Girard0285

24 November 1843 - Father Joseph Chevron to Father Jean-Claude Colin, Tonga

Summary

Informs Colin of arrival of Bishop Guillaume Douarre, en route for Wallis as co-adjutor to Bataillon. The arrival of the French naval vessel carrying Douarre, and the goodness of the captain and crew have had a remarkable effect on the Tongans, turning them much more favourably to the Catholic Church. The material needs of the Tongan mission are very great: a list is given.

Editorial Note

Letter written on “Bath” paper, folded to form four pages, of which two are written, the third blank, and the fourth containing only the address and Poupinel’s annotation. In the register of letters (ED 2), it bore number 34.

[Address]

Monsieur Colin, Superior

[Annotation (Poupinel)]

Tonga, 24 November 1843 — Father Chevron

Text

J(esu)s M(ary) J(oseph)

Tonga, 24 November 1843

My very Reverend Father,

[1]

The Bucéphale, a French government vessel, has just brought us Monsignor d’Amata. In a few moments it will depart again; nevertheless I should consider myself at fault if I did not say a word to you.

The mission is absolutely in the state which my last letter indicated to you. Only, the good seems to be strengthening from day to day. The arrival of the government vessel, the kindness of the commander and of the officers, produces a wonderful effect. The arrival of Monsignor greatly stirs the Protestant and unbelieving natives. '

Our task, I think, will be 'to uproot and to destroy'; others will come to complete and to 'build and plant'. In any case, our mission here will soon be finished, I hope. The paths into which we have been thrown by circumstances—which it would be too long to recall here, but which I believe I made known to you in my letter of last June or July—these paths are not naturally sustainable. I am even astonished that we are still at our post. God be blessed, and His holy Mother. This mission here is especially hers; otherwise it would be a mission without a shepherd. Pray for us, my Reverend Father, and pray much.

I hear it said here that money is being requested in France; I do not know the mission of New Zealand, but for the mission here, one may say: here, furniture is useless; many tools—that is the principal thing—especially spades, good axes, saws, plane irons, chisels, and other similar objects; then also a pharmacy—I wish I could write this word in very large letters; without remedies among Protestants, there is no mission. Thus the mission will receive a severe blow from the lack of medicines. Calomel must hold first place because of the innumerable ulcers with which the natives are covered.

[2]

A well-equipped sacristy, pictures, and a chapel well adorned with fine ornaments would produce a wonderful effect. I believe that efforts are made here to make us sweat under the weight of our cassocks; we have also lacked shoes.

I am obliged to finish here abruptly in order to be able to send greetings to my relatives. My respects and affection to our dear confrères.

[3]

Receive the assurance of the profound respect with which I have the honour to be, my very Reverend Father,

your most obedient son,

J(oseph) Chevron

Notes

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