FIFTY YEARS IN THE PRIESTHOOD

The grand clerical celebration organized by direction of His Grace the Archbishop took place at the BAsiLica on Thursday, and never within the memory of the present writer did a more imposing scene present itself within the walls of that sacred buildins. At half-yast nine, jrecisely, the procession issued from the sacristy and, proceeding down St.Anne’s chapel, and up the north nave, filed into the sanctuary. (1)

The Bishops came last, the whole being brought up by His Grace, preceded by the archicpiscopal cross, and attended by elergymen carrÿing his crozier, mitre and other insignia. He was suppo#ted on either side by Rev. Mr. Bellemare, Euperior of Nicolet College, and Rev. Ad. Legaré, curé of St. Denis, as deacon and subdeacon of honor. AÏl having assumed their places — the immense sanctuary,.as may well be supposed, being so crowded that seats had to be provided for quite a number outside of it — the ceremony of robing His Grace in amict, alb and other Ar- chiepiscopal vestments and cope was proceeded with. Towards its completion the celebrant, Ricnr REv. Monsienor CazrAt attended by Rev. Mesers. Tétu and Marois, of the Paijace, as deaccn and subdeacon of the mass, entered the anctuary by the lateral door. Mass then commenced ; {is Grace wearing his mître and bearing his crozier, advanced to the foot of the altar and recitecd the imtroductory portion, the pralm, ‘Judge me O God, anddistinguish my cause, &e.,” and the Confiteor alternately with-the celebrant, when he æturned to his thronc. The mass was then continued, as usua}, tili the first Gospel when, Bishop Lafièche, of Three Rivers ascended the pulpit an‘ preached the sermon of the occasion. Necdles: to say that it was most. appropriate. His Lordship stands in the first rank amongst French Canadian pulpit orators, and as far as could be ascertained, it was tho ünanimous opinion thaë on this occasion he sustained this distinguished reputation, and even almost excellcd himseif. He referred to the nature of a Jubileeunder the Old Law-- which was but the precursor of the New, and referred tothejoy which was always evinced by the people on those occasions; and such was the feeling

(1) À list ofthe clergy present is given af page L47,

to-day towards the vencrableand distinguished clergyman whose Colden .Jubilee the pcople from all parts of this couutry, through their Bishops and clerey, were celcbrating. Ile referred to the exalted dignity efthe Priesthocd and toits priciless excellence when, as in the present instance, it bad ben borne with such dignity. It were vain to attempt to give even the faintest idca of the sermon, or of its enthralling cffect upon the vast congregation preecnt. (1) | ;

At the conclusion ofthe sermon, Mass was continued, His Grace with crozier in hand, giving his solemn benediction to the kneeling multitude at the usual time. The congregation was a very large one and ineluded a number of distinguished protestants. The altar and Sanctuary were deccrated as on a festival of the fret class, T'he chalice and other sacred vases presented to Monsgnor by St. Patrick's Congregation were used on this occasion for the biet time.

It was a eubicet cf goncral remark and cengratulation that the Right Kevcrend celcbrant, just past the seventy-second yoar of his age, sung the Mass and appeared ncarly as active in the sacred functiou as he did a quarter of a century ago. 1 he last Gospel was then read, whenthe subdeacon of Loncr announecd that His Grace accorded an indulgence of forty days to all who were present with the necessary dispositions. Monsignor Cazeau then intoued the hymn of thauksoiving, Te Deum Laudamus, which being continued by those in the sanctuary and organ loft alternately, the religious cercmony concluded and the immensoe array Of prelates and priests filed out at half past twelve to à grand march played by the organist, with orchestral accompanimeut. ‘he musical portion of the service was Mozart's glorious T'welfth Mass, accompanied by a splcrdid orchestra urdertkeducction of the Revd. Mr. Fraser, and was magnificently rendered, Mr. Gustave Gagnon presiding at the orgau. The naves of the church were cecupied during the service by the relatives and other frieuds of the distinguished ofäciant.

Immediately after mass, a sumptuous dinner was served in the dining hall of the boarders of Laval University, a great number of clereymen partaking thereof'; the only laymen present were threc nephews of Monsignor Cazeau, Messrs. Merrill, (Montreal, ) Paul E. Emith and Vincent Cazeau. At the proper time, His

(1) An authentic report of this magnificent production will be found at page 47,

Grace the Archb: shop rose, and in proposing the health of Mongignor ('azeau, alluded to, and thanked him met feel noly in the name of all present and in that of the ent re church of the Province of Quebec, ( as it now exists and as it did in times past ) for the high an! eminent services which he had rendered durinz his long, faithful and eventful career in the sacred ministry. Monsignor Cazeau replied in an equaily feeling but aë the same time a most graceful and witty manner, for the honors done him ; diselaiminz : any mecrit on his part. but attributing all to a gracious l’rovidence. who had preserved him to sce that day

"During the day, Monsienor Cazeau was the recip'ent of à an address and purse bandsomely filled from the clerzy, which was pres nted in aporopriately foelinz terms by an old iriend of over fifty years standiaz the Rev. Mr Dilâre. An adir:ss was also presented on behalf of the clergy of the dio ses: of Chicoutimi by the Very Rev. N. Doucet, V.G. The Rev. C. Poiré also addressed him on bshalf of the missionaries of the Red River settlements, assuring him ot their estesm an regard. Monsiznor Cazeau replied to these addesses in an a ppropriate manner.

