The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-08-12
FLATHEAD
FEAST DAY
The Celebration at ST. lgnatius Mis-
sion Last Week.
INDIANS ESCORT THE BISHOPS
Address to the Red Men by Bishop
John 3. BrondeI, of Helena, Who
Has Visited the Mission Annually
for the Past Twenty Years.

Right Reverend John B. Brondel,
bishop of Montana, has returned to
Helena from his trip to the Flathead
Indian reservation, where he went to
take part in the celebration of the
feast of St. Ignatius mission last
week. On this trip Bishop Brondel
was accompanied by several dignita-
ries of the church, Archbishop Alex
ander Christie, of Oregon; Bishop
ODea, of Washington, and Bishop
Glorieux, of Idaho
The celebration of the event at the
mission was perhaps the most nota-
Bile in the history of the mission. In
addition to the visit of the prominent
men of the church to lend interest to
the Indians had prepared for the feast
day with much more than the usual
enthusiasm and had gathered from
every part of the reservation. An
other feature that added much to the
celebration was the presence of so
scholastics of the Jesuit order, who
are spending their vacations there
Upon the arrival of the bishops at
Selfish, the little station where the
traveller on his way to the mission
must leave the train, they were met
by party of Indians on horseback
The numbers grew as the party adj
Vanced on its way, so that by the
time they were in sight of the mis-
sion buildings the escort numbered
about 200 The Indians were arrayed
in their feast day garb, and the well
come they shouted to the distinguish
ed guests was as hearty as a band
of red men could make it,
When the marchers approached the
mission Archbishop Christie suggest
ed that the Indians go ahead, and the
word was no sooner spoken than the
red men set out at breakneck speed
for the mission in a race that had all
the fire of the early day sports of the
Indians in it. When the visiting party
arrived at the mission they were
greeted by hundreds of Indians, scho-
lastics and sisters, and the Indian
brass band. all of whom gave them
royal welcome In the evening
there was a ceremonial reception at
the mission, after which the bishops
were seated in the church where for
an hour the Indians were given an
opportunity to show their reverence
for the church. This they did by
marching past and kneeling and kiss
ing the signet rings of the bishops.
OF this ceremony Bishop Brondel
said:
The ceremony means more to these
Indians than to many of our white
members of the faith. 1t is intended
to show their devotion and love for
the church and not for the wearer of
the ring | recall last year an in
stance which indicates very we'll how
these Indians regard that particular
ceremony. A chief of one of the
tribes refused to recognize the oath
OF another person in a proceeding OF
some Importance. i will believe him
if he kisses the ring said the chief
but not unless he does 1t ended BY
the person kissing the ring and salts
flying the chief that he meant what
he said"
Last Thursday, the day of the feast
Bishop BrOndel addressed the Indians
speaking through an interpreter. {
priest who has lived on the reserva
ton for 40 years. Pontificial higl
mass was said, the singing by so o
the scholastics making the mas.
more than ever impressive and beau
tiful. In the evening an entertain
ment was given in Bishop BrondePi
honor by society Of the Indians. as
sisted by the band and orchestra.
Bishop Brondel has for twent,
years annually visited the FIathea,
mission in all instances exceptin,
two attending the feast of st. Igna
thus.