Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-19

the hour set for his arrival. and also
~ the train he came on. He went di-
rcctly to the parochial residence where
he spent the night.
Low mass was celebrated at o'clock
sunday morning, and high mass at ?
o'clock. Bishop O'Connell then left for
! Fairfield where he blessed the ne"
chapel boil and confirmed some - chill
drcn. The first service has not been
seen in this vicinity for some time and
was very impressive and interesting.
At about 80 in the afternoon the
bishops carriage was escorted to the
| line between this city and Fairfield by
| the Catholic societies of Fairfield. Five
| catholic societies Of Waterville. Society
| st John Baptist. L'tnion Lafayette,
| tInion st. Joseph, Knights of Column
bus and Catholic Order of Foresters.
met on Main street opposite the Com
mon and boarded special electric cars.
accompanied by the Lafayette Band of
Augusta.
The cars stopped at the city line and
the societies lined NJ with the band
al their head. to await the coming OF
the biShopS carriage. ON his arrival he
VAS delivered by the Fairfield societies
to those of Watervilic and escorted by
the latter back to the city.
This was marth Of about tw" miles
and the procession was an imposing
one Each of tn" associations were rep
resented by aides on horse back ana
many OF the members of the church
aind SncfeticS We're in carriages behind
that of the bishop. There were groups
of people all along the line Of march
and many teams. The crowd became
much dcnSer on upper College avenue
in the vicinity Of tho Maine Central
station and was contested at the juno
ton of Main and Elm streets. This lat
ter street was lined on both sides from
Main street to- st. Francis de safes
church. Just room enough being left
i'm the center for the procession. COL
loge avenue and Main streets in the
vicinity Of the Elmwood were also wen
| lined. 50 that there were probably
several thousand people in waning
| when the procession appeared.
As soon as the head of the procession
| turned into Elm street the church ana
convent bells were rung according I" the
| old custom. The bishop rode in crosse"
| coach and wore the robes of his Once.
| on arriving at the church the societies
| opened ranks and allowed the bishop :
| carriage TO pass through
Th" large church was crowded 10 the
doors chiefly by women and children who
| We're given the preference IS all c"iid
| not be accommodated. The streets about
| tn" church wore crowded with pcoo'e
| through Tin" greater part of tn" service.
| which consisted in the confirming oi ="
| children ~ tic bishop ard which WAS q
| beautiful ceremony. .Aft"r the chur'h
| service had been completed the bish"p
was escorted to the paro"hfal residence
| in the professional manner.
After being dismissed at the "hurch IN"
| societies marched back to the starting
point on Main street and dish tndcd. Each
Of the live societies was well represented
the ma iortv of the members being IN
line L'Un:on Lafayette was led by three
of its charter members. Samuel King
Geo. Simpson and Levi Rancourt, MI
King acting as color bearcE.
The affair Was admirably maHagei from
beginning to nd and everything moE @
smoothly The Catholics of Watervi'ic
are to be congratulated. as the first Visit
of the bishop to the city must have been
, very pleasant indeed The whole day was
delightful in every respect.