Augustin Aubry - Revision history

MAW at 00:07, 20 April 2026

2026-04-20T00:07:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:07, 20 April 2026
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			Back to [[Biographical Notes]]

	==Augustin Aubry<ref>A review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State Archives, APM (personal file, Vice-Provincial, assistant’s files, visitation reports).</ref>==		==Augustin Aubry<ref>A review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State Archives, APM (personal file, Vice-Provincial, assistant’s files, visitation reports).</ref>==

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	<references/>		<references/>

			Back to [[Biographical Notes]]

MAW: /* Augustin AubryA review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State...

2026-04-19T23:56:55Z

/* Augustin AubryA review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State...

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:56, 20 April 2026
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	:28/06/1899-22/09/1899 – Sydney-Samoa-Tonga-Sydney		:28/06/1899-22/09/1899 – Sydney-Samoa-Tonga-Sydney
	:2/05/1900-3/07/1900 – Sydney-New Caledonia-Sydney		:2/05/1900-3/07/1900 – Sydney-New Caledonia-Sydney

			=== Notes ===
			<references/>

MAW: /* Augustin AubryA review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State...

2026-04-19T23:54:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 20 April 2026
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	:His first appointment was to St Mary's College, Dundalk (Ireland) where he remained until 1884. In his first year there, he set up a choir, which had some success. He was content in his role and was happy to continue in 1875.<ref>Poupinel doc.2020 [4; 13] 187505 Mai 1875. – Rapport de Victor Poupinel sur sa visite à Dundalk</ref> At the end of the 1877-78 school year, Father Favre instructed sending Aubry to visit his father at Senlis and also expressed the belief that he was capable of becoming a skilful teacher.<ref>Poupinel doc.2099 18780728 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref> For the 1878-79 school year, the Superior General agreed with Jean Leterrier’s idea that Aubry should teach moral.<ref>Poupinel doc.2105 18780808 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref> Twice, Victor Poupinel mentions “a letter full of common sense and religious spirit” that Aubry had written to Favre.<ref>Poupinel doc.2208 [9] 18791204 Poupinel to Leterrier; Poupinel doc.2209 [6] 18791204 Poupinel to Toulorge</ref> However, a year later, Leterrier was not happy that Aubry had not said Mass the last week at Dundalk, “piety, unfortunately, is not his strong point”, and wanted assurance that he really does a retreat.<ref>APM 1155-14776 Lettres du p. Leterrier. 18800814 Leterrier to Poupinel</ref> Poupinel acknowledged this and indicated that the Superior General would write to Aubry to return to Dundalk and to make a good retreat beforehand; in addition, a complaint was made against the provincial for not accounting for members of his province with regard to this matter.<ref>Poupinel doc.2251 [13] 18800819-20 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref>		:His first appointment was to St Mary's College, Dundalk (Ireland) where he remained until 1884. In his first year there, he set up a choir, which had some success. He was content in his role and was happy to continue in 1875.<ref>Poupinel doc.2020 [4; 13] 187505 Mai 1875. – Rapport de Victor Poupinel sur sa visite à Dundalk</ref> At the end of the 1877-78 school year, Father Favre instructed sending Aubry to visit his father at Senlis and also expressed the belief that he was capable of becoming a skilful teacher.<ref>Poupinel doc.2099 18780728 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref> For the 1878-79 school year, the Superior General agreed with Jean Leterrier’s idea that Aubry should teach moral.<ref>Poupinel doc.2105 18780808 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref> Twice, Victor Poupinel mentions “a letter full of common sense and religious spirit” that Aubry had written to Favre.<ref>Poupinel doc.2208 [9] 18791204 Poupinel to Leterrier; Poupinel doc.2209 [6] 18791204 Poupinel to Toulorge</ref> However, a year later, Leterrier was not happy that Aubry had not said Mass the last week at Dundalk, “piety, unfortunately, is not his strong point”, and wanted assurance that he really does a retreat.<ref>APM 1155-14776 Lettres du p. Leterrier. 18800814 Leterrier to Poupinel</ref> Poupinel acknowledged this and indicated that the Superior General would write to Aubry to return to Dundalk and to make a good retreat beforehand; in addition, a complaint was made against the provincial for not accounting for members of his province with regard to this matter.<ref>Poupinel doc.2251 [13] 18800819-20 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref>

	:By 1883, Aubry had made several requests to be sent far away and Poupinel was considering his placement in New Zealand.<ref>Poupinel doc.2446 [4] 18830524 Poupinel-to Leterrier</ref> However, he remained at Dundalk to replace Patrick Grew, who was on sick leave.<ref>Poupinel doc.2489 [6] 18831018 Poupinel to Yardin</ref> In 1884, he went to Paignton, Devon, England<ref>With the 1880 expulsions of religious congregations from France, the novitiate moved to Paignton in October 1881.<ref> for a rest period where he was bursar and assisted with the pastoral care of Brixham.<ref>Bulletin No.1 pour missionnaires Maristes de l'Océanie Octobre 1885</ref>		:By 1883, Aubry had made several requests to be sent far away and Poupinel was considering his placement in New Zealand.<ref>Poupinel doc.2446 [4] 18830524 Poupinel-to Leterrier</ref> However, he remained at Dundalk to replace Patrick Grew, who was on sick leave.<ref>Poupinel doc.2489 [6] 18831018 Poupinel to Yardin</ref> In 1884, he went to Paignton, Devon, England<ref>With the 1880 expulsions of religious congregations from France, the novitiate moved to Paignton in October 1881.</ref> for a rest period where he was bursar and assisted with the pastoral care of Brixham.<ref>Bulletin No.1 pour missionnaires Maristes de l'Océanie Octobre 1885</ref>

	:From 1872 England, Ireland and America had been part of the Paris province and the Vicar Provincial responsible for these areas was Jean Leterrier. It was decided to divide this responsibility and, while Leterrier continued as Vicar Provincial for America, Aubry became Vicar Provincial for England and Ireland.<ref>Bulletin No.1 pour missionnaires Maristes de l'Océanie Octobre 1885</ref> To take up this position, Aubry had completed six months of pious exercises instead of a second novitiate (replacement allowed by the Vatican because of the religious expulsion from France in 1880)<ref>Lettre du R.P. Vicaire Général, No.72-II-62, 23 août 1885</ref> in order to take the vow of stability on 10 August 1885.		:From 1872 England, Ireland and America had been part of the Paris province and the Vicar Provincial responsible for these areas was Jean Leterrier. It was decided to divide this responsibility and, while Leterrier continued as Vicar Provincial for America, Aubry became Vicar Provincial for England and Ireland.<ref>Bulletin No.1 pour missionnaires Maristes de l'Océanie Octobre 1885</ref> To take up this position, Aubry had completed six months of pious exercises instead of a second novitiate (replacement allowed by the Vatican because of the religious expulsion from France in 1880)<ref>Lettre du R.P. Vicaire Général, No.72-II-62, 23 août 1885</ref> in order to take the vow of stability on 10 August 1885.

MAW: /* Augustin AubryA review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State...

