Barnabas McDonald
Encyclopedia
Brother
Barnabas McDonald F.S.C.
(1865 - April 24, 1929), was a Brother of the Christian Schools involved with youth work, especially among delinquents and orphans in the United States. He is remembered as founder of the Columbian Squires
of the Knights of Columbus
and as a driving force in establishing the early relationship between the Boy Scouts of America
and the American Catholic Church
.
and with the cooperation of James E. West
, he is credited with founding one of the earliest Catholic Boy Scout troops at St. Patrick's Cathedral
in 1912, having received formal approval of John Murphy Farley, Cardinal Archbishop of New York
.
In 1924 Brother Barnabas and Victor Ridder organized a Catholic Committee on Scouting under the honorary chairmanship of Patrick Hayes
, Cardinal Archbishop of New York
. Bishop Joseph H. Conroy of Ogdensburg
was named chairman of this Committee. Reverend Matthew J. Walsh, president of Notre Dame University was selected as national Chaplain.
Brother Barnabas was selected by the Boy Scouts of America in 1925 to be the Education Director of their "Catholic Bureau" for Scout extension under Catholic leadership, replacing Fr. John F. White. who had served in that capacity since 1919. In 1927 Brother Barnabas was recognized with the Silver Buffalo Award
for his service.
Brother Barnabas remained active as Director of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting until his death.
Though Knights of Columbus councils were involved in the Boy Scouts America and other youth programs, it was decided to establish a youth section within the Order. Under the guidance of Brother Barnabas together with Supreme Director Daniel A. Tobin of Brooklyn, the first Columbian Squires circle was instituted on August 4, 1925.
According to Brother Barnabas, “The supreme purpose of the Columbian Squires is character building.” Squires have fun and share their Catholic faith, help people in need, and enjoy the company of friends in social, family, athletic, cultural, civic and spiritual activities. Through their local circle, Squires work and socialize as a group of friends, elect their own officers, and develop into Catholic leaders.
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
Barnabas McDonald F.S.C.
Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
The Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools is a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation, founded in France by Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle and now based in Rome...
(1865 - April 24, 1929), was a Brother of the Christian Schools involved with youth work, especially among delinquents and orphans in the United States. He is remembered as founder of the Columbian Squires
Columbian Squires
The Columbian Squires is an international youth fraternity run by the Knights of Columbus for Catholic boys between the ages of 10 and 18.-History:...
of the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
and as a driving force in establishing the early relationship between the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
and the American Catholic Church
Roman Catholicism in the United States
The Catholic Church in the United States is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, the Christian Church in full communion with the Pope. With more than 68.5 registered million members, it is the largest single religious denomination in the United States, comprising about 22 percent of the population...
.
Boy Scouts of America
Brother Barnabas was a leader during the early years of Catholic Youth ministry. Together with Victor F. RidderVictor F. Ridder
Victor Frank Ridder was a newspaper publisher and civic leader in New York for many decades in the early 20th Century. Victor and his brothers Bernard H. Ridder and Joseph E...
and with the cooperation of James E. West
James E. West (Scouting)
Dr. James E. West was a lawyer and an advocate of children's rights, who became the first professional Chief Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America , serving from 1911–1943. Upon his retirement from the BSA, West was given the title of Chief Scout.-Personal life:His father died around the...
, he is credited with founding one of the earliest Catholic Boy Scout troops at St. Patrick's Cathedral
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York
The Cathedral of St. Patrick is a decorated Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral church in the United States...
in 1912, having received formal approval of John Murphy Farley, Cardinal Archbishop of New York
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York covers New York, Bronx, and Richmond counties in New York City , as well as Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties in New York state. There are 480 parishes...
.
In 1924 Brother Barnabas and Victor Ridder organized a Catholic Committee on Scouting under the honorary chairmanship of Patrick Hayes
Patrick Hayes
Patrick Hayes may refer to:*Patrick Michael Hayes, Canadian politician, Ontario New Democratic Party*Patrick Joseph Hayes , Cardinal Archbishop of New York 1924*Patrick J. Hayes , British computer scientist...
, Cardinal Archbishop of New York
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York covers New York, Bronx, and Richmond counties in New York City , as well as Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties in New York state. There are 480 parishes...
. Bishop Joseph H. Conroy of Ogdensburg
Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg is a Roman Catholic diocese in New York. It was founded on February 15, 1872.On February 23, 2010, the Most Reverend Terry R...
was named chairman of this Committee. Reverend Matthew J. Walsh, president of Notre Dame University was selected as national Chaplain.
Brother Barnabas was selected by the Boy Scouts of America in 1925 to be the Education Director of their "Catholic Bureau" for Scout extension under Catholic leadership, replacing Fr. John F. White. who had served in that capacity since 1919. In 1927 Brother Barnabas was recognized with the Silver Buffalo Award
Silver Buffalo Award
The Silver Buffalo Award is the national-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis, either as part of, or independent of the Scouting program...
for his service.
Brother Barnabas remained active as Director of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting until his death.
Knights of Columbus
In 1923, at the prompting of Brother Barnabas, the Knights of Columbus established a "Boy Life Bureau". Brother Barnabas was appointed the bureau's first Executive Secretary. The Boy Movement Committee of the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus had sent questionnaires to each Grand Knight and after receiving the responses met with Brother Barnabas.Though Knights of Columbus councils were involved in the Boy Scouts America and other youth programs, it was decided to establish a youth section within the Order. Under the guidance of Brother Barnabas together with Supreme Director Daniel A. Tobin of Brooklyn, the first Columbian Squires circle was instituted on August 4, 1925.
According to Brother Barnabas, “The supreme purpose of the Columbian Squires is character building.” Squires have fun and share their Catholic faith, help people in need, and enjoy the company of friends in social, family, athletic, cultural, civic and spiritual activities. Through their local circle, Squires work and socialize as a group of friends, elect their own officers, and develop into Catholic leaders.
See also
- Columbian SquiresColumbian SquiresThe Columbian Squires is an international youth fraternity run by the Knights of Columbus for Catholic boys between the ages of 10 and 18.-History:...
- Lincolndale Agricultural SchoolLincolndale Agricultural SchoolLincolndale Agricultural School for Boys was a Catholic charity run by Barnabas McDonald in Lincolndale, New York. It opened in 1912 for orphans to be trained for agricultural and industrial work....
- Institute of the Brothers of the Christian SchoolsInstitute of the Brothers of the Christian SchoolsThe Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools is a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation, founded in France by Saint Jean-Baptiste de la Salle and now based in Rome...