New-York tribune., 1919-08-24

his praise.
Cardinal Desire Felicien Francois
Joseph MERCER was educated at St.
Romhault's College, Maines, prepar-
ing for the priesthood at the diocesan
aeninasy there. Ho was ordained to
The priesthood on April 4, 1874, but did
not begin parish work at once. as he
was admitted to the old University of
Louvain for postgraduate work in
theology. This course ia measure
determined MS csrecr, for he decided
that his cali vas TO the teaching Office
rather than to the pastoral duties OF
parish He WIS appointed to the
Chair Of philosophy in the diocesan
seminary 81 Maliass in 1877 and re-
mained for five years, when he was
called 10 the University of Louvain
TO become professor o. philosophy.
-Four years later ais WORK had at
tracted the attention of Pope Leo KIT
and he wes rewarded with an appoint
ment as domestic prelate, which gave
to him the title Of nsignor.
He remained at his post IN Iouvain
despite the Urgent entreaties OF Mon
sigror Keene that he re permitted to
join Tire staT Of the Catholic Univer-
sity Of America, when that Institution
was foOnded Pope Leo resisted the
ontrea, cs a. Morsipror noane hecause
lis plan was 20 rcviye interest in
"neo-scholas-ic philosophy" soon the
bishops of Belrium erected new
foundation p. the University Of Lou
vain IL ccmpliarce wiih the wish Of
the Pontif, aud on that foundation
Professor Mercier bulk his Higher
Institute OF Philosophy"
This foundation gave to the historic
university "a new grandeur Professor
Mercier's contact with his pupils was
so intimate that he deveiopad the
capabilities CT -aany of them by extra
class work. The result was that T.
group Of distinguished philosophers
grew up about him. often tAey are
called "Mercier's Disciples" He wrote
"Psychology,' 'Logic and Crirerolo-
gy" while professor at Louvain.
These volumes have been Translated
into many tongues and no library OF
philosophy IS complete without them.
lev years ago NE began his most
monumental work in philosophy-as he
thought-and soon the first volume Of
Iercier's "a Manual Of Modern Scho-
.as'ic Philosophy" made It's appear
ance. Whatever Cardinal Mercier nav
have thought at the time, the fact re-
mains that nc carefully pondercd
manual can ever transcend those phiio-
sophie utterances written when his
philosophy met its suprcmest test,
written when his nation was in bond
age and his people worse than slaves.
Becomes Cardinal
In January, 1906. Cardinal Goossens,
Archbishop Of Malines, died. The pane
gyric IVES pronounced by Profes sor
Mercier. One of his coIeagu Pro
fessor joseph Sencie, was returrin {.
from the cathedral with Monsignor
Mercier. lie prophesied the elevation
OF mohsignor Mcrcier. His prophecy
was met with dersion Monsignor
Mercier could not imagine his own Sc
lection, picturing himself merely as a
Woodworking professor, with little on
no experience in administrative work
But few weeks later, on February
Il, the announcement was made that
Monslsnor Mercier had. been desie-
mated. Though there was no open
criticism of the appointments, shere
was feeling that the loss to the
University of Louvain was greater
than the gain to the See of Malines
Even Monsignor Mercier was inclined
to sympathize with this view, and he
80 stated in his farewell address te
the university.
But his own fears and those Of thu
community proved unfounded. Fol
he applied to his administrative task.
the same capacity that had character
sxed his work in the univea sity. III
soon mastered all the details of The
administrative problem and began t.
pay particular attention to 1ahor TO,
the highest possible uplifting of the
clergy" To this end he arranged TO,
theological conferences and retreats
Some Of his addresses to his OWL
clergy were 30 remarkable that there
was an early demand for their publ
cation Two volumes have been trans.
lated into English. They are "Ams,
Seminaristes" and "Retraits Pas
torale."
de was called to be the spiritoa
head OF an immenSe diocese. The lat
est available statistics-all. Of course
OF which will have to be revised o.
account Of the ravages Of war-showe,
100000 Catholics and 500 parishes.
.Ass Endless Throng
1s ne became better known to tn
humble people Of his great archdioces
his personality. ather than his philoso
ply, began to stand out in traceabL
relief He became known as a sain,
He was unt!ring in his devotion to tn.
noaJa ~ hi, xo.~.,lo