Letter written by a Discalced Carmelite [possibly Pierre de Piviers] to PF about the situation in Madagascar. The letter notes that he has heard from merchants of the Compagnie, that secular missionaries have been sent to Madagascar the previous…
Petition on behalf of the missionaries of Madagascar. In the past few months PF had appointed Michel Manié as prefect of the Madagascar mission. But together with the arrival of news about the death of the previous prefect (Nicolas Etienne), and…
Letter from PF secretary [Mario Alberizzi] to the nuncio to France [Celio Piccolomini]. From the attached letter, Piccolomini can learn about the thoughtfulness of Maresciallo della Migliaré [Marquis de La Meilleraye]. Alberizzi feels very fortunate…
Petition on behalf of Fra Alberto Di San Michele (a Discalced Carmelite), requesting a renewal of his patent (as prefect of the mission), and a subsidy from PF to cover travel and initial expenses in Madagascar. He states that he has not been able to…
Petition on behalf of Discalced Carmelite Alberto Di San Michele [Albert de Saint Michel?] prefect of the mission to Madagascar, and his companions, requesting a renewal of his patent (as prefect of the mission) and a subsidy from PF to cover travel…
Two copies of the same royal patent signed by Louis XIV and Anne of Austria, allowing Discalced Carmelites to go to Madagascar and establish churches, hospices and houses for themselves, in execution of Innocent X's decree giving them missionary…
Letter from Cardinal Antonio Barberini jr. (original and signed) from Paris, 17 August 1663, letting PF know that he had handed the letters patent for the four CM missionaries nominated for the mission to Madagascar (which was sent to him from Rome),…
The nuncio to France, Carlo Roberti de’ Vittori writes to PF, to inform the cardinals that in the East Indies (‘Indie orientali’), France only occupies Madagascar and some small islands. The priests who go there are those sent by CM (‘PP…
Letter from the nuncio to France, Carlo Roberti de’ Vittori to PF, dated November 1664 (exact day not mentioned), letting the cardinals know that he had received the letters patent for the seven priests of CM for Madagascar, which had been written on…
Letter from the nuncio to France, Celio Piccolomini to PF, stating that he will talk to the Marshal de la Meilleraye, as the prefect has ordered in his letter dated the 15 October. The nuncio will also explain to him why PF is not willing to appoint…
Letter from the nuncio to France, Celio Piccolomini to PF, in which he states that since PF has agreed to the request sent by Marshal de La Meilleraye to appoint a bishop for Madagascar on 14 June 1660, Marshal has now proposed three candidates, all…
Letter from the nuncio to France, Celio Piccolomini to PF, recommending Marshal de La Meilleraye to the protection of PF, and also supporting the request that Marshal makes in the attached letter (APF SOCG 252, 13r-13v (database item 269).
Translated copy (from the original French) of a detailed report on the Madagascar mission, written by Charles Nacquart and addressed to Vincent de Paul.
Petition on behalf of Claude Dufour requesting PF to accept him as a member of CM, despite his earlier statement that he wanted to become member of a religious order. Even though CM is not a religious order, they also have vows of poverty, chastity,…
Letter from Giacomo Di Santa Teresa, a Discalced Carmelite, in which he writes about having to send the report on Madagascar, instead of personally handing it over, because he sees no opportunity of leaving his convent during the busy Christmas…
Letter from Isodoro di San Giovanni, procurator of the Discalced Carmelites, to PF secretary, Dionisio Massari. He writes about an earlier decision of PF regarding the Madagascar mission (including the decision that two CM missionaries who had been…
Report on Madagascar, describing its size and location. It furthermore describes that many CM priests have worked there, converting more than 5,000 Christians; only one of whom survived. The report states that Marshal de La Meilleraye is expanding…
Translation (from French) of a report on Madagascar, describing its size and location. It furthermore describes that many CM priests have worked there, converting more than 5,000 Christians. The report states that Marshal de La Meilleraye is…
Report from Madagascar sent by Nicolas Etienne (prefect of the Madagascar mission), to René Alméras, dated 16 January 1664, to be forwarded to PF. The report starts with their journey from France (including quite detailed information about Cape…
Petition on behalf of CM missionaries in Madagascar, asking for solutions to the spiritual needs encountered during the journey to Madagascar. They ask: a) if they may administer sacraments onboard ships other than the one which they initially…
Letter from the nuncio to France, Nicolò Guidi di Bagno to PF. He writes that Vincent de Paul, on behalf of Marshal de La Meilleraye (Charles de La Porte, duke of La Meilleraye, marshal of France), who is about to send ships to Madagascar, has been…
The nuncio to France, Nicolò Guidi di Bagno, recommends Jean-François Mousnier and Toussaint Bourdaise for the Madagascar mission. The nuncio states that he approved and gave his blessing to the two at the end of the previous year, upon their…
Letter from the nuncio to France, Nicolò Guidi di Bagno, with which he forwards a receipt sent to him by the superior of the Discalced Carmelites. The receipt attests that the Discalced Carmelites have received the decree of 18 June 1652 in which PF…
Letter from the nuncio to France about Alberto Di San Michele [Albert de Saint Michel?] , a Discalced Carmelite, who left Paris without permission from his provincial, and without a companion. He had earlier abused his missionary faculties by…
Letter from the nuncio to France, Nicolò Guidi di Bagno to PF. He thanks the vice-prefect for having entrusted him and Vincent de Paul, with the decision to select which missionaries should be sent to Madagascar. The letter signed and dated 17 March…
Letter from the nuncio to France, Nicolò Guidi di Bagno to PF. He asks for missionary patents for the Madagascar mission for seven candidates, so that Vincent de Paul can send them when the next ship is ready to depart (which is only once every year…
Letter from PF to the nuncio to France, Carlo Roberti de' Vittori. CM superior [René Alméras] asked for faculties for a few priests of his congregation, that he wants to send to the mission in Madagascar. PF decided to send the faculties to de'…
Letter from PF to the nuncio to France, Carlo Roberti de' Vittori. CM superior [René Alméras] warned for the need of missionaries for the mission in Madagascar, and he proposed to send two priests, Guglielmo Bonable [Guillaume Bonable] and Fran'co…