St Vincents College Prep Academy - Cape Yearbook (Cape Girardeau, MO)

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DEDICATION We, the students ot IQ66, wish to dedicate this yearbook to the past, present, and future generations oi Vineentian priests

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It was while Bishop DuBourg was in Rome for his consecration as Bishop of Baltimore in 1815 that hejirequested that the-gfirst band of Vincentian mis- sionaries be sent to the United States for the purpose of establishing a seminary to prepare priests for the vast area of the New World. Under the direction of Felix DeAndreis, a small group of Vincentians undertook the long and arduous journey from Rome to Missouri. On October 2,, 1818, they reached Perryville, Mo., which was to become the center of their activities. A year later a second group of missionaries, including many seminarians desiring to become Vincen- tians, arrived in Missouri. A Novitiate was established at Perryville, St. Mary of the Barrens Seminary, under the direction of Father Joseph Rosati. At Perryville the Community started the work which has grown over the years until now the priests of the Congregation of the Mission carry out their duties in nineteen states, the District of Columbia, as well as missions in Canada. Panama, Formosa, and Chile In 1822 a college was established at Perryville. Much of the success of the college Was due to the labours of Father john Mary Odin and Father john Timon. Soon the Vincentians, under the superiorship of Father Rosati, had begun the harvest of souls throughout the Mississippi Valley ,from St. Louis to New Orleans. In 1835 the General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission at Paris decreed the American Mission as a new province and appointed Father Timon the first Visitor. During the time that Father Timon served as Visitorfthe new province advanced rapidly. In 1836 he established the College of St. Vincent at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. During its long and illustrious history this institution served as a college for lay students, later became a seminary for Diocesan semi- narians and finally became the preparatory seminary for the Western Province of the Congregation in the United States which it remains to this day. Due to the great number of Catholics, both French and Irish, living in St. Louis, Father Timon obtained a plot of land on Ninth Street and there built the Church of St. Vincent de Paul. The next project on Father Timon's list was the founding of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, which opened formally in 1839. The following years produced such men as Father Mariano Maller, and Father Anthony Penco, two distinguished visitors. During the Civil War and the years afterwards the Community grew and spread. The Central House was moved to Philadelphia in 1866. In 1870 the Vincentians opened St. Iohn,s University in New York which has since developed into a center of higher edu- cation. On September 4, 1888, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, Very Reverend Anthony Fiat, C.M., announced the division of the American Province into a Western and Eastern Province. Here in the Western Province, Vincentian activity has flourished at St. Louis, Perryville, and Cape Girardeau. In 1954 St. Vincent's Seminary at Montebello, California, opened to accept aspirants to the Congregation on the West Coast. In 1955 St. Vincent de Paul Seminary was opened at Lemont, Illinois. Arid in 1962 St. Vincent de Paul Seminary was erected at Beaumont, Texas. Today, after almost a century and ia half in the United States, the Con- gregation of the Mission is responsible for the training of priests throughout the country. The Vincentians look back appreciatively on the many works begun, the many tasks accomplished. In the Spirit of St. Vincent they look forward towards the fulfillment of the work of their Holy Founder, expressed in this quotation: - Ewmgelizare Pauperibus Misit Me.

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PAST john Larelle, C.M. 1884-1966 He has worked in the vineyard and borne the heat of the dayg the master has reckoned his wages. He spent many years in the service of the church, serving his fellow men selflessly. He visited many places, he reached out to many people. It was evident to all that here was a man who exemplified the hidden life of Christ as few others. For he did nothing sensational, he was merely a priest of God, going about his daily duties. His motto for living was l'Age quod Agisi' fdo what you're doingj. He always had a Cheerful word, or witty remark to brighten everyoneis day. He seemed to go out of his way to be the happiest person in the house. He was community-minded, and lived accord- ingly. He was always aware of every modern trend and always kept abreast of the changing world. His life was a true example of following Christ. Dur- ing his fading years, a cancer crept in, he endured much suffering. Never did anything but cheer and joy show on the outside. We could all take him for an example of the true spirit of St. Vincent which he so well lived in fifty years of Vincentian Priesthood. -4-