Girard0292

December 1, 1843 - Father Gilbert Roudaire to Father Jean Cholleton, New Caledonia.

Based on the copy, in Poupinel's hand, APM OW 208 Roudaire.

Two sheets forming eight pages, seven of which are written; the eighth bears only Poupinel's annotation. From this annotation, it seems that the text below is composed of elements from a letter by Roudaire, whose original has not been preserved, and from the one Rougeyron wrote from Wallis to Claude Favier on the 3rd of the same month (doc. 293), since in several details the present document closely follows the data of doc. 293: for example, the description of the stopovers at Tenerife and Goree, together with the visit to the king of Dakar (cf. below, §§ 3, 5, 6). It is also quite possible that Poupinel took these details from a letter by Rougeyron, dated December 31, 1843 and sent from Balade in New Caledonia, which would not have been preserved at the APM. The addressee, Jean Cholleton, was superior of the novitiate at La Favorite from his religious profession in September 1841 until autumn 1844.

[p. 8]

[In Poupinel's hand:] Letters of Fathers Roudaire and Rougeyron - Wallis, December 1, 1843 - Port Balade, New Caledonia, 31 December 1843

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[p. 1]

Apostolic Vicariate of Central Oceania

Letter from Father Roudaire, apostolic missionary of the Society of Mary, to the Reverend Father Cholleton, of the same Society.

In sight of Wallis, aboard the Bucephale, December 1, 1843

My Reverend Father,

[1]

Here we have been for two days in sight of Wallis, unable to enter the bay because of the contrary wind. Bishop d'Amata went ashore in one of the ship's boats with all our confreres; as for me, I remained here alone, in order to put our affairs in order, and I am taking advantage of a few hours of rest to write to you about the circumstances of our long crossing which I believe are most likely to interest you. Please accept, my Reverend Father, these few lines, written in haste, as a weak testimony of my lively gratitude and my deep respect.

[2]

It was on the 4th of May that we went aboard the fine frigate Uranie, which Bishop d'Amata had blessed the day before in the presence of the staff officers. I believe that nearly 3,000 people filled the quays at the moment of our embarkation. They wanted once more to see this young bishop whom they had surrounded with so many honors and so much affection during his stay at Toulon. The prelate arrived, accompanied by all the clergy of the city; and at the moment when he set foot in the boat, that whole pious crowd fell to its knees and, bursting into tears, received the blessing of the missionary bishop. We too let our tears flow, and it was not without feeling our hearts oppressed by sorrow that we greeted for the last time that generous city of Toulon, the many friends we had there, and our beautiful France, which we were leaving for the propagation of the Gospel.

[3]

I shall not speak to you either of the Balearic Islands or of Gibraltar, which we sighted. At Santa Cruz de Tenerife, we had the happiness of meeting the holy bishop of the Canary Islands, who received us with particular kindness. He invited us to share a modest breakfast with him; he was poor. Espartero had stripped him of his possessions, for this courageous prelate had not feared to resist his impious and tyrannical decrees. He expected every day to leave for exile, and it was easy for us to understand how happy he was to have something to suffer for the holy cause of the faith. In him we venerated the courageous confessor of Jesus Christ, and by his blessing he deigned to call down the graces of heaven upon our labors.

[4]

Soon we anchored at Goree (Senegambia), where we were received [p. 2] with enthusiasm by Mr. Moussa, a mulatto priest who studied in Paris and whom you undoubtedly know by reputation. He is as distinguished by his talents as by his piety; and with the help of a few Sisters of Charity, he produces great fruits of salvation among his compatriots, most of whom are Mohammedans. On the holy day of the Ascension, Bishop Douarre officiated pontifically in the presence of the governor of our possessions in Senegal, Mr. Bruat, governor of the French Establishments in Oceania, and a brilliant staff of officers.

