Claretian Formation

FIRST GREAT EXPANSION (1870-1899)

The Congregation in France

Fathers, students and novices were together in the house of Prades. They lived there in straitened circumstances and there too persecution arrived. But soon after, in May of 1871, thanks to Fr. Clotet, a house was founded in Thuir. The Noviciate house was established there and it became at the same time the quarters of the General Government. Fr. Clotet acted as Superior, and Fr. Clement Serrat as Novice Master. Soon the number of students and priests increased. In ten years it went from 100 to 400. Frs. Gavín and Genover, two great missionaries, were there, while Fr. Bech took care of recruiting new vocations in Spain.

The community of Thuir devoted itself mainly to formation, but it also worked giving missions in that region, and learning to adjust themselves to France. This community lasted until October 26, 1880. On that day, because of a French law by which all Congregations that were not approved had to leave the country, the Secretary General went to the house with some policemen to inform the missionaries that they had just a few days to abandon the building.

Restoration in Spain

On October 5, 1875 the copy of the Royal Order by which they could return to their former possessions in Spain arrived in Thuir, sent by Fr. Xifré. Alfonso XII had already entered Madrid. The houses of Vic, Segovia and La Selva were recovered. Those who went to La Selva soon founded in Tarragona, where the Congregation had already been since1872, but had been compelled to quit. The houses of Gracia and Huesca were also recovered.

In 1876 the IV General Chapter was celebrated in Gracia; Fr. Xifré was reelected General, as were also the same assistants, Fr. Clotet as Subdirector and Frs. Serrat, Font and Solá as consultors.

First Foundations in Spain after the Restoration

There were new foundations in Alfaro and Alagón (1875), Solsona and Calahorra (1878) and Pamplona (1880). Fr. Antony Pueyo, future bishop of Pasto (Colombia), was sent to Cordoba to make the first foundation in the South of Spain on 3 September 1876.

Foundation in Madrid

Fr. Antony Solá was entrusted with the foundation in Madrid in 1877, in Toledo Street, n. 42. There was great interest on the part of Fr. General in this foundation in the capital of Spain; this was important to facilitate the transaction of all affairs with the National Government. Fr. Mata succeeded Fr. Solá and, for 20 years, he carried out with great success works in Madrid such as “Iris de Paz” and “Annales” of the Congregation. Frs. Postíus and Dueso worked tirelessly in this house.

Disastrous Foundation in Cuba (1879)

This was an offer by the Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba. It had always been a dream of the missionaries to be able to continue the work of the Founder in that diocese. Fr. Xifré sent the first expedition in May, with Fr. Manent in charge. Everything started well, but tragedy soon struck. A few months after their arrival, three members of the expedition fell in three days, victims of the yellow fever. Two weeks later, two more died. In view of this, Fr. Solá was greatly discouraged. When Fr. Xifré ordered Fr. Solá to return to the peninsula, telegrams were crossed: one with this message: “Solá, Sassoliver, Pérez, dead. Xuriach critical: quid? Urgent. Manent.” Fr. Xifré’s answer was: “Come first ship. Xifré.” Of the 6 Priests and 5 Brothers only two remained alive: Fr. Manent and Bro. Sesé. The reaction was a shower of voluntary offerings from the whole Congregation to go to Cuba.

The Missions of the Gulf of Guinea

This Vicariate had been under the care of the Jesuits since 1858. In 1868 the subsidy was withdrawn from them and they left definitely in 1872. Things did not go well in that mission until, finally, in 1882 Fr. Xifré was invited to assume it. By accepting the mission, the Congregation obtained also the exemption from military service on behalf of the young missionaries in formation, something Fr. Xifré longed for. The first expedition of 10 voluntary missionaries was sent in 1883. Fr. Ciriaco Ramírez went as Apostolic Prefect. The history of this mission is completed in the chapter on Missions.

Foundation in Rome

To have a foundation in Rome was the dream of any Institute with aspirations of expansion and agility in its transactions. They started in 1884 with the direction of the Spanish College of Rome that would later be transferred to Via Giulia and become the Hispanic-Roman seminary.

At the same time two more houses were founded in Spoleto: the Fosco and San Félix. They were founded by Fr. Antony Naval, but were soon suppressed.

Foundation in Mexico

The idea of having a foundation in Mexico had already crossed the mind of Fr. Claret when he was in Rome on the occasion of the Council. But he was not very enthusiastic, due to the political situation. Not until 1883, when the situation improved, could they seriously discuss the matter. A canon, nephew of the Archbishop of Mexico City, approached Fr. Xifré in Barcelona and suggested this foundation. It was accepted, and Fr. Dominic Solá was tasked with its realisation. He arrived there on 15 November. Toluca was the city chosen to begin the Claretian presence in Mexico. On August 3, 1884 they took possession of the church and the house and soon after a school was erected.

