The Right Reverend Monsignor Louis Meyer papers

The Right Reverend Monsignor Louis Meyer papers document the writings, travels, and service of Monsignor Louis Joseph Meyer (1897-1985), a military chaplain in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II and parish priest in the Philadelphia Archdiocese until 1972. This collection dates from 1910 to 2007 (with bulk dates of 1918 to 1985) and consists of Meyer’s theater work, short stories and writings, speeches and sermons, academic materials relating to St. Charles Seminary and the University of Pennsylvania, travel documents and ephemera, correspondence, notes, journals, diaries, scrapbooks, photographs, and subject files containing clippings and other printed materials.

This collection is divided into four series: “I: Theater work, 1925-1960,” “II: Writings and academic papers, 1916-1966,” “III: Personal papers, 1900-1985,” and “IV: Subject files, 1924-1980.”

Series “I: Theater work” dates from 1925 to 1960 and richly documents Meyer’s abilities as a playwright. This series contains playscripts authored by Meyer; playscripts authored by other playwrights; theater ephemera such as playbills, programs, and tickets; assorted notes on plays and playwriting; and secondary materials pertaining to playwriting. Playscripts authored by Meyer are arranged alphabetically by title, and are followed by playscripts authored by other playwrights that are arranged alphabetically by author's last name. All other material within this series follows and is arranged by document type, and then chronologically within each document type.

Series “II: Writings and academic papers” dates from 1916 to 1966 and contains short stories, poems, sermons, speeches, and academic compositions authored by Meyer. Short stories, speeches, and sermons are arranged first by document type and then alphabetically by title, with the exception of the speeches, which are arranged chronologically. Academic compositions and related materials follow and are arranged chronologically. Researchers should note that additional writings authored by Meyer can be found in series “I: Theater work” or with the materials related to travel found in series “III: Personal papers.”

Series “III: Personal papers” dates from 1900 to 1985 and contains travel documents, writings, and ephemera; correspondence; records pertaining to Meyer’s work as a military chaplain; records pertaining to Meyer’s service as a parish priest; educational ephemera; notebooks; diaries; journals; photographs; scrapbooks; keepsakes; and other personal records. The travel documents mostly document the Anno Santo pilgrimage in 1925, which is also referred to in the collection as "Holy Year" or "Jubilee Year." There is also significant documentation of International Eucharistic Congresses, especially the 34th congress held in Budapest in 1938. Of note amongst these materials are notes and clippings regarding the state of Europe in the period preceding World War II. The photographs in this series largely pertain to Meyer’s time at Camp Claiborne in Louisiana in June of 1942 and to Meyer’s time in India as military chaplain with the 20th General Hospital in 1943. Additionally, the role of St. Charles Seminary during the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918, during which time Meyer was a seminarian, is particularly well-documented by several notebooks and diaries in this series. The travel documents in this series are arranged chronologically by trip, with each trip arranged roughly chronologically. Following the travel documents, this series is arranged by document type, and then chronologically within each type.

Series “IV: Subject files” dates from 1924 to 1980 and contains clippings, articles, and assorted printed materials pertaining to various topics of interest to Meyer. Of particular interest in this series are records pertaining to the Holy Cross Parish in Springfield, Pennsylvania, where Meyer served as founding pastor from 1948 until 1972. This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.

Meyer’s theater work, writings, and travels are particularly well represented in this collection. Therefore, this collection will prove especially valuable for researchers interested in 20th century Catholic theater and pilgrimage. Additionally, this collection will prove useful for researchers interested in the history of Holy Cross Parish, or the Spanish Influenza epidemic as it occurred at St. Charles Seminary.