The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-10-11

MONROE, La, October LIST, 1874.
Editor Morning Star:
About year ago the attention of the public
was directed towards Shreveport. The yellow
fever was raging, and among other victims
five devoted priests of the diocese of Natchito-
ches gave their lives for the suffering. We all
know that man has no greater love than that
which prompts him to lay down his life for his
friends, and we the children of one of those
noble dead, could not forget such a loving and
30 good pastor as Father Gergaud, late
parish priest of st. Matthew's Church, Monroe.
We felt it a duty to commemorate the ami
versary of his death, and early on the morning &
of October the 1st q large number of the
faithful were seen going to tbe seven o'clock
Mass to receive Holy Communion at the hauds
of their present pastor for the soul of the dear
departed one.
At ten o'clock Solemn High Mass of Re-
QUEEN was celebrated by the Rev. Joseph
Quelard, of Bastrop. The little church of
Monroe was crowded to its utmost capacity,
and when the Mass was long and Or
derly procession was organized to proceed to
the Catholic cemetery, where the unveiiing of
the monument erected over Father Gergaud's
remains was to take place. After the monu-
ment was unveiled the Rev. Father Quelard
delivered funeral Grafton. Tho reverend
preacher recalled to our minds how Father
Gergaud had been among his fellow priests of
the diocese of Natchitoches, the model of mis-
sionaries. Foremost among them by his rare
talent his priestly virtues, and his energetic
works, he has made Monroe stand at the head
of all the congregations of the diocese.
His life was short but full of good works, for
he was indeed the good shepherd: The Rev.
Father reviewed few but impressive
words his devotedress to the people of Mon
roe, his filal love for the Vicar of Jesus Christ
his compassion for the sinner, his mistaken
faith and his unboupded charity that made
him give his life for flock that was not even
his own. He died martyr, but his heroic
death was only the crown due to life of
sacrifice and shed a lustre over many an hum
BILE act known to God alone.
The Rev. Father was followed by a young
gentleman of the congregation, Nr. j. II.
Dinkgrave. 1t was fit that one raised by
Father Gergaud, trained by him to setye as an
altar boy, should speak in behalf of the laity
and pay a tribute to the memory of the one
who passed among US doing good. The young
speaker was listened to with a deep interest.
Accept Mr.. Editor, the assurance of my
profound respect. / know I am the faithful
interpreter of the sentiments of your many
readers in our community when 1 say that
every Sunday evening your valuable and inter
estipg paper is very welcome guest at Mon
roe.
If it be agreeable 20 you can sometimes
give you some news from Ouachita. Father
Gergaud has emplanted the cross in the midst
of our valley, and little by little the people of
our swamps and hills come and rest under the
shadow thereof. Churches are being erected,
and in few Sundays hence our Very Rev.
pastor, Father Enaut, will SO and dedicate, to
the service of God, neat little church built at
Delhi, ON our North Louisiana and Texas Rail
read, il hcncr of the Sacred Heart &c Jesus.
Your respectfully, oUAcHITA.