2026-04-19T23:53:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:53, 20 April 2026
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	:Augustin Aubry was born on 25 March 1847 at Bar-le-Duc, Meuse,<ref>Archives de la Meuse. Cote 2 E 29 (68) BAR-LE-DUC Naissances, Mariages, Décès (1847), Entry no.121 p.34/312 https://archives.meuse.fr/ark:/52669/17svpml6r3xz/93aef9ed-553a-4fc2-8fef-afdf34e26e19</ref> in the Diocese of Verdun, the youngest of three children to Didier Justin Aubry, weaver, and Françoise Diels, both aged 42. His mother died in 1854 and his sister, Elisabeth, in 1857. Marists staffed Institution Saint-Augustin 1859-69, which Aubry attended.<ref>Bishop John Grimes of the Diocese of Christchurch also went to school there; though it is not known if their time overlapped.</ref> In 1867, he completed his secondary schooling by passing the baccalauréat-ès-lettres of the Faculté des Lettres at Nancy.<ref>APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin. Personal file. Bachelier-ès-Lettres, awarded 6 August 1867.</ref>		:Augustin Aubry was born on 25 March 1847 at Bar-le-Duc, Meuse,<ref>Archives de la Meuse. Cote 2 E 29 (68) BAR-LE-DUC Naissances, Mariages, Décès (1847), Entry no.121 p.34/312 https://archives.meuse.fr/ark:/52669/17svpml6r3xz/93aef9ed-553a-4fc2-8fef-afdf34e26e19</ref> in the Diocese of Verdun, the youngest of three children to Didier Justin Aubry, weaver, and Françoise Diels, both aged 42. His mother died in 1854 and his sister, Elisabeth, in 1857. Marists staffed Institution Saint-Augustin 1859-69, which Aubry attended.<ref>Bishop John Grimes of the Diocese of Christchurch also went to school there; though it is not known if their time overlapped.</ref> In 1867, he completed his secondary schooling by passing the baccalauréat-ès-lettres of the Faculté des Lettres at Nancy.<ref>APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin. Personal file. Bachelier-ès-Lettres, awarded 6 August 1867.</ref>

	:His Marist formation started at Montbel, novitiate at ~~Ste~~-Foy and then Belley. He was sent to Institution Saint-Marie in Riom (a town north of Clermont-Ferrand) for the 1870 school year as a supervisor.<ref>Obituary. ''L’écho des écoles apostoliques de la Société de Marie.'' T2, n.8, 247-250.</ref> However, the school was told to send the pupils away after two months as the college was being taken over as an ambulance station during the Franco-Prussian war.<ref>''Lettres aux missionnaires'', 25 May 1872, p.50L</ref> Aubry received permission to volunteer as a soldier in the Légion des volontaires de l’Ouest (the renamed Pontifical Zouaves), signing up in January 1871.<ref>APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin. Personal file.</ref> <ref>In addition to Aubry, there were four further volunteers, who all went on to become Marist missionaries in Oceania: Xavier Chaboissier (New Caledonia), Bishop Ephrem Bertreux (Solomon Islands), Bishop Pierre Broyer (Tonga), Pierre Le Rennetel (Sydney) https://bibliotheque.diocese-quimper.fr/files/original/95d48f3c7643303eec06f0bb39212c30.pdf</ref> After the disrupted year at Riom, he returned to Belley, where he was professed in the Society of Mary on 20 July 1872.		:His Marist formation started at Montbel,<ref>The scholasticate of Montbel was in La Crau, Var. Bourtot, Bernard SM, «Les Pères Maristes à Montbel (1852-1903) ». Forum Novum 12 (2010) 114-123</ref> novitiate at Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon and then Belley.<ref>The scholasticate at Belley was the property known to Marists as “La Capucinière”. It is now the site of the Lycée du Bugey. The building of the former chapel is known as “La Chapelle Mariste”.</ref> He was sent to Institution Saint-Marie in Riom (a town north of Clermont-Ferrand) for the 1870 school year as a supervisor.<ref>Obituary. ''L’écho des écoles apostoliques de la Société de Marie.'' T2, n.8, 247-250.</ref> However, the school was told to send the pupils away after two months as the college was being taken over as an ambulance station during the Franco-Prussian war.<ref>''Lettres aux missionnaires'', 25 May 1872, p.50L</ref> Aubry received permission to volunteer as a soldier in the Légion des volontaires de l’Ouest (the renamed Pontifical Zouaves), signing up in January 1871.<ref>APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin. Personal file.</ref> <ref>In addition to Aubry, there were four further volunteers, who all went on to become Marist missionaries in Oceania: Xavier Chaboissier (New Caledonia), Bishop Ephrem Bertreux (Solomon Islands), Bishop Pierre Broyer (Tonga), Pierre Le Rennetel (Sydney) https://bibliotheque.diocese-quimper.fr/files/original/95d48f3c7643303eec06f0bb39212c30.pdf</ref> After the disrupted year at Riom, he returned to Belley, where he was professed in the Society of Mary on 20 July 1872.

	:While completing his theology in Dublin, Aubry also had supervisory or teaching duties at C.U.S. Victor Poupinel reported in June 1874,<ref> Poupinel doc.2016 [29] Juin 1874. – Rapport de Victor Poupinel sur la maison de Dublin</ref>		:While completing his theology in Dublin, Aubry also had supervisory or teaching duties at C.U.S. Victor Poupinel reported in June 1874,<ref> Poupinel doc.2016 [29] Juin 1874. – Rapport de Victor Poupinel sur la maison de Dublin</ref>
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	:His first appointment was to St Mary's College, Dundalk (Ireland) where he remained until 1884. In his first year there, he set up a choir, which had some success. He was content in his role and was happy to continue in 1875.<ref>Poupinel doc.2020 [4; 13] 187505 Mai 1875. – Rapport de Victor Poupinel sur sa visite à Dundalk</ref> At the end of the 1877-78 school year, Father Favre instructed sending Aubry to visit his father at Senlis and also expressed the belief that he was capable of becoming a skilful teacher.<ref>Poupinel doc.2099 18780728 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref> For the 1878-79 school year, the Superior General agreed with Jean Leterrier’s idea that Aubry should teach moral.<ref>Poupinel doc.2105 18780808 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref> Twice, Victor Poupinel mentions “a letter full of common sense and religious spirit” that Aubry had written to Favre.<ref>Poupinel doc.2208 [9] 18791204 Poupinel to Leterrier; Poupinel doc.2209 [6] 18791204 Poupinel to Toulorge</ref> However, a year later, Leterrier was not happy that Aubry had not said Mass the last week at Dundalk, “piety, unfortunately, is not his strong point”, and wanted assurance that he really does a retreat.<ref>APM 1155-14776 Lettres du p. Leterrier. 18800814 Leterrier to Poupinel</ref> Poupinel acknowledged this and indicated that the Superior General would write to Aubry to return to Dundalk and to make a good retreat beforehand; in addition, a complaint was made against the provincial for not accounting for members of his province with regard to this matter.<ref>Poupinel doc.2251 [13] 18800819-20 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref>		:His first appointment was to St Mary's College, Dundalk (Ireland) where he remained until 1884. In his first year there, he set up a choir, which had some success. He was content in his role and was happy to continue in 1875.<ref>Poupinel doc.2020 [4; 13] 187505 Mai 1875. – Rapport de Victor Poupinel sur sa visite à Dundalk</ref> At the end of the 1877-78 school year, Father Favre instructed sending Aubry to visit his father at Senlis and also expressed the belief that he was capable of becoming a skilful teacher.<ref>Poupinel doc.2099 18780728 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref> For the 1878-79 school year, the Superior General agreed with Jean Leterrier’s idea that Aubry should teach moral.<ref>Poupinel doc.2105 18780808 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref> Twice, Victor Poupinel mentions “a letter full of common sense and religious spirit” that Aubry had written to Favre.<ref>Poupinel doc.2208 [9] 18791204 Poupinel to Leterrier; Poupinel doc.2209 [6] 18791204 Poupinel to Toulorge</ref> However, a year later, Leterrier was not happy that Aubry had not said Mass the last week at Dundalk, “piety, unfortunately, is not his strong point”, and wanted assurance that he really does a retreat.<ref>APM 1155-14776 Lettres du p. Leterrier. 18800814 Leterrier to Poupinel</ref> Poupinel acknowledged this and indicated that the Superior General would write to Aubry to return to Dundalk and to make a good retreat beforehand; in addition, a complaint was made against the provincial for not accounting for members of his province with regard to this matter.<ref>Poupinel doc.2251 [13] 18800819-20 Poupinel to Leterrier</ref>

	:By 1883, Aubry had made several requests to be sent far away and Poupinel was considering his placement in New Zealand.<ref>Poupinel doc.2446 [4] 18830524 Poupinel-to Leterrier</ref> However, he remained at Dundalk to replace Patrick Grew, who was on sick leave.<ref>Poupinel doc.2489 [6] 18831018 Poupinel to Yardin</ref> In 1884, he went to Paignton for a rest period where he was bursar and assisted with the pastoral care of Brixham.<ref>Bulletin No.1 pour missionnaires Maristes de l'Océanie Octobre 1885</ref>		:By 1883, Aubry had made several requests to be sent far away and Poupinel was considering his placement in New Zealand.<ref>Poupinel doc.2446 [4] 18830524 Poupinel-to Leterrier</ref> However, he remained at Dundalk to replace Patrick Grew, who was on sick leave.<ref>Poupinel doc.2489 [6] 18831018 Poupinel to Yardin</ref> In 1884, he went to Paignton, Devon, England<ref>With the 1880 expulsions of religious congregations from France, the novitiate moved to Paignton in October 1881.<ref> for a rest period where he was bursar and assisted with the pastoral care of Brixham.<ref>Bulletin No.1 pour missionnaires Maristes de l'Océanie Octobre 1885</ref>

	:From 1872 England, Ireland and America had been part of the Paris province and the Vicar Provincial responsible for these areas was Jean Leterrier. It was decided to divide this responsibility and, while Leterrier continued as Vicar Provincial for America, Aubry became Vicar Provincial for England and Ireland.<ref>Bulletin No.1 pour missionnaires Maristes de l'Océanie Octobre 1885</ref> To take up this position, Aubry had completed six months of pious exercises instead of a second novitiate (replacement allowed by the Vatican because of the religious expulsion from France in 1880)<ref>Lettre du R.P. Vicaire Général, No.72-II-62, 23 août 1885</ref> in order to take the vow of stability on 10 August 1885.		:From 1872 England, Ireland and America had been part of the Paris province and the Vicar Provincial responsible for these areas was Jean Leterrier. It was decided to divide this responsibility and, while Leterrier continued as Vicar Provincial for America, Aubry became Vicar Provincial for England and Ireland.<ref>Bulletin No.1 pour missionnaires Maristes de l'Océanie Octobre 1885</ref> To take up this position, Aubry had completed six months of pious exercises instead of a second novitiate (replacement allowed by the Vatican because of the religious expulsion from France in 1880)<ref>Lettre du R.P. Vicaire Général, No.72-II-62, 23 août 1885</ref> in order to take the vow of stability on 10 August 1885.
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	:On 28 October 1898, the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith issued a decree in Rome erecting the Marist Mission territories in Oceania as a Province of the Society of Mary,<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.94-III-19, 8 novembre 1899</ref> <ref>AMPA B100.2 18981028 Decree n.30699, copy</ref> with Aubry’s appointment as Provincial of the Marist Province of Oceania confirmed in 1899.<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.94-III-19, 8 novembre 1899</ref> The Province consisted of the whole of Australia, the Vicariates Apostolic of New Caledonia, of Central Oceania (Wallis, Futuna, Tonga), of the Navigator Isles (Samoa and Tokelau, including also the mission to the North Solomons), of Fiji and Rotuma (including also the mission to the South Solomons), and the Prefecture Apostolic of New Hebrides.		:On 28 October 1898, the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith issued a decree in Rome erecting the Marist Mission territories in Oceania as a Province of the Society of Mary,<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.94-III-19, 8 novembre 1899</ref> <ref>AMPA B100.2 18981028 Decree n.30699, copy</ref> with Aubry’s appointment as Provincial of the Marist Province of Oceania confirmed in 1899.<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.94-III-19, 8 novembre 1899</ref> The Province consisted of the whole of Australia, the Vicariates Apostolic of New Caledonia, of Central Oceania (Wallis, Futuna, Tonga), of the Navigator Isles (Samoa and Tokelau, including also the mission to the North Solomons), of Fiji and Rotuma (including also the mission to the South Solomons), and the Prefecture Apostolic of New Hebrides.

	:The erection of the Province would have changed Aubry's life little, its main purpose being to enable Marist missionaries in Oceania to send elected delegates to the general chapter. Aubry's role remained essentially the same: to visit regularly the various Marist Mission territories in Oceania, to interview the men in the field, to report back to the Marist general administration, to recommend individuals for positions of authority, and to govern the Society's modest operations in Australia. Ordinarily a Marist Provincial would have power to move personnel within his Province, but Aubry's capacity to do this was severely limited by the unique structure of the new Province. It was composed of four vicariates (the Mission-territory equivalent of a diocese), each under the control of a Marist bishop: ~~Armand~~ Lamaze (Central Oceania), Hilarion Fraysse (New Caledonia), Pierre Broyer (Navigator Islands, Samoa) and Julien Vidal (Fiji). New missionaries arriving from Europe were designated for a specific vicariate; personnel were appointed to areas within the vicariates by the appropriate bishop, and they could only be transferred between vicariates by the mutual consent of the bishops concerned.		:The erection of the Province would have changed Aubry's life little, its main purpose being to enable Marist missionaries in Oceania to send elected delegates to the general chapter. Aubry's role remained essentially the same: to visit regularly the various Marist Mission territories in Oceania, to interview the men in the field, to report back to the Marist general administration, to recommend individuals for positions of authority, and to govern the Society's modest operations in Australia. Ordinarily a Marist Provincial would have power to move personnel within his Province, but Aubry's capacity to do this was severely limited by the unique structure of the new Province. It was composed of four vicariates (the Mission-territory equivalent of a diocese), each under the control of a Marist bishop: Amand Lamaze (Central Oceania), Hilarion Fraysse (New Caledonia), Pierre Broyer (Navigator Islands, Samoa) and Julien Vidal (Fiji). New missionaries arriving from Europe were designated for a specific vicariate; personnel were appointed to areas within the vicariates by the appropriate bishop, and they could only be transferred between vicariates by the mutual consent of the bishops concerned.

	:In the 1899 SM Index are listed four Marist bishops, 129 Marist priests and nine coadjutor Brothers working in the Oceania Missions. This excludes the 10 Marist priests and seven coadjutor Brothers in Australia and the Third Order of Mary Regular sisters.<ref>1899 SM Index (printed after November 1898 but does not note the erection of the Oceania Province on 28 October 1898). ''Australasian Catholic Directory'' 1898, pp.117 ff. By 1905, the number was around 150 priests, in 1910 around 170, and in 1920 about the same</ref> In order to attempt to visit and interview each individual every three years, Aubry and his successors needed to be absent from Sydney for long periods of the year, undertaking hazardous and physically taxing journeys through tropical regions where facilities and means of transport and communication were often extremely primitive.		:In the 1899 SM Index are listed four Marist bishops, 129 Marist priests and nine coadjutor Brothers working in the Oceania Missions. This excludes the 10 Marist priests and seven coadjutor Brothers in Australia and the Third Order of Mary Regular sisters.<ref>1899 SM Index (printed after November 1898 but does not note the erection of the Oceania Province on 28 October 1898). ''Australasian Catholic Directory'' 1898, pp.117 ff. By 1905, the number was around 150 priests, in 1910 around 170, and in 1920 about the same</ref> In order to attempt to visit and interview each individual every three years, Aubry and his successors needed to be absent from Sydney for long periods of the year, undertaking hazardous and physically taxing journeys through tropical regions where facilities and means of transport and communication were often extremely primitive.

MAW: /* Augustin AubryA review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State...

2026-04-19T23:47:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:47, 20 April 2026
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	:::''Let us love one another in the Lord.''		:::''Let us love one another in the Lord.''

