Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-06-03
A MAGNIFICENT CEREMONIAL,
Many Disting uishcd Clergymen
Present.
Eloquent iscourse by Archbishop Con.
nelly, of Halifax.

ing bishop Of the Roman Catholic diocese of Port
land, has been consecrated with all the magnif.
cent ceremonial which makes the occurrence of
| memorable events within the church. 1t has been
high day with all Catholics in this city and State,
and indeed of New England. Several of the
bishops friends were present from Boston and
other cities. The crowd about the cathedral was
large, hours before the doors were opened No
one was admitted except by ticket. At opening
of the doors Is o'clock) the crowd surged forward
and long before services commenced every scat in
the immense building was occupied
Attending priests and invited guests entered by
private entrance from Congress street and were
escorted to seats which had been assigned them
oy polite and attentive ushers. Shortly before 10
O'Clock, Mayor Richardson, accompanied BY the
Board of Aldermen and City Council, were es-
cortet to seats assigned them.
The diocese OF Portland was established in
1850, and EMBRACES the states of Maine and New
Hampshire Right Rev. d. W. Bacon, d. d.,
was the first bishop. who was consecrated April
22d, 1866, and whose death and burial are still
fresh in the minds ofhis people and others. There
are in the diocese IS churches and in process of
erection, - priests, 20 ecclesiastical students
female religious institutions, asylum, female
academies, 20 free schools and Catholic ropula-
ton of 80 900.
ht. Rev. James A. Healey, D. d., new Bishop,
who was appointed by 3 bull of the 18th of Feb
ruary last, and has to-day been censecrated, was
born in Macon, Ga, April 6, 1880. In ls49 he
graduated from college Of the Holy Cross at Wor-
cester, Mass. He entered upon his theological
studies at Montreal, where he remained three
years. He afterwards travelled in Europe, and in
June 20, 1854, was ordained in the cathedral Of
Notre Dame, Montreal. Bishop Fitzpatrick took
him with him to Boston and constituted him his
Chancellor and Receelay, which position he re-
tanned until 1866. He was assigned to the old
cathedral in Franklin street, Boston, and finally
became the pastor of st. James, where he re-
manned until his elevation to the bishoplic of this
diocese.
Among the prominent dignitaries present were
the following:
Archbishop Connolly of Halifax.
Bishop Lynch Of Charles on, S. c.
Bishop De Gousbriand of Burlington, VI
Bishop O'Reily of Springfield, Mass.
Bishop McNierny of Albany, n. Y.
Bishop Rogers Of Chatham, N. b.
Wadhams of Ogdensburg, Y. Y.
Hendricken of Providence r.. /.
sweeney of st. John, n b.
Laughlind of Brooklyn, NJ
Vicar General Quinn of n. y.
Very Rev Father Bailey of Montreal.
In addition to these there were about 80 priests
from all parts OF the diocese. Archbishop Will
Jams acted as Consecrator, and Bishops McNierny
and OReilly as assistant bishops. The music,
which was of the highest order and very mag nf-
cent, was furnished by the choir Of the ST. James
church, Boston, with DR.. Billiard as director, and
Mr.. Dunnell as organist.
At ten o'clock precisely the organ pealcd forth,
and the altar boys incense bearers and acoytes,
followed by priests to the number of nearly one
hundred, and after them the bishops in robes and
vestments. Then cane the cross bearer, deacon
and sub deacon and many others. The
consecrator, Archbishop Williams of Boston, being
vested, sat at the altar, and the elect Bishop Heal
ey being led forward, Father Healey Of Boston,
read the apostolic commission. The consecrator
then administered the oath Of duty and fidelity
to the bishop elect At the conclusion of the SER
vices Of administering the OATH the elect and his
assistants We're seated, and the consecrator and
assistants proceeded with the form of examination,
the elect making the proper responses, the exami-
ton being closed the assistant bishop led the elect
to the consecrater, before whom he knelt and rev.
erently kissed his hand. The consecrator then lay
ing of his mitrc, turned to the altar and com
menced the mass, the attending bishops saying
through the forms peculiar to the ceremonies.
After the confession, the elect, with the assist
ant bishops and attendants, proceeded TO the
smaller chapel, where he laid aside his cape and
opening the stole, put on the pectoral cross and
girded on the stole without crossing it on his
breast. He was also vested with the tunc, dali
matte and chasuble. The consecrator, kneeing,
finished the ltsny. All then rose and the consc-
| orator, who, aided by the assistants, took the
Book of Gospels and opening it placed it on the
neck and shoulders of the elect and the book so
held by one Of the clergy until it was given the
elect. Then the consecrator and assistant bishop
laid their hands simultaneously upon the head of
the elect, each of them touching the head with
both hands, saying Receive then the holy ghost"
The head of the elect was then bound with a
piece of linen, prepared for the purpose. and the
consecrator, kneeling towards the altar, began
the hymn "Veni creator spritus,' which was
sung by the choir When the first verse had been
sung, the consecrator rose and took his seat in
front of the altar put on his mtre and taking off
his gloves and ring. He again put on the ring
and dipping the thumb of his right hand in the
chr ism he made the sign of the cross and an
nointed the whole crown or tonsure. lie then
blessed the crozier and sprinkled it with the holy
water. Then the consecrator and each Of the
assistant bishops received him to the kiss Of peace.
Bishop Healey, with the assistants, then return
ed to the chapel, where being seated, the oil was
rubbed off Having washed his hands, he pro-
ceeded with the mass.
The credo was then sung by the choir, during
which a collection was taken up. After the offer
tory the consccrator resumed his seat before the al
tar, when the newly consecrated bishop presented
himself, attended by his bishops, kneeled and
made the usual offering. The tinkling of musical
bells is heard, the bishops and priests kneel, and
the acolytes appear bearing ten lighted candles
The ceremony Of conservation proceeds % ain