Boston College - Sub Turri Yearbook (Boston, MA)

Page 20 text:

Bishop John Cheverus I gratefully accept the dedication of this edition of SUB TURRI from the Class of 1958. It features the pictures of t s Sr I ii ho, by the grace of God and the favor of the Holy See, have serveS JJieJ 6eesg ' | f Bpsiton during the past one hundred and fifty years. f ' %J t: Mt The founder of this spidtufir3ynasty, ' the firsnBishop pf the Diocese of Boston, was Bishop John Cheveri , 1 ' 808-1823. New Englanders o| his day had heard much that was unfavorable to the e fecopacy of the Catholic Church. One can readily appre- ciate, therefore, what a tremendous iin|jression was made on them by this Bishop, who lived in one room with so little furniture tliat vi.sitors often sat on his bed; who had the minimum of food and clothes; who split his own firewood; who could be found visiting the poor, the sick and the sinner at all hours of the day and night; who often tramped afar to visit a dying man; and who periodically travelled all over New England to find and feed the lost sheep of his flock. Bostonians of a century and more ago. and their descendants, loved to recall this familiar figure — in shabby bl ck coat, with knecrbreeches, stockings and buckled shoes of the older generation — trudging tirelessly through the streets, while children ran after him, delighted to receive a smile and a kind word from one whose personal presence was like a benediction and whose face seemed visibly aglow with the light that springs from some unearthly source. Bishop Benedict JosEPH SiE 2 y846, succeeded the picturesque Cheverus. President of Georgeto rL,Collei«-a53j cioiLJM one of the old Catholic families of Maryland, he was virile, energetic, good-natured, ahriost the opposite of the delicate Cheverus. His physique wa« ' that of a giant; his mind, tliat a master. He was one of the ablest of all the early Bishojis, certainly one of tiie most s|irely tried and one of the finest characters in the history of the Church of the Lhiite iStates. Under his dynamic leadership parishes, schools a rl charitable works mufimed over all New England in the face of militant and brutal ppositioii. IbiU Cross Kollege, Worcester, and THE JESUIT or CATHOLIC SENTINAL. the precursor of TOE PILOT, were founded by him. He presided over the Church in New Liiglaiul dumig the years of her greatest persecution. The Ursuline Con eul was burned, churches were threatened, riots fo- mented, the darkest days in the histtirii of religion in lliis area were trying the souls of men of good will. Pursuing a calm, patient, charitable course the great heart of Fenwick was eventually broken. He jji y jrivfully reoover d. Bishop Blmdui Joseph Fenwick Coming after the death of 1866, his co-ad jutor, a man of tie ffl ie,j su: of Boston. His father was n r lrant w ' jsh taif professor and cultured, uAarfff gentlemteJ 51L 3 as and handsome. Brilliant, sairitlv. a great cfji ' ta strength by extensive work during llie fir t half m second half he was, to a great-cxlent. inactive. He dier His era coincided with th|e, flnod-tide of inunigralii of the Church. New parishesy ere estalilislird. reli institutions multiplied, the fe College was founded. James B. Fitzpatrick, 1846- ffice of Bishop of the Diocese mself, a scholar, brilliant i «smc presence, tall, dignified sars to have over-taxed his ipiscopacy so that during the a comparatively young age. iind with the resulting growth mmunities and charitable Inbuilt and, in 1863, Boston Bishop James B. Fitzpatrick

Page 19 text:

Most Reverend Richard J. Gushing, Archbishop of Boston

Page 21 text:

Bishop, later Archbishop son of Irish immigrants, was a 1866-1907. He was a modest herd of his flock who, by affection of the entire coimtc the aggressive spirit which his death, after forty-one years bequeathed to us a conservatisVii Soon after his installati whole of New England, was rank of an Archdiocese in of charity he built the Hoi to his heart and, indeed, th- during the forty and mori other religious bodies in t J QS£] ;; ILLIAMS, a Bostonian by birth, the fjrthy | cCxegs«r of the strong man who preceded him, TenfioW lirie ly and reserved; a model shep- lities, won the esteem and influence counter-balanced e necessary. By the time of pressive Archbishop Williams ich have remained to this day. e Diocese of Rostoiii which originally included the iito oilier iliiicpses and Boston was raised to the I laving inulti])lii ' (;l parishes, schools and institutions Catliedral aiifl Si. Jol)r| s Seminary, projects close a,jt = € 5pHd i § x he progress of the Church at he ruled r f Massachusetts d cfSfktelFtlmes Ead as a ,shef}herd. tfe lid (Jhiistiaii cauliini epherd had surpassed all Archbishop John Joseph Williams Within a century from from the humble beginning dioceses in the world. The organization for the works spiritual life of the people; fo to the new age; and for mak the solution of social, moral The successor of Archbi from abounding health and judgment, courage and an in tion, administration and lea mind and heart with the spi flashed out in defense of ch an entire Archdiocese in hi the rank of a Cardinal in 1 From the very record of hi ms the Diocese of Boston, gest and most flourishing ation, was over. A better :kening and deepening the d modes of action adjusted ood and more articulate in urgently needed. the man for this task. Apart rought to the office wisdom, ere his talents for organiza- Eternal City enriched his is powerful pen constantly nius for organization held d leader, he was raised to uch ecclesiastical heights. hild of God by baptism; 60 years a priest; 42 years a Bishop; 32 years a Cardinal — William Cardinal O ' CoNNELL, 1907-1944. The sixth Ordinary of this sector of the Vineyard of God succeeded to this position on September 26th, 1944. I hesitate even to speculate on what possible contribution I can make to the Archdiocese of Boston. I am reluctant to think of my influence and example when I reflect on the gentleness of Cheverus, on the strength of Fenwick, the ability of Fitzpatrick, the saintliness of Williams and the power of O ' Connell. But at least I hope to contribute some slight adornment to the spiritual life of the priests, religious and laity of this great Archdiocese. If I could choose what effect my poor efforts might have, I would pray that it be Christlike service. I would hope that in me and in all others influenced by me that quality would reveal itself in love for all those in and outside the household of the Faith who are in need of Him Who went about doing good. In that hope and prayer I welcome you, Graduates of the Class of 1958, into the Alumni of Boston College, and I renew my thanks for the timely dedication of your issue of SUB TURRI. William Cardinal O ' Connell