An Article Written in 1889

Dear Sir,

Just two hundred years ago was heard in this little town the joyful clanging of bells, for on the second of August, 1689, Monsignor Vallier, Bishop of Quebec, put the Franciscan Fathers into possession of their monastery, which was dedicated to our Lady of Angels. The bells rang joyously; the blue waves in the rhode lovingly rocked the French-Canadian ship which had brought the fathers over. The ship was bright and gay with bunting, and from her sides was discharged a farewell salute, as the boat with the missionaries rowed to shore. We are not told the name of him who preached the dedication sermon, nor, in fact, any of the names, but I know that in the archives of Heaven they are written with a golden pen. A few years passed away quietly, and without any stir, save the building of the fort on Crivezcoeur. Each morning saw an officer, with a detachment of men, cross over to the work, and each evening saw them on the bright, blue waters of the harbor, returning home, after which they would all repair to the Franciscan chapel, and in common recite their prayers, asking God's blessing on the day they had spent, and beg his protection during the coming night. As I said before, there were peace and happiness in the little town for a few years, and then came the English warships, firing not, indeed, joyous farewells to departing missionaries, but fierce and deadly volleys at Fort Louis, which stronghold they completely dismantled; and today there are remaining only a few stones of an inner and outer wall to mark the spot over which proudly floated the "Lily of France." In the struggle which followed we lose sight of the Fathers; in all probability they returned to Canada, and on the spot where stood their beautiful monastery, now stands a small building in which Church of England service is held once a year. The grain of mustard seed which was sown by the sons of St. Francis, and watered and nourished by the children of St. Patrick., has grown and flourished. About 150 years after the English had torn down the Franciscan monastery, the people raised up a beautiful convent and schools for the presentation nuns. When the late Dr. Mullock, who had brought the sisters there, was opening the door for the first time to them, he turned to the Rev. Mother and asked, " To whom they would dedicate their convent?" She answered : "to Our Lady of Angels." Now, did not this seem like direct work of Almighty God! The lady who made this answer had been only a few years out from Dublin; and had never heard of Placentia, much less that there had been a monastery there, until the day on which she had been chosen for the mission. And nobly this second house of Our Lady of Angels is doing its work. Although not filled with the eloquent sons of the seraphic saint, yet the gentle daughters of Nano Neagle are achieving wonders; and Placentia is likewise blessed in it's pastor the good and zealous Father Clancey. You have but to go there and look at the beautiful church he is building, and then you will know and feel that God has placed the right pastor in the right place, to build up and beautify an edifice worthy to be the habitation of his Adorable Presence.

Yours, etc,

AVALONIA

Placentia, Sept.4, 1989.

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