The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1892-01-09
Father Lavaquery's Good
Work.


tly built by that good and faithful priest.
Rev. Father f. j. Iayaquery, who is so
we'll and fayOrably known in this parish,
The following is al extract of the
article:
Last Wednesday was memorable
day for the people of Slidell, for on that
day the church erected by Rev. FIR. La
yaqurry, was blessed by the Most Rev.
Archbishop assisted by Very Rev. Canon
Mignot, of the CathcGral: Rev. FIR. For
ge. of Lafayette; Langlois, of st. Martin
willie; lIarnais. of Plaqupmin5; koergel.
of GOWN gton; Rev. FIR. Ricard, Thebault,
JasSens. Vanderbilt. Bleha and Pillian.
A large number Of people from the sur
rounding country Were present to wit
ness the ceremony which was very i'm
posing and the people were charmed
with the presence Of the Siost Rev. hr
chbishop.
During the blessing procession was
forme,i, which marched around the
church whilst the Litany Of the Saints
was being rpcited. 1T the conclusion
Rev. FIR. Layaquery, rector of the mis-
sion delivered the following address:
Most Rev. Archibisop-It is the great
est pleasure for ne to have your bleS-
sing On church now dedicated 10 tine
honor OF the Blessed Nirgin to whom
your Grace is 80 devoted. The name of
| the church is Cur Lady Of L0nrdes.
The work of building it was very diff
| cult and, had not hern encouraged by
yopr Grace. and your liberal donation.
/ ! wouii moi have been 80 sucressful.
! Although il Is moi yet completed. | ear
nestly hope through the eXertion of the
good people Of Slidell. that it will he in
a shuIt time. II has been said that Sii
deli would have no church: but now,
/ happily We can see one. When cum-
pletrd. il will not only hp "A beautiful
temple for the worsiipperS Of God. but
also an ornament TO the two" Of Slidlll
Please then, your Trace, bless the wort,
of the good ladies of the c0mmittee who
exerted themselves sO much 10 raise the
means. 1t was very severe for these
ladies 10 undertake anu they deserve my
most sincere thanks. ] have also, It
thank the good gentleman from New
Orleans, who kindly gave the Use of Iii,
home to the priests when they came Il
SIiGell on parohcial duly and, also. fuJ
his Kindness in giving up hiS platform
for fairs and social 80 entertainments
And your humble servant, also wish L
share in your Grace'- blessing.
The Most Rev. archbishop answered il
feeling terms. congratulating the faith
full on tie good work giving them hi
blessing. The ceremony concluded tht
entire party repaired 10 a neighbO
ring residence % one of the congrcgra
ton where repast was served. Amon|
the laiiy present were Representative
Bossier, tx Representative Cousin. an,
Judge SamioIa. The party returned {,
the city in The evening highly please,
with the reception rendered by the goo,
people oi S,idell. The Church OF Gu
Lady of Lourdes is neat structure 40.
20 with a steeple i25 feet high.
Father Layaquery like inost mission
cry priest. has worked hard To bull
churches. MANY are the difficulties en-
countered especially in il neig place wher
there are but few settlers and less Ca
thOlic. but with the grace Of God. tn
help and encouragement flom hi
people and the Most Rev Archbishop Ii
has been enabled to do good work.
Father LavaguPry during his mission
labors has succeeded in building severa
churches. st. Cecelia's church at Bayou
Lacombe. a pretty edifice. stands Sox -
with fifty foot ceiling. The style i
gothic, and though not completed. wher
finished will ba the handsonlest chtrcI
in st. Tammany Parish.
st. .IoSpph's church at Florenvillp, tn,
gift of Mr. Florenyille of Mans, France
Father Lavaguery is not only bull
der of churches but alsO an organizer
and as Il member Of the Catholic Knight
OF America, he has organized branche
511. 59I, $50. and 591.