File 238 - Letters from Fr Joseph Mulhall SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial concerning the mission in Australia

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IE IJA MSSN/AUST/238

Title

Letters from Fr Joseph Mulhall SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial concerning the mission in Australia

Date(s)

  • 25 May 1867-2 September 1886 (Creation)

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41 items

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Name of creator

(22 March 1820-13 February 1897)

Biographical history

Born: 22 March 1820, Dublin City, County Dublin
Entered: 21 September 1839, Drongen, Belgium - Belgicae Province (BELG)
Ordained: 1855
Final Vows: 08 December 1860
Died: 13 February 1897, St Ignatius, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia

by 1853 at Maastricht (NER) studying Theology
by1860 at St Eusebio, Rome Italy (ROM) making Tertianship
Early Australian Missioner 1866

◆ HIB Menologies SJ :
He first went to work in HIB Colleges having completed his studies in Holland and Rome.
1866 He was sent to Australia. Nearly al of his time there was spent at Richmond, and he was Superior there for a good number of years.
A very painful spinal disease, for which an operation proved unsuccessful brought him the loss of a lot of strength and final death at Richmond 13 February 1897.
He had remarkable energy and zeal in education, including founding the Convent of the FCJ’s for teaching girls in the school attached to the parish. He was also responsible for the completion of the St Ignatius Church at Richmond.

Note from Isaac Moore Entry :
1866 He accompanied Joseph Mulhall to Melbourne

◆ David Strong SJ “The Australian Dictionary of Jesuit Biography 1848-2015”, 2nd Edition, Halstead Press, Ultimo NSW, Australia, 2017 - ISBN : 9781925043280
Joseph Mulhall entered the Society, 22 September 1839, and was ordained in 1850. He worked first in Jesuit colleges in Belgium and Holland, and spent a year at Milltown Park, 1865-66, as minister. He also gave retreats.
On 12 April 1867 he arrived in Melbourne and went to the parish of Richmond where he worked for 30 years. During those years he was minister, procurator and consulter, as well
superior and parish priest, 1878-93. He was also in charge of the sodalities for women and boys and was a consultor of the mission.
Mulhall developed a very painful spinal disease, for which a surgical operation proved unsuccessful. This resulted in loss of strength and finally, death. He displayed at all times
remarkable energy and zeal for the schools in his region and established the Convent of the Faithful Companions of Jesus within the parish of Richmond. It was during his time as pastor that the large parish Church was finally built.

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A file of letters from Fr Joseph Mulhall SJ to the Irish Fr Provincial concerning the mission in Australia. Includes a letter concerning the upkeep of ecclesiastical students. Remarks that he does not agree with Fr Kelly that '...we have no right to accept...money for (their) maintenance...' Continues '...in the written contract with us the Bishop promises to pray us for their maintenance. They teach for 3 hours and during Mr. Lentaigne's time, they got lectures for 2 hours now these 2 things may be said to balance each other...' (DATE). Includes a letter referring to the establishment of a boarding school in Australia. Remarks that the Society accepted St. John's University and that the Board has promised not to interfere. Remarks '...they are most anxious that we should have it - for they are most apprehensive that the government will take it into their own hands...' (29 January 1870, 6pp). Includes a letter referring to the need to build a house for the community beside St Ignatius church, Richmond (6 November 1871, 6pp). Includes a letter concerning Fr James Cullen SJ and remarks that he would welcome him to Australia. Remarks '...he is a very zealous missioner, one that would save a great number of souls here living in this parish entrusted to our care - he is exactly the father we want in Richmond...' (29 January 1884, 4pp)

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The Irish Jesuit Archives are open only to bona fide researchers. Access by advance appointment. Further details: archivessj@gmail.com

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No material may be reproduced without the written permission of the Archivist. Copyright restrictions apply. Photocopying is not available. Digital photography is at the discretion of the Archivist.

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2000

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