The Irish standard., 1916-09-09
THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY AS
ISOLATION OF CATHOLIC


pean war is undoubtedly the fact that
the Catholics of America are rea1iz.
ing more and more their duty towards
the poor heather in foreign lands.
Considerable work has already been
done in these two years to make up
for the cessation of material support
that heretofore had come almost ex.
clusively from Europe, particularly
from France and Germany.
1t is very gratifying that at last
also decisive step has been taken to
arouse practical missionary interest
among our Catholic women (married
and young ladies) of America. On
June II, 1916, Miss Gockel of Milwau.
kee, Wis, received permission and en-.
couragement from His Grace Arch
bishop Messmer to start Missionary
Association of Catholic Women, which
is Nto affiliate with the original branch
existing in Europe, although it will
be nationally independent. Archbish-
op Messmer is very enthusiastic over
the new undertaking; he not only gave
his permission to establish an Amer
lean branch in his archdiocese but
even expressed his wish that the ma
tional headquarters be erected in Mil
waukee.
The European Association has been
in existence since 1902. In 1903 they
recorded a membership of 1928;
since then they grew by 10000 to
$4,000 new members every year; at
present they have membership of
180, 900.
The membership dues have been set
so very low, at only Is cents per year
(or $500 for a perpetual member
ship, to make it possible for even
the poorest woman to join the asso-
citation. In addition to the cash sup.
port they are giving to the missions
they furnish chapels in missionary
countries with linens, vestments, re-
ligious articles, etc. The Association
in Europe has done wonders in the
few years Of its existence. The cash
income of 1903 was 11,261 marks
($2,S00). In the year 1911 it was 49,
600 marks ($35,0O0); in addition
church vestments and religious ar
ticles, valued at about $4,000 marks
($15, OO0) were sent to the pagan coun.
tries, and besides $4,000 marks were
collected in the same year for the
poor suffering that were struck by the
famine in China.
It is worth while mentioning that
the Association although founded pri-
marily for foreign missions, does also
aid to some extent the poor home
missions; according to one of the stat
utes from one-fifth to one.third of the
annual income will be used for that
purpose.
Numerous indulgences and priv.
leges have been granted to the AS
ISOLATION, by Popes Leo and Plus,
which is the best proof of how much
they appreciated the work of the zeal.
Gus missionary workers. His Emf.
nence Cardinal Ferrata in Rome, is
protector Of the association.
Would to God that an office of this
promising association may soon be es.
tablished in every diocese and arch.
diocese of this country. The more it
spreads all over the country, the great.
er will be the material support of the
work our Holy Church is doing in
foreign lands. Above all, however, It
will be one Of the most effective
means of spreading missionary educa.
ton in our Catholic homes and thus
lead many young men and women to
personal missionary service, to the
missionary vocation.
Anyone interested in this noble
work should write to the directress:
Miss Mary Gockel, 1874 Seth st., Mil.
waukee, Wis. ..A.