CCHA, Report, 23 (1956), 13-27
Father Soulerin, C.S.B.,
Founder and Administrator
by
Rev. Francis BOLAND, C.S.B., Ph.D.,
Department of History, Assumption University of
Windsor,
Windsor, Ontario
During the year 1954 the first steps toward the union
of French and Canadian Basilians were taken with the visit of Father Roume of
Annonay, France, to Toronto. With him, from the Basilian Archives, came the correspondence
of Father Soulerin, the first Basilian superior in Toronto, to the Superior
General of the Community. In addition there were letters from the Toronto
bursar, Father Malbos, as well as those of Father Molony and Messrs. Vincent
and Flannery to the French mother house. These letters provided the basis of
this paper, though much information was gleaned from the writings of Bishop
Charbonnel of Toronto to both Bishop Guigues of Bytown, and to Father
Tourvieille, the Basilian general. The pages of the “Catholic Citizen” and the
“Catholic Freeman,” the Toronto Catholic weeklies of the 1850’s, now located in
the Central Library, Toronto, proved of immense value in disclosing the arduous
difficulties attendant on the construction of the new St. Michael’s College.
On May
26, 1850, Father de Charbonnel, a French priest and a former Basilian student,
was consecrated Bishop of Toronto. A very zealous and saintly man, the new
Bishop was faced with a multiplicity of problems and of these the more pressing
seemed to be the Separate School situation in Canada West, diocesan poverty and
the lack of priests. As a solution for this last mentioned problem Bishop Charbonnel
requested and obtained the services of five Basilians from his native land to
assist him in carrying on the work of a Little Seminary. Arriving in August,
1852, the little group of Basilians was composed of the superior, Father
Soulerin, the bursar, Father Malbos and two unordained clerics, Messrs.
Flannery and Vincent; the fifth member was Father Molony who had accompanied
the Bishop in 1850.
It is not
the purpose of this study to glorify the first superior of the Basilian
foundation in Canada: our aim is rather to assess the value of his work and to
judge him as an administrator. This can be done only by probing his problems
and examining his solutions to these problems.
Prior to the
arrival of the small community in Toronto, a treaty was arranged between the
bishop and the Basilian general, Father Tourvieille. The main work of the
Basilians in Toronto was to be the establishment of a Little Seminary which
was to be owned by the bishop. Diocesan work similar to that of Father Molony
was to be an added project; a house for the community was to be furnished by
the bishop, so that a religious life in common could be observed and in a short
period a parish church was to be entrusted to the Congregation. To be assured
of at least some English-speaking priests, the bishop offered a meagre salary
only to those whose English was satisfactory.
Between
August 21 and September 4, 1852 the Basilian community lodged in the Toronto
Cathedral palace, while awaiting the completion of a house on Queen Street
which was to serve temporarily as both the Little Seminary and the residence of
the Congregation. A church, promised by the bishop, was to be opened the
following spring and made available to the Basilians, though owned by the
diocese.1 Located at the corner of Adelaide and Bathurst
Streets, the foundation was to include a brick church, St. Mary’s, and a wooden
structure to serve as the Little Seminary. With this plan in mind the temporary
building on Queen Street was named “St. Mary’s Seminary,” and this
ecclesiastical school was opened September 15, 1852, with nine students.2
While the Basilians had been engaged to
administer the Little Seminary; Bishop Charbonnel had obtained the services of
the Christian Brothers to conduct a school for boys of high school or college
age who sought a secular education.3 This school was to occupy a
wing of the Palace, constructed during the spring and summer of 1852, and was
to be separate from St. Mary’s Seminary, though it was hoped that some of the
students might evince signs of a vocation. Called “St. Michael's College” it
was ready for occupancy at the same time as the Little Seminary opened its portals.
In spite of the best efforts of both the bishop and the Christian Brothers, St.
Michael’s College enjoyed little success and after a half-year, its student
body totalled only eight.4 The slow progress of the College contrasted
unfavourably with the seeming rapid development of the Seminary where the same
period saw a rapid increase of students.5 Nevertheless the picture was
far from promising to the bishop who not only was saddled with the salaries of
the three Basilians whose language was adequate, but also with the rent of the
Queen Street house, while at the same time he was denied most of the tuition
fees because of the poverty of the students. In the face of the Cathedral debt
and other pressing financial needs, it seemed that some modifications of the
treaty were required.
In the midst of the uncertainty generated
by the financial-administrative problems, the little band of five Basilians
were encountering additional problems of a different nature. In the Little
Seminary, life for the Basilians approximated that of Annonay. While continuing
their theology under Fathers Soulerin and Malbos, Messrs. Flannery and Vincent
did school work, the former teaching the six youngest students, the latter
acting as a supervisor while improving his English. Fathers Malbos and Molony
divided lessons for the other students. Chaplaincy duties to the Ladies of
Loretto and the Sisters of St. Joseph were entrusted to Fathers Malbos and
Molony while Father Soulerin was appointed confessor of the Brothers. Week-end
ministerial work was at first centred in the Cathedral and then in the mission
areas of Weston, Brockton and further away communities. The preaching of
retreats was a regular practice. In the absence of Bishop Charbonnel, Father
Soulerin was usually appointed to replace him in his minor work, such as the
blessing and laying of corner-stones and in a sacretarial capacity.6
While the problem of poverty
faced Bishop Charbonnel it was no less a difficulty for the Congregation. Each
member received a salary from Annonay but unfortunately the prices of Canadian
articles greatly exceeded the French ones, and only three of the five Basilians
received the episcopal salary. Twenty-five louis were needed annually for
school up-keep, light and heat, and a similar amount was spent on washing and
medical supplies. Sacrifices were required, and in a letter to Father Polly,
Father Malbos writes “Father Soulerin gives us each only one piece of paper; it
is awfully expensive.”7
Used to the warmth of the Midi, the
Basilians were unprepared for the cold climate of the Toronto winter months,
and the effort to purchase adequate clothing taxed to the limit the resources
of the little community. Strange, too, to the Fathers was the spirit of
independence evident in the students. Accustomed as the Basilians were to the
tradition of absolute rule whether exercised by a Bourbon or a Bonaparte, the
majority of Toronto citizens traditionally witnessed important laws decided by
a majority vote in Parliament. So the Little Seminary students were “naturally
inclined to demand a reason for certain rules.”8
Perhaps the greatest initial difficulty
facing the infant Community was the problem of language. Fathers Soulerin and
Malbos, though passably competent in English were frequently perplexed; the
latter made only one effort to preach in the novel tongue, while the former,
though more advanced, seldom preached without reading his sermon. It was not
until Father Vincent became superior that his language problem was solved. Of
course Father Molony and Father Flannery experienced no difficulties, and it
was consequently on them that the chief burdens of the external ministry fell.
In an effort to solve the problem Father Soulerin introduced the custom of
speaking English at all times and induced the members to pledge themselves to
this practice.9 The early letters of Father Soulerin are
filled with suggestions to the General concerning the language difficulties –
the most frequent request was the necessity of teaching English to the students
at Annonay and particularly to any of the novices who showed some inclination
to volunteer for the Canadian mission.
As the time for occupancy of the new St.
Mary’s Church and Seminary approached, anxieties filled the hearts of the Basilians.
On the one hand, occupancy of St. Mary’s Church would provide a solution to the
cramped quarters on Queen Street, but on the other hand, both the Jesuits and
Oblates had objected to being mere hired priests administering a church, the
entire revenue of which became the bishop’s. Moreover, through personal
observation Father Soulerin had noticed that most American ecclesiastical
institutions under the jurisdiction of religious, were both constructed and
owned by the religious. “I would like to do as the other religious orders ...
they have churches of their own.”10 Moreover, a certain amount of security was
needed for the continuance of the Congregation and while it was the wish of
Bishop Charbonnel to maintain St. Mary’s in Basilian hands, exigencies might
arise under the tenure of a succeeding bishop that would lead to the expulsion
of the Fathers. It was thus with mixed feelings that the Community viewed the
rapid construction of the new residence and Church; and when the bishop
proposed the diversion of St. Mary’s to secular control, and the Little
Seminary building to the Sisters of Loretto, he was not opposed by the Fathers.
Yet, his suggestion that Basilians occupy the Palace was not in conformity with
the ideas of a separate house envisioned by Father Soulerin. In the face of
this reluctance on the part of the Basilians to fit in completely with the
bishop’s ideas Bishop Charbonnel broached the possibility of a later location
in any one of three districts in the city of Toronto.11 At most, the
Palace occupancy was to be but a temporary move in the minds of the Fathers.
In January, 1853 the Basilians were
informed of the full nature of the bishop’s plans. The Congregation would be
lodged in the Palace and in the house adjoining it, and the dining-room and
table fare would be in common with the bishop and his staff. In addition, the
Little Seminary would become a mixed school composed of students with both
secular and ecclesiastical pursuits. To the added burden of teaching resulting
from this new arrangement, the Basilians were to take care of the Cathedral,
which prompted Father Soulerin to utter “this is more of a job than five poor
Basilians can handle.”12 Unity of administration of Cathedral,
Seminary and Congregation was the aim of the bishop: precisely the opposite was
the aim of the Basilians who feared the loss of their Community identity under
such a plan. This fear was the basic reason for the Basilian petition to Bishop
Charbonnel. This petition demanded a completely separate administration in the
Palace, and the appointment of an assistant priest by the bishop for Cathedral
duties. These duties were incompatible with Seminary classes and exercises. The
petition also included the request that all episcopal orders to individual
Basilians be referred first to the Basilian Superior. To this petition the
bishop was quite receptive, but failed to agree with the Congregation’s desire
for autonomy in the field of administration. In the minds of the Basilians,
the simplest
arrangement would be for the bishop to have his own separate house and for us
to live in ours, undisturbed by every stranger that he may invite to meals,
able to perform our evercises with regularity, with stable hours and days set
aside for confessions and preaching.13
When the Little
Seminary moved from Queen Street into the Bishop’s Palace it assumed the name
of St. Michae’'s College and the term, St. Mary’s Seminary, faded into
obscurity.
Once located within the portals of the
Palace, the Congregation attempted to lead a normal community life. So busy was
the Bishop with other matters that he seldom intruded within the confines of
the Basilian enclosure. However, the student body was growing rapidly,
including as it did both aspirants for the priesthood and non-aspirants, and by
November, 1853, the enrollment had reached the total of forty-seven, including
thirty boarders.14) With every promise of a yearly increase of
the student body, the Palace was simply too small. Moreover, while Bishop
Charbonnel ignored the noise generated by the healthy boys this was no
criterion of the attitude of future bishops, and this uncertainty only added to
the insecurity felt by the Fathers. The failure of the bishop to appoint an
assistant until 1855 meant that the Community mingled in “about a thousand
things none of which directly concerns us.”15 The increased
student body taxed, to the utmost, the strength of the priests who had to teach
theology to the boys, and philosophy to five, as well as the regular
prescribed subjects to the boys of college and high school level. In their
dilemma a happy compromise was reached in the assigning of high school classes
to the more mature aspirants to the priesthood.16 While this
stratagem reduced the excesses of work in the classroom, it failed to allay the
gradual growth of discontent among the confrères.
The following year, 1854, saw a further
increase in the student body, and despite the discomforts of the Fathers,
Father Soulerin could write “we are admired and our work is appreciated, and
His Lordship is well satisfied.”17 Towards the end of the year conditions reached
an impasse; certain that a separate house was needed if the Congregation was to
enjoy harmony, to maintain its high reputation and to endure, the superior was
in an unenviable position. On the one hand the confrères were disgruntled, and
as Father Souleriri writes, “I was attacked as if I was the only cause of our
protracted stay in the Palace where we seem to be something but can do
nothing.”18) On the other hand the edifying patience of the superior was taxed to
the utmost in an effort to maintain harmonious relations with Bishop
Charbonnel. The Superior avoided impatience and while doing and saying
everything possible to obtain a separate house, was always prudent enough not
to say a word that could be misconstrued by the energetic and zealous bishop.
Patient waiting and co-operation with episcopal authority was to be rewarded.
The single purpose of Bishop Charbonnel was
the good of his diocese, and this good admitted of various levels.
Unfortunately for the success of the Basilian Community, the bishop felt that
greater goods than secondary and college education existed and of necessity
must have a priority.
Foremost in the mind of Bishop Charbonnel
was the need of priests. Added to this problem the bishop was confronted with
the diocesan financial situation, the need of Catholic separate schools, the
erection of a Catholic hospital, and a House of Providence for the aged. In
addition “the bishop maintained a constant vigilance against the inroads of
divorce and secret societies.”19 For the Basilian Fathers, the prime aim of their
foundation was, of course, the education of young men for the priesthood; so it
seemed that the aims of both principals coincided, but when circumstances
intervened to thrust the growing number of non-aspirants on the Basilians, the
Bishop was not slow to show his reluctance to foster such an undertaking. The
fear that St. Michael’s might gradually lose its seminary character was one of
the reasons for the retention of the Community at the Palace when the members
yearned for a house of their own. We see, more clearly, the capability of
Father Soulerin in preventing any breach of good relations between his frustrated
confrères and the bishop. To realize the aims and problems of the bishop is
essential if we are to have a clear grasp of the difficulties surrounding the
position of the Fathers.
In his educational program the bishop had
expended one thousand louis in constructing the building adjacent to the
Cathedral. The contemplated vacating of this edifice by the Basilians would be
a serious blow to the bishop’s economy, and it, is little wonder that he could
not concur wholeheartedly with the desires of the Community.
Bishop Charbonnel was prompted to detain
the Basilians in his palace from religious reasons also – the need of priests
to act as missionaries. Throughout the letters of the Basilians written to the
Superior General the lack of priests to carry out the Sacred Ministry in the
Toronto diocese was a constant topic. Father Soulerin mentioned that there were
only four priests in the city at the time of his arrival.20 So serious was the
situation that Father Soulerin, for a very short period, contemplated the
feasibility of employing some of the Basilians in a mission capacity:
“Basilians are needed in Canada far more than in a little piece of France –
Fathers Vincent and Flannery would do very well in a mission.”21 This consideration
was short lived in the face of the necessity of education, but his feelings
indicated the tremendous task of the bishop, who wrote to the Propagation of
the Faith: “I need good priests and it is absolutely necessary that I find them
myself."”22
As a result we can realize the feelings of
the zealous bishop as he viewed the five Basilian priests in the Palace. Hopes
of obtaining the Community priests for mission work could be held so long as
the Basilians did not live in an educational establishment of their own. We
thus see that for both spiritual and economic reasons it was to the interest of
the bishop that the Congregation be detained in the Palace.
Despite his difficulties the bishop was
above using pressure on the Community, and he adhered to the terms of the
original treaty. In 1852 when the time came for the Fathers to take vows, the
bishop officiated, though it was his express wish that the members refuse to
bind themselves.23 The taking of vows
reduced the possibility of Community members devoting themselves to missionary
work.24
Fear for the constancy of the missionary
priest living by himself was not only a source of worry to Father Soulerin, but
it had been one of the determining factors in the rejection of the bishop’s
request by the Oblate Community. Early in 1853 a request for Father Molony to
assume control of St. Mary’s parish fell on deaf ears not only because the
demands of teaching prevented it, but also for spiritual reasons. Even for
Father Molony there would be a danger in living a solitary life after years of
life in a community or, at least, in the Palace as the Bishop’s archdeacon and
associate. It was not only the request for individual Basilians to assume the
duties of the external ministry that reflected the bishop’s attitude; it was
also quite evident in the matter of vocations. In 1853 it was his policy to
favour vocations to the Community only if the young aspirant pledged himself to
prepare for the life of the missionary rather than that of the teacher.25 In fact the bishop
“didn’t want the Basilians to build a college when there was another work more
pressing.”26 This negative attitude of the bishop created difficulties for the young
community, and had it not been for the prudent foresight of Father Soulerin
the history of the Basilians in Canada might have been more brief or much
different than the reality.
This negative or prohibitory attitude of
the bishop was first evident toward the end of 1852; by spring, 1853, the
attitude had generated into a definite policy. This period of development
corresponded chronologically with the vain episcopal attempts to secure
priests and the efforts to obtain a fair Separate school settlement. It caused
consternation among the Fathers as it immediately succeeded the loss of St.
Mary’s parish, and subsequent alternative proposals of the bishop.
The later proposals of Bishop Charbonnel
are contained in a letter of Father Soulerin to his Superior General in
December, 1852. After being informed by Father Soulerin of the advantages, both
to Community and diocese, of the establishment of a separate Basilian house, as
found in American dioceses, Bishop Charbonnel, after deciding against Basilian
occupancy of St. Mary’s, proposed possible sites for the venture. For Father
Soulerin a solid establishment was immediately necessary for the living of a
religious life; such a foundation would provide an atmosphere of confidence
for future Basilians. The bishop, realizing the Community’s desire for
security, declared: “I am not immortal, my successor may have different plans
for the Palace.”27 The proposal of a large area in the vicinity
of St. Paul’s Church was rejected on the grounds of its unhealthy location near
a cemetery. Offering many more advantages was that section of the Elmsley
property, previously offered to Father Tellier. Situated north of the
Cathedral, it was within twenty minutes walking distance of Toronto. The
property occupied an area of somewhat more than an acre, and with the addition
of a neighbouring section, would provide ample space for both college and
church. Soon assuming the name of the district, Clover Hill, the Elmsley
property possessed the elevation necessary for healthiness and the privacy and
spaciousness necessary for a boarding college. But the community was to find
itself in the awkward position of owning a property on which no building could
be erected.
One of the difficulties preventing the
Community from taking positive steps in establishing a college at Clover Hill
was the problem of separation of students: i.e. of separating the students who
sought secular pursuits from those who sought ecclesiastical ones. While their
experience in Toronto convinced the Basilians that educational facilities
should be offered to non-aspirants to the priesthood, the bishop remained
adamant in his view that separation was essential: “we must withdraw the
aspirants from worldly life and from those who are seeking worldly professions.”28 It is quite
obvious that the bishop’s view was the ideal, and that plan is accepted as the
“sine qua non” of all major seminaries. It was the view of Father Soulerin too,
but he maintained that “the establishment of a Grand Seminary was out of the
question in such circumstances as were found in the Toronto diocese.”29 Though he felt that
the community scarcely possessed a staff for a Little Seminary and rather than
face the prospect of the loss of the non-aspirants, Father Soulerin at first
toyed with the idea of using St. Michael’s College for non-aspirants, and the
proposed Clover Hill foundation for seminarists.30 This was impossible, of course, because of
the lack of teachers to administer two foundations.
Added to the occasional tenseness that must
have developed in the Palace over the different aims, the Basilians were also
subject to a very natural silent criticism from missionaries visiting the
bishop. It would be impossible for these missionaries not to compare the
rigours of their life with that of the five Basilians “whose work consisted in
teaching latin and greek to children.”31
It was at this juncture that Father
Soulerin introduced his missionary proposals. To the College and Church a
mission for the French speaking people of the diocese in the vicinity of
Penetang “would complete our work here.”32 Such an
establishment would partially satisfy the hopes of the bishop, and would allay
any criticism emanating from the hard working missionaries. Since the
foundation would include at least three members living the Basilian rule in
common, spiritual dangers would be avoided. To the obvious good such an
establishment could confer on the diocese, it would admit of a change of
personnel during the summer vacation period, thus providing a fruitful field of
endeavour for the teaching Basilians. Aspirants to the Basilian community might
be increased since the Congregation could now offer another spiritual activity
to the youth of the country. However, the success of the plan depended on the
authorization of the Mother House at Annonay, and whatever hope the Toronto
Superior had of receiving three additional members was shattered when the
Crimean War broke out. The effect of this war on French vocations was
immediately felt and added to the “sterility of 1852 made any additional aid to
the colony out of the question.”33
The bishop constantly seeking a solution to
the difficult problem of securing priests, suggested a rather surprising
proposition to the Community. Contained in a letter of Father Malbos to the
Superior General, dated February 6, 1853, the episcopal proposal requested the
Basilians to assume charge of the three Toronto parishes, the Cathedral, St.
Paul’s and St. Mary’s. It was by far the most specific suggestion and, for the
bishop, it was a compromise in face of the Basilians’ reluctance to set up
missionary centres. To the Basilians it did present a different aspect to the
old problem. Should the scheme be feasible, the question of common life would
arise. Would Basilians assigned to the parishes live in the Palace or because
of their parochial duties, be forced to reside in the rectories? If the latter
were selected, what would happen to the religious life of the members? Would
not the arduous duties of a pastor play havoc with any attempt to combine
teaching and mission work? The Catholic population of Toronto, largely Irish in
background, “lacked confidence in Scottish and English priests.”34 How would they
accept priests whose mastery of the English tongue was, at best, imperfect?
Father Soulerin once more had to reject the bishop’s request.
Subsequent letters
to the Superior-General in 1853 expressed the frustrated feelings of the
Fathers:
I prefer that we
could keep to teaching – doesn’t appear easy in a country such as this – if our
students increase we would be forcibly obliged to perform our ordinary functions
and Monseigneur would complain.35
Added to the
opposition towards the missionary role because of its inroads on teaching, was
the fear of the effect of such duties on the Community: “the big danger is that
some of ours lacking taste for teaching take too much part in the external
ministry.”36 The spirit of acquisitiveness could easily rear itself and cause a
lack of harmony among the members. It was a known fact that Father Flannery
received at least fifty francs from his duties in Weston, and so “there is more
eagerness to go out into the parishes than would be the case in France.”37
There was no question but that a
participation in mission work to the extent requested by the bishop, would
either mean the break-up of the Community or the formation of an entirely
different congregation. Fully aware of these dangers, Father Soulerin began to
realize the necessity of having official support for his position. In writing
Father Tourvieille he asked “please recommend the attachment to our rule and
duties as teachers.”38 This request for a directive was a very
prudent one. There was no insistence that the external work be completely prohibited,
as such a demand would have only served to aggravate the zealous bishop, and
would probably have resulted in the same treatment for the Basilians as that
accorded Father Tellier. However, the situation was rapidly reaching a climax
which would require some treaty or concordat to establish, once and for all,
the position of the Community in the diocese.
To show how the tenseness between the
occupants of the Palace was increased, we have need to examine another
concurring problem. The Community was interested primarily in providing
secondary education and seminary instruction; the bishop, anxious though he was
to secure priests, was, almost from his arrival in Toronto, enmeshed in the
struggle to secure a just Separate elementary school system; and this objective
virtually obliterated for him, at least temporarily, the need of providing education
for the more advanced students. Beset with so many pressing difficulties, the
bishop could not see why the Community attached so much weight to what to him
was of only relative importance.
It is rather amazing, too, that virtually
all the undertakings of the bishop, eminently good though they were, should
have greatly increased the problems or created new, difficulties for the
Basilian Fathers. In a letter dated July 5, 1855, just after permission had
finally been granted the Basilians to build a foundation on Clover Hill, and
just four days prior to the actual commencement of operations, Father Soulerin
bemoaned the inopportune time selected by the bishop for a diocesan financial
drive in aid of a Catholic hospital. The impecunious Basilians were at first
denied permission to collect in the Toronto diocese so as not to detract from
the success of the hospital; this prohibition was soon withdrawn in part. The
diocese, except the city of Toronto, was open to the solicitation of the
Basilian Fathers.39The exclusion of Toronto as a source of
revenue, despite a later reprieve to the extent of two annual Sunday
collections, was a sorry blow. A high percentage of the wealth of the relatively
poor diocese of Toronto was found in the See city; the country areas were
sparsely settled and the majority of the settlers were recent immigrants whose
resources were very limited. Even if the pioneer people were financially
well-to-do, it would be much more difficult to convince them of the necessity
of higher Catholic educational facilities than the city-folk. However, the
urban areas of Hamilton, St. Catharines, Brantford and London were among the
communities open to the Fathers’ canvassing and these promised fruitful
returns. Even these hopes of the Community were shattered by the needs of the
bishop.
For several years Bishop Charbonnel had
sought a co-adjutor to assist him in his many problems.40 His choice fell on
Father O’Dowd, a Sulpician from Montreal, but despite the episcopal influence
bolstered by two supporting letters from Rome, the Sulpician priest refused to
accept the dignity. Not to be denied, the bishop then attempted to reduce the
size of his unwieldy diocese: in this he was successful, and the dioceses of
London and Hamilton were carved out of the Toronto diocese. On December 3,
1855, Fathers Farrell and Pinsonneault were consecrated bishops of Hamilton and
London, respectively.41 This reduction in area of the Toronto diocese
naturally made the financial problem facing the Basilians much more grave. Many
of the more lucrative centres were now in the new dioceses, and therefore not
subject to Basilian collections.
When Father Tourvieille submitted a
circular to the bishop he congratulated him on his undertakings and especially
on “the establishment of a new home for the aged – the House of Providence.”42 It was yet another
example of episcopal zeal, but it increased the diocesan debt and considerably
reduced any help the Community could hope to obtain.
he Clover Hill property had been offered to
the Jesuit Fathers on condition that a large educational establishment be
erected; and when the Society failed to accept it, the proffered land reverted
to Mr. Elmsley. There was an understanding, however, between donor and bishop
that the land would be available for any future episcopal undertaking.
Following conferences between the bishop,
Mr. Elmsley, Fathers Soulerin and Molony and an unidentified lawyer, an
understanding was reached on April 9, 1855. The original four lots were donated
to the “Episcopal Corporation for the use of the Basilians for as long a time
as their order will exist in the city of Toronto and remain in communion with
the Holy See.”43 The donation had to be made to the Corporation in order to conform with
the law which did not recognize property donations made to priests. The
community was to have the use of the property and could not alienate it for any
reason. On the other hand, the Fathers could not be dispossessed of the
property, legally, so long as they remained in Toronto and were free from all
taints of heresy. Should either of these eventualities occur the property was
to pass to another Community after compensation was made the Basilians for any
constructions and additions made by them. Mr. Elmsley also designated that the
property be put to a religious purpose. Though not specifying any definite
time, the construction of a church was inserted as a ‘sine qua non’ of the
donation. This was the beginning of the Basilian foundation in Canada.
The area, though over an acre in size, did
not seem large enough to Father Soulerin for the construction of both a church
and a college or Little Seminary with adequate space for recreation. Privacy,
so lacking on Queen Street and in the Palace, must be guaranteed also. With
these ends in mind, Father Soulerin applied to Mr. Elmsley for four adjacent
lots. Through the office of Father Polly, the bursar at Annonay, Father
Soulerin obtained some 30,000 francs, more than enough to purchase the four
additional lots. This land was an outright purchase by the Community
completely belonging to the Fathers who could put the area to any use. There
was now, more than a germ of truth in the remark of Father Soulerin on April 9,
1853 “we are now the owners of a small part of Canada.”44 Between the time
of this statement and the opening of the new St. Basils’ Church and St. Michael’s
College in September 1856, the ability of Father Soulerin became very evident.
It was presumed that the buildings were to be erected on the purchased
property. It was the superior who altered this presumption as he realized that
no compensation for construction on the purchased lots would be forthcoming to
the Community should the Toronto foundation be abandoned at any subsequent
period. It was Father Soulerin who organized a subscription campaign, novel in
the Toronto diocese, for building funds. It was he, too, who realized that the
initial saving on a building half brick and half wood was false economy for the
future. As an economic measure he proposed that the architecture be gothic
which had the added feature of dignity.
Against the aims of both the bishop and the
Basilian general, Father Soulerin wanted St. Michael’s to be a haven for both
secular and ecclesiastical students – a combined Little Seminary and college
with adequate separation of the two types of student. Bishop Charbonnel agreed
with Father Tourvieille who expressed the view that “in the first fifty years
of their existence Ste. Barbe and Ste. Claire (the two Little Seminaries at
Annonay) produced six hundred priests while the College has only produced
one-tenth of that number.”45 In conclusion Father Tourvieille indicated
that his view was shared by the bishop: “I believe we have always been in
agreement on this point, that the separation of the students studying for
Orders from those seeking other careers will be extremely useful.”46
The very convincing argument of the
Superior General was by his own admission based on conditions that existed in
France. Despite communications, lengthy and detailed though they were, Father
Tourvieille acknowledged he was “just not on the scene.”47 Moreover, in
analyzing his argument in favour of a Little Seminary only, some of the
original force is reduced. It is true that the ordination of six hundred young
men from the two French seminaries was an edifying accomplishment. No less,
however, was the ordination of approximately sixty youths in a College whose
end was the education of young men for careers which did not necessarily embrace
ecclesiastical futures. It was also a matter of fact that those who did seek a
priestly life went to the Little Seminaries, while those who did not, went to
the College. In Annonay, there was a college and a seminary; in Toronto, such
an enviable situation did not exist. The problem resolved itself into a
problem of whether to have a College, similar to the one in Annonay, or to have
a Little Seminary, like Ste. Barbe. If the latter was decided on, it meant that
the young Catholic men seeking secular careers would be educated in a
thoroughly Protestant environment; if the former was selected, there was a
possible danger to the aspirants of becoming too interested in the worldly
pursuits of the non-aspirants. A tangible rebuttal to this danger was the success
in vocations of the Annonay College.
The position of Father Soulerin is clearly
seen in this written warning to the general: “the students might be tempted to
go to Protestant schools.”48 Support for this position is found in remarks
made by Bishop Charbonnel on the University of Toronto when he wrote:
degrees are granted
to Catholics if they reject their faith – Catholics are excluded from burses –
they follow courses determined by the state and are instructed in history and
philosophy by Protestants – nine-tenths of the students and nineteen-twentieths
of the professors are Protestants.49
To the educational
motive behind Father Soulerin’s position there was also a sound financial
reason and this was contained in Father Malbos’ observation: “of some eighty
candidates at the Missouri Little Seminary, not one persevered.”50 Realizing the
enormous financial sacrifices that Bishop Charbonnel was making for the
maintenance of St. Michael’s College, the bursar continued: “the bishop will
scarcely be able to continue his sacrifice if we should have poor results.”51A combined College
and Seminary would enable the Community to make expenses and would not be a
charge on the diocese. In this way the future of the Community, even its
continuance in Toronto as a religious congregation, would not be, in large
part, dependent on the success of the Little Seminary. Keenly aware of the
obstacles confronting the bishop and of the rapid alteration of his policy, of
which the replacement of the Christian Brothers was but one example, Father
Soulerin championed the adoption of a Seminary admitting worldly career-minded
Catholic boys, and by the weight of his argument his plan was ultimately
adopted.
While the principle of Father Soulerin was
accepted regarding separation, the Bishop, never keen on the departure of the
Basilians from the Palace, was at last induced to agree with the superior on
this measure also. Three factors supplemented the superior’s arguments. Living
in close proximity with the Congregation in the Palace, the Bishop could not
have helped but notice the growing restlessness of the Fathers. This
restlessness was expressed by the superior: “my position becomes sad even in
the midst of confrères because of their repugnance toward living in this house.”52 Though no records
exist to substantiate this conclusion it can be reasonably held that the bishop
could not have overlooked the possible departure of the Fathers from his
diocese. It certainly would not have been a novel experience for the bishop to
witness his priests returning to their native European dioceses.53 It is probable to
conclude that the bishop felt that separation might solve the frustration of
the Fathers, particularly since Father Soulerin writes: “I have told
Monseigneur everything I can or believe to get him to give us a separate
house.”54
In addition to Bishop Charbonnel’s charity
and interest in the wellbeing of the Fathers, his debts had been considerably
reduced by 1854. In a letter to the President of the Propagation of the Faith,
the bishop recorded: “I finished paying what remained on the Seminary.”55 The fears of
financial chaos were thus by early 1854, largely reduced.
It was above all, however, about the
growing student body that the bishop was alarmed. The Palace, in late 1853, had
reached its maximum enrollment, and the superior felt that “If the numbers
increase the bishop might leave us the entire Palace and move to a new house.”56 When the student
total increased by February 1854, “the bishop felt that fifty-three students
in his Palace are already too many, and that is why he would like to see us
go.”57
With prudence, Father Soulerin made
overtures to the bishop regarding departure: “the first time I spoke of a
concordat he said he already had made some conventions with us – but I believe
that Monseigneur is willing to make a concordat.”58 Before any change
could be possible the superior realized that some treaty or concordat should be
agreed on with the bishop. It was not so much a matter of binding Bishop Charbonnel
but of building for the future, and establishing a binding force which later
bishops would recognize.
It was always the goal of Father Soulerin to establish the Basilians solidly for the future, subject to no whim or caprice of circumstances. He, like so many others, was well aware of the adage that “good intentions can be forgotten; what is written remains.”59 Thus in the eyes of the superior a written agreement was essential and to this desire of a binding concordat and the bishop agreed.
1Rev.
J. Soulerin, Undated Letter to Rev. Deglesne, p. 3.
2Rev. J. Soulerin, Journal of St. Mary’s
Seminary, Toronto, 1852-1853, p. 8.
3Rev. P. Molony, Letter
to Rev. Tourvieille, April 29, 1852, p. 2.
4Rev. J. Soulerin,
Letter to Rev. P. Tourvieille, January 9, 1853, p. 1.
5Ibid., p. 2. Father
Soulerin mentioned that the enrollment for St. Mary’s reached a total of
twenty-one students.
6Ibid., October 1, 1852, p.
1. This letter contains scattered references to the early work of the
Community.
7Rev. J. Malbos, Letter
to Rev. Polly, August 29, 1852, p. 2.
8Rev. I. Malbos, Letter
to Rev. Charmont, January 5, 1853, p. 3.
9Rev. P. Flannery, Letter
to Rev. Deglesne, December 1, 1852, p. 2.
10Rev. J. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, October 1, 1852, p. 2.
11Ibid., December, 1852, p.
1
12Rev. J. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, January 23, 1853, p. 1.
13Ibid., p. 2.
14Ibid., November 21, 1853,
p. 2.
15Rev. P. Molony, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, September 19, 1853, p. 3.
16Rev. J. Soulerin,
Letter to Rev. P. Tourvieille, November 21, 1853, p. 1. Messrs. Rooney
and Keleher were conducting classes, supplementing the Basilians.
17 Ibid., January 2, 1854,
p. 1.
18Ibid., November 8, 1854,
p. 3.
19Editorial from The
Catholic Freeman of Toronto August 26, 1859, p. 2., c. 1.
20Rev. J. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, October 1, 1852, p. 2.
21Rev. J. Soulerin,
Letter to Rev. P. Tourvieille, September 5, 1854, p. 2.
22Bishop Charbonnel, Letter
to Cardinal Fransoni, August 31, 1855. (Preserved in the Registered
Letters of Bishop Guignes, Vol. 8, p. 331, Archives of Archdiocese of Ottawa).
23Rev. J. Malbos, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, November 21, 1852, p. 2.
24Though Fathers
Soulerin and Malbos took vows on November 21, 1852 and Fathers Molony and
Vincent did so at a later date, Father Flannery never took vows.
25Rev. J. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, December 13, 1853, p. 2.
26Ibid., November 8, 1854,
p. 3.
27Ibid., December, 1852,
p. 3. The actual words of the Bishop are quoted by Father Soulerin in this
letter.
28Bishop Charbonnel, Letter
to Cardinal Fransoni, January 7, 1854, Letter Book, p. 40.
29Rev. J. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, April 18, 1854, p. 3.
30Ibid., February 13,
1854, p. 2.
31Ibid., October 1, 1852, p.
3.
32Ibid., July 15, 1853, p.
2.
33Rev. P.
Tourvieille, Letter to Rev. J. Soulerin, July 30, 1853, p. 3.
34Rev. J. Malbos, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, February 6, 1853, p. 2.
35Rev. J. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, March 22, 1853, p. 3.
36Ibid., p. 4.
37Rev. J. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. Deglesne, August 16, 1855, p. 2.
38Rev. J. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, April 9, 1853, p. 2.
39Rev. J. Soulerin,
Letter to Rev. P. Tourvieille, July 5, 1855, p. 1.
40Ibid., July 15, 1853, p.
3.
41Bishop Charbonnel, Pastoral
Letter, April 23, 1856, p. 1. (Preserved in Archives of Archdiocese of
Toronto.)
42Letter to Bishop
Charbonnel, October 13, 1856, p. 1.
43Rev. J. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, April 9, 1853, p. 3.
44Rev. S. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, April 9, 1850, p. 3.
45Rev. P.
Tourvieille, Letter to Bishop Charbonnel, March 15, 1854, Letter Book,
p. 59.
46Ibid.
47Ibid, p. 59.
48Rev. J. Soulerin, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, September 14, 1853, p. 3.
49Bishop Charbonnel, Letter
to Cardinal Fransoni, May 30, 1853, Letter Book, p. 38.
50Rev. J. Malbos, Letter
to Rev. P. Tourvieille, April 23 1853, p. 2.
51Ibid., p. 3.
52Ibid., p. 2
53Bishop Charbonnel, Letter
to Cardinal Fransoni, May 30, 1853, Letter Book, p. 38. A reference
to some fifteen priests who returned to their native dioceses between 1850-1852.
54Rev. J. Soulerin,
Letter to Rev. P. Tourvieille, November 8, 1854, p. 2.
55Bishop Charbonnel, Letter
to Cardinal Fransoni, January 7, 1854, Letter Book, p. 40.
56Soulerin to
Tourvieille, February 13, 1854, p. 2
57Ibid.,
February 13, 1854, p. 2.
58Ibid., April
18, 1854, p. 1.
59 Rev. J. Soulerin,
Letter to Rev. P. Tourvieille, November 4, 1854, p. 1.