The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-02-08
Death aud Funeral Of Brother Philippe, Supero
General of the Christian Brothers.
From the London Register. J

telegram from Parls-toO late LOT u noIlce
in our last issue. Brother, Philippe was
man, a plilanthropist, and patriot, but
especialiy as an educator. The widespread
and well founded popularity he enjoyed IN
thisI respect will account for the eloquent
papegyrics of the Press, and the great Pc
pular manifestation that took place at ms
funeral. We gather the following details
principally from the Unirers and the RI
caro- =
November /, 1892. His father was we'll
to do farmer, firmly attached to the Cath
eiic religion. The young Matthew Bran"
ing the Order of the Christian Brothers,
received q thorough Christian education:
Hunble in his aspirations, he declined
taking Orders, and devoted himself entire
IL to the education Of youth.
In 1909, he entered the nOviciate of the
Brothers at Lyons. subsequently ne
showed unusual aptitude for teaching, and
especially for the exact sciences, which he
cultivated with remarkable success. In
1923, he was nominated Provincial of sew
eral departments of France. In 1880, he
was elected to assist the Superior General
in the administration of the affairs or the
Order. In the discharge of these duties,
he displayed such rare talent, that on the
demise Of the General in 1888, he was un-
animously called to filed the vacancy.
During thirty five years, he has governed
the Order of the Christian Brothers with
great distinction and marked success. AT
the time of his election to the Generalship,
the Institute numbered $500 brothers, and
all of them in France; to-day he leaves
| behind him more than 10, 600, scattered over
France. Italy, Germany, England, Am
erica, Egypt and India. His work was
really the mustard seed of the parable.
An anecdote is told which ls charateris.
| a. no ,noaaatv of this DISTINGUISHED
religious.
1t appears to be customary in the Order
for the General to have his portrait taken
in the year following his nomination, that
the same may be kept ia the archives;
The Rev. Brother Philippe always evaded
this point in conversation, and seemed
quite determined to indefinitely postpone
the application of the custom to himself.
A stratagem was adopted, which succeedt d.
Mr.. Horace Vernet, of European reputa-
ton, was introduced to the Superior, for
whom he conceived very warm friend
shin. The celebrated artist repeated his
visits, committing to canvas, on his return
home, the manly traits of the transporting
General. At last the portrait was COM
plete; and Mr.. Vernet offered his chez
druure to Brother Philippe, who could
not refuse such o present from such
friend.
The Cross of the Legion of Honor was
twice offered to the Rev Brother Philippe
!, by the Governments of Louis Philippe
and Napoleon III But he declined the
preferred honor. 1t was again offered to
him in 1870 by the Government of Ma
s tional Defence. Foreseeing his hesitation
. the Government sent an eloquent amoas
sador, his intimate friend, the celebrated
Doctor Ricord. SIT is the whole commu.
pity that we decorate" said the learned
: doctor, in pinning the cross TO the breast
|, of the modest religious.
,of;o, Allow nH hy hn
?. ers during the late war is pretty vel
=, known in this country and We are glad tx
see that Meesrs. Burns and Oates have JUS
brought out a splendid volume in ~hicl
!. their acts of devoteduess to their country y
s cause are eloquently recorded. This bool
: is entitled "The Brothers of the Christian
a School during the War Of 1870 H." The
noble conduct of Brother Philippe is es
pecially worthy of remark. AS soon as i
. was told that the enemy was approaching
{ he assembled the brothers, and said
: "This is the moment to prove to the worit
g that we teach patriotism as well as reli
D sion.n- The rest is known. Every day
q five hundred brothers started for the felt
of action, headed by their silvery- haired
, superior, who would iusist-not withs tand
I ing urgent emonstrances-upon accom-
f puuying his heroic little band to the rally
e ing. point. Several of the brothers were
e. wounded by Prussian bullets, aud one o.
! them was stretched a corpse on the battle
field. The principal house was converted
into an hospital. Upwards OF LOOT
5 wounded soldiers were received and caret
a for by the brothers, who cheerfutly gave
. them their beds, their rooms, their dorm1
y tories. In this circumstance, Brothe
: Philippe stripped himself of many legiti
Il mate comforts for the benefit of the ailipg
: He attended to the concerns OF his Order
. remaining up late at night in cold room
i, and carrying on his correspondence by the
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