Dec. 11. Rev. Mr. Grehan returned from Paris, where he had studied for five years, and presented himself to وو me. 16. I said Mass for the repose of the soul of the man who was murdered near Navan on Monday, the 1st instant. * 19. Anniversary of my election to the diocese of Meath. Thus we see that, so far back as 1788, when the Catholics of Ireland were coming forth from their long night of slavery and persecution, there were upwards of 236 schools then in operation throughout the diocese. Humble and unpretentious these hedge-schools were, indeed, but the only ones the Irish Catholic of that day could frequent at home with security to his faith. This demonstrates the love of learning which characterised our forefathers, and the sacrifices they were prepared to make to have healthy education imparted to their children. Now, however, when a more hopeful day has dawned on the country-when more abundant facilities exist for every branch of Catholic education-when knowledge is so essential for getting on in the world, as without it the youth shall journey through life a mere "hewer of wood and a drawer of water," it is to be hoped that parents shall make every effort to have their children educated, and thus qualify them to fight the battle of life, as well as raise up the character of our country. CHAPTER XIII. THE VISITATION OF 1789. Visitation of 1789. Mar. 10. I examined and approved for the exercise of sacerdotal functions in this diocese, during the space of one year, Rev. John Martin, of the Augustinian Convent of Drogheda. * The Navan schools are not enumerated in the registry. Mar. 17. This morning died Rev. Mr. White,* P.P. of Ratoath, at an advanced age, after having governed that parish between forty and fifty years. Apl. 20. This day I appointed Rev. Pat. Keonan, P. P.† of Trevet and Curraha, from which parish I this day also translated Rev. Pat. Lanagan, to that of Ratoath, vacant by the death of the Rev. Mr. White. June 2. Tuesday. This day died suddenly Rev. James Duffy, O.P., P.P. of Donore. Ι 19. This day I appointed Rev. Walter Johnson P.P. of Donore. July 11. Saturday. I left Navan in the morning to begin the Visitation. Ardbraccan (Rev. Peter Reilly, P.P.-Rev. M. Branagan, Deservitor), 23 confirmed. - Sermon: On death-bed repentance. 12. Trim (Rev. Henry Dougherty, P.P. and V.G.), 42 13. Kildalky (Rev. Laurence O'Reilly, P.F.), 11 confirmed. "De 16. Killucan (Rev. P. Sherlock, P.P.), 51 confirmed.— Sermon: On neglect of the Easter duty. 17. Turin (Rev. Thomas Stafford, P.P.), 33 confirmed.— Sermon: On the last judgment. 18. Fertullagh (Rev. Owen Coffy, O.P., P.P.), 25 confirmed. Sermon: On the delay of repentance. 19. Mullingar (Rev. Laurence Fitzgerald, O.P., P.P.), 197 confirmed.-Sermon : On the danger of delaying repentance. *He rests in the church-yard of Ratoath. † See letters of Dr. Plunket respecting this appointment in vol. i., p. 156. Rev. Mr. Duffy rests in the grave-yard of Donore. July 20. Conference of the district.-Rev. Mr. Moran preached and Rev. John Murray made the conference. 33 21. Dysart (Rev. John Duffy), 23 confirmed.-Sermon: On the Resurrection. 22. Castletown (Rev. James Commons), 33 confirmed.Sermon: On the education of youth, rioting, and clandestine marriages. 23. Kilbeggan (Rev. Thomas Dunn), 102 confirmed.— 24. Tullamore (Rev. Pat. Geoghegan), 68 confirmed.— 26. Eglish (Rev. John Egan), 60 confirmed. Sermon: 27. Conference of the district made by Mr. Kearney-the sermon by Rev. Mr. Murray. 28. Died this day, Rev. John McKenna,* P.P. of Donaghmore and Kilbride. Rathen (Rev. James Murray), 99 confirmed. Sermon: On the last judgment. 29. Clara (Rev. Nicholas Travers), 65 confirmed. Sermon: On drunkenness, and the Paschal duty. 30. Kill (Rev. Pat. Macnamee), 27 confirmed.