The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Hubert Louis Motry was born on August 28, 1884 in Tiffin, Ohio. During his youth he attended local parochial schools and eventually made his way the College Josephinum in Columbus. Motry graduated with his A.B. in 1903 and taught in the Classics department at the Josephinum for eight years. He was ordained a priest in 1909. Motry was a priest in the Diocese of Albany as well during his early career. He earned his Master's and Doctorate degrees at The Catholic University of America (CUA) before he became a Canon Law professor. His academic achievements were remarkable; in 1918 he earned his Master's in Sacred Theology and Theology. Three years later he earned his Master's in Canon Law his Doctorate in Sacred Theology. In 1922 he earned his Doctorate in Canon law and began his teaching career at CUA. Also, Motry was a man who traveled the world and made an extensive trip of Germany and Italy in 1930.
Msgr. Motry's career at Catholic was important in the advancement of the field of Canon Law. He would teach Canon Law classes, with a focus on ecclesiastical law and marriage legislation. He was instrumental in starting the Canon Law Society of America (CLSA) and publishing many articles in scholarly journals on marital laws, such as marriage between Protestants and Catholics and writing for law digests in twenty-five dioceses. Motry's gift in interpreting Canon Law led to the prestigious position as one of the main editors of "The Jurist" which was a journal pertaining to Canon Law. He would serve not only as a professor of Canon Law but from 1937 until his death in 1952 as dean of the School of Canon Law as well.
Motry was not just a gifted academic but also a dedicated priest as well. He would serve as Chaplain to the Army Corp of Engineers at Ft. Belvoir from 1919 until his death in 1952. He also served in many capacities with the Richmond Diocese as Judge, Advocate, Procurator, and Counselor in synod matters, within a court of Canon Law. He also was known for his oratory skills and for his homilies. His dedication to the priesthood was recognized on June 4, 1949 when Pope Pius XII named him a member of the Pope's household and he was made Right Reverend Monsignor at the Josephinum on June 5, 1949 on the fortieth anniversary of being ordained into the priesthood. Despite this achievement Motry would not live long to enjoy it, after a year of failing health he died after giving daily mass on May 18, 1952 at the age of 68. At his memorial mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception he was praised as both a dedicated academic and priest who loved ministerial work.
The Msgr. Hubert Louis Motry papers are divided into eleven series. The first six series of this collection are his personal and business correspondence. The seventh series is an extensive collection of his finances; which include bills, checking accounts, insurance policies, tax returns, and bank statements. The eighth series are a collection Motry's personal publications as well as publications pertaining to Canon Law, Church Doctrine, and Politics within the church during this time. The ninth series are a collection of his Photographs; which include his trips to Europe, photographs with fellow members of the clergy, and personal photographs with family and friends. The tenth series are miscellaneous items which include blank Canon Law court forms, leaflets on doctrine, and different pamphlets, and newspaper clippings on Canon Law issues. The last series, eleven, are oversized items such as a rare Italian Book from 1647 and Motry's CUA diplomas.
The Motry papers are an extensive overview of his well-rounded career at Catholic University, as a chaplain, canon lawyer, and a priest. These files are all organized chronologically due to the many people that have corresponded with Msgr. Motry as well as the size of many of the topics within this collection. Motry's CUA correspondence contains his lecture notes as well as his inter-university correspondence. Also, there are many transcripts, in Latin and English, of Canon Law cases as well as doctrine. One point that should be noted is Msgr. Motry's close attention to detail with his cases as well as all aspects of his life, such as his finances. He was also much appreciated as indicated by the many cards of thanks from his colleagues and parishioners. Lastly, in all his letters Motry appears to be a compassionate man who tried to do what was best for whomever he was dealing with, be it a case in Canon Law, a parishioner, or a student.
The Hubert Louis Motry Papers consists of 11 series:
American Catholic History Researcher Center and University Archives:
National Council of Catholic Men (NCCM) Records
This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.
Donor unknown, papers received about 1952-1953.
Processing completed in 2011 by Raymond Moore. EAD markup completed in 2011 by Raymond Moore.
This series is Msgr. Motry's personal correspondence with friends from the clergy, canon law, his years as chaplain at Ft. Belvoir, and friends from CUA. It is organized chronologically.
