The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1910-12-10
A NOTABLE EVENT.
canonical Visitation of Archbishop Blenk
to Local Church and scho Ors-Larss
Class of Children Confirmed
with Impressive are

annals OF the Catholic church of thi!
town. 1t was the week of the eanonica
visitation of the Most Reverend Arch
bishop of the diocese of New Orleans
According to the prescr iptjons of tht
Holy See, the bishops throughout thu
world must visit each parish within thei
jurisdiction at least once every five year.
and report thereon in person to His Hol
mess, the Pope.
His Grace Archbishop James Huber
Blenk arrived here Wednesday, Nov. 80
from Whitecastle. accompanied by Rev
Jules Jeanmard, his private secretary
and Very Rev. j. NJ T. Massardier Or
Thursday, Dec. l, His Grace visited the
Catholic schools Of this city, namely: St
Vincent's Institute, St. Augustin's school
for colored children. and ST. Joseph's Com
mercial Institute. At each institution he
expressed himself as highly gratified al
the prosperity of the work and the large
attendance, and praised the zeal and de-
votedness of the Sisters and Brothers in
charge. He concluded his visits by Civ
ing the pupils holiday
At ten O'CLOCK the Archbishop was CON
veyed by automobile to Valenzuela
Chapel. where confirmation was given to
class of 81 children. His Grace took oc-
casion to compliment the people upon the
fine order of the services and upon the
scrupulously neat appearance of every
thing about the chapel James P. kock,
whose automobile was at the disposal of
the Archbishop during his stay, enter
tanned him and the visiting clergy at din
ner. In the afternoon the chapel Of St.
Martin was visited.
On Friday. Dec. 2. the sacrament of
confirmation was administered to IS
children at the church in Smoke Bend
After confirmation the canonical visitation
of the church and presbytery was made.
The Archbishop expressed his great adj
miration for the zeal and devotedness of
the pastor, Father Gardes, and for the en-
ergy and good will of the people of Smoke
Bend, who. though not wealthy as a class,
have succeeded against great odds in
building and maintaining a beautiful
church, presbytery and parish hall. One
of the fruits of the episcopal visit viii be
the establishment in the near future of a
free parochlal school for The younger
children Of the parish. The Archbishop
| and clergy were the guests at dinner of
Father Gardes, who is lavish enter
tainer and genial host.
Saturday, Dec. 8, at 10 o'clock a. m,
preceded by all the children about to be
confirmed and goodly number Of the
people of the congregation in solemn pro-
cession. the Archbishop made his vista
ton to the Catholic church in Donaldson
vile. This unique and interesting cere-
mony lasted about two hours. The walls
statues, baptistry, yestments, vessels, al
tars and tabernacles were inspected.
The people were instructed as to the
meaning and purpose of the ceremony
aud were told that should any have re-
marks to make they would be welcomed to
visit the Archbishop.
Sunday. Dec. a. the sacrament of con-
firmation was administered to 284 chill
dren AS on the day before, the Arch
bishop entered the church in solemn pro-
cession escorted by the children to be con
frmed and the altar boys. The following
fourth degree Knights of Columbus acted
as bodyeuard: Judge Paul Leche, w
D. Park, E. c. Wathen, H. A. Terrio, DR.. P.
7. Thibodaux, Ulysses Rodriguez and
Gottlieb Wild.
At the conclusion of the ceremonies the
Archbishop gave the people his impress
ons of his visit. He was impressed with
the richness and abundance of the vest
ments and cleanliness of the vessels used
in the service of the altar. He recon-
mended that the church be frescoed and
new baptistry be bought. II was his
desire that something be done with the
old church, either to tear il down or to re-
novate it for some useful parish purpose
He was most earnest in his recommended
tions of the schools. 1t was his great de-
sire to have the schools more thoroughly
eaninned and better financed. He wished
that the schools be made free so as to af-
ford opportunity to every Catholic child OF
Donaldsonville to get that Christian train
ing so much desired. There are rumors
that magnificent brick building to be
used as Catholic high school for boys
will be shortly erected.
The Archbishop left by automobile for
St. James Monday morning He was ac-
companied by his secretary and Father
Massardier.
The feast of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated
at the Catholic church last Thursday with
becoming solemnity. This notable holiday
is annually observed on Dec. s, and is
prescribed by the dogmas or articles Of the