Lamy of Santa Fe

XII. Gardener and Apostle • 1880–1885

XII GARDENER AND APOSTLE 1880-1885 l. Relief MACHEBEUF WAS NOT THE FIRST BISHOP of the Santa Fe province to ask for a coadjutor-Lamy had already done so in 1876, making an appeal which his two suffragan bishops had signed with him as they met in council. Supporting his request, he stated, "Reasons for asking this favor are the following: advanced age, because he is already 62 years of age; besides the petitioner's health is not firm, which makes the visitation of his diocese barely possible. The visitation of the diocese in these days has to be made more frequently and thoroughly. The boundaries are so far Hung and the faithful so widespread that to travel requires a long time, and is so difficult, that he alone cannot do all these things,. together with regular administration to the needs of the faithful, which increase day by day. To this add the many ordinary duties-creation of new parishes and care of them. This requires quite a bit of study and preparation; to find and train new pastors and provide for their support.... I would like to add that the Most Reverend Vicar Apostolic of Arizona can hardly make the long arduous journey across deserts [between Arizona and Santa Fe] without endangering his life. In view of all this we hope that the Holy Father will accept our petition favorably which we most sincerely ask Your Eminence to convey to him...." He closed by nominating as coadjutor the pastor of the cathedral, Father Johannes Augustus Truchard of the famous bass voice. Lamy's petition vanished into the labyrinths of the Vatican and for years there was no response. There was none, either, to a proposal which he and his bishops made at the same time: this was for the establishment of a third vicariate apostolic under Santa Fe. It was to consist of the southern counties of Dofiana, Grant, Lincoln, and EI Paso. The first three belonged to New Mexico, the fourth to Texas. But all were under the authority of 406 GARDENER AND ApOSTLE • 1880-1885 Salpointe at Tucson, with a population of go,ooo persons. Las Cruces, roughly at the center of the district, could be the seat of the new bishop, who would minister to these lands far more readily than was possible either for Lamy or Salpointe. If any final resolution were now needed, the creation of the vicariate, which in the end would surely become a diocese, would also dispose of any lingering claim to the "Condado" of southern New Mexico and Arizona by the Mexican bishops. Rome promptly replied with a routine request for the usual lists of candidates. Lamy sent none. The matter rested until he paid his last visit to Rome in 1878, and what then was more urgent for him was to be granted the appointment of a coadjutor to come to his aid. He asked "repeatedly" for this; for he felt himself gradually losing the strength which had served him so well for the years of encompassing his domain. Evidently he did not yet look like an old and incapable man-but he knew what effort of will it now took to meet even simple duties. He saw himself become forgetful in little matters. He must insure the succession at Santa Fe, and the continuation of what he had begun. Rome asked him for the usual nominations, then; he said he would comply; but meanwhile, he withdrew his earlier request for the new vicariate of the "Condado," and returned to Santa Fe. In mid-winter 1880, the city was alarmed to hear that the archbishop was suddenly taken ill-seriously ill. For five weeks he was dose to death, and ready for it. The last sacraments were given him. Mother Francesca stayed with him as often as possible-during one period of five days and nights when he was most ill, she scarcely left him. He was touched, and when feeling easier, he always called her "Marie." But one day noticing that after attending to him she bathed her hands in an antiseptic solution, he turned indignant and cross, and told her formally, "Mother Francesca Lamy, go over there and get Hermana Xaviera (Sister Xavier) to come and wait on me!"-for a sister from Loretto remained at all times in the room next to his. The hospital Sisters of Charity came as experienced nurses to help...