Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-09-06
Father DeSrnet Is Paid
High Memorial Honors

Most impressive and colorful me-
mortal services within the power Of
the Catholic church in the United
States to bestow we're observed at
Stevensville recently in paying hom-
age to the memory Of Montana's first
priest, the Rev. FIR Peter J. DeSmet,
who founded st. Mary's mission 100
years ago.
While packed thousands watched,
solemn pontificial mass was celebrated
by the Most Rev. Amleto Giovanni
Cicognani, apostolic delegate to the
United States, with a background Of
high church officials from widely sep
arated points in the nation.
Though low-hanging clouds. threat
ened rain through the entire ceremony,
only a few drops fell shortly after noon,
causing momentary usage of umbrellas
which blossomed like mushrooms.
Adding to the throng gathered
around the rustic altar was the pres
ence of many prominent In the states
public life, including Gov. S. G. Ford,
Ex-Gov. John E. Erickson, Senator
James E. Murray, Congresswoman
Jeanette Rankin and Attorney Gen
eral John Bonner.
Preceding the mass was a solemn
procession in which those taking part
included masters Of ceremonies, cross
bearer and acolytes, religious brothers,
religious clergy, diocesan clergy, army
and navy chaplatns, provincials Of re-
igious orders, bishops, archbishops and
other dignitaries Of the church.
Archbishops and bishops in the pro-
cession we're the Most Rev. j. M. Gil
more Of Helena, general chairman Of
the centenary committee and host 10
the visiting hierarchy: Edward D.
Howard, metropolitan of the archdio-
cese of Portland; r. j. L. Beckman Of
Dubuque, F. j. Spellman of New York,
j. B. Morris of Little Rock, Joseph r.
Crimont OF Alaska, @. E. Byrne Of
Galveston, j. +. McGrath Of Baker
City, E. F. Hoban Of Rockford, Q. D.
White Of Spokane, H. p. Rohlman OF
Davenport, E. J. Kelly Of Boise, B. J.
Shell Of Chicago, r. j. Armstrong Of
Sacramento, J. H. Schlarman Of Pc
oria, T. K. German, Reno, q. Shaugh-
messy Of Seattle, w. d. OBrien Of Chi
cago, @. T. Bergan Of Des MoineS,
F. P. Carroll of Calgary, M. johnson
of Nelson, B. c., P. G. Schultz Of Lea
venworth, d. @. Hunt Of Salt Lake
City, j. Preschages Of CrOokston, MINI,
r. A. Connolly Of San Francisco. w. J.
Condor of Great Fails, " j. Ryan Of
Bismarck and j. T. McGusken Of Los
Angeles.
Officers Of the mass were the Rev.
j. A. Rooney, subdeacon; Rev. j. P.
O'Shea. deacon; Rt. Rev. j. C. Will
ging, assistant priest, and the Rev.
Louis Taelman and Rev. P. J. Treacy,
deacons of honor.
Accentuating Importance Of the pro-
ceedings which climaxed celebration |
Of a century Of Catholicism in Mon
tana was sermon following the mass, !
delivered by the Most Rev. Ralph L. |
Hayes, former bishop Of Helena. now
rector Of the North American college, |
Rome.
In his 4,OO0-word address, Bishop |
Hayes Hkened the advent Of Father
DeSmet into Montana IN the growth |
Of mighty tree. From the tiny seed |
planted by Father DeSmet, marking |
the start Of the Helena diocese, Bishop |
Hayes listed as direct results the fol-
lowing: A total parish and mission /
churches, $50 stations where masses
are said, Ills diocesan and religious
priests, 400 religious brothers and sis
sers, Catholic college for men, eight
high schools and "A grade
schools, three industrial schools, nine
hospitals, and IS 900 Catholics worship
ng under guidance OF Bishop Joseph
Gilmore.
He reviewed the history OF Father