The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-04-02

(By NC. w. C. News Seryice.)
In the death of James Cardinal Glib
bons at Baltimore, Holy Thursday, the
Catholic Church in the United States
lost the greatest figure in it's history
For 81 years Cardinal Gibbons had
been the primate of the Church in this
country. During his long ministry as
priest, Bishop, Archbishop and Prince
of the Church, he has not only made
for himself record of incompatible
achievement in the field of ecclesias-
tical endeavor but by his patriotism,
his intellectual force and winning per-
sonality had become leader of pub
lie opinion and endeared himself to
all Americans of whatever creed and
of no creed.
The Cardinals death is mourIled by
the Supreme Pontiff and all the host
of shepherds of the fold to whom his
fame were made familiar by the six
ty years of his pastorate. Tributes to
his memory, mingling affection with
admiration. came like a shower from
all the world when news of his death
was flashed to every land.
President Hardine's Tribute.
Among these messages was one
from President Harding, who was the
Cardinals friend This was Presi-
dent Harding's eulogy:
In common with all our people,
mourn the death OF Cardinal Gibbons
His long and notable service to coun-
try and to Church makes us all his
debtors He was ever ready to lend
for the betterment of his fellowmen.
He was the very finest type of citizen
and churchman.
1T was my good fortune to know
him personally and held him in the
highest esteem and veneration. His
death is distinct loss to the coun-
try, but it brings to further apprecia.
ton great and admirable life
Cardinal BIesses Household.
Death came to Cardinal Gibbons as
gentle messenger summoping him
to the reward he had sought and earn.
ed in long and fruitful life of duty,
sacrifice and good deeds. His last re-
membered words were used to frame
an expression of affection and thank
fulness for the loyalty and kindness
of his brethren of the Church and
for the peacefulness of his long life
On the Tuesday before his death all
the members of the Cardinals house.
hold were gathered together in his
room. The Rev. Louis r. Stickney
rector of the Cathedral, spoke their
request.
Your Eminence, will you give us
your blessing?"E
| The venerable Cardinal smiled and
inclined his head ever so slightly. The
| five priests-Father Stickney, the Rev
Eugene J. Connolly, chancellor; the
Rev. Albert E. Smith, secretary to His
Eminence: the Rev. William J. Hafey
assistant chancellor, and the Rev. Ed
win L. Leonard-knelt at the Cardl
nails bedside and he blessed them. As
they did the Cardinal whispered:
What a devoted and loyal house
hold, What noble, loyal priests!'
| Only moment before the Righ
Rev. Owen B. Corrigan, Auxiliar!
| Bishop, had been called from the sicl
room. The Cardinal missed his Auxil
| iary and said, weakly:
There never was a more loyal
more devoted worker than Bishol
Corrigan.'
| Cardinal Gibbons was well awar
that he had but little longer to live
a few days, maybe few hours. There
after he spoke but little and then onl
Ito his physicians, DR.. Charles O'Dor
ovan, and. his nurses. On Tuesda
| night he said a few words to Sister
COLUMBIA, Ludovic, Reginald an
Glare. the Bon Secours nuns who wer
nlinistering to him.
II Wednesday found the aged Cardins
at the lowest ebb of vitality. Neve
Itheless, when Father Smith, his Sc,
retary, inquired how he felt, the Ca
Edinal replied, feebly but cheerfully:
Il think | have had good day
DIR. O'Donovan had left the arcl
{ iepiscopal residence only few mil
utes before the Cardinals death. Th
I physician thought his patient migf
survive another day. After d
! IO'Donovan's departure, members
{ the Cardinals household assembled ;
the bedside. The patriarch OF II
!. Church in America was then unco
: scious. Rev. Father Arsenius Boys
7 of st. Marys Seminary, the Card
nails confessor, Joined the oth'
priests.
The Death Scene.
+ Father Stickney read the piaye
n. !. 1nI Ixavx mil