The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-12-01
. CLOSEUP VIEW OF CONDITIONS
AMONG THE CHRISTIANS AND
PAGANS IN PARKWAY LAND
INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF
A BISHOPS VISIT TO SEVERAL
MISSIONS.

The Rev. Joseph V. D'Souza, a mis-
sinonary, writes to The Catholic Bull
letin the following interesting account
of the Church in India. Father
D'Souza is stationed at Mattigirl
India:
Recently the Bishop, the Right Rev.
erend H. Teissier, was in my district
for over a fortnight, having had to
| visit and confirm children in the five
chapels allotted to my charge. There
were over 300 combinations and about
1900. communions, just about the
grand total for a full year a couple OF
years back. The Bishop was received
right royalty throughout and though
the reception ceremonies were long
and fatiguing, he waded through it
with sanity courage, often declaring
to me that he was ready to undergo
any Operation provided he could
thus give pleasure and joy to these
poor people.
The first village that she Bishop Wis.
tied was that of Moothookondapally
my present headquarters. The day
previous and throughout the night we
had strong showers of rain SO that We
gave up all hope of greeting His Lord.
ship; but towards moor the weather
cleared up and with it too disappeared
the gloom of disappointment that had
worked hard to get UP the show.
There was bright sunlight in the sky
and light and cheer in the hearts OF
the Catholics. The Bishop came in a
motorcar but as he arrived before
dusk, much too soon to appreciate
and enjoy the effects of the fireworks,
he had to halt beyond the precincts OF
the village. When it was sufficiently
dark he drove up near the village.
Here he was garlanded when he ex
changed his American car for the In.
dian motorcar-I mean for a bullock
coach. With the BARRIERS band in
front blowing away their lungs and
with a huge crowd behind, consisting
mostly of pagans, the Bishop and my.
self were carried round through the
F1lldSC, HULL n In dl11llldlD III q
cage! The Christians were, no doubt
very proud of their "Dodda Guru," and
several assumed the role of petty of
ficials, giving orders in s%tentorian
voices right and left, much as if the
inhabitants of the whole world were
temporarily placed under their com
mand. There we're halts without
number; the reason alleged was thai
the fireworks and gunpowder being
damp was not igniting, but | fear the
secret motive was that the village ,peo
pie may have a good look at the Bish
op and not forget him soon. AS he is
no longer a shy young man, being 65
he stood the test maxima cum laude
and never blushed. Our kind friends
however, forgot to charge and collect
fees as at a menagerie show, else we
should have had enough to buy the
Bishop a new soutane and biretta ir
lieu of the old one he was wearing
the legacy of his predecessor.
After this first procession was over
the Bishop was conducted to a panda
! where he put on the cappa and as
| sumed the mitre and crozier. Their
a second but short procession started
for the chapel, the village laundry
man spreading cloth On the GROUND
before the Bishop as he moved for
ward step by step. The. pagans were
struck dumb, holding their breath il
utter surprise and admiration. Dur
ing the Bishops stay many pagans-