Letter XXXVII.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRECIS HISTORIQUES, BRUSSELS.
Rev, Charles Nerinckx, Pastor of Everberg-Meerbeek and Missionary in America.
UNIVERSITY OF ST. LOUIS, August 29, 1857.
REV. AND DEAR FATHER:
During my last visit to Belgium I heard you express a wish to publish in your Précis Historiques a sketch of the life of the venerable and holy missionary, Rev. Charles Nerinckx, the apostle of Kentucky.
One of our best Catholic periodicals, the Metropolitan, of Baltimore, has just given a sketch of the Very Rev. Charles Nerinckx. I hasten to send you a copy. In a note, the author of the sketch refers to the Life of Bishop Flaget, by Dr. Spalding, the learned bishop of Louisville ; the United Slates Catholic Miscellany, vol. v. 1825 ; the Catholic Almanac for 1854, etc.
I propose adding some lines on the same subject, in gratitude to the memory of our zealous and holy countryman, in the thought that they will, perhaps, be agreeable to the readers of the Précis Historiques.
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UNIVERSITY OF ST. LOUIS, November, 1857.
REV. AND DEAR FATHER:
In your letter of October 20th, acknowledging receipt of the Memoir of Charles Nerinckx, taken from the Metropolitan of July 15th, and the translation, you say that you have already received front me a sketch of the same missionary, published by Bishop Spalding, now bishop of Louisville, in his Sketches of Kentucky. I remember, in fact, my sending it. As the Memoir relies on the authority of the same worthy prelate, as the substance of the two notices is the same, and as an old missionary in America had already translated that in the Sketches, I think you will do well to publish the latter.*
MEMOIR
Charles Nerinckx was born on the 2d of October, 1761, at Herffelingen, a rural commune of the province of Brabant, arrondissement of Brussels. His parents were distinguished for their virtues and their strong attachment to
(• At all times the Belgians have distingished themselves in the great work of the propagation of the faith. No region so distant that it does not preserve traces of their footsteps ;no people, infidel or savage, which does not recall and bless the name of some missionary who quitted his native Belgium. The great St. Francis Xavier admired their virtues and their devotedness. " Mitte Belgas" (send me Belgians), was his petition from the depths of India.
How interesting would be a work to retrace the labors of our principal missionaries! But while biographies of other Belgian celebrities abound, we find few of those apostolic men, who expended their sweat and blood in a work which a saint calls the divinest of all divine works.
While this gap remains unfilled we are happy to recall a name well known in Belgium. Charles Nerinckx, one of the most celebrated Belgian missionaries, was, in the beginning of this century, one of the glories of the rising Church of the United States.-Trans.
We have some letters of this worthy missionary of Kentucky, which we will publish. Many others must be in existence. Persons communicating them to us will contribute to the good these edifying pieces may do.- Note of Father Terwecoren.
The Nerinckx family is known by the ninny pious and zealous ecclesiastics it has produced. One of them, early in the present century, repaired to London, where he still directs the Church of St. Aloysius,.......)
religion. His father was a physician of some eminence in the profession ; and his mother seems to have been a woman of great piety. The tender mind of Charles was imbued with a deep and abiding religious feeling. At an early age,' he was placed in the elementary school at Ninove, where he commenced his studies. At the age of thirteen, be was removed to the college of Geel, in the province of Kempen ; whence he was afterwards sent to the university of Louvain, where he entered on the study of philosophy. His parents determined to spare no expense which might be necessary to give him a thorough education ; and they were highly gratified to find that Charles corresponded so well with their parental solicitude, and that be more than fulfilled their highest expectations.
Having completed his academic course, and duly consulted God in prayer, the young Charles resolved to study for the Church. Accordingly, in the year 1781, he was sent by his parents to the seminary of Mechlin, where he entered on the study of theology. Here he was still more remarkable for tender and solid piety, than he was for the rapid advancement be made in his studies. Though he far outstripped his companions, yet he did not permit himself to be elated with his success. He referred all his actions to God, to whom be was united by an habitual spirit of prayer. He concealed his success, even from his own eyes, under the garb of a deep internal humility ; and from those of his. companions, under the veil of an unaffected modesty-. He feared the praises of men more than others usually seek them.
(.....which he erected, and the orphan asylum annexed to it, also founded by him, and placed under the direction of Sisters called the Faithful companions of Jesus. Another religions of the family labors in the toilsome mission of Missouri. The Belgian clergy count several members of the same family.-Note of Belgian. translator.)
His studies completed, be was ordained priest in 1785 and in the following year was appointed cure, or pastor, of Mechlin, the archiepiscopal city. He filled this important post for eight years, and gathered there the abundant first-fruits of his ministry. The good people of Mechlin yet remember his piety and laborious zeal, the effects of which they still feel. The rectory of Everberg-Meerbeek, half way between Mechlin and Brussels, having become vacant by the death of the aged incumbent, M. Nerinckx was appointed to fill it, by the general suffrage of a board of examiners, who, after the searching examination, or concursus, recommended by the Holy Council of Trent for such cases, unanimously awarded him the palm over all other candidates. Though loth to leave Mechlin, where the people were much attached to him, yet he hesitated not to enter upon the new field of labor thus opened to him by Providence.
The extensive parish of Everberg-Meerbeek was in a neglected and deplorable condition. The parish church was in a dilapidated state, and the people had been much neglected, in consequence of the age and infirmities of his predecessor in his pastoral office. M. Nerinckx immediately set about remedying all these evils; he repaired the church, and was assiduous in his efforts to revive piety among his new parishioners. Believing that the hearts of the parents could be most effectually reached through their children, he spared no pains to instruct the latter, and to rear them up in the most tender sentiments of piety. He gave them catechetical instructions on every Sunday evening after vespers. To do this the more successfully, he divided the parish into sections, and distributed the children into regular classes, which he taught himself, or through pious catechists whom he had selected ; and he lead the names of all the children of his parish carefully registered. He soon won the hearts of the children, and was able easily to obtain their regular attendance at catechism. He frequently inculcated on them a tender devotion to the Holy Virgin, and taught them to sing canticles, which he had composed in her honor.
The effects of this discipline were soon discernable. The children were prepared for their first communion, and soon became models of piety for the whole parish. The hearts of the parents were touched ; and the most neglectful or obdurate among them, were gradually brought to a sense of duty. Piety was seen to flourish in a parish before distinguished only for its coldness and negligence. Numerous pious confraternities in honor of the Blessed Virgin were established, as well as associations for visiting the sick, and for other charitable objects. Thus, by the zeal of one man, aided by the Divine blessing, a total reformation was effected in a short time ; and the parish of Everberg-Meerbeek became a model for all others.
M. Nerinckx, though kind and polite to all, was rather austere in his manners, as well as rigid in his discipline. He was, however, always much more rigid with himself than with others. He never lost a moment, nor allowed himself any recreation. He paid no idle visits for mere pastime ; he visited the different families of his parish only on duty, and generally on Sunday evenings. He knew well that a priest who does his duty has little time to spare for idle conversation. Wherever good was to be done, or a soul to be saved, there was he found, by day or by night, in rain or in sunshine, in winter or in summer. When not actually engaged in the ministry, he was always found at home, employed in prayer or in study. He was an enemy of promiscuous dances, and he succeeded in abolishing them throughout his parish.
It was natural that a man of so much zeal, and one who had done so much good, should be viewed with an evil eye by the infidel leaders of the French revolutionary movement, who had recently taken possession of Belgium. An order for his apprehension was accordingly issued ; and M. Nerinckx was compelled to fly from his dear parish, which he left a prey to the devouring wolves. In 1797 he secreted himself in the hospital at Termonde, which was under the charge of twelve or fifteen hospitaller nuns, of whom his aunt was superior. Here he remained for seven years, during all of which time he carried his life in his hands. He acted as chaplain to the hospital, the former incumbent having been banished to the Isle of Rhe. He bore his persecutions with entire resignation to the holy will of God, and edified all by the practice of every virtue. He encouraged the good nuns to persevere in their heavenly calling of mercy. He said mass for them every morning at two o'clock, and then retired to his hiding-place before the dawn.
In his retreat he had full leisure to apply to study, and he lost not a moment of his precious time. He wrote treatises on theology, on Church history, and on canon law ; and his manuscripts would have filled eight or ten printed octavo volumes. These he was often afterwards solicited to publish ; but his modesty took the alarm, and he was inflexible in his refusal. In the hospital of Termonde were shut up many of the prisoners who had been made in the revolutionary battles fought in Belgium. Some of these were horribly maimed. M. Nerinckx did all he could, in his dangerous situation, to assuage their sufferings, and to impart to them spiritual succor. At the dead hour of night, he often stole to their cells, at imminent hazard of his life, and administered to them the holy sacraments; and when they were hurried to execution, he viewed there from his hiding-place, and imparted to them the last absolution. Often, too, he visited by stealth his dear parish of Everberg-Meerbeek, administering the sacraments to his people, consoling them in their sufferings, and strengthening them in the hour of danger.
Beset with dangers, and uncertain as to the duration of the dreadful storm which was then sweeping over Europe, M. Nerinckx at length determined to bid adieu to his unhappy country, and to emigrate to the United States. Here the harvest was great, and the laborers few;" and no impediment was placed in the way of a free exercise of religion, according to each one's conscientious convictions. He accordingly made his escape, in a vessel which sailed from Amsterdam. to the United States, on the 14th of August, 1804.
He had a long and dangerous passage of ninety days. The old and rickety vessel was often in imminent danger of foundering at sea; and, to add to the distress, a contagious disorder carried off many of the passengers and crew. Still they were not chastened under the rod of affliction; the heart of M. Nerinckx often bled over their wickedness, which he was wholly unable to check; and he afterwards was in the habit of styling this ill-fated ship "a floating hell." The captain, in particular, was a very profane and wicked man. M. Nerinckx was wont to ascribe his preservation from shipwreck, to a special interposition of Divine Providence.
He reached Baltimore about the middle of November, and immediately offered his services to the Patriarch of the American Church-Bishop Carroll*-for whatever mission
(* Bishop Carroll was an illustrious scion of one of the two hundred English Catholic families, who, in 1633, flying from the religions oppression to which they were subjected in their native land, crossed the Atlantic, and settled Maryland, under the guidance of Lord Baltimore. He was a member of the Society of Jesus till the suppression of the order, in 1773. He continued to cultivate that portion of the Lord's vineyard, with his old fellow-religious, till his promotion to the episcopate, in 1789. Pope Pius VI. confided to him the new See of Baltimore, and placed under his jurisdiction the whole extent of the United States.)
in the United States he might think proper to assign him. Bishop Carroll received the good exile with open arms, and immediately sent him to Georgetown,* to prepare himself for tile American mission, by learning English, with which, as yet, he was wholly unacquainted. M. Nerinckx was then in his forty-fifth year ; and yet he applied himself with so much ardor to the study, of the English language, as to be able in a few months to speak and write it with considerable facility.
Bishop Carroll was well aware of the forlorn condition of M. Badin, who was alone in Kentucky, and he determined to send the new missionary to his assistance. And had he sent us no other, Kentucky would still have ample reason to be forever grateful to him for the invaluable treasure he sent in M. Nerinckx.
The good missionary hesitated not a moment to comply with the wish of his new superior. What cared he for the dangers, privations, and labors, which he foresaw he would have to endure on the arduous mission to which he was hastening ? Had he not been already trained to this severe discipline of the cross ; and had he come to America to rest
(His death, which occurred in 1815, caused extraordinary grief throughout the country.
* Georgetown College is the oldest Catholic university in the United States, and has been at all times a fruitful hive of missionaries. It is situated on a height, in view of Washington. It has been, since its origin, under the direction of the Fathers of the Society of Jesus. This college has acquired new importance by the magnificent observatory erected there some years since, and by the astronomical observations made there.
The Rev. Mr. Badin, who died recently, after an apostolate of over half a century, was a native of France. He studied at Baltimore, where he was ordained in 1793, by Bishop Carroll. He was the first priest ordained in the United States, where, so shortly before, the Catholics had groaned under the English penal laws.)
on a bed of down, and to dally with luxuries ? From an early period of his life, labors and sufferings had been his daily bread ; and now he was too much accustomed to them any longer to feel any apprehension on their account. He was, on the contrary, rejoiced to enter on a mission which no one else wished, or was indeed willing to accept.
He left Baltimore in the spring of 1805, and, after a long and painful journey, reached Kentucky on the 5th of July .following. He immediately applied himself zealously to the labors of the mission, which he cheerfully shared with M. Badin, the vicar-general. For the first seven years he resided with M. Badin, at St. Stephen's ; afterwards, he took up his residence chiefly near the church of St. Charles, which he had erected on Hardin's Creek, and named after his patron saint. But be was seldom at home : he lived on his scattered missions, and passed much of his time on horseback.
His labors in the arduous field upon which be had now entered, were as great as their fruit was abundant. With his whole soul, he devoted himself to the work of the
ministry. He even seemed to court labors and sufferings for their own sake. Of a powerful frame, and of herculean constitution, he never spared himself. His rest was brief, and his food was generally of the coarsest kind. He generally arose several hours before clay, which hours he devoted to prayer and study. In fact, he seemed to be always engaged in mental prayer, no matter bow numerous or distracting were his employments.
He appeared to live solely for Cool and for his neighbor. Performing his duty was his daily bread. And though old age was fast creeping over him, yet he relaxed in nothing
his exhausting labors. His soul was still fresh and vigorous ; and God so preserved his health, that, even at the age of sixty, he seemed gifted with all the strength and vigor of youth.
He seldom missed offering up the holy sacrifice daily, no matter what had been his previous fatigues or indisposition. Often was he known to ride twenty-five or thirty-miles fasting, in order to be able to say mass. His missionary labors would be almost incredible, were they not still so well remembered by almost all the older Catholics of Kentucky.
His courage was unequalled ; be feared no difficulties, and was appalled by no dangers. Through rain and storms ; through snows and ice; over roads rendered almost impassible by the mud ; over streams swollen by the rains, or frozen by the cold ; by day and by night, in winter and in summer, he might be seen traversing all parts of Kentucky in the discharge of his laborious duties. Far from shunning, he seethed even to seek after hardships and dangers.
