Script for First Brothers to America
This presentation shows the route of the journey of the first five brothers from France to start the first foundation of the
Brothers in the United States. It also shows the schools that are in the US Province today.
Readers needed:
1. Commentator (could be teacher)-Reader 1
2. Brother Polycarp (a student who reads well) Reader-2
(Slide 1)
Reader 1: all commentary except what is marked Reader 2
In the Gospel Jesus told the disciples to bring his message to all the nations. (Slide 2) In the 1840’s, the Gulf Coast of the
United States had very few churches and almost no schools or homes for orphans. The Bishop of Mobile at the time
heard of the reputation of the brothers and went to Le Puy, a beautiful town in France to ask Brother Polycarp to send
brothers. (Slide 3)
After the bishop’s visit, Brother Polycarp wrote a letter to the French brothers (Slide 4) collage asking them,
(3 hits: Reader 2)
Hit A: “Who are the privileged members of our congregation whom the Lord has chosen to reveal his Heart and glorify
his Holy Name across the ocean?
Hit B: Who is willing to sacrifice our comforts, freedom, health, strength, and even life itself for so noble a cause?
Hit C: Who will volunteer to give up country, friends, family and goods, and to learn another language to proclaim the
inexhaustible treasures of the Heart of Jesus?”
Many brothers volunteered, but only five could go. (Slide 5)
The others had to be left behind from what would turn out to be quite an adventure.
The day of departure was set for September 23, 1846—one hundred sixty-nine years ago.
All the French brothers gather to send off the chosen five. It is a solemn moment. Brother Polycarp reads a verse from
the prophet Isaiah: (Slide 6)
Reader 2 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who bring good tidings and proclaim peace.”
He then kisses their feet, gives them a crucifix and a banner, saying (Slide 7) “Your banner is the adorable heart of Jesus.
Carry these to the New World in our name.”
A large group of brothers walk with (Slide 8) them to the place where they wait to meet the stage coach that passes
regularly through the town. It is a time of emotional goodbyes. (Slide 9) coach The five mount the uncomfortable coach
which will take them to as far as the city of Orleans. The long, tiring trip seems endless. (Slide 10)
(2 hits)
Their spirits are lifted when they get to Orleans, though. (Slide 11)
There they get to ride to Paris in an exciting new invention, a stage coach pulled by a steam locomotive! (Slide 12) (2
hits)
After Paris, it’s back to a stage coach to their final destination, (Slide 13) the northern port of Le Havre. (Slide 14) (2 hits)
It was the main port for missionaries to America. They are eager for the trip across the ocean. But a big disappointment
awaits them at the port.
(Slide 15)Their boat is not ready and will not be ready for another 20 trying days while the crew is outfitted and loading
it. Luckily, they find rooms in a hospital run by Sisters. They write letters home explaining the delay. They are impatient.
Finally the five missionaries set sail from the port due West.
(Slide 16) (2 hits)
(Slide 17)
The journey across the North Atlantic is rough and they encounter three severe storms which they don’t think they will
survive.
At last they reached the island of St-Pierre-Miquelon off the coast of Canada. (Slide 18) (2 hits)
Once in port, there is no wind, so they have to wait two cold days.
When they finally leave St-Pierre-Miquelon, it takes another month to sail south to the tropical island of Guadeloupe in
the Antilles. (Slide 19) (2 hits)
There the boat has to unload its cargo and take on supplies. (Slide 20) (1st hit)This means another delay of nearly a
month, once again in a hospital since there was no other place to stay. The tropical heat makes them sick.
They had left home in September. By now three months have passed. They attend Christmas Midnight mass in the
hospital of the port.
Finally they pull up anchor to sail North (Slide 20 2nd hit) by skirting the islands of the Antilles and Cuba, where they
meet the worst storm of the voyage.
(Slide 21)
They are sure the boat is going to sink, but the storm takes mercy on them. (Slide 22) (1st hit)They pass through it by the
hardest and finally make it through Mobile Bay January 11, 1847. (Slide 22 2nd hit)
A voyage they thought would take one month has lasted almost four! The next adventure for them will take much
longer. They now have to learn English and take charge of the 30 orphaned boys who have been waiting for them for
more than half a year.
Brother Polycarp wrote a letter to the band of five brothers. Here is what he said: (Slide 23)
Reader 2: “The work of the brothers in America is the closest to my heart. But to respond well to my hopes, it must not
deviate from its true purpose. Now, my very dear brothers, allow me to remind you of it here: that purpose is the
religious and moral instruction of youth.
