SOUVENIR
IN HONOR OF THE
TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
EAST CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
1908

YALE
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

SOUVEMR 6/
IN HONOR OF THE
FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
REV. JOHN O'BRIEN'S
ORDINATION
TO THE SACRED PRIESTHOOD
OF HIS
THIRTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
AS PASTOR OF THE
CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART
EAST CAMBRIDGE
MASSACHUSETTS, U. S. A.
AND OF HIS
TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY
AS FOUNDER OF
THE SACRED HEART REVIEW

1908

COMMITTEE IN CHARGE OF THE
SOUVENIR VOLUME
GEORGE R. BRINE
EDWARD A. COUNIHAN, Sr.
JOHN A. COLLINS

/M,'cZ9 OJL &&\
Cl

COMMENDATORY LETTER OF THE MOST
REVEREND ARCHBISHOP OF BOSTON
To the Reverend John O'Brien,
Rector, Church of the Sacred Heart,
East Cambridge, Massachusetts.
My dear Father O'Brien, — I learn with pleasure
that on June the sixteenth next the members of your
parish are to tender you a reception in Mechanics
Hall in celebration of the Fortieth Anniversary of your
Ordination to the holy Priesthood, and of the Twentieth
Anniversary of the founding of the Sacred Heart
Review. On this occasion I wish to tender you my hearty con
gratulations and best wishes. I wish also to express to you
my appreciation of the great work you have accomplished
during these years of your ministry. The excellent church,
school, rectory, and convent, all of splendid construction,
would be quite sufficient work for one man to have accom
plished during this term of years, but I do not forget the
previous work which you had done before building up the
splendid parish of the Sacred Heart in East Cambridge.
Besides all this you have found time to devote your energies
to the work of the Sacred Heart Review, a most praise
worthy enterprise, which has justly been crowned with
success. All this excellent work is certainly deserving of every
testimonial that your parish can give you of their apprecia-
[ i" ]

tion, and you deserve the hearty commendations and con
gratulations of your Bishop.
I wish you God's blessing, continued health and success,
and yet many years in your fruitful and devoted ministry.
Very cordially yours in Xsto,
*W. H. O'CONNELL, Abp., Boston.
Archbishop's House, Boston,
May 29, 1908.

The Committee in charge of this Souvenir volume had
placed the manuscript in the hands of the publishers
before the above letter to Father O'Brien had been re
ceived from the Archbishop. Handing the letter to the
Committee, Father O'Brien said: "Gentlemen — no
greater honor could come to me than this letter from my
Superior. This praise added to yours makes me think
I am not myself but some one else. Our Archbishop
like yourselves is good enough to give me the credit of
the work accomplished by your generosity and the gener
osity of your fathers. Even the Sacred Heart Review
is in great measure the fruit of the same liberality ; but,
in this case, justice compels me to add that the clergy of
the great Archdiocese of Boston, as well as the Bishops
and clergy of all New England, share with you and me
this honor."

SKETCH OF FATHER O'BRIEN'S
EARLY LIFE
The Rev. John O'Brien, pastor for thirty-five years of the
Sacred Heart parish, East Cambridge, Mass., celebrated
on June 6, 1908, his fortieth anniversary to the sacred
priesthood. Forty years a priest of God ! So long a record
calls for grateful recognition on the part of a loyal Catholic
people and evokes the wish to have some clear sketch of
the long life of such a standard-bearer in the army of the
Lord. Father O'Brien was born in Garranjames, parish of
Imogeela, Diocese of Cloyne, County Cork, Ireland,
April 2, 1838, and was baptized the next day. He came
with his parents to this country in 1850, and went to work
on a vegetable farm for his uncle, William Foley, in the
town of West Springfield, Mass. In 1852, he secured em
ployment in the mule-room of the cotton factory in Mit-
tineague, a village in the same town.This was in the no
torious Know-nothing days. It was only a year or two
previously that Catholics were employed in that factory
at all. After several years young O'Brien was promoted
to the position of third hand, which was a remarkable
advance in consideration of the prejudice existing against
Catholics. Those were indeed strenuous times for the
people of our Faith in New England, who were then few in
number and poor in this world's goods. In those evil days
of misunderstanding, calumny and insult, circumstances
[1]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
threw upon the young factory lad the noble office of de
fending, in that little western Massachusetts village, the
Catholic cause and Catholic interests. The Catholic re
ligion was the prevailing topic of conversation and the
constant object of attack. The boy was of a peculiarly
fearless nature, ready, like Athanasius, to defend his faith
against the world. The state of affairs about him naturally
controlled his reading; for a book-lover and student he
was, even in those years of hard manual labor, when the
day's work began at 5.30 a. m. The Boston Pilot (for
which, by the way, he was agent and canvasser), "The
Shortest Way to End Disputes," Milner's "End of Reli
gious Controversy," Ward's "Errata of the Bible," "The
History of Ireland," these were in his hand and under his
eye by day and by night. In the winter of 1856, he read
twice Pope and Maguire's "Oral Controversy," and he
copied every text of Scripture and other important data
quoted therein into a small blank book which he always
carried in his pocket. In this way he went always armed,
ready to meet every attack.
Little it mattered to his dauntless young soul from what
quarter the attack might come. The overseers in the mill,
the treasurer, the deacons, and others, — men twice or
thrice the age of this young Irish emigrant boy, — were
constantly discussing with him ; and sharp were his thrusts,
succinct his replies, given without fear or favor, no matter
who his opponents might be. They were always friendly
with him, however, as was shown very openly, a few years
later, when it became known that he intended going to
r 2 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
college, and some of those very men with whom he had
argued and disputed, and to whom he had told such very
plain truths, offered him financial assistance.
On the passage, by the Massachusetts legislature, of
the first Maine Liquor Law, a body of citizens of Mit-
tineague was organized to enforce it in that community,
and young O'Brien was made secretary of the organiza
tion. His acceptance of this office caused a great com
motion in the little, Irish, Catholic colony in Mittineague,
consisting at that time of twenty or thirty families. Hitherto
they had looked upon John O'Brien as their champion
and defender, but now they bemoaned his going over to
the enemy; for they considered that his consent to serve
as secretary to such an organization, composed, otherwise,
of Protestants, whose object it was to enforce a Know-
nothing liquor law, was almost equivalent to his leaving
the Church. Their fears, however, disappeared in a very
short time, when they found that he stoutly insisted that
the first attack should be made on the village hotel, which
no one else in the committee had intended to disturb,
since it was the popular rendezvous of the magnates of the
place. Early in his career, the lad, who, nevertheless, had no
notion then of becoming a priest, had organized a Sunday-
school for the benefit of the children and young people
in Mittineague, for they were very far from church. Mr.
Melcher, superintendent of the mill, gave him the cor
poration hall, free, for this purpose; and expressed the
hope that the young people would keep off the streets on
[ 3 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
Sundays and would be led to show proper respect for
the day. Mr. Melcher later gave him an acre or more of
land for a church, on which the present church now
stands. Every Catholic child and youth in the village faithfully
attended John O'Brien's Sunday-school ; the boy — an
example, indeed, to Catholic laymen then and now —
went manfully about, gathering in his little flock, although
the parish priest was only once able, on account of his
many duties, to visit the school. Many years later, Father
O'Brien would point with pride to men who had developed
from this Sunday-school ; and his delight may be imagined
when he found some of these very men in his own parish
in Cambridge, in Boston, and elsewhere, men of honor
and integrity and faith.
In the autumn of 1857, with the consent of his pastor
he attended an academy in Springfield, located behind the
old court-house nearly opposite the city hall, and con
ducted by a Mrs. Stebbins. The course of studies in
cluded French, Latin and Greek. Young O'Brien was
the first and we believe the only Catholic who attended
that school. On alternate Wednesdays the afternoons
were devoted to the reading of compositions and the de
livery of speeches of distinguished orators. After these
exercises, a Miss Warren, who was an estimable lady and
a very able teacher, would read or cause to be read some
book that might suggest topics for composition. One of
these books was a Life of Luther, just such a life as an
ardent and half-educated Protestant might be expected
[ 4 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
to write in those dark days. After one of these readings,
Mrs. Stebbins and Miss Warren called young O'Brien to
a private interview. The first question was :
"Mr. O'Brien, to what Church do you belong?"
He replied : " I profess to be a Catholic."
"Well, I declare," exclaimed Miss Warren, "I am
so sorry that I had that book read!"
" There 's no need of any regret on my account," replied
young O'Brien. "It suggests to me an admirable subject
for a composition."
The two ladies then asked him to sit down; and each
taking a chair, one on either side of him, they expressed
their astonishment that a young man, so bright, so capable,
so promising, etc., etc., should be a Catholic. Did he not
know that the priests kept the Irish people in ignorance ?
But questions like these were already very familiar to the
young pupil, who, without more ado, became teacher, and
for two or three hours an interesting controversy was
carried on. Never afterwards was the subject broached,
and his relations with his teachers and fellow-students
were always pleasant.
During his vacations John O'Brien became a book-
agent, selling, for Bill of Springfield, Headley's "Life of
Washington." And now came the great turning-point in
his career, for, about this time, the Rev. Maurice Power
of Killeagh, Ireland, a friend of the O'Brien family, visited
this country to collect funds for his church. He called
upon the O'Briens, and arranged to say Mass in their
house on the following Sunday. John acted, or rather he
[ 5 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
tried to act, as server, it being generally supposed that he
was capable of acting in any capacity short of that of the
priest himself. When it was suggested by Father Power
that the young man should study for the priesthood, he
readily agreed to try; and there was no holding back
on the part of his staunchly Catholic parents, who were
only too glad to give one of their children to so holy a
calling. Having finished his studies at the academy, John went
to St. Charles' College, Maryland, in 1860. There he re
mained, never once leaving it, even for the customary
vacations, until he finished his course in 1864. His ex
perience at this college, the noble labors and especially
the daily lives of the professors, impressed him so greatly
and so favorably that he never tires, even how, of praising
the Sulpitians. He asserts that there could not be a nobler
or more Christian body of men, or one more thoroughly
equipped for their great work; and, above all else, that
they are the very embodiment of the highest and most
perfect Gospel principles.
In 1864, he was sent to St. Joseph's Seminary in Troy,
N. Y., to make his philosophical and theological course.
Of the profoundly erudite professors in this seminary,
men of immense learning from famous Belgian schools,
who seemed only to consider such knowledge as an or
dinary and every-day affair, Father O'Brien still speaks
with deep admiration not unmingled with a certain awe.
As a condition for entrance in a Catholic theological
seminary, a certificate of Baptism has to be presented by
[6]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
every candidate for Holy Orders. It may be of interest
to our readers to see a translation, from the Latin, of the
baptismal certificate sent to John O'Brien from his native
place. The Irish, beyond any other race, lay stress on the
moral standing of the family of the candidate for the priest
hood ; the following certificate plainly indicates the source
whence John O'Brien, the fearless factory boy, and Fa
ther O'Brien, the valiant priest-editor, drew his strenuous,
unflinching, and lifelong habit of defence of the faith.
Castlemaetyb, Ireland,
September 9, 1864.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I the undersigned depose and solemnly bear witness that John,
the son of James O'Brien and Margaret Foley, born of legitimate
wedlock, was baptized on the 3rd day of April, 1838, according to the
rites of the most Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church, by
the Reverend Michael Hannigan, at that time pastor of these parishes,
the sponsors being William Foley and Joanna O'Brien.
I further aver that there never was any taint on the good name of
the above parents or sponsors of John, nor were they ever suspected
of heresy; on the contrary, their character and morals have always
been good, and they have been loyal adherents and strenuous uphold
ers of the Catholic faith.
Thomas Walsh,
Pastor of Mogeela, Dungourna, and Clonmult,
Diocese of Cloyne, County Cork.
Father O'Brien was ordained at the Seminary, June
6, 1868, by the Right Reverend T. P. McFarland, D. D.,
Bishop of Hartford. Archbishop (then Bishop) Williams
[7 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
of the Boston diocese, which then included what is now
the Springfield diocese, at once appointed the young priest
assistant to the Rev. Father Hamilton of St. Mary's
Church, Charlestown, Mass.
FATHER O'BRIEN PASTOR AT CONCORD
In January, 1871, Father O'Brien was sent to Concord,
Mass., as pastor of Concord and Lexington, to succeed
Father Delahanty, who had been appointed only in Octo
ber of the previous year, and who, on account of the
financial complications in which the parish had been pre
viously involved, asked, after three months' residence
there, to be removed elsewhere.
In his brief pastorate at Concord and its missions, Fa
ther O'Brien had five Sunday-schools in his care, one in
Lexington, two in private houses in Bedford, one in the
church at Concord, and one in a private house in West
Concord. On alternate Sundays he celebrated his first
Mass in Concord and an eleven o'clock Mass in Lexington ;
and on the afternoon of these days he visited the Bedford
schools. When the eleven o'clock Mass was in Concord,
he had Sunday-school afterwards, and visited his West
Concord school in the afternoon. Vespers were always
sung in the evening at Concord, and the people always
attended well, as they did on all occasions.
When Father O'Brien was in Concord, he issued two
printed financial reports. The first was dated October 1,
1871. The second was dated January 1, 1873.
[ 8 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
In the first report, we find that the debt on St. Bernard's
Church, when he took charge of it, was $9,069.77. His
receipts during this first year, up to October 1, were $5,596.
During these nine months, the first bills he paid were on
the floating debt and $2,000 on a mortgage, a sum amount
ing altogether to $4,320.77, thus reducing the debt to
$4,749. He partially finished the church, frescoed it inside,
painted it outside, and provided in part the necessary
furniture at a total cost of $1,859.58. This amount, added
to the previous sum of $4,320.77, makes a total of $6,180.35
paid during the first nine months of his pastorate in Con
cord. The next report was issued January 1, 1873, covering
the previous fifteen months, three months previous to his
removal from Concord. This report shows receipts from
all sources during these fifteen months to be $7,727.59.
During these same fifteen months he made repairs on the
house, including a new roof, and he finished the church.
He also finished furnishing the church, and laid out the
grounds about it, which he enclosed in a granite curb.
The total cost of these various items was $8,471.93.
On March 8, 1873, Father O'Brien was sent by his
Bishop to East Cambridge, to build a new church. That
his labors in Concord during his two years' stay there, were
not unappreciated by others than Catholics may be in
ferred from the fact that even the Protestants of Con
cord sent a committee to Bishop Williams to ask him to
allow Father O'Brien to remain among them. On that
[9]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
committee were such men as the late illustrious Judge
Hoar, Judge Brook of the Middlesex Probate Court, and
George Hayward, the town clerk. One likes to picture
the noble Catholic prelate listening to their plea in his
well-known attitude of silent, austere dignity, while these
representative New England gentlemen begged for the
retention of a Catholic priest in their town. When they
had had their say, however, the Bishop replied, in mea
sured tones, to this effect:
"I am gratified, gentlemen, to hear what you have to
tell me in favor of Father O'Brien; but it only serves to
confirm my own judgment that I have made a right choice
for East Cambridge."
Father O'Brien retains to this day happy memories of
his relations with his good, pious flock in Concord and
Lexington, and also with the non-Catholics living there.
FATHER O'BRIEN'S PASTORATE IN EAST CAMBRIDGE
Father O'Brien's special priestly work has, however,
been done in East Cambridge, where for no less than
thirty-five years he has devoted himself to the welfare of
his flock. A slight sketch of the early history of Catholicity
in that place deserves to be recorded here.
Up to the year 1828, the few Catholics in Charlestown
and East Cambridge were obliged to go to Mass all the
way to the old cathedral on Franklin St., Boston; but,
in October of that year, the foundation of St. Mary's
Church, Charlestown, was laid, and in June, 1830, Fa-
[ 10 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
ther Byrne was appointed first pastor. Soon after this,
a Sunday-school was organized in East Cambridge, in the
academy building which stood at the corner of Otis and
Third Sts. Mr. Daniel H. Southwick was the first super
intendent. The children, after their lessons every Sunday,
were formed into line, and were marched to St. Mary's,
where comfortable seats were given them near the altar
during Mass.
The number of East Cambridge Catholics so increased
that, on January 17, 1842, they were called together to
"take into consideration the propriety of erecting a new
church." A committee of three was appointed, namely,
Messrs. Southwick, Loring and Gleason, to wait upon
Bishop Fenwick and ascertain his views on the subject;
a subscription list was opened, and a sum of $3,600, in
sums of fifty dollars each, was at once subscribed; the
meeting adjourned, to meet again on the 30th.
This next meeting was honored by the presence of
Bishop Fenwick himself, and of the Rev. (afterwards
Bishop) John B. Fitzpatrick, who, on that very evening,
was given to the East Cambridge people as their pastor.
Later, it was decided to call the church St. John's ; a lot
was bought on Fourth St., 70 by 100 feet, for $1,166.67,
and the work was vigorously begun. In response to an ap
peal by Father Fitzpatrick, many of the poorer members
of the congregation, who were anxious to help on the good
cause, came to the ground, and gave their labor with shovel
and pick, so that the cellar was dug without expense. Oc
tober 9, 1842, the first services were held in the basement
[ H ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
of St. John's Church ; and on September 3, 1843, the church
was dedicated.
The parish then comprised the towns of Cambridge
and Somerville and the surrounding suburbs. It is con
sequently the mother-church of all these places ; and it is
to be noted that its present pastor, Father O'Brien, is to
day the senior pastor in Cambridge itself.
Father Fitzpatrick was taken from St. John's and placed
at the Endicott St. church, in Boston, a short time pre
vious to his consecration as Coadjutor Bishop to Bishop
Fenwick, March 24, 1844 ; and he was succeeded in East
Cambridge by the Rev. Manasses P. Dougherty, who built
a parish residence, taking possession of it in the autumn
of 1846. The number of Catholics so increased in Woburn
that, in 1847, Father Dougherty was obliged to supply
services there, and Father Magrath was given to him as his
assistant. In November, 1849, Father Dougherty was made pas
tor of St. Peter's Church, which he had built on Observ
atory Hill, Old Cambridge ; and he was succeeded at St.
John's by the Rev. George T. Riordan. Father Riordan
was followed by the Rev. Lawrence Carroll, "the good
little priest," as he was called, who paid the mortgage on
the church during his pastorate, and who died September
23, 1856, his assistant, Father Farran, dying only seven
teen days before him. For a time, the convert priest, Rev.
George F. Haskins, founder of the House of the Angel
Guardian, acted as temporary pastor at East Cambridge ;
but, on January 7, 1859, the Rev. F. X. Branigan was ap-
[ 12 ]

THE OLD (ST. JOHN'S) CHUKCH

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
pointed, who, during his two years of service, enlarged the
church and built an ell to the house. His health became
much shattered, and he resigned in 1860, dying soon after.
The Rev. Joseph Coyle took charge temporarily for some
months ; then, early in 1862, the Rev. John W. Donahue
was made pastor. In 1865, he bought the house on the
corner of Otis St. adjoining the church, and moved into
it ; and there he died March 5, 1873. On March 8, 1873,
the Rev. John O'Brien was appointed in his place. Father
O'Brien said Mass in St. John's Church, for the first time,
on March 17, and moved into the parish house on March
20, 1873.
For some time the need of a new church building had
been felt, on account of the large and growing congrega
tion ; although the parish of St. Mary's of the Annuncia
tion had been set off in 1867, and St. Joseph's, Somerville,
in 1870. The Bishop had bought land for a new church
on Spring St., but a more suitable site was secured on the
corner of Otis and Sixth Sts. ; and, by means of subscrip
tions and collections, and a mortgage, Father O'Brien
was able to take the deeds July 23, 1873. We append the
financial report for ten months from June 1, 1873, to April
1, 1874, as issued at that time by him.
FINANCIAL REPORT, 1873-4
It may seem strange to the present generation to see
printed in this volume such a report of almost thirty-five
years ago. Our reason for publishing it is two-fold : First,
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THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
to honor and perpetuate the memory of the generous
donors ; and secondly, to hold up to the present generation
for imitation the wonderful work done for the church by
their predecessors. We beg our readers to pay careful at
tention to this report, and to observe particularly the col
lection begun in June of 1873, amounting to over $13,000 ;
the various amounts contributed by the Young Men's
and the Young Women's Building Societies during this
same period ; the net results of the fair which opened in
December of the same year; and then the total receipts
from all sources for ten months, amounting to over $36,000.
If space allowed us to give the reports of several sub
sequent fairs and the yearly collections made during the
same time, our readers would be astonished at the gen
erosity of the poor people who furnished all this money.
We say "poor people" advisedly, because the men from
whom most of this money came were working for $9.00
or $10.00 a week.
We publish also the executive committee of the fair
held in December, 1873, the names of those in charge of
tables and their assistants, and the names of the gentlemen
who acted as marshals for each table.
We also publish the names of the people who paid in the
first collection, and the names of the Young Men's Build
ing Society and of the Young Women's Building Society,
both founded in 1873. The men and women of these two
societies, besides paying in the general collections and
paying towards the fair, paid also twenty-five cents a month
towards building the church. [ 14 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
RECEIPTS
From Collection commenced in June,  $13,688.00
" Young Men's Building Society,  298.85
" Young Women's Building Society, . . . 612.99
" House Rent,  648.65
" Fair  19,206.26
" Houses Sold,  1,925.00
" Exhibition,  155.89
" Return Premium on Insurance Policies, 74.55
" Water Rates Refunded,  14.00
Total Receipts, $36,624.19
EXPENDITUBES
Paid Buck in full for Land,  $10,680.10
Nelson in full for Land,  20,633.61
Fair Expenses,  1,685.44
Taxes on Land of New Church,  259.20
Insurance,  113.56
Water Taxes,  56.00
O'Donnell, Frames,  75.60
Rowe, Printing Cards,  14.50
Heywood Exhibition,  55.00
Printing for Exhibition  5.00
Ford, Repairs,  6.05
Davlin,  9.84
Hayes, Stone,  23.00
Commission on Sale of Houses and Print
ing. 

50.00

Total Expenditures, $33,666.90
Balance on hand, 2,957.29

$36,624.19

[ 15 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
"The great success of the fair," says the Report, "has been a
wonder to all, and the cause of just pride to ourselves. Under the
blessing of God we are indebted for this success to the labor and zeal
of the ladies and gentlemen having the fair in charge.
" That it may be on record, I will give here the amount which
each table realized :
The Young Ladies' Building Table in charge of Mrs.
Cogan  $1152.13
Choir Table in charge of Miss Curtis  1005.85
Sunday-School Table in charge of Miss Annie Curtis, . . . 1245.40
Mutual Relief Table in charge of Miss Rafferty,  1000.41
Temperance Table in charge of Miss Ford,  2201.12
Institute Table in charge of Miss Ball,  1246.31
Combination Table in charge of Mrs. Brogan  2488.87
Sodality Table in charge of Miss Dooley,  2473.06
Pastor's Table in charge of Miss Mclntire  2586.21
Young Men's Building Table in charge of Mrs. J. W.
Coveney,  1739.69
Refreshment Table in charge of Mrs. M. J. Doyle  545.70
Door and other sources,  1521.51
$19,206.26
" Our sincere thanks are due and are hereby expressed to the vari
ous parties, Protestant and Catholic, who contributed so many beauti
ful, useful, and costly articles to the different tables. The names of
these articles and of the donors have already been put on record on
the pages of the Cambridge News, the first Cambridge daily paper.
The publishing of the News, in the face of many obstacles, was an
enterprise which reflected no little credit on the fair, while it added
over $600. to its funds. We all know that the idea originated with
Mr. John P. Callahan, to whose enterprise, tact, and ability was also
[ 16 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
due its success. In this connection we very cheerfully make our grate
ful acknowledgments to the publishers of the Boston Daily Globe
for gratuitous and important assistance rendered.
" If there was one feature of the fair more pleasing than another,
it was the fact that non-Catholics as well as Catholics contributed
largely to its success. From this it is evident that our non-Catholic
fellow-citizens see in its true light the influence of the Church, whose
great aim it is to mould its members into intelligent, sober, industrious
and loyal citizens. The sum of Catholic teaching is obedience first to
God, and then to the laws of the land, so that a good Catholic must be
a good citizen. Hence the importance to the people generally of a new
church. It means the multiplication of the forces that go to form
good citizens. Recognizing this fact, those who have the good of
society at heart gladly help in the erection of Catholic churches.
"If the erection of a new church thus awakens the generosity of
non-Catholics, what effect should it not have on us Catholics ? To us
the Church is the means of making good citizens, not simply of the
State, but what is more, of Heaven.
" To us the Church is the channel through which Jesus Christ acts
on the world, enlightening it and sanctifying it. The Church is literally
the House of God. In the Church is renewed daily the great Sacrifice
of Calvary, and there its merits are applied to our souls. It is easy to
see then that, by assisting in the erection of a church, we cooperate
with our Saviour in a work than which none can be more pleasing
to Him or more meritorious for ourselves.
" From this view of the case it may be seen how great is the mistake,
to speak mildly, made by those who refuse or neglect to give a helping
hand to a work so good. Nor is it a good excuse to plead that expendi
tures for such purposes are a great burden and tax. This should simply
bring to our minds the no less certain fact that we are only making a
deposit with God, from Whom we have all, and where the principal
is safe and large returns are certain. God will not be outdone by our
[ 17 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
generosity. We have His word for it, that He will repay us a hundred
fold. Let all then, young and old, men and women, encouraged by
the knowledge of these facts, generously resolve to make every pos
sible sacrifice in aid of that structure which will soon become the
House of God, and, it may be hoped, not an unworthy monument
to the faith and generosity of the Catholics of East Cambridge.
" John O'Brien, Pastor."

