October 2: The Barber Family

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is October 2nd, and our story is The Barber Family. Daniel Barber's journey to the Catholic Church began with a book. The book came to Barber, who was born on October 2, 1756, by way of a friend. Written by an Anglican, it intimated that the Congregationalist sect, to which the 27-year-old Barber belonged, didn't have valid ecclesial orders. Barber found the book persuasive and entered the Episcopal Church, eventually becoming an Episcopal Church. Episcopal priest.

The next 30 years passed peacefully, with Barber pastoring an Episcopal congregation in Claremont, New Hampshire. Then, Barber discovered another book. This one questioned the validity of Anglican orders. Confused, Barber set out for Boston, determined to find a Catholic priest and put his questions to him. The priest Barber found was Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus, Boston's first bishop. Cheverus's kindness and learning impressed Barber, and when the Episcopal minister returned to New Hampshire, he took a stack of the bishop's books with him.

While still tending to his congregation, Barber read and re-read those books. So did his wife, children, and siblings. In 1817, after much reading, the family produced its first converts, Barber's son, Virgil, an Episcopal minister like his father, and Virgil's wife, Jerusha. A year later, Barber's wife, Chloe, plus his sister, niece, three more children, and several grandchildren entered the church. That November, Barber resigned his parish, and with his brother-in-law, nieces, and nephews, followed suit.

Eventually, Virgil joined the Jesuits, and Jerusha entered a visitation convent. Their four daughters became Ursuline sisters, and their son a Jesuit. Likewise, Daniel Barber's four nieces entered the Sisters of Charity, and his nephew, William Tyler, was ordained a priest for Boston, later becoming the first bishop of Hartford, Connecticut. For months, the country buzzed over the conversion of New Hampshire's most prominent Episcopalians. When the fuss died down, Virgil returned to Claremont to found New Hampshire's first Catholic parish.

Daniel assisted his son until Chloe's death in 1825. He then went to live with Jesuit friends, dying in Maryland in 1834. Daniel Barber's last words to his family were, I have lost nothing. The Barber's Journey illustrates the ripple effect of personal conviction.

One person's pursuit of truth can inspire generations to follow, leading to vocations, service, and lasting spiritual influence. Their story reminds us that faith is often cultivated in families, nurtured through study, dialogue, and prayer. Think of a truth or teaching that has deeply influenced you. Consider how you might share it with someone in your family. or community this week. Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Join us tomorrow, October 3rd, for another story of faith and courage in America.