ritmt? Saint Joaepk, Missouri 1 f x Tke Rigkt Reverend Monsignor f James P. Brady, V. G., P. A.

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1 ritmt? x Tke Rigkt Reverend Monsignor f James P. Brady, V. G., P. A. # Saint Joaepk, Missouri 1 f X 1!

2 Nihil ObsteU: DAVID P. MCASTOCKER, S. J. Censor Librorum Imprimi Potest: JOANNES B. COTTER Vic. Gen. San Diego, May 12, 1947

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4 SOLEMN PONTIFICAL to commemorate MASS THE GOLDEN SACERDOTAL JUBILEE of [E RIGHT REVEREND MONSIGNOR JAMES P. BRADY Prothonotary Apostolic to His Holiness, Pope Pius XII Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Joseph Celebrant ST. MARY'S CHURCH, ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1947 MOST REVEREND CHARLES HUBERT LEBLOND, D. D. Bishop of St. Joseph presiding Those assisting on ceremonies: THE REVEREND CHARLES S. NOWLAND THE REVEREND AUGUSTINE F. MCNEILL THE REVEREND ROBERT READY, O. S. B. THE REVEREND DONALD S. MILLER THE REVEREND VINCENT BARSCH, O. S. B. THE REVEREND ALOYSIUS FELLING Sermon by THE MOST REVEREND CHARLES F. BUDDY

5 "Thou shall sanctify the fiftieth year.... for it is the year of jubilte" (Lev. XXV: 10). MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY, MOST REVEREND BISHOP; RIGHT REVEREND AND BELOVED JUBILARIAN; RIGHT REVEREND ABBOTS; RIGHT REVEREND MON- SIGNORI; VERY REVEREND AND REVEREND FATHERS; VENERABLE SISTERS; DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND FAITHFUL PEOPLE: ERMIT me to voice the felicitations of your revered Bishop, priests, and people on this blessed day which the Lord has made. That the Divine Benefactor, from Whom comes every good and perfect gift, has been pleased to endow our beloved Jubilarían with physical energy to carryon, with qualities of soul to plan wisely, with singleness of purpose to invoke splendors of Divine grace which have adorned half a century of priestly life, rejoices the Church of God and, indeed, calls for a solemn act of gratitude.

6 Since we have all shared individually and collectively in the blessings of these fifty golden years blessings that still reach out to countless thousands it is but right and just that we unite to participate in a Sacrifice not only of praise, propitiation, and petition, but preeminently in one of thanksgiving. St. John Chrysostom says: "The best custody of a gift is the memory of the giver." Therefore, in today's celebration of these august Mysteries we express "Eucharistia," which means we thank the good God for all gifts both natural and supernatural. On that never - to - be - forgotten morning of ordination, fifty years ago, the chalice of Benediction was put in the hands of Father Brady, who, exercising this tremendous power from that moment to this day, twenty thousand times the Adorable Sacrifice has ascended to Heaven for 4

7 the living and the dead. With a mind devoted to the truth, a will alerted to projects of the soul and the prospect of doing good, his heart in sympathy with the poor and distressed, even his outward appearance bears the mark of candor. But more exalted than the Angel who stirred the pool by Bethsaida, he has taken his place in the Tribunal of Penance where heartsick sinners were cleansed in the life-giving stream of the Blood of the Lamb. He has traversed the highways and byways seeking out the lame and the halt, the lost sheep, and the little ones to lead them gently to the Feet of Christ. What a sublime vocation! What an inspiring conquest of life! Now when one speaks of Monsignor Brady and his Fiftieth Anniversary, he is speaking primarily of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Here the 5

8 teachings of St. Paul guide our reflections: "A priest is a man of God... the minister of Christ and the dispenser of the Mysteries of God;" and again: "Every priest taken from among men is appointed for men in the things that pertain to God." These descriptive and apt references stress the character of the Priesthood as intimately related to God, the Essence of all holiness a relationship reflected in the constant ministerial life of the priest. Wherefore St. Paul charges Titus: "Show thyself in all things an example of good works, in teaching, in integrity, and in dignity." He warns Timothy: "Be an example to the faithful in speech, in conduct, in charity, in faith, in chastity,... conduct thyself in work as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as God's soldier entangles himself in worldly affairs." The Apostle of the Gentiles further admonishes the 6

9 Corinthians: "Pursue godliness, justice, faith, charity, patience and mildness." To carry on the work of salvation, then, Jesus Christ has chosen the cooperation of His priests, who dispense the graces of redemption, make clear and attractive the truths of the Gospel, administer the Sacraments. Devoted Friends, we who have been closely associated with the beloved jubilarían know how faithfully he fulfills the Pauline ideals of the sacred priesthood. Let me frankly state that from childhood, in fact, from the first day of Monsignor Brady's ordination, I have derived unceasing encouragement out of his self-effacing humility, patience, loyalty, and apostolic zeal. In those early days, when as Father Brady, he was an assistant at St. Joseph's Cathedral and chaplain at the Sacred Heart Convent, it was my privilege to serve him as an altar boy. He, it was, who inspired my vocation. 7

10 Many another priest can tell the same story. Significant is the fact that the six Reverend Fathers privileged to assist in these solemn ceremonies were acolytes for Monsignor Brady. In their formative years, both in church and in St. Mary's Parochial School, they drank deeply of clearly defined Catholic instruction. By the powerful force of their Pastor's example they learned to admire and ambition the glory of the royal Priesthood. But who shall count the large number of St. Mary's young women called to the religious life. Impressed and enlightened by the beautiful sacrifices of the Sisters of the Precious Blood in grade school, and by the Religious of the Sacred Heart in high school, they prayed fervently to qualify to be brides of Jesus Christ and to follow 8

11 the Immaculate Lamb of God whithersoever He goeth. Truly, "Blessed are they who do and teach, they shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." Today, far and near, their virgin hearts sing joyously with us: "Te Deum Laudamus." After two decades, when admitted to the ranks of the clergy, we found in Monsignor Brady's prudent counsel, affable manner, learning, and piety, the same Alter Chris tus that had pointed out our pathway to the Altar. This intrepid soldier of Christ would smile at unjust criticism. In the many problems and contradictions that try men's souls, in fair weather and foul, Monsignor Brady has ever been ".... That tower of strength which stood four-square To all the winds that blew."

