Joseph Bertin - Revision history

MAW: /* Joseph Bertin */

2026-04-22T19:51:33Z

Joseph Bertin

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:51, 23 April 2026
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	:After attending the Regional Missionary and Eucharistic Congress, held in Newcastle, N.S.W. and the New Zealand Catholic Centenary celebrations,<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19380531 no.60 p.5</ref> Bertin went on Visitation to Fiji, arriving there on 20 May 1938. In June he went to Rotuma where he blessed the new school built by Gustave Griffon and the new church built by Lucien Soubeyran. As the delegate of Bishop Charles Nicolas, he administered Confirmation too.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19380912 no.61 p.3</ref> He visited all the stations of Fiji, and his visit lasted over six months thanks to weather and shipping delays.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19381225 no.62 p.13</ref> He arrived back in Sydney on 26 December 1938.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19390428 no.63 p.5</ref>		:After attending the Regional Missionary and Eucharistic Congress, held in Newcastle, N.S.W. and the New Zealand Catholic Centenary celebrations,<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19380531 no.60 p.5</ref> Bertin went on Visitation to Fiji, arriving there on 20 May 1938. In June he went to Rotuma where he blessed the new school built by Gustave Griffon and the new church built by Lucien Soubeyran. As the delegate of Bishop Charles Nicolas, he administered Confirmation too.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19380912 no.61 p.3</ref> He visited all the stations of Fiji, and his visit lasted over six months thanks to weather and shipping delays.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19381225 no.62 p.13</ref> He arrived back in Sydney on 26 December 1938.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19390428 no.63 p.5</ref>

	Having finished his term of office as Provincial, he and his successor, Elie Bergeron, both received news of their new appointments on the same day, 22 May 1939. On 1 June, Bertin sailed on the Pierre Loti for his new posting in New Caledonia, where he spent his first months at Tyé. He found the weather there pleasant, the strawberries delicious but his health was the same as when he was at Villa Maria. With Marists being called to the military, Bertin joined Joseph Dupuy at Bondé. With Dupuy often travelling, Bertin helped by looking after the station. He was appointed head of the Saint-Austremoine station, which included Bondé, Balade, Pouébo and Koumac. In addition to giving instruction, hearing confessions, looking after the school and giving conferences to sisters and brothers, he sometimes travelled to neighbouring tribes on horseback. To preach the brothers retreat at Pouébo – car to Ouégoa, horse ride to Balade and then boat to Pouébo. First signs of illness appeared in May 1941, and he went to Nouméa in October, where he was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer at the age of 62 and died on 1 December 1941. His last month was a very painful one, but he accepted it with great courage and resignation, wishing “to complete the sufferings of Christ”. A confrère who had known him well and visited him often in his last illness said of him, "I have seen a saint die”.		:Having finished his term of office as Provincial, he and his successor, Elie Bergeron, both received news of their new appointments on the same day, 22 May 1939. On 1 June, Bertin sailed on the ''Pierre Loti'' for his new posting in New Caledonia, where he spent his first months at Tyé.<ref>OMPA Reel 297 AAN98.1 Biographical information of Fathers and Brothers in Vicariate of New Caledonia. BERTIN Joseph Alphonse (p.86/640) http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249415</ref> He found the weather there pleasant, the strawberries delicious but his health was the same as when he was at Villa Maria.<ref>OMPA Reel 368 A.6.1 Incoming letters from New Caledonia 19390707 Bertin-Bergeron http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249486</ref> With Marists being called to the military, Bertin joined Joseph Dupuy at Bondé.<ref>OMPA Reel 368 A.6.1 Incoming letters from New Caledonia 19400126 Bresson-Bergeron http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249486</ref> With Dupuy often travelling, Bertin helped by looking after the station.<ref>OMPA Reel 368 A.6.1 Incoming letters from New Caledonia 19400322 Bertin-Bergeron http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249486</ref> He was appointed head of the Saint-Austremoine station, which included Bondé, Balade, Pouébo and Koumac. In addition to giving instruction, hearing confessions, looking after the school and giving conferences to sisters and brothers, he sometimes travelled to neighbouring tribes on horseback. To preach the brothers retreat at Pouébo – car to Ouégoa, horse ride to Balade and then boat to Pouébo.<ref>OMPA Reel 368 A.6.1 Incoming letters from New Caledonia 19410717 Bertin-Bergeron http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249486</ref> First signs of illness appeared in May 1941, and he went to Nouméa in October, where he was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer at the age of 62 and died on 1 December 1941. His last month was a very painful one, but he accepted it with great courage and resignation, wishing “to complete the sufferings of Christ”. A confrère who had known him well and visited him often in his last illness said of him, "I have seen a saint die”.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19420422 no.71 Notices nécrologiques</ref>

	=== Notes ===		=== Notes ===

MAW: /* Joseph Bertin */

2026-04-22T19:47:59Z

Joseph Bertin

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:47, 23 April 2026
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	:He started immediately preparing his visitation of Samoa and Tonga, leaving in June 1936. The ''Mariposa'' made two one-day stops at Auckland and Suva on the way. While in Samoa, he gave the annual retreat to the fathers and then to the sisters. On his return from Samoa, however, he had to wait three weeks in Suva and took the opportunity to visit most of the nearby stations, including those on Ovalau. From there he joined the ''Antigone'' to Tonga where he saw the men on Tongatapu and Vava'u. He spent five weeks on Vava’u waiting for the ''Boren'' to take him to Samoa. He managed to get back to Sydney only in December 1936.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19370207 Bertin-Dubois</ref>		:He started immediately preparing his visitation of Samoa and Tonga, leaving in June 1936. The ''Mariposa'' made two one-day stops at Auckland and Suva on the way. While in Samoa, he gave the annual retreat to the fathers and then to the sisters. On his return from Samoa, however, he had to wait three weeks in Suva and took the opportunity to visit most of the nearby stations, including those on Ovalau. From there he joined the ''Antigone'' to Tonga where he saw the men on Tongatapu and Vava'u. He spent five weeks on Vava’u waiting for the ''Boren'' to take him to Samoa. He managed to get back to Sydney only in December 1936.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19370207 Bertin-Dubois</ref>

	In June 1937 he went on Visitation to the New Hebrides. He started with a retreat for the sisters. He visited all the stations except for Port Olry and Tanna. Delegated by Bishop Douceré, he administered Confirmation to 17 at Olal. Back at Port-Vila in August, he conducted the fathers’ retreat. From there he visited Wallis and Futuna. He was in time to attend the consecration of Bishop Edouard Bresson on 3 October in Nouméa on his way back to Sydney where he arrived on 8 October.		:In June 1937 he went on Visitation to the New Hebrides. He started with a retreat for the sisters. He visited all the stations except for Port Olry and Tanna. Delegated by Bishop Douceré, he administered Confirmation to 17 at Olal. Back at Port-Vila in August, he conducted the fathers’ retreat. From there he visited Wallis and Futuna. He was in time to attend the consecration of Bishop Edouard Bresson on 3 October in Nouméa on his way back to Sydney where he arrived on 8 October.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19371130 no.58 p.4</ref>

	After attending the Regional Missionary and Eucharistic Congress, held in Newcastle, N.S.W. and the New Zealand Catholic Centenary celebrations, Bertin went on Visitation to Fiji, arriving there on ~~20th~~ May 1938. In June he went to Rotuma where he blessed the new school built by Gustave Griffon and the new church built by Lucien Soubeyran. As the delegate of Bishop Charles Nicolas, he administered Confirmation too. He visited all the stations of Fiji, and his visit lasted over six months thanks to weather and shipping delays. He arrived back in Sydney on 26 December 1938.		:After attending the Regional Missionary and Eucharistic Congress, held in Newcastle, N.S.W. and the New Zealand Catholic Centenary celebrations,<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19380531 no.60 p.5</ref> Bertin went on Visitation to Fiji, arriving there on 20 May 1938. In June he went to Rotuma where he blessed the new school built by Gustave Griffon and the new church built by Lucien Soubeyran. As the delegate of Bishop Charles Nicolas, he administered Confirmation too.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19380912 no.61 p.3</ref> He visited all the stations of Fiji, and his visit lasted over six months thanks to weather and shipping delays.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19381225 no.62 p.13</ref> He arrived back in Sydney on 26 December 1938.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19390428 no.63 p.5</ref>

	Having finished his term of office as Provincial, he and his successor, Elie Bergeron, both received news of their new appointments on the same day, 22 May 1939. On 1 June, Bertin sailed on the Pierre Loti for his new posting in New Caledonia, where he spent his first months at Tyé. He found the weather there pleasant, the strawberries delicious but his health was the same as when he was at Villa Maria. With Marists being called to the military, Bertin joined Joseph Dupuy at Bondé. With Dupuy often travelling, Bertin helped by looking after the station. He was appointed head of the Saint-Austremoine station, which included Bondé, Balade, Pouébo and Koumac. In addition to giving instruction, hearing confessions, looking after the school and giving conferences to sisters and brothers, he sometimes travelled to neighbouring tribes on horseback. To preach the brothers retreat at Pouébo – car to Ouégoa, horse ride to Balade and then boat to Pouébo. First signs of illness appeared in May 1941, and he went to Nouméa in October, where he was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer at the age of 62 and died on 1 December 1941. His last month was a very painful one, but he accepted it with great courage and resignation, wishing “to complete the sufferings of Christ”. A confrère who had known him well and visited him often in his last illness said of him, "I have seen a saint die”.		Having finished his term of office as Provincial, he and his successor, Elie Bergeron, both received news of their new appointments on the same day, 22 May 1939. On 1 June, Bertin sailed on the Pierre Loti for his new posting in New Caledonia, where he spent his first months at Tyé. He found the weather there pleasant, the strawberries delicious but his health was the same as when he was at Villa Maria. With Marists being called to the military, Bertin joined Joseph Dupuy at Bondé. With Dupuy often travelling, Bertin helped by looking after the station. He was appointed head of the Saint-Austremoine station, which included Bondé, Balade, Pouébo and Koumac. In addition to giving instruction, hearing confessions, looking after the school and giving conferences to sisters and brothers, he sometimes travelled to neighbouring tribes on horseback. To preach the brothers retreat at Pouébo – car to Ouégoa, horse ride to Balade and then boat to Pouébo. First signs of illness appeared in May 1941, and he went to Nouméa in October, where he was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer at the age of 62 and died on 1 December 1941. His last month was a very painful one, but he accepted it with great courage and resignation, wishing “to complete the sufferings of Christ”. A confrère who had known him well and visited him often in his last illness said of him, "I have seen a saint die”.

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2026-04-22T19:44:59Z

Joseph Bertin

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:44, 23 April 2026
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	:Bertin had requested being removed from the position of Provincial but continued in the role with the visits to the missions as requested by the Superior General.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19330430 Bertin-Rieu</ref> Between June and October 1933 he made a Visitation of the North Solomons and South Solomons vicariates.<ref>PERSONAL. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19331031, p. 10. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17020473 </ref> He also preached the retreat in the South Solomons. Back in Sydney, Bertin had to deal with the fall-out from the rejection of Roman Catholic missionaries at Tangarare during 1933-36. Nominated by Rieu to be Apostolic Visitor for Propaganda Fide, Bertin reported to the Apostolic Delegate on the situation.<ref>OMPA Reel 378 B.4. Provincial Outgoing Letters. J. Bertin. 19340612 Bertin-Apostolic Delegate http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249496</ref>		:Bertin had requested being removed from the position of Provincial but continued in the role with the visits to the missions as requested by the Superior General.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19330430 Bertin-Rieu</ref> Between June and October 1933 he made a Visitation of the North Solomons and South Solomons vicariates.<ref>PERSONAL. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19331031, p. 10. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17020473 </ref> He also preached the retreat in the South Solomons. Back in Sydney, Bertin had to deal with the fall-out from the rejection of Roman Catholic missionaries at Tangarare during 1933-36. Nominated by Rieu to be Apostolic Visitor for Propaganda Fide, Bertin reported to the Apostolic Delegate on the situation.<ref>OMPA Reel 378 B.4. Provincial Outgoing Letters. J. Bertin. 19340612 Bertin-Apostolic Delegate http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249496</ref>

	In May 1934 he began a Second Novitiate. Among the novices was one who would himself be Provincial one day, Eddie Roe from Fiji. In November Bertin left for New Caledonia. It was an exhausting trip visiting all the mission stations– travelling by steamship, car, on horseback and small petrol-powered boats. After the visit to the Loyalty Islands, he returned to Nouméa in December with fever and gallstones as well as fatigue. After Christmas he continued with the visitation of the Grande Terre and arrived back in Sydney on 19 March 1935.		:In May 1934 he began a Second Novitiate. Among the novices was one who would himself be Provincial one day, Eddie Roe from Fiji. In November Bertin left for New Caledonia. It was an exhausting trip visiting all the mission stations– travelling by steamship, car, on horseback and small petrol-powered boats. After the visit to the Loyalty Islands, he returned to Nouméa in December with fever and gallstones as well as fatigue. After Christmas he continued with the visitation of the Grande Terre and arrived back in Sydney on 19 March 1935.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19350428 no.49 pp.3-4</ref>

	The Provincial Chapter began on 31 July 1935 and finished on 2 August. On 17 August Bertin, along with Elie Bergeron, Cyprien Destable and Edouard Meyer left for Rome for the General Chapter. Arriving in Naples, they were greeted by Léon Dubois and confreres with whom they visited Pompeii. After the General Chapter he made a visit home to Nantes. While in Europe he was beset by malaria but still managed to visit many places and speak to various groups about the Oceania missions, including Marist seminarians at Differt. He also visited the Procure at Lyons, prayed at the tomb of Fr Founder, and met with the Superior General of the Marist Sisters. Departing from Toulon, he arrived back in Sydney on 25 March 1936, having sailed on Orsova.		:The Provincial Chapter began on 31 July 1935 and finished on 2 August. On 17 August, Bertin, along with Elie Bergeron, Cyprien Destable and Edouard Meyer left for Rome for the General Chapter.<ref>ORONSAY'S PASSENGERS. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19350817, p. 20. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17174249; APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19350804 Bertin-Rieu</ref> Arriving in Naples, they were greeted by Léon Dubois and confreres with whom they visited Pompeii. After the General Chapter he made a visit home to Nantes.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19351208 no.51 pp.2; 6</ref> While in Europe he was beset by malaria but still managed to visit many places and speak to various groups about the Oceania missions, including Marist seminarians at Differt. He also visited the Procure at Lyons, prayed at the tomb of Fr Founder, and met with the Superior General of the Marist Sisters.<ref>APM 2205-9719 L. Dubois Lettres aux missionnaires 1925-1949. 19360319 no.52 pp.3-4</ref> Departing from Toulon, he arrived back in Sydney on 25 March 1936, having sailed on ''Orsova''.<ref>NAA: K269, 17 MAR 1936 ORSOVA; PERSONAL. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19360325, p. 12. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17337776 </ref>

	He started immediately preparing his visitation of Samoa and Tonga, leaving in June 1936. The Mariposa made two one-day stops at Auckland and Suva on the way. While in Samoa, he gave the annual retreat to the fathers and then to the sisters. On his return from Samoa, however, he had to wait three weeks in Suva and took the opportunity to visit most of the nearby stations, including those on Ovalau. From there he joined the Antigone to Tonga where he saw the men on Tongatapu and Vava'u. He spent five weeks on Vava’u waiting for the Boren to take him to Samoa. He managed to get back to Sydney only in December 1936.		:He started immediately preparing his visitation of Samoa and Tonga, leaving in June 1936. The ''Mariposa'' made two one-day stops at Auckland and Suva on the way. While in Samoa, he gave the annual retreat to the fathers and then to the sisters. On his return from Samoa, however, he had to wait three weeks in Suva and took the opportunity to visit most of the nearby stations, including those on Ovalau. From there he joined the ''Antigone'' to Tonga where he saw the men on Tongatapu and Vava'u. He spent five weeks on Vava’u waiting for the ''Boren'' to take him to Samoa. He managed to get back to Sydney only in December 1936.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19370207 Bertin-Dubois</ref>

	In June 1937 he went on Visitation to the New Hebrides. He started with a retreat for the sisters. He visited all the stations except for Port Olry and Tanna. Delegated by Bishop Douceré, he administered Confirmation to 17 at Olal. Back at Port-Vila in August, he conducted the fathers’ retreat. From there he visited Wallis and Futuna. He was in time to attend the consecration of Bishop Edouard Bresson on 3 October in Nouméa on his way back to Sydney where he arrived on 8 October.		In June 1937 he went on Visitation to the New Hebrides. He started with a retreat for the sisters. He visited all the stations except for Port Olry and Tanna. Delegated by Bishop Douceré, he administered Confirmation to 17 at Olal. Back at Port-Vila in August, he conducted the fathers’ retreat. From there he visited Wallis and Futuna. He was in time to attend the consecration of Bishop Edouard Bresson on 3 October in Nouméa on his way back to Sydney where he arrived on 8 October.

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2026-04-22T19:36:56Z

Joseph Bertin

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:36, 23 April 2026
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	:When informed of Bertin’s<ref>The presentation of Bertin’s time in Australia, is taken and in parts summarised from McMurrich sm, Peter. ''Not Angels, nor Men Confirmed in Grace: The Marists in Post-Federation Australia, 1892-1938''. Sydney: Revised MA Thesis, 2008</ref> likely appointment<ref>OMPA Reel 361. A.1.1 Letters from Superiors General. 19320502 Rieu-Courtais http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249479</ref> to succeed him as Provincial in June 1932 Courtais wrote a very frank letter to Rieu, Superior-General, telling him the decision was hopelessly misguided, "Fragile in health, timid to excess, knowing English only imperfectly, and because of his timidity, not able to profit from his knowledge, which, otherwise would be sufficient at a pinch".<ref>APM 1497-21361 Lettres du p. Courtais Provincial 19320608 Courtais-Rieu</ref> But the Superior General chose to ignore Courtais’ misgivings and Bertin received notice of his appointment as Provincial of Oceania in October 1932.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19321023 Bertin-Rieu</ref> He requested confirmation from the Superior General if he were to retain the role of Novice-Master,<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19330101 Bertin-Rieu</ref> which he did until 1937 when Maurice Boch man was appointed superior of Villa Maria and Master of Second Novices.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19370425 Bertin-Rieu</ref> Boch had already been made vice-Provincial in 1936.<ref>OMPA Reel 361. A.1.1 Letters from Superiors General. 19360214 Rieu-Bertin http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249479</ref>		:When informed of Bertin’s<ref>The presentation of Bertin’s time in Australia, is taken and in parts summarised from McMurrich sm, Peter. ''Not Angels, nor Men Confirmed in Grace: The Marists in Post-Federation Australia, 1892-1938''. Sydney: Revised MA Thesis, 2008</ref> likely appointment<ref>OMPA Reel 361. A.1.1 Letters from Superiors General. 19320502 Rieu-Courtais http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249479</ref> to succeed him as Provincial in June 1932 Courtais wrote a very frank letter to Rieu, Superior-General, telling him the decision was hopelessly misguided, "Fragile in health, timid to excess, knowing English only imperfectly, and because of his timidity, not able to profit from his knowledge, which, otherwise would be sufficient at a pinch".<ref>APM 1497-21361 Lettres du p. Courtais Provincial 19320608 Courtais-Rieu</ref> But the Superior General chose to ignore Courtais’ misgivings and Bertin received notice of his appointment as Provincial of Oceania in October 1932.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19321023 Bertin-Rieu</ref> He requested confirmation from the Superior General if he were to retain the role of Novice-Master,<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19330101 Bertin-Rieu</ref> which he did until 1937 when Maurice Boch man was appointed superior of Villa Maria and Master of Second Novices.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19370425 Bertin-Rieu</ref> Boch had already been made vice-Provincial in 1936.<ref>OMPA Reel 361. A.1.1 Letters from Superiors General. 19360214 Rieu-Bertin http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249479</ref>

	He also wanted confirmation of recordkeeping requirements as he believed Courtais kept everything and previous provincials burnt a lot of records. He was advised to retain reports on people as long as they were administratively necessary, but to then burn them, especially if they don’t seem to be of any long-term use.		:He also wanted confirmation of recordkeeping requirements as he believed Courtais kept everything and previous provincials burnt a lot of records.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19330101 Bertin-Rieu</ref> He was advised to retain reports on people as long as they were administratively necessary, but to then burn them, especially if they don’t seem to be of any long-term use.<ref>OMPA Reel 361. A.1.2 Letters from Assistant for the Missions, L. L. Dubois. 19360214 Dubois-Bertin http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249479</ref>

	There had been several enquiries from Australians wishing to become coadjutor brothers and Bertin requested the establishment of a brothers’ novitiate, to be led by a devoted, English-speaking priest. Villa Maria took on the additional role as house of probation and formation for coadjutor brothers from Australia and New Zealand who wished to work in the Pacific Missions. It already hosted the members of the New Zealand province responsible for the Hunters Hill parish since 1925. A separate presbytery for them was built in 1936.		:There had been several enquiries from Australians wishing to become coadjutor brothers and Bertin requested the establishment of a brothers’ novitiate, to be led by a devoted, English-speaking priest.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19330603 Bertin-Rieu</ref> Villa Maria took on the additional role as house of probation and formation for coadjutor brothers from Australia and New Zealand who wished to work in the Pacific Missions. It already hosted the members of the New Zealand province responsible for the Hunters Hill parish since 1925. A separate presbytery for them was built in 1936.

	Bertin had requested being removed from the position of Provincial but continued in the role with the visits to the missions as requested by the Superior General. Between June and October 1933 he made a Visitation of the North Solomons and South Solomons vicariates. He also preached the retreat in the South Solomons. Back in Sydney, Bertin had to deal with the fall-out from the rejection of Roman Catholic missionaries at Tangarare during 1933-36. Nominated by Rieu to be Apostolic Visitor for Propaganda Fide, Bertin reported to the Apostolic Delegate on the situation.		:Bertin had requested being removed from the position of Provincial but continued in the role with the visits to the missions as requested by the Superior General.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19330430 Bertin-Rieu</ref> Between June and October 1933 he made a Visitation of the North Solomons and South Solomons vicariates.<ref>PERSONAL. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19331031, p. 10. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17020473 </ref> He also preached the retreat in the South Solomons. Back in Sydney, Bertin had to deal with the fall-out from the rejection of Roman Catholic missionaries at Tangarare during 1933-36. Nominated by Rieu to be Apostolic Visitor for Propaganda Fide, Bertin reported to the Apostolic Delegate on the situation.<ref>OMPA Reel 378 B.4. Provincial Outgoing Letters. J. Bertin. 19340612 Bertin-Apostolic Delegate http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249496</ref>

	In May 1934 he began a Second Novitiate. Among the novices was one who would himself be Provincial one day, Eddie Roe from Fiji. In November Bertin left for New Caledonia. It was an exhausting trip visiting all the mission stations– travelling by steamship, car, on horseback and small petrol-powered boats. After the visit to the Loyalty Islands, he returned to Nouméa in December with fever and gallstones as well as fatigue. After Christmas he continued with the visitation of the Grande Terre and arrived back in Sydney on 19 March 1935.		In May 1934 he began a Second Novitiate. Among the novices was one who would himself be Provincial one day, Eddie Roe from Fiji. In November Bertin left for New Caledonia. It was an exhausting trip visiting all the mission stations– travelling by steamship, car, on horseback and small petrol-powered boats. After the visit to the Loyalty Islands, he returned to Nouméa in December with fever and gallstones as well as fatigue. After Christmas he continued with the visitation of the Grande Terre and arrived back in Sydney on 19 March 1935.

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2026-04-22T19:33:16Z

Joseph Bertin

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:33, 23 April 2026
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	:In 1918, he reported that married catechists had been sent to all the other stations.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19180821 Bertin-Raffin</ref> In 1920 he had to close the schools as the mission station could not provide enough food for over 190 pupils.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19200422 Bertin-Raffin</ref>		:In 1918, he reported that married catechists had been sent to all the other stations.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19180821 Bertin-Raffin</ref> In 1920 he had to close the schools as the mission station could not provide enough food for over 190 pupils.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19200422 Bertin-Raffin</ref>

	:When Bertin became mission rector he was assisted first by Rinaldo Pavese (1912-20) and then by Emile Foltzer (1920-22).<ref>SM Index lists Pavese on San Cristobal in 1910 and at Tangarare in 1912. For southern hemisphere appointments, the early SM Index usually provide the previous year’s appointments given the deadline for the information to reach the General Administration. Foltzer arrived in Sydney on 27 April 1920 on El Kantara from Marseilles and was with Bertin by August APM 1520-21671 Lettres du p. Pavese R. 1912-1934. 19200815. OMPA Reel 375 B.2.2 Jean-Baptiste Chevreuil Visitation notes. South Solomons 1922. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249493 </ref> <ref>Chevreuil, Provincial, visited the Solomons in 1922 and wrote visitation notes in Rotuman. An attempted transcription, “Kat poara la voiak tiu foraik se ia. Lelei ainsi agteu de tene te atakoa.” Possible translation provided by Peter Mario, December 2025, "I cannot thank you enough- it’s good they can face everything". OMPA Reel 375 B.2.2 Jean-Baptiste Chevreuil Visitation notes. South Solomons 1922. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249493 p.237.</ref> He was then on his own until Br Roberto Moiso joined him in late 1924.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19241021 Bertin- ~~Rie~~</ref> Bertin appreciated living in community with him.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19260121 Bertin- Rieu</ref> In late 1926, newly arrived Léon Valléry joined him temporarily, where his knowledge of the Ghari language was increasing.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19261115 Bertin- [Dubois]</ref> Tangarare was a large area to look after, and the population was almost totally Catholic. In September 1926 a strong earthquake struck, and much damage was done to mission buildings, including the dormitory, which Br Roberto had just built.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19270120 Bertin- Rieu</ref> The Sisters' kitchen which was irreparable and had to be knocked down. The earth opened and splits appeared all over the area, including within several villages. The tremors continued for three weeks.		:When Bertin became mission rector he was assisted first by Rinaldo Pavese (1912-20) and then by Emile Foltzer (1920-22).<ref>SM Index lists Pavese on San Cristobal in 1910 and at Tangarare in 1912. For southern hemisphere appointments, the early SM Index usually provide the previous year’s appointments given the deadline for the information to reach the General Administration. Foltzer arrived in Sydney on 27 April 1920 on El Kantara from Marseilles and was with Bertin by August APM 1520-21671 Lettres du p. Pavese R. 1912-1934. 19200815. OMPA Reel 375 B.2.2 Jean-Baptiste Chevreuil Visitation notes. South Solomons 1922. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249493 </ref> <ref>Chevreuil, Provincial, visited the Solomons in 1922 and wrote visitation notes in Rotuman. An attempted transcription, “Kat poara la voiak tiu foraik se ia. Lelei ainsi agteu de tene te atakoa.” Possible translation provided by Peter Mario, December 2025, "I cannot thank you enough- it’s good they can face everything". OMPA Reel 375 B.2.2 Jean-Baptiste Chevreuil Visitation notes. South Solomons 1922. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249493 p.237.</ref> He was then on his own until Br Roberto Moiso joined him in late 1924.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19241021 Bertin-Rieu</ref> Bertin appreciated living in community with him.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19260121 Bertin-Rieu</ref> In late 1926, newly arrived Léon Valléry joined him temporarily, where his knowledge of the Ghari language was increasing.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19261115 Bertin-[Dubois]</ref> Tangarare was a large area to look after, and the population was almost totally Catholic. In September 1926 a strong earthquake struck, and much damage was done to mission buildings, including the dormitory, which Br Roberto had just built.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19270120 Bertin-Rieu</ref> The Sisters' kitchen which was irreparable and had to be knocked down. The earth opened and splits appeared all over the area, including within several villages. The tremors continued for three weeks.

