Born: 01 January 1800, Mansfieldstown, County Louth
Entered: 01 June 1837, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Professed: 02 February 1848
Died: 14 July 1881, St Xavier College, Cincinnatti, OH, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 01 March 1825, Ireland
Entered: 02 December 1847, Florissant MO, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)
Professed:
Died: 15 June 1852, St Xavier College, Cincinnati, OH, USA - Missouriana Province (MIS)

Born: 23 December 1839, Carlow, County Carlow
Entered: 15 July 1854, St Stanislaus, Florissant MO, USA - Missourianae Province (MIS)
Ordained: 20 June 1869, Sulpitian Seminary, Baltimore MD, USA
Final Vows: 02 February 1873
Died: 04 December 1902, St Xavier College, Cincinnati OH, USA - - Missourianae Province (MIS)

Provincial of Missouri Province (MIS) from 01 January 1879 to 04 May 1882

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 32, Number 1
Obituary

“Father Edward A Higgins SJ” p129
The Missouri Province lost one of its most distinguished members by the death of Father Edward A Higgins on Dec 4th 1902 at St Xavier College, Cincinnati. As an exact observer of religious discipline. as a superior entrusted with the most important offices, and as the wielder of a trenchant pen in controversy, Father Higgins' life work deserves more than a passing notice.

Edward A Higgins was born at Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland on Dec 23rd, 1839. When he was ten years of age his parents emigrated to the United States, reaching New Orleans in 1849. They had left Ireland owing to the great famine in that country, but encountered a greater peril in New Orleans as the yellow fever was then raging there. As a consequence they soon moved to Louisville, Ky. The Jesuits of Missouri had begun in 1849 the St Aloysius Free School at Louisvile, which in 1850 was styled St Aloysius College. This school was attended by young Edward, who soon attracted the notice of his teachers by his aptitude and diligence. As a result of the interest thus awakened in him, he was admitted as a boarder at St Joseph's College, Bardstown, Ky, in 1852. With the advice of our Fathers, Edward's parents removed to Bardstown in 1854, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were exemplary Catholics, and no doubt their edifying conduct had a strong influence in turning the thoughts of their gifted son towards a religious career, At Bardstown College Edward Higgins was very successful in his classes. In 1853 the first premium for diligence was awarded to him, and a majority vote of his fellow students likewise conferred upon him the first distinction for good conduct. During his two years at college, the records show that Edward received twelve first premiums in various branches.

