The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-04-28
A POOR BOY WITH A VOCATION

a POOR BOY WITH A VOCATION.
Il am just a poor boy struggling
under my difficulties for an educa,
ton to be a priest and missionary.
I've heard the call and know, if l
will do my part, God will do His"
With these words a boy from a
town in Virginia sent in his applica-
ton for admission to the Sacred
Heart Mission House. 1t was only a
few weeks ago that the letter came.
The letter tells the story of a deserv,
ing youth ready to follow the call of
God but hampered by unfortunate
circumstances. There are many such.
Who would turn them away? We
cannot. We know that among the
best priests, both secular and relig.
ious, there are such that have been
poor, struggling boys. If it had not
been for kind friends, they would
never have reached their sublime goal
of Gods priesthood.
There has already been a great de.
mand for good priests. We feel the
demand at home in many dioceses,
But the need is far greater abroad,
Do you realize, dear friends, that
there are countries where the light OF
u holy faith does not shine as
brightly as in this happy land OF
ours? Indeed, there are many such
countries. Their people have heard
nothing as yet of our Blessed Lord
and His holy Mother. They are still
sitting in darkness and in the shadow
of death. You understand that they
must not remain there. The glad It'd
ings of the Gospel are to be carried tc
them also. But where are the car
riers? They must be gathered and
trained. Those who receive from
above the call for the missions go tc
the missionary college for proper
training. Would you like, my deal
friend, to lend a hand in the erection
of a college of this kind? Let me ex
plain your opportunity.
There are in this country severa
apostolic schools, or mission houses
as they r also called. One of the
youngest of these is the Sacred Hear
Mission House at Girard, Pa. 1t wa
founded some four years ago by thu
Fathers of the Divine Word. Durins
these four long years Fathers an,
Brothers and students lived in tn
farmhouse and joyfully put up will
the many little sacrifices imposed b.
the rather primitive conditions. Blu
while the number increased, the room
at their disposal did not. To cree
new buildings, suitable for the educa
ton of the future missionaries, ha,
long been a fond dream; now it ha
become a stern necessity. The boy
we're temporarily sent to st. Mary
Mission House, at Techny, Ill. The.
must build now and they need you
help. Will you be kind enough t
assist them?
There is no doubt that Americ
needs the Sacred Heart Mission
House. Day after day those who ar
in charge of it get applications
They do not enjoy putting them oil
or rejecting them because their farm
house has no room for so many, o
because their new building is not u
yet. Their building must soon go u
or many vacations may be lost. !
is no trifling matter that vocation
should be lost. A young man mus
not be an Office clerk if our Lor
wants him on the mission field.
The Sacred Heart Mission Hous
must be built for another reason. Ar
you aware, dear friend, that the feal
full European war kills hundreds c
candidates for the missionary prizes
hood? Do you know that hundred
of gallant missionaries in Africa an
Asia have been put in prison camp:
because their nationality did not sui
their oppressors? Thus the work c
Gods missions is nearly paralyzet
Flourishing missions have been hal
ed in the midst of their progress
when their supply of men and mean
began to fail through the war.
Europe has enough to do bindin
up her wv wounds. It is to Americ
that the eyes of the missionaries an
heather are turned. And why shoul
not America set up some dozen apo
tolic schools for the noble cause {
Christ.