Fr. VINCENT of Saint Joseph (Grotti) Another historic figure, especially in this Retreat of St. Paul of the Cross, Mount Argus, Dublin, for he was its Founding Father. Canon Grotti, of Viterbo Cathedral, (for such he was when he came to join us at Monte Argentario in September 1844) was born in Viterbo city, then in the papal States, on November 20th 1820. His baptismal name was Joseph. He took his First Vows on 29th September 1845 at Monte Argentario. He came to England in 1846, arriving at Aston Hall, our first house there, on June 18th. He remained there some time learning English, and meantime helping out in those ministries that didn’t call for the use of English. He was sent to replace Fr. Marcellinus Pini, the Rector of our Retreat at Northfield, nr. Nailsworth, Glosc., who had become mortally ill, but while Vincent was giving, along with Bld Dominic and Ignatius Spencer, the first ever Passionist Mission in Dublin in April 1849, Marcellinus died. The Passionists had moved to Broadway, and Fr. Vincent became Superior there. It was to him that the Hon. Charles Pakenham, Grenadier Guards, applied to be a Passionist. Vincent put him off, but Charles persisted, and was finally admitted as a novice. In 1852, Fr. Vincent (along with Frs. Martin Payne and Ambrose Courtney) gave a famous Mission in Birr, Co. Offaly. Thousands attended and it wiped out the effects of a schism, then raging in the parish. The Platform-Mission-Cross, Fr. Vincent gave into the custody of the Mercy Nuns, telling them it was once used by St. Paul of the Cross. For the past 100 years it has been in a special shrine on their Cloister-corridor (East side.) In 1854, Fr. Vincent became Vice-Provincial. Much impressed by the faith of the Dublin Irish, he sought to establish a house here. Cardinal Cullen agreed, but said he’d get a house. Two years passed and no house, so Vincent hunted up one and came across the farm known as Mount Argus. He made Fr. (Once Charles, now) PAUL MARY Pakenham its first Superior, August 1956. In Sept. he laid the foundation stone of the temporary church, under the Patronage of St. Patrick and Blessed Paul of the Cross. In 1857, he became 1st Consultor to Fr. Ignatius Paoli (later Archb. Of Bucharest). In 1863 he was elected to no office. (He was then advocating two Provinces: Ireland and Britain! It didn’t go down well!) He returned to Italy that year. There he plunged into the work of Missions and retreats as deeply as ever. His love of the Irish, led to his being asked to give the Irish College their Annual Retreat. This he did for several years, and also was their Extraordinary Confessor. He died on 8th September 1883 in Italy. He was zealous for the proper performance of the Liturgy, sparing no expense, but on one occasion he said he’d sell even the chalices so that the sick might not go short of anything. Often away on Missions, and Retreats, he, when at home, was assiduous at Community Prayer. He often said all our wants are filled thro’ the windows of the Choir. (Oft quoted by the writer’s own Novice Master, Fr. Francis Kelly). In a word he was a great PASSIONIST. SOURCES: Salvian Nardocci’s “Register” No. 19. 3-page memoir sent to Birr Mercy nuns, 1977.03.25 “Annals’ Anglo-hib. I, 53,418 II, 48 III 341-3 (obit) Fr. Vincent of St. Joseph (Grotti) – Passionist JOSEPH GROTTI was born at Viterbo, Italy, on November 21st 1820. He was ordained a diocesan priest of Viterbo on 23rd September, 1843 and later became a Canon. He took his vows as a Passionist on September 29th, 1845, at the first Passionist monastery ever: Monte Argentario. The following year he left Rome for England and arrived at Aston Hall, near Stone, Staffs on June 18th. He remained there for some time to learn English and in the meantime to help out in priestly work that didn’t require the use of English. Fr Marcellinus Pini, the Superior of the Passionist House, at Northfield, near Nailsorth, Gloucestershire, fell ill and Fr Vincent was sent to replace him. Fr Marcellinus died in April 1849, the very month when Fr. Vincent, along with his superior (now Blessed) Dominic Barberi and Fr Ignatius Spencer, gave the first Passionist Mission in Ireland, at St Audeon’s, High Street. The Passionists, who had moved from Nailsworth to nearby Woodchester, left there for Broadway, Worcs. where Fr Vincent became Rector in September 1850. There he had to deal with a request from Capt, the Hon. Reginald Pakenham, Grenadier Guards, that he be admitted to the Passionists. (He was a convert, and was staying at his uncle-in-law’s house near Broadway.) Fr Vincent tried to put him off, but the applicant persisted. So he was told to return to London, resign his commission, sell his property, give the proceeds to the needy, and come back. This he did. He was professed a Passionist on 23rd May 1852 as Fr Paul Mary Pakenham, C.P. In 1854 Fr Vincent was made Vice-Provincial of all the Passionists in England. He was instructed to shut down Aston Hall, our first foundation in England, and to make Cotton Hall, Cheedle, Staffs. the Novitiate house instead of St Saviours, Broadway. When in Dublin in 1854, he had been much impressed by the Irish and had approached Cardinal Cullen for permission to found a Passionist house. It was granted. But no suitable property became available until Fr. Matthew Collier, C.C, Rathmines, drew his attention to Mount Argus, Harold’s Cross, which was up for sale. It was bought, and the first Superior was Fr Paul Mary Pakenham. On Assumption Day, Fr. Paul Mary offered the first Mass, using a jubilee chalice, which had been given to Fr Vincent. Present was Fr. Collier, Bro. Seraphim, C. P., and three lay-folk. In September, Fr Vincent laid the foundation stone of the temporary chapel. It was ready 3 months later, was placed under the patronage of St. Patrick and Blessed (he was not yet canonised) Paul of the Cross. In 1857 the Provincial Chapter was held and Fr. Vincent was made a Consultor (or assistant) to the new Provincial, Fr Ignatius, Paoli, who later would be the first Archbishop of Bucharest. Fr. Vincent was a man of commanding personality, and was too big intellectually and morally for actions that were sometimes attributed to `diplomatic genius’. As one of his character always does, he made many new friends and not a few enemies. He was impulsive almost to tactlessness, and many of his intentions were rendered abortive because he did not try to hide his motives. While he was Vice-Provincial he had many opponents, and some might have been pleased to see him removed from office, this office, at least. In 1862, while still a consultor of the Anglo/Hibernian Province, he gave a retreat along with a Julian Brezzo (who later came to England) in a little town named Formello, near Rome. The next year the 3rd Provincial Chapter was held, and he was not elected to any office. At this point, the Provincial Chronicler says of him: ‘He had been a great missioner and was beloved by all that in any way had known him. He had given a great many missions, and a greater number of retreats to nuns, to secular and regular clergy, and to many colleges in England, but especially in Ireland, and his name was, and still (1888) is held in benediction and veneration. He had a great love and predilection for the Irish. . In fact, it was his outspoken liking for Ireland and the Irish, and his not being too keen on the English that led to his not being voted into office at this chapter. He had rather energetically advocated the splitting of the Province into two areas: Ireland and, England. It did not go down too well, There were manpower problems: there were few English vocations; Italy was unable to send any more men, nor could the Franco/Belgian Province help out. Secondly: it took 3 houses if a province was to be erected, and at that time there was only one in Ireland. The idea failed. He was very unhappy and asked permission from Fr. General to return to Italy. Granted. He left for Italy that September. Twenty years later news of his death reached the Passionists here that he had died on 28th September 1883. The Chronicler goes on to review his life, the many missions and retreats given; and once again mentions his deep love for the Irish. Speaking of Fr. Vincent’s own spiritual life, he goes on to say, that though continually out on missions and retreats, Fr Vincent did not spare himself when at home in the observance of the Rule and especially attending the Divine Office in choir. His zeal in God’s worship was such that on the eves of the greater feasts. he would with his own hands help the students decorate the altars. He took care to see that on such occasions as Christmas, Holy Week, Corpus Christi, the Assumption, and the feast of our Holy Founder, that the ceremonies were carried out with great solemnity and decorum. When he was rector of Broadway, and still more when he was Vice-Provincial, he saw to it that good quality vestments and all other sacred furniture was provided. Nor was he unmindful of the needs of the religious, especially the sick. He used often say he’d sell even the chalice to provide for their need, if needs be. He saw to it too that the religious under his care were attentive to the observance of the Rule -especially as regards meditation. It was an oft quoted saying of his that all our wants were filled through the windows of the soul. His returning to Italy was a great loss to the Province, but just as big a gain for Italy, He plunged into the work of giving missions and retreats as deeply as ever. His love for the Irish also emerged. The Rector of the Irish College in Rome asked for a Passionist to give their retreat. The superiors chose Vincent as the man to give it and for several years afterwards he gave this Annual Retreat. He was also their Extraordinary Confessor, coming to the College each quarter to make a choice of confessors possible. Ar dheis De, go rabh a anam!. Sources: MSS (1) Nardocci, C.P., Salvian: Register of Passionists 184?-1887 Mt. Argus Archives: (2) Nardocci, C.P., Salvian: “Annals of the Anglo-Hibernian Province of Saint Joseph C.P.’ 1842-1883. 3 vols. Mt Argus Archives (3) Nardocci,CP, Salvia”: ‘List of the missions and retreats given by the Passionists of the Anglo/Hibemian Province 1842-1883’. Mt Argus, Archives Printed: Grennan C,P., Herbert:, The Preachers of the Passion: London, Burns, Oates & Washbourne (on pp 19, 107, 141, 142, 149, 166) Sisters of Mercy retreats, given by Fr Vincent Grotti, C.P. Birr 6 – 8 August, 1855 26 Dec. – I Jan. 1858 25 Dec. 1858 -1 Jan 1859 1 – – 6 Jan, 1861 19 – 28 June, 1862 Dublin: Baggot Street, 8 Dec. 1856 -1 Jan. 1957 Drogheda 19 – 23 Dec. 1859 Dundalk: 20 – 29 July, 1860 2 – 11 July, 1861 Downpatrick 11 – 24 July, 1861 Belfast 22 July -1 Aug. 1862 New Ross 11 – 20 Sep. 1862 In 1852 (Aug. 22 – Sept. 12) Fr. Vincent Grotti along with Fr. Martin Payne, C.P., and Ambrose Courtney, C.P., gave a mission in Birr. Declan O’Sullivan, C.P. Archivist, Mount Argus, Dublin 6 25 March, 1977