The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-12-08
THEOBALD MATHEW,
THE MODEL PRIEST THE MORAL REFoRMER
OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
BY d. II. d.


BY d. d. g.
20 that delight in drinking sweet wine-'oEL'
On the feast of the immaculate Concep- ]
ton, 1856, there passed from earth the soni
of holy priest, n benefactor OF his people !;
and a moral reformer of the nlneteenth
century. 1t was that Of Theobald Mathew
the sixteenth anniversary OF whose death
millions are to-day celebrating on carth.
AS one of the many disciples to the piedge
administered by this holy priest, the writer
considered it not less than duty ut THIS
opp srtune time to recall to the MINDS OF
the readers of this article the wise maxims
| inculcated by the Apostle of Temperance,
with the hope that some may be benehted
thereby:
! The Rev. TheobalG Mathew was born
| October 10th, 1890, at Thomastown, county
Tipperary, ireland, of Anne Whyte ana
and one of twelve children, nine boys and
James Mathew, his father, was of highly
respectable parentage, but in possession OF
no inheritance. His mother possessed ereat
beauty, and was in many respects superior
In 1ze5 Mr.. Mathew removed to Rathclo-
, heen, and took mp the occupation OF
{ farmer. "a,
At twelve years of age he was seat to a
school Of Kilkenny, selected for him oy
Lady Elizabeth Mathew. who expressed her
, wisb to pay for his tuition. Theobald was
universally liked by both teachers ana h,o ssa
in return by all. After finishing his studies
y at this school, preparatory to entering May
n nooth College, he was admitted into that
d seminary of learning in September, lsoI i,
e being in his seventeenth year. DE ieIe ~,
1t however, the year ensuing, on account OF
some trivial breach of college rules.
Fascinated by the poverty, meekness,
II humility and piety of two aged members OF
80 the franciscan Order, whom he saw at All,
he kenny, he proceeded to Dubllns and
h. Of the Capuchins. admission into his order
tn He was ordained priest on Easter Sunday
w 1914, by Most Rev. DR.. Murray, Archbishop
w of Dublin, who afterwards in life gave han
ms strong proofs OF his support and friendship
oh The long cherished wish Of his mother
to that one of her sons should be consecratet
Va. to the service of God was thus wholly gra
er. titled.
'hs While on visit to his home, he was pre-
' sented with chalice, on which ne had en-
ng James and Anne Mathew, Of 1honsastoWn.
Iy, Father Mathew was Immediately sent u
rae the Friars at Kilkenny, whose edifylng ex
So ample had induced him to seek holy orders
'no He soon attained great fame and popnlarit,
pie as o preacher. His style was original, ant
the his eloQuence of that character appreciated
av- most by those eager for the salvation o
ick souls. AS director in spiritual and tenn
GEE yourg and old. He labored assiduously an
constantly in the confessional where hi
TED penitents were very numerous. lie va
the accustomed to rise at o'clock n the morn
all ing, and it is no exsggeration to say wa
never idle.
rial vent in Cork, founded by the famous Fathe
has Arthur O'Leary, Franciscan. Here ther
man were few members of the order under tn
med charge of Father Donovan as Superior, be
n or tween whom and Father Mathew o war,
1t of attachment soon spraDg up.
two The death of Father Donovan, which OF
g. or Cured about the year 1920, caused gres
hem grief to Father Mathew: Weeping or
reat evening over the loss of his dear friend.
and he sat in his room alone and silent,
sons thought he heard voice saying to hin
. out "Father Mathew, that liquor in the cul
heir board (Which was sent to him a few ev-I
ould ings precious by one of his friends as
hout means to console him in the lose of his b.
you loved friend) is delicious. You have NJ
. ad- tasted it. Why don't you try itf" FAITH
with Mathew, stricken with sorrow, gave lit
hose attention to the voice of the Evil One, b'
,ably said, IS Tea is much better" But" spoil
,oods the EVIL Ooe again, Sou ulu poC TASTE u
call liqHOr, 1t 10 dellcfcss; only try It," Faith
tho Mathew Immediately Left the occasion
his temptation by visiting the parish prize,
who assured him that this was template
Y of Satan, and the next morning the de
ltion, clone liouor in the cnnboard was sent fra
c'm the house.
upon Father Mathews labors in the church
Ion OF Cork soon became arduOus as those
other Kilkenny. He did not confue hims
ming s,ialy to tho .xarcisa of bis nri.stlv labo
vided h,t Snon A;r.c,.6 bis stt.ntjop IN omeli,
lends ating the condition of his people. He esta
dit OF lished, with the aid of a number of Iad
ms at literary and industrial schools at the "Lit
-ilege Er;,ry ~ ,yh.ra of an aarlv day ahont
semi chiIdien received ius,ruction and ",
r. D tro,n.d IN anch ip6nstrial mn rspjts ~ proy
y and TO them afterwards q means of kuOwled
and support. Schools were also establish
ably 'ol wy - "'A INV
shoes His eloqu nee effected much good. T
hmm sermons ON the Passion, and in partcu
$500 Enih