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Letters of Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap. (1897-1980). The correspondents include Fr. Kieran O’Callaghan OFM Cap.; Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister. Reference is made to the activities of Fr. Declan McFadden OFM Cap., Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap., Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap. and Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap. The subjects include efforts to establish missionary stations in Northern Rhodesia and to the difficulties and frustrations with on-going work in the parishes of Parow and Athlone in Cape Town, South Africa. Fr. Seraphin also refers to the need for mass stipends and funds and to the physical hardships in adjusting to the African climate, customs and languages. He recounts Fr. Killian Flynn’s efforts to ‘discover which is the language most commonly used in our territory around Livingstone’ (25 Dec. 1931).

Ledger of loans and monies supplied to the Irish Capuchin missions in Africa compiled by Fr. Kieran O’Callaghan OFM Cap., Provincial Secretary. The ledger includes records of money supplied to Fr. Alban Cullen OFM Cap. and Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap. to build parish churches in Athlone and Parow, Cape Town, in March 1933. £1,700 was given to Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap. to build a friary (14 June 1937), and £1,000 was given to Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap. for Livingstone Church in Northern Rhodesia. The accounts also include monies derived from the Seraphic Mass Association (SMA) from Aug. 1931-Jan. 1935. The accounts are signed are by Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap. Provincial Minister, 10 Aug. 1937.

Letters of Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap. (1876-1958). The correspondents include: Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, Fr. Kieran O’Callaghan OFM Cap.; Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Vicar. Most of the correspondence relates to the establishment of missions in South Africa and later in Barotseland, Northern Rhodesia. The subjects include: Fr. Casimir’s first impressions of Cape Province (23 Oct. 1929); the journey to Barotseland (30 May 1930); requesting permission to retain Parow parish (26 Feb. 1931); discussions with Monsignor Bruno Wolnik SJ (1882-1960) to establish a local mission a few miles from Livingstone (16 June 1931); the necessity of wearing a white habit. Fr. Casimir wrote: ‘It is almost impossible to wear brown during the hot weather. The Conventual Fathers at Ndola wear white. The Jesuits wear any old things. I suggest a light cream-coloured habit’ (27 Nov. 1931); the need to speak the language in Barotseland ‘before we can hope to gain the hearts of the natives’. (30 Nov. 1931); on the study of the Lozi language (26 Jan. 1932); suggesting that a foundation be established in Barotseland ‘to which Catholics can look to with pride – a large church and school, sufficient for a fifty-mile area’. (3 May 1932); affirming that ‘mission work in Barotseland is going to be a slow business, the obstacles look insurmountable’. Fr. Casimir added: ‘it is a great consolation to know that it can never become a white man’s country’ (23 May 1932); confirming that the new church at Livingstone will cost £3,500 (6 Sept. 1932); referring to the work of Fr. Declan McFadden OFM Cap. and his father (30 Oct. 1932); arrangements for the impending visitation by Fr. James O’Mahony OFM Cap. (3 Dec. 1934); the activities of the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society. (18 Dec. 1934); Fr. Casimir’s arrangements to travel to Ireland via Marseilles on-board the Italian ship, SS 'Giulio Cesare' (5 May 1938). References are also made to the following Capuchin friars: Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap.; Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap.; Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap.; Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap.; Fr. Declan McFadden OFM Cap. The file includes a letter from Fr. C. C. Martindale SJ to Fr. Cuthbert McCann OFM Cap. offering to collect £100 for Fr. Casimir’s missionary work in Barotseland (16 June 1931).

Photographic album (titled ‘The Cambrian Album’) containing black and white prints of the early Irish Capuchin missionaries in Northern Rhodesia. Some of the prints were later annotated by Fr. Edwin Flynn OFM Cap. The album includes:
• Two views of St. Theresa’s Church, Livingstone.
• Postcard print of the consecration of Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap. as Prefect Apostolic, 25 Nov. 1936.
• Fr. Agathangelus Herlihy OFM Cap. with local Christians. (Fr. Agathangelus was resident in Northern Rhodesia from 1936-49).
• Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap., Fr. Christopher Crowley OFM Cap., Fr. Fintan Roche OFM Cap. at Mulobezi. (Fr. Timothy was resident in Northern Rhodesia from 1935-9, Fr. Fintan from 1933-9, and Fr. Christopher from 1933-44).
• Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap. and Fr. Agathangelus Herlihy OFM Cap. outside a tent; Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap. on the banks of the Zambezi River; Fr. Fintan Roche OFM Cap. on the banks of the Zambezi; Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap. on horseback.
• Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap. and Fr. Fintan Roche OFM Cap. inspecting a van with rifles perched against wheel; A view of a barge crossing a river in Northern Rhodesia.
• Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap. with a fishing rod.
• Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap. hunting wild game in Northern Rhodesia (including leopards and zebras).
• Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap. and Fr. Jarlath Gough OFM Cap. with a large group of worshippers outside St. Theresa’s Church, Livingstone. Fr. Jarlath Gough OFM Cap. was resident in Northern Rhodesia from 1936-49.
• Livingstone Church and adjoining school; Fr. Fintan Roche OFM Cap. on the banks of a river; a view of Victoria Falls.
• Fr. Fintan Roche OFM Cap. on the veranda of Livingstone Friary; local Christians with a religious sister at a pageant.
• The installation of Monsignor Killian Flynn OFM Cap. as Prefect Apostolic (25 Nov. 1936). The photograph includes: Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap., Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap., Fr. Christopher Crowley OFM Cap., Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap., Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap., Fr. Jarlath Gough OFM Cap., Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap., Br. Alexius Paolucci OFM Cap. and the Most Rev. Aston Chichester SJ, Archbishop of Salisbury, Rhodesia.
• Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap. at Sawmills School.
• Photographs of early missionary churches and buildings.

