Our Catlwlic H e1·itage in Texas
trained to exercise their ministry among the poor and to which the Mex- ican Archbishop could send his students. 56 Armed with the deeds to the property on Laurel Heights, the Oblates took up the matter of the establishment of the contemplated major Semi- nary. On May 24, 1902, a contract was signed with Bishop Forest by which the Oblates agreed to accept the Bishop's students in their Scholas- ticate. Permission was next obtained from Rome, and the Sacred Congre- gation of Propaganda Fide gave Faculties on June 13, 1902, to build the Seminary. 57 It was now that the great financial wizard of the Oblates, Father Constantineau was called upon to take over. One Oblate historian has said of him, with absolute veracity, "Father Constantineau was gifted with great business ability. There is not one Oblate foundation in the whole province that did not benefit by his experience in business affairs. His advice was sought by many other religious Congregations and appre- ciated by the Hierarchy of the State." 51 The plans for the building of the new Seminary were turned over to him. He was authorized to spend forty thousand dollars. Money came from unexpected sources. A generous Canadian Oblate, Father Joseph Alexandre Fournier, offered his patrimonial inheritance. A good secular French Priest, Father Chapelard, also offered his patrimonial inheritance, on condition he be entitled to an annuity during his lifetime. Other gifts poured in, which added to the funds of the Province, enabled them to begin the construction of the new Seminary early in 1903. The laying of the cornerstone was a significant occasion. The Most Reverend Diomede Falconio, O.F.M., Apostolic Delegate to the United States, who was subsequently made a Cardinal, came from Washington and presided at the imposing ceremony on April 26, 1903. After he blessed the cornerstone, the eloquent Mexican Bishop, Montes de Oca, preached the sermon. Present besides Bishop Forest and Provincial officials of the Oblates, were Bishop E. P. Allen of Mobile, Bishop Theophile Meerschaert of Indian Territory, the representatives of the Bishops of Dallas and Galveston, and the dean of Oblate missionaries in Texas, the now aged Father Pierre Fourrier Parisot. The old missionary and historian beheld with deep emotion the realization of a dream of fifty years before, when he and a few companions had attempted to establish the short-
56 Notes for Oblate Histor,y, 40. S1San Antonio Cnancer,y Archives, 0.M.I., 16, 18. HNotes for Oblate Histor,y, 35.
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