Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-09-17
PRIESTS ENJOY
GREAT CONGRESS-
FATHERS FOLEY AND BULGER RE-
TURN FROM BIG MEETING IN
MONTREAL, CANADA.
WERE IN WRECK
WERE
WRECK

'>~O'NS's
Happening That MARRIED the Visit
Of the Excurslonists to the
Northern City.
!. A railway accident, with but little
damage, was the only thing that
marred the visit Of Rev. Father James
Foley and Rev. Father James Bulger
10 the eucharistic congress at Mon
treal. from which they returned yes.
terday afternoon. When three miles
out OF Battle Creek, Mich, on the
return trip the train on which they
were passengers, became derailed and
portion of the train piled up on an
embankment Aside from broken arm
suffered by the colored porter, but
rev or the passengers were injured.
rather William Guinan of Abba was
somewhat bruised when he collided
with fellow priest in the mix-up. A
wait OF seven hours and then a walk
OF nearly mile to catch another
train was experienced. The Ottumwa
priests say it was an interesting and
enjoyable trip and the CONGRESS was
q most impressive event to be present
at and participate in. The meeting in
Montreal was one Of the greatest con-
ventions of ecclesiastics and laymen
ever assembled in the interest Of re-
ligion in this country. Every nation
OF the world was represented and the
climax and browning event was the
grand procession Sunday afternoon,
When countless number of men, esti-
mated all the way from $1,000 to-
100000, marched in; line from the
grand cathedral Of Notre Dame to the
stately arch at the foot of Mount
royal, about four miles distant.
he procession, said Father Bull
ger. was composed of men formed
from the various parishes Of the city
ana adjoining states and districts. All
the various societies Of the church Of
the United States: and Canada were
. ,,,,,,, IN their he. uniforms and in great
numbers. They formed in line eight
abreast and it took five hours for the
procession to pass the cathedral. Every
available space from which the pro-
cession could be viewed was occupied
for the whole distance of four miles.
House tops were covered and tenn
porary stands were erected in numer-
four thousand people. Seats sold for
from ~ to $40 and views from attic
windows sold for 81 to SO. A rough es-
innate of the crowds along the line Of
procession varied from one half mill
hon to one million people. Following
the Is procession of church societies
came 1900 altar boys in their uniforms
and Immediately behind them were
300 priests in vestments and 1900
priests IN cassocks and surplices. More
than 100 bishops and arch bishops with
the1r chaplains just preceded the papal
legate, who carried the blessed sac
rament. Following the blessed sacra-
ment came Cardinal Gibbons and Car
dinal Logue Of Ireland followed by
Premier Laurier and the mayor OF
Montreal and long line Of civil
officials.
Scene Was Most Grand.
The state militia in uniform with
their guns and swords formed a line
Of guard on either side of the bishops
and cardinals. Numerous bands played
sacred music all the way and choir.
of 5000 men and boys sang the final
hymns of benediction, which were
taken up by several hundred thousand
who were assembled at the royal arch
erected at the foot Of Mt. Royal for the 4
occasion. No word could describe the
scenes which combined to form the
climax Of the great event of the Sun
day closing nor the beauty Of the most
perfect weather, uniforms. of every
description, combined with music,
ringing Of church bells, bands playing
and hundreds of choirs singing from
stands erected by the wayside AS the
papal legate walked by carrying the
blessed sacrament, those on the side
walks, street and housetops knelt in
profound alteration to Christ in the
most blessed sacrament When the
last benedietion was given and the last
hymn, Praise Cod was sung, the
twilight was fading into darkness and
the great crowds in cheerful, good
natured way sought their homes and
lodgings. One hundred special trains
arrived during the morning and the
depots were crowded to confusion for
hours by thousands seeking their
trains to return home.
Montreal Deserves Praise.
"The citizens Of Montreal deserve
much praise for the interest they took
IN the visitors to their city and they
surely spared no pains or money to
decorate their city. About S1,00O,00O
was raised to decorate the line of the
procession with triumphal arches,
lights and all kinds of ornaments. The
religious communities threw open their
houses to the visitors and placed their
charges at $3.50 a dav for meals and
lodging. The hotels generally were pre-
pared to accommodate all applying
without raising the rates, but in most |
cases reducing them 1t was the gem
eral impression that it will be almost |
impossible to again equal the grand
ness of Montrears eucharistic con-
gress in this country or any other
All Countries Represented.
NO hall or church could hold more
than a small per cent of those seeking |
admission. The church of Notre Dame,
the largest buildine could find space
for perhaps $4,000 people and it was
filed to the limit at every service. The
midnight solemn mass Wednesday
night could not be described A choir
of 1000 voices, accompanied by or
chestras AMI the grand organ and
thousands of worshipers all combined
to form service that should be
seen to conceive Of its impressiveness.
There were many sessions at which |
were discussed subjects Of interest to |
both the clergy and the people Many
noted speakers were present and be-
sides the impressiveness Of the event
it had a great practical and Neduca-
tional SIDE England had many repre-
sentatives, both clergy and laymen. |
who were full of enthusiasm Every