The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-11
Imposing and Interesting Cere-
monies at the Cathedral.
SERMON BY BISHOP LOUGHLIN
The Musical Services-.-MO2artS Grand Mass
and the CrcgOrian Chant.
The Procession to the
Tomb.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS.

SCENES AND INCIDENTS.
With all the beautiful rites and ceremonies with
which the Roman Catholic Church attends its de-
parted chosen ones to the tomb; amid all the en-
blems OF o lively faith accompanied by the solemn
strains and plaintive chants Of choristers and
clergy and the tears and signs of sorrowing thou
sandss surrounded by clouds from holy incense and
followed by mourning thr0ng, all that was mortal
OF the late Vicar General STAIRS was yesterday laid
away to rest In the vault beneath st. Patrck's Ca
thedral. From an early hour In the morning the
Cathedral was surrounded by hundreds OF those
who had known the worthy Vicar In his lifetime;
who had experienced his kindly care, had listened
to his admonitions, had proAted by his teachings
and examples and had learned rom many causes
TO admire and love and honor the man and the
priest in him, and by many others who had only
known Of him and Of his goodness from some Of the
thousands whe knew him wen and blessed
HIM from their hearts, When at length the church
doors were opened all present fled in, and, al
though each was anxious to obtain q position from
which full view OF the ceremonies could be OBJ
tanned, there was no confusion as all seemed to
feel and appreciate that they were not only in the
house Of G0d hut also In the presence Of the dead
THE DECORATIONS
were very appropriate. The massive columns
which support the roof were covered with alter
nate strips Of black and white Grape, which hung
from the capitals to the moor; the front OF the organ
LOFT and pulpit were covered with heavy black
CLOTH caught up in festoons by handsome rosettes
and lringed with white bulion from final to final
OF the miniature spires behind the altar were fes-
tOOns OF rich, black Grape, and the candelabra on
the altar and also the gas fixtures in and near the
sanctuary were covered with the same material.
The body Of
THE cATAFALQUE,
which stood in the main isle, near the sanctuary
steps, was covered with pail Of heavy black
velvet which fell to the floor and was fringed at top
and bottom with silver bullion. From each OF the
four corners rose an upright, covered with pleat-
ings Of alternate black and white cloth, and from
these uprights sprung double curved arms, con-
verging under a small circular canopy, supporting
an egg-shaped globe and Q final Cross The con.
verging arms were covered with pufhngs Of black
Grape, the puffs held In position by silver oak
leaves; the globe was ornamented with silver
tongues pointed upwards and the final cross,
covered with velvet, was adorned with continuous
binding OF silver oak leaves and studded with
silver nails The platform Of the catafalque formed
an inclined plane which rested the casket
holding the remains of the honored dead, the head
toward the sanctuary and so elevated that from
all parts Of the edifce full view Of the face of the
deceased could be obtained. Tie body was robed
In full canonicals Of purple velvet. on the casKet
were strewn punches aud bouquets Of flowers,
while all around 1t were nOwers sweet and rare,
formed into crosses, anchors, harps, wreaths,
crowns and columns.
The expression OH the face OF the deceased was
quite natural, and he seemed to be meditatively
contemplating the immense congregation, which
dlled every nook and corner Of the sacred edihce.
THE CEREMONIES
commenced precisely at ten O'Clock, by which time
the pcws and asles were crowded to repletion. A
procession was formed in the sacristy ana entered
the sanctuary rom the south side. The mas
tors OF ceremonies came frst followed by
some twenty acolytes in black cassocks
and white surpnces; then followed the
clergy of this and the adjoining dioceses to the
number OF one hundred or more. They entered the
Sciore the tabernace Ged to either SIDE ousds
Of the sanctuary rails into the pews and seats re-
served tor them tn%se were Ey
Sweeney; Rev. Fathers Mclean, Mccarthy,
Malone. Clowrey Flynn, Canary. Donnelly, Mooney,
Barry, Of staten Island; barry, Of st. Coiumbs's;
Aoriarty, Dealy, Daubrlese, Duranquct, Larkin,
a 81 oe s oo sy CT
Father Klileen, Of Newark Woods Of Westches
ter; McEyoy. brennan, Mcclure, farreily, o. 81
6yInsn 'Ribsa the 6dsf of f DS
When all had been seated the Kev. fathers
McGean and Canary, as principal chanters, com
%snGed the s for the dead all the
with those on the left Of the sanctuary in reciting
every other verse. At the conclusion Of this Office
the dead the door at the right Of the sanctuary
opened, and the procession, composed OF q large
number Of additional clergy, followed by those wine
Kearney and Farrelly, master OF ceremonies and
assistant; Rev. Fathers McNamee and Kane, re-
anna Oh
Rev. Father Preston, assistant priest, and finally.
the Most Rev. Archbishop McCioskey, with mitre Of
heavily embroidered with gold: On arriving at the
middle Of the altar, the Archbishop In the centre,
al Kne'' anu rur ~.ss
was commenced. AT the same moment the en- tire
chorus opened WITH the KyTe rn rem Mo siass
Composition and nnely rendered. AT the conclusion
of this 'Kyrie0 Rev. Father Kane reclted the
ins tones Of the "Dies irsS During the singing
Of the "Dies lr@" and the Tuba Mirum".the
uted among the clergy and lighted, preparatory to
the reading OF the Gospel ut which all present rose
deacon Father McNamee mad Concluded the chant mt
ing of the Gospel, when the candles were extn-
gIsned and al again were seated The Arch
collects and prayers, AFTER which he approached the
altar, the choir meanw nile singing, In fun chorus
the 'Lachrymosa." At the oflertory O beautiful
baritone solo, "Domine Jesu Christi, - was given by
Mr.. SoRst. The candles were reliChted, and when
the sweet, tender tones OF the Archbishop COM
nenced the preface, all rose to their feet and re-
manned standing until the "Sanctus" was reached.
All then knelt, and the choir In thunder tones
but as II In one voice, gave out the Sanctus" and
Il commenced, as II the onward march Of melody
were arrested by the solemnity Of
THE ELEVATION.
A. the venerable officiating prelate Bonded his
knee, the gong In the sanctuary was struck by an
acolytc, and all within that sacred edince bowed
their heads. Even those who were not members
Of the Catholic faith seemed overcome by the i'm
pressiveness OF the moment.
The scene at this time was peculiarly imposing
The sable drapings Of the church; the hundreds OF
brilliant lighted tapers; the rich vestments OF the