Page 169 - Transcriptions d'actes notariés - Tome 20 - 1682-1686

ists.'"~ This wae impossible, of course, because of the laek of teachers
to adminider two foundetions.
Added to the occasional tensene~ that muet have developed in the
Palace over the difierent aims, the Basilians were also subject to a very
natural sileut critirism frorn missionaries viaitjng the bishop. It would
be impossible for these niiasionaries not to compare the rigours of ~heir
life with that of the five Basilians "whose work consisted in teachin~
latin and greek to children."c3])
It was at this juncture ttiat Father Soulerin introduixd hir miwion-
ary propnsals. Tn the College and Churrh a mission for lhe French
speaking people of the dioceee in the vicinity of Penetang "would com-
plete our work here."(g" Sueh an establishment would parkially satisfy
the hopes ui the bishop, and would allay any criticisni einanating irorn
the har d working missionaries. Sint-e the foundation would include ai
leait three members living the Basilian ruIc in eomnon, spiritnal dangers
would be avoided. To ihe obviuus good such an eqtablishrnent eouId
confer on the diocese, it would adtnit of a chang oi personnel dnring
the summer vacation priod, thus providing a fruitful field of endeavour
for the teaching Basilians. A~pirants iii lhe Basilian eornrnuniiy might
be increased sinre the Congregation could now offer aoother spiritnal
activity IO the youih of the cuuntry. Hoivever, the suceess of the plan
depended on the authorization of the Mrither Houjie at Annonay, aiid
whatever hope the Torontu Snperior had of receiving three addi tional
membera was ehattered when the Criiriean War hroke oui. The effect of
this war on French vocakions was immediatelv felt and added to the
"aterility of 1E52 made any additional aid to thé colnny out of the ques-
tiOn."133)
The biahop consranlly seeking a scilution tli the dificulr prohlem
of seeuring priests, suggested a rather surprising proposition 10 the
Community. Contained in a letter (if Father lllalhos to the Superior
General, dated February 6, 1853, ihe episcopal propusal requested the
Basilians II, assume charge of the ihree Toronto pririshes, ~he Cathedral,
St. Paul's and St. Mary's. It was by far the most specifie suggestion
and, for ihe bishop, it was a rompromise in ince oi the Basilians' reluc-
tance to set up missionary centres. To the Baeilians it did present n
different aspect to the old problern. Sliuuld the scheme be feasihle, the
question of commun liie would aiise. Wonld Basilians aaaipned to the
parisheri live in the Palace or herausc of their pniochial dniies, be iorccd
to rcsidc in ~he rectories? II the lalier were selectcd, what would liap~ien
to the relîgious liie of the meinhcrs? Rrould not the arduons rlniies
oi ri pastor play havoc with any att~mpt to cornbine teaehing and rniçsion
work? The Catholic population (II Toronto, largclv Irish in background,
"lacked confidence in Scottish and English prie si^."'^^' How would ~hey

1") ILiid., Pebrliary 13, 1851, p. 2.
[:+?J Ibid., Octaber 1, 1852, p. 3.
(=' 16id., July 15, 2653, p. 2.
Rev.
(3) P. Tourvieille, Lerter #O Reu. J. Sotderin, luly 30, 1853, p. 3.
RCF. Ji Malhg, Leiter da Rev. P. Tovivieille, Febninry 6, 1853, p. 2.