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Booklet commemorating 100 years of the Society of Jesus in Australia entitled 'A Century of Jesuit Achievement 1865-1965.'

Copy of the agreement between the Archbishop of Brisbane, James Duhig and the Society of Jesus to establish a community in the parish of Toowong, Birsbane.

Agreement between Daniel Mannix, Archbishop of Melbourne and Fr Jeremiah Sullivan SJ (Superior of the Mission) concerning the administration of Corpus Christi College, Werribee.

The Irish Jesuit Mission to Australia was initiated due to the will of Fr John Joseph Therry (1790-1864), who named the Irish Jesuits as beneficiaries to his property in Australia, and by an invitation to the Irish Province by James Alipius Goold, Bishop of Melbourne (later Archbishop) (1812-1886) to set-up a mission in his diocese. The first two Irish Jesuits, Frs William Lentaigne (1805-1884) and William Kelly (1823-1909), arrived in Melbourne in September 1865. Previously, two Austrian Jesuits, Frs. Kranewitter (1817-1880) and Klinkowstroem (1819-1896) had arrived in 1848 after Jesuit expulsion from Austria. The Austrian Mission centred on South Australia and the Northern Territory. In 1901, the Austrian and Irish missions amalgamated. Australia was made a Vice-Province in 1931 and Fr Austin Kelly SJ (1891-1978) was named the first Provincial of the Australian Province in 1950.

The papers of the Australian Mission provide a comprehensive history of the Irish Jesuit Mission, concentrating on the years 1865-1931. The Irish Jesuits worked as missionaries, educators, writers, chaplains, theologians, scientists, pastors and directors of retreats, mainly in the urban communities of eastern Australia.

Subjects touched upon include: agreements with Archbishops in establishing Jesuit houses in a particular diocese; reflections on the journey to and from Australia; administration of schools, colleges, universities and Jesuit residences - (St Patrick’s, Melbourne; St Francis Xavier College, Kew, Melbourne; St Aloysius, Dunedin (NZ); St Aloysius College, Sydney ; St Ignatius College, Riverview, Sydney; St Louis, Claremont, Western Australia; Newman College, University of Melbourne); parishes - (Norwood and Sevenhills in South Australia; Invercargill (NZ); Melbourne; Sydney; Toowong and Indooroopilly in Queensland); financial documents; expansion of the Mission; and correspondence between Father Provincial in Ireland and Jesuits in Australia. By far the greatest number of letters sent to Father Provincial in Ireland was from Fr John Ryan SJ (1849-1922) (Superior of the Mission from 11 February 1901-14 June 1908; 9 April 1913-24 October 1917). Until the creation of the Australian Mission as a Vice-Province, the Irish Provincial was kept informed of every minor detail about the Mission and often decision making in Australia was delayed until approval from Dublin was given.

Although this collection provides a comprehensive history of the Australian Mission, there are some gaps. For example, the collection does not contain any deeds or other legal documents relating to property obtained by the Society of Jesus in Australia and it is presumed that these documents would have been kept by the Superior of the Mission and later the Vice-Provincial of the Vice-Province in Australia, where they remain today.

Superiors of the Irish Jesuit Mission to Australia (1865-1931)
Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ 1865-1866
Fr Joseph Dalton SJ 1866-1872
Fr Thomas Cahill SJ 1872-1879
Fr Joseph Dalton SJ 1879-2 September 1883
Fr Aloysius Sturzo SJ 2 September 1883-5 April 1890
Fr Patrick Keating SJ 5 April 1890-1 February 1895
Fr Timothy Kenny SJ 1 February 1895-11 February 1901
Fr John Ryan SJ 11 February 1901-14 June 1908
Fr Thomas Brown SJ 14 June 1908-9 April 1913
Fr John Ryan SJ 9 April 1913-24 October 1917
Fr William Lockington SJ 24 October 1917-20 June 1923
Fr Jeremiah Sullivan SJ 20 June 1923-19 March 1931

Vice-Provincials of the Vice-Province of Australian (1931-1950)
Fr John Fahy SJ 19 March 1931-25 August 1939
Fr John Meagher SJ 25 August 1939-1 October 1947
Fr Austin Kelly SJ 1 October 1947-1 November 1950

Copy of the agreement between the Archbishop of Sydney and the Society of Jesus and the establishment of the Australian Mission.

A file of envelopes, stamped (Queen Victoria) and postmarked from Australia to Ireland.

File entitled Missions in Britain 1950s containing eleven sections: Introductory letter from Fr Leonard Sheil SJ (20 February 1960, 5pp);

• report for Irish Fr Provincial (8 January 1958, 8pp);
• list of places and dates of Irish Missions in Britain 1949 - 1959 (19[59], 6pp);
• copies of commendatory letters (7 November 1953 - 24 November 1958, 3 items);
• Report for Irish Fr Provincial on Missions 1958 - January 1959 and cuttings from the [Irish Independent] on the Mission Campaign in Britain by Fr Leonard Sheil SJ (20 January 1959, 3 items);
• three ‘typical’ reports on three 1959 Missions for the Bishop of Ferns (1959, 4pp);
• ‘Account of an Ideal Mission for the Bishop of Ferns’ by Fr Sheil (n.d., 7pp);
• press articles by Fr Sheil describing the Missions (September - October 1958, 6 items);
• photographs of Birmingham and Westminster Cathedrals, Brompton Oratory, photographs of ‘children of the Irish’ (13 items) and
• map of England indicating the routes of Fr Sheil’s motorcycle travel (1 item).
  Also includes booklets and advertising leaflets for the Missions (7 items) and memorandum for Irish Fr Provincial by Fr Sheil containing suggestions for better organisation of the Missions (1959, 2pp).

A file of letters from Joseph Alipius Goold, Bishop of Melbourne, Bishop's House, Melbourne, Australia to Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ concerning an invitation to the Irish Province to set up a mission in his diocese.

Letter from the Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ, Milltown Park, Dublin to [ ] concerning two fathers setting out from Ireland to establish the Australian Mission (Fr William Kelly SJ and Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ). Refers to Fr Therry's brother in Cork who has agreed to co-operate in anyway so that the Jesuit fathers may secure their bequest.

Letter from Archbishop Thomas J Carr, St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne to Irish Fr Provincial Timothy Kenny SJ concerning Fr Kenny's visit to Australia. Expresses his gratitude to the Jesuit Fathers for the work they have carried out. Refers to relations between himself and the Jesuit Fathers and describes them as unsatisfactory until Fr Kenny's arrival. Remarks 'You have met all my representations in an open, disinterested and religious spirit. You have framed wise and salutary regulations...You have carried out...the whole object of your mission in a very successful manner.'

Copy letter from Archbishop Thomas J Carr, St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne to Irish Fr Provincial Timothy Kenny SJ thanking Fr Kenny for his letter and expresses the wish that the work of the Jesuit Fathers in the Archdiocese will be a 'great gain both to the diocese and to all their works. This is certainly my wish and desire as I know it is yours.'

Letter from Cardinal Moran, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney to Irish Fr Provincial Timothy Kenny SJ praising the work of Jesuit priests in Australia.

Letter from Dr Thomas Carr, DD, St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne to Irish Fr Provincial John Conmee SJ concerning the introduction of the Loreto nuns into the Hawthorn Mission.

Letter from Fr Boursaud, Secretary to the Fr General, to Fr Tuite. Reports that the Fr General is very pleased to hear of the ‘good disposition shown by F. Clery’, and thanks Fr Tuite for sending him the ‘Australian paper’, which gave news of the work of the mission in Australia, including a reference to St Ignatius’ College. Sends the greetings of Fr Porter, who asks Fr Tuite to look in the archives for an instruction from the Fr General around 1878, which modified the ordination of Fr Roothaan on the Minervale.

Letter from Fr George Porter SJ, writing from Fiesole, to Irish Fr Provincial James Tuite SJ. Conveys the Fr General's desire that Fr Joseph Clery SJ is to be dismissed from the Society in Ireland, and not in Australia. Refers to Fr John O'Carroll's claim to a share of his aunt's property, and also to Fr Saurin's position in relation to property and his father's will. Adds that reports from America do not give accounts of the success of Fr Murphy’s expedition there.

Letter from Fr George Porter SJ, writing from Fiesole, to Irish Fr Provincial James Tuite SJ. Thanks his correspondent for ‘the paper & for the good news’. Sends the congratulations of the Fr General, who was particularly pleased by the part played by Fr Delany. Hopes that ‘the business of the college may be brought to an equally favourable termination’. Refers to the case of a member of the Limerick community, whose removal is left to the discretion of Fr Weld's correspondent. Adds that the Fr General is anxious that the man in question should be removed as his behaviour could cause scandal. Also refers to the ‘Montgret lease’, and states that if this Limerick diocesan seminary succeeds it ‘well may lead the way to very important work for the Society in Ireland’. Discusses the importance of helping the development of the Australian province, and refers to the sending of Frs Thomas Keating and Joseph Brennan there.
Note: The name of the man in Limerick, who may be removed from there is blacked out in this letter. The letter is accompanied by an envelope marked: ‘F. Rabbitte; 1. Letter enclosed for archives. 2. I am keeping the other (two) letters; [ ]’.

Letter from Fr George Porter SJ, writing from Fiesole, to Irish Fr Provincial James Tuite SJ. Thanks the latter for sending a copy of the Catholic Directory. States that the Fr General gives his consent to Fr Dalton to accept the 10 acres of the Catholic reserve. Advises Fr Tuite that the Fr General wishes that ‘more important matters’ be addressed to himself and in Latin. Refers to the Australian mission and its need for ‘some young blood’. Reminds Fr Tuite that he and the Fr General are awaiting his letter about 'Montgret'. Also refers to the Dublin College, and to Cardinal McCabe, to whom Fr Armellini is to visit; and to a proposed convent of the Sacred Heart at Sydney.

Letter from Fr George Porter SJ, writing from Fiesole, to Irish Fr Provincial James Tuite SJ. Refers to the latter's letter on 12 March, and addresses some of the points in it. Refers to Fr Tuite's proposals in relation to Montgret, and passes on the Father General's authorisation to send Fr Brennan to Australia. Also discusses the Terna for Australia, and an offer to the Society of 10 acres of the Catholic Reserve. With regard to the question of the New Zealand mission raised by Fr Dalton in his letter, asks Fr Tuite's opinion on the proposed removal of the missioners from there to Australia. Asks for a copy of the Irish Catholic Directory for 1882.

Letter from Fr George Porter SJ, writing from Fiesole, to Irish Fr Provincial James Tuite SJ. Refers to the terna for the successor of Fr Thomas Kelly SJ, and asks Fr Tuite to observe Fr Donovan to see whether he would make a good superior. Also requests that he names a Prefect of Studies for Milltown Park. Explains about a reminder for ‘extra [wines]’. Reports that complaints have reached the Fr General about the fathers at Upper Temple Street. Refers also to Fr Denis Murphy’s leave of absence, to the Frs Kelly’s visits to externs, and to Fr E. Murphy's missions in America. Reports on the Fr General’s views in relation to the new College.

Letter from Fr George Porter SJ, writing from Fiesole, to Irish Fr Provincial James Tuite SJ. Refers to Dr Goethals, a bishop in Calcutta, who runs a newspaper there. Discusses the question of the ‘Dublin College’ and Fr Delany's involvement in the matter. Refers to the negative attitude of Cardinal McCabe to the latter, and to his (Delany's) extravagant tendencies in relation to the College. Believes that ‘the very best professors should be engaged (even Protestants, in cases where no Catholic professor was prominent)’. Suggests that the studies at Miltown be put ‘on a more satisfactory footing’, through the use of the various Jesuits that Fr Tuite has in Dublin, including Fr Finlay, who Fr Porter sent back to Ireland ‘after his grand act’. Asks if he has heard anything about the terna from Australia.

Letter from Fr John McEncroe, Archdiocese, Sydney, Australia to Fr John Callan SJ concerning the introduction of Fathers from the Society of Jesus into the Diocese of Sydney.

Letter from Roger Bede Vaughan, Archbishop of Sydney to Fr [ ] praising the work being carried out at St Kilda's.

Copy of a letter from Roger Bede Vaughan, Archbishop of Sydney to Fr Joseph Dalton SJ concerning the conditions imposed by the Archbishop for the Society of Jesus' entry to the Archdiocese of Sydney.

Letter from Roger Bede Vaughan, Archbishop of Sydney, St John's College, Sydney to Fr Thomas Cahill SJ (Superior of the Mission) concerning the establishment of the Society in Sydney. Remarks that he has no objection but wishes to discuss a number of conditions. Refers to the closure of Lyndhurst College. Remarks 'The result of this very painful duty will be at all events to clear away complications and you will have no reason for feeling any delicacy in accepting the offer I am going to make to you when you come.

Letter from Joseph Alipius Goold, Archbishop of Melbourne, Archbishop's Residence, St Patrick's, Melbourne to Fr Thomas Cahill SJ (Superior of the Mission) concerning the procurement of a community of religious to take charge of schools for girls.

Letter from Joseph Alipius Goold, Archbishop of Melbourne, writing from Brussels, Belgium to Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ concerning an urgent request by Fr Joseph Dalton SJ for a community of teaching nuns to go to Australia.

Letter from the Archbishop of Sydney, Patrick Cardinal Moran, The Irish College, Rome to Irish Fr Provincial James Murphy SJ concerning the change of the site of the Jesuit's High School from it's present site to North Sydney.

Copy of a letter from the Micheal Kelly, Archbishop of Sydney, St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney to Fr John Ryan SJ (Superior of the Australian Mission) concerning two issues raised in letters from Fr Ryan SJ to the Archbishop, namely sanction for a loan to extend St Mary's Church, Milson's Point and the restoration of parish duties to the Fathers at Loyola.

Copy of a letter from Irish Fr Provincial Edmund O'Reilly SJ, Milltown Park, Dublin to the Bishop of Melbourne, James Alipius Goold, concerning the arrival of Frs Lentaigne and Kelly in Australia in order '...to take preliminary steps for the establishment of our Society in Melbourne.'

A file of letters from the Superior of the Australian Mission Fr Joseph Lentaigne SJ, St Patrick's College, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to Fr Daniel Jones SJ (Socius) concerning the Australian Mission and the work being carried out.

A file of letters to Irish Fr Provincial James Tuite SJ (term 31 July 1880 - 6 May 1883). Includes an index/précis to the letters by Fr James Rabbitte SJ.

A file of letters to Irish Fr Provincial Edmund J O'Reilly SJ (term as Fr Provincial 1863 - 19 April 1870). Includes an index/précis to the letters by [ ]. Other letters including undated letters have been added to, but not described, Fr E O'Reilly's list, J455.

File of letters to Irish Fr Provincial James Murphy SJ. Includes an index/précis to the letters.

Note from Fr James Cleary SJ to Irish Fr Provincial John Conmee SJ.

Notebook containing a course of sermons. Some notes in shorthand. The rear of the book contains science notes (magnets, optics

A file relating to the pacts between the Society of Jesus and the Archbishop and Bishops concerning Newman College and Corpus Christi College, Werribee.

Plan showing the first class accommodation on the SS Wakool. Includes notes by Fr John Ryan SJ advising which are the best cabins to secure.

A file of plans depicting: Melbourne and suburbs; Adelaide and suburbs; principal railway systems and Australia and New South Wales railway system

Volume of mainly pasted letters of Provincials’ Circulars to the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus, with handwritten notes underneath. Index at front.

Published letter from Fr Michael Watson SJ, St Patrick's College, Melbourne, Australia to the novices of the Irish Province concerning missions given by the fathers in Australia in various parts of the country.

Status Temporalis (Province Account) book which contains accounts for: St Ignatius’ College, Galway; St Stanislaus’ College, Tullabeg; Clongowes College, Naas; Belvedere College, Dublin; Crescent College (College of the Sacred Heart), Limerick; Mungret College, Limerick; Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin; University Hall; 35 Lower Leeson Street; St Francis Xavier’s, Upper Gardiner Street, Irish Jesuit mission to Australia.

A file relating to the terms of agreement for the Jesuit Fathers to establish a mission in Australia.

The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography, 1848-1998.
Halstead Press, Rushcutters Bay, N.S.W., 1999

Halstead Press, Ultimo, N.S.W., 2017

To the greater glory: a history of the Irish Jesuits.

Annual Letters (Litterae Annuae) and House Histories (Historia Domus) for Ireland and Australia (2 versions).

Documents for Ireland (37 items):

• First Catalogue (Catalogus Personarum Primus);
• Second Catalogue (Catalogus Personarum Secundus);
• House Histories (Historia Domus);
• Annual Letters (Litterae Annuae);
• Lives of those who have died (Summarium vitae defunctorum);
• Province Accounts (Status temporalis trienalis domorum et arcarum Provinciae);
• Index of authors and books published by Ours (Index auctorem et librorum a Nostris editorum);

and for Australia (39 items):

• First Catalogue (Catalogus Personarum Primus);
• Second Catalogue (Catalogus Personarum Secundus);
• House Histories (Historia Domus);
• Lives of those who have died (Summarium vitae defunctorum);
• Province Accounts (Status temporalis trienalis domorum et arcarum Provinciae).

Ursula M. L. Bygott
Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Vic., 1980