much on keeping alert for those souls who give promise of more than the ordinary! How much on the encouragement given to those who may aspire to the life of the counsels! How much on picking out these reticent characters, who will not speak the first word! If all these things are kept before the young seminarians, if the importance and necessity of vocation are thoroughly explained, if the needs of the Church are kept before them, we may reasonably hope that, when their time comes, they will be active apostles for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. As practical means of seminary work in this matter, I would suggest special emphasis being laid on the point in the class of pastoral theology. It would be well if every manual contained a chapter, "How to Discover and Develop Priestly and Religious Vocations." Conferences on the topic from time to time will bring good results, and here the supernatural idea can be fully treated. Seminarians should be encouraged to pray daily for vocations, and I would suggest one Holy Communion being offered up weekly, say the Sunday Communion, for this end. would also suggest a prayer said in common for the same end every day, say at the end of the evening prayers. These would keep the idea prominently before the seminarians, and it would become a live issue in their lives. And the appeal to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest would surely not be in vain. Bishop Schrembs very graciously remarked that he had come into the seminary meeting to learn. He added that it seemed a pity that the department of the Educational Convention that was of paramount importance was the one attended by the smallest numbers. The highest and noblest educational work was the immediate preparation of students for the priesthood. Doctors, farmers, lawyers, assemble in conventions for the promotion of the interests of their several callings. It seemed a pity the seminaries of the country were not here better represented. He felt that those here present would go back so filled with the benefits they had derived from the meetings that they will become apostles of cooperation among the seminaries. After speaking of the excellence of the latter part of the discussions, (all that he had heard) he spoke of the importance of the idea of propagating the Church. In England, one finds the converts so eager to bring others into the Church. They will ask you to join the league for converts. As you go into a sacristy to prepare for Mass some one will come up and ask you to make a memento for the conversion of England. For the spread of the Church, vocations are of supreme importance. Everything should be done to inspire the seminarians with an appreciation of their importance. Fill their hearts with this and it will become a life duty to foster vocations. Prayer is, of course, the first means. At the morning prayers of the Ursulines, the superior says "O Lord of the harvest;" and the religious respond, "Send laborers into Thy harvest." This prayer might well be adopted in every school, yes, in every Catholic home. Conferences should be given from time to time on the subject of vocations. When clerical and religious visitors come, get them to speak on vocations. Such suggestions from outside will make the deepest impression, especially if illustrated with facts from daily experience. The regular academic discourse from him who gives out spirituality by the half hour will not be nearly so effective as these familiar talks. There seems to be such a dearth of vocations for the various brotherhoods, and yet they have an important part to play in the wide activities of the Church. Vocations could be fostered by suggesting the life to pious young men who seem suited for it. Many who would have made excellent Brothers and monks have not lived up to their vocation, because priests did not speak to them about it. The Brother's life is usually obscure and a great self-sacrifice; the well trained priest will be always ready with kind words of encouragement and gratitude to the Brothers he is brought in contact with. The Fathers of the seminary, too, get very little thought as a rule, though they must labor hard for the seminary. Everyone should then be ready with words of commendation for the good work of the seminary. The professors must form themselves on the Divine Model to bring Him nearer to the seminarians who are the hope of the Churchspes messis in semine. The president explained that to-day's meeting owing to sudden calling away of some delegates was smaller than the two preceding days and that the comparatively small number of seminaries in the country with their smaller faculties, perforce made this the least numerous body of the convention. 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D., How to Increase the Efficiency of Schools for the Deaf. Coffey, Rev. D. A., Discussion.. College and Parish School Departments, Joint Session of.. 462 351 115 College Department 113 College Department, Minutes of the Meetings of the Standing College Entrance Requirements, Rev. Matthew Schumacher, C. S. 162 College Man, An Ideal Knight, John E. Kane, Esq.. 179 College Night Addresses.. 179 College Night, Program... 118 Committee, Report of the Advisory. Constantius, Brother, Ph. D., LL. D., The Recitation: Its Na- ture, Scope and Principles.. Cui Bono, Rev. P. A. McDermott, C. S. Sp.... Deaf-Mute Section 87 307 1 207 453 Deaf-Mute Section, Papers.... 455 Deaf-Mute Section, Proceedings. 453 De l'Epée, Abbe, and the Sign Language, Rev. Michael R. Mc- 455 Department, College 113 Department, College, Minutes of the Meetings of the Standing Devlin, Rev. Thomas, Preparation in the Parish Schools of Chil- dren for First Holy Communion.. Discussion, Rev. Charles Becker.... |