The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-04-05
Morning Star and Catholic Messenger.



but God permitted the separation for h
spiritual benefit and their good. When be wa
gone they fully realized what he bad been an
conseq uently they appreciated him the more
1 and when lie again returned they were ovel
joyed and became more devotediy attached t
him.
In Annapolis Father Duffy was not idle. II
lAbored zealously in the small congregation
and was frequently sent on MISSIONS where b
lAb0red, o. usual with him, with the creates
energy and zeal, sparing no labor. no fatigue
no Inconvenience In order that he might saw
souls. When he was ordered back to Ney
Orleans the numerous new friends he hi
made In Annapolis we're deeply Rrieved an,
his superior there repeatedly said that il
losing Father Duffy he had lost his right bar d
Ho returned 70 New Orleans Dece Der .: n
1860. On his arrival he found 81. Alph"nsua
congregation very much disturbed, bat hi,
presence soon restored peace, tran q1iiity AND
confidence among them. He welcomed
back by the whole congregation, to whom be
became more endesred than before.
Tho new st. Alphonsus Schoo!, which had
been built by Rsv. Father Siberian in his
absence, was solemnly blessed January 1,t
1851. A few weeks later Father Dady WAS a d.
pointed to take charge of all the temporal
affairs of the house and OF the three churches.
This was quito providentisl, for il was owing
to his personal popularity and great business
abilities that the Community never felt want
during the war, nor were they ever in great
pecuniary embarrassment for any length of
time. Nothing particularly worthy of mention
occurred in tue life of Father Duffy during the
war. Father Sheer8n aud Sun 0lders beiug
ehaplAins 10 the Confederate army, Father
Duffy and Father Meredith were left alone 10
labor among st. Alphonsus' congregation. 1t
may be here remarked that Father Defy was
from principle great advocate of the SOpth-
0rn Con federacy. When he came here in ISL
he was q stauuch aboiition'st, but experience
obtained during his residence here m"dtf
his ideas 30 as to make him as strong S,nth.
erner in principles il be had hesn bern in
the South. ie never, however, used the pulpit
O. place for politics or for ia-iuuating his
own political views Cd any snhisct.
On the OH of July, 1saj news was -.csived
that Father Duffy had been appointed Rector
of the Congregation in Nv Orleans. Every
one was delegated with tho exception of the
person himself. He had never imagin such
thing poss BILE, for be had always considered
himself unfit to enjoy any authority over
others. He was so overcome that, when enter
ing upon his new Office, he was unable to ad.
dress even a few words to the community, and
went through the usual ceremonies with visible
fear and trembling
Father Duffy showed himself q good and
kind-hearted Superior, Jealous for a strict OBJ
servanoe of the Rule. He had, however, q
great dislike both for the burden and honor of
she office, and he persistently made the great
eat efforts to be relieved, bot all to no avail,
for he was not relieved until he had served bis
fall term. In 1866 ST. Alphonsus' Church was
entirely renovated In the interior, he and Father
Sheersu collecting the funds necessary for
shat purpose. st. Alpbonsus' Church then be- |
came, In the estimation Of Father Duffy, the
most beautiful church in the United States.
Daring his term of Office rs Rector, Father
Duffy gave several very successful missions in |
various parts Of the South, and greatly pro- |
NOTED the work of the missions in that locality |
he bought the farm at Chatawa, which was
INTENDED as q place to recruit the Fathers |
during the summer season and as q novitiats |
for the intended Southern province of the Com
munity.
September 25th, 1866, the heart of Father
N nu uloAl
master whom he revered 30 much. He had
been sent to New Orleans to remain. This
happiness wos, however, in the providence of
God, destined e. be of bat shorC duration. TIE
yellow fever broke ont in the summer of 1867 |
10 the form of an epidemic, and the Fathers
la6ored very hard In attending to the sick
The honse for five or six weeks resembled An
hospital. five Fathers and five Brothers having
been attacked with the fever. Here shoEe
especially the frateTnal charity aud deyoted
ness Of Father Defy towards his brethren.
ne Was untemitting in his attentions 10 both
bheir spiritual aud corporal welfare. He spared
no pains, no sfaiiS4es, 10 expense Brother
Laurence died Septem her 9th, Brother Gerard
2Sth, and Father CHARLES Stlessber-
ger, after few days Illness, on tue 8 ID Of DC |
tooer. All these deaths iufc q deep wound
ln 'he tender and loving heart of Father Defy.
Fho was so devotedly attached TO every one Of
HE brethren. They we're Gil men Of sound
r!ety, loving labor, and Jealous in the ob.rr.
Vance Of their rule. Tner LOSE vas keenly felt
oy TIE Congregation OF the Most Holy Re
leemer.
Bat the loss most keenly fe,t by Father
Duffy was that of Father Seeos. This FAtt er
had always enjoyed the love aud esteem of all
Iho knew hiu. He had taken a. bis model |
one of bis nrst superiors, Father Neuman
Aftervarde Bishop of Philadelphia. In his
school it was that Father Seelos learned no W |
10 become humble, mortified. meek and kind,
compassionate with those q ,cted, Jealous IN
for the salvation OF soulr and most
exemplary in all the vIttnes necessary for u
religious He had been appointed 10 fill all
the offices in the Congregation, except that of
Provincial, for the past twenty years He
had forued 20 truly religions spirit most of
The Redemptorist Fathers in the United States.
de bad by his meekness, tact and prudence
endeaIed himself TO all who knew him, both
secul8rs and religions. In spite of NIL his vir-
tues, God bad several times sent him profound
but lie received them witbnut
murmur or complaint. Every OUe regarded
HIN a saint. In New Orleans, NJ everywhere
else, crowds OF all natiouahtI-s locked to his
con iesSiOnSl for he wac not only "a most wise
aud experienced director o. souls but he wpa
at the same tiue kind to poor sinners. Has
holiness was Rustere to himself alone lie was
ever u cheerful and agreeable companion TO his
brethren. Exhausted with fatigue in attend.
ing to the sick during the epidemic, his cousri.