The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-03-13

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Who will be the recipient this year of the
Laetare medal of the University of
Notre Dame.
ais have been given in the United States.
The madel takes it's name from the fact
that it is announced on the fourth sun
day in Lent, which Is known as Laetare
Sunday. The idea of the medal originated
from a debate by several Of the Notre
Dame faculty as to what would be a
fitting reward for eminent service by a
Catholic Iayman-
The suggestion of the medal was favor
ably received and ultimately adopted by
the president and faculty. Only one is
conferred each year. 1t is intended as a
recognition of services rendered by the
laity in behalf OF religion. education and
morality. The recipient need not be a
graduate of Notre Dame, but may be any
member of the Catholic laivy whose zeal
for the faith and achievements IN the arts,
sciences. literature, law on medicine en-
title them to receive recognition and en-
couragement.
The present recipient has been a stancb
Catholic throughout his life and has con-
tributed literally to Catholic institutions
The ST. Louis University and the Cath
| ole University at Washington were es-
peciaIly favored by him. He has also
given largely to needy Catholic churches
in St. Louis and to various Catholic char
liable and educational Institutions both in
ST. Louis and in the East.
BORN IN IRELAND.
Born in Ireland in 1912. Mr.. Kerens was
brought to this country by his parents
when quite young. His father died when
he was only a boy, and the care OF his
mother and sisters fell upon him.
At the age of 10 he entered the Govern
ment service and was placed in the trans
portation department of the army. He
spent two years in Virginia with the Army
of the Potomac and was transferred to
the West. where. in 1853. ne participated
in the campaign in Southwest Missouri. al
so taking part In the conquest of North
west Arkansas.
Mr.. Kerens. in 1872, engaged in the trans
portation of the mails, express and pas
sengers by stagecoaches to points along
the frontier beyond the advance of the
railroads. In 1874 he began the operation
of a Southern overland mail, a service
which covered about 1,400 miles of frontier
territory.
49, +N~ A~N S-ANN E-~ kN@~-
of the stages, Mr.. Kerens moved to st.
Louis and almost Immediately took an &C
tive part in politics. In 1892 MIR. Kerens
was delegate at large to the Republican
| Convention held at Minneapolis. and was
elected to represent his State on the Re
publican National Committee. Later was
selected as one of the line members of
the Executive Committee.
Since coming to st. Louis Mr.. Kerens
has not devoted himself to any one par
ticular line of business, and. aside from
large mine holdings. is also interested in
several railroad corporations.
President Harrison appointed him one Of
the three United States members OF tie
Intercontinental Railway Commission
which had for its object the construction
of a railway through the South American
Republics. The same executive appointed
him Commissioner at Large to the Worlds
Columbian Exposition at Chicago. Mr..
Kerens is now National Republican Com
| miteeman.
Mr.. Kerens has two sons, Vincent and
Richard, who are graduates of St. Louis
University and have taken a course of law
at the Catholic University at Washington.
Two daughters. one the wife of Colonel
McKenna of the First Regiment. and Mrs.
Thomas Kenna, wife of the attorney gen.
eraI for the Santa Fe. were educated at
the Convent OF the Visitation.
Nj. Rerens each year bestows medals
eral st. Louis institutions.