The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-12-24

marking events transpired in the
memorable years of 1890 The find of the miner
in the Pike Peaks region has been exploited and has
given to mineral history the richest gold fields of the
world. The labor of the sanity priest has in the
same time given to the Roman Catholic Church one
of the most prolific of American dioceses-great in
its past accomplishments and rich in future achieve
ments
Prompted by the reports Of the discovery of gold
in this far western territory and knowing that the
accumulation of wealth under the naturally crude
circumstances without spiritual guidance would be
detrimental to the soul interest of the many thousand
men and women who were drifting westward, Bishop
Meige of Leavenworth in the year 1860, came out to
investigate the condition of affairs and to inaugurate
a line of action creditable to the church and times
Denver the beautiful was then in embryo-only
motley collection of huts and cottages made up
miniature settlement existing under the name of
Auraria. In private house close to the waters of
Cherry creek, the first celebration Of the sacred mys
teres of the Holy Mass was observed in the present
city of Denver.
To the heroic Catholics that assembled for devo-
ton that day, the bishop promised one thing and
exacted another in exchange. Upon his part he
would send a priest-a teacher of the word of Cod
and, upon their part he demanded the erection of
new building, fitting abode for the daily mass.
Both promises were kept An association was imme-
diately started, subscription books circulated and
donations made with spontaneity of action charac
teristic of Colorado and its people. Faith the
god-mother of the hope of those early pioneers-a
faith that carried the ambition through all vcissi
tudes site for the new church was donated by
the Denver Town company, and upon that piece of
ground located on Stout and Fifteenth streets, ST.
Mary's cathedral was erected
After the preliminary labors, Bishop Miege re-
turned home and Immediately conveyed to Rome, in
lengthy correspondence, the idea Of anneXng Colo
RADIO to the diocese of Santa Fe thereby placing under
the jurisdiction of Bishop Lamy the new found field
for Catholic thought and action. With the sugegs-
ton went request asking for the transfer of the
territory Rome readily granted the bishops request
and the Pike Peaks country, with all its environs
now represented by the state of Colorado including
Montana and Utah, were placed under the jurisdic-
ton of Bishop Lamy
The action of Rome was father to the one of the
bishop; the faithful Father Machebeuf was delegated
as the pioneer priest Of the new country. Alone he
could do httle an assistant required to aid in
the arduous labor of the new field. After short
wait Father Machebeuf had his choice of two new
clerics recently ordained and anxiously awaiting the
call Of duty. He selected Father John Babtst
RaVerdy, and they Immediately began preparations
LOT al early start upon their long and perous jour
ney In the latter part of September, 1860 the two
priests left Santa Fe for the of their future
trials and trumphs
Machebeuf and Raverdy! What names to con-
jure with What memories are brought to life in
the alliance Of these two eccesastics? The episodes
labors and victories of their lives compose living
symphony of honest humanity. All the enviabe
traits OF mankind-courage, honor, sympathy fidelity,
culture and charty-were concentrated in these two
teachers to the glory and honor of the Mother
Church The life of was that of the other Self
was submerged in their ideals-God church and man
was one and all. The glorifcation of God and the