Report on the Highlands and Hebrides missions drawn from various letters to CM Superior Vincent de Paul [1655]
Scotland
Mission reports
Summary of reports from the years 1652-1655 by Francis White, Thomas Lumsden and Dermot Duiguin to Vincent de Paul (translated from French to Italian). The summary principally reports the work of Duiguin and White in the Hebrides; they state in the report that ignorance among the residents is enormous, but the people seem very eager to learn. They also note that great miracles are said to happen by the use of sacred water. The reports state that the region cannot be ministered by only two priests, as both the distances between the islands and the number of people are too big; more missionaries are therefore requested. The reports also note that on the last day of February 1655, Francis White (who was staying at the house of Marchioness of Huntly), got taken prisoner, and is now in Edinburgh.
Additional comments
APF SOCG 297, 356r, 358r-60r
[1655]
The mentioned letter by Dermot Duiguin is probably, APF SOCG 297, 279r, 280r-284v (database item 299).
Translated copy, unsigned and undated
Italian
Report
303
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Petition on behalf of CM Superior Vincent de Paul to PF [1655]
Madagascar
Petitions for missionary patents
Petitions for faculties
Petition on behalf of Vincent de Paul asking PF to grant full missionary patents to Toussaint Bourdaise, who had been sent to Madagascar a few years before as companion for Jean-François Mousnier, (who in turn had been named apostolic missionary by PF on 10 February 1653). Vincent de Paul also asks that Mousnier be declared prefect of the Madagascar mission, since he has just received news of the previous prefect's death (Charles Nacquart). The nuncio to France also joins a letter recommending Mousnier.
Additional comments
Vincent de Paul
APF SOCG 248, 96r, 103v
[1655]
Addressed to PF
See for the related recommendation by the nuncio to France: APF SOCG 248, 97r (database item 174).
Original; not signed; Italian
Italian
Petition
173
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Report by [William Ballantyne] on Scottish mission [1654]
Scotland
Mission reports
Conversion
Capuchins
Jesuits
Report from the superior of the Scottish mission, William Ballantyne, to PF. It describes the importance of the mission, the political situation, and the relationship between Protestants and Catholics in the country. The report also lists all the missionaries and their activities: a) secular priests, Ioannes Smiteus [John Smith] and Jacobus Crittonius [James Crichton] who both work in Galloway, Nithsdale and Lauderdale (all in the south). [Joannes Valcherus] John Walker and Thomas Lumsdenus [Thomas Lumsden] work in the territories of the Huntly family; the report also states there are three Irish priests working in the Highlands and on the islands; b) regular priests, Roger Lindzaius [Roger Lindsay], a Capuchin who is already "in officio" for 45 years, and Father Primrosius [Primrose] who works in Lothian; and c) priests from the Society of Jesus, Father Hall, Father Maxuellius [Maxwell], Father Macbreccus [Macbreccus], Father George Lesleus [Lesley], Father Joannes Smiteus [John Smith], Father Grantius [Grant] and Father Andreas Lesleus [Andrew Lesley]. The superior then goes on explaining family ties of important Catholic families, and describing which members of these families have been (re)converted.
Additional comments
The document is not dated but a (PF) note on 324r states the year 1654.
[William Ballantyne]
APF SOCG 297,324r-331v
[1654]
Addressed to PF
Original, unsigned and undated
Latin
Report
302
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Report from the Scottish mission, [1652]
Scotland
Mission reports
Conversion
Scottish colleges
Scottish Catholics abroad
Report from the Scottish mission, with the names of the missionaries and a short description of their activities: Giovanni Smitteo [John Smith] studied in Rome and Paris, and is working near the border between Scotland and England. Guglielmo Bannatino [William Ballantyne] who converted in France and studied in Paris and Rome, is living in Aberdeen where most Catholics live, but he travels a lot. Giacomo Crittonio [James Crichton] studied in Rome and Paris, and is working in the west of Scotland where his family lives. Giouannj Valchero [John Walker] studied in Rome and was converted by Ballantyne there. Ballantyne invited him to join the Scottish mission. Giouannj Brusio [John Bruce] studied in Rome and worked as a chaplain to a Scottish regiment in France. He is about to go to Scotland and is awaiting the requested faculties. Tomaso Lumisdeno [Thomas Lumsden] was converted in France and ordained in Rome. Like Walker he is awaiting his faculties so he can go on the Scottish mission. [Roberto Barclaio] Robert Barclay is the procurator of this mission in Paris.
Additional comments
Although this report is undated, it must have been written after 1650, when Ballentyne was back in Scotland after his journey to France, and before August 1653, when Lumsden was already in Scotland.
APF SOCG 297, 293r-294v
[1652]
Addressed to [PF]
Original, unsigned and undated
Italian
Report
301
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Letter from CM Superior Vincent de Paul and Lambert [aux Couteaux] to the nuncio to France [Nicolò Guidi di Bagno], [1650]
Algiers
Slave priests
Petitions for faculties
Small note from Vincent de Paul and Lambert [aux Couteaux] to the nuncio, Nicolò Guidi di Bagno, in which they ask him to write to PF and request faculties for Philippe Le Vacher for the Algiers mission. An Italian translation can be found on f. 158r, where a note on the bottom of the page mentions that the missionaries from Algiers had written to Vincent de Paul asking that the new missionary should get enough authority to put a halt to the discord among the slave priests; therefore he needs more extensive faculties than the usual ones.
