Father Smith is also an authority on the history of Philadelphia and Jesuit activities in the area. The Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute is part of that history dating back to 1850 when its founder. Jesuit Father Edward Sourin. in whose honor the award is given. first gathered together a group of the young sons of immigrant families to continue their education which had been cut short by the economic. emotional. and political conditions of those troubled times. Now in its 132d year. the "Philo" is the oldest Catholic organization of its kind in this country with a membership of more than 500 lay Catholic professionals who continue to fulfill Father Sourins aims through their annual scholarship awards. The Sourin Medal. their highest award. is presented each year to an outstanding American Catholic.
Keywords matched
immigrant