USA > New York > Niagara County > History of the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels : Niagara University, Niagara County, N.Y., 1856-1906 > Part 17
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" When I remember all The friends so linked together I've seen round me fall Like leaves in wintry weather, I feel like one who treads alone Some banquet hall deserted,
Whose lights are fled, whose garlands dead, And all but him departed."
Father Shaw came here in February, 1870, to replace Rev. Thomas O'Donoughue, teaching some of the highest classes in the junior and the senior departments. In September he became Director of Semi- narians, succeeding Rev. P. M. O'Regan in that office, the latter hav- ing been promoted to the vice-presidency of the new college of Saint John the Baptist in Brooklyn. Father Shaw continued in this office, excepting one year, until the close of studies in 1877, when he was succeeded by the Rev. E. J. Lefevre, C. M. It was as Director principally that Father Shaw exhibited those traits of character which still have about them an originality and breeziness so refreshing to an old-time student when conversation grows reminiscent and the tide of memory comes in. At present Father Shaw is Superior of Saint Patrick's Church, La Salle, Ill.
In preceding pages we have endeavored to sketch the energy and success of Father Rice in collecting funds for the rebuilding of the seminary after it had been destroyed by fire. The fatigues which he endured in the prosecution of this work may be said to have laid the foundation of disease in a system never too robust. His subsequent labors for the improvement of the seminary and the anxieties insepa- rable from his position completed the undermining of his constitution until it became imperative that he should leave his beloved Niagara, at least for awhile, in an attempt to restore his shattered health.
The first extensive trip undertaken for this purpose by Father Rice was in 1870, when he left here for Cuba amid the benedictions, good wishes, and tears of Niagara's household from Faculty to the humblest domestic employed on the premises. As companion on this occasion he took with him " Johnnie " Hanlon, a study hall boy from the city of Albany, who afterwards became distinguished as a priest of that diocese. The benefits accruing to Father Rice from this trip were only temporary, it would appear, although for seven years after his return to Niagara he labored with unceasing activity to perfect
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every plan which he had conceived for the advancement of our institu- tion.
In the spring of 1878 the splendid energies of Father Rice were found to have been so completely taxed that in the judgment of his physicians nothing but an extended trip abroad could possibly save him from the inevitable. As soon as the news was spread, mainly through the excellent Niagara Index of that time, that Father Rice was compelled to leave the seminary, perhaps forever, the alumni be- gan at once to interest themselves in this melancholy decision. To illustrate from documents of the period on which we are engaged the feelings of these alumni we quote from the Index of April 1, 1878: " Probably there is not to-day in the United States another college president who can boast of so fully, completely, possessing the love of his children as Father Rice, President of the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels. Necessitated to retire for a period from the scene of his labors, this information was no sooner received than the old students hastened to suggest the propriety of manifesting to their former superior their very high esteem. As early as February 20th, we re- ceived the following letter from Rev. P. N. O'Brian, 1870, Rector of the Omaha Cathedral:
"' It is now, I believe, certain that beloved Father Rice is to depart from the seminary in consequence of his failing health. Is there no move as yet in any direction to testify to him the gratitude that hun- dreds of his children owe him? Here in Nebraska are a few of his grateful children who are ready to testify our love for dear Father Rice substantially. My object in addressing you is this : Why not we that owe so much to Father Rice come forward and present him with a purse wherewith to defray his expenses to Europe, or any other place where he may recruit his health? None of us can afford to lose him. On you, therefore, I depend to get all interested. Write to the old students in the various dioceses, and let a committee be appointed to draft resolutions and solicit a testimonial. This is something that ought to be done right away. Draw up a circular, or write to those I mention. I am enthusiastic over the matter. You know the plan- act. I am, yours, etc., P. N. O'Brian.'
" In accordance with the suggestion of the above note we corre- sponded with students throughout the country, and we are happy to say that all manifested a like enthusiasm to that shown by Father O'Brian. Shortly after we received the above letter information reached us that the Brooklyn priests ordained at Niagara had already
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taken steps to follow out the plan proposed. A circular calling for the meeting of old students at the pastoral residence of Rev. M. Moran, 1867, was issued. To the circular the names of Rev. M. Moran, 1867; Rev. M. Carroll, 1869; Rev. E. McCarty, 1870; Rev. M. Farrelly, 1869; Rev. O. J. O'Brien, 1870; and Rev. L. Toner, 1874, were signed. Father Carroll in writing stated that the Brooklyn priests would give Father Rice ' as good a send-off as could be de- sired.' As we have heard nothing special from the New York priests we suppose that they are working in unison with the Brooklynites.