In 1887 the house of Jesús María would be founded in the Mexican capital and in 1892 that of San Hipólito.

Two Providential Foundations: Santo Domingo de la Calzada and Cervera

The church and the University-College of the Franciscans were the basis of the foundation of Santo Domingo in 1885. It was the first great house of studies of the Congregation in Spain. All the theologians from Gracia moved there and the noviciate was transferred there as well. Fr. Isaac Burgos took part in this foundation. Its first Superior was Fr. Serrat. Fr. Vallier, newly arrived from Chile was the novicemaster. Some conditions had been imposed upon the authorities: they should repair the building. Since these conditions were not complied with, Fr. Xifré ordered the community to abandon Santo Domingo but, through the intervention of Fr. Philip Amigo, a priest of the city, things were arranged and the order of transfer was revoked. Soon the hospital and the schools were constructed. The community continued increasing and the new installations were also occupied.

The initial difficulties in Santo Domingo and the increase of the number of formandi in the Congregation compelled the Superiors to accept in 1887 the providential offer of occupying the grandiose building of the former University of Cervera, bigger yet than the building of Santo Domingo. Fr. Mulleras was the first Superior, followed by Fr. Antony Naval. Soon the work began and the Noviciate and Scholasticate for the philosophy students were opened.

Other Foundations in Spain until the General Chapter of 1888

In the year 1881 a foundation was opened in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Fr. Joseph Prim, eminent missionary of those islands, carried out this foundation. Fr. Hilarius Brossosa would consolidate the work.

On July 14, 1881 the house of Zafra was founded, with Fr. Genover in charge.

In 1882 Valmaseda was founded, although it had a population of only 2,500 inhabitants. Tarragona followed in 1883.

The bishop of Lérida insistently requested a foundation in his diocese. In 1885 Fr. Peter Mulleras arrived with the task of organising the foundation, at a time when the cholera was scourging the city.

Jaén was also founded at the request of its bishop in 1885.

In 1886 the foundation of Bilbao took place, with Fr. Diego Gavín as Superior.

Plasencia was an advantageous foundation that was also realised with the help of the bishop. Fr. Navarro took possession of it in 1886.

First Study Houses

When the Spanish civil authorities in 1885 gave the Congregation authorisation to teach, there were already schools in Segovia (1884), Toluca (1884), Gracia (1885) and in the following years, more were created in other houses such as Zafra (1886), Alfaro, Calatayud, Rioseco, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, etc. Our Fr. Founder had thought of the Brothers to carry out this ministry, but Fr. Xifré thought it more convenient to assign priests also.

Annales Congregationis

On 20 November 1885 the General Government published the first number of the “Boletín Religioso de la Congregación” that would later be called “Annales Congregationis.” Its aim was to inform about everything that happened in the Congregation, but also to fill up the void caused by the prohibition of the habitual reading of dailies and newspapers. To this end, it published a selection of the most important news of the whole world.

Cordis Mariae Filius (CMF)

The primitive practice offered a great variety of abbreviations to be used at the end of the signature of the Claretian Missionaries: Pbro., Mro., P. Del C. De Mª., del I.C. de Mª. The present abbreviation cmf started to be used toward 1878. It began to spread until 1887 when Fr. Xifré gave this disposition in the Boletín Religioso: “everyone should attach to his name the initials C.M.F. (Cordis Mariae Filius), since this is the true distinguishing mark by which we, the members of the Congregation, are honoured.”

V General Chapter and New Foundations

In 1888 the V General Chapter was celebrated in Madrid, from June 8 to 17. During this Chapter, Fr. Joseph Xifré was re-elected General of the Congregation. At that moment the Institute had 3 Visitorships, Chile, Fernando Póo and Mexico. Previous dispositions were revised and primary and secondary education were adopted.

During these years, the following foundations were made: Almendralejo (1889), Don Benito (1893), Calatayud (1894), Ciudad Rodrigo, Medina de Rioseco and Valladolid (1894), Écija and Ciudad Real (1895).

Iris de Paz

In 1889 the future “Iris de Paz” or “El Inmaculado Corazón de María” was born in Bilbao. At the beginning it was called “Boletín del Corazón de María.” It was the Congregation’s first own and exclusive publication. It was to be the non-official organ of the Congregation (the official one was Annales). Its first director was Fr. Diego Gavín. From the very outset it was liked, although Fr. Xifré had some reservations. Soon the work exceeded the possibilities of Fr. Gavín, and in 1891 Fr. Joseph Mata was appointed director and the magazine was transferred to Madrid. In 1892 it began to be called “Iris de Paz.” In 1897 its format was enlarged and it became fortnightly. From this magazine would later on split away another no less important one in the history of the Congregation: “Ilustración del Clero.”

Chronicle of the Congregation

Fr. Xifré started to write this historical Chronicle of the Congregation on 13 January 1893, aboard the British vessel Mendoza, during a trip from Panama to Guayaquil, across the Pacific. When it was finished is not known. The manuscript is kept in the General Archives of the Congregation in Rome and was first edited in Annales of 1915.

Division in Provinces: Catalonia and Castile

In 1895 the VI General Chapter was celebrated in Cervera (September 3-16). During this extraordinary Chapter the Institute was divided in two Provinces: Catalonia and Castile. But Fr. Xifré continued personally intervening in everything.

The Province of Catalonia comprised Catalonia, Aragon, Valencia and Murcia; the Balearic and Canary Islands; USA, Mexico and other Republics of Central America. Fr. Felix Alexander Cepeda, Chilean, was elected first Provincial Superior. The first foundations of the Province were Sta. Cruz de Tenerife (1896), Sabadell (1899) and Olesa de Montserrat (1899).

The Province of Castile comprised the two former Castiles, Estremadura, Andalusia, Leon, Navarra, Galicia, Asturias, the Basque country and the South American Republics. Fr. Isaac Burgos was elected first Provincial Superior. The first foundations of the Province were Aranda de Duero (1897) and Aldeia da Ponte, first foundation in Portugal (1898), which disappeared immediately after the persecutions of 1901.

Creation of Visitorships

Soon it was obvious that there was a need of creating some Visitorships, since they could not be made into Provinces, due to scarcity of personnel.

Through the Visitorship of Guinea two new Apostolic Prefects passed after Fr. Ramírez: first, Fr. Vall-Llovera (1888) who died one and a half year later, of a gangrenous sickness. Shortly after, came Fr. Armengol Coll, a great missionary that would later be appointed Apostolic Vicar.

In the Chapter of 1895 the Visitorships of America were created, although they remained dependent from the new Provinces of Spain. That of Mexico, from Catalonia; and those of Chile and Brazil, from Castile.

As regards the Visitorship of Chile, there had already been two foundations in Valparaiso and Curicó (both in 1880). In 1895 the house of Linares was founded.

In the Visitorship of Brazil, after the campaign of Fr. Raymond Genover and nine other missionaries, the foundations of São Paulo and Campinas were established (1899). In São Paulo the results of the foundation were surprising. Fr. Eusebio Sacristán presided over the foundation. Among the members of this community was Fr. Francis Ozamis, future bishop of San José de Tocantins.

In charge of the North American Visitorship, which comprised Mexico and USA, was Fr. Dominic Solá (1888) until Fr. John Melé was appointed (1889). The foundations of Guanajuato (1895), Leon (1895), Puebla (1896) and Orizaba (1900) were also established.

The Magazine Ave Maria

A Brazilian Catholic, Mr. Tiburtino Martín, very devout of the Blessed Virgin, founded in 1898 the magazine “Ave Maria.” It would not have lasted long, had not the Claretian missionaries, newly arrived in São Paulo, taken charge of it the following year. The growth of the magazine was spectacular. In 1908 it was already the Catholic magazine with the largest number of subscribers of the whole of Brazil. After more than one century of existence, it has become a great editorial emporium, basically focusing on the spreading of the Holy Bible.

Situation of the Institute at the End of this Period

Fr. Clotet represented the tendency to the establishment of Provinces in the Congregation, out of fidelity to the Constitutions. Fr. Xifré, on the contrary, was in favour of a more centralised Congregation. The Chapter of 1888 had posed the question and the formation of Provinces was rejected. However, during the extraordinary General Chapter of 1895 the theme was taken up again, and the result was a unanimous decision in favour of the division into two Provinces: Catalonia and Castile.

At any rate, the powers of the Provincials were not clearly defined. There was a new extraordinary General Chapter in 1896, but the situation was not clarified either. By that time, Fr. Dominic Fábregas had already died (1895) and Fr. Jaime Clotet had just died (1896).

The Provincials, in turn, especially Fr. Isaac Burgos, began to prepare with sufficient time the Ordinary Chapter of 1900. They were trying to obtain the decentralisation of the government in the Institute. But Fr. Xifré died on November 3, 1899, after having ruled the Congregation for 41 years. His was an immense work. He received the Congregation with one house and 10 persons and, at the moment of his death, it had 61 houses and 1,368 persons.