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Letter 24 - To his Parents
Seminary of the M. E. 18 October 1846
My very dear Parents 1,
If I have delayed in writing to you, don’t you go believing that it is through indifference. No, certainly not. Indeed, I have quite often thought of you during these two weeks that I’ve been separated from you. But, before making up my mind, I wanted to be sure I was happy with my new family. I frankly admit to you that the first two days I was not pleased here. I had around me only new faces.... ; I was not lonesome, but felta kind of depression2. I was received here as if they were receiving a brother. Upon my arrival, the doorkeeper led me to Father Superior, an extremely venerable man who immediately hugged me, saying: “Consider yourself welcomed.” Father Procurator, who was in his room, then led me to my room which was quite large and charming. My furniture consists of a bed, a wardrobe, a night table, two other tables, a couch, and a chair. I also found all items necessary for grooming, bowl, towel, etc. And every day I keep finding things which I had not at first noticed. As for food, we are waited on like princes, so much so that in the first days I wasscandalised and told myself: “Is this, then, how poor missionaries are treated?” I could not believe my eyes. Almost daily we have bishops eating with us. Finally, as to the use of time, I could not be any better. Every Wednesday wetake a walk about two leagues from Paris, at a country residence belonging to this house3. There we have fun; we leave at eight o’clock in the morning and don’t return to the seminary until seven o’clock. We get up at five o’clock, and the days after our walk, at five-thirty. Then we go to church for an hour and a half. That is the most painful time of the day, because you have to kneel or stand all the while. At eight o’clock, we have breakfast. At nine-thirty, in class until ten-thirty; then study hall until quarter to twelve when we go to chapel. At noon, dinner. From two o’clock until seven o’clock, I am at work in my room. Those who have not completed theology have yet another hour of class at night. At seven o’clock we have a spiritual reading until seven-thirty. Then supper and recreation until nine o’clock, followed byprayers; we can then go to bed right away or stay up until ten o’clock. At that time, everyone must go to bed. I have taken this into consideration, and up to now I have always gone to bed at nine o’clock.
I forgot to tell you that the seminarians came to hug me, and to say: “Welcome” and immediately began to chat with me as with an old acquaintance. When considering fraternity, I don’t believe there is any community as perfect as ours. There are 43 of us, all of one heart. I strongly wish that God would do me the grace of remaining in this congregation. In any event, I must become a missionary. I believe that God is calling me to this, as He has always called me. [A hole in the paper - Ed.] [. . . ] to bring it to theAmericans 4. I am in the hands of Providence.Life, my very dear parents, is very short. In forty years, where will you be? Our whole family will be spread throughout the world. Some will have already appeared before God. So it is to this terrible frightening judgment for which we must prepare. Once more I say: life is very short and eternity very long. A few days of suffering andthen an eternity of happiness, or a few days of pleasure and an eternity of sorrow — this is the choice man faces, my dear parents. So let us all strive for happiness, and if at all events we are no longer able to see each other on this earth, we will see each other again in the afterlife. There, we will no longer fear getting lost; we will live with God, the Blessed Virgin, and the saints — and we will be happy. If I am called to go to China or India, I don’t expect to remain here much longer. They could very well make me leave next spring with Monseigneur Vérolles5, bishop of Manchuria who came [this? - Ed.] year to preach at Nancy. In any event, in one year, I will no longer be here. If God does not call me to China, I will certainly leave for[Boutems = Bhutan?] with Bishop Melcher, Vicar-General of . . . .[? - Ed.] There will be a departure6 of five priests next Tuesday: three for China, of whom one is from the Vosges Department, an alumnus [. . . ] who next had been [. . .]. and another, a former diocesan missionary, and the last a director of the Besançon Seminary.
