The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1908-11-07
SILVER JUBILEE.
Rev. Massardier Celebrates Twenty Fifth
Anniversary of His Ordination
as Catholic Priest.

Anniversary of His Ordination
as Catholic Priest.
Rev. ). M. T. Massardier, pastor of
the Church of the Sacred Heart of AS
cension, last Tuesday celebrated the
t,tenty fifth anniversary of his ordi.
nation as a priest of the Catholic
faith. The event was made a gala one
by the citizens of the town. and par
ish, and the congreg alton which at
tended the interesting services held in
honor of the occasion was one of the
/ largest and most representative ever
assembled in the local church.
The ceremonies arranged to comment
crate the day were inaugurated at $50
O'Clock a. m, when the large crowd
which had gathered to do homage to
the beloved preIate marched in body
from the Catholic church to the hand
some new presbytery in the rear Of
| hat edihce, the route traVersed by the
procession being out Mississippi
street to st. Vincent, and down that
thoroughfare to the presbytery. After
being joined by Father Massardier,
who walked beneath silken canopy
upheld by six of his parjshfoners, the
eortege returned to the church, where
solemn high mass was sung. Fa-
ther Massardier officiated, and was
assisted by Very Rev. Peter Scott of
New Orleans, chancellor OF the do
cese; Right Rev. Laval of New Or
leans, vicar general, and Rev. Stan
mans, pastor of Gretna. Rev. Lark
ms, IF Algiers, acted as master of
ceremonies. Archbishop j. II. Blenk,
of New Orleans, preached the sermon,
and music was furnished by a special
choir under the leadership of Judge
Paul Leche, with DR.. John S Thibaut
as organist. G. A. Gondran, W. D.
Park, H. A. Terrio and B. j. Vega,
prominent members Of Ascension
Council No. 1887, Knights of Colum-
bus, served as ushers.
After the services the local and vis-
ting priests were entertained at an
elegant banquet in the old Catholic
church, which was prepared and
served by Mesdames J. c. Babin and
Jos. Constantin. Numerous toasts
were offered to the continued health
and happiness of the guest of honor of
the occasion, and much good cheer en-
sued. This delightful entertainment
brought the days ceremonies to a
close, and proved fitting climax to
what was in all respects most no.
table and enjoy able demonstration.
In commemoration of Father Mas
sardier's silver jubilee, Ascension
Council. K. of c., at a special meeting
last Sunday afternoon, presented the
popular prelate with handsome
meerschaum pipe mounted in gold and
silver. The pleasant affair took place
at the beautiful new K. of G. hall in
Mississippi street, and was partici-
pated in by large proportion of the
mem bership of the council. Grand
Knight Leche made the presentation
speech, and District Attorney G. A.
Gondran delivered a brief address
congratulating Father Nj ssardier on
the celebration of his silver jubilee
and mplimenting him on the splen-
did results he has accomplished DUR
ing his incumbency of the pastorate of
the local Catholic church. Father
Massardier responded with a few
words of sincere thanks and appre-
citation.
On Sunday night the members of the
Catholic Benevolent Association as
sembled at their quarters in the old |
Catholic church building and from
there marched in body to the Cath |
Ollie presbytery, where they presented |
Father Massard ;er with beautiful |
silver cognac set as "a token OF their |
esteem and admiration. The presen-
tation speech was made by Represent
alive h. j. Chauvin, and was re-
sponded to ia BETTING manner by the |
surprised recipient of the elegant gift. |
Still another handsome and valu- |
able testimonial which was rendered to |
Father NJ assa rdier on the occasion of |
his silver jubilee was magnificent
set of parlor furniture, purch ased with |
funds raised by public subscription |
among the people of Donaldsonville |
aud vicinity, irres pective Of religious |
depomin ations. The presentation of |
this gift serves to show the high meas
ufe of esteem in which Father Mas |
sardier is held by the people among
whom he has labored so fai! hfully and /
we'll for the past several years, and |
constitutes a merited tribute to most
worthy and lovable man.