio's "unfavorable report." It seems that Ingoli had made up his mind about the request before charging Bentivoglio with the matter, or in any case before the PF general meeting of 22 August 1628. See the corresponding minutes in ACTA. See also Coppo's comments 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 47, 49-51.
Francesco Ingoli
APF SOCG 130, 47r-48v
Main text published in P. Coste, ed., Saint Vincent de Paul: correspondance, entretiens, documents (Paris: 1920-25), vol. 13, doc. 72.; note on 48v published in the original Italian (with one word modernized) and Latin, 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 Missione79:3-4 (1972): 37-65, here 45-47. Coste's transcription is mostly faithful to the original, with modernized words ('aver' for 'haver', etc.), the omission of some punctuation (especially commas), and the elimination of capital letters for nouns within phrases. There are also a few other minor discrepancies (see attached file).
[1628]
Addressed to PF
Original; not signed (authorship revealed in PF note on 48v); Italian.
Italian
Notes
10
Origin: Rome
Destination:
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 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
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 [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 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
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 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
Letter from Girolamo Grimaldi-Cavalleroni to PF, 1644-03-02, Paris
Other secular missionaries
France (missions in)
Conversion
Letter from Cardinal Grimaldi (nuncio to France, preparing to end his mandate) regarding the Fathers of the Oratory, who had requested to be recognized as a mission. Grimaldi writes that their main goal is to instruct the "idiots" and not so much to convert heretics (according to the Fathers themselves), which does not qualify their organization as a mission that needs the approval of PF, especially since they have all the necessary support from the local bishops.
Additional comments
Girolamo Grimaldi-Cavalleroni
APF SOCG 89, 292r-v, 293v
1644-03-02
Addressed to PF
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
76
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
Letter from Henri Loys to Urban VIII, 1641-05-02, Poitiers
Capuchins
Petitions for faculties
France (missions in)
Conversion
Letter from the bishop of Poitiers requesting that the Papal Bull, which the late Father Giuseppe of Paris had renewed on 21 February 1635, be continued, as had been the custom so far, in the following respects: a) the faculty of hearing confessions should be granted to all missionaries approved by the ordinaries and their superiors, as has always been done until now, since the beginning of their mission; now, however, they cannot do the 40th oration, nor can they summon the people, as before, to receive the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist, and to do penitence [reasons why this is not allowed any longer are not clear from the letter]; the one missionary hearing confessions is not enough for the thousands of people in the entire diocese; b) the "companion" (a secular or regular priest) assigned to the missionary/confessor, considering that he is approved by the ordinary and his superiors, should also have the faculty to hear confessions, so that he can relieve the missionary of some of his burden; c) the number of missionaries should be raised from 20 (not enough for such a big diocese) to 30 or 40; and d) the provincial of the Tours province should establish permanent missions (confessors) in five or six places that he (the bishop of Poitiers) would indicate, otherwise the Provincial can use the pretext that he does not have the faculty to do so, as he has done in the past. At the end of the letter, the bishop adds that "the Capuchin Fathers are the only ones who help me in the conversion of heretics, especially in the countryside." (f. 328v)
Additional comments
A CM house was established in the Richelieu parish of the Poitiers diocese in January 1638; evidently that did not make a huge impact on the diocese, from the bishop's perspective, at least as far as the conversion of heretics was concerned, since he seemed to consider the Capuchins as the only missionaries who were making a difference in the countryside.
Henri Loys
APF SOCG 83, 328r-v, 331v
1641-05-02
Addressed to Urban VIII
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
70
Origin: Poitiers
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
Report from Nicolas Pavillon to SCC, 1658-05-18, Alet
Alet
France (missions in)
Visitation
1658 ad limina report by bishop of Alet, Nicolas Pavillon (visitation and presentation of report to the pope done by Edmund Jolly of CM, on account of Pavillon's infirmity.) The report presents the general state of diocese, including missionary activities; details on method are provided, but not on the people involved, nor is CM mentioned in the report (the only time it is mentioned as such, is in relation to Jolly, within the introduction). Signed by Pavillon.
Additional comments
a) Only the introductory letter by Pavillon is dated (the report is not); and b) confusing dating by SCC clercs on f. 3v and 9r, indicating 11 May 1658 as date of report and 1? (second digit illegible) March 1658 as the date of discussion of the report in SCC.
Nicolas Pavillon
ASV Cong.Concilio Relat.Dioec. 312, 1r-10v
1658-05-18
Addressed to SCC
Related to: ASV Cong.Concilio, Libri Litter. Visit. SS. Liminum 11, 68r-69v (database item 78).
Original; signed; Latin
Latin
Report
75
Origin: Alet
Destination: unknown
Letter from the nuncio to France, Nicolò Guidi di Bagno, to the PF secretary [Francesco Ingoli] 1645-08-11, Paris
Sedan
Petitions for faculties
France (missions in)
The nuncio to France, Nicolò Guidi di Bagno, writes in support of a request from Pierre Gallais (here spelled Calais), member of CM and superior of the Sedan mission, to have missionary faculties granted to him and his companions of CM, among whom is François Grimal (superior) and six others, who move from place to place as needed and are among the most experienced members of CM.
Date discussed 1645-09-19
Additional comments
Nicolò Guidi di Bagno
APF SOCG 143, 54r, 65v
1645-08-11
Addressed to [Francesco Ingoli]
For the minutes of the PF meeting where this matter was discussed, see: APF ACTA 16, 426v, 431r-432r (database item 82).
Original; signed; Italian
Italian
Letter
77
Origin: Paris
Destination: Rome
PF minutes, 1659-05-27, Rome
Other secular missionaries
Petitions for faculties
France (missions in)
Minutes of PF general meeting of 27 May 1659 discussing among other issues, the case of some secular priests called "I preti della Dottrina Christiana" [the priests of the Christian doctrine]. They would like to receive missionary faculties in order to use them in "heretical areas," when invited by the bishops to teach the doctrine. The nuncio asked for information about their willingness to subordinate themselves to PF, and states that he had talked about this with Vincent de Paul, who has no objection against giving them these faculties; Vincent de Paul believes they are good priests who seem willing to subordinate themselves to PF, and to work in places where they are much needed. The nuncio adds that if PF decides to consent to the request, the cardinals should send him the faculties, so that he can first have the priests declare their loyalty, before giving them the faculties. The cardinals decided to not send general missionary faculties, nor the kind used for religious orders.
Additional comments
PF
APF ACTA 28, 70r, 75r-v, issue 9
1659-05-27
Latin
Italian
Minutes
479
Origin: Rome
Destination: