Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-12-10
Fathers of st. Edmund Plan to
Welcome Many Tercenten-
airy Visitors.
ST. AIMS A HALL0WED Spot
There thnmpIoin Participated In Yer.
monts First Nass--f'iigrimngcs
to shrine and EnInrging Of
Little Chapel 10 Nnri1 CcIe-
brnt!on Coming summer.

IN relation 70 the terceutenary celehra-
tion of the discovery Of Lake Champlain.
though Independently of the official nro-
ccednEs in connection herewith. plan,
are already drawn up, and preparations
arc being made at the shrine of St Ann
Of Isle La Motto for the conmen,oratlon
Of an event never 70 be forgotten by tie
Catholics Of this country.
II is q we'll known fact that II an tie
many historical places that may lay
claim to share in the glory Of the dis.
coverer, Isle In Motto is the first spot In
Vermont referred 10, and probably
visited hy Champaign. as appears from
the diary Of his travels OF the dates July
and :, 1893. II wac also on the north
werterr end of this island that IN the
year 1865 there was erected by Captain
do La Motto Cadillac. Fort St Ann,
which was thc fist settlement Of white
mon IN This part Of tho States, and which
for THIRTY years remained the most
extreme hulwark Of civilization arain-t
tho Formidable tribes known rs tie
1roouol-.
As Such Isle Ia Motto presents Itself
to tho notice Of the historian rs we'll 90
IT Is not surprising that. having to select
a site for the erection Of monument
by means ~ which the memory both Of
Champaign and Of the heroic period Of
the beginnings of our history might IN
the most suitable manner be preserved,
the committees appointed by tho States
Of New York and Vermont are con-
tcmrlating deciding upon tho northern
end ~ Isle Ia AHtte near the spot whore
once stood Fort s.; Ann
HERE FIRST CHAPEL. BUILT.
1t Is tie pride ~ the Catholics Of tho
state TO combine with those patriotic
memories tlci- sweetest religious trad'-
lions. At Fort st. Ann the soldiers were
joined by n cha plain. and in $3.50. a
Sulpcan father the Rev. Dollier de
Cosson. was sent from Montreal -
assist tho garrison then numbering 1,2ao
men. many of whom had been attacked
/ with scurvy. and to administer 10 them
the holy rites OF the church. with tie
result that mass was said. and tho first
/ chapel in the northern States was erected
/ at Isle La Motto.
| Fort st Ann is now no more, but tie
| spot bears witness to its name. Monsgr.
| de Goesbrand. the former bishop of Bur
! lington. accomplished what had been a
long cherished desire. when in 1880 he
purcha sed tho site in behalf of his diocese"
and caused t. be erected unou II n cross
and a lttle chapel in honor u. ST. Ann.
/ It became at once a place OF pilgrima-e
! under the care and direction Of the Rev.
( Father Keridow. the devoted pastor Of
/ AiburGh and Isle La Motto, and the
work was continued through the untiriOl
zeal OF the Rev. Father Bastian, who sue
ceeded him on his death. Ever since ~
chapel was built thousands % pilgrim,
| have yearly visitet the shrine.
A PLACE FOR THANKSGIVING.
/ 1t !s expected that the occasion Of til,
precautionary celebration in honor Of
/ Champaign will bring them in much larg.
numbers than before, and II is desirable
4 that all Catholics both of Vermont and
New York states sho"ld gather toGcthe,
ana participate in a solemn thanksgiving
to GOD on that hallovod spot where foi
the hrst time in tho history Of out
provinces the holy sacrifice of the mas.
was offered At any rate, the variou'
| diocesan ana pqrochial organizations vii
I doubtless be glad to arrange for
4 pilgrimage.
It is also to he hoped that the Catholic
societies o, Noth Sta.cs VIII consider i.
an honor to assemble at Isle Ia Motto
and IT, Visit St Ann during the coming
summer.
To meet these anticipations. the Fa-
theirs Of ST Edmund. who have hec
p .tse Of the shrine FOR the last foW
y,cr,. have formulated plans for ne
better accommodation and comfort o.
the visitor The small chapel itself i!
! 10 f,a ror1ndalad and ENLARGED
BISHOP MlCHAUDs LETTER.
The following is the copy Of let,e,
/ with regard to the matter from tia
R.ght Rev J. $ Michaud Of Burlington
to the director of ST. AIMS pilgrimage;
Burlington. VI Oct. -, i9S.
Very Rev. Dear Fathcr;-Hcaring that
you propose to celebrate in manner
fitting tho occasion. the terconteuary of
Samuel de Champaign, by erecting a
more commod.ous chapel on the historic
| location Of Fort ST, Ann, Isle La Motto,
/ We desire 10 say of Your proi e.. God
speed your every effort In that dire
J ton" We hope 10 see the ful0lwcrt 80
this noble undertaking, and bless Yo~'
work Moreover We Will beg ct ii.u
whom We ask for all ftvors. % direct
the work that the zeal and devotion OF
our people may be increased, rebound
ing to Ills Glory and the welfare Of our
diocese.
Very sincerely yours in Nto.
JOHN :. MlCHACp,
Rishop OF Burlington
In a short time an appeal will he IS
sued to Catholics Cor their substantial