Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1913-05-03
Right Rev. Bishop O'Donaghue
:Says Pontifcial Mass at
Cathedral.
Benedict Elder Tells Wonderful
Career of the Apostle of
Charity.
MANY At AFTERNOON MEETING

III no city III lHlS country was
there q more religious or sincere OBJ
servance of the centenary of Fred
eric Ozanam, the modern apostle Of
charity and founder of the st. Vim
cent de Paul Society, than in Louis
vile last Sunday. Right Rev. Bishop
0'Donaghue celebrated Pontifical
high mass at the Cathedral, which
was attended by the conferences of
all the churches in the city, the mem
bers receiving holy communion in a
body. The number of men present
was exceedingly large when it is
remembered that in several Of the
parishes the children of many were
making their first communion, thus
keeping a number away.
In the afternoon there was a
large gathering in the knights of
Columbus Hall on Fourth avenue,
where the general memorial meeting
was held. President ]. ]. Caffrey
occupied the chair, Rev. Father
Donahue, of the Cathedral, the
Spiritual Director, offering the open
ing prayer AS this was a special
meeting the reading of conference
reports was dispensed with, but
President Caffrey enrolled number
of new members. In receiving them
as Vincentians he informed them
that for their every act of charity
there vas a special indulgence and
that for members of this society
there are many spiritual benefits.
He was highly gratified to announce
that through the Bishop the society
had received $1,000 from a generous
donor whose name would be made
known later. He would only say the
eift was the bequest of lady who
died some time ago, who was ac-
ouainte1 with the work of the Par
tieular Council and the LEGAL con-
ferences. He hoped there were 9TH
ers who would follow her good
example.
President Caffrey then introduced
Benedict Elder, the attorney, who
for over an hour held his hearers
spcllbound as he told of the wonder
full career of Frederic Ozanam and
his stupendous activities in every
thing that made for the Catholic
cause and charity. His address was
indeed appreciated and at it's con-
clusion there was long continued
applause. Mr. Elder said they we're
assembled to celebrate the centenary
Of one man out of millions, who
founded not a city or government,
but loved God and his fellow man,
and TODAY Vincentians were gath
cred everywhere throughout the
world to draw a lesson and inspira-
tion from his life and deeds. The
speaker dwelt on the history of the
ozanam family for seven centuries
before the birth of Frederic, which
took place in Milan in 1913, while
his father was succoring and serving
a seourged city. Mr.. Elder dwelt at
length upon the early life of Ozanam
and the conditions then existing
when the powers of hell were let
loose in France. 1t was their founder
who changed the atmosphere with a
respect for Catholic truth and the
beauty of the teachings of the
church and its eternal greatness.
Ozanam was educated for a lawyer,
he said, and it was only that that
prevented him from becoming a
saint. Though the founder of this
great society had achieved marked
distinction in his public career he
was always a loyal Vincentian and
persevering in his faith, his sincerity
compelling conviction. Therefore II
was that they should perpetuate the
lives OF men like Ozanam for the
good they have done and the help
rendered, that made men purer and
saved all for God.
Father Deepen, Father Ratio,
Father Francis O'Neill, o. p, and
Father George Conner were called
upon, and in short responses de-
clared they were refreshed, edited
and rejoiced with the scholarly and
finished address of Mr.. Elder, which
marked the day as a memorable oc-
CASTOR. They we're encouraged with
the spirit that permeated the day.
They we're placing before the world
tho true ideal OF Christian charity,
and Il was a joyful thing TO know
that the future will bring forth the
full realization of their hopes.
Father Donahue was the las'
speaker, and his every word was
eiven the closest attention. He en-
couraged the members and urged
them 10 persevere in the work OF
their society and increase its useful
ness. Altogether this was day that
not a Vincentian present viii ever