The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-06

noted physician told me at the most /
could not live longer than five years, and
on the day was consecrated came near
falling in a faint ON the floor Of this sane
tuary."
June 2, 1876, he was consecrated
bishop. The ceremony was most impress
sive and was witnessed by many Protes
tants as well as by the Catholics OF Port
land. 1t is very interesting fact that
Archbishop Williams, the consecrator,
took part yesterday In the anniversary
Amony the clergy in attendance were
Archbishops Williams OF Boston and Con-
nelly OF Halifax, Bishops McNierney of
Albany, O'Reilly Of Springfield, Lynch
OF Charleston, 5. G., Wadhams OF Og-
dence, DeGoesbriand Of Burlington,
Sweeney OF New Brunswick and Rogers
of Chatham, N. 5.
TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF SUCCESS.
From that day until this time when, in
the fullness of years and honors, with
twenty-five years Of remarkable success
In the episcopate behind him and strong
In the love of his people, the bishop ca n
look backward, II not with pride, still
with abundant thankfulness to God for
His blessings, his life has been part and
a great part in the history OF the Catholic
church In the State.
1t had hardly passed the formative
period when he was called to the episco-
pate, but today IL is a great church,
strong spiritually and strong in temporal
things.
To recount the labors of twenty five ac-
tive years would be to tell the story of
the growth of Catholicity in every part
Of the State of Maine. In 1884 Bishop
Healy took step few prelates have ever
taken; he gave up part OF his diocese
and his authority over a large portion OF
his people.
AT his request New Hampshire was
created into a diocese, and RI Rev. ID.
w. Bradley of Portland, formerly rector
of the cathedral, was designated bishop
In this city his fellow citizens recall
with pride some of the results of his
labors-St. Joseph's Academy, the hos
pital and home for the aged, the orphan
age, the schools.
The new st. Dominic's church, the
monument to the ability and tireless
Christian zeal of the late Very Rev.
John w. Murphy, V. g., and the rising
church of the Sacred Heart, owed much
to the fostering care of the chief pastor.
The following statistics will be read
with great interest:
In 1875, when Bishop Healy took up the
episcopal duties, there were, in the
same territory, 81 churches, buildings,
SO priests, 20 students, religious insti-
hHyiuIun, Az cIfiice aAlu ~
free schools with q total Cath olic popula-
ton Of $1,000.
Twenty five years have made a change
which can only be appreciated by COM
parison of figures. At the present time,
In Maine alone which now comprises the
diocese, there are 80 priests, 20 secular
and 10 religious, "a churches with resi-
dent priests, SO missions with churches,
making a total of 50 churches In the
State There are also 20 stations where
masses are celebrated. There are Chris
tian Brothers and 1853 women OF religious
orders. There are several students Tor
priesthood, IS colleges and academies,
college with 100 students. There are also
academies for young women with 100
students. There are 20 parishes with
parochial schools with a total number OF
pupils of 1919. Three Indian schools
have $50 pupils. The three orphan
asylums Of the diocese support 20 enid en- 10
tend school, are being educated at the
orphanage schools.
The total number of young people under
Catholic care are 8, 203. There are two
hospitals in the diocese, one OF the hos
pitfalls being devoted to the aged women,
with 40 inmates. The total population
numbers about 10000.
In addition to the number OF parishes
above given two parishes are being
formed, one at Biddeford and the other
at Millinockett.
AS A PUBLIC SPEAKER.
Bishop Healy has taken a deep interest
In the public events Of the day and twice
delivered at City Hall strong, eloquent
and in many ways notable address. His
memorial address on the death Of Presi-
dent Garfield, was a notable tribute to
the fallen soldier and chief magistrate,
and well fulfilled prediction OF a strong
or and truer national life because OF o
growing national conviction that Go d
reigns.
The great celebration with which the
name Of Columbus was associated, gave
Bishop Healy another opportunity TO
at once express his strong confidence In
the stability of our national institutions
| and his enduring faith In democracy,
while he called attention las priest and
a bishop OF the old church," to the
national dependence upon God, and the
necessity Of remembering that there must
be national, as well as individual right
eousness.
bishop Healy is the most democratic of
prelates. His love Of country Is strong,
and he values man not because OF MS
rank, but for what his life makes him.
He has called around him a remarkable
body of working priests. He has made
his work and theirs tell for his church in
every part of his diocese. He has
iabofed, often In physical weakness, but
always animated with high courage,
nd Sustained by perfect trust in God,
through twenty five long years as q
with thankfulness, and onward with a
strong and sustaining faith, the venera-
BILE bishop may be almost said to have
realization while in the flesh, OF his re-
ward, for surely the faithful minister OF
Christ may see in the love of his people,
In the respect Of his fellow citizens, IN
the manifold results of his work, the
evidence Of the approval Of God.