The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-06
WELCOMED HOME AGAIN.
The Right Reverend Bishop Brondel
Safely Returns From For
eign Shores.
An Affectionate Welcome From
His Helena Congre-
cation.
He Gives an Interesting Interview of His
Visit to the Pope and of His
Travels.

The Right Rev. j. b. Brondel, bishop of
the diocese of Montana, returned home
yesterday from his extended pilgrimage in
foreign lands, and his rosy cheeks and
genial manner left no doubt that he was
in robust health and not at all fatigued
from his long journey.
AS the Great Northern train which bore
him backed into the depot drizzling fall
of sleet and snow prevailed, and this pre-
vented in measure a large number of peo-
pie from being present to welcome and escort
him to his residence. But there were about
thirty people present with carriages and at
O'Clock the reverend gentleman was driven
to his residence. His escort from the depot
included Father Lombard, Father De
Ryckere, of Deer Lodge, Father Desiere,
of Anaconda, Father Van de Ven, of Butte,
Father Coopman of Bozeman, Father
Diomedi of Missoula; and as the bishop
was led to the entrance he was received by
Fathers Palladino and Toilet.
Friends called at intervals during the af-
ternoon to extend welcome to the good
bishop. and he was kept busy relating in
cidents of his journey until 5 O'Clock,
when little surprise was in store for him.
Some ladies of the church had prepared a
dinner for the occasion and at the appoint
ed hour the bishop and visiting priests sat
down to FEAST. Father Toilet was
toastmaster and called upon Father Desiere
to respond to a toast of welcome after the
bishops pilgrimage to Jerusalem and visit
to Rome. most pleasant hour was spent
in this manner. But the congregation of
the Catholic church had their turn in be-
slowing modest and appropriate honors
upon the bishop. Half past seven was the
appointed hour for a solemn Te Deum. and
despite the disagreeable weather the cathe-
drai was we'll filled. The altar had been
most beautifully decorated and hundreds
of lighted candles threw forth their glare
upon rich vestments and beautiful! floral
contributions. The choir sang the TIE
Deum while several priests and altar boys
assisted in the beautiful but simple cere-
monies which were concluded with benedic-
ton, the bishop officiating. Another sur
prise was still in store for the bishop. Dur
ing his absence the large school structure,
named ST. Aloysius had been erected, and
this the bishop had not yet seen. After the
ceremonies in the cathedral all repaired to
the hall The Capital City band discoursed
music. Members of the Catholic Literary
society and Catholic Knights of America
formed double line the length of the hall
ard soon sodality of young girls marched
Bishop Blondel appeared escorted by the
clergy. They marched down the aisle, the
bishop pleasantly bowling as he walked along
and he was assigned the seat of honor
in semi-circle formed by the
other priests. The band continued playing
a lull, which was soon broken by Hon. G.
P. Connolly, of the Catholic Literary So
ciety, who stepped up before the bishop and
delivered the following beautiful address of
welcome:
Right Reverend and Beloved Bishop:
r. I,,%
joyous events; and We have met tonight to
give you kindly greeting upon this the
occasion of your return from your long
journey across the great continents and the.
trackless seas. Ever proud of your
christian flock, as they are and ever will
you here this evening to cast once more at
your feet our love and spiritual allegiance
to you as the representative of the vicar of
Christ, and our sincere friendship and
esteem for your character and person.
Shortly before your departure from your
brought me tidings on the ean-bound
shores of my native state of the magnificent
reception they had so proudly rendered to
YOU on the twenty fifth anniversary of your
ordination to the priesthood, and now with
one accord and acclaim they joyously
matchless mountain home Gin this land of
the free and home of the brave''-a welcome
as warm rs the mellow sunshine of Italy,
from whose shores you have come back to
to us-a welcome which wells and rises
from true. loving and obedient hearts to
king amid the pomp and splendors of the
Vatican, gorgeous with the accumulated
grandeur of the ages, from whose sacred
thresholds you have brought to us the
blessings and benedictions of the holy
father.
the scenes of Palestine and the Holy
Land, where the great vicarious sacrifice Of
the Redeemer of the World was offered up,
and we feel that you have come back to us
fortified and strengthened more than ever
in your devoted zeal for the holy mission
which you have chosen, of teaching us tC
walk uprightly in the paths of faith and
charity and virtue.
We have heard, too, of the honors that
have been bestowed upon you in your ma
tive land, and We are proud to know tina
the manifold voices of the sea that break
and dashes restlessly upon the shores o
that native land, speak to your people il
that far-off homo the words of earnest low,
that we repeat to you tonight.
But these formal greetings, dearly be
loved bishop while they testify our admir-
alton and esteem, are at best but the voice
less manifestations. Of our love. Lool
around upon us to-night-look around upol
these faces, and let the light that shines il
each be the illuminating torch that shall
guide you to the throne of our hearts, AM
there look upon the swelling tides of affec
ton that tonight possess your spirltua
children. Let it teach you this: That you
lot is cast among a devoted and loyal PEG
pie: that We have turned aside from GU
avocations to give you welcome such a
only dutiful and obedient children of til
mother church can give, and that our faitt
ever warm and ardent, starting at tn
touch of kindred emotion and commins
ling in the flood of our affection for you t
night, overcomes us with a joy, hallowe
and inexpressible.
The pleasure of our greeting to-nigh
beloved bishop. is not unalloyed. As We
look aroung upon this gathering, your al
fectionate gaze cannot but dwell upon son
vacant places which were wont to be filled |
familiar faces. They are gone; they ha,
taken their places in the silent halls
death; they have passed beyond the porta
of eternity. and let us hope that benefittt
by the saving graces of religion, they ha'
heard the melody of heavenly choirs, al
tonight their hearts are beating to the 10
full music of eternal peace. The gaps tn
have made are filed, the ranks closed U
and the great army of the world moves Q
The strong arms of the remaining remna
of the pioneers of your church are still he
to aid and assist you and the ladies. ev
cheerful, enthusiastic. faithful and &C
slant. are here to do their share, and me-
than their share, by their loving deyoti
to the church and its work, in leading
along the narrow and rugged path to
demption; for it was at the knees of G
sainflv mothers that we first learned to Ii