The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-09
Religious Celebrat ion mt Melrose.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD =
The celebration OF the feast of "C0rpus Christi,r
which had been postponed, owing to the inclemency
OF the weather, took place last sunday with great
pomp at the Church of the Immaculate Conception
(German), Rev. Joseph Stumpe, pastor, at Melrose.
To say that the ceremonies were solemn and i'm
posing would be to give very faint idea ofhe grand
and magnificent services that solemnized the great
feast. At four O'Clock in the morning the cannons
fired and the chimes pealed forth their melody
in acknowledgment that on that day the feast OF
Corpus Christi would BIO honored by impos-
ing services followed by procession Of
the Most Blessed Sacrament through the streets
and avenues of Melrose. BY two O'Clock p M.
vast assemblage OF people had come together, and
a few moments afterward the music band, accom-
panied by the Aloysus Young Mems Society, of
Melrose, with banners and the st. Jerome Temper
ance Society, of Mott Haven, arrived, and took
their respective places In the line awaiting the sig
nal to move. As three P. M. a solemn vespers was
chanted by the choir of the church, Rev. Father
thinner officiating as ceebrant Rev. Father Rosen-
bauer, OF the Redemptorists, deacon, and Rev.
Father Duranquet, OF the Jesuits, sub-deacon,
Rev. John Kelly being master Of ceremonies
Among the many priests who assisted were noticed
Rev. Fathers Pendregast Callaghan, Bonner, Father
Taylor, OF Wilmington, Del, and Rev. Dr. Lovejoy,
OF St. Stephens, New York. During vespers Rev.
John Hughes, OF Mott Haven, delivered an eloquent
sermon to the multitude outside, who, owing to the
overcrowded condition OF the church, were unable
to gain admission. 1t Is estimated that at least ten
thousand persons took part In the services. YES
pers being finished Father thinner pronounced the
benediction Of the Blessed Sacrament, after
which the procession moved towards the
first altar, built on the road. First in line was
Rev. Charles Williams, bearing the professional
Cross, accompanied on either side by an acoyte,
each bearing lighted taper; then followed the
young ladies' societies, numbering about eight hun
dred persons; then the young mems societies,
equally strong; then the different mems socie-
ties OF Melrose. ST. Jerome Temperance Society OF
Mott Haven; the music band, the acolytes number
ing about one hundred EACH bearing lighted tapers
and ringing small bells; the choir, assisted BY
quartet; about five hundred small girls, strewing
flowers; gong, which was rung by the mas
ter OF ceremonies to notify the people that
the Corpus Christi was approaching; the
priests, the celebrant, carrying the Most
gentlemen of the congregation, with gentlemen
whole surrounded by companies OF the Melrose
ing were exhibited along the line OF the procession.
The houses were all decorated with holy pictures,
trees and In some cases affairs were erected the
piazzas. The procession stopped at each altar Rev.
Joseph Stumpe giving the solemn benedcton,
which was preceded In each case by the firing OF
voey OF muskets. After marching about one mile
the procession returned and entered the church.
The Blessed Sacrament was then replaced In the
tabernacle, few prayers were recited after which
the congregation quietly dispersed. L.