EXTENSION 299 EXTENSION
ment, and the rectory at Lapeer, Michigan, where secured by contributing to the Society's ftinds
Father Kelley was pastor, became the first head- directly, or indirectly by subscribing to "Extension
quarters of the Society. The late Bishop Hennessy, Magasine." The magazine was established a year
of Wichita, was the first member of the hierarchy after the foundation of the Society, "to foster the
to give his encouragement to the plan which sub- missionary spirit," and through it the needs of the
sequently developed, of which Rev. F. C. Kelley missions and missionaries in America have been
was the originator. His mission at Lapeer was made known and, to some extent, supplied. In
handicapped by poverty, and in order to support addition to "subscribiiig membership, the Society
his work he undertook a lecture tour which brought has armual memberships (SIO a year), life mem-
him into touch with priests in the West and South, berships (S1>000 in cash or in ten equal annual
who were struggling against even more adverse con- payments), and founderships ($5,000 in cash or
ditions. He sawthat there was no one to plead m ten equal armual payments). Founderships
their cause, and that their constant anxiety con- and life memberships may be established through
ceming the problems of existence was minimizing wills. Founderships bestow the privilege of mem-
the effectiveness of their apostolic labors. He bership in the Board of Governors. The Society
wrote an article on the situation, which was pub- has one thousand Masses offered armually for its
lished in the "Ecclesiastical Review," and evoked members, living and dead. "Extension Magazine"
Bishop Hennessy's encouragement, which in turn began as a quarterly and developed into a monthly,
brought about the inaugural meeting. Its circulation and influence increased steadily, and
The Society met with an immediate and generous in 1919 it had reached a certified circulation of
response, and at the second meeting of officers it 287,000, and employed nearly 300 circulation agents,
was determined to move the headquarters to Chi- Auxiliaries were formed in the "Order of Martha"
cago, where they would be more readily available, and the "Child Apo3tles" to encourage personal
better able to cope with the increasing mass of service on behalf of the home missions. The "Order
work, and where the Society could claim serious of Martha" is organized in "households," and its
attention as a national work. The president was members have been responsible for building many
released from parochial duties to devote his ex- chapels and schools, besides supplying vestments
elusive attention to the growth of the Extension and linens of home workmanship for the missions,
movement. The permies of the children have built ten chapels
The Holy See gave recognition to the Society, (1922).
when it was less than two years old, in the form of A church goods department was created for the
a letter (7 June, 1907), addressed to its chancellor, collection of used vestments and other church fur-
and in which Pope Pius X spoke of the work as nishings, and for their distribution after suitable
"most opportune in a country where, owing to the repair. In one year (1921) goods estimated at the
multituoes of immigrants of various nationalities, value of $25,000 were thus suvaged for use in poor
a great and extending field lies open for the up- missions.
building of the Kingdom of God. And the more A Mass intention department was opened to sup- so as trie endeavors of associations hostile to the ply the machinery necessary for the passing of Catholic name are so active and so widespread, surplus intentions from the city priests to the poor This hostile influence, unless coped with unceasingly missions where they were needed, and where they and prudently, will do no little harm, especially are, very often, the only means of subsistence among the simple folk of rural districts, to the afforded the missionaries. The Mass intentions happy growth of the Church in Amerioa." The which passed through the Society in 1921 totaled Pope approved and ratified the Society and granted $147,044.14. In 1919, in a period of national anxiety, perpetually the following privileges and indulgences: they reached $240,164.10. Mass intentions are dis-
(1) St. Philip Neri shall be the patron of the tributed through diocesan ordinaries and through
Society; (2) a plenary indulgence to each member provincials of communities* and no deduction is
on the day of admission, on the feasts of St. Philip made for administration.
Neri, St. Francis of Sales, St. Rose of Lima, the Extension Press was created to meet the demand
Holy Apostles, and at the hour of death; (3) to for an efficient Catholic mail order house for the
every member of the Society an indulgence of seven supply of books and articles of devotion. Of the
years and seven quarantines for every good work goods despatched 95% are shipped to points at
done in the interests of the Societv ; (4) an indul- which there are no Catholic book stores. Extension
gence of 30O days to all the members, as often as Press has published several books, and prints illus-
they piously recite the formula, "St. Philip, pray trated calendar for which the annual sale is about
for us"; (5) the above indulgences, plenary and 2(X),000. The profits of this department and of
partial, may be applied to the souls in purgatorv; "Extension Magazine" benefit the Society's general
(6) priests who are moderators or directors of the work.
Society may enjoy a privileged altar three times a Government. — ^The Society is governed bv its
week; founders and life members, six times a week, chancellor (the Archbishop of Chicago). A Board
By an Apostolic Brief (9 June, 1910) Pius X of Governors, consisting of bishops, priests, and erected the Society into a canonical institution, laymen, for a place on which any member of the appointed a Cardinal Protector, fixed the head- American hierarchy is eligible, meets annually in quarters in Chicago, appointed the Archbishop of November to review work and discuss policies. The Chicago the Society's chancellor ex officio, and re- priests and laymen on the board are chosen for served to the Holy Father the appointment, every their representative character, and founders are en- five years, of the Society's president. titled to membership. An executive committee is
In a letter (12 April, 1919), signed by the Cardinal elected at the annual meeting, and consists, besides
Secretary of State, Pope Benedict X V, desiring to the chancellor and the president, who are ex officio
give to your Society a new mark of his particular members, of one bishop and tour business men.
consideration and esteem," granted the privilege of This committee alone has power to allocate the
the use by the Society in its official emblem of the Society's funds. No member of the board or ef
paoal insignia; the executive committee receives remuneration for
Organization. — Membership in the Society and such service. The immediate direction of the participation in the privileges extended to it are Society and of Extension Magazine" is in the hands
