St. Ann's centennial: 100 years of faith, Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, Belcourt, North Dakota, 1885-1985

• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: North Dakota State Library
• Subjects: Indian; St. Anthony; Malo; Devils Lake; Adolph; Charlebois; Metis
• Online Access: http://cdm16921.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/ndsl-books/id/27533

and witness this solemn ceremony for it was he, Father Malo, who planted the seed of this devotion. In 1885, Father Malo established St. Ann's Novena. Little is known about the first days of this celebration, but it is thought that since Canadians were so dedicated to St. Anne de Beaupre, Father Malo wished to share his devotion with his loved ones, the Plains Indians. It is said that Father Malo brought the statue of St. Ann from Vatican City, Rome, Italy to Belcourt. He planted the devotion others must nourish and harvest. The First Pastor in Residence While living in St. John, Father Malo kept a watchful eye on his beloved Chippewa in Belcourt. Seeing a need to be there and encouraged by his Plains-Ojibwa Indians and the Sisters of Mercy (about nine Sisters at that time) Father Malo, in 1890, took up his residence in Belcourt and became the first resident pastor of St. Ann's Church. The "good Sisters of Mercy," fondly called by Father Malo, provided a cozy little cottage for their chaplain who attended not only to the mission church but also served the convent. Thus, the very poor Chippewa and Cree were spared the expense of building a rectory and providing food for the missionary. The missionary was quite active during his years in the Turtle Mountain area. He not only built a frame church in Belcourt in 1894 but helped start new communities of Catholics in counties and townships nearby. Historical records state that the town of Rolla and surrounding parishes were serviced by Father Malo. St. Anthony Church Although Alcide (a bit further west) had a post office, nothing remains today except St. Anthony's Church, formerly called St. Michael's. It is believed that the church originated with Father Charles Scollen from Manitoba. In 1895, Father Malo built an addition onto the church. In his own words, he tells that the trustees, having their pastor at heart, prevailed upon him to live in the new addition. It is not really known for certain just why the name St. Michael's was later changed to St. Anthony. The Visitor was told that Miss Catherine Drexel, who had given a large amount of money to Father Malo, had a great devotion to St. Anthony. In deference to her, the name St. Anthony was given to the church. Later, a school was established three miles away from the mission, but finding difficulties in staffing it, St. Anthony's Day School was closed. This mixed congregation at St. Anthony's of whole Indian, Metis and French Canadian families devoted much time and labor in contributing to the building and support of a resident pastor. Their working together blossomed into a progressive and happy church community. The poor people in that area were promised government help in agricultural implements, cattle to raise stock and working animals to work the rich land, but all this proved to be many empty promises. Yet the stalwart people pushed forward. This spirit of St. Anthony's Cnurch community remains today. In recent times, the people redecorated their church and with cooperative effort, another addition has been built to enlarge the church, giving more space for parish functions. The Death of Father Malo No longer a young man, and now somewhat in ill health, Father Malo was transferred to the Fort Berthold Reservation. He died at Mandan on June 9, 1904, at the age of 75 years. His remains were returned to Belcourt for burial between the graves of Adolph LeBrun and Alexander Charlebois, pioneers in Rolette County^The^ Visitor made a resolution to visit Father Malo's grave on the hill in the old cemetery on Mission property. The Mercy Sisters' Misfortune The Mercy Sisters missed their long time friend and helper, Father Malo. They were deemed to experience another tragedy, for on New Year's Eve, 1907, St. Mary's Boarding School and the Sisters convent burned. The fire wiped out the entire plant, convent, school, motherhouse and farm buildings. The Sisters and students, with the help of the people in the area, were unable to save anything. Since the Sisters did not have a clear title to the land, they felt it wise to leave the area and establish a motherhouse in Devils Lake, North Dakota, where a hospital was already staffed by their Sisters. Mother Genevieve died in Devils Lake in 1920, having been a superior for most of her years while living in North Dakota. 32 Scanned with a Zeutschel Zeta book scanner at 300 dpi. Edited with Multi-Page TIFF Editor.