Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-09-20
Laying Of the Cerner-stsne Of 81. Mary's
Church, Fairfax station, Fairfax county,

Laying Of the Csrner-stsne Of 81. Mary's
Church, Fairfax STATEN, Fairfax county,
5 Virgins. - = - = a q a
[Reported md translated for the star
A large and highly respectable congregatioa
from the surrounding country (not less than 500
In M mber) attended the above cerem ony yester
day The site Of the above church, which il TO
be ~ by 25 feet, Is on an emnence to the east of
the road leading to Fairfax Court house, between
Fairfax Station and Payne's Church The brick
pillars for the foundation had been previously
erected, as well as a large cross upon the spot to
be occupied by the altar. A neat altar, adorned
with flowers and lights, had been set mp I'm
small frame building, few steps from the cor.
box, IN which were deposited some newspapers
and a Latin document certifying the laying of the
cornerstone, with the usual addenda of the
names OF the President, Governor, building CON-
The Right Rev DR.. McGill, Bishop Of Rich
mono, arrived at this temporary chapel about
O'Clock, aud, arraying himself in his pontifical
vestments and priestly attire, celebrated the mass
OF the festival Of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed
Virgin Mary. But few were able to obtain adj.
mission, but a great crowd encircled the little
building without, some being able to see through
the windows. Mass being over the ceremony OF
laying the cornerstone was commenced by
blessing first salt and then water, with appropri-
| ate prayers, and mingling them together for the
aspersion Of the site. Then putting on his mitre,
the Bishop advanced to the place where the cross
was erected, and sprinkled II with water reciting
the antiPhon, "Plaee the sign Of salvation, o,
| stroyng angel to enter it," with the SD PSALM
| How lovely are thy tabernacles, o Lord of vir-
tues; my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts
| Of the Lord &c -
| Then standing with his face towards the cross,
having removed his mitre, he PRAYED that the
| Lord, who, although the heavens and earth can
| not contain His majesty, vet degns to dwell in
| humble edifces upon EARTH wherein his name is
| invoked, to look down with the serene contem.
Piation OF His benignitv upon the place, and by
oni,v nH Oh HIS grace purify 1t from all ini-
filled the devotion Of his beloved SCI want David.
In the completion OF the work Of his son Solo
mon, that he would youchsafe to perfect the aspi
| ration OF his people and drive from among them
| all spiritual wickedness.
He then blessed the cornerstone, commencing
with the following responsory:
V.-Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R-WhO made heaven and earth
k.-Blessed be the name of the Lord
| from henceiorth, now and forever.
N.-The stone which the builders rejected,
R.-Has become the head Of the corner
N.-Thou art Peter,
Rand upon this rock will 1 build my
VaGlSry he to the Father, and to the Son, and
R-As il was in the beginning, is now, and
ever snail be, world without end. Amen
| Let US Pray.
o. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God ,
| who ar: the true Almighty God the spiendors
ana the image OF the Eternal Father, of life
eternal; who art the corner stone, cut without
| hands from the mountains, and the immoyabl
| foundation confirm this stone TO be placed in
thy name; ana thou, who art the beginning and
| the end, by whom. in the beginning, God the
| Father created all things, be, we beseech thee
| Doth the beginning, the increase, and the con-
| summation Of this work, which is about to be
| commenced to the praise and glory Of thy name
| who with the Father and the Holy host Invest
| and reignest God forever and ever r. Amen
| Let us pray.
o, Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Eternal God
Vonchsale to bless this stone for the found alton Of
| church in honor of the Blessed Virgin MARY
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, the
| trled ana precious corner stone built into the
foundation of which the Apostle saith: But the
| stone was Christ. Who with thee and the HOLY
Ghost liveth and reigneth God, forever and ever
Then he sprinkled the stone with holy water.
ana receiving the trowel cut a cross upon each
SIDE; saying In the name of the Father, and Of
| the Son, and OF the Holy Ghost. r. Amen
| Let us Pray.
| Bless, u, Lord, this creature Of stone and grant
by The Invocation of thy holy name, that whose.
ever shall with pure mind, give assistance to
| the building of this church, NAV experience
health Of body and soul. Through Christ, our
| Lord. X. Amen.
cited the Litanies; after which, rising, and re.
moving his mtGe, he prayed as follows:
| Let us Pray
| Direct, we beseech thee, o Lord, our actions
| by thy inspiration, and carry them on bv INV
assistance, that every prayer and work Of ours
may begin always from thee and by thee be
Inc cement being prepared, the Bishop, wear
| Ing his mitre. said:
"Jacob rising early in the morning, set mn a
stone ior a ute, pouring oil upon it, and vowed
| vow to the Lord, truly this place is holy and I
knew 1t not" with the I26th PSALM Unless
the Lord build the house they labor in vain who
The Bishop then placed the tin bo, In the
| stone, saying: In the faith of Jesus Christ we
| place this first stone in this foundation In the
name name o. the Father and Of the Son, and of the
| Hoiy uhost, that the true faith the fear of God
aud fraternal affection may flourish here, and
| that this may be place set apart for prayer and
Lor INVOKING and pIaising the same Lord Jesus
Christ, who with the Father and the HOW {; host
Amen Gnu n
Then having cemented the top upon the cavity
OF the stone, he sprinkIed it with holy wateE
| saying Sprinkle me, o Lord, with byssoo
| and shalt lie cl,ansed, wash me and I shall he
made whittier than snow with the 5Oth psalm
o,e,, ,nn,e, upon me- God, according to thy
| This and all the psalms were recited verse bv
verse by the Bishop and one of the assistants.
| ne theh proceeded round the foundation shrink
ling 1t with holy water and saving: 8, q how
terrible Is this place, truly this is no other than
sne mouse OF God, the gate Of heaven,n and the
mountains the Lord loveth the gates of ZION
above all the tabernacles of Israel, Gcj HAVING
PASSED over third part Of the foundation. he
| "'oPPc,u Gnu ieHoslbg MS Hltre, and kpeeliDy
recied brief prayer to the effect that God would
VISIT ana bless what he was about to visit and
piess, ana grant upon his entrance the fight of
an eVh spirits aud the advent Of the angel of
peace Then proceeding he said: External peace
rom the everlasting be to this house Perpetual
peace, u Word OF the Father, be to this house
1tant peace to this house, o Holy Comforter;
men standing, after having passed over two
thirds OF the foundation, be said Let us sun.
pliantlV beseech Almighty God, in whose house
are many mansions, most dear brethren thai he
Wouln vouc hsaIe to bless, sactfy, and consecrate
thls edince to be erected to his name by his most
serene cleinency Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
VINO with the Father and the Holy Ghost liveth
and reigneth God forever and ever r. Amen
Ihen passing over the remaining portion of
the foundation. he said: "The house of the T. ord
is Wen iouuded upon firm rock" and the IaIst
isaim: 81 IrJoiced at the things that were said
10 me- we shall 90 up into the house Of the Lord.
&C. and, having arrived at the corner stone
STANDING without his mitre, he sd d I" Let us
PRAY: God, who from the dwelling together of
All the saints dost erect eternal habitation for
my majesty, grant to this building thy celestial