The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-10-26

Right Rev. Augustine Van de Vyver.
the sixth Bishop of Richmond. was
born December l. 1914, in the town
| OF Haesdonck, East FLANDERS. Rel
gium. He made his early studies in
the city OF st. Nicholas
Beng strongly inclined to the priest
hood from his childhood, and having
determined TO labor in the missionary
field OF America, the young student en-
tered, in the year 1857. the American
College at Louvain. The pietv. talent
assiduity and zeal which ne constantly
manifested in the seminary gave indi-
/ Sau0n or the useful future in store
Tor MN. Completing with high hon
ors the regular course Of studies. he
was raised TO the priesthood at Brus-
sells in the private chapel of the Apos-
tolic Nuncio 10 Belgium, on Judy "a
1870.
Shortly after ordination. he bnde
fond adieu TO the different members
of his beloved family and came to
Virginia, the scene of his future fruit
ful labors. Whether we view him rs
successfully assistant at the cathedral
pastor OF Harpers Ferry and its mis-
slons, Vicar General and Administrator
pof the diocese, we find constantly
manifested in him those sterling quail
ties that are expected in the ideal
priest and are absolutely required in
the ideal bishop
No wonder, then, that when. by
Blshop keane's appointment To the
rectorship OF the Catholic University
the See OF Richmond was made vacant
the eyes OF the church authorities
turned upon him as the man best
ntted to succeed his eminent prede-
/ essors.
In order that Rome might fully
understand in what estimate Admin
istrator Van De Nyver was held i'm
the diocese, after he had already been
placed on the lists that were SEM TO
the Eternal City, the priests of the
ulocese had forwarded to Rome a
special petition requesting that their
present administrator be appointed
bishop.
The bishop endeavored to resist the
effort to have him appointed. but in
vain. He was too modest" saws a
writer in the work. Our Faith and
Its Defenders" ever to aspire to !
succeed Bishop Xeane, and when an !
eXpectedly the honor came he would !
have been glad to decline il. bat the
selection had been made because of
1lis fitness, for those in higher station 4
knew his goodness and his abilities 4
and nothing was left for him but 10 /
accept and carry forward the work |
as bishop, in which he had shown
such aptitude as pastor and vicar \
general"
When news came that Vicar General
Van De VyVer had been appointed
bishop, there was general rejoicing
throughout the diocese which he knew
labored Zeaiopsly for nineteen years
The people or Virginia appreciated
the honor the Holy See had conferred
on them in choosing one of their own
priests to be the chief shepherd of
the diocese in which his whole priestly
life had been passed.
Bishop Van De Vyver received his
episcopal conservation on October 90
1889. He enjoyed the rare distinction
of having amongst the consecrating
hictlnnC W. fl1ncfrfo,,c
sors-IIis Eminence, James Cardinal
Archbishop of Baltimore and
Most Rev. John Joseph Keane. at that
time the right reverend rector Of the
Washington Catholic University
on the occasion Of his consecra-
ton the capacity of the Richmond ca
thedral was taxed to the utmost. Those
present were profoundly moved both
by the ceremony and by the tOuchinr
words OF the new bishop RiShOp Van
De Vyver began mis- episcopal career
with the fun confidence and love o.
people of all classes. How we'll that
confidence and love were placed IS
shown by the subsequent diocesan
events.
Upon his elevation to the episco-
pacy, Right Rev. Bishop Van De !
VyVer threw himself heart and eoul 4
into his work. Making visitations of q
his diocese, preaching and confirming q
were his constant occupation. II
The effect OF his wise and vigorous {
government was soon felt throughout {
the diocese. New parishes were be- =
gun. parochial schools were attached :
10 all the parishes possible, new COM {
of religion were established
within the diocese, and additional c
charitable institutions erected. The 9
following beautiful pen-picture OF the / 4
bishop is taken from the work. Our {
Faith and Its Defenders" page 10 Of v
he supplement: His (Rishop Van a
De Vyver's) bearing marks decisive 5
less OF character, while his face and
read indicate intelligence and firm 4
less. and his smile is 40 kindly and In (.
'iting that those who come into his 8