Researching Charles Neale

Charles' siblings included Father William Chandler Neale S.J. (1743-1799), who left America to enter the Jesuit order in Flanders and spent his life ministering to the Catholics of England, where he died. The next two brothers also took this step, but both died before they were able to complete their training. Charles was among the youngest three sons, all of whom also became Jesuit priests. They were Francis Neale S.J., the president of Georgetown College, and Leonard Neale S.J., who also served as president of Georgetown and then became the Archbishop of Baltimore.

One sister, Anne, became a nun of the Order of Poor Clares in France. The other children of the family included another sister, Eleanor, who married a John Holmes, and a brother Ralph, who was the only son to marry. Neale's nephew, William Matthews, also became a Jesuit and the President of Georgetown College.

On September 7, 1771, Charles Neale entered the same Jesuit novitiate as his older brothers. Two years later, before he was able to take his religious vows as a Jesuit, Pope Clement XIV authorized the worldwide suppression of the Society of Jesus. Due to his poor health, Charles Neale joined other members of the suppressed Society who were continuing their seminary studies in Ghent. There he was ordained around 1780.

Shortly afterward, he became chaplain to an English-language community of Discalced Carmelite nuns in Antwerp. Their prioress, Mother Mary Margaret of the Angels, O.C.D., born Mary Brent in Maryland, was Neale's cousin through his grandmother, the wife of his grandfather, Roswell Neale.

During the ten years Neale served this community, he maintained contact with his friends and colleagues in Maryland. Through this dialogue, the nuns were encouraged to attempt a foundation in the new nation, the United States of America, which was just emerging from the American Revolution. Neale accompanied the women on their return voyage to Maryland. Initially, the intention was to have his cousin, Mother Mary Margaret, lead the new foundation, but she died in 1784. Instead the small community was led by Mother Bernardina Teresa Xavier of St. Joseph, O.C.D. (born Ann Teresa Matthews), who was to serve as prioress. She was accompanied by her nieces, Sisters Mary Eleanora of St. Francis Xavier, O.C.D., and Mary Aloysia of the Blessed Trinity, O.C.D. (born as Susanna Matthews and Ann Teresa Matthews). Neale chose the final participant, Sister Clare Joseph of the Sacred Heart, O.C.D. (born Frances Dickinson), an Englishwoman.