Ottr Catlzolic H e1·itage in T cxas
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for whom he had the same regard and attachment, after the many haz- ardous and rough times shared in the roads of those days, as the old pioneer missionaries had for their patient and faithful horses. In 1925 Father F. J. Ledwig, a diocesan priest of the Archdiocese of San Antonio and renowned sacred orator, served as the Knights of Columbus State Missionary. He reported at the Sherman State Convention that he had preached to thousands throughout the State, mostly at open-air meet- ings, and that as a result, it could be said that anti-Catholic feeling had been noticeably reduced. The following year the beloved State Deputy Joseph I. Driscoll paid a well deserved tribute to the efforts of Father Ledwig, who had labored so faithfully under the auspices of the Knights of Columbus to dispel prejudice and misunderstandings. "Through his heroic efforts, characterized by tireless sacrifice and unending physical discomfort, splendid results have been achieved in breaking down the barriers of bigotry and intolerance, and in the dissemination of the truth concerning the position of Catholics." Father Ledwig continued his mis- sionary labors under the auspices of the Knights of Columbus until 1927, when he was recalled to parochial duties by his archbishop. The State Council, firmly convinced of the importance of this work, next induced Father Roberto Libertini, S.J., to give conferences under the auspices of individual councils or in communities where they did not exist. In 193 I he made a lecture tour in the lower Rio Grande Valley. Beginning in McAllen, he visted Edinburg, Rio Grande, Roma, Alamo, Falfurris, San Diego, Alice, Robstown, Donna, Weslaco, George West, and Corpus Christi. In the course of his tour, he addressed over 15,000 persons. The Supreme Council engaged for the same purpose a distinguished scholar and lecturer, Dr. James Walsh, who came to Texas and spoke to representative audiences in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, Galveston, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, and Amarillo. Equally important in dissem- inating information and breaking down prejudice was the series of lec- tures of David Goldstein, the internationally noted Jewish convert, who, under the auspices of the Supreme Council visited many places in Texas where he lectured publicly. Another speaker, Paul McGuire, sponsored likewise by the Supreme Council, held a series of conferences in San Antonio which proved popular and stimulating. By 1930 radio had come into its own. The Knights of Columbus· were quick to realize the tremendous significance of this new medium in the dissemination of information to a vast, invisible audience. They knew
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