Last March 9, Maryknoll Fathers' & Brothers' Superior General Father Ed Dougherty, accompanied by Fr. Mike Walsh, archivist, traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina for the official opening of the cause for canonization of Maryknoll Co-Founder Fr. Thomas F. Price. (The cause for Bishop James A. Walsh was opened last November 12. See details see posts on this blog for November 12 and December 7.)
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, bishop of Raleigh, welcomed the officers for the cause of canonization and sanctification. These included Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, Postulator; Very Rev. Dr. James Garneau, Episcopal Delegate; Rev. JaVan Saxon, Promoter of Justice; Mrs. Angela Goodwin Page, Notary.
Members of the Theological Commission included: Dr. Paul J. Griffiths, Rev. Dr. Msgr. John J. Williams, and Rev. Richard DeClue. Members of the Historical Commission include: Rev. Dr. Msgr. Robert Trisco, Rev. Thomas A. Lynch, and Rev. Michael Walsh, M.M.
Dr. Ambrosi outlined the various tasks entrusted to each group and formally installed the tribunal. Fr. Garneau will investigate all of Fr. Price's published and unpublished writings.
While Fr. Price's parish is no longer in existence, present diocesan headquarters is on land purchased by Fr. Price. Plus, the site of the new cathedral is also on land that Fr. Price bought.
In attendance for this formal opening of the cause was diocesan seminarian Philip Johnson who made a pilgrimage last year to the tomb of Fr. Price at Maryknoll, N.Y., to ask his intercession for healing of a life-threatening illness.
Fr. Walsh brought back newly printed prayer cards with Fr. Price's portrait on one side and the following prayers and information:
Heavenly Father, You so inspired Father Thomas Frederick Price with love for You and zeal for the Gospel that he dedicated his life to serve You and Your Church, first in North Carolina, his home state, and then in the foreign missions. Grant that by his example we may grow in holiness and into a deeper union with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to be authentic witnesses of the Gospel and proclaim the Holy Name of Jesus throughout the Diocese of Raleigh to all the people and in all the places we are sent to love and serve.
If it be according to Your Will, glorify Your Servant, Father Thomas Frederick Price, by granting the favor we now request through his prayerful intercession. (mention your request here)
We make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
If a favor is granted, kindly notify:
Office of the Episcopal Delegate for the Cause of Father Price
P.O. Box 1145
Mount Olive, NC 28365
Showing posts with label Fr. Thomas Price. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fr. Thomas Price. Show all posts
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Fr. Price's spirituality
Father Kevin Hanlon gave a presentation on Fr. Thomas Price, Maryknoll co-founder at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.
Thirteen Society members risked life and limb to make the hazardous trek from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors to the Asia room to hear about Father Price and his spirituality. Who knows how many more might have attended were the weather less freezing, or if this talk did not pose a conflict with some series nap time, or had the library staff, who is sponsoring this series of talks for our Centenary, had sprung for some coffee and doughnuts. To be fair, many men might watch this from the comfort of their rooms on the in-house Channell 15.
Be that as it may, Kevin divides Fr. Price's spirituality into Pre- and Post-Lourdes.
Prior to going to Lourdes, Fr. Price's prayer life was almost Ignatian. Something happened in Lourdes that both greatly disturbed him but then transformed him. Thereafter his spirituality can be described as Bernadettian.
Kevin quoted extensively from a previous work on this topic by our own Fr. James Najmowski, formerly of Korea now of China. (Hi, Naj!)
Meanwhile, back at Lourdes Price experienced a profound mystical experience, the full nature of which Naj et al. can only speculate about from reading his letters.
The missionary connection, Kevin contends Fr. Price sees the mission given to Bernadette was to be an instrument of both Jesus and Our Lady for nothing less than the destruction of sin in the world. Conversion so that the grace of God might enter and transform a person was his goal and he wanted the United States included in this grand missionary endeavor.
"Poor, humble and pure" became the characteristics for Price to model his mission life after the BVM, Bernadette and ultimately Jesus.
A quick look around the room showed that several men were still able to catch some quality nap time during the talk, but at least they get good karma for attending.
A graphic description of Fr. Price's final agony was read from a work by Bishop Patrick Byrne, quoting a letter from a certain Fr. John Tour who attended Price's death in 1919 in Hong Kong.
This blog is submitted with the fervent hope it does not violate the sensitivities of certain members who expressed their concerns that previous posts might have exposed Maryknoll to the critical eyes of non-members, leading them to conclude we are normal like everyone else. If it does, such was not my intention. Get over it and get a life.
Thirteen Society members risked life and limb to make the hazardous trek from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors to the Asia room to hear about Father Price and his spirituality. Who knows how many more might have attended were the weather less freezing, or if this talk did not pose a conflict with some series nap time, or had the library staff, who is sponsoring this series of talks for our Centenary, had sprung for some coffee and doughnuts. To be fair, many men might watch this from the comfort of their rooms on the in-house Channell 15.
Be that as it may, Kevin divides Fr. Price's spirituality into Pre- and Post-Lourdes.
Prior to going to Lourdes, Fr. Price's prayer life was almost Ignatian. Something happened in Lourdes that both greatly disturbed him but then transformed him. Thereafter his spirituality can be described as Bernadettian.
Kevin quoted extensively from a previous work on this topic by our own Fr. James Najmowski, formerly of Korea now of China. (Hi, Naj!)
Meanwhile, back at Lourdes Price experienced a profound mystical experience, the full nature of which Naj et al. can only speculate about from reading his letters.
The missionary connection, Kevin contends Fr. Price sees the mission given to Bernadette was to be an instrument of both Jesus and Our Lady for nothing less than the destruction of sin in the world. Conversion so that the grace of God might enter and transform a person was his goal and he wanted the United States included in this grand missionary endeavor.
"Poor, humble and pure" became the characteristics for Price to model his mission life after the BVM, Bernadette and ultimately Jesus.
A quick look around the room showed that several men were still able to catch some quality nap time during the talk, but at least they get good karma for attending.
A graphic description of Fr. Price's final agony was read from a work by Bishop Patrick Byrne, quoting a letter from a certain Fr. John Tour who attended Price's death in 1919 in Hong Kong.
This blog is submitted with the fervent hope it does not violate the sensitivities of certain members who expressed their concerns that previous posts might have exposed Maryknoll to the critical eyes of non-members, leading them to conclude we are normal like everyone else. If it does, such was not my intention. Get over it and get a life.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
An anecdote about Fr. Price
Fr.Kevin Hanlon related the following story about the time Fr. Price was traveling out West by stagecoach. Two women were his co-passengers and, after some curiosity and whispering, asked this strange man all dressed in black and saying his Latin breviary, "Be ye a papist priest?"
He responded calmly, "Madam, I am priest of the Roman Catholic Church."
"Are you from these parts?"
"Yes, I am a born and bred Tar Heel," he assured them.
After more whispering, one ventured, "Is it true all you popish priests have horns?"
He calmly removed his hat to reveal his hornless head. Then, pointing to a pimple on his forehead, said, "But I am still a young priest. My horns are just coming in."
[All these talks today will be available on DVD from Channel 15]
He responded calmly, "Madam, I am priest of the Roman Catholic Church."
"Are you from these parts?"
"Yes, I am a born and bred Tar Heel," he assured them.
After more whispering, one ventured, "Is it true all you popish priests have horns?"
He calmly removed his hat to reveal his hornless head. Then, pointing to a pimple on his forehead, said, "But I am still a young priest. My horns are just coming in."
[All these talks today will be available on DVD from Channel 15]
Fr. Kevin Hanlon on Bishop James A. Walsh
Fr. Kevin Hanlon gave the second talk on our co-Founder. Decades after leaving the Boston clergy, James A. Was all but forgotten by the priests then living. Thus, gatherings like today's are all the more important to keep the memory of the Founders alive as we rekindle the spirit of mission.
Daniel Sargeant wrote the definitive biography of James A. Walsh. He noted that early on his very Catholic and very Irish patents say him early on as marked for priesthood. He lost his mother when he was 11. His father's business ventures soured and the family resettled in Cambridge. In a debating class he argued against women's suffrage, his debating skills compensating for his lack of conviction for the position.
He did doubt his vocation for awhile and wondered if he should abandon his path to help alleviate his father's financial burden. Walsh was raised by a second family, the Shea's, which brings to mind Christ's words in the gospel of John: "I will not leave you orphans."
In 1892 Walsh fulfilled his dream and was ordained a priest. As pastor he was given charge ior organized many sodalities and mission groups. He especially cherished bringing the Eucharist to the sick. It was on one such call he had a mystical experience. Visiting a dying woman he realized she was growing blind but was at the brink of seeing Christ face to face. This formed the base of his poem and later song "Only a veil." This poetic side reveals the passionate heart and romance behind the otherwise outwardly stern appearing facade Walsh usually presented to the world.
Walsh reveled in his appointment as SPF director. After a day's deliberation this became his assignment, setting the stage for fund-raising on behalf of overseas missions. He wanted to educate Catholics about the missions, telling them about realities there and doubling the income for the SPF. He maintained a practice of visiting a different parish every weekend. He started the Field Afar in 1907 that became MARYKNOLL magazine. Among his assistants was the young Molly Rogers who was to become the foundered of the Maryknoll Sisters.
At a conference in Washington he first encountered Father Price. The link between Eucharist and mission strengthened.
The vision that multitudes in every land be fed with the Body of Christ directed his steps.
Walsh and Price nourished their new friendship with correspondence in the following years.
The thought that other European groups might come to the States to open a missionary seminary gave impetus to their idea that America should have its own mission seminary.
The stage was set for their historic encounter at the Eucharistic Conference in Montreal at which the idea for Maryknoll would first express itself. "The flame intensifies as it spreads."
Daniel Sargeant wrote the definitive biography of James A. Walsh. He noted that early on his very Catholic and very Irish patents say him early on as marked for priesthood. He lost his mother when he was 11. His father's business ventures soured and the family resettled in Cambridge. In a debating class he argued against women's suffrage, his debating skills compensating for his lack of conviction for the position.
He did doubt his vocation for awhile and wondered if he should abandon his path to help alleviate his father's financial burden. Walsh was raised by a second family, the Shea's, which brings to mind Christ's words in the gospel of John: "I will not leave you orphans."
In 1892 Walsh fulfilled his dream and was ordained a priest. As pastor he was given charge ior organized many sodalities and mission groups. He especially cherished bringing the Eucharist to the sick. It was on one such call he had a mystical experience. Visiting a dying woman he realized she was growing blind but was at the brink of seeing Christ face to face. This formed the base of his poem and later song "Only a veil." This poetic side reveals the passionate heart and romance behind the otherwise outwardly stern appearing facade Walsh usually presented to the world.
Walsh reveled in his appointment as SPF director. After a day's deliberation this became his assignment, setting the stage for fund-raising on behalf of overseas missions. He wanted to educate Catholics about the missions, telling them about realities there and doubling the income for the SPF. He maintained a practice of visiting a different parish every weekend. He started the Field Afar in 1907 that became MARYKNOLL magazine. Among his assistants was the young Molly Rogers who was to become the foundered of the Maryknoll Sisters.
At a conference in Washington he first encountered Father Price. The link between Eucharist and mission strengthened.
The vision that multitudes in every land be fed with the Body of Christ directed his steps.
Walsh and Price nourished their new friendship with correspondence in the following years.
The thought that other European groups might come to the States to open a missionary seminary gave impetus to their idea that America should have its own mission seminary.
The stage was set for their historic encounter at the Eucharistic Conference in Montreal at which the idea for Maryknoll would first express itself. "The flame intensifies as it spreads."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)