	:By early 1927 Bertin and Br Roberto were both suffering from chronic health issues.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19270120 Bertin- Rieu</ref> Bertin was not well enough to run the Catechists' programme, and it was not long before his health had completely broken down and he was sent to Villa Maria, arriving there on 10 July. He returned to the Solomons in February 1928.<ref>For the Islands. The Daily Telegraph. 19280215, p. 14. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245424756</ref>		:By early 1927 Bertin and Br Roberto were both suffering from chronic health issues.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19270120 Bertin-Rieu</ref> Bertin was not well enough to run the Catechists' programme, and it was not long before his health had completely broken down and he was sent to Villa Maria, arriving there on 10 July. He returned to the Solomons in February 1928.<ref>For the Islands. ''The Daily Telegraph''. 19280215, p. 14. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245424756</ref>

	:To Bertin’s great pleasure, Tangarare was visited by the Superior General, Ernest Rieu, during his visitation of the South Pacific in 1929.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300106 Bertin- [Dubois]</ref> Bertin was appointed Novice Master of the Second Novitiate in Sydney. He had been prepared by Eugène Courtais, Provincial, to expect a recall given his precarious health. Once Samuel Moreau<ref>Moreau had also been in France, arriving in Sydney on 23 February 1930. NAA: K269, 11 FEB 1930 ERIDAN Page 5 of 9</ref> arrived from Wanoni Bay to replace him, Bertin departed for Sydney arriving there on 19 April 1930 and immediately started a second novitiate.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300123 Bertin- Rieu ; SHIPPING. The Sydney Morning Herald. 19300421, p. 11. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16677076; APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19300503 Bertin-Rieu</ref>		:To Bertin’s great pleasure, Tangarare was visited by the Superior General, Ernest Rieu, during his visitation of the South Pacific in 1929.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300106 Bertin- [Dubois]</ref> Bertin was appointed Novice Master of the Second Novitiate in Sydney. He had been prepared by Eugène Courtais, Provincial, to expect a recall given his precarious health. Once Samuel Moreau<ref>Moreau had also been in France, arriving in Sydney on 23 February 1930. NAA: K269, 11 FEB 1930 ERIDAN Page 5 of 9</ref> arrived from Wanoni Bay to replace him, Bertin departed for Sydney arriving there on 19 April 1930 and immediately started a second novitiate.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300123 Bertin-Rieu ; SHIPPING. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19300421, p. 11. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16677076; APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19300503 Bertin-Rieu</ref>

	:In addition to the annual statistics for 1929 he reported upon leaving the station, he also had published in 1928 a presentation of all the villages making up the Tangarare mission district.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300106 Bertin-[Dubois]</ref> <ref>Villages chrétiens de Guadalcanal dans le district de Tangarare. ''Missions Catholiques''. 1928, pp.507-511, 532-535, 550-553, 571-574 https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k105668h/f512.item</ref>		:In addition to the annual statistics for 1929 he reported upon leaving the station, he also had published in 1928 a presentation of all the villages making up the Tangarare mission district.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300106 Bertin-[Dubois]</ref> <ref>Villages chrétiens de Guadalcanal dans le district de Tangarare. ''Missions Catholiques''. 1928, pp.507-511, 532-535, 550-553, 571-574 https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k105668h/f512.item</ref>

MAW: /* Joseph Bertin */

2026-04-22T19:28:53Z

Joseph Bertin

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:28, 23 April 2026
Line 31:		Line 31:
	:By early 1927 Bertin and Br Roberto were both suffering from chronic health issues.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19270120 Bertin- Rieu</ref> Bertin was not well enough to run the Catechists' programme, and it was not long before his health had completely broken down and he was sent to Villa Maria, arriving there on 10 July. He returned to the Solomons in February 1928.<ref>For the Islands. The Daily Telegraph. 19280215, p. 14. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245424756</ref>		:By early 1927 Bertin and Br Roberto were both suffering from chronic health issues.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19270120 Bertin- Rieu</ref> Bertin was not well enough to run the Catechists' programme, and it was not long before his health had completely broken down and he was sent to Villa Maria, arriving there on 10 July. He returned to the Solomons in February 1928.<ref>For the Islands. The Daily Telegraph. 19280215, p. 14. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245424756</ref>

	:To Bertin’s great pleasure, Tangarare was visited by the Superior General, Ernest Rieu, during his visitation of the South Pacific in 1929.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300106 Bertin- [Dubois]</ref> Bertin was appointed Novice Master of the Second Novitiate in Sydney. He had been prepared by Eugène Courtais, Provincial, to expect a recall given his precarious health. Once Samuel Moreau<ref>Moreau had also been in France, arriving in Sydney on 23 February 1930. NAA: K269, 11 FEB 1930 ERIDAN Page 5 of 9</ref> arrived from Wanoni Bay to replace him, Bertin departed for Sydney arriving there on 19 April and immediately started a second novitiate.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300123 Bertin- Rieu ; SHIPPING. The Sydney Morning Herald. 19300421, p. 11. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16677076; APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19300503 Bertin-Rieu</ref>		:To Bertin’s great pleasure, Tangarare was visited by the Superior General, Ernest Rieu, during his visitation of the South Pacific in 1929.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300106 Bertin- [Dubois]</ref> Bertin was appointed Novice Master of the Second Novitiate in Sydney. He had been prepared by Eugène Courtais, Provincial, to expect a recall given his precarious health. Once Samuel Moreau<ref>Moreau had also been in France, arriving in Sydney on 23 February 1930. NAA: K269, 11 FEB 1930 ERIDAN Page 5 of 9</ref> arrived from Wanoni Bay to replace him, Bertin departed for Sydney arriving there on 19 April 1930 and immediately started a second novitiate.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300123 Bertin- Rieu ; SHIPPING. The Sydney Morning Herald. 19300421, p. 11. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16677076; APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19300503 Bertin-Rieu</ref>

	In addition to the annual statistics for 1929 he reported upon leaving the station, he also had published in 1928 a presentation of all the villages making up the Tangarare mission district.		:In addition to the annual statistics for 1929 he reported upon leaving the station, he also had published in 1928 a presentation of all the villages making up the Tangarare mission district.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300106 Bertin-[Dubois]</ref> <ref>Villages chrétiens de Guadalcanal dans le district de Tangarare. ''Missions Catholiques''. 1928, pp.507-511, 532-535, 550-553, 571-574 https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k105668h/f512.item</ref>
	Catholics 1465		::Catholics 1465
	Protestants 490		::Protestants 490
	Pagans 6		::Pagans 6
	In the schools 105 boys, 84 girls		::In the schools 105 boys, 84 girls
	Baptisms children 64, adults 10		::Baptisms children 64, adults 10
	Confirmations 91		::Confirmations 91
	Communions 33,783		::Communions 33,783
	Deaths 51		::Deaths 51

	When informed of Bertin’s likely appointment to succeed him as Provincial in June 1932 Courtais wrote a very frank letter to Rieu, Superior-General, telling him the decision was hopelessly misguided, "Fragile in health, timid to excess, knowing English only imperfectly, and because of his timidity, not able to profit from his knowledge, which, otherwise would be sufficient at a pinch". But the Superior General chose to ignore Courtais’ misgivings and Bertin received notice of his appointment as Provincial of Oceania in October 1932. He requested confirmation from the Superior General if he were to retain the role of Novice-Master, which he did until 1937 when Maurice Boch man was appointed superior of Villa Maria and Master of Second Novices. Boch had already been made vice-Provincial in 1936.		:When informed of Bertin’s<ref>The presentation of Bertin’s time in Australia, is taken and in parts summarised from McMurrich sm, Peter. ''Not Angels, nor Men Confirmed in Grace: The Marists in Post-Federation Australia, 1892-1938''. Sydney: Revised MA Thesis, 2008</ref> likely appointment<ref>OMPA Reel 361. A.1.1 Letters from Superiors General. 19320502 Rieu-Courtais http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249479</ref> to succeed him as Provincial in June 1932 Courtais wrote a very frank letter to Rieu, Superior-General, telling him the decision was hopelessly misguided, "Fragile in health, timid to excess, knowing English only imperfectly, and because of his timidity, not able to profit from his knowledge, which, otherwise would be sufficient at a pinch".<ref>APM 1497-21361 Lettres du p. Courtais Provincial 19320608 Courtais-Rieu</ref> But the Superior General chose to ignore Courtais’ misgivings and Bertin received notice of his appointment as Provincial of Oceania in October 1932.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19321023 Bertin-Rieu</ref> He requested confirmation from the Superior General if he were to retain the role of Novice-Master,<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19330101 Bertin-Rieu</ref> which he did until 1937 when Maurice Boch man was appointed superior of Villa Maria and Master of Second Novices.<ref>APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19370425 Bertin-Rieu</ref> Boch had already been made vice-Provincial in 1936.<ref>OMPA Reel 361. A.1.1 Letters from Superiors General. 19360214 Rieu-Bertin http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249479</ref>

