Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-21
En- american 0r0er

SAmong the many orders and religious So
cfeties affiliated with the Roman Catholic
Church 1t is pleasing fact to Washington
Catholics that the first one to be instituted
and founded in the United States-and for
this country alone-has an important
branch house In this city. This is St.
Thomas College under the direction of the
Congregation of the Missionary Priests of
st. Paul, the Apostle. commonly called the
Paulist Fathers. They are located in the
old Middleton manor house in the Catholic
University grounds.
The order is American In every respect
Not only was 1t founded in this country
but all its first members were natives and
its primary motive of organization is the
conversion of non-Catholic Americans. The
history of the order and its founder is par
ticularly interesting. 1t appears that the
establishment of the Paulists came about
thus: The American branch of the Congre-
cation of the Most Holy Redeemer was a
half century ago, as now, directed by men
of German ancestry. In 1857 1t had five
members of American Observation-Disclosures
Clarence A Walworth, Isaac r Hecker,
Augustine F. Hewitt, George Deson and
Francis A. Baker, all converts to Catholic
ism Their idea was to form new house
DIS headquarters Tor Notwithstanding
priests, as an attraction for American
nOvices of the order and as base for mis-
sionary work among the American people.
When the matter was preached the four
first-named priests favored the project and
1t Is said the German fathers opposed It,
Application was made for such q founda-
ton, but the superiorS of the Order of the
Most Holy Redeemer, both in this country
and Rome, declined to grant the request.
Rumor had it that the motive ques-
hut fln
to be considered disloyal. and decided to
send one of their number to Rome to
elucidate the reasons of the proposed foun-
dation. Choice fell on Father Hecker, and
in August 1857, he sailed for Rome to lay
the matter before the superior general in
person. AS the members of the order had,
among others, taken vows of obedience and
poverty. Father Hecker was dismissed from
the order for a violation of the most
solemn one of obedience.
Stunned by the shock Father Hecker
never theless kept to his purpose, not merely.
it has been said, for his own vindication, but
likewise for the sake of his associates, who
had made loyal declarations of adhesion to
the cause. He justice in his cause,
and appealed from the decision of the
perior general of the order TO the propa-
ganda. From this ecclesiastical court the
case was transferred to Pope Plus TX. He
in turn submitted the matter to the Con-
gregation of Bishops and Regulars, who
advised the separation of the American
fathers from the Redemptorist order, with
explicit permission to work subject to the
local bishops. but with the understanding
that they were to continue to live in COM
munity and to form a new organization.
No Thought of Severance.
1t has been stated that at the outset
there had not been any thought of sever
ance from the Redemptorists, the first
plan of the petitioners being for the rein
r.
ing of the desires of the other American
fathers through the formation of another
Redemptorist body in the United States, as
is said to be the case in several countries
with other religious communities Thus
many means were suggested, but those In
charge at Rome were slow to act. Finally
Father Hecker wrote his comrades from
the Eternal city that there seemed nothing
left but the formation of an Independent
band of missionaries, to be devoted to the
United States. 1t was the desire that the
proposed congregation should embody in its
life what is good in the American people in
the natural order, and adapt itself to the
wants of its people in the spiritual order.
Eventually the pope decreed that those
whom Father Hecker represented should
be set at liberty for the prosecution of their
sacred ministry under the direction of local
bishops The decree was issued Mafch .,
1853.
AS soon as Father Hecker returned to
New York in May, 1858, the five priests be-
gan to organize the new community Father
Walworth, not being in entire agreement
with the others, withdrew to the diocese of
Albany and took charge of a parish. He
returned to the Paulists some years later,
however and only retired from the congre-
CATION when his health gave way. Father
Hecker was elected the first superior and
he with the remaining three drew up and
signed a program of rules. 1t was heartily
approved by Archbishop Hughes. In out
line the exercises were similar to that
adopted by the Redemptorists. 1t named
missions as its chief work and parish work
as a subordinate feature of the external
vocation.
Father Hecker wrote: $50 far as is COM
patible with faith and piety, l am FOR ac-
cepting the American civilization, with Its
usages and customs; 1t is the only way by
which Catholicity can become the religion
of our people. The character and spirit OF
our people must find themselves at home In