Page 159 - March On! God will Provide by Brother Aubert

Chapter 23
INVITATION TO AMERICA

TlouR DAys AFTER HIS vrslT at "Het Walletje," Bishop
f Spalding wrote-"to Brother Ryken from Termonde
in nist Flanders where he was visiting at the home of
the Baroness Ghyseghem. Whatever the question he
asked or whatever the understanding he wished to arrive
at, he did not receive the immediate reply that he re-
quested. Brother Ryken preferred a face-to-face meeting,
so on December twenty-ninth, he wrote the Baroness:
". . , I think I have so many important things to say
that I consider it very difficult to put them all in writ'
ing. I have decided to come myself. . . . If you can,
please write as soon as Bishop Spalding returns from
Holland. I will come immediately with Father Van
Beek."
A fortnight later, when the American visitor reap-
peared at her home, the Baroness sent word to "Het
Walletje." On January l0th, 1853, after having notified
Father Van Beek, who was visiting in Antwerp, that he
should meet him in Termonde, the Founder left Bruges,
prepared so he thought for any eventuality'
While in Holland Bishop Spalding had talked with
the Bishop of Breda about the difficulties he was having
in dealing with some local pastors who were at logger-
heads with the Brothers of St. Aloysius. The controversy
had been goingin for several years with the.pastors in-
sisting that the Brothers were subject to them, and with
the Brothers maintaining that their obedience was due
to their Superior General, Father Hellemons. The con'
troversy stemmed from the fact that the Founder and