In 1852, Martin John Spalding successor to Benedict Joseph Flaget as bishop of Louisville, published a book called “Sketches of the Life, Times, and Character of the Right Reverend Benedict Joseph Flaget, First Bishop of Louisville.
It is a long book which really is more than sketches. It has a fairly detailed biography, and many, many dates and specific descriptions of things. He got much of the material straight from Bishop Flaget’s own personal journal, and from his private papers, which Bishop Spalding had at his disposal after Bishop Flaget’s death in 1850.
One of the stories in the book that we did not include in our episode on Bishop Flaget was the one account of a miracle attributed to the holy Bishop prayers and blessing. The miracle occurred in December of 1835, while Bishop Flaget was in France. Flaget had been bishop of Bardstown for 27 years by this point. He had tried to resign his position due to ill health in 1832, but the love of his flock compelled him to return to that duty just one year later. This four-year trip back to Europe was his only trip to his native land after he arrived in America in January of 1792. For more details of his remarkable life please listen to our longer episode. But in this “extra,” I just want to share with you the text as Bishop Spalding relates it concerning this one particular miracle attributed to his prayers.
Bishop Spalding writes,
"...we will here publish an official and well authenticated document, from the archives of the Bishop of Nantes, which contains the edifying details of the wonderful cure of Mademoiselle De Monti, attributed to the prayers of our holy prelate. The paper, we are confident, will be perused by all with interest and profit:•
“On the first of June, 1834, Miss Olympia de Monti, nineteen years of age, was attacked by a malady which was supposed to be an inflammatory fever. Her illness became so violent, that on the third day she could scarcely breathe. About two o’clock in the morning of that day, the curate of St. Peter’s was summoned in great haste, and administered to her the sacrament of Extreme Unction. The physicians became at this period convinced that her disease was a malignant fever; and they had recourse to strong remedies. But, on the fifth day, when the fever went off, she fell into such a state of exhaustion, that her life was despaired of. Mr. Audrain, curate of th cathedral, gave her the holy Viaticum, which she received with sentiments of profound piety. A few moments afterwards, she said to those
present, that she felt much better.
“Miss De Monti became each day better ; and on the seventh she was pronounced out of danger. All anticipated for her a speedy recovery ; but on trying to walk, she found that she was unable to stand alone nor could she take a step unless she was supported, or rather carried, by two persons. In the month of August following, she became unable to walk even with such support. From that period until August 1835, she was confined to her bed. She was each day placed in an arm-chair ; but could remain up only about half an hour in the morning, and the same length of time in the afternoon. From this date she was not able to do even this, and her weakness increased daily. Three of the most celebrated physicians of Paris, and five of Nantes, had been consulted; but they could do nothing to relieve her. The remedies prescribed seemed but to augment her malady. Neither her parents nor herself entertained the slightest hope of her recovery.
“About this time they heard of the miraculous cures which had been effected by the prayers of Bishop Flaget, who was then at Nantes. But they were aware that the holy prelate was unwilling to be spoken to regarding the miracles wrought by his intercession. It was also difficult to obtain the privilege of being visited by the Bishop, as they were then sojourning at the Villa de Grillaud, near Nantes ; nor was it possible to have the young lady conveyed thither, in her then prostrate condition. A venerable English Trappist, Father Bernard, was then at the Villa de Grillaud ; and to this good religious Miss De Monti’s parents expressed their ardent desire to receive for themselves, but especially for their daughter, the Bishop’s benediction. Father Bernard promised to do all in his power to engage him to pay them a visit.
“He was successful ; and on the 4th of December, at half past ten in the morning, they had the the happiness of receiving a visit from Bishop Flaget. After having obtained his benediction, Monsieur and Madame De Monti remarked to him, that their daughter would be deprived of this happiness, unless he would have the charity to visit her in her room, as she had been confined to her bed for many months. He replied, that he would with pleasure do so, in order to exhort her to resign herself perfectly to the decrees of divine Providence.
“When Madame De Monti had conducted him to her daughter’s room, she retired. The Bishop remained fifteen or twenty minutes with Miss De Monti. She afterwards related to her parents that he gave her his blessing twice, and made the sign of the cross on her forehead. Moreover, the holy prelate promised to pray for her intention during nine consecutive days, and recommended to her to recite the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, and a prayer to the Blessed Virgin. The good prelate then took leave of her, and left the country house of Grillaud about eleven o’clock.
“After the Bishop’s departure, the young lady’s parents repaired to her room. She told them, she was persuaded that she would soon be well ; but expressed a desire to pass some moments in prayer, in order to give God thanks for this auspicious visit. She was, therefore, left alone with her sister, the Countess De Maquille. Miss De Monti began to recite the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus, which she did without being fatigued ; though, a few moments before, she was scarcely able to recite a Pater or an Ave. She has since declared to her parents that she soon felt as if animated by a new life.
“After having repeated the Litany, she said to her sister, that she felt as if she was cured, and that she was strong enough to walk. At the same time, she sat upright in her bed, which so much surprised Madame De Maquille, that she was near fainting. Miss De Monti, seeing her sister’s emotion, asked for her clothes, and bade her be calm. She put on the garments which had been given to her ; then rising, without any assistance, seated herself in the chair wdiich Bishop Flaget had occupied during his visit. Then she proceeded to the other end of the room ; and, prostrating herself before a crucifix, made a short prayer.
“It was then about half-past one. Madame De Maquille opened a window, and cried out to those below: ‘Olympia is walking.’ Upon this announcement, all the members of the household rushed towards Miss De Monti’s room. For a long time she could not bear the slightest noise in her apartment ; but now the presence of about twenty persons had no effect upon her. All beheld her walking about, without the least assistance.
“She continued walking for some time ; then wrote to Bishop Flaget. M. De Monti proceeded to the Bishop’s palace, to announce to the two prelates the happy tidings. Falling on his knees before the Bishop of Bardstown, he related the miraculous cure that had taken place. It would be impossible to describe the joy and astonishment of the persons, who were witnesses of this touching interview. The Abbe Vrignaud, secretary of the Bishop of Nantes, went to offer his felicitations to the family of M. de Monti, and to see himself the evidences of this miraculous cure. He saw Miss Olympia walking with perfect ease. She had regained the use of all her members.
“On the following day, the 5th of December, he went again to Grillaud, and there met Drs. Lafond and Fadioleau. Miss De Monti had descended from her apartment, and was then in the parlor ; she advanced with a firm step to receive them. She had not experienced the least fatigue in coming down the stairs. On the 11th of the same month, — eight days after her recovery, she went to Nantes. The next day she had the happiness of hearing Mass, and receiving the Holy Communion in the chapel of the Archbishop of Nantes.
“During several succeeding days, she received visits of congratulation from her friends, and answered different letters. It cannot be said that her health is improving; because from the day of the Bishop’s visit, her cure was complete ; as many witnesses testify."
Thus ends the testimony that Archbishop Spalding relates. In footnotes of the book he writes about eight physicians who were asked to look into the case of Miss De Monti, as well as five other unexplained cures that occurred in December of 1835 in and around Nantes. The physicians, members of the faculty of medicine in paris, did and extensive review of all six cases and determined the following:
“The six patients, for a long time the victims of disease over which art had not been able to triumph, present themselves at the feet of a pious Bishop, receive his benediction ; and the most of them find themselves immediately delivered from all their ills. This circumstance, coming to the support of all the considerations which precede, adds much to their value. Hence we do not hesitate to renew here the declaration, that these are not to be viewed as ordinary cures ; but that there intervened in their production certain hidden causes, superior to the province of the medical art, and to the course of nature”
That’s about as close as men of science can come to saying “yeah, that’s a miracle.”
And I will wrap up this little “extra” with a call for prayers that the Church in Louisville may consider opening the cause of this holy man, one of the most important figures in building the Church in America.
Listen to the episode: https://americancatholichistory.org/bishop-benedict.../
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We had a splendid time visiting The Willows, the home of Joseph Warren Revere, last weekend. It sits within Fosterfields Living Historical Farm outside of Morristown, New Jersey. We were in town for a wedding, and couldn't pass on the opportunity to see this historic home. And what a well-preserved bit of history it is!
The Foster family, who bought the house from Revere's widow, preserved a number of Revere's things, including the extensive trompe l'oeil paintings he did in the foyer and dining room.
If you're ever in the Morristown, NJ area we highly recommend you take the time to visit The Willows — and the rest of Fosterfields. They have additional museums on site, plus a working farm that preserves techniques and activities from 1920s farming. You also can pet the animals and take part in the work.
In 1819, Father Samuel Sutherland Cooper was shocked when the host in his hands suddenly changed into a piece of bleeding flesh. This happened in Augusta, Georgia, just a few days after Father Cooper had boasted that a demonstration proving the doctrine of Transubstantiation would take place on Sunday. His rash boast — and he recognized its rashness as soon as he'd proclaimed it — was in response to the abuse being hurled upon the Church, and especially upon the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, by an ex-priest who still lived in the area. The remarkable happening naturally caused a sensation. Learn more about the remarkable life of Samuel Sutherland Cooper: https://americancatholichistory.org/samuel-sutherland-cooper/
Father Henry Duranquet, SJ, became known as The Apostle to the Tombs because of his work with prisoners in New York's prisons, including the one known as The Tombs.
His patient ministry brought thousands of criminals to Christ — or back to Christ. But perhaps his most spectacular work was with the notorious international murderer and thief Albert Hicks. Hicks was under a death sentence, but he went to the gallows after having returned to Christ by the hands and through the ministry of Father Hicks.
Listen to the entire episode: https://americancatholichistory.org/father-henry-duranquet-sj-apostle-to-the-tombs/
Prior to 2024, eleven national and international eucharistic congresses took place in the United States. The first was in 1895. What is a eucharistic congress? What gave rise to them? What happens at them? We talk about these questions and give some highlights from a number of the congresses of the past. Listen in!
Perry Como sold over 100 million albums, had dozens of songs reach the charts, and won 5 Emmys over a 19-year television career. Como was one of the most successful and beloved entertainers of the 20th century. But unlike contemporaries like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, or Dean Martin, he didn’t seek the limelight. Born to poor Catholic immigrant parents in bleak circumstances in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Como first made his mark as a barber. He would sing while cutting hair, in part to bring joy into the bleakness, and in part because it brought in the customers. Eventually his fiancée, Roselle Belline, some friends, and his father, pushed him to try out a career as a singer. He was a hit almost overnight. But as he went from success to success, his gentleness, humility, and genuineness won him fans and admirers where it really mattered: among his colleagues, friends, family, and the countless people whom he helped in ways large and small along the way. In spite of his success, he ...
Margaret Haughery came to America as a child in 1818 and promptly lost her entire family to disease and desertion. She married and had a child, but before her 24th birthday she lost her husband and daughter to disease. Through the help of her parish priest she turned this tragedy and pain into energy to work hard and help others. For the next 40-plus years she became one of the most prominent philanthropists in New Orleans, turning a dairy business, and then a bread empire, into orphanages, homes for indigent mothers and elderly, and schools. She became known as "The Bread Woman of New Orleans." Her death in 1882 was a public calamity. The archbishop, many priests, many politicians, and even the Pope honored her at her funeral. Two years later a public monument to her was erected, the first statue honoring a woman erected on public land in the United States.
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Who are supporters? Those who support our work with at least $5 each month. We actually have a great line-up of perks for supporters:
$5/month: access to all our "Supporter-Only" content. We've been working hard at developing some new content beyond our weekly podcast. Each month we plan to release a video in our new "American Catholic History On Location" series, taking you to American Catholic places near and far. Look out for our inaugural video tomorrow!
We also will be releasing longer-form interviews ...
We've been re-posting back episodes lately, but we will have another new episode later this week. Here's the Andy Warhol episode from a few months back.
https://americancatholichistory.org/andy-warhol/
Congratulations to my brother who will be starting a dream job next week! Read his reflection on this transition. https://falliblecatholic.substack.com/p/a-new-chapter
