The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-29
ST. FRANCIS XAvIER'S CHURCH.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER'S CHURCH.
BEAUTIFUL ALTAR DECoRATIoNs-A NEW MASS
BY DIR. BERaE-sPLENDD CEREMONIES AND
s1NaING-sERMoN BY THE REV. FATHER
IDEALLY, g. j.
The nalf-past ten O'Clock service at st. Francis
Xavier's church. West sixteenth street, yesterday
morning. was unusually Impressive. The sacred
edilce was ned by a large congregation. The
altar decorations were superb. Clusters of lights
were formed Immediately around the tabernacle
which mad IN front OF 1t richly gllded satin SCREEN
drawn apart in folds. Numbers OF lights were ar
ranged IN groups on both SIDES OF the altar. I'm
medlarely above the tabernacle TWO semi-circes
OF jets. with flowers intervening, were in good
contrast with the mellOwer light Of the wax
tapers, and above all these was a lighted
arch stretching across the entire altar, the sur
mounting being plain crucidx. On either side
OF the sanctuary was small altar dedicated to
the statue OF the Blessed Virgin and statue OF
st. Joseph. around both OF which were candles
burning On these, as well as on the high altar,
flowers were placed with judicious taste.
DIR. BERGE's NEW MASS.
The music at the mass was of the very finest
character, military band having been added to
the organ and regular quartet choir For this
special occasion, the organist, DR.. Berge, had
written grand "Messe Pascale," which was per.
formed with exceptional success Tor a first render.
ing. AS the procession Of priests and acoytes
flied out OF the sacrIsty slow march was played
by the ORGANISE. ana when the priests had be-
gun the mass at the foot OF the altar the
"Kyrie" was opened with lull chorus, the
accompaniment being bells, which were admir-
aoly tuned by the ORGANISMS sou, Master Eddy
Bergc. The "Chrlste EeIson" was a soprano solo,
came rare performance. Inc second 'Kyrie'' be-
ing movement IN slx-eightn TINE by the singers,
tue accompaniment by the bells and organ being
I Ill EXcelsls1
opened WIN trumpets fanfare and tympanD, the
voices TINS was followed by the "Et IN Terra
Pax" by all the female voices and In the very
soliest tones. The "Laudamus lie" was a glorious
duet Dvthe soprano and alto, and the 'GratIas
Agamus," tenor SOLO, was u passage not less
mertVr,ous. A most striking part OF the hymn
by the baritone and basso. botn singers
being at tneir best, The close was grand
the chorus. organ and nrcnestra par icpated.
tn ''Credo" opened with canon lor lour SOLO
voices, which the chorus took up at the close, and
this led to tue spirited soprano solo "Et Unau.
solemn passage was the "Genitum non Factum,"
accompaniment ny far the pest solo Oh the
'tredo' was the "lncaruatus," wnich was rem
deied by the soprano with murked appreciation
OF the sentiment. A magnificent swell ushered in
the EFT Resurrexit" chorus, orchestra ana organ
being included. THIS was the festival thought
OF the nour, aud due expression was gwen to It
both by the composer ana the singers. me "Scde
al DexteIam:" quartet l9r mixed voices, was
tnen came an admirable organ SOLO, the
''Cujus Regnl," 10 wnlcn chorus by the singers
seemed rather as an accompaniment. AnuIner
solo, the "Et IMAM SanClum, ~ was most effectively
gwen ~ the baritone, relieved by Il chorus, ana
the close OF the pral cr embodied IN the s.kt EN-
peCta," III when solo, duet ana chorus sue
ccedel each other, was triumph. At the oner-
! rory the "uec Dies Fcclsr py Falner Lambi,nite
! was given VITA grand Chorus ana acUonpanl-
/ ment The ''Sanctusp was a chorus. 1ne 'lIcne-
dlctus'-a splendid composition by the organist-
was soprano solo, with chorus accUmpu niIie mt
without Inc organ. An interesting piece In the
/ mass was the "Agnus Deln which, alter a 10Y Gus
/ burst introduced duet by the soprano aud alto,