Bishop William Quarter Diary Part XI: December 3, 1848 to April 1, 1849

December 3^rd First Sunday of Advent

Sent on this day, the Rev. Dennis Dunne, deacon, & the Rev. Henry Coyle, subdeacon, to Detroit, to Bishop Lefevre, to have them ordained priests for this diocese. They went in the evening stage from this place, as the boat was not running to St. Joseph. The night was stormy, snowy, & unpleasant. May God send them safe, & grant them his grace. #60

#60 + The other bishops who might have ordained these men include Bishop Henni (Milwaukee), Bishop Kenrick (St. Louis), or Bishop Hailandiere (Vincennes). The choice to go to Detroit may have been a practical such as the Diocese of Detroit had an ordination scheduled that was convenient for the Chicago candidates.

December 5^th

Rec[eived] a letter this morning from Rev. Fr. J. Fisher, a former priest of this place.  I wrote to him to (sic) St. Louis, appointing him to the congregation of Highland in this state. I also wrote to the Archbishop of St. Louis, who is kind enough, to act as vic[ar] gen[eral]. This is snowy, disagreeable weather. This winter so far, is said to be the worst, that has been in many years.

December 14^th

Rec[eived] a letter this morning from the Most Rev. Archb[ishop] of Baltimore stating that Very Rev. J. Van De Velde, of St. Louis, is appointed Bishop of Chicago in the place of my brother, the Right Rev. Dr. Quarter, 1^st bishop. Glory be to God. May his episcopal reign be such, as will give glory to God and peace to the church is all I have to say. I rejoice however that the very Rev. Mr. Van De Velde is the person appointed. The Rev[erend] Henry Coyle & Rev. Denis Dunne returned this evening from Detroit. These two young gentlemen have been raised on last Sunday (the 10^th) to the holy priesthood by the Right Rev[erend] Bishop Lefevre of Detroit at my request. #61

[p. 82] December 15th

The Rev. Misters Henry Coyle & Denis Dunne were ordained priests on last Sunday, (the 10^th) for this diocese by the Right Rev. Bishop Lefevre of Detroit at the request of the administrator, the Very Rev. W.J. Quarter. No news as yet from any quarters. All on the alert. All anxiety (sic) about the new bishop.  God [illegible word] that his reign may [be] a pleasant one to him, & a useful one for the Church.  [first three words are illegible] which I hope he is, he will know nothing. [two illegible words], to fear.

December 17^th 3^rd Sunday of Advent

The Rev. Denis Dunne said his first Mass at 7 o’clock this morning, assisted by the Very Rev. W.J. Quarter. He preached at the 10 o’clock Mass on the love of God. His sermon was good & well delivered for a young priest. The Rev. Henry Coyle sung his first Mass at 10 o’clock to day assisted by the Very Rev. Walter J. Quarter. Rev. Mr. Coyle is a good singer and got through well. May God protect them both and give each a long life of usefulness.

#61 + The appointment of James Van de Velde, S.J. to the Diocese of Chicago as its second bishop has an interesting background. First, Bishop Quarter had not left a terna of candidates who he considered most suitable to succeed him as was required. This meant that the Archbishop of Baltimore, Samuel Eccleston, would be directly involved in presenting a list of three names to the Holy See. He suggested Edward Purcell, John McGill, and James Van de Velde, S.J. as possible candidates. On April 15, 1848, less than a week after the death of Bishop Quarter, the German Catholics of Chicago met and drafted a petition to the Bishops of the United States requesting the appointment of a bishop who spoke German. Their main argument was that in the state of Illinois there were 35,000 German Catholics, so the pastoral need was evident.Archbishop Eccleston forwarded this petition to the Congregation of Propaganda Fide for their consideration. When a plenary session of Propaganda was held to discuss the appointment for Chicago, Cardinal Fransoni, prefect of the congregation, pointed out that the Minister of Bavaria previously had asked Rome to consider the language ability of candidates where there was a large number of German speaking Catholics in American dioceses. Aware of Van de Velde’s facility in German and after some further discussion, the cardinal of Propaganda Fide selected James Van de Velde, S.J. as the second bishop of Chicago. The story does not end here.

As a Jesuit, Van de Velde was aware that Pope Gregory XVI had assured the head of the Society of Jesus, Jan Roothan, that Jesuits would not be named as bishops for American dioceses. Roothan was concerned that he would not find another Jesuit with the talent of Van de Velde to take his place as the procurator of the Missouri Province. However, Pope Pius IX supported the decision of Propaganda Fide and specifically revoked, for Van de Velde’s sake, the article in the Jesuit constitution the prevent them from becoming bishops.

When Van de Velde received the letter of appointment, dated October 9, 1848, he wanted to return it to the Holy See unopened. Advised by both the Archbishops of Baltimore (Eccleston) and of St. Louis (Kenrick), he accepted the appointment. For background on the appointment of James Van de Velde, S.J. see: Trisco, The Holy See and the Nascent Church, 93-96 and 146-148.

[p. 83] December 28^th Holy Innocents

On this day in the convent chapel in this city, Mary Mulholland & Ellen Reilly were professed & made their last vows, as Sisters of Mercy. The Very Rev. W. J. Quarter officiated & the Rev. P.J. Donahoe preached. The name of the former in religion is Sister M[ary] De Sales.  The latter Sister M[ary] Theresa.

December 29^th

Rec[eived] a letter today from the Archbishop of St. Louis. Rev. Mr. Scanlon buried this morning. He departed this life yesterday the 28^th p[ast]. The Rev. Mr. McLaughlin, Donaho, & Dunne at the funeral.

December 31^st

Sunday the last day of the year 1848.  The Rev. Henry Coyle preached his first sermon on this day in the cathedral. The Very Rev. W.J. Quarter preached in the evening. Many are the curious things which happened this year. But amongst them all, the most to be lamented is the death of our poor bishop! He was well this day twelve months [ago]. But Alas! He is gone! The world what is it? Why should we set our hearts upon it?  May God have mercy on my brother.

[p. 84 & 85 are blank]

[p. 86] January 1849

January 1^st

Four Sister of Mercy received their veils this morning. It was solemn indeed. Nothing remarkable today. Wrote to the Archbishop of St. Louis.

January 2^nd

Nothing very particular today.

January 3^rd

Cold today. Good sleighing. The sleigh bells are ringing merrily today.

January 6^th Epiphany of our Lord

A large congregation and many communicants today. Mass at 9 ½ o’clock.  Day very cold.

January 7^th Sunday with the Octave

The Very Rev. Walter J. Quarter announced a meeting of the C.T.B. Society for tomorrow evening. Appointing the Rev. P.J. Donahoe to take charge of it in the future. Rosary Society met in the evening. All things are going well.

January 14^th

The Rev[erend] Denis Dunn appointed on today as as[sistant] pastor of St. Michael’s Church in the city of Galena, with the Rev. Mr. McGarick, pastor. Rev. Mr. Kennedy withdrawing. #62

January 15th

It is announced in the Pittsburgh Catholic that the Very Rev. M. De St.Palis (sic) is to be consecrated Bishop of Vincenes (sic) on today by the Archbishop of St. Louis, the Most Rev. P[eter] R[ichard] Kenrick.  2^nd Sunday after Epiphany – Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. [p. 87] The Rev. Mr. Dunn preached his second sermon in the cathedral today.  The Rev. Mr. Coyle left for Little Fort to assist the Rev. Mr. Keane.

#62 + McGovern does not mention the withdrawal of Father Kennedy.

January 16^th

Received a letter this afternoon from the Rt. Rev. Bishop Van De Velde, the first he has written to this place since his nomination to the See of Chicago. #63

January 18^th

Rev. Mr. Kennedy arrived today from Galena. Wrote today to St. Louis. Weather very cold. Nothing remarkable.

January 24^th

Died this morning “Catherine Cassidy” for 17 years [the] housekeeper to the Right Rev. W[illiam] Quarter. May her soul rest in peace. She died a most holy death, perfectly resigned to the holy will of God.

January 31^st

On this day, the children of the convent had their quarterly exibition (sic). It was truly delightful to witness the improvement of all. Many of the parents, a[nd] citizens were present, and all left highly pleased, for every piece that was acted, was done to admiration & gave the greatest satisfaction. Truly it may be said that the good Sisters of Mercy are a blessing to Chicago & to the diocese. Oh! If he who was the founder of the establishment were here today, how he would rejoice. But he is not forgotten. May the Lord have mercy on him. 

#63 + It is disappointing the Walter Quarter does not even summarize what was in this first letter from Bishop Van de Velde.

[p. 88] February 1849

February 6^th

Received a letter today from Right Rev[erend] Mr. Van Develde (sic), Bishop elect of Chicago. Will leave here tomorrow morning for St. Louis to be present to the consecration. Weather very cold.

February 11^th The 2^nd Bishop of Chicago

The Right Rev. Dr. Van Develde (sic) was consecreated Feb. 11^th 1849 in St. Louis, Mo. by the Most Rev. Archbishop Kinrick (sic)

February 18^th Sunday

The Right Rev. Dr. Van Develde gave confirmation for the first time in his diocese in the Catholic Church of Alton. He preached twice on that day. The Very Rev. W.J. Quarter & the Rev. Mi[chael] Carroll, the pastor of the congregation of Alton, were present on this occasion.

The Bishop’s sermons were both learned and practical.  On Monday the 19^th the Bishop left Alton for St. Louis accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Carroll. The Very Rev. W. Quarter left on the same day for Chicago.

February 20^th

Rec[eived] a letter from France today.

February 22^nd

Wrote to the Right Rev. Bishop Van Develde. Sent him letters to St. Louis.

February 23^rd

Had a letter today from the venerable Father Badin, the first priest ordained in the U.S. #64

#64 + Again it would be interesting to know the contents of this letter from Badin to Walter Quarter.

[p. 89] March 1849

March 6^th

Election of city officers to day. All went off quiet (sic). Mud enough. #65

March 7^th

Sent two letters to day to Bishop Van Develde directed to the University of St. Louis.  One a general letter, the other from Cincinnati. Gave $50 to pay for new building to V[ery] R[everend] Mr. Kinsella.

# 65 + James H. Woodworth was elected as the Mayor of Chicago.

March 12^th

This day will be long remembered in Chicago. Great has been the loss of property, on account of the fright (?) in the river, almost every vessel in the harbor, more, or less injured. Many totally destroyed and it is said many lives lost. Sent a letter to Bishop Van Develde to day from Kentucky. Sent him the paper giving an account of the distruction (sic) by the floods. #66

March 19^th St. Joseph’s day

The first steam boat left the harbour (sic) for the lower lakes.

March 25^th Passion Sunday

On this day twelve months [ago] my poor brother, the 1^st Bishop of Chicago departed this life. Rather on 10^th April, Passion Sunday last year.

#66 + For more on the devastating flood see: https://chicagology.com/harbor/1849flood/

March 26^th Feast of the Annunciation of the B.V.M.

Ellen Donovan from N.Y. received the white veil in the convent of the Sisters of Mercy.  Her name in religion is Sister Mary Martha.

March 27^th

An anniversary Mass this morning for the repose of the soul of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Quarter, first Bishop of Chicago.  The new choir did well.  The church nearly crowded.

March 30^th

On Friday, the 30^th, the Right Rev. Dr. Van de Velde arrived in Chicago from St. Louis.

April 1849

April 1^st “Palm Sunday”

Bishop Van de Velde took possession of his See.