[5]

Curious to know a little of this land of Africa where we had just landed, we made an excursion into the little kingdom of Dakar, which is one league from Goree. The first thing to do was to visit the king. Still accustomed as I was to our European ideas and to the splendor surrounding our princes, I found myself trembling a little as we approached the palace. Great God! Who would not admire my strange simplicity? Instead of a palace, I saw only a miserable hut like those inhabited by the shepherds of our mountains; in place of a throne, a trestle on which the monarch was crouching. He is a handsome man, but in the strictest sense of the word a majesty without breeches. A poor belt around his loins, a turban around his head: that was his adornment, his mantle, his diadem. We had with him a fairly long and interesting conversation. Among other things, we asked him whether he liked the French, and he answered yes, because their king gave him 1,200 francs every year in order to obtain permission to come and take on water in his kingdom. To a second question, namely whether he believed our religion to be good, he answered affirmatively, but said that it was not worth his own, the Mohammedan religion. We did not try to prove to him the falsity of the Qur'an, but we greatly praised the Christian religion to him and strongly urged him to embrace it. “I cannot, I cannot,” he replied to us; “I would have to leave my wives.” He told us he had only six publicly recognized wives, but that as for his children they were so numerous that he could not count them. Finally he promised us that if later he recognized the truth of Christianity, he would embrace it. We offered him a medal of the Blessed Virgin, which he willingly accepted and immediately hung around his neck. May Mary tear him away from his errors!

[6]

On leaving the king's hut, we noticed some thirty marabouts or Mohammedan priests seated in front of the mosque and deliberating with great gravity on the punishment to be inflicted on a woman who had committed a theft. I do not know what sentence the court passed; but while they were all occupied with this matter, without sufficiently foreseeing the danger, we entered the mosque, fortunately without being discovered, for the dagger must avenge [p. 3] itself upon the infidel rash enough to dare cross that sacred threshold. To praise the true God where the devil receives so much homage, we sang a few verses of our pious hymns as we passed before the marabouts; and they found them very beautiful. Before leaving these places, I must tell you that at almost every hour of the day I saw men and women making prostrations in the streets, rising again and then throwing themselves forcefully to the ground while saying prayers and striking their breasts.

[7]

We also made a pleasant stop at Rio de Janeiro, where the apostolic internuncio gave us a fatherly welcome. On July 9, the feast of Our Lady of Peace, Bishop d'Amata officiated in the chapel served by a Picpus Father; there the whole congregation was French, all our compatriots celebrated us, and for a moment we believed ourselves still in our homeland. The few days we spent in that delightful climate restored us from our fatigue. We put to sea again; we saw some of its dangers, but Mary, that star so dear to the traveling missionary, guided us toward port. On August 24 we landed at Valparaiso; thus you see, my Reverend Father, that our voyage was swift and happy.

[8]

We stayed three weeks at Valparaiso. To tell you the welcome given us by the Picpus Fathers is impossible. I shall never forget their generosity or their benevolence. Yes, they showed us all the charity that Saint Paul asked of the Corinthians for his dear Timothy. They have in that city an already very flourishing college, which will do infinite good for that country. They have gained the confidence of all that is good in the province; they confess and instruct without rest in their little chapel, which is always full of the faithful.

[9]

Our stay at Valparaiso was marked by several small events that were quite consoling. Bishop Douarre said High Mass on the day of Saint Rose of Lima, patroness of the city, in the cathedral church, the only one possessed by this city of more than 30,000 souls. He administered the sacrament of confirmation to more than 5,000 people; and what especially filled us with joy, he conferred solemn baptism on a young native of the Marquesas Islands. These were the first fruits of his apostolate; Mr. Bruat and his lady kindly agreed to be godfather and godmother.

[10]

A touching scene also made our tears flow. A venerable bishop, crowned with white hair, had come to live at Valparaiso as a result of the political troubles that had arisen in the republics of America and had forced him to leave his see. He came to Bishop d'Amata and, removing the pectoral cross he wore, said to his young colleague: “My Lord, deign to accept this cross which I offer you. You are worthy to wear it, you who do not fear to face [p. 4] such great dangers in order to extend the reign of Jesus Christ. As for me, I have done nothing for the Church; I am an useless servant. At least I shall accompany you with my wishes; I shall never cease praying for the success of your labors. You are going to cause the Sun of Justice to rise over new peoples; you are going to bring forth a new Church for Jesus Christ. Go, my Lord, and may the angel of the Lord accompany all your steps.”

