Every Catholic an Apostle: A Life of Thomas A. Judge, CM, 1868–1933 by William L. Portier (review)

The author has produced the major biography of one of America’s influential Catholic leaders from the early years of the twentieth century. Its considerable bulk attests to the depth of research involved in such an undertaking, based on original documents. This biography is more chronological than thematic, which leaves the way open for others to systematize Judge’s theology, spirituality, and outlook on the world. Nevertheless, Portier has scattered through this excellent work some detail on those important topics. The chronological approach takes the reader through a thicket of events that eventually build up a perspective on Judge’s life.

A member of the Congregation of the Mission, a Vincentian, Judge always remained a member of the community in which he took a vow of stability, involving a commitment to the poor in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. His tombstone is in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, not far from St. Vincent’s Seminary in Germantown, Philadelphia, where he entered the Congregation, and the initials CM follow his name. His relationship with the Vincentians was conflicted at best, but he found support for his own developing ministry in the leadership of his province. Interestingly, Portier does not point to virtually any of his confreres who maintained a relationship with him. Although Judge was in later life always stretched to secure funding for his works, he does not seem to have turned to his Vincentian brothers for financial aid or counsel. His Trinitarian devotion, with the use of the title Most Blessed Trinity/Most Holy Trinity, also betrays Vincent de Paul’s thinking as enfleshed in the rules that the saint gave to his two congregations, the Missioners and the Daughters of Charity.

The figure of Father Judge comes across as a highly charismatic and visionary individual, a man of his time, and, as Portier demonstrates, even ahead of his time. Judge developed the Missionary Cenacle movement as an outgrowth of his own mission work, which, typically for Vincentians, resulted in the foundation of parish-based works of charity and service. The early volunteer members of the Cenacle, practicing a form of the apostolate of the laity, developed into two independent congregations. The account of their growth and ministry is one of successes and setbacks, often quite serious setbacks. Judge’s staunchest helper was Mother Boniface (née Louise/Lulu Keasey), who excelled in the strengths that Judge needed. Judge’s struggles with Bishop Thomas Toolen of Mobile, Alabama offer examples of Judge’s needs and Mother’s abilities. As a foundress, she certainly deserves a similar excellent biography.

Intertwined with these relations are accounts of other prelates who supported the new communities as they developed. Their assistance in finding their proper canonical identity was one of the main features of two communities’ survival against major odds. The communities also needed help in finding their geographical centers. Both groups came to life in the South, based in some way on the Vincentian outreach in Alabama. Their later transfer to the north, Pennsylvania and Maryland, brought them further stability.

The traditional trio of men, money, and mission was always a challenge for Judge, as was a fourth element, management. He left many things to others as he went about developing and supporting his followers. As Portier shows, this practice led to crises, worsened by the Great Depression toward the end of Judge’s life. The author has carefully placed Judge’s life and ministry within the American context of his period.

For all these reasons, this biography will be the standard for many years to come.