He crossed wilderness districts, swain rivers, slept in the woods among the wild beasts ; and while undergoing all this, be was in the habit of fasting, and of voluntarily mortifying himself in many other ways. His courage and vigor seemed to increase with the labors and privations he had to endure. As his courage, so neither did his cheerfulness ever abandon him. He seldom laughed, or even smiled; but there was withal an air of contentment and cheerfulness about 'him which greatly qualified the natural austerity of his countenance and manners. He could, like the great Apostle, make himself "all to all, to gain all to Christ.;' He appeared even more at home in the cabin of the humblest citizen, or in the but of the poor negro, than in the more pretending mansions of the wealthy.
He was averse to giving trouble to others, especially to the poor. Often, when he arrived at a 'house in the night, he attended to his own horse, and took a brief repose in the stable, or in some out-house; and when the inmates of the house arose next morning, they frequently perceived him already up, and saying his office, or making his meditation. He made it an invariable rule never to miss an appointment, whenever it was at all possible to keep it. -He often arrived at a distant station early in the morning, after having rode during all of the previous night. On these occasions; he beard confessions, taught catechism, gave instructions and said mass for the people generally after noon ; and he seldom broke his fast until three or four o'clock in the evening. „
In Swimming rivers, he was often exposed to great danger: Once, in going to visit a sick person; he came to a stream which his companion knew to be impassable. M. Nerinckx took the saddle of his friend-who refused to venture- placed it on his own, and then remounting the horse, placed himself on his knees on the top of the two saddle, and thus crossed the flood, which flowed over his horse's back. On another occasion, he made a still more narrow escape. He was swept from his horse, which lost its footing and was carried away by the current; and the rider barely saved, himself, and reached the other shore, by clinging firmly to the horse's tail.
On one of his missionary tours, he narrowly escaped being devoured by the wolves, which then greatly infested those portions of Kentucky which were not densely settled: While travelling to visit a distant station, in what is now called Grayson county, but what was then an almost unreclaimed wilderness, he lost his way in the night. It was the dead of winter, and the darkness was so great that he could not hope to extricate himself from his painful situation. Meantime, while he was seeking a sheltered place, where he could take some repose, the famished wolves scented him; and came in hundreds, fiercely bowling around him. With great presence of mind, he immediately remounted his horse, knowing that they would scarcely attack him while on horseback. He hallooed at the top of his voice and temporarily frightened them off; but soon they returned to the charge, and kept him at bay during the whole night. Once or twice they seemed on the point of seizing his horse, and M.Nerinckx made the sign of the cross, and prepared himself for death ; but a mysterious Providence watched over him, and heescaped, after sitting his horse the whole night. With the dawn, the wolves disappeared.
As we have said, he was a man of powerful frame and herculean strength. A proof of this will be presented in the following singular adventure, which is well known to all the older Catholics of Kentucky.
He was in the habit of rigidly enforcing order in the church, during, the celebration of the divine mysteries. Protestants, and persons of no religion, often attended church, - led thither chiefly by curiosity. These sometimes did not conform to the rules of propriety; and M. Nerinckx, who was little swayed by human respect was not slow to admonish them of their faults in this particular. As he was not very well versed in the English language, and was by nature rather plain and frank, his admonitions were not always well understood, or well received. Once, especially, a man by the name of Hardin-a youth of powerful frame and strength, and somewhat of a bully-took great offence at something which M. Nerinckx had said, and which it seems he had entirely misunderstood. He openly declared that he would be avenged on the priest, the
first time that he would meet him alone.
An opportunity soon occurred. M. Nerinckx was going to the church of St. Charles, from St. Stephen's, when Hardin waylaid him on the road. Springing from his hiding-
place, he seized the bridle-reins of M. Nerinckx's horse, and bid him stop, "for that he intended to give him a sound drubbing." At the same time he cut one of the stirrupleathers, and ordered the rider to dismount-an order which was promptly complied with. M. Nerinckx remonstrated with him ; told him that he had meant in nowise to offend or injure him; and that his profession wholly forbade him to wrangle or fight. Hardin, however, persisted, and was in the act of striking the priest, when the latter took hold of him, and quietly laid him on the ground, as though he had been the merest child ; observing to him, meantime, with a smile, "that he would neither strike or injure him, but that he felt authorized to see that himself received no injury at his hands." In this position he held him motionless on his back, until he had obtained from him a promise that no further attempt should be made on his person
.
After this rencounter, M. Nerinckx quietly remounted his horse, and proceeded on his journey, Hardin as quietly moving off in the other direction. On arriving at the church, one of his friends asked M. Nerinckx, "how it happened that his stirrup-leather had been cut?" He replied, by simply stating the adventure in a few words; and observing, with a smile, "that these young buckskins could not handle a Dutchman !" After this he never was heard to speak of the affair ; but Hardin was wont to say to his friends, " he often thought before that he had handled men, but that he really never bad hold of one before he met Priest Nerinckx, who, he verily believed, had something supernatural about him."
M. Nerinckx often manifested his great bodily strength in the course of his laborious life. He erected no less than ten churches in Kentucky; two of which-those of Holy Cross and of Lebanon-were of brick, and the rest of hewed logs. He was not content with directing the labors of others ; he was seen intermixing with the workmen, aiding them in cutting timber, in clearing out the undergrowth, and in every other species of hard labor. ,He generally worked bareheaded under the broiling still; and, in removing heavy timber, or, as it is commonly called, rolling logs, he usually lifted against two or three men of ordinary strength. He built his own house, chiefly with his own hands; and was wont to say cheerfully, "that his palace had cost him. just $ 6.50 in money !„
He had charge of six large congregations, besides a much greater number of stations, scattered over the whole extent of Kentucky. Wherever he could learn that there were a few Catholic settlers, there he established a station, or erected a church. The labor which he thus voluntarily took on himself is almost incredible. To visit all his churches and stations generally required the space of at least six weeks.
He never took any rest or recreation. He seemed always most happy, when most busily engaged. He seldom talked, except on business, or on God, on virtue, or on his missionary duties. On reaching a church or station, his confessional was usually thronged by penitents, from the early dawn until mid-day. Before beginning to hear confessions, he usually said some prayers with the people, and then gave them a solid and familiar instruction on the manner of approaching the holy tribunal. If he seemed austere out of the confessional, he was in it a most kind, patient, and tender father. He spared no time nor pains to instruct his penitents, all of whom, without one exception, were deeply attached to him. To his instructions chiefly, in the confessional, are we to ascribe the piety and regularity of many among the living Catholics in Kentucky.
But it was on the children and servants that he lavished his labor with the greatest relish. 'Thoroughly to instruct them, and prepare them for their first communion, was his darling employment. He thought no time nor labor, that was devoted to this favorite object of his heart, too long or ill-spent.. For this purpose, he usually remained a week at each of the churches and stations. During this time, he had the children and servants daily assembled, and devoted his whole time to them. He thus renewed in ]Kentucky the edifying scenes which had been witnessed in his former parish of Everberg-Meerbeek, in Belgium. The children were much attached to hire ; and he possessed a peculiar tact in winning their hearts, and stimulating them to learn their catechism, and to be virtuous. He distributed them in regular classes, and awarded premiums to the most deserving. Thus he laid, broad and deep, the foundations of Catholic piety in Kentucky.
In Kentucky-, also, as in Belgium, be sought to inculcate a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin. The first church which he erected he dedicated to God under her invocation, and called it Holy Mary's, after her. His churches were generally built in the form of a cross : the two arms of which, with one half of the body, were occupied respectively by the men and women, who were always kept separate.