	:Aubry was to hold this post until the 1905 Extraordinary General Chapter, which was held to elect a new Superior General, Jean-Claude Raffin. He was then given responsibility “for the English speaking Provinces, England and Ireland, the United States and New Zealand” and became the Monitor of the Superior General.<ref>Letter of the V.R.F. Superior General, No.104-IV-6, 17 November 1914</ref>. He continued in these positions until his death, attending his last General Council meeting on 8 April 1919. He was also appointed Superior of the Novitiate for the Third Order Regular of Mary and chair of its council.<ref>M.C. de Mijolla smsm. ''Origins in Oceania: Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary 1845-1931.'' Rome 1984, p.288</ref> He first lived at Ste-Foy-lès-Lyon. During the period of religious expulsion, he is listed in the SM Index as living at Differt, Belgium in 1904. By 1908 he is back in Lyons at 20, rue du Juge de Paix.		:Aubry was to hold this post until the 1905 Extraordinary General Chapter, which was held to elect a new Superior General, Jean-Claude Raffin. He was then given responsibility “for the English speaking Provinces, England and Ireland, the United States and New Zealand” and became the Monitor of the Superior General.<ref>Letter of the V.R.F. Superior General, No.104-IV-6, 17 November 1914</ref>. He continued in these positions until his death, attending his last General Council meeting on 8 April 1919. He was also appointed Superior of the Novitiate for the Third Order Regular of Mary and chair of its council.<ref>M.C. de Mijolla smsm. ''Origins in Oceania: Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary 1845-1931.'' Rome 1984, p.288</ref> He first lived at Ste-Foy-lès-Lyon. During the period of religious expulsion, he is listed in the SM Index as living at Differt, Belgium in 1904.<ref>In 1887, the Marists opened an apostolic school at Differt, Messancy. With the 1903 expulsions of religious congregations from France, part of the school was taken to house the scholasticates from France.</ref> By 1908 he is back in Lyons at 20, rue du Juge de Paix.

	:This final period allowed him to strengthen his inner life as a Marist. He made frequent visits to Fourvière and daily during the month dedicated to Mary. He gave catechism classes and was an English teacher.<ref>Obituary.''L’écho des écoles apostoliques de la Société de Marie''. T2, n.8, 247-250</ref>		:This final period allowed him to strengthen his inner life as a Marist. He made frequent visits to Fourvière and daily during the month dedicated to Mary. He gave catechism classes and was an English teacher.<ref>Obituary.''L’écho des écoles apostoliques de la Société de Marie''. T2, n.8, 247-250</ref>

MAW: /* Augustin AubryA review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State...

2026-04-07T21:57:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:57, 8 April 2026
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	:In an undated avowal,<ref>APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin Personal file. Undated avowal</ref> listing what he considered his faults, he finished with,		:In an undated avowal,<ref>APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin Personal file. Undated avowal</ref> listing what he considered his faults, he finished with,
	:::I thank the Society of Mary for having raised me, admitted me and kept me in its bosom despite my mediocrity and my unworthiness. I die happy in my vocation,<ref>This evokes the current 1988 Constitutions n.92 “…Thus in continuity with the experience of the first Marists, the Society of Mary, generation by generation, becomes a reality in the world and its members know the joy that comes from a whole-hearted response to their vocation.”</ref> without doubt regretting the time and graces I wasted, but full of confidence in the merciful goodness of she who gave me her name.		:::I thank the Society of Mary for having raised me, admitted me and kept me in its bosom despite my mediocrity and my unworthiness. I die happy in my vocation,<ref>This evokes the current 1988 Constitutions n.92 “…Thus in continuity with the experience of the first Marists, the Society of Mary, generation by generation, becomes a reality in the world and its members know the joy that comes from a whole-hearted response to their vocation.”</ref> without doubt regretting the time and graces I wasted, but full of confidence in the merciful goodness of she who gave me her name.
	:::O Maria, mater dulcissima,<ref>Aubry swapped “dulcissima” for “amabilis”. “Matre dulcissima nostra” appeared in the first sentence of the profession formula (Antiquores Textus, II p.55). ''Mater dulcissima (in various declensions) appears six times in 1872 Constitutions, nn.200, 215, 242, 334, 353 x2. Of relevance here, n.242 “n.242 A religious on the verge of death must constantly keep in mind that he is a victim offered up and consecrated to God under the auspices of blessed Mary, his most sweet Mother, in union with Christ, …”</ref> tuus sum ego, salvum me fac in aeternum.''		:::''O Maria, mater dulcissima'',<ref>Aubry swapped “dulcissima” for “amabilis”. “Matre dulcissima nostra” appeared in the first sentence of the profession formula (''Antiquores Textus'', II p.55). ''Mater dulcissima'' (in various declensions) appears six times in 1872 Constitutions, nn.200, 215, 242, 334, 353 x2. Of relevance here, n.242 “n.242 A religious on the verge of death must constantly keep in mind that he is a victim offered up and consecrated to God under the auspices of blessed Mary, his most sweet Mother, in union with Christ, …”</ref> ''tuus sum ego, salvum me fac in aeternum.''

	:Upon hearing of Aubry’s death, James Moran (to become an Assistant General himself in 1921) sent condolences to the Superior General, commenting that they had first met when Moran was a pupil and Aubry, seminarian at Dundalk. He highlighted Aubry’s proficiency in English, “Among other things, one thing should be noted: he wrote English as well as the best among us, much better than most English or Irish. He had a style of writing English that was perfect in every way.” “That he died a Christian, a fervent Marist, does not surprise us; he died as he lived.”<ref>APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin Personal file. 19190507 Moran to Raffin</ref>		:Upon hearing of Aubry’s death, James Moran (to become an Assistant General himself in 1921) sent condolences to the Superior General, commenting that they had first met when Moran was a pupil and Aubry, seminarian at Dundalk. He highlighted Aubry’s proficiency in English, “Among other things, one thing should be noted: he wrote English as well as the best among us, much better than most English or Irish. He had a style of writing English that was perfect in every way.” “That he died a Christian, a fervent Marist, does not surprise us; he died as he lived.”<ref>APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin Personal file. 19190507 Moran to Raffin</ref>

MAW: /* Augustin AubryA review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State...

2026-04-07T21:55:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:55, 8 April 2026
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	:The last offer of a parish came in 1899 when in October, Charles Murlay had been given a trip to Rockhampton for the blessing and opening of the partially completed cathedral. The new bishop, Joseph Higgins, was short of priests and took the opportunity of Murlay's presence to offer the Society of Mary care of the parish of Gladstone or the parish of Longreach, or both. Aubry went to Rockhampton in March 1900, to talk to Higgins but on his return to Sydney the Provincial council decided to defer a decision "for want of men and money".<ref>OMPA Reel 382 C1 PCM 20 April 1900 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249500</ref> After Aubry’s term as Provincial, the parish of Gladstone was accepted by the general administration of which Aubry was then a member in 1901.<ref>APM General Council Minutes 2 February 1901</ref>		:The last offer of a parish came in 1899 when in October, Charles Murlay had been given a trip to Rockhampton for the blessing and opening of the partially completed cathedral. The new bishop, Joseph Higgins, was short of priests and took the opportunity of Murlay's presence to offer the Society of Mary care of the parish of Gladstone or the parish of Longreach, or both. Aubry went to Rockhampton in March 1900, to talk to Higgins but on his return to Sydney the Provincial council decided to defer a decision "for want of men and money".<ref>OMPA Reel 382 C1 PCM 20 April 1900 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249500</ref> After Aubry’s term as Provincial, the parish of Gladstone was accepted by the general administration of which Aubry was then a member in 1901.<ref>APM General Council Minutes 2 February 1901</ref>

	:Aubry had completed the required term of 5-years’ residency in New South Wales in 1898 and was naturalised that year. This allowed him to vote and own land. The certificate of naturalization held in General Archives indicates as his date of arrival 1889, when he first stepped onto Australian soil, headed for New Zealand.<ref>https://mhnsw.au/indexes/naturalisation-and-citizenship/naturalization-index/; https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/INDEX1415756; APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin. Personal file</ref>		:Aubry had completed the required term of 5-years’ residency in New South Wales in 1898 and was naturalised that year. This allowed him to vote and own land. The certificate of naturalization held in General Archives indicates as his date of arrival 1889, when he first stepped onto Australian soil, headed for New Zealand.<ref>Museums of History New South Wales. Naturalization index 1834-1903 https://mhnsw.au/indexes/naturalisation-and-citizenship/naturalization-index/; State Archives Collection. Aubry Augustine https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/INDEX1415756; APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin. Personal file</ref>

	:On 28 October 1898, the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith issued a decree in Rome erecting the Marist Mission territories in Oceania as a Province of the Society of Mary,<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.94-III-19, 8 novembre 1899</ref> <ref>AMPA B100.2 18981028 Decree n.30699, copy</ref> with Aubry’s appointment as Provincial of the Marist Province of Oceania confirmed in 1899.<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.94-III-19, 8 novembre 1899</ref> The Province consisted of the whole of Australia, the Vicariates Apostolic of New Caledonia, of Central Oceania (Wallis, Futuna, Tonga), of the Navigator Isles (Samoa and Tokelau, including also the mission to the North Solomons), of Fiji and Rotuma (including also the mission to the South Solomons), and the Prefecture Apostolic of New Hebrides.		:On 28 October 1898, the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith issued a decree in Rome erecting the Marist Mission territories in Oceania as a Province of the Society of Mary,<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.94-III-19, 8 novembre 1899</ref> <ref>AMPA B100.2 18981028 Decree n.30699, copy</ref> with Aubry’s appointment as Provincial of the Marist Province of Oceania confirmed in 1899.<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.94-III-19, 8 novembre 1899</ref> The Province consisted of the whole of Australia, the Vicariates Apostolic of New Caledonia, of Central Oceania (Wallis, Futuna, Tonga), of the Navigator Isles (Samoa and Tokelau, including also the mission to the North Solomons), of Fiji and Rotuma (including also the mission to the South Solomons), and the Prefecture Apostolic of New Hebrides.

MAW: /* Augustin AubryA review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State...

2026-04-07T21:52:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:52, 8 April 2026
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	:::''Let us love one another in the Lord.''		:::''Let us love one another in the Lord.''

	:Aubry was to hold this post until the 1905 Extraordinary General Chapter, which was held to elect a new Superior General, Jean-Claude Raffin. He was then given responsibility “for the English speaking Provinces, England and Ireland, the United States and New Zealand” and became the Monitor of the Superior General.<ref>Letter of the V.R.F. Superior General, No.104-IV-6, 17 November 1914</ref. He continued in these positions until his death, attending his last General Council meeting on 8 April 1919. He was also appointed Superior of the Novitiate for the Third Order Regular of Mary and chair of its council.<ref>M.C. de Mijolla smsm. ''Origins in Oceania: Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary 1845-1931.'' Rome 1984, p.288</ref> He first lived at Ste-Foy-lès-Lyon. During the period of religious expulsion, he is listed in the SM Index as living at Differt, Belgium in 1904. By 1908 he is back in Lyons at 20, rue du Juge de Paix.		:Aubry was to hold this post until the 1905 Extraordinary General Chapter, which was held to elect a new Superior General, Jean-Claude Raffin. He was then given responsibility “for the English speaking Provinces, England and Ireland, the United States and New Zealand” and became the Monitor of the Superior General.<ref>Letter of the V.R.F. Superior General, No.104-IV-6, 17 November 1914</ref>. He continued in these positions until his death, attending his last General Council meeting on 8 April 1919. He was also appointed Superior of the Novitiate for the Third Order Regular of Mary and chair of its council.<ref>M.C. de Mijolla smsm. ''Origins in Oceania: Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary 1845-1931.'' Rome 1984, p.288</ref> He first lived at Ste-Foy-lès-Lyon. During the period of religious expulsion, he is listed in the SM Index as living at Differt, Belgium in 1904. By 1908 he is back in Lyons at 20, rue du Juge de Paix.

	:This final period allowed him to strengthen his inner life as a Marist. He made frequent visits to Fourvière and daily during the month dedicated to Mary. He gave catechism classes and was an English teacher.<ref>Obituary.''L’écho des écoles apostoliques de la Société de Marie''. T2, n.8, 247-250</ref>		:This final period allowed him to strengthen his inner life as a Marist. He made frequent visits to Fourvière and daily during the month dedicated to Mary. He gave catechism classes and was an English teacher.<ref>Obituary.''L’écho des écoles apostoliques de la Société de Marie''. T2, n.8, 247-250</ref>

MAW: /* Augustin AubryA review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State...

2026-04-07T21:51:34Z

MAW: /* Augustin AubryA review of Aubry’s life was started for the update to the NZ Province necrology in 2021. This text, based on Aidan Carvill’s 1994 compilation, was reworked by Elizabeth Charlton from 2023 and completed during the Marist Summer Studies Programme held in July 2024 in Rome. The following sources were checked for information: SM appointment sheet, Poupinel, Lettres Favre, Superior General Letters, OMPA, PapersPast and Trove, Archives NZ, National Archives of Australia, NSW State...

2026-04-07T21:41:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:51, 8 April 2026
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	:There had been some Samoans and Wallisians helping at Villa Maria and by 1899 the only Pacific islander remaining was Abel, an elderly Futunian, for whom Aubry asked permission to be professed as a coadjutor brother as a reward for "all the years he has helped us".<ref>AMPA B130 18991112 Aubry to Martin, copy. </ref> It does not appear as if permission were given, as Abel was simply enrolled as a member of the Marist Third Order.		:There had been some Samoans and Wallisians helping at Villa Maria and by 1899 the only Pacific islander remaining was Abel, an elderly Futunian, for whom Aubry asked permission to be professed as a coadjutor brother as a reward for "all the years he has helped us".<ref>AMPA B130 18991112 Aubry to Martin, copy. </ref> It does not appear as if permission were given, as Abel was simply enrolled as a member of the Marist Third Order.

	Aubry was becoming tired of being Provincial. In November 1899, in a lengthy report for the general administration on Marist personnel and communities in Australia, he wrote:		:Aubry was becoming tired of being Provincial. In November 1899, in a lengthy report for the general administration on Marist personnel and communities in Australia, he wrote:<ref>AMPA B130 18991112 Aubry to Martin, copy</ref>
	... if God is pleased to give me the pleasure of seeing you at the General Chapter, I shall probably ask you to let me take advantage of the article in the Constitutions which reduces the officers to the rank of privates. The more I see, the less confidence I have in my ability as an administrator. I fail in what is needed, and I fail myself. I believe that I have never done as much good as I did when I was the teacher of the Fifth Class.		:::... if God is pleased to give me the pleasure of seeing you at the General Chapter, I shall probably ask you to let me take advantage of the article in the Constitutions which reduces the officers to the rank of privates. The more I see, the less confidence I have in my ability as an administrator. I fail in what is needed, and I fail myself. I believe that I have never done as much good as I did when I was the teacher of the Fifth Class.
	God and a Messageries Maritimes steamship, Ville de la Ciotat, got Aubry to the Marist general chapter in Lyon in October 1900, where he was relieved of his Provincialship, but not in the way he expected.		:God and a Messageries Maritimes steamship, ''Ville de la Ciotat'', got Aubry to the Marist general chapter in Lyon in October 1900, where he was relieved of his Provincialship, but not in the way he expected.

	Instead of returning to teaching, Aubry was selected an assistant general of the congregation, with the Superior General giving him special responsibility for Oceania. On 10 November 1900 he participated in the General Council meeting which nominated Armand Olier as his successor in Oceania. His last task as Provincial was to communicate the promulgation of the degrees from the Provincial Chapter. As a post-scriptum Aubry wrote,		:Instead of returning to teaching, Aubry was selected an assistant general of the congregation,<ref>APM 2129-8241 Minutes of the 1900 General Chapter</ref> with the Superior General giving him special responsibility for Oceania.<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.96-III-21, 17 novembre 1900</ref> On 10 November 1900 he participated in the General Council meeting which nominated Armand Olier as his successor in Oceania. His last task as Provincial was to communicate the promulgation of the degrees from the Provincial Chapter. As a post-scriptum Aubry wrote,<ref>OMPA Reel 382 C.2 Lettre du R.P. Provincial d’Océanie no. 3, le 1er novembre 1900 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249500</ref>
	P.S. – A vote of the General Chapter calls me to other functions.		:::P.S. – A vote of the General Chapter calls me to other functions.
	I will never forget, dear Confreres, the edifying examples of which I have been the happy witness in my visits through your missions, nor the fraternal charity with which you have always welcomed me. I don't know if I've done you any good; I am sure in any case that I have not done as much for you as I would have liked. But, responsible for taking your interests into the Council of the V.R. Father General, I have, in leaving you, the consolation of still being able to serve you. Count on my devotion and allow me to count on a small share of your merits and your prayers.		:::I will never forget, dear Confreres, the edifying examples of which I have been the happy witness in my visits through your missions, nor the fraternal charity with which you have always welcomed me. I don't know if I've done you any good; I am sure in any case that I have not done as much for you as I would have liked. But, responsible for taking your interests into the Council of the V.R. Father General, I have, in leaving you, the consolation of still being able to serve you. Count on my devotion and allow me to count on a small share of your merits and your prayers.
	Let us love one another in the Lord.		:::''Let us love one another in the Lord.''

	Aubry was to hold this post until the 1905 Extraordinary General Chapter, which was held to elect a new Superior General, Jean-Claude Raffin. He was then given responsibility “for the English speaking Provinces, England and Ireland, the United States and New Zealand” and became the Monitor of the Superior General. He continued in these positions until his death, attending his last General Council meeting on 8 April 1919. He was also appointed Superior of the Novitiate for the Third Order Regular of Mary and chair of its council. He first lived at Ste-Foy-lès-Lyon. During the period of religious expulsion, he is listed in the SM Index as living at Differt, Belgium in 1904. By 1908 he is back in Lyons at 20, rue du Juge de Paix.		:Aubry was to hold this post until the 1905 Extraordinary General Chapter, which was held to elect a new Superior General, Jean-Claude Raffin. He was then given responsibility “for the English speaking Provinces, England and Ireland, the United States and New Zealand” and became the Monitor of the Superior General.<ref>Letter of the V.R.F. Superior General, No.104-IV-6, 17 November 1914</ref. He continued in these positions until his death, attending his last General Council meeting on 8 April 1919. He was also appointed Superior of the Novitiate for the Third Order Regular of Mary and chair of its council.<ref>M.C. de Mijolla smsm. ''Origins in Oceania: Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary 1845-1931.'' Rome 1984, p.288</ref> He first lived at Ste-Foy-lès-Lyon. During the period of religious expulsion, he is listed in the SM Index as living at Differt, Belgium in 1904. By 1908 he is back in Lyons at 20, rue du Juge de Paix.

	This final period allowed him to strengthen his inner life as a Marist. He made frequent visits to Fourvière and daily during the month dedicated to Mary. He gave catechism classes and was an English teacher.		:This final period allowed him to strengthen his inner life as a Marist. He made frequent visits to Fourvière and daily during the month dedicated to Mary. He gave catechism classes and was an English teacher.<ref>Obituary.''L’écho des écoles apostoliques de la Société de Marie''. T2, n.8, 247-250</ref>

	Aubry had suffered from diabetes for several years and had tried several methods to manage it. During April 1919, the symptoms became more pronounced. He was still able to say Mass on Wednesday 30 April but on 2 May, he accepted the Last Sacraments. Augustin Aubry, first Provincial of Oceania, died on 4 May 1919, with his funeral occurring two days later. He is buried in the Cimetière de Loyasse in Lyons.		:Aubry had suffered from diabetes for several years and had tried several methods to manage it.During April 1919, the symptoms became more pronounced. He was still able to say Mass on Wednesday 30 April but on 2 May, he accepted the Last Sacraments.<ref>MAW GHL2 187-189 19190606 Raffin to Holley</ref> Augustin Aubry, first Provincial of Oceania, died on 4 May 1919, with his funeral occurring two days later. He is buried in the Cimetière de Loyasse in Lyons.

	In an undated avowal, listing what he considered his faults, he finished with,		:In an undated avowal,<ref>APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin Personal file. Undated avowal</ref> listing what he considered his faults, he finished with,
	I thank the Society of Mary for having raised me, admitted me and kept me in its bosom despite my mediocrity and my unworthiness. I die happy in my vocation, without doubt regretting the time and graces I wasted, but full of confidence in the merciful goodness of she who gave me her name.		:::I thank the Society of Mary for having raised me, admitted me and kept me in its bosom despite my mediocrity and my unworthiness. I die happy in my vocation,<ref>This evokes the current 1988 Constitutions n.92 “…Thus in continuity with the experience of the first Marists, the Society of Mary, generation by generation, becomes a reality in the world and its members know the joy that comes from a whole-hearted response to their vocation.”</ref> without doubt regretting the time and graces I wasted, but full of confidence in the merciful goodness of she who gave me her name.
	O Maria, mater dulcissima, tuus sum ego, salvum me fac in aeternum.		:::O Maria, mater dulcissima,<ref>Aubry swapped “dulcissima” for “amabilis”. “Matre dulcissima nostra” appeared in the first sentence of the profession formula (Antiquores Textus, II p.55). ''Mater dulcissima (in various declensions) appears six times in 1872 Constitutions, nn.200, 215, 242, 334, 353 x2. Of relevance here, n.242 “n.242 A religious on the verge of death must constantly keep in mind that he is a victim offered up and consecrated to God under the auspices of blessed Mary, his most sweet Mother, in union with Christ, …”</ref> tuus sum ego, salvum me fac in aeternum.''

	Upon hearing of Aubry’s death, James Moran (to become an Assistant General himself in 1921) sent condolences to the Superior General, commenting that they had first met when Moran was a pupil and Aubry, seminarian at Dundalk. He highlighted Aubry’s proficiency in English, “Among other things, one thing should be noted: he wrote English as well as the best among us, much better than most English or Irish. He had a style of writing English that was perfect in every way.” “That he died a Christian, a fervent Marist, does not surprise us; he died as he lived.”		:Upon hearing of Aubry’s death, James Moran (to become an Assistant General himself in 1921) sent condolences to the Superior General, commenting that they had first met when Moran was a pupil and Aubry, seminarian at Dundalk. He highlighted Aubry’s proficiency in English, “Among other things, one thing should be noted: he wrote English as well as the best among us, much better than most English or Irish. He had a style of writing English that was perfect in every way.” “That he died a Christian, a fervent Marist, does not surprise us; he died as he lived.”<ref>APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin Personal file. 19190507 Moran to Raffin</ref>

	===Appendix: Mission Visitation===		===Appendix: Mission Visitation===

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:41, 8 April 2026
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	:Two days before Christmas 1895, Aubry discussed the question of local vocations with his council, since he had received three applications to join the Society. The councillors were unanimous that the recruitment of new members was an important responsibility resting on all Sydney Marists, and believed also that something should be begun at Villa Maria to receive them.<ref>OMPA Reel 382 C1 PCM, 23 December 1895 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249500</ref> The General Council minutes of 28 April 1896 recorded the receipt of a letter from Aubry announcing the commencement of an apostolic school at Villa Maria.<ref>APM General Council Minutes 28 April 1896</ref> The description was perhaps a little grandiose. It would seem that several applicants were invited to become house guests at Villa Maria, and the community shared responsibility for tutoring them in their studies and initiating them into the practices of religious life.		:Two days before Christmas 1895, Aubry discussed the question of local vocations with his council, since he had received three applications to join the Society. The councillors were unanimous that the recruitment of new members was an important responsibility resting on all Sydney Marists, and believed also that something should be begun at Villa Maria to receive them.<ref>OMPA Reel 382 C1 PCM, 23 December 1895 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249500</ref> The General Council minutes of 28 April 1896 recorded the receipt of a letter from Aubry announcing the commencement of an apostolic school at Villa Maria.<ref>APM General Council Minutes 28 April 1896</ref> The description was perhaps a little grandiose. It would seem that several applicants were invited to become house guests at Villa Maria, and the community shared responsibility for tutoring them in their studies and initiating them into the practices of religious life.