" From Albany we received the following expressive note: 'Edi- tors Index: Gentlemen - Agreeably to your suggestion I shall invite the contributions of the Niagara students in this diocese to the pro- posed fund. We have been sorely pained to learn of poor Father Rice's prostration, and we pray Almighty God to grant him an early recovery. Please write the date of sailing, as soon as possible. Very respectfully yours, John P. McIncrow.'
" Father McIncrow will be remembered as a former editor of this paper. His letter is a fair specimen of others that have been received. Rev. R. P. Stack, 1872, Rev. J. O'Malley, 1872, and others who were interested have already forwarded their contributions. In Buffalo action has been taken, Rev. James Rogers and Rev. Edward Kelly having charge of the affair. Omaha and Dubuque are working to- gether, and it is anticipated that a large sum will be realized.
" Subscriptions have been received from individuals, among whom may be mentioned Revs. James O'Malley, Ed. Kelly, Jos. Nugent, 1874, Rev. F. Schlee, 1878, Revs. Father Kofler, R. P. Stack, Wm. Riordan, 1877, and Mr. P. McEvoy, 1873, of Little Falls, N. Y. These contributions are entirely independent of diocesan or associated action. In our next issue we hope to be able to present a fuller and more accurate account of the efforts that old students have taken to render Father Rice's trip a pleasurable one. We might hope that the sympathy now enlisted for Father Rice will be hereafter conferred upon the seminary, and that the meetings which have been held will be but the preliminary ones to the formation of an Alumni Associ- ation."
While the interest in Father Rice's enforced trip was growing outside of the seminary those within were busily intent upon showing the exalted esteem in which they held this beloved man. To quote again from the Index: "When it was definitely settled that our very much esteemed President, Father Rice, was by advice of physicians to
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undertake a voyage to Europe, the students of the seminary immedi- ately took steps to testify, as far as they could, their regret at losing him for awhile. On March 10th a meeting was called in the Study Hall to ascertain what action should be taken in the matter. On mo- tion of Rev. M. J. Lee, Rev. J. J. Mallen was appointed chairman and Mr. J. H. Halpin was chosen secretary. The object of the meet- ing having been stated, all entered enthusiastically into the project of presenting Father Rice with a suitable testimonial. It was resolved that a committee should be appointed to prepare a set of resolutions, and in addition that another committee be delegated to ascertain what more substantial gift might be offered. The first named committee consisted of Revs. J. J. Mallen and P. J. O'Connor, Mr. N. McNulty, F. X. Kelley, J. H. Dolan.
" On the following Sunday at the tap of the bell the students of both departments again assembled in the Study Hall. The commit- tees made their reports, and it was unanimously agreed to present Father Rice with a purse. On motion of Mr. N. J. McNulty, to Rev. J. J. Mallen was given the task of preparing the presentation address. The final meeting was called on the evening prior to the departure of Father Rice. A handsome sum was collected, and every- thing for the time being wore a garb of joy.
"On the evening of March 20th an entertainment in honor of Father Rice was given. After the band had played with more than ordinary excellence, Rev. J. J. Mallen read the following address :
"'Very Reverend Superior :
"'On behalf of the students of the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels I have been deputed to present to you at this, the parting hour, their sincerest regrets and their heartiest well wishes. After a long career of labor extending through a period of sixteen years you are for awhile to leave the familiar banks of Niagara to seek in other though not fairer climes that health which is denied you here.
"'Am I not echoing the sentiments of all, old students and present students, when I say that your absence will be sorely, bitterly, regret- ted? You have made Niagara what it is to-day. You have expended your highest efforts in its behalf. You have wrought, year after year, with the same never-failing energy. You have become so identi- fied with Niagara that the name of nature's wildest cataract cannot be mentioned without, at the same time, calling up pleasant recollec- tions of Father Rice.
"'Full well do we know what your zeal has effected. When it is
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said that your heart embraced in its affections Niagara, old Niagara only, all has been said. On this evening the student heart of the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels is sad. Yet, knowing that the sep- aration will bring to you renewed health, renewed vigor, our sadness takes upon itself a tinge of joy. Wherever you may be, in whatever land you may seek repose, whether it be in the historic Emerald Isle, in the valleys of sunny France, in the music-laden land of Italy, thither our prayers shall follow you. We shall beg Heaven to grant you all that you desire. And you, too, will not forget us. You will not forget the cross-crowned Seminary on Niagara's rocky banks,- that seminary which is your highest eulogy.
