Thomas Galberry returned to Hartford

The procession included members of

• Saint Patrick’s Society
• Saint John’s Society
• Saint Peter’s Temperance Society
• The First and Third Divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians
• Father Matthew Society, Nos. 1 and 2
• Emerald Benevolent Association

1. Although the article did not give an estimate for the size of the procession, it was some number over and above the 1,000-1,500 people who were waiting at Galberry’s residence.
2. The article doesn’t say so exactly, but presumably when Galberry “withdrew” he went inside his home.

1. I haven’t found any direct references to Galberry’s trip prior to his return to Hartford, but he apparently took it as part of attending the 50^th anniversary of the ordination of Pius IX as a priest.
2. According to McManus’s speech, Galberry’s itinerary abroad included

• Ireland
• England
• France
• The Alps
• Italy

3. Specific stops included a tour of the Vatican, a tour of Rome, and a visit to Lourdes, France.

1. From Thomas McManus’s speech:

• “This scene is not an artificial demonstration: it is a voluntary testimonial, from an affectionate people, to a beloved chief pastor, the welcome of Catholics of Hartford to you after an absence at the Eternal city.”
• “You have gazed upon the relics in the catacombs, where lie the bones of countless saints, whose names have been lost to an ungrateful and forgetful world.”
• “And your steps, too, have turned to the New Bethsaida, at the foot of the Pyrennees, where countless multitudes are gathering daily from every quarter of the globe to chant the praises of the Immaculate Mother.”
• “Faithful priests and loving people crowd to salute you with sincere welcome, and to assure you that all of your flock, from the eminently worthy gentleman who was honored by your selection as administrator, down to the humblest servant among the laity, all, have been faithful: no zeal has been abated, and no duty unfulfilled.”

2. From Thomas Galberry’s remarks:

• “I had not expected that anything of this kind would occur, and had I arrived on Saturday, according to my anticipations, I might have escaped it. But I am amply repaid by this for my disappointment in not getting home as soon as I wished.”
• “I have wandered in many places and through many strange lands, but during all my wanderings, my thoughts have revered to those scenes and this beautiful hill in Hartford.”

1. An “accommodation train” is a local train.
2. Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti become a priest on June 3, 1827. He became Pope Pius IX on June 16, 1846.
3. “The New Bethsaida at the foot of the Pyrennees” was Lourdes, France, which became a pilgrimage site in 1858.
4. Galberry’s thoughts probably had “revered” to Hartford, but the printing makes it looks like he “revexed” to those scenes. “Revered” is my best guess.  Also, the “hill” he mentioned was probably Mount Saint Joseph, the “hill” on which the Cathedral of Saint Joseph stood, not Asylum Hill.

Unattributed.  “Bishop Galberry’s return,” Hartford Daily Courant, September 11, 1877, page 2.

Unattributed.  “Return of Bishop Galberry,” Hartford Daily Courant, September 10, 1877, page 2.