Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-08-16
Conseeratien Of Bishops Becker and
Gibbons,

Conseeratien Of Bishop, Becker and
Gibbons.
IMPOSING CKRHMoNy
One OF the grandest and most impressive
ceremonies OF the Catholic Church took place
Yesterday morning at the Cathedral in BsIu-
more, the occasion being the cousecrstiou of
tne newly elected Bishops of Wilmington,
DEL, and North Carolina. To the former Sc
Rev. DIR. Thomas A. Becker, formerly of the
Diocese OF Richmond, was named, whilst the
latter will be filled by Rev. Dr. James Gibbons.
lately one Of the secretaries OF the Most Rev
Archbishop Of Baltimore. Long before the
hour named for the beginning OF the services
Charles, Mulberry and Cathedral streets Were
Of priests and prelatee announced 70 proceed
from the archiepiscopal manson to the sacred
edifice.
shortly after 10 O'Clock the procession, num-
bering about one hundred and fifty. left the
west door OF the MANSION, and passing through
the church yard on the south side, entered the
main door of the Cathedral on Cathedral street
the Young Catholic Friend Society acting as a
guard Of honor during the prssage ofthe clergy
The procession was an imposing one. and in
II Were several visiting priests from this city.
choir. with full orchestral accompaniment
burst fol- III IN grand conservation march. The
bishops and senior priests then took their places
IN the sanctuary rail, the seminarians and sane
BOYS occupying positions without the altar rail
The main altar was brilliantly hght d, and
profusely and elegantly decorated with how-
ers, whilst the side affairs Were also rendered
attractive by lighted candles and adornments
The Archbishop. who acted as consecrator and
celebrant OF mass, was attended by his deacous
OF honor, whilst the bishops elect each took
being attended by Right Rev Bishop LYNCH. OF
Charleston, and Right Rev. Bishop, Dominee,
OF Pittsburg, and Bishop Becker by Right Rev
Bishop Whelan, of Wheeling, Va, and Right
Rev. Bishop McGIll, of Richmond. Va. With
IN the sanctuary Were the Right Rev Bishops
Bayiey, OF Newark n. J.; O'Hara- of Scran-
ton, Pa, and Shanahan, of Harrisburg, Penn
sylvania.
The Most Reverend Archbishop Spalding
occupied a seat on the topmost step of the altar
and the Apostolic Commission authorizing the
eonsecranon having been read by Rev. DIR.
Corkran, of Charleston, s. G, the Most Rev.
archbishop proceeded with the conservation.
and closed with administering the oath of Of
nee to each OF the new bishops. The Arch
bishop, as celebrant, then proceeded TO sing
ponuhcal high mass, attended by Rev p p
Denis as deacon, and Rev II. NJ. Cnapuis as
sub-deacon. During the mass the conservation
ceremonial occurred, OF which We condanse
the following brief account from the Baltimore
Sun of this morning
sThe bishops elect, with the attendant bish-
ops and priests, each al a side altar, We're then
invested with the pectoral cross the tunic dal-
matc chasuble and with white sandals. The
consecrator and assisting bishops then knelt
resting forward on their seats, we ring their
mltres, whilst the bishops elect laid prone on
their faces on the floor OF the sanctuary The
LIfany OF the Saints was then sung, the re-
sponses OF Ora pro noJis,' Pray for us re-
sounding through the arches Of the grand old
The litanies being fl nj he'd, the elect knelt be-
fore the conSC orator and assistant bishops, the
BOOK OF the gospel open was placed on the
neck and shoulders o. the elect, the hands of all
tne bshops btlng laid simultaneously on their
heads, each Of them uching the head OF ne
elect with both hands, saying, at the same time
. Receive thou the Holy Gho-t." Bands of
linen Were then bound around the heads of the
elect bishops, and the consecrater, putting on
his mitre and taking of his ring and gloves
anolnted the heads OF each tEith holy oil or
chrism, making the sign OF the cross on the
crown. which was tousured. or shayen
ne bishops elect then each had a white cloth
Joining them side TO side knelt before the Arch
olshop, who anointed the palms with chrism in
the hgure OF a cross, and afterwards their en-.
are surface, saying, May those hands be
anolnted with consecrated oil and the chrism of
sanctlhcation, as Samuel anointed David. King
ana Prophet so may they be anointed and con-
A.ier the reading of the Gospel the yerv
Rev. Dr. Thomas Foley assembled the pulpit
and preached an interesting and fleeing SER
mon, ba ing his remarks on the 18th chapter of
: in M e and in you, Sc.
AT the close of the sermon the mass was pro-
ceeded with and the ceremonial OF the conse-
Grafton continued.
The book of the gospels. closed was then
delivered 10 each by the consecrator This was
followed by the newly consecrated bishops re-
ceiNlhR tue KISS OF peace from the Archbishop
ard assistant bishops. The former then pro-
ceeoed 70 the side affairs, where each proceeded
with portion OF the mass, the consecratcr.
with deacon and sub-deaoon, proceeding in like
manner al the grand altar, to the ablution and
post communion, which ends the mass The
Archbishop then, from the high stems of the
altar. gave the ponufical blessing, after which
he was seated The newly censecrated then
knelt before him and received their mitres and
croZiers, which were borne by attendants
The new bishops wearing their mitres and
each having his croZier in his left hand, then
gave the blessing 10 the congregation, and az.
terwards, attended by the assisting bishops,
passed down the main aisle TO the outer door
then returning to the sanctuary. The Te Deum
was then chanted by the priests and chsristers,
at the close OF which the ceremony closed-last-
ing over four hours. During the whole service
the immense church was densely crowded. the
aIsles being absolutely packed. NotwIthsaud
ing the heat the most intense interest was man,
ifested. the grandeur and novelty Of the scene
only excelled by the late Plenary Council,
some months ago. After unrobing, the prelafes
and clergy retired through the sacristy 10 the
archiopiscopal mansion, the orchestra perform
ing the grand march Titus" oy Mozart The
services were directed by Rev. Stanislaus
Eer-e, master Of ceremonies, assisted by Reys
u LeQuerre and L. NJ. Rincs.