JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, BROTHER (Mark A. Wills)
"We spent a pleasant half hour with Brother John Chrysostom and his efficient corps of teachers in Fort Wayne, last week. It does an old collegian good to be so kindly treated as we were by them, and also by Brother Francis de Sales and his worthy colleagues when we passed through Lafayette" SCHOLASTIC, December 21, 1872
"We were delighted to receive a short letter from Brother John Chrysostom who has charge of St. Mary's College, Galveston, Texas, from which we learn that he is flourishing and the college too" SCHOLASTIC, October 18, 1873
"Brother John Chrysostom was unanimously appointed to succeed Brother Boniface as Superior at Galveston" PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, 1873
(See "Fort Wayne" and "Lafayette", "Bishop Dwenger")
"Chester Springs, Pa. June 13. "Very Reverend Father General:--
"I could hardly realize at first that my dear Alma Mater was a heap of unsightly ruins. My regret for the loss and my sympathy for you were so gerat that I felt it would be mockery on my part to attempt to give expression to my feelings unless I could send you something to help to repair the loss, and which at the same time would be tangible evidence of my sympathy.
"You must not think for a moment that the enclosed draft for $500 is to be the measure of that sympathy and my regret for the loss of those fine buildings. With their valuable contents; but just as soon as my financial circumstances will permit, I shall be happy to contribute something more toward building the second Notre Dame, which I hope will be more beautiful than the first; so that when you behold it your heart will be glad again, and you can say: 'My friends have not forgotten me in my old age and in the hour of distress, but there they have come with their offerings and their sympathy, and hve turned my sorrow into joy. May God bless them in all heir possessions!'
Your devoted son in Jesus, Mary, Joseph,
M.A. Wills (Brother John Chrysostom)"
SCHOLASTIC, June 31, 1879
" . . . . the only Brother of this name (John) authorized to represent our Community (in Iowa) is Brother John Chrysostom, who is travelling in California" AVE MARIA, 19:75, 1883
"The curator of the museum has just received another valuable donation from Brother John Chrysostom, c.s.c. He says if he only had a few more collectors in the field like Brother John, the museum would soon be filled" SCHOLASTIC, February 24, 1883
(See also "Fort Wayne"; various dates)
(Brother J.C.-- Sorin; June 5, 1887) " . . . on this day 24 years ago I was in the line of battle awaiting the charge. We were being shelled at the time, and I heard in a clear, distinct voice, 'You will be killed today'. I knew it was no human voice, and I was perfectly conscious of the certainty of death. I prayed fervently as I had never prayed before to our sweet mother that if she would intercede for me and get me safely out that I wouls surely delay no longer in responding to the call that was continually urging me to apply to some religious community for admission. I had hardly concluded my prayer, when the same voice said, 'You will only be hurt today.' And so it happened. I delayed three years after war in fulfilling my promise when i enlisted under the banner of the Holy Cross." PROVINCIAL ARCHIVES, 1887
"There passed away at Notre Dame on Friday, May 6th, at the age of 80, Brother John Chrysostom, former assistant Master of Novices in St. Joseph Novitiate and for many years commander of the Notre Dame Post of the G.A.R. As a young man the deceased did valiant services throughout the Civil War, at Gettysburg and many other fields, in behalf of the Union. At the end of the War he joined the Congregation of Holy Cross at Notre Dame, and since that time has been intimately associated with the furtherance of the works of the Community. By the many priests and Brothers who as novices under his direction knew him intimately he will long be remembered as an example of genuine spirituality and fervent loyalty to the interests of the Congregation. Great must be the merit of the long life devoted so whole heartedly to the service of God and country" SCHOLASTIC, 52:494, 1919
"Brother John Chrysostom, under the name of Mark A. Wills, served throughout the entire War in the fifty-fourth Pennsylvania regiment, taking part in many of the fiercest battles" NEWSPAPER