Born: Ennis, Clare, Ireland: July 28, 1829.
Took the habit: N.-D. de l’Osier, May 12, 1847.
Vows: N.-D. de l’Osier, June 15, 1848 (N. 197).
Dispensed from vows: May 10, 1853.
Michael Naghten, the brother of John, who was an Oblate from 1841 to 1859, was born in Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland on July 28, 1829. He entered the novitiate of Notre-Dame de l’Osier on May 12, 1847 and took vows on June 15, 1848. In the general council meeting of the previous April 17, he was refused admission because so much was lacking in his studies and because of the poverty of his parents who needed the support of their family. He was nevertheless admitted on May 24 because “he begged to be allowed and Father Vincens, the novice master, was in favour of admitting him.”
After four years in the major seminary of Marseille, he was sent to England in 1852 and dispensed from his vows in the general council meeting of May 10, 1853. In the minutes of the general council meeting a letter from Father Bellon is quoted: “There is no more hope for the recovery of Brother Naghten who had been sent to England last year in an effort to save him from the condition of folly into which he threatened to fall. Since then, it would not be wise for us to keep him any longer and to expose him to the worsening of his illness by forcing him into a way of life which seems to have adverse effect on his brain. Besides, he has himself formally requested to leave the Congregation and to be released from his vows.”
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
