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Biographical information on Fr Peter Kenney SJ, and material related to the early years of the Irish Vice-Province.

Copy of a poem written in French in honour of Fr Peter Kenney's birthday (he was in Georgetown, Maryland Mission at the time).

Typed text from a copy of an original letter from Edmund Rice to Fr Peter Kenney SJ, Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare asking for news from Clongowes. Remarks that he and others are confused '...on account of this Roman Rescript on the Veto.' Continues 'It is considered here that the treatment was most contemptible to the Irish Bishops, Clergy and people.' Refers to Fr St Leger's family who '...are teasing me to write to you to know do you expect him. The Bishop told me it would be well to know as if there was no expectation of him that the matter should be broken to his poor mother.'

Copy of the description of the customs approved by the superiors of the Maryland and Missouri Missions and by Fr Visitor (Fr Peter Kenney SJ). Includes comments by Fr Kenney.

Letter from Thomas Meagher, writing from Rome, to Fr Patrick Meagher SJ. Refers to what he believes to be the decision on the Education Question, which he has transcribed on two sheets of the letter (in Latin). Gives news of Christianna, and her activities in Rome, as well as of others, such as the Misses Edmondstones and Fr Esmonde. States that Fr Kenny has not arrived. Refers to the ‘distinguished folk’ in Rome – Queen Christina of Spain and the Duchess of Cambridge. Adds that Dr Cullen has not returned yet, and hopes that Fr Meagher has met him. Refers to the changes at Clongowes and at Gardiner Street.

Letter from Fr Al. Simpson SJ, Stonyhurst College, England to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Congratulates the latter on the quality of his French, and corrects some errors that appeared in his letter. Refers to Fr Peter Kenney SJ and his imminent arrival in Stonyhurst. Also discusses the Jesuit presence in France, and their establishment of ‘petits seminaires’ there. Announces his departure for Paris in September. (In French).

Index (compiled by Fr Thomas Morrissey SJ) of materials relating to Fr Peter Kenney's visitations to the Maryland Mission (1819 - 1820) and the Maryland and Missouri Missions (1830 - 1833).

Letter from Br Edward Sinnott SJ, College of St Francis, Calcutta to Rev. Peter Kenney SJ, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Letter from Fr Charles Aylmer SJ, (Superior of the Mission), Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare to Fr Peter Kenney SJ, Hardwicke Street Chapel, Dublin concerning the opening of Tullabeg.

Letter from Fr John Grene SJ, Clongowes, to l’Abbé McDonald, [Fr John MacDonald SJ], Louvain. Reports on the opening of Belvedere House, and on Fr Kenney’s progress on his way to Rome. Praises the students at Clongowes, and refers to new arrangements made for the Prefectship. Reports on other events involving the Community and the school, including the opening of the Debating Society, and a visit by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daniel O’Connell.

Letter from Fr John Grene SJ, writing from Cork, to l’Abbé McDonald, [Fr John MacDonald SJ], Louvain. Reports on the end of the academic year in Clongowes. Describes Academy Day, on which some of the scholars who are leaving the school perform and recite. Explains that he is down in Cork on family and other business. Refers to the opening of Belvedere the following September. Asks about members of the community in Louvain. Announces that Fr Peter Kenney SJ is to go to Rome.

Letter from Fr Peter Kenney SJ, writing to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ Church of St Francis, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin. Suggests that the latter hold his Consultation at Clongowes, and that it be deferred until after Easter. Refers to the books brought back from Paris by Mr O'Grady, and asks Fr Bracken to let him know which ones to keep. Reports on a Novena he participated in, and also on the exercise he has been taking recently.

From Fr William Stack Murphy SJ, St Mary’s, Lebanon, Kentucky, U.S.A. to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Thanks him for the books that were brought out by Dr Litton. Refers to the fact that Fr Peter Kenney SJ had been appointed Rector of Palermo. Asks Fr Bracken to arrange for a subscription to be made to the 'London Tablet'. Refers to the Teetotalism and Partial Abstinence campaign in the US. Answers Daniel O'Connell’s views on America’s tradition of slavery. Gives a brief outline of the establishment of the school (St Mary’s in Kentucky).

Letter from George Joseph Plunket Browne, Bishop of Galway to Fr Patrick Bracken SJ. Refers to the death of Fr Kenney, for whom he had a solemn requiem and High Mass celebrated in the chief chapel in Galway. Also thanks him in advance for agreeing to conduct a spiritual retreat the following July.

