The Irish standard., 1903-11-07
He is Distinguished for His Executive Ability.
His Capacity for Work and His
Great Tact.
He is Familiar Parsonage in His Home
City and at the National Capital,
Which He Often Visits.

The following sketch of Cardinal
Gibbons appears in the November
number of Pcnrson's Magazine:
There returned from Rome few
weeks ago the highest 1ignitary Of the
James, Cardinal Gibbons. Archbishop
Of Baltimore, after having played one
of the leading roles in the conclnve Of
the Sacred College Mt the Vatican that
terminated in the elevation OF Car
dinal Snrto to the Pnpacy. as success
sor to Leo MIL For the first time,
an American had participated In the
deliberations of the "Pope Makers at
Rome, and, while lie was but one
among many, he largely influenced the
operations of the conclave, and 1t was
by his aid that there was placed in the
chair of Peter brond-minded pontiff
who will soon recognize the rapid
growth Of the Catholic Church in
Americn, and who hns already indicnt-
cd that so large following of the
faithful shall be more equally repre-
scntcd In the Sacred College. Car
dinal Gibbons's participation in the
election Of Plus X, and his recent re-
turn to his native land, make him q
parsonage Of greater interest than
over before. His cmincnce is in rank,
If not in jurisdiction, the highest dig
ntary Of the Catholic Church in the
United States, and the baltimore
Cardinal" is so we'll known to the
public that he is one Of the sights Of
the Monumental City. The slender
figure and the pnllid and ascctic. but
kindly fcnturcs the black ecclcsiastic-
al costume. and especially the little
skull-cnp pccping from under the
American hat. form combination
that has long been familiar to nnlti-
more residents and visitors Every
morning between eleven and twelve
o'clocknnd occasionally q little later
that light and wIry figure is seen to
pass down North Charles street. with
a firm and rapid stride, sometimes 60
ing no farther than Baltimore street,
and then homcwnrd on the other side.
PrOtcstnnts and Catholics alike bow
to tho Cardinal. and he always re-
turns these salutAtiOns with smile,
although he docs not recognize one.
tenth Of the faces. James Gibbons
was born nt Baltimore. July q. 1894.
At an early age. tho future prclatc of
the Catholic Church was taken by his
parents to ireland, the home OF his
| ancestors, and there he received the
rll1imonts Of his training During this
of the famous Archbishop McHalc,
who was much impressed with tho
youthful Bnltimorcan. When hc was
II years Of age. his parents returned
with him 70 Baltimore. and, as he felt
strong inclination for the priesthood,
he was entered at st. Charles College,
near EllicOtt City Maryland. Finish,
ing his classical course at this his
torical institution, he then prosecuted
his philosophical and theological stud
les at ST. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore,
and was ordnincd TO the priesthood in
the Baltimore Cathedral at the age of
p. receiving the last holy order on
June 30. 1861. For the next two year
Father Gibbons was actively engaged
as assistant pastor at st. Patricks
Church. Baltimore. and for three years
thereafter he exercised devoted min.
istry as pastor Of st. Bridget's Church
Canton. n suburb Of Baltimore. Young
Father Gibbons led strenuous life
during these years. His priestly juris.
diction was divided by the PatapscO
River. which he was compelled to
cross in small rOwbOat frequently,
during day and night. In stormy
weather the river is n turbulent one,
and the young priest had many narrow
escapes from drowning. In addition
to that, his parish was made up chief.
ly Of the poor, among whom were
some vicious characters; but the