The San Francisco call., 1908-08-16
WILL PAY TRIBUTE
TO POPULAR PRIEST
Friends of Very Rev. John j.
Prendergast Prepare to CeIe=
brate His Golden Jubilee
Vicar General, After Nearly
Fifty Years Work Here,
Will Be HOnOred

Preparations are being made for the
celebration of the golden jubilee of
the ordination to the holy priesthood
of Very Rev John ]. Prendergast, vicar
general of the archdiocese and pastor
of St Mary's cathedral. While the
feast will not take place for some
months, friends, among whom are in
cluded many fellow priests and promi-
nent laymen, are planning to make the
celebration of the occasion a note
worthy event in the history of
Catholicism on the Pacific coast.
Nearly so years ago Father Prender-
gast was ordained to the priesthood in
Ireland. He came to this city as a
young levite, the rush of population to
the gold fields of California and the
growth of San Francisco making neces-
sary the installation of missionaries
and priests who could not be drawn
from the dioceses of the more thickly
populated and cultured east. 1t was
necessary that the incoming priests
speak the language of the settlers. too,
the early Spanish friars being unable
TO come into that close contact with
the hardy pioneers which was neces-
sary for the religious instruction.
COMES IN VANGUARD
Father Prendergast was in the van
guard of these priestly pioneers. Old
san Franciscans remember his work at
old st. Mary's cathedral, and it is not
an exaggeration to say that there is
hardly a Catholic in San Francisco
that has not at some time come under
his wholesome influence.
His fame as a preacher in those early
days was widespread, and many of his
pulpit efforts in bygone days are still
discussed among the best examples Of
sacred oratory Catholic literature af-
fords.
Besides his work in the parish Father
Prendergast was associated with the
work of preparing young men for the
priesthood, and with this purpose in
mind he conducted st. Johns seminary
on the Mission road, where ST. Mary's S
college was afterward established.
Father Prendergast taught nearly
every branch that goes to the fitting
for the altar of the ecclesiastical candi-
date. Among those who We're prepared
under his guidance are Father P. J..
Mulligan, formerly secretary of Arch
bishop Riordan, and Father O'Neil.
RETURNS TO PARISH
Later, when it was found more prac-
teal to send the students to the larger
seminaries in the east, the seminary
on the Mission road was abandoned,
Father Prendergast returning to pa
rochial duties.
When st. Mary'S cathedral in Van
Ness avenue was completed and opened
in 1890 Father Prendergast was placed
in charge, the archbishops cathedral
being removed from the old church.
which was thereafter conducted by the
Paulists.
Few of the pioneer band of priests
that journeyed to California in the
early days survive. With the death of
Father King of Oakland and Father
Scanlan of st. Joseph's, Father Prem
dergast remains almost alone as a link
between the old era and the new.
On this account the celebration of
his jubilee promises to be an unusual
affair. The laity will join hands with
the clergy in making it a success, and
the occasion is expected to draw to
this city hundreds of priests from dis
tant dioceses who have learned,
through the accommodating years, to
love and admire the vicar general.