	He also wanted confirmation of recordkeeping requirements as he believed Courtais kept everything and previous provincials burnt a lot of records. He was advised to retain reports on people as long as they were administratively necessary, but to then burn them, especially if they don’t seem to be of any long-term use.		He also wanted confirmation of recordkeeping requirements as he believed Courtais kept everything and previous provincials burnt a lot of records. He was advised to retain reports on people as long as they were administratively necessary, but to then burn them, especially if they don’t seem to be of any long-term use.

MAW: /* Joseph Bertin */

2026-04-22T19:23:36Z

Joseph Bertin

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:23, 23 April 2026
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	:In a letter to the Superior General written in January 1915, he indicated he was somewhat impatient to receive his call to second novitiate, “it will perhaps be, with the first novitiate, the best time of my life”.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19150114 Bertin-Raffin</ref> In 1916, Bertin went to Sydney for second novitiate, arriving there on ''Mindini'' on 6 May<ref>SHIPPING. ''The Telegraph''. 19160506, p. 2 (SECOND EDITION). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article178002792</ref> and returning on the same boat leaving Sydney on 20 December 1916.<ref>THE MINDINI'S PASSENGERS. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19161220, p.13. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15699838</ref> Again writing to the Superior General, he indicated how much he had appreciated his second novitiate. He made his vow of stability on Sunday 27 May 1917.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19161107 Bertin-Raffin</ref>		:In a letter to the Superior General written in January 1915, he indicated he was somewhat impatient to receive his call to second novitiate, “it will perhaps be, with the first novitiate, the best time of my life”.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19150114 Bertin-Raffin</ref> In 1916, Bertin went to Sydney for second novitiate, arriving there on ''Mindini'' on 6 May<ref>SHIPPING. ''The Telegraph''. 19160506, p. 2 (SECOND EDITION). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article178002792</ref> and returning on the same boat leaving Sydney on 20 December 1916.<ref>THE MINDINI'S PASSENGERS. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19161220, p.13. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15699838</ref> Again writing to the Superior General, he indicated how much he had appreciated his second novitiate. He made his vow of stability on Sunday 27 May 1917.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19161107 Bertin-Raffin</ref>

	In 1918, he reported that married catechists had been sent to all the other stations. In 1920 he had to close the schools as the mission station could not provide enough food for over 190 pupils.		:In 1918, he reported that married catechists had been sent to all the other stations.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19180821 Bertin-Raffin</ref> In 1920 he had to close the schools as the mission station could not provide enough food for over 190 pupils.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19200422 Bertin-Raffin</ref>

	When Bertin became mission rector he was assisted first by Rinaldo Pavese (1912-20) and then by Emile Foltzer (1920-22). He was then on his own until Br Roberto Moiso joined him in late 1924. Bertin appreciated living in community with him. In late 1926, newly arrived Léon Valléry joined him temporarily, where his knowledge of the Ghari language was increasing. Tangarare was a large area to look after, and the population was almost totally Catholic. In September 1926 a strong earthquake struck, and much damage was done to mission buildings, including the dormitory, which Br Roberto had just built. The Sisters' kitchen which was irreparable and had to be knocked down. The earth opened and splits appeared all over the area, including within several villages. The tremors continued for three weeks.		:When Bertin became mission rector he was assisted first by Rinaldo Pavese (1912-20) and then by Emile Foltzer (1920-22).<ref>SM Index lists Pavese on San Cristobal in 1910 and at Tangarare in 1912. For southern hemisphere appointments, the early SM Index usually provide the previous year’s appointments given the deadline for the information to reach the General Administration. Foltzer arrived in Sydney on 27 April 1920 on El Kantara from Marseilles and was with Bertin by August APM 1520-21671 Lettres du p. Pavese R. 1912-1934. 19200815. OMPA Reel 375 B.2.2 Jean-Baptiste Chevreuil Visitation notes. South Solomons 1922. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249493 </ref> <ref>Chevreuil, Provincial, visited the Solomons in 1922 and wrote visitation notes in Rotuman. An attempted transcription, “Kat poara la voiak tiu foraik se ia. Lelei ainsi agteu de tene te atakoa.” Possible translation provided by Peter Mario, December 2025, "I cannot thank you enough- it’s good they can face everything". OMPA Reel 375 B.2.2 Jean-Baptiste Chevreuil Visitation notes. South Solomons 1922. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/249493 p.237.</ref> He was then on his own until Br Roberto Moiso joined him in late 1924.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19241021 Bertin- Rie</ref> Bertin appreciated living in community with him.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19260121 Bertin- Rieu</ref> In late 1926, newly arrived Léon Valléry joined him temporarily, where his knowledge of the Ghari language was increasing.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19261115 Bertin- [Dubois]</ref> Tangarare was a large area to look after, and the population was almost totally Catholic. In September 1926 a strong earthquake struck, and much damage was done to mission buildings, including the dormitory, which Br Roberto had just built.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19270120 Bertin- Rieu</ref> The Sisters' kitchen which was irreparable and had to be knocked down. The earth opened and splits appeared all over the area, including within several villages. The tremors continued for three weeks.

	By early 1927 Bertin and Br Roberto were both suffering from chronic health issues. Bertin was not well enough to run the Catechists' programme, and it was not long before his health had completely broken down and he was sent to Villa Maria, arriving there on ~~10th~~ July. He returned to the Solomons in February 1928.		:By early 1927 Bertin and Br Roberto were both suffering from chronic health issues.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19270120 Bertin- Rieu</ref> Bertin was not well enough to run the Catechists' programme, and it was not long before his health had completely broken down and he was sent to Villa Maria, arriving there on 10 July. He returned to the Solomons in February 1928.<ref>For the Islands. The Daily Telegraph. 19280215, p. 14. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245424756</ref>

	To Bertin’s great pleasure, Tangarare was visited by the Superior General, Ernest Rieu, during his visitation of the South Pacific in 1929. Bertin was appointed Novice Master of the Second Novitiate in Sydney. He had been prepared by Eugène Courtais, Provincial, to expect a recall given his precarious health. Once Samuel Moreau arrived from Wanoni Bay to replace him, Bertin departed for Sydney arriving there on 19 April and immediately started a second novitiate.		:To Bertin’s great pleasure, Tangarare was visited by the Superior General, Ernest Rieu, during his visitation of the South Pacific in 1929.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300106 Bertin- [Dubois]</ref> Bertin was appointed Novice Master of the Second Novitiate in Sydney. He had been prepared by Eugène Courtais, Provincial, to expect a recall given his precarious health. Once Samuel Moreau<ref>Moreau had also been in France, arriving in Sydney on 23 February 1930. NAA: K269, 11 FEB 1930 ERIDAN Page 5 of 9</ref> arrived from Wanoni Bay to replace him, Bertin departed for Sydney arriving there on 19 April and immediately started a second novitiate.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19300123 Bertin- Rieu ; SHIPPING. The Sydney Morning Herald. 19300421, p. 11. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16677076; APM 1498-21369 Lettres du p. Bertin Provincial 1932-1939 19300503 Bertin-Rieu</ref>

	In addition to the annual statistics for 1929 he reported upon leaving the station, he also had published in 1928 a presentation of all the villages making up the Tangarare mission district.		In addition to the annual statistics for 1929 he reported upon leaving the station, he also had published in 1928 a presentation of all the villages making up the Tangarare mission district.

MAW: /* Joseph Bertin */

2026-04-22T19:14:01Z

Joseph Bertin

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:14, 23 April 2026
Line 23:		Line 23:
	:Called up to serve in the French military in August 1915, he was exempted for health reasons on 26 May 1916 on the advice of the French Consul in Sydney.<ref>Archives de Loire-Atlantique. Cote 1R 1087. Registre matricule militaire. Bureau de Nantes. 1899 n. 736 (p.390/832) https://archives-numerisees.loire-atlantique.fr/v2/ad44/visualiseur/conscrit_nominal.html?id=440289652</ref>		:Called up to serve in the French military in August 1915, he was exempted for health reasons on 26 May 1916 on the advice of the French Consul in Sydney.<ref>Archives de Loire-Atlantique. Cote 1R 1087. Registre matricule militaire. Bureau de Nantes. 1899 n. 736 (p.390/832) https://archives-numerisees.loire-atlantique.fr/v2/ad44/visualiseur/conscrit_nominal.html?id=440289652</ref>

	:In a letter to the Superior General written in January 1915, he indicated he was somewhat impatient to receive his call to second novitiate, “it will perhaps be, with the first novitiate, the best time of my life”.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19150114 Bertin-Raffin</ref> In 1916, Bertin went to Sydney for second novitiate, arriving there on ''Mindini'' on 6 May<SHIPPING. ''The Telegraph''. 19160506, p. 2 (SECOND EDITION). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article178002792</ref> and returning on the same boat leaving Sydney on 20 December 1916.<ref>THE MINDINI'S PASSENGERS. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19161220, p.13. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15699838</ref> Again writing to the Superior General, he indicated how much he had appreciated his second novitiate. He made his vow of stability on Sunday 27 May 1917.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19161107 Bertin-Raffin</ref>		:In a letter to the Superior General written in January 1915, he indicated he was somewhat impatient to receive his call to second novitiate, “it will perhaps be, with the first novitiate, the best time of my life”.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19150114 Bertin-Raffin</ref> In 1916, Bertin went to Sydney for second novitiate, arriving there on ''Mindini'' on 6 May<ref>SHIPPING. ''The Telegraph''. 19160506, p. 2 (SECOND EDITION). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article178002792</ref> and returning on the same boat leaving Sydney on 20 December 1916.<ref>THE MINDINI'S PASSENGERS. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19161220, p.13. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15699838</ref> Again writing to the Superior General, he indicated how much he had appreciated his second novitiate. He made his vow of stability on Sunday 27 May 1917.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19161107 Bertin-Raffin</ref>

	In 1918, he reported that married catechists had been sent to all the other stations. In 1920 he had to close the schools as the mission station could not provide enough food for over 190 pupils.		In 1918, he reported that married catechists had been sent to all the other stations. In 1920 he had to close the schools as the mission station could not provide enough food for over 190 pupils.

MAW: /* Joseph Bertin */

2026-04-22T19:13:31Z

Joseph Bertin

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:13, 23 April 2026
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	:His life at Tangarare was punctuated by bouts of malarial fevers and outside of Tangarare’s mission territory, there were trips to neighbouring mission stations to give retreats. He described how he reciprocated one of these retreats with a near-by confrere, Joseph Pellion, at Visale. On his way back to Tangarare, he profited from this travel to also give a mission to locals from surrounding villages at Tuvu.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19110702 Bertin-Regis. Tuvu is a small village near Lambi at the northern end of Tiaro Bay. See map Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal Island, Tiaro Bay, Series: X713, Sheet 7729 IV, 1960, 1:50 000 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/155355</ref>		:His life at Tangarare was punctuated by bouts of malarial fevers and outside of Tangarare’s mission territory, there were trips to neighbouring mission stations to give retreats. He described how he reciprocated one of these retreats with a near-by confrere, Joseph Pellion, at Visale. On his way back to Tangarare, he profited from this travel to also give a mission to locals from surrounding villages at Tuvu.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19110702 Bertin-Regis. Tuvu is a small village near Lambi at the northern end of Tiaro Bay. See map Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal Island, Tiaro Bay, Series: X713, Sheet 7729 IV, 1960, 1:50 000 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/155355</ref>

	Bertin's predecessors had built the Church at the station, and the mission also boasted several Catholic schools. One of the problems he faced then was the difficulty of running an efficient educational program in the school. The students were easily tempted by the "bright lights" of the sugar-cane plantations of Queensland, Australia, to go and seek their fortunes which would allow them to buy plenty of clothes, but which, according to Bertin, "they do not always know how to wear, but which they change ten times a day".<ref>APM ''Annales des Missions de l’Océanie'', Vol. XII, pp.278-280 19070823 Bertin-Regis</ref>		:Bertin's predecessors had built the Church at the station, and the mission also boasted several Catholic schools. One of the problems he faced then was the difficulty of running an efficient educational program in the school. The students were easily tempted by the "bright lights" of the sugar-cane plantations of Queensland, Australia, to go and seek their fortunes which would allow them to buy plenty of clothes, but which, according to Bertin, "they do not always know how to wear, but which they change ten times a day".<ref>APM ''Annales des Missions de l’Océanie'', Vol. XII, pp.278-280 19070823 Bertin-Regis</ref>

	The Catholic schools were set up more to ensure the transmission of the faith than to impart academic knowledge, and so the blackbirding of pupils was a serious concern. The resident commissioner, Charles Morris Woodford, forbade recruitment on Catholic mission stations, but the profits were too much to lose for the traders, and the attractions too much to bypass for the young people.<ref>AU PMB MS 4 Miscellaneous papers - Letters, church reports, mission history, journal. Correspondence of Father E.M. Babonneau, S.M., of Wainoni Bay, San Cristobal [Makira], 1915-1920. 19191101 Babonneau-District Officer Kirakira, quoting 19070127 Woodford-Bertreux		:The Catholic schools were set up more to ensure the transmission of the faith than to impart academic knowledge, and so the blackbirding of pupils was a serious concern. The resident commissioner, Charles Morris Woodford, forbade recruitment on Catholic mission stations, but the profits were too much to lose for the traders, and the attractions too much to bypass for the young people.<ref>AU PMB MS 4 Miscellaneous papers - Letters, church reports, mission history, journal. Correspondence of Father E.M. Babonneau, S.M., of Wainoni Bay, San Cristobal [Makira], 1915-1920. 19191101 Babonneau-District Officer Kirakira, quoting 19070127 Woodford-Bertreux</ref>