-Sermon: On guarding against sudden death. 31. Drumrany (Rev. Dan. Mulledy, Vic. For.), 72 confirmed. On anger, as a virtue and a vice. Aug. 1. Ballimore (Rev. Pat. Levy, P.P.-Rev. Mr. Pigeon, Deservitor), 35 confirmed.-On pride, and its remedy-humility. 2. Moyvour (Rev. Mich. M'Cormick), 15 confirmed.Sermon: On Jesus weeping over Jerusalem, in his mercy, and foretelling, in his justice, the destruction of that city. 3. Conference of the district, made by Rev. Mr. Pigeon. Subject: On the Real Presence. The sermon on the same subject by Rev. Mr. Dunn. 4 Emper (Rev. John Wyer), 41 confirmed.-Sermon: On impurity. *It was incorrectly stated in Vol. I. that he was buried in Kilbride. I have discovered since that he rests in the church-yard of Danestown. Aug. 5. Balnacarrig (Rev. Garret Reilly), 34 confirmed.-Sermon: On the state of the soul in friendship with God and rewarded with bliss, compared with that of mortal sin. 6. Multifarnam (26 confirmed).-Sermon: On faith. 8. Fore (Rev. John Murray), 44 confirmed.—Sermon : 9. This day died Rev. Thad. Grehan,* who was P.P. of Clonard for forty-six years. 9. Castlepollard (Rev. Thomas Connell), 69 confirmed.— Sermon On the danger of delaying repentance. 10. Turbotstown (Rev. Mr. Fanning), 106 confirmed.Sermon On fraternal charity. Same day I appointed Rev. Garret Reilly, P.P. of Clonard and Ballyboggan, in the room of Rev. Mr. Grehan; and I appointed Rev. Mr. Byrne Administrator of Sonna and Kilbixy, in the room of Rev. Garrett Reilly. 12. Killeagh and Kilbride (Rev. Peter Brady), 42 con- 14. Kilallon (Rev. John Murray); 30 confirmed.—On 15. Kilskeer (Rev. James Ferrall), 30 confirmed.-Sermon: On the true manner of honouring the Blessed Virgin. 16. Kells (Rev. Thomas Flood, Archdeacon and V.F.), 51 confirmed. Sermon: On detraction. 17. Conference of the district on the "Statutes of the Diocese." The sermon preached by Rev. Mr. M'Cormick, of Delvin. I returned to Navan same evening, and on the following day (18th) went to Drogheda, to the Provincial meeting held on the 19th, at which were present Dr. Reilly of Armagh, Dr. Plunket of Meath, Dr. M'Davett of Derry, Dr. Maguire of Kilmore, Dr. Reilly of Clogher, *He rests in the grave-yard of Ballybogan. Dr. Coyle of Raphoe, Dr. M'Mullan of Down and Connor, Dr. Lennan of Dromore, and Dr. Cruise of Ardagh. Aug. 19, 20, & 21. Provincial meeting, which terminated in the foreneon of the 21st. 23. Drogheda (Rev. Pat. Moore), 27 confirmed.—Sermon On the danger of delaying repentance. 25. Monknewtown (Rev. Laurence Chevers), 42 confirmed. Sermon: On the sin of not complying with the Easter duty. 27. Stamullen (Rev. Pat. Ennis), 30 confirmed.-Sermon: On hell. 30. Ardeath (Rev. Nicholas Purfield, V.F.), 38 confirmed. Sermon: On the particular judgment. "De 31. Conference of the district of Duleek, at Duleek. Rev. Mr. Keonan answered on the Treatise Peccatis." Sept. 2. Duleek (ev. John Purfield), 36 confirmed.-Sermon On the small number of the elect. 5. Donore (Rev. Mr. Johnson, 13 confirmed.-Sermon: On death. 6. Ardmulchan and Painstown (Rev. John Kelly), 16 confirmed.-Sermon: When God afflicts us with tribulation, he is just and merciful, and we ought to be patient and resigned. 8. Rathfeigh (Rev. Christopher Byrne), 7 confirmed.-Sermon: On devotion to the Blessed Virgin-to be pure and acceptable, ought not to be accompanied with dispositions displeasing to her adorable Son. 9. Athlumny and Monkstown (Rev. James Callaghan), 12 confirmed. Sermon: On the decency requisite in the divine worship; and the repairs of the chapel. 10. Trevet and Curraha (Rev. Pat. Keonan), 22 confirmed.-Sermon: On rash judgment and detrac tion. 13. Dunsany (Rev. Peter Derham), 40 confirmed.-Sermon Omnia secundum ordinem fiant. It is a principal part of virtue to do our ordinary actions well. |