The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-09-15
FATHER FRANCIS CELEBRATES
HIS ANNIVERSARY.

st. Elizabeth'S double anniversary
was celebrated Sunday, and thousands
were present at solemn high mass and
the earlier masses of the morning.
Father Francis gave graphic account
Of the expulsion of the Franciscan or
der from Germany and of his departure
later for America: the story of the first
solemn high mass he celebrated in the
old church in Fulda, Germany, Sept. g..
1866, and other events in his life.
1t has been one of the hopes of Father
Francis life since coming to America,
that he might some time be sent back
to the Fatherland. where many of the
happiest days that he looks back upon
We're spent. But for twenty-five years
he has labored in the western world
and built up a strong place for his or
der among the German Catholics and,
instead of being released in his old age
to return to the monastery where he
spent his youth, the provincial, Father
Denis Schuler. after his visit here a
few weeks ago, decided Father Francis
would better remain. He told him that
after working so long in a country with
entirely different customs from the old
one, if he went back he would not be
satisfied, and that he would be better
off ins st. Elizabeths parish of Denver,
which he had built up by his own en-
ergy, than in the old monastery in
Fulda-
So Sunday, although there was a lit
tie regret in Father Francis sermon,
he seems to have accepted the newt
able and was glad to see the church
filled with friends that had come to fill
the places of the ones of his younger
days.
On either side of the great altar were
flaming candelabra held aloft by the
outstretched hands Of statues in the
forms of angels, the gifts of friends. A
golden ostensorium, ciboTium, wine and
water cruets, missile and missile stand
were also presented from friends in
honor of this anniversary In a few
days beautiful sanctuary lamp will
hang before the altar the gift of other
friends all of which show the deep re-
gard for Father Francis and his work
At the solemn high mass Sunday the
beauty of the service was augmented
by procession Of little children. over
200 in number all in white who march
ed down the aisles to seats in front
They carried flowers and made a very
pretty picture with their bright faces
and summer gowns.
The choir sung for the first time since
vacation and, though it is considered
one of the best in the city, it far sur
passed itself in the' service Of Sunday.
Father Francis was celebrant, and
had as assistants, Father Bernard.
deacon; Father Poulin. sub-deacon,
and as master of ceremonies. Bernard
Froegel, a student of theology, who
viii enter the Franciscan order as
priest in three years
When Father Francis came TO Den
yer in 1887, the site occupied by St
EliZabeth's was the same as that to-
day. But at that time it was only
little wooden cottage. where stands the
fine church built since then by Father
Francis energy and the commodious
of st. Clara, the monastery
and its gardens. Father Francis spoke
in special terms of affection of Arch
bishop Corrigan, who gave him his first
encoura cement, when others said there
was no room for a German priest in
this country. He advised him to come
west, where there were large numbers
Of his countrymen, and the result has
been the present beautiful church of st.
Eliza beth and its valuable surrounding
property.-Denyer News.