The New York herald., 1873-12-26
ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.


Mt the Grand Pontidcai High Mass
The Archbishop NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Decorations and Excellent Music-Ser-
mon by the Very Rev. Vicar General
Quin.
The great and universally honorei festival OF
Christmas was celebrated yesterday in st.
Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral at halfpast
ten O'Clock by ceremonies OF most digni-
fed, attractive and interesting character. The
affairs beautifully decorated for the OCCASION
being embeished with richly-gilded ornaments
and studded with hundreds or burning lights.
Around the sanctuary were suspended small but
neatly y-woven wreaths OF evergreens emblematic OF
the day. At the back Of the high altar immedl-
ately above the tabernacle was beautiful piece
OF tinseled workmanship representing the " Ris-
ing SUM-" Large bouquets Of rich natural nowers
rested each altar table, and the can
delabra were elegantly enamelled by every
variety OF ornamentaton; In fine, the interior OF
the whole edifce presented an aspect OF modest
grandeur more magnificent than Is won't TO be
noticed on other great festivals. Every available
seat in the church was occupied when the clergy
men entered the sanctuary for the celebration OF
the
'GRAND PoNTIFIcAL HIGH MASS"
The following was the order observed duriug the
ceremonies The Most Rev. Archbishop McCloskey
acted as celebrant. The Very Rev. Vicar General
Quin. assistant celebrant. The Rev. Fathers Kane
and Mcdonald, deacons OF honor. The Rev. Father
Salter deacon, and Rev. MIR. Reardon, sub-deacon.
Rev. Father Kearney. master OF ceremonies, and
Rev. John +. Farrelly, assistant master OF cere-
monies. There were also present in the sanctuary
spectively as Dook-bearer, candle-bearer, crozier
bearer and mitre-bearer to the most reverend
Archbishop. The richly embroidered vestments OF
the officiating clergymen and the many-coored
cassocKs and surpliceS OF the acOlytes added much
TO the beauty OF the ceremonies throughout the
entire celebration and gave noticeable tone OF
impressveness to the religious scene.
The grand high mass, selected for the occasion
by the distinguished organiss' professor Gustayus ~
throughout with all that spirit and feeling which
sacred music inspires and in a manner easier TO be
choir, which was under the direction OF Professor
Henry Schmitz, consisted OF full chorus OF 40.
tinguished solo singers. viz. Miss Sullivan,
soprano; Miss Ballard, alto; Mr. Bersin, tenor;
After M ae Me was 6y the most
reverend Archbishop the choir sung the "Kyrien
with delightful erect NJ Next ids followed the
composition OF its music admitted of
the most excellent rendering by solos, quartets ana
the full chorus at intervals. The "Credo,n which
is exceedingly long in composition, and also
consequence long in its musical rendition, was
made especially pleasing by the distinct pronun-
Before the sermon the "Veni Creator" soprano
solo, was exceilently rendered BY Miss sullivan.
AT the elevation "Ecce Panis' was played by the
organist with French horn accompaniment by
Mr.. Henry Schmitz. and sung by Mrs. Grosz with
Lastly, the ''Agnus Dei,n an admirable solo, was
sung by Miss Ballard in a very praiseworthy man.
great praise ana merit for the Splendid least Of
music which they gave the congregation yester-
' for their wonderful abilities displayea IN the rem
dition OF the music.
ofyesterday at the Cathedral was preached by tAe
Very Rev. Vicar General Quin alter the conclusiap
OF the first Gospel. The very reverend preacher
first introduced his subject by alluding to
the importance, significance and glory OF the
festival OF Christmas and the obvious necessity
and sense OF celebrating 1t with becoming dignity
and reverence. He then called the attention OF
his hearers to the great mystery OF the ''incarna
tion.n tne nature Own OF whicn ne endeaVored 70 ex-
the fall OF Adam by disobedience OF the divine man
date. and explained the promise OF God which was
the seed OF the woman saviour should
be born who would crush the head OF
justice OF God Tne patrlarchs AbIaham Isaac and
Jacob had been told OF the promised Messiah, and
tine tradsions 9l nations supportea tnas promise
Isaiah and Daniel foretod 1t to the people Of Israel
In their prophecies and mentioned even the speci-
fed time at which the saviour would be born, and
told them that HIS name would be Emmanuel,
which meant God is with thee. The evangeists,
who were the disciples OF our Lord after His CON-
ing upon EARTH and who were most closely con-
nected In this relationship with HIM, also wrote OF
formed. All this went 10 prove, the very rev.
erend preacher said, that We celebrated the
niversary OF the birth OF the Son OF God as
q fact which was in itself incontrovertible
and which was acknowledged as such by the uni
versal world. He then described the circumstances
OF the Saviours BIRTH in lowliness and poverty in
Bethlehem oil Judea, and specified the great mys-
terry OF the Incarnation OF the Son OF God as the
foundation stone or the Christian religion. He
lastly advised his congregation to go in spirit 10
the OF our Lords nativity, and present there
with the three shepherds the homage and offerings
OF their hearts and souls in faith and love TO the
infant Jesus, the King OF kings, their Saviour,
their Redeemer and their Judge.
Alter concluding his very eloquent discourse
Very Rev. Vicar General Quinn said that the
collections at all the masses were TO be given for
the support OF 1,400 orphans, and appealed to the
generosity OF the congregation. The splendid and
impressive ceremonies were finally brought 10
close by the administration OF the Papal benedic-
tion by the Most Rev. Archbishop McCloskey.