Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-12-10
Has Educated Many of Louis
ville's Most Successful Bus
mess Men.
The Services Will BE Attended
by Many Clergymen and
Others.
FATHER ROCK WILL BE THE ORATOR

Today will usher in the golden festival
of one of the pioneers of the Congrega-
ton of the Xaverian Brothers. the Rev.
Brother Stephen.
Brother Stephen was born in Atten-
dorm, Westfalia, Prussia, April %, 1926.
He entered the Congregation of Xaveri-
ans in ls4S. The order was then in its
incipiency. having been founded but nine
years before by Theodore James Ryken.
Pope Gregory XVI. approved the Con-
gregation, and novitiate was opened in
Bruges, Belgium, June 5, 1899. St. Fran
els Xavier, the great apostle of the In
dies, was chosen patron, and the name
Xaverians was given to the Congrega-
ton. In 1S4S the number of members
had increased sufficiently to open branch
of the order in England. Success at
tended this mission, and the Brothers
now conduct number of educational
establishments in that country.
The Congregation was introduced into
the United States in 1854 by Archbishop
Spalding, then Bishop of Louisville.
Visiting Europe in that year, he heard
of the new Congregation and applied for
Brothers to conduct schools in his do
cese. Six Brothers were appointed to
form the beginning of the American
province. They arrived in Louisville in
1854, and were given the direction of St.
Patrick's and St. Mary's parochial
schools. Two years later Brother Stephen
arrived. His first appointment was to
St. Patrick's school. He was engaged in
teaching there for three years, when he
was transferred to St. Mary's school.
Here he remained till 1875, a period of
seventeen years After Bishop Spalding
ryas rpade Archbishop of Baltimore he
secured the services of the Brothers for
the management of protectory for boys,
which he had founded in Baltimore.
Brother Stephen entered into this work.
Under the care of the Brothers this es-
adjustment has become one of the lead.
ing institutions of its kind in this coun.
try, and affords shelter and education to
five hundred boys. Brother Stephen re.
turned to Louisville i'll 1880. After his
return he was engaged in teaching III
St. Mary's, and later in St. Xavier's In.
stitute, now St. Xavier's College. He
was afterward appointed Vice President
of this institution, position which he
still holds.
Brother Stephen is man of invincible
energy and untiring zeal. Having made
the offering of his life on the altar Of
charity, he considered no sacrifice toe
great if by it Gods honor or the honor
of his Congregation could be promoted
Every honor is due to him and to those
other pioneers of the Xaverians. three o.
whom, besides the reverend jubilarian
are still living in this countryside Rev
Brother Alexius, Provincial of the Amer
ican province; Rev. Brother Stanislaus
Superior of St. Xavier's community o
this city, and Rev. Brother Martin, o
the same community. The CoDgrega
ton, of which they may be justly STYLED
Foundation stones" has taken ranl
among the great teaching orders of thei
church. They conduct educational in
stitutions in Baltimore. Md. East Bos
ton, Somerville, Worcester, Lowell
Lawrence, Danvers, Mass; Richmond
Portsmouth, Norfolk. Old Point Com
fort, Va, and Wheeling, w. Va.
Rev. Brother Stephens name in tn
world is Adolph Sommers, but it ha
been so many years since he was ad
dressed by that name that it has bee
almost forgotten. In 1869 Brother Ste
phen was sent to Europe as the Amer
can representative of the first genera
council of the congregation. This is tn
only time he has left America. He ha
never desired any high position in tn
order, always being the same humble
pious, laborious man that he now is. II
is honored and revered by ali who kno
him for his many kindly traits of cha
acter.
The jubilee exercises of to-day wi
commence with solemn high mas
which will be celebrated in the collee
chapel at $3.50 O'Clock. The followin
clergy will officiate: Rev. +. nj. Bacl
mann, celebrant; Rev. A. ]. Thom'
deacon; Rev. George A. Weiss, sub-de'
con; Rev. George w. Schumann. masts
of ceremonies. Rev. p. M. ]. Rock wi
deliver the sermon on the occasion
The reverend gentleman is one of I'll
most eloquent and happy speakers in tt
diocese, and his sermon this morniu
will be highly appreciated by his nearer
Breakfast will be served to the clergy
the dining hall of the college. A lare
number Of the clergy and friends of I'll
reverend jubilarian arc expected to |
present at the exercises.
There is scarcely profession or bus
ness in this city which does not contai
. graduates Of St. Xavier's College wi
we're at one time or another under Il
7, tuition Of BROTHER Stephen, and they wi
no doubt take advantage Of this occasiS