Apostolate of Conversation. “And the string of his tongue was loosed; and he spoke right.” To enable us to speak right the Son of God must loosen our tongues by a special grace, sometimes by a miracle of grace; for our conversation is too often friv olous, sometimes uncharitable, seldom devoted to spirit ual things. Not many laymen realize that there is such a thing as an apostolate of conversation. Mere talk there is no such thing to a true-hearted... Read more
Fourth Bishop of Savannah Ignatius Persico was born in Naples on the 30th of January 1823 of a noble Sorrentine family and received in baptism the name of Camillus William Mary Peter. After completing his classical course in the college of the Jesuit Fathers at Naples, young Persico renounced all worldly prospects that lay open to him through the influence of his family with the government, and in April 1839, entered the order of Minor Capuchins desiring to devote himself... Read more
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST. OUR DIGNITY AS CHRISTIANS. ROM. viii., 12-17. IN this epistle St. Paul briefly points out to us our exalted dignity as Christians. He tells us that in being incorporated in the Christian family we become children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, and joint heirs with Him in the eternal kingdom. To form some idea of what we are, let us reflect for a moment on what we were. To appreciate the lofty heights... Read more
To travel back in memory sixty years, and to recall vividly with any degree of accuracy the incidents, the customs, the happenings of those early days at old Saint Catharine, involves a feat which would ordinarily seem impossible. Yet, we know mental impressions of early life are always lasting and their effect upon our memories are both truthful and irremovable. When we gather and discuss the days of long ago, we scarcely refer to the drudgery of the classroom or... Read more
The Trappists, or Reformed Cistercians are a branch of the Order of Citeaux. They possess several monasteries in America, three of which are situated in the United States. The Order took its name from the Abbey of Notre Dame de la Maison-Dieu, of La Trappe, founded in 1140 by Rotron, Count of Perche. After various viscissitudes the Abbey finally degenerated, and when near ruin God in his own wisdom, sent relief in the person of Armand Jean le Bouthillier de... Read more
320. Patriotism Among Catholics. We have seen that the discovery and exploration of America and the subsequent Christianizing and civilizing of the Indians were preeminently Catholic enterprises; also that the colonial times were dark and intolerant for Catholics. The opposition of the colonies to the Quebec Act proved plainly that the old anti-Catholic prejudices were still very much alive. During the war, however, the colonial Catholics, forgetting the many wrongs of the past, unanimously supported the patriot cause. Nor did... Read more
Soldier, b. in County Cavan, Ireland, 25 March, 1837; killed at the battle of Gettysburg, Penn., U.S.A July 1863. He was a year old when his parents emigrated to the United States. They settled in Rochester, N.Y., where he attended the public schools, and in 1853 went to work as a marble-cutter. Shortly after he was appointed a cadet in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating with highest honours in June, 1861. Commissioned a lieutenant in the regular... Read more
HIS EMINENCE JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS, First Vicar-Apostolic of North Carolina, Fourth Bishop of Richmond, Ninth Archbishop of Baltimore. James Gibbons was born in the cathedral parish, Baltimore, and baptized in that venerable church by the Rev. Charles I. “White. He was taken to Ireland at the age of ten, and made his earliest studies there, attracting the attention of Archbishop McHale by his piety and diligence. Returning to his native country, be entered the preparatory seminary, St. Charles’ College, and... Read more
SERMON ON THE OCCASION OF LAYING THE CORNER-STONE OF THE MISSIONARY HOUSE AND CHURCH OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE, NEW YORK, JUNE 19th, 1859. ” Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” These words of the holy prophet, beloved brethren, said the Most Rev. Archbishop, are presented to us in her offices by the Church whenever we undertake any thing like the great work, the commencement of which has brought you together this day.... Read more
The Congregation of the Fathers of the Precious Blood was founded at Rome by the Venerable Gaspare del Bufalo, in 1814, and is divided into four provinces, three European and one American. The latter was organized in 1844 by Rev. Francis S. Brunner. The order is represented in the dioceses of Cincinnati, Fort Wayne, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, St. Joseph’s, St. Paul, Chicago, and San Antonio. A band of missionaries under Rev. Godfrey Schlaeter, Apostolic Missionary, is continuously conducting missions... Read more
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