The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-28
A New Bishop for the Diocese
of Savannah.
The Youngest Catholic Prelate in
America.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER
Large Concourse Of Clergy and Laity on
the Occasion.


Rev. Williom II. Gross, q priest OF the order OF
the Most Holy Redeemer was today consecrated
Bishop OF Savannah in St. Peters Cathedral, in
the presence OF the Archbishop, nearly all the
bishops OF the province OF Baltimore The clergy OF
the archdiocese and congregation which crowded
the sacred edi1ce 10 its utmost capacity
THE NEW PRELATE
was born in this city the 18th Of June 1887 and
ID probably the youngest bishop in the United
States. His preparatory studies were made in st.
Charles College, the Petit Seminary Of st. Sur
plice, at Ellicott's Mills In 1887 he entered
the noyitiate Of the Redemptorjsts, at Annapolis.
made his profession OF religion in this order on the
4th day Of April 1858, was ordained by Archbishop
kenrick, March q, 1862 so that to-day after little
over ten years. LABOR as devout and Jealous
priest, he is elevated to the high honor Of Bishop
before he has attained his thirty-sixth year. From
the time of his ordination down to the present day
he has been one OF the most ndefatigable laborers
In the vineyard Of the Lord. He has travelled over
the whole country and his eloquent voice has been
heard in nearly every Catholic church in the South
and West. His success in this field attracted the
attention OF Pope Plus the IX and last month the
Papal Bull appointing him Bishop was received
BY him while in charge of the Church OF
Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Boston,
although the announcement OF both his and Father
HERALD early in February, q month before the
sflclal papers were received. About two weeks
AGO Father Gross came to Baltimore and went to
St. Aphonsus' church, where he has been prepar
lag to enter upon his new station by spiritual re-
treat, and which terminated yesterday
THE DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH
Bishop Gross Is the fifth Bishop of Savannah.
The first bishop OF this newly established see was
Right Rev. Francis Xavier Gaitland, D. D., who was
cOnsecrated on the 10th OF November, 1850,
and died on the Goth OF September, 1854.
His successor, Right Rev. John Barry, D. D.,
received conservation August 2, 1857, and
died of the yellow fever, November q, 1850. Right
Rev. Augustine verot, D. D., was consecrated
Vicar Apostolic Of Florida April Is, 1885, trans
TERED to Savannah in july 1851, and retranserred
to st. Augustine, Fla March II, 1870. The fourth
bishop, Right Rev. Ignatius Persico, D. D., was
consecrated Bishop OF Gratianapolis, in parttous
June A. 1854; transferred to this diocese March II,
1870, and resigned on account Of i'll health the
latter part Of last year. To-day he oliciated for
the last time, and preached his farewell sermon at
the Cathedral OF St. John in Savannah.
Baltimore, the
OLDEST CATHOLIC SEE IN THE UNITED STATES,
has witnessed many interesting scenes IN the prog
ress OF the Catholic Church in this country. Sixty
three years ago Bishop Carol was the only Catho-
Tic preate in the United States. In 1910 the solemn
ceremony witnessed to-day was performed for the
first time. 1t is coincidence that the Catholic
Church of the United states, which for two centu-
ries in the midst Of the greatest distractions had
been upheld by the fervent zeal OF It's missionaries,
received after the Revolution such rapid increase
that the Holy See in 1885, the beginning OF ad-
ministration Of Presidents, thought 1t advisable,
instead Of apostolic Wears, to appoint q per-
mo for
the whole United States. In 1903 it was
erected into a metropolis, and in 1910
the first Bishop Of Boston, Right Rev. John Che
venus; Of Philadelphia, Right Rev. John Eagan,
and for Bardstown Right Rev. B. ]. Flaget. were
cOnsecrated in this city. Right Rev. DR.. Luke
Concannon had been appointed for the new see Of
New York. but died at Naples when on the point OF
embarking for the United States. The memories
which cluster about the old Cathedral, revived on
such occasion as to-day gladdened the hearts Of
the clergy and laity Of this venerable see. Within
q few years children Of the mother Of provinces
and dioceses have been consecrated bishops.
One, Bishop Foley, now in Chicago;
other, Bishop Gbbon, Of Richmond were
both natives OF Baltimore and priests
OF this very Cathedral Now third son is conse-
Grated, whose promotion is TO be considered less
as a reward for his apostocal virtues than as
common blessing upon the flock committed to his
care. The
INTERIOR OF THE CATHEDRAL
to-day was Q scene OF floral beauty. The grand
altar and the side affairs were burdened with the
choicest exotics, perfuming the sanctuary and
breathing the sweet incense Of Spring throughout
the vast auditorium. Hundreds OF candles shed
mellow light over the exquisite bouquets and gar
lands OF flowers adjoining the affairs, and even the
sOmbre marble seemed " arm with the spirit of Joy
and glacness. The usual arrangements had been
made for the accommodation OF the bishops and
ciergy-the former occupying seats on the dais
erected on either side Of the sanctuary, while the
latter had seats parallel with the communion rail-
ing. The scholastcs from the Seminary were pro-
yided with benches outside the railing.
more lovely day could not have been desired,
for Nature seemed propitious in every way. Long
before eleven O'Clock large number OF the clergy
had assembled at the ArChbishop's residence, the
stately front and wings OF which presented an ex-
ceed1nRiy dingy and unsightly appearance, showing
several faded colors or rather no coors at ali;
DetIaylng penitssnt n look that should move
coat OF paint. The attendant priests and bishops
robed in the cathedral. the visiting clergy in the
house, where the procession was formed and at
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
Censor bearer and the bearer of the incense
boat, forty boys, acting as acolytes, marching in
double file dressed In scarlet cassoeks, lace sur.
pieces and narrow ermine collars Next came the
seminarians, in black cassock and plain white sur
pice, followed by the clergy OF the archdiocese and
the visiting clergy rom other doceses. prominent
were robed In cassock aud lace surplice. Then
came the Bishop elect with Bishop Becker, of VII
nlngton. Del, on his right, and Bishop Glib
bon, OF Richmond, on mis- left both OF
whom were secretaries at one time to the
were robed In rockets, stoes copes and mtres.
Following these were Bishops Williams, OF Boston;
Wood, of philadelphia; Mullen, Of Erie; Domenec,
oI Pittsburg, and Shanahan, OF Scranton. The
Archbishop, with Rev. Fathers Lee and Voltz as
deacons Of honor, Rev. Father John Foley as as
sistant priest, ana Rev. Fathers LYMAN and Bart
lett deacon and subdeacon, all In full vestments,
formed the rear. AS
THE PROCESSION
moved slowly along North Charles to Mulberry,
and thence ~ the main entrance OF the Cathedral,
the "EenedltTus" was chanted by the clergy,
while the pa was redolent with the burning
myrrh. A Urge number OF spectators were
OF the church to witness the pageant the main
aisle OF the cathedral was kept clear and when the
head OF the procession reached tne sanctuary the
acoly;es formed IN open ranks the eccleslastcs tax