Perhaps it all started with the blind poet Homer in 800 B.C. when he spoke of the "rosy fingered dawn" and all those mythic heroes and heroines who inhabited the heavens and deep reaches of the earth. Since then the tales, fables, facts and stories have multiplied with embellishments contributed by saints, poets, writers of all types --- and, of course, historians.

Not to be outdone by any previous references to noted personalities in our part of the globe, our illustrious local Church historian has now published his compendium on those individuals worthy of the title hero(ine).

Msgr. Francis J. Weber, archdiocesan archivist since 1962, has not only published more than 160 volumes on a wide variety of topics but has also been recognized by countless societies, archival centers, councils, clubs and commissions for his outstanding contributions in many fields too numerous to list.

In preparing this latest volume, Msgr. Weber states in the preface, "A society that rejects its saints is spiritually doomed." To ensure that the local Church at least will not forget those who have blazed and enhanced its trail, he has prepared a sampling of local heroes from "all walks of life, people whose endurance in the pursuit of their faith commitment are worthy of emulation by those of us who walk in their footsteps."

The 192-page, colorfully illustrated volume is divided into five parts that illustrate outstanding persons --- the laity, episcopal leaders, religious women, religious men and "priestly pioneers." Of the 85 individuals listed, about 20 would be easily recognized; the rest are a stimulating mix of lesser known but just as remarkably talented and noteworthy personalities. Among the laity, for example, anyone can identify Gregory Peck --- but how about Catalina Flores?

The Pioneering Religious Women chapter lists eight well-known communities as well as the enigmatic entry "Sister" Elsie. Also interesting to discover are the early California priest martyrs as well as World War II Chaplains. The Priestly Pioneers chronicle the lives and contributions of some 22 men from the early 19th century to the 1990s. Father Joachim Adam, one of the earliest, wrote the first English history of Padre Junípero Serra, "to perpetuate the memory of a poor Franciscan…who spent his life in laboring for the conversion of the aborigines of Alta California."

The number of male heroes is well balanced by all the heroines. Included is Alice Stevens, the only female editor of The Tidings, who "brought a lot of class to the Catholic newspaper, and she did it at a time when class came at a premium." A tribute is paid to artist Euphemia Charlton Fortune, an extraordinarily gifted painter and designer who championed Catholic idealism. The great stage actress, Helena Modjeska, is included with a wonderful photo in all her stage finery.

Each interesting section is bordered in distinctive colors and each selection is vividly illustrated, either with authentic photos of illustrations of the period. The last selection features J. S. Thompson, pastor of the Independent Church of Christ in Los Angeles, noted for his remarkable sermon in 1903 when he said "the Catholic Church is the grandest organization in the world." It is a fitting tribute to this grand collection of Catholic Heroes by our archdiocesan historian-hero, Msgr. Weber.

Catholic Heroes of Southern California (published by Editions du Signe, 192 pp.) is available at Cotter's Church Supply: (213) 385-3366.