Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1893-09-01
BLESSING.
Ceremony of the Convent and
Hospital of the Francis
can Sisters and the New
Convent Bell.

AS announced before the blessing
OF the convent and hospital of the
Franciscan sisters and OF the new
convent bell was performed by the
Rt. Rev. Bishop Zardetti, OF st.
Cloud, according to the impressive
and rich ceremonial Of the Catholic
church. A large number of priests
and people, both Catholic and non
Catholic were present, and among
the latter were the most representa-
tive citizens OF our city.
During the performance of the sa-
cred rites the Rt Rev. Ordinary was
assisted by the Rev Father Lamothe,
OF the French Catholic church, as
deacon and Father Raster, of the
German-English church, as sub-dea-
con; Rev A. Drowskowski and Rev.
Guin, acting as acolytes and Rev.
T. Francis, O. S. B., as master of
ceremonies. AS honorary guests
were present Rev Albert, O. S. B., of
Salzberg, Austria, and Rev. Lalenl,
professor OF history Of st. Francis,
Wis.
The sacred ceremonies being over
the clergy repaired into the chapel,
followed by the people thronging the
chapel and the vast corridors OF the
building. There the audience was
addressed by the Rt Rev. Bishop, in
his episcopal attire, mitre and cro-
sier, in a most. thoughtful and elo-
quent Grafton. First, the Bishop
explained the sacred ceremonies; OF
the blessing of church bells, thus CIV
ing the people present a glance at
the riches Of the ceremonials of the
church. Then the Bishop spoke in
behalf of the sisters, reviewing the
history of the convent, beginning
with the establishment of the order
in this city in a little shanty, desti-
tute of every comfort and surrounded
by the most pressing poverty. 1t
made a standing impression on the
heart Of every listener when the
Bishop compared the present stately
building with the humble cottage
hardly granting shelter and protec-
ton from the inclemcncy of the
weather.
Among the numerous laymen
present were the following ladies
and gentlemen were conspicuous:
Mr.. and Mrs. A. r. Davidson, Mr..
Drew Musser, Mr.. and Mrs. A
Kerrich, Mrs. w. Butler, and Mr.
and Mrs. L. E. Richard. and many
other representative ladies and gen.
tlemen whose names could not be
( scertained.
In words betraying the deepest
emotion OF the heart of the Rt. Rev
speaker when mention was made OF
the generous benefactOrs of the poor
sisters and the noble supporters O
SO eminentlv a christian undertake
ing as that of a hospital among al
the liberal patrons OF this holy
cause. Major Morrill,, whose absence
at this occasion was most sincerely
regretted by the Bishop, was mos
hOnOrably remembered as the on,
who though not of the same faith o
the sisters, neverless, laid the founda
tion upon which this temple OF chris
tian charity was to be erected. Fo
without the majors donation of
acres of valuable ground, the sister
would not have been able of even t.
think of the erection OF SO grand al
institution.
Surely the good sisters will carr
out the assurance of the Rt. Re,
speaker. ever to remember their libel
al benefactors and foremost OF thel
the noble hearted Major Morrill,.
Then the Bishop made a thrillin
appeal for further aid and suppol
in behalf of the charitable institutio
the scope of which had been widene
by the transfer OF the orphans fro
the care of the Benedictine Sisters il
to the hands of the Franciscan ST
tes Of this place. = Sss-<~--s-7~.- $3.50 r.' ...
The Bishop also exhorted the peop
never to refuse the'poorsisters knoc
i. ing at their doors collecting cont
y buttons for the destitute orphan
. and especially to come TO their u
when in the course of next year th'
{. will begin with the erection OF Il
= proposed orphan asylum ''He th
6 giveth to the poor leadeth to t
= Lord y r "
g As a whole the sermon was abun
i ant with moving thoughts and
masterpiece OF ecclesiastical el
81 auence. At the conclusion OF his II
g pressive address the Rt Rev Ordi
& ary repeated the great truth, as
:, called it, of the Catholic churc
q briefly and clearly stating the dc
trine of his church as to who is to
considered a member of the ii.
church of Christ. making disti1
{ ton between the s.soul'' and t
HJf<3r - rxs