Letter from Sr. Maria Angela, a Capuchin Poor Clare, to Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, seeking copies of the 'Ordo' for the Divine Office. She wrote: ‘Now we are in need since the war began. We have no more connection with our Home Convent and received no more orders from there like we received all the years’. Reference is made in the letter to the kindness shown to the sisters by Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap.

Scrapbook of Fr. Albeus McQuillan OFM Cap. (1912-1989) re the history and personnel of the Irish Capuchin mission in Africa. Fr. Albeus arrived in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) in 1942. The scrapbook includes cuttings from missionary periodicals including 'The Father Mathew Record', hand-drawn maps of mission stations and churches, and personal recollections and memoranda by Fr. Albeus re the Capuchin mission in Africa. The volume contains the following sections:
• Photographic prints of the early Irish Capuchins missionaries: Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap.; Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap.; Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap.; Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap.; Fr. Alban Cullen Cap.; Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap.; Fr. Fintan Roche OFM Cap.; Fr. Livinus Keane OFM Cap.; Fr. Jerome McQuillan OFM Cap.; Fr. Christopher Crowley OFM Cap.; Fr. Marcellus Carroll OFM Cap.; Fr. Agathangelus Herlihy OFM Cap.; Fr. Timothy Connery OFM Cap.; Fr. Jarlath Gough OFM Cap.
• List of African missions of the Capuchin Franciscan Order (with the names of mother provinces).
• Calendar of priests in the Irish Capuchin mission to Africa arranged under year, number and total. The calendar runs from 1929-39.
• Personal and mission record (with photographic prints) for Irish Capuchin friars in Africa. Details are given of where the friars were stationed and the duration. Information is given in respect of:
Fr. Casimir Butler OFM Cap. First Superior of African Missions.
Fr. Alban Cullen OFM Cap.
Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap. (with postcard print of the Church at Parow, South Africa, dedicated on 8 Dec. 1935).
Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap. (with circular letter from Fr. Edwin Fitzgibbon OFM Cap. re the appointment of Fr. Killian as Prefect Apostolic of Victoria Falls).
Fr. Timothy Phelim O’Shea OFM Cap.
Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap. (1897-1980)
Fr. Jerome McQuillan OFM Cap.
Fr. Fintan Roche OFM Cap.
Fr. Livinus Keane OFM Cap.
Fr. Christopher Crowley OFM Cap.
Fr. Jarlath Gough OFM Cap. (1902-1983)
Br. Alexius Paolucci OFM Cap. (1898-1983)
Fr. Agathangelus Herlihy OFM Cap.
Fr. Gerard Joyce OFM Cap. (died in Northern Rhodesia in 1944)
• Calendar of Irish Capuchin missionaries in Northern Rhodesia and South Africa from 1929-38 giving details of where stationed and the time spent at each mission station. (pp 42-3).
• ‘The religion of the Blacks’. Manuscript. Sub-title reads: ‘Paper read for the Bonaventure’s Philosophical and Historical Society, Tuesday, January 17th 1937’. (insert at p. 47). The article was possibly compiled by Fr. Declan McFadden OFM Cap.
Maps include:
• Districts of Northern Rhodesia showing density of population. (p. 9)
• Detailed manuscript map showing locations of various Christian missionary stations in Northern Rhodesia. (p. 11).
• Map of Northern Rhodesia showing areas of Tsetse-Fly and Sleeping Sickness infestation (p. 15).
• Map re population and infant mortality in Northern Rhodesia (p. 17).
• Printed map of Cape Town, South Africa (p. 22).
• Manuscript map of the Cape Province, South Africa, showing principal towns and the locations of Capuchin churches at the Welcome Estate, Matroosfontein, Parow, Langa and Athlone. Scale: 2 miles to 1 inch. The key also provides the distances between the aforementioned mission churches. (Insert at p. 27).
• Population map of Barotseland (arranged by district). With information re the number of Protestant schools in the region. (p. 45).
Photographic prints include:
• Fr. Fintan Roche OFM Cap. crossing the River Kafue, Northern Rhodesia, with a truck on a barge. Aug. 1937. (p. 27).
• Fr. Marcellus Carroll OFM Cap. with altar boys. (p. 27).
• St. Louis Mission School at Langa; Fr. Jerome McQuillan OFM Cap. (priest at Langa in 1935); groups of children at Langa, with Sister Romana and Sister M. Vianney. (p. 29).
• Missionary scenes at Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia (p. 33).
• The Friary at Livingstone and Fr. Christopher Crowley OFM Cap. (p. 34).
• Missionary scenes at Loanja, Northern Rhodesia. With Fr. Livinus Keane OFM Cap. and Fr. Seraphin Nesdale OFM Cap. (p. 37).
• Prints from 'The Father Mathew Record' of the ‘first Christians at Loanja, Easter, 1936’; ‘adult Christians at Loanja and a group at St. Francis’s School, Livingstone’. (p. 39).
• Br. Dominick O’Callaghan OFM Cap. (p. 44).
• The three Capuchin churches in Africa: Parow, Livingstone, and Athlone (p. 48).
• Fr. Jerome McQuillan OFM Cap. (full length portrait); Sr. M. Vianney at Langa in 1936; First communion group at Langa, 1936. (p. 49).
• Fr. Albeus McQuillan OFM Cap. (half-length portrait). (p. 50).
• Fr. Alfred O’Mahony OFM Cap. (half-length portrait). (p. 51).
The volume also contains newspaper cuttings re a Capuchin-organised pilgrimage to Knock, County Mayo, organised by Fr. Virgilius Murtagh OFM Cap. and Fr. Maurice Dowd OFM Cap. (p. 66).