A file of letters from Fr Charles Plowden SJ (novice master at Stonyhurst) concerning Society matters to to Fr Charles Aylmer SJ. Many of the letters relate to the Irish novices studying in Stonyhurst and English novices studying in Ireland and general Society matters.

• Includes a letter concerning the appointment of Fr Lavizzario as the agent of the Society in Rome (11 February 1818, 3pp).
• Includes a letter concerning an official letter received from the Bishop re-affirming that the Society of Jesus had not been restored. Remarks that their property in London is under threat '…Dr Poynter has employed a lawyer to claim our property in London. He has means of succeeding and his success will complete our ruin. We are in fact in a very dangerous crisis.' (23 July 1818, 2pp).
• Includes a letter concerning three scholastics from the English Province he proposes to send to Ireland for their studies. Describes the three (1 September 1818, 3pp).
• Includes a letter referring to a refusal to ordain students from Stonyhurst 'who do not renounce their religious state.' Continues 'very probably a requisition to us all to make such renunciation will soon arrive and this will bring the matter to an issue. Our refusal will be followed by censures, suspension…' ( 10 September 1818, 1p).
• Includes a letter remarking that the Society of Jesus in England has no way of obtaining Holy Orders except by going to Clongowes. Remarks 'The candidates must be adopted there as students of your college in order to be presented by you.' (29 September 1818, 2pp, incomplete).
• Includes an account of money owed to Stonyhurst College for the upkeep of Irish scholastics studying there (18 February 1819, 4pp).
• Includes a letter referring to Fr Kenney's voyage to America (15 July 1819, 3pp).
• Includes a letter referring to lay brothers and the observance of the various customs in the colleges where he (Fr Plowden) studied (19 September 1819, 2pp).
• Includes a letter concerning Fr General's displeasure at having received no communication from Fr Aylmer. Includes details about Fr Kenney's visit to America and the state of affairs in America (22 November 1819, 3pp).
• Includes a letter concerning orders from Fr General to Fr Kenney to remain as visitor to America. Remarks that he heard that Fr Kenney had already set sail for Liverpool (30 July 1820, 3pp).
• Includes a letter remarking on his ill health (30 July 1820, 3pp).
• Includes a letter written from Rome concerning Society matters and directions from Fr General. Refers to Spain, remarks 'In Spain all seems to be lost for the Society excepting their religious spirit. Their letters and petitions for directions how to act show that they retain the full spirit of their vocation…on the other hand God sends comfort from Vienna, where the Austrian Emperor openly protects the Society and settles it in Gallicia and with generous allowances for subsistence and many privileges and exemptions.' Refers to Fr Kenney's return from America (23 September 1820, 2pp).
• Includes a letter referring to the sudden introduction of the Catholic Bill. Remarks '…the Catholic Bill fills my head, heart and time…In this crisis we must have an agent here…there must be somebody to speak in our cause. The General must decide this point before Easter, and he go with me to the Pope...' (7 April 1821, 3pp).

A file of letters to Fr Bartholomew Esmonde SJ. A brief précis to the letters is included in the file.

A file of letters to Fr Charles Aylmer SJ. A brief précis to the letters is included in the file, and list of Irish Jesuits (1831).

A file of letters written by various people to Fr Robert Haly SJ:

• Includes a letter from Fr Murphy SJ referring to the polka. Remarks '…I do not consider it, absolutely speaking, a proximate occasion of sin, as I have the assurance of some reliable young persons of both sexes that they never found any harm in it (nd, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Patrick Drinan SJ, Sant' Andrea, Rome describing his life as a novice in the Society of Jesus. Describes his fellow novices (21 March 1825, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Charles Aylmer SJ, Hardwicke Street, Dublin referring to Fr Matthew Gahan SJ. Remarks that he has returned from the Isle of Man. Continues '…(he has) done much good amongst those poor neglected Catholics. But now they are without a priest and of course will fall back again into the old way.' (28 August 1825, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from Prout concerning his ordination to Deaconship ([ ] 1828, 1p).
• Includes a letter from Fr St Leger SJ. Refers to the woods at Clongowes. Remarks that new trees have been planted and hundreds of old trees have been cut down. Refers to Daniel O'Connell 'Mr O'Connell hopes to enter Parliament by a clause in the Act of Union which only requires the oath of abjuration, which was abolished…C. Butler of London has published his opinion that Mr O'Connell's admittance to Parliament cannot be refused according to law…' Includes a note from Fr Peter Kenney SJ at the end of the letter concerning the death of Fr Haly's uncle, Robert in Calcutta on 27 July 1826 (30 September, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from [ ], Clongowes Wood College concerning Christmas celebrations in Clongowes. Refers to the church services and remarks that the Parisian Cope made its first appearance and 'dazzled the natives'. Remarks that the number of scholars in the college is small and many vacancies exist. Refers to Fr Aylmer and Fr St Leger and their plans to erect a new chapel in Dublin. Refers to Fr Moran's departure for Buenos Ayres. Refers to the political situation in Ireland and Daniel O'Connell's determination to go to Parliament (5 January 1829, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from George Oliver, St Nicholas' Priory, Exeter containing queries about members of the Society in Ireland for a publication he is preparing (17 July 1838, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Charles Aylmer SJ concerning his stay in Rome. Describes dining with Fr General on St Stanislaus Day (23 November 1838, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Patrick Sheehan SJ, Roman College concerning news from Rome and general Society matters. Reports that Fr General is pleased with all the Provinces under his direction and has expressed a wish to open a Japanese Mission (30 November 1838, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Bartholomew Esmonde SJ, Al Gesu, Rome enclosing a sketch of his design for the altar at St Francis Xavier's Church, Gardiner Street, Dublin (9 February 1842, 3pp).
• Includes a transcription of the same letter, 9 February 1842, by Fr Francis Finegan SJ [1975].
• Includes a letter from Fr Bartholomew Esmonde, SJ, San Calcedonio, Malta concerning the suspension of Fr Rillo by the Bishop. Remarks that the business has become public due to the intervention of Lord Clifford (25 July 1842, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from John Cunningham SJ, Rome. Refers to the political situation in Ireland and Daniel O'Connell. Refers to Fr Rillo and remarks that he is no longer in Malta. Remarks '…after his justification had been fully established he removed to Palermo. Mr Esmonde is authorised to select whom he pleases to succeed the former.' (25 November 1843, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from Fr Esmonde concerning his missionary work in Malta. Remarks 'I have a curious time of it here, strange folks as if all the odd fish of the Mediterranean had climbed up on this rock.' Refers to a new church opened by the Protestants on the island. Refers to the power of the government a governor of the island who control everything (15 November 1844, 2pp).
• Includes a letter from John Lynch, SJ, Church of St Joseph, Willings Alley, Philadelphia, PA describing his surroundings (1 February 1840, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from John Gaffney concerning the Archbishop's (Dr Cullen) decision to prohibit the dancing of the polka. Discusses the implications of this decision and expresses the opinion that the Society should not pursue a different course of action to the clergy of Dublin and rural areas (20 January 1858, 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Bishop George Browne of Elphin concerning a retreat to be conducted by Fr Robert Haly SJ. Refers to the parishioners eagerness for a mission (19 April 1858, 3pp).
• Includes a letter from the Bishop of Clonfert, John Derry agreeing to consecrate the Society's church in Galway (11 May 186[ ]), 4pp).
• Includes a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ granting Fr Haly privileges with regard to his mission work (26 September 1867, 3pp).
  Includes a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ advising Fr Haly on how to deal with confessors who declare they are members of the Fenians (8 December 1869, 4p

Notes by Fr Peter Kenney SJ relating to his visitation to the American Mission.

File containing the obituary notices of priests of the Society by Fr Charles Farley SJ.

Name Year of Death
Bracken, Patrick 1867
Buckeridge, George 1904
Blakeney, George 1854
Dietel, Charles 1905
Duffy, John 1871
D’Arcy, John 1884
Dalton, Joseph 1905
Fortescue, William 1888
Gaffney, Miles 1861
Hughes, Joseph 1878
Kenney, Peter 1841
Kirby, Stephen 1867
Lynch, Edmund 1890
Maguire, Matthew 1894
Manning, Thomas 1893
MacDonnell, Matthias 1871
Molloy, Thomas 1894
O'Connell, Charles 1912
Quirke, Joseph 1847
Rorke, Henry 1859
Sheehan, Patrick 1850
Seaver William 1891

Page from an old account book belonging to Fr Peter Kenney SJ, concerning material sent from Siciiy stranded at Dundrum Bay (1816).

A file containing miscellaneous notes, MSS material and articles by Fr Roland Burke Savage SJ relating to his research on Fr Peter Kenney SJ. Includes letters to Fr Burke Savage concerning this research (2 May 1977 - 10 June 1986, 12 items). The file was used by Fr Morrissey for his research on Fr Peter Kenney SJ.

Review of Fr Thomas Morrissey's biography of Fr Peter Kenney SJ from the 'Irish Times'.

A file containing information on sources relating to Fr Peter Kenney SJ in Maryland and Missouri compiled by Fr Thomas Morrissey SJ.