Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-02-18

might point more graphically toward the magnetic
pole"
when he returned from the seminary at Gin
cinnati after graduating Patrick MeGovern was still
too young to be ordained to the priesthood. The
canonical age for ordination is "a years. and he
was not quite 90. After waiting a few months
dispensation was obtained and he was ordained by
Bishop Scannell. III
Asked to when he first conceived the desire
to be priest, Father McGoyern replied modestIy.
From my earliest years. l thought 1t was a won
derful thing to be allowed to minister at the altar.
and have never changed my mind"
Young McGovern had the felicity OF being made
priest In the same church where he had been
christened and confirmed. where he had begun his
service at the altar as lad OF o. where his parents
had worshiped before him and of which he was
afterward pastor for nine years He admits Il is a
source Of great regret TO him that he cannot be
elevated to the high office of bishop in the same
church, The march OF progress has made that
impossible.
At the banquet held last week by the fourth de-
gree. Knights OF Columbus, where Father McGov-
ern was the guest OF honor, Father James W. STEM
son paid this tribute to the bishop-elect:
During period of nine years we lived together
at old St Philomenas, in company with the ven
cradle and dear old Father Kelly. can confidently
say that they were nine of the happiest years OF
my life. because no brother OF mine could have
treated me with a greater measure OF kindness,
could have been more affectionate towards me-
could have regarded my welfare and happiness with
greater consideration and feeling than did Father
McGovern. He was ever the genial friend, the pru-
dent counselor, the wise administrator. and, above
all. the sterling example OF what Catholic priest
should be, both in public and private life.
1T was frequently remarked during those nine
years, and Is still spoken OF by the friends who
knew us. that no two priests in Omaha were ever
such devoted friends and companions as were
Father MeGoyern and myself. October, 1907, wit
messed the tearing down Of the old cathedral con-
sequent upon the sale Of st. Philomena's property
This led to our separation as priests in the same
parish. since Bishop Scannell granted us a divorce
when he appointed Father MeGoEern pastor OF ST.
Peters parish. which had become vacant How
ever, though longer standing in the relation of
pastor and assistant. still our mutual friendship
has never ceased for an instant The same cordial
feeling and closest friendship have existed uninter
ruptedy to the present moment. 1t has been my
pleasure during the last four years to visit Father
McGovern frequently to receive his prudent ad-
vice and to be instructed by his example.
when the news of his appointment to the bish-
oprc of Cheyenne was announced feel perfectly
confident in saying that not one Of his numerous
friends and admirers rejoced more than did, be-
cause l realized that Rome had made a most ju-
dicious selection and that the honors of the episco
pacy could not have come to a more worthy, Ell
cient and deserving priest.
The unfeigned delight of his large circle Of
friends at his elevation the bishopric Of Cheyenne
is tempered by feeling of deep regret at his de-
parture from midst: but in bidding Father Nc
Govern God speed in his new mission in Wyoming
all Of us are buoyed up with the earnest hope and
prayer that some time in the future we may have
the intense pleasure of welcoming him back to his
native city as bishop Of Omaha"