The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-31
RARE DEGREE GIVEN
Two Priests Made Master OF
Sacred Theology,
CARDINAL GIBBONS ATTENDS
In Presence of Highest DisRitaries
of the Catholic Church, Rev.
Fathers V. II. o'DanieI and u. A.
wnIdrOn Are HOnOred by Rome
and May Wear Dominican Insignia.

The chapel of the College of the 1mmac-
ulate Conception was the scene OF an
impressive ceremony yesterday morning.
when the degree of master OF sacred
theology was conferred upon two Do
mlnican professors. Rev. V. F. oDaniel
and Rev. NJ. a. Waldron, in the presence
of the highest dignitaries of the Catholic
Church In the United States.
Cardinal Gibbons came over from Balti-
more for the occasion. and Most Rev.
Diomede Falconlo. the apostolic delegate,
assisted in the sanctuary Very Rev.
F. ". LInehan. O. p, recently appointed
prior Of the Dominican College, was the
ceiehrant of the solemn high mass which
opened the ceremonies. Rev. Dr.. George
Dougherty and Very Rev. Bede Oldegeer-
ing. superior of the Franciscan Monastery
at Brookland, acted as deacons of honor
to Archbishop Faleonio.
Conferred by Rome.
Very Rev. D. J. Kennedy, o, p, pro-
fessor of sacramento theology at the
Catholic University. acting in the ca
pacity of the Dominican master general
at Rome. conducted the ceremony Of in
stallation.
An able sermon was delivered by Rev.
L. F. Kearney, o. P, S. T. NJ.
At the close of the religious services
the guests were entertained at luncheon
in the convent refectory, about 100 being
at the table, with Cardinal Gibbons pre-
siding
The degrees with which Fathers O'Dan-
lei and Waldron were honored is rigor-
ously reserved by the Dominican Order
as a record of exceptional merit. 1t en-
titles its bearers to singular privileges, at
the same time imposing serious obliga-
tons. Rare. indeed. are the cases where
il is purely honorary. It is conferred
directly by the order and not by any
particular educational institution, It is
one that concerns" not a single PROV
ince." says their constitution. but the
entire order" That is why the number
of those who attain 10 It is so limited.
During the last twenty years only three
religious of the order in the United
States have enjoyed the distinction. One
of these is the Very Rev. d. ID. J. Ken
needy. Father Kearney is another. and
the Very Rev. A. V. Higgins, also ex-
provincial. is the third.
The present recipients entered the Do
minican order at St Rose Convent.
Springfield. KY. Shortly after taking
their simple vows they were transferred
to Somerset, Ohio. where they pursued
their studies at ST. Joseph's Convent
There they were singled out from among
their companions and sent to Louvain,
Belgium. in order to be formed as pro-
fessors. Father Waldron later on en-
loved the advantage OF course in
canon law at Rome.
Since they returned to America, about
fifteen years ago. the educational intiu-
ence of both professors has made itself
distinctly felt by all the Dominican can
didates for the priesthood and theological
degrees. IN due time the two fathers
successfully passed the examination
styled "ad gradus" at Rome.
That entitled them TO future advance
ment should the fathers of the province
in general chapter pass a suitable judg-
ment on their personal qualities, their
capacity as professors, and their spiritual
as we'll as intellectual usefulness. It re-
quired also that the chapter deem 1t
suitable to apply to Rome for the de-
grees. since no individual is allowed &C
lively TO aspire to Il under severe pen
alties.
This petition was made by the provin-
cial chapter of last year. and ii was
granted without delay. The ring and
bretta which the favored candidates may
now wear are the insignia of their high
standing.