The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-09-17
H0N0RS TO A DEAD SAINT.
A SOLEMN AND IMPOSING ROMhy
C1THoLIC CEREMONIAL.

The Relies OF n Virgin Martyr OF tho Second
Century Deposited in the Chapel OF n Gin.
| cinnati Convcnt-Archbishop Purcell ON
| ciates-St. Aurelinna's Bones Inca.ed in
| WhNnnd Placed Under the Altar.
nom ne Cincinnati Inquirer.
Most OF our citizens remember the endowment.
| by Mrs. Sarah Peters, OF tho Convent Of the
Franciscan Sisters Of the Poor corner OF Third md
Lytle streets and have watched with wonder iha
Growth of the institution under tho energetic con.
,Io! OF mat jealous convert to Catholicism. Few,
however, were aware yesterday afternoon of the
progress in the chapel Of the Convent OF ST.
care for so Is tho religious community known.
OF ceremonial solemn in itself and mar.
ticularly interesting from the infrequency of ia oc
curenco 10 this country. We entioned at the time
Of Mrs. Peterss recent arrival nom Europe, that
she mad, as on former OCCASION brought with her
some holy relics. 10 most people, Catholic and
non Catholic, the announcement meant merely that
We good lady had among her luggage a skeleton
more or less well authenticated as being thai Of
some one OF we many thousands on whom the
Ch9ren IA, set the seal Of sanctity by
WIN tie indomitable zeal which recently won for
her the ,pious distinction Of being tue first woman
tomb Of st. Peter and Paul, beneath ST. Peters
Church, our distinguished townswoman went down
into The cataeombs and sought one sarcOphasus
tans, upon the contents Of which to set her hear,
and with which to enrich anew her cherished cor
os Ser oI@a Sn u bones ns one Il Which The -
once proud family OF the Emperor A.,elian vic AT
the tender age Of sixteen nc....ued Virgin MARTYR
cletian,
The consent OF the authorities obtained, by what
means we know not, tile remains wero taken out
md ncased IN wax, representing go tar se could be
done b. science pnd the most exquisite art Aureana
AZ she had appeared at the moment Of death, a
beautiful maiden, with the graceful, girisi figure
and delicate outlines OF noble lineage, robed In the
beautiful but simple flowing garments OF Roman
virgin, with her eyes closed as II in repose, and
only the ghssty wound at her throat TO tell that II
Was the slumber Of those who sleep 10 the Lord
Such is the relic that Mrs Peters brought-at what
expense of care and trouble leave readers TO
imagine-all the lonr journey from Rome TO Cincin.
natl, and had placed la the Convent, connected with
which Is her own residence, for tie vencration Of
For three weeks during which the altar Of the
chapel has been prepared Tor the reception OF the
relics by the cutting out OF square tomO-ike place.
and the rontine OF same with plate glass; The Con-
vent has been daily visited BY scores OF deyout Cath
oics, who went 10 view aud venerate toe remains,
and by the skcnc1l, who went for the sake OF the
sensation and TO enjOy the artistic excellence of the
wgx'work, out yesterday afternoon the excitement
Five O'Clock was set for tic performance Of the
Ceremonial OF Translation, or FINAL deposting OF tho
relics, and long before that hour the chapel was
densey packed with people, while the services Of
the police were necessary TO keep the doorvrr
to the chapel and Convent and the neighborDg
Promptly at the appointed hour the doorways lead.
Ina from tle Convent into the chapel were thrown
open, the choir began " The Iitany OF the Saints"
and an imposing procession entered and passed
down the centre aisle. First came white yelled
noyices OF the Franciscan Sisters OF tue Poor,
bearing lighted tapers In their hands then the relics
lying upon bier OF yellow satin, the head supported
by pillows OF tho same. and borne by priests In
white SUPPLIES. Then came four francesca
Brothers In brown cassocks, ana bearing lighted
candles In their hands. Last walked the Venerable
Archbishop OF CINCINNATI with crosier aud mantle,
and iull roOcd.
The procession moved slowly down the centre
and up the left hand aisle and into the sanctury
the Sisters falling out and ranging themselves In line
In front Of the communion rail. During its progress
the congregation could scarcely contain Themselves
% as DI llle
rohes that many stood upon tue seats, and others
crowded so ino tho way that IL Was with some din.
euty that the procession moved.
When at last the bier Was set upon the table pre-.
pared for IL within the rail, the feet OF the beautiful
ngure toward the people, all were fully gratined.
The Jealous piety OF the nuns had not been salts
nOd with the simple attire In which the hsurc
Mas dressed upon is arrival and had robed 1t, as
surmounted with Grown OF glory" under 4
wreath OF white roses. A tunic OF crimson brocade
flowed loosely over u loose robe OF white MORE,
trimmed heavily with gold and silver, and having a
deep band OF bud satin 1T the bottom. The feet
were bare except for beautifully embroidered san
dals The right arm lay gracefully on the right
Of tae figure. to whicl side thu face was turned
Il a branch OF PALM ON different parts OF the drcss
bcIiGnag at the neck band. was en- btOidered Lain
senteneen auson to the beauty oftheNiftue OF enas
lily, preserved forever. The figure 1t lay would
have been exquisite had not been married blythe ugly
cash in tue throat and an appearance OF wounds on
hands and feet caused by pieces Of the bones which
were incased being set into tho white wax Tor the
better Venera,iOn OF the faithful.
provided by the Church Tor suea occasions, the Arch
bishop made u few remarks. From where re.
porter stood II difficult TO catch the prelate's
exact words. lie began by defining tue doctrine OF
the Catholic Church Ola the subject or the Commu.
MON o. Saints and sacredness OF the tObetesurTect
ed body indicated in tie Apostles Creed Owing
TO this It that tie bodies OF tho saints had bceu
Teyered IN all ages.
Tie body OF Aureana had been made sacred by
the same means as were those OF lis bearers being
the pient OF the body and blood OF Christ and II
the Ark Of the Covenant OF old had been SO sacred
that disrespect to II was terribly punished, how
much more sacred must be the body which had cvu-
tanned Christ Himeeltr There was u saercdness IN
AL religious things Which no man may violate.
The Archbishop pictured Aureliana's life as 10
must have been Ia the catacOmbs, when. over six.
teen hundred years ago. she nad been driven there
with countless other Christians by the cruel eGict OF
Diocetian against gll who called on the name of
Christ lie told vi her defiance OF the tyrant,
young and tender as she was and OF her cruel DEATH
and hnaly exhOrted his hearers TO ask her mediation
with Cod that they might learn patience under suI-
ferng, and faith even TO cruel death, from her ex.
ample.
At the close OF the briet sermon, the relics wero
taken TO eGd OF Tho altar aud paced In The pre-
pared receptacle, the action bearing striking re-
seniblance to that by which q coma Is placed in
slass.sided hearse,
The bottle Of blood, found In the slrcophasus,
was placed In sealed golden vase at the foot OF
figure
Tue ceremony closed with solemn benediction OF
tae blessed Sacrament.