Joseph Moran Corrigan was born on May 18, 1879 in Philadelphia to Daniel David Corrigan and Mary Moran Corrigan. He attended Catholic School for his entire education including Cathedral School, La Salle College Prep, Overbrook Seminary, and the Pontifical College of North America in Rome. He earned his Ph.D. and S.T.D. there in 1898 and 1903 respectively. Corrigan was ordained a priest in 1903 and became a professor of Dogmatic Theology at St. Charles Seminary in Overbrook Pennsylvania, the same seminary he attended. He would remain a professor until 1925 when he was appointed rector of the seminary. In 1929 Pope Pius XI appointed him Domestic Prelate which would lead to his great notoriety within the American Hierarchy.
The epoch of his career came in 1936 he was appointed rector of The Catholic University of America by Pope Pius XI. This was followed by his appointment as a Prothonotary Apostolic in 1937, and Titular Bishop of Bilta in 1940. His accomplishments at Catholic University include the construction of Curly Hall, then known as Priest and Faculty residence. He was also responsible for establishing the Committee on American Citizenship on campus, as an organization that defended American Catholicism within the American system of government. Also, the university celebrated its fiftieth anniversary during his rectory and, received a visit by Pope Pius XII, then Cardinal Eugenio Giuseppe Pacelli, in 1936. Corrigan's health however deteriorated throughout 1941-1942 until on June 9, after a three day bout of pneumonia, after a lengthy speaking tour, died at Georgetown Hospital at the age of 63. Bishop Corrigan is best remembered as a great orator and educator in Catholic education, and his involvement in the Knights of Columbus where he served as Pennsylvania State Chaplain for many years.
The Joseph Moran Corrigan Collection consists of one box that contains two series. The first series are personal correspondence from Corrigan's career and includes correspondence with clergymen, other bishops, and personal friends. There are also some undated Geography notes that are included as well. Also, included are three copies of the pamphlet from Corrigan's consecration as a Bishop in 1940, as well as nine copies of his Jubilee address that was published in 1940. The second series consists of materials from Corrigan's death in 1942. This includes letters of condolences that was addressed to Msgr. McCormick, who was Vice-Rector and soon to be rector of the university. There are also telegrams and prayer cards addressed to the university. Lastly, there are three folders of scrapbook pages of newspaper clippings from around the country with the announcement of his death as well as tributes written on him from around the country. Lastly, there are also pictures included within these newspaper clippings. Overall, this is an important collection to look at in order to get a better understanding of the university's history during the transitional years between Bishop Ryan's rectory and Bishop McCormick's rectory.
The Joseph Moran Corrigan Collection consists of 2 series:
There are no restrictions on this collection
At the American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives:
Patrick Joseph McCormick Papers
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Collected by the university around the time following Bishop Corrigan's death in 1942.
Processing 2012 by Raymond Moore
Processing completed in 2012 by Raymond Moore. EAD markup completed in 2012 by Sarah Rice Scott.
This series consists of personal correspondence from Corrigan's early years as a priest as well as correspondence with other bishops, priests, and friends. There are also personal publications including his addresses made at Catholic University such as his inauguration, consecration as bishop, and his jubilee address. His consecration includes a pamphlet describing the mass with photos from the mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Personal correspondence with laypeople and clergy, as well as personal friends and family
Latin and English miscellaneous geography notes including a Boston Globe pamphlet on Geography.
There are nine copies of Corrigan's Jubilee Convocation address, and four copies of his Consecration as Bishop of Bilta Program.
These are typed copies of Corrigan's addresses made at Catholic University; including his inaugural address 1936, tribute to Pope Pius XI 1939, and consecration newspaper clippings and three photographs taken of the consecration at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 1940.
This series consists of correspondence with Msgr. Patrick Joseph McCormick, then Vice Rector, of condolence letters, telegrams, and prayer cards from various individuals and organizations on Corrigan's death. There are also announcement cards for his memorial mass and funeral. Lastly, there are scrapbook pages of newspaper clippings from around the country announcing his death as well as tribute articles on his life. These clippings are also on Corrigan's funeral and include newspaper pictures.
Letters and telegrams addressed to Msgr. McCormick of condolences from members of the clergy, religious orders, lay organizations, and alumni organizations.
Letters and telegrams addressed to Msgr. McCormick of condolences
Letters and telegrams of condolences including prayer cards and memorial/funeral cards from the University
Biography of Corrigan for his obituary, NCWC news release of his death, and correspondence from Emmet Dougherty who was director of Public Affairs for the university
Newspaper clippings from around the country announce Corrigan's death, and cause of death.
Funeral and memorial service announcements as well as tributes from various public figures and members of the clergy.
Full length obituaries from around the country