The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-12-10
BURIAL OF ABBOT ENGEL

beloved father and the diocese OF
st. Cloud very loyal friend. A few
days ago, a word or gesture from
him was significant and carried with
1t an effect of power; today, his form
is rigid in the helplessness of death.
We have read a great deal of his sci
entiffc accomplishments, but all the
resources of science were unable to
stay the hand of Death. We see
about us many evidences of his sue
cessful management, but inthis eyes
these had little value; the only thing
of value to him now are the virtues
of his long and useful life. 1t is be-
fitting that we speak of him with our
eyes on the things of faith. We can
proftably follow the virtues that
adorned him through his exemplary
career.
Now these things stand perfectly
revealed TO his own self. 1t is hard
for us to realize the condition of
departed soul. The Church invites
us to represent to ourselves the con-
ditions of soul that leaves this
earth. The prayers of the liturgy and
the ceremonies are not intended as
so many empty symbols of our own
grief; they have a practical bearing,
and are employed as means to solicit
our sympathy for the departed. 1t
is hard for us, surrounded by the
distractions of this world, to realize
the supreme perfection of God, and
the many consequences of our sins
and neglected opportunities. 1t is
only when the soul sees itself reveal.
ed in its true color and when it
stands in the august presence of God
terrible are the things that stand be-
tween it and it's God. In the days
of faith people seemed to realize
fully, or at least better than we rea-
lize today, the necessity of making
reparation for our sins and daily
shortcomings. On the one hand, the
soul feels that there is nothing that
can make it happy except the pres
ence of It's God, and ION the other
hand, it realizes how unworthy it is
to stand before God. 1t shudders at
the thought of being revealed in all
its imperfections. 1t is these things
the Church helps us to realize on this
occasion.
But there is also the virtue of hope
that gives us confidence. God has
promised that if we fulfill certain def.
mite conditions, these will entitle us
to the beatific vision. If these have
| been fulfilled in the life of the de-
parted soul, it rests quietly and tram
quilly. Here it is hard for us to re-
alize pain. The soul sees the neces-
sity for equity, that it is the only
condition that will admit it to the
sight of God. Perhaps for the first
time in its life does it perceive. the
value of virtue.
| Happily we can exercise the vir.
tue of charity through our suffrages
| and good works, which can assist the
soul in its trying ordeal Death leads
us to appreciate the nobility of mems
lives and character, and the many
! virtues of the departed Abbot pass
before our eyes as we pay the fina
tribute of respect today. We recall
his meekness, his patience, his kind
ness, his zeal for religion, his devoted
piety, virtues which ennobled his
character and secured the approva
of our hearts. God in His goodness
has seen fit to hasten his flight Il
the possession of eternal happiness
There are so many of his subject!
and friends who can offer up the sac
rifice of the Mass for him, which Coz
will, no doubt, graciously accept il
lieu of personal sufferings in Purga
tory. But l would not be tru,
;, friend of the departed Abbot if
: would not solicit your prayers for hin
. and the other departed. Let us unit
and continue our prayers that he, toe
may speedily be granted eternal rest
and that the glory of the blessed ma
: shine upon him. Remember him il
your prayers, and your SURFACES, s.
5 that his soul may soon partake o
. heavens happiness and bliss"
Solemn Absolutions.
Then solemn absolutions over th
body were pronounced by Bisho
, Busch, Archbishop Bowling, Bisho
! Hefron, Bishop McNicholas and Bisl
, op Wehrle. After this, the solem
: cortege Of death slowly advanced t
the abbey cemetery where Abbot P,
ter Engel was laid to rest among tn
old pioneer priests of the abbe!
: Bishop Busch officiated at the obs,
: quies at the grave.
Among the Benedictine Fathers {
: st. Johns abbey who gathered frol
y parishes in all parts of the countr
: were Fathers Gregory, William, Lu
ger, Othmer, Ildephonse. Martin, A
fred, Thomas, Henry, Gerard, Paulil
J. George, Herman, Adrian. Clemen
Agatho, Phillip, Benedict, LUX
> Charles, Ansgar, Otto, Fidelis, Be
. nard, Alto, Leonard, Anselm, Adolp
Edmund, Meinrad, Hugo, Raymon
= Robert, Werner. Magnus, Bede, Piu
: Hildebrand, Wilfrid, Edwin, Sebastia
Timothy, Victor, Odilo, Adalbert al
y Celestine, o. S. B. The Minneapol
e Alumni were represented by Mr.. Ma
Hummer, president, and Messrs. 4
fred Knaeble, A. Zachmann and
u Noethen; the st. Paul Alumni by N
D Michael Weiskopf, branch presider
~ Space will not permit us to menti,
~ the hundreds of other cle.gymen Al
5. distinguished laymen present at th