The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-05-19
4 TEXAN MKSSIONARYS SILVER JUBI
LEE.
N. Y. FreemAn's Journal.


MThe Cathedral CT San Fernando. at San
Antonio, Texas, was, on March I9th last,
abe scene of a very interesting event,
namely: the celebration of the twenty
fifth anniversary of the ordination of Very
Rev. j. c. Nersz, Vicar General of the
Diocese of San Antonio. The event had
been looked forward to 10y his parishouers
for long time, for 1t ia not often that
priest who commenced his labors in wild
missionary field, lives to ace quarter of
century Of such life. Father NeIaZ left
France for Texas in his early manhood and
was ordained by Mgr. Odin, tEen Bishop of
Galveston, on the feast OF 81. Joseph,
March 10, 1853 The first years of his
missionary lite were spent at Nacogdoches,
from which place he; also attended San
Juan Bautista, Cariso, Flores Settlement,
Conception, Angelina, Melrose. and Mari
ana. About the year 1864 or 65 he was
transferred by Mgr. Dubuis. Bishop of
Galveston, to Liberty, where, with the
assistance OF Rev. John Champin, he alse
ninistered to the wants of the scattered
Catholic families around Salina Pass. Sour
Lake, and elsewhere. In 1866 Father
Neraz was transferred to the church of San
Fernando, where he has remained ever
since, and to the congregation of which he
has greatly endeared himself. When, in
1874, it pleased the late Pope Plus TX, of
holy memory, to erect San Antonio into an
Anthony Dominic Pellicer ID. D., it's fret
Bishop, the eyes of the new Prelate fell
1pon Father Neraz as one best suited by his
experience as o missionary and by his
knowledge of the Diocese, to be his Vicar
General, and he oneequently appointed
hin to that position. Father NeraZ is
also one of the four Canons of the Cathe-
dral. Besides being grector of the Cathedral
Father Neraz is Chaplain Of St. Joseph's
Orphan Asylum, and of Santa Rosa Hos
qital.
On this auspicious day the Cathedral
was thronged with the faithful, ana the
occasion wac further honored by the pres
snce of two Bishops, the Right Rev. DIR.
Pelicer, Bishop of San Antonio, and Mon
Senor Juan Francisco de Paula dc Verea,
Bishop of Linarea, Mexico, and some
twenty priests. When the Right Rev. and
Rev. Clergy had taken their places in the
sanctuary, Solemn High Mass was cele-
brated by Very Rev. Father Neraz, after
which honsenor Verea delivered a most
appropriate sermon. He referred to the
feast celebrated by the Church on that day,
and dwelt upon the virtues pTactsed by
st. Joseph, the UnivcIsal Protector of the
Church and the mOst perfect model of q
9AtTisrChal life, and then turning to the
good Father. who was celebrating Mass,
Se addressed him in words Of conRratula
non and encouragement. After Mass the
Clergy and other friends of Father Neraz
TepaiIed to the Orphan Asy !um, under the
care of the Sister of the Iucarnate Word,
where an address of congratulation was de-
liVered 10y one of tho children. All now
repaired to the Re'ectory, which had been
appropriately decorated for the occasion
with Garlands of flowers, and inscriptions
in different languages. After dinner ad-
dresses were made in English, French,
Spanish and Latin, by the Right Rev.
PTelntes and by the distinguished civilians
present, cougratlatiug Father Neraz and
Wishing him many years more of life in his
holy career. 1t is unnecessary to add that
PAiher NeraE responded in the most CRATE
EDl and touching terms.