OFFICERS AND ASSISTANTS OF THE
NEW CHURCH FAIR
Director
REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Executive Committee
Joseph Cogan,
Col. J. W. Coveney, Chas. J. Mclntire,
John McSorley, John Brogan,
James O'Donell, P. G. McDermott,
Stephen Anderson, M. J. Doyle,
John Collier, James T. Shaughnessy,
Francis A. Kelly, Francis J. Newman.
Young Ladies' Church Buiming Table. — In charge of Mrs. Joseph
Cogan. Assistant — Miss Julia Lynch. Marshals — Patrick Sheridan,
M. J. Doyle, John Geary, B. J. McCormack, Paul Troy.
Choir Table. — In charge of Miss Kate Curtis. Assistant — Miss Alice
Fitzpatrick. Marshals — James O'Connor, Maurice Power, Frederick Ma-
honey, Thomas Connor, Dr. J. J. De Noyer.
Sunday-School Table. — In charge of Miss Annie Curtis. Assistant
— Miss Mary Mullen. Marshals — John Finnegan, Wm. McKeown, John
McMinimon, Dennis Haley, Cornelius Patten.
[18]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Mutual Relief Table. — In charge of Miss Maggie Rafferty. As
sistant — Miss Annie Fox.
Temperance Table. — In charge of Miss Mary A. Ford. Assistants —
Mrs. Chas. Doherty, Miss Annie Mahoney. Marshals — Francis Kelly,
Bernard Rafferty, James Doherty, Mr. Murphy, John McDonnell.
Institute Table. — In charge of Miss Jennie Ball. Assistants —
Mrs. Wm. Casey, Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Edgworth, Miss Trainor. Marshals —
Joseph J. Kelly, Thomas F. McCue, Daniel B. Shaughnessy, Wm. McMin-
imon, Michael Keenan, J. B. Shaughnessy, F. J. Newman.
Union Table. — In charge of Mrs. John Brogan. Assistant — Mrs.
Patrick Mullen. Marshals — Patrick Mullen, Matthew Farrell, Mr. Short,
Mr. Wentworth, P. Sullivan, Edward Burns, John Dunn, Michael Murphy.
Sodality Table. — In charge of Miss Mary Dooley. Assistants —
Miss M. A. Connelly, Miss B. McCaffrey, Miss Tracey. Marshals — Michael
Rowe, Michael McCloskey, Michael F. Moylen, Thomas McNamara,
Thomas Foley.
Pastor's Table. — In charge of Miss Amelia T. McIntire. Assist
ants — Mrs. M. J. Courtney, Mrs. James Devlin, Miss Kate Kelly, Miss
Ann Doherty. Marshals — Henry Doherty, James Devlin, Joseph Kelly,
Dr. E. Walsh, John P. Callahan.
Young Men's Church Building Table. — In charge of Mrs. John
W. Coveney. Assistant — Miss Maggie Cunningham. Marshals — James
Shay, Timothy Quinn, Michael Fox, Chas. McElwaine, John Lynch.
Refreshment Table. — In charge of Mrs. M. J. Doyle. Assistant —
Mrs. James Maheggan. Marshals — James Aylward, Wm. Heffernan.
REPORT OF COLLECTION, 1873
This collection, begun in June, was made by Father
O'Brien from door to door every evening, from six o'clock
to ten, except Saturday and Sunday evenings, during the
[ 19 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

months of June, July, August and two weeks in September.
Every year, during the first fifteen years of his residence
in Cambridge, he made similar evening calls from six to
ten o'clock (not always to collect money), visiting every
person in the parish, the time required being between
fifteen and sixteen weeks. He thinks this to be one of the
best though one of the hardest kinds of work a priest can
do for his people, for it insures personal intercourse with
every member of the family and every person in the parish.
Each Sunday, at all the Masses, announcement would be
made of the street and the houses he would visit that
week; and every person and every member of the family
was expected to be in the house to receive him. This rule
was very generally observed by the people, though it was
often the occasion of disappointment and inconvenience
to them, as Father O'Brien sometimes found it necessary
to spend a longer time, even an hour or two, in some
places and then failed to reach a given house at the ex
pected time or evening.
North Street continued.

North Street.
Timothy Casey  $12
Timothy Sullivan  12
Daniel Shay  12
Thomas Nyhan  12
Patrick Mynahan  6
Daniel Lordan  12
Timothy Collins  5
John Murphy  12
Thomas Mulligan  12
Thomas Drummy  5
Bridget Barrett  12
Patrick Calanan  25
William Drummy  4
Michael Kelley  12

Timothy Sullivan  $12
John Sullivan  5
John Leary  5
Thomas Murrey  12
Edmond Mahoney  12
Patrick O'Leary  20
Patrick Fitzgerald  12
John Corkery  12
Dennis Mahoney  12
John Warren  3
Daniel Sullivan  12
John Swanton  5
Ellen Donavan  12
Daniel O'Brien  6
[ 20 ]

North Street continued.
Jeremiah O'Connell  $12
James Callahan  6
Michael Teehan  10
Patrick Cronin  3
Julia Healy  1
Michael Mynahan  12
James Barrett  2
Patrick Farricy  2
Catharine Canty.  1
John Hartnett  12
Michael Welch  12
James McCarthy  15
Charles Kelley  4
Michael Dempsey  5

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN

North Street continued. Lechmere Place cont'd,

Jeremiah Keneely 
Morgan Hanlon 
Owen Gallagher 
Patrick Sullivan 
Mrs. Horan 
Patrick Murphy 
John Powers 
Julia Casey 
Dennis Teehan 
John Coffy 
Jane Clark 
Thomas Leahy 
David Coakley 
Ellen McCarthy 
Thomas Hennessy. . . .
Dennis Coffy 
Dennis Crowley 
Timothy Warren 
Samuel McCabe 
Patrick Cronin 
Daniel Donavan 
Mrs. Mary Murphy. . .
John J. Leahy 
Mary Donahoe 

Walsh's Block.
Edward Curtin 
Mrs. Mary Crowley.. .
John H. Sullivan 
Mrs. Ellen Murphy. . .
Robert Hellen 
Patrick Collins 
Cornelius Collins 
Patrick Breen 

1212 5
12 12
12 1
12
20 1
1212 5
12
20 121212 6
1512 12

1
7
1212 2
17 1
6

Lechmere Place.
John Cronin 
Daniel Cronin 
William Gleason 
Patrick Gallagher 
David Walsh 
James Bowen 
Daniel Callahan 
Mrs. Joannah Barrett. .
Richard Barrett 

Maurice McCarthy  $12
Patrick McCarthy  2
Patrick McCarthy  12
John Donavan  12
John Baker  4
Cornelius O'Brien  12
Dennis McCallen  12
John Calanan  12
William Galvin  12
East Street.
William Sullivan  6
Michael Donovan  12
James Hawkes  20
Robert Mullin  12
Maurice Cotter  12
Thomas Cotter  5
Edward Cotter  1
David O'Hern  5
David Wall  1
Michael McCarthy  2
John McCormick  12
Mary Shine  5
John Hurley  12
David Crowley  6
Thomas Keeffe  20
John Cleary  50
Owen Shields  25
James McCarthy  3
Cornelius Donovan  6
Jno. J. Bowers  12
Short Street.
Margaret McNamara. . . 12
Jeremiah Callaghan. ... 6
Patrick Geary  4
Mrs. Catherine Buckley 30
Edmond Turner  2
Mrs. Crowley  1
Patrick Bolan  12
John Decourcey  12
Dennis Murray  2
Thomas McCarthy  12
William Dacey  4
Timothy Kelly  10
[21 ]

Short Street continued.
Timothy O'Brien  $4
Dennis Lane  5
James Crimmins  12
Catherine Denegan  12
Dennis Collins  3
Cornelius Collins  12
Col. J. W. Coveney. . . .100
Patrick Corkery  3
Mrs. Ellen Donovan ... 3
Water Street.
Richard Sullivan  20
James Donovan  20
John Lawless  12
James Mahoney  75
Edward McMahon  14
Christopher Connor. ... 12
Patrick Clark  12
Patrick Carr  5
Patrick Coleman  20
Michael Fitzgerald  5
David Baldwin  2
John Downey  5
Hugh Devlin  5
Patrick Mullins  5
Thomas Fey  12
William Carroll  2
Bridge Street.
John A. Dwyer  6
Patrick Driscoll  12
Frank Nyhan  12
Thomas Driscoll  12
James Welch  25
Patrick Kelley  12
Patrick Dunlay  12
Bartholemew Fahey  5
John Gafley  6
Timothy Sullivan  100
John A. Donavan  12
John Rohen  8
Maurice Drenin  2
John Maguire  20
John Green  10
Timothy Fitzgerald  2

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

Bridge Street continued.
Patrick Desmond  $12
Eugene Coffey  4
James Fox.  25
Peter Cotter  5
Mrs. Mary Carlon  12
Mrs. Bridget Harrington 5
David Mahoney  12
Timothy Daly  12
John Delany  12
John Murphy  15
Michael Doherty  12
Felix McDonald  12
Morgan Fitzpatrick. ... 7
Mary McKenna  5
Bernard Burns  2
Thomas McGue  12
Mrs. Margaret Powers . 4
Jeremiah Ford  2
Eugene Ahern  12
Michael Ford  12
William Dinneen  12
Mrs. Mary McCormick 12
Patrick Foran  12
James Mahoney  12
John Manning  12
Ellen E. O'Connor  12
John McCarthy  10
Daniel Hogan  5
Andrew Clancy  12
Michael McCarthy  10
Daniel Sullivan  5
John Hickey  12
Daniel Maguire  20
John Kerr  2
John F. A. Doherty. ... 20
Peter Cavanaugh  3
Michael Molloy  1
James Donahoe  1
Joseph Breslin  2
Patrick McGinley  12
Thomas Briney  12
Mrs. Ellen Garrigan. 20
John R. Darling  5
John Long  10
John Dooley  2

Bridge Street continued.
Richard Day  $2
Patrick Flynn  12
Michael Flynn  12
Frank Flynn  12
James Callanan  6
Timothy Coughlin  12
Michael Corbett  10
John Butler  10
Margaret Butler  12
Timothy Shay  50
Cornelius Sullivan  4
Michael Murphy  12
Jeremiah Sullivan  20
JohnF. Russell  12
Daniel Hartnett  12
Dennis Keeffe  4
David Cassidy  5
Patrick Powers  1
Daniel Sheehan  12
Michael Coughlin  12
Daniel Regan  12
Mary Conway  3
Cornelius Crowley  5
Cornelius Sullivan  6
Cal. Callaghan  12
Jeremiah Sullivan  5
Mrs. Mary Granger. ... 20
Daniel Harrington  12
Mrs. Mary Dooley  25
Mary Dooley  12
Michael Cordon  1
John Brown  12
Henry Healy  3
Dennis O'Leary  5
Annie Sweeney  6
Dennis McCarthy  12
Jeremiah Callaghan. ... 2
Patrick McCloskey  2
Richard Whoriskey  50
Terrence McGuire  12
Isaac Price  12
Mrs. Catherine Lennon 8
John F. Carroll  20
James A. Toner  20
Mrs. Ellen Cogan  12
[ 22 ]

Bridge Street continued.
Mrs. Mary Clary  $20
Thomas Austin  12
Dennis Leary  12
John Donavan  25
William Donavan  20
Mrs. James G. Luddy . 12
Martin Dowling  5
Mrs. Margaret Brennan 12
John Gorman  12
Mrs. Anna Driscoll. ... 12
Mary Sullivan  5
John Rositer  5
Edward Dooley  5
Daniel Ford  5
James Buckley  12
Patrick Murphy  3
Lechmere House.
William Voit  16
Mrs. Alice Devine  12
Patrick Shennon  12
Timothy Ryan  1
Mansion House.
Mrs. Mary Collins  15
William H. Warner  12
Gore Street.
William Ryan  25
Peter Rogers  12
Dennis Ryan  12
Mrs. Ann Fitzpatrick. . 50
Nicholas Mullen  15
Thomas Leonard  20
James Aylward  25
Richard Aylward  12
Owen Reardon  20
John Collins  5
Hugh Gallagher  12
Michael Collins  20
James Collins  30
Timothy Collins  5
Martin Farrell  12
Timothy Crowley  20
Peter Kivlan  12

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN

Gore Street continued.
Mary Kivlan  $12
John Kivlan  3
Martin Rice  5
Peter McKenna  25
Alexander Clarkson. ... 12
Mark A. Jones  35
John W. Coveney  25
Mrs. John W. Coveney 10
Christopher Dalton  4
Michael F. Davlin  25
Joseph Kein  2
Manuel Sears  50 cts.
Nathaniel Flemming. . . 2
Mrs. Susan Coakley  5
John Carroll  2
William Long  2
Francis McElroy  1
Mary Ann Long  12
Miss Margaret Flood.. . 40
James Hurley  12
William Muldoon  5
William Slaney  1
Edward Hogan  5
Michael Sullivan  25
Thomas Callaghan  15
John Whoriskey  25
Jeremiah Reilly  12
Bernard Nolan  5
Edward B. Noonan. ... 25
Patrick Sheridan  25
Ellen Mahoney  12
Ann Broderick  10
Thomas Cawley  2
James O'Connor  50
Dennis Toomey  12
Edward F. Sullivan  25
Edward Kenny  12
Mary Drennon  12
Sarah Drennon  12
James Drennon  12
Patrick Doherty  20
Felix McManus  20
James Fitzpatrick  13
Mrs. Ellen Newman. ... 2
Margaret Lang  6

Gore Street continued.
Michael Costello  $15
Jeremiah Good  12
Patrick Newman  12
Mrs. Hannah Curtiss... 12
John Moran  12
Thomas Power  12
Thomas Larkin  2
Thomas Fitzgerald  12
Mrs. Hannah Bournique 20
Maurice O'Hearn  5
John Green  10
D. H. Lehan  100
Squire's Court.
Michael Collins  5
Daniel Corbett  12
Patrick Mullen  100
Dooms' Block.
Jeremiah Lane  12
John S. Dooris  25
Timothy Quinn  12
Mrs. Mary Sullivan  3
Winter Street.
James Sullivan  6
Ellen Mahoney  12
James O'Brien  10
Patrick Woods  13
James Mahegan  3
Michael Kane  12
Patrick Sharkey  65
Mrs. Elizabeth Newman 2
Mrs. Elizabeth Skelley . 2
Mrs. Mary Ann Sheridon 12
Patrick Cavanaugh  12
Thomas Wood  12
Kate Mahoney  5
John Carroll  20
John Sullivan  8
William Kelly  5
Andrew Long  20
William McKeever  25
Mrs. Annie Palmer  1
Owen Dillon  5

Winter Street continued.
William McMenimin...$12
William H. McMenimin.12
John H. Swiney  25
Patrick Maguire  20
Mrs. Mary Callaghan. . . 7
Lucy Doherty  2
MauriceLowney  20
Mrs. Johanna Ward. ... 12
JohnLyons  3
James Goodwin  20
Dennis Regan  12
Mrs. Maria Brooks  1
Mrs. Grace O'Brien. ... 1
Kate O'Brien  12
Margaret O'Brien  12
John Jackson  12
John McFeely  12
Catherine Farrell  6
Mary Ann Farrell  6
Joseph Moran  12
James Reehall  12
Edward Skelley  10
William Dooly  12
John Linnehan  12
Daniel McCarthy  5
Timothy Shinnick  12
Timothy Dinan  12
James H. O'Brien  12
Michael Collins  2
John Flanagan  5
Thomas Murphy  12
Mullen's Court.
John Shine  15
John McGovern  12
Peter Baulfe  3
James White  12
Mrs. Mary Hearn  5
James Talbot  12
John Lawton  5
Daniel Shaughnessy  25
Second Street.
Victor Regal  100
Bernard Maguire  12

[ 23 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

Second Street continued.
Michael G. Collins  $12
Mrs. Greer  20
Joseph Cogan  100
Nora Brennan  3
Patrick Corkery  3
Third Street.
John Burke  12
Mrs. Connolly  12
Maurice Mulvany  25
Margaret Canty  12
Mrs. Bridget Shan
non  12
William Murphy  12
Patrick Baldwin  12
Ellen Murphy  1
Annie Welch  2
Edward Fitzgerald  12
John Leahy  12
Patrick Calanan  25
Thomas Mullen  100
James Casey  15
Timothy Scanlon  10
Maurice Welch  50
John Welch  25
Daniel McCarthy  6
George Sheppard  5
James Duffy  12
Michael McGrath  12
Michael Quinn  12
James Flynn  2
Thomas Fitzmorris  15
John Handley  19
Thomas Nolan  15
Bartholemew Dempsey. 10
Patrick Corcoran  5
Edward Johnson  6
John McGahey  3
John Bernard King. ... 20
Thomas Duffy  20
Daniel McSweeney  12
John McCafferty  10
Charles Davis  3
James Fitzgerald  2
Mrs. Bridget Sweeney.. 12

Third Street continued.
Daniel Sweeney  $12
Patrick McKenna  10
Sarah McKenna  1
Mary McKenna  1
James Boyle  50
Bridget Letitia Boyle. . . 1
Tisa Boyle  1
Jeremiah Boyle  12
Mrs. Bridget Boyle  5
Mary Ellen Boyle  1
James Boyle  1
Mrs. Eliza Brown  5
Eliza Ann Brown  2
Mary Jane Brown  1
Joseph Garey  2
Frank McElroy  6
Bernard Mullens  1
Bernard Walsh  12
Peirce Murphy  5
Daniel Walsh  4
James Megan  4
John Donavan  12
Hugh Magennis  12
Conlon's Court.
John O'Brien  12
Patrick Brown  5
John Manning  1
Peter O'Neil  5
Linehan'b Block.
Jeremiah McCarthy. ... 12
Mrs. Julia Mack  12
Bernard Mooney  12
Maggie Mooney  12
John Coveney  5
James Burke  12
Jeremiah Brady  12
Jeremiah Harrington. . . 25
Spring Street.
Lawrence Ferris  12
John Mooney  12
John McGivney  12
Jeremiah J. Coveney. . . 25
[ 24 ] '

Spring Street continued.
John J. Coveney (through
his mother)  $50
James May  100
Michael McNulty  5
Katie McNulty  5
Rose McNulty  5
Catherine Connolly  5
Patrick Hannon  12
Thomas Hannon  5
John T. Hart  50
John Noonan  12
James McKenna  50
John McKenna  15
Stephen Anderson  15
George F. McKenzie . . 25
Thomas Hurley  10
J. D. Ford  25
Dennis Ford  50
Patrick Brohan  5
Dennis Corcoran  6
Mrs. Margaret McMa-
nus  7
Patrick Doherty  100
William Buckley  5
John Quinn  12
Patrick Gilloran  50
Bernard Gayton  50
Timothy Mahoney  12
Edward Mooney  12
Mary McConville  12
Michael Moylen  50
John McGovern  50
Tim Reardon  12
Thomas McGovern  10
Edward Nolan  10
Mrs. Roach  5
Patrick Nugent  10
James Hagan  10
Augustus Regal  25
John McSorley  50
Vine Street.
Hugh Campbell  10
Martin Sherry  12
John Sherry  5

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN

Vine Street continued.
Mathew O'Leary  $1
Mrs. Catherine De-vine. 12
James Healy  50
Edward Healy  1
John McSorley  5
Annie McSorley  6
John Mains  20
Mary Ann Campbell. . . 12
Mrs. Ann Collins  12
Catherine Nolan  2
Bridget Brady  12
Lizzie Cavanaugh  2
Jno. McBride  6
Jno. Brady  15
Daniel Randall  5
Mrs. Hannah Mulloy... 2
Daniel Sullivan  2
Jno. J. Delacey  12
Peter Hays  3
Francis Losen  6
Patrick Flynn  12
Peter Edmonds  12
Daniel McDonnell  14
Mathew McDonnell. ... 12
Ann O'Neil  2
James Kane  1
Neil Duffy.  5
Dennis Griffin  2
Mrs. Bridget McCaffrey 2
Thomas McDonald .... 10
Thomas Conboy  12
Philip Cunningham. ... 1
Hugh Ross  25
Patrick H. Dunn  12
Kate McKenna  5
Dennis Murphy  15
William Johnson  6
Patrick McCloskey  12
Lawrence Magovern  12
Timothy Buckley  2
John O'Neil  5
Fardy Shields  6
John McLoughlin  10
Mrs. Catherine Foley. . . 5
John Conlan  10

Vine Street continued. Charles Street continued.

Thomas Nugent. . .
John Quinn 
Mrs. Mary Lynch.
Annie O'Neil 

Charles Street.
Patrick Quinn 
Owen Daily 
Mary Hogan 
Michael Griffin 
Jeremiah Hurly 
Patrick Murphy 
Martin Keenan 
Thomas Dempsey 
Elizabeth Hussey 
John Quinn 
John Burke 
Samuel Kinsley 
Mrs. Hannah Connolly.
Mrs. Crowley 
Andrew Cosgrove 
John Dempsey 
Thomas Fox 
John McAIeer 
James Tobin 
William Martin 
Daniel H. Buckley 
Edward Gavin 
Katie Gavin 
Michael Croak 
Edward Brown 
Patrick McPeake 
Stephen Meagher 
John Connors 
Mrs. Mary Turner 
John Donehey 
John Walsh 
Mrs. Ann Hannon 
Patrick Murphy 
James Barry 
Patrick Mundy 
Mrs. barah Doherty. . . .
John Murphy 
William Mullen 
Patrick Gillis 
[25 ]

Hugh McElroy  $100
Mrs. McHugh  1
Peter Ranagan  6
George Bedo  12
Daniel Nyhan  12
Peter Murrey  1
Fourth Street.
Elazer D. Josselyn  100
Charles Quinn  100
James Doherty  12
Thomas Casey  6
James I. Murphy  12
William Casey  25
Frank Regal  50
Frank Rogers  12
Mrs. Catherine McCaf
frey  12
Edward Connolly  2
Mathew Fleck  1
Jno. Patten  12
James Holt  20
Jeremiah Mahoney  12
Thomas Murphy  10
Patrick McElroy  5
William Gavin  12
William Brady  2
Daniel Flynn  12
Alexander Austin  12
James F. Davlin  25
Edward Ball  100
Patrick Murray  20
Mrs. Elizabeth Alyward 4
James Aylward  6
Thomas Aylward  2
Jno. H. Gilligan  12
Mrs. Sarah Quinn  12
Bartholemew Dunn. ... 50
Jerry Sullivan  6
Roger Norton  6
James Kieley  3
Jno. C. Collier  25
Jeremiah Sullivan  12
William Fraser  12
Patrick Hurley  6

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

Fourth Street continued. Fifth Street continued.