[11]

Finally we left Valparaiso, with somewhat heavy hearts, for everything there had touched us: the kindness of the Picpus Fathers, and the faith and religious destitution of that poor people. After 32 days of navigation, we arrived on a Saturday evening before the Marquesas, where France has two establishments. We anchored before the establishment of Tauata, and the next day, Sunday, October 15, Bishop d'Amata celebrated pontifical Mass on the shore beneath a large, leafy tree that served as his cathedral. A modest altar had been erected for the august sacrifice in a place where perhaps human sacrifices had many times been offered. The natives contemplated with astonishment, beneath the coconut palms and breadfruit trees, this ceremony made extremely imposing by the presence of the governor, his staff, the garrison, and the crew of the Uranie; add to that the music and the artillery salvos. At the elevation, the frigate saluted with 15 cannon shots and the fort responded. It was after the ceremony that Mr. Bruat had himself recognized as governor. There we found, with two Picpus Fathers, about fifty Kanaks from a neighboring island who were being persecuted by their relatives because of the religion they had embraced, and who had preferred exile to abandoning Jesus Christ. They came toward us, greeting us with every mark of the liveliest affection: “kaoa e te Mataua,” good day, my father. We had to answer “kaoa” at every moment; it was a rolling fire of greetings. A poor little girl of eight or nine named Anete (Agnes) came to kiss the hand of each of us, telling us that we were very good.

[12]

I confess to you, my Reverend Father, that I see little difference between Europeans and Marquesans. These people are very well formed in every respect. There is only one thing that is striking and that everyone notices: the difference of expression between the baptized natives and those who are not. The latter have something wild and sad in their gaze and features; in the others it is the gaze of the lamb, and one would say that a tint of Christianity remains visibly imprinted on their faces. I also made this observation at Tonga, and I am assured that I shall have occasion to make it everywhere.

[13]

On Monday we went to the large island, Nuka Hiva, where the first establishment is located. Admiral Dupetit-Thouars was there with five vessels under his orders. Immediately he placed the Bucephale at Bishop d'Amata's disposal, and on November 1 we set sail for Tongatapu, where the admiral had just learned that our confreres were being harassed by the Protestant ministers. [p. 5] Imperious circumstances obliged us to leave before the arrival of our five confreres who were aboard the Phaeton, but the worthy admiral promised us that he would dispatch a second ship to conduct them to their destination. It was there that we left our companions from the Uranie; and during so long a crossing we had only praise for the consideration and kindness of the officers. We owe a quite particular gratitude above all to the governor. This worthy officer loved us; thus he could not leave Bishop d'Amata without shedding tears.

[14]

On the day of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin, we found ourselves opposite Tonga. It is a low island, but of ravishing beauty and uncommon fertility. Vines grow very well there. It was the first mission of our Society that we had the happiness to visit; how happy we were to throw ourselves into the arms of the good Fathers Chevron and Grange and dear Brother Attale. The destitution to which we found them reduced drew tears from us. You have poor people in France, my Reverend Father, but I do not think you have any who have had more to suffer from poverty than our dear confreres suffered for several months. They plant the cross, but they water it with their sweat; they work in hunger, thirst, and nakedness. They have been admirable in courage and trust in God amid their trials and the persecutions stirred up against them by the Protestant ministers established on this island since 1825. Our arrival was providential for this interesting mission, so well prepared and for which God reserves brilliant successes. Since major circumstances had prevented Bishop Pompallier from having these dear confreres visited, our enemies had not failed to tell the natives that the Catholic priests were adventurers, men of no account whom the storm had cast upon their shores. Their imposture was exposed when the natives saw the welcome given to them by the officers of the Bucephale; and the presence of this corvette further convinced them of deceit when they said that France was only a point compared with England; the natives then said: “The French are a great people; they are a powerful nation.” Note A belongs here.

