The Somerset reporter., 1907-08-29
Dedication of St. Sebastian Church
and Old Point Monument.


On Thursday, August %, occurred
the dedicatory exercise of the new st.
Sebastian's church at Madison, and
rededication of Father Rasle's Monu-
ment at Old Point. This church is a
beautiful structure, the exterior be-
ing of olive and terra Gotta stained
shingles. At 8 O'Clock, Thursday
morning, there was an immense
gathering Of the church and State
dignitaries and representatives, Cath
Ollie layman from all parts of the State.
The exercises at the church and at
the monument was under the direc-
ton of Rev John E. Kealy of the
sacred Heart Mission Parish, of
Waterville, who holds mass in the St.
Sebastian church twice month.
A beautiful feature of the dedication
at the church was the first holy COM
munion and confirmation by Ri. Rev.
Louis Sebastian Walsh, d. D., Bishop
of Portland, when nearly one hundred
children and adults were received
into the church.
The Bishop delivered an address in
both English and French upon the
life and character of Father Rasle. At
10 O'Clock a special train carried over
400 from Madison to Old Point where
large number had gathered from
Portland, Bangor, Lewiston and
other cities OF the State, and nearly
all the pastors Of the diocese and
many priests from other parts of New
England were present. 1t is estimat-
cd that 1000 people were on the
ground around the monument during
the exercises. Beside the monument
was erected temporary rustic chapel
which was beautifully trimmed with
sumac and the significant cross tower
ed over the center OF the front. Upon
an altar in the back of the chapel was
quite a floral display, illumined by
twelve burning candles and on the
center of the altar was displayed the
crucifix which was used by Sebastian
Rasle nearly 300 years ago. The mass
of the angels was celebrated in the
beautiful Latin liturgy, the Rt. Rev.
Bishop Walsh, presiding.
The celebrant OF the mass was Very
Rev. NJ. C. McDonough, P. R. ". G.;
Deacon Rev. P. H. Reardon; Sub
Deacon, Rev. P. A. Jouvan; Censor
Bearer, Rev. T. J. Michigan; Acolytes,
Rev j. w. Houlihan, Rev. 7. M.
Nancy; Master Of Ceremonies, Rev.
James A. Cary The Divine offices
were chanted by choir of priests and
the same bell was rung which called
together Father Rasle's little band of
followers so many long years ago.
The sacred relics of the martyred
missionary, consisting of the church
bell, crucifix, Busenbaum's Theology
and strong box, were kindly loaned
by Hon. James P. Baxter, president
of the Maine Historical Society, who
was present and had these valuable
elics in charge. Rev. Father s. j.
Campbell, of Fordham University
New York, delivered an eloquent
historical panegyric on "Father
Rasle's Life and Work" Father
Campbell is of the Black Robe Order
of Jesuits
Among the distinguished churchmen
present were Very Rev. Monsignor
Dennis O'Callaghan of st. Augustine's,
South Boston,; Very Rev. Monsignor
F. X. Trudel, Oldtown; Very Rev.
C. w. Collins, Portland; Rev. Edward
McSweeney, pastor of st. Johns
church, Bangor; Rev. j. Mccarthy
Houlton; Rev. Thomas F. Butler,
lewiston; Rev. Thomas l. Gasson,
s. j. president of Boston College !;
Rev. Thos. Murphy. Rev. Jno. M.
Harrington, Orono; Rev. G. w. Dor
ETY., Augusta; Rev. Jno. w. Houlihan,
De xter; Rev. NJ. A. Clary, rector of
the Cathedral, Portland; Rev. J. j..
Ahern, Eastport; Rev. n. J. Koran,
Calais Rev. N. Charland, Waterville;
Rev. P. J. Clarity, Winterport; Rev.
J. P F. Michigan, Bangor; Rev. M. A.
Fahey, Lewiston. The lot on which
the monument sets was purchased by
The Ri. Rev. Benedict Joseph Fem
wick, s. j., Bishop of Boston in 1888,
at which time the monument was
erected. The lot was bought of Olive
Sawyer, of Madison for 300 in silver.
About month ago the present
Bishop of Portland, the Ri. Rev.
Louis Sebastian Walsh purchased
from the Hon. B. P. J. Weston, some
Is acres or whereabouts. 1t is the
Bishops desire and intention to have
little chapel erected near this mon
ument for religious purposes.
Prof. E. F. Hitch ings, the State en-
tomologist, is at present in attend
ance at the Eastern Maine State fair
at Bangor, and will attend the other
fairs as they come along, for the
purpose of doing educational work
with regard to the insect pests, chief
of which are the gypsy and brown
tail moths. Prof. Hitchings has with
him a large number of exhibits,
showing the life history of these
moths as we'll as many of the other
insects which are injurious to shade
and fruit trees, and will be assisted in
his work by Miss Thompson and sew
eral me mbers of the field force. Later
in the season the men will take up the
work against the brown-tail moth
The number of caterpillars of the
gypsy moth which have been taken
and destroyed by the scouts during
the season has been very large, and
Capt. Philbrook said yesterday that
If would he fully 750 600