After mass, he was in the habit of practising a devotion, as beautiful as it was touching and impressive. He went to the centre of the church, where, surrounded by the little children, who so dearly loved him, he knelt down, and, with his army extended in the form of a cross-the children raising also their little, arms in the same manner-he recited prayers in honor of the five blessed wounds of our Divine Saviour. The parents often joined the children in this moving devotion. After this, he led his little congregation, composed chiefly of children, into the adjoining graveyard,
where he caused them to visit and pray over the graves of their deceased relatives and friends.
God blessed his labors with fruits so abundant and permanent as to console him for all his toils and privations. He witnessed a flourishing church growing up around him, in what had recently been a wilderness, inhabited only by fierce wild beasts and untamable savages. He saw in the virtues of his scattered flock, a revival of those which had rendered so illustrious the Christians of the first ages of the Church. M. Badin had laid the foundation ; and, like a skilful architect, he reared the superstructure, in that portion of the flock intrusted to his charge. The results of his labors prove how much one good man, with the blessing of God, can achieve by big single efforts, prompted by the lofty motive of the divine glory, and directed with simplicity of heart to one noble end.
Yet, though learned and of solid judgment, he was not remarkable for brilliancy of talent, for engaging address, or for pulpit eloquence. His discourses were plain, matter-of-fact instructions, delivered in broken English and with little rhetorical ornament.
Though he had something austere in his manner, and though he was a foreigner, and spoke English very imperfectly, yet it is remarkable that he made, perhaps, more converts among Protestants, than any other missionary whoever labored in Kentucky, if we except M. Badin. So true is it, that conversion is not ordinarily effected by human eloquence alone, or by any other mere human means, but by the grace and blessing of God, crowning with success the labors of the missionary. M. Nerinckx seldom made a missionary tour without receiving some one into the bosom of the Holy Catholic Church. In one of these excursions, he made no fewer than thirteen converts. And those whom he received into the Church were well grounded in the faith, and generally proved steadfast.
The transcendent merits of M. Nerinckx did not escape the eye of Bishop Carroll. Resides having charge of the whole territory of the United States, this venerable patriarch of the American Church was also administrator of the diocese of New Orleans, which had been for many years without a bishop. On the division of his vast charge into five, different dioceses, in 1806, and the erection of his own see into an archbishopric, be recommended to the Holy See the Rev. M. Nerinckx, as a suitable person to take charge of the vacant diocese of New Orleans,* in the character of administrator. The Sovereign Pontiff acceded to his request, and dispatched a brief to that effect. The appointment of M. Nerinckx to this situation was intended as the forerunner of his consecration as bishop of New Orleans.
The good missionary was with M.Badin when he learned the news of his ppointment. He meekly bowed, his head, and observed to his friend, beginning with the words of the psalmist: "Bonitatem et disciplinam et scientiam docendus, docere non valeo"-"Having thyself to be taught goodness, and discipline, and knowledge, I am not able to teach these 'things to others." He mildly, but firmly refused the proffered honor. Desirous of retaining him in Kentucky, where his labors were so fruitful, M. Badin, in conjunction with the Domenican Fathers of St. Rose, petitioned the Hole See that he might not be compelled to accept an office which would tear him from a field of labor in which he had already
(* Louisiana, of which New Orleans is the chief city, was sold to the United State-, by Napoleon, in 1801. The episcopal see of New Orleans, erected in 1793, was, at. the cession, without an incumbent; the first bishop, a Cuban, having been transferred to another see, and his successor having been unable to reach his diocese.)
proved so eminently useful. They also represented, that the great delicacy of conscience characteristic of M. Nerinckx, would render him exceedingly unhappy in so arduous a situation, if it would not wholly unfit him for its responsible duties.
The Pontiff yielded to the entreaties of At. Nerinckx, thus supported by the suffrage of his brethren in the ministry ; and he did not insist on his accepting the appointment.
Among the establishments made by M. Nerinckx, that of the Sisters of Loretto, or of "the Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross," is the principal, and has proved of the greatest benefit to the diocese of Kentucky. His objects in founding this invaluable sisterhood were : to enable pious females to aspire to the lofty perfection of the religious state, and to promote, through their means, the Christian education of youth of their own sex, especially of those whose parents were needy and too destitute to defray the expenses attending the education of their offspring.
In the course of his long missionary career M. Nerinckx discovered many young females who sought to practise a more perfect virtue than was compatible with the distractions of the world. They had caught no little of his own spirit of prayer, of disengagement from the world, and of lofty, enthusiasm in the path of Christian perfection. He observed, too, many young girls who were raised in ignorance, and greatly exposed to temptation. He devised an admirable means of promoting the spiritual welfare of both these classes of females, in the establishment of the new Sisterhood of Loretto-which name he gave them out of reverence for the famous shrine of the Virgin, at Loretto, in Italy.
They foundation of the new society was laid on the 25th of April, 1812-nearly a year after the arrival of Bishop Flaget* in Kentucky. The mother establishment was called Loretto, and was erected on Hardin's Creek, near the church of St. Charles. The houses were built of wood, and were very Poorly furnished. They were erected on one side of an oblong inclosure, in the centre of which was reared a large wooden cross. The chapel of the sisters occupied a central position in the buildings which stood on either side.
The number of those who attached themselves to the new institute increased every year. Soon the buildings were too small for the number of applicants; and the pious founder was under the necessity of erecting new houses, and of creating branch establishments of the society. In twelve years from its commencement, the number of Sisters exceeded a hundred ; and they had already under their charge six different schools for girls. In the letter above quoted, Bishop
(*This great bishop arrived in Kentucky, June 11, 1811, and died there, piously, in 1850. Bishop Portier, of Mobile, says of him : " The diocese of Bardstown was the cradle of religion in the Nest, and its venerable founder, by his long career, may well be styled the patriarch of North America, as his labors and virtues proclaimed him the model of apostolic life.
According to a letter of M. Nerinckx, dated from Loretto, Ky., September 11, 1818, addressed to the Superior of the Hospital Nuns of Vilvorde, the Sisters of Loretto had then four houses, viz: The Mother house; that of Mires, four hundred miles from Loretto, where seven sisters bad been sent, at the request of the bishop, to found a house; Gethsemane, and Calvary. Loretto then contained twenty-two novices and some postulants. During the whole summer they had supported and, in a great measure, clothed eighty or ninety persons, at the expense of the convent, although it possessed no lucrative property and no certain income: the school even, in this respect, was almost unproductive, as the asylum and lower classes paid nothing.
In this letter, M. Nerinckx recalls himself to the kind remembrance of some persons especially of Vilvorde, who had contributed, by alms, to the missions. We may be permitted to cite the names -of some of our.....)
Flaget, after having denominated the sisterhood the most valuable legacy which the good M. Nerinckx had left to his diocese, speaks as follows of the condition of the society, in 1824, immediately after the death of the founder:
" Their number is over one hundred ; they have charge of six schools. They give education to upwards of two hundred and fifty girls yearly in their houses, and take in some orphans gratis. The missionaries generally send the children whom they wish to prepare for their first communion to these monasteries, whenever they can, and they, as well as the boarders, are admirably well instructed in all that may be useful, both for this world and for eternity."