	:Aubry noted in May 1896, that he was going to ask Didier Gallais "to teach a few young men who have been received as postulants in Villa Maria", and further that he had given Jean Baptiste Coué "the spiritual care of the young men".<ref>APM 1498-21375 18960509 Aubry to (?) </ref> Midway through 1897 Gallais left Sydney to work in New Zealand and Aubry cancelled his annual visitation to the island Missions; the Provincial council minutes note that "he is going to fix himself at Villa Maria to take charge of the apostolics in place of Father Gallais, who is on the point of leaving for New Zealand".<ref>OMPA Reel 382 C1 PCM 14 June 1897</ref> He later sent two students (probably those same postulants) to New Zealand for seminary training. When the New Zealand province demanded an annual stipend for the students Aubry decided to stop recruiting, regarding the New Zealand confreres' attitude as rather miserly!		:Aubry noted in May 1896, that he was going to ask Didier Gallais "to teach a few young men who have been received as postulants in Villa Maria", and further that he had given Jean Baptiste Coué "the spiritual care of the young men".<ref>APM 1498-21375 18960509 Aubry to (?) </ref> Midway through 1897 Gallais left Sydney to work in New Zealand and Aubry cancelled his annual visitation to the island Missions; the Provincial council minutes note that "he is going to fix himself at Villa Maria to take charge of the apostolics in place of Father Gallais, who is on the point of leaving for New Zealand".<ref>OMPA Reel 382 C1 PCM 14 June 1897 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249500</ref> He later sent two students (probably those same postulants) to New Zealand for seminary training. When the New Zealand province demanded an annual stipend for the students Aubry decided to stop recruiting, regarding the New Zealand confreres' attitude as rather miserly!

	The Villa Maria monastery community in the second half of the 1890s was not a happy community with a number of differing personalities. Friction in community relationships was not a male monopoly at Villa Maria. In 1892 the sole occupant of the convent of the Third Order of Mary Regular was Sister Delphine, who it seems was not a positive community member. Others did not stay there long and with continuing increasing issues with her behaviour, Aubry finally sent her back to France. By 1899 a happier atmosphere prevailed in the convent, with three permanent residents.		:The Villa Maria monastery community in the second half of the 1890s was not a happy community with a number of differing personalities. Friction in community relationships was not a male monopoly at Villa Maria. In 1892 the sole occupant of the convent of the Third Order of Mary Regular was Sister Delphine, who it seems was not a positive community member. Others did not stay there long and with continuing increasing issues with her behaviour, Aubry finally sent her back to France.<ref>APM OP418 18970809 Aubry to Martin</ref> By 1899 a happier atmosphere prevailed in the convent, with three permanent residents.

	Aubry made attempts to ensure the Marist spirit was maintained in the Australian houses. Council minutes provide examples of his expectations:		:Aubry made attempts to ensure the Marist spirit was maintained in the Australian houses. Council minutes provide examples of his expectations:<ref>OMPA Reel 382 C1 PCM 14 May 1895; 23 September 1897 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249500</ref>
	• Religious life in the three Australian houses is in full conformity with the Constitutions and Statutes		:• Religious life in the three Australian houses is in full conformity with the Constitutions and Statutes
	• Temporal is administrated according to Bull “Romanos Pontifices” and SM Rules		:• Temporal is administrated according to Bull “Romanos Pontifices” and SM Rules
	• SM definitively established in Australia need to fix it solidly to its natural bases:		:• SM definitively established in Australia need to fix it solidly to its natural bases:
	o Faithful observation of the Rule		::o Faithful observation of the Rule
	o Mutual understanding between houses		::o Mutual understanding between houses
	• Measures to take to make community life more regular and more conform with our SM spirit:		:• Measures to take to make community life more regular and more conform with our SM spirit:
	o Readings at mealtimes		::o Readings at mealtimes
	o Monthly retreat		::o Monthly retreat
	o Superior or Vice Superior at Villa Maria to preside at meals		::o Superior or Vice Superior at Villa Maria to preside at meals
	o Mutual relations: the superiors are the confreres’ defenders; confidence, affability must reign among them; always allow an inferior the time to explain himself; the order of sermons must be arranged in advance		::o Mutual relations: the superiors are the confreres’ defenders; confidence, affability must reign among them; always allow an inferior the time to explain himself; the order of sermons must be arranged in advance

	In the early 1890s, with the support of Cardinal Moran, the Marists were hopeful of being the first religious order to break the "closed-shop" approach of Brisbane's Archbishop Robert Dunne, who allowed only secular clergy to work in his diocese. At Easter 1893, Dunne offered the Society of Mary the opportunity to open a secondary school; Aubry responded with a request for a parish instead, but Dunne demurred.		:In the early 1890s, with the support of Cardinal Moran, the Marists were hopeful of being the first religious order to break the "closed-shop" approach of Brisbane's Archbishop Robert Dunne, who allowed only secular clergy to work in his diocese.<ref>Boland, T.P., ''James Duhig'', University of Queensland Press, 1986, p.108</ref> At Easter 1893, Dunne offered the Society of Mary the opportunity to open a secondary school; Aubry responded with a request for a parish instead, but Dunne demurred.<ref>AMPA B130 18930706 Aubry to Martin, copy and English translation</ref>

	In 1895 and again in 1900, the Society was offered Australian aboriginal Missions, the first in the Vicariate Apostolic of Cookstown [Cairns]. Aubry was doubtful about it in reporting to Lyons, and the Marist general administration showed no enthusiasm for the venture. In 1900, the Trappists asked the Marist general administration if the Society would be willing to take over the Trappist Aboriginal Mission at Beagle Bay in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Aubry, to whom the Trappist request was forwarded for comment, pointed out the difficulties the Society was experiencing in providing sufficient men for recently opened Missions in the New Hebrides and the Solomon Islands. He also warned the general administration that other religious orders had found aboriginal Missions a difficult proposition. The Trappist offer was not taken up.		:In 1895 and again in 1900, the Society was offered Australian aboriginal Missions, the first in the Vicariate Apostolic of Cookstown [Cairns]. Aubry was doubtful about it in reporting to Lyons, and the Marist general administration showed no enthusiasm for the venture.<ref>APM 1498-21375 R.P. Augustin Aubry Vis. Gen. Miss. (1893-1898) Vis. Provincial (1899-1900). 18951210 Aubry to Martin</ref> In 1900, the Trappists asked the Marist general administration if the Society would be willing to take over the Trappist Aboriginal Mission at Beagle Bay in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.<ref>APM 1612-23442 Fundationes Propositae (domorum). 19000605 Abbot of Saint-Lieu-Sept-Fons to Martin</ref> Aubry, to whom the Trappist request was forwarded for comment, pointed out the difficulties the Society was experiencing in providing sufficient men for recently opened Missions in the New Hebrides and the Solomon Islands. He also warned the general administration that other religious orders had found aboriginal Missions a difficult proposition. The Trappist offer was not taken up.<ref>APM 1498-21374 R.P. Augustin Aubry Vis. Gen. Miss. (1893-1898) Vis. Provincial (1899-1900). 19000731 Aubry to Martin</ref>

