The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-06-13
A PRIEST-PHYSICIAN
Father MOllinger Has not Been
Called to Rome.
HE WORKS MIRACULOUS CURES
Crowds Assembling at Troy Hill Awaiting
St AnthOny's Feast-Some Remarkable
Cases-A Sketch Of the Fathers Life.


published a report last evening that Rev
Father S. G. Mollinger, pastor Of the
Church of the Most Holy Name on Troy
Hill, Allegheny, has been summoned to
Rome by the Pope. Father Mollinger ID
famous the country over for his wonderful
success in healing the sick, and even now
there are between three and four thousand
cripples and invalids, blind people and deaf,
Logging in Troy Hill boarding houses wait
ing to be taken IN hand by the priestly
healer. The story that he had been called
TO Rome caused the widest CONSERVATION
among these sufferers, as it was said he
would sail away Monday next, leaving them
to their fate. The presumption was that
the Vatican wanted to know all about Father
Mollinger's laoors as a physician, his
methods, income and resources. The sen
sation was spoiled last night by Father
Mollinge- himself. He declared the Pope
had not sent for him; that he had no inten-
ton of going to Rome, and that mis- work
would be continued as usual When he dis
poses OF the thousands now here to be
healed by him, he will go out OF town for
his usual summer rest There are
now over three thousand invali9s
crowded into Troy Hill boarding
houses in anticipation of st. Anthony's
day Saturday next, when the same miracu-
lous powers which distinguished ST. An
thony 1t is belieed will DE given TO mis- dis
ciple, Father Adolinger. The sick, IN all
nearly ten thousand, will attend high
mass on that eventful morning, that they
may receive the blessing of Father Mol
llnger and be cured of their infirmities.
Afflicted people are now coming into the
city by the score They arrive on every
q n .ir nd NJ
all hours. They have made such demands
upon the lines running 10 Troy Hill that all
night street cars have become a positive
necessity and are in active service between
the railroad station and Father Moliing
er's.
THE railroads are reaping rich harvest
from the sick people," said a Union station
official. Every train is filed with them
and l believe not less than one thousand
people have arrived since. Monday morn
ing. Last night over one hundre came in
on the express from the east Two hours
later as many more arrived from the west.
Another eastern soon arrived with some
more, and in fact they came in at all hours
and kept the baggage men as busy as
fifteen years and in all my ex-
perience in railroading never
saw anything like it. These sick people
come in from all points OF the compass and
belong to all classes and conditions of men.
Among those l saw this morning was a
family from Halifax. The mother and
daughter came here with two sons who are
totally blind. The mother seemed TO have
the greatest faith that the priest could
cure their affection"
a specimen case will serve TO illustrate
the cures affected oy Father Mollinger
Monday when Mrs. Francis Heines arrived
from Waterloo, \. Y, she was wheeled
about in an invalid's chair; she could not
walk step; for eleven years her lower
limbs had been useless; physicians were
able TO afford her no relief and told her she
would never again DC able 10 walk. What
the disease was they could not determine
Last evening Mrs. Heines, unaided,
walked more than a dozen yards and is
assured that with returning strength she
will fully recover the use OF her limbs
Since her arrival at Troy Hill she has at
tended mass each day and patiently await
ed the audience with Father Mollinger
Yesterday her turn arrived. She was car
ried by her brother and attendant into the
presence of the the priest-ph ysician. People
standing in the church yard said it was too
bad, but even Father Mollinger could do
nothing for one so hopelessly afflicted. A
few minutes later an attendant came to the
door and exclaimed: Make room for this
lady, she is walking out She is cured"
People standing about were for an instant
incredulous. Their astonishment turned
to awe as Mrs. Heines walked down the
hall, down three steps to where her in
valid's chair was standing. No person
aided her. Father Mollinger did not seem
10 do anything to me-" she said to re-
porter. "The minute l was carried into
him he said You can walk now; you are
cured And l am, On, praise Cod" And
Mrs. Heines began to utter her thanks to
the Lord for her deliverance.
A remarkable cure was reported in the
case of James Duffy who has been unable
to hold anything in either hand for several
years. Yesterday Father Mollinger gave
him a crucifix to hold and looking him
steadily IN the eyes told him to clutch it
tightly. The man ooeyed and instantly all
trace of palsy left him.
Mamie Scanlon, afflicted with hip
and Mrs. j. Duffy, of Bingham ton,
n. Y, suffering from a white swelling, left
Wednesday for their homes perfectly
cured. Such cures are reported daily as
st. Anthony's DAY approaches. Sufferers
from rheumatism and chronic disease pre-
dominate among the arrivals.
Father Mollinger was born at Moline,
Belgium, May 90, 1881. His parents were
people of some note, his father having been
an officer in the Belgian army where he
made a reputation by his daring and ability
The son early resolved to devote his life 10
work. He was placed under the
care of monks of Louvain and won high
United States in 1856, and April 80, 1859.
was ordained priest OF the diocese of
Erie, Pa. For six years after his admis-
sion to the priesthood Father Molliuger
travelled in the countries of Clarion and
Jefferson. AT the END of that time he was
transferred TO the Pitts5urgdiocese. He had
charge of the rural missions of Perrysville
Il for fO-s -.
time his apparently extraordinary power to
cure the sick had not been dreamed of by
himself or anyone else. Father Mollinger
was called suddenly to Troy Hill mission.
Ii was In poor condition and he set about
building it up. Success attended his efforts,
and so delighted were he and his parishion-
ers that it was decided to celebrate the
feast of st. Anthony of Padua which falls
about the second week in June, in royal
style Curiously enough, several sick peo-
pie attended the celebration. They asked
for Father MolIinger's prayers and they
were given. Father Mollinger also gave
them some medicine and TO their happiness
and his qualification they were cured. Next
year after his arrival another feast was
held on St. Anthony's day. Again came
sick persons and again quite number were
cured. Ever since the feast of st. Anthony
has been observed more especially by the
of the Church OF the Most
Holy Name of Jesus. With the advancing
years Father Hollinger's name has reached
many places and at the last observance of
St. Anthony's DAY 1T is estimated shat 90,
900 people were present during the day.
Half of these had an ailment of some kind.
For several days after the feast Father
Mollin9er is under the inspiring power Of
the saint, and continues to oficiaA as a
physician. He generally does this until be
is worn out physically when he retires to
his rooms for q week Of rest He says his
power is displayed at Its best during the