Letters from friends from CUA and Germany
Letters from parishioners in Virginia, business letters, and business cards.
personal correspondence
personal correspondence with various religious
personal correspondence with various dioceses, some letters in Latin and Greek
Correspondence with St. Mary's Academy
Personal business letters and a December 4th edition of the Messenger
Letters from the Vatican and St. Joseph's rectory in Richmond, VA.
Personal letters, Canadian postcards, and a letter from Senator Joseph McCarthy
Assorted holiday correspondence
Assorted Christmas cards from friends, colleagues, and parishioners
Assorted Christmas cards from friends, colleagues, and parishioners
Assorted Christmas cards from friends, colleagues, and parishioners
Assorted Christmas cards from friends, colleagues, and parishioners
This is Msgr. Motry's correspondence relating to his work at CUA. This includes letters to the Rector, President, different members of the faculty, students, and people outside the University relating to his work at CUA as a professor and Dean of the School of Canon Law. Lastly there are several files with his lecture notes with correspondence. This series is in chronological order.
Correspondence with the students at the School of Canon Law, the 1929 Rector's report, and 1930 Commencement is included as well.
Canon School of Law
A collection of the best exams from students in Msgr. Motry's Canon Law classes.
Correspondence with the faculty at the School of Canon Law, as well as a required book list for the 1933-1934 academic year.
Library Receipts included
Budget requests for the 1942-1943 academic year, correspondence with Rev. James A. Magner.
Dean of School of Canon Law records on students, and graduate student correspondence. (1 Letter in German)
Various correspondence with other CUA departments in relation to the School of Canon Law
Papers from Msgr. Motry's students as well as notes to them on their work in his classes.
Correspondence with doctoral students on their dissertations, notes included on their dissertations
Correspondence with faculty on Msgr. Motry's lecture notes, some notes are included as well.
Various lecture notes including notes on the Apologetics
Msgr. Motry's notes on Canon Law doctrines and procedures, used as lecture notes.
This series is correspondence relating to Msgr. Motry's Catholic Hour Radio broadcasts from 1930-1931. The transcripts and notes from the broadcasts are included. As well as, congratulatory correspondence and correspondence related to the content from the program.
Correspondence relating to content discussed on the Catholic Hour with other Canon Lawyers.
Transcripts from the Catholic Hour with note cards.
Correspondence relating to content discussed on the Catholic Hour.
Correspondence relating to content discussed on the Catholic Hour.
Correspondence relating to content discussed on the Catholic Hour, with other Canon Lawyers and Canon Law academics.
Consul given to other Dioceses by Msgr. Motry
Consul to Diocese of Albany
Professional Correspondence
Academic opinion on Cappello doctrine, correspondence with other religious on this doctrine.
Correspondence with Ambassador to Cuba on a baptismal case, related to Canon Law cases discussed on The Catholic Hour.
This is Msgr. Motry's correspondence relating to his Canon Law cases with different dioceses. The variety of cases range from land rights to major liturgical guidance. These cases are from many dioceses including the diocese he advised the most, Richmond. These files are organized chronologically.
Several Canon Law cases within the diocese of Richmond including a land dispute.
A petition against celibacy, 1952 as well as other correspondence.
Several Canon Law cases within the diocese of Richmond including a land dispute.
Several Canon Law cases within the diocese of Richmond including a land dispute.
Several Canon Law cases concerning the legality of many diocesan hospitals and the legal advice given
Canon Law cases judging what is proper liturgy
Diocesan issues that Msgr. Motry is giving legal aide to.
Various Canon Law cases
Missionary servants of the Blessed Trinity
Canon Law aide his home diocese in Ohio
Clerical cases dealing with Hospital cases and conducting improper marriages in the diocese.
Unknown religious order rules that are not fully there
At the back of the box there are three copies of St. Benedicts Home Rule, there are 2 English, and 1 Latin copy.
This is an analysis of a Canon Law document in Latin
These documents are in Latin.
There are English and Latin versions of these Canon Law Statures.
The following series contains Msgr. Motry's Canon Law Marital cases such as annulments and divorces. There are actual courts presiding in Latin for certain cases. Msgr. Motry also has many letters from many parishioners asking for his assistance. This series is in chronological order.
Divorce Proceedings in Latin
Discussing Marital Case issues with Bishop John J. McMahon
There is a focus on the 1931 Baltimore case
1947 Proceedings of the divorce and annulment Mary Louise Jones vs. John Carbery.
Annulment Proceedings in Latin
US Army Case within the Richmond Archdiocese
World War II divorce proceedings are included
Divorce Proceedings in parts Latin
Marriage forms in Latin or English
Correspondence with Testimony
Correspondence with the plaintiffs as well.
The cases are accompanied by a written Latin testimony.
The Marital Case of Carl Robert Briggs.
Pre-Nuptial Agreement to be used in the Diocese of Richmond
The following series is a collection of Msgr. Motry's correspondence as Chaplain for the Army Corp of Engineers at Ft. Belvior in Virginia as well as Ft. Humphreys. This series is in chronological order.
Included is Mass Attendance Forms
Msgr. Motry's work at Ft. Belvior are in this correspondence
These are the records concerning William Piel's marriage and the annulment suit which followed.
This series is a chronological collection Msgr. Motry's personal finances. These finances include receipts, insurance policies, tax returns, utility bills, leaflets for charitable donations and businesses. Also, there are many items that represented Motry's time in history such as Ration Books from World War II. Lastly, box 3 contains a stack of old check books and bank receipts.
This folder contains bank statements, checks, and income tax returns.
Business receipts
Telephone bill receipts, bank statements from Federal-American National Bank and Trust
Receipts from various businesses, gas rationing books and World War II stamps.
Bank statements and utility bills
Income tax returns, tax collector notices, CUA Check stubs, and tax fines 1940-1941.
Solicitations from Catholic Organizations, bank statements, and check stubs.
Bank receipts and auto-owner insurance
Garage receipts and bills, telephone bills
Bank Receipts, Utility bill receipts, bank deposits, life (1933) and auto (1949) insurance policy. Also, the certificate that allows him to perform marriage ceremonies in Washington, D.C. is in here as well.
This series includes Publications on Canon Law as well as Catholic doctrine. Also, included in this series are many leaflets for new Catholic teachings. Also, many of the publications are scholarly articles that were saved over the years.
This folder contains personal publications on marriage doctrine and Catholic Hour reviews from the press. In the front of box 14 there are two day planners from 1951 and 1952.
Newspaper clippings about CUA, Canon Law Issues,
Newsletters on Catholic doctrine, scholarly articles, Catholic Magazines, and one edition of an October 23, 1932 Literary Digest. There are also articles on the Church's reaction of Hitler's rise. Lastly, there are many articles about Catholics marrying Protestant.
This is an original copy of Msgr. Motry's Theology dissertation, "The Concept of Marital Sin in Early Christianity.
A January-March Review of The University of Ottawa, it is also in French
This folder contains 9 publications of "Happiness in Marriage"
Publications of Catholic Magazines as well as some scholarly articles on mixed marriages, Protestants and Catholics. Lastly there is a Canon Law document that is written in only Latin.
This collection contains correspondence that has to do with Msgr. Motry's personal life as well as his career in Canon Law, Priest, and scholar. The photographs include historic group CUA faculty pictures, his trips to Europe (in particular France, Germany, and Italy), There are also photographs from friends, years as chaplain, and several group photos from being ordained a Monsignor in 1949.
This folder pertains to random personal letters to other dioceses, Bishops, and friends from back home.
This folder pertains to random personal letters parishioners seeking advice, and Christmas greetings from friends..
diocesan letters
This set of photographs are CUA related and related to his life as a priest and scholar.
This series contains Addresses to business associates, speeches and articles, postcards, a score to a musical, CUA registration cards, and a 1935 collection of Vatican stamps.
This folder contains notes from Msgr. Motry.
There is a book of new 1935 Vatican stamps as well as some minor correspondence from the Vatican.
This folder contains the complete score from the 1945 musical "Lost and Found". It also contains postcards.
Postcards, plane tickets, and leaflets
This series is an oversized box that contains Msgr. Motry's six diplomas and Italian folio leaves from a 1647 volume dealing with geography.
Msgr. Motry's list of Diplomas are: STB in Theology June 12, 1918, STL in Sacred Theology June 12, 1918, JCB in Canon Law June 1921, JCL Jure Canico June 15, 1921, STD in Sacred Theology June 16, 1921, and Doctorem in Canon Law June 15, 1922.