	The last offer of a parish came in 1899 when in October, Charles Murlay had been given a trip to Rockhampton for the blessing and opening of the partially completed cathedral. The new bishop, Joseph Higgins, was short of priests and took the opportunity of Murlay's presence to offer the Society of Mary care of the parish of Gladstone or the parish of Longreach, or both. Aubry went to Rockhampton in March 1900, to talk to Higgins but on his return to Sydney the Provincial council decided to defer a decision "for want of men and money". After Aubry’s term as Provincial, the parish of Gladstone was accepted by the general administration of which Aubry was then a member in 1901.		:The last offer of a parish came in 1899 when in October, Charles Murlay had been given a trip to Rockhampton for the blessing and opening of the partially completed cathedral. The new bishop, Joseph Higgins, was short of priests and took the opportunity of Murlay's presence to offer the Society of Mary care of the parish of Gladstone or the parish of Longreach, or both. Aubry went to Rockhampton in March 1900, to talk to Higgins but on his return to Sydney the Provincial council decided to defer a decision "for want of men and money".<ref>OMPA Reel 382 C1 PCM 20 April 1900 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249500</ref> After Aubry’s term as Provincial, the parish of Gladstone was accepted by the general administration of which Aubry was then a member in 1901.<ref>APM General Council Minutes 2 February 1901</ref>

	Aubry had completed the required term of 5-years’ residency in New South Wales in 1898 and was naturalised that year. This allowed him to vote and own land. The certificate of naturalization held in General Archives indicates as his date of arrival 1889, when he first stepped onto Australian soil, headed for New Zealand.		:Aubry had completed the required term of 5-years’ residency in New South Wales in 1898 and was naturalised that year. This allowed him to vote and own land. The certificate of naturalization held in General Archives indicates as his date of arrival 1889, when he first stepped onto Australian soil, headed for New Zealand.<ref>https://mhnsw.au/indexes/naturalisation-and-citizenship/naturalization-index/; https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/INDEX1415756; APM 620-57 Aubry Augustin. Personal file</ref>

	On 28 October 1898, the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith issued a decree in Rome erecting the Marist Mission territories in Oceania as a Province of the Society of Mary, with Aubry’s appointment as Provincial of the Marist Province of Oceania confirmed in 1899. It consisted of the whole of Australia, the Vicariates Apostolic of New Caledonia, of Central Oceania (Wallis, Futuna, Tonga), of the Navigator Isles (Samoa and Tokelau, including also the mission to the North Solomons), of Fiji and Rotuma (including also the mission to the South Solomons), and the Prefecture Apostolic of New Hebrides.		:On 28 October 1898, the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith issued a decree in Rome erecting the Marist Mission territories in Oceania as a Province of the Society of Mary,<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.94-III-19, 8 novembre 1899</ref> <ref>AMPA B100.2 18981028 Decree n.30699, copy</ref> with Aubry’s appointment as Provincial of the Marist Province of Oceania confirmed in 1899.<ref>Lettre du T.R.P. Supérieur Général, No.94-III-19, 8 novembre 1899</ref> The Province consisted of the whole of Australia, the Vicariates Apostolic of New Caledonia, of Central Oceania (Wallis, Futuna, Tonga), of the Navigator Isles (Samoa and Tokelau, including also the mission to the North Solomons), of Fiji and Rotuma (including also the mission to the South Solomons), and the Prefecture Apostolic of New Hebrides.

	The erection of the Province would have changed Aubry's life little, its main purpose being to enable Marist missionaries in Oceania to send elected delegates to the general chapter. Aubry's role remained essentially the same: to visit regularly the various Marist Mission territories in Oceania, to interview the men in the field, to report back to the Marist general administration, to recommend individuals for positions of authority, and to govern the Society's modest operations in Australia. Ordinarily a Marist Provincial would have power to move personnel within his Province, but Aubry's capacity to do this was severely limited by the unique structure of the new Province. It was composed of four vicariates (the Mission-territory equivalent of a diocese), each under the control of a Marist bishop: Armand Lamaze (Central Oceania), Hilarion Fraysse (New Caledonia), Pierre Broyer (Navigator Islands, Samoa) and Julien Vidal (Fiji). New missionaries arriving from Europe were designated for a specific vicariate; personnel were appointed to areas within the vicariates by the appropriate bishop, and they could only be transferred between vicariates by the mutual consent of the bishops concerned.		:The erection of the Province would have changed Aubry's life little, its main purpose being to enable Marist missionaries in Oceania to send elected delegates to the general chapter. Aubry's role remained essentially the same: to visit regularly the various Marist Mission territories in Oceania, to interview the men in the field, to report back to the Marist general administration, to recommend individuals for positions of authority, and to govern the Society's modest operations in Australia. Ordinarily a Marist Provincial would have power to move personnel within his Province, but Aubry's capacity to do this was severely limited by the unique structure of the new Province. It was composed of four vicariates (the Mission-territory equivalent of a diocese), each under the control of a Marist bishop: Armand Lamaze (Central Oceania), Hilarion Fraysse (New Caledonia), Pierre Broyer (Navigator Islands, Samoa) and Julien Vidal (Fiji). New missionaries arriving from Europe were designated for a specific vicariate; personnel were appointed to areas within the vicariates by the appropriate bishop, and they could only be transferred between vicariates by the mutual consent of the bishops concerned.

	In the 1899 SM Index are listed four Marist bishops, 129 Marist priests and nine coadjutor Brothers working in the Oceania Missions. This excludes the 10 Marist priests and seven coadjutor Brothers in Australia and the Third Order of Mary Regular sisters. In order to attempt to visit and interview each individual every three years, Aubry and his successors needed to be absent from Sydney for long periods of the year, undertaking hazardous and physically taxing journeys through tropical regions where facilities and means of transport and communication were often extremely primitive.		:In the 1899 SM Index are listed four Marist bishops, 129 Marist priests and nine coadjutor Brothers working in the Oceania Missions. This excludes the 10 Marist priests and seven coadjutor Brothers in Australia and the Third Order of Mary Regular sisters.<ref>1899 SM Index (printed after November 1898 but does not note the erection of the Oceania Province on 28 October 1898). ''Australasian Catholic Directory'' 1898, pp.117 ff. By 1905, the number was around 150 priests, in 1910 around 170, and in 1920 about the same</ref> In order to attempt to visit and interview each individual every three years, Aubry and his successors needed to be absent from Sydney for long periods of the year, undertaking hazardous and physically taxing journeys through tropical regions where facilities and means of transport and communication were often extremely primitive.

	There had been some Samoans and Wallisians helping at Villa Maria and by 1899 the only Pacific islander remaining was Abel, an elderly Futunian, for whom Aubry asked permission to be professed as a coadjutor brother as a reward for "all the years he has helped us". It does not appear as if permission were given, as Abel was simply enrolled as a member of the Marist Third Order.		:There had been some Samoans and Wallisians helping at Villa Maria and by 1899 the only Pacific islander remaining was Abel, an elderly Futunian, for whom Aubry asked permission to be professed as a coadjutor brother as a reward for "all the years he has helped us".<ref>AMPA B130 18991112 Aubry to Martin, copy. </ref> It does not appear as if permission were given, as Abel was simply enrolled as a member of the Marist Third Order.

	Aubry was becoming tired of being Provincial. In November 1899, in a lengthy report for the general administration on Marist personnel and communities in Australia, he wrote:		Aubry was becoming tired of being Provincial. In November 1899, in a lengthy report for the general administration on Marist personnel and communities in Australia, he wrote: