The New York herald., 1869-05-24
IMPOSING RELIGIOUS CEREMONIAL At TROY.
Ordination Services at the Provincial Theo.
logical Seminary Of st. Joseph.
<srRoY NAV % 1862

Ordination Services at the Provincial Theo.
logical Seminary Of st. Joseph.
~TRoY, May %, 1soo
The customary semi-annual ordinations at the
Provincial Theological Seminary Of st. Joseph, In
this city held in the chapel Of that institution, have
just taken place. The celebrant was the Most Rev.
John McCloskey, DID,, Archbishop Of the province
OF New York, assisted by his Secretary, the
Rev. Francis McNierny, the very reverend and
reverend professors Of the seminary, and vast
number of clergy. The tonsure was administered
to twenty six young seurtnarsts at an early hour
yesterday morning. ronsure, though not appropri-
ately styled an order, confers its recipient the
title and privileges OF q cleric consideration OF
which he renounces the world, its pleasures and
alurements dedicates himself entirely to the service
OF Cod, andlthereby chooses heaven as his priceless
Inheritance. This morning minor orders, sub-dea-
conship deaconship, and the sacred order OF priest
hood were conferred upon a very large number OF
candidates. short resume OF these orders may not
be uninteresting 20 your readers.
Minor form the second stepping stone to the
priesthood and their reception Is the acquisition OF
the fourfold ONCE and power or acoyte, exorcst,
ec,or @ ana I re % "a 20 bs, pe ~ s"
deaconship. 10 differs from the preceding ana as
Stimulates to the two succeeding orders, inasnuch as
II Is denominated sacred. Hitherto the young eccle-
siastic Is bound by no solemn or irrevocable vow;
he Is as yet free and master OF his own choice;
but once he advances to sub-deaconship. be-
comes the possessor OF Its powers and the enunciator
OF It's VOWS he loses that former liberty; he has
taken step which cannot be recalled and has made
himself the subject OF vows which must remain In
violate and perpetual. That dedication to the SER
vice OF God rendered implicitly by him in tonsure,
now becomes absolute; that choice OF heaven as an
inheritance Is made the elimination OF his
future desires. Sub-deaconship IL followed by
deasonshiP which ACCORDING g. 70 the tensts ne Oh & ,ne
ment. In virtue or which an indelibe character 10
impressed the soul OF him who receives II.
Through the imposition or hands made by the
oiciatin0 bishop In comforting it bestowed upon
the candidate the gftsof the Holy Ghost, that he may
be strengthened fulfil holly and fearessy its alot
ted functions These functions are those OF assisting
In the ceremonies of the eucharistc sacrifice, baps
ing and preaching Lastly comes the sacred order
OF priesthood, whihh Is at once the complement and
supplement OF all the others, the embodiment OF
sanctity, power and importance tnat sublime voca-
ton towards which, heretofore. the mind or the
aspirant has been humbly aud TREMENDOUSLY uplifed.
BY imposition OF hands and the sacred, neverallng
promise OF Christ, is erected In advancement to
gifts OF the Holy Ghost and the delegation or power
10 otter sacrifice. to remit sins and to administer
The ceremonies OF the ordination Of priests were
the most imposing features OF tue service this morn
ing, The prelate first lays hands upon the head OF
hun who Is TO become priest; all the priests present
did the same In succession. Clad In stoes and with
sa s %as neS ss
quaint but rich vestments proper TO his order his
hands were consecrated with oil, the whole ASSEM-
IN o hymn, compared TO the effect OF which
the most elaborate modern music seems
chalice and an unconsecrated host he rises priest
forever, according to the new law OF Christ From
tlis moment the priests thus ordained joined with
the venerable Archbishop In celebrating the rest Of
the mass OF which thus far, only the least portion
had been said
Towards It's close-that is after the communion.
OF which all are Obliged TO partake and which sup
piles most touching pcture-the prelate once again
imposed hands on the new priests, praying that the
Holy Ghost may descend and confer on them the
power OF rsmitting sins. Finally ON their knees,
tney successiyely promised obedience and rever.
ence, and the Archbishop IN return gave In
Eastern fashion to each the kiss OF peace.
Az the conclusion OF this solemn ceremonial the
Te De,n that grand hymn, famiiar to all Christen-
dom for 50 many centuries was chanted In grand
chorus OF praise and thanksgiving. The music sung
during the long service was well rendered but It
was In this hymn that the musical talents OF the
seminarisns were dlstingushable for eyery soul
was moved by the eject and made conscious OF the
influence and power OF plain chant, for which our
modern music " but tame substitute
The Seminary building majestic In ts appearance
and commanding In is situation, is one OF tue finest
In this country. Having been In existence only i've
years, st. yoseph's has acquired celebrity that
makes IL the Maynooth OF America, ana II IA stand
ing evidence OF the rise progress and power OF the
Catholic Churcn IN this country.