The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-10-23
he Patriarch of Denver Diocese Dead.


Father Gabriel Ussel, for fifty-fcur
years a prizes of the Catholic church
and for over fifty-two years a worker
for the spiritual advancement Cf Col
orado, closed his eyes in the sleep that
knows no awakening on Sunday, oct
II. Death found the minister of the
gospel in his chair at work. Though
illness had been gradually breaking
down what had been a strong constitu-
ton, Father Ussel refused to give up,
and although he could no longer ac-
lively look after his parish, he directed
its care and insisted on being allowed
to move about his home and to read
and write as usual.
Walsenburg, Colo, had been the
scene Of Father Ussel's labors during
the greater part of his life 1t was
there that he died. 1t was there that
his funeral occurred on Wednesday, it
having been a request of the priest that
he be laid to rest near his church His
congregation concurring in this request
it was granted, and instead of being
buried in Mount Olivet cemetery, where
for years the priests of the diocese have
been inferred, he was given a grave
in the Catholic cemetery at Walsen-
burg.
Even when the infirmaties of old age
came upon him, Father Ussel did not
lose a spirit Of patience and amiability
which endeared him to all. He scorned
The ministrations of nurses and ply
sicians, and the greater part of the
care of him was taken by Father NJ
Bertrand, a young priest who for some
time was assistant pastor.
Father Ussell came to Denver with
Right Rev. Joseph P. Machebeuf, the
re icl1n Of T,, foo
he who said the first mass in Colorado
after the visit of Coronado. That ser
vice was at Walsenburg. Father Ussel
Was a Frenchman and came from a
district in France close to where Jo-
seph P. Machebeuf was born and edu-
Gated. The two came TO America to-
gether, but Father Machebeuf went to
Ohio to work and Father Ussel went to
Santa Fe. Later, when Father Mache-
beuf became bishop of the Denver dio-
cese he was given Father Ussel by
Archbishop Lamy of Santa Fe Father
UssePs first post Of duty was at Wal
senburg. He was never removed. In
1856 he took up his duties there. In
1909 he laid them down. A few years
ago all of the priests of the dioce-e
united in a celebration of Father Us
sel's golden jubilee. They wanted u,
make UP a purse for him, but this
matter was discouraged, it being |
known the money collected would only |
pass into other hands. Father UsseI |
was supremely unselfish. He divided his |
all with the poor members of his flock. |
For that reason his brother priests pre- |
sented him with an ostensorium, which |
he kept for his church.
The Walsenburg church, by the way,
is one of the handsomest in the state.
1t was built through the efforts cf
Father Ussel. It's dedication was an
event in the diocese of Denver. Wal
senburg looks after innumerable mis-
sions, some Of them many miles away,
but all OF these little stations were
found to be in a f1ourishing condition at
the time of the pastors death.
The funeral of Father Ussel took
ice on Wednesday of this week.
ght Rev. Bishop Matz officiating.
shap Matz paid high tribute to the
forts of the dead priest Father Us
.el stood constantly by his bishop and
vas respected for zeal that has never
'een eclipsed. Many of the Denver
priests went down to attend the fu-
leral service. 1t was an impressive
occasion, Protestants uniting with
catholics in showing respect for a man =,
whose life was consistent with his
reaching, and who survived the storms
f pioneer days to be spiritual build
I for a great prnnirp