LUERS, BISHOP . . . and the Congregation of Holy Cross
"Bishop Luetrs found in the Congregation of Holy Cross, with its Priests, Brothers and
Sisters, most valuable auxiliaries in the great and good work he achieved in his diocese. He honored and cherished these co-laborers with paternal affection and encouragement, and they, in their turn, enriched his diocese with the fine University of Notre Dame, and took charge of eleven female academies, an orphan asylum, six religious institutes, and forty parish schools. Such has been the growth of the Congregation of Holy Cross in the diocese of Ft. Wayne that they have been able to carry the blessings of their institute to many other dioceses. They number at the time of Bishop Luer's death (1871) 21 Priests in the diocese, six scholastics, 91 professed Brothers, 52 novices and 10 postulants. "
-- A History of the Catholic Church in the State of Indiana
-- PP. 164-165 1898 Co. C. Blanchard, Vol. I
" We, the undersigned Brothers of the Society of the Brothers of St. Joseph, by act of visit in obedience and under the direct order of the Rev. Fr. Rector. By letter of obedience issued by Rev. E. Sorin, Superior of Notre Dame du Lac, Indiana, have visited the good Bishop of Louisville, Kentucky. By their special request made by Brother Bonafacius (Boniface) at the request of the superior on his way to Europe, passing through Cincinnati; and by the unanimous request of the good priests and trustees made special agreement for two teachers to teach the school at the above named church for the term of ten and one half months each year for the sum of $525 per year for the above named term of ten and one half months, to teach the German Boy's School and attend the sacristy. The Brothers to have a free house and be found in everything necessary except board and clothing, the school to be furnished with all things necessary by the trustees and to pay the above salary and the time to commence from the date the Brothers to be called by telegraph. Agreement to be made in writing and a copy kept at the school and one brought to Notre Dame du Lac." -- (1855)
"Foundation made this year at Louisville among Germans, where two Brothers took charge of 150 children in a Franciscan parish."(1855)
(Sorin -- Bro. Ambrose, 1855) "Brother Stephen made the agreement that the utensils for the kitchen must be procured by the Brothers themselves, and Fr. Otto, O.S.F., told me that would not even buy a bed for a third Brother because they will only pay two Brothers, and when these two Brothers want to have a cook with them, they themselves will have to provide for him . . . ." -- (1855)
"St. Boniface parochial school is kept by Brothers of the Holy Cross."
-- Catholic Directory(1857)
(Bishop Spalding -- Fr. Sorin, 1859) "What prospect have I of obtaining two good teaching Brothers for the ensuing year for my cathedral school? I doubt not if you should once be established in Louisville, you would find it ultimately to the benefit of you order."
"I write this early to remind you of the promise you made to send me Brothers. How many? On what terms? We will need three teaching Brothers for the Cathedral school, one of whom, at least, should be able to teach the higher English branches. We would also need probably two for another school, St. Patrick's. Louisville furnishes a most excellent opening for schools , and after a very short time for a college. I am disposed to make considerable expenses to carry out the plan for founding them . . . ."
-- -- (1860)
"No decision can be taken until we know whether or not allocation of property of Franciscans will answer needs of establishment."
"Brother established in 1855 at St. Boniface's Church at request of Franciscans. Three Brothers -- 200 pupils."
(Fr. Otto -- Fr. Sorin, 1855) "I was very glad to find your Brothers established in my congregation, and I hope they will do a great deal of good. But, as it is now, the number is insufficient; I ought by all mean to have a third one. They have to attend to two schools, to the sacristy and the choir. This is almost too much work for two men. But the principal difficulty is that these three offices are incompatible with each other. During High Mass, for instance one of them is entirely occupied with the organ and the church; The other has to attend to the sacristy and to watch the pupils, but he cannot do both things at once. So it is also with funerals, baptisms, and other functions, which only disturb the school if the teacher has to go to the church, once or twice, or oftener a day. Another Brother could do the cooking for the little Community, and attend to the sacristy. I believe I am not amiss in saying that the present salary of the two Brothers is amply sufficient to support also a third. Counting prerequisites, their salary must be from $750 to $760 a year, which would give a sum of $250 for each of the three -- more than most clergy-men in Kentucky get." -- (1855)
(Brother Daniel -- Fr. Sorin, 1853) "This afternoon there was a fight between the German Protestant Scholars of this town and our boys. Nothing serious occurred but stones flew briskly on both sides in the church yard. The Protestants commenced the fight . . . . Brother is somewhere visiting and as it generally happens he may come in at 9:00 or after and set me to work at arithmetic, geography, etc., but tomorrow morning I have to be up to cook at the sound of the alarm."
"Whereas the establishment of Louisville affords a prospect of sure success, especially in a pecuniary point of view, the members of the Minor Chapter will entreat the Mother House to accept it charging themselves with the foundation. Fr. Saulnier will return to Louisville immediately and next year two Brothers will be sent with a priest."
-- Minor Chapter, Sept. 14, 1847