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DePaul University From the SelectedWorks of John E Rybolt 2016 Congregation of the Mission. Circular letters. Pierre de Wailly and Dominique Salhorgne, 1827-1835 John E Rybolt This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC_BY International License. Available at: https://works.bepress.com/john_rybolt/90/ Congregation of the Mission, Circular Letters Antoine Fiat, 1878-1914 A Topical Outline by John E. Rybolt, C.M. Introduction Saint Vincent de Paul wrote several general letters to each of the houses of the Congregation. Called circular letters, they help give modern readers a sense of his care for the whole Community. His successors, too, carried on this practice. Their letters were published in three volumes, ceasing with the generalate of Jean-Baptiste Étienne, who died in 1874. This outline reviews the circular letters of Father Antoine Fiat, superior general from 1878 to 1914. Fiat had seen to the publication of the original three volumes, and it is ironic that his letters were never published in that official collection. He evidently intended to have them published, since they were numbered and paged consecutively for the most part. The advent of the First World War probably delayed and then derailed the project. Fiat served longer than any superior general, including Saint Vincent himself. With Jean- Baptiste Étienne, Fiat stands as one of the two pillars of the Congregation of the Mission in the century following the French Revolution. The impact of both of them on the Community was great greater detail, but the drift of the Vincentians from a community of secular clergy to a religious congregation is at least one point to be seen in these letters, which Fiat spoke of as his spiritual testament. These letters might continue the title of the three volumes, Recueil des Principales Circulaires des Supérieurs Généraux de la Congrégation de la Mission [“Collection of the Principal Circulars of the Superiors General of the Congregation of the Mission”]. Those volumes contained the letters and biographical information about Fiat's predecessors, beginning with Vincent de Paul. The emphasis in those volumes, as well as here, is on “Principal Circulars,” since many letters were not published. Nevertheless, besides the 79 officially numbered letters which were directed to the entire Community, Fiat’s principal circulars, many others, unnumbered, have been included here as they have come to light in the collections of various archives. Although they were circular letters, they generally had a more restricted audience, such as an individual province. They were usually printed on letter press or lithographed from a fine manuscript hand. The enormous body of Fiat’s general correspondence, although largely unknown, helps to explain the inner life and interests of the Congregation of the Mission, probably up to the Second Vatican Council. Each circular letter has been analyzed, with salient points summarized. More attention has been given here to news from the United States than to news from elsewhere. These other provinces are often passed over simply by mentioning them. Those persons mentioned are mainly members of the general curia or other noteworthy Vincentians; unmentioned are the many visitors [provincial superiors], and others nominated to various offices. (All the letters were written from Paris, and in French, unless noted otherwise.) For those interested in pursuing the legacy of Antoine Fiat, the originals or copies of the letters summarized here are available in some Vincentian archives, and in certain libraries, such as at DePaul University, Chicago. 1 Circular Letters of Antoine Fiat 1878, 4 May, #1, pp. 1-2. As vicar general, he announces the death of Eugène Boré, superior general, and requests specified prayers and masses. Asks for prayers for himself in his delicate role. 1878, undated, #2, pp. 4-10. He reports on Boré’s funeral, and the plans for a general assembly on 1 September to elect a successor. Read Jean-Baptiste Étienne on the subject of provincial assemblies, and elect a man who will keep to the old rules. To gain divine help, observe our rules, and pray. He cites Fathers Edme Jolly and René Alméras against electioneering. 1878, 1 November, #3, pp. 12-23. Fiat's election, and his unworthiness. He reports on various decisions made by the general assembly (8 - 22 September). (1) Confessors for confreres are to come only from the Community; motives for this decision. Observe rules on confessors. (2) Cases of conscience are to be held, since they have been recommended for religious orders. He recalls Saint Vincent's example at Saint Lazare.1 (3) The assembly renewed the old rules on visits to parents. He will write more about this later. (4) He revokes all former general permissions, on writing and sending letters without permission. He asks the superiors to open and read letters. (5) Another internal seminary will be opened in France. Observe the rules, especially poverty. Pray for the primitive spirit. He asks for men willing to be foreign missioners. He grants permission for reading books on the Index, allows imposition of the three scapulars, and closes with a note on stipends. 