The times., 1897-09-26
CAPUCHIA MONKS COMING
Have Bought Acres of Land Near
the Catholic University.
KEPT SECRET FROM CATHOLICS
stories Have Evolved
From the Mystery Surrounding
the Whole Transaction-W VIII Es-
tahlish the First American Mother
Hcuse of the Order.

House of the Order.
The curiosity Of Catholic churchmen here
has been piqued TO understand the signifi.
cance Of an important real estate transfer
that was made on May 81 last. On that
date Mr.. George Ernest Hamilton, OF this
city, sold the McCeney tract, of forty.
four acres, to Mr.. Scott Lord of New York
city
This land is adjacent to the grounds of
the Catholic University on the east. 1t was
known that Mr.. Lord, who is u prominent
Catholic andlawyer, " as the agent for some
important Catholic organization; but the
parties to the transaction refused to di-
vulge the slightest particular Of their
plans. The price paid was $4,000 in
cash, and it was known that the plans
for the new foundation were being very
carefully prepared in Italy.
1t now develops that the purchase was
made in behalf OF the ancient and historic
order of the Franciscan Capuchins, who
propose TO establish their first American
mother house under the patronage OF the
Catholic University.
More or less sensational stories have
evolved from the mystery shroudlng this
whole transaction Even the most prOml-
nent churchmen have been anxious to know
what was portenled One Of the pro-
fessors of the Catholic University stated
10 Times reporter that the land vas
purchase. for the foundation OF an under
graduate college TO be conducted as a
preparatory school for the higher degrees
of the Catholic University.
Cardinal Gibbons, the chancellor, and
Mgr. Martinelli, apostolic delegate, dis
credited this rumor on the ground that the
charter of the Catholic University would
have to be totally changed in order to
provide for the affiliation OF such an
institution.
1t was also surmised by very good
authorities that the Jesuit fathers, act
ing on hints from the Vatican, had de
termined To affiliate themselves with the
Catholic University, and for this end
would move their theulogic and philosophic
faculty from Woodstock, Md, To the Nc
Ceney place Rev. j II Richards, S. j.,
president OF Georgetown University, ad-
mitted that it has long been the intention
OF the Jesuits TO change their nOyitiate
from Frederick to Woodstock, and to
transfer the latter faculty to Washington.
No definite arrangements have yet been
discussed regarding this policy. 1t is,
however, contem plated at some future time,
wien conflicting theories may becomposed,
that the Jesuits may see their way clear
to q more perfect union OF their eystem
la1r 2 ba "a VT,, TTr,f
yersty.
The Passiunists, a contemplative order
OF priests, have for some time past ex-
pressed desire 10 found mona stery near
the university, but as they have lately
enlarged their house at Baltimore, they
have now no particular reasonfor a change
The Capucnins. although one OF the old
est and most powerful orders ofthe church.
are but little known in this section of the
country. Two of the fathers, Very Rev
Marianus Fiege and Rev. John NJ Finigan,
arrived in Philadelphia on Saturday, Sept
elnber lS. They Immediately proceeded
10 Washington to consult the apostolic
delegate in regard to their future plans
They were very cordially received by
Mgr. Mertinelli, who gave them a letter
of appreciation, i'll which be takes pleasure
in introducing them to the benevolence
and good Will of the American clergy and
people. Heals vouches for their regularity
in the church and their zeal and intellect
ual attainments. The fathers then Wis
ited the Catholic University and looked
over the ground. After paying their re
spects to Cardinal Gibbons, in Baltimore,
they Went To New York, where they VIII
temporarily sojourn with colony of Fran
ciscan Capuchins.
The order is missionary in character.
1t was founded by Pope Clement WI,
in 1926, and is an offShoot of the
Franciscan Friars, who follow the rule of
st. Francis of ASSIST. Their dress is very
picturesque, being OF coarse brown serge,
confined at tie waist by a knotted rope
The Capuchins wear, in lieu of hats, a
LONG, pointed cowl, lined with W hite. They
We're formerly discalced or bare-footed.
a large number Of their monasteries were
suppressed during the revolutionary troubles
in France, but they revived again and
continued prosperous until $50, when they
were again expelled from France. They
are at present most numerous in Austria
and Italy. They have many houses in
Switzerland. At present there are seven
Capuchin ronasteries in England and three
in Ireland In this country they have
small communities of German monks at
Green Bay, Mich. Milwaukee, Wis; Leaven.
worth, Kan, and New York city.
Another addition to the colleges grow
ing around the univ ersity is the Marist
monastery, TO be situated on the Hatcher
place. These fathers during the summer
purchased eleven acres between the Bal
OF the university grounds. The Marists
are a French order They intend to
move their Taother house from Limoges,
near Paris. to this location. The plans
are to erect beautiful building of gray
stone in harmony with the style OF Cald-
well and McMahon Halls.