Catholic Educational Exhibit Final Report, World's Columbian

- I Compliments of Brother /Tfcaurelian, f, S. C. SECRETARY AND HANAGER i Seal of the Catholic Educational Exhibit, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893. llpy ' iiiiMiF11 iffljy -JlitfttlliS.. 1 mm II i| lili De La Salle Institute, Chicago, III. Headquarters Catholic Educational Exhibit, World's Fair, 1S93. (/ FINAL REPORT. Catholic Educational Exhibit World's Columbian Exposition Ctucaofo, 1893 BY BROTHER MAURELIAN F. S. C, Secretary and Manager^ TO RIGHT REVEREND J. L. SPALDING, D. D., Bishop of Peoria and __-»- President Catholic Educational ExJiibit^ WopIgT^ F^&ip, i8qt I 3 I— DC X 5 a a 02 < cc * 5 P3 2 <1 S w ^ a o X h c «! CD*" to u 3* a H a a ffi 5 h a l_l a o o a a £ 00 B M a o o w a J S"l I w <5 K H h 5 s CO 1=3 s ^2 o a" S 13 < £ a fe O NI — o X r , o a ' X 1 a % a 3 a pl. W o >» Oh Q ^ X H a - o a~ W oo it '3 <»" oa a? w a fc b H o £ a o i-j o a a- < o a Pho S a a X X < 2 a 3 D a a o o a hJ o -^ -< O O w P J tf O - -n>)"i: i i'H-K'i4ui^)i>»-iii^H;M^ m^^r^iw,r^w^ ^-Trww¥r^^^ni^T3r^ -i* 3 Introduction Letter from Rig-lit Reverend J. Ij. Spalding-, D. D., Bishop of Peoria, and President of the Catholic Educational Exhibit, to Brother Maurelian, Secretary and Manag-er. My Dear Brother Maurelian: Your final report, made to me, as President of the Catholic Educational Exhibit, at the World's Columbian Exposition, is evi- dence of the intelligence and earnestness with which this enterprise has been under- taken and brought to end. Of your zeal and unflagging interest in the work, the success of which depended, in so large a measure upon you, I need not speak. To have done well is enough, is more than praise. The ends for which the Exhibit was made have been attained. It was made possible by the generous co-operation of those who are engaged' or interested in Catholic Education, in whatever part of the country, and had it done nothing more than show how united these willing workers are, the gain would not be small. In presenting the results of their labors to the world, in so far as this is possible in an Exposition, they proved their confidence in the worth of what they are doing and their desire to submit its value to the test of enlightened criticism. Not to know our educational work, our system and methods, is henceforth inexcusable. No one now, who respects himself, will affirm that our parish schools are inferior to the public schools, or that our teachers in appealing to the heart, the conscience and the imagination, lose sight of the importance of quickening and training the mental faculties. In the Catholic Di- rectory for 1894, 768,498 pupils are reported as attending our parochial schools, and the number is rapidly increasing. When we consider that our school system is a work of conscience, which involves a very large expenditure of money and labor, it may be held to be, from a moral standpoint, the most important fact in our national life. For various reasons it is worthy the attention of enlightened and patriotic minds. It is the only elementary education in the United States which holds to the traditional belief that the morals of a people can be rightly nour- ished and sustained only by r ligious faith. Whether a purely secular system of education will not prove fatal to reli ious faith is as yet a matter of doubt, it being in no way doubtful that the basis of popular government is popular virtue. What Catholics then are thus doing deserves consideration, though it be looked at as an experiment or as a survival of what is destined soon to pass away. Indeed, the best people in America, if the case be presented simply as it is here presented feel an interest akin to sympathy in Catholic schools: and our position is really altogether plain and simple. We believe that religion is an essential element of human life, and therefore of human education, and, we establish and maintain schools in which we strive to put this belief into practice. We do this as a matter of conscience, and without ulterior views. In this country, at least, Catholics claim and exercise a large freedom of opinion, and hence we are not surprised to find among them, men who have plans and schemes for 11 12 FINAL REPORT CATHOLIC EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT. the overcoming of whatever difficulties; but the church is not responsible for their views and does not commit itself to them. If here and there a compromise has been proposed with the purpose of getting support from the public moneys, or ag- itation for a system of denominational schools has been recommended, this has been done by individuals, who have never succeeded in gaining a numerous following. The Church has contented itself with urging the establishment and support of parish schools. Double taxation for education is, of course, a grievance; but the Cath- olics of the United States believe in free schools for all, and since the religious condition of the country is such that denominationalism could not be introduced iuto the State schools, without risk of ruin, they are willing to bear the burthen of a double school tax; and, with few exceptions, they have no desire to introduce this question into politics. What they have been doing with constantly increasing success, they are content to continue to do—to build and maintain their own schools. Among the good results springing from the Catholic Exhibit, not the least, is the impression we have received of the extent and efficiency of our parish school system. We thence derive new zeal and confidence. The revelation of what we have done becomes a promise and a prophecy of what we shall do. We feel the work is great enough and holy enough to command our best efforts. We resolve to concentrate them upon the upbuilding of a system of more effective religious education, persuaded, that we thus most surely promote the interests both of the Church and the State. This is our task, and anything that might divert us from fulfilling it. is to be put aside as evil. We love our religion and our country well enough to be glad to make sacrifices for both. Another result of the Exhibit is a better acquaintance of Catholic teachers with one another, and with the various methods of our schools. The bringing together the work of the different orders and of numberless individuals has been an objective lesson of real value. Our labor and expense would not have been in vain had v e done nothing else than give to the members of our religious-teaching orders a unique opportunity to study the work of the Catholic Schools. Nothing in the World's Pair appeared to me more beautiful or more inspiring than the groups of Catholic sisters, to be seen at all times, in the booths of the Exhibit, wholly intent upon learning whatever there was to be learned. From that little space a spirit of enthusiasm, a desire for excellence, has been carried throughout the land, into the schoolrooms of a thousand cities and towns. Many a one who, in some remote village, felt lonely and half discouraged in what seemed to be unavailing work, became conscious of belonging to a great army of men and women who bring strength to souls and light to minds. The whole country, in fact, is indebted to us; for the zealous and energetic efforts of the managers of the Catholic Exhibit had not a little to do with the appropriation of the large sums of money and the allot- ment of the great space, devoted to educational matters, at the Columbian Exposi- tion. Your report, my dear Brother, is a fitting memorial of a noble and fruitful work. Affectionately and sincerly yours. Pkokia, Julv 19, 1894. President of the Catholic Educational Exhibit. HEADQUARTERS Catholic educational Exhibit, , Xiidorl& 5 Columbian lEipositioru GH/GAGO, 1893. Eight Reveeend J. L. Spalding, D. D., Bishop of Peoria and President Catholic Educational Exhibit. Right Reverend and Respected Bishop: I herewith submit a report of the origin, the progress, and the successful outcome of the Catholic Educational Exhibit. ITS ORIGIN, In May, 1890, several Catholic educators, clergy and members of religious teaching orders, in discussing how to promote Catholic interests at the World's Co- lumbian Exposition, suggested an Educational Exhibit of all Catholic institutions in the United States, as an unprecedented and valuable feature for advancing Chris- tian education. The subject was mentioned to Archbishops Feehan and Ireland, and they heartily approved of the project. It was known that the Hon. William J. Cnahan, LL. D., intended to visit Boston in the interest of the coming Catholic Congress, and he was requested to pro- pose the subject of a National Catholic Educational Exhibit at the meeting of the Archbishops. ARCHBISHOPS' MEETINGS, CALL OF DELEGATES, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEE AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. (From Circular of Information Issued May 1, 1892.) The Most Reverend Archbishops of the United States, assembled in Boston, July, 1890, decided to initiate the movement for a National Catholic Educational Exhibit at the World's Columbian Exposition, to be held in Chicago, 1893, and they appointed a committee of their own number to call together representatives trom the Reverend Clergy, the principal religious teaching orders and others concerned witk Catholic education to confer on this subject.

Load more