The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-08-23
BISHOPS BECKER AND GIBBONS.

| We copy as follows from the corrcspon-
dence of the New York Herald, dated Bal
timore, 10th inst:
To-day the Right Rev. Thomas 4. Becker,
I'D, and Right Rev. James Gibbons, DID,,
We're solemnly consecrated bishops of the
Roman Catholic Church, in presence of IL
vast congregation. Long before the hour
announced tor the commencement of the
proceedings the spacious cathedral was
densely crowded in every part, SO much SO,
indeed, that standing room could scarcely
be obtained, while at the doors and around
the building an immense congregation as
sembled. The ceremonies, which began at
ten o'clock, were performed with ali the i'm
pressive grandeur characteristic of the
Church, and the occasion was rendered
even more than usually august from the
fact that there were two candidates to whom
the great power of episcopacy was to be-
communicated.
The Right Rev. DR.. Becker formerly be-
longing to the cathedral of Richmond, and
the Right Rev. DR.. Gibbons, the late
secretary to the Archbishop of this city, the
Most Rev. NJ. j. Spalding, who otiieiated
as consecrating prclatc. At ten O'Clock the
grand procession proceeded from the west
door of the Archbishop's residence, passing
round the south side of the cathedral within
the enclosure, and entered the sacred eHi-
flee bv the main door. 1t was u splendid
spectacle and was rendered additionally
imposing by all the surrounding circunl-.
stances. Sweet strains rose .alott,sn yrads
of lights illuminated the grand altar,
shining brightly on the many works of art
within their rays, the vast multitude knclt
in silence and the procession moved slowly
up the aislcs. First came the acolyteS, then
students from the seminary, arrayed in APP
propriatc costume, next the clergymcn who
were to assist at the proceedings, and lastly
the dignitarics Of the Church with the two
bishops.
The assistant bishops to the right of Rev.
Dr. Gibbons were the Right Rev. Bishop of
Wheeling and Rev. DIR. McGill, Bishop of
Richmond, and the assistant bishops to the
right of the Rev. Dr. Becker were the Right
Rev. Drs Lynch, Bishop of Charleston, and
Domcnec, Bishop of Pittsburg. The office
of first deacon of honor was performed by
the Rev. Thomas Foley, and that of the
cond deacon of honor by the Rev. Francis
McNierny, of New York. Rev. l.. L. Dennis
was the officiating deacon and Rev. III. NJ.
Chaplin officiating sub-deaeon. Rev. $.
Fcrte first master of ceremonies, and
| assisted in the various duties by the Rev.
w. Lcguerre and Rev. l.. NJ. Rince. The
other bishops present were the Right Rev.
Drs. Baylcy, Bishop of Newark, \. j.;
O'IIara, Bishop of Scranton, and Bishop
Shanahan, of Harrisburg.
Arrived at the altar rails, the procession
lists filed Oft on either side, and the conse-
| Grating prelate and attendants proceeded
with the imposing ceremony. The two
senior assistants having presented the elect
to the consecrator, the apostolic commission
was then called for and read and the oath
taken on Bonded knees, after which the
other sacred rites were performed. De-
scriptiOn conveys but a faint idea of the
solemnity of the occasion or the general
routine invariably gone through. The pros
tratiOn of the bishops elect on the floor of
the sanctuary was very impressive. Their
subsequent examination as to their duties