Thomas McSorley  $50
Mrs. Bessy Kennealy.. . 5
Jno. Powers  12
William Carroll  12
James Rafferty  25
Francis Rafferty  25
Michael Rafferty  15
Annie Rafferty  5
Maggie Rafferty  5
Jno. Donelan  5
William Russell  12
Daniel Lehan  25
Patrick J. McElroy  25
Margaret Theresa Kelly 12
Francis Kelly  30
Jeremiah Burns  5
J. J. DeNoyer, M. D... 25
Fifth Street.
Catherine Monahen. ... 12
Bridget Monahen  25
Dennis D. McCarthy.. . 3
Hannah D. McCarthy . 2
Mrs. Bridget Donnelly . 1
Maggie McDonald  12
Andrew Murphy  1
John Collins  12
Mrs. Sophia Feeney. ... 5
John B. Curtiss  30
Rose Ellen McCann. ... 10
James Toner  12
Edward B. McElroy. . . 5
Michael McCloskey  50
Francis F. MeGirr  25
Hugh Doherty  12
John L. Fahey  10
Terrence Gavin  15
Michael Casey  12
Patrick Gallagher  12
James Duffy  12
Thomas Toomey  1
John Flaherty  12
James McGlinchy  5
Patrick McDonnell  12
James Burke  8

Michael Murphy  $5
William Kelly  5
John McDermott  25
Dennis Shea  50
Sixth Street.
James Fitzgerald  12
Mrs. Mary J. Driscoll . 2
Thomas King  1
Seventh Street.
Michael Kelly  15
Peter Dinan  12
Eighth Street.
William Cummings  5
James Daily  12
Ellen Ross  12
Ninth Street.
Peter Burns  12
Michael Reardon  5
Patrick C. Reardon  12
Mrs. Ellen Canty  5
Annie Hurly  5
John Moore  1
Dan Daily  5
Patrick Hassett  5
Michael Ready  5
Michael Woods  12
Thorndike Street.
Patrick Conlon  25
Martin Dowling  50
J. H. S.Donnelly  100
William J. Barry  25
George Lloyd  5
Mary Organ  12
Katie Connors  6
Otis Street.
Michael Ring  3
Michael F. Fenelon  1
M. A. Foote  1
George R. Brine  50
[ 26 ]

Otis Street continued.
Robert Brine  $40
Charles J. Mclntire. . . .100
Mrs. Amelia A. Mclntire 25
Amelia T. Mclntire. ... 25
Garret Sullivan  100
Walter Walsh  53
Thomas Triggs  10
Bartholemew Kelleher. . 25
Mrs. J. C. Gallagher. . . 13
Patrick Kilroy  5
Timothy Leary  9
Mary Canty  6
Abby A. Verlin  40
Mary Brien  12
Cambridge Street.
John Ryan  5
Dan Donavan  5
Daniel McCarthy  10
Mrs. Myers  5
Mrs. Collins  5
John O'Donahoe  10
John Carmichael  50
Rebecca Carmichael  12
Thomas Connors  50
H. A. Doherty  100
Ann Doherty  12
Mrs. Bridget Rowen. . . 12
J. J. Long  25
James E. Doyle  2
Christopher Muldoon. . . 3
J. H. Carroll  25
William Brine  50
Bernard J. McCormick 10
John P. Callahan  25
Lizzie McCord  25
Rose McCord  25
Bernard McCord  25
Annie McCord  12
James McCord  12
Mrs. Catherine Butler. . 12
William J. Courtney. . . 5
Catherine Kelly  12
Mrs. Sarah A. Kelley... 5
Edmund Welch, M. D. 25

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN

Cambridge Street cont'd.
John McCarthy  $50
Patrick Fullam  6
Joseph Ryan  12
Jeremiah Callaghan  12
Michael Cummiskey. . . 100
Bridget Murtagh  12
Frank Donlan  12
Thomas Burke  12
John B. Magovern  25
J. H. Mulchay  25
John Ford  5
John J. Kenny  2
Mathew Carroll  4
Catherine Kenny  1
DanChisolm  12
Mrs. Ellen Buzzell  4
John Steele  3
Mrs. Mary Lynch  25
Julia Lynch  12
Michael J. Doyle  50
Paul Troy  12
Maggie Flynn  5
Sarah Steele  5
William Herlihy  12
William Downey  12
Andrew Metzgar  5
John Murphy  5
Mrs. Frank Devine .... 15
John Gillon  25
Moran Bros  25
Tom Burns  1
Robert Magennis  24
Hyasinth Clark  12
George Brown  1
Patrick McCarthy  10
Michael Reagan  25
John Toomey  12
Duncan Mackintosh. ... 1
William F. Chisholm. . . 2
Mary E. Connell  1
Mrs. Catherine Murphy 9
Maurice Clifford  1
Patrick Clifford  2
John Fahey  1
Cornelius Spillane. ... 1

Cambridge Street cont'd.
Mary Murphy  $1
Mary Buckley  1
Angus McNeil  6
Jeremiah Callaghan  12
Jerry McCarthy  12
William Ahearn  11
Michael Coleman  2
Joseph Ryan  5
Mrs. Cullen  12
Daniel Boyle  50
Charles Boyle  12
Jeremiah Murphy  12
Tom Murphy  12
Cornelius Murphy  12
Tom Healy  12
James Bannon  10
Lawrence Glynn  12
John Leonard  7
James F. Golden  6
Jno. B. Wait  25
Henry Degan  25
Mary O'Brien  20
William J. Mooney  12
Mrs. William J. Mooney 17
Alice Mooney  2
Theresa Mooney  2
Annie Murphy  12
Thomas Shaw  100
John Leahy  25
Timothy Reagan  12
Dan Kelleher  3
Bessy McCusker  12
Jno. Downey  12
Carson Street.
Dennis Toomey  5
Patrick Murphy  12
Cornelius Sheehan  12
John O'Sullivan  12
Kane Mahoney  o
Cornelius Sullivan  3
Mrs. Johanna Maroney 5
Dennis Corcorey  12
Mrs. Margaret McCar
thy  2
[ 27 ]

Carson Street continued.
Thomas Madden  $5
John Devine  25
Cornelius Murphy  5
Mrs. Ellen O'Brien. ... 12
Mrs. Mary McGovern.. 12
John Coleman  12
Dan Kane  12
Edward McCarron  12
John Brogan  12
Michael Corkery  12
Tim Murphy  5
Patrick McKelleget  25
John Murphy  1
Daniel Magee  12
Warren Street.
Patrick Hallicey  3
Jerry Connell  10
Andrew D. McDonnell. 12
Owen McKenna  12
Daniel Hallicey  5
John Younie  5
Peter Leary  12
John Brady  12
Patrick Pryor  5
Dennis McCue  12
John Lyons  5
Maurice O'Sullivan  12
Mrs. Catherine Ronan . 5
Cornelius Lynch  5
James O'Rourke  12
Eugene Kenny  12
Dan Manning  6
Thomas Flemming  1
MikeMcGrath  12
Michael Crimmins  5
John Kelleher  12
John Dunn  1
Dennis Mahoney  12
Charles McCarthy  12
Phil Magovern  6
Tim Connors  5
Jeffrey Britt  12
Robert Ronan  12
Peter Ronan  12

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

Warren Street continued.
Edward Campbell  $12
Jno. Gould  12
McCabe Street.
James O'Donnell  12
Jno. Fitzgibbon  12
Jno. Walsh  12
Patrick Healy  3
Mike Neuman  5
Jno. Murphy  12
Peter Gardner  5
Jno. O'Neil  2
Mike Ryan  S
Mathew Scott  1
Peter Carr  12
Daniel O'Hanly  4
Dennis Devine  1
Jerry Crowley  12
Tim Murphy  5
Patrick Ryan  12
Thomas Quinn  5
Thomas Courtney  12
Tim Desmond  12
Jefferson Street.
Edward Kenny  5
James Goulding  5
William Lynch  3
Dan Sullivan  2
Jno. Healy  12
Jno. Dwyer  12
Tim Dwyer  12
Cornelius Holland  5
Thomas Callan  1
Thomas Carey  15
Hugh Smith  12
James Coyle  5
Thomas O'Leary  5
Thomas Ryan  1
Michael Buckley  5
Thomas Ward  5

Jefferson Street continued.
Arthur Carr  $12
Terrence McGuirk  5
Annie Collins  1
Mrs.CatherineMcChrystol 1
Edmund Barrett  12
Jno. Carney  5
Jno. Crane  50 cts.
Dennis Roach  1
Dan Walsh  12
Tim Kelleher  12
Thomas Royal  12
Rideout Street.
Jno. J. Gartlan  5
Patrick Tracey  12
Jno. Kenny  2
Hugh McGuirk  12
William Ford  1
Charles Doran  12
Thomas Ahern  12
Porter Street.
Jerry McDonnell  2
James Harrington  5
Thomas McCue  1
Joseph Purcell  1
Dan Halloran  2
James Murphy  10
Dennis Griffin  5
Jimmy Buckley  1
Jno. McDonnell  12
Cornelius Buckley  12
Hunting Street.
Cornelius McDonough. . . 22
William Densmore  1
Patrick Murphy  5
Willow Place.
Mrs. Marry Tuttle  2
Michael Quinn  12
Patrick Coakley  12

Willow Place continued.
Mrs. Catherine Keefe. . $5
Miss Catherine Mulchay 5
Edward Ward  1
Jno. McDonnell  5
Mrs. Jno. McDonnell. . 2
Mrs. Catherine McNulty 12
Henry Carty  40
James F. Carty  2
Mrs. Catherine Powers. 5
Patrick Malay  5
Jno. Kerrigan  25
Hugh McKenna  25
Michael Nolan  12
Francis Culiton  5
Thomas Leddy  12
Mrs. Mary Deady  12
Michael Tobin  12
James McCabe  15
James Gormley  25
Mrs. Ann Gormley  12
Other Contributors.
Tim Mullen  12
John Walsh  5
James Coyle  5
Daniel Downey  5
Dan Geary  5
John Barrett  5
James McAuley  5
Tim Keefe  2
Mr. Delvert  2
Jerry Danehey  5
Jeremiah Lynch  5
James Buckley  3
Mary Driscoll  12
Dan Mack  12
James Murrey, Charles
town  40
Jno. P. Squire  250
Mrs. James Goodwin... 5
Dennis Ferran  10

[ 28 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN

MEMBERS OP THE YOUNG WOMEN'S BUILDING
SOCIETY
Organized May 18, 1873.
President, Anastatia Aylward.
Vice President, Mary A. Barry.
Treasurer, Rev. John O'Brien.
In this Society the members pay 25 cts. a month, and the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass is offered monthly for the spiritual and temporal
welfare of the members.

Ahern, Nora
Aylward, Mrs. Joannah
Austin, Katie
Anderson, Christina
Austin, Bridget
Ahern, Mary A.
Anderson, Mrs. Catherine
Bertch, Minnie E.
Boyle, Lizzie
Boyle, Tisa
Boyle, Mary E.
Barry, Joannah
Brine, Annie M.
Ball, Nellie
Boumique, Hannah
Barry, Mary A.
Brine, Mrs. R.
Brine, Maggie A.
Brown, Mary J.
Brown, Ellen
Brown, Hannah
Brine, Louisa A.
Burns, Mary J.
Baldwin, Katie
Bertch, Mrs.
Buttler, Margaret
Butler, Catherine A.
Butler, Mary
Burke, Katie A.
Ball, Lillie

Brine, Josephine
Barrett, Joannah
Byam, Catherine
Brine, Mary
Butler, Catherine
Costello, Eliza J.
Curtiss, Katie A.
Cunningham, Nellie
Collier, Rosie
Cavanaugh, Eliza F.
Carty, Margaret A.
Cogan, Mrs.
Courtney, Mary J.
Crowley, Katie
Connor, Ellen E.
Coveney, Mrs. Hannah
Corbett, Annie
Crowley, Joannah
Callaghan, Mary
Carlin, Margaret
Collins, Annie
Cunningham, Maggie
Callaghan, Mary
Cleary, Mary
Culiton, Mary
Carmichael, Alice
Carmichael, Rebecca
Crowley, Joannah
Cavanaugh, Mrs. Catherine
Carten, Jane
[ 29 ]

Connors, Katie
Callaghan, Mary
Collins, Nellie
Curtin, Mary
Coakley, Susan
Cronin, Mary
Calanan, Katie
Carney, Mary A.
Cronin, Catherine
Coveney, Mrs. Catherine
Campbell, Mary^A.
Coughlin, Mrs.
Casey, Mary
Collins, Mary B.
Corbett, Ellen
Conlon, Mrs. Julia
Connelly, Ellen
Calanan, Ellen
Callahan, Mrs. J. P.
Carney, Mrs. Mary
Coveney, Mrs. J. W.
Courtney, Mary
Coakley, Mrs.
Cunningham, Mary A.
Casey, Mrs.
Cogan, Mary
Collins, Mary
Devine, Alice C.
Dunn, Mary E.
Dunn, Annie C.

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

Doherty, Charlotte A.
Daily, Nora
Dunphy, Mary A.
Driscoll, Annie
Delay, Mary
Donnelly, Lizzie M.
Donnelly, Theresa
Donnelly, Mrs. Ellen
Doherty, Mary
Doherty, Ann
Drennan, Sarah
Drennan, Mary
Degan, Mary
Driscoll, Mary
Degan, Mrs. Ann
Doyle, Mrs. M. J.
Doherty, Lucie
Duffy, Bridget E.
Doran, Lizzie S.
Davenport, Mrs.
Davenport, Clara F.
Dolan, Mrs. Ann
Dunn, Mrs. Mary
Devine, Margery
Dunphy, Bridget
Degan, Ellen
Daidy, Mary
Dowling, Annie
Doherty, Ellen
Dooris, Lizzie
Donavan, Ellen
Denegan, Catherine
Donavan, Mrs. Mary
Donavan, Margaret
Devine, Maggie
Donnelly, Sarah
Donavan, Mary
Deely, Mrs. Bridget
Donavan, Anna T.
Donavan, Ellen
Dooly, Annie
Donnelly, Annie
Dooris, Mrs. Catherine
Dooly, Mary.
Fitzpatrick, Alice W.

Farrell, Mary A.
Farrell, Katie.
Fitzgerald, Mary
Fitzpatrick, Catherine
Foley, Maggie
Foley, Mary
Flynn, Maggie
Foley, Mary
Fox, Annie
Fitzpatrick, Katie
Fitzgerald, Hannah
Flynn, Bridget
Fitz, Mrs. Mary
Flood, Margaret
Foran, Mrs. Ellen
Foley, Margaret
Flaherty, Lizzie
Fullum, Mary
Gorman, Ann
Granger, Mary
Gallagher, Jane C.
Gadbois, Leonille
Geary, Jenny
Garvin, Mrs. William
Gormon, Margaret E.
Grady, Mary J.
Gallagher, Rosanna
Gillis, Mrs. Kate
Garvin, Ellen
Garvin, Mary Ann
Gilligan, Eliza
Hutchinson, Mary E.
Healy, Hannah
Hurly, Annie
Hanlon, Ann
Helay, Katie
Horan, Josephine J.
Horan, Mary
Hawkes, Ellen
Hannon, Annie
Hunt, Nora A.
Howard, Mary
Hennessey, Josephine
Hall, Mary E.
[ 30 ]

Hughes, Mary A.
Hanley, Katie
Hannon, Mary
Horgan, Julia
Haughy, Margaret
Hennessey, Mrs. Catherine
Hassett, Lizzie
Hicks, Fannie
Horan, Mrs. Mary
Hawkes, Lizzie
Hagan, Mary A.
Hurley, Julia
Hoffer, Mrs.
Halloran, Bridget
Hill, Katie
Hawks, Mrs.
Jones, Mary F.
Joselyn, Mrs. Ann
Johnson, Catherine
Johnson, Margaret
Jones, Mrs.
Johnston, Jane
Kenny, Theresa
Kelly, Mary J.
Kevlin, Mary
Kane, Bridget
Kelly, Sarah
Kelly, Margaret
Keefe, Julia
Kelly, Catherine
Kane, Nellie
Kelly, Bridget
Kinsley, Winnefred
Keefe, Margaret
King, Nellie
Kelleher, Katie
Lynch, Mrs. Julia
Lynch, Theresa
Lynch, Julia
Lonegan, Nellie
Lane, Mrs. Catherine
Leddy, Mrs. Julia
Lordin, Mrs. Margaret

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN

Leary, Katie
McCord, Rosy
McKeever, Sarah A.
Mahoney, Nellie
Murphy, Mrs. Rose
Mahoney, Mrs. Bridget
Mack, Mrs. Julia
Mullen, Mary Ann
May, Katie
Murphy, Katie
McKenna, Mary
Monaghan, Bridget
Murphy, Nellie
McDonough, Ellen
Moran, Katie
McNulty, Mary
McGinness, Katie
McAleer, Catherine
McAleer, Mary
Murphy, Nellie
McElroy, Katie
McKenna, Katie
McKeever, Mary
McCord, Julia
McDonnell, Margaret
Mclntire, Mrs. Amelia
Mclntire, Amelia T.
Mclntire, Mary Amelia
Mclntire, Henrietta
McCord, Lizzie
McCann, Bridget
McCann, Julia
Mullen, Katie
McCann, Rose Ellen
McGovern, Annie
McKown, Ellen
McKown, Mary E.
McKenna, Mary
Maguire, Katie F.
Magee, Hannah
Mooney, Alice
Murphy, Hannah
Murphy, Julia S.
McCaffrey, Bridget
Mulligan, Catherine

McKown, Katie
Monahan, Catherine
Mehegan, Nellie
McGovern, Margaret
McCarthy, Mary Agnes
McCarthy, Mrs.
Moylen. Mary
Moylen, Mary A.
McNamara, Margaret
Mullen, Bridget
Mullen, Ellen
Mullen, Katie A.
McManus, Margaret
Mills, Mary Ann
Murphy, Mary
Murphy, Mrs. Ellen
Mulchay, Catherine
McDonald, Mrs. Margaret
Metzgar, Mrs. Katie
McCarren, Sarah
McCarren, Annie
Magennis, Katie E.
McGinley, Mrs.
McCloskey, Margaret
McCarthy, Mary
McDonnell, Mrs. Mary
McElroy, Ellen
May, Mrs. Joannah
McMenimon, Mrs. Mary
Mullen, Hannah
McManus, Mrs. Susan
Mahoney, Mrs. Hanorah
McGuait, Mrs. Ellen
Murrey, Nellie
McPeak, Katie A.
Mains, Mary
McCaffrey, Mrs.
Murphy, Julia
McNamara, Sarah
Mahoney, Mrs. Bridget
Myers, Mrs.
Mahoney, Mrs.
Magovern, Delia
Mahoney, Ellen
McCloskey, Bridget
McKenna, Minnie
[31 ]

McCarthy, Mrs. Catherine
Myers, Carrie E.
McConville, Mary
Murry, Joannah T.
McDonald, Ellen
Mulligan, Annie
Noonan, Margaret
Nolan, Catherine
Nyhan, Mrs. Hannah
Nugent, Annie
O'Neil, Sarah L.
O'Neil, Mrs. Sarah
O'Neil, Ann
O'Brien, Bridget
O'Connor, Ellen
O'Brien, Mary
O'Connor, Ellen
Organ, Mary
O'Brien, Katie
O'Neil, Mrs. Susan
O'Connell, Maggie
O'Brien, Joannah
O'Brien, Mrs. Ann
O'Neil, Catherine
O'Brien, Ellen
Powers, Mary
Power, Annie
Power, Catherine
Phillips, Lizzie
Price, Mary
Phelan, Mrs. Bridget
Powers, Maggie
Quinn, Sarah
Quinn, Mary
Rehal, Lizzie
Reilly, Annie F.
Rowen, Bridget
Ross, Rose
Roach, Catherine
Ryan, Ellen
Roach, Lizzie

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

Reardon, Mrs. Ellen
Rowen, Mrs. Mary
Ryan, Mary
Reilly, Mary E.
Reardon, Mary
Sheridon, Cecelia
Sullivan, Katie A.
Shaughnessy, Elizabeth
Sullivan, Mary
Shay, Magie
Shaw, Thomas
Shaw, Mrs. Mary
Sullivan, Mary
Steele, Sarah
Sullivan, Mrs. Ellen
Sheridon, Mary J.
Sullivan, Mary

Stanger, Josephine
Scanlon, Mrs.
Sullivan, Julia
Shield, Mrs. Ellen
Shay, Mrs. Joannah
Scully, Julia A.
Scully, Mrs. James
Sharkey, Mrs. P.
Shields, Mrs. Eliza
Skelley, Mrs. Edward F.
Sullivan, Katie A.
Tyna, Lizzie
Tracey, Delia
Toner, Mary
Tyter, Mrs. Mary
Tracy, Ellen M.
Toner, Catherine

Tuckey, Mrs.
Toner, Mrs. Ellen
Triggs, Mrs.
Tuttle, Mary
Verlin, Mary
Vance, Bridget
Welch, Katie
Welch, Lizzie
Wholly, Ellen
Woodruff, Annie
Welch, J. S. C.
White, Hannah
Walsh, Mrs. Mary
Wheeler, Mrs. Agnes
Welch, Bridget
Wilson, Mrs. Margaret

MEMBERS OF THE YOUNG MEN'S BUILDING
SOCIETY
Organized May 18th, 1873.
President, John W. Coveney.
Vice President, James T. Shaughnessy.
Treasurer, Rev. John O'Brien.
Secretary, E. J. Cogan.
Book-Keeper, Henry T. Carty.
In this Society the members pay 25 cts. a month, and the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass is offered monthly for the spiritual and temporal
welfare of the members.

A.
Anderson, Stephen
Averill, John B.
Barrett, Patrick
Butler, Daniel
Brine, Charles

Burns, Charles
Brennen, John
Buckley, James
Barry, James C.
Coveney, John W.
Cogan, Edmund J.
[ 32 ]

Crowley, Daniel
Conway, Patrick
Collins, Thomas
Conlan, John
Casey, William E. J.
Cronin, Daniel
Callahan, Patrick
Collins, Daniel

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN

Coughlin, Thomas
Coakley, David
Collins, John
Currey, James
Carty, Henry T.
Coveney, D. F.
Collier, John H.
Curtis, Francis
Crowley, Cornelius
Callahan, Patrick
Coffee, Cornelius D.
Donivan, Daniel
Dealing, Robert
Donivan, John
Dunn, Patrick
Duggan, John
Dealing, Henry
Degan, John
Doherty, William
Donnelly, James H. S.
Dooley, J. F.
Doherty, William
Donivan, John
Doherty, Hugh W.
Desmond, D.
Duff, John F.
Ford, P. W.
Fox, Michael
Fox, Thomas
Fox, James
Fox, John
Fox, Patrick
Flynn, Michael
Ford, Jeremiah

Gallaghan, William J.
Gillis, Charles
Giliis, James
Gaffey, James
Gormley, James
Granger, Stephen
Gerrey, Dennis

Gleason, John
Gilligan, John
Gormley, John
Gleason, William
Gillis, Patrick
Granger, Thomas
Grady, Jeremiah
Garvin, Thomas H.
Henney, John
Hasson, Patrick
Hennessey, Edward
Hennessey, James
Heffernan, William
HoUingsworth, Thomas
Horan, Peter
Hill, John K.
Kain, Michael
Kelley, William
Killan, John
Kelley, James
Kain, Patrick
Kelley, Francis A.
Kenny, John L.
Lynch, J.
Lorden, Dennis
Lorden, John
Lowney, Dennis
Leary, John
Lynch, Hugh M.
Muny, Edward
McSorly, James
McNutty, Patrick
Murphy, Jeremiah
McGartin, Frank
Murry, William H.
Mullen, James
Mundy, Thomas
Murphy, Daniel
McGirr, James

Minehan, Patrick
McGinniss, George
McKelleget, Richard
McGinley, Edward
Murphy, Edward
McGinniss, Hugh
Murphy, Daniel
Mahoney, David
Minehan, Daniel
McCloskey, Michael
McDermott, P. G.
McElwain, Charles
McCloskey, Peter
McCormac, John
McCloskey, James
Moylan, Michael F.
McMinimen, William
Mahoney, Thomas
Murphy, John
McCloskey, Patrick
Mooney, William
Murry, William
Murphy, E. M.
McCormac, J. H.
Mulligan, Edward
Mullen, George
McCloskey, John H.
McNicklo, John
Murphy, John
Mundy, Matthew
McKeon, William
Mahoney, Fred
McGinley, Frank
McGinley, James
McCloskey, William
McCloskey, John
McCarthy, John N.
Newman, James H.
Noonan, John
Newman, F. J.
O.
O'Connor, C.
O'Brien, John

[ 33 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

O'Brien, Patrick
O'Brien, J.

Powers, T.
Patten, Cornelius Q.
Quinn, Timothy
Quinn, J.
Quinn William [R.
Rogers, Bernard
Ryan, John
Rourke, P.
Russell, John
Riley, John
Ross, Charles
Rogers, Frank
Ross, James

Regan, Jeremiah
Ross, James

Shea, James J.
Smith, William
Sullivan, J.
Shaughnessy, James T.
Shaughnessy, Daniel B.
Sherry, Martin
Shea, Andrew
Sherry, John
Smith, Terrence
Sullivan, John
Smith, Hugh
Sullivan, Timothy
Smith, Patrick
Sullivan, John
Shea, Daniel B.
Shaughnessy, Richard
Sullivan, Frank
Sweeney, Cornelius

T.
Toner, John
Toner, James
Toomey, Dennis
Tayne, William
Toner, John
Triggs, Frank
Triggs, Robert
Talbot, Joseph
Toner, T. J.
Talbot, James F.

Verlin, William W.
White, J. F.
Williams, Richard
Wilson, Edward
White, William J.
Wilson, George
Walsh, Dr. E.

As an indication of the changes which have taken place
in the population and nationality of the people since 1873
when the above collection was made, it may be stated that
North Street, which was one of the best in the parish at
that time, has only twenty-two Irish Catholics living in it
at the present. The Jews, the Poles, the Italians and
Portuguese are crowding out of every street the Irish
Catholic. As a result of all this excellent work and generous giving,
the corner-stone of the Church of the Sacred Heart was
laid by Bishop Williams, October 4, 1874 ; at which time
the remarkable offering of over $6,000 from the devoted
people was laid upon the stone. The sermon was delivered
by the Rev. James Healy, pastor of St. James' Church,
Boston, afterwards Bishop of Portland.
[ 34 ]

CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS,
EAST CAMBRIDGE, MASS.