"' I have now a pleasant task to perform. You will please accept this token of our appreciation. It is, indeed, but a meagre recogni- tion of what you have done for us. Such, however, as it is, it is given with a free heart, with a ready will. In conclusion, I have on the part of the students to wish you a most happy voyage, a pleasant time, and a safe return.'
" Father Rice in accepting the address remarked that he had been prized too highly, that what had been done during the sixteen years of his presidency was due, not so much to his own efforts as to the invaluable assistance which his co-laborers had rendered. He ex- pressed himself as most pleased with the affection manifested, not only by the students, but also by those immediately connected with the seminary in whatever capacity. He spoke feelingly of the deep inter- est which he took in 'Old Niagara,' and expressed a wish that, health permitting, he would much prefer to remain near that insti- tution in whose welfare his whole soul was wrapped up. He said that no change in the seminary's policy would result from his going away, that everything would go on as usual, and that the seminary would advance still more in usefulness and merit. He knew that the students would remember him in their prayers. In conclusion he bade a fare- well to all, and then, as if by one impulse, all knelt to receive his part- ing blessing. The scene throughout was one of sadness and sorrow. Deep silence prevailed, and every word was listened to. It was prob- ably the most solemn scene ever witnessed in the study hall.
On Monday, April 1st, a number of the Brooklyn priests, formerly students of Niagara, assembled at Saint John's Col- lege, Brooklyn, N. Y., and presented Father Rice with an address of sympathy. We take the liberty of quoting the following from the Brooklyn Eagle of Wednesday, April Sd:
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" To-day, at noon, the Very Rev. Robert E. V. Rice, President of the Catholic Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, near Niagara Falls, N. Y., sailed from this port on board the steamship 'Abyssinia ' for Europe. He was accompanied down the bay by a large delegation of priests of the diocese of Brooklyn, who were formerly students under his training at that celebrated institution of learning and eccle- siastical culture. On Monday evening last, while the distinguished clergyman was stopping at Saint John's College in this city he was made the recipient of an address of respect, affection, and sympathy, which had been prepared by twenty-five of his former students, now on the mission as priests in Brooklyn and vicinity. Father Rice re- sponded in most feeling terms to the greeting of his clerical friends, who also handed him a check for $1,000.
"Among the clergymen present were the following named: Rev. Fathers Peter McGuire, L. Toner and Dennison of Saint Mary's Star of the Sea; Revs. Edward McCarty, D. J. Sheehy and D. Hickey, of Saint Augustine's ; Rev. M. Moran, of the Nativity ; Rev. N. J. Doran and Rev. O. J. O'Brien of Saint Stephen's ; Rev. Fathers Kenny and Hogan, of Saint Paul's ; Rev. Father McMeel, of Saint Anne's ; Rev. M. Malone, of Saint Peter's; Rev. Father Hand, of the Visitation; Rev. Father Gallagher, of the Assumption ; Revs. Fathers Murray and McCabe, of the Cathedral; Revs. M. Dowd and Murphy, of Rocka- way, L. I .; Rev. Fathers M. Farrelly and M. Carroll, of Saint Vin- cent de Paul's ; Rev. E. McSherry, of Hempstead, L. I .; Rev. Fathers Giles and McCloskey, of Saint Patrick's, and others.
" Rev. Father Rice was but 28 years of age when he was appoint- ed President of the Seminary, an office which he has filled for sixteen years. He is distinguished for his learning and piety and his gentle but firm administration of the responsible office of preparing semi- narians for the sacrifice of the altar. He has frequently been tendered the mitre from Rome, but has always preferred his present retreat in the Seminary."
" The presentation address on April 1st was read by Rev. M. F. Murray, 1875. Witnessing Father Rice's departure, in addi- tion to those mentioned above, were Revs. M. A. Taylor and M. Salley, 1876; Rev. C. I. Curtin, 1875; Rev. L. J. Gerrin, 1876; Peter Duffey, 1868, and a number of others. Rev. M. Cavanaugh, of the Faculty, was also present. Rev. J. A. Reilly, 1874, accompanied Father Rice.
About the first of May Father P. V. Kavanagh, Acting Superior of the Seminary, received the following letter :
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"Near Queenstown, Ireland, April 13, 1878.
" Rev. and Dear Confrere :
" We are just approaching our first landing, Queenstown, and I write to send you immediate word of our safe journey so far. The voyage, on account of bad weather, was very disagreeable. We had rain and cold all the time. This makes the tenth day out. I have not been troubled by sea sickness, but have had three slight attacks of my chest trouble. I got over them by taking remedies in time. We will arrive at Queenstown about four o'clock this afternoon.