The assiduous attention to the religious instruction of girls constituted, in fact, the principal utility of the pious society. It is difficult to estimate how much it has, by this means, contributed towards fostering and sustaining piety in this diocese. Within the first ten years of its existence, the Sisterhood had already prepared for their first communion eight hundred young ladies. These afterwards became mothers of families, and were able to instruct others; and thus the good was perpetuated from generation to generation.
M. Nerinckx watched over the new institution with the tender solicitude of a parent. He devoted to the spiritual instruction of the Sisters and of their scholars, all the time he could spare from the heavier duties of his missionary life. He endeavored to infuse into them his own spirit of prayer and
(....own place. They are, the rector and units of the order of St. Augustine, the Rev. Messrs Van Haecht, Van Ophem, Van Hamme and his sisters, Mlle. Van Laethem, and others whom he indicates without naming.
He also mentions a printed letter, which the hospital sisters would soon receive. We do not know this missive of tile missionary.-Note of Father Terwecoren.)
mortification. He labored assiduously, both by word and example, to disengage them entirely from the world, and to train them to the practice of a sublime Christian perfection. He ardently sought to keep alive in their hearts the true spirit of the religious vocation ; to make them despise the -world, trample on its vanities, and devote themselves wholly to the service of God and of the neighbor, by a faithful compliance with the duties growing out of the three simple vows, of poverty, chastity, and obedience, they had taken.
Especially did he endeavor to impress upon them the obligation of placing implicit reliance upon the good providence of God, not only in their spiritual, but also in all their temporal concerns. A favorite maxim which he had always in his heart, and frequently on his lips, was embodied in this golden saying: "Do not abandon Providence; and he will never abandon you." How could that good heavenly Father, who "clothes the lilies of the field, and feeds the birds of the air," abandon those who had put all their trust in him, and had devoted themselves entirely, both in body and soul, to his service ?
In fact, this unbounded confidence in the providence of God, was almost the only legacy be was able to bequeath to the Lorettines. They had, in the commencement of their society, but little of this world's goods to depend upon. It was not difficult for them to practise the poverty which they had vowed ; they were already extremely poor and destitute ; and in fulfilling their vow, they had but to love and submit cheerfully to that which was a stern necessity of their condition. Their houses were poor and badly furnished; their clothing was of the plainest kind; and their food was of the coarsest.
M. Nerinckx himself set them the example of the poverty and mortification which their institute required them to love, as well as to practise. According to the testimony of his bishop, "he himself led an extremely austere and mortified life; his dress, his lodging, his food were poor; and he had filled his monasteries with this holy spirit. Those women sought for poverty in every thing-in their monasteries, in the plain simplicity of their chapels. The neatness, the cleanliness, the simplicity of their dwellings, and of their chapels, excited the wonder of their visitors."
To keep up the constant practice and spirit of prayer in their houses, M. Nerinckx inculcated, besides regular and devout attendance at all the pious exercises of the community distributed throughout the day, the utility of raising their hearts to God by a pious aspiration or ejaculation, whenever they would hear the clock strike, or would pass from one occupation to another.
Especially did he enjoin upon them a tender devotion to the Blessed virgin, weeping at the foot of the cross, and is frequent repetition of the pious ejaculation : "O suffering Jesus! O sorrowful Mary !" To feed and keep alive the spirit of piety, be recommended to them frequent visits to the holy sacrament of the altar; and we have already seen the provision which he made to keep up the perpetual adoration of Jesus Christ in this, the greatest mystery of his undying love for mankind.
To foster the spirit of humility and mortification, he recommended manual labor, and the love of being employed in the most menial offices of the house. To encourage them to practise these employments with cheerfulness and love, he pointed to the lowly life, and the voluntary hardships and privations of the blessed Saviour ; and to the great utility of such mortifications, for the atonement of sin, and the laying up of abundant merits in heaven.
This austerity was apparent in, the body of rules which he drew up for the guidance of the society. They breathed the purest spirit of Christian perfection; but experience subsequently demonstrated that some of them were too rigid for health, and ill-suited to the nature of the climate. Of this character were, the great exposure of the Sisters to every inconvenience of weather, while laboring hard in the fields, or forests, and the practice of going barefoot during a great portion of the year. As we have said, the poverty of the society at its commencement compelled hard labor ; the other practice was adopted, with many others of a similar nature, to cherish a constant spirit of mortification. But these more rigid regulations were retrenched from the rule on its subsequent revision, while its substance and spirit were fully retained.
The heart of the good founder was consoled by the early piety and fervor of the Sisterhood. These appeared to enter into the entire spirit of their state, and to correspond, to the full, with his instructions. According to the testimony of the good Bishop Flaget,* " they were the edification of all who knew them : and their singular piety-, and their penitential lives, reminded one of all that we have read of the ancient monasteries of Palestine and of Thebais."
Thus did the good M. Nerinckx, alone and unaided, except by Divine Providence, found a society of pious ladies, which has already done, and will no doubt continue to do, incal-
(* Bishop Flaget wrote, in 1884: "The Lorettines were founded in Kentucky by a learned and zealous missionary from Flanders, Mr. Charles Nerinckx, in the second year of my episcopate. The rules of this new community were submitted to the Sovereign Pontiff, who made various changes. His holiness took this new family under his protection, as I was informed by his eminence, Cardinal Fesch; and what is still more flattering, the Sisters of Loretto, in Kentucky, received from the Pope all the spiritual privileges enjoyed by the chapel of Loretto, in Italy")
culable good to religion in this diocese. M. Nerinckx succeeded in doing what M. Badin had been unable to accomplish. The latter, with intentions and views very similar to those afterwards entertained by the former, had constructed an edifice for a monastery at St. Stephens; but before it could be completed, it was burned down by accident, and thus the whole design was frustrated. It was in the order of Providence, that the exertions of M. Nerinckx should be crowned with better success. His success, in fact, surpassed his own most sanguine expectations. The branches of his institution yearly multiplied, and soon Kentucky was too narrow a field for the exercise of its charity and zeal.
The good founder bad been induced to send a colony of the Lorettines to Missouri ;* and he had already received gratifying accounts of the success which had there crowned their labors. Though almost exhausted with his missionary toils, and worn down by old age, he yet determined to pay a visit to this distant branch of the society, in order to encourage the Sisters in the path of usefulness on which they lead entered.
Another principal motive of his journey to Missouri, was an ardent desire for the conversion and civilization of the Indians, who were there very numerous at that time. He had formed a plan to induce the heads of families and the chiefs of the savage tribes to send their children to the schools of the society, where they might be taught the English language, the elements of learning, and especially the catechism. This he conceived to be the best means of
(* There are now four convents of the Sisters of Loretto in Kentucky three in Missouri, one in Nebraska, and one in New Mexico. Rev. D. A. Deparcq, a Belgian, the present director-general, resides at the mother-house of Loretto.- Belg. Trans.)
reclaiming the Indian tribes ; and, in fact, it was but a carrying out of a favorite system, which he had found so eminently successful, both in Europe and in America-that of reaching the parents through the piety of their children.
