Emerson facilitates donation of rare book blessed by pope

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's office paved the way for the Southeast Missouri Regional Museum, to be housed at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus, to receive a rare religious book.

"The Rules of the Order," printed in 1658 and published in French, outlines the rules governing the Congregation of the Mission -- the Vincentian order.

Emerson's mother fell ill, so the congresswoman was unable to be in Cape Girardeau for the donation Friday. But her chief of staff, Lloyd Smith, came in her place and said the man who helped coordinate Emerson's summer trip to the Vatican recommended she bring something to be blessed. Dr. Stanley Grand, museum director, worked with St. Mary's of the Barrens in Perryville, Mo., to get the book and get it to Emerson.

It was blessed July 2.

The River Campus was founded as St. Vincent's College and Seminary, making the book historically significant. The Rev. Louis J. Derbes, a former seminarian there and archivist for St. Mary's of the Barrens, said the order is pleased Southeast bought the property and is watching its development with interest.

"The Rules of the Order" will be housed temporarily in the Rare Book Room of Kent Library.