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
The laying of the corner-stone with its attendant cir
cumstances, especially the large offering on this occasion,
was very creditable to the parishioners. Several societies
from the neighboring parishes were present on the occa
sion and deserve thanks for their kind assistance. The
Mutual Relief, the Father Mathew Temperance Societies,
and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, from Charlestown,
acted most generously on the occasion: the Temperance
Society taking a hundred dollars from its treasury to place
on the corner-stone ; and the Hibernians, beside their con
tributions, giving gratis the use of their splendid band.
The following description is taken from one of the news
paper reports : —
THE NEW CHURCH IN EAST CAMBRIDGE
The imposing and grand ceremony which occurred on last Sunday
was one of great interest to the Catholic community. There is some
thing striking in the large number of persons which met on this oc
casion, as well as the large body of societies which came in all the
splendor of their regalias and brilliant flags. There was no fault to be
found in this great gathering, even by those who differ from us in
religion; as all was order, sobriety, and discipline.
At two o'clock a procession was formed on Fourth St. under the
direction of Colonel J. W. Coveney, chief marshal, and Charles J.
Mclntire, principal aid, assisted by the following gentlemen : Joseph
Cogan, Patrick Sheridan, George R. Brine, Denis H. Lehan, Timothy
Sullivan, Joseph J. Kelly. The following was the order of the pro
cession: platoon of police; Hibernian Band of Charlestown, under
the direction of Prof. Carney, twenty instruments ; chief marshal and
aids; Ancient Order of Hibernians, consisting of seventy-five men,
[ 35 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
from East Cambridge under the direction of Mr. J. F. Curran ; An
cient Order of Hibernians, division six, consisting of twenty-five men,
under Mr. Lawrence Byrne's direction; Father Mathew Total Absti
nence Society, of Charlestown, President Mr. John Kelly, consisting
of a hundred and twenty-five men ; St. Mary's Mutual Relief Society,
of Charlestown, under Mr. J. F. Bamrick's direction, consisting of a
hundred and forty men ; Ancient Order of Hibernians, Cambridge-
port, consisting of forty men, under Mr. P. White's direction ; Cam
bridge Cadets, consisting of forty men, under Capt. Cooney's direc
tion ; Mutual Relief Society, a hundred and fifty men ; Temperance
Cadets, with Father Mathew's Total Abstinence Society, of East
Cambridge, consisting of two hundred men, under Mr. Stephen
Anderson's direction ; St. John's Institute and Young Men's Building
Society, consisting of a hundred and eighty men, under Mr. D. B.
Shaughnessy's direction; Sodality of St. John's Church, East Cam
bridge, three hundred men. The procession, after forming on Fourth
St., marched through Thorndike, Second, Cambridge, Third, Otis
and Sixth Sts. to the new church. The Young Ladies' and Married
Ladies' Building Societies, with the Sunday-school children, marched
by themselves from the old church on Fourth St. to the new one. The
police kept good order, under the direction of Officer Collier; and it
was no easy duty where such a number as ten thousand persons as
sembled. The ceremonies commenced about three o'clock under a large tent
erected over the basement walls of the new church, and under which
was a substantial platform occupied by the clergy and several leading
citizens of Cambridge and the neighborhood.
While we are called upon almost every day to chronicle the laying
of the corner-stone of a new church, we must say that this one was in
many respects most remarkable. The large concourse of people was
unusual. The number, the order, and the splendid discipline of the
societies was most remarkable. The enthusiastic interest of the whole
C 36 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
people, young and old, evidenced by the unheard-of offering — over
$6,000 — placed on the corner-stone, is really astonishing and beyond
all praise.
It was soon ascertained that Mr. Charles Linnehan was entitled
to the silver trowel, his donation, $500, being the largest. The Right
Rev. Bishop himself, before his departure, presented the trowel to the
good man with a few remarks of congratulation ; and thus pleasantly
terminated a day long to be remembered by the good people of East
Cambridge. The basement of the church was opened for divine
service, November 12, 1876.
The church was dedicated on Sunday, January 28, 1883.
At the dedication the following were ministers of the Mass :
— celebrant, the Most Rev. Archbishop Williams of Bos
ton; masters of ceremonies, Rev. Thomas Magennis of
Jamaica Plain, and Rev. Francis S. Wilson of Cambridge ;
assistant priest, Rev. L. J. O'Toole, rector of the cathedral ;
deacons of honor, Rev. J. O'Connor, S. J., president of
Boston College, and Rev. D. O'Callaghan of St. Augus
tine's, South Boston ; deacon and sub-deacon of the Mass,
Rev. James E. O'Brien of Cambridge, and Rev. M. J.
Byrnes, S. J., of Boston College; cross bearer, Rev.
Thomas Mahoney of St. Joseph's Seminary, Troy, N. Y.
The Right Rev. James Healy, D. D., of Portland, Me.,
preached the dedication sermon. The music of the Mass
was given by the regular choir of the church, consisting of
forty voices.
At 5 p. M., the first solemn Vespers were celebrated in
the new church. The ministers of the Vespers were as fol-
[ 37 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
lows : — celebrant, Right Rev. L. S. McMahon, D. D.,
of Hartford; master of ceremonies, Rev. P. H. Callanan
of Cambridge; deacon and sub-deacon of the Exposition
of the Blessed Sacrament, Rev. Francis S. Wilson of Cam
bridge, and Rev. Wm. J. Millerick of St. Mary's Church,
Charlestown; chanters in copes, Rev. Henry A. Sullivan
of the cathedral, Boston; Rev. Patrick B. McManus of
Brookline, Rev. James Allison of Canton, Rev. Nicholas
Murphy of St. Patrick's Church, Boston Highlands, and
Rev. Thomas Mahoney of St. Joseph's Seminary, Troy,
N. Y. The Right Reverend P. T. O'Reilly, D. D., Bishop
of Springfield, preached the Vesper sermon. Six priests
in the sanctuary, vested in copes, sang the Gregorian chant
according to the Roman Antiphonarium.
The following is a description of the church as given in
the Boston Herald of that date.
The edifice, which is of the gothic style of architecture, is located
on the square formed by Sixth, Otis, Seventh and Thorndike streets,
and fronts on Sixth street. Its length is 160 feet; breadth, 85 feet;
height to roof ridge, 80 feet ; height to crown of nave ceiling, 68 feet,
and height of side aisles, 40 feet. It is built of blue slate stone from the
Somerville and Cambridge quarries, trimmed in the corners, arches,
jambs, gables and eaves with fine grained, light colored Milford
granite. At the corner of Otis and Sixth Sts. is the tower, finished with
an ornamental decorated spire, terminating in a beautifully carved
finial and gold cross, the combined height of tower, spire and cross
being 170 feet. At the termination of the south clearstory in front is
a smaller tower or turret, surmounted by a unique and well-propor
tioned pinnacle and finial, this being in style and keeping with the
general appearance of the front facade. The view of the building
[ 38 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
shows a lofty nave and chancel raised high above the side aisles and
sacristies by a clearstory, filled with beautiful traceried windows of
stained cathedral glass. The plan, rectangular in outline, and the
perspective from all points, are effective and imposing. On entering
the church through the lofty arched doorway, there will be passed
a large and beautiful vestibule, or porch, flanked by the tower on the
right and the turret on the left. It has a highly finished ceiling, panelled
in wood, and the wainscotting is richly wrought in ash and black
walnut. On each side of the centre door are pictures in colors, with the
figures nearly life-size, the one on the right representing the entrance of
Christ into Jerusalem, that on the left being " Christ Blessing the
Little Children."
Passing through the interior vestibule doors, the beautiful architec'
tural and artistic interior is reached, the auditorium presenting a
charming and exquisite perspective of decorated clustered pillars and
ornamented arches. The auditorium is divided into nave and aisles
by an arcade of seven arches on each side, separated by clustered
pillars, which terminate in foliated gothic capitals, conventionalized
to harmonize with the general decoration of the interior. On each
side of the arcade is an imitation triforium, which consists of an
arcade of smaller arches, pillared and decorated, fitted in between the
apices of the arcade arches, giving to the arcades a durable, substan
tial and imposing appearance, strictly in harmony with the adapta
tions of this peculiar style of architecture. Over the arcade are the
clearstory lights, being double-light tracery windows, with quatre-
foil cuspated heads and their essential spandrels. The inner roof is
composed of wood cores, and divided by principal couples and ribs
over each column into bays, each bay being subdivided into complex
tracery panels. The ceiling, which was originally designed for stained
decorations, is decorated in color and gold. Over each arcade pillar
is a richly decorated pedestal and pinnacled canopy. On each pedestal
is placed a statue of one of the 12 apostles, six on each side. The
[ 39 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
principal couples and case trusses spring from the top of each canopy,
meeting from each side at the crown of the nave ceiling. The spandrels
in all the trusses are filled with quatrefoil, hexafoil and octofoil gothic
tracing in wood work. The auditorium, though not arranged for side
galleries, has been fitted with them, the front being of black walnut,
ornamented with gold. At the west end of the church is the chancel,
raised by terraces above the auditorium, extending the full height of
the nave, from which it is separated by a pillared and moulded gothic
arch. The ceiling of the chancel is finished in keeping with that of the
nave ceiling, but is richer in design and ornament. The chancel is
flanked on either side by the sacristy and chapel, which are ap
proached from the sanctuary by wide gothic arched openings, extend
ing the full height of the ceiling. The arches are heavily moulded and
delicately finished in gold and bronze. In the chapel is the smaller
marble altar, finished in the highest style of art, while the sacristy
opposite is fitted up in ash, black walnut and other wood. The ceiling
of the chapel is sectionalized by diagonal trusses, and each section is
panelled in deep gothic tracery. The pews are ash, with trimmings of
cherry wood. The full seating capacity of the church is nearly 2000,
the galleries accommodating 600 and the floor 1400.
At the east end, directly over the front vestibule, is the choir and
organ loft, in which has been placed a beautiful instrument, highly
decorated and of grand and magnificent volume, the cost of which
was $6000. The approaches to the galleries are wide and by easy
stairways from the front end of the auditorium, and to the choir by a
staircase in the tower. The auditorium is lighted by seven triplet
mullioned tracery windows on each side, and by three triplet mul-
lioned and one rose window in the front gable, by a large four mul
lioned tracery window at the chancel end, and by 14 clearstory win
dows. The whole church decoration is in colors, gold, bronze and buff,
the different shades of the latter color being so graded and blended
upward as to produce a pleasing and wonderfully artistic effect.
[ 40 ]

MAIN ALTAR

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Over the chancel window is a dove amid gold rays and clouds,
representing the descent of the Holy Ghost, and at the chancel end
of the aisles and over the openings to the sacristy and chapel are
representations of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. In the base
ment is a large and commodious vestry, with a seating capacity of
over 1000. The edifice, with all its adjuncts, exclusive of the grand
altar (for which $12,000 was paid) cost nearly $200,000, and to Rev.
Fr. John O'Brien, the pastor, is largely due the credit of building one
of the finest churches in the state.
The altar, for beauty of design and grandeur of effect, is not excelled
in this country. From four Malplaquet marble steps rise the altar
and sub-altars, which are wrought in Derbyshire alabaster, the top
of the superaltars being of Devonshire marble. The altar top, which
is 12 feet long, is supported by six shafts of lizard serpentine marble,
the caps and bases being of alabaster. In the centre is the tabernacle,
also of alabaster, which is in the form of an arch richly moulded and
enriched with carvings of the passion flower, the tabernacle door
being square headed. In the tympanum above is carved a pelican,
and below is the word Sanctus. The shafts supporting the arch of
the tabernacle are of Mexican onyx, while above the tabernacle is a
richly formed cap, forming the throne for the monstrance, supported
on either side by angels. Above this is an arch with cinquefoil cusping,
supported by shafts of Derbyshire fossil marble. On the arch is a
crocketted gable with pinnacles on either side, supporting flying
buttresses to an octagonal canopy, which rises immediately above to a
height of 38 feet. At the back of the superaltars on either side is the
base of the reredos, the large span being relieved with panels with
trefoil heads and double quatrefoil bases. These panels are deeply
sunk and filled with Ipplepen, Devonshire and jasper marbles. Under
the double panel, on the sinister side, is the Piscina, richly moulded
and carved. Above the panels is a rich cornice, upon which a thorn
leaf is carved, and on the top of the cornice is the reredos, which is
[41 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
divided into three panels on either side. In the centre panel, on the gos
pel side, is the Crucifixion, with Mary Magdalen on one side and the
soldier piercing the side of the Lord on the other, and on the panels
on either side are " Our Lady " and St. John.
In the centre panel on the epistle side is the figure of our Lord
represented, with the Sacred Heart. In the panel on the sinister side
of this is the figure of Blessed Margaret, who saw the vision of the
Sacred Heart, and on the dexter side is King David, who sang of the
Sacred Heart. Above each group on both sides of the altar are richly
worked canopies, supported by marble shafts rising to a height of
30 feet. On each side of the altar is an arch, and in the centre a flight
of steps leading to the throne for the monstrance. The design was by
Peter Paul Pugin, and the work was finished under his personal
superintendence in England by the firm of R. L. Boulton & Sons,
sculptors, of Cheltenham.
In 1885, the new parish house was built, and Father
O'Brien then devoted himself to paying the $30,000
mortgage on the church.
The following account might be designated a history
of the mortgage on the Church of the Sacred Heart. This
history shows the high rate of interest, 7^%, charged in
1873. It also shows Father O'Brien's efforts to reduce
the rates by setting three banks bidding against one an
other. It also shows that the amount of interest paid dur
ing eighteen years equalled almost the amount of the
mortgage. On July 3, 1874, Father O'Brien negotiated with the
East Cambridge Five Cents Savings Bank for a mortgage
of $30,000.00 at 7£% interest to pay for the site of the
new church. The first year he received only $20,000.00 on
[ 42 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
this mortgage. On June 22, 1875, he received the balance
of $10,000.00, and the interest was reduced from 7£ to
7%. The Cambridge bank held this mortgage until
Sept. 28, 1876, when the Boston Five Cents Savings Bank
offered to take it at 6%. On Sept. 16, 1878, the East
Cambridge Five Cents Savings Bank again agreed to take
it at 5 %, and it remained with this bank up to Oct. 29,
1885, when the Warren Institution for Savings of Charles
town offered to take it at 4J%. It remained with this
bank until finally discharged in April, 1892.
The first payment on this mortgage was made in April,
1890, and amounted to $5,000.00, and three subsequent
payments of the same amount were made as follows:
December, 1890 ; April, 1891, and October, 1891 ; the final
payment of $10,000.00 being made in April, 1892.
The mortgage was in force for a period of practically
eighteen years, and the interest paid on same amounted
to $26,757.71.
In the meantime other items of interest were paid
amounting to $1,331.30.
The cost of land bought in 1873 for the church
was  $48,784.17
The cost of land for school and convent . . 19,916.03
Total cost of land  $68,700.20
Interest on mortgage  $26,757.71
Discount  1,331.30
Total interest on mortgage and notes  28,089.01
Total cost of land including interest  $96,789.21
[ 43 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
Having paid off the mortgage in 1892, the entire church
property in East Cambridge was then free from debt.
From the very first, Father O'Brien had intended, if he
should live, to secure all the property on the square on
which the church stood. Having paid the mortgage, he
now turned his attention to this work. Almost in the be
ginning, in 1873 or 1874, he had made offers to the differ
ent owners, six in number, of these premises, offering in
each case between $500 and $1,000 in excess of the as
sessed value. The owners, however, demanded a great
deal more, but every one of these owners finally accepted
his first offer, after waiting from about fifteen to twenty-
three years. In the meantime, having paid the mortgage
off, he was able, from the ordinary revenue of the church,
to save nearly $10,000 a year, so that, in the year 1901,
he had invested, in U. S. 4 % bonds, over $80,000. This
amount, together with his own life-insurance of $50,000,
which he received about this same time, enabled him to
begin work on the school, convent, etc. The new buildings
cost about $180,000. The convent will accommodate fifty
Sisters. The baptistry, between the parish house and the
church, he began in 1906.
All these needed pieces of real estate which have been
purchased in the meantime have been paid for. There
is not to-day, nor has there been since this mortgage was
paid eighteen years ago, any debt on the church property.
During these eighteen years no collections from door to
door have been made, no extraordinary means, except one
fair, have been adopted to increase the church revenue.
[ 44 J

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
To-day Father O'Brien's grand church, house, school
and convent form the most stately and beautiful group
of buildings in East Cambridge, a daily exemplification
there of "the beauty of holiness." The doors of the church
stand always open ; and into the quiet, the loveliness and
the restfulness of the sacred place may come at their will
the weary and the heavy-laden, the toiler, the mourner,
the little children, to find help and comfort in the abiding
presence of their God and Sacramental King. The Church
of the Sacred Heart is a constant object-lesson, its massive
walls themselves preaching of that One Holy Catholic
Church which is founded upon a rock and has the pro
mise of perpetual endurance while the world stands.
The parish school testifies to the Catholic belief in
Christian education. It is in charge of the Sisters of
St. Joseph.
The Sisters of St. Joseph were working with us, in the
Sunday-school and in connection with the Advanced Class,
long before they had charge of the day school. Since they
came to reside permanently in East Cambridge they also
have charge of the sanctuary, the sacred vessels, the vest
ments. Their presence in the parish is a benediction
and the occasion of innumerable blessings to priests and
people. In the parish there are the following societies under
Father O'Brien's spiritual direction: The Holy Name
Society, the Men's Sodality, the Married Women's So
dality, the Young Women's Sodality, the Ancient Order
of Hibernians, St. John's Literary Institute, the Catholic
[ 45 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus, the Young
Ladies' Charitable Association ; while the Father Mathew
Total Abstinence Society, founded in East Cambridge,
as we have already said, by the venerable Father
Mathew himself, is still a flourishing organization. Father
O'Brien has always been very active in forwarding the
cause of temperance, from his very youth. On his ar
rival in the parish he found the society moribund, but in
a short time he infused into it new life. Since that time
the society, under his influence and by his generosity,
has become one of the most active and important in the
country. During his first year in East Cambridge, — in Decem
ber, 1873, — Father O'Brien began the work of the Con
ference of St. Vincent de Paul among the poor of the par
ish. This Society is made up of zealous Catholic laymen
who give of their spare time to the visiting and the relief
of their more needy brethren in Christ. From December,
1873, to April, 1908, the Conference has received for its
work, from its own contributions and those of other mem
bers of the parish, and from various sources, no less than
$41,897.73. This figure, although large and creditable,
does not represent all the money spent for such charity in
the parish, because the priests and especially the pastor
are always obliged to help privately special cases of need.
Nor does the above sum represent, by any means, all the
good work done by the Conference men. They help the
poor in many other ways ; for instance, by finding employ
ment for them when unemployed, by giving them bro-
[46]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
therly advice and consolation, by visiting them in sickness,
and the like.
During these same years, from 1873 to 1908, Father
O'Brien has sent from the parish to the chancery office of
the Archdiocese, for charities such as the orphans, the semi
nary, our Holy Father the Pope, and others, $33,613.81.
Besides that, the parish has given generously, by the
way of collections, to priests from Ireland and from all
parts of the world. Of these charities there is no record.
The offerings for the Society for the Propagation of the
Faith have amounted to more than $1,000 a year since it
was organized here.
Every person living in the parish of the Sacred Heart
is supposed to belong to the Church Debt Society and to
pay twenty-five cents a month for the work of the parish.
The parish is divided into 70 districts, each district hav
ing a Church Debt collector. The Holy Sacrifice of the
Mass is offered once a week for the members, and a
Requiem High Mass at death. The work of the collectors
is obviously very important and onerous, and they are
entitled to the gratitude of the people.

THE SYSTEM OF USHERS IN FATHER O'BRIEN'S
CHURCH
When Father O'Brien was sent to East Cambridge to
build a new church, he found that most of the pews in the
old St. John's Church were owned by the occupants, who
paid a small yearly tax. The income from this source was
[47]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
consequently meagre. There were only two Masses said
in the old church, but Father O'Brien immediately added
other Masses at which the pews were free to all, and, as
these low Masses increased in number, the letting of pews
by the quarter or year, according to the old system, grad
ually fell into disuse, the people preferring to be at liberty
to attend any Mass they pleased. In this way the hiring
of pews gradually discontinued, and the revenue thus lost
to the church was made up by the offerings made every
Sunday on the occasion of hearing Mass. Since that time,
any one, rich or poor, may occupy any seat he likes.
Could we have a uniform practice in this matter, the peo
ple would like it better, and the matter of church revenue
would be more practically and thoroughly assured. The
spirit of the legislation of the Church appears to forbid the
exacting of money as a condition of hearing Mass. Our
dependence, therefore, would seem to be upon the faith
and piety of the people, who know that the necessary ex
penses cannot be met except by money received from them.
At first some persons shirked their obligations to support
the church; but, as the situation became better under
stood, and these things were carefully and frequently ex
plained, a public sentiment was formed ; and, long since,
in virtue of this sentiment and a sense of religious obliga
tion, the people have well fulfilled their duty.
The custom here is this :
At the offertory, an offering is received from those who
attend Mass. It is not a payment for seats ; it is a voluntary
offering. The people, on the occasion of attending Mass,
[48]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
make, whether they are standing or sitting, an offering
to help meet the current expenses of the church, the sala
ries of the clergy, the payment of debts, the providing for
new buildings that may be in process of erection, and for
all such purposes. Father O'Brien believes that St. Paul
in principle introduced this system of providing for the
religious wants of the people, as we see in his first epistle
to the Corinthians, last chapter, and in several places in
the second epistle; and elsewhere he orders collections to
be made, on the first day of the week, at the Holy Sacri
fice, " according as God has prospered them." Almsgiving
is free, and the amount is left to the discretion of the giver.
The Lord's Day is a day of prayer, and also a day of
almsgiving ; of almsgiving, for the very reason that it is a
day of prayer. Going to God a pauper in prayer, give to
the poor that you may be heard and accepted. "Give,
and it shall be given to you," saith the Lord ; " and with
the measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you
again." (Luke and Matt.) "By alms redeem thy sins, and
thy sins being remitted, thou shalt pray acceptably and
be heard." Alms given on the Lord's Day will be an atone
ment for sins committed in the week past, and also a means
of preservation from sin in the week following.
This is the teaching of the Saints and Fathers of our
Holy Church ; and Father O'Brien has found by experi
ence that when this duty is thus placed before the people
on these religious grounds, even aside from the direct law
of the Church, they will always be generous. He has also
found that the system, when properly administered, is no
[ 49 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
hardship to the people, and no burden upon them, even
in the case of the poorest. A person may give something
on one Sunday, and, on the next Sunday, he may, for one
reason or another, give nothing at all; but the average
amount is good and satisfactory. "Paying for seats" is
an expression never allowed in the Church of the Sacred
Heart, East Cambridge.
Between sixty and seventy ushers receive these offerings
at the different Masses, four men in each aisle at the more
numerously attended Masses. These men have never re
ceived any compensation for their services, except that the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered every quarter for their
spiritual and temporal welfare. They are not allowed to
ask people for an offering, they merely receive what the
people of their own accord may give. No money has ever
been collected at the door or at the end of the aisles. The
offerings, as we have already said, are received at the of
fertory of the different Masses. The ushers are in charge
of a chief, who is designated "head usher"; and all are
under the direction of the first assistant of the parish.
In order to show appreciation of these good men who,
for so many years, have acted as ushers faithfully and tire
lessly in this church, a list of their names is here appended.
The people of the parish owe them a large debt of grati
tude for their services rendered primarily for God's honor
and glory, it is true, but the fact remains that the work of
this parish could not be carried on without these ushers.
Our gratitude, therefore, should be shown to them by our
cordial correspondence with their efforts in our behalf, by
[50 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
our courteous and kindly treatment of them in word and
deed, and by our earnest prayers offered for them whether
they be living or dead.
Here we append the list of names of those who acted
from the beginning. USHERS

Burke, John. Head Usher from 1873 to 1898.
Newman, Michael. Head Usher from 1898 to the present time.

Anderson, Stephen.
Balfe, John J.
Barry, Richard.
Brady, Patrick.
Burke, Bernard.
Burke, John.
Bumes, Charles.
Bumes, James.
Callahan, Patrick J.
Carroll, Patrick.
Goran, John J.
Collins, Thomas.
Conologue, Michael.
Connell, James.
Cronin, Patrick.
Cronin, Patrick, Jr.
Cronin, Timothy A.
Dalton, Christopher.
Danehey, Denis.
Dunphy, Timothy.
Dwyer, Robert.
Farrell, Matthew.
Faxon, Daniel,
Feeny, Patrick.
Fitzgerald, Edward.
Flynn, Daniel M.
Gormeley, James.

Harrington, Eugene.
Horrigan, Thomas.
Houlihan, Timothy.
Hurley, Daniel.
Johnson, William.
Kelleher, Michael.
Kelley, George.
Kelley, William.
Kline, James.
Kline, Joseph P.
Lane, Andrew.
Lane, John.
Lane, Patrick J.
Law, Patrick, Jr.
Lawless, James.
Leddy, Frank.
McCabe, Bernard.
McKenna, Bernard.
McKenzie, George F.
Maguire, Edward.
Monaghan, Patrick.
Mulhem, Hugh.
Mulhern, James.
Murphy, Cornelius.
Murphy, Denis.
Murphy, James.
Murphy, Patrick.
[51 ]

Newman, Philip.
O'Brien, James.
O'Brien, James A.
O'Connor, Cornelius.
O'Connor, Michael J.
O'Keefe, Timothy.
Quinn, Michael F.
Randall, Daniel.
Regan, Thomas.
Reagan, Thomas.
Reardon, John.
Rosenberg, Edward J.
Shea, John T.
Sheehan, Denis.
Stanger, William.
Steele, James.
Stokes, Thomas.
Sullivan, Eugene.
Sullivan, Jeremiah.
Sullivan, John.
Sullivan, William.
Sweeney, Joseph.
Trodden, John H.
Walsh, Nicholas R. Now
Rev. Father Walsh.
Walsh, Walter.

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
Father O'Brien insists that the Reverend Clergy who
have labored with him during the past thirty-five years
deserve no small share of credit for the work done, and
that special mention should be made of his associates
to-day : the Rev. Father Mahon, the Rev. Father Horgan,
the Rev. Father Coffey, the Rev. Father Hughes, the Rev.
Father Durcan and the Rev. Father Higgins.
The Church Debt Collectors, several hundred in num
ber, have also a strong claim on the grateful recollection
of priest and people.
Mr. P. G. McDermott, the organist of the parish for
more than thirty-seven years, also deserves special and
grateful mention. He has not only added constantly to
the beauty of public worship by his skill as organist, but
he has also in various ways materially increased the reve
nue of the church.
The late Denis Murphy, by his long, faithful, tireless
devotion to the interests of this parish, deserves to be al
ways kindly remembered here.
The gentlemen who had charge of the Fair newspapers
should also be mentioned with honor; namely, John P.
Callahan, James A. Moran and W. F. Morris, George
R. Brine (who had charge of the paper for two fairs in
succession), John H. Ponce, Michael Moylan, the Rev.
Father Durcan.

