Cathedral Academy - Way Yearbook (Albany, NY)

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my - I It is ours to plant and to water, but it is His prerogative to give the increase . . . The Diocese of Albany was erected by Pope Pius IX at the recommendation of Bishop John Hughes who had under his jurisdiction the entire state of New York and 'part of New Jersey, the creation of the See occurred on April 23, 1847, while less than a 'month afterward, May 21, 1847, The Rt. Rev. John McCloskey, the coadjutor to Bishop Hughes, was transferred to the new Diocese as its Hrst Bishop. This same prelate was later the recipient of another first in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States: John McCloskey became the first American to be named a Prince of the Church, for on March 15, 1875, he was elevated to the Cardinalate. Undeniably, the present Gothic structure, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, is the loftiest monument to the memory of Bishop McCloskey's appear- ance on the Albany scene, for it was through his energy and his foresight that the Cathedral stands where it does today, since the Bishop personally selected the site, envisioned the edifice as the worshipping .place of the Diocese for a long time to come, and strove to make the Cathedral the replica in the New World of the majestic Cathedral of Cologne. To say that he succeeded all too well in accom- plishing each of these ambitions would be an understatement, one must merely observe that masterpiece of Gothic architecture to be qualified to pass judgment on the Bishop's success. Having provided for its construction, John McCloskey also saw to its completion, and on 'November 21, 1852, the Cathedral was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception-a period of two years before the Dogma was pro- mulgated, and of six years before Our Lady manifested herself under that title to Bernadette 'Soubirous at Lourdes. Our Cathedral is the second to be dedicated in the State. St. Patrick's, New York, is the first. Almost a decade later, on May 5, 1861, Bishop McCloskey blessed the corner- stone of our Alma Mater which opened its door to 200 pupils on the following September 1. Three Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis, Missouri, were in charge. Two years later the Christian Brothers assumed charge of the older boys' department. Upon the death of Archbishop Hughes of New York, Bishop McCloskey was entrusted with the Archbishopric of that city, succeeding the great rnan who had parted with him earlier when he was named Bishop of Albany. Under his guidance, the Archdiocese advanced in spiritual and temporal wealth and the many foundations were laid which are today a part of that See. Although John McCloskey reached his greatest glory as Archbishop of New York, we in Albany shall ever be grateful for our share of his greatness, and shall remember the 'prophetic words uttered by him in his first message to Albany: The future history of the Diocese of Albany, as such, commences with you and me . . . According as the seed is first carefully plantred, and the soil well tilled and watered, will it grow up in fresh and healthful vigor, and the vigor of its maturity, its fitness for bearing fruit, will be in proportion to the early care bestowed upon it. Fortunately 'for us, the foundations have already been laid . . . the soil already tilled, the seed planted, and the tree is producing fruit. Yet we are called upon to plant seed for a larger growth, that the tree's branches may spread out far and near, that you and your children, and your childrenis children may sit down beneath its ample shade, and partake abundantly of its refreshing fruits. . . . It is ours to plant and to water, but it is His prerogative to give the in- crease. llll

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NSALUS AC SPES II And I will multiply the fruit of the treef, . The successor to John McCloskey was his Vicar-General, john Conroy, who had the distinction of being the first Bishop consecrated in the Cathedral, October 15, 1865 by Archibishop McCloskey. Bishop Conroy, a man, great of heart, and of mind, has left to perpetuate his memory, that other great Gothic edifice dominating the skyline of AlbanyQt. Joseph's Church. However, since we are ever proud of the educational system of the Albany Diocese, Bishop Conroy ought to be acknowledged as the father of that system, it was largely through his love for children that many of our schools came into being. His love for youth naturally planted in him a love for its education in Catholic principles, and made him desirous that the youthful will be directed rightly and without deviation to His feet, He who said that unless we became as little children, we would not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. As to Bishop Conroy's achievements, we may utilize as his eulogy the statement of another laborer in the vineyard, Archbishop Farley, who declared that Bishop Conroy watered and fostered the plant that had become a mighty tree through the seventeen years of labor of the illustrious cardinal, his predecessor. ll3l