54. Corrigan to Scalabrini¹¹⁸

         New York, May 25, 1898

Most Reverend Archbishop:

I received by telegram the congratulations that Your Excellency was kind enough to send me on the occasion of my Episcopal Jubilee. I intended to reply by telegraph, but in the enthusiasm of the celebrations it escaped my mind. I hope Your Excellency will be so kind as to excuse an unintended oversight.

            I thank Your Excellency from the heart. You wanted to add your congratulations and your wishes to those of so many others. The Jubilee was a true success. I had an indescribable demonstration from the people, the clergy and also from the Protestants themselves. I would have liked, however, that Your Excellency had assisted at the demonstration of the parochial schools. Your Excellency, who is so interested in the education of boys and girls, would have perhaps cried because of sweet emotion and would have no doubt appreciated the great advantages that the parochial school brings to Catholicism in America. In any event, I hope that the day will come when I will be able to show to Your Excellency my schools and my imposing seminary that, thank heaven, I have freed from the debt of L. l,250,000 by depositing in favor of this institution the offerings given me by the clergy and the people on the occasion of the Jubilee.

            In the meantime, Excellency, receive the sentiments of my sincere gratitude and believe me always, Your Most Rev. Excellency,

Your Most devoted Servant,

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York