The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-08-25

THE PRINCE-P PRIEST OF THE ALLEGHE-
MESA writer in Lippencott's Maoazine
discourses in this wise about Rev. Demetrius
Augustine Gallitzin, the pioneer priest of this
portion of the Lords vineyard
Born a Russian Prince. intended from his birth
Tor Russian ot1ce. and educated with that end in
missionary. He was the first priest whom the
Catholic Church in this country could claim as en-
tirely her own. having been both educated and
consecrated on her soil. At first Gallitzin was
ttineraut missionary. wandering through vast
tracts OF the toughest country In Maryland, Viz
ginia and Pennsylvania
In 1923, after four years Of Incredible hardship.
during which he had become thoroughly acquaint-
eo with the character both of the country and its
people, he obtained permission to settle ia the re-
motest district OF Pennsylvania which the Church
had not yet invaded, the widest, rudest and most
uninviting In all save the grandeur of its scenery
and thefertlity of its soil when once cleared Of IT'S
he afterward named Loretto he built a little
church of logs which was dedicated with a solemn
midnight Mass. chanted in his magnificent voice
on Christmas Eve. The scene as we picture IL fs
one Of wild beauty no less than of impressive So
lemnity- His hearers had gathered from places
within radius OF scores Of miles. Some were
members of HIS flock Others. rude and more ig-
norant still, had been drawn by rumors Of an u1-
young soldier and courtier turned priest the
full OF shining candles to the palaces where he had
been born and bred. The snow, we are told was
waist deep outside the church.
have no space to follow In detafi the long re-
cord Of the life and faors of Ga1lftzin or Father
Smith, as for many years he was called, allowing
AT Loretto he dwelt tf1l his death 1870 leaving
his Immediate charge only 20 make totlsOme and
dangerous journeys still further into the heart OF
the wilderness, where there was not even q log
church to receive him. but where service was per
formed, often for the benefit OF a single family in
Kitchen. barn or stable. For very short visits he
went only at the rarest intervals and on necessary
business to Baltimore and Philadelphia. More
than once he refused tempting suggestions OF pre-
ierment, even OF the mitre Itself His desire had
ron the hrst been to build up community train
ed. ordered and governed in the stTictest accord
ance with the rrecepts OF Christianity and the
CHURCH. free from that alloy ef worldliness which
10 all but enthusiasts appears an inevitable fngre-
dient IN human communities. He undertook n
vast task for 1t constituted himself in the fulfil
ment OF II the guide and ruler Of his people in
their worldly as in their spiritual concerns. He
was imperious, doubtless, very often. but only
with the worldly scofiers and the unrepentant
evil-doer. With all others he was as tender and
humble as the l0wlieSt woman. Autocrat as he
grew 10 be over HIS scattered and incOngruOus
lock, where the Irish and the German elements
were never long at peace, can We wonder that he
became an object Of prosecutions. ISLANDERS envy
ings and lealouSies Of every kind2 His rule was
denounced as tyrannicai. even unjust: his mo-
tiYes were questioned, HIS private character as
sailed. complaints were carried time and again to
the Bishop, and rival settlement with rival
priest, established Itself at his very doors. His
patience, ,nrmness and meeitneSs combined seem to
have been almost superhuman. and they conquer
cd entirely in the end. At the time Of HIS death
his enemies were silenced-many of them. indeed,
converted into his warmest adherents. His death
was lamented far and wide as public calamity.