Niagara University - Niagaran Yearbook (Lewiston, NY)

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1 UUR PRESIDENT

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Saint Vincent de Paul, founder of the Vincentian Fathers. When Fr. Higgins joined the Vincentians in 1888, this community of secular priests living a common life had been established in Germantown, Philadel- phia, for four decades. The Little Company , as St. Vincent was wont to call his yearling com- munity, was founded at Paris in 1617. Vincent's life and his labors with this new community were such that he occupies a multiple place in history as the Universal Patron of Charity, the Father of Modern Social Service, Founder of the Daughters of Charity, defender of the Faith against the heresy of jansenism, founder of the modern seminary, - to mention but the major works in which he Was directly involved. Vincent's prudence and foresight were such that the Common Rule which he established for his young congregation has never been revised, a phenomenon unique in the history of religious communities of comparable age. The Community now numbers over 5000 persons living in 470 foundations spread throughout the entire world. Two centuries, however, were to elapse from their founding until, in 1816, the first Vincentians arrived in the United States to engage in preaching to the poor of the Louisiana Purchase Territory and in teaching future shep- herds of souls. The formation of the clergy of numerous dioceses, -- New York, Brooklyn, Phila- delphia in the East, and Denver, St. Louis and Los Angeles in the West, and many others - was placed in their hands. Three universities, Niaga.ra, St. john's and DePaul were to grow out of their zeal. Over fifty parishes, hospitals, prisons, homes for the aged and the young, as well as countless members of our armed forces, know the priestly ministrations of the sons of St. Vincent de Paul. Parish missions, novenas and retreats to the laity and reli.gious constitute a principal work of scores of the Priests of the Mission. Missionary posts in our own Southland, in Panama, and until very recently in China have for long been the scene of the zeal in action of many others. It was this same zeal which in 1856 found expres- sion in the writings of Niagara's founder, Fr. John J. Lynch, C.M.: We have everything but the university, and we'll put that here, - the same zeal which brought to reality the dream of a Catholic institution of higher learning in Western New York.

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VERY REVEREND FRANCIS L. MEADE CM HIS YEAR our president celebrates his twenty-fifth year at Niagara. Coming here from the Chinese missions in 1928 Father Meade served in many important university posts duri-ng the next nineteen years and in 1947 was appointed president. He brought to this ofhce a broad educational background, real insight into the problems of university administration and the goodwill of his many friends gained through years of service to educa- tional and civic groups. As president, Father Meade has been honored by honorary degrees from several universities and has been elected to important posts in national educational organizations. During his twenty-five years here he has been a friend and counsellor to two generations of Niagarans and has won a place of esteem in the hearts of all. ' mae ' cmatim I I I