The Library and the School

Wimmer Wednesday. In the early 1850s, Boniface Wimmer describes the library and the school at Saint Vincent:

We are also very delighted to have a not insignificant library, which contains almost all the Latin Classics, several Greek ones, and very valuable historical works; and in the theology department, the old and the new literature is pretty well represented.

At the same time, Fr. Lucas,6 the art teacher, has good supplies for his department, and he is quite taken up in bringing his students to a point where their accomplishments sometimes are really surprising. Due to the kindness and caring of Court Chaplin Joseph Ferdinand Müller in Munich we are well taken care of in this regard. Furthermore, we also have 300 oil paintings; of course there are no masterworks, but nevertheless a complete collection, consisting of portraits, landscapes, fruit and animal pieces, night scenes on canvas, wood, and tin. Additionally, we have many religious representations as well as [renditions of] individual saints, some of which also serve as altar pictures. Many of these paintings are unfortunately a little damaged; more or less all of them are in need of some restoration. Yet, they are a true treasure, for which I have to thank the kindness of our benefactor, Rev. Raiser in Munich. I received them only today and have been unpacking them, along with 6 crates of books, a gift from the catechist, Mr. Brestlmeyer of Ried, for which we are very obliged to this kind donor. This was the rearguard of my baggage, which cost me 480 plus 64 plus 20 for a total of 564 dollars for transportation and customs charges.

This is all for my school. That is what is closest to my heart, and I do not spare any expense in order to offer my students every opportunity to learn, first what is necessary, but then also that which is useful and pleasant, to the extent that it contributes to the ennobling of the person.

From Boniface Wimmer: Abbot of Saint Vincent in Pennsylvania