[52 ]

BAPTISTRY AND CHURCH

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN

FATHER O'BRIEN AS A CITIZEN
As a citizen Father O'Brien has been an active force not
only for law and order but for the temporal well-being
and the beautifying of the city. He deserves credit for being
the first to call attention to the need of the Park system ;
he was the first to plead its cause before the City Govern
ment ; and he has, in fact, been called the " Father of the
Park System." He acted as chaplain at the inauguration
of Mayor Fox. He served on the school committee for
eight years, during three terms of office, and on the Park
Commission for three terms, resigning in the middle of
the last one. In questions concerning temperance, license
and non-license, he has been a powerful factor for the gen
eral good.
But it is as an editor that we may look for Father
O'Brien's special characteristics of a loyal, disinterested
and public-spirited citizen, fearless and uncompromising
in the cause of the truth, no matter on which side of party
politics it may be. In December of the year 1888, he began,
in his East Cambridge parish, a Catholic weekly, the
Sacred Heart Review, of which a complete history is
given, later on, in this Souvenir volume. His paper, now a
Boston publication, at present ranks among the leading
religious periodicals of our time. Through its columns,
Father O'Brien has rendered illustrious service to the
Church and to the State. He has indicated clearly in what
[53]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
way and to what degree men are bound to render to
Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things
that are God's. He has shown the real position of Catho
lics in relation to true patriotism and to the laws and gov
ernment of their country. Among his many striking ser
vices in this regard, one of the most noteworthy was the
case in which he, as editor and publisher, stopped the
loose talk about Catholic disloyalty indulged in so freely
by the A. P. A. members in 1894. The following letter,
which appeared in the Boston Advertiser, Monday, Octo
ber 1, shows how Father O'Brien with one fearless chal
lenge punctured the A. P. A. balloon in this vicinity.
Boston, September 29, 1894.
To the Editor of the Advertiser : —
Sib : — In your issue of Sept. 27, Rev. J. B. Dunn accounts for and
attempts to justify the organization known as the A. P. A. by asserting
that the Catholic citizens of the United States are not and cannot be
good and entirely loyal citizens, saying : —
" It must be borne in mind that they (the Catholic laity) belong to a
system in which free agency is impossible. The Vatican claims abso
lute and supreme authority in all things, civil as well as spiritual." In
support of this assertion he refers to " an encyclical issued by Leo XIII
at Rome, January 10, 1890," and says that this encyclical teaches
that " the civil laws are binding on them (Catholics) only so long as
they are conformable to the Roman Catholic religion," and that " it is
a duty to resist all civil laws hostile to anything ordered by the Church,
and a crime to obey them."
This is a matter of the very gravest importance. Nothing could
well be more serious than a public denial of the loyalty and good
citizenship of a large class of citizens. Already this assertion, made
[ 54 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
and repeated by Mr. Dunn and others, has given rise to suspicion and
distrust which are exerting a most unhappy and injurious influence
upon the political and social life of the nation.
For this reason, and because I am one of the citizens whose patriot
ism and loyalty are denied, I wish to declare, formally and publicly,
and in the most positive and solemn manner possible, that such a
charge against Catholics, whether as individuals or as a class, is
false, utterly unfounded, and, in effect if not in intent, wicked and
malicious. Mr. Dunn's quotations, as given above, their statements and in
ferences, are false and in direct opposition to the teachings of the
encyclical in question, which says distinctly that "the State as well as
the Church is supreme, each in its own sphere," and " the Church and
the State are both supreme in their own affairs."
The real question is whether the allegiance of Catholics in the
United States is limited or affected by the teachings of the Pope in this
encyclical, or by the teachings of the Church, in such a way that it is
different from the allegiance of good Protestant Christians who ac
knowledge God as the supreme ruler of the world, and obey His com
mand in the Scripture : " Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's,
and to God the things that are God's." It is a question which the
community cannot afford to be in doubt about. It should certainly
be quickly and clearly settled.
I propose, therefore, that it be submitted to a commission of Protes
tant gentlemen, who shall decide whether the encyclical can be fairly
construed so as to justify the charges made by Mr. Dunn. This com
mission should be made up of gentlemen of the highest character, pos
sessing the public confidence, above all suspicion of bigotry, partiality
or unfairness, of whose ability there can be no question, and who are
sufficiently well known to give their decision force and weight, not only
hereabouts but throughout the country. Having these qualifications in
mind I propose the names of President Eliot of Harvard University,
[ 55 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
Colonel Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Judge E. R. Hoar, Professor
Starbuck of Andover, and Rev. Dr. Beach or Rev. Dr. McKenzie of
Cambridge. I would further suggest that Judge Hoar, in view of his
legal training and experience, should be chairman of the commission,
whose duty it will be to interpret and define so important a document.
I believe that no objection can be made by any candid person to the
makeup of this commission.
Of course the meeting and labors of such a commission involve
considerable expense. To meet this the Sacred Heaet Review, of
which I am the publisher, will place in the hands of the Daily Adver
tiser one thousand dollars to be devoted to paying the expenses of the
commission. And to remove all further possible difficulties on this
score, the Sacred Heart Review will place in the same hands a
further sum of five hundred dollars to pay council fees for the A. P. A.
if it chooses to be represented thus before the commission.
I make this proposal in no spirit of anger, or bravado. My own
patriotism and that of my fellow-Catholics has been publicly assailed,
with consequences most damaging to the community. The charges
have been many times denied; never proved, often disproved; still
they are repeated. It is time, on every account, that the matter should
be definitely settled. We Catholics ask not for indulgence or partiality
but only for full, fair, even relentless, investigation. We claim it as a
right; we demand it as due to justice. I hope sincerely that my pro
posal will be accepted, and I do not see how it can in fairness or de
cency be refused. I am ready to carry out my share of it at once. Is
Dr. Dunn equally ready ?
Other assertions in his article which should be laid before the com
mission are:
That " with rare exceptions no man, unless bearing the indorsement
of Rome, can hope to obtain or long retain the emoluments of office."
That the " American hierarchy has made terms with the leaders of
the political parties so as to secure grants of land and money and an-
[ 56 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
nual subsidies to the extent of millions in New York City; and from
Congress large amounts annually in the same way."
That " there is not a large city in the land — unless, perhaps, it is
Philadelphia — that is not under bondage to Rome."
That Dr. Brownson or the Council of Baltimore ever said what is
attributed to them in the sense in which Dr. Dunn represents it.
All these assertions, separately and together, I pronounce to be false,
misleading and utterly incapable of proof. They should be passed
upon by the commission, and if possible settled once for all. But the
main question, and the fundamental one, is whether the Catholics
are or are not good citizens. To any good citizen a denial of his dutiful
patriotism must seem monstrous and wicked. Such I declare Dr.
Dunn's charges to be. The law of libel does not cover them, but I
believe that a sound and just public sentiment will sustain me in my
demand that they be proved or withdrawn, and especially since I, as
one of the sufferers, offer to pay the entire expense of the proceeding.
Respectfully,
Rev. John O'Brien,
Publisher "Sacred Heart Review."
Of course neither the Rev. J. B. Dunn nor his fellow
A. P. A.'s accepted the challenge, but rather crawled out
of a very small hole to escape it. The sentiment of the
best Protestant citizens in the matter maybe gathered,
however, from the following letter received by Father
O'Brien, some few days after his challenge appeared. We
add, also, some striking utterances from secular news
papers in various places. Harvard University, Cambridge,
October 8, 1894.
My Dear Father O'Brien:— Allow me to thank you for the
manly and straightforward way in which you meet this monstrous
[ 57 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
and foolish talk of a secret society. I feel sure that nothing is needed
but publicity to make an end of this superstition, which but repeats
the story of many other epidemic fears and hates which history has
known. Respectfully yours,
Francis G. Peabody.
FALL RIVER HERALD
That is an exceedingly fair proposition. No reasonable ground
for withholding acceptance can exist, and as men who believe with
the Rev. Mr. Dunn disavow all intention of being unjust in their
criticisms, it is probable that the questions at issue will be sub
mitted to the commission. BIDDEFORD, ME., JOURNAL
The challenge certainly will appeal to everybody's sense of fah>
ness. The personnel of the committee named is above suspicion,
and the offer to pay expenses would seem to leave no excuse for re
fusal on the part of Dr. Dunn. The burden of proof is on the one who
makes the charge. Dr. Dunn has made the charge, and he ought to
go forward and support it, or else withdraw it.
NEW BEDFORD EVENING STANDARD
If Dr. Dunn has any confidence in his position, he must meet this
challenge of the Catholic priest. The men named for the commission
are men whose decision cannot successfully be impeached. They
could not be accused of unfairness. Father O'Brien's proposition
ought to be accepted. NEW BEDFORD EVENING JOURNAL
The proposition is an eminently fair one, and it is difficult to see
how Dr. Dunn and his friends can fail to accept it.
[58]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
PORTLAND ADVERTISER
It is a fair offer. Mr. Dunn provoked the challenge, and he should
accept it. The names proposed are surely those of gentlemen possess
ing the essential qualifications for such an inquiry, and the question
is one which not only Catholics desire to have settled, but those non-
Catholics who have been on terms of intimacy with their Catholic
neighbors for years, who have known them socially and politically,
and have always considered them good citizens, and who are now
disturbed at, and incredulous of, these new charges.
CAMBRIDGE NEWS
Now this offer is a fair and generous one. We don't see how
Brother Dunn can for a single moment honorably refuse to accept it.
Indeed, there remains for him as an honorable man but one of two
things, namely, either to accept Father O'Brien's challenge, or else to
frankly and openly acknowledge that he has erred, and as frankly
and fully apologize for so doing.
ADAMS FREEMAN
The offer of the Review cannot be avoided. It must be accepted.
It is fair, honest, and honorable. If the accuser cannot meet it, the
reason will be obvious, and the comparisons just.
LOWELL MAIL
It is very difficult to see how Rev. Dr. Dunn can refuse to accept
the challenge issued by the Sacred Heart Review. The terms of the
challenge are in every way fair and reasonable. And later: Rev.
Dr. Dunn is still talking about the Pope's encyclical, but he still is
unwilling to submit his statements to investigation.
LOWELL SUN
The Rev. Dr. Dunn, who would set down all Catholics as ipso
facto disloyal citizens, will have an opportunity to prove his statement
[ 59 ]

THE TREPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
if he is not a complete coward as he is presumed to be by virtue of
having made the charge. It is hoped that the commission of Protestant
gentlemen will undertake to decide whether there is anything in the
teachings of the Catholic Church inconsistent with the highest patriot
ism and the most exacting loyalty to this country. If Father O'Brien's
challenge be accepted the result will be to disprove the false charge
against Catholics, upon which the very existence of the A. P. A. is
based. And later: The Rev. A. P. A. Dunn crawls out of the
challenge addressed to him by Rev. Father O'Brien. . . . They
(the A. P. A.'s) realize the weakness of their cause, but still they keep
on shouting the old charges, knowing full well that not one of them
is susceptible of proof. LOWELL NEWS
Evidently afraid, Dr. James B. Dunn replies to Father O'Brien.
He attempts to evade the question at issue. Afraid to submit the
charges he has made to a Protestant tribunal.
CAPE ANN BREEZE
At Music Hall, Boston, Sunday, Mr. Dunn attempted to answer
Father O'Brien's article in his own particular way, but hardly carried
out his purpose of convincing his hearers that he was right.
WORCESTER CHRONICLE
His (Father O'Brien's) proposition was rejected, and there can be
but one conclusion reached, i.e., that the Rev. Dunn was so " dun-up "
by the priest's letter and challenge that he dare not submit the ques
tion to Judge Hoar and men of his standing for interpretation.
HOLYOKE DEMOCRAT
At last Dr. Dunn has been heard from. He refuses to submit the
question to the commission and declines to substantiate his charges.
He says he wants the encyclical published in the Boston daily papers
[ 60 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRHSN
and then he wants to let the whole matter rest there. This is the an
swer of a sneak, and not of a " Christian and patriot," as he calls
himself. A later issue of this same paper says :
Father O'Brien of Cambridge has effectually silenced Rev. Dr.
Roaring Dunn, the A. P. A. anarchist of Boston. ... If there were
others in the Catholic Church in New England ready to invite Dr.
Dunn and the other spouters of his kind to prove their statements, a
good deal of the ignorant prejudice against Catholics would disappear.
MANCHESTER, N. H., UNION
It is reported that Rev. Dr. Dunn declines to accept the challenge
issued by the Sacred Heart Review of Cambridge, and demands that
the entire encyclical letter of the Pope be printed so that people may
form their own opinions. If this is Dr. Dunn's final answer he has
lost his case, for the terms of the challenge were eminently fair, and
the reverend doctor would appear to have no reason, except fear as
to the outcome, for refusing to accept them. After his bold arraign
ment of the Catholic Church the Doctor might at least have shown
to the world that he had the courage of his convictions and even had
he failed to prove his case he would have the better standing with the
public, which, whatever its faults, dearly loves a fearless champion
of any cause.
Father O'Brien's method of dealing with those who
made false and unfounded charges against the Church or
its people has always been of the same straightforward
kind as his challenge to the A. P. A. At one time, during
his pastorate, there lived in Cambridge a certain Protes
tant minister, the Rev. J. P. Bland, B. D., who had charge
of the Lee Street Unitarian Church. Mr. Bland was a
young man, a man of considerable native ability and an
I 61 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
interesting orator. In his sermons or lectures, a synopsis
of which usually appeared in the Monday morning papers,
Mr. Bland, like Dr. Dunn, tried to arouse the Protestant
community to a realization of the dangers which threatened
our country and its institutions from the Catholic Church.
In the synopsis of the sermon which he preached on
Sunday evening, January 4, 1880, and which appeared in
the Boston Herald, Monday morning, January 5, he re
ferred by name to Archbishop Williams, to Father O'Brien,
and to all priests, as men who "are simply officers in a
foreign army which has come and encamped in our midst
and has begun to attack our rights, liberties and civiliza
tion, on all sides," etc., etc., etc.
Father O'Brien, in a letter which appeared in the Her
ald the next morning, called on Mr. Bland to prove or with
draw this very serious charge. During the month, several
letters appeared in the Herald on this issue from both gen
tlemen. Mr. Bland evidently failed to sustain his charge
against the Catholic Church and its priests ; and his own
flock, having lost confidence in him, sold the church to
the city of Cambridge for a high school, and Mr. Bland
himself went home to England, leaving this country un
protected.

[ 62 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN,
FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
OF
THE SACRED HEART REVIEW
While, during these years of Father O'Brien's pastorate,
there has arisen the magnificent "plant" of church, pas
toral residence, school, convent, and baptistry, filling a
complete square between Thorndike and Otis, and Sixth
and Seventh Streets, another work done by him must not
be forgotten ; a very special and unusual spiritual work of
mercy that he has carried on, for the past twenty years, in
the general management and editorship of the Sacred
Heart Review. In this paper, of whose inception and
growth we shall speak presently, the learned priest who,
in his very boyhood, had sought to disseminate truth and
dispel ignorance in a country village, has found a field that
has embraced the English-speaking world.
To work with Father O'Brien in this field is in very
truth "a liberal education." His journalistic intuitions are
wonderfully correct. He abhors hurry and sensationalism,
and has no wish to be first in detailing news. What he
desires is a correct clear statement of fact, not surmise or
hearsay. He is deeply loyal to the Church ; he is a student
of her laws and history ; he has even induced a Protestant
theologian to give his service to an exposition, in scores of
learned articles, as to her real doctrine, her actual career.
[ 63 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
The Sacred Heart Review is a paper that stands for
pure politics, high civic and national standards. It is free
from party bias. The editor has kept in view the family
life, the household, the young people, by giving careful
attention to them in various departments of his periodical.
It will never be known here what long hours by night as
well as by day he has devoted to the actual personal super
vision of this great work, nor how much was written by his
own pen, and often at his own personal risk when his phy
sician had warned him that such labor was dangerous for
him. As the boy, John O'Brien, feared not to cross swords,
metaphorically speaking, with any man of any creed or
no creed in Mittineague, so the priest, John O'Brien, has
stood up for the truth against any man who has dared to
assail or misrepresent it, wherever and whoever he might
be. Long masterly articles have come from his own pen ;
brief, pithy notes and comments ; stern replies to base at
tacks upon the Church he loves. The midnight hour and
the slow dawn of morning have found him at his desk ; even
the fierce spasms of that terrible asthma which has been
his cross for many years, and which he terms his "angel
friend," have not turned him from his dearly loved occu
pation. In the forty volumes of the Sacred Heart Re
view are to be found the results of his many years of study,
of meditation, and of toil. Such a record is not to be over
looked or lightly regarded in our estimate of this priestly
life of forty years.
The history of the Sacred Heart Review is closely
[ 64 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
connected with the catechetical work which is so preem
inently dear to Father O'Brien. In fact, the paper grew
out of the intense, life-long interest which he has felt in
training the minds of the young in this way. We shall now
see how this took place.

THE ADVANCED CLASS
The Advanced Class in Christian Doctrine in Father
O'Brien's parish has ever been considered by him to be
one of the most important organizations under his care.
It is recruited from the Sunday-school, but it is not reck
oned to be a part of the Sunday-school. Its object is to
increase, in the boys and girls who have been confirmed,
the knowledge of their religion, at an age when they are
more prepared to understand it than in their earlier days.
The pupils attend the class from the age of fourteen to
eighteen years ; and every boy and girl of that age in the
parish is considered to be, by that very fact, a member of
the class. A course of instructions, similar to those given
in our academies and seminaries, and for many years given
by Father O'Brien himself to the pupils, is based upon
Deharbe's Large Catechism, a copy of which must be
owned by each scholar. Each scholar, too, must be pre
sent at every instruction throughout the year, unless un
avoidably detained; no instructions, however, are given
in July and August. The pupils must be present at Mass
every Sunday ; and they hear Mass with the grown people,
the boys on the Gospel side of the church, and the girls on
[ 65 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
the Epistle side. They must go to Confession and Holy
Communion once in three months. Cards are given them,
on which a peculiar mark is punched that cannot be dupli
cated, indicating compliance or non-compliance with these
requirements. Essays are written by the pupils on the
topics brought to their attention ; yearly examinations are
held; prizes are given for perfect attendance as well as
for proficiency. Gold crosses are awarded to all who can
answer every question in the Deharbe's Catechism. Di
plomas are given to those who have faithfully completed
the course of four years. There are at present between 400
and 500 pupils in the class.
The graduates need not feel that they are no longer al
lowed to attend this class, for all who once belonged to it
are welcome there, either as teachers or scholars ; and those
graduates who are not engaged as teachers form a distinct
division of the class.
Out of this Advanced Class, so dear to Father O'Brien,
may be said to have grown the paper which for twenty
years has been under his fostering care. The Sacred
Heart Review was first intended to afford additional
incentive and instruction to the graduates of the Advanced
Class by giving them an opportunity to search for tributes
to the Catholic Church, testimonials to her worth from non-
Catholic pens, information on subjects connected with her
doctrines and practices, refutation of slanders and errors,
and to have the results of their researches printed in news
paper form and distributed throughout the parish. The
motto of the paper was : "A Catholic newspaper in a par-
[ 66 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
ish is a perpetual mission ;" and the sub-motto : " To select
well among old things is almost equal to inventing them."
The first number of the Sacred Heart Review ap
peared December 1, 1888. It was then of the same shape
and size as it now is in 1908 ; but it consisted of only eight
pages, whereas there are now sixteen. In the first number,
the young people who were assistants on the "Editorial
Staff," and whose names we shall give later, addressed
their friends in the parish in the following manner:
"Our object being to obtain a thorough knowledge of
the doctrines and practices of our holy religion, [it] must
not only disarm all adverse criticism but it should, on the
contrary, command the warm encouragement of all who
approve of our efforts to employ profitably our leisure
moments. " In the Advanced Class of Christian Doctrine we study
the sublime truths of faith, the history of Holy Church, her
labors to improve man's condition, and her beneficent in
fluence on society ; and these different topics are illustrated
and explained by our reverend instructor, who expects us
to read whatever may have any bearing on the work of the
class. "Now we intend to give, every week, in this little paper,
the results of our studies, instructions and readings.
" We do not aim at authorship, nor at original compo
sition ; we merely copy for our own instruction — for yours,
too, we hope — what others may have written on the
themes treated of in our class.
"Such is our programme. The work will be, to us at
[67]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
least, a source of pleasure and benefit ; and, confident that
we shall not be disappointed, we count upon your encour
agement and support.
"If this little weekly should do nothing else than stir us
up to action in behalf of Catholic interests, which, after
all, are God's interests, its mission would have been ac
complished." How successfully, how far beyond the pastor's first ex
pectations, has this mission been fulfilled indeed ! No
one can estimate here and now the spiritual good this
paper has accomplished, by its loyal, clear presentment of
Catholic truth, its high standard of spiritual endeavor and
holy life, its tone of cheer, its fearless, outspoken siding
with what is true and honest and of good repute. No one,
either, will ever know the personal sacrifice of money, as
well as of time and strength, this work has cost him who
began it. Father O'Brien has never gained one dollar for
himself from the Sacred Heart Review, but has instead
given liberally of his own means in its behalf. He has, be
sides, supervised personally all the work on the paper, even
the proof sheets passing constantly under his keenly criti
cal eye. For the twenty years the Review has been in ex
istence, he has never been out of touch with the office for
even one day; and, even as in his college days, he has
worked on without thought of those periods of rest and re
laxation which are now considered so needful by everybody.
The primary intention of the Review, as a parish organ
only, is shown in the first number, which contains the
parish rules and regulations, some notices of meetings of
[ 68 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
societies, etc., the names of officers in the sodalities, an
account of the Father Mathew Total Abstinence Society,
founded in East Cambridge in December, 1849, after
Father Mathew had visited the place in the previous Oc
tober, and had induced over 1,300 persons to sign the Total
Abstinence pledge. This first number contains, too, quo
tations from Sir Francis Palgrave, from the Rev. Bernard
O'Reilly, from Fenelon and Thomas a Kempis ; there are
a story and a poem, and an instruction on the Gospel for
the Sunday and on the feast days of the week. There is
also a " Correspondence Column." In following numbers
come articles on indulgences, on the use of Latin in the
Church, on the power of excommunication, on gossip and
scandal, on Christian education, religion and patriotism,
on religion as the one true basis of family life, etc., etc.
Soon, very soon, the little paper began to publish original
articles on many burning questions of the hour: essays,
also, by members of the Advanced Class in East Cam
bridge and of classes elsewhere, were printed. There was
an account of St. James' Church, Haverhill. The Review
began to take on the appearance of something more than
a merely local paper ; and, in no more than four months'
time, it was being commented upon, not only by Cam
bridge papers, but by others, from Boston to Colorado, and
from St. Louis to Philadelphia. The Boston Herald called
it "an exceedingly bright and useful eight-page weekly,
brimful of interesting religious and secular reading mat
ter." The Boston Globe said: "It is replete with Church
news and articles by both Protestant and Catholic writers
[ 69 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
on religious topics. That its mission will be fulfilled is cer
tain." A Philadelphia paper declared : "It is getting better
and better every week. Its appearance is neat, the printing
is excellent, and the contents are first class."
Within a few years after its first appearance, the Re
view said: "We felt obliged to yield to the solicitations of
the clergy and our friends to drop the local features and
adapt the paper for general use." Finally, in the year 1894,
a corporation was organized, which consisted of the fol
lowing members, whose names are thus given in the Re
view for January 5, 1895.
INCORPORATORS
Very Rev. John E. Barry, V. G., P. R.,
St. John's Church, Concord, N. H.
Rev. John J. Bell, S. T. B.,
St. Francis de Sales', Roxbury.
Rev. Thomas W. Broderick,
Pastor St. Peter's Church, Hartford, Conn.
Rev. F. de Bruycker,
Pastor St. Joseph's Church, Willimantic, Conn.
Rev. Chas. E. Burke,
Pastor St. Francis' Church, North Adams, Mass.
Rev. P. H. Callanan,
Pastor St. John's Church, Newton Lower Falls, Mass.
Rev. Joseph H. Cassin,
Pastor Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, East Boston, Mass.
Rev. J. J. Chittick,
Pastor Church of the Most Precious Blood, Hyde Park, Mass.
Rev. James F. Clark,
Pastor St. James' Church, New Bedford, Mass.
[70]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Rev. John D. Colbert,
Pastor Church of St. John the Evangelist, Hopkinton, Mass.
Rev. Thomas J. Conaty, D. D.,
Pastor Sacred Heart Church, Worcester, Mass.
Rev. M. J. Cooke,
Pastor St. Patrick's Church, Fall River, Mass.
Rev. James Coyle,
Pastor St. Joseph's Church, Newport, R. I.
Rev. John S. Cullen,
Pastor St. Stephen's Church, South Framingham, Mass.
Rev. Patrick J. Daly,
Pastor St. Francis de Sales' Church, Roxbury, Mass.
Rev. Louis J. Deady,
Pastor St. Louis' Church, Fall River, Mass.
Rev. Chas. W. Doherty,
Pastor St. Mary's Church, Augusta, Me.
Rev. Daniel F. Feehan, P. R.,
St. Bernard's Church, Fitchburg, Mass.
Rev. Wm. H. Fitzpatrick,
Pastor St. Gregory's Church, Milton, Mass.
Rev. John Flatley,
Pastor St. Peter's Church, Cambridge, Mass.
Rev. Michael F. Flatley, P. R.,
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Maiden, Mass.
Rev. John H. Fleming,
Pastor St. Mary's Church, Dedham, Mass.
Rev. Francis A. Friguglietti,
Pastor St. John's Church, Quincy, Mass.
Rev. Joseph H. Gallagher,
Pastor St. Patrick's Church, Roxbury, Mass.
Rev. Francis J. Glynn,
Pastor St. Mary's of the Annunciation, Melrose, Mass.
Rev. John J. Graham,
St. James' Church, Haverhill, Mass.
[ 71 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Griffin, D. D.,
Chancellor of the Diocese of Springfield, Worcester, Mass.
Rev. Patrick J. Hally,
Pastor Church of the Immaculate Conception, Salem, Mass.
Rev. J. C. Harrington,
Pastor St. Joseph's Church, Lynn, Mass.
Rev. J. J. Healy,
Pastor St. Ann's Church, Gloucester, Mass.
Very Rev. John Hogan, S. S., D. D.,
President St. John's Theological Seminary, Brighton, Mass.
Rev. Edward F. Hurley,
Pastor St. Dominic's Church, Portland, Me.
Rev. Robert J. Johnson,
Pastor Gate of Heaven Church, South Boston, Mass.
Rev. Thomas P. Joynt,
Pastor Church of St. Mary's, Star of the Sea, New London, Conn.
Rev. John J. Lyons,
Pastor St. Ann's, Manchester, N. H.
Rev. John T. Madden, P. R,
St. Louis' Church, Webster, Mass.
Rev. Thomas Magennis, P. R.,
St. Thomas' Church, Jamaica Plain, Mass.
Rev. M. J. Masterson,
Pastor St. John's Church, Peabody, Mass.
Rev. Paul F. McAlenney, P. R.,
St. Rose of Lima, Meriden, Conn.
Rev. Michael J. McCall,
Pastor St. James' Church, Salem, Mass.
Rev. J. J. McCoy, P. R.,
Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Chicopee, Mass.
Rev. John F. McDermott,
Pastor Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Gardner, Mass.
Rev. Charles J. McElroy,
Pastor St. Mary's Church, Derby, Conn.
[ 72 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Rev. James McGlew, P. R.,
St. Rose's Church, Chelsea, Mass.
Rev. Christopher T. McGrath, P. R,
St. Joseph's Church, Somerville, Mass.
Rev. M. McKeon,
Pastor Sacred Heart Church, New Haven, Conn.
Rev. P. B. McManus,
Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, East Boston, Mass.
Rev. John J. McNulty,
Pastor Our Lady of the Rosary Church, South Boston, Mass.
Rev. Wm. P. McQuaid,
Pastor St. James' Church, Boston, Mass.
Rev. Edward McSweeny,
Pastor St. John's Church, Bangor, Me.
Rev. Jeremiah E. Millerick,
Pastor St. Joseph's Church, Wakefield, Mass.
Rev. Joseph J. Mohan,
Pastor St. Mary's Church, Everett, Mass.
Rev. Lawrence J. Morris,
Pastor Church of the Assumption, Brookline, Mass.
Rev. Edward J. Moriarty,
Pastor St. Bernard's Church, Concord, Mass.
Rev. Daniel W. Murphy, P. R.,
St. Mary's Church, Dover, N. H.
Rev. John M. Mulcahy,
Pastor St. Malachy's Church, Arlington, Mass.
Rev. John J. Nilan, P. R.,
St. Joseph's Church, Amesbury, Mass.
The Oblate Fathers,
Immaculate Conception Church, Lowell, Mass.
Rev. John O'Brien,
Pastor Sacred Heart Church, East Cambridge, Mass.
Rev. Michael O'Brien, P. R.,
St. Patrick's Church, Lowell, Mass.
[73 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
Rev. Wm. O'Brien,
Pastor St. Michael's Church, Centralville, Mass.
Rev. Denis O' Callaghan,
Pastor St. Augustine's Church, South Boston, Mass.
Rev. James O'Doherty, P. R.,
St. James' Church, Haverhill, Mass.
Rev. Philip J. O'Donnell,
Pastor (old) St. Patrick's Church, Boston, Mass.
Rev. James T. O'Reilly, O. S. A.,
Pastor St. Mary's Church, Lawrence, Mass.
Rev. Daniel O' Sullivan, P. R.,
Church of the Immaculate Conception, St. Albans, Vt.
Rev. M. A. O'Sullivan,
Pastor St. Patrick's Church, Williamstown, Mass.
Rev. R. J. Patterson,
Pastor St. John's Church, Clinton, Mass.
Rev. P. B. Phelan,
Pastor Sacred Heart Church, Holyoke, Mass.
Rev. Wm. A. Power,
Pastor St. Paul's Church, Blackstone, Mass.
Rev. Mark E. Purcell,
Pastor Church of the Holy Trinity, Greenfield, Mass .
Rev. C. J. Riordan,
Newton Upper Falls, Mass.
Rev. Wm. H. Rogers,
Pastor St. John's Church, Stamford, Conn.
Rev. Michael Ronan,
Pastor St. Peter's Church, Lowell, Mass.
Rev. Peter Ronan,
Pastor St. Peter's Church, Dorchester, Mass.
Rev. Denis Scannell,
Pastor St. Ann's Church, Worcester, Mass.
Rev. Thomas H. Shahan,
Pastor Sacred Heart Church, Maiden, Mass.
r 74 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Rev. Daniel Sheil,
Pastor St. Leo's Church, Leominster, Mass.
Rev. Bernard O'R. Sheridan, P. R.,
St. John's Church, Middletown, Conn.
Rev. John Synnott,
Pastor Sacred Heart Church, Taftville, Conn.
Rev. Joseph Synnott,
Pastor Church of the Assumption, Ansonia, Conn.
Rev. Terence Smith,
Pastor St. Joseph's Church, Pittsfield, Mass.
Rev. Thomas Smyth,
Pastor Church of the Sacred Heart, Springfield, Mass.
Rev. Robert P. Stack,
Pastor St. Patrick's Church, Watertown, Mass.
Rev. Arthur J. Teeling, P. R.,
St. Mary's Church, Lynn, Mass.
Rev. Thomas H. Wallace,
Pastor St. Joseph's Church, Lewiston, Me.
Rev. M. F. Walsh,
Pastor Immaculate Conception Church, Calais, Me.
WE GIVE THE LIST OF THE FIRST OFFICERS
PnEsinENT, Rev. Thomas Magennis, P. R.
Vice-Pkesidents : Rt. Rev. Monsignor Griffin, D. D.; Very Rev. John E.
Barry, V. G., P. R.; Rev. Denis O'Callaghan, Rev. Edward McSweeny,
Rev. James Coyle, Rev. Thomas Broderick, Rev. Daniel O'Sullivan, P. R.
Treasurer, Rev. John O'Brien.
Clerk, Rev. Philip J. O'Donnell.
Directors: Rev. Thomas Magennis, P. R., Rev. James O'Doherty, P. R.,
Rev. Daniel Murphy, P. R, Rev. Thomas H. Wallace, Rev. J. J. McCoy,
P. R, Rev. M. McKeon, Rev. Philip J. O'Donnell, Rev. John O'Brien.
Managing Director, Rev. John O'Brien.
Up to the present time this Corporation has had three
[ 75 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
Presidents : Right Rev. Monsignor Magennis, Right Rev.
Monsignor Griffin, and Right Rev. Monsignor O'Cal
laghan. The present Officers are as follows:
President, Right Rev. Monsignor O'Callaghan, D. D., P. R., South Bos
ton, Mass.
Vice-Presidents: Right Rev. Monsignor Murphy, P. R., Dover, N. H.;
Right Rev. Monsignor Edward McSweeney, Bangor, Me.; Rev. William
H. Fitzpatrick, Dorchester, Mass.; Rev. James O'Doherty, P. R., Haverhill,
Mass.; Rev. James Coyle, Taunton, Mass.; Rev. Charles J. McElroy,
Derby, Conn.; Rev. Daniel O'Sullivan, P. R., St. Albans, Vt.; Rev.
Thomas Smyth, Springfield, Mass.
Treasurer, Rev. John O'Brien.
Clerk, Rev. Philip J. O'Donnell.
Directors: Right Rev. Monsignor O'Callaghan, D. D., P. R., Right Rev.
Monsignor Griffin, D. D., Right Rev. Monsignor Magennis, P. R., Rev.
John J. Lyons, P. R., Rev. Jeremiah E. Millerick, Rev. Philip J. O'Don
nell, Rev. William P. McQuaid, Rev. Denis J. O'Farrell, Rev. John
O'Brien.
Managing Director, Rev. John O'Brien, assisted by Rev. James
Higgins. These incorporators formed "The Review Publishing
Company," and under such auspices began the New
Series op the Sacred Heart Review. In the issue for
February 23, 1895, there appeared the following letter
from Monsignor Satolli, then Apostolic Delegate, now
Cardinal, addressed to the then President of the Review
Publishing Company.
Washington, D. C, December 26, 1895.
Rev. Thomas Magennis,
Rev. and dear Sih : — Your favor of the 24th instant has been
duly received, with a copy of the letter of the Most Rev. Archbishop
[ 76 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
of Boston on the Sacred Heart Review. I am happy to see that his
Excellency approved some time ago that excellent paper. I trust that
in its enlarged form it will prove to be still more useful than ever to the
interests of faith and morality. Yours sincerely in Christ,
^Francis Archbishop Satolli,
Delegate Apostolic.

