CSSS

Adapted From
A Sketch Of The History Of The Congregation Of The Companions Of The Holy Saviour
Congregatio Sociorum Sancti Salvatoris

by Fr. Robert S. Harris, CSSS Father Master 1966-1974

On June 11, 1891 a group of young, Philadelphia clerics of the Episcopal Church met at the Church of the Evangelist to offer up the Holy Eucharist for the work they intended to start. They were:

The Rev. William McGarvey, Curate at the Evangelist;
The Rev. William Walter Webb, Rector of St. Elisabeth's;
The Rev. Frederick D. Lodell, Curate at St. Mark's and Vicar of St. Mary's Chapel;
The Rev. Mr. Bathyde, Curate at the Church of the Annunciation;
The Rev. Maurice L. Crowl, Curate at St. Elizabeth's;
The Rev. James G. Cameron, Curate at the Church of the Evangelist; and
The Rev. Walter C. Clapp, Curate-in-Charge of St. Monica's.

Fr. Cameron celebrated and offered up the special intention of this group of clergy.

After due consideration had been given to the object of the meeting-the formation of a society of clerics, united under a rule for the preservation of their priestly life-the group arranged to meet again in September. A proposed rule of life and constitution were distributed for those present to consider during the summer months.

On Tuesday, September 15, the aspirants gathered for a retreat at the Church of the Evangelist. The original group was joined by:

The Rev. Alexander I. DuPont Coleman,
The Rev. George B. Stone,
The Rev. Lawson C. Rich (Dn.), and
The Rev. William Wirt Mills (Dn.).

The Rev. Dr. Mortimer, Rector of St. Mark's, Philadelphia, conducted the retreat. Dr. Mortimer had followed Dr. Nicholson at St. Mark's after Nicholson's election as Bishop of Milwaukee.

Naturally, thought was given to the selection of a name for the new community. As we may judge from marginal writings in Fr. McGarvey's copy of the Life of St. Francis Xavier and from his love and admiration of St. Ignatius Loyola, a name closely allied to that Saint would be uppermost in McGarvey's mind. He had first thought of calling the community "The Community of Jesus," but knowing that it would be used to stigmatize the newly formed society as Jesuitical, he chose a term that the Saint had used frequently in speaking of and to his associates in Paris and suggested "Companions of the Holy Saviour." Other names were also suggested but, in the end, McGarvey's suggestion was agreed upon at that first chapter meeting.

During this retreat, the aims and rules of the new society were adopted. The object can be seen in the preface printed in the Congregation's manual by order of the General Chapter of the Congregation held in Philadelphia on the Tuesday after Low Sunday, 1892. This preface still remains in the present manual, at least in spirit if not in exact words.

As McGarvey feared, the Companions were soon whispered to be Jesuits in disguise and looked upon suspiciously as Romanizers. Time would reveal just how great an influence this thought and accusation had upon many of these early Companions. Many eventually became aliens to their Church and, as years went by, some looked more and more toward Rome.

The formation of the Companions could not be kept a secret. The following article appeared in Philadelphia's Evening Bulletin of August 6, 1896:

Vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience must be taken.
Many prominent clergymen in Philadelphia to join it.

A society known as Companions of the Holy Saviour will be organized in October in this city by prominent clergymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church. It is an outgrowth of the High Church Oxford Movement, and the members of the society take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

This autumn a new society is to be formed in Philadelphia which has every promise of achieving great success and whose influence will do much to effect the life and work of the Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. The Companions of the Holy Saviour (for such is the name of this society) will live in a community bound by the three vows ... under a rule which they have drawn up and to which they will promise an unflinching obedience. Many of its members are men of marked ability whose writings are well-known throughout the Episcopal Church. They are all men who have been distinguished for the zeal and work exhibited in their sacred profession as priests. The Rev. Wm. McGarvey will be the Superior after his return from England. ... In addition to the parish, the Companions of the Holy Saviour will give missions and retreats ...

On Fr. Cowl's return from Europe, he resigned his position as Rector of St. Elisabeth's at a special meeting of the vestry, and McGarvey was elected in his place. Two houses near St. Elisabeth's at 1517 Mifflin Street were rented and renovated to serve as a house for the community.

A successful retreat was held in Atlantic City under the leadership of Fr. McGarvey who, being adept in giving spiritual talks, impressed upon those present the difficulties and the joys of the work before them. During his meditations he spoke from the text, "God is faithful, by whom we have been called into the companionship of His Son Jesus
our Lord." McGarvey said:

Contemplate Jesus walking with us and talking to us as he did with the Disciples on the way to Emmaus, opening our minds to the Scriptures, which tell us so much of him. Pray that we may ever be worthy of that Presence. Companionship in suffering. Companionship in ministering. Companionship in glory.

Those meditations made a great impact spiritually and mentally on all present. After the Mass, the men present made their communions, took their vows, and signed their promise to ever be faithful to the Congregation and its rule.