C1·eatio11- of a Secular Clergy
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and distinct school for the training of its clergy. He was convinced that such a step would contribute more than anything else to the creation of a native clergy for the Diocese of San Antonio. Unforeseen circumstances developed, however, which kept him from immediately realizing his dream. First, there was the destructive fire that consumed St. John's Orphanage, in which five Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word perished. This led to the building of St. Peter's, the new home, better known as St. Peter's and St. Joseph's Home. Then, there were the thousands and thousands of Mexican refugees who flocked to San Antonio after the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. The exiled clergy, too, had to be taken care of, and Bishop Shaw dedicated his energies and his means to this unexpected emergency. His unselfish and untiring efforts in behalf of the unfortunate exiles brought him recogni- tion from the Holy Father himself, who made him Assistant at the Pontifical Throne in September, 1916. The entering of the United States into the First World War in 1917 made further calls on the good Bishop that could not be postponed. Last, but not least, he was faced with the chronic problem of where to find the additional priests to teach in the new Seminary he envisioned. Its establishment would require the construc- tion of a suitable building and the financial strain caused by the condi- tions already enumerated delayed the realization of the dream until 1915 and retarded its progress after its founding. Ever by the side of Bishop Shaw was Monsignor William Wheeler Hume, who came with the Bishop from Mobile and was instrumental as its Chancellor in organizing the first Chancery Office for the Diocese. He was an ardent supporter of the Bishop's plan for the establishment of an independent seminary and to him should go part of the credit for the ultimate realization of the project. Through all the vicissitudes of the harassed Bishop, Monsignor Hume kept the idea of a diocesan seminary alive. Aided by his close friend, Father Dan O'Mullane, C.SS.R., and by Father Joseph C. Ei, S.M., of St. Mary's Academy, he worked out a plan which Bishop Shaw gladly accepted as the most feasible for starting his Seminary without further delay in 1915. Monsignor Hume suggested the use of the former Episcopal Residence on Dwyer Avenue as the tem- porary quarters of the contemplated dioceson seminary. Monsignor Hume, then still Father, agreed to act as its first Rector, and "A vigorous and able young priest was recalled from missionary work in the Big Bend Country to serve as Vice-Rector." This young priest, then in the prime of his boundless energy. was Father Mariano S.
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