[15]

I believe that today the success of the mission is assured. The people of Tonga are very good; they set the tone for the neighboring islands because of their already advanced civilization. Our confreres, who for fourteen months have been sowing in tears, will soon reap in gladness. They have 100 baptized persons who are very fervent, 200 catechumens who give them much consolation, and altogether nearly 2,000 people who side with them and are thinking about instruction. Letters written last June by Father Chevron to the Reverend Father General will give you more details. We can assure you, and this is the general testimony, that they are loved above all by the infidels and even by the Protestants; and in truth, [p. 6] how could it be otherwise: they care for and heal their sick, they give or lend them tools, they patiently endure their ingratitude and sometimes their contempt, without ever ceasing to instruct them. Despite this, they receive only rebuffs and contempt from the Protestant ministers. They have visited them several times without ever having the visit returned. When they go to their villages, which happens often, on those days the ministers keep exactly to their rooms. Until now our confreres have not yet had any discussion with them; and I assure you, my Reverend Father, that there is no reason to be frightened by their learning; they are rather ignorant. The knowledge of most of them is limited to knowing and pompously pouring out a crowd of foolish objections against Catholicism. What they do best is trade and make their fortune. They understand that, I assure you.

[16]

Note B is placed at this point.

[17]

So here we are at Wallis, this land of desires. I must remain there to establish our printing press, which will be of immense usefulness. Time presses me; I reserve for another occasion the task of giving you more details about our dear missions. The day after tomorrow the consecration of Bishop Bataillon will take place.

[18]

Deign to accept ...

Roudaire

apostolic missionary

[19]

A. The church of Bea is magnificent. It was the savages, neophytes and infidels, who built it; it is made of bamboo, but of rare cleanliness and elegance. I would like to be a painter so as to send you its model. The temple of the Protestants is in this style; I visited it, but it does not approach the church of Bea. Bishop d'Amata officiated there. The recollection and the singing of these good savages would have drawn tears from you. Nothing is as touching as that spectacle.

[20]

We visited almost all the chiefs of the island. The commander of the Bucephale, Mr. Lafeyriere, gave them some presents on behalf of the king, and Bishop d'Amata, for his part, added something to them; so that they were delighted. Not even the chief of the Protestant fort was excepted. All dined aboard and, after drinking French kava, which is a little better than that of Tonga, the Protestant chief, whom our visit had probably somewhat embarrassed because of his ministers, opened up a little. He said to two Catholic chiefs who had dined with us: “We are not sufficiently instructed to know on which side the truth lies; it would be good if we had some [p. 7] means for that, if the missionaries and the ministers saw one another.” “But whose fault is it?” asked the two Catholic chiefs. “Our missionaries visited your ministers, and they did not wish to return their visit; and every time they go to your villages, your ministers take care to hide.”

[21]

B. During our stay at Tonga, we were invited to a feast, to a mock combat, which Catholicism will destroy or at least reform, we trust. About six thousand men were gathered in an immense plain; a gloomy silence reigned throughout the assembly when suddenly a chief rose and harangued the people. Immediately two champions leapt into the arena, each armed with an enormous club or kind of bludgeon. Each of the combatants dealt terrible blows to his antagonist, if the latter was not skillful enough to avoid them. A great number came successively to join the earlier ones, and the assembly was not dissolved until victory was assured to one side. Fortunately, that day there were only a few wounded. Poor people, to be thus enslaved to such barbarous customs.

Notes

Author's footnote: These letters have not been received. [No doubt these letters had not yet come to the attention of Father Roudaire, author of the present letter, but they would be received later - see Chevron's letter to Colin of June 27, 1843, doc. 262, and the one he wrote to his family on the 24th and 25th of the same month, doc. 261.]