The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-03-18
AND JOINED The FRANCISCAN ORDER.
Compiled an Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland.

The Rev, Nj. J. Brennan was born in
the historic old city OF Kilkenny, ireland,
about ten years before the close OF the
last century, says p. ]. lIaltigan in the
Church News He was the son OF re-
spectacle tradcsman, who provided for
the boy the best education his limited
means enabled him to procure The youth
showed early signs Of superior intcll-
ecncc and aptitude of capacity as we'll as
exhibiting decided vocation for the
priesthood. lie completed his studies in
an old academy Of the town, and soon al
ter was ordained by the then Bishop of
the ancient Sec Of Ossory AS a priest he
won rapid distinction, both as an clo-
qucnt preacher and as 4 man of high
scholarly attainmcnts, and the celebrity
he thus obtained proved too much for his
stock OF common sense to endure. En-
tcrtaining the fullest faith in his own abil-
tiles, he allowed himself to be carried
away by cgotism and scli-importance,
winch led first to characterization and
finally to suspension by his Bishop. AZ
ter his suspension, instead OF bowling in
ilial obedience to the fathcrlv hand which
corrected him, his blind, impu1sivc vanity
lnpcllcd him to seek redress in the des-
pcratc act OF public apostacy
For period Of about three wears
brennan continued his scandalous work.
but at tho end OF that time a ray OF light
ol GODS mercy penetrated his intellect,
and he saw the abyss OF degradation into
which he had fallen.
The first Sunday of Advent had ar
rived; the bell OF St. Georges summon
ed the most lastidious and very elite of a
Dublin audience TO hear Father Bren-
mans vindication OF himself for rcnounc
ing the errors OF Popery. Brennan robed
himself IN the vcstry in the soutane, sur
pllcc, and cap which lie had received from
the hands OF his bishop, but which he had
dotted for. the last three years. With a
firm step, he assembled the pulpit, and the
same sclf-posscssion, scf-dcfiance, which
formed the stumbling block OF his down
TALL, now sustain him in the most trying
ordeal OF his emergency. A brcathless
silence pcrvadcs the asscmbagc; he sur
vcycd by glance the anxious faces be-
lore him, and, taking off his cap, he thus
opens his discourse: In the name of the
Father, and OF the Son, and of the HOLY
Ghost, Amen accompanying the words
with the usual form OF the sign of the
cross. He paused The audience looked
on each other with amazcmcnt. Yet the
idea suggested itself that he went through
this formula for the purpose of scoffing
at the cross with which he had blessed
himself. They were to be disappointed.
Composurc being restored, the pcnitent
priest lifted himself to the full proper
tons OF his stature, and, taking the Bible
III his right hand he held it aloft, and, in
a calm voice and scntcnious cxhortation.
he said This Bible is the Word OF God
This removed all the uncasncss, and the
congregation were now quite at home
with their preacher. He continued: BY
the contents of this Bible every word I
have written or spoken against the Cath
Ollie church was a lie Rapidly descend
ing from the pulpit he made his way as
best he could through his audience,
whom he LETT in state Of utter con-
stcrnaton. He worked his way through
the back streets OF Dublin to the house
OF the Capuchins in Church street. The
pcnitcnt priest in his soutanc, surplce.
and cap, threw himself at their feet, told
them i'll tears the history Of the evening,
which astonisllcd the poor fathers more
than il did the congregation of St.
Georges Church. He was subsequently
admitted into the Franciscan order and
set himself to compile the Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland"