. . n to make a special effort to have the last volume .
the comn11ss10
.
.
written
h by anot er pared. I the end the burden fell to the writer agam. For all these reasons th n 1· f · h e reader can well understand what a great re 1e 1t as been finally to reach the end, imperfect as the work may be. P erson at the same time that the sixth was being pre . . In this last volume the reader will find the story of the reorganization of the Church after the attainment of independence by the State in 1 8 3 6 first as a prefecture, then as a vicariate apostolic, and ultimately as the diocese of Galveston, which originally included within its jurisdiction the entire State of Texas; how this gigantic diocese was divided and sub- divided into new dioceses until there were six independent bishoprics under the ecclesiastical province of the Archdiocese of San Antonio; the heroic struggle to finance the growth and development of the Church with foreign and domestic aid until it became self supporting; the problems of creating a secular clergy; the work of religious orders and communities of men and women in education, hospitalization, and social welfare; and lastly, what Columbianism has meant to the people of Texas and the Church. As originally planned the history should have ended in the year of the centennial ( 1936). But the numerous and unavoidable delays that postponed the appearance of this last volume passed the mid century mark made it necessary to carry the story to 1950. In consultation with the Texas Knights of Columbus Historical Commission it was decided to include in the present volume the establishment of dioceses founded subsequent to 1936 and to carry the summary of the growth and develop- ment of those religious orders and communities of men and women that came to Texas prior to 1936 to 1950 also. We admit that other communities have come to labor in Texas since 1936, which are not mentioned, but which are contributing significantly in their respective fields of endeavor to the preservation of the Faith as well as to the social welfare of the State. To have included them would have lengthened this volume beyond reasonable bounds. As it is, the work of those that came to Texas prior to 193 5 has been greatly condensed and presented in proportion to the whole picture. Fortunately many religious orders, communities and oro-an- 'zations have begun to publish detailed accounts of their work i T~ 1 . • • n exa!- hich may be consulted by those des1rmg fuller data. The a f w h 1 . . f mount o d nsation made necessary by t e 1m1ts o this volume rnav b . d b con he eduction to one chapter of the recently published voi e JU ged y t e r . urne on the d . b'lee of the Texas Knights of Columbus in 1952 gol en JU 1 • • • blino- of source materials for this last volurn The assem ~ e proved much
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