When the Bishop Blesses. By Albert M. Schreiber, O.S.B. San
Antonio (Standard Printing Co.), 1943. Pp. 139.

This little book is a narrative of the labors of Bishop
Emmanuel B. Ledvina and of Abbot Paul M. Nahlen, O.S.B.,
in founding and developing Corpus Christi College-Academy.
It tells of the work and worry of the Benedictine Fathers in
founding a school in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, and is the
story of the big-heartedness and generosity of the people of
South Texas towards the College-Academy from its foundation
in 1927 to the present time.

The book is divided into eight chapters. The first four de-
velop the story of the Bishop's solicitude for education and the
need for a high school in the vicinity of Corpus Christi; the
invitation to the Benedictines to open a school; the donation
of the school property by Mr. and Mrs. John Dunn; the fi-
nancial difficulties; and the construction of the buildings under
the supervision of Father Paul Nahlen, the first president. The
second half of the book contains the story of the school proper:
the small beginnings, the increase in enrollment, the problem
of accrediting the various subjects to the State Department of
Education, athletic achievements, and the general progress of
the school. Throughout the narrative the activities of Bishop
Ledvina and Father Paul serve to give continuity to the story.
While the title stresses the Bishop's role, the book is about
equally divided between the two chief personages and is as much
an account of the educational labors of Father Paul as a com-
mentary on the educational zeal of the Bishop.

The author, Albert Schreiber, director of studies at the Col-
lege-Academy, has effectively marshaled the facts revealed by
the manuscript sources; he has, furthermore, nicely supple-
mented that story with first-hand observations gained on the
scene, drawn from his fifteen years of personal labors at the
school. The study shows care and balance throughout, and is
well planned and organized. Delightfully interwoven with the
story are happy little human interest pictures of the Bishop,
faculty, and students which give color and help to make the
account most readable. The chapter headings are perhaps ultra
and fanciful; the appendices contain lists of faculty members
and graduates and statistics on enrollment. There is a bibliogra-
phy, and the work is excellently illustrated; unfortunately there
is no index.

Father Schreiber deserves credit for what he has done. While
the work is of special value as a chapter in the educational ac-
tivities of the Benedictine Order, it has a yet wider appeal and
should be useful to all those interested in the development of
high school education in Texas. A similar study of other private
high schools throughout the state could profitably be made that
a complete over-all picture might be available. To this end it
is an invaluable contribution, and individuals interested in
making a similar study may profitably examine the methoc
the organization, and the plan of this work.

St. Mary's University

Joseph Schmitz

How to cite:
"When the Bishop Blesses", Volume 47, Number 3, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v047/n3/review_DIVL6017.html
[Accessed Tue Dec 2 13:35:28 CST 2008]