Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-09-12
Father DeSmet 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 were observed at
Stevensville recently in paying hon.
age to the memory Of Montana's first
priest. the Rev. FIR. Peter j. DeSmet.
who founded st. Marys 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,
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. c. 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 chaplains, provincials of re-
ligiouS orders, bishops, archbishopS and
other dignitarieS of the church.
Archbishops and bishops in the pro-
ceSsion were the Most Rev. j. NJ. Gil
more of Helena, general chairman Of
the centenary committee and host to
the visiting hierarchy; Edward D.
Howard, metropolitan of. the archdio-
cese of Portland; F. J. L. Beckman Of
Dubuque, F. j. Spellman of New York,
j. B. Morris of Little Rock, Joseph R.
Crimont of Alaska, c. E. Byrne Of
Galveston, J. F. McGrath of Baker
City E. F. Hoban of Rockford. c. D.
White of Spokane, H. P. Rohlman Of
Davenport, E. j. Kelly of Boise. B. j.
She'll of Chicago, R. ]. Armstrong OF
Sacramento, j. H. Schlarman of Pc
oria, T. K. German. Reno, G.. Shaugh-
messy of Seattle, w. D. O'Brien of Chi
cage, G. T. Bergan of DeS Moines
F. P Carroll of Calgary, NJ. johnson
of Nelson, B. c., P. C. Schultz of Lea
venworth, D. G. Hunt of Salt Lake
City, j. PreSchageS Of Crookston, MINI.
R. A. Connolly Of San Francisco, w. J.
Condor of Great Falls. V. j. Ryan of
Bismarck and ]. 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,O00-word address, Bishop
Hayes ikened 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. lis diocesan and religious
priests. 400 religious brothers and sis
tiers, Catholic college for men, eight
Catholic high schools and "a grade
schools, three industrial schools, nine