Villanova University - Belle Air Yearbook (Villanova, PA)

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F. Dooley and Henry R. Alexander received Bachelorship of Arts. Two years later, Mr. Dooley received from Villanova the Mastership of Arts. Rt. Rev. Bishop Neuman,’C.SS., presided. In 1855-5(5 Father Harnett was president. Now the Fathers found it necessary to devote their efforts to the development of their missions. Therefore on commencement day, 1857, the hoys were assembled ami tin closing announced. College remained closed for eight years. In the fn'l of 1857, the Bishop of Philadelphia held a retreat at Villa - nova and, on All Saints' Day, conferred sacred orders on Brother Peter Crane. This was the first ordination at Villanova. In the spring of 18(55, a second clergy retreat was held at the College. In 18(55, the Fathers decided to re-open the College. In September classes were resumed with Father Ambrose A. Mullen as President. With him were associated Fathers Pacificus A. Nemo, Philip Ixxo, Francis M. Shecran, the new vice-president, and Thomas C. Middleton, members of the order recently arrived from Italy. Messrs. Michael O’Farrell, Timothy Donovan, Charles Marsden, John Dcvir, and Thomas Cullen were candi- dates for the order. The ecclesiastical department of Villanova was under the guidance of Father Father Ixxo was master of novices. With Father who in I8 ) received the doetorship, were allied during his sixteen years of regency in the studies, Father A ngostiw 1 ' nun», Middleton, O'Farrell, Fleming, Naxxnreno Proposta, Joseph A. Locke, and Maurice M. Ryan. On Palm Sunday, 18(5(5, the Passion was sung at Villanova for tile first time. The chanters were Father Ixxo. .Vumu, Middleton. On Thurs- day, July 20, Father N smt was invested with the master’s cap and ring by Dr. .Moriarty, delegate of the general. This was the first time such n cere- mony took place in the province. In 18(5», Father Stanton succeeded Father Ambrose Mullen as president of Villanova. His term was a very prosperous one. In 18(i{), a gymnasium was erected. It was a frame building 81 by M) and was fully equipped. Cndcr Father Stanton's administration, college catalogues were published tor the first time—1871. In 1871, water works were erected at the foot of Mt. Misery. The first jet of water reached college reservoir on Wednesday, December (5. Mt. Misery is, of course, known to all Augustinians and most of Villanova's old boys. The boys of today seem to be letting the old name die out. It is the- hill on the north side of the Pennsylvania Radroad Sta- tion, above the old spring-house. Some time in the early 'Ml’s not long after the Fathers had come into possession of Belle-Air, Dr. Moriarty, being y M f e I' V i r

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Boys to rise at 5.30; Prayer at ; Mass at (5.30; Breakfast at 7.30 Recreation to 8.30; Studies to 12; F.xamcn at 12; Anicius and Dinner: Recreation to 2; College Regulations Studies to 4.30; Recreation to 5; Studies from 5-0; Spiritual Reading from 6-6.30; Angelus and Supper at 6.30; Recreation to 7: Studies from 7-8; Prayer to 8.30; Bed by 0. Silence in Refectory; Dormitory; Study Hall; Wash Room. Privations No liquor: No tobacco; No snuff; No ba«l conduct; No absence; No idleness; No negligence; No injustice. Rt. Rev. Francis P. Kenriek, on Sunday June 16, 1850, administered Confirmation to thirty-five |H-rsons; twentv-tliree were college students, six of whom made their first Comunion the same morning. This is the first time flic Sacrament was .«inferred at Yillanova. C ommencement was held on Wednesday, July 17. Bishop Kenriek presided. On December 17. 1850, Brothers Ambrose A. Mullen and Charles F.gau were ordained by Bishop fcnrick. In 1851, Commencement took place on July 16. The valedictory was by Master Charles O’Donnell. There was much advancement in 1852. The Monastery was enlarged by the addition of a stone building making in all 80 by 15. There was also erected for laundry and baking purposes, a large two-story house ( HI by 24 about one hundred yards cast of the barn). The commencement of 1852 was on Wednesday, July 14. The valedictory was by Francis Harper. The Fathers opened a theological department to candidates f«ir the secular priesthood, in 1853. Among the first applicants were Mr. Farren of Boston, Mass., and Mr. Stack of Pittsburgh, Pa. Dr. Moriartv taught the class in Sacred FJoqucncc. In 1853 ,'ommenccmcnt was held on tin- last Wednesday of June, and July commencements were abandoned. On commencement day. Wednesday, June 27, 1855, our College for the first time used the potccrs granted by the State to confer degrees. James 14

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struck with the generally forlorn and com fort less look of things around the hill-top christened the place 'Mount Misery. Father Stanton, after three years in office, was succeeded by the cry Rev. Thomas Gal berry, as president. Under the new president, work began on the main wing of the college building (now rolcntine Academy) in tin year 1878. The first stone was laid in the trenches on Tuesday, April I. The cross-one hundred feet from the ground—was raised over the College on Thursday, September k Oil Tuesday, February 8, 1871, the building was occupied by teachers ami students. The building has a frontage of 171 feet. Now ther«! was better accommodation demanded for the Faithful. 1 he gymnasium was, therefore, dismantled and the hall fitted up for church purposes. Mass was said for the first tilin’, in the new gymnasium church on Sunday, July IK 1872. On Sunday, September 15. Hishop Wood blessed the building. A postoffice was opened in the new station at the foot of the college hill in 1872. Mail was delivered at Villanova for the first time on Wvdnes day, November (5, 1872. Cutler I’ather Galbcrry the Forty Hour was in itroduced at Villanova. On the eve of commencement, Tuesday, June 2i , 1875, the alumni met and with Father (ialbcrry. bishop-elect of Hartford, formed an alumni £5 Su iassociation. Father (ialbcrry left for Hartford, Conn., to tak - up his work f itL ns Bishop, Tuesday, May 7. 187(5. Father Thomas C. Middleton was clmseii oy president for the remainder of the term. At tin- commencement of 187(5, gold medals were given out for the first time. John K. Crowley was awarded a gohl medal for general excellence, and John J. Ryan one for mathematics. During the following year nothing of importance happened. 'Flic straight avenue leading down to the station was cut out and trees planted In the summer vacation of 187(5, Rev. John J. Fcdigan was elected president. During his two years »»f office many improvements were made. In 187I the fourth-story was added to the monastery and steam was in ro- dueed. In September, 1880, Father Fcdigan was transferred to Atlantic City and Father Joseph Coleman succeeded to the presidency. He was presi dent for six years and during that time Villanova made rapid strides for ward. At the commencement of 1881, Very Rev. James A. Corcoran. D.D., of Over brook Seminary, presided. Music was supplied bv the College Gleir Club.