DOC~UMENTA - Sant'Alfonso e dintorni

52
Summary in English
In the previous volume of this periodioal (1973; pp. 165-197, 329-
363) we published 35 documents concerning Fr. Vladimir Pecherin's life
and work as a Redemptorist during his years in Ireland (1854-1861). To
these are now added a further eighteen: 2 relating to his conversion to
the Roman Catholic Church (July 19, 1840) and 16 covering the period
of his life as a Religious in the Low Countries (Belgium and the Netherlands,
1840-1844) and in England (Falmouth, 1845-1848; London, 1848-1854).
The three articles are complementary inasmuch as they contain
all the relevant sources, so far known to rus, relating to P.echerin as a
Redemptorist.
In accordance with our intention, not to present a study in the
proper sense of the word, but only to furnish reliable material for an
eventual biography of Pecherin and the apparatus critious of any further
edition of his « Memoirs », the introductions to the doouments are deliberately
kept short. They are restricted to what is necessary, or at least
most useful, for understanding the various documents in their proper
historical context. In the footnotes we have inserted a number of shorter
and less important notices, which, nevertheless, hav·e a certain value in
completing and defining more accurately the information given in the
texts.
P·echerin emerges within this period (1840-1854) as a convinced Religious,
perfectly loyal tö the Church and his Congregation, and therefore
held in high esteem by his confreres, although on the other hand his
superior Fr. Louis De Buggenoms has made some less praiseworthy remarks
about him (Doc. 14). Soon after his arrival in London (oorly in June
1848) Pecherin showed hirnself as an extraordinarily gifted preacher. His
talents and success in the pulpit were universally acknowledged by the
bishops, the ordinary clergy and by the faithful generally. He was continually
engaged in preaching missions and retreats, and frequently gave
occasional sermons and confe11ences. His reputation remained likewise
after his transfer to Ireland (March 27, 1854), until he withdrew from
public preaching when he left the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
on October 3, 1861.