[ 77 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

THE GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE RE
VIEW MAY BE GATHERED FROM THE
FOLLOWING PROSPECTUS
The Sacred Heart Review was established as an
eclectic in East Cambridge in 1888 by the Rev. John
O'Brien, pastor of the Sacred Heart Church. In January,
1895, a Corporation consisting of about one hundred of
the principal clergymen of New England was organized
in Boston under the laws of Massachusetts to purchase
and publish the paper. This Corporation, under the presi
dency of the Right Rev. Monsignor Magennis, immedi
ately enlarged the paper, bought several new presses, and
equipped the office with new machinery from top to bot
tom. By means of the new life thus put into the enterprise,
and the active efforts of the clergy and the bishops, the
circulation of the Review exceeded in a short time sixty
thousand. Father O'Brien, aided by a numerous corps of
assistants, inside and outside the office, was left in charge
of the publication by the Corporation.
The primary purpose of the publication is educational.
Even Catholics, living in a Protestant atmosphere, are
liable unconsciously to imbibe many erroneous ideas and
principles from a press teeming with such errors. Many
a statement of history coming to us distorted by ignorance
or prejudice is often accepted by Catholics as genuine.
How few Protestants — even learned men and honest
[78]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
men — are able to state accurately the doctrine of the great
historic Church, the civilizer of the world ! In this ample
field the clergy wished the Review to labor. Experienced
men — experts as it were — were selected to do the work.
The Corporation decided that party politics must be
eschewed. The paper should advocate, however, those
principles of honor and even-handed justice which under
lie all government, and should teach that political corrup
tion, by whatever party, is a crime against the people and
the common interest. This was a new departure, Catholic
papers heretofore for the most part having allied them
selves with one party or another.
The clergy insisted that the Review should be guided
by the legislation of the Council of Baltimore on the ques
tion of the sale and use of liquor, and, wishing that the
advertising department should be in harmony with this
legislation, decided that liquor advertising should not be
admitted to its pages. This was another new departure.
But the new owners inaugurated in a short time what
was the most surprising, and the most important, as well
as a unique departure in Catholic journalism. They de
termined to secure the assistance of Protestant scholars
to correct Protestant blunders and to instruct honest
Protestants in the doctrine, history and practices of the
Church. Some Catholics and even Catholic papers do not
appear to understand the great advantage to the Church
of having Protestant, as well as Catholic, scholars correct
Protestant errors. But it should be clear to all that a Prot
estant scholar will get a hearing where a Catholic could
[ 79 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
not. Assuming the correctness of the Gospel principle:
"You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you
free," — free from error, free from passion and prejudice,
— Father O'Brien made strenuous efforts to find some
Protestant scholar who, for the sake of truth, of patriotism,
and of love for his fellow-citizens, would be willing to work
with them to remove from the Protestant mind the blight
of religious error, and to neutralize as much as possible, by
the presentation of the truth, the poison of misinformation
or ignorance. Finally, the Rev. Mr. Starbuck of Andover,
Mass., easily the foremost Protestant scholar in America
so far as a knowledge of the doctrine and history of the
Catholic Church is concerned, was induced to undertake
this work; and, as a consequence, as our readers know,
the Review has had that series of irenical and conciliatory
papers which has been and continues to be the surprise of
the country, any one of which is worth many times over
the annual subscription price of the paper.
Besides these scholarly papers of the Rev. Mr. Starbuck,
the Review contains every week many other useful, en
tertaining and instructive departments, such as "Ecclesi
astical Items," giving important happenings in the con
temporaneous life of the Church; "The Week's News,"
summarizing each week the important news of the world ;
"What Catholic Editors Say," being the best utterances
of our Catholic contemporaries ; " The Church Calendar,"
which includes a treatment of the Sunday's gospel; "Re
ligious Maxims," helpful thoughts in prose and verse for
every day in the week; "Current Religious Comment"
[ 80 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
in the magazines, in which articles treating of matters of
Catholic interest are noted or corrected; "Our Future
Men and Women," of absorbing interest to the children ;
" Just Among Ourselves," conducted by Aunt Bride with
special reference to the problems of women ; " The House
wife," "Medical Hints;" and an Irish Department under
the care of a competent Gaelic scholar; "Friendly Hints,"
and "Sense and Nonsense."
The Review is the official organ of the Society for the
Propagation of the Faith, and there is a page given every
week to this important work. The paper has a high
literary tone, its selections of fiction and poetry being
of the best, while its book reviews are praised on every
side. The Review's editorial department is especially valued
for its moderate but uncompromising attitude in the treat
ment of doctrinal subjects, for its readiness and ability to
expose error, sham, imposture, and to defend the cause
of right and justice. It is impossible for any one of our
readers to know the Review's full value to the interests of
religion, or the extent to which it has already removed or
modified Protestant error or prejudice. It goes into the
editorial offices of the principal Protestant papers of the
country, and, in order to realize somewhat its influence for
good, one has but to consider the tremendous effect on in
telligent Protestant minds of such articles as the Rev. Mr.
Starbuck furnishes every week in refutation of Protestant
misconception or misrepresentation of Catholic doctrine
or history. In this connection, there is one thought we wish
[ 81 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
to bring home to the minds of Catholics, and that is the
tremendous power for good of Mr. Starbuck's work. We
give the following testimonies to the truth of this assertion.
From the Ave Maria:
The Rev. Dr. Starbuck's essays in the Sacred Heart Review
have already extended through two hundred and ninety-five issues of
that excellent journal. The feat, we believe, is unprecedented ; but we
have no fear that the contributions of this scholarly and fair-minded
Protestant clergyman are drawing near their term : he still writes as
weightily and as wittily as he did in his first instalment.
A Reverend Pastor of the Ogdensburg diocese :
The Review is the most prized paper I get. I wish I could intro
duce it into every Catholic home. Its fearless vindication of Catholic
truth, its learned articles by Doctor Starbuck, its added comment on
current topics, make it one of the brightest of our Catholic publications.
Would that all could approach its lofty standard.
John Henneberry, Concord, N. H. :
In renewing my subscription to your valuable paper, permit me
to say that I am well pleased with the Review. It would be difficult
for me to say which department of the paper is the most pleasing, as
they are all clean, bright and interesting. But to the student of Church
history I think Professor Starbuck's learned papers on this subject
must prove an inestimable source of information. I read them with
the keenest interest and appreciation, and often wonder if those " di
vines " who pretend to be so well versed in the history of the Church
do not feel keen chagrin and mortification at being shown (if they
take the trouble of reading Mr. Starbuck's articles) the glaring errors
they sometimes make in reference to very important matters. With
the sincerest wishes for your success in your laudable efforts to give
[ 82 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
the truth in so interesting and fearless a way in your valuable paper,
I remain, etc.
William C. Dix, Merchantville, N. J. :
It has been a very interesting journal to me (a non-Catholic),
especially Dr. Starbuck's articles. I have forwarded it every week to
the Philippines, where such a high-class religious periodical can not
fail to have exerted a good influence.
Mr. John I. Schulte, of the Department of Agriculture,
Washington :
I have just finished reading last week's number of the Review,
and better reading matter for after Mass reflection I could not have
found. The book reviews it contains interest me to such an extent
that I desire very much to procure copies of all the works described.
. . . The articles of the Rev. Mr. Starbuck interest me immensely.
Mr. M. J. Riordan of Flagstaff, Arizona:
Please send me one set of all the back numbers of the Sacred Heart
Review containing Doctor Starbuck's articles on " Popular Protestant
Controversy," and one copy, in addition to my regular subscription
copy, of all future numbers in which articles of the series appear. I
enclose stamps to cover.
Permit me to congratulate the Sacred Heart Review upon the
publication of these articles. To my mind, it indicates the greatest
advance made in Catholic journalism for many years.
Permit me also to thank Doctor Starbuck. The Christian charity
of such men as he does much to promote Christian unity. When
Protestants in general acquaint themselves, as Doctor Starbuck has,
with the facts and not the fictions concerning Catholicism, what a
tremendous advance will have been made in religious tolerance, if
nothing else.
[ 83 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
I am greatly mistaken if the cause of Catholic truth has not been
placed under many obligations to Doctor Starbuck and the Sacred
Heart Review by these timely articles.
Dr. Allen J. McDonald of Leadville, Colorado:
I take almost all of the leading Catholic weeklies and monthlies
published in America, but I could not afford to be without the Sacred
Heart Review. It is only when we miss a copy that we realize the
strong hold it has taken on our affections. It is brilliant, unique, and
able in all its departments, but the articles of Professor Starbuck
eclipse anything I have ever seen in a Catholic weekly. Would that
all Catholic editors and writers could as ably defend, from a historical
point of view, our holy religion. Professor Starbuck is a sterling,
honest Protestant. I have always remarked with pleasure the un
compromising, yet unimpassioned tone of the Review. If anything
in this world ever brings about Christian unity, or, more properly, a
return of the sects to the true fold of Christ, it will be the adoption by
leaders of Catholic thought of a similar course to that which has been
followed by the Sacred Heart Review from the date of its first
issue. The day of bitter invective in religious controversy is gone, let
us hope never to return, and a spirit of mild, intelligent, uncompro
mising logic has taken its place, with the result that a much larger
audience is secured, and much more good accomplished than by
former methods.
Miss Alice J. Hayes of South Framingham, Mass., who,
since this letter was written, has become a Catholic, says
of the Review :
Every department is so good that I wish there were twice as
much of it. As a non-Catholic, my attention was first attracted to the
Review by the articles of the Rev. Mr. Starbuck, and I have the
larger part of them preserved.
[ 84 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Richmond, Va., February 1, 1904.
Editor Review : —
A communication in an old copy of your journal, entitled " Father
Field Corrects an Error," closes a comment by saying : " It is a pity
that the teachers of our public schools, as well as Protestant ministers
do not read more generally than they now do Rev. Mr. Starbuck's
papers in the Sacred Heart Review. Such a course of reading,
intended especially for them, would be of great advantage. Our
readers ought to follow the example of Father Field and the other
Augustinian Fathers, who have always circulated the Review
among this large class of people. A better or more successful plan of
removing Protestant error regarding the doctrines and history of the
Church is seldom offered to Catholics."
Mr. Editor, allow me to cite one example of good effected by the
Review, when sent to a teacher. Some years ago, living in a Western
city, the name of the principal of a high school in the town of C  ,
Arkansas, appeared in the local paper. A subscription for six months
to the Sacred Heart Review in the name of the lady, was paid for.
Some time after, a Catholic friend wrote me how pleased Mrs. 
was with the Review sent her. After moving to this present address
the same friend sent the pleasing intelligence that Mrs B  and
her sister were under instruction by the resident priest preparatory to
becoming members of the Church.
What golden opportunities for winning converts are lost by us
Catholics in not utilizing such a paper as the Review, which would
plead with such telling effect for Holy Church, and is especially timely
for those who instruct the young in the public schools. The Ave Maria
uttered a thought-provoker in the sentence: "We shall not only be
judged for the evil we have done, but also for the good which we have
left undone."
P. T. Morand.
[85 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
Editorial in the Review:
THE REV. MR. STARBUCK'S WORK APPRECIATED.
When, the other day, the Boston Transcript alluded to the growth
of tolerance toward the Catholic Church among Protestant bodies
until recently very hostile, we remarked that this was due, in great
part, to the more accurate knowledge of Catholicism which Protestants
have acquired of late years; and we said that for the dissemination
of this more accurate and enlarged information the Sacred Heart
Review might well claim a little credit. We instanced the case of the
Rev. Mr. Starbuck, a Protestant clergyman and scholar, whose work,
week after week, in our columns, for the past few years, must have
dispelled many a dense cloud of ignorance concerning the Church.
Commenting on this modest assertion of ours, the Northwest Review
of Winnipeg, Manitoba, says : —
"The Review is right. There are many indications of a growing dispo
sition on the part of non-Catholic scholars and thinkers to be perfectly fair
in treating of the doctrines and practices of the Church. And this result has
been largely brought about through the dissemination of good Catholic lit
erature of the kind the Review furnishes its readers week in and week out.
Educated, broad-minded non-Catholics are beginning to realize that Catho
lics and Catholicism are not so monstrous as both loom up distorted by dis
tance and the magnifying mists of prejudice. Unquestionably the letters of
Dr. Starbuck have done, and are doing, much in the direction indicated.
Indeed, it is hard to speak of him as a Protestant theologian."
OUR MANY PROTESTANT READERS
Mr. Starbuck himself writes :
I have a compliment for the Review. One of the professors of
Harvard Divinity School (a Congregationalist) expresses to me in a
letter his surprise — especially, I suppose, as there are several Catholic
papers in Boston against one Congregational — that you can afford
to get up a better paper than they. Some of your most appreciative
[ 86 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
readers seem to be theological professors, Presbyterian, Congregational
and Baptist.
The Review considers itself justly entitled to claim at
least one credit : it has compelled thoughtful and scholarly
Protestants to listen to the Catholic side of questions that
arise for consideration or discussion. The very large and
increasing number of Protestant readers which the Re
view has constitutes in itself a truly remarkable fact, one
which indicates the great change that has taken place of
late years in the Protestant attitude towards Catholic
matters. No doubt a great factor in bringing about that
agreeable change has been the valuable contributions, so
admirably calculated to dispel the mists of Protestant pre
judice and Protestant misunderstandings of Catholic
teachings, which the Rev. Mr. Starbuck has made to our
columns. But to find a Protestant of his scholarship and
reputation doing the work he is doing for the Review in
a Catholic paper is of itself convincing proof of the tre
mendous revolution that has taken place of late years in
non-Catholic public opinion, and for effecting which the
Review considers itself entitled to no small credit.

[87]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

TRIBUTES TO THE REVJJEW FROM
PRIESTS IN MASSACHUSETTS
Rev. J. Havens Richards, S. J., President of George
town University, Washington, D. C, now of Boston:
I congratulate you on the great success of your paper. It is certainly
well deserved. The Sacred Heart Review is marked by a thoroughly
Catholic spirit and a bright, crisp and able style that are not so com
mon in our Church papers as could be wished. I am pleased to know
that your paper is very widely read, and I hope that its circulation
may steadily increase. It should be in every Catholic household.
Rev. J. F. Mohan, Everett, Mass. :
The sincere friend of the Sacred Heart Review, if asked what
are its merits, I should not hesitate to answer simply, " Read any one
copy." Assuredly it would commend itself, and do a great good. To
know that it were a constant visitor to every family of this parish
would be to me a source of great satisfaction.
Rev. J. H. O'Neil, East Boston, Mass. :
I am much pleased with all the Review does. If I were able, I
would put it in every home in New England. It is soul and intellectual
food for the growing generation. I read it with pleasure and profit,
and often get points for my Sunday instruction from it.
July 7, 1906. Our good friend Father Fleming of
Dedham sends us with a check for twenty dollars the
following encouraging words :
The Review, under your very able management, has always been
a very welcome and interesting visitor. Prosit.
[88]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
And again:
The Review should find a place in every household throughout the
archdiocese; it is thoroughly Catholic in tone; its contents always
interesting and instructive; and that it has accomplished, and is des
tined to accomplish, a great deal of good, wherever introduced, cannot
be questioned.
I should hail with pleasure the appearance of the Review in our
parish, and any arrangement you might suggest to this effect would
receive my hearty endorsement.
Rev. W. H. Fitzpatrick, Milton, Mass. :
I have read nearly every number of the Sacred Heart Review
since its inception, and I have recommended it to every member of
my congregation, in whose homes it now is. Filled with excellent
matter, neatly printed and well arranged, it deserves a place among
the best periodicals of the day. To my mind it is the best paper for
the least money published in this country.
Rev. Wm. P. McQuaid, Boston, Mass. :
I have been very much pleased with the matter and style of the
Review, and consider it an excellent paper to place in the hands of
our Catholic young men and women.
Rev. M. J. Masterson, Peabody, Mass. :
The Sacred Heart Review has my best wishes in its work of
furnishing healthful literature for young and old, which instructs as
well as satisfies. I have publicly recommended the Review to my
people, and have done what is in my power to introduce it into every
family in my parish.
Rev. J. E. Millerick, now pastor of St. Joseph's Church,
West End :
I subscribe for several Catholic publications : there is none however
[89]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
that I read with more pleasure than the Review. It is interesting,
instructive, and newsy.
As a family paper I have not yet seen its equal ; hence I earnestly
recommend it to my congregation.
Rev. R. J. Johnson, South Boston, Mass. :
It gives me great pleasure to commend the purpose and the conduct
of the Sacred Heart Review under your able management. Your
success might have been anticipated from the first; for your ability
is well known in the archdiocese. With your energy, and with the
experience of added years, the Review will continue to grow in power
and influence among Catholics and with the general public.
Rev. D. J. O'Farrell, now of Roxbury, Mass. :
I am much pleased with the tone and spirit of the Sacred Heart
Review, and consider it a very good paper for both young and old.
Care seems to pervade all its columns. Its articles are solid and in
structive on every matter they touch. I augur for it, therefore, a long
and prosperous career.
The Rev. M. J. Doody, P. R., now of Cambridge :
The Sacred Heart Review is an able and fearless defender of
Catholic doctrines and principles. It merits the patronage of every
Catholic family in our parish.
Rev. R. Neagle, Boston:
I read the Review every week with much interest, and frequently
find occasion to recommend it to others as an excellent Catholic
family paper.
Rt. Rev. Mgr. Thomas Griffin, D.D., Worcester, Mass.,
Chancellor of the Diocese of Springfield:
In the unique place which the Review occupies in Catholic journal-
[ 90 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
ism, it is doing excellent work. It has helped to foster and cultivate a
taste for Catholic reading in the family. The young and the maturer
minds find its pages interesting and instructive, and they greet its
weekly advent with cordial welcome. May it increase in usefulness
and in the power to promote every Catholic interest.
Rev. John Flatley, Cambridge, Mass. :
It is an excellent family paper, and is, I am happy to say, well pat
ronized by my parishioners, who hold it in great favor, and would not
be without it if its cost were twice as great.
Rev. James O'Doherty, P. R., Haverhill, Mass. :
The Sacred Heart Review has succeeded admirably, giving us
each week a great deal of most useful information on religious and
current subjects, in a short space, and pleasing style.
It has had from its infancy many warm friends in this parish, and
its years have not taken away anything from its attractions.
Rev. Thomas Magennis, P. R., Boston, Mass. :
I have not only read the Review with great satisfaction since the
issue of the first number, but have prized it so highly that I have had it
bound. I have more than once recommended it to my people, and shall
do so again, as it deserves praise in proportion as it grows older. Its
fund of instruction on all topics, its review of current literature, its
rehgious and historical departments, together with an earnest and
forcibly written editorial page, all presented in a noticeably readable
style, make it to my mind the ideal family paper. I desire to see it in
every home in my parish.
Rt. Rev. A. J. Teeling, D.D., P. R., Lynn, Mass. :
I have closely watched your paper — the Sacred Heart Review —
from its very beginning. I take a great interest in any movement which
tends to the betterment of the rising generation in a true religious sense.
[91 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
I think your paper accomplishes a great deal in this direction. It is a
clean paper. It is a true Catholic paper. It meets a great want. A
multiplication of such papers would serve as pulpits in the home.
What we want, at the present day, when the selfishness of the world
tends to the sacrifice and detriment of religion, is the non-compro
mising Catholic newspaper for the family.
Such is your paper, and you have reason to be proud of it.
Rev. P. Ronan, P. R., Dorchester, Mass. :
I am glad to testify to the excellent character of the Sacred Heart
Review. It is safe and conservative, without being dull. It does a
good work, and I am pleased to see that it has a large circulation
among Catholics in New England. I have repeatedly recommended
it to my people. Chtjbch or the Annunciation,
Danvebs, Mass., January, 1895.
Editor Review : — Among the names of others, I recently saw mine
as a worker for the Review. I have endeavored to introduce the
Review into every family in my parish, not only as a blessing and a
benefit to them, but also as a great help to myself ; because the Review
contains things Catholic that no one person could hope to think of.
The daily newspaper goes into every home, and, as we know, fre
quently misrepresents the ceremonies and teaching of the Church. . . .
Often the newspaper contains articles with enough sophistry to puzzle
the unlearned and unstable, and, therefore, a paper like the Review
is necessary, not only to refute and to expose but to strengthen and
console, because constant misrepresentation is depressing. ... In
these days when printed matter is so obtrusive, the Catholic who does
not read something orthodox wrongs himself terribly. . . . The neces
sity of good reading is imperative, and consequently I have done my
best for my people and incidentally for the Review.
Yours sincerely,
Thomas E. Powers.
[ 92 ]

