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Scope and Contents He tells Purcell of the success of his missions near Toledo. In the last place, Metamora, the Sacraments were received by some who had not been to them for as long as 25 years. One was baptized, and 8 more are receiving instructions. Dwenger thinks Purcell overestimates the latter's ability, but he will be very happy to come to preach a retreat at the Cathedral. It will be 2 weeks before he can get there, and suggests that Purcell appoint a time during Lent. Dwenger relates events of the...

Scope and Contents His Provincial Father Andreas Kunkler, C.PP.S., desires him to write that Father Andreas Herbstrit received permission to leave their Congregation of the Precious Blood for five years and to be considered a secular priest during that time. He is a good, zealous priest, only a poor religious. He calls Hennaert's attention, and that of the succeeding bishop, to the fact that he is over zealous in church building, ornamenting, etc., and thus apt to run himself too deeply into debt. :: III-2-l...

Scope and Contents At the request of his Provincial Father Andreas Kunkler, C.PP.S., Dwenger writes that Father Thoma has given up the idea of going to Detroit and is on his way to Europe, recalled by ther General. Father August Young was ordained over two years ago by the bishop of Cleveland Amadeus Rappe . Young was somewhat of an invalid and living with Father Herbstrit. The Provincial declared that his studies were deficient. Dwenger allowed him to say Mass but forbade him the exercise of all jurisdiction....

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Father Andrew Kunkler and he are preaching a mission there and they have a man who asks a dispensation to marry his first cousin, giving certain important reasons for the dispensation. Neither are of good reputation and cannot get other mates. They have good will to live as Catholics and ask Purcell to grant them a dispensation. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

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A Catholic farmer of St. Mary's wishes to have an orphan boy to help him on the farm. He would like to know the conditions. :: II-5-c A.L.S. 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents He received Purcell's letter through Mr. Anthony but Father Maximilian Homburger has not decided upon the question. St. Henry is against it. Father John W. Brummer will not permit the residence in St. Joseph and the congregation do not wish it. It was a priest who wished it. On January 19th the 17 priests in the diocese attended a theological conference in Greenwood and another is scheduled for April. He hope the Superior will make it compulsory. He informs Purcell of the people going to...

Scope and Contents Father Anthony Guggenberger, C.PP.S. wishes to know if he should deny the Sacraments to Mr. Hanes who left Precious Blood Fathers. Hanes has a mortal hatred against the Society; he accuses his congregation and two of their best priests of perjury; he swore falsely several things in a law-suit against them. Although he is not qualified, he practices medicine. Dwenger has a laborious mission and is happy and contented. He has more time for proper and spiritual reading. The church in Celina is...

Scope and Contents Fathers Andrew Kunkler and John C. Willmer met Dwenger at Wapakoneta to examine the state of things there. Father Andrew Herbstrit's familiarity with the other sex is greatly exaggerated; he promises to be more cautious. The debts of the church are $16,000. Herbstrit has been disobedient to his superior in acting so extravagantly. But he has promised strict obedience; for otherwise the congregation, now almost driven to despair by the heavy burden, will be utterly lost. It is necessary to...

Scope and Contents On the 23rd of January they had theological conferences at Greenwood. Almost all the Precious Blood Fathers of both dioceses were present. Their superior, Father Andrew Kunkler is laboring very much for the conferences and urges all to study. The results of the conferences are most happy. The three young men to whom Purcell gave minor orders give them the greatest joy. At present he has only 12 students studying for the priesthood. He gives daily classes in Dogma, Moral, Philosophy, and...

Scope and Contents He has received Purcell's letters. Father _____ Volm must be removed as he is incapable of attending to the wants of the mission. He seems half sick and at times half crazed. The Superior of the Precious Blood Fathers counseled him to get his exeat and go to a convent. Dwenger suggests that Purcell grant the exeat. Dwenger refuses to assure the debts of Father Andrew Herbstrit amounting to $2,000.00 He had more than his share at Wapakoneta where he found almost $20,000 debt and leaves of the...

Scope and Contents On Sunday he baptized Dr. St. Inkins of St. Henry, a sincere convert. A singular thing happened the following Saturday. For nearly half an hour more than 10 person heard the finest music and singing in the church. Among those who heard it were the convert, Mr. Edelman, and two infidel Americans who were several hundred paces from the church. Those inside the church heard nothing, the melodeon being locked at the time. Father AndrewHerbstrit of Wapakoneta has been severely reproved by his...

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He has paid off $1900 on the debt at Kenton. The contracts and in, fact everything were in utter confusion. The church is not yet plastered., It is too cold for services in the unfinished church. They can rent a hall, from Crowley. A resident priest is needed at Kenton. The people think, they can support one. There are several other places along the railroad, where a priest could commence the work of God. :: II-5-c A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents He received a letter from Father Nicholas R. Young offering himself as assistance at Purcell's suggestion. He has no parish house, but rooms with a private family and because his missions are scattered he needs a priest to live in one of his missions. He does not think it would be wise for him to leave St. Mary's. Regarding the Missions of Six Miles and Celina he is assisted by Father Krensch . He suggests that Purcell send Young to Kenton, Ohio or else send him to a place where there are...

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Dwenger believes that the new church in St. Mary's will be built on the site of the old church as the Protestants expect to make up about three thousand dollars. The Celina Ohio church when completed will have a debt of only five hundred dollars. Priests are holding conferences regularly. A Lutheran preacher from Bremen, between St. Mary's and Minster, is about to become a Catholic. He is preaching Catholic doctrine and usages. :: II-5-c A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Dwenger hopes Purcell will send a priest soon to Kenton, which has been unattended since Father A. Herbstrit left. Dwenger has paid $1,900 of the debt but he cannot attend the place with the three congregations he already has. He suggest Father Henry Koering for the parish, because he knows both languages and the priest of St. Augustin could attend the Sisters. If Koering cannot come, Dwenger hopes that Purcell will soon send Father George J.E. Glass. He has bought a bell of 450 pounds for...

Scope and Contents Dwenger blessed the church at Celina last Sunday in honor of the Immaculate Virgin. He celebrated solemn high Mass assisted by Father Bernard Austerman, who remained three days longer preaching the Jubilee. Some people returned who had been out of the Church for twelve years. Wapakoneta also should progress. Next Thursday on the feast of St. Thomas, Dwenger shall bless the church at Six Miles in honor of St. Thomas. Lung fever is raging in St. Mary's. Everything is going well especially at...

Scope and Contents Father SeraphimKunkler asks if Purcell can come to Minister, Ohio on June 3rd and visit the other places afterwards. Kunkler says there are three students to be ordained and as Dwenger has not been at the Seminary for about four years he can give no information as to their fitness. He thinks, because of the ordination and the increased number of congregations, that it will take two weeks, and hopes he will come at that time because the weather is good. He asks if his plans meet with...

Scope and Contents Dwenger and Father Seraphim Kunkler have made up a plan of the Visitation as follows, giving the dates of each stop; Minster, Berlin, Egypt, Mariastein, St. John's, St. Sebastian's, St. Rose's Chapel, St. Francis', Celina, Carthagena, St. Henry's, St. Wendelin's, St. Joseph's, St. Peter's, St. Philothea's, St. Mary's, Six Miles, Wapkoneta, Freiburg. This will be more work than the last Visitation. It is expected that Purcell will have two students to ordain and a third has begun studies at...

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Mary Wudd, sister of Mrs. O'Connell, wishes to marry a Protestant from Cincinnati, she had but little chance to marry a Catholic. There will be no celebration. Dwenger asks for the necessary dispensation. :: II-5-c A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

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He has been very busy during the holidays with his three missions. In Koputh he has the greatest difficulty to instruct the children. Times are too bad to build a church there. The teachers of the public schools are rather favorably inclined towards the Catholics. He wishes to introduce the Confraternity of the Sacred Heart. He suggests that Purcell in his Lenten Pastoral warn the Catholics against Secret Societies. This is a great difficulty. :: II-5-d A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents At a meeting of the consultors at Mariastein, Dwenger was appointed to be one of the consultors and secretary of the Precious Blood Fathers. Father Bernard Austermann C.PP.S. procurator relieving Father Andrew Kunkler of all care for the temproalities. Father Christian French wishes to leave Wapakoneta. Father Xavier Griessmayer will replace him. Father Anthony Guggenberger will live at Carthagena to watch over the seminary. He will attend to the people of Newport. :: II-5-d A.L.S. 2pp....

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By order of the general of the Precious Blood Fathers a successor will be elected to Father Frances de Sales Brunner on the 14th. By mistake Purcell was not informed of it sooner. He asks Purcell to continue to be the same kind indulgent parent toward their congregation as he has been in the past. :: II-5-a A.L.S. 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Dwenger acknowledges Purcell's letter and circular. He believes the young couple to whom Purcell allowed the dispensation will prove good Catholics. He asks Purcell to allow this congregation to have the procession of the Blessed Sacrament on Corpus Christi and the feast of the Precious Blood. Dwenger has twenty-four dollars for the Seminary and a deed for additional church ground at Six Miles. He will send it when Father Kunkler sends his, but he will be unable to give ten dollars himself...

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Dwenger says he will meet Purcell Saturday morning the 27th at Piqua, then they will drive to Minster. He outlines their plan of travel from the 27th of August to September 2 with the services they will attend at Cappella, Philathea, Celina, Minster, Wapakoneta, Berlin, Newport, Greenville and Union. Father Andrew Kunkler asks Purcell to write to Dwenger whether this plan meets his wishes. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.

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Mr. James McFarland, brother of the bishop, married yesterday to a widow named Whetstone. Now Dwenger finds that he was previously married to a cousin of the lady. They were married in good faith, and there is prospect of conversion for the lady and two of her children and Dwenger asks for the proper dispensation. She has three children from her previous husband and has nine by his three former wives. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 3pp.

Scope and Contents Enclosed is a quit-claim deed of the lot on which the Church formerly stood. Dwenger understands that it was sold some time ago with Purcell's permission to a Catholic named Hay. The heir of the original owner has a claim in it which they quit-claimed to Father A. Herbstrit, so that if Purcell will quit-claim his title to Herbstrit, he can give Mr. Hay a warranted deed, and the church will get the money. Next week Father A. Herbstrit will try to collect and sell tickets on the remaining let...

Scope and Contents Dwenger asks Purcell if it would not be convenient for him to be in St. Mary's on Palm Sunday, the day after St. Joseph's Day. Such an act by Purcell would encourage the poor congregation, and there are also many converts ready for Confirmation. They could easily ride over to St. Mary's on Sunday morning. Next week Dwenger will preach a retreat at St. Mary's and have a triduum in preparation for the papal benediction. The children will make their First Communion on St. Joseph's Day but would...

Scope and Contents Following Purcell's instructions, Dwenger went to Petersburg to try to write the people for the purpose of building a new church. Two places are under consideration for its site, one at Balkins and the other on the farm of Mr. Baiersdorfer. A vote was taken of the people and 28 wanted Balkins, and Dwenger thinks it would have the better future, being in town, and 11 vote for Mr. Baiersdorfer's place while 4 were neutral. Dwenger now asks for Purcell's decision. They have to begin a...

Scope and Contents Dwenger says two people in Wapakoneta each gave $100 for the altar and crucifix. Father Andrew Herbstrit received the money two years ago but used it for other purposes. Dwenger asks Purcell's views on the society called Druids. Many priests absolve them but he wishes to know what Purcell thinks. Father Frederick H. Volm is doing well in Freiburg but his health is bad. He is consumptive and cannot preach for weeks at a time. Dwenger believes the people are suffering since he can hear but few...

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He arrived home safe and would meet Purcell at Notre Dame, but it is impossible. He asks if Purcell could come to Fort Wayne on his return. In Europe, Bishop Eugene Regnault of Chatres, who studied with Purcell and was ordained the same day, sends regards as does Archbishop Patrick Leahy of Cashel. If Purcell cannot come to Fort Wayne, Dwenger will be in Cincinnati soon. :: II-5-f A.L.S. 1p. 12mo.