Adventures & Misadventures of a Jolly Beggar
by Fr. Pius Devine, C.P.
We offer the following article in an attempt to expand our Passionist awareness beyond the boundaries of the North American Provinces into the worldwide Passionists' brotherhood and sisterhood. Fr. Pius Devine, C.P., (b. January 6, 1838; p. September 29, 1859; o. October 17, 1861; d. April 28, 1912) was a distinguished member of the Irish Province of St. Patrick (present Irish-Scottish Province). He was sent by his Provincial "on the quest" for monies to help pay for the construction of the Province's Motherhouse on Mount Argus, Dublin. With a certain amount of apprehension, but with a deep trust in God and a merry heart, he set out for South America in 1872. His account, composed in the spare moments he could snatch from his daily travels, is uneven and in obvious need of editing to render it a completely coherent narrative. Yet upon reflection, it was decided to leave it just as it flowed from his pen with its unique sense of urgency, hardship, weakness, patience and deep faith. We owe this account to Fr. Frederick Richards, C.P., Archivist of the Argentine Province, who has been a staunch friend. Thank you, Fred, for all you have done for me and may God richly reward you. And so 123 years after the event, we offer to you Fr. Pius Devine's "Adventures & Misadventures of a Jolly Beggar."
Morgan P. Hanlon, C.P., Provincial Archivist
"In the Provincial Chapter of 1872 on the 20th of June, it was decided that Fr. Pius and Fr. Laurence should go to America and elsewhere if they thought proper to collect by lecturing, begging and every other legitimate means funds to pay off our debtors in Dublin and if possible to build the church of our College there. The feeling of thus being exiled, although it was my own proposition, worked queerly upon me. Human respect, the parting with friends, the possibility of never returning, the thankless nature of the work, the mortification to be endured all came upon me with tremendous force; but the aim and object of my intentions seemed to balance all and make me put on a cheerful countenance."
Sailed from Queenstown by JAVA on 7th July. Arrived in New York 17th July. On 6th January 36 years of age. Left New York 13th January by ETNA bound for Jamaica. Tuesday, 20th January, arrived in Kingston, Jamaica; there decided to try Pacific Coast and get out q.p. Transferred luggage to TASMANIA from ETNA and sailed for Panama. Originally had planned to go by Trinidad—Rio—Buenos Aires. Runs out of money—has only US$95 and ticket is US$100 owed besides fares and extras. So he thinks of Guayaquil, fare costs only US$60 on VALDIVIA. Arrives Guayaquil (Ecuador) on 3rd February. On Tuesday, 19th February, by OROYA for Callao en route for Lima, Peru. Arrives Callao on 23rd and by train to Lima on same day. On 11th March takes ATACAMA for Valparaiso. On 21st March at 4 o'clock arrived. At 5 o'clock leaves for Santiago.
In Santiago (Chile) went to see Intendente, one Vicuna Mackenna, cousin of a Mr. Higgins, consul in Guayaquil. In spite of recommendations "No money—no leave to beg." Goes to see Archbishop—all O.K. in five minutes. Got $50 from the wife of the President.
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