New-York tribune., 1873-02-03
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
CANDLEMAS DAY.
SERVICES IN THR CHURCHES.

shiflCfo IN IHb CHUktHEo.
Candlemas Day, like many other religious
festivals had its heather prototype The old Romans
were in the habit OF burning candles this day In
honor Of the mother OF Mars and Pope sergus turned
IL TO account by enjonlng similar Offering OF candles
10 the Virgin Mary. In old English document IL Is
said that the bearDge candles Is done In the menu
orie OF Christie the spiritual lyghte whom simeon dyd
prUphecye." The candles consecrated on Candiemas
Day were supposed drive away all evil influences and to
protect the houses in which they kept Csndemas
Day is also called Chrsts Presentation" and in the
North OF England. the Wives Feast Day" In Scot
land it is one of the four ermdays appointed for the
payment of taxes, rents, &c.
THIS festival quite strictly kept in the Roman Catho
lc Church. and In the tuasto Of the Protestant
Episcopal Churches. The ceremony consists in pro
cession with many lighted candles, after which, by
prayers and sprinkng with holy water, the candles
Quired for the ensuing year c0nsecrated All the
members OF congregation expected 70 make offer
ngs OF candles; each person generally bringing many
more than they themselves the surplus going 70
the church, which is thus fully supplied Those which
returned TO the gyers are laid away and used TO
burn around the corpse Of a deceased friend.
The day was observed at 81. AlphOnsus's Church by
appropriate services The Rev. Father Feidag oeiaied
celebrant, assisted by Fathers kres and Eald The
church was well filled and the music fine. At the
morning service for the blessing OF the candles
sion formed OF all within the lower part OF the
church. both priests and people. As they marched each
one bearing lighted candle, slowly and soemnly
through the aises and IN front OF the altar the scene
sisted Of Mass by snzzam aud sancus by VIM Berge,
the OrganisL
Services we're held at St Francis Xav1ers Church
throughout the day and evening Father DealY acted
celebrant In the morning Father Merrck the pastor.
Prosecutions OF Christ Earth closing with an exhor-
tatiOn efdenial and esrDest action.
At ST. Patrcks Cathedral yesterday, the candles were
blessed by Archbishop McCoskey at the o'clock mass,
following which was sermon ny Father Farley a on IN
the Temple" The music conducted by DIR. SchnitB
and comprised the following: Mass in minor; offer
fory % pspa
solo and chorus at the elevation AVE Nernm duet for
soprano and Alto sung by Madame Chomi and Mrs
Unger and Sanctus and Agnus Del from WeDers Mass
A. st Peter's Church in Barclay-st the blessing OF
the candles took place before High Mass. The Rev
Father Phelau Othciaed, an she music conducted
bv WiInam III Pecber Detach's Mass No u was given
by Mrs CASTOR soprano; alto, Miss Tobin tenor Mr.
Ar 81 stephens Church. in Twenty-eighth-st the
vices quite similar the distinctive ceremony being
performed before Mass, at a. N, Father Flynn ohic
AT 81. AIMS Church. in Twefthst the ceremony took
place before the o'clock Mass. the ceebrant being
The usual Candlemas Day services took place at st.
Ignatius (P. e. Church at Fortieths, between Fifth
Grand procession OF marched through the
aisles OF church The altar was beautifully deco
rated with candles and flowers The singing by the
chOir unusually ne and the attendance was very
large. In the evening the rector the Rev. Dr. Ever,
delivered lecture on "The Life Character, and Death
Of st. Ignatus"
Adams Church at Lexing0n-aye and Fortyseventhst,
Yesterday The principal service at 1880 a. m,
W hen the Rector the Rev. c. W Morrill, preached the
'' Occurrences Of Candlemas Day Woodward's Mass
was sung by the choir The altar profusely deco
rated least 100 candles OF various sizes and cOor
she'd their light about, and numerous bouquets and
baskets Of flowers covered every available spot in the
altar Solemn vespers occurred at and the Com
pne service took place IN the evening at which the
Rev. Mr.. Beaubien preached in French.
In Brooklyn, Candemas Day was observed In all the
Roman Catholic churches with appropriate ceremonies
At ST. Jamess Cathedral In jay and Chapelsts,
celebrated at T. g. g. and 10 a. M, Bishop LOuehn
officiating the early and blessing the candles
brought by the people. AT ST. JOsep's. in Pacihc-s
near Vanderbiltaye ST. ChaTless, at Sdneyplace and
LvingstOnst; ST. Paul's. at Court aud COngresssts.
Our Lady OF Mercy, Debevoisest.. De Kab-ave
ST. Patricks at Kent and WilOughbyaves., and other
churches. similar held. At the Church OF
Our LADY Of Mercy, III addition, grand high mass
celebrated in mmemoratiOn of the dedication of the
building. MOZA.ts Twelfth Mass was rendered by the
choir accompanied by the orchestra OF the Philharmonic
Society Special references 10 the presentation OF Christ
In the temple were made in the Protestant Episcopal