(Slide 24)
Reader 2: All your desires and efforts must tend toward that goal; never forget this. You have left your country, family,
friends, and your brothers in Christ to proclaim on distant shores the name of the Divine Savior. Therefore, always be
worthy of your holy mission.”
(Slide 25) Once they established a presence in the United States, the congregation began its transformation into a
worldwide institute, spreading throughout the Southern United States, the New York and New England areas, and into
Canada.
(Slide 26) The Brother’s Schools in the US Province Today
#1 E.D White Catholic High School
Established: 1965
Located in: Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Student body: Co-ed
Mascot: the Cardinal
School Colors: Red and Grey
Named for Edward Douglass White, ninth Chief Justice of the United States and native of Lafourche Parish
Louisiana
#2 Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School
Established: 1956
Located in: East Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens, New York.
Student body: Co-ed
Mascot: Crusaders
School Colors: Crimson and White
Dedicated to the memory of Msgr. Joseph V. McClancy, a long time diocesan Superintendent of Schools for the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
#3 Brother Martin High School
Established: 1869
Located in: New Orleans, Louisiana
Student body: All boys
Mascot: Crusaders
School Colors: Crimson and Gold
Was originally established as St. Aloysius College
#4 St. Columba's College
Established: 1939
Located in: St. Albens, United Kingdom
Student body: All boys
School Colors: Black, Red, and white
Acquired by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in 1955.
#5 Cor Jesu College:
Established: 1959
Located in: Digos City, Philippines.
Student body: Co-ed
School Colors: Red and White
The school goes from kindergarten to graduate level college courses.
#6 Saint Stanislaus College
Established: 1854
Located in: Bay St. Louis, MS
Student body: All boys
Mascot: Rock-A-Chaw
School Colors: Red and Black
#7 Bishop Guertin High School
Established: 1963
Located in: Nashua, New Hampshire
Student body: Co-ed
Mascot: Cardinals
School Colors: Green and Gold
Named in honor of Bishop Georges-Albert Guertin, third bishop of Manchester.
#8 Vandebilt Catholic High School
Established: 1870
Located in: Houma, Louisiana
Student body: Co-ed
Mascot: Fightin’ Terriers
School Colors: Blue and Gold
Was originally founded as St. Francis de Sales High School until 1965 and later Houma Central Catholic High
School until 1966 before being named in honor of Father August Vandebilt on March 27, 1966.
#9 Catholic High School
Established: 1894
Located in: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Student body: All boys
Mascot: Bears
School Colors: Black and Orange
Founded in 1894 as St. Vincent's Academy; in 1928, the Brothers of the Sacred Heart built a new school and gym
to hold the more than 300 students. With this move, the school's name changed to Catholic High School. This
name change stemmed from the fact that the word "academy" was becoming more associated with all-girls
schools in the 1920s.
#10 Mount Saint Charles Academy
Established: 1924
Located in: Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Student body: CO-ed
Mascot: Mounties
School Colors: Scarlet, Blue and White
Originally founded as a day and boarding school for boys; in 1972, the boarding facility was closed and the
Academy was transformed into a Grades 7 - 12, co-educational, day school.
#11 St. Joseph High School
Established: 1961
Located in: Metuchen, New Jersey
Student body: All-boys
Mascot: Falcons
School Colors: Green and White
From 1901 to 1961, St. Joseph’s served as a center for training and educating Brothers prior to their apostolate.
QUIZ QUESTIONS
#1. What is the mascot for E.D White Catholic High School in Thibodaux, Louisiana?
Mascot: the Cardinal
#2. Where is Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School located?
Located in: East Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens, New York.
#3 What was the original name of Brother Martin High School in New Orleans Louisiana?
Was originally established as St. Aloysius College
#4 In what year and where was St. Columba's College established?
Established: 1939
Located in: St. Albens, United Kingdom
#5 Cor Jesu College in the Phillipines has students from kindergarten up through what level?
The school goes from kindergarten to graduate level college courses.
#6 When was Saint Stanislaus College established?
Established: 1854
#7 What are the school colors and mascot of Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua, New Hampshire?
Mascot: Cardinals
School Colors: Green and Gold
#8 Name one of the two names of Vandebilt Catholic High School before 1966?
Was originally founded as St. Francis de Sales High School until 1965 and later Houma Central Catholic High
School until 1966.
#9 Why was Catholic High School s name changed from St. Vincent’s Academy in 1928?
The name change stemmed from the fact that the word "academy" was becoming more associated with all-girls
schools in the 1920s.
#10 Where is Mount Saint Charles Academy located?
Located in: Woonsocket, Rhode Island
#11 What are the school colors and mascot of St. Joseph High School?
Mascot: Falcons
School Colors: Green and White