The sun., 1892-02-07
James A. McMatter. whose name was subse-
ouently to become familiar as that OF the edi-

James A. McMatter. whose name was subse-
duently to become familiar as that OF the edi-
tor OF the 1reeisan's Journal These two
young man wero about 10 visit Eoropo for tho
purpose OF passing their novltiate IN a house
OF stuliea OF their or,,cr. and Isaac Hccker
mnho up his mind TO u, with them. The
three novices rasscl soms time in the little
Belgium city Vt st. Trond. aal after taking
their vows two OF them proceeded to an-
other educational establishment of the lse-
lemptorists at Wit!em in Limberg. At
the end OF his nrst year in this
house Hecker received tonsure and
minor orders. but he was not ordained priest
at wittem. that ceremony being postponed to
October. 1910. when 1t was performed by
Bishop WiscMsn in his chapel In London Tho
delay was not duo so!oly to bacswardness In
divinity studies. Hecksrs general education
was scant. and his English was still faulty. 1t
Is not surprising. therefore. that some OF his
superiots in the order doubted his nualil'ca-
tions for a preaching order for which n thor
ongh education is prerequisite II WAS due
to miseiyings on the part Of his instructors
touching his competence to preach that he
was not authorized to say lis first mass until
he was 30 years old.
Returning to the United States in 1851 Fa-
ther Hecker diligently schooled himself In
public speaking. and eagerly availed himself
OF the opportunity OF practice afforded by the
missionary platform. Tho missions. however.
being addressed to Catholics. could not ens!iy
be made tho channels Of direct Influence for
turning skertics and Protestants to the Church
OF Rome. The attempt to convert them into
such channels, involving rs 1t would fire.
quent interspersion OF controversial sermons.
was never tried by tho Redemptorists. nor
las it since been by the Pauiist Fathers.
It was in the intervals OF his missionary
labors that Father Hecker produced the
books published under the titles OF "Ques-
tions OF tho Soul" and Aspirations Of Ma
ture." To the former book DR.. Brownson gave
in his review hstterlng reception. but he OK
pressed dread that the latter would be mis-
cendentalists. The purpose Of both works was
to PROFOUND moral and intellectual difficulties
common to all non. non Catholics skeptics as @ yell
as protesting Protestants. and to oner solu-
GATH Satholieity and By. evidences close at hand:
sah sHsh s Rdfsd Ss s'0ns
The separation Of the band Of American
mnsy sos ass s i Il ,Sm
me- ssr tS sSSna wshss Ss IN
ferred the " latter at s place Ace desire the house to
become the head quart tets af the Engisl-speas-
ianeuaHe ian % IN Cor Common @ use. .. Il seems that the
superiors Of the order had become suspicious
u %ha hs hs Hss tef
to lay the matter
day days % later @ On sxneed nSf from the AS Sonsre
nH Coming ste to Reme soaton oi The ays VOWS q
obedience and pS:ity This was d!strenssins 8, e
4 - par m n nd lnSS
p f%'%st Hseiers ei Expulsion We're e e5a%ined
passed 1 to the saprsms Portifr: Who sought y a
report from the Tongregnticn Of Bishops and
Es mac y the SSsRen
Eregetion. but he had personally studied all
wa. was decided that ali tho Xmerissn Fathers
tneluaine Father Hesker; who was treat;
smssf by ss q asefSs ts II was s s tha
Medeemer his ,expuls! ION being, ignored.
The decree which was dated March u. 1873 ~
hSIity Of the Amersan Iii hops. Their he e ferma
tEetaTn q FstasE Hssksr e @ NV Yo9k: s pro: r:
TSs AFspS;ssp ssSsoi hs on
nrs the canonical status nnticipat ed by
han,e |ssec.sd far t,e new tor 'sr WAS .i
Ts Ts Aisey has oSsh Pss 81 ntn faas.s
Father Hecker was elected the frs, Superior OF
the erder., ard with the help OF n very large
Was able TO purchase the present site Of st.
Paurs Church and. convent. at the northwest
The corner stone OF the new structure was
laid on June. 1850. and the house was conl-
Father Hooker was within a few weeks OF his
40th birthday. The newly founded Paulist
community was heartily welcomed BY both
clergy and p,orie. and It's history is familiar 70
every wsl'-informet citizen y! New i"-k.