" I intended to land there, but I find the weather so bad that I am determined to go on to Liverpool, and hasten on to Paris and the south. I expect to be in Paris on the 16th. I am as well as could be expected, although the voyage has been really unpleasant. Father Reilly is very well. More when I come to the first standstill.
"I am your devoted ROB'T E. V. RICE, C. M."
" The ailment from which Father Rice suffered, angina pectoris, was only partially alleviated by his sojourn in sunny France. To- wards the end of June, 1878, he was at the point of death, but rallied sufficiently to enable him to reach his Vincentian brethren at Castle- knock, Ireland. About a month later, July 30th, came the fateful cablegram: " Father Rice died yesterday." Although it was vacation time, when Niagara is quite deserted, that message was sent "from the highest point of Mont Eagle Ridge " with all possible haste over the wires to every section of the country, so that within forty-eight hours after the lamented occurrence every son of Niagara the world over knew that the second Founder of Our Lady of Angels had been called to his heavenly reward.
"As soon as the grief-stricken friends of Father Rice could collect their thoughts and interchange with one another the desire uppermost in their minds, the determination to bring his sacred remains back home to Niagara manifested itself as a common impulse. His breth- ren here, headed by Father Kavanagh, his successor, authorized the statement that " the hallowed shell " of him who had virtually died for Our Lady of Angels would rest before long within the precincts of our institution. Delay, however, was necessary from the nature of the case, and it was not until one year after his death that the body of Father Rice was entombed over in our own little God's acre close by Niagara's surging waters. In the meantime the ever faithful sons
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CASTLEKNOCK GRAVEYARD Where Father Rice was Buried
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of Niagara with the Vincentian brethren and general friends of the lamented dead held solemn religious services throughout the country in his memory. In Brooklyn Rev. P. J. Kenny, 1876, offered up a Solemn Mass of Requiem at Saint Paul's church for the repose of Father Rice's soul. He was assisted by Rev. John Hogan, 1874, Rev. P. O'Mallon, 1877, and Rev. James Durick, of that year's theology class. Father Kenny spoke lovingly and affectionately of his former Superior.
"On Monday, August 5th, a grand Requiem Mass was celebrated at Saint John's College, Brooklyn, Rev. A. J. Meyers, C. M., cele- brant, Rev. M. Moran, 1868, deacon, and Rev. Luke Grace, C. M., sub-deacon. A large number of the old students was present in the sanctuary. We noticed among them Revs. M. Moran, 1868; M. Carroll, 1868; M. McGinnis, 1859; C. J. Curtin, 1875; P. Mc- Guire, 1875; J. Brosnan, 1875; John Nash, 1874; M. Dennison, 1876; D. Sheehy, 1878; E. McCabe, 1877; C. J. Gallagher, 1875; H. Gallagher, 1875; John Growney, 1878; Florence Mccarthy, 1868; L. J. Gerrin, 1876; J. Woods, 1875; P. J. Kenny, 1876; D. J. Hickey, 1876; M. Boylan, 1874; Father McNamee, of St. Theresa's Church; Rev. Father Tivenan, Rev. Father Hatton, Chap- lain of the Little Sisters of the Poor ; Revs. Frank Hannigan, C. M., 1869; M. Dyer, C. M., 1866; Rev. Father Moloney, C. M. Of the students of the Seminary there were present Revs. J. J. Mallen, Wm. Maguire, M. T. Kilahy, P. O'Mallon, Messrs. N. J. McNulty, James Durick and James Harrigan. Peter Duffy, 1869; James I. Leyden, 1876; J. J. Mclaughlin, 1876; John Woods, 1875, and T. Car- penter, 1874, occupied seats in the body of the church."-Niagara Index, September 15, 1878.
" On the 29th of August in Saint Bridget's Church, Rochester, N. Y., of which Rev. James O'Connor, 1868, is pastor, a solemn Re- quiem Mass was celebrated for the repose of the soul of Very Rev. R. E. V. Rice, C. M., our former beloved Superior. The pastor acted as celebrant, Rev. J. T. Landry, C. M., of the college Faculty acted as deacon, Rev. J. J. Donnelly, 1867, as sub-deacon, and Rev. Father De Regge, chancellor of the Rochester diocese, as Master of Ceremo- nies. Present in the sanctuary were Rev. M. Darcy, 1867, Rev. James O'Hare, 1868, Rector of the Rochester Cathedral; Father McManus, V. G., Father Stewart, Father English, Rev. M. Cava- naugh, C. M., of the College Faculty, with others whose names we were unable to ascertain. The Mass was celebrated in the presence of
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Bishop McQuaid, who performed the solemn absolution. A large concourse of persons was present, larger by far than had been antici- pated.
" The presence of Bishop McQuaid added to the solemnity of the occasion. And it was eminently befitting that a prelate whose energy has been expended in the grand cause of Catholic education should participate in the solemn commemorative religious services in honor of one whose disinterested labors in behalf of the same cause hastened his death. In private conversation Bishop McQuaid spoke most favorably of the virtues of our deceased Superior."-Index, October 15, 1878.
At length, on the first of June, 1879, the remains of Father Rice arrived in New York City by steamer " City of Richmond," of the Inman line, and were taken charge of at once by Father Cavanaugh, C. M., who had gone to New York for that purpose. Very Rev. P. V. Kavanagh, C. M., and Rev. Michael Rubi, C. M., were in waiting at the Buffalo station, and as soon as the precious casket reached that city it was conveyed to the vault in Saint Joseph's Cathedral and kept there until the solemn burial services at the Seminary. As the Index pathetically remarks, it was a noteworthy though mournful coinci- dence that the remains of Father Rice should have arrived almost within sight of his former home on the day of his birth, June Sd, when in former years Niagara used to resound with shouts of joy in celebrating that anniversary.
On June 25th, the day after Niagara's twenty-second Commence- ment, Father Rice's remains were transferred to the home he loved 80 well. " The solemn procession left the Bridge about ten o'clock. The sound of muffled drums, the looks of sadness that appeared on every countenance, the slow and measured tread of the multitude, all indicated the profoundest mourning. On Mont Eagle's height the well-known Seminary stood out in all its proud grandeur. But it seemed to be more proudly sad than proudly grand. A cloud seemed to hang over it, and its shrouded pillars, its darkened windows, its sombre walls seemed to feel and to share in the general sorrow. Its other self lay cold and lifeless at its very door. Father Rice had come back as he promised on that too realistic parting night of a year ago, and then it broke upon the mind that that farewell was a fare- well forever.
"Niagara's banks decked out in all the glory of a June day looked as gay as of yore, but the thundering of the waters resembled that
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grand rendering of the Miserere during the Great Week's ceremonies in Saint Peter's. And the chapel, too, with its unfinished towers, loomed up majestically above that dying tree beneath whose decaying branches Father Rice expressed the wish to rest in peace. We glance at the coffin. The shield-shaped plate displayed the simple inscription : 'Very Rev. R. E. V. Rice, C. M., died July 29, 1878.' In deepest reverence young and old bowed their heads as the pall-bearers slowly ascended the steps of the new chapel. God's priest and Niagara's own had at last reached home.
" The celebrant of the Mass was Rev. M. Moran, 1868, pastor of the Nativity, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; the deacon was Rev. J. F. O'Hare, 1868, Rector of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Rochester, N. Y .; the sub-deacon was Rev. J. J. Hanlon, 1873, of the Immaculate Concep- tion Cathedral, Albany, N. Y .; Rev. M. A. Taylor, 1876, Sacred Heart Church, New York City, was first Master of Ceremonies ; Rev. M. E. Mclaughlin, 1877, of the Church of the Annunciation, Chi- cago, Ill., was second Master of Ceremonies. Messrs. Gleason and Biden of Buffalo were acolytes, and Mr. John Dolan, of New Haven, Conn., acted as censer bearer. Mr. Peter Trauscht, of the Buffalo diocese, carried he holy water vase. The ceremonies were most solemn and in strict keeping with the sad occasion. The choir, under the direction of Rev. M. J. Kircher, C. M., vice-president of the Sem- inary, sang in good voice and with great exactness.
" The Mass over, Right Rev. Bishop Ryan preached a lengthy panegyric. His text was : ' Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.' The Bishop began by stating that one who had lived and died a martyr should receive as he certainly merited a martyr's crown. It was undeniably true that the deceased Father Rice had died a martyr to his priestly zeal. His works lived after him. The splendid buildings that go to make up the College of Our Lady of Angels attest suffi- ciently well how earnestly and successfully he labored. No wonder, then, that Our Lady of Angels should mourn. The Bishop expressed his inability to fitly praise the virtues, the sterling qualities of the deceased, but this praise would be rendered by the hearts of all his hearers. During the Bishop's discourse many an eye became suffused with tears and hearts spoke out in audible sighs.
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