Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1919-11-27
evidences of his cb;,ahood,s +r.;,;,

Foley, He was born and reared in a
family that inherited the best traditions
OF the isle Of saints. He had for pastor,
man who combined all the noble traits
that characterize the perfect gentleman
and the true priest. I have heard His
Eminence call Father McManus "nature's
nobleman." Though his flock believed
that no honors were too great nor too
good for Father McManus and, though
he was vested by Rome towards the end
of his life with the dignity of M onsignor.
his devoted people always loved to call
him Father McManus. His countenance
reflected all the strength of character
peculiar to his Celtic origin. 1t was
Father McManus that named the infant,
Joseph, and regenerated him In the sacred
waters of baptism. 1t was he that ever
held Joseph Foley in special affection and
closely guarded his tender years. The
teachings and, far more. the example of
this noble priest early instilled into the
child's heart a love for the beauty of
the Lords house. This love continued
to develop and increase during the years
of the young levite's formation, until it
shone forth In all it's lustre during the
years of his priestly ministry.
He loved the chant and ceremonies of
the church and he had the happiness of
witnessing In this sanctuary on festival
days large body of well-trained altar
boys, worthy of any cathedral church.
No one rejoiced more than Father Joe
at the success of the solemn services on
the principal feasts and when met him
after some celebration at st. Paul's. he
was wont to tell me of the large number
Of &C m munions and to describe in glow
ing words all the festivities.
He looked to thu proper execution of
the services of Holy Week and to the
fitting rendition of the vesper chant.
His love for the beauty of the Lords
house was manifest an all that pertains
TO the divine sacrifice: the neatness and
cleanliness of the sacred linens, the Or
naments and decorations of the altar,
the richness and splendor of the sacer-
dotal vestments. If today. this church
appears in all its glory like a Bride
groom decked with a crown and as a
bride adorned with her jewels, it stands
as a witness to his love for the beauty
of the Lords house; and does it not seem
providential. that God should have re-
warded him on earth and spared him
just long ago to behold and enjoy St.
Paul's Church in all the magnficence of
its recent establishment? To know
Father Joe thoroughly, you must know
him unto the end. One that was present
at his death-bed, observed to me:
Father Joe died as he lived
Never was word more true and full of
meaning. 1t was my good fortune to
visit him for the last time on the day be-
fore he underwent surgical operation.
He reslzed the gravity of the situation
out yet was perfectly calm and self-com-
posed Even those that knew him bast,
narveled at his self possession and for
+ udc which were the outcome of his
ia It'll and trust in God and his fidelity to
duty. 1t is related that Sister Theresa,
known as the Little Flower of Jesus"
foretold that having reached heaven she
would come down again" to do good
on earth, that from her throne on high,
she would send down "a shower of roses;
md again she said: II will spend my
heaven in doing good upon earth. Can
we doubt that Father Joe who on earth
loved God and souls so intensely, does
the Little Flower of Jesus. Nearer to
God than ever, he must love US more and
ne more interested In US than when he
walked among US. How beautiful and
comforting to Catholic are the belief
and practice of the Communion of Saints!
Praying for the repose of our departed
brethren, and praying to them whether
they be in purgatory or in heaven, we
have no desire to lift the veil that sep
arates US from them; we have no
temptation to have recourse to unauthor-
lied and deceiving agencies, to commu-
nicate with the spirits of the dead; but
living in the practice of what Holy Mother
Church teaches, we look "for the bless
cd hope and coming of the glory of the
great Cod, when we shall be reunited
to all our love ones that have died in
Gods favor Soulof our departed broth
er and friend! If thou has not yet entered
into the joys of the blessed, may our
prayers this day obtain thy speedy ad-
mission; but in praying for the repose of
thy soul, beloved brother, we pray thee
to abide with US unto the end. Abide
with US, thy brother priests whom in life
thou ddst love so well. Pray that, while
it is light, we may do the works of light
and draw many souls unto the light of
God. Pray that it may be our privilege
to contribute. as far as it lies in us, to
the formation of worthy ministers who
may take up the work when our arms
are weary and no longer able. Soon the
meridian of the priestly life is attained,
and, before we are aware, the shadows
begin to fall Oh! abide with US, kind
brother. when the shadows fall thick and
fast that through them we may behold
Christ, the great High Priest.
Abide dear Brother, with thy beloved
flock of St. Paul's whom in life thou
didst so fondly cherish. May thy
prasopca hafora the great White Throne