A More Perfect Legacy: A Portrait of Brother Ephrem O'Dwyer, C.S.C. 1888-1978

In this first in-depth biography of Brother Ephrem O'Dwyer, who was unarguably the most influential brother in the history of the U.S. Province of Holy Cross, Philip Armstrong focuses on Ephrem's pioneering efforts to clarify the brothers' role in a province that sometimes took for granted or ignored their contributions. As this book illustrates, Ephrem emerged as a natural leader of the brothers, one who guided them toward the firm establishment of their place in the congregation at a time when their original mission was in danger of being lost.
Armstrong begins with a brief look at Ephrem's youth in Ireland, his emigration to the United States, his novitiate and eventual profession of vows in 1913, and his early career as a high school teacher and administrator. Armstrong then focuses on the period of 1931-1956, during part of which time Ephrem served as treasurer for both the Holy Cross province and the University of Notre Dame and as a member of the provincial and general councils. In these positions he honed his exceptional adminisitrative skills and sharpened his determination to defend the rights of the brothers, which led to his integral involvement in the juridical division of the province of priests and brothers to autonomous provinces in 1945. Ephrem was then elected the first provincial superior of the brothers in the United States, and in 1956, when a general chapter mandated the reorganization of the brothers' province into three geographical units, he agreed to lead the new vice-province in West Haven, CT for a six-year term. At the age of 84 he returned to Notre Dame where he died in 1978. Throughout this work Armstrong portrays Ephrem honestly, discussing not only his strengths but also his very human struggles. Ephrem's life story is enhanced with over 40 written and oral remembrances of him, recounted by those who knew him personally and professionally.
A More Perfect Legacy will appeal to all those associated with the apostolates of Holy Cross, those interested in the history of the congregation, and those studying the place of religious brothers in the Church.