Evening star., 1944-04-23

hand several times to impart his
blessing to the assemblage. In his
hand was his rosary, the crucifix
clutched tightly and the beads en-
twined around his fingers.
He became unconscious a few min
utes later and died peacefully as
Bishop Gushing impaired the apos-
tolic benediction.
First word of Cardinal O'Connell's
illness was announced just before
midnight Wednesday. He had been
| Ill about week.
A cablegram expressing the con-
Germ of Pope Plus XII was received
from the Vatican at Rome yesterday.
His eminence was cheered by the
special apostolic blessing" from
Pope Plus and today a telephone call
was received from Robert Brennan,
Fires Minister in Washington.
Mr.. Brennan said he had received
a cable from Prime Minister Eamon
De Valera that ''the people of Ire
land are praying for the Cardinal"
Nom Catholics Join in Prayers.
Many outside the church joined in
the prayers for the Cardinal who
was well known and loved by New
Englanders of all faiths.
He appeared to be holding his
own" in the battle against pneu-
monia Thursday and since then bull
letins reported his condition un-
changed but still serious and de-
clared that he was resting comfort
ably.
The Cardinal had not appeared
in public for some time. He was al
ways extremely interested in the
Holy Name Society and his last pub
l, appearance was at the Cathedral
of the Holy Cross on January q at
the Feast of the Holy Name.
Strength - Difficulties.
The career of Cardinal O'Connell,
from boyhood to his elevation as a
prince of the Roman Catholic
church and dean of the hierarchy
in America. was epitomized in the
in Arduis" (Strength in Difficulties
Born into the humble home of
New England mill worker on De-
cember 8, 1859, it was this strength
that enabled him to progress by his
own hard work from his early sur
roundings in his native Lowell.
Mass, to the exalted ecclesiastical
office that brought him into friendly
contacts with high dignitaries of
church and state.
He was not only a builder of
things spiritual. Of an extremely
practical mind, he believed in fur
nishing the material things that
helped the spirit.
Throughout the Boston archdio-
cese today are churches. converts.
schools, a huge seminary and ad-
juncts, a chapel in the heart of
THE Hubs" teeming business dis
trict, hospitals, charitable institu-
tions-all monuments to his creative
genius.
In his 80s he presented to Boston
College a large adjacent estate for
use of the Jesuit faculty as home.
In addition, he always took an
active part in the affairs of his
State and the Nation. More than
once his voice was lifted to favor
or oppose legislation pending be-
fore the Legislature or the national
Congress.
On National Questions.
Once he rebuked those who sought
to have the so-called birth control
bill passed and he vigorously op-
posed attempts to have the Federal
child labor amendment placed on
the Massachusetts, statute books.
He voiced opposition to national
nrohWhion, ~once declaring "corns
puleory. prohibition is fatty opposed
to Holy Scripture and to Catholic
tradition. 1t has been made clear
a thousand times that we will work
with our separated brethren aS
temperance men, but will not join
those whose confessed policy is
worldwide prohibition by INSTALL
ments"
Repeatedly, he told the women of
his archdiocese of his dislike for
those who painted their faces and
to initiate savages."
He decried what he called ''pa-
ganism' of some stage and screen
productions.
Crooners were described as "whin-
ers who cry out vapid words to
impossible tunes"
Composer of Hymns.