The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-06-25

III Aeys 8 YELL sss
the Dutch army. The mother was the
daughter of Belgian nobleman. Count
Won Rellenberg. Young Mollingers
wealthy uncle took him to Italy for
several years for study. At first he was
intended to become physician. and for
two years in his youth studied medicine
laying the foundation for this remarkable
knowledge Of the human frame. Then
the life plans of the young man were
changed by his parents, and he was sent
to the Roman Catholic Seminary in
Client, Belgium. While he was at this
seminary an American Bishop visited
Europe in search for recruits to do mis-
sionary work in the New World. Moi
linger was about IL years old at this
time He, among many others, promised
to go to America.
! When the hour arrived many of those
who had pledged themselves did not go,
but young Mollinger said: II have given
my word and will keep it." He had not
finished his studies for the PRIESTHOOD,
but went nevertheless. He went to
Western Pennsylvania shortly after his
arrival in America. He spent short
time at St. Vincent's Monastery in West
moreland County. He then went to the
Catholic Seminary at Cleveland, o.,
which was under the care of Bishop
Rabe-a we'll known churchman of those
days, who was French by descent. The
dioceses of Cleveland, Erie and Pitts
burg we're the same in these days.
Father Mollinger was ordained in the
Cathedral at Cleveland, with the inten-
ton of going into the Pittsburg district
For almost seven years thereafter Father
Mollinger spent bis time as travelling
missionary in the northwestern tier OF
Pennsylvania. He went from place to
place preaching and administering the
| church's rites. He is said to have fire.
quently gone forty miles on sick calls in
| those days in his remarkable zeal. Even
at this time his peculiar power of healing
began to develop. Possibly his knowl-
edge OF medicine helped him. At any
rate he acquired a reputation as healer
of great merit, and people hocked to
| him by the dozen.
For about ten years after going to
Troy Hill Father Mollinger used relic
of St. Anthony-one of the Saints bones
lin curing the sick. He touched them
with the relic, and then blessed them.
About fifteen years ago he began to pre-
! scribe for the sick as we'll. he invaria-
bly, sent prescriptions to two drug stores,
which made small fortune from his pa
tients. He never gave any definite OK
cures. He stated, however, that he him
self had no power, but that his prayers
and blessings called down the influence
of the divine spirit on the patient.
His charity was of the quiet kind.
Street beggars he abhored, but he went
from house to house among Troy Hill s
poor, relieving their distress, and more
than one time has he saved an humble
home from the sherif's hands.
For thirty years have the people OF
Pennsylvania and other States been fol-
lowing this priest-physician for instruc-
ton and succor. He was man Of won
derful intuition and d close student of
human nature. he always required per
sons undergoing treatment to turn their
thoughts into religious channels. He was
swift as lightning at reading characters.
His glance was penetrating. frequently
when people came to him for help, after
flashing one of his eagle looks into their
features, he would say: Go and Lead a
better life. You are no fit subject TO
come into Gods temple cured. Change
your ways and heart and then return. "
Men and women are known to have fall
len on their knees in their terror as he
told them of their past life.
His intellect to the time of his death
was wonderfully strong, and his keen
eye mover failed him to the last.
Father Mollinger had not the approval
Of the diocesan authorities in his work
on St. Anthony's day. They did not
condemn it, nor have they ever approved
of it. They were silent, but did all they
could quietly to prevent the annual pill
grimages. They did this that poor PEG"
pie might not suffer the privatiops they
were forced to undergo to make the
journey from afar, and also in the inter
est Of the inva)ids, many of whom were
more injured than benefited by their
trip. Partly for this reason, chiefly be-
cause Father Mollinger threw conditions
around his new chapel before deciding it
to the Bishop of the diocese in trust, nc
arrangements have been made for dedi-
eating tho new editice built with the
venerable priests money. Nor will it be
dedicated until the title is securely
vested, as the laws of the Church direct.