The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-30
A TRAGIC WEDDING.


FATHER pELLETIER DROPS DEAD WHILE PER-
FORMING MARRIAGE CEREMONY Al THE
ALTAR OF ST. FRANCIS xAyIEI's CHURCH
The wedding of Charles NJ. Brennan, the son of
Commissioner Owen Brennan, to Miss Meta Peetsch
had been set down for last night. and in the
Church OF st. Francis Xavier in Sixteenth street.
where the nuptial ceremony to be per-
formed. great preparations had been made.
Originally it was intended to have the
pie welded week ago. but the demise
of Matthew T. Brennan on the day which had been
chosen necessitatcd postponement. Last night the
church crowded with gay and brilliant gather
ing. The pews filled with ladies and gentlemen
in rich attire and all through the length and
breadth of the edifce silks shimmered and
diamonds sparked. The altar was perfect
blaze of light, and in the floral splendor
which decked it. the orange blossoms significant OF
the joyful of the occasion appeared in clus-
tera and bouquets. At about half-past O'Clock
a soft prelude foated down from the organ loft
which deepened in volume the doors at the middle
aisle We're thrown open. Then the glad strains
of the wedding march pealed ont as the
bridal party entered. In pure white raiment.
with few choice and costly ornaments.
setting of the natural beauty of her face. Miss
Peetsch looked very charming, and when she took
her place by the grooms side in front of the
sanctuary railing. and the three bridesmaids drew up
behind her. the eyes OF the whole congregation rested
Oh the couple. Then the Rev. Aphonsus p. Peeher
appeared wi n the acolytes and several clerical
assistants Mr. Brennan had been pupil of his in
the past. and it duty of affection to utter the
words that would make the young mar and his bride
Contrary to the general custom in the Catho-
lie Church, Father Pelletier was to address few
words OF exhoration end advice to the young couple.
and his manner quite impressive.
on THE EDGE OF THE GRAVE.
He stood before the altar and turned to address
tban He N "A pa,nfyo and
outside of faint flush upon his cheeks he seemed calm
and self-possessed. Bride and groom stood hand in
siita uas Of 7 Ssnedietlon ms that a moment aa
and he fell forward at the foot OF the sanctuary
ngs There moment OF excitement and sus-
showed anxiety and alarm. and the stiffness was
broken by the rustiing of dress and great craning
Of neshs Then the insisting LIFTED Father
was CHASTITY and Il clear that the hand of
death was upon him. They carried him into the
vestry, uttered the words OF absolution and sought
TO apply resoratives. But it was of avail. few
weak pulsations of the heart and then life passed
| away. The celebrant of the marriage had been
stricken dead with heart disease while the congrau-
'latory words he addressed to his old pupil were
| a trying one for both bride and groom. Happily.
however they did not appreciate the fatal
OF the priests fateru voice and that heavy full upon
the altar steps They stood calmly till the vesry door
| closed upon the dying man. AMI then, in
the hutter of excitement that followed. they
| till the door opened again. This time
! Father Merrck appeared. He mounted the altar
steps and uttered some reassurng remarks calculated
to satisfy the congregation, and then he very happily
took up the ceremony, which had been tra9icaly
interrupted. and went to the end. when he pro-
nounced the young couple man and wife. Then the
organ peacd out again the joysome strains and the
bridal party moved out followed by the throng who
We're not aware that the celebrant lying i'll his
sacerdotