New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-19
asEvENrEEN YEARS wrrH FArHER IGNArIUs.D

SEVENTEEN YEARS WITH FATHER IGNATIUS."
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The story Of Seventeen Years With Father
Ignaus" edited by the Rev. W. Lancelot Holland, Is
likely to attract public attention, and few
remarks respecting the book may not be without use
First Of all. may remark that the book is full
Of contradictions and vlndcveness that TO the careful
and Christian reader it itself. will give two
cases in point: on page 80 Sister Agnes" writes
l recollect how he Father Ignatus ordered young
and delicate sister. who very i'll and consumptve
to walk barefooted In the up and down the
garden" Any one who knows the Reverend Father
would know also that this a simple untruth.
sister Agnes" herself contradicts this moustrous
statement on page lO1, where she says " Father
ignatus always very kind In any illness"
In stating Father Ignatius's religious teaching she
devotes all Of chapter thirteen to impress the reader
with the idea that Father Ignatus teaches nothing
but Romansm and uses only Roman books in the
Inonastry and convent; whereas page SO she says
lie certainly taught that all the mental super
structure saint worship, confession, etc.. were only
acceptable to God after we had received Christ"
She also allows that it in the convent that she
mad been made to realize so fully that Jesus Christ
was her personal saviour'-psge 1875.
Her story Of seventeen years with Father Ignatius
Is sadly full Of absolute untriths. For example, she
represents nun most brutally beating a little
child. page 110D Tie chllds parents in Hereford
are the best witnesses to whether their dear little
slrS' VINO were the pets of the convent, and were
also Father lgnatius's godchlldren were il-treated
Nevertheless this Misrepresentation Of facts is Just
"lFit VIII be eagerly believed by uncharltabe and
bigcted people.
phe more example: On page II Sister Agnes
writes of Sister Faith, She was asked 10 cvc nm
her money to help in building a new closter AT
Liah'hony This Is the exact opposite Of the truth
sister Faith was very anxious to take the black veil
III our order, after having been novice with US for
he ske Cd
money to build coister, but Father Ignatus and
the Mother superior did not think that this lady had
vocation for our strict life, she allowed 70
give any money toward the new building and was
herself advised by Father Ignatius to seek home in a
less strict convent although personally the Superlors
and sisters were very proud Of her.
All Of sister Agncss other stories are either m
truths or truths distorted and mlsreprescnted from
simple vlndictveness toward those nuns who felt It
necessary that she should be expelled from the con
vent.
In conclusion. word as TO this Sister Agnes her
self She was taken by Father Ignatlus. when a
child Of fifteen, from Whites Court, Stun in the
East End Of London, where be held mission services
In the Church OF st. Bartholomew, Crlppegate for
the whole Of the year 1861. He received her of
course. without any dowry or payment. and for
teen years gaze her home free OF all charge. and
strOvc to u"at her with gcntleness, patience and
affection. Her great grievance not being
allowed 10 take tlc black VEIL Many ana many
time during these seventeen years she was threatened
with dismissal. bat her tears and cnrcaties always
Influenced the Rev. Father. and she was allowed
to remain and Even after her last dismissal for
she really dismissed. she would gladly have re
turned. The Rev. Father accidentally happened
% keep numbers or her letters. which. however. lie
certainly would not wish 10 against her, they
written IN that confidence which she always
seemed 10 have In him. since leaving Jane Mercy
PO,ey Ia, not stayed any where Tor long. When the
Rev. Father Iguatvs holding his annual
spring mission h~t May he received let.
ter from Dr. Walter II. Mcguire, IL No. 30
icImont o.. Portland Place, London, asking
the Rev. Father % grant him an Interview.
d. Mcguire aftorwart called and gave him q
long account Of Mss Pow, extraordinary conduct
u his house. and OF the manner IN which De- lad dis
missed her from h- service. Or. Mcguire would
lc suitable person % apply to II aut one sired
- know more The time viii come when the Rev.
Or. Laucrlot Holland. VI A. Vicar Of Al saints Hatch
am. near London. VIII - heartily ashamed OF
having edited such production OF uutrIts and sadly
y.ndIctlyc ml-rcprcSrntatpu~ as the book entitled
Nunucry Life In the church Ot England or seventeen
Year, with Father Ignrtlu-.7 Had Miss Povcy been
allowed her hearts desire ~ taking the black veil ~
Ilauthpnv. lnsir.i Cd. '".ue expelled th"r'from a.,
being utterly urroVe.uaJlc, the book would never
have been written.
When VIII Pro'",taut, cease TO De so easily deceived
by such PEOPLE ard such wiring,
H. j FlrZHAHDINGE BERKELEY.
secretary 10 Father IgnatiIs.
Falmouth. Mas. July II, 1850