The Irish standard., 1889-10-12
a FITTING REWARD.

A FITTING REWARD.
The Catholic population of this state
have just reason to feel proud over the
honors that have been lately conferred
On the devote heads of their ever faith
ful clergy. Last week we had the
pleasure of announcing the appoint
ment of no less than three new bishops
IN this state. and today we have still
further the qualification OF announcing
the fact that the Right Rev. Thomas
L Grace, Bishop of st, Paul, has been
to the high and digniAed posi-
tion of Archbishop of this diocese. The
rev. prelate came to this country in the
year 1859, and through his lndetatigable
endeavors in the cause of religion and
endeared himself to all classes
of the community. Protestant and Cath
olic alike. The Right Rev, Thomas
l.. Grace was born at Charleston, Sc,
On Nov. is, 1914. making him now
almost seventy five years old. He be
gan the preparatory studies to taking
holy orders at the age Of fifteen, at the
seminary of Cincinnati. At the age OF
sixteen he entered the Dominican order
at the Monastery, of St. Rose, in Ken
lucky He then went to Rome to
pursue his studies, entering the college
Of the Minerva. He was ordained a
priest on December 81, 1899, in Rome,
and returned to America III 1874. On
arriving he Immediately entered upon
the work of the ministry III Kentucky.
For over thirteen years he had charge
of parish at Memphis, Tenn, building
during his pastorate the Church OF ST.
Peter and st. Paul. st. Agnes convent,
large orphan asylum and other eccle-
siastical buildings. On July "a, 1859,
he was consecrated bishop of St. Paul.
His predecessor, Bishop Cretin. had
been dead for over two years. and after
a careful scrutiny of the abilities OF the
various priests on the continent Father
Grace was chosen. The place was a
hard one to fill, and it was only after
the most earnest investigation that his
qualifications decided The Holy Father
to appoint him, The ceremony of con-
secration took place at st. Louis, Arch
bishop Kenrick being the consecrator.
A deDutation of priests from Minnesota,
among whom was Father Ravoux, then
vicar general, was present, and escorted
the new bishop to st. Paul. They left
st. Louis on Tuesday, July 26, 1859, on
the steamer Northern Belle. there being
no railroads in those days, and arrived
at St. Paul on the following Friday.
They were met by delegation OF
priests ard laYmen, and were escorted
TO the cathedral by the st. Paul guard.
A TIE Deum was then sung.
When Father Grace became bishop
the diocese included Minnesota and
Dakota, and there were only two Cath
olic churches in st. Paul, the Cathedral
and the Church Of the Assumption
There were ouly tWenty-seven priests
and population of $4,000, In the
whole diocese were only thirty-one
churches and ninety-seven missions
intercourse was very difficult. and the
| Journeys had all 20 be made on horse
back. There were only four higher
grade schools, under the charge Of tht
sisters OF St. Joseph, and ST. Benedict
The bishop was INCREASINGLY occuDied
he was SO persevering in his work tina
the results were marvellous. In 1877!
| Bishop Seidenbusch was appointed ant
the vicariate OF Northern Minnesota es
tablished, while Rt. Rev. John Irelant
was appoInted coadjutor to Bishop
Grace. -Four years later Dakota wa
made yicariate aud Bishop Marty ap
pointed These subdivisions we're rem
dered necessary by the spread of th,
church under Bishop Grace, and wer,
made because it was impossible for hin
to cover all the territory. Bishol
Grace has endeared himself to Catholic
and Protestants alike by his solid learn
ing. mental ability, gentleness ant
sincerity, broad and liberal Christianity
earnest plet7, graceful OratOrY and dec
sympathy with all sorts of human suf
feripg. As a citizen he is recognize,
and appreciated as q liberal-minde,
/ man. always ready to aid in any matte
for the advancement OF the city and o
mankind He is one of the ables
bishops OF the church, and the news Q
i his elevation 10 the archiepiscopate wi
be received by all with qualification
It is a fitting reward for the long year
of hard toll spent by him in mouldin
the rude forms and habits of Wester
/ life into gentle, quiet and purifie
methods of civilization and Christianit,
4 ------------
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