Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-10-22
The Catholic Plenary Council


The scene in this city yesterday, upon the
occasion of the closing ceremonies of the Sec
ond Plenary Council Of the Catholic Church
OF me uni:ed States, was imposing in the ex-
treme. At an early hour of the morning throngs
OF citizens Of that religious faith, as well as
many Protestants, were observed vending
their way toward the Cathedral, and by the
hour announced for the moving of the grand
procession from the Archiepisc scopal residence
TO the west gate OF the Cathedral, the streets
adjacent thereto were filled with spectators,
numbering several thousand.
Promptly AT $50 a. m. the procession was
formed in the same order as on the opening OF
the session, the seminarians, scholastics, &c.
to the number OF about three hundred and fifty
taking the advance of the line. followed by a
large number OF Priests, Theologians, Doctors
OF Divinity, &c, and the Bishops in the orde
of their rank, with the MItred Abbots, sue
ceeded by the Archbishops in the same order,
the M ost Re verend Archbishop of Baltimore
the Apostolic Delegate being in the rear. ac-
companied by his Vicar General. Very Rev
erend H. Il. Coskery, and Rev. Drs. Thomas
Foley and j. McCaffrey as Deacons Of Honor
As the procession entered the Cathedral
which by this time was we'll filled with pew
holders and others in possession Of tickets of
admission. the superior choir, under the direc-
ton of Prof Gegan, rendered a fine march
The Prelates ana others seated in their proper
positions. the Most Rev J. NJ. Odin, Arch
bishop OF New Orleans, proceeded TO robe him.
self for the grand Pontifeial High Mass, which
was celebrated in the most imposing manner
the music by the choir-HUmmel's Mass, No
ever heard in this country. Archbishop Odiu
was assisted by Rev Mr.. 9audet as Assistant
Priest, Rev. Jas. Gibbons as Deacon, and Rev
Mr.. LeQuerrier as Sub deacon. at the close
Of the mass, the Most Rev. r. r Kendrick,
Archbishop of St. Louis, delivered q sermon.
At the conclusion Of the sermon the Most
Reverend j. B. Purcell, Archbishop Of Gin
cinnati, appeared in front OF his Grace, the
Archbishop OF Baltimore, the Apostolic Dele.
gate, who was seated upon the Archiepiscopal
Throne, and made congratulatory address,
to which Archbishop Spalding responded.
At the close Of the remarks OF Archbishop
Spaldine, he ascended the steps of the altar
ana took his seat as President, when the
Council was formally opened and the de-
crees passed since the last session were read
by Rev. DIR. KeoGh, one OF the Secretaries
A colioquy ensued between the Chancellor
and the Bishops, in which they agreed to and
endorsed the DEGREES of the Council. which
were placed upon the hign altar, and the
ArchbIshops, with their Suffragan Bishops.
proceeded to sign them, preparatory to their
being sent to Rome. During the progress of
this part of the ceremonies the choir contrib
uted 10 the interest Of the scene by effectively
rendering some choice selections.
The Archbishops and Bishops then chanted,
in alternate choirs, certain AccIamations,
which are at once profession Of their faith
in the Church and of their good Will toward
peace and prosperity Of the country and the
welfare of their fellow citizens. The Apos-
tolic BenedIction, pronounced by His Grace
the Archbishop of Baltimore, closed the SER
vices in the Cathedral, and the procession re-
turned TO the Archi-episcopal residence in the
same order as on the first day.-Bdlamore
american, 22d.