Francis August Janssens
Fourth Bishop of Natchez

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    Bishop Janssens was consecrated in St. Peter's Cathedral at Richmond,Virgina on May 1, 1881, by Archbishop James Gibbons, assisted by Bishops Becker of Wilmington, Delaware and Bishop Keane of Richmond, Virgina.
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    Like his predecessor, Bishop Janssens took a great interest in improving his Cathedral, and to him was reserved the pleasure and privilege of seeing it finally solemnly consecrated on September 19, 1886.
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    Bishop Janssens interest in improving and decorating the church did not diminish. Prior to the conscretation, the sanctuary had been frescoed but there still remained the body of the church to be decorated.
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    Archbishop Janssens died suddenly on a sea voyage to New York on June 9, 1897. His remains were brought back to New Orleans where they were interred under the sanctuary of the Cathedral.
Captions from Cradle Days of St. Mary’s at Natchez, and St. Louis Cathedral website.




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