SEBASTIANO, saint — Present state of the crypt of St S. in the cemetery ad catacumbas.
The altar stands over the remains of the loculus where the Saint’s relics were placed.
Rome.
scholasticate, the University directed by the Jesuits (S. University),
2 colleges, 4 orphanages, 13 hospitals.
The Hudson Bay Company conducted trade in the territory, and many French Canadians were among its workers. Dr Giovanni McLoughlin, chief at Vancouver, requested priests in 1834–35 from Msgr G. Norberto Provencher, bishop of the Red River, and from Msgr Signay of Québec. Priests were scarce, and the bishops could not respond affirmatively to the request. The Company, moreover, refused to transport the missionaries. Finally, in 1837, Rev. F. N. Blanchet and Rev. N. Demers left for the north-west and arrived at Vancouver on 24 Nov. 1838. Rev. Blanchet opened a mission at Cowlitz, which became the mother church of the north-west; he built a church there in 1839. After 1839 he settled at S. Paolo (Oregon), while Rev. Demers remained at Cowlitz, and a few years later the Oblates of Mary Immaculate opened missions for the indigenous people.
On 24 July 1846, Pius IX created the diocese of Walla Walla and appointed Rev. Magloire Blanchet its first bishop, while Rev. Demers was appointed bishop of Vancouver and consecrated on 8 Sept. 1896; the diocese took the name of S. in Sept. 1907.