St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-07-24
Gbe Californian.
JUBILEE CELEBRA TON.
Bishop DeGOesbriand's Semi CenfenHia
Observed.

Bishop DeGoesbriand's Semi-CenfenniaI
Observed.
The golden jubilee at Burlington
last Thursday was a grand success
and fitting close to the fIftieth year
of Bishop DeGoesbriand's fifty years
service as priest in the Catholic
church. Prominent church dignIta-
ries from adjoining states were pres
ent as well as delegates from all the
churches in the state. The celebra-
ton began in the morning with Il
salute OF 80 guns. This was follow
ed at 6 a. m. by a reception and at
10 O'Clock the services iii the cathe-
dral began and it is doubtful if the
ceremony of pontifcal high mass
was ever so impressively celebrated
there before. At least 1000 people
were present. The delegates occu-
pied seats in the central aisle. while
the most Rev. Archbishop Williams
of Boston, the highest dignitary i'll
New England occupied the throne
opposite Bishop DeGoesbriand. The
sermon was by Bishop Healey of
Portland and was appropriate in a
marked degree to the occasion.
At the close of the discourse the
bishop spoke briefly, thanking them
for their presence and their prayers.
The benediction was then pronounced
BY Archbishop Williams. AT l p. m.
the visiting clergy were rendered q
banquet at St. Mary's hall, where
after dinner speeches were made and
toasts responded to-
At $50 p. m. the large cOngrega-
ton assembled at the cathedral to
witness the ceremonies attending
the addresses and presentations TO
the bishop. Below is the address by
the delegates from the St Johnsbury
church:
Right Reverend and Dear Bishop:
Permit us your devoted children of
St JOhnsbury to rejoice III the great
JOY that must thrill your heart on
the 5Oth anniversary of your ordina
ton to the priesthood. We unite
with all the clergy and laity of your
diocese i'll extending to you our
warmest congratulations.
Wecan only speak in feeble accents,
but we feel proud that we are per
mitted to give the chorus of praise
and gratitude that ascends through
the length and breadth of Vermont
upon this most suspicious occasion.
Looking back upon those 80 years
of priestlv life, what wonderful
changes do we not behold when as
young levite the sacred oil was poured
upon your head and you were conse
Grated a priest of the living God!
Catholics were not numerous,
churches were few and clergy and re-
ligions could easily be counted.
The ministrations of a single priest
extended over miles of country, mis-
sionary labors were severe and
bigOtrv was rampant. But 10!
Where there was q waste now blooms
Il garden, and churches with stately
spires can be seen all over. Catholic
parishes abound attended by jealous
and devoted priests.
Looking back from the summit of
YOUR long and fruitful life you behold
the results, and you may well rejoice
that it is even so, and bless the good
Lord who has given the hundred
fold increase to the seed YOU sowed.
Under the divine blessing to you,
right reverend and dear bishop, are
the Catholics of Vermont indebted
for this great prosperity. To your
zeal, energy and devotions may we
trace all this spiritual growth.
MAY God continue to bless your
labors, and may He grant you many
years still to work in his vineyard,
is the earnest wish of your faithful
and devoted spiritual children"
The exercises closed in the evening
with reception at Bishop DeGOes-
brands house and a tOrch-light pro-
cession. The houses along the line
of march were brilliantly illuminated
and numerous transparencles were
seen, bearing such notices as:
Fifty years d priest, " "1S4O1S90."