File:Memorial of the life and labors of Rt. Rev. Stephen Vincent Ryan, D. D., C. M., - second Bishop of Buffalo, N. Y. (1896) (14786670183).jpg

Identifier: memorialoflifela00cron (find matches)
Title: Memorial of the life and labors of Rt. Rev. Stephen Vincent Ryan, D. D., C. M., : second Bishop of Buffalo, N. Y.
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Cronin, Patrick, 1835-1905
Subjects: Ryan, Stephen Vincent, 1825-1896 Catholic Church Catholic Church Catholic Church
Publisher: Buffalo, N.Y. : Buffalo Catholic Publication Company
Contributing Library: School of Theology, Boston University
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston University

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ve a long lease of presidential honors when, in 1857, he wassuddenly summoned to Paris by M. Etienne, Superior-General ofthe Vincentians; and, despite his young years and personal re-luctance to assume such weighty responsibilities, was officiallycommissioned Visitor, or head, of the community in the UnitedStates, .^t this time Father Ryan was only thirtv-two years oldand but eight years a priest. This was in the spring of the year; but he remained in Paristo celebrate at the Maison Mere the anniversary of his ordination.He thence had the happiness of visiting for the tlrst time theEternal City and feasting his soul upon the glory of its religiousand artistic monuments. No wonder that when presented to thePrefect of the Propaganda, the venerable Cardinal, after gazingwith surprise upon the young priest, exclaimed, What youngmen they make Visitors of in America! It was in the fall of the following year (i8s8) that the pres-ent writer first saw Father Rvan. He was on a visit to his con-
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CHOSEN SECOND BISHOP OF BUFFALO. 15 freres who had just taken charge of Archbishop Kenricks semin-ary in South St. Louis; and we shall never forget his appearancethen. He was almost a skeleton in form; wore two im-mense lenses in ungainly rims of steel; had a shock of dark hairseemingly impervious to stoutest comb or brush ; spoke little andate almost nothing. Yet even to those who did not then knowhim there was a strange power about this priest that won rever-ence and affection. The direction and government of a large and widely-scatteredreligious community, like the Vincentians, in the United Stateswas surely a heavy burden to place upon shoulders so young.But the delicate priest rose grandly equal to the requirements ofhis position. He was firm, yet gentle; rigorous, still indulgent;while the progressive spirit he infused into the communityplaced it in the front rank of religious orders throughout theland. Meanwhile he was ceaselessly giving missions everywhere;allowing himself but

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