This was the last journey that the good missionary ever performed. He died in the midst of it, on the 12th of August, 1824, at the house of the Rev. Mr. Dahman, parish priest of St. Genevieve. He breathed his last, while closely engaged in the labors of the mission, and while panting for new means of promoting the glory of God and the salvation of souls. His death was worthy of his life. Calm, patient, collected, and resigned to the will of Heaven; praying to the last, and longing to be freed from the prison of the body, and to be with Christ, the good priest bade farewell to this world, with a confident assurance of a blessed immortality in the nest.
The fever of which he died he bad contracted in the discharge of his missionary duties. The chief circumstances of his death are so well related by Bishop Flaget, that we will give them in his own words ;
"After the arrival of M. Nerinckx at the residence of the Sisters, in Missouri, he wrote to me a most affecting letter, describing the good they had accomplished in that-diocese, and the hopes which be entertained of their being one day useful to the Indians. Thence he went to visit an establishment of Flemish Jesuits, which is pretty numerous, and about ninety miles distant from the monastery. After spending some days of edifying fervor in the midst of those holy and beloved countrymen of his, he set out on his return to the monastery, and thence intended coming to Kentucky. Near St. Louis, he had an interview with an Indian chief,, who promised to send him a great number of the young females of his tribe, to be educated by the Sisters. He made haste
to carry this news to the monastery, and his heart burned within him, while his imagination pictured to itself the good prospect which lay open to his hopes.
"On his road, however, was a path to a settlement of eight or ten Catholic families, who had not seen a priest during more than two years. Desirous of doing all the good in his power, he assembled them, heard their confessions, gave them instructions, and celebrated for them the holy sacrifice of the mass. He was thus occupied, from a little after daybreak, until towards three o'clock in the evening. Seeing the good dispositions of those Catholics, he proposed to them to build a church, in order to encourage priests to come to them ; a subscription was immediately opened by those present; out of his own small means he gave ten dollars; and signatures for over nine hundred dollars were instantly affixed to the sheet.
"After all this exertion, in such broiling weather, he felt feverish symptoms. These continued next day, but apparently much diminished. He wished to go to St. Genevieve, which was only fifteen or eighteen miles distant; and though the journey was short, still the exertion and the burning sun greatly increased the fever. The pastor of St. Genevieve (M. Dahman) received him with great kindness and affection. He was obliged to betake himself immediately to bid; the physicians came promptly, and paid him every attention ; but to no purpose.
"M. Nerinckx was, I trust, in the eye of God, ripe for heaven ; and his Lord saw that it was tithe to bestow upon his faithful servant, the recompense of his labors. He had the use of his reason to the last, and edified all who saw him by his piety and patience. On the ninth day of his sickness, about nine in the morning, he received the holy viaticum and extreme unction, after having made his confession ; and about five in the evening, he breathed out his pure soul to return to its Creator, with entire resignation, and without a struggle. The Lorettines in Missouri requested to have his body, which was accordingly conveyed to their cemetery from St. Genevieve."
The transfer of his remains to this monastery of Bethlehem, Missouri, was made by the direction of Bishop Rosati, who had arrived at St. Genevieve on the morning after the death of the good missionary. He assisted at his funeral service, which was performed with great solemnity.
M. Nerinckx had reached his 63d year; and, during the last forty years of his life, he had labored for the glory of God and the good of his neighbor, with a constancy, an activity, and a zeal, seldom equalled, never, perhaps, surpassed. His whole life had been one continual voluntary martyrdom and holocaust. He contemned this world, and panted only for heaven ; but he ardently wished to go to paradise with a numerous escort of souls, whom he had been instrumental in rescuing from perdition, and leading to salvation. This thought seemed to engross his whole mind and soul ; and his life was but a carrying of it out. That God, whom he served so long and so faithfully, has no doubt long since crowned these lofty aspirations of his humble and heroic servant.
A little before his death, M. Nerinckx had intended to found also a religious brotherhood, bound together by the ordinary vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience ; and wholly devoted, like the Lorettines, to the service of God and the good of the neighbor. He had even begun this establishment, and had already received into it some members, one of whom, James Vanrissalberghe, accompanied him on his last journey to Missouri, and assisted him in his last illness. But death cut short his design in this respect: and, deprived of its founder, the brotherhood soon ceased to exist.
In the year 1833, his remains were translated to Kentucky, and deposited in a suitable monument erected at Loretto, the mother-house of the Lorettines. This monument stands in the centre of the conventual graveyard. The base of it is a parallelogram, about six feet long, by three wide. It is built with brick, covered with a plain oak-plank, painted and sanded in imitation of stone, and surmounted by a large urn. On each side of the brick-work is a projecting tablet, on each of which is engraved one of the inscriptions that follow "In memory of Rev. Charles Nerinckx, a native of Flanders, who died August 12, 1824, in Missouri. His remains were translated to Kentucky in 1833, by brother Charles Gilbert, at the request of the Loretto Society, and interred at this place by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Flaget, and the Rev. G. I. Chabrat, superior of the Society."
"M. Nerinckx came to Kentucky in 1805, and devoted himself zealously to that laborious mission, during which time he was nominated to the diocese of New Orleans, but he refused that dignity ; and in 1812, with the approbation of the Holy See, instituted the Lorettines, or Friends of Mary, and died in performing the visitation of the order, at St. Genevieve, Missouri, aged 63."
One of the end-tablets has "Requiescat in pace;" and, on the other end-tablet are these words : " Loretto's mite of esteem and veneration for its founder." "Do not forsake Providence, and he will never forsake you. C. N."-this being a favorite saying of his to the nuns, at a time when Providence was almost their only dependence for the next day's dinner.
Such was the life, such the death, and such the establishments, of the Rev. Charles Nerincks, one of the very best priests who ever labored on the arduous missions of America."
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Letter of the Rev,. M. Nerinckx giving an Account of his Vocation.
ST. MARY'S (Rolling Fork, Ky.), Jan. 23, 1806.
REV. AND DEAD FRIEND:
Not to be wanting to our close friendship, nor deserve the reproach of delay, or even of negligence, in a cause as serious as God's honor, the propagation of religion, the sal
vation of our neighbor and our own, I cannot help writing letter on letter to call with loud cries vigorous laborers to one of the most plenteous harvests, and seek in every direction whatever is needed to labor there. We agreed, when we took our last farewell, to employ all our zeal to succor ourselves our brethren in America, who suffer and die of spiritual hunger; and till that end is obtained, to endeavor to secure the concurrence of men better fitted than ourselves in word and prayer. Let us keep our word. Let us not lose courage, although our first attempts have not answered
our expectations. Persuade the good whom you seek; send the generous men whom you may convince. The plan to adopt, and the means to use, were suggested in my letters last year. You have, doubtless, received them. If the
(* During his stay in Kentucky, Rev. M. Nerinckx made two voyager to Belgium, in 1816 and 1819, to obtain of his generous countrymen aid not to be found in America. Among the young men whom he took over on his last voyage, were several seminarians of Mechlin, most of whom became members of the Society of Jesus in the United States, and continue to labor in the vineyard of the Lord.-Belg. Trans.)
motives and reasons which induced me myself to undertake this voyage could persuade others to follow, here is some idea of them.
According to the parable in the Gospel, seated, counting my resources, using the most considerations of which I was capable, and repeatedly meditating on my project, I found the following motives for setting out:
1. The danger of my own defection, of being perverted or falling into error, if I remained at home, and the almost utter uselessness of my presence in Belgium in the actual state of things.