Additional comments
Vincent de Paul
Lambert [aux Couteaux]
APF SOCG 248, 157r, 158r
[1650]
Nicolò Guidi di Bagno
French
Italian
Letter
424
Origin: unknown
Destination: [Paris]
Letter from Isodoro di San Giovanni to the PF secretary [Dionisio Massari], [1649]
Madagascar
Discalced Carmelites
Petitions for missionary patents
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 proposed by Vincent de Paul and the nuncio for the mission, were not allowed to go, because the mission had already been assigned to the Discalced Carmelites). He therefore asks for a travel subsidy and a provision for the first year, for several Discalced Carmelites who are about to leave for Madagascar; he also requests the patent of mission prefect for Alberto Di San Michele. Lastly he requests a contribution for the sacred and secular furnishings that are needed in their mission.
Additional comments
Isodoro Di San Giovanni was appointed prefect of the mission in 1647. The Secretary to whom the letter is adressed though, Dionisio Massari, only became PF secretary in August 1649. Therefore the letter must be written in 1649 or later.
Isodoro di San Giovanni
APF SOCG 248, 109r-v,112v,114r-v
[1649]
Addressed to Dionisio Massari
Italian
Letter
408
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Letter from [a Discalced Carmelite] to PF [1649]
Madagascar
Discalced Carmelites
Babylon
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 year, and that they do not want Discalced Carmelites to be on the island; they fear this might cause problems, as there is already concern that the people might loose their esteem for the secular priests, and that conflict might arise. Its also noted that people are not very happy with the arrival of the French. The letter also talks about the bishopric of Babylonia and Isfahan. The bishop (Father Bernard) said that he could not reside in his bishopric because he is ill, however he wants to help the mission by apppointing someone of his congregation as his successor; the bishop states he will support him and other missionaries financially and with faculties. The letter is not signed or dated.
Additional comments
There is no signature and no date, but, based on the content, it may be inferred that the letter was probably written by a Discalced Carmelite in 1649, possibly Pierre de Piviers.
[A Discalced Carmelite]
APF SOCG 248, 135r-136r
[1649]
Addressed to PF
Italian
Letter
420
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
General report on the status and activities of CM, [1648 or later]
Mission reports
Report on the status and activities of CM. The congregation was founded in 1524 and approved in 1632, with Vincent de Paul as superior general. The congregation has 20 houses, of which 16 are located in France (in Lorraine and Savoy), and two in Italy (in Rome and Genoa). Other houses are located in Ireland, Madagascar, on the Barbary coast, and in the Hebrides. The report also notes that CM has three aims: a) the perfection of the spirit; b) the maintaining of spiritual health of others, especially the poor inhabitants of the countryside; and c) the education of the clergy.
Additional comments
Written after 1648 (the Madagascar mission started in 1648 and all the other houses mentioned in this document were founded earlier).
CM
APF SOCG 200, 233r-v
[1648 or later]
Addressed to PF
Original, unsigned and undated
Italian
Report
309
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Statutes of Authier's congregation in Valence [1647]
Christophe Authier
The statutes of Christophe Authier's congregation in Valence, in two versions (as emended by PF, and as submitted initially). The name of the congregation in the amended version is "Congregatio Sanctissimi sacramenti ad Missiones et Seminariorum directionem"; in the initial version (on f. 171r-173v) it is "Congregatio Sacerdotum Cleri."
Date discussed 1647-04-01 and 1647-06-17
Additional comments
A second set of statutes (identical content; only PF notes differ) is in PF SOCG 199, f. 450r-457v (not in this database). They were discussed in PF general meetings of June and September 1647; it looks like that set was sent to Cardinal Brancatio for review, after all the other cardinals had already seen it (according to PF note on f. 454v).
APF SOCG 199, 167r-174v
[1647]
For the PF decree and follow-up notes concerning the statutes, see: APF SOCG 199, 165r-166r (database items 27 and 198).
Contemp. copies; unsigned; undated; Latin; PF notes in Italian
Latin
Italian
Statutes
197
Origin: unknown
Destination:
Letter from John O'Fahy to PF [1646]
Christophe Authier
Letter from John O'Fahy to PF, in support of Christophe Authier's request to extend his mission from Sweden to Denmark, and to send another priest there for this purpose. PF note on 471v indicates that O'Fahy was writing on behalf of "Christophe Authier, head of his congregation," which suggests O'Fahy was not a member of CM at that time, despite occasional involvement with CM. PF notes indicate a positive response.
Date discussed 1646-10-05
Additional comments
Date of discussion in PF could be 1646-11-05 (second digit of month is smudged).
John O'Fahy
APF SOCG 412, 458r, 471v
[1646]
Addressed to PF
Original; not dated; letter in Latin; PF note in Italian
Latin
Italian
Letter
159
Origin: unknown
Destination: Rome
Reports from Christophe Authier to PF, 1642
Christophe Authier
Mission reports
Reports from two of Authier's missions in 1642.
Date discussed 1642-11-24
Additional comments
Christophe Authier
APF SRC Francia I, 81r-86v, 87r-90v
1642
Addressed to PF
Original; signed; Latin with Italian summaries in the margins and Italian summary on the back of last page
Latin
Italian
Report
69
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
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
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]
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 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
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
Documents on Catholic Scotts in Paris, 1629-09-28
Other secular missionaries
Scottish Catholics abroad
Several documents regarding Scottish Catholics in Paris, recommended to PF by the archbishop of Paris and the oratory; also a recommendation by Richelieu and de Bérulle in favor of Father Thompson who wanted to go to England to serve the queen.
Additional comments
Various
APF SOCG 131, 42r-49v
1629-09-28
Originals; signed; Italian and Latin
Italian
Latin
Varia
19
Origin: unknown
Destination: