Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1874-05-21
PILGRIMAGE TO WnrrEMaRsu.-The nil.


grimaga to the Whitcmarsh Hills. the To-
cation of the mother mission house Of the
Jesuit priests of Maryland. under the aus
pieces of the various Catholic beneficiary
societies Of Washington and Baltimore,
took place the 1lth instant, fully 5000
persons making the pilgrimage and uni
ting in the devo,ions. The mission house
and small chapel adjoining are situated
among the hills, about three miles cast Of
Coling,on station. on the Baltimore and
Potomac Railway. about eguiistaut be-
tween Washington and Baltimore. The
cathcr;~o or pilgrimage to Whi,emarsh
was to mold a reunion of the Catholics of
Maryland and, with proper religious GER
cmonics, to commemorate the sacrifices
and dcyo,ions Of the founders of Catho.
lici,y in the United States. to interchange
Catholic and social sentiments and TO tcs-
tify their generation and respect for the
FIRST Catholic missionaries at that place
who we're went TO assemble in the early
days Of the Republic Shortly after ten
! o'clock two special trains from Washing
ton, each having nine coaches filed with
passengers, arrived at Colliugton station.
Among them were several societies. with
bands of music, including the Marine
Band. from the Navy Yard. They soon
formed in line and took up their march to
Whiiemarsh. The line was nearly a mile
in length. many ladies who were unable
to obtain conveyances trudging on foot
over the sandy road in The hot sun. The
most conspicuous feature of the procession
was the colored society Of the Knights Of
St. Augustine. from Washington, dressed
in handsome black suits and purple re-
gala, with long flowing plumcs in their
hats. The march occupied about an hour.
At eleven o'clock the special train of nine
cars from Baltimore arrived at Collington.
where line Of march was formed like the
preceding one. and the pilgrims proceed
ed to Whit-mash.
At noon the services commenced with
the celebration of high mass, By Father
Wiset, in front Of the mission house, the
immense congregation standing in the
open air and devoutly joining in the ex-
ercises. When mass was concluded, the
Rev. Father b. A Mcguire. S. j. ", of St
Alcysius church. Washington. preached
sermon from the balcony of the mission
house. taking his text from Mark, xvi.
II 20s lie alluded to the rilgrimages of
the early Christians aid those of later
years, and quoted from Chief Justice Sto-
~ and Bancroi,'s History to prove that
religious liberation was frs. established
in America by Catholic settlers in Mary
land.
At three o'clock p. NJ. procession was
formed BY the various societies. headed
BY band playing. aud march made
down the hill to Rock Spring. few hun
dred yards south Of the mission house.
The spring gushes from the hill near its
base. Immediately above the gushing
water a rude arch of chocolate colored
sandstone about twelve fee, high is con-
s,ructed. and about the middle of the
structure. in an opening or recess, stands
a small image Of the Virgin. with the in
FAINT Jesus in her arms. 4 few feet in
advance Of the spring large arch Of ev-
ergreens. fanked on either side by small
Ter arches. had been erected. each, toge,h-
or with the stone s;anchions. being deco
rated with towers When the procession
had gathered in the valley in front of the
spring. short services. followed By brief
address from Father Wiget, took place.
after which the benedic;ion was pronoun-
ced and the pilgrims wended their way
back to COlling,on. Hundreds Of them
carried away small bottles Of water filed
at the spring. Not the least disorder oc-
Cured during the day. and oil seemed
pleased With the pilgrimage to White
marsh. Ofthe nuG.ber present fully one-
third we're eolered persons, and one-,hird
of the entire assemb!age we're fenales.-
N. !. Herald.