A Cave of Candles / by Dorothy V. Corson
On March 28, 1895, three months after Sr. Cherubim wrote her December 6, 1894 letter to Professor Edwards from Austin, TX, the letter that follows was sent to Rome. It explains the untold story behind Mother Madeleva’s cryptic phrase at the end of her chronicle of the crisis of these events: “Before the election of 1895 adjustments had generally been made.” There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Mother Madeleva was referring to the outcome of the crucial eleventh hour events that culminated in the following letter which was sent to Rome by Mother Augusta and Fr. General Francais to end the sad affair once and for all.
The Grotto was not built until a year later, and due to the delicacy of the situation at the time, the favor granted Fr. Corby at Lourdes -- which inspired him to build the Notre Dame Grotto -- was not revealed, by him, in the articles written about it when it was being built. It has been said: “The only thing good about feeling bad is the feeling you get when it’s over.” After such a long ordeal, Fr. Corby must have experienced profound relief and gratitude. The beauty of the Grotto and its surroundings is a manifestation of the great pleasure he obviously took in the fulfillment of his promise to Mary -- the planning and building of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at Notre Dame.
Within the span of a few years many of those directly involved in the crisis had passed away. Fr. Corby died the year after the Grotto was dedicated, on December 28, 1897. On January 15, 1898, the Scholastic described his funeral in detail and made this mention: “At the grave were also the Sisters of the Holy Cross at Notre Dame and St. Mary’s Academy, who knew well the worth of Fr. Corby and could best tell of his kindnesses.” Within months, Fr. Carroll, who financed the Grotto, also passed away. Thus the link between the building of the Notre Dame Grotto and this historic event was never established.
The letters of evidence already shared support this theory and also explain why this seemingly misplaced final letter was found in Fr. Corby’s correspondence. It reveals not only what the favor requested by Fr. Corby was, but also the means by which Our Lady granted his request.
Mother Madeleva ended her story when Fr. Sorin died in 1893. The evidential letters shared in this episode, the following letter, and the two brief letters that follow it reveal the culminating events that happened during the two years that followed the deaths in 1893 of Fr. Granger, Fr. Walsh and Fr. Sorin. These later letters record the definitive solution mutually arrived at -- through the compassion and cooperation of all concerned, most especially, Mother Augusta and the community of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. One can only imagine the amount of effort put forth to compose this letter. Only the passage of time would reveal its historic significance.
March 28, 1895 -- Letter to Monsignor Satolli from Fr. Gilbert Francais, Superior General Congregation of Holy Cross, Notre Dame and Mother Augusta, Superior General of Sisters of the Holy Cross, St. Mary’s Academy [typed copy made by Mother Augusta on plain paper with the word SISTERS boldly hand-written by her at the top.] Corby Papers 1:12, Indiana Province Archives Center.
From / Gilbert Francais, C.S.C. and Mother M. Augusta, C.S.C. to Monsignor Satolli
Your Excellency,
The Superior General of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, and the Mother Superior General of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, (Indiana), after mature deliberation, and after consulting their respective councils, humbly supplicate you to exercise your high authority to the end that the Sisters of the Holy Cross may be retained at the University of Notre Dame, notwithstanding the decree of the Sacred Congregation of the Propaganda, which orders their withdrawal in a few months. Their services at Notre Dame are so important that they are in the estimation of all, regarded as indispensable.
The Superiors of both communities regret and deplore everything which, in the past, menaced or troubled the peace which should exist between Notre Dame and St. Mary’s, and they are firmly resolved to maintain it in the future with all their authority.
They realize fully that the Sisters at Notre Dame can be and are, under no other authority than that of the Mother Superior General, as has been decided by the Sacred Congregation of the Propaganda.
They resolve to see to it that all canonical regulations regarding the cloister be inviolably observed.
The work of the University and that of the Academy of St. Mary’s began together, and they have increased apace, the one with the other, through mutual benevolence and cooperation. Located as they are side by side, it must needs be that they work together.
Although entirely separate and distinct in all matters pertaining to government and temporal goods, as has been decreed by the Holy See, they can, nevertheless, and should, nay, they even desire, to be of mutual assistance, and to work in concert for the glory of God and for the good of the Church in the United States.
Such being the case, your petitioners humbly beg you to favorably hear their earnest prayer, as above, and that you will submit it to the authority of the Propaganda. By so doing your Excellency will restore peace and joy to all, and will give, likewise, to all new strength and courage to continue the good work in which they are now and have so long been engaged.
Very respectfully,
To: His Excellency, Monsignor Satolli, Apostolic Delegate
Below is the response from Rome to the above letter:
April 23, 1895 -- Cardinal Ledochowski and Archbishop Larrison in Rome to Rev. Father Francais, Superior General of Priests of Holy Cross. Found in Mother Augusta’s Papers, Sisters of the Holy Cross Congregational Archives & Records
April 23, 1895
Rev. Father G. Francais
In your letter of the 28 of March, 1895 of the current year, you refer Rev. Father to the decree regarding the removal of the Sisters of the Holy Cross from the University of Notre Dame and make mention of the suspension of said decree.
Since however, the case is still pending before the Sacred Congregation of the Faith, I deem it sufficient to advise you that the execution of said decree is stayed until a definitive solution of the question can be arrived at.
Cardinal Ledochowski
Archbishop Larrissen
The above April 23, 1895 response from Rome to the March 28, 1895 letter sent by Fr. Gen. Francais and Mother General Augusta to Satolli, very possibly, could have arrived in Fr. Gen Francais’ hands by mail and he delivered the news to Fr. Corby (by cable or mail) on the first of May, 1895, Mary’s month, and thereby it became the Providential answer to Fr. Corby’s fervent prayers placed in the blessed hands of Our Lady of Lourdes -- that the Sisters of the Holy Cross at Notre Dame would be retained at the convent at Notre Dame.
July 3, 1895 -- Mother Augusta to Rev. W. Corby, 3 July, 1895 -- Mother Augusta’s Papers,
Sisters of the Holy Cross Congregational Archives & Records. This letter was written by Mother Augusta shortly before Mother Annunciata succeeded her as the new Superior General at the General Election on July 17, 1895.
Rev. And dear Father:
If the renewal of the contract existing between Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s is agreeable to you we would like to have it attended to at once. Some changes deemed necessary, have been decided upon by the council and I trust you will insert these as found enclosed
Yours in deep respect, Mother General
Mother Augusta’s Papers
Sisters of the Holy Cross Archives
The cable Corby received may not have survived but the letter of intent, the conclusion and the outcome speak for themselves. Corby’s prayer was answered and so was M. Augusta’s.The endearing Fr. Daniel E. Hudson sent a letter of admiration to Mother Augusta shortly after the Sisters were granted permission to remain at Notre Dame.
August 24, 1895 -- Mother Augusta’s Papers -- Sisters of the Holy Cross Archives
Just a line to congratulate you and your council on the great kindness, gentleness and tact with which you have managed a difficult and no doubt disagreeable affair. I hear much commendation of your course. Had such course always been followed we should have less to fear for the future of Notre Dame and the welfare of St. Mary’s. But it cannot be that God will fail to bless the good spirit shown by those who so loyally submitted to it.
With best wishes, I am
Daniel Hudson
Father Hudson, the editor of the Ave Maria for 55 years was beloved by everyone on campus, most especially the St. Mary’s Sisters, who assisted him with the publishing of the magazine.
When he died in 1934 a tribute was paid to him by Fr. John W. Cavanaugh [C Jwc 13/91] in Fr. O’Hara’s campus Religious Bulletin:
The angelic quality predominated in the nature of this little white-haired priest. His fame drew the students of the old days like a magnet whenever it was announced that he would preach. His usual topic was Mary; his usual plea was for imitation of her purity. There was the stillness of the grave in the church when his little voice sounded the praises of the Queen of Heaven. No student who heard Father Hudson ever forgot him.
He was the most priestly priest that Notre Dame has ever known.