Michael Francis Egan (September 29, 1761 – July 22, 1814) was a
prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Born in Ireland, he joined the
Franciscan Order at a young age. He was ordained a priest, probably in
Prague, in 1785 or 1786. He advanced rapidly to positions of
responsibility in the Franciscan order, becoming custos (guardian) in
the province of Munster in Ireland, then at the Pontifical College at
the home of Irish Franciscans in Rome, and later at Ennis in Ireland.
Egan arrived in the United States in January 1802 to serve as an
assistant pastor near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His reputation as a
gifted preacher secured him a position in 1803 as a pastor at St. Mary's
Church in Philadelphia. In 1808, he was appointed the first Bishop of
Philadelphia, holding that position until his death in 1814. His tenure
as bishop saw the construction of new churches and the expansion of the
Catholic Church membership in his diocese, but much of his time was
consumed by disputes with the lay trustees of St. Mary's Church.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Francis_Egan>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1918:
World War I: At the Battle of St Quentin Canal, the British
Fourth Army made the first breach of the German defensive Hindenburg
Line.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindenburg_Line>
1940:
Two Avro Ansons of No. 2 Service Flying Training School RAAF
collided in mid-air over Brocklesby, New South Wales, Australia,
remained locked together after colliding, and landed safely.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940_Brocklesby_mid-air_collision>
1957:
An explosion at the Soviet nuclear reprocessing plant Mayak
released 74 to 1850 PBq of radioactive material.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyshtym_disaster>
1962:
Alouette 1, Canada's first satellite, and the first satellite
constructed by a country other than the Soviet Union or the United
States, was launched.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alouette_1>
1991:
The Haitian Army deposed President Jean-Bertrand Aristide,
eight months after the nation's first democratic elections.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Haitian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
whopping:
(colloquial) Exceptionally great or large.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/whopping>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
O Glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be
our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against
principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness,
spirits of evil.
--Pope Leo XIII
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pope_Leo_XIII>