12 A natural charm that put us all at ease, a zest for life and zeal for souls combined in a happy blend of edification that won the acclaim of men but never weakened his common touch. If monuments you seek, glance around you. Behold this imposing church, the splendid school, the rectory and the Sisters' Convent a group of buildings that speak eloquently of the lively faith and generosity of Saint Mary's parishioners, both present, and the vanguard triumphant that has gone before us. With the double-edged sword of work and prayer, Monsignor Brady carved a way through every obstacle and opened new highways to Heaven for those entrusted to his shepherding, the while leaving to the wisdom of Divine Providence the measure of success. The children of his parish, the young people, always captured a treasured place 10

13 in the Monsignor's heart and plans. In every program for the welfare of souls or the progress of religion one notes the same pattern. Next to offering the Holy Sacrifice, the keenest joy of Monsignor's life has been the loyal response of his faithful people. To be sure the sheep-fold of St. Mary's knows the sound of his voice. The "old-timers" at the Cathedral still hark back to Father Brady, the kindliness of his heart, the catholicity of his affection, his assiduous care of the sick. When in 1922, Pope Pius XI conferred on Father Brady the high rank of Domestic Prelate and Prothonotary Apostolic, to share the honors of the Sovereign Pontiff's household, priests and people manifested sincere joy. At the same time they realized that beneath the purple mantle which he wore with dignity and honor, there beat the genial 11

14 heart of Father Brady. There may be some here today who recall die lean years at the Cathedral when our honored jubilarían mounted a ladder to clean the old massive altar. He spared not himself to make attractive the House of God. Whether as Apostolic Administrator, or as Vicar General, or as Consultor to three successive Ordinaries or as a Director of the Library Board, his courageous, unbiased stand in every vital question has wielded an immortal influence and shed luster on the Church. Wherever this nobleminded priest trod he found honor among his fellow citizens. Uncompromising honesty compells respect for the man who is concerned not about being on the right side but about being on the side of right. No wonder his zeal fostered intense spirituality in every phase of Catholic,life. 12 In turn it

15 afforded him genuine happiness, because the whole gamut of intense delights rates nothing higher than bringing a soul closer to God. Before concluding, may we pause in loving tribute to revive the memory of that home where Monsignor Brady's vocation started. The longer we live, and the more experience we gain in appraising realities, the more we evaluate what our parents said to us, and what they did for us. With the passing years it looms larger and larger. In retrospect, visualize William and Rose Growney Brady consecrating their ten children to the God of their Fathers, bespeaking for them the undying Credo of their race. It is an epic of Christian fortitude a saga of valiant achievement. With Father James Power, of blessed memory, and other pioneers of County 13

16 Meath, Ireland, the courageous parents of our esteemed Jubilarían emigrated to this country, journeyed westward from Reading, Pennsylvania, treked their weary way along rough roads beset with dangers and privations. Leaving St. Joseph, April 16, 1858, they nearly drowned in fording the Platte river but arrived two days later, at their destination in Nodaway County. There they helped to lay the foundations for the new Mount Angel Abbey at Conception, where the learned sons of St. Benedict, in Gregorian harmonies, chanted the Divine Office, unfolded the beauty of the liturgy, and stimulated a fervent Catholicity; where the people, whether laboring in the fields or worshipping in the great Abbey church, served the Lord in gladness. With good reason, then, Conception Abbey and Conception College share the honors of this memorable day with the Grand Sulpician Seminary of Montreal. 14

17 As our beloved Jubilarían sanctifies the fiftieth year of his priesthood, he may well repeat the soul-stirring prayer of the Royal Psalmist: "Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me:... Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off: My path and my line Thou hast searched out... Behold, O Lord, Thou hast known all things, the last and those of old: Thou hast formed me, and hast laid Thy hand upon me. 1 will extol Thee, O Lord, for Thou hast upheld me; 1 will stand upon my watch and fix my foot upon the tower"

18 CHRONICLE of The Right Reverend Monsignor James P. Brady, V. G.} P. A April 18th Born in Conception, Missouri April 28th Baptized by Reverend Father James Power Elementary Studies, Nodaway County District School Higher Studies, Conception High School, Conception College, Kenrick Seminary, Grand Seminary, Montreal May 30th Ordained priest in Conception Abbey church, Conception, Missouri, by the Most Reverend Maurice F. Burke, D. D Chaplain, St. Joseph's Hospital; Chaplain, Sacred Heart Convent; Assistant, St. Joseph's Cathedral Pastor of St. Joseph's Cathedral Pastor of St. Mary's September Vicar General, Diocese of St. Joseph April Named Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of St. Joseph Silver Jubilee. Elevated to Domestic Prelate and Prothonotary Apostolic by Pope Pius XI Golden Jubilee. 16

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