All three are 34 to 35 years old; all wish they could be our age — we young men — so as to be able to fight longer in the troops of the Lord. There are students here from all regions of France, even from Savoie. There is nothing more amusing than to hear us talking to one another, each in his own accent. [. . .] As to my trip, it went well. You know that you were very kind to have me take the vehicle near Mittelbronn. During the whole trip, I felt sorry for poor Caroline for my having shaken her so much. I regret being unable to present my gratitude in any other way except by this letter. Having arrived at Nancy, I had supper with my cousin; then he left for Metz by coach on the same evening. As for me, I went to bed at the hotel7. On Saturday, I went at night to visit Mr. Anselme at his home; he asked me to tell you athousand things on his behalf. On Monday, I went to Pont-à-Mousson to visit the fine Chevreux family — what marvelous people. If ever you have the opportunity to go to Pont-à-Mousson, do go and see them. When they learn that you are my parents, you will be welcome [. . .]. And if ever this family goes to Phalsbourg, certainly [. . .] you could receive them — that would greatly please them — to thank them for all they have done for me. If Maisse is still at home, tell him to try to go wish them a good day. Also tell him that I will write to him from Nancy in two weeks. On Thursday, I spent the day in Nancy with one of my friends, Father Philbert8 who did not want to leave me during all the time I had left to stay in the country. OnWednesday evening, I took the [ . . . ] at Nancy in the coach heading for Châlons; we arrived there on Thursday around four o’clock. I had as traveling companion a lady from Châlons with her daughter, both of them very pious. They invited me to supper, indeed they even insisted, but the scheduled departure of the coach did not allow it. We arrived in Paris at three o’clock in the afternoon. On Friday, I also had as traveling companion a contractor for canals, who showered me with all manner of kind attention. He will no doubt go see you, according to what he told me. You see, my good and very dear parents, God has not abandoned me on this voyage; He has had pity on this poor Chinesemissionary. Having arrived at Paris, I was a bit worn out, as I have already said. But presently, I am totally refreshed, and I find myself comfortable here. My sole desire is to go to China soon [. . .] if only God grant me this grace. May His holy will be done. Let us pray for each other, my kind and well-loved parents. Prayer is the unique force in this lower world. Let us pray; let us “cry to heaven”; let this land always be seen as a land of exile, never fixing our thoughts on it. Another destiny awaits us. L [. . .] is too few things for man, and especially for Christians.
As soon as my uncle André has written, let me hear about his letter. I expect a letter from you in two weeks. I beg of you not to make me wait. Tell me how all the [. .]; I am very concerned. Tell the Pastor and Father Stricher that I will write to them soon. As for Father Becker , Father Secretary 9 of the diocese told me that he had his travel orders to Mittelsheim; consequently, you need not say anything to him about me. My respectful and friendly greetings to all these priests, — not to mention my very dear cousin and my beloved friend Hoffer10, if they are still at Phalsbourg. In addition, don’t forget Fathers Jacquet, Gugholtz, and Wasserman11, etc. Finally, all those others who are asking about me. And [. . . ] the aunt. And to you, my dear and tender parents, what can I tell you? I [. . . ] you to God and to the Holy Virgin.You took upon yourselves a very great sacrifice. Oh no! God will not abandon you, nor [. . .] those who give of themselves in His service. Perhaps we will never see each other again in this world, but on high — yes on high — we will see each other again. Let the one who is first help the others. We already have intercessors on high; they have earned the palm, while we are obliged to wait for it. My beloved sisters, remain always well-behaved and very kind to your dear parents, especially very obedient. I can do nothing in this world for you, for I am but a poor missionary. But I will pray God and tender Mary, our mutual Mother. Oh! Especially when I will have the happiness of offering for the first time the Holy Victim, I will attach your names and the names of all of you, my very dear parents, on the lovable face of my sweet Savior so that He will never forget you! Yes! Even though I am away from you, I always love you — yes indeed, and very much. And you, my great big Eugène , what can I tell you? 12 You must already know: work, that is your share. Be heart and consolation to the family. May your wisdom be [. . . ]. Always remember that you have a missionary brother who loves you a lot! This thought, I hope, will always guide your noble heart in the right path. Really love God,dear Mary, my child, and you will be happy! If God allows me to see you dress yourself in ecclesiastical garments, oh! how you would make me happy.... And you, my dear father, my dear mother, what can I say: nothing, except that you have always loved me and that: may heaven always protect you.
