Relation on the mission in Scotland, [1668 or later]
Scotland
Relation on the mission of Scotland. There are eight missionaries in Scotland, including Fran'o Blanco [Francis White], Franc' Magdonel [Francis MacDonnell] and Robert Monro; they stay in the mountains in northern Scotland and in The Hebrides. On the island of Bara everyone is Catholic, on Ovist (the biggest island) there are 700 Catholics, and in Cordare and Mordare almost everyone is Catholic. The Catholics are obliged to pay a tax. Eugenio Macalister [Eugene Macalister] has worked in the school for some time. Some time ago Nicolo Dunbar was also sent to the mountains.
Additional comments
Because of the presence of Francis MacDonnel, the composition of the document must be dated after 1668.
APF SOCG 438, 231r-232v
[1668 or later]
Original; almost illegible
Italian
Report
773
Origin: [Scotland]
Destination: [Rome]
Report on the mission of Madagascar
Madagascar
Relation on the mission of Madagascar. On the island of Madagascar there are four priests and six brothers, who are all part of CM. At the moment they are all in good health, as has been written in the letters dated 6 March 1669. They are all helping the Christians as well as baptizing the infidels on the island. Only a few among them are converting the natives, due to the past wars and the little support that the missionaries have had; there has also been many bad examples set by those who have been sent there by secular leaders. They hope that the French king will solve the last problem. There are also 'Padri Zoccolanti' (called 'Recolletti' in France), who did not receive any faculties from PF for the mission where they pretend to be allowed. They base their presence on their priviliges, and claim not to be dependent on the prefect of the mission. This causes confusion, especially because some things are allowed by one group, but are forbidden by the other.
Additional comments
APF SC Africa, 34r-v
1664
Adressed to:
unsigned
Italian
French
Report
870
Origin:
Destination:
Anonymous report with news about missions in Pegu, Persia and Madagascar
Madagascar
Franciscans
Capuchins
Jesuits
Other religious orders
Anonymous report with news about various Franciscan, Capuchin, Jesuit, and Carmelite missionaries to Pegu and Persia, Africa and India; in Madagascar there is just one missionary left because his companion died. The report also states that Marshal de La Meilleraye is now in charge of the castle, there will be a ship going every year with provisions, and that they should take advantage of this opportunity. The report is undated and unsigned.
Additional comments
In another report, made by Marshal de La Meilleraye, it is also mentioned that there is only one missionary left. This report was made in 1660. See: APF SOCG 252, 13r-13v (database item 269).
APF SOCG 252, 4r-5v
[1660]
Original, unsigned and undated
Italian
Report
261
Origin: unknown
Destination:
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:
Report from the Scottish mission, [1653]
Scotland
Mission reports
Report from the Scottish mission, with the names of the missionaries and a short description of their activities: Tomaso Lumisdeno [Thomas Lumsden] has travelled to London (where he arranged the forwarding of letters from Scotland to Paris), after having received the faculties to Edinburgh. Giouanni Brusio [John Bruce] has also travelled to London but after becoming ill, has returned to Paris where he is awaiting his recovery. Roberto Barclaio [Robert Barclay] has been elected superior of the Scottish College in Paris where he will work to promote the Scottish mission. The report was sent from Paris, and it arrived in Rome on 14 August 1653.
Date received 1653-08-14
Additional comments
APF SOCG 297, 292r, 295v
[1653]
Addressed to [PF]
Original, unsigned and undated
Latin
Report
300
Origin: Paris
Destination: [Rome]
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: