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Scope and Contents He write in regard to the affairs of their church. Expenses from February 1861 to February 1862 amount to $4,872; receipts to $3,000, leaving a deficit of more than $1800. There is only one remedy. The ownership of the church must be transferred to the diocese. The lawyers whom he has consulted told him that there were only two ways to make the transfer: to obtain an act of the Legislature or to sell the church at public auction. A public auction offers the best possibility of overcoming...

Scope and Contents The retreat at Plaquemine if finished. On his return, Larnaudie found Father Francis Ceupens almost settled as his successor; he is doing well. Father Cyril De la Croix, whom Larnaudie saw at Plaquemine would like to have Ceuppens as his successor at St. Raphael Chapel. It would be easier to divide the parish before the arrival of the new pastor at St. Gabriel and the best time for a new pastor on the right bank is when the people are ready to receive him. Father Jean Honoré Dubernard said...

Scope and Contents This week his successor spent two days with him and promised to be here on December 16. He also wanted Larnaudie to tell Odin a petition was being prepared in his former parish. Father Cyril Delacroix thinks the best time to divide the parish would be during the interregnum at St. Gabriel. Everything here is going well except the orphan asylum. Since Odin's visit, Larnaudie has spent several hundred piastres to repair his old buildings and the cemetery. ` P.S. W. Repp would like to let Odin...

Scope and Contents Larnaudie sends Odin a letter which he is writing to the General; a word from Odin will perhaps add some weight. Odin is to send it on to the General if he sees fit. One of the representatives in the Legislature presented a bill for the relief of St. Joseph's Church in Baton Rouge; it has already passed the first reading and there is hope it may go through. The accounts of his church will be ready for the end of the year but he will not be able to send anything else. His poor parish is...

Scope and Contents In spite of all the vexations of military occupation, Larnaudie's church has not suffered much. Repairs are being made slowly but surely. He will leave the famous "bill" to God who will know when the favorable moment comes. The fence around their cemetery has been a coveted object for the soldiers who have to spend the winter in tents and the Negroes who have no other shelter but their improvised cabins. The military authority have given him some boards; a barrel of nails has already been...

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The approach of Lent makes him want to revive the spirit of faith and piety in his parish. He asks for a copy of Odin's Lenten pastoral. He encloses $75; $50 is for the Christmas collection and the rest for dispensations from August, 1864 to January, 1865. Improvements on his church are going slowly; his workman is ill. His parishioners suffer; he cannot go outside the lines. The pastor of Plaquemine is waiting impatiently for the opening of his church. :: VI-2-i A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.

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The repairs on his church are almost finished and all will be ready by August 15. If Odin could come for Confirmation it would be a fine feast for St. Joseph Church. He has written to Father Anthony Jourdan, S.J. about having the Jubilee in August. :: VI-2-i A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents The roof, vault, and part of the wall of the sanctuary of his church fell down yesterday morning. The altar, candlesticks, vases, etc. are broken. It is impossible to say Mass there. He has had recourse to Colonel Oliver P.? Gooding in command here; he has given him some hope. The damage is between $1500 and $2000. The military authorities seem a little more favorable to them; they obtain passes easily. The government allows Larnaudie 200 rations a day which he distributes to the poor....

Scope and Contents Unfortunately the work is so pressing that he can write only in haste. The Church of St. Joseph is still the same state, open to all the winds and rain since October 1. The materials have been purchased but funds are lacking for the labor. The difficulty he experienced in finding the $1,700 already subscribed does not allow him to foresee a brilliant success as a collector. While waiting, Larnaudie has had cold fingers more than once while saying Mass. The interest of his church compelled...

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The renovation of the church has started. The funds at hand should suffice to place the church under roof. He has assembled material for the altar and sacristy, but he must stop if the funds do not arrive. He asks for a dispensation for a parishioner, a pious man whose five children are being cared for by his dead wife's sister. Due to economic reasons he would like to marry her. :: VI-2-h A.L.S. French and Latin 3pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Thieves entered his church during the night of February 28-29. Forcing the tabernacle open, they left the ciborium on the altar but took the luna with the sacred host. Some old candlesticks and other small items have also disappeared, also the chalice. Larnaudie has not been able to discover the guilty ones. The repairs on the church are progressing slowly. He is often obliged to help. They have almost all the materials for the sacristy, but lack funds to put it up. The altar will be...

Scope and Contents Mrs. G. Daigre will bring this letter and give Odin the news of his parish that Larnaudie does not have time to write. Their church is under cover. Their sacristy is up four feet; work is suspended for lack of money. A considerable number of children are awaiting First communion. Larnaudie has made no decision, hoping Odin would come to Baton Rouge for Confirmation. Could he come for August 15? P.S. Mrs. Daigre has one of the finest plantations in the parish and her brother, Th. Bird is the...

Scope and Contents He has just learned something in an indirect manner about one of the priests of the diocese. The person who gave him the information is entirely unknown to him. There are no precise, determined accusations, but in speaking of Father J. Francois Raymond, he said that even the children and the negresses are talking about the scandal he has given and the abominations he has committed. While he believes there is much exaggeration, nevertheless he cannot let Odin remain ignorant of such grave...

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One of his parishioners wishes to marry his sister-in-law. He lost his wife seven or eight months ago and has five children, the oldest of whom is only eight. He has no one to take care of his family and cannot pay a servant. If Odin cannot write in time for the answer to arrive by next Sunday, he asks him to telegraph his answer. :: VI-2-e A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents He thanks him for the dispensation. The names are Gary Daniel and Thames Brigitte. He has perhaps deferred too long to inform Odin that he assisted at a marriage between a Protestant and a Catholic on Oct. 5. He took all the necessary precautions. It was impossible to wait as the husband was one of the officers of the army of Virginia which was obliged to leave. They are Woodville Latham and Elise Trudeau. He is very much inclined to leave his post because he sees that his provisionary state...

Scope and Contents Several persons have asked to have a Midnight Mass at Christmas. He did not wish to promise anything without consulting Odin. There will be some advantages but also some very grave inconveniences in having this extraordinary ceremony. Father Anthony de Chaignon, S.J communicated to him what Odin told him in regard to the affairs of the Church. The future is not brilliant. He does not know if they will be able to hold on very long. He has a great repugnance to appealing to the charity of the...

Scope and Contents One of his parishioners who has just completed his studies in a Catholic college in the North appears decided to become a priest, but his parents cannot pay for his education. He does not want to engage himself for any Southern diocese as he wishes to rejoin his uncle who is a distinguished priest of the New York diocese as soon as possible. Larnaudie wonders if Odin would allow him to make his theological studies gratuitously without formally engaging him to remain in New Orleans. :: VI-2-f...

Scope and Contents Today Larnaudie had a visit from the pastor of West Baton Rouge to whom he spoke of Odin's pastoral visit. He said he had not yet received any letter on that subject and that he had scarcely the time to prepare the children in the space of two or three weeks. Larnaudie fears there has been some misunderstanding and that Odin presumed he would warn the four neighboring pastors. He seeks a dispensation from the impediment of disparitatis cultus between Clark Sherby, a Methodist, and Julia...

Scope and Contents Since Odin's pastoral visit, his parish is nearly the same except for the departure of Father Anthony de Chaignon, S.J. which leaves him alone and very busy. At the beginning of March they had an election of trustees. The board is almost completely new except for the President. Major? Hart was elected, although a Protestant. Larnaudie did not oppose this as his family is Catholic and he is a notable benefactor of the church and an excellent administrator. The subscription, which they began...

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It seems opportune to make some extraordinary prayers for peace and for their soldiers. If Rousselon will authorize him, he will hold a novena from May 31 to June 9 with sermon and benediction each day. The novena would also serve as a preparatory retreat for the first communion which will take place on the final day. :: VI-2-d A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Having learnt that Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M. should go to the Convent of St. Michael at the beginning of next month, he suggests that he might come to Baton Rouge on the 9th for the First Communion of the children. He does not insist because they are not prepared for Confirmation. If Odin does not believe he should come so soon, he hopes he will be able to see him at New Orleans around the 10th in order to put an end to the uncertainty in which he finds himself and which prevents him...

Scope and Contents A widow who wishes to remarry five months after the death of her first husband seeks a dispensation from the three banns. The election of the trustees is today. He believes it his duty, in the interest of his successors, to insist that the priest be paid more regularly in the future. The church council owes them nearly $800 and payment is always put off indefinitely. He thinks the cession of the Church to the Archbishop is the only way to end all their difficulties. Many Catholics would be...

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The interests of his parish oblige him to again have recourse to Odin. He sent, with the bonds of the church, a letter from Mrs. Michel which explained her intentions in making the gift. His successor will need this letter, Larnaudie asks Odin to send it, or a copy, to Father Cyril Delacroix. Larnaudie learns with pleasure that his successor is very successful. The former pastor could do in time of war, he was a bit too "rough" in time of peace. :: VI-2-l A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Before turning over the administration of the parish, Larnaudie believes it his duty to inform Odin of the financial situation of St. Joseph's Church of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana . At the last accounting with the trustees the debt was: 1. $1253.53 due in back salary for the pastor. 2. A note for $566.66 due to W.S. Pike since June 2, 1860 at 8% was protested in June, 1863 and a new note for $702.70 was signed. This was paid on November 29, 1865 and amounted, with interest, to $843.10. 3.90...

Scope and Contents Larnaudie's poor church is in the same deplorable condition. The exertions of his parishioners cannot repair this sad accident. A petition for assistance, was sent to General Charles P. Stone, with the request that he present it to General Nathaniel P. Banks. After many weeks, fearing that the first letter which had been entrusted to General Cooke might have been lost, he wrote a second letter to Stone. No answer has been received. He asks Odin to mention the matter to Stone. The answer will...

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His delay in answering McFarland in the question of Father Charles Thibault's request to be incorporated into the Hartford diocese is not from neglect. He would not want a man without proper dispositions to be in McFarland's diocese. The local Superiors of the young man have been consulted. They have asked Thibault to leave the clerical state. This decision he thinks is very wise. :: I-1-b A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Lartique of Maubourguet in France, who had the honor of speaking to Blanc three years ago on his coming to Louisiana, having spent one year in Ascencion parish as a teacher and for two years having conducted the public school in the second district of Assumption parish, addresses Blanc for a second time. Lartique wishes to enter the seminary near him to receive Holy Orders in due time if Blanc finds him worthy. He will furnish papers attesting to his conduct in Europe from an early age. He...

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She gives permission to her slave Mary to have her child baptized. In another hand: Cecilia, born January, 1844; Louis Benjamin Couvertier, Marie Coralie Couvertier, godparents?. On the back of the note: Marie Angeline, born February 22, 1844, baptized November 10, 1845; Joseph Gravel - Elizabeth Joly ; Remond Gravel - Antoinette Zerban, godparents? :: V-5-d A. Note. S. French 2pp. 32mo.

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He has received bad news from his banker, . D'Aquin, about the debt of New Orleans so that the confidence inspired by Perché's letter is beginning to totter. All his resources being in the loan he is beginning to suffer. His interest is 450 francs?, the costs of the suit 120, so his loss is 575. :: VI-3-d A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.

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Sister St. Joseph R.U. has received no word from them for three years; their letters do not reach her. She assures them that if they come through Odin she will receive them. Sister L'Assomption asks him to forward the one enclosed. :: VI-2-i A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.