	Called up to serve in the French military in August 1915, he was exempted for health reasons on 26 May 1916 on the advice of the French Consul in Sydney.		:Called up to serve in the French military in August 1915, he was exempted for health reasons on 26 May 1916 on the advice of the French Consul in Sydney.<ref>Archives de Loire-Atlantique. Cote 1R 1087. Registre matricule militaire. Bureau de Nantes. 1899 n. 736 (p.390/832) https://archives-numerisees.loire-atlantique.fr/v2/ad44/visualiseur/conscrit_nominal.html?id=440289652</ref>

	In a letter to the Superior General written in January 1915, he indicated he was somewhat impatient to receive his call to second novitiate, “it will perhaps be, with the first novitiate, the best time of my life”. In 1916, Bertin went to Sydney for second novitiate, arriving there on Mindini on 6 May and returning on the same boat leaving Sydney on 20 December 1916. Again writing to the Superior General, he indicated how much he had appreciated his second novitiate. He made his vow of stability on Sunday 27 May 1917.		:In a letter to the Superior General written in January 1915, he indicated he was somewhat impatient to receive his call to second novitiate, “it will perhaps be, with the first novitiate, the best time of my life”.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19150114 Bertin-Raffin</ref> In 1916, Bertin went to Sydney for second novitiate, arriving there on ''Mindini'' on 6 May<SHIPPING. ''The Telegraph''. 19160506, p. 2 (SECOND EDITION). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article178002792</ref> and returning on the same boat leaving Sydney on 20 December 1916.<ref>THE MINDINI'S PASSENGERS. ''The Sydney Morning Herald''. 19161220, p.13. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15699838</ref> Again writing to the Superior General, he indicated how much he had appreciated his second novitiate. He made his vow of stability on Sunday 27 May 1917.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19161107 Bertin-Raffin</ref>

	In 1918, he reported that married catechists had been sent to all the other stations. In 1920 he had to close the schools as the mission station could not provide enough food for over 190 pupils.		In 1918, he reported that married catechists had been sent to all the other stations. In 1920 he had to close the schools as the mission station could not provide enough food for over 190 pupils.

MAW: /* Joseph Bertin */

2026-04-22T19:10:13Z

Joseph Bertin

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:10, 23 April 2026
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	:In 1911 he became mission rector of Tangarare, and in the Chronicle for that year, it is recorded that there were 88 adult baptisms, 40 of which happened at Christmas. With rough seas making it impossible for the catechumens to reach the station this number was lower than expected. Bertin composed items for the month of Mary in a local language<ref>That is, May, and the local language is very likely to be Ghari, the language of Tangarare.</ref> and was working on a dictionary.<ref>APM ''Chroniques S.M.'' no.5, 1911, [1912] p.201</ref> When the stone church was opened at Visale, an article written by him was published in the Australian press.<ref>Catholicity in Solomon Islands. ''The Catholic Advocate''. 19120518, p. 19. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article258459275; letters from Bertin appeared regularly in ''Missions Catholiques'' https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb328169156/date</ref>		:In 1911 he became mission rector of Tangarare, and in the Chronicle for that year, it is recorded that there were 88 adult baptisms, 40 of which happened at Christmas. With rough seas making it impossible for the catechumens to reach the station this number was lower than expected. Bertin composed items for the month of Mary in a local language<ref>That is, May, and the local language is very likely to be Ghari, the language of Tangarare.</ref> and was working on a dictionary.<ref>APM ''Chroniques S.M.'' no.5, 1911, [1912] p.201</ref> When the stone church was opened at Visale, an article written by him was published in the Australian press.<ref>Catholicity in Solomon Islands. ''The Catholic Advocate''. 19120518, p. 19. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article258459275; letters from Bertin appeared regularly in ''Missions Catholiques'' https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb328169156/date</ref>

	His life at Tangarare was punctuated by bouts of malarial fevers and outside of Tangarare’s mission territory, there were trips to neighbouring mission stations to give retreats. He described how he reciprocated one of these retreats with a near-by confrere, Joseph Pellion, at Visale. On his way back to Tangarare, he profited from this travel to also give a mission to locals from surrounding villages at Tuvu.		:His life at Tangarare was punctuated by bouts of malarial fevers and outside of Tangarare’s mission territory, there were trips to neighbouring mission stations to give retreats. He described how he reciprocated one of these retreats with a near-by confrere, Joseph Pellion, at Visale. On his way back to Tangarare, he profited from this travel to also give a mission to locals from surrounding villages at Tuvu.<ref>APM 1518-21641 Lettres du p. Bertin J. 1905-1930 19110702 Bertin-Regis. Tuvu is a small village near Lambi at the northern end of Tiaro Bay. See map Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal Island, Tiaro Bay, Series: X713, Sheet 7729 IV, 1960, 1:50 000 http://hdl.handle.net/1885/155355</ref>

	Bertin's predecessors had built the Church at the station, and the mission also boasted several Catholic schools. One of the problems he faced then was the difficulty of running an efficient educational program in the school. The students were easily tempted by the "bright lights" of the sugar-cane plantations of Queensland, Australia, to go and seek their fortunes which would allow them to buy plenty of clothes, but which, according to Bertin, "they do not always know how to wear, but which they change ten times a day".		Bertin's predecessors had built the Church at the station, and the mission also boasted several Catholic schools. One of the problems he faced then was the difficulty of running an efficient educational program in the school. The students were easily tempted by the "bright lights" of the sugar-cane plantations of Queensland, Australia, to go and seek their fortunes which would allow them to buy plenty of clothes, but which, according to Bertin, "they do not always know how to wear, but which they change ten times a day".<ref>APM ''Annales des Missions de l’Océanie'', Vol. XII, pp.278-280 19070823 Bertin-Regis</ref>

	The Catholic schools were set up more to ensure the transmission of the faith than to impart academic knowledge, and so the blackbirding of pupils was a serious concern. The resident commissioner, Charles Morris Woodford, forbade recruitment on Catholic mission stations, but the profits were too much to lose for the traders, and the attractions too much to bypass for the young people.		The Catholic schools were set up more to ensure the transmission of the faith than to impart academic knowledge, and so the blackbirding of pupils was a serious concern. The resident commissioner, Charles Morris Woodford, forbade recruitment on Catholic mission stations, but the profits were too much to lose for the traders, and the attractions too much to bypass for the young people.<ref>AU PMB MS 4 Miscellaneous papers - Letters, church reports, mission history, journal. Correspondence of Father E.M. Babonneau, S.M., of Wainoni Bay, San Cristobal [Makira], 1915-1920. 19191101 Babonneau-District Officer Kirakira, quoting 19070127 Woodford-Bertreux

	Called up to serve in the French military in August 1915, he was exempted for health reasons on 26 May 1916 on the advice of the French Consul in Sydney.		Called up to serve in the French military in August 1915, he was exempted for health reasons on 26 May 1916 on the advice of the French Consul in Sydney.