Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, California, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. referring to his declining health. He writes 'Tis a desperate fight I'm making for life. ... I was more a corpse than alive when brought in here [hospital]. I have anaemia & ulceration of stomach. Though [the] former more serious, the latter would almost kills a bull'. Bibby adds 'When I think of Fr. Peter and his 4 Def[initors] I find it hard not to be bitter, but I try as best to have patience and offer up this suffering in expatiation of my sins’. He also refers to on-going work at the mission in Santa Inés.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. expressing his relief at being able to work again and affirming that he would like to do more preaching. He also refers to communications from Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. and to his distress on not having access to Irish newspapers. Reference is also made to the troubled state of Ireland. He writes ‘the greatest opportunity that came for nearly 800 years lost: it would make one’s blood boil’.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., confirming that a letter has arrived from the Provincial Minister stating that he has arranged for his travelling to Abbottstown in Pennsylvania. Fr. Albert writes ‘I simply dread the saying good-bye here. But I see I must face it and rely on God’s help to bring me through this as he has brought me through other unpleasant experiences in the past’.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby, St. Benedict’s Rectory, 320 West End Street, New York, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., re his arrival in New York and to his meeting with Fr. Solanus Casey OFM Cap. He describes Casey as ‘a New Yorker, a great worker in the cause and a grand Friar of genial but somewhat ascetic type. He speaks at meetings, writes in [the] Press, and is the friend and trusted confidant of the right people’. Fr. Albert also refers to divisions in the Irish community in New York and notes that ‘our friends are split up into pieces – too bad. I’m speaking with a grand type of man who with tears in his eyes spoke of Liam M[ellows] … English gold and English diplomacy is at work in sowing the seeds of discord here’. He concludes that ‘the more I see here the greater my appreciation of Ireland’.
A note from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap. referring to his preparations for his departure for the Santa Inés mission in California. Bibby remarks that he arrived in New York City 'almost a wreck' but leaves it in 'pretty good form'.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, to Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., referring to his weakening condition and suggesting that the end is near. He writes ‘I know my dear mother and sisters will feel my death – won’t you write and console them’. He asks to be remembered in a lengthy list of family members and friends. Bibby writes 'Remember me to all the brethren – for no one have I the smallest particle of bitterness, though alas I have often said bitter things for which I in heartily sorrow'.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Martin Hyland OFM Cap. referring to the decay of the old mission buildings and gardens at Santa Inés in California. He also notes that ‘we have a huge parish with a total of 80 Catholic families of almost every nationality under the sun ...’.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, California, to Fr. Matthew O’Connor OFM Cap., Church Street, Dublin, referring to his declining condition. He wrote ‘I’m so weak and in such a serious condition that I know not if I shall be alive to-morrow’. He declared that he has renewed his profession ‘surrounded by the Franciscan Sisters here and Fr. Dillon, a devoted Kerry friend’. Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. died two days later on 14 Feb. 1925. With cover.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., St. Francis Hospital, Santa Barbara, California, to Fr. Paul Neary OFM Cap., stating that he is ‘perfectly resigned to God’s will and wonderfully happy family’. An annotation on the top of page reads: Fr. Albert’s last letter to me. It was posted after his death. Fr. Paul’
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, referring to his weakened condition and his closeness to death. He asks for 'forgiveness and pardon for all my faults, and for all the disedifications I have given, as well for all the violations of [the] Rule, Constitutions and Regulations of which I have been guilty'. Bibby asserts that he wishes 'to die a loyal member of the Irish Province'. He encloses a newspaper cutting from the 'Santa Barbara Daily News' (21 Jan. 1925) containing an article with (photographic prints) of Mission Santa Inés and ‘Padre Albert’. With a cover and copies.
