Tugs at My Heart

 Sometimes life stories sure do tug at your heart. Yesterday I came upon one of those while working on family history. I was filling in the family of someone I guess you could call a Cousin-In-Law.

I found a wedding announcement online for one of his great uncles from 1894. Then I found pictures of this man in the vestments of a Catholic priest as well as a couple churches and schools he was instrumental in starting. How could this be?

Later I came on the explanation. This young man got married in March 1894. Cemetery records show his bride died in May of that same year from TB. Oh dear! Soon after, the groom felt the calling to become a priest and served in ministry for over 40 years. I wonder if his parishioners ever knew his back story. The picture is of his bride.