Om· Catholic Heritage in Tex,r.s
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and wherever the occasion arose, on his constant visitations he addressed Catholics and non-Catholics alike, and succeeded by his enthusiasm, eloquence, and sincerity in winning the praise of the Catholic as well as of the secular press. During a celebration in his honor, he told his audi- ence with characteristic Irish wit, "You have spoken of me as a young man; if you want to keep me perpetually young, you will all help in our financial difficulties." His plea for a new cathedral found a warm recep- tion. Bishop Brennan learned before long to love the Texans as a people who had taken him to their heart. The potential future of his poverty- stricken Diocese fascinated him and made him an enthusiastic booster of Texas wherever he went. Within two months after his arrival, on July 5, 1891, Bishop Brennan had the pleasure of ordaining Father J. A. Hartnett in the pro-Cathedral of Dallas, the first young man to receive the priesthood in the new Diocese. The Bishop pontificated for the first time in honor of the occa- sion. On Febmary 14, 1892, he ordained Father Thomas Blakeney in St. Patrick's Church, and two weeks later, Father P. M. Reagan. From the moment Bishop Brennan set foot in Dallas, he showed an ardent interest in encouraging vocations and providing for the education of the young men who wished to dedicate their lives to the service of the Church and humanity. "Our Church will in~rease, multiply and wax strong, healthful, and vigorous; it will diffuse its blessings and extend its influence in proportion as its clergy are mentally equipped, educa- tionally qualified and spiritually strengthened, fortified, munitioned and enriched to meet the qualities, fulfill the duties, discharge the require- ments, and uphold the honor and dignity of the sacred ministry. ... A well-trained priesthood will be proficient in learning and in virtue." He concluded his plea to the young people for a seminary by exalting the nature of the priesthood. "His true office," he declared, "is the re- deeming of souls from this wicked world to give them to God. The work of saving souls is the highest, most noble, the most praiseworthy that can to man be entrusted." Like all the Bishops of Texas since the time of Timon and Odin, he was irresistably attracted by the simple, abiding faith of the Mexicans. Before the end of 1891 he addressed himself in Spanish to the little com- munity of Tascosa to tell them that he was sending Father Francisco Grau y Cruz to preach a mission for them in their own language, begin- ning on December 12, the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who came to console and comfort the suffering people of
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