Congregation of the Mission, Circular Letters. Charles Souvay,

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1 DePaul University From the SelectedWorks of John E Rybolt 2016 Congregation of the Mission, Circular Letters. Charles Souvay, John E Rybolt This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY International License. Available at:

2 Congregation of the Mission, Circular Letters Charles Souvay, A Topical Outline by John E. Rybolt, C.M. Introduction Among the great scholars of the Congregation, Charles Léon Souvay ( ) stands out as one of the best. French by birth and American by adoption, he excelled in his varied academic pursuits, covering the sacred sciences as well as the natural sciences that he pursued as a hobby. In 1896, he went to Rome for advanced studies and earned baccalaureates and licentiates in philosophy and theology. In 1898, he earned doctorates in philosophy and theology. He arrived in the United States in 1903, where he taught until returning to Rome for a third licentiate (1911) and doctorate (1912), this time in biblical studies. He left these accomplishments behind on his return to France in 1932 to serve on the general council. The confreres expected great change when he became superior general, but economic and social conditions blocked much of what he had planned. His early death at the beginning of the Second World War and the war itself put an end to many hopes. Because of his brief generalate, his circular letters are few. English translations of them are found in various archives, including DeAndreis-Rosati Memorial Archives (DRMA), at DePaul University, Chicago. Circular Letters of Charles Souvay 1933, 29 July, 1 p. Pierre Coste announces Souvay s election. 1934, 1 January, [#1], pp Presents himself as surprised and unfit for the office. Results of the general assembly. Neither Australia nor Mexico was present. As delegates arrived, many differences of opinion surfaced. All started well, although some had petitioned Rome for an apostolic visitor to preside; Rome rejected this. Elections held, postulata discussed. CM constitutions still not review by Rome, so they remain in effect. Souvay proposed forming a committee to study the constitutions long-term, along with postulata touching constitutional points; unanimously approved. But some malcontents still had problems. Holy See approved the proposal too. A new single supplement of general assembly decrees will be published. Some bitterness about details, such as requirements of poverty. Assembly wanted a directory for scholastics. He approved the proposal of deeper study of scripture by our students, even a house of studies in Palestine. Too soon for this. A push on missiological studies for future foreign missionaries. Four provinces sent in postulata about 1

3 transfer of curia to Rome. His balanced and open thinking on the subject, urging members to set aside political passions. Vote was against transfer. (Holy See still hopes to have a church dedicated to St. Vincent in a new district of Rome.) Spoke in favor of Ozanam s cause. About a special feast for all CM saints, Souvay has no opinion for now. Some wanted to add St. Vincent s name to the Confiteor, but did not go ahead with the proposal. NEWS: Death of Verdier, after being bedridden for some weeks. Also, of Pouget, a brilliant scholar. Beatification of Catherine Labouré. Germany: Trier will open soon. Hombach s death. Congo: more men going. Spain: many vocations and new houses (with Arica, Chile). Ireland: death of Patrick Boyle. Italy: visitor moved his residence from Alberoni to Rome. Portugal still struggling with personnel numbers. China: several deaths among bishops; Sheehan died of pneumonia; had been a student of Souvay s. Von Arx: still no real information but he certainly died a martyr s death. Ethiopia: hoping for beatification soon of Justin de Jacobis. Madagascar: death of Crouzet. USA: growing well. Mexico: still suffering. Cuba: a revolution broke out. Panama: death of Rojas. Other deaths: Bret in Colombia, O Reilly in Australia. 1935, 1 January, #2, pp [no consecutive pagination] Divine providence for the Double Family: shown in beatification of Rogue, and progress in cause of Justin de Jacobis. Various points that need attention. 1) Morning meditation; many are absent. 2) Other common exercises: examens, breviary, evening prayer, Sunday offices, Benediction. These have to be more than a habit. 3) Community retreat, not just a private retreat elsewhere. We need less independence and more self-sacrifice. 4) Rule of silence. Issues of more general importance: the canonization of St. Louise, beatification of Rogue. Celebrate the four-hundredth anniversary of the Jesuits, whom we have followed. Work on constitutions is proceeding in Rome. NEWS: Mother house, several deaths: Meut, Mott, Briant, Chaussanel. French provinces: death of Devrière. Germany: death of Blessing. Spain: beginnings of horrors (Oviedo, Gijon). Turin: death of visitor, Traverso. Poland: many vocations. Portugal: few vocations. Turkey: legal issues about education for secondary schools. China: Misner a bishop, had been Souvay s student. Persia: Julfa, confided to Armenians, since CMs are few. Important schools in Middle East. Ethiopia: death of Gruson. USA: Souvay traveled there, his first major visit. Mexico: could not go there, but hoped to. Argentina: Eucharistic Congress in Buenos Aires, pilgrimage to Lujan. Latin America: visits of seminaries by Holy See; more CMs needed, but methods in use are good. Guillén a bishop. 1936, 1 January, #3, pp Some threatening clouds on the horizon; rely on Divine Providence. Reform of lives for the new year. Problems with the modern world, naturalism, the spirit of the world, easy to slip into moral ruin. Fears self-absorption; also nationalism in the bad sense. Radios can be an opening to the spirit of the world. Worries about useless expenses and poor financial accounting. Focus on genuine Vincentian works, not peripheral ones. NEWS: [not in usual fashion, only very generic items]: office and Mass for Catherine Labouré; Justin de Jacobis cause advances. Death of Clerc-Renaud in Paris. Revision of 2