Goodbye, my dear father, my dear mother.
Goodbye, Joséphine, Caroline, Marie, Célestine, Eugène! Goodbye all. I hug you all from the depths of my heart, in the sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your son, your brother for all life and until death.
A. Schoeffler
No longer give away library books13; they will perhaps be of use to me. Don’t forget to write to me at the earliest. I am worried. [...] Oh yes! I hold all of you in my memory and I pray for you. Father Jung, etc., the pastor at Henridorff14f; tell him that I deeply regret that I had not been able to see him before my departure. Collect a littlesavings to come to see me in the spring at my first Mass, which I hope to celebrate atNotre-Dame des Victoires. From now to that time, we can talk at greater length about it. Tell Louise to work for the Propagation of the Faith15 at Phalsbourg. I will also write to her soon. I don’t have time to reread my letter. Have these different letters sent to their addresses as soon as possible. I am writing to uncle Heimroth to have him forgive me for not having gone tosay goodbye. In addition, offer my excuses to the family of uncle Schwaller. Put the letter [from Marie? - Ed.] in the mail immediately; it is important.
1 The original, six small pages on very thin paper, belonged to Marie Alyette Walther (Paris), descendant of Marie-Claire Schoeffler, Augustine’s sister, married to Auguste Tondeur in 1846, after her brother’s departure. “In 1844, Antoine Schoeffler, Augustine’s father, had left Mittlebronn to settle at Phalsbourg asa baker, inn-keeper, and accountant for certain merchants. He urgently needed to find sufficient resources to support the six children in the household. Ordained deacon in 1846 in Nancy, Augustine was not able to obtain from his parents the authorization to leave for the missions. This inflexible refusal imposed a seriousdecision on the seminarian. At the beginning of the month of October, the young deacon of 24 made his goodbyes to his family as he left for the Major Seminary of Nancy for his last year of preparation for the priesthood. En route to that city, he entrusted a priest friend to notify his parents that they would not see him again because he was leaving for the missions. This letter is the first written from Paris to his parents after his dramatic departure from Phalsbourg.” (Noblet) It was to remain unanswered for many months (see Letters. 31, 32, 33)).
2 The text was restored. The letter is stained in this spot by a stamp.
3 At Meudon.
4 As his friend Louis Hoffer will do. See below, footnote 10.
5 Or Verrolles, Emmanuel-Jean-François. Born in 1805 in Calvados; priest in 1828; joined the M. E. In 1830; leaves the same year for Se-tchoan [Sichuan]; Vicar-Apostolic of Manchuria in 1840; he traveled across France to stimulate the interest of Catholics for the Propagation of the Faith. He died in 1878
6 The departure of these missionaries has not been described by Augustine (except for a few lines in Letter 27), nor even his own. Théophane Vénard writes on 25 August 1851, shortly after his arrival at the seminary of the M. E.: “I saw many departures of the missionaries. The ceremony which precedes is very touching. An allocution is addressed to the departing missionaries by Father Superior after which all those assisting kiss their feet and receive a fraternal hug. Lay persons are not excluded. Ladies can assist at the ceremony in the chapel, but as you can well imagine, they do not participate actively.” (Bienheureux [Blessed] Théophane Vénard: Lettres, 1982, p. 99. See also the description given in: Vie de MonseigneurPierre-André Retord, Lyon, 1859, p. 22-31.) This ceremony has been the subject of a painting displayed in the stairway of the Seminary of the M. E. There is also: Cantique du départ des missionaires et l’anniversaire des martyrs [Canticle on the departure of missionaries and the anniversary of the martyrs] by Charles Gounod. Here is its refrain: De nos martyrs, Mère, reine et patronne / Enseigne-nous à prier, à souffrir! / Tous, nous voulons gagner cette couronne, / Pour Jésus-Christ, tous nous voulons mourir! (Texte de Ch. Dallet) [From (the example of) our martyrs, Mother, Queen and Patroness / Teach us to pray, to suffer! / We wish all of us to win this crown. / For Jesus-Christ, all of us wish to die.]
7 Autel in the original.
8 Born 12 March 1822 at Nancy; studied at the Minor Seminary of Pont-à-Mousson and the Seminary of Nancy; ordained a priest on 17 June 1848; assistant priest at Lunéville; professor at La Malgrange in 1850; pastor at Haboudange; joined the Capuchins in 1855; reduced to lay state in 1866. Died in Paris in 1881.
9 Christophe Becker, born in 1810 at Bermering; priest in 1841; assistant priest at Phalsbourg; pastor at Vilsberg in 1844; pastor at Mittelsheim in 1846; died in 1881
10 Louis Hoffer, addressee of three letters preserved (see Letter 27); Father Louis-Pierre Hoffer was born on 6 November 1824 at Phalsbourg; ordained priest on 2 June 1849; named professor at Saint-Léopold College where he had been appointed since 20 October 1847. He is on record as having left for the USA in 1858, where at first he was carrying out “what seems to have been a survey rather than a pleasure trip. At first, he does not seem to have pressed on to Cleveland whose bishop came to Nancy in the following year to recruit him for his diocese.” He died in Louisville (Ohio, USA) on 2 November 1897. See Jean Houpert: Les Lorrains en Amérique du Nord, 1985, p. 270, 417, 419, 421, 433 et 439. It is clear from this that we are dealing here with a priest who was very active in the Cleveland diocese and who attracted to the USA priests and sisters from Lorraine. Having arrived in 1860 in the Cleveland diocese, he is at first curate at Fremont, then professor of Dogmatic Theology at St. Mary Seminary. From that very moment, he also ministers in Louisville. He is named pastor on 9 July 1861, and would remain for thirty-six years. He returned to Nancy in 1863-1864 in order to find religious sisters for his school. Some Sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary (from Dommartin-sous-Amance) with Father Bégel, leave with him. He is also accompanied by two priests and five seminarians from Nancy. In 1864, he will have as vicar, Pierre Kolop, a native of Henridorff. Louis Hoffer was extremely active. He undertakes founding the College of Saint-Louis, modeled after French Minor Seminaries. This college opened in 1866, but would close in 1873, to be replaced by a boarding school run by Religious Sisters of the Sacred Heart. New failure; now transformation into a school for deaf-mutes, which would last only five years. This then becomes an orphanage for boys, entrusted to the Augustines de la Charité [AugustinianSisters of Charity]. Since 1926, the establishment has become a residence for the elderly run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Mark (natives of Alsace). Father Hoffer was in charge of three distant annexes and founded various pious and charitable associations. His parish grew five-fold, made up of more than onethousand families. In 1897, he obtains help, resigns, and dies on 2 November. Three letters sent to Louis Hoffer by Augustine Schoeffler are found in the Archives of Notre Dame University (Indiana, USA). See Letters 27, 47, and 65. See also: Viva America: L’émigration moselanne vers les États-Unis au XIX siècle, by Marie-José Marchal, Corny-sur-Moselle, 1993 (2 éd), e 327 p.
11 Joseph J. V. Vassereau (Wassereau): born 19 December 1821 at Phalsbourg.
12 The younger brother, then 11 years old.
13 Given as inheritance to Augustine by his priest-uncle.
14 Father Augustine Untereiner, born in 1803 at Veckervillers; ordained in 1827. Pastor at Pierre; pastor at Henridorff in 1831; died on 31 December 1867.
15 Founded in 1822, at Lyon, for the development of the Missions. This Association required its members to set aside “a small coin every day for the missions.” It published the Annales de la Propagation de la Foi with a printing run of 10,000 copies from the very first year. Issue No 1 already included an article about Tonkin (p. 7 ff.). Trans. note: before noticing that these three letters were included in this volume, we requested copies from the Notre Dame Archives. Much to our surprise, a fourth letter was included, undated but addressed to Father Louis [Hoffer?]. We alerted the personnel at the Archives and have reported this finding to the MEP. The text of this new-found letter is given below, page 339.
If I have delayed in writing to you, don’t you go believing that it is through indifference. No, certainly not. Indeed, I have quite often thought of you during these two weeks that I’ve been separated from you. But, before making up my mind, I wanted to be sure I was happy with my new family. I frankly admit to you that the first two days I was not pleased here. I had around me only new faces.... ; I was not lonesome, but felta kind of depression2. I was received here as if they were receiving a brother. Upon my arrival, the doorkeeper led me to Father Superior, an extremely venerable man who immediately hugged me, saying: “Consider yourself welcomed.” Father Procurator, who was in his room, then led me to my room which was quite large and charming. My furniture consists of a bed, a wardrobe, a night table, two other tables, a couch, and a chair. I also found all items necessary for grooming, bowl, towel, etc. And every day I keep finding things which I had not at first noticed. As for food, we are waited on like princes, so much so that in the first days I wasscandalised and told myself: “Is this, then, how poor missionaries are treated?” I could not believe my eyes. Almost daily we have bishops eating with us. Finally, as to the use of time, I could not be any better. Every Wednesday wetake a walk about two leagues from Paris, at a country residence belonging to this house3. There we have fun; we leave at eight o’clock in the morning and don’t return to the seminary until seven o’clock. We get up at five o’clock, and the days after our walk, at five-thirty. Then we go to church for an hour and a half. That is the most painful time of the day, because you have to kneel or stand all the while. At eight o’clock, we have breakfast. At nine-thirty, in class until ten-thirty; then study hall until quarter to twelve when we go to chapel. At noon, dinner. From two o’clock until seven o’clock, I am at work in my room. Those who have not completed theology have yet another hour of class at night. At seven o’clock we have a spiritual reading until seven-thirty. Then supper and recreation until nine o’clock, followed byprayers; we can then go to bed right away or stay up until ten o’clock. At that time, everyone must go to bed. I have taken this into consideration, and up to now I have always gone to bed at nine o’clock.
I forgot to tell you that the seminarians came to hug me, and to say: “Welcome” and immediately began to chat with me as with an old acquaintance. When considering fraternity, I don’t believe there is any community as perfect as ours. There are 43 of us, all of one heart. I strongly wish that God would do me the grace of remaining in this congregation. In any event, I must become a missionary. I believe that God is calling me to this, as He has always called me. [A hole in the paper - Ed.] [. . . ] to bring it to theAmericans 4. I am in the hands of Providence.Life, my very dear parents, is very short. In forty years, where will you be? Our whole family will be spread throughout the world. Some will have already appeared before God. So it is to this terrible frightening judgment for which we must prepare. Once more I say: life is very short and eternity very long. A few days of suffering andthen an eternity of happiness, or a few days of pleasure and an eternity of sorrow — this is the choice man faces, my dear parents. So let us all strive for happiness, and if at all events we are no longer able to see each other on this earth, we will see each other again in the afterlife. There, we will no longer fear getting lost; we will live with God, the Blessed Virgin, and the saints — and we will be happy. If I am called to go to China or India, I don’t expect to remain here much longer. They could very well make me leave next spring with Monseigneur Vérolles5, bishop of Manchuria who came [this? - Ed.] year to preach at Nancy. In any event, in one year, I will no longer be here. If God does not call me to China, I will certainly leave for[Boutems = Bhutan?] with Bishop Melcher, Vicar-General of . . . .[? - Ed.] There will be a departure6 of five priests next Tuesday: three for China, of whom one is from the Vosges Department, an alumnus [. . . ] who next had been [. . .]. and another, a former diocesan missionary, and the last a director of the Besançon Seminary.
All three are 34 to 35 years old; all wish they could be our age — we young men — so as to be able to fight longer in the troops of the Lord. There are students here from all regions of France, even from Savoie. There is nothing more amusing than to hear us talking to one another, each in his own accent. [. . .] As to my trip, it went well. You know that you were very kind to have me take the vehicle near Mittelbronn. During the whole trip, I felt sorry for poor Caroline for my having shaken her so much. I regret being unable to present my gratitude in any other way except by this letter. Having arrived at Nancy, I had supper with my cousin; then he left for Metz by coach on the same evening. As for me, I went to bed at the hotel7. On Saturday, I went at night to visit Mr. Anselme at his home; he asked me to tell you athousand things on his behalf. On Monday, I went to Pont-à-Mousson to visit the fine Chevreux family — what marvelous people. If ever you have the opportunity to go to Pont-à-Mousson, do go and see them. When they learn that you are my parents, you will be welcome [. . .]. And if ever this family goes to Phalsbourg, certainly [. . .] you could receive them — that would greatly please them — to thank them for all they have done for me. If Maisse is still at home, tell him to try to go wish them a good day. Also tell him that I will write to him from Nancy in two weeks. On Thursday, I spent the day in Nancy with one of my friends, Father Philbert8 who did not want to leave me during all the time I had left to stay in the country. OnWednesday evening, I took the [ . . . ] at Nancy in the coach heading for Châlons; we arrived there on Thursday around four o’clock. I had as traveling companion a lady from Châlons with her daughter, both of them very pious. They invited me to supper, indeed they even insisted, but the scheduled departure of the coach did not allow it. We arrived in Paris at three o’clock in the afternoon. On Friday, I also had as traveling companion a contractor for canals, who showered me with all manner of kind attention. He will no doubt go see you, according to what he told me. You see, my good and very dear parents, God has not abandoned me on this voyage; He has had pity on this poor Chinesemissionary. Having arrived at Paris, I was a bit worn out, as I have already said. But presently, I am totally refreshed, and I find myself comfortable here. My sole desire is to go to China soon [. . .] if only God grant me this grace. May His holy will be done. Let us pray for each other, my kind and well-loved parents. Prayer is the unique force in this lower world. Let us pray; let us “cry to heaven”; let this land always be seen as a land of exile, never fixing our thoughts on it. Another destiny awaits us. L [. . .] is too few things for man, and especially for Christians.
As soon as my uncle André has written, let me hear about his letter. I expect a letter from you in two weeks. I beg of you not to make me wait. Tell me how all the [. .]; I am very concerned. Tell the Pastor and Father Stricher that I will write to them soon. As for Father Becker , Father Secretary 9 of the diocese told me that he had his travel orders to Mittelsheim; consequently, you need not say anything to him about me. My respectful and friendly greetings to all these priests, — not to mention my very dear cousin and my beloved friend Hoffer10, if they are still at Phalsbourg. In addition, don’t forget Fathers Jacquet, Gugholtz, and Wasserman11, etc. Finally, all those others who are asking about me. And [. . . ] the aunt. And to you, my dear and tender parents, what can I tell you? I [. . . ] you to God and to the Holy Virgin.You took upon yourselves a very great sacrifice. Oh no! God will not abandon you, nor [. . .] those who give of themselves in His service. Perhaps we will never see each other again in this world, but on high — yes on high — we will see each other again. Let the one who is first help the others. We already have intercessors on high; they have earned the palm, while we are obliged to wait for it. My beloved sisters, remain always well-behaved and very kind to your dear parents, especially very obedient. I can do nothing in this world for you, for I am but a poor missionary. But I will pray God and tender Mary, our mutual Mother. Oh! Especially when I will have the happiness of offering for the first time the Holy Victim, I will attach your names and the names of all of you, my very dear parents, on the lovable face of my sweet Savior so that He will never forget you! Yes! Even though I am away from you, I always love you — yes indeed, and very much. And you, my great big Eugène , what can I tell you? 12 You must already know: work, that is your share. Be heart and consolation to the family. May your wisdom be [. . . ]. Always remember that you have a missionary brother who loves you a lot! This thought, I hope, will always guide your noble heart in the right path. Really love God,dear Mary, my child, and you will be happy! If God allows me to see you dress yourself in ecclesiastical garments, oh! how you would make me happy.... And you, my dear father, my dear mother, what can I say: nothing, except that you have always loved me and that: may heaven always protect you.
Goodbye, my dear father, my dear mother.
Goodbye, Joséphine, Caroline, Marie, Célestine, Eugène! Goodbye all. I hug you all from the depths of my heart, in the sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary. Your son, your brother for all life and until death.
A. Schoeffler
No longer give away library books13; they will perhaps be of use to me. Don’t forget to write to me at the earliest. I am worried. [...] Oh yes! I hold all of you in my memory and I pray for you. Father Jung, etc., the pastor at Henridorff14f; tell him that I deeply regret that I had not been able to see him before my departure. Collect a littlesavings to come to see me in the spring at my first Mass, which I hope to celebrate atNotre-Dame des Victoires. From now to that time, we can talk at greater length about it. Tell Louise to work for the Propagation of the Faith15 at Phalsbourg. I will also write to her soon. I don’t have time to reread my letter. Have these different letters sent to their addresses as soon as possible. I am writing to uncle Heimroth to have him forgive me for not having gone tosay goodbye. In addition, offer my excuses to the family of uncle Schwaller. Put the letter [from Marie? - Ed.] in the mail immediately; it is important.
1 The original, six small pages on very thin paper, belonged to Marie Alyette Walther (Paris), descendant of Marie-Claire Schoeffler, Augustine’s sister, married to Auguste Tondeur in 1846, after her brother’s departure. “In 1844, Antoine Schoeffler, Augustine’s father, had left Mittlebronn to settle at Phalsbourg asa baker, inn-keeper, and accountant for certain merchants. He urgently needed to find sufficient resources to support the six children in the household. Ordained deacon in 1846 in Nancy, Augustine was not able to obtain from his parents the authorization to leave for the missions. This inflexible refusal imposed a seriousdecision on the seminarian. At the beginning of the month of October, the young deacon of 24 made his goodbyes to his family as he left for the Major Seminary of Nancy for his last year of preparation for the priesthood. En route to that city, he entrusted a priest friend to notify his parents that they would not see him again because he was leaving for the missions. This letter is the first written from Paris to his parents after his dramatic departure from Phalsbourg.” (Noblet) It was to remain unanswered for many months (see Letters. 31, 32, 33)).
2 The text was restored. The letter is stained in this spot by a stamp.
3 At Meudon.
4 As his friend Louis Hoffer will do. See below, footnote 10.
5 Or Verrolles, Emmanuel-Jean-François. Born in 1805 in Calvados; priest in 1828; joined the M. E. In 1830; leaves the same year for Se-tchoan [Sichuan]; Vicar-Apostolic of Manchuria in 1840; he traveled across France to stimulate the interest of Catholics for the Propagation of the Faith. He died in 1878
6 The departure of these missionaries has not been described by Augustine (except for a few lines in Letter 27), nor even his own. Théophane Vénard writes on 25 August 1851, shortly after his arrival at the seminary of the M. E.: “I saw many departures of the missionaries. The ceremony which precedes is very touching. An allocution is addressed to the departing missionaries by Father Superior after which all those assisting kiss their feet and receive a fraternal hug. Lay persons are not excluded. Ladies can assist at the ceremony in the chapel, but as you can well imagine, they do not participate actively.” (Bienheureux [Blessed] Théophane Vénard: Lettres, 1982, p. 99. See also the description given in: Vie de MonseigneurPierre-André Retord, Lyon, 1859, p. 22-31.) This ceremony has been the subject of a painting displayed in the stairway of the Seminary of the M. E. There is also: Cantique du départ des missionaires et l’anniversaire des martyrs [Canticle on the departure of missionaries and the anniversary of the martyrs] by Charles Gounod. Here is its refrain: De nos martyrs, Mère, reine et patronne / Enseigne-nous à prier, à souffrir! / Tous, nous voulons gagner cette couronne, / Pour Jésus-Christ, tous nous voulons mourir! (Texte de Ch. Dallet) [From (the example of) our martyrs, Mother, Queen and Patroness / Teach us to pray, to suffer! / We wish all of us to win this crown. / For Jesus-Christ, all of us wish to die.]
7 Autel in the original.
8 Born 12 March 1822 at Nancy; studied at the Minor Seminary of Pont-à-Mousson and the Seminary of Nancy; ordained a priest on 17 June 1848; assistant priest at Lunéville; professor at La Malgrange in 1850; pastor at Haboudange; joined the Capuchins in 1855; reduced to lay state in 1866. Died in Paris in 1881.
9 Christophe Becker, born in 1810 at Bermering; priest in 1841; assistant priest at Phalsbourg; pastor at Vilsberg in 1844; pastor at Mittelsheim in 1846; died in 1881
10 Louis Hoffer, addressee of three letters preserved (see Letter 27); Father Louis-Pierre Hoffer was born on 6 November 1824 at Phalsbourg; ordained priest on 2 June 1849; named professor at Saint-Léopold College where he had been appointed since 20 October 1847. He is on record as having left for the USA in 1858, where at first he was carrying out “what seems to have been a survey rather than a pleasure trip. At first, he does not seem to have pressed on to Cleveland whose bishop came to Nancy in the following year to recruit him for his diocese.” He died in Louisville (Ohio, USA) on 2 November 1897. See Jean Houpert: Les Lorrains en Amérique du Nord, 1985, p. 270, 417, 419, 421, 433 et 439. It is clear from this that we are dealing here with a priest who was very active in the Cleveland diocese and who attracted to the USA priests and sisters from Lorraine. Having arrived in 1860 in the Cleveland diocese, he is at first curate at Fremont, then professor of Dogmatic Theology at St. Mary Seminary. From that very moment, he also ministers in Louisville. He is named pastor on 9 July 1861, and would remain for thirty-six years. He returned to Nancy in 1863-1864 in order to find religious sisters for his school. Some Sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary (from Dommartin-sous-Amance) with Father Bégel, leave with him. He is also accompanied by two priests and five seminarians from Nancy. In 1864, he will have as vicar, Pierre Kolop, a native of Henridorff. Louis Hoffer was extremely active. He undertakes founding the College of Saint-Louis, modeled after French Minor Seminaries. This college opened in 1866, but would close in 1873, to be replaced by a boarding school run by Religious Sisters of the Sacred Heart. New failure; now transformation into a school for deaf-mutes, which would last only five years. This then becomes an orphanage for boys, entrusted to the Augustines de la Charité [AugustinianSisters of Charity]. Since 1926, the establishment has become a residence for the elderly run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Mark (natives of Alsace). Father Hoffer was in charge of three distant annexes and founded various pious and charitable associations. His parish grew five-fold, made up of more than onethousand families. In 1897, he obtains help, resigns, and dies on 2 November. Three letters sent to Louis Hoffer by Augustine Schoeffler are found in the Archives of Notre Dame University (Indiana, USA). See Letters 27, 47, and 65. See also: Viva America: L’émigration moselanne vers les États-Unis au XIX siècle, by Marie-José Marchal, Corny-sur-Moselle, 1993 (2 éd), e 327 p.
11 Joseph J. V. Vassereau (Wassereau): born 19 December 1821 at Phalsbourg.
12 The younger brother, then 11 years old.
13 Given as inheritance to Augustine by his priest-uncle.
14 Father Augustine Untereiner, born in 1803 at Veckervillers; ordained in 1827. Pastor at Pierre; pastor at Henridorff in 1831; died on 31 December 1867.
15 Founded in 1822, at Lyon, for the development of the Missions. This Association required its members to set aside “a small coin every day for the missions.” It published the Annales de la Propagation de la Foi with a printing run of 10,000 copies from the very first year. Issue No 1 already included an article about Tonkin (p. 7 ff.). Trans. note: before noticing that these three letters were included in this volume, we requested copies from the Notre Dame Archives. Much to our surprise, a fourth letter was included, undated but addressed to Father Louis [Hoffer?]. We alerted the personnel at the Archives and have reported this finding to the MEP. The text of this new-found letter is given below, page 339.
