Sermons, Addresses, and Instructions, 1881 - 1923

The J. Havens Richards, S.J. papers consist of 1 linear foot of materials for sermons and addresses, correspondence, and other documents, dating from 1872, whilst Richards was a student at Boston College, to several decades after his death in 1923.

The majority of the papers consist of outlines and notes for sermons, addresses, and lectures. Most of these date from 1899-1923, the period after Richards’ presidency, during which he served as spiritual father and minister at several Jesuit educational institutions. Prominent topics include Catholic education, temperance, and women’s education. The papers also include a number of notes and outlines for lectures on religion instruction from Richards' time as a professor at Georgetown in the early 1880s, and also from the period after his presidency. Other topics for which materials in the form of notes, clippings, and pamphlets may be found include Christian Science, Socialism, Americanism, and sex hygiene.

All of the correspondence to and from Richards dates from the last 5 years of his life, whilst the papers also include correspondence about Richards after his death. Notable items include correspondence between Richards and Judge Thomas C. T. Crain on the Catholic and Protestant faiths in 1920 and 1921, as well as a fascinating 1946 letter from Mother M. Loretta Griffin, O.S.U, who attributes healing powers to dust collected from Richards’ grave.

Also of interest may be two scripts of Richards’ 1922 play, “An Ambassador of Peace,” which is based on the lives of Jesuit missionaries Isaac Jogues and Rene Goupil.

Correspondence relating to Richards’ presidential tenure may be found in the President’s Correspondence (Richards, Whitney, Daugherty) 1888-1904 collection.