The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-29

The solemn funeral services took place at
o'clock on Thursday morning, in st. Alphonsus
Church, where the remains lay in state during
the night, being visited by numbers of his
spiritual children and friends, eager to cast a
final look upon all that was mortal of him who
was their guide in life, and to offer a prayer
for the repose of his soul.
The Very Rev. Rector, NJ. Leimgruber, ofici-
ated, and was assisted by Rev. Fathers Gleason
and Heidenrioh, respectively as Deacon and
Sub-Deacon, with Rev. Father Girardey as
Master of Ceremonies. Rev. A. DeHam de-
livered in French a beautiful and touching dis
course respecting the deceased, and was follow
ed in English by Rev. B. A. Neithart in an
eloquent panegyric, synopsis of which we
give below. A large number of the clergy
were present, nearly every church being repre-
sented. Among others we noticed Rev. Fathers
Duffo and McElliott, of the Jesuits; Man
dine and Andrieu, of st. Stephens; Leyden
and Beecher, of St. Joseph's Bellanger, of the
Holy Name of Mary, Algiers; Mignot and
Laporte, of the Cathedral; Kenny and
Foote, of st. Johns; Finn, of ST. Patrick's !;
Massardier, of st. Theresas; Heslin, of st.
Michaeps, and Flann agan, of Peters;
The following named gentlemen, of the So
ciety of "Les Fills de Notre Dame de Bon
Secours," offciated as pall-bearers w. P. FIRE.
ret, P. Soule, A. Villars, ST., L. Borge, II. Das-
pit and S. Barbarin.
The venerated remains of the deceased were
inferred in the vault of the Rev. J. B. Vogien,
(who died in 1859, within the Sanctuary of
the church, on the side of st. Joseph's Altar.
Tie bereaved members of the congregation
of Notre Dame cannot but feel with poignant
regret the great loss they have sustained in
the death of their pastor. The colored men,
bers of this congregation have lost in the de-
ceased n true spiritual friend and father, for
no one labored moro for the temporal and
spiritual ameliaration of these people than
Father Berchen.
Thus has ended the life of a good and holy
priest, one who labored necessarily for the
spiritual welfare of the souls entrusted to his
charge. He has gone to receive from his Divine
Master the heavenly reward of his labors-an
eternal crown.
SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF THE
DECEASED.
Nicholas Berchem, always called in France
| {" Pere Nicolas" was born in the Grand Duchy
| of Luxembourg, May 5th, 1927. Although
German was his mother-tongue, his education
chiefly in French. While mere youth he
entered the Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer, in which he made his vows, April
10Th, 1S48. After the usual theological course
be was ordained May 21st, 1858. and was
theuceforth employed in giving missions, al,
ways with great fruit.
rican mission, and came here with the lament
ed Father Assemaines during the rectorship OF
Father Gesen, in the fall of that year. For
the past FIVE years he lebored in giving mis-
slons, and for the Congregation of Notre Dame
de Bon Secours. He conducted forty missions
in America, chiefly in Louisiana.
Father Berchem was the youngest child of q
family of thirteen. His father and mother at.
tanned respectively the ages of ninety and
eighty-two years, lived over sixty years In
welded life, and were models of all Christian
and domestic virtues. The son, even more
than the parents, if possible, was noted for the
virtues conspicuous in the Inhabitants of Lux
embourg, viz devotion to the Catholic Church
and to the Mother of God. It is well known
that the sympathies of this people are intensely
French; nor have recent events contributed tc
lessen their aversion to their Prussian neigh
bors.
Father Berchem was warmly attached to his
numerous family. Their photographs were
perhaps, the only reminders of his native place
in his possession. One sister, nun in Belgium
was particularly dear to him. Yet 80 devoted
was he to the life to which he had 80 early
dedicated himself, and so absorbed was he by
it's duties, that he rarely mentioned thei
names or correspondent with any one of them
Among his brethren, and those for whom ht
labored, he was distinguished for candor ant
honesty, uniform meehness, patience and kind
ness q complete absence of human respect
showing himself the same to all, rich and poor
learned and ignorant; and for incessant &C
tivity in working for God and for souls.
The virtue of this worthy priest stands the
severest of all tests: the homely adage, Z" L
you would know me live with me-" may b.
/ fearlessy applied in this instance; for it il
those who lived with him that loved MIN best
His confreres bear him the beautiful testi
mony that he was never seen angry, neve
, known to disoblige any one, always bore him
self towards them as a perfect gentleman ant
q devoted brother.
Last June Father Berchem was attacked b.
varioloid, from which he recovered only to TAX
consumption. During his illness he was pa
himself to those who had the privilege o @
waiting on him. He said Mass daily unit
within the past fortnight. When no longe
able to offer the Holy Sacrifice, he receives
Holy Communion daily. Like the saintl
Father Duffy, he would not believe he wa
going to die till he could no longer say Macs
! WhRn- hOwaver ha haf 10