The Foundation in Paris.
A very important event in the history of our Province was the foundation of a house in Paris. Since we first set foot upon the soil of France our Fathers were anxious to have a house in Paris. They were nearly accomplishing their wishes in 1848, when Louis Philippe was obliged to abdicate and seek refuge in England. When Napoleon III was firmly seated upon his imperial throne, another effort was made to carry out the same idea. Sooth to say, the Fathers of our French Province did not seem to have energy enough to do anything which was not prescribed in the Holy Rule and Constitutions. They stuck to them and there they stuck until the French turned them out of the country.
In 1862, Father Ignatius Paoli was passing through Paris and met with the Abbe Rogerson. This clergyman had been doing his best to attend to the great number of 'bonnes' and other English girls in Paris and help them in their spiritual and temporal necessities. He was allowed the use of a chapel in St. Roch for his ministrations and did a good work for a time. At length, finding the work increasing he thought to give it a kind of eclat and invited Fr. Manning to preach a sermon for his work of charity. This good ecclesiastic (now the Cardinal and Archbishop of Westminster) advocated an extension of the Abbe's work. He considered that a distinct chapel, solely adapted for the necessities of English maids and matrons would suit better that the loan of a side chapel. From a printed edition of his Eminence's sermon we quote the following passages:
"I am aware (said Mgr. Manning) that the proposal to establish in Paris a church specially dedicated to the English will be met by many objections. 1st, it may be said that the English frequent the Churches of Paris and need none other. 2nd that they are so dispersed through Paris that one church would not suffice. 3rd that English priests may always obtain permission to use, at certain times, the parish churches. 4th that the English would always prefer the churches of Paris. These and other objections may be made to which I would make answer. First, that the rich and educated may prefer the churches of the country but not the poor and uneducated for whom I plead and for whom the rich and educated ought ever to yield their own preferences, and show, if need were, a selfdenying care. Secondly, that if a few are able to frequent the churches of Paris the great bulk need instruction in their own language and in the simplest form. Thirdly, that the dispersion of the English residents in Paris, so far trot disproving the need of an English church, might rather prove the need for marathon one. Fourthly, that the permission to use a portion of the misting churches is not an adequate substitute for a visible and recognized Church known to all residents, rich and poor, the centre of corporal and spiritual works of mercy and the perpetual witness and invitation to the duties of religion, which even catholics too easily forget in a foreign country, especially if poor and isolated.
But it is not my intention to argue a question which happily I may assume as accepted. I know that any such work needs courage, but I know that with courage it will be done."
Thus spoke His Eminence Cardinal Manning in 1861. The Abbe Rogerson, after some time, got the loan of a little Church, called St. Nicholas de Beaujon, and began his ministrations there for the scattered children of the English tongue. He began his work, but found it too much for him. He perceived very soon that one priest could not manage the work which he started. Fr. Ignatius Paoli was passing through France in 1862 and the Abbe Rogerson laid his grievances before him and Fr. Ignatius immediately offered to take the whole concern, debts, liabilities and all, off his hands, provided Rome consented. There was a special providence in this entire transaction.
Our Fathers tried, often and often, to get a footing in Paris without success and here now was an opportunity. As may be imagined, it was eagerly embraced. Another peculiar feature of this foundation was its good fortune. The place was allowed us, by the laws of France and the will of the Archbishop of Paris as a place where English-speaking people might be attended to. When our brethren of the Franco-Belgium Province saw us flourish in Paris, they endeavoured to become possessed of the place and Rome seemed disposed to transfer the property to them, subject to certain conditions. Our people in England fought this and won their cause. 'row fortunate! Had our French Fathers become possessed of the place it would have been lost to us in 1880, at the general expulsion of the unauthorised Congregations. The Republicans spared us in consideration of the potency of the English flag.
When we settled in Paris, first we were a community to be wondered at. Fr. Bernard, Fr. Aloysius and Br. Seraphim took lodgings in 39 Rue de Berri. Soon afterwards Br. Casimir was added to their number as Br. Seraphim was obliged to pass most of his time in the Church or Sacristy. The little Church (now nearly destroyed) was place in the corner of Rue Balzac and Rue de Bauborg S. Honore, and when a Father was wanted the brother had to go and fetch him. For a few years our Fathers went on with their work, as strangers and sojourners in a strange land, until the Lord prepared for them a land of promise. It was a severe life. In winter snows and summer heats, some streets of Paris had to be traversed six or seven times a day. The privacy of home was no more known in our quarters and we felt ourselves pretty much like enemies encamped in a hostile country. 'Ca vie' some one might sing as he saw this poor little foundation with the Cross upon it. Further on, we shall describe how it became developed.
When Fr. Bernard resolved to establish us where we are now in Avenue Hoche 50 (then Avenue de la Heine Hortense) he wrote to various leading ecclesiastics regarding the matter and we consider it interesting to subjoin the replies of a few.
My dear Fr. Bernard,
It has been with the liveliest interest that I have heard of the establishment of the Passionist Fathers in Paris, with the view of supplying the spiritual wants of the numerous English catholics in that city. It is with renewed pleasure that I learn that your good work has so far developed that you now need to have a little Church at your own disposal, in which you may assemble an English congregation for sermons and instructions in their own tongue. Under these circumstances, as far as my recommendation can have any weight, you are quite at liberty to represent to others that I am greatly interested in your undertaking and that I shall be very grateful to all who are so good as to come to your assistance.
Wishing you every success, I remain
My dear Fr. Bernard,
Your affectionate servant in Christ,
Card. Wiseman.
Aug. 3, 1864.
My dear Fr. Bernard,
You do not need that I should assure you of the joy I find in watching the growing strength and solidity of the English mission in Paris, under the direction of the Passionist Fathers. I have every motive to do so: not only from affection and reverence to your fervent Congregation which I have intimately known for so many years, and from my conviction of the great spiritual wants of the English-speaking population in Paris, but also from the fact that I have had the happiness of sharing, cordially but feebly, in this undertaking from its first beginning.
I humbly pray God to bless and prosper you in it and I beg you to represent, if you think well, to others the lively interest I take in your work and my hope that all who have the power will assist you.
Believe me, my dear Fr. Bernard,
Your aff. servant in Christ,
London, July 15, 1865. + Henry Edward. Archbishop of Westminster
Other letters were received from Archbishop Spalding of Baltimore, Archbishop Conolly of Halifaz and indeed from all who could in any way be interested in the matter.