The Irish standard., 1913-11-29
tspec. Cor. Irish standard).
Washington, D. c., Nov. Is, 1898

u Cardinals Gibbons and Farley last
week officiated at the ceremonies
which marked the laying Of the
cornerstone Of the new College OF
st. Thomas Aquinas. the novitiate OF
the Paulist Fathers at the Catholic
University. The ceremonies were
simple, yet impressive.
Z The block Of stone was placed by
Cardinal Gibbons, and Cardinal Far.
ley then spoke briefly of the work Of
the Paulist Fathers. He paid high
tribute to Father Hecker, q convert,
and founder Of the first group Of men
composing the community.
"At a time when the press of the
country extended no more courtesy
TO the Catholic Church than 1t does
at the present the Mormon Church"
said Cardinal Farley, Father Hecker
returned to this country after being
. blessed by Pope Plus TX. The press
at that time was vile. 1t was not the
low bigotted religious weeklies, but
the great dailies Of the larger cities
that were slandering the Catholic
church. Father Hecker fought them
with their own ammunition. He
founded the Catholic World, and with
this mighty weapon soon command
ed respect from these large publish
ers, and they ceased their attacks. !"
Cardinal Gibbons was assisted by
Very Rev. John J. Hughes, Of N. Y,
superior of the Order; Rev. Robert
"A. Skinner, c. 8. p, superior of St.
Thomas College and many other
prominent prelates, who were at the
university for the semi-annual meet
dng of the board Of trustees.
The new building is located upon
the site recently acquired by the
Paulists, adjoining the grounds Of the
Catholic University, and consists Of
over "a acres. 1t also adjoins
the grounds Of the Dominican
House Of Studies and the College
OF the Immaculate Conception. The
site chosen affords an exceptionally
tine location for the building, being
thickly wooded to the north and open
to the south, with sweeping view
of the city Of Washington. ..
The structure will be 1856 feet long
and 40 feet wide; the architecture
will be Tudor Gothic, which is par
ticularly adapted for college
buildings the walls will be
Of granite and the trimmings
will be of stone and terra
Gotta. Entirely fireproof materials
are to be used throughout the build
ing, which Is to be three stories
with basement. The plans for the
interior call for great simplicity in
detail, except the chapel, which Il
to be finished in oak with an open
timber ceiling. The cost Of the build
ing Is estimated at 100000, ant
Murphy q Olmstead are the archi
tects. o..
In 1889, when the Catholic Univer
sity opened Its doors for the educa
ton Of the American priesthood, ant
Its future problematical. Father Au
gustine Hewitt. C.S.P.,D.D., associate
and friend of Father Hecker) the1
Superior General Of the Paulist Fa
theirs, came to the University al
Professor of Church History ant
brought with him his little commun
ity Of nine novice students, who were
housed in the old Middleton Manor
on the University grounds, and forth
with began their studies at the Uni
yersity as members of Saint Thomas
College. From that time on this col
lege has been affiliated with the
University, and will continue SC
when the college is located in IT.
new building next year. The Paulis
community at that time had only q
priests - today it has "a, and tn
college q student body of sixteen.
With Saint Thomas College hav'
been associated the names Of man!
Paulists, we'll known throughout thu
United States.
Father Augustine Hewitt was con
nected with the University until hi
death, and was one Of the origina
founders Of the Paulists.
In 1898, Father M. P. Smith, tn,
veteran Catholic Missionary came a
Superior Of Saint Thomas.
In 1899, Father Walter Elliott
famous among Paulists as the inau
curator Of special missions to non
Catholics was novice-master.
) At Saint Thomas were trained TO
mission work the Rev. Peter J
O'Callaghan. esp, now pastor o
Saint Mary's Church, Chicago, Ill.
Father OCallaghan is president Q
the Catholic Total Abstinence Upiol
OF America, and was twice sent b.
the United States government as tn
National Delegate to the Inferno
tional Anti-Alcoholic Congress. Som
years ago. he delivered the principa
address at the closing exercises q
Harvard University, having been tn
first Catholic priest ever invited t
perform such q function. -
5 Rev. Bertrand l.. Conway, esp
author Of the Question Box, no,
4 engaged in most successful mission
to Catholics at Saint Patrick
Church, Washington, D. c.; the Re,
Thomas Burke, esp, now in chars
uf Newman Hall, Toronto University
the; Rev. Joseph Mcsorley, esp
noted for his work among the Italian
in the parish Of Saint Paul., New
York City, and author Of the "Sacra
.srH q. Ae&