The procecdin:s on Thursday concluded with a brilliant concort at Laval University, that eveniog, by Messrs. Prume, Lavallée and other friends.

Morning Chronicle.

On the 9th ofJanuaty, Monsignor Cazean celchrated mass at the General Hospital, an in the afternoon he was the objec : of a orand demonstration at the Ursüline Convent,

“The following lines from the deur, ol Monastery, will tell us wat passed within its walls on this momorable OCCas.on,

+ 7 FU ‘ Bright sconcs of the past and present combin:d in honor of “4 Monsionor Cazoau’s Golden J'ablee celebration, at the Ursuline pes Caron Of Quebo2.

“6 Eow trous it js that th3 pleasant scencs of the past grow & brixtaz still waza hailowed by memory through the vista of

‘years and gently recalled ,now and thez, to énhance every joy of “ the present ! Phus it was ir our Cloister during the short hours “of rejoicing which grected a lifelong Friend on the 9th of “January 1880, In the full glow of his priestig fervor, the revered Clergyman had fifty years nrevious, offareû up on our altar the ‘* Body and Biood ofthe Immaculate Lainb. Then, with what ar- ‘ dent gratitude did he not, after the adorable sacrifice mingle ‘his voice with those of the nuns and children in the solemn chant ‘€ ofthauks giviuz, wh'lethe Con vent bells pealed forth thoir loudest ‘* notes and the angels smilinz aronnd re-cchoed the Te Doum ‘ to the throne of their God! Aye, that scene was never forgotten ‘: by those who beheld it; every yesr the young priest returned ‘ 10 the same altar, offering to Heaven his humble tribute of praïse. ‘€ Nor did he fail favoring the Cominunity with his presence on ‘every other available occasion , as it has been s0 beeutifully ex- ‘ pressed in the French address presented to kim by tbe pupils. ‘{ Each passing year since 1830, having thus conso!idated feel'ngs ‘at once so noble and senerous, it is not surprising that the Goïden ‘ Jubilee of the revered relate should have been solemnized at “the Ursulines with due respect and eratitude. Returning therefore to the celcbration held here on the day ‘already mentioned,we shall now merely sketch the scene 80 “ graphically described by one of our Rererend and most obliging ‘visitors : At two o'clock precisely, his Grace the Archbishop, ‘“ with Mongseigneur Racine and Mgr. Cazeau, arrived at tho Jarge Parlor, where upwards of sixty clergymen were already assembled. These Roy. Gentlemen were at once conducted by the Mother Superior to the Reception Hall, carefullyadorned forthe ‘6 day ; hatthe scarlet festopning and ornaments, lace Crapery and ‘ œarlands of everercen were not half so charming to hehold as the ‘€ fair young forms attired in white and perched in rows around ‘ the room, like birds to ébliven the scene. l'he entrance March, ‘6 on seven instruinents, yed by à host of musicians, was cer- “ tainly a: fine a piece as wé have ever card. Atits close, onc of the ‘ pupils came forward, and after a few appropriate Words of sa- ‘: jutation to the Archbishop anû Clergy present, gracefully : deli- “ vered to Monsignor Cazeau, the french a idress already aliu ded “ 40. Then pretty English verses, ( 1 ) composed by one of our

( 1)Sce pago 84.

PRET a

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gifted sisters, were sweetly warbledby Frenchand Trish ‘ sinzing Birds. ” Immediately after, a very interest'nz little Piece, most ‘ bappily inspired by incidents related in our Convent History, Was alternately recited or sung in parts. This was the visit of an aged Eluron lady of one hundred and thirty summers, to the nuns who dwelt here in 1738 ; her name was Kondiara. She was personified by one of Mor. Cazcau’s nieces, dressed in a brilliant suit of Indian garments. This intelligent lady greatly interestod the audience by her witty remarks upon her own life and times : she also spoke in rapturous terms of the first Bishop ‘ of Quebec, Mor. de Laval, the great and good spiritual Father ‘ of her race, aud also of the Ven. Mother Mary of the [ncarnation, ‘ their indefutisable teacher and devoted friead. A lively little Indian girl, attire in her national costume, also appeared amid a group of Boarders exgaged ia preparing a white robe and veil & for her Baptism. On a sudden, news is brought to Oatza of “ her father, who positively refuses to let her become à christian ‘and insists upon her leavinz the Convent. Orercom: with grief, the good child gains the ardent sympathy of Kondiara, who goes to the father of Oatza, and pleads so eloquently her cause that the Chief not only yields his consent for the baptism of his ‘ daughter, but also resolves to receive it himself. This interesting Indian girl was represented by the Archb:shop's niece, who ‘ performed her part most admirably.

After this charming conversation, Crowns and Bouquets ‘ composed of embiemat e flowers were presented t» Monsignor 4 (lazeau by a host of ‘ singing Birds'" who had conceale l'amid #6 the roses, fifty dollars in sold, as a slight token of respect from ‘the Community. Dairinz this partof the entertainment, some “! very expressive French verses, composed for th: oesssion, wera ‘ sunx with much spirit, an:l as Soon as this sect warbiing had ‘€ ceased, Monsionor Cazeaurosetoreply. Beinz evidentiy overcomo ‘6 yith emotion and rather fatigued, he Was unable ts make a & Joag discours>; but warmly thanked the Community and pupils & or thèse manifestations of kind reoard, polit:ly adding that 1 té had ever becn a pcculiar pleasure fer bim to take pait in «6 Couvent festivities, and classical exhibitions.