The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1877-03-25
Msrnlng Star and Catholic Messenger.


Dc room fOr him. He pressed his rsqnest VIII
she good and kind hearted Bishop was unable
refuse, and gave the necessary consent u
edmit him into the Seminary.
Having entered the Seminary, he devoted al
mis- talents and energy to prepare himself t.
become Q capable and worthy minister of G d
by studying with the greatest diligence, By
Ponosually aud infinitely observing all th'
rules Of the Institution, and by using every
opportunity, in faot every moment. to advance
daily In piety aud virtue. HIS condnot while
In the Seminary was n subject of editcatioI
both 20 his professors and companions. Be
coming AGO uasnted with the Redemptori-
Fathers In Pbiiadel phiS. he felt drawn toward'
them, and after wards experience, d yearninp
In his heart to become one of them. At last
after earnestly committing the will of God be
felt con vii &c ed that ID wanted him to become
o REDEEM ptorist. He consequently mado ap
piioaton for admission into the Order, which
application was granted only when the Superi
ora were fully convinced It was his vocation.
Is was no easy matter at that time for any one
20 enter the Congregation.
The Congregation Of tbe Most Holy Redeemer
had but recently been established in the United
States by Fathers wbose mother tongue was
German, and in n few instances French and
Dutch. The Fathers had so far labored exolu-
sively among the French or German Catholics
The Congregation was consequently considered
as being only q German affair. John Dnfy,
being the frst whose mother tongue was Eng.
liah TO enter the Congregation, had to ut derRo
all Kinds of ridcuie from friends aud COM
panions. This, however, did not cause him to
waver: Ged called him, and go he would in
spite of all opposition. IT, OF course, was
great secriiice for him to leave his family, bat
he made it promptly in obedience to the call OF
God.
His family bad made the first sacrifice with
oheerfulness by permitting him to embrace the
ecolesiastioal state, although they needed bis
services and assistance. But now they were
called upon to make one still greater, for they
knew that when he entered the Congregation
Of the Most Holy Redoemtr tley would lose
him forever. They would perhaps never mora
see him he would never more be able to rem
der them any pecuDiary assistance. TINS WAS
indeed N hard trial, bot like good and true
Christians they willingly made the sacrifice
God demanded of them.
John Duffy left his home and relatives in the
latter part of August, lS47. and went To st.
James Church, Baltimore, whore the tsnroc
airy novitiate of the Order, in charge Of Rev.
Father Saunders, was situated. At his very
entrance God permitted him to be assailed
with violent temptation to return i'm mediate-
ly TO the world. bnt placing himself entirely
In the hands OF God, h6 ANONYMOUSLY resisted
the temptation, and made firm deter m natiun
to persevere In the Congregation until death.
He received the habit of tho Congregation
some weeks after his arrival, and 10 lnade him
feel proud and happy to BIO olothed rs q child
Of 81. Alphonsus.
A short time afterwards. the novitiate was
transferred to PittsburR, and Father Seelos
was appointed Master OF NovceR. 1t was from
this saintly man that Father Duffy 'mbioed
shat love for his vocation and devotion to the
duties 1t imposed upon him, which was one of
his distinguishing traits in after life. Father
Seelos testified that Father Dntfy had been
during the W hole period OF his Dovttiate, u holy
and fervent novice, full of humble d"cility.
AZ for Father Duffy, his heart was overlooking
with gratitude and veneratton whenever he
heard the d anne of Father SeeIus pronounced;
aud whenever he uttered his name, iC was with
the Affection and reverence due To the name OF
one whom he considered not only as one OF his
greatest ban efaotors, but AS that of real saint,
fnF nify
could be long in company with Father Seelos
without being sanotided by his presence.
As the term of his noviate drew to IL close,
Father Duffy daily became more aud more fer
vent, and more ardently attaches to his voca-
tion. His heart WAS longing for the arrival of
the time when he would be permitted to conse-
crete himself entirely TO the service of God by
the VOWS of poverty, chastity and obedieucs,
and by the vow aud oath to persevere in the
Congregation until death. That happy mo.
ment after hioh he had 80 much sighed came
on the Gath Of September, lSiS on the Feast of
Our Lady of Mercy.
On this happy day, the hAppiest of his life,
he made an itrevooable oblatiou Of his whole
being TO God, through the hands of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, aud during the twenty seven
years he yet lived, he never once regretted his
got of that day; on the contrary, he could
never think of il without emotion, and his
heart OVERLOOKING with gratitude towards G1d
for having oondescendod to call him to the
Congregation of ST. Alphonsus. Iu spite of the
many labors, crosses, temptations, and trials,
to which he was hjected during the remainder
of his life, he ever remained faithful To the
vows ho made on that day, Away con- iderInH
Ii . great honor to bs msmbe of the CunKre
cation Of the Most Holy Rsdeemer.
After having made his vows he prosecuted
his studies with renewed energy, and
ordained priest by Arch bishop (theu Bishop
Hughes GU the Feast of st. B1nayeutnre, Jolly
1Ath, I649. He celebrated his Hrst Mass. in
presence of large con GrsGation, in the Church
of the Holy Rsdeemer, Now York. Shorly
after his ordination, he W AS appointed assistant
to tho Novice Master at st. Alphousus' Church,
Baltimore, Tho Rev. Father Gabriel Rumpler
she Novice Master. was an extraordinary man.
He posaessed deep learning, was q popular and
powerful preacher, q most experienced di-
rector of souls, . man Of uneXAmple aud in
defAtiEAblo ability. energy and decision OF
character, and last, but not least, he WAS re-
mSrkable for his great holiness and Austerity
of life Father Dnhy could never speak of him
without expressing the deepest Venoration for
his holiness aud maximH, aud unqlaHh ID ad.
miratiOu of bis great ability Ho discharged
his duties as assistant with such great eXauti.
tude that he not only won the affection of the
nOvices, but also the esteem aud appreciation of
tho Novice Master.
Father Dolly was called on to assst in giving
the great mission at ST. Josephs Churoh, New