Sketches
by Canon H.D. Galeran
Translated by Richard Richards, A.A.
Assumptionist Provincial House
328 Adams Street
Milton, Massachusetts 02186
1982
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Presentation.................................................................................. 1
Editor’s foreword........................................................................... 2
Preface........................................................................................ 4
FIRST SERIES
Henri & Anatole, like and unlike.................................................... 9
Peony and Dahlia....................................................................... 10
Sermon Appreciation.................................................................. 10
Upside down............................................................................. 11
“This priest is my son”............................................................... 11
Casting the net......................................................................... 11
Three English Cardinals............................................................ 12
Noble words and fine reaction................................................... 15
Hospitality defended................................................................. 16
Two snuff boxes....................................................................... 16
A scalded hand........................................................................ 17
Conversing with God................................................................ 17
Fr. d’Alzon’s Mass.................................................................... 18
A novel way of preaching......................................................... 18
Respect for sacred things......................................................... 19
Father’s ambition..................................................................... 19
England and Russia................................................................. 20
A “high class” humiliation.............................................................. 20
An instinct for beauty..................................................................... 21
Sighs and “dear me’s”.................................................................... 24
Brother and sister............................................................................ 24
Candidate for General Council....................................................... 26
Little candy priests......................................................................... 29
George Stephenson......................................................................... 30
Two Readings................................................................................. 31
Friendly reunion.............................................................................. 32
Advice to novices........................................................................... 34
Headmaster..................................................................................... 36
Silk socks........................................................................................ 39
Loyal and proud............................................................................. 40
An honor refused............................................................................ 40
Fidelity to principle......................................................................... 41
The story of a ring........................................................................... 42
A socia1 question............................................................................ 43
Bishop Plantier................................................................................ 45
Almonds......................................................................................... 47
Admirable simplicity....................................................................... 48
Three men, three priests, three saints.............................................. 49
Noble and generous heart............................................................... 50
A Christmas night........................................................................... 51
Foreboding...................................................................................... 52
The Assumption Band.................................................................... 52
Story of a jug.................................................................................. 54
Daring Navigator............................................................................ 54
Prodigal son.................................................................................... 55
The eagle eye.................................................................................. 57
Forbidden books............................................................................. 57
Let’s be thrifty................................................................................ 59
Adoring angels................................................................................ 60
God alone....................................................................................... 60
The Legion of Honor...................................................................... 61
Intimate conversation..................................................................... 61
Mysterious letter............................................................................. 62
Etiquette lesson............................................................................... 64
A gentleman’s honesty................................................................... 65
Pilgrimage....................................................................................... 66
Grateful homage............................................................................. 67
SECOND SERIES
Four points of the compass............................................................. 72
Intimate remarks and observations................................................. 74
The teacher...................................................................................... 78
Shoes............................................................................................... 81
The bust of Christ the Teacher........................................................ 83
Influence upon the people.............................................................. 84
Father’s poor room in “Noah’s Ark”.............................................. 88
The dormitory................................................................................. 89
The dazzling mitre.......................................................................... 90
Fr. d’Alzon and the Near East........................................................ 92
A chasuble with “vegetable” decorations....................................... 94
Transitions and transformations...................................................... 95
Father divests a traveler.................................................................. 99
What he could have been, what he preferred to be........................ 101
Bold but frank................................................................................ 105
Portrait of a founder....................................................................... 105
Prompt and sharp response............................................................. 106
A very special sermon..................................................................... 107
Lamennais, Ventura, d’Alzon......................................................... 108
The first Assumptionists play bocce............................................... 110
Dancing, fencing, and intoxication................................................. 112
Confessor........................................................................................ 114
Preacher.......................................................................................... 115
Father’s handwriting....................................................................... 120
Strange logic................................................................................... 121
Fr. d’Alzon visits a bluestocking.................................................... 122
A Father’s wise advice................................................................... 124
Literary relaxation........................................................................... 125
The pilot’s eye................................................................................. 126
Just a plain controversy................................................................... 128
Quips — sallies............................................................................... 131
A Father proud of his sons............................................................. 132
Farewell to a missionary................................................................. 134
A protective shield.......................................................................... 136
Ambition without brains................................................................. 137
Our spiritual Father......................................................................... 137
A religious aristocracy.................................................................... 138
A collection of judgments on Fr. d’Alzon...................................... 141
The cornerstone of the chapel......................................................... 144
THIRD SERIES
Strolling.......................................................................................... 148
“An example for the flock”............................................................ 149
Billing and cooing........................................................................... 151
Unusual art appreciation................................................................. 152
Solid virtues.................................................................................... 153
Advice to a newly-ordained priest................................................. 155
An embarrassed guest..................................................................... 156
Victor Cardenne............................................................................. 158
Victor Cardenne, again................................................................... 159
How to treat children...................................................................... 162
A quip............................................................................................. 164
The well at Assumption.................................................................. 165
Ambition vs. loyalty....................................................................... 165
On superiors.................................................................................... 168
God’s portion.................................................................................. 170
Ending a controversy...................................................................... 173
Hunting rabbits............................................................................... 173
The art of talking to God................................................................ 177
On the formation of character........................................................ 179
A faithful friend............................................................................. 181
Periwinkles...................................................................................... 183
The figs of Lavagnac...................................................................... 186
APPENDIX
Father Pernet................................................................................... 189
The crucifix..................................................................................... 192
Fr. Pernet’s common sense............................................................. 193
Panegyric of November 22, 1892................................................... 195