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Irish Catholic Benevolent Union

 Collection
Identifier: MC 98

Scope and Contents

This small collection contains incoming and outgoing correspondence to the national headquarters from mainly the 1880s. There are also invitations and programs to events hosted by the I.C.B.U. as well as financial records including a ledger book.

Dates

  • 1872 - 1893

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research

Biographical / Historical

The Irish Catholic Benevolent Union was founded in Dayton Ohio, on August 16, 1869. The chief aim of the ICBU was to promote Catholic unity by practicing benevolence and Christian charity, especially in times of crisis. Other objectives included: the promotion of the welfare of the societies comprising it and the united co-operating of the societies in all Catholic endeavors. Membership to a specific society was organized on a Catholic basis. The societies were barred from admitting other than practicing Catholics and any election of member from condemned secret societies. There was a small admission fee levied and payment of annual per capita tax was mandatory for each member. The two chief features of the Union were the traveling cards and the widows’ and orphans’ department. It was the design of the Union to have a branch in every parish in American, so that a Catholic going from one part of the country to another could always be sure of finding a society where he goes that will give him assistance in sickness and give his remains a Catholic burial in death. The widow and orphan department was a beneficial fund set up by assessment on the death of any member in good standing if any particular society affiliated to the Union. (Taken from original finding aid written by seminarians at St. Charles)

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (; 1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains materials related to the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union. The bulk of the collection contains incoming and outgoing correspondence to the national headquarters as well as invitations and programs to events hosted by the I.C.B.U.

Custodial History

Accession Number 1990.055 and MB581

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union are available at https:// digital.library.villanova.edu/Collection/vudl:251158

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Catholic Historical Research Center of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Repository

Contact:
6719 Calvert Street
Philadelphia PA 19149