3 - Canonical Visitation Report for 1942

3

Canonical Visitation Report for 1942

6 pp; typescript

Canoncial visitation report compiled by Fr. Stephen Murtagh OFM Cap. for the Irish Capuchin custody in the United States. The report includes extensive commentary on the spiritual, physical and financial condition of various churches and friaries in Oregon, California, and Delaware. Father Murtagh outlines the continued struggles of the American custody during World War II, focusing heavily on recruitment and geographic isolation. He stresses that despite establishing a novitiate years prior, it remains completely devoid of novices, making the creation of a ‘Seraphic School’ (minor seminary) an urgent necessity to foster local vocations. However, funding this initiative is deeply hindered by low parish contributions and the financial strain on their mission house, which was forced to pull a member from its preaching staff to serve a parish. The report also reiterates the desperate need for active priests to instruct children across thousands of square miles in Oregon, noting that Archbishop Howard of Portland is firmly insisting on an active assistant for the Roseburg parish, while similar shortages afflict foundations in Bend and Hermiston. Despite these structural challenges, the report praises the spirit, cooperation, and good work of the residing friars, while noting that superiors are patriotically investing school funds into government Defense Bonds to aid the wartime effort.

ISAD(G) 2nd edition