The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-12-29
RELIGIOUS SERVICES /

OATHEDRAL.-YeSt eSterdaY the diocese oil
Virginia, West Virginia, and the Vicarate
of North Carolina, was dedicated to the
Sacred Heart OF Jesus, at st. Peters Ca
thedral, with ceremonies of unusual solem-
nifty and impressiveness. Pontifical
High Mass was celebrated by the Right
Rev. Bishop Gibbons. assisted by the
priests attached to the Cathedral and 9th.
ers of the diocese. The Cathedral was
crowded to its utmost, many of those
present, however, being nom Catholics, but
drawn thither by feelings of interest aud
perhaps sympathy. The solemn ceremo-
MES OF the Mass were made additionally
impressive by the efforts of the choir in
the rendering of Mozart's Twelfth Mass, in
which they were assisted by Kessnich's
orchestra and brass band. The sermon
was delivered by the Right Rev. Bishop
Gross, of Savannah, Georgia. We forbear
attempting to make any report of the elo-
quent discourse, but the Rev. Bishop
elaborately explained the motives which
govern the Catholic Church in propagating
the pious and salutary work of devotion to
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was the
object sought by the act Of conservation
made yesterday. There was glowing fer
yer throughout in the Rev. Bishops LAM
guage which claimed the strict attention Of
his hearers. Immediately after Mass bene-
diction of the blessed sacrament was given,
during which the solemn Act of Consecra-
ton was made, the congregation all kneel-
ing while the following printed formula of
the act was being repeated aloud: grT
30 Most amiable and adorable Heart of
Jesus! o Heart infinitely compassionate
and merciful! Our refuge in all dangers,
our hope in all trials, our comfort and
consolation in all sorrows! Behold US
PROSTATE before Thee, 10 implore Thy
mercy, to claim Thy protection. and to
offer ourselves entirely to Thee! Thou
seest the dangers that surround us, the
storms by which we are assailed. The
powers of darkness have arisen against
Thy Holy Church, and against Thy un-
worthy but devoted servants. They have
laid waste Thy inheritance, they have
overturned Thy Affairs, they have perse-
cuted those who love and honor Thy
Sacred Name. They glory ID the evil
which they have done and vainly boast
that they have triumphed over Thee and
Thy Holy Church, and they have striyen
to destroy Thy worship from the face
of the earth. But Thou art Almighty, and
who shall resist Thee? Thou wilt arise in
Thy power, and Thy enemies shall perish
from before Thy face. Thou wilt command
the winds and the waves, and there shall
be great calm. Animated with this con-
fdence in Thy power and in Thy love, 0
Divine Heart, we present our supplcation
of this day of Solemn Conservation to
Thee. Deign to receive our offering, un-
worthy as it is, and grant our prayer for
the Church, and for Thy devoted children
who now solemnly dedicate themselves to
Thy honor. o Merciful Jesus ever ready
to admit us into the sacred and secure
asylum of Thy Sacred Heart. we, Thy un-
worthy but loving servants, wishing to give
Thee a proof Of our devotion, and to
receive from Thee the assistance
and protection which in these ca
lamitous times we need, for Thv Holy
Church, for the Apostolic See, and for our
ourselves, do, on this day, publicly and
solemnly consecrate ourselves entirely to
Thee; our lives and our labors, our
thoughts, words, actions and sufferings.
We pledge ourselves to Thee as Thy de-
voted servants forever. We consecrate to
Thee our Churches, our Missions, our
Congregations, and all those for whose
spiritual good we labor in Thy service
that Thy spirit may reign over them, Thy
loye sustain them, Thy grace sanctify
them, and make them at all times pleasing
in Thy sight. o Sweet and Adorable
Heart of Jesusl accept this holocaust
which we offer; consume it with the
flame of Thy Divine love, that 1t may as
cend before Thee in the odor of sweetness,
and that, united with Thy infinite
merits, it may bring down upon
us, upon Thy Holy Church, upon our Holy
Father the Pope, and upon all the mem
bers of our Congregations, missions,
schools, religious houses, and institutions
of charity, the abundance of Thy bles-
sings, the heavenly shower of Thy
graces, the rich treasures which Thou
hast promised to those who love and
honor Thee. Defend us, O Lord, Thy
with the shield of Thy protec-
ton, guard us against the malice of the
wicked, who hate Thy Church, because
it is Thine, and who persecute US, be-
cause we love and adore ThX Sacred
Heart, and defend the honor of Thy
Most Holy Name. Let us find in Thee
our refuge, our consolation, our hope.
Be Thou, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, our
support in life, our confidence in death,
our perfect and eternal happiness in
Heaven. Amen" q