The San Francisco call., 1909-02-28
Bishop 0'Connell and the
Catholic University
Written for The Call BY Member OF
the Faculty of the Catholic Unner-
sity of america at Washington, d.
c.. Who Writes Under the Pen
Name of Thomas S. Burton.

Rt. Rev. Dennis j. O'ConnelI, S. t.
D., bishop of Sabaste, and for
the last six years rector OF the
Catholic University of America at
Washington. d. c., has had a
unique ecclesiastical career Born in
North Carolina some so years ago. II
was his good fortune to win the no.
tice of one who was destined to wear
the flashing scarlet of the papal court.
the present venerable archbishop of
Baltimore. Cardinal Gibbons This pat
ronage has been the greatest human
factor in Bishop OConnelrs life. 1t
brought him to college with the fair
hope of one day entering a seminary to
prepare for the priesthood Once in
the clerical garb the youthful Samuel
served the altar faithfully in PRAYER
and study until at the completion of
The theological course al st. Mary's he
was selected from among his fellow
students as the one best fitted to pur-
sue an advanced course in Rome. At
that time such an opportunity meant
more than it does now. 1t carried with
it, an unbounded possibility for the fu-
ture, since contact with the Roman
curia in some capacity was deemed es-
sential as a matter of precaution.
vitality in Rome, and then, as now,
fairly intimate acquaintance with the
entire corpus jiiris" was a sine qua
non condition of papal recognition.
1t is not surprising then that when
Bishop O'Connell began his labors as
young doctor of sacred theology the
way to preferment stretched out be-
fore him and welcomed his advance. He
held the open sesame in his hand, for,
in addition to unrivaled scholarship
tation, he enjoyed wide acquaintance
among the. leading philosophical and
theological professors of the Eternal
city. The friendship bestowed upon
talented pupils by their masters is but
the natural consequence of a mutual
love for the delights OF profound study.
During his student days in Rome Bish-
op O'Connell laid the foundations OF
many true friendships. Like his name
sake. the present archbishop of Bos-
ton. whose love for his former master
now Cardinal Satolli--is so well known.
he has held the esteem of his many
Roman friends throughout long and
busy life. The Cardinals vannutelli
have always been strong supporters of
his best interests, and to them is large
Iy due his recent notable promotions.
Bishop o'Connell has done faithful
service for Cardinal Gibbons When
the assembling OF the third plenary
council OF Baltimore was being ar
ranged in 1883 DIR. Gibbons accompa
MED Archbishop Gibbons to Rome. 1t is
said thatthe favorable impression made
by the archbishop at this time was due
in large measure to- the tactful
diplomacy OF his secretary That the
secretary himself did not pass unno-
ticed Is evident from the fact that
when the archbishop returned to Rome
in 1887 to receive the red hat of the
cardinalate DIR. OConnell was there TO
greet him not only personally, but in
an official capacity as rector of the
American college
There were many distinguished prel-
ates from the United States in Rome
in honor of the occasion, conspicuous