A History of the Catholic Church in the American South, 1513-1900:

7. Annexation and Accommodation: Catholic Growth within the Expanding South, 1815–1845

seven annexation and accommodation Catholic Growth within the Expanding South, 1815–1845 x on saturday evening, January 7, 1815, at the chapel of the Ursuline convent in the vieux Carré (french Quarter) section of new orleans, Ursuline sisters, other interested women, and some elderly men prayed all night before the Blessed sacrament and a statue of our lady of Prompt succor for victory for american arms and protection of the city from the British invader. about four miles down the Mississippi, along the east bank, the american and British forces faced each other over a swampy field in what is now Chalmette, louisiana. The next day being sunday, the early Mass was celebrated by abbé louis William duBourg, the apostolic administrator for the diocese of louisiana. Just as communion was being distributed near the conclusion of the service, a man burst into the chapel with a shout of “victory is ours!” What started as a eucharist of petition was transformed into a service of thanksgiving as abbé dubourg intoned the te deum, a traditional Catholic hymn of gratitude to God.1 215 216 d Part II. American Republicanism and European Decline, 1763–1845 on Thursday, January 19, General Jackson wrote duBourg that the return of his army to the city should be the cause for some service of public thanksgiving as the “signal interposition of heaven in giving success to our arms against the enemy.” duBourg readily agreed, writing, “Permit me therefore to entreat you that you will cause the service of public thanksgiving to be performed in the Cathedral in token at once of the great service we have rec’d from the ruler of all events and of our humble sense of it.” on January 21, Jackson withdrew his army from the ramparts along rodriguez Canal to move toward a city he had not seen since two days before Christmas.2 on Monday, January 23, a great celebration was held in new orleans, with the main parade and events centering around the Place d’armes, which fronted st. louis Cathedral (this area later became known as Jackson square). Citizens shouted: “Je chante ce gerrier qui sauve notre ville” (i sing of the warrior who saved our city).3 a temporary arch erected in the middle of the square was supported on each side by six Corinthian columns. on each side of the columns stood beautiful young girls representing Justice and liberty. Between the arch and the door of the cathedral were more young girls who represented the states and territories then part of the United states (at the time there were eighteen states, louisiana being the last admitted on april 30, 1812). in her right hand, each girl held the flag with the name of the state she represented, and in her left hand she held a basket of flowers. Cheers and salvos of artillery greeted Jackson as he strode into the plaza, and the general was invited to walk under the arch. at the door of the cathedral, abbé duBourg greeted Jackson in his finest and most colorful ecclesiastical robes.4 duBourg greeted the hero of new orleans with fulsome praise, not only for his military victory but also because the general had instigated this public profession of piety. The abbé congratulated Jackson for his victory and said, “immortal thanks be to his supreme Majesty for sending us such a humble instrument of bountiful designs.” Jackson graciously bowed, and the crowd hushed to hear the hero’s remarks. “reverend sir, i receive with gratitude and pleasure the symbolic crown which piety has prepared. i receive in the name of the brave men who have effectively seconded my exertions. . . . for myself, to have been instrumental in the deliverance of such a country is the greatest blessing heaven can confer.” Jackson was escorted into the cathedral and seated in the front pew, where he witnessed a Mass of thanksgiving conducted by duBourg. Jackson later visited the Ursuline convent to thank the sisters for their prayers.5 There was more to this event than a city giving thanks to God and the general for an unexpected victory. While raised by a pious Presbyterian mother, andrew Jackson had not led a particularly devout life. He participated in duels, some of which resulted in death, and he regularly engaged in vicious personal and political vendettas. Jackson frequently used the coarsest , most intemperate language in his verbal harangues, both public and...