Poems of a Soul Friend

Since 1998, April has been designated National Poetry Month to "celebrate poetry and its vital place in Canada’s culture."

During his episcopate, the Archdiocese of Toronto had its very own poet-in-residence in His Eminence, G. Emmett Cardinal Carter.

Cardinal Carter (1912-2003) is often remembered for reading his poetry at various events. In 1979, he founded the Cardinal's Dinner, the largest annual community dinner and fundraiser in the country. It became a tradition for Carter to recite a poem at the end of his Cardinal's Dinner speech.

Photographs Collection, PH18C/104CP

G. Emmett Cardinal Carter gives his Cardinal's Dinner speech at the annual fundraiser, ca. 1990. It became tradition for him to end his speech by reciting one of his poems.

A few years before his death, Cardinal Carter self-published a collection of his favourite poems, entitled The Poems of a Soul Friend. In honour of National Poetry Month, we are sharing selections from this booklet and the draft copies that we hold in the Archives.

Cardinal Carter fonds

Cardinal Carter's self-published book of poems, The Poems of a Soul Friend, as well as the original draft of the opening poem, "I do not have the words of Yeats," written in 1999.

Cardinal Carter fonds

This poem was written a couple of years after Cardinal Carter resigned as Archbishop of Toronto. It speaks of his early career and vocation in hometown Montreal, his appointment to Bishop of London, and to Toronto, where he finished his episcopal duties.

Cardinal Carter fonds

We have written previously about Cardinal Carter's beloved dogs, who were often the subject of his poetry.

Cardinal Carter fonds

An example of one of the poems that Cardinal Carter presented at the Cardinal's Dinner, 1992. It was written when he was leaving the Diocese of London for his appointment as Archbishop of Toronto. Carter had a great appreciation for the outdoors and the waterfront in particular. In addition to Lake Huron, he wrote poems about Fourteen Island Lake, where his family cottaged, Grand Bend, Ontario, and Tergensee in Bavaria.

Cardinal Carter fonds

The final poem of his book, "Steadfast", reflects on growing old.

The Great Fire of Toronto, 1904

Yesterday, April 19, marked the anniversary of the Great Fire of Toronto.

On the windy and cold April evening in 1904, flames were spotted in an industrial building on Wellington Street, just west of Bay. The fire quickly spread in every direction and continued until around 5pm the following day. The fire affected about 13 acres of commercial property downtown, and destroyed over 100 buildings. Five thousand people were left without work.

The aftermath of the Great Fire, 1904

City of  Toronto Archives Fonds 1244, item 2

It affected our community and our city, and yet the Great Fire seems to go unmentioned in any of Archbishop Denis O’Connor’s records. Our bishop’s papers represent the administrative history of the Archdiocese, and thankfully no Archdiocesan property was affected by the fire.

We were excited to find the fire documented in the daily journals of Toronto Catholic Matthew O’Connor. Records of parishioners fall outside of our collection mandate, but somehow O'Connor's journals found their way into our collection. And, in moments like this, we're especially thankful to have them.

The Greatest Fire in Toronto's history began tonight at 8:30 and continued all night... began on Wellington Street opposite Holland House. Destroying both sides of Bay from Melinda down to the Bay...Front Street.. Esplanade ave. all business places in neighborhood. loss about $10 000 000. Cold stormy night for the fire.

Matthew O'Connor Daily Journal, 1904
DC Item #59
ARCAT Desk Calendar Collection

It's interesting to see the fire described by a Torontonian of the day. The scope and estimated damage were unlike anything the city had seen in its history. Some amazing footage of the fire was captured and distributed across Canada by photographer George Scott and his assistant. Scott's film is now available on Youtube. Video Courtesy of Library & Archives Canada, ISN #16107

The rebuilding in the years that followed the Fire helped shape the city as we know it today. Tucked into O'Connor's journal was a clipping showing plans for the new Union Station to be built in the "Burnt District".

undated clipping
DC Item #59
ARCAT Desk Calendar Collection

You can find more information and more photographs of Great Fire of Toronto on the Archives of Ontario website here.

Friend of my soul, farewell to thee! The death of Thomas D'Arcy McGee

150 years ago today, 80,000 people lined the streets of Montreal to say goodbye to a Father of Confederation, Thomas D'Arcy McGee, who was assassinated on his way home from parliament in the early hours of April 7th, 1868.

Thomas D'Arcy McGee

1868

PH 70/02P
ARCAT Photograph Collection

McGee was born in Ireland in 1825. He first came to the United States in 1842, and quickly became involved in journalism and Irish Catholic affairs. He returned to Dublin for a few years before moving again to New York and Boston. His career as a journalist, orator, and author took off.

As an advocate for Catholic rights, McGee corresponded with the bishops of Toronto. Having decided that he didn't want to raise his children in the United States, in 1856 McGee wrote to Bishop de Charbonnel for advice about moving north:

"My Lord: Disappointed in this country of that religious freedom and equal justice, which was the hope of so many emigrants, I have all but resolved, to make my future home and that of my children, in the valley of the Ottawa, probably at Ottawa city.

"I write to ask the favor of your Lordship's advice - if you will be so kind as to give it me - as to that section of the province. 

"My hope is to bring up my children unstained and unmarked by false systems of education, or miseducation, and as I cannot isolate them thoroughly in this state of society, I am most anxious to take them, with that view, to Canada.

"For myself I possess a sort of half competence, which with a connexion with some Canada publication would yield me a sufficient income. My wants, except in books, are few and easily purchased. But I will not conceal from your Lordship, that being in my 32nd year, and having a passion for political studies, I would fain hope to enter your parliament, and render some service in the battle, which your Lordship is so heroically fighting for the souls of the children of your province. 

"As I expect to be in Montreal about the 25th instant, on a visit to the lower province, may I beg the favor of your Lordship's views, directed for me, to the care of Mr. Sadlier the publisher, of that city. 

"I have the honor to subscribe myself your Lordship's most obedient servant, Thomas D'arcy McGee"

July 10, 1856

C AH01.01

Bishop de Charbonnel Fonds

McGee became involved in Canadian politics, and went on to push for Canadian confederation. Somewhere along the way, he managed to anger the Fenian Brotherhood, who were blamed for his assassination.

After McGee's death, Archbishop Lynch wrote a heartfelt letter of condolence to his widow:

"My Dear Madam,

"Permit me to offer to you and your good children the heartfelt expression of my condolence in this hour of your severest trial and grief. May Almighty God Himself console you, and His Blessed Mother of Sorrows assist you to bear yours! I offered up the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the repose of the soul of your honored husband and will not forget to include him in in my mementoes of the Holy Mysteries. I join in the universal grief of the people upon the sad death of one of the brightest ornaments of our country and abhor with my whole heart the wicked deed which cut short so valuable a life.

"I am, my dear Madam, with renewed expression of condolence your most humble servant."

April 10, 1868

L AF03.10

Archbishop Lynch Fonds

Lynch saved a clipping from an 1875 newspaper that memorialized McGee:

April 8, 1875

L AF03.11
Archbishop Lynch Fonds

Though his life was relatively short, McGee left a lasting impression on the country. He was a voice for the Irish and for Catholics. His photo was passed down through the family of Fr. Gerald Culliton before it made its way to the archives:

ca. 1867

PH 70/01P
ARCAT Photograph Collection

Fun fact! D'Arcy McGee was quite the poet. You can read his collected works here.

Archives Awareness Week: Word Search

April 2nd to 8th is Archives Awareness Week in Ontario.

Click here for a full list of events sponsored by participating archives.

This year we are offering our blog readers an archives word search. Find the word "archives" in all of the following documents:

Neil McNeil fonds, First World War series, FWCG01.60

Bishop Lynch fonds, LAM12.07

Archbishop Lynch Letterbook, LB05.200

Cardinal McGuigan fonds, MGFA02.33b

Archbishop Lynch fonds, LAA13.21

Latin translation required.

Archbishop McNeil fonds, MNAH01.32

Neil McNeil fonds, MNTA01.173

Excerpt from a chancery inventory, ca. 1934

St. Catharines fonds, SCAE05.05

And now for more of a challenge:

See below for solution:

Record of the Week: The Ceremonies of Holy Week

Our record for this Holy Week is a lecture given by Archbishop Lynch describing the blessing of the Holy Oils.

Holy Week is the week of preparation before Easter Sunday, recounting Christ’s final days on earth.
On Holy Thursday, we remember and celebrate Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist. It is the night when we renew our mandate to serve one another. One Holy Thursday tradition is the washing of the feet, which first took place at the Last Supper.

Chrism Mass and the blessing of holy oils to be used by parishes throughout the year has traditionally been celebrated on Holy Thursday. Our Archdiocesan Chrism Mass is now celebrated on the Tuesday of Holy Week at St. Michael's Cathedral. 

 L AA12.67, Archbishop Lynch Fonds

 

 

You can learn more about the significance of Holy Week and Easter Weekend on our website.



Exhibit Opening: Love Your Neighbour as Yourself

Last Thursday, we had the pleasure of attending the launch of Love Your Neighbour as Yourself: Catholic Social Teaching in Toronto, an exhibition at the John M. Kelly Library, University of St. Michael's College.

The evening began with a public lecture by Most Rev. Paul-André Durocher, Archbishop of Gatineau, entitled Echo Chamber or Megaphone? The Church in Canada and the Prophetic Voice of Pope Francis. Archbishop Durocher gave a brief history of Catholic Social doctrine, which is constantly enriched through the writings of the popes. Specifically, he highlighted quotes by Pope Francis on each of the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching and also shared anecdotes from his own life and career. We were left with a sense that Catholics really are lucky to have the Church's wisdom on social issues to guide their own decisions.

At the reception that followed, we had a chance to see the exhibit for the first time:

ARCAT Staff Photo

Guests peruse the display cases during the reception.

ARCAT Staff Photo

Catholic social doctrine has its roots in scripture and the writings of the saints, such as St. Augustine and St. Francis of Assisi.
However, the Church's contemporary Catholic Social Teaching really began with the publication of Rerum Novarum, the 1891 papal encyclical by Leo XIII on the rights of workers.

This introductory case features the Kelly Library's treasured copies of Rerum Novarum.

ARCAT Staff Photo

This timeline plots the publication dates of the papal encyclicals and letters that contributed to Catholic Social Teaching. Also included are the establishment dates of the religious orders that were fundamental to education at St. Michael's College - the Basilian Fathers, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto and the Loretto Sisters.

The exhibit was curated by James Roussain, Outreach Archivist at the Kelly Library, who decided to organize content around the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching. St. Michael's College's community partners, including the Archdiocese of Toronto, were invited to contribute brief narratives that exemplify the themes. Many of these stories highlight active ministries and programs, underscoring the fact that Catholic Social Teaching is active and relevant in the College community.

Special Collections from the Kelly Library are also featured, including material from The Henri J.M. Nouwen Archives and from the G.K. Chesterton Collection.

ARCAT Staff Photo

The theme of the case (above) is "Life and Dignity of the Human Person." ARCAT contributed archival material from ShareLife to illustrate this theme. ShareLife is the annual charitable appeal of the Archdiocese of Toronto. It was established in 1975 to ensure that Catholic fundraising would not be used to support abortion counselling and referrals.

ARCAT Staff Photo

The exhibit also includes the art pieces installed along the back wall.

ARCAT Staff Photo

This case allowed each of the participating archives to highlight individuals from their organizations whose careers particularly embodied Catholic Social Teaching.
Top left: ARCAT contributed a biography of Henry Somerville (1889-1953), an ardent socialist and Catholic journalist. With the support of Archbishop of Toronto Neil McNeil, Somerville brought the Catholic social teachings of Rerum Novarum to the attention of Canadians through his work at The Catholic Register.

Curating archivist James Roussain (Kelly Library) and Dr. James Ginther (Dean of the Faculty of Theology) with the archivists of the Loretto Sisters, Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, Archdiocese of Toronto, and the Basilian Fathers, who contributed material to the exhibition.

You can visit the Love Your Neighbour as Yourself exhibition on the ground floor of the the John M. Kelly Library, 113 St. Joseph St., Toronto, until June 8, 2018.

Record of the Week: Archbishop Lynch's Boyhood Home

It's St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, so today began with the question, "what kind of records do we have about Ireland?" The answer turned out to be that we have a photo of the school where Archbishop Lynch was raised and received his early education in Lucan, County Dublin, Ireland.

One source explained: "One of the first national schools in the Lucan area was located in the Hollow. It is recorded as being independent until 1833 when it came under the control of the National Board. In 1836 110 boys and 93 girls are recorded being educated there under the auspices of Mr. James Lynch and Mrs. Anne Lynch.One of their sons and a pupil of the school, John Joseph Lynch ... became the first Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto, Canada. In 1864, 140 boys and 120 girls are recorded as attending this school with Elizabeth Knight as headmistress. However at this time the school is recorded to have been in a state of bad repair with a very poor supply of schoolbooks and teaching aids.The school finally closed down in 1864 and the pupils moved to two new schools in St. Mary's Church grounds. The girls' school became known as St. Anne's and is still part of the Convent building. The boys' school was Lucan Boys National School, in existence up until 1963. It then became the parish centre until 1994 when it was finally demolished to make way for new development."

"Old Schoolhouse"
Lucan, Co. Dublin
Boyhood home of Abp Lynch .
Bldg. served as his father's school house besides being the Lynch's home.
PH 04\26P

In 1851, Thom's Irish Almanac described Lucan this way:

"Lucan, an inland town and parish in Newcastle barony, Dublin county seven miles W. from Dublin comprising an area of 1,126 acres of which 33 are in the town. Population of parish l,l39, of town, 563, inhabiting 91 houses. It is situated close to the line of the Great Southern and Western Railway, of which it is the second station from Dublin, and upon the mail-coach road to Galway and Sligo. After the Conquest this place was settled on Richard de Peche, one of the early English adventurers ... The town is prettily situated in a fertile vale, on the east bank of the River Liffey, which is here crossed by bridge of one arch, with granite parapet, surmounted by iron palisades, and consists of one wide angular street of small but neat houses and cottages, most of which are let in summer to visitors and invalids. Its public buildings are, the Parish Church, a neat structure with a tower and spire, a large new Roman Catholic Chapel, and a Wesleyan Methodist Meeting House. It has a Dispensary and a Loan Fund; a Lending Library, and National Schools. It is a Chief Constabulary Police Station and Petty Sessions are held every alternate Tuesday. Lucan is noted for its chalybeate spa, and is much resorted to for its efficacy in scorbutic, bilious, and rheumatic complaints ... The scenery around Lucan is delightfully varied, and in part romantically beautiful, particularly in the grounds of Weston park, in which is the well known and much-frequented waterfall, called the "Salmon Leap;" which consists of a succession of rocky ledges on the Liffey, over which the fish dart at one bound. It forms a beautiful cascade, the picturesque effect of which is greatly increased by the rich and lofty wooded banks of the river, and the adjoining tastefully embellished demesne of the Leixlip Castle..." 

Sounds like a nice place to grow up!

You can find more photos of Lucan and area on the South Dublin County Libraries website.

P.S. You can buy your very own schoolhouse in Lucan for 600,000 euros!