The Irish standard., 1909-06-19

In the little town of Thurles, Coun-
,ty Tipperary, Ireland, there was born
on February 20, 1881, a lineal de-
scendant Of the fighting Prince of
Idrone, one OF those powerful chiefs
whose deeds Of valor and of heroism
emblazon the annals of Irish history.
The mother of this little Prince was
Mary Toohey, wife of jeremiah Ryan,
a Tipperary yeoman, of the family
ORyan, Of the clans who, with O'Neill,
the doughty Earl of Tyrone, united
in the war on the English in 1898.
This infant Ryan was christened Pat
rick John, and, on June 8, this same
Patrick John Ryan, has been Arch
bishop Of Philadelphia for quarter
he breathed the air filled with the
valor and the heroism Of his ancestors;
today his broad shoulders weighted.
with years he is still the fighter, but
In. anothsrs field = militant still in the
service Of his church and Of his fellow
hen.
For rs years Patrick John Ryan has
been Archbishop of the Metropolitan
See Of Philadelphia. His coming tn
Philadelphia quarter Of century
ago afforded convincing commentary
on the changes in sentiment wrought
by time. Archbishop Ryan was well
coined with the affection and enthus-
iasn Of conquering hero; the first
bishop of Philadelphia came in disguise
for fear his identify should become
known.
Archbishop Ryan is the oldest Arch
bishop in the United States. He was
ordained to the priesthood 56 years ago.
When he completed his course he was
too young to be ordained, so, in 1852,
the year that he finished his studies,
he set out, in deacon's orders, for
the diocese of st. Louis. In Septem-
Der of the following year he was raised
to the dignity of the priesthood.
AS boy he grew up in the region
of Cashel and Holy Cross Abbey. His
early childhood was trained by tho
Christian Brothers and at the age #,
IL he entered the select school of ].
L. Naughton, in Dublin, where he be-
gan his classical education. 1t was
while attending this school that young
Ryan met Daniel OConnell, who, in
1874, was a prisoner in the Richmond
Bridewell. Noted for his aptitude nf
speech in those days the young stud
ent was selected by his fellows to make
an address to O'Connell. So impressed
was the great Liberator with the young
student that he patted him on his
head, saying: "My boy, your tongue
will some day make you famous. Don't
neglect it; it is your TALENT The
prophecy Of Daniel O'Connell came
true.
. In 1S47 Patrick John Ryan entered
the Seminary at Carlow to prepare for
the priesthood. AS related, in 1852, he
completed his course and went to st.
Louis, where, with Rev. Patrick Fee
han, afterwards Archbishop of Chicago,
he was appointed as a professor in
the Seminary of Carondelet. In his
twenty-second year the young deacon
gained a reputation as an orator. The
leading citizens of st. Louis and
strangers visiting in the city, focked
to hear his sermons. When he was
% he was ordained and then began
his long training Of 20 years in the
priesthood. For this length of time
he led the life Of priest in the toll
and hardship Of routine missionary
work. In 1851, after having served
as rector of the Cathedral in st. Louis,
he, was appointed to build the Church
of the Annunciation. and he became
pastor Of that Parish. BY this time his
reputation as an orator and a scholar
ha0" grow apace. President Lincoln
commissioned him chaplain during
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