The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-16
GRAND REUNION OF THE INDIANS AT ST. MARY's
MISSION, DISTRICT OF NEW WESTMINSTER,
BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Portland Oregon, Catholic Sentinel ]

description Of the annual visit of the Indians
of the Northwest to the Catholic Mission of
St. Mary's, situated on Frazier River, which is
under charge of the Oblate Fathers of Mary
immaculate, who have done wonders in con-
verting the warlike savage Indians that roam
along the banks of the Upper and Lower Frazier
River, Thompson River, and even as far north
as the borders of the Finlay branch of the
Peace River. There fourteen priests in
this Vicariate, eight churches, forty mine cha
pels, one convent. and boarding schools for the
Indian boys and girls
The following letter will be read with much
pleasure by all who take interest in the
triumph of the Cross:
New WESTMINSTER, B. c., July 81, 1874.
Editor Catholic Sentinel
The Catholic Mission at st. Marys, on the
bank of the Frazer, presented, in the month of
June last a spectacle at once delightful and
edifying, accustomed by the reunion OF the In
dams of various tribes assembled there for the
exercises of q retreat, which preached to
| them by their missionaries, the Oblate Fathers
of the Order of Mary Immaculate, from the
goth to the 30th of that month. Here, as in
| nearly all the Indian missions, the small num-
Der of missionaries devoted to so vast coun-
try renders it impossible to visit the various
| tribes in their camps more than once or twice
| in the year, and even these rare visits, often
attended with almost incredible trials and diff
| iculties, are generally of but short duration,
| and consequently scarcely sufficient to impart
| to them the necessary Instructions. The In
dams themselves understood this inconve-
| nience, and requested that the missionaries
| should assemble them all together once or
| twice year, in order, rs they said, that they
| might approach the Sacramento more fire.
quently, and be less exposed to un faithfuness
to grace, which ordinarily results from being
few years ago, ST. Mary's Mission, the centre
of the district, and possessing the largest
church in the Vicariate of British Columbia,
| was chosen as the place of reunion. No one
can say how much fruits of grace result from
these reunions the good advance in piety, the
| tepid become fervent and the wicked ami
mated by the example of the first, renounce
| their passions and evil habits.
Although several tribes-for example, the
| Tlyamin--are obliged to travel 800 miles in
| canoes to arrive st. Mary's, while others,
miles more on foot, carrying their baggage and
| provisions their backs; nevertheless all
assemble at the rendezvous, being most careful
not to displease the priest by arriving late or
| absentinT themselves.
| Nothing ndeed can be dearer to the hearts
of these good Indians than the knowledge of
our holy religion hence, Notwithstanding the
| su pestons of some white men, who for the
most part in these regions are without law or
religion, who seek to estrange them from the
priest persuading them that they only make
dupes of themselves in coming to listen TO ms
words besides the proselytism of the Protest.
ant ministers, who try to persuade them to
embrace their errors Notwithstanding all this,
| the Indians are not to be deceived, and always
adhere to the Catholic Missionary, firmly con-
WINGED that, in giving ear to his words, they
| are listening to the voice of the Great Chief on
High. Besides the few Indians who wish not
to reuounce their ancient superstitlons, or VINO
allow themselves to be influenced by the Pro-
testant ministers, present. so striking CON
trast to the Catholic Indians catechumens,
that it contributes not a little TO confirm the
latter in their faith and good resolutions
The goth of June WAS the time fixed for the
last reunion, but on the 9Th there arrived at
St. Mary's several families belonging to the
Thompson tribe, whose camp lies about lOO
miles further up the Frazier. At first 1T vas
| Thought that these Indians had mistaken the
time appointed for the reunion, aud Rev F.
Carton, being the only priest then at the mis-
sion (the Fathers Durien aud Jayol having
gone the day before to New Westm ulster,
where several missionaries were assembled for
their annual retreat), having answered to their
call (for it. is their custom always, when they
arrive at the priests residence, to present
themsclves-men, women and chlldren-to
salute the missionary and shake hands with
him), and received the following explanation
from the chief: 1T was God who sent us thus
in advance. During late years we came at the
same time with the other Indians, but the
other tribes moro numerous than we, and
speaking different language, occupied SO
much of your time that you could scarcely at
tend to us thus we returned to our lana with
out being ahesto listen to your words or learn
the prayers hence, we came before the time
this year in order that you may have time to
explain to us the word of God, and teach US
how to pray. We want to become good, and
to that end we wish you to tell what we
must do"
Father Carton, having commended their in
tentious and good resolutions, FASTENED to
satisfy their desires. The next day he com
menccd a course of instruction, explained the
catechism to them, and with the aid of an in
terpreter translated into their language several
prayers which all finally learnt by heart. Thus
he continued to instruct them until the arrival
of the other tribes, all of whom, except the
Port Douglas which came few days before! ar
each with it's flag floating in the breeze, and
making the wooded banks resound with their
canticies in honor of Holy Mary, and the dis
tapt hills re-echoed with the reverberating
sound of their brilliant fusillade. His Lord
ship, Bishop d'Herbomez, with the Rev: Durleu'
arrived the same day, when about 1000 Indians
were assembled at St. Mary's. The next day
they all assisted at the beautiful and touching
ceremony of ordination, when Fathers Hetu
and Gregoire received the sacred JUNCTION from
the hands of their beloved Bishop. The rite,
at once 80 sublime and touching with wniGn
81 Hhrrob consecrates her priests, 6enSlOly