Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-24
SAINT ioan's OAr.


Yesterday. in the Catholic church
was celebrated the feast of st. John
the Baptist, commonly known as st.
Johns day: and one particularly no.
ticed by our French American citizens
annually. The feast falling on Sun
day. this year, rendered it's observance
at churches notably eventful. The
most important notice taken of the day
by any body was in the service at the
st. Augustine church, were special
High Mass was celebrated before the
Society of st. John the Baptist.
Early yesterday forenoon, the society
met at their hall on Cushnoc Heights,
and, about 10 o'clock, preceded by the
Lafayette Band of 26 pieces under the
leadership of Prof. Strickland, march,
ed, 2W strong. to the church. The
members all wore black clothes and
chapeaux, surmOunted by the red.
white and blue plume, and bearing the
maple leaf of Canada in gold relief on
the side. In the ranks were carried
the sOciety's banner, and silk national
colors of both the United States and
France. The officers wore gold en-
broidered red silk regalia and the pro-
cession was one which was a credit to
Augusta and the participants in mar
tial appearance.
Seats had been placed in the center
aisle. and with other reserved seats,
the society held together in the center
OF the church, the officers taking the
seats Immediately before the altar rail-
The altar itself, brilliantly alight with
candles and flowers, was decorated with
the national colors Of red, white and
blue, and the church was crowded to
the doors with friends.
The regular choir sang Battman's
Mass in F with great spirit and deep
feeling. 1t is unnecessary to comment
upon this music, as the choir at st.
Augustine's always give music of the
highest quality; but it is pleasurable
to mention one among many good solo
lists and singers. and principally on
account of her extreme youth and the
clearness and purity of her |
voice and pronunciation, Marie A. |
Lashe, who we think is but II years of |
age. and who rendered a difficult solo |
in the service. The mass was excep- !
tionally well rendered.
Rev. FIR. Hamel officiated as cele-
brant, and was assisted as follows:
Rev. FIR. Marchand Of Biddeford, dea-
con; Rev. FIR. Drolet, assistant at st. |
sub-deacon; Dominique |
Matthew, ceremonial; William Pelle- !
tier. thurifer; Alfred and Albert Bon !
neau, acolytes, and IA altar boys, who ;
formed a beautiful and impressive pie |
ture. clad as they were in the rich vest
ments of the church
The sermon. chiefly addressed to the !
members of the society and adapted /
to the day, was earnestly and forcibly /
delivered by FIR. Marchand. In manner
he is strong with a quite rapid delivery,
which is made impressive and dra-
matte by tone and gesture. 1t was
timely and thoughtful in subject. and
a typical bi, of French oratory of the
to the audience.
During the service, the band played
Nearer My God to Thee" and also
gave one or two pieces before and af-
ter. The society here was formed in
1887, and includes our best French
in its membership, which is
rising 200. At the present time it is
ofiicered as follows: President, eyre
neuS Bolduc: first vice president, Paul !
Dautauil: second vice president, Gid
con Matthew. The fete will conclude, |
tonight by a grand soiree at City hall
given by the society. which bids fair to /
be a social event of the greatest i'm
pOrtance, as it is not only the festal |
observance of the Saints day, but also |
of FIR. Hamel's seventeenth anniver- |
sary of his taking charge here. The |
Journal tenders him most sincere con-
CALCULATIONS on the double event.
In closing. we desire to thank Rev.
FIR. Hamel and the mothers and others |
for the various courtesies extended to
the Americans who were in the audi |
cnce. These little politenesses. SO lit |
tie to give and yet meaning so much to
the recipient. are always quietly per-
formed. but in a way pleasant of it |
self and making the guest feel as if
one of themselves.