The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-07-19

bound to have it.
| ARCHBISHOP PERCHE IN DON
JACKSONVILLE.
The Services in Ascension Ohurch---A
Large Number Of Combinations and
Oommunicants--The Departure Of the
Archbishop.
The services at the Catholic Church
last Sunday, conducted by the Rev.
Archbishop Perche, were interesting
and imposing, and drew together the
largest congregation that has assem-
bled in the spacious sanctuary for a
long while. So great was the crowd
that there was only standing room
left for those who came late, and but
very little of that. A procession
was formed in the churchyard just
before the hour fixed for the opening
of the services, which made circuit
Of the grounds aud then conducted
his grace the Bishop into the church.
This procession was headed by the
St. Joseph Brass Band, followed by
the candidates for confirmation and
communion Numbering about sixty,
the inmates of the st. Vincent Orphan
Asylum under the care of the Sisters
of Charity, goodly number of chill
dren and adults, the Bishop under
canopy borne by four gentlemen, and
the St. Cecile Band bringing up the
rear. The bands alternately filled
the air with harmonious sounds, and
as the procession marched slowly i'll
to the church, with banners waving
and bands playing, the scene was in
spiriting in the extreme. The vener-
able prelate in whose honor this dem
onstration was made was splendidly
attired l., purple robe trimmed with
gold, and with his golden mitre and
crosier presented dazzling appear
ance, but the stately mien and deport-
ment of the wearer and the solemnity
of the OCCASION prevented the impress
sion of vulgar display from attaching
to the scene. AS the Bishop walked
up the centre aisle of the church and
took his position before the altar, he
was the observed of all observers, the
cynosure of all eyes. His address,
which was delivered in the French
language, was listened to by the large
audience with the most marked at
tention, and many We're the encomi
ums upon the good old speaker that
we heard uttered afterward. After
the usual ceremonies had been gone
through with the large number of can
dilates for communion and confirma-
ton, the afternoon was blending into
evening, and it was nearly dusk when
the congregation was dismissed with
benediction from the Archbishop.
His grace remained in town until
Wednesday morning, when he de-
parted for the neighboring village of
Paincourtville under the escort of the
st. Cecile Band, who rode in the fine
wagon of the Ascension Band, bor-
rowed and decked with evergreen for
the occasion. The trip must have
been q pleasant one, for when the
band returned the members were in
excellent spirits, and came into town
playing their liveliest airs.
One little episode connected with
the sojourn of the Archbishop here
should be mentioned. On Monday
evening, about ten o'clock, the men,
bers of the Ascension Brass Band le~
paired silently to the kiosk adjoining
the residence of Father Cuppens,
where his grace was abiding, and sud-
denly broke the stiffness of the night
with one of their newest airs, execu-
ted to perfection. After playing a
couple more pieces, the band with
drew as silently as it had come, leav-
ing the Archbishop to retire to rest
with this fresh evidence of the love
and esteem of the people of this COM
munity fresh in his memory.
If Archbishop Perche was as well
pleased with his visit to Don aldson-