The Magín Catalá, O.F.M. Collection, circa 1885-2009 (bulk 1885-1909), documents the life of Fray Magín Catalá. Often referred to as the "Holy Man of Santa Clara," Fr. Catalá was stationed at Mission Santa Clara for thirty-six years and was widely renowned for his piety and spiritual labors. In 1882, more than fifty years after Magín Catalá's death, Archbishop J.S. Alemany, O.P. initiated the process of his beatification. As of 2014, his Cause remained open. The bulk of the collection consists of reproductions of deposition transcripts taken circa 1885 and again in 1908-1909 during the beatification process of Fray Magín Catalá. The collection is arranged into three series: Series I. Process of Beatification, circa 1885-1909; Series II. Biographical Publications and Related Materials, circa 1909-2009 (bulk 1909-1964); and Series III. Relics and Devotional Materials, circa 1907-1962.

Santa Clara University was founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus as Santa Clara College and is California's oldest operating institution of higher learning. It was established on the grounds of Mission Santa Clara de Asìs, the eighth of the original 21 California missions. The college originally operated as a preparatory school and did not offer courses of collegiate rank until 1853. The institution became known as the University of Santa Clara in 1912, when the schools of engineering and law were added. For 110 years, Santa Clara University was an all-male school. In 1961, women were accepted as undergraduates and Santa Clara University became the first coeducational Catholic university in California. The number of students and faculty tripled over the next decade and the university began the largest building program in school history with eight residence halls, a student union, and an athletic stadium. In the early 1970s, the Board of Trustees voted to limit the size of the undergraduate population, an action that was intended to preserve the character and ensure the quality of the university for generations to come. In 1985, the university adopted Santa Clara University as its official name.

2.8 linear feet (6 boxes)

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The collection is open for research.