The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-05-18
DUBUQUE DIOCESAN COLLEGE
LETTER OF THE MOST REVEREND
ARCHBISHOP TO THE CLERGY
AND LAITY OF THE ARcHDlO-
p CESE OF DUBUQUE.

In the following letter to the Rev.
erend Clergy and Laity of the Archdio-
cese of Dubuque the Most Reverend
James J. Keane, D. D., places before
them the needs of the Diocesan Col
lege of ST. Joseph and asks their sup
port in order that it may be enabled to
carry out the mission for which it was
founded, namely, the preparatory train
ing of young men for the priesthood
Beloved Brethren:
The great mysteries which have so
engaged our attention during the holy
season of Lent eliminate and have
their Interpretation in the Resurrec-
tion. We have all been excited to a
deeper realization of the things of faith
and an intenser love of our divine Re-
deemer by the touching proofs of Gods
mercy shown in those mysteries of
our Lords life and sufferings. May
we respond to the attractions of love
by fervent Communion at Easter
time. We will do more. The grace
of a fervent Communion is His gift to
uS moy "C US 14ON gu W AuohO o. SOA-
erous return by a substantial contribu-
tion to a work which He must have
very near His heart-the work of our
diocesan college. 1t is through the
priesthood that His ministry of mercy
and love is continued. Through it the
mercies of Calvary are renewed in the
holy Mass every day; through His
priesthood are administered the Sacra-
ments, creations of His own love and
power for the application of His grace
to our souls; through His priesthood
the word of saving truth revealed by
Him is spoken to us.
st. Joseph's College is the nursery
of the priesthood for the archdiocese
of Dubuque Thank God, it is counted
by those near and afar, who are COM
petent to judge, one of the best, if not
the very best, of our colleges in Amer
ica. 1t is the only institution in the
archdiocese which belongs to the
priests and the people of the archdio-
cese. I say without hesitation, that
you, beloved brethren, cannot serve
the interests of our Risen Savior so
acceptable, or so effectively by any
other charity as by the support of our
diocesan college. The young men who
go forth from it 1evites to the semi
nary, or educated laymen to the higher
walks of secular life, are the apostles
who must plant Christ's Kingdom
more securely in our country, who
must win the heart and mind of Amer
ica to Christ and to His Church.
Need of an Endowment.
The College is carrying a heavy in
debtedness incurred by necessary
building. 1t is educating greatly under
the actual cost of maintenance, many
virtuous. talented boys who promise
we'll, and it should be encouraged to
receive many more such boys. Our
College is not given the encouragement
and generous support it deserves. Our
other institutions by the nature of their
work appeal to the charitably inclined,
fact which insures their proper main
tenance. Such institutions in this dio-
cese are-the House of the Good Shep-
herd excepted-Well supported and
fairly we'll endowed. We beg our peo-
pie to take to heart now the work of
awakening and preparing the positive
forces of the Church. Institutions for
the care of the aged, the infirm, and
such as can not become a positive
force for the Strengthening of the
Church, have absorbed most of our sur
plus wealth. These institutions are
becoming opulent through bequests
and legacies and money contributions
in various forms. On the contrary our
educational institutions, especially our
College for boys, which can marshal
and equip the positive forces that must
build up the Kingdom of God, are re-
ceiving comparatively little aid. The
Church will have in the future very
largely the influence and power and
position which can be secured to her
by priests and Iaymen of such training
as can impress the intellect of the
country. We must be prepared to give
to virtuous, talented boys the advant-
ages of the best education. They will
become priests of the Lord and princes
of His people. Some of the devoted
professors have given the best service
for long years and have received but
very meager compensation. They
must be encouraged by better evi.
dences of appreciation.
Beloved brethren, the hope of the
archdiocese is the College. It's up.
building and maintenance are interests
most dear to the Heart of the Savior
and Shepherd of Souls. 1t should be
strong in resources of buildings and
endowments. You should help it to
give the very best in educational lines
to the largest possible number of boys
and young men. What consolation
for you to know that the Risen Lord
remembers you for giving generously
towards the preparation of young men
for the priesthood, to know that you