1879, 1 January, #4, pp. 24-38. He sends best wishes for the new year, especially for participation in the spirit of Saint Vincent and his first companions. He asks that the confreres follow the Little Method in preaching. He recommends reliance on providence, suffering calumny in silence, avoidance of political talk. We are Carthusians at home, apostles abroad. Confreres should ask permission from local pastors to give missions in their parishes. Read the Memoire (Circulars I, p. 96 ff) yearly about prayer for the primi- tive spirit. Practice the rules, especially the hour for rising, common prayer. Read the life of Saint Vincent. NEWS: France, Algeria—progress. “Missions are the first and principal function.” Italy—the causes of Francis Regis Clet and John Gabriel Perboyre are advancing. Spain—vocations are growing, and missions like the Philippines are advancing. Portugal—the province is beginning again with the help of the pope. Ireland—all right. Prussia—some progress. Poland—problems still. Austria—fervent, some priests are entering the novitiate. Orient (Near East)—good reputation. Persia—a new press begun. Syria—schools are good, and collaboration with Daughters of Charity is progressing. Ethiopia—famine and death, but new recruits. China—good progress. USA: many parishes, but conversions offset the number of them and attest to their utility. Mexico—the Daughters of Charity are forced to leave. Central America—revolutions, but hope remains. Chile—doing well. Brazil—missions and seminary are going well. Argentina— vocations, hopes for the future. He reports on changes in personnel in the curia. He lists the missioners sent out. Pray for vocations. The letter closes with the necrology. 1879, 15 May, #5, pp. 39-45. He met with the pope. The Community will open a house in Perugia. He had a good reception from cardinals and others. Thus, confreres should recognize the supreme authority of the pope. The pope erected the Confraternity of the Holy Agony. Our proper ordo and calendar should be reviewed 2 and rearranged. He calls the Community to know the liturgy and to be exact. He recommends private prayer for a half hour after mass. 1879, 22 May, #6, pp. 46-55. He writes about trips taken by confreres. On this, he refers to a document of 1659 containing rules of the Internal Seminary. It has a series of questions to be asked before taking vows, especially about never returning home according to the example of Saint Vincent and other superiors general (René Alméras, Edme Jolly) and assemblies. He makes comparisons with other communities. As a result, he sends rules on the subject. He cites further examples from Saint Vincent, Perboyre and oth- ers. 1879, 4 September, #7, pp. 56-69. (For Superiors only.) He addresses them on their duties on the anniversary of his election. God will bless our efforts. He asks for superiors to follow mutual unity, unity of spirits, unity of hearts through charity. (1) These principles are furnished by reason and experience. (2) They come from faith. We are responsible to God, to the Community, to our inferiors. All authority comes from God. Our response to him should be proper: e.g., divine office, mass, conferences, repetitions of prayer, other obligations. The superiors are responsible to the Community: you are appointed by the superior general, representing the Community. You are a column destined to support this part of the edifice. Do not abuse that confidence. Watch over observance of small rules. Also be careful about the rule of silence, reading at table, care of temporal goods. You should love your confreres first, as a mother loves her children (as Saint Bernard teaches.) This love will cause vigilance. Superiors should also instruct their inferiors on the duties of their state. Also, carry on paternal correction, your third main obligation. (3) There are also principles furnished by Saint Vincent, i.e., his spiritual maxims. These include vigilance, weakness and strength, humility and meekness, correction. He urges superiors to work for the correction of the Congregation, the sanctification of its members. Superiors are to be observant of the rule. They preach by their good example, and should be men of God, loving his glory, lovers of prayer, etc. 1879, 25 December, #8, pp. 69 [bis]-82. He sends Christmas wishes, especially for charity for the confreres. He cites the example of Saint Vincent, and offers motives. Problems and faults will be encountered, but let us love the Congregation, since it is honored by the Church. Do not deprecate other communities. NEWS: France—new houses are opened and missions progress. He recommends the restoration of the philosophy of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

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