The Irish standard., 1917-09-29

new IOIk, 0ldlGS
First Mass.
A Granite Shaft Erected on Indian
Hill, Near Syracuse, to Mark His.
toric Spot. Order Of the Alhambra
Commentaries the Early Struggles
Of the Jesuit Missionaries Among
the onondagas. A few Adventures
Of These Hardy Soldiers OF Christ.
An event of unusual importance and
interest to Catholics everywhere took
place on Indian Hill, near Syracuse,
where was located an Onondaga Indian
village, in which was erected bark
chapel by two Jesuit missionaries, Fa-
theirs Chaumonot and Dablon.
In that chapel the Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass was first offered in New
York State. In keeping with one of the
main principles of the Order of the
Alhambra, namely, appropriately
marking places hallowed in American
Catholic History, the Order is erect
ing a beautiful granite shaft, weighing
about eight tons, on q site consisting
of two acres of land, recently pur-
chased. The total cost of the move
ment will approximate $1,000. It is
proposed to develop the site and make
it attractive to travellers and also to
hold annual pilgrimages to the spot,
and in this way keep fresh In mem
DRY this wonderfully historical spot.
A movement of this nature has been
frequently discussed by Catholic lay
men and various organizations for the
past twenty years, and it must be
pleasing to the hierarchy OF the
Church to now see its completion.
The ceremonies will take place Sun
day afternoon, September 23rd, and
will be attended by Bishop John
Grimes. of Syracuse, Rev. Thomas ].
Campbell, ST., and DR.. John G. Coyle,
of New York, as we'll as many of the
clergy throughout the country.
The convention sessions of the
Alhambra will take place at the Yates
Hotel, on Monday and Tuesday, Sep
TENDER "a and Is.
Father Joseph Chaumonot, ST., was
one of the first missionaries among
the Onondaga Indians. He was born
in a village Of Burgundy, and became
a Jesuit in Rome, on May 10, 1882,
when he was twenty-one years old. His
residence in Italy explains why his
name is sometimes written Calvinotti.
He was assigned to the Canadian Mis-
sion in 1889 and went straight from
Quebec to join Father Breduef and
his companions, who were evangeliz-
ing the Hurons in the neighborhood
of Georgian Bay. In 1910 he accom-
panied Father Brebeuf on the mem
orable journey along the north shore
of Lake Erie. They started out In
November, and going In southerly
direction reached the village of On
ginara or Niagara. There they turn
ed west and travelled as far as the
Detroit River and finally after five
months arrived at the place from
which they had set out.
The purpose of the expedition was
to prospect for the future missions
among the Neuter Indians. Hence as
they proceeded on their way, they
drew up map of the country, and,
it is of interest to know that one of
the proposed sites was on the Detroit
River facing the place where the city
now stands. Their hopes, however,
were never realized for Father Bre-
beuf was killed by the 1roquois nine
years later, and the Huron tribe was
annihilated. To have been the asso-
ciate of Father Brebeuf on that ter
rible journey, and death staring him
in the face at every instant, gives
us the measure Of Father Chaumon-
OTIS greatness.
When the Huron missions were de-
stroyed he led remnant of the tribe
down to Quebec, where home was
given them on the Isle d'Orleans. Aft
er two successive migrations they fin
ally settled at what is now known as
La Jeune Lorette. Douglas, In his
''Old Quebec" says that 'even today
the Lorette Indians reflect credit on
their teachers. The work of the Jesuit
Fathers still bears fruit and whoever
knows the Lorette Indian and has
hunted with him, can excuse the vein
of exaggeration in which the Jesuits
record the many virtues of their con.
verts." This praise rebounds chiefly
to the glory of Father Chaumonot
who was their spiritual guide during
the great part of his life.
In 1854, when there was some hope
of establishing mission among the
Iroquois, the first one to be thought OF
to make sure Of the sincerity Of the
request for missionary post. was
Father Chaumonot but he could not
leave his Hurons just then, and the