Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-01
Conseeration of Calvary Cemetery.

01GBy Ol our ICdOSlb d1CsaNJ
hat the Catholics of this city and vicinity
'ecently purchased a piece of ground adj
dining Mount Olivet for cemetery, for
which they paid a. goodly sum, being
to have the most eligible site
hat could be obtained, whatever the cost.
The committee having charge Of the work
went to work well, and succeeded in laying
out the grounds, and placing around them
a handsome and substantial fence, and
Sunday last was appointed for the conse-
Grafton.
A more beautiful day could not have
been desired for the occasion; the sun
shone brightly, and the air was sufficiently
bracing to render the marching pleasant.
The post band had been engaged for the
occasion, and all parties concerned met at
the cathedral at one o'clock precise
ly. The procession was formed in
q few minutes, and moved down
Cedar street to the Square, a body
of police leading, followed by the
band. Next came four carriages, contain
ing the Right Rev. P. A. Feehan, Bishop
of the Diocese; Very Rev. j. t. Jarboe,
V. G.; Rev. NJ. Mesgher, Rev. P. F. Coyle,
and Rev. w. J. Rives; the members OF
the church choir, and six acolytes. The
members of the Society of ST. Vincent de
Paul followed, on foot, the President, Mr..
P. Olwill, leading. This society was fol-
lowed by St. Joseph's Total Abstinence
Society, NJ. Kerrigan, Chris. Powers and
Jerry Buckley, acting as marshals. About
one hundred girls-"Children of Mary"
and "Angel Guardians'-followed in car.
riages, and behind them followed citizens
generally, in carriages. The entire process
sion was nearly a mile in length, and con-
tanned large number of vehicles-the
Press and Times says "fully one hundred
and fifty" The rOutefollowed was through
Market street to Lindsey Avenue, thence
along the Lebanon pike to the ground
about three miles from the Square.
A handsome gateway has been erected by
Mr.. Sexton, through which the procession
passed to an elevated spot some sixty
yards from the entrance, where a tempo
rary platform had been prepared for the
Bishop and clergy. Around the platform
all the people (variously estimated from
two to three thousand) assembled, the
children. being nearest the stand. The
Bishop then delivered a very interesting
and touching address, appropriate for the
occasion, which was listened TO with great
attention, and drew tears from many an
eye. ...
Fine crosses had been erected on the
ground, forming themselves a cross-one
in the middle, and one at each of the four
cardinal points-east, west, north and
south. After the address, the Bishop, with
stole, cape and nlilre, accompanied by the
priests, and preceded by the Rev. P. F.
Coyle and the acolytes, proceeded to the
middle cross, the choir and the children
following in procession; where, after pray
ing that God would bless, ssnctify, and
consecrate this cemetery, etc, the htsnies
were recited kneeling, whilst the choir
sang them. They then made the circuit
of the cemetery, sprinkIing it with holy
water, the attendants recjting the MiSerere.
Arrived at the first cross, the bishop re-
cited the prayer, prescribed in the ritual,
incensed the cross and placed thereon
three lighted candles-one on the top and
one on each arm-to signify that the
lively faith of the Christian in the holy
mysteries of the Trinity and the redemp-
ton of mankind by the cross, constituted
our hope in a glorious resurrection. The
bishop then proceeded to the other crosses
in turn, reciting the prescribed psalms
and prayers, and performing the same
ceremonies at each of the four crosses
erected at the cardinal points. The bishop
next proceeded to the middle cross, where
he read the prescribed prayer, prefaces,
etc, and then gave his solemn benediction
10 the assembled multitude.
During all this ceremony the choir and
the girls sang alternately, the former led
by Mr.. and Mrs. Beauman, and the latter
BY Misses Maggie Farrell and Annie PEN
dergast.
4 few words as to the origin Of this GER
emory may not be amiss. All Catholics
believe that our Divine Redeemer, in as
Stunning human body and soul, made hu,
mainly a partaker Of the Divine nature,
thereby elevatipg it to supernatural dig
nifty. Catholics become incorporated with
this deifed humanity, by the reception Of
the Holy Eucharist, and hence the rever-
ence paid, after death, to the bodies Of the
faithful, who have been thus incorporated
with Christ in life; their remains can only
be appropriately consigned to earth that
has been blessed, sanctided and consecrated
for that purpose, where naught can distarb
or NEEDLE with their sacred dust until the
angel calls TO Judgment. This feeling we
see expressed in the most fOrcible mannerin
Rome, in the very first days of Christianity
when the Christians esgerly sought for, and
exposed themselves 10 the most imminent
danger TO procure the bodies Of the martyrs
TO enter them in the catacombs, where, at
least, they would be safe from Pagan pro-
fanalion, and no sooner did persecution
cease, than We find The sacred places over,
Swallowed by the temples cousecrited to
God eagerly sought for as resting places
for the dead. The difficulty of finding
places spacious enough around the temple
for the interment of the dead 10 large cities
aud towns, and sanitary reasons likewise
compel the selection Of places set apart iol
that purpose and these places thus selected,
blessed, sanclifed and consecrated, receive
the blessed remains Of the faithful, and
preserve them to the DAY of the general
resurrection when, 10 the words of the
ritual, free from the bonds of sin, returned
to eternal felicity and numbered amongst
the assembly Of the Saints, they may ind
their kiad and mercifdl Lord, who is eter
nal life, aud exultingly praise Him, the
| Author of life with all His holy ones, for
ever"
Now, a word or Two as TO the societies
which participated in this grand process
sion. The St. Vincent de Paul is purely
charitable society, organized nearly three
years ago, and presided over by Mr.. P,