The Irish standard., 1907-11-16

Archbishop John Joseph Williams, the
palliurn Of the archbishopric Of Boston,
second only in Importance to that of
New York, passed to the Most Rev.
William H. o'Connell, who at forty
seven years Of age, finds himself the
youngest Archbishop in America and
head Of the archdiocese in which twelve
years ago he labored as an assistant
priest In = slun parish with little pros
pect Of immediate advancement to any
thing greater than the rectorship of a
small parish, says the Irish World.
In the twelve years that have passed
le has received many honors and titles
from the Church and filled many po-
sitions OF grave Importance, but the
one which at the time he was called to
Rome was the scene of his ambitions
has mover been his. Alone Of all the
archbishops in America, he has never
been . parish priest. becoming instead
head Of an archdiocese where few
younger than he have been honored
with important parochial charges.
j Rector of tho American College.
Cardinal Gibbons will bestow the
pallium on his arrival from Rome, and
It is interesting to note that It was the
Cardinal to whom his appeal for ad-
vancement twelve years ago started
the remarkable career he has since
had. The appeal was made for con-
sideration as a possible rector Of the
American College. DR.. o'Connell was
an alumnus Of the college, the rector
ship Of which was then vacant by the
promotion Of DR.. Thomas o. Conaty to
be Bishop Of Los Angeles. AS DR.. Con-
atty had come from this Archdiocese. all
things being equal, his successor would
naturally come from some other. But
Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishops
Williams and Ryan, after several con-
ferences found themselves unable to
decide upon any one for the place.
Under these conditions Father o'con.
nell obtained leave of absence from his
duties at St. Joseph's, and going to
Baltimore asked the Cardinal that he
be considered for the place. It may
have been the assurance Of the young
man that led the Cardinal to seriously
consider the request, but after a long.
examination the young curate convinc-
ed him Of his fitness. At the next
meeting Of. the Archbishops the Car
dinal suggested to Archbishop Williams
that Boston had young priest we'll
qualified for the place. Archbishop
williams. knew the young priest we'll,
'vr 1t was through his aid on his grad
uation from Boston College with hon
ors in 1881, fourteen years before he
had been sent to Rome to finish his ed
ucation- He was also familiar with
the fact that in Rome the young man
had made grand record for scholar
ship and piety, and on his acquies-
cence, the place. to the great surprise
VI SI1o A1uuy, Wdb tSuUeTeQ CHo young
curate.
Honorsd by Pope Leo XIII.
Dr.. O'Connell took up the duties Of
his new position In 1887. thirteen. years
after his graduation from the institu-
tion. In that time there had been
many changes in Rome. Many of his
old friends had passed away, others
had gone to other lands and still 9th.
ers had won high places in the service
with the Vatican, and when, In 1901,
the See Of Portland became vacant
through the death Of the aged Bishop
James A. Healey, he received the ap-
pointment. The appointment came as a
thorough surprise, for he had not been
mentioned for the place nor considered
In the lists Of names sent to Rome by
the clergy Of the diocese.
Under the new bishop the affairs of
the Church in Maine took a more ac-
tive life. In short time he had ac-