parish school

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN

TRIBUTES FROM BISHOPS AND CLERGY
OUTSIDE OF MASSACHUSETTS
Bishop's House, 153 N. Warren Stkeet,
Trenton, N. J., December 5, 1905.
Rev. and Dear Father O'Brien: — It gives me pleasure to say
a word in praise of the Sacred Heart Review. I always read it
with great satisfaction, and I find that others entertain an excellent
opinion of its contents. It deserves a place in every Christian family.
Very faithfully yours,
James A. McFaul,
Bishop of Trenton.
The Right Rev. Bishop Gabriels, Ogdensburg, N. Y. :
It is with great pleasure that I send you a line to state that in my
opinion the Sacred Heart Review, which has been so good from
the beginning, and has ever continued so under your wise direction,
is deserving the greatest success and prosperity. It is sound in doctrine,
moderate yet forceful in its discussions, elegant in form and attractive
throughout. I wish it many years of increasing usefulness to the
Church. The late Right Rev. Bishop Healy of Portland, Me.,
said, as reported in the Review of 1894 :
As a thoroughly Catholic paper, I know of nothing to compare
with it in this country.
Rev. J. J. Kennedy of Carrollton, Mo. :
The Sacred Heart Review is the best Catholic family paper in
the United States, and I sincerely wish that every family in America
[ 93 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
were blessed with its presence and good influence every week. I really
believe that it would be the best means to spread the light of our holy
faith throughout the West. Would that I had the means to travel and
bring it before our people.
The Rev. Albert Stern, C.SS.R., Ilchester, Md. :
Having surveyed the field of Catholic papers, I find none better
suited to Catholic reading than the Sacred Heart Review. It is
thoroughly Catholic, charming, instructive, and up-to-date. May it
long continue to serve the Catholic cause in America.
Rev. James B. Monaghan, Knottsville, Ky. :
I am acquainted with about fifteen Catholic weeklies, and regard
yours as the best. , ,„„„„„
J December 15, 1906.
Broad Cove Chapel,
Inverness Co., N. S., Canada.
Editor Review: — Please find enclosed four dollars — renewal of
my subscription to the Review to Nov., 1909. I beg to state that
I am exceedingly well pleased with the Review. I feel as if I could
not get along without this splendid Catholic weekly.
Our co-religionists in New England and Canada have just reason
to be proud of their three excellent weeklies — the Sacred Heart
Review, the Casket and the Catholic Record. With best wishes, I
remain, Yours truly,
(Rev.) A. Macpherson.
Cakrington, North Dakota,
November 28, 1906.
Editor Review: — Enclosed please find check for five dollars.
Take my subscription out of this amount, and mail to some poor
missionaries two copies of the Sacred Heart Review, and for
anything over or above I hold myself responsible.
[ 94 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
The Sacred Heart Review is a Catholic journal that we should
all be proud of — clear, terse, and a true exponent of the Church of
our Fathers. God bless your work !
Yours sincerely, (Rev.) J. A. McDonald.
Newmarket, Co. Cork, Ireland,
December 1, 1901.
Editor Review : — I enclose subscription for one year to the
Sacred Heart Review, a Catholic weekly which, for its sound
Catholic tone, its high literary standard, its sage counsel and varied
news, well deserves the high place which it has won among the first-
class organs of Catholic opinion in the United States. I remain,
Yours sincerely in Christ,
(Rev.) M. P. Norris.
The following appreciative letter has been received from
a zealous missionary priest in Texas. It speaks for itself:
Eagle Pass, Texas,
April 9. 1906.
Rev. and dear Sir: — Please find enclosed check for subscription
to the Sacred Heart Review. I wish I could do like many of your
more fortunate clerical friends and admirers and send you an order
for as many copies of the Review as we have English-speaking fami
lies in our parish. Alas ! it is out of the question. So kindly accept my
good intentions and my best wishes for the ever increasing spread of
your excellent Review. Respectfully yours,
J. M. Levoter, O. M. I.
The Rev. M. J. Walsh, Glyndon, Md. :
I am delighted with the Review. It is a review of events we want
[ 95 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
in a Catholic weekly, and not columns of details and names of cele
brations. I most cordially wish the Review every success-
Rev. Joseph L. J. Kirlin, St. Patrick's Church, Phila
delphia :
It is a small sum to pay for such a valuable weekly visit from
what I consider the best Catholic paper we have. I am proud to show
it as an example of how a Catholic paper can be interesting and in
structive, can make religious topics as attractive as the papers dealing
with secular subjects make their pages, can attract attention and hold
the reader's interest, and yet not minimize any Catholic truth. The
page devoted to total abstinence supplies me with interesting illustra
tions for my talks to my parish total abstinence societies, and I gladly
quote my authority always, so that they may know how much one
paper is doing in the cause of total abstinence. . . . Pardon the
length of this, but I feel such an interest in the Review, and am so
glad to hear what it says, that I am presuming the friendly interest
is mutual and that the Review will be glad to know something of
what one of its admirers thinks of it.
In far-away Greencreek, Idaho, the Rev. J. L. Camp
bell publishes a paper called A Voice in the Wilderness
which is "devoted to the interests of scattered Christians
and to the spreading of the truth." Father Campbell's
Voice says in a late issue :
The Sacred Heart Review (Boston) is truly a missionary to
thousands within and without the fold of the Church. Those who
wish to drink deep at the fountain of true knowledge would do well
to read the Review. It is one of the wide-awake sentinels of the
Church.
[96]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
The Rev. James J. O'Brien, pastor of St. Joseph's
Church, Ellsworth, Me. :
Please find enclosed my check for five years' subscription to the
Sacred Heart Review. It is by far the ablest weekly paper that
comes to my desk, and I look forward with pleasure to each issue.
The Rev. Brother Charles J. Heislein, S. M., Cincinnati,
Ohio: Your paper the Sacred Heart Review is sent to me regularly by
my brother who lives in Boston. I find it the best Catholic weekly
which has yet come under my observation. The Brothers of my
community appreciate the paper very much. We read nearly every
article. I wish you and the Sacred Heart Review all success.
A membeb of the order of Christian Brothers in New
York writes thus of our issue of February 29, 1908 :
It is a thoroughly Roman number — which would, in a very partic
ular manner, please St. John Baptist de la Salle, were he in the flesh
to-day and could see it, since, to testify his devotion to the Holy See,
he always added to his signature the words "Roman Priest."

[ 97 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

TRIBUTES FROM THE CATHOLIC LAITY
M. C. O'Brien, New Bedford:
You publish the most consistent Catholic paper that can be
found to-day. I wish you continued success.
Mr. Charles P. Harrington of Charlestown, Mass.:
I frequently read favorable comments on your excellent paper,
most of which refer to some particular department. I like the Review
from beginning to end. I am deeply impressed with your courageous
defence of the Catholic religion; false and libelous statements are
promptly refuted, and their authors are taught a lesson in history.
No calumniator of our holy religion escapes your vigilant eye.
Charles P. Dunn of Norwood:
In renewing my subscription to the Review I feel that I must
offer a word of encouragement and praise for the high standard to
which it has attained under your able management.
Your treatment of the situation in France is especially interesting
and instructive.
Mr. Dunn adds that he should like to see the weekly
issue of the Review multiplied a million-fold, and as a
help toward increasing the paper's circulation he encloses
a subscription in favor of the Rev. William Fraser, Wen-
chow, Tchekiang, China.
Mr. William Daly of Montreal :
I am delighted to see your journal keeping up to its high stand
ard. It is one of the best Catholic papers published, so thoroughly
[ 98 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Catholic in tone, and a strong antagonist of the evil of intemperance.
Long may you prosper in such a noble cause !
D. J. Dunn, Fitchburg, Mass. :
I can't say which part of the Review to praise the most. I must
say that I cannot find fault with any.
Mr. P. P. Walsh, treasurer of St. Mary's Total Absti
nence Society, Bristol, R. I. :
I wish you success. I would not be without your paper for any
money. Your temperance department is excellent.
Mr. John MacGrady, Pointe Gatineau, P. Q., Canada :
I herewith remit $2.50 to pay my subscription to the Review for
1908. Needless to say I am delighted with it. It is the beau ideal of a
Catholic newspaper, one which we are not ashamed to show to our
Protestant friends. Having had a discussion with the editor of the
Ottawa Citizen, I sent him a copy, marking an article bearing on our
discussion. He wrote me that he read not only the article, but the
whole contents with the keenest pleasure, and expressed great ad
miration for it. ... I think the infamous tyranny of the French
Government cannot be too much harped upon. It should be kept
before the tribunal of the public constantly.
Mr. Leontine Colas of Kirkwood, Mo.:
I am French, and the articles concerning the struggling conditions
of the Church in France have been of unusual interest to me. I could
not help making a comparison between your perfect understanding
of these conditions and the sympathy coming therefrom, and the
relative indifference shown in other quarters from which more might
be expected. I give you my heartfelt thanks for the consideration
[99]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
of the Review in behalf of my sorely-tried countrymen, as also my
good wishes for the permanent success of the Review.
Dr. A. J. McDonald, Leadville, Colo., writing to renew
his subscription to the Review for four years in advance,
says :
I am a liberal subscriber to Catholic papers and magazines, all
of them excellent in their way, but I consider the Review, from a
purely Catholic point of view, among the best, if not indeed the very
best.
Mr. Newton W. Thompson of Albany, N. Y. :
Without the Review, Sunday does not seem satisfactorily com
plete. I should like to put your well-balanced paper into the hands
of every Catholic young man.
Mr. John J. Kelley of New London, Conn. :
The Sacred Heart Review is indeed the most valuable Catholic
paper that I have as yet seen, and it is read by every member of my
family, and is looked for from week to week.
From a Catholic trained nurse in New York city :
Last evening I gave the Sacred Heart Review to a nurse who is
here assisting me on a case, and when she returned it this morning
she said : " If I should read a paper like this, I could answer the ques
tions asked me about Catholic subjects by my patients and their
families." I enclose check for five dollars that you may send the
Review four years to her. ... I am sure she will find the Review
what it has been to me for years — an unfailing solace and source of
information. A subscriber in Montreal :
Enclosed please find P. O. order ffor|$2.50, my subscription to
[ 100 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
July, 1908. I must say that I am always delighted with the Review.
Your articles on the Church in France were very instructive, and must
have opened the eyes of our non-Catholic editors who give only one
side of the question. New London, Conn.,
t, „ March 4, 1907.
Review Publishing Co.,
Boston, Mass.
Gentlemen: — I am enclosing a postal money order for two dol
lars to renew my subscription for your excellent paper. I have been a
subscriber to the Sacred Heart Review for a number of years
past, and have regarded it as an excellent source of information and
education concerning religious matters for myself and family, more
than ever during the past year, inasmuch as it has done such com
mendable work in putting the French Separation Law before its
readers in a true light. If its circulation were more wide-spread, in
my opinion, the danger of the daily press conveying a distorted im
pression of this important question to its readers would be greatly
diminished. With best wishes for continued success in your noble work, I am
Very respectfully yours,
John J. Kelley.
Wenham, Mass.,
March 4, 1907.
Review Publishing Co.,
Boston, Mass.
Gentlemen: — Enclosed please find four dollars, two in renewal
of my own subscription for another year, and for the other two dollars
you may send the Review where you think it is most needed, and
kindly forward me a copy of "Voices from Erin." If I had at the
end of each year one hundred dollars which I needed not, I would
not want to spend it in any better way than by giving it towards
[ 101 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
spreading the Sacred Heart Review among the people who need
good reading such as the Review supplies. If our Catholic young
men and women who attend theatres perhaps twice a week the year
round would spend some of the money, they pay for theatre-going,
for the Review, and read it for one year, I am sure they would have
sounder minds at the end of that time than after a year's attendance
at the theatres.
With kind regards for the Review, I am
Sincerely yours,
John Duffy.
Mr. Angus Gillis of Somerville:
The Review is indeed " guide, philosopher and friend," and the
source of the most reliable information. Its enlightening articles in
regard to the infamies of the French Government are practically ex
clusive, and really invaluable.
Mrs. Winnifred Shannon, Manchester, N. H. :
Enclosed find $5.00 in advance for the Sacred Heart Review of
which I am proud to be a subscriber. I wish every family in this
broad land would read its pages. I have selected seventy-nine of its
numbers, put them in book form, beautifully bound, and now I can
say I have one of the best books in the State of New Hampshire.
M. Josephine Nichols of Lawrence :
The Review has become a necessary part of the weekly life of
our household, each member finding help and information, to assist
him in his life's duties, in its valuable pages.
Dr. Charles W. Rodgers, secretary of the Massachu
setts Dental Society, said in January, 1908 :
I have always been, since my coming to Boston, an ardent ad
mirer of the great exponent of pure Catholicity, the Sacred Heart
[ 102 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Review. It has always been my custom to advocate it to my friends,
but it has not been my privilege to hand in the names of new sub
scribers until now.
Dr. Rodgers not only called the attention of the two
friends, whose subscriptions he sends us, to the Review
as an ideal Catholic paper, but he also pointed out that
the payment of two dollars would entitle each subscriber
to a beautifully-bound copy of the Holy Bible.
Richard H. Hartford, attorney and counsellor, Portland,
Ind., said, January 25, 1908:
I cannot do without the Review so long as I am able to command
the price of one year's subscription. After many years' trial of many
of the Catholic publications of this country, I am convinced that no
periodical pretending to be a Catholic periodical should be permitted
to be read by the faithful, unless it is censored, if not edited, by a
priest chosen by the Bishop of the diocese of its publication. Only a
couple of weeks ago, a rather conservative and seemingly safe Catholic
paper (that I have taken for years) had an editorial objecting to the
election of Italian Popes. Such a thing could not occur if the editorial
in question had been submitted to the inspection of a priest before
being published.
I have never seen a line or thought in the Sacred Heart Review
that could possibly give scandal to or in any way injure the faith of
any one, and I have every confidence that such a thing never will be
seen. Hon. Justice H. Meagher, Halifax, N. S., said, Jan
uary 27, 1908 :
I am happy to be able to add my testimony to the uniformly high
standard of excellence which the Review maintains in its great work
[ 103 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
of promoting the interests of our holy religion, and with it the cause
of temperance and morality. May its usefulness and vigor, as well as
its patronage, rapidly expand, is my earnest wish. Cohocton, N. Y.,
December 26, 1906.
Gentlemen: — Enclosed please find P. O. money order for $2.00
to cover subscription to the Review for 1907. I wish it were possible
for me to give you more hearty encouragement than simply to sub
scribe for the coming year. One feels the necessity of one's greatest
effort to support a publication of the standing and efficiency of the
Review, especially at this time when so many journals seem to exist
for the sole purpose of spreading demoralization.
John C. Quinn.
Appreciating the great work which the Sacred Heaet
Review is doing for the Catholic Church, and recognizing
the beneficent influence which it has on its readers, a Bos
ton woman sends us this week, February 16, 1905, a money
order for fifty dollars, to aid us in our effort to place the
Review in every Catholic home.
W. H. Coffey, Tufts College Station Post Office:
As one of your earliest subscribers allow me to say that your
paper grows better from year to year.
A subscriber, Buffalo, N. Y. :
I have been a subscriber to the Review for many years, and would
not want my home to be without it. My husband is a convert to the
Catholic Church, and finds great comfort and pleasure in reading the
Revlew. It is indeed a valuable paper and ought to be in every
Catholic home.
[ 104 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Mr. James T. Robinson of New Bedford, Mass. :
It is the ideal Catholic paper — the best of its kind.
North Adams, Mass.,
December 16, 1905.
Editor Review: — Enclosed you will find check for four years'
subscription to the Sacred Heart Review. We did not receive
last week's Review and we are lost without it. I think it the very best
of reading, and like it better than any Catholic magazine I have ever
taken — and we take three or four regularly. Wishing the Review
success, I remain, A faithful reader,
James Nolan.
P. S. Be sure and send last week's Review.
Mr. Egbert I. Clapp, city clerk of Northampton, Mass. :
May 19, 1906.
The Review is the most valued publication which comes to my
home; it should be in every Catholic household in New England.

[ 105 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

TRIBUTES FROM NON-CATHOLICS
September 30, 1905.
The Northwestern Christian Advocate (with which we
have on occasion some sharp editorial tilts) appreciates
the Catholic press. Unlike some Catholics, who think
themselves away beyond the need of a Catholic paper in
their home circle, the Methodist editor of the Advocate
recognizes the worth of first-class Catholic papers, and is
not afraid to tell his readers so. He says :
To those of our readers who may desire a Roman Catholic paper
we commend (among others) the Sacred Heart Review of Boston ;
or the Tablet of London. These papers are ably edited, and are
strenuously loyal to their faith. They do not always agree with us,
but it may be said in turn that we do not always agree with them.
Quoting with approval one of our recent editorial para
graphs on the importance of supplying good reading to
young people as an antidote to the flashy literature that is
so common, the Derry News, Derry, N. H., a secular
weekly, says:
That most excellent publication, the Sacred Heart Review, the
leading Catholic periodical of New England, is always brimful of good
thoughts and worthy suggestions. The following from the current issue
is well worth remembering by all in giving books to friends : " The
New York Evening Post declared in a recent editorial that there never
has been a time when it was more important than now to offer children
excellent books for home reading. The yellow magazines, streaked,
spotted and freckled, catch the eye at every corner. It is necessary to
[ 106 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
provide an antidote to all this yellow literature. It is necessary to fur
nish a substitute. Our esteemed New York contemporary suggests
good, strong, manly books. Now that the premium season is at hand,
those who have the giving of books to our Catholic children should
be careful as to what kind of books they give. It has not been unknown
that children have received books as school premiums that were any
thing but suitable gifts."
The Churchman (Protestant Episcopal) pays us the fol
lowing compliment in its October 27, 1906, issue :
Americanism of the best kind speaks in an editorial paragraph
in the last issue of the Sacred Heart Review. We should expect
it there, for few journals come to us that combine, so happily, sturdy
independence of speech and scholarly amenity.
Colonel T. W. Higginson addressing a group of students
said: They ought by all means to read the Sacred Heart Review : first,
because it was the brightest, freshest, and most readable religious pa
per that he knew ; and, secondly, because it represented a Church more
important and more difficult for them to understand than any other.
M. M. Gower, a member of the Baptist Church, New
Haven, Conn., says:
I presume that thousands of so-called Catholics in New Haven
prefer the yellow journals for their Sunday reading. I do not even
guess what your circulation is, but it ought to be at least 100,000
among the 10,000,000 Catholics of the United States.
Henry W. Pond, Wrentham, Mass., says :
I am neither Catholic nor Protestant. I believe what I see reason
for, and quarrel with no man's faith. I esteem the Catholic cult for
its learning. Please send paper for amount enclosed.
[ 107 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

TRIBUTES FROM CATHOLIC PERIODICALS
St. Joseph's Messenger, Dayton, Ohio:
The Sacred Heart Review of Boston, Mass., is a splendid type
of the American progressive Catholic journal. While it does not pos
sess the interest of local news for us, its literary features give it a per
manent value. No Catholic paper is more generally read by Protes
tants, or more extensively quoted by their papers. It is owned by a
stock company of one hundred priests of New England, and costs
$2.00 a year.
The Villanova Monthly:
Among our visitors there is none which receives a more cordial
welcome than the Sacred Heart Review of Boston. Every week it
comes to us laden with the choicest bits of wit and wisdom. Its va
rious departments, conducted in a most creditable manner, commend
it to the Christian home, where the many useful and happy thoughts
gleaned from it will do incalculable good.
The Church News, Washington, D. C. :
We congratulate the Sacred Heart Review on its success, as
shown by its enlarged size. It is one of our most valued exchanges,
and every week its editor finds live topics to consider, without vio
lating the provisions of the commission he holds as a representative
of the Catholic press.
Our Parish Calendar, published by the Augustinians
of Lawrence, Mass. :
The aim of reading is the improvement of the mind in those
things which are for the benefit of the mind. An extensive knowledge
[ 108 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
of the best literature of the day without a knowledge of the teachings
of Christ found in the Church, leaves us in darkest ignorance. The
Sacred Heart Review meets all the requirements outlined. The
weekly perusal familiarizes us with the current events of the day, and
preaches to us the doctrines of truth in a racy and attractive style.
Subscribe for it and read it.
The Casket, Antigonish, N. S. :
"Here, for example, is the Sacred Heart Review of Boston, the
most powerful Catholic weekly paper on this side of the water; " and
again, quoting from the Ave Maria, it says that that excellent publi
cation is "first among Catholic magazines, as the Sacred Heart
Review is first among the Catholic papers, of America."
An editorial in the Review of July 28, 1906, "A Word
for Ourselves," has furnished the Providence Visitor with
a theme for an able article on "The Catholic Newspaper."
Acknowledging its indebtedness to us, the Visitor says :
We have been moved by an editorial on the aim of the Catholic
newspaper which appeared in a recent issue of the Sacred Heart
Review to say a few words on the subject ourselves. The Review
is one of the best Catholic weeklies in the United States, and its ex
pression of the idea of Catholic journalism ought not to be without
salutary effect.
The Catholic Fortnightly Review of St. Louis names the
Sacred Heart Review as " one of the best if not the best
all-around Catholic weekly newspaper of the country."
The Good Counsel Magazine, published by the Augus-
tinian Fathers at Villanova, Pa. :
The Review is " an excellent paper," which " possesses a reputation
in this country as broad and wide as Catholicity itself."
[ 109 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
St. Thomas' Church Calendar, Jamaica Plain, Mass. :
In the decrees of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, held in
1884, the bishops of the United States gave warning to the faithful of
the danger attending unrestricted and miscellaneous reading. Bad
reading has always been condemned. But who shall tell us what is
bad and what is good ? Those, evidently, who have been made our
guides, in matters of this kind, by the Church. In the Acts of the
Apostles we read that St. Paul found it necessary to condemn bad
reading. So great an impression did he make on the minds of his
hearers, that many of them brought together their books and burned
them before all. (Acts xix. 19.) Even at that early date the per
nicious result of bad reading was in evidence. Fathers and mothers !
heed the warnings of the St. Pauls of to-day, your bishops. See that
the antidote (to any poison contained in the pages which you think
you must read in order to get the news of the day) is at hand, in a
good Catholic newspaper like the Sacred Heart Review.
Catholic Register of Toronto :
The Sacred Heart Review of Boston, Mass., has recently
published a number of articles on the attitude of the Holy Father and
of prominent ecclesiastics in Europe towards the Catholic press. In
these articles that splendid type of progressive Catholic journalism has
rendered invaluable service to the writers who ply their pens in de
fense of the Church often under discouraging conditions. But its
best effort in their cause is, perhaps, its article on the " Catholic Press
in France," in a late issue. Well will it be for us if we learn from those
who have gone through the ordeal of fire the paramount importance
of rallying to the support of our Catholic press, and by our generous
and discriminating assistance enabling it to do its work in a worthy
manner. These tributes are only the outward and visible sign
[110]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
of the inward and spiritual grace that has been given to
Catholics and to non-Catholics through the columns of the
Sacred Heart Review. We cannot reckon by figures or
in words what has been done there for the good of souls.
Only the Last Day will reveal all that. One striking ex
ample we are about to give from the pen of a grateful con
vert, as addressed to a member of the Review's staff
who has long experienced the benefits of Father O'Brien's
wisdom and kindness.

