Martin Stanislaus Brennan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Reverend Martin Stanislaus Brennan |
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Portrait of Martin Stanislaus Brennan, From the Year Book of the Old Cathedral Parish School, 1920
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1869 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 July 1845 Ireland |
| Died | October 3, 1927 (aged 82) Saint Louis, Missouri |
| Buried | Calvary Cemetery Saint Louis, Missouri |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
Martin Stanislaus Brennan (born July 23, 1845 – died October 3, 1927) was an American Catholic priest and a talented scientist. He was famous for writing books that connected religion and science.
Brennan was born in Ballinroe, a small place in County Tipperary, Ireland. When he was just three years old, his family moved to the United States. They made their new home in Saint Louis, Missouri. His parents, William C. Brennan and Margaret Hackett, were also from Tipperary, Ireland.
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Early Life and Education
Martin Brennan went to the Cathedral Parish School. This was the main Catholic school in Saint Louis at that time. He even served as an altar server at the church, which is now known as the Old Cathedral. He finished his early schooling there.
Brennan then attended Christian Brothers College in Saint Louis. He earned his bachelor's degree in arts in 1865. Later, he received a Master of Arts degree in 1869. He also earned a Doctor of Science degree in 1896, showing his deep interest in science.
Becoming a Priest
Martin Brennan studied theology at Saint Vincent's College in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In 1869, he became a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. This meant he could lead church services and help people in his community.
In 1892, he became a professor at Kenrick Theological Seminary in Saint Louis. He taught astronomy and geology, combining his love for science with his religious work.
Career as a Scientist and Author
Father Brennan wrote several books that explored both science and religion. One of his books, "Electricity and Its Discoverers," was even used as a reference book in Saint Louis public schools. This shows how important his scientific work was.
Published Works
His other published books include:
- What Catholics Have Done for Science. With Sketches of the Great Catholic Scientists (1887)
- Astronomy, New and Old (1889)
- "Science of the Bible"
- "God's Word in Nature"
Astronomer and Lecturer
Brennan was known across the country as an astronomer. He often wrote for both scientific journals and regular newspapers. People called him an "astronomer-priest" because he was good at both. His studies of comets and sunspots were often mentioned in newspapers of his time.
While he was best known for astronomy, he also studied other natural events. For example, he looked into the Great Tornado of Saint Louis that happened in 1896. He also gave many talks about science to people in his local area.
Scientific Societies
Father Brennan was a member of many important scientific groups. These included:
- The British Astronomical Association
- The Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- The Astronomy and Astrophysical Society of America
- The Saint Louis Academy of Science
- The American Mathematical Society
- The National Geological Society
Service as a Priest
Besides his scientific work, Father Brennan continued to serve as a Catholic priest in Missouri. He worked in missions in Hannibal and Lebanon, Missouri. Later, he returned to Saint Louis.
He served as a priest at the Saint Louis Cathedral and other churches. From 1892 to 1910, he was at Saint Lawrence O'Toole Parish. In 1910, he moved to Saints Mary and Joseph parish. He was also named a rector of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church and a monsignor in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. In 1923, Pope Pius XI made him a domestic prelate, which is a special honor for a priest.
Popular Pastor
Father Brennan was very popular in Saint Louis. A local newspaper, the Saint Louis Republic, even held a vote where he was named "the most popular pastor in Saint Louis."
In 1891, he was invited to go on a speaking tour in Europe and Palestine. He spoke to large crowds during his travels. When he came back to Saint Louis, he shared stories about his trip. Once, he spoke to an audience of 6,000 people!
Martin Stanislaus Brennan passed away peacefully in Saint Louis, Missouri, at the age of 82. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Saint Louis.
