merica, the dispensation being
named as the last resort. Father Hecker's legal case not being
decided, he was advised by Cardinal Barnabo to reserve his signature
to this document for the present. It will be seen at a glance that
the dispensation from the vows and an entirely new departure in
community existence was more in accordance with his aspirations. But
no aspiration was so strong in him as love of his brethren, and he
was fully determined not to be separated from them if he could
prevent it.

Much delay was caused by waiting for further testimonials from
American bishops confirmatory of the good character of the Fathers
and of the value of their labors as missionaries. Father Hecker,
meantime, wrote many letters to his brethren discussing the
alternatives in question.

In one of October 24 he tells of a pilgrimage he made to Nocera, to
the tomb of St. Alphonsus, bearing his brethren in his heart with
him. He also visited the Redemptorist house there and in Naples, and
was quite charmed with the fathers, who were entirely willing to
receive the Americans into their organization, which, as the reader
knows, was separate from that of the General in Rome. Knowing the
mind of his brethren, and determined to take no step alone, Father
Hecker would have been content with this arrangement had it seemed
good to the Holy See. Meantime he tells how greatly he enjoyed his
visit to Nocera, how he said Mass over the holy body of the founder,
and adds: "Ever since I feel more consoled and supported and
confident."

The following is from a joint letter of the American Fathers dated
November 17; they prefer, in case Father Hecker is not reinstated,
being separated from the order and made "immediately dependent on the
Holy See, or the Prefect of the Propaganda, rather than anything
else; . . . called, for instance, 'Religious Missionaries of the
Propaganda,' if the Holy Father would make us such. With the Rule of
St. Alphonsus and the same missionary privileges we now enjoy, and
our dear Father Hecker among us again, we should feel happy and safe.
. . . But we wait for the words of the Holy See to indicate our
course."

His words to them are to the same effect: "Our first effort should be
directed to the securing our hopes through the Transalpine
Congregation [this means the regular Redemptorist order to which they
then belonged]. . . . If this is not successful, then to endeavor to
accomplish our hopes through the Cisalpi