Personal Items of Bishop Loras Go 'Home'

Three artifacts in the Mount Carmel Archives belonging to Dubuque’s first bishop, Mathias Loras, were recently given to the Dubuque Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB.  A rosary, Bible commentary and medallion will now be housed in the Archdiocesan archives.  Loras’ mother gave him the medallion when he left France to become a missionary in Alabama.

Accompanying the medallion is this historical description: “A three-inch square of ebony shows in a circular opening a painting of the Sacred Heart wreathed in flowers.  Around the margin is printed in French, ‘In this Divine Heart, o my son, remember me; it is there you will ever find me.  The widow Loras to missionary son, October 1829.’

“The background of the picture is delicately woven of her own silvered hair, and the minute drops of blood, the open wound of the Sacred Heart is distilling, are said to have been painted in part from the blood of his martyred father and relatives.”

Archivist Lauranne Lifka, BVM said, “While we lack information about how the BVMs acquired these artifacts, we think it appropriate that they be given to the archdiocese which Bishop Loras led.”

Examining the artifacts are (seated, l. to r.) Robert Klein, editor of Bishop Loras’ letters; Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB; BVM Archivist Lauranne Lifka and BVM Secretary Regina Qualls; (standing) BVM President Joellen McCarthy and Archdiocesan Archivist Fr. Loras Otting.

Return to Table of Contents
© 2005 Sisters of Charity, BVM