The New York herald., 1874-11-23
ST. CEO1LIA,s CHUROH.


Festival Of tho PairOness Of Music-Ser-
mon by the Rev. Father stone.
The handsome little church at the corner OF 1O5th
street and Second avenue was densely crowded
Yesterday morning. the vOtares Of religion and Of
the art most closely united TO religion, musc-of
which St. Cecilia is the patroness-nlrng the
edice In every part. The festival OF the Saint has
at all times attracted the attention Of the devout
well as those who love music for eli the divine
elements with which 1t is so repletc The cere-
monies IN the church yesterday fully realized the
most sanguine expectations OF those who c0ngre-
gated there. The solemn high mass was
celebrated by the Rev. John Lynch, OF
St. Bridgets church, who. during the course OF the
services, sang the Gregorian chant with depth
OF feeling and meodious solemnlty that failed
not to create an impression worthy OF the occa-
sion The Rev. Father Stone, g. s. p, onlciated as
deacon, and the Rev. Father Byrne as snb-deacon,
the Rev. DR.. flattery. pastor OF the church. as
suming the duties oil master OF ceremonies.
At the termination or the 1rst gospel the Rev.
Father Stone preached . sermon, taking for his
text tho words Of st. Cecilia, ''Let my heart bs
undeflsd. tsat may not be confounded.r-words
read 10 tne Snice OF st. ceciha. ana found IN tho
opened hts discourse BY. captivating
DESCRIPTION OF heatnen nfe in Rome,
% Ss sSs Ss ana s 8; her hs sn Won't AS
TO show how the greatest empire the world ever
saw was OverthrOwn BY the mystery OF Calvary
ana the spirit OF sacrifice t teacnes. which spirit
ioroiDiy proved to have been powerfully illustrated
IN the purity self-d0n1al and intense love OF God
which this great SAINT SO fully exemplinea. In
conclusion he called the attent lion OF the congre
CATION to the practcabtlity OF walking IN the ioo.
prints OF the beautiful patroness, and OF raising In
their own memory tower more solid ana endur.
ing than the lamO0s structure Of Cecilia Metella
winch perpetuates the pagan glory OF one OF ST.
Cecilia's most powerful ancestors.
The music on the occasion was worthy Of the
Churoh Ol st. Cecilia. The mass performed was
BY Mercadanti under the direction or Slgnor Carlo
Mora. who presided at the organ. The quartet
! was composed OF Miss Louise Dennison soprano;
| MISS Teresa Atkinson, contralt0; Mr.. Edward
| Atkinson. tenor, and Mr. David Kennedy, basso.
But the great feature OF the day was the beautiful
ode to st. Cecilia, depicting the death scene OF the
SAINT for which appropriate music was composed
/ by Mr.. Mora, and rendered LII exquisite style ~
the OfrertOry.
In the evening there was grand musical vcspers,
the attendance being equally large as ~ the morn.
ing ceremonies. The ChOra! arrangements were
perfect. An elaborate discourse on music in con-
nectlOn with the Catholic Church was delivered by
the Rev. J. r. B0dfish @. Y. s. The reverend gen
teman said nearly all that could have been said
in connection with st. Cecilia and the divine art
with which her name Is inseparabiy associated.
Altogether the people OF st. Cecilia parish may
well feel gratided with the manner In which the
pastoral festival OF their church has peen cele.
brated as well as with the talented and untirlng
pastor, who has worked such wonders In their
behalf,