The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-07-17
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.

Rev. Louis deGoesbriand, Bishop of
the Diocese of Vermont, will celebrate
the 50th anniversary of his ordination on
Sunday, July 49, Bishop de Goesbriand
received his first religious training, after
the regular course required for those who
wish to make preparations to enter any
of the learned professions, at the Semi
nary of st. Sulpice in France, one of the
most celebrated theological schools in
the world, from which he was ordained
priest July 13, 1910. Desiring to devote
his life to the mission of America, he
obtained the needed permission and ar
rived in New York in the summer of 1s40,
going Immediately to Cincinnati, from
which place he was assigned pastorate
at Louisville, in the northern portion of
Ohio. Later he took charge of the
growing cities of Toledo and Maumee
He was soon afterwards appointed Vicar
General of the newly made diocese and
transferred to the growing city of Cleve-
land, where he remained until 1853. In
the meantime several new dioceses had
been formed in the east, among others
being Brooklyn, Newark and Burlington.
Through the recommendation of Bishop
Fitzpatrick of Boston, the choice of the
Bishops of the province fell upon Father
deGoesbriand for the See of Burlington,
and he was consecrated in the old
Cathedral of New York by Monsignor
Bedini, Oct. 80. 1853, arriving in the new
episcopal city Nov. 6, of the same year.
At the time of his arrival here, there
were only seven Catholic churches and
five priests in the State. Realizing the
urgent needs of his new diocese, he soon
after visited Ireland and France to pro-
cure new missionaries, several of whom
arrived in 1855. An orphan asylum and
Catholic school was opened here, the
Sisters of Providence from Montreal
coming to take charge of it. Churches
sprung up on all sides, and new and
large congregations attended them. Dur
ing Bishop deGoesbriand's administra-
ton the number of churches in the diO-
cese has grown from seven to seventy
one, and priests from five to fifty-three.
There are to-day IA converts, 125 reli-
gious, one college and II parochial
schools, with an attendance of upwards
of 1000 scholars. In this city the princi-
pal work accomplished has been the
building of the present elegant cathedral
of Immaculate Conception, a new and
handsome orphan asylum on North
avenue, Inauguration of st. Joseph
college, erection of st. Mary's Hall and
convent, building of the French school,
the Bishops house, st. Joseph's church
and the convent of Mount st. Mary's on
Mansfield avenue, and the introduction
of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary and OF
the Sisters of Merry for the purpose Of
teahing the children.
On Saturday evening, July II, the bells
of the Catholic churches and institutions
of this city will be rung in announcement
of the celebration of the following morn
ling, as Sunday will be the actual ami
versary of the Bishops ordination. Al
I1O:3O o'clock Sunday morning he will
sing mass at the cathedral, the sermon
being delivered by Rev. FIR. Carly of this
lefty.
The public celebration of the even
will take place on Thursday, July II. Al
Isunrise a salute of 80 guns will be firet
from Battery Park, overlooking the lake
and the bells of the Catholic churches
and institutions will usher in the day.
festivities. Ats O'Clock a. m, a recep
ton of delegates will be held at st. Mary
Hall, lunch being served for the clerg,
an hour later. At 10 o'clock mass will
} be celebrated at the cathedral, at which
time Rt. Rev, A. J. Healey, Bishop o
1OrIlanu, Will pI6dCI. AlbcI SOlNiOOS a
} the cathedral the visiting clergy will b
entertained with banquet at st. Mary
Hall, at the close of which an addres
: and presentation to the Bishop will b.
delivered by Very Rev. Thomas Lynch
v. g., and during the afternoon tn
various lay delegations from differen
congregations of the diocese will delive
short addresses and presentations at tn
cathedral. In the evening, from Z to
! the Bishop will hold a reception at hi
5 residence to receive congratulation
. from friends and citizens, at the close Q
+. which a grand torch-light procession an
t parade will be held, in which all tn
Q Catholic congregations will participate
: The Sherman Military Band has been eT
I gagged for the evening, and with tn
I other musical organizations is expected
: accompany delegations. 1t is believe
: that the finest display ever made in til
n city will be shown as the closing ever
h of the celebration. Active preparation
+ have been in progress for several week
Q and nearly all the surrounding tow
u have been called on to supply torches fC