The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-01-09


momentary protest on the part of
the sufferer, the inclination was
transformed into one of admira-
ton and love so soon as the real
ity of motive was seen and under
stood.
AS the priest in Chicago, Arch
bishop Riordan built up the Par
ish of st. James into one of the
stateliest and most religious of
parishes in America. AS the
Archbishop in San Francisco, he
made the Diocese Of San Francis
co into one of our fairest and best
appointed dioceses, if, indeed, pro-
portions Of size and means duly
guarded, it does not loom up as
III itself the very fairest and best
appointed.
His activity in San Francisco
was Wondrous, and, what added
so much to it's efficiency of accom-
plishment, was the rare intelli-
gence inspiring and directing its
every undertaking. New parishes
were organized to meet all grow
ing needs. Schools, primary and
superior, were multiplied. Mani
fold works of charity were insti-
tuted, and placed under such di-
rection that their perpetuation is
assured. Associations for young
men were nurtured with particu-
lar care. A new Cathedral was
built. A beautiful chapel was
erected near the State University
for the exclusive use Of it's Cath
Ollie students. And the Seminary
of st. Patrick, at Menlo Park, was
built and grandly equipped, the
browning achievement Of a glori-
Gus episcopate Of course, in all
he did, Archbishop Riordan had
virile cooperation from priests
and people. But here was an
other of his remarkable qualities:
he had the art of winning CO.
operation, Of lighting in others the
enthusiasm of zeal, with which
his own soul was aire.
A conspicuous incident Of his
episcopate-evidence Of his far
reaching vision and diplomatic
ability-was the recovery from
the Republic Of Mexico Of the en-
doWment, known. as the ''Pious
Fund" made over at one time to
the missions Of California, while
those were still under the civil
government Of that Republic.
The Archbishop enlisted in his
cause the government Of the Uni
ted States, and through it's inter
vention was able to induce the
government of Mexico to place
the matter before the Tribunal of
The Hague. 1t was the first case
acted upon by the Tribunal, and
was decided on all points accord
ing to the plea of the Archbishop.
Nor was the diocese Of San
Francisco the sole beneficiary Of
his zeal. The whole Church Of
America had in him it's well-wish-
er and it's apostle. No issue arose
within its boundaries that he did
not study and assist in solving:
and III all the issues that did
arise, no other bishop was there
whose judgment was more es~
teemed, whose sympathy was more
valued. 1t is said-and, no doubt,
with .truth-that in meetings Of
the Archbishops Of the United
States, and in those Of the Direc-
tors of the Catholic University, his
influence Of counsel was second to
that Of none other of his col
leagues. It is said-and by those
who are not without the means of
proper information-that in the
highest spheres Of the Church, in
Rome, more than ordinary i'm
portance was attached to messages
coming from the Archbishop of
San Francisco, and that special
and willing hearing was always
granted to his suggestions and be-
heSts.
The coming summer, it was in
tended, the fiftieth anniversary Of
the ordination to the priesthood
of Archbishop Riordan would be
fittingly celebrated i'll San Fran.
cisco. Preparations were already
on the way; the choice Of the
preacher, one of the Archbishop S
old-time friends, had been made.
Now all is over.
Were the Church in the keep
ing of men only, it were difficult
to alleviate our grief, as we are
brought to realize that Archbish-
OPP Riordan is gone from the ranks
Of it's leaders and rulers. But, we
remember, that, all things said
and done which men can say and
do, the part of men in its life and
strength is small, that the Church
is far less the Church Of priests
and bishops than it is that of Him
who purchased it with his own
blood" In the stead of those