A volume containing letters to Fr. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap. The spine is annotated ‘I’. Contains personal letters and correspondence relating to the Capuchin Publications Office. Includes letters from D.L. Kelleher, Canon Patrick Rogers, George Aloysius Little, Archbishop Sylvester Mulligan OFM Cap., William Frederick Paul Stockley, Michael Knightly (Chief Press Censor, Dublin Castle), Peter F. Anson, Archbishop Redmond Prendiville, Fr. Hugh Morley OFM Cap. (editor, ‘The Cowl / A Capuchin Review’), Archbishop Thomas O’Donnell (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada), Canon Patrick Lyons (Parochial House, Ardee, County Louth), Fr. John Charles McQuaid CSSp. (Blackrock College, County Dublin), Charles E. Kelly, Tadhg Ó Donnchadha (‘Torna’), Francis McCullagh, Domhnall Ó Corcora (Daniel Corkery), S.W. Bourke, Canon Edward Gallen (National Council, Pontifical work of the Propagation of the Faith), Maud Gonne MacBride, T.J. Kiernan, Stanley B. James, Hugh A. MacCartan, Maurice Leahy (Secretary, Catholic Poetry Society), Fr. Oliver O’Hanlon OFM Cap., Fr. Sylvester Mulligan OFM Cap., Aodh de Blacam, L.F. Doyle (Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick), Máirín Allen, Austin Crean (Sheriff’s Office, Ballyhaunis, County Mayo), Bishop William MacNeely, C.P. Curran, Gerald Boland (Minister of Justice), L.G. Redmond-Howard, D. Barry (Secretary, Irish Tourist Association), Eleanor Barnes (Lady Yarrow), The Catholic Study Centre for Animal Welfare, Fr. Killian Flynn OFM Cap., Cahir Healy, Thomas R. Lynch (attorney, 357 South Hill Street, Los Angeles), Art Ó Briain, James Joseph Campbell, Fr. Dermot O’Reilly OFM Cap., Fr. Henry Edward George Rope, Gertrude O’Reilly (‘The Western People’), Alison King, Fr. Terence L. Connolly SJ, lP.W. Assmann, Michael de la Bédoyère (editor of ‘The Catholic Herald’), Michael A. Bowles, Fr. P. O’Neill SMA (St. Augustine’s College, Cape Cape Coast, Ghana), Arthur de Tivoli, Alan Macauley, Michael L. Kelly (Cowell, South Australia), and Seán MacBride. Enclosures include a typescript article titled ‘Septcentenary Study of Saint Anthony of Padua’ by Alice Curtayne and a typescript titled ‘ON P.S. O’Hegarty’s Easter Thoughts’.