The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-12-08
CALL TO ISLE Ia MoTTE
Catholics to Assemble at St. Ann
Noxt Summer.

Iidlns luuuku INDEPENDENT vi lue
official proceedings in connection
Herewith, plans are already drawn
up, and preparations are being made
at the shrine of st. Ann OF Isle La
Motto for the commemoration of an
event never to be forgotten by the
Catholics of this country
1t is a well known fact that of all
the many historical places that may
lay claim to a share in the glory OF
the discoverer, Isle La Motto is the
first spot in Vermont referred TO, and
probably visited by Champlan, as APP
pears from the diary of his travels Of
the dates July and 3, 1909 Ii was
also on the northwestern end of this
island that i'm the year 1868 there was
erected by Captain Ge la Motto Ca
dillac Fort St Ann which was the
first settlement OF white men i'm this
part of the States and which for thir-
ty years remained the most extreme
bulwak Of civilization against the
formidable tribes known as the lro-
Quois
AS such Isle la Motto presents g.
self TO the notice OF the historian ass
well as 10 the yeneratiOu of patriotic
men. and it is not surprising that hay
ing TO select q site for the erection
of q monument by means of which the
memory both of Champlain and of the
heroic period of the beginnings of our
/ history might In the most suitable
manner be preserved, the committees
appointed by the States of New York
and Vermont are contemplating decid
ing upon the northern end of Isle La,
Motto near the spot where once stood
Fort St. Ann.
Here First Chapel Built.
1t is the pride Of the Catholics of
the State to combine with those pa
triotic memories to their sweetest re-
ligious traditions At Fort St Ann
the soldiers were joined by a chaplain
| and in 1866 a Sulpician father. the
Rev. DOlier de Casson. was sent from
montreal to assist the garrison then
numbering 1900 men, many of whom
had been attacked with scuryy. and to
administer to them the holy rites OF
the church, with the result that mass
was said and the first chapel in the
northern States was erected at Isle
| La Motto
Fort St. Ann is now no more. but
! the spot bears witness TO its name
Monsgr. de Goesbriand. the former
bishop of Burlington, accomplished
what had been a long cherished de-
| sire when in 1892 he purchased the
! site IN behalf of his diocese. and
/ caused TO be erected upon it a cross
and little chapel iu honor of st
Ann. It became al once a place Of
| pilgrimage under the care and direc-
ton of the Rev Father Kerlidow. the
devoted pastor of Alburgh and Isle La
! Motto. and the work was continued
through the ntiring zeal of me Rev.
| Father Bastiau, who succeeded him on
his death. Ever since The chapel was
built thousands Of pilgrims have
yearly visited the shrine.
A Place for Thanksgiving.
10 is expected that the occasion OF
the tcrcentenary celebration I'm honor
of Champlain will bring them IN much
larger numbers than before and IL Is
desirable that all Catholics both of
Vermont and New York States should
gather together and participate I'm a
solemn Thanksgiving 10 God ON that
hallowed spot where for the first
time in the history Of our provinces
the holy sacrifice of the mass was
offered. At any rate. the various do.
cesar aud parochial organizations
| viii doubtless be glad TO arrange for a
pilgrimage
II is also 10 be hoped that the Cath.
olic societies Of both states will con.
slider IL an honor to assemble az Isle
La Motto and TO visit St Ann during
the coming summer.
To meet these anticipations. the Fa.
theirs Of St. Edmund who have had
charge OF the shrine for the last -four
years, have formulated plans for the
better accommodation and comfort OF
the visitors The small chapel Itself
Is TO be remodeled and enlarged
The following Is the copy OF a let
ter with regard to the matter from the
Right Rev. j. S. Michaud OF Burllng
ton to the director Of ST. AIMS pilgrim
age:
Burlington. VT oct y. 1908
Very Rev. Dear Father: Hearing
that you propose to celebrate in q
manner fitting the occasion. the ter
centenary OF Samuel dc Champlain by
erecting a more commodlous chapel
on the historic location OF Fort Ann
Isle La Motto. We desire TO say OF
your project: God speed your every
effort In that direction" We hope e
see the fuldlment OF this noble under
taking and bless your work More
over We VIII beg Of Him whom we ash
for all fayors. to direct the work that
the zeal and devotion OF our people
may be increased redounding to His
glory and the welfare OF our diocese
Very sincerely yours In Xto.
John s Michaud
Bishop Of Burlington
In a short time an appeal will be is
sued TO Catholics for their substantial
support in the enterprise