The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1873-12-24
Cnatn Chalns Plated Ware Etc., at Ferguson and Scnack
Father Gergaud.

The following eloquent and touch
ing tribute to one of the Shreveport
martyrs Translated from the Promo
Gateu' Catholique), was delivered by
the Right Rev. Ang. Marie, Bishop Of
NatchitoclIes:
Rev. Louis Gergaud, of the diocese
of Nantes, ordained priest for that of
Natchitoches in 1854, founder of the
Mission of Monroe, and for years its
devoted Pastor, Foreign Vicar of the
Bishop for all the district between the
Mississippi and Red River valley, was
tue true Homo DEL.
Possessed of great energy of charac-
fer, of a superior and cultivated mind.
of patient and ardent zeal, ofa tender
and generous heart, yet guarded by q
prudent reserve of manners, Father
Gergaud was flambeau, spreading
around him both light and heat.
Located where priest had never
resided, where had to offer him an
unfinished sllanty for a Chapel, with a
few timid christians, and where I
doubted whether lie could live, Father
Gergaud founded aud left behind him
q HoHrishing Mission, with church,
presbytery, convent, Catholic school
for boys, and a large cemetery for the
exclusive use of the failhful-all of his
own creation.
In the space of eighteen years his
expenses for the honor of religion
amounted to more Than forty thousand
dollars, of which sum, the part was
able to contribute to beginning the
work would scarcely amount to two
thousand dollars.
His faith, indeed, which gave him
the courage TO undertake, endowed
him the power of opening hearts and
of Inspiring Il part OF this generosity
of his own soul.
By his rare talents, by his priestly
virtues aud by his energetic works.
Father Gersautl was to Monroe a lead
ing influence. as by bis incontestable
superiority he had placed himself at
the head OF the diocesan clergy.
At the time of the last Provincial
Council, whether he accompanied me
in quality of theolosian colleagues as
being he, who would shortly succeed
ne ia the Episcopate of Natcbitocl,es.
This great consolation was to I've de-
MED me. On the reception of Father
Bler's appeal for aid, Father Geroaud
dcpai,ed without an instaut's hesita-
lion, leaving with his vicar, Rev. Jos.
Quelard, this only ipjuneIiou: "Wri,e
immediately TO the Bishop, tell him
that go to my death; that it is my
duty, and | so.
At shreveport lie lived but ten DAVIS.
Welcomed by all as an angel sent
from God: during one week he seemed,
as it were, 70 multiply himself 10 meet
every emergency, and thus exhausted !
himself beyond reason. The number
dI sick at that title amounted to more
,iau thousand, OF which, perhaps,
not more tlIan twenty-five were Cath
elrs, but it was on tie priest that all
without distinction were calling at the
approach of death, and God alone
knows the number of souls that owed
TO the heroic charity of the Catholic
priest. Nevertheless lie was destined
to strive alone. Father Biler had been
taken before his arrival, and died on
the 26lh of Septembey assisted by
Rev. Father Levezouet, who provi
dentiaily arrived from Nalchi,oches in
Time TO administer The last sacIaments.
In the meantime Father Gerguud
had been seized with yellow fever, be-
ing deathly stricken on the 24t! of
September. He expired on the first of
October, in his turn consoled and pu-
ilhed by the ministry of Father Lev
ezout, one of his most holy and best
beloved conireres, who was himself
destined like the othets soon to be-
come the victim of death.