This is the seal of Bishop [later Cardinal] Nicholas Wiseman. It can be found on a letter from the Bishop confirming the election of Dame Aloysia Brenan as Superior. By the time of the Bishop's first Visitation to Winchester, in early February, 1848, Lady Benedict’s bodily and mental faculties became so impaired that she took the occasion of the Bishop’s visit to tender her resignation. He noted that
'...the pious and venerable Lady Abbess,[Lady Benedict MacDonald] of your house, of her own free will and full accord, signified unto us her earnest desire to be forthwith relieved of the heavy burthen of the government and administration thereof, on account of her great age and growing infirmities'.
And,
'...deeming this to be a matter of the greatest importance and worthy to be before all others entertained, but not to be decided without mature deliberation, and consideration had thereof, we proceeded to call before us separately each and every of the Religious and took her opinion thereon'. [1]
He was able to confirm the election of Dame Aloysia Brenan as Prioress, ‘declaring her constituted, Prioress extraordinary and Superior of the Benedictine Convent at Winchester’. After some discussion with the Community he acceded to her request. It was, the Bishop wrote ‘expedient to allow the free election of a new Prioress…who should have full power & jurisdiction to rule in & over the house and Community without appeal or further reference for a period of three years, or till the election of a new Abbess.’ [2] The election of Dame Aloysia Brenan as Prioress took place in February and was followed immediately by the triennial change of Offices. In June, Wiseman made a further Visitation, the previous one having been taken up with the resignation of the Abbess.
[1] Letter from Cardinal Wiseman to Prioress, 7th March, 1848, VI. C 3111
[2] Letter from Cardinal Wiseman to Prioress, 7th March, 1848, VI. C 3111
'...the pious and venerable Lady Abbess,[Lady Benedict MacDonald] of your house, of her own free will and full accord, signified unto us her earnest desire to be forthwith relieved of the heavy burthen of the government and administration thereof, on account of her great age and growing infirmities'.
And,
'...deeming this to be a matter of the greatest importance and worthy to be before all others entertained, but not to be decided without mature deliberation, and consideration had thereof, we proceeded to call before us separately each and every of the Religious and took her opinion thereon'. [1]
He was able to confirm the election of Dame Aloysia Brenan as Prioress, ‘declaring her constituted, Prioress extraordinary and Superior of the Benedictine Convent at Winchester’. After some discussion with the Community he acceded to her request. It was, the Bishop wrote ‘expedient to allow the free election of a new Prioress…who should have full power & jurisdiction to rule in & over the house and Community without appeal or further reference for a period of three years, or till the election of a new Abbess.’ [2] The election of Dame Aloysia Brenan as Prioress took place in February and was followed immediately by the triennial change of Offices. In June, Wiseman made a further Visitation, the previous one having been taken up with the resignation of the Abbess.
[1] Letter from Cardinal Wiseman to Prioress, 7th March, 1848, VI. C 3111
[2] Letter from Cardinal Wiseman to Prioress, 7th March, 1848, VI. C 3111