He was admitted as a novice at St Stanislaus Novitiate, Florissant, Mo, July 15th 1854, not having as yet completed the fifteenth year of his age. The then Master of Novices, Father Gleizal, noticed the acuteness and grasp of mind of the young novice, in the clear and concise way in which he summed up the community instructions of which he had taken notes. After two years of Novitiate, and one of Juniorate, Mr Higgins was sent to teach in Cincinnati in 1858. St Xavier College had notably declined after the closing of the boarding school, and it was owing to the efforts of the young prefect of discipline, Mr Higgins, that successful results were obtained in the path of reform. He began his philosophy in the autumn of 1859 under Fr F X Wippem at the old scholasticate (known also as the “College Farm”), but as this place was discontinued as a house of studies in 1860, Mr Higgins was sent East to complete his course, spending two years at Boston, Mass. Returning then to the Missouri Province, he was placed at Cincinnati during part of the trying period of the Civil War. He never gave the boys the slightest indication of sympathy with either North or South, though others were not so prudent in guarding their tongue. His strong character, kindness and especially remarkable self-control displayed on many trying occasions gained for him the respect and entire submission of the students. From Cincinnati he proceeded to St Louis University where be taught three years more. In 1867 he began his theology at Georgetown, DC, under Father, afterwards Cardinal, Mazzella and Father Maldonado. Having received the Holy Priesthood, on June 30th, 1869 from Archbishop Spalding, in the chapel of the Sulpitian Seminary at Baltimore, he spent his fourth year of theology at Woodstock, Md. After being professor of rhetoric in St Louis for one year, Father Higgins was sent to his tertianship at Frederick, Md. He made his solemn profession, Feb. 2nd, 1873. The following year he was pastor of the College Church in St Louis. His superiors had discerned in Father Higgins what was believed to be an extraordinary talent for governing, and hence on Oct 1st, 1874 be was proclaimed Rector of Cincinnati, an office which he held till January 1st 1879. On the latter date he was made Provincial of Missouri, though owing to the failing health of the Provincial, Fr Thomas O'Neil, he had it seems for some time before acted as Vice-Provincial. He remained Provincial till May 4th 1882. As a superior, all his brethren credited Father Higgins with being··impartially just, and if at times he seemed to some rather severe in word or manner, it was in enforcing what be conceived to be matter of important duty. Some inferred from his general demeanor that he was haughty, but his prompt and cheerful obedience in all cases, when himself a subordinate, manifested a humility inconsistent with a dominant pride. After leaving the Provincialship, he was destined again to thrice fill the office of governing a college - in Cincinnati, Chicago and St Mary's, Kansas. His ability was also brought into requisition at two Congregations of the Society; for he was sent as delegate from Missouri to the General Congregation that elected Father Martin in 1892, and likewise in 1886 as Procurator of Missouri to the Congregation of Procurators. The years not spent by Father Higgins as Superior, were devoted to the pastorate or to teaching. Neither of these duties, however, so occupied his attention as to prevent him from writing many a telling article for publication. Though not specially fitted by nature, perhaps, for that part of the pastoral office which consists in entering into the humble and intimate details of the parishioners' joys and sorrows, yet on the other hand, Father Higgins displayed great zeal for the beauty of the House of the Lord as several of our churches testify. He was zealous also in fostering church music of a high order. Possessed himself of no mean knowledge of music, he delighted to join in the chanting of the Holy Week offices, and in giving aid and countenance to the parochial choirs.. As a preacher, Father Higgins was more distinguished for his· matter than for his manner. His sermons and lectures showed strength and solidity, but he did not possess, in a high degree, the external graces of eloquence. His delivery was noticeably slow, dignified and cold, and hence he was not a very attractive speaker.

The development and illustrations of his public pronouncements were however always clear and striking, and often as elegant as they were forceful. In his writings for the press, which were generally controversial, forcible and convincing, he was often aggressive and was occasionally rather acrimonious in style. In the great battle for the freedom of private schools or against unwarranted State interference in Illinois and Wisconsin, Father Higgins' pen did yeoman's service. It was not, however, by teaching and writing alone that Father Higgins advanced the cause of education. He was a prominent and potent figure at the Federation of Catholic Colleges in Chicago and at all the educational gatherings of the Missouri Province. Anything and everything that concerned the welfare of the Catholic Church in general and of the Society in particular, were dear to his heart; and hence the virtue of loyalty to these two institutions summed up the merit of his useful life. He was eager to extend the work the Society was doing for the Church among all classes of people, but his own talents fitted him particularly for spreading the light among the more intellectual. Hence a considerable portion of his time was devoted to the preparation of post-graduate lectures in the colleges and Sunday evening lectures in the churches. He was also for some years moderator of St Mark's Academy in St Louis, an admirable institution for gentlemen of the educated class. Thus did Father Higgins lead a life of virtue and zeal till near the completion of the sixty-fourth year of his age. The end was approaching. In August, 1902 he was sent to Milwaukee to give a retreat, but falling sick he was sent to the hospital there. An operation disclosed a tumor in the intestines. After two months of great suffering in the hospital, his often expressed desire of returning to his brethren in Cincinnati was gratified, and he arrived in the latter city, Oct. 13th.

For a few days he seemed to improve but the improvement was only apparent. He gradually grew worse, for the tumor was of cancerous growth, and on Nov 13th it was deemed
expedient to administer Extreme Unction, He received this sacrament with great piety, and with tears flowing down his cheeks he besought his brethren to obtain for him by their
prayers, an hourly increase of patience and resignation.

Father Higgins' deep religious character came to the surface during his last sickness. He edified all by his humility and resignation to the will of God. He never uttered a complaint,
and expressions of gratitude to God for the great favor of dying in the Society were not infrequently upon his lips. Yet amidst all his keen sufferings his innate dignity of manner never for a moment left him. This was characteristic of the man.

The sufferer lingered on till Dec. 4th, 1902, when at 6.25 pm his soul sought the presence of its Maker. He was more or less conscious during the last day of his life. The simple Low Mass said over his remains in St Xavier's Church was graced by the attendance of Archbishop Elder of Cincinnati, of Bishop Maes of Covington, Ky, and of some forty secular priests. His remains were conveyed to the Novitiate of St Stanislaus at Florissant, Mo where all that was mortal of Father Higgins was laid to rest with his predecessors in ruling the Province, and with the early founders of the Missouri Mission, whose work he so well understood and continued. RIP

Born: 10 March 1882, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan
Entered: 01 October 1903, Jersey Channel Islands - Franciae Province (FRA)
Ordained: 1916, Ore Place, Hastings, England
Professed: 04 April 1921
Died: 26 November 1945, Regis College, Denver, CO, USA - Franciae Province (FRA)

by 1917 came to Tullabeg (HIB) making Tertianship

Peter McCartney, entered Mungret Apostolic School, September 1897 and left September 1903, to enter the French Province for the China Mission. Spent five years teaching in St Joseph's College, Shanghai.

◆ The Mungret Annual, 1946

Obituary

Father Peter MacCartney SJ

We learned with deep. regret of the V death of Father McCartney at Regis College, Colorado. Fr McCartney came to Mungret in 1898 and was both Prefect of the layboys and the apostolics. In his last year at Mungret (1903), he volunteered for the Chinese mission. This sacrifice on Peter's part - because at that time it meant almost certain martyrdom made a great impression on the senior boys of the College. To prepare for this mission he did his noviceship and philosophical studies at St Louis, Jersey Island. Then came three strenuous years teaching at the Jesuit College, Shanghai. He was ordained at Hastings in 1915, and the year after he spent at St Stanislaus College, Tullamore. He then went to Xavier University, Cincinnati, and there was a brilliant professor of French. The labours of lecturing and teaching at the university undermined his health, and he had to undertake the less straining work of teaching boys at Regis College, Colorado. He passed away peacefully last November, We offer our deep sympathy to the Rev Sister M Eunan and his other sisters and brothers.

Born: 15 August 1843, Millstreet, County Cork
Entered: 2 June 1861, St Stanislaus College, Florissant MO, USA - Missourianae Province (MIS)
Died: 29 October 1872, St Louis College, St Louis, MO, USA

1861-1865: St Stanislaus College, Florissant MO, USA (MIS), Novitiate then Rhetoric
1865-1868: Xavier College, Cincinnati OH, USA, Regency
1868-1869: St Gall’s Church, Milwaukee WI, USA, Regency in local school
1869-1870: Woodstock College, Woodstock MD, USA, Philosophy

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 2, Number 1

“Death of Mr John Moynihan SJ” p 80-81

The allusion contained in the closing lines of the foregoing letter is to the sudden death of one of our Scholastics, Mr John Moynihan, who died at St Louis University, on the 19th of October last.

We do not hope to add to the affectionate regard in which Mr Moynihan was held by all who knew him. We mean simply to lay our own humble tribute upon our brother's grave, for the years which he spent with us are so lately gone, and the memory of them is so fresh and green, that it is a pleasant and a beautiful task to weave the offering. A short time ago he bade us farewell with high hope and holy resolution, and we felt sure that he was going forth only to enter upon a career in which virtue and talent would win for him the crown of success. A few weeks later, and we received the news that he was on the point of death; but galloping consumption bore him away so rapidly that the grave had closed over him before his brethren at Woodstock had thus learned that he was even ill. He was confined to his room only three days; and the calm, holy, and beautiful death which he died, was but a reflex of his lifetime. One of his companions writes to us: “I was with him the evening before he died, when he made me read the points of meditation for him, and asked me to come again in the morning. When I went to him on the following day, I found him exceedingly low, yet hoping to recover. Still he then talked to me of the good chance he had of dying in the Society. I visited him frequently during the day, and found him at all times very fervent, eager to suffer and pray. He remained this way till about an hour before his death, an:d breathed his last, sitting in his chair with his habit on, while his brethren were reciting the prayers for his departing soul”. What a beautiful close to his innocent, peaceful life! What a mild, sweet twilight after the day of sunshine!

Mr Moynihan had taught four years before commencing the study of philosophy, and after finishing the first course of this science in Woodstock, had just returned to his province for college duty again, when he was called away to the better life. During the three years which he spent with us he was remarkable for his religious observance and for his close application to study. His course of philosophy was successful in the extreme. He found in it full play for the natural bent of his mind, and the pleasure which he took in it, together with the encouragement which marked success must necessarily bring about, served to strengthen the more his prime and principal motive for diligence-sense of duty. Nor did the efforts which he made after the acquisition of learning fail him in the end. His brilliant examination “De Universa” was the admiration of the Faculty, and the praises heaped upon it, though an unsought, were yet a merited reward.

But if our brother was persevering in the pursuit of knowledge, he was equally so in the observance of our religious duties. Nature had given him a simple, unobtrusive manner, and his good, warm heart was full of affection. Sensitive and timid himself, he could not easily fail in due regard for the feelings of his companions. He would not hear them blamed even in jest, and if the accused happened to be of his own delicate sensitiveness, and most of all, if he made no retort, the sympathy of mutual feeling was immdiately awakened, and Mr Moynihan ready to take his part. This was so noticeable in him that his companions, in their. various games, sought opportunities of censure, simply to admire his readiness to shield the imaginary victim. Moreover he was so humble and so ready to yield to others the better part. Only a short time before he left us,

Born: 29 September 1845, County Tipperary
Entered: 08 September 1863, Manresa, Roehampton, London, England - Angliae Province (ANG)
Ordained: 21 April 1876,
Final Vows: 15 August 1879,
Died: 03 January 1933, St Stanislaus, Florissant MO, USA - Missourianae Province (MIS)

Was in English Novitiate and responded to call by Fr De Smet to join his Mission in the US. Fr O’Meara joined him and a number of others travelling to New York and then on to Florissant MO, where he finished his Novitiate and began his Juniorate in September 1865.

1863-1864: Manresa, Roehampton, England (ANG), Novitiate
1864-1865: St Stanislaus, Florissant MO, USA (MIS), Novitiate
1865-1867: Xavier College, Sycamore Street, Cincinnati OH, USA, Regency
1867-1870: St Louis University, St Louis Mo, USA, Philosophy
1870-1873: Xavier College, Sycamore Street, Cincinnati OH, USA, Regency
1874-1876: Woodstock College, Woodstock MD, USA, Theology
1876-1879: Xavier College, Sycamore Street, Cincinnati OH, USA, Teaching
1879-1880: St Ignatius College SJ, West 12th Street, Chicago IL, USA, Teaching
1880-1884: Xavier College, Sycamore Street, Cincinnati OH, USA, Teaching
1884-1888: Creighton College, Omaha NE, USA, Teaching, Spiritual Father
1888-1892: St Mary’s College SJ, St Mary’s KS, USA, Teaching
1892-1894: St Louis University, Grand Avenue and Pine Street, St Louis MO, US, Teaching
1894-1895: Creighton College, Omaha NE, USA, Teaching
1895-1897: St Ignatius College SJ, West 12th Street, Chicago IL, USA, Teaching
1897-1901: Sacred Heart Church, West 19th Street, Chicago IL, USA, Curate and Spieitual Father
1901-1902: Detroit College, Jefferson Acenue, Detroit MI, USA, Minister, Teaching
1902-1908: St Ignatius College SJ, Pilsen Station, Chicago IL, USA, Curate, Librarian and Teaching
1908-1909:St Charles Borromeo Church, St Charles MO, USA, Curate and Spiritual Father
1909-1914: Xavier College, Seventh and Sycamore Street, Cincinnati OH, USA, Curate
1914-1933: St Stanislaus, Florissant MO, USA (MIS), Prefect of Church then Curate and Librarian

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 42, Number 3

Obituary

“Varia: St Louis - Golden Jubilee” p389

.......
Father James O'Meara, now at St Xavier's, Cincinnati, was equally honored with jubilee entertainments and festivities on September 8th. Father O'Meara is a native of Tipperary, Ireland, and entered the Society at Roehampton, England, while Father Alfred Weld was master of novices. He came to this country in I865 with Father DeSmet to labor as he thought among the Indians and frontiersmen.

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 51, Number 3 p 413

Florissant: Golden Jubilee of Father James J O’Meara

On September 8th Father James J O'Meara celebrated his Diamond Jubilee in the Society. At the community Mass, which he celebrated twenty young Jesuits pronounced their first vows and thus gave promise of continuing the work which he had so long performed in the Province.

Father O’Meara belongs to that sturdy old race of Jesuits who are still active in England and in the United States. Though born in Ireland, he was educated in Stonyhurst with the two Fathers Rickaby, Father Thurston, and Father Chandlery. He spent the first year of his novitiate with them at Roehampton; then he came to the United States and had a long career as professor in the various colleges of the Missouri Province. He had come at the invitation of Father DeSmet with the expectation of working for the Indians, but his zeal had to be directed to the young Indian in the classroom. For the past eight years Father O'Meara has been at Florissant acting as spiritual father. He is still in sturdy health, and expects to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of his priesthood in 1926.

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 54, Number 3 p 313

Father O’Meara Honored at Historical Commemoration

One of the features of the commemorative program carried out by the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, on Sunday, June 14th, at Saint Ferdinand's Church, Florissant, was the unveiling by Father O'Meara of a bronze tablet commemorating the names and deeds of the pioneer missionaries who set out from this locality to the Faith from this first western shrine of the Sacred Heart to the Rocky Mountains. The honor was conferred on Father O’Meara because of his close identification with the great history which tho marker commemorates. The program of the day included a special Mass for the Knights, celebrated by Rt Rev Joseph A Murphy SJ. The usual K of C breakfast and meeting followed. In the afternoon the presentation speech was made by Mr John J Griffin. This was followed by an historical address by Father Laurence Kenny SJ. Hon Judge O'Neill Ryan followed with the laymen's address. After this a life-size Crucifixion Group, erected in Saint Ferdinand's Cemetery, by Arthur Donnelly, was blessed. Solemn Benediction in Saint Ferdinand's Church closed the very successful and impressive program.

Father·O'Meara Honored at Home

A double holiday was celebrated at Charbonniere on July 4, 1925, by the Juniors. The day was the sixtieth anniversary of the arrival of Father James J O'Meara SJ, at Florissant.

The entries in the Diarium Domus Probationis relating to this memorable event are interesting. June 21st, 1865, “Mr Chambers came from St Louis bringing word that Father De Smet had landed at New York with ten companions.

July 1st, In the morning, after spiritual reading, the Juniors and Novices went to the fields and after a few hours returned home to get ready to greet Father De Smet and his companions. A short while later they arrived, ten in number, viz, Mr Walshe, CC Murphy, Lagae, Aerts, Van Loco, Van Luyten, Van Krevel, Van Acht, De Jong and Oldenhoff. Cr O'Meara remained in St Louis for a few days, because he was slightly unwell. Mr Walshe and Cr O'Meara, a second year novice, and Cr Murphy of the first year had been obtained from the English Province. At dinner “Deo Gratias”. In the afternoon the new novices went walking with the few other novices and Mr Hogan.

July 4th, In the morning Fathers Boudreaux and Stuntebeck, Messrs Ward and Walshe, and Mr O'Meara arrive.

Father O'Meara fills in the details as follows:

After landing at New York, we proceeded to Fordham College, where, in the old theologate, we rested for a week, while Father De Smet telegraphed our arrival to headquarters,   asking for a business man to guide his troop of innocents over the railroads. With four theologians of the Missouri Province we enjoyed the scenes around the city, and along the   Harlem River and the big aqueduct.
On Monday, the 26th, we crossed on the ferry to New Jersey, and took train to St Louis. Father James Converse had come from Chicago to guide us, and Father Buysschaert     (Bushart) joined us, making a troop of fifteen. The merry songs and laughter of the foreigners attracted attention and we were taken for an opera troop. Our giant De Jong was  hugging a giant bow intended for a gift to an Indian chief. The trip seemed long. We arrived at Cincinnati on Wednesday morning, and we stopped over at St Xavier College for   dinner and recreation. On leaving in the afternoon it was a sight for edification to see the whole community out on the steps of the Athenaeum embracing us all.
It was Commencement Day when we arrived at St Louis University. All were invited to the hall in the evening. I enjoyed the graduating speech of the now Hon John O'Meara, after     listening for an hour to a poem read by the Rev Father Fitzpatrick for the degree of Master of Arts. The greatest treat was to watch the meeting of Father De Smet and General  Sherman, and to see them chatting together like old chums.
After a few days rest Father De Smet led his crowd out to the novitiate, all except me. I had been taken sick suddenly. The fatigue and excitement of so much traveling added to the    summer heat of St Louis had made me feverish. The jovial Doctor Linton, who was a special friend of Father De Smet, cheered me up with his way of joking, and assured me that I     would be well in a day or so. Mr Walshe came back from Florissant to visit me. We had been fellow novices for a year at Roehampton. He found me in good spirits.
So on July 4th, we took train to Ferguson. And on the way I was astonished at the crowds of people in holiday dress; I was ignorant of the feast. From Ferguson we rode in a light  wagon over a dilapidated plank road to Florissant, and thence to the novitiate. Father Isidore Boudreaux received me cordially, and after a little talk in the parlor said, Now let us visit    the Master of the House' and as he led the way to the chapel, my wonder ceased and I understood. That lesson of piety I never forgot.
After the visit to the chapel Father Boudreaux introduced me to the novices in their ascetory. The old novices were CC Bosche, Tracy, Calmer and Charroppin of the second year,     and of the first year CC Weinman, Real, Perkin and Hugh Mageveny, the manuductor. The first four became Juniors by September, joining Joseph Rigge and Patrick McDermott of     the second year. I became the seventh Junior.
At Florissant sixty years ago, the community of about fifty lived in the stone house which is still the central building in front. The stone residence had a hall at each end on every floor;   in the middle were private rooms. The present type- writing room was kept for Father Provincial; it stood opposite to Father Rector's room. The ascetory of the Novices was the hall    on the west end of this building on the second floor. The hall at the other end of this floor was a dormitory for the Juniors.
During the month of August the newcomer from Roehampton served his probation in the refectory. As refectorian he attended to the whole basement, except the kitchen, which was  adjacent on the yard-side and now serves as wash room for the Brothers.
Father Charles Coppens had just returned from Fordham, where he had been ordained, and was beginning his long and distinguished career as professor of the Juniors. He began to     collect a library of the English classics. Those seven Juniors had the honor of being his first pupils.
Father Bushart, also recently ordained, acted as Socius to the Master of Novices over fifteen scholastic and seven brother novices. Father Buschots, as pastor, attended to the Creole  farmers and neighboring colored folks. Two other Fathers in the community were studying English, viz, Father Shulak from Poland and Father Gretens from Belgium.
In October the seven Juniors spent a Thursday at the Charbonniere. There was no building there; and the ground was rough and covered with a woody growth. On a hillock in one   corner was a small opening like a cave. Here we built a fire and cooked our dinner.
On other days we took “recreation” in the corn-field, and sometimes in the orchard we enjoyed “dentalia”. The orchards on each side of the avenue were in prime condition; and the  peaches were numerous, large and luscious. The Novices were fond of walking through the woods and over the fields, striking a piece of road now and then. The Juniors played    handball against the end of the stone building, and against the window-shutters of the present clothes-room and Brothers' ascetery. That generation was in blissful ignorance of    baseball, tennis or football.

◆ Woodstock Letters SJ : Vol 55, Number 2 p 305

Missouri: A Golden Jubilee

On April 21, 1926, Fr. O’Meara celebrated at Florissant the Golden Jubilee of his Priesthood. That is a rare event in the Society for obvious reasons, and it was observed with unusual joy and festivities. The Juniors offered greetings in prose and verse, letters were read from Father General and Archbishop Glennon, Father P Burke spoke in behalf of the Jubilarian’s old pupils, and the Provincial voiced the sentiments of the entire Province. Of Fr O’Meara’s many pupils, 150 have become priests, including the late ArchbishopMoeller of Cincinnati. Fifty entered the Society, and over forty have persevered.

FatherO’Meara was born Sep 29,1845, inTipperary, Ireland. He was the youngest of ten children, and lost his father at an early age. After the father’s death the family moved to Lancashire, England. Here James attended school for five years. Fr Morron SJ, took an interest in him and gave him private lessons in Latin. Later he sent him to Stonyhurst College. Here the boy developed such violent headaches that he was obliged to give up studies and return to his home. Naturally, the priest was much disappointed. The holy man was inspired to take the lad to St Winefred’s Well in Wales. There he was completely cured, and the headaches departed never to return.

On Sept. 8, 1863, he entered the Novitiate at Roehampton. He had and still has a great esteem for his Master of Novices, Fr Alfred Weld. Before the end of his Noviceship he responded to the appealof Fr Dc Smet for laborers in the American vineyard. A little group of future apostles reached Florissant in July, 1865, and James O’Meara was among the number. The following September Mr O’Meara pronounced his first vows. In November he went to Cincinnati to teach. He remained there for two years, and then he returned to St Louis for Philosophy. In 1870 he went back to Cincinnati and taught there for three years. In 1873 he went to Woodstock for Theology. He had as professors Fr Romano in Dogma and Fr Sabetti in Moral. He was ordained April 21, 1876, and hence is now fifty years a priest. Verily hath he received the length of days promised to the just.

Born: 24 January 1822, Ballydavid, County Tipperary
Entered: 16 July 1844, St Stanislaus, Florissant, MO, USA - Missourianae Province (MIS)
Ordained: 1857
Final Vows: 02 February 1863
Died: 02 March 1899, Xavier College, Cincinatti, OH, USA - Missourianae Province (MIS)

Provincial of the Missouri Province 1871-1878

1879-1880 Visitor to the New Orleans Province

Tertian Master at Chicago for one year, then 10 years at Florissant

Born: 13 November 1842, Drumshambo, County Leitrim
Entered: 06 August 1860, St Stanislaus, Florissant, MO, USA - Missourianae Province (MIS)
Ordained: 1875
Final Vows: 15 August 1877
Died: 26 April 1889, Xavier College, Cincinnati, OH, USA - Missourianae Province (MIS)