The Irish standard., 1890-07-19
"A BRlI LIANT CAREER e. / i


"A BRl LIANT CAREER.
4 How Father George J. Lucas
Won His Title.
His Augmentation on 2z2 Theses Z
Magnificent Tribute to His Intellectual
plause. 5s
The Rev. Father George J. Lucas, who
recently had the honor of being made q
Doctor of Divinity, was born in Cork,
Ireland, in 1855, and emigrated to this
country at an early age and settled in
the State of New York. Feeling an in
elination for the ecclesiastical state he
at once devoted himself to study and SO
brilliantly did he pursue his ecclesias-
tical studies that his superiors decided
to send him abroad. He ayailed him
self of the opportunity and devoted
two years to literary studies in Eng
land and subsequently pursued his
course of philosophy and theology in
the Universities Of Louvain,@ Belgium,
and Woodstock, Md. He entered the
Seminary of st. Sulpice, Baltimore, and
was ordained priest by his Eminence
Cardinal Gibbons.
Since his ordination the reverend
gentleman has been preparing his ex-
animation for the doctorate He pre-
sented himself for examination, and
offered as subject matter 242 theses
which covered the whole ground Of
dogmatic theology. The ordeal for doc
torate at St. Mary's Seminary is one of
the severest tests of theologian's skill
and covers six hours, or three hours
each day. Accordingly, Father Lucas
was examined before the faculty and
students of the Seminary. Though the
able faculty of the Seminary penetra-
ted the theses presented by the candi-
date and urged serious objections
he maintained his position with daunt-
less fear and lion-like courage. He de-
bated exclusively in Latin. and as the
Ciceronian periods rolled out, they
were frequently omplimented by the
loud cheers and hearty applause of the
assembled students.
The doors were thrown open to visit
ors and many distinguished clergymen
appeared on tho battlefield, for such it
really was. At the first session were
present the Very Rev: Superior and
faculty of the seminary, the Rev. Drs.
Schroeder and Pohle of the Catholic
University, the Rev. DR.. Chappelle,
Bishop-elect of Sante Fe, Father
Clarke, S. j., of Loyola College, Wash
ington, D. c., Father lanai, S. j., of
Woodstock College, Father Slattery,
Superior of the Josephites, DR.. Martin
of St. Agnes, Baltimore, and Father
Dunn of Catonsville, Md. During the
first session Father Lucas was attacked
by Drs. Schroeder and Pohle. But he
was we'll equipped for the University
professors, and, though the contest was
bitter, Father Lucas remained unvan-
pushed. His Eminence, the Cardinal,
convened the session, during which
Drs. Chappelle and Clarke objected to
the' doctrine of Father Lucas. Here
again the candidate displayed his pro
fciency in theology and elected the
hearty applause of all. At the conclu-
sion Of this session the Cardinal con-
graduated the candidate and encouraged
all present to acquire a love for theo-
logical studies.
The session was called to order by
DR.. Martin, who attacked the theses on
the Incarnation. This augmentation
differed in one particular from the
others. In the previous ones the row
erend defendant manifested not only
his skill in theology but his profound
knowledge of Scripture and the argu-
ments thence educed. But in this SEES
sion he had an opportunity Of admir-
ably displaying his deep insight into
metaphysics and this he did by his
rounded argument and finished res
ponses to the objections advanced.
This ended the representations, after
which the Very Rev. Father Magnien
mounted the rostrum and in a few we'll
chosen words complimented Father Lu-
cas-. and concluded by granting him,
with the unanimous consent of the
faculty, the degree Of Doctor of Divin-
ity, "cum maxima laude."
Nothing could compare with the
cheers and applause which rang from
every corner of the assemblage, and it
was only after much warning that the
applause ceased. The Very Rev. su-
perior then invested DR.. George Lucas
with the doctors cap and ring, after
which the students raised the doctor on
sheir shoulders and bore him through
the halls of the seminary amid the
cheers and applause of all
The Lords Prayer.
Tho sDirit of the Lords PRAYER ia