The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-25
FATHER GRACE's NEW DIGNITY.
Investing Hin with the ftrst American Doc
torate Conferred by Leo NIIf.

NKwronT. Il. l.. Oct 2i.-Thc ceremonies
OF the investiture Of the Rev. Philip Grace into
the full hOuors Of tho degree Of Doctor of Divin-
ity. recently conferred on him by Pope Leo
XIII. were performed In st. Mary's Hall and
st. Mury's Catholic Church. in this city. thio
evening. The fact that this Ia tho FIRST doc
toratc bestowed in America by the present Pope
is particularly gratifying to the { .thol,s Of
this city and diocese. II WAS obtained at a
special audience granted In Rome 10y his Holi-
ness tho Pope. on July % last. to tho Bishop Of
the diocese. the Right Rev. 4. L. Hcndricken. OF
Providence.
The ceremonies were begun by the appear
anco OF two maidcns belonging to the Children
OF Mary Society. AT Father Gracc's residence.
next TO the church. who requested that tho
Bishop and the invited clergy Of whom there
were nearly twenty would accompany them to
St. Mary's Hall. The clereymcn present in
cludcd Bishop Hendricken. Father Grncc.
Father Clinton the assistant pastor OF ~,
Marys; the Vicar. General. the Very Rnv. l..
Mcmahon. New Bcdford; tho Rev, T.. G. De-
Proyidcnce; tho Rev. J. Flynn. Crnnston, and
the Rev. Mr.. MrClunc. Providence
vbrc M % ar s sTsy Yisl 13 H. c Hgrys ha
Mary dressed IN white They acknowledged
the pro."nc" Of the Bishop. nndsnng WELCOME
but very re emily returned from Eurouc. Then
Miss lto-an. one OF the children. read to thr
Bshop nm address. presenting him with solid
gold chAlice Of Gothic design. Standing twelve
Inches high. and studded with fifteen large
aulcthysts. a gift valued at several hundred
dollars.
bishop iIcndricken replied in loving man
ncr.
Tho prcscntetion concluded. the whole Of the
Children "i Mnry and the boys OF ~. Mary :
school mnrchoi to tho church. which was
dcnsry crowded.
The procession into the church WIS long
a Il
whitc. the ncwiy-made Doctor. his nsaistant. the
invited clergy. the Bishop. and the Vicar Gen
crnl Then commenced tho vospcrs by the
choir Of ~. Mnry's. in the presence of nenrly two
thousand persons. Bishop llcndrickcn seated
himself on his throne. Father Grace was seated
in the centre OF the sanctuary before the altar,
tho numerous priests being seGted on clthor
side. Tho altar WIS profuscly decorated with
flowers. and rare plants nnd ferns surrounded
The congregation was not entirely made up
OF Catholics, n large number OF Prot'stahis he-
ing present. Among them wero cN-Congress-
man W I. Shnnlcld. the nun. John, T. Bu,h.
Mrs Theo. A. llnyemeyer Mis- Do Luce. Mr..
summer resilents:. The celebrant ~ the yes
pors wns the i,pv. ar Tinn"gan OF Providence.
Previous TO tho "AIngniiicat' tho decroe of the
ity was read by Vicnr-Gencra McMnhon Tie
order was in Latin. and showed TINT The honor
was conferred for constant plctyi Integrity oI
zeal in advancing the Christian religion
Atthg ,conciusion OF The reading Of the ,doeu-
nelt. lulUtI hlNcb huNuutfh 10 lllt nlNUll,
and kncelng. made the profession OF faiih
usunl on snth occaa,OnS and received at his
hnnds the hat and ring. the Insignia ~ office.
Bishop lIcndrckcn then addressed ii. Grace.
He referred with pleasure - the zeal witt,
duties. and to tho fact that hshad succeeded in
clearing of So vast debt which bore upon the
church. and that without depressing the peo-
pie. Tho Pope. he said. expressed n des ire
10 send special mark Of respect TO Father
Grace, and an acknowledgement Of his
appreciation OF the work dono here.
1T was the Bishop said " a source OF great
pleasure to bring across the ocean TO you tho
order conferrnR such q deserved honor. and
an honor which, | am sure, is appreciated by
tho people OF Newport. Where you are known
as n good Christian and faithful citizen, II is
source of profound qualification TO me TO place
this hat upon your head and this ring upon
your finger. completing your institution into
the new and great dignity"
Father Grace then bowed over the Bishop'a
hand. which he kissed. The" Magnihcat was
thon sung, while tho celcbrant incenscd tho
altar, The coremonies We're shortly aIterward
This ia tho nrst timo in tho history OF New
port that such IN honor hns been conferred
and as IT is the nrst doctorate given by the
present Pope to America the occasion was ol
double Interest. There Is only one other Doe
tor beside tho Bishop in the diocese, and that is
Wear General Mcmahon.