[HI]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

TRIBUTE FROM A GRATEFUL CONVERT
June 1, 1908.
Dear Friend: — You ask me to tell you how my conversion
came about. It seems increasingly difficult to put any account of it
into reasonable space, for I see more and more clearly that every
circumstance of my life was a factor in the result.
It was our Lord Who counseled, " if thy hand or thy foot scandalize
thee, cut it off;" and when the Good Physician Himself cut off, for
me, a hand and a foot, it was, I know now, that I might enter into
hfe. Such a deprivation necessarily shut me out from the pleasures
common to childhood and to youth ; and the books of a very meagre
library were almost the only resource left. The illustrations in
" Foxe's Book of Martyrs " made on my infant mind as strong an
impression as on that of little David Copperfield ; but, later in life,
because there was time to read all that came in my way, I learned
that many, many things absorbed in childhood as facts, were not so.
Browsing through my father's book-shelves, I came upon a vol
ume of lectures, entitled severally, "Why am I a Methodist?" or
Baptist, or Episcopalian, etc. Each writer proved his position from
the Bible, and each was as convincing as his predecessor. Thereafter
I wondered: "What was Truth, and where was it to be found?"
and I never opened a book of any kind without a secret hope that its
author might have stumbled upon Truth. But always the book was
closed with the disappointing conviction that the writer knew no more
of my quest than I ; or, if he did, could speak with no authority.
Later in life, " Christian Science " offered an explanation of many
unsolved problems; but, after reading of the Gnostic heresies in an
Encyclopedia, and noting the similarity of many of their teachings to
those of Mrs. Eddy, I lost faith in that invention, also. My prayers
[ 112 ]

convent and parish school

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
were now reduced to that well-known form: "O God, if there be a
God, save my soul, if I have a soul." I said this in good faith; and
God, Who answers our desires as well as our prayers, answered me.
I was holding the position of an officer in a reformatory institution.
Here, for the first time, I heard Mass said ; and, while I knew nothing
of its meaning, I felt the beauty of its worship, and attended the
service as often as possible, listening also with interest to the short
instruction which followed. But it did not so much as occur to me
that the priest himself, evidently an educated man, and a man of the
world, believed what he was teaching.
It was one of the duties of my position to inspect all reading matter
sent to the inmates. Articles on crime, or anything likely to arouse
religious controversy, were not admitted. This necessitated a good
deal of reading. One day there came a large box of Catholic peri
odicals, and among them a pamphlet (I forget the author's name)
called "Rome and Reason," an answer to IngersoU, and the only
courteous or satisfactory one I had ever seen. If Catholics could
reason so convincingly on this fundamental subject, I reflected, might
they not be able to give a satisfactory reason, also, for further articles
of belief ? and I read the rest of these publications with growing in
terest. It was just at this time that the priest brought a copy of " Catholic
Belief " for the use of his penitents ; and from one of these I borrowed
the little book and devoured it. The spirit in which it was written,
rather than its arguments, captivated me, and from this time I
wished to believe all the Church taught.
It was about this time, too, that I began to see occasional copies of
the Sacred Heart Review, a small sheet then, as I remember it,
with advertisements encroaching on every page; and I liked its edi
torial notes, which were more "modern" in tone than anything of the
kind I had seen before; and its explanations of Catholic doctrine I
found most admirable in their brevity and finish.
[ H3 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
In the height of the A. P. A. excitement I removed to Boston, and
there remained for ten years. My first act was to subscribe for the
Review, much to the annoyance of my friends." Its name gave great
offence. Except for short intervals, it has been a welcome weekly
visitor ever since. In my search for truth, I believe nothing helped
me more than this paragraph cut from its pages and read again and
again: " Catholics are accustomed to hear people saying : ' I am almost a
Catholic ; I am just about convinced that yours is the true Church ;
but I can't quite make up my mind to accept this or that doctrine or
practice.' Persons who are examining into the claims of the Church,
or who for one or another reason feel drawn towards her, should be
made to know that this is not the proper or the logical way to proceed
in the matter. The first thing to do is to satisfy oneself as to the
Church's claim to authority. Once make up your mind that she is
the Church founded by Christ Himself, — that is, that she is of divine
origin and teaches with divine authority, — and the rest is simple.
In such case, it is clearly the inquirer's duty to ask for admission to
her fold and to submit himself to her teaching and discipline. The
experience of many thousands shows that when this is done, the
things which have seemed so difficult or even impossible no longer
give the mind any trouble. Everything becomes plain and easy, and
the convert smiles at the difficulties which before had seemed insuper
able. This is a matter of logical consistency, since if we acknowledge
the authority of the teacher we must accept the teaching. But more
than this, it is a work of faith. Once make an act of faith in God's
Church, and grace does what discussion and argument never could.
At any given moment there are doubtless numbers of persons hesitat
ing and on the brink, held back from taking the final step over the
fine into the Church from the reasons indicated above. To all such
persons we would say simply: 'Be logical. Settle the fundamental
and essential question first, and the rest will be simple and easy.' "
[ H4 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Everything in Scripture confirmed the truth of this statement.
You wonder why I did not all at once seek admission to the Church.
It was because opinion had not yet grown into conviction. That is a
work of time.
In the Review, I came upon the address of the Catholic Truth
Society, and to them I wrote for a list of books suited to my state of
mind. This, in part, was the answer I received :
"Perhaps 'The Dark Ages' by Dr. Maitland will help you. He
was a Protestant, but we find his books of great value. Wm. Cobbett,
another Protestant, has written a 'History of The Reformation'
which Catholics have used a great deal. Blunt's ' History of the Re
formation ' is another. I give you these names of Protestants because
they have done the work for us Catholics. Perhaps, if some of our
writers were as severe, they would be accused of being unfair. A
book on Infallibility by Rev. D. Lyons, which may be found at
the Catholic book-store on Essex Street, will help you, I believe.
Most public libraries are exceedingly deficient in Catholic litera
ture, otherwise I would ask you to read 'Christian Schools and
Scholars;' Archbishop Spaulding's 'Essays' and 'Evidences of
Religion;' Hecker's 'Aspirations of Nature,' and 'Questions of the
Soul.'" All of these books I found in the Boston Public Library. Of
course they led to the reading of many more on the same subject,
to Newman's books, in particular; his "Development of Christian
Doctrine" supplying a principle which slowly settled all my
difficulties. I was now attending a "high" Episcopalian Church, where the
service was dignified and the sermons were often very beautiful; but
the preacher, like myself, was a seeker, he could speak with no au
thority, and I never left the church without a deepened conviction of
the truth of Catholicity.
As often as possible I slipped into a Catholic church, either to hear
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THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
Mass or to say a prayer. I had no Catholic acquaintance ; and because
of my ignorance and timidity, these visits were wholly unsatisfactory.
Nevertheless, the following week found the attraction of the Church
as strong upon me as ever. Indeed, it was so great that I suspected it
of being one of the wiles of our enemy.
I was always wishing I could take the final step, but certain family
matters caused me to hesitate and to doubt if this were God's will. I
know now thatT was not ready, and that such an act would have been
premature. But when, at last, these conditions did change, and I
knew that for a long time there had been no change in the attitude of
my mind, I found my courage put to a severe test, and therefore I
decided to burn my bridges. This I did by writing to the Rev. John
O'Brien, (an entire stranger, known to me only as the editor of my
good friend, the Review) for instruction as to further action. You,
dear friend, better than anyone else, know with what gracious kind
ness I was met at every step of the way from this time on. And so you
have the story of the beginning of my conversion, for intellectually
it could go no further, outside the Church. But, within the Church,
and through the Sacraments, I am daily learning what cannot be
learned elsewhere. How is it possible to tell of the help received in
the Sacrament of Penance, when one comes, like a little tired child at
night, kneels at the feet of Christ's deputy, and, having met the con
ditions, goes out absolved, directed, comforted, "as one whom his
mother comf orteth " ? But in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist it
is no longer His deputy, but the Author of all Grace Who meets the
soul, and feeds it with His own Body and Blood. Perhaps you re
member one of Tissot's pictures which represents our Lord sitting on
a little wharf to which the fishing-boats are drawn up. He is talking
to one of the fishermen, sitting in his boat. His slender hand clasps the
wrist of the old man, whose startled eyes meet the level eyes of his
Maker, and for the first time in his toilsome life that old man realizes
that he has an immortal soul. And thus intimately does this same
[ H6]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Jesus come, in Holy Communion, to each obedient soul in His great
Catholic Church.
"O Sacred Heart of Jesus, mayest Thou be known, loved and
adored throughout the world ! "

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THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

HELPERS ON THE REVIEW
Father O'Brien has always been editor in chief and
general manager of the Sacred Heart Review. In the
beginning of the paper as a parish organ, however, he ap
pointed the Rev. John D. Colbert, who is now pastor in
Wakefield, his assistant in the good work; and he never
tires of mentioning, with grateful appreciation, the services
that Father Colbert rendered in this connection. The lat
ter used to meet with the young staff of graduates from
the Advanced Class and plan for them their various duties.
Among the names of these young people in the very first
issue of the Review we find these : Joseph Gaham, Dennis
Murphy, Etta and Minnie Mclntire, Nellie Royal, Annie
Toner, Edward Graham, James O'Connell, Nellie Calla
han, Mary Carmichael, Thomas Quinn, Joseph Baldwin,
Mary Boyle, Annie Cullin, William Murray, Andrew
Nolan, Maggie Shea, Lydia and Carrie Collier, Winnie
Kinsley, Katie White, Julia Buckley, Mary McClosky,
Annie McCarthy. The following letter we append in or
der to show how truly the Review is the outgrowth of that
Advanced Class in Christian Doctrine so dear to Father
O'Brien's heart. Cambridge, Mass.,
November 11, 1905.
Editor Review, — Please find enclosed my check for renewal of
my own subscription and some new subscriptions. I make it a point
to send the Review to some new subscribers every year. I am sending
[118]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
the Review this year to a Protestant friend, the leader of a Bible
class. I have been talking to him and think he will be very much
benefited by Professor Starbuck's articles. It is surprising how little
such men know about the teachings and work of the Church. He is a
fine, fair-minded man, however, and I sincerely hope the Review will
do him good.
I like the Review better every year ; and I never miss reading it,
and have it mailed to me when I am away. It is just like a continua
tion of your old Advanced Class, to us who had the benefit of your
personal instruction in your younger days; and I feel that you will
never realize how much good you did for the boys, at that time. There
was never anything like it. I attribute the great success of the Review
to the fact that you are talking to the public now in the same spirit
that you addressed the Advanced Class, only you have enlarged your
audience. Again wishing you every success, and hoping that you may be
spared to us for many many years to come, I am,
Yours sincerely,
Frank M. Doyle.
Soon after the Review assumed the character of the
regular newspaper and became more or less an organ for
original composition on the part of experienced writers,
Father O'Brien was so fortunate as to secure the services
of the venerable Mr. Henry L. Richards, Sr., of Winches
ter, as a regular contributor to its columns. Mr. Richards
had once been an Episcopalian minister, but had entered
the Catholic Church with all his family, and had con
tributed to most of the Catholic papers in the United
States. He became warmly attached to the Review; and
he wrote for its pages, in a simple, plain and yet forceful
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THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
manner, many things that were of peculiar merit and use
fulness. He was deeply imbued with a love for souls;
and through the columns of the Review he was, as it were,
enabled to pursue the work of preaching and teaching that
he had chosen for his life-work as an Episcopalian. Even
more valuable, in a way, were the services of his son, Henry
L. Richards, Jr., who was, for several years, not only the
prized assistant but the beloved daily companion of Fa
ther O'Brien. What estimate Father O'Brien placed upon
his services can be gauged from the fact that, during Mr.
Richards' long illness of seven or eight years, Father
O'Brien never filled his place, but waited for him in the
earnest hope that he might once again have him laboring
at his side. To this hope, only Mr. Richards' lamented
death put a termination.
The versatile and very brilliant talents of the Rev. Wil
liam D. Kelly were placed at the Review's disposal, and
especially in the way of collecting information bearing on
Catholic topics from the current secular magazines of the
day. For this work he had a singular adaptability, seem
ing to catch at a glance the important points. He was a
poet, too, of no mean order. On account of his extraor
dinary and unusual fund of information, and his readiness
in placing all this at the service of the readers of the
Review, he was by far the most competent and valuable
editorial assistant that it has ever had.
Mr. John Ryan, an experienced newspaper man on the
Boston secular press, rendered noteworthy assistance to
the Review for a while. [ 120 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Mr. Denis A. McCarthy of Charlestown, Mass., is the
present associate-editor of the Sacred Heart Review.
He is a young Catholic layman of unusual mental ability
and of sterling high principle, a credit to the Irish race and
to the Catholic Church ; a fearless exponent and a noble
example of that race and that faith in Boston, where he is
now well and widely known. He received his early edu
cation in the Christian Brothers' Schools of his native
town, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. He came
to Boston at the age of fifteen, and after some years' ex
perience in different lines of work in several cities of the
country, he entered the employ of the Review thirteen
years ago, and has worked steadily upward to the position
which he now holds. His justly earned title, of a proficient,
clear-sighted, "all-round" Catholic editor and newspaper
man is largely due to his steady adherence to Father
O'Brien's rules and methods of work, and his loyal follow
ing of his chief's ideas and plans. Mr. McCarthy's two
volumes of poems, "A Round of Rimes" and "Voices
from Erin," have won him recognition as a leading poet
of the younger generation in the United States. It has been
said of him: "He is Catholic and Irish to the core. His
Americanism is as intense as his Irishism. The mantle of
John Boyle O'Reilly seems to have fallen on his shoulders."
Not from Catholics only, but from people of all creeds and
classes has come appreciation of Mr. McCarthy's work.
Many of his poems have appeared in the Sacred Heart
Review, for which the most of his prose work has been
done. [ 121 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
The Rev. M. P. Mahon,the distinguished Gaelic scholar,
one of Father O'Brien's priestly assistants, has given the
benefit of his profound scholarship to the conducting of a
Gaelic Department in the paper.
Father Higgins, another assistant to Father O'Brien in
his parish and who is doing exceptionally meritorious work
for the children of the Sunday-school, of which he has
charge, has, like Mr. McCarthy, grown up in the office of
the Sacred Heart Review. He, too, is a trained news
paper man, and one of the most efficient of the editorial
staff, besides having charge of the office.
Elsewhere in this Souvenir volume we give an estimate
of the value of Mr. Starbuck's work, and we direct the at
tention of our readers to the tributes rendered to him by
other than Catholic pens. At Father O'Brien's suggestion,
he is now devoting most of his time to the preparation of
his many papers for future publication in book form. Al
ready many requests have been made for such a compila
tion, and it is hoped that the volume will soon be ready
for sale.
This will not be, however, the only work that has ap
peared first in the form of newspaper articles in the Sa
cred Heart Review, and has then been found worthy of
republication in permanent book-form. Dr. James Field
Spalding, the distinguished lecturer and convert, once,
like Mr. Richards, an Episcopalian minister, wrote for the
Review his interesting papers under the title of "The
World's Unrest and its Remedv," which have since been
republished by Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co.
[ 122 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
The same firm published, in 1903, "The Inner Life
of the Soul," now in its 3rd edition, a volume of 269
pages, made up of papers originally written for the Review
by the well-known author, Miss Susan L. Emery, a con
vert from Episcopalianism since 1875. She has been on
the Review's editorial staff since 1891, and is still an ac
tive and valued member. Recently have appeared from
the Angel Guardian Press, Boston, and Burns and Oates,
London, her translations of the French poems of Sister
Teresa of the Child Jesus, a young Carmelite nun who died
in Lisieux, France, ten years ago ; and they are having a
phenomenal sale. The first of these translations (which
have won from no less a critic than the poet and veteran
priest-editor, the Rev. Matthew Russell, S. J., the unusual
commendation that they are "a classic"): originally ap
peared in the Sacred Heart Review. Of "The Inner
Life of the Soul," Father Russell said: "This is a really
spiritual book, one of the holiest and most beautiful that
the century is likely to add to ascetic literature in the
English language."
We may also mention that Mr. J. Napier Brodhead,
who has brought out, through Kegan Paul, Trench, Trttb-
ner & Co. of London, and B. Herder of St. Louis, a work
on "The Religious Persecution in France — 1906," has
been, for years past, the Review's foreign correspondent.
Such facts show Father O'Brien's keen editorial in
stincts; for, in thus gathering round him helpers of such
recognized ability, he has been enabled to maintain the
more readily his own high standard for the Review, of
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THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
which he himself is the keen inspiration, the guiding hand,
the honored chief. These facts should also indicate what
this priest-editor has been to converts to the Catholic
Church. Not only has he been an immense help, through
the Review, in leading souls towards the Church, and in
removing ignorance and prejudice among non- Catholics,
but he has been a very practical help to converts when
thrown into new spheres and compelled to gain their liveli
hood and win their way among new friends and faces. He
has let them help him to help others towards the truth:
he has shown himself a true friend to them in time of sick
ness and distress ; and God will remember it unto him for
good. No wonder his paper has met with success. His
own great heart has been put into it ; and he has paved the
way for his staff to put their own hearts' best into it
also. In the mention of those persons who have rendered good
service to the Review, we must not forget the Rev. Philip
J. O'Donnell, now pastor of St. Philip's Church, Boston
(which he himself has built), who called in person on the
first members of the Corporation individually, and secured
their names and their active interest. Besides this, he has
always been a warm personal friend of the Review, ren
dering great service to it. Nor must we fail to mention the
Rev. William F. Powers, now of Manchester-by-the-Sea,
who brought out the memorial numbers of the Sacred
Heart Review for the principal parishes of New England,
and who furnished important historical data concerning
those parishes, the buildings erected, etc., etc. The Rev.
[ 124 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
Dr. Tracy, now of Brighton, conducted for a while a very
interesting book-review department.
For some years, a department dealing with Irish affairs,
and which was held in high esteem, was conducted by
Mr. Martin J. Roche of Charlestown. Miss Margaret E.
Jordan, author and earnest charity worker, was once
connected with the Review. Another contributor, and
one who still enlivens its pages with her bright, clever
and useful department, is the lady called "Aunt Bride,"
who has for many years written cheering and helpful let
ters to women and young girls, and who has won fre
quent and warm commendation.

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POSSIBLE SCOPE OF THE REVIEW
The Sacred Heart Review is no longer, therefore, the
work of any one man, but it is well recognized as one of the
leading Catholic periodicals in the country. With its com
plete and well selected corps of writers, it is established on
a solid basis, and is independent of any one individual or
any one purse. It can live of its own accord. The Sacred
Heart Review secured long ago a national recognition.
Father O'Brien is, nevertheless, as fond of the work as
ever, and even more so. It is much easier for him now
to do the editorial work than it used to be.
While Father O'Brien did not always succeed in realiz
ing the late Archbishop Williams' high ideals of a Catholic
editor, the Archbishop was, nevertheless, generous in his
praise of the Review and ready to condone these failures.
His successor, Archbishop O'Connell, has been very kind
in his praise of the work. The public, however, should re
member that it is not right to hold Archbishop Williams or
Archbishop O'Connell responsible for anything that the
Review says or does. We deem it hardly necessary to
add that Father O'Brien could not have entered upon
this work, originally, without the permission of the late
Archbishop Williams, whose commendations were most
deeply prized by him ; nor could he now continue connec
tion with it for twenty-four hours without the permission
of the Most Reverend Archbishop O'Connell of Boston.
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sacred heart review printing office

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
While the usefulness and influence of the Review are
indicated somewhat by the high opinion entertained of it,
as shown in the above tributes by Catholics and Protestants,
by clergy and laity, Father O'Brien, however, is not satis
fied ; his ideal is far from being realized ; he insists that the
only thing so far accomplished is to show that there is
room for and need of such a paper. In order to fulfil its
mission, he holds that its scope should be broadened and
its equipment enlarged and perfected.
There are many good Catholic papers in the country;
but they are provincial, local, or parochial, in character.
A really representative Catholic paper should be, in a
sense, the mirror of the Catholicity, the comprehensive
ness, the influence and the scholarship of the Church.
While there is room for several such papers in the country,
we must acknowledge that we have as yet not one. It is
time that a beginning were made. New England, with
over 2,000,000 Catholics, is the place where this should be
done. The virile Sacred Heart Review, now of age, of
good repute, and crippled by no embarrassing traditions,
is ready at hand. An endowment, however, of three or
four hundred thousand dollars is needed. In these days,
all kinds of institutions are being generously, even lavishly
endowed. Who will come forward and endow a Catholic
paper? Several persons have already offered for this
purpose $3000 each; and one Catholic layman, whose
name is a synonym for liberality, has offered to be one of
many who should give $10,000 apiece.
Equipped with such an endowment, the Catholic paper
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THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
could have on its editorial staff, besides the usual workers,
specialists in theology, history, apologetics, philosophy,
the arts, the sciences, general literature and sociology.
Books published on any of these subjects in any country
should have a masterly and scholarly review in these
pages. The layman who could have at hand every week
such a paper would fit into any intelligent and cultured
company. Our laymen have still in no small measure the sturdy
faith inherited from a pious ancestry ; but, under the con
ditions of modern society, can they hope to transmit this
gift to their offspring, unless they prepare these children to
meet the new dangers of the age by giving them that
knowledge which may be necessary to remove their intel
lectual difficulties ? A slight acquaintance with the history
of the times forbids one entertaining such a delusion. We
need, therefore, and indeed we must have, such a paper as
that outlined above, in order to supplement the work of the
school, the college and the university. In truth, such a
paper not only supplements this work; but it preserves,
perpetuates, and renders enduring the fruit of these useful
institutions of learning. It is a subject of frequent com
plaint that the graduates of our colleges are too often no
credit to the Catholic body. Doubtless there are many
causes for this evil; but it is safe to say that one chief
cause is that many young men imagine that their gradua
tion marks the completion of their education, whereas it
simply indicates that they have only learned in some
measure how to study. Unless they continue certain studies
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THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
after graduation, their course in college may do them more
harm than good. Our proposed Catholic weekly, as the
slightest consideration will show, is not only useful at
this point, but really necessary.
Our age, above all others, is a reading age; the paper
or the magazine is the college and the university of the
people. Catholics do not fully realize that they themselves
and their children are taking lessons every day at these
colleges and universities. While we dread to expose our
children or ourselves to the anti-Catholic influence or
atmosphere of the secular college, we appear to experience
no fear at the sight of the paper or magazine in their, or in
our own, hands. Too few of us, at any rate, form a correct
estimate of the beneficent influence of even such Catholic
papers as we have. But there is awakening a new spirit
throughout the world ; and our Holy Father the Pope is, as
might be expected, the inspiring influence.
The Germans, in this field, have outstripped the
Catholics of the world; they have, and they support gen
erously, not only a weekly but an equally vigorous and
prosperous daily press. What position will the Catholics
of New England take in this line ? Can they afford to lag
behind or to close their eyes to the pressing demands of
the hour ?
We are yet young, with a thousand and one problems
clamoring for solution; but, even so, we believe that such
a weekly as we have in mind would help on the solution
of those problems in addition to doing the equally essential
work above indicated. Why put so many millions of dol-
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THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF
lars into the building of parish schools, if we turn over the
crude product at fourteen or fifteen years of age, or earlier,
to the secular paper or magazine to neutralize or destroy
the work of the school? And until the Catholic people
shall have fully realized the dangers of this situation, they
can take no interest in this ideal Catholic press.
There is another danger : — some so-called Catholic
papers do harm. It is not enough that a paper be pub
lished by a Catholic. It must be directed by correct Cath
olic principles. It should not be the organ of any one man
or party, to promote personal or political interests. The
paper we have in view should be published in Boston, the
intellectual metropolis of New England, and should be
under such Catholic auspices as would be a guarantee of
its Catholicism.
While the words of commendation, therefore, bestowed
on the Review by his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate,
by Archbishop Williams and Archbishop O'Connell,
and by other bishops, as well as by priests and people, are
highly appreciated by Father O'Brien, and while he is
thankful to God Who permitted him to live to see the
Review become a permanent institution, and influential
in promoting, in ever so slight a degree, the interests
of God's Holy Church and the salvation of souls, he is
keenly sensible, not only of its imperfections, but of its
many limitations, and its failure to realize the ideals he has
always had in mind.
With the income from such an endowment as indicated
above, he believes that he could, with his experience, make
[ 130 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
the Review a very much better paper and one of which
the Catholic body might be proud. But he is also prepared
to take a subordinate position in the ranks. The main
thing is to provide a permanent revenue, broaden the
scope and enlarge the equipment of the Review; or, if
one prefers another and more general name, the New
England Review.
This celebration of the fortieth anniversary of his ordi
nation and the twentieth of the founding of the Sacred
Heart Review appears to him to be a suitable occasion
for these suggestions; and should they bear the desired
fruit, it will afford him greater pleasure than anything he
has ever done.

[ 131 ]

THE TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY OF

CONCLUSION
This record of a priestly life of forty years is, as we can
readily perceive, connected, to an unusual degree, with the
story of Father O'Brien's youth. Not always do the links
in the chain of circumstance shine out so clearly as we can
see them here. The teaching of the truth, the defence of
the Church, is the duty of every priest; but, in John
O'Brien's laborious boyhood among the people of Mit
tineague, this defence of the truth was, even then, before
ever he thought of becoming a priest at all, his glory and
his delight. Then came the priesthood, and those five
Sunday-schools connected with his Concord parish, and
then the Advanced Class of from 400 to 500 pupils in East
Cambridge, and then the Sacred Heart Review.
Did the student at St. Charles' College or in the Semi
nary at Troy ever dream of a day, nearly a half century
distant, when he would be senior priest in a famous Uni
versity City where there were seven other parishes besides
his own ; and that he would have builded there the grandest
church, together with house, school, convent, baptistry,
to the greater glory of God ? He was so stalwart and fear
less in his zeal that he might have thought this possible,
had some one prophesied it of his future.
Had it, however, been revealed to him that he should
also found a Catholic newspaper, to spread Catholic truth
far and near, not only so far as the human voice can go,
[ 132 ]

THE REV. JOHN O'BRIEN
°ut far, far beyond that, as far as the press can carry the
Ringed word, all over the United States and beyond the
seas, to China, to India, to Africa, as well as to the Ireland
that he left fifty-eight years ago, what would he then have
thought ? Would he have chosen for himself a more con
genial career than this, the position of a priest-editor,
defending, propagating, explaining, the truths and prac
tices of our Holy Mother the Church, the Bride of Christ, in
this method so akin to the spirit and intellectual make-up
of the Apostle St. Paul ?
This is what Almighty God has enabled him to do,
through the sympathy and support of his loyal and de
voted people who have given constantly and splendidly
to aid him in his great works for God and the Church.
To-day, his people rallying round him, on the occasion
of his fortieth anniversary to the priesthood, the thirty-
fifth of his first coming among them as their pastor, and
the twentieth of the founding of the Sacred Heart Re
view, testify to him their unswerving devotion.
Asking his prayers and blessings for themselves, with
one accord they raise their hosannas in thanks to God for
his many years of fatherly care and guidance among them,
and hopefully look forward to those days of even greater
rejoicing, Father O'Brien's Golden and Diamond Jubi
lees.
Copies of this Souvenir may be obtained from the Sacked Heabt Review
Cambridge. Price 50 cents.
[ 133 ]

CAMBRIDGE • MASSACHUSETTS
U ¦ S • A

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