The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1917-02-24
by REV. =. ROMnouTs.
Rector of Our Lady OF Mount Carmel
Church. 81. YrancisyiIle. La.

From the beginning Of It's history, .
Louisiana had been placed under the
spiritual Jurisdiction Of the Bisaop OF
Quebec. Canada. The country on both
sides Of the Mississippi river from
Matches south TO the sea WAS entrusted
to the Capachin Friars Minor Of the
province Of Champagne. France. whose
Superior Was 10 BE- vicar-eeneral OF the
bishop OF Quebec and Vas 10 reside In
New Orleans.
when BY Treaty Of Fontainebleu, 7
November 3. 1854. Louisiana had been
ceded To spain. the change Of govern.
ment II brought about with the arrival
of the spanisa governor nj New Or.
leans on March 5. 1855. affected &C.
clesIas,ical jurisdiction ~ well, The
province Of louisiana passed under
the jurisdiction Of the Bishop Of San
tiaso de- Cuba. and to begin with the
year i77a. Spanish Capuchins began to
all the places Of their French brethren
II 10 related that these Spanish Capa
chins aesuired from thu personal grant
II tho King Of SSsin The tract Of land
which Ia nov partly the old Catholic
eemeser, and partly the EpiscopaIian
property In St Francisvtlle. According
Ia historical records this must have
been between the years i773 and i7ss.
However this may be-, the monastery
the Capuehins built on that Spanish
gran, burned down and the monks left
the town. which retained the name Of
~ Francisville. after Saint Francis Of
Assist. the founder Of the franciscan
Order ti2iD.
The land once occupied by the Span.
lsh CapuchiBs became, or remained.
the burial place OF the Catholics of the
vicinity. Even the Catholics living
Just on the other side OF the Missis-
sippi river in Ia Punts Cor'saa,
poin,e Coupee. brought their dead 10
a. srancssville. ttii the building Of the
leyees enabled them to make a GENE
terry Of their osn. about mile above
Bayeu Sara. where they also moved
their church. likewise called after ~.
Francis OF Assist This church and
cemetery across the Mississippi river
were encroaehed upon BY iss mighty
waters I'LL finally nothing Of the old
church IL left other than few bricks
KEEP, a. souvenirs BY some cf the
congregation.
~. Augustine. Florida. being return.
ed To spain by the treaty Of peace Of
i7s3. the King Of Spain made efforts 20
provide for the future of Catholicism
In that ancient province. A. many
English people had settled there and
In West Florida. notably through the
Natchex and Baton Rouge districts.
Charles III applied 10 the bishop Of
Salamanca. Spain. 10 send Irish priests
from smong those Of his university 10
attend the English speaking population.
These priests arrived IN 1881 and were
the hrst Irish priests to come 10
Louisiana. One Of the FIRST sent VAS
Reverend Michael q Reilly. whose name
IL In the early church records OF the
relicianas. now In possession Of Our
Lady of Noun, Carmel Church. a.
francisville
Other missionary priests. Who. &c
cordins TO the records. administered
the Sacraments In the Felaeisnas prior
TO lie elevation to an ecclesiastical
parish. are Rev. e. Chamtost. Rev, A,
Doyle. Rev. Joseph Praskenshy. =. j..
and Rev. John Hayden,
The town Of Jackson marks the be-
ginning of the ecclesiastical parish 81
the relicianas. We read In the records
Of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Church,
jackson. April Is. 1855; Resolved BY
the Catholic congregation In regular
meeting convened that a special eem
mtiiee be- appointed to address the
Archbishop Of New Orleans for the
purpose of obtaining from the said