2. Certain hope of propagating the honor of God under this severe menace : " Woe to me if I have not preached the Gospel." .
3. The tendency of the American people towards the Catholic religion, and the penury of priests.
4. The urgent opportunity of paying my evangelical debt of ten thousand talents. A dignified sinner in my own land, which abounds in advantages. I most despaired of doing real penance, and making due satisfaction. Hence I concluded that I must undertake inevitable toils and sorrows.
5. The favorable advice of competent persons, without whose council I did not deem it prudent to act.
Such were nearly the principal motives of my resolution, which I confirmed by the following thoughts well suited to spur me on:
First.-:A lively ardor of vigorous faith in God, and especially in his ministers. The object of this faith was: 1. The greatness of God and his majesty, and his domain and rights over our ministry, and our duty to serve him everywhere. "I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid. All serve thee; how shall I not serve thee?" and the perfectly incomprehensible honor with which, too, he has deigned to honor us, by introducing us into the holy of holies, and by ranking us with the princes of his people, which he has certainly not done for us to stand idle. 2. The labors, sweat, and sorrows of Jesus, our master, so worthy of love in all points of view, and of his disciples whose sufferings we have seen. 3. The soldiers of earthly kings serve without choice of country, and are forced to serve for a ration of bread and water; and what trials do they not meet, what kinds of death do they not face without any remuneration? Can it seem equitable, then, for us to shrink from the sweet yoke or service of the Lord, which gives hope of so great a recompense, under any pretext? 4. The sea alarms-but merchants expose to the same and greater dangers their money, their goods, their body, their soul, their families; and when they are broken and extenuated by labors, they still find themselves empty-handed.
Second.-A firm hope of an eternal personal reward, and to be obtained by so many others whom we will perhaps lead back from the ways of error, as also the hope of increasing God's thence resulting glory, and of obtaining seasonable aid from God, our stay and support. The horror of eternal pains, which, according to the judgment already written, await the wicked and slothful servant, and which will torture him.
Third.-The fire, ever burning in the presence of God, the Blessed Virgin, &c. St.. Ignatius preferred to live uncertain of his own salvation, and labor for his neighbor's soul, than to die at once with the certainty of being saved. Aided by these and like thoughts, I felt arising in me that fortitude which permitted me to say, when the storms of objections arose: "What I have resolved, I have resolved."
The objections which I successively answered, and my replies, were as follows
First objection.-You must have a vocation.
Reply.-1. But it need not be confirmed by miracles. 2. I am already a priest, and it is rather late to raise doubts as to my vocation. Better examine a vocation before ordination, than hesitate after being initiated into the holy ministry. It requires as much divine vocation to be a parish priest, with cure of souls in Belgium. Neither advantages, parents, love of home, nor a clinging to one's native soil and house by puerile affection, give surer testimony in the choice of a state of life. We have rarely seen an excuse of non-vocation alleged. When a rich benefice is vacant, no powerful motives are needed to induce most men to accept; but, on the contrary, to prevent them from seizing. So that when you can get an advantageous post, you find a vocation; but when there is question of going to undertake labors elsewhere, vocation is doubtful. Then the vocation is not wanting to him that is called; but here and there, the one called is wanting to his vocation. Non deest vocato vocatio, sed passim vocationi vocatus.
Second objection.-The faithful in Belgium also require succor.
Reply.-Only those who wish to need succor, need it; those who do not wish, do not need it. At least, there is certainly more need in America, where there are not two priests to a league, but not even one priest to be found for a hundred leagues at a time, while Catholics multiply ; and, moreover, the word sowed produces fruit a hundredfold that word, now so unpalatable to most Belgians.
Third objection.-The people will perhaps say: If all the good go, what will become of us ?
Reply.-Who are you that suffer yourself to be called good ? Trust in your vocation, expecting all from God's goodness. Yet neither the wicked, who neglect their serious
amendment, should leave their country to go to lands white for the harvest, nor will all the good go. If even this happened by a just judgment of God, he is the Master-let him do what is good in his sight; but, meanwhile, what evil hast thou prevented in thy country ? what errors hast thou faced ? what corruptions hast thou extirpated ? what infractions hast thou not consented to ? etc., etc. Weep, then, over thyself, and take pity on thy own Soul. If apostolic men had remained in their own lands, and they were few enough, we should not have been Christians this day. Should we not, then, pity our brethren ?
Fourth objection.-We need means, money, aptitude.
Reply.-As to means and aptitude, the judgment of them must be left to prudent men, who do not belong to the family, and who, although not bound to oblige themselves to the same, are not zealous towards those whom the thing concerns. As to money, God will provide it., my son.
Fifth objection-Our parents, who need help or consolation, will be afflicted.
Reply.-Remember that the priest belongs to the Lord, and not to his father. Assist your parents as much as you can, and provide for the future ; but remember, too, that you must be about your heavenly Father's business. As to the precept of leaving father and mother for God's sake, examine the Scriptures, the acts and lives of the apostles, and the examples of the saints.
You see, then, clear friend, what induced me to undertake this voyage. I have never yet repented coming; and if any one of these motives call be useful to mother, I willingly permit him to adopt and confirm it by new and better ones. There are, doubtless, many, stronger and more cogent, which your zeal and serious considerations may suggest. But as those I have set forth suffice for me, who am so ob
tuse, and whose heart is so slow and perverse, I do not see why I should insist further.
I commend myself earnestly to your prayers, your holy sacrifices, and other pious actions, and subscribe myself
Your very devoted servant,
C. NERINCKX,
Missionary in America.
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Letter of Archbishop Carroll.
BALTIMORE, April 1, 1806.
Sir :
Your very estimable friend, 'Mr. Nerinckx, has sent me, from Kentucky, an account of his apostolic labors, a large package of letters addressed to you, which I have the honor of transmitting by a vessel that is to leave this port to-morrow for Amsterdam. While transmitting them I take a liberty which you will surely pardon me.
From the description given me by Mr. Nerinckx, I am aware of your zeal for the increase of the true religion in the diocese which Providence has confided to me, and of your kindness in interesting yourself to send ecclesiastics whose life and talents will edify the faithful and maintain the faith. Ah! Sir, if it were possible for you to find and persuade five or six priests like Mr. Nerinckx, it is incredible how much they would extend in these vast regions the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Although he has but imperfectly acquired our language, still every account from Kentucky already speaks of him as a man who has won the respect, attachment, confidence, and veneration of the whole people. I feel only one anxiety about him ; it is, that incessantly engaged in the functions of his apostolate, he will be exhausted by toil.
His friend, Mr. Cuypers, who was to have been his co-adjutor and consolation, sank under the delicacy of his constitution before commencing his career in the mission which awaited him. I do not know whether it was in his voyage to Amsterdam, or a few days after his landing, that he was attacked with a dysentery. It did not at first seem dangerous. -I advised him to go to Georgetown College, the healthiest place in the country, both to recruit and to become more familiar with our language, before starting to join M. Nerinckx. Notwithstanding all possible care, his disease grew worse, and he died a few days before Christmas, in the arms of my coadjutor. You will say with me, that his death, disastrous for my diocese, is only the greatest advantage to him, by advancing the day of his happy entrance into heaven. His piety made a lively impression on all at the college, and served to excite all to the exercises of virtue.
Receive, sir, the assurance of my gratitude, respect, and of my desire to serve you when in my power.
I have the honor to be, sir, Your most ob't serv't,
JOHN, Bishop of Baltimore.
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Additional Remarks by Father De Smet.
Mr. Nerinckx was strongly attached to our Society. On every occasion he testified his high esteem for it. He made two voyages to Belgium, in 1817 and 1821, and each time obtained several postulants for the Society-cheerfully complying with the request made by Father Anthony Kohlmann, then Provincial of the Society of Jesus in Maryland, who begged him to obtain, if possible, young men disposed to labor in the American mission.
On his first voyage, Mr. Nerinckx was accompanied back by Mr. Cousin, of the diocese of Ghent, and by four young men, viz. : James Van de Velde, of Lebeke, near Termonde, professor in the Petit Seminaire, of Mechlin ; Sannon, from near Turnhout; Verheyen, of Merxplas, who bad made the Spanish campaign under Napoleon; and Timmermans, of Turnhout, secretary of the commissary of the district. Christian de Smet, of Marcke, near Audenarde, and Peter de Meyer, of Segelsem, joined this little band of missionaries, in order to enter the Society of Jesus as lay-brothers.
Mr. Cousin died at White Marsh, at the close of his novitiate. Mr. Van de Velde died bishop of Natchez, and I have already given his biography. Father Verheyen, missionary in Maryland, there ceased to live in 1823. His great zeal for the salvation of souls, and his solid virtues, attracted to him the esteem and respect of all who were so happy as to know him. Father Timmermans, socius of Father Van Quickenborne, finished his career at St. Stanislaus, Missouri, in 1824. He was an indefatigable missionary, and one who rendered great service to religion in those districts. Brother Christian de Smet died at the college of Georgetown, D. C., after having been a model of a true and holy religious during the years that he passed in the Society. Brother Pierre de Meyer is the sole survivor of the party. I obtained from Mr. Nerinckx some quite interesting particulars concerning their long and dangerous voyage, which are still fresh in the memory of our good Brother Pierre.
They embarked on the 16th of May, at the island of Texel, Holland, on the brig Mars, Captain Hall, of Baltimore. The voyage was long and dangerous. Scarcely had they entered the English Channel than a storm suprised them, and threatened to submerge them. One of the sailors, precipitated from the topmast into the sea, was lost. Universal fear and consternation reigned on board. It was Whit-Sunday. During three days the vessel, without sails and without a helm, beaten by the winds and waves, floated about at the mercy of the ocean.
In another tempest the ship sprung a leak,-large, and deemed irreparable. During more than three weeks all the pumps were in action, without interruption, night or day, and all, passengers and crew, even the venerable missionaries, were obliged to work. Happily there were on board about a hundred emigrants, Swiss and Germans. Without their aid it would have been impossible to save the brig. When approaching the Banks of Newfoundland the Mars fell in with a piratical vessel, which gave her chase and succeeded in boarding her, after a long pursuit. The captain of the pirates, named Moony, was a native of Baltimore. Far from manifesting hostile intentions, He appeared full of joy at meeting a countryman. As the Mars was failing in provisions, Captain Hall bought several barrels of biscuit, salt beef, some tuns of fresh water, and a great quantity of dried fruits and wine, which the pirate had in abundance, having plundered, three days before, a Spanish merchant-ship, on its way to Spain.
Neither the captain nor the mate of the Mars was qualified for his post. Their calculations always varied. After passing the Azores, they steered straight for the tropics. Then finding themselves too far south, they turned towards the Banks of Newfoundland. Sailing thus at random, the vessel, one fine morning, was on the point of striking on the dangerous shore of northern Long island. At last, after a voyage of sixty-six days, they made Chesapeake Bay, July 26th, and on the 28th reached Baltimore in safety.
In 1821, the Very Rev. M. Nerinckx once more visited his native country, in order to obtain spiritual succor necessary to his numerous missions in Kentucky. On this occasion the Father Provincial Maryland again renewed with earnestness his request to conduct hither a good reinforcement of young Belgian missionaries.
During the sojourn of the zealous missionary in Belgium, some professors and students in the Lesser Seminary of Mechlin conceived the idea and formed the intention of entering into the Society of Jesus, to devote themselves to the salvation of souls in the United States. They soon had an opportunity of realizing their noble design. The Very Rev. M. Nerinckx appeared in their midst. The picture which he drew of the abandoned state of the poor Catholics in these immense countries, in which, for want of priests, thousands forget or forsake the Faith, excited their fervent sympathy and zeal. He spoke to them at length of Kentucky, where the Lord had wrought go many wonders by his ministry, and painted to them in living colors the absolute abandonment in which the Indian tribes of the Great Desert roamed, to the conversion of whom the Sons of St. Ignatius had, at all times, devoted themselves, The young candidates at once presented themselves to the respectable missionary, resolved, if be would consent, to accompany him to America. This consent was easily obtained, and he received them with open arms. They afterwards were forced to overcome numerous and great obstacles which opposed their departure, arising from their parents and the government of Holland.
The following are the names of these young candidates who presented themselves to the Rev. M. Nerinckx, to enter the Society of Jesus, in America. I commence with the eldest : Messrs. Felix Verreydt, of Diest ; Josse Van Assche, of St. Amand ; Peter Joseph Verhaegen, of Haecht; John Baptist Smedts, of Rotslaer ; John Anthony Elet, of St. Amand; Peter John de Smet,.of Terinonde.*
(* Father Elet and Father Smedts are dead, and sketches of them will be found in this volume.)
It was agreed with M. Nerinckx that his six companions should meet in Amsterdam, in order to make all the preparations necessary for the long voyage over the Atlantic, and also to make ulterior arrangements for eluding the vigilance of government, which bad given the authorities strict and severe orders to arrest them. They succeeded in gaining the rendezvous. On the 26th of July, 1821, they arrived at Amsterdam. On the 31st of the month, the Feast of St. Ignatius, they quitted the city and embarked in a little boat, in order to repair to the island of Texel, in the Zuyder-Zee. The following day they stopped at Wieringen, where they visited a Catholic church, and, some hours after, they landed at Texel and took lodging in a Catholic house that some friends in Amsterdam had prepared for them beforehand. At length, on the 15th of August, they got on board the brig Columbia, after having gained the open sea in a little pilot-boat, which had passed the Helder without being observed by the police. The voyage, therefore, commenced under the auspices of our Holy Mother, on the day of her glorious assumption into heaven. We experienced, it is true, some storms and some heavy gales of wind ; but all passed without the least unfortunate incident.
At the end of forty days we disembarked in the beautiful city of Philadelphia. The next day we exchanged adieux with the venerable and worthy M. Nerinckx, a man eminent for sanctity and learning, and full of zeal for the salvation of souls, justly deserving to be styled one of the principal apostles of the American Church, as the author of the biography which I have recapitulated in this letter has so well displayed him. We quitted him, filled with reverence and respect for his person. The sage counsels which he unceasingly gave us, and the example of his eminent virtues that we had beneath our eyes during the forty days' passage, have ever remained present to the memory of his companions. We enjoyed the distinguished favor of possessing him some time at the novitiate of St Stanislaus, Missouri, a few days before his death.
In union with your holy sacrifices and prayers, I have the honor to be,
Reverend Father,
Your devoted servant,
P. J. DE SMET, S. J.