4 constitutions delayed again. New bishops: Misner, Wollgarten. Anselmo killed in China by the Reds, after imprisonment. [English in DRMA, official English translation] 1937, 1 January, #4, pp. 1-19, [printed: La Semeuse, Étampes, and continues] Reflections on verses from the Gloria. Thanks for various blessings. Peace on earth: the tranquility of order, according to St. Augustine. Service of others, our way of bringing peace on earth. If our service is not bring about results, perhaps it is our fault. Recommends reading St. Vincent. Charity for others, especially our confreres. Recommends fraternal correction. Exact observance of poverty, not only personal but communitarian. Check decree 577 (formerly 606) of assembly of 1931, concerning return visits home by missionaries in distant countries. Examines the meaning of this and its implications. NEWS: Many serious matters in Europe, particularly Spain. Reviews the history of attacks against the Sisters, confreres. The problems are not yet over. Issue of having a committee for revision of Constitutions was stymied because of problems in Spain. Coste s death; replaced by Combaluzier, his long-time assistant. Hungary: notes about visitors. Ireland: good translation of Coste into English. Rome: Marina chosen for diplomatic service in Iran. Ethiopia: passing from French to Italian Vincentians; this will bring more men. Poland: Lorek made bishop, pastor of Warsaw. China: could be very important, but it needs more workers for this harvest. USA: many vocations and new forms of apostolate, mentioning the motor missions. Latin America: not much to mention. Philippines: much seminary work, and need for English, plus native dialects. 1937, 20 April, #5, pp. 1-3 Feast of translation of relics, and bicentennial of St. Vincent s canonization. Celebrated solemnly in Rome in Urges humility and zeal, prayer for vocations. 1937, 10 June, #6, pp. 1-4 Commemoration of Bicentennial of Saint Vincent s canonization; reprints Roman documents permitting celebrations; letter from Cardinal Pacelli. 1938, 1 January, #7, pp A good, holy, and happy year! Our future is based on past actions was a year of grace. International Eucharistic Congress in the Philippines, Manila. Our confreres were very involved in this. Blessing of the cathedral of Port-Said, Queen of the Universe (with a statue of the Virgo Potens) from rue du Bac. It is situated at the beginning of the canal, and will bless those who pass by. Bicentennial of canonization of St. Vincent; Pius XI sent a letter on the subject. Confreres raised to episcopacy: Deymier; JB Wang, who followed Souen; Gounot. Wolgarten died from burns in his house. Needing a successor of the martyred Schraven. Elias is administrator of Senna. Bechis: prefect of Adigrat (the new Italian mission); Verhoeks in Java. Spain: atrocious deaths of confreres, martyred; our list is not complete. China: still many victims: Tchang, JB; Schraven, and list of other victims. Our response should be to keep 3

5 the rules and fulfill our obligations in ministry. Addresses novices, students, brothers. Urges regular council meetings by visitors. Young priests should be examined on their knowledge of theology for three years. Provinces, change of visitors, etc. Recalls memory of certain deceased, beginning with Cardinal Bisleti. Then Fontaine, McHale, Mejia, Guillén, Manzella, venerated as a saint and wept for as a father; Hertault. 1938, 2 July, to Western Province, English; 3 pp., mimeographed, signed Still interested in the province; reappointed Barr to replace Flavin, because of his ill health. But, Barr also became ill and he asked to be relieved. Many could take his place, but he has appointed Marshall Winne, who has done many kinds of works in the province. Recommends him to the confreres, to be reverenced, respected and obeyed. 1938, 14 August, #8, pp. 1-3 Death of Cazot. Biographical details. Life in Zeitenlik, procurator general, director of the Daughters of Charity (succeeded by Robert). Castelin replaces Cazot; had been in Brazil, studied in Rome. 1938, 25 September, mimeographed, 2 pp. A general war is imminent. Need now for prudence, when communications become difficult. So: new powers for visitors: change directors of internal seminary, students, local superiors, provincial directors of Sisters; accept donations under 30,000 gold francs; open houses; permission to travel (under six months duration). Provincial councils have to approve these decisions by a majority. Change of visitors: according to 1843 general assembly: usually oldest consultor in order of nomination becomes visitor; or, if needed, the second consultor (when there is no first consultor). Consultors are named by the visitor and his council. Have hope in divine providence, and in Blessed Virgin. Keep the rules. 1939, 1 January, #8 [sic] pp The new year offers many reasons for anxiety: ruins in Spain and China, conflicts in Palestine between Arabs and Jews, increasing problems in Europe. Recommends prayer to Mary s sovereign intercession. Hopes for fraternal charity among confreres from countries in mutual conflict. Concerns for the new year: a lessening of respect for our vows, through naturalism. One issue is how long to have temporary vows (three years only?). Good theological and moral preparation is needed. Rome is asking for better and more complete formation. Minor seminaries should be genuine seminaries. Everyone working in minor seminaries should be aware of this. Charity should reign among us, in houses, provinces, the Congregation. NEWS: He cannot do much. The confreres know the details of political life. But, we need more vocations; work and pray for this. Mentions deaths of various confreres: Cazot, Heudre, Timothy Flavin. New bishops: Sanz, in Cuttack; Odendahl, Limon; Ballester; Cavati; Elias. 4

6 General assembly called for July 1939, beginning 26 July. Would like to send out proposed constitutions, but they are not ready yet. Thanks those who have labored over them. 5