The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-02

ton of the new Catholic Cathedral at
Philadelphia The following from the
World, relates to other
CATHOLIC CATHEDRALs IN AMERICA.
The progress of Catholicism is iuvaria-
bly, connected with the erection of edifices
sufficiently durable to outlive few centu-
ries. In every cline where success
crowns the labor of the missionary,
churches, approximating in some degree
to the grand old temples on the European
continent, are built on sites which are, or
promise to be, the center Of a vast popu
lace. The temporary structure, with its
improvised altar, is soon succeeded by
one of solid granite, and, when the do
main of the church extends sufficiently to
demand the creation of new bishop and
and an additional diocese, cathedral is
erected, where the prelate is specially ap-
pointed to officiate. The temple where
bishop performs the sacred duties of bis
Office, is necessarily independent of all
Others In it the holy oils are concen-
trated; which are distributed once year
to the tributary churches, and it becomes,
by virtue of it's character, the ecclesias-
tical center of diocese.
1t will be thus seen that any church
where prelate permanently Officiates is en-
ever bishop finds it pecuniarily practical
bic, le adds to the dignity of bis diocese,
by having an edifice erected which bears
some similarity to the great temples which
have long been the admiration Of the world.
THE CATHEDRAL IN THE CITY OF MEXICO
This is one Of the Oldest in this country.
1t ranks as the st. Peters of America,
and is Justly renowned for its architectural
beauty and inter al magnifcence. All
the resources of early science and art was
piously expended in its erection The
precions metals were profusely manufac-
tured into ecclesiastical articles to adOrn
its sanctuary. Like the Vatican church,
the rails around the altar are of solid sill
yer, flegreed. The lamp opposite the sa-
cred host are of the same material; it is
so large that three men are required to
clean or renoyate it ON special occasions.
The statutes, in basso relieoo, ofthe bless
ed Virgin and the leading Apostles, are Of
silver, and the ornaments are of pure gold
On the statuettes are jewels in great va
riety, and numerous devices give the his
tory of the saints thus presented.
Tie foresight of the founders Of the ca
thedral, in selecting such remote site Tor
it, is established by the test Of a century.
1t is tie center of the CathOlicity Of hall
this continent, and it's distance from the
strongholds of Cromwelliau rule is a Sc
curity against the cupidity of the Puritan
whose intolerance might lead him to rol
or consacrate the gold and the jewels thus
consecrated to God. The edifce has with.
stood the storms of a century, and it still
remains the great attraction of Mexico
and one which allured the traveller thou
sands of miles to behold its beauty.
THE CATHEDRAL OF CHIHUAHUA.
| This cathedral is an instance of the pow.
er Of the zeal, and the munificence of the
poor It's erection was owing to remark
able fact When the silver mines in The
vicinity were just discovered, large mum
Der of the adventures were attracted, ant
after patient labor they found their labor
profitable. Each soon became the posses
sor of a small fortuue; and, as they Were
nearly all Catholics, they resolved to ded
icate a portion of their means to the AL
mighty. A priest had followed them tt
the mines, whose ministrations resulted IL
the preservation of admirable order among
them, and thus saved them from the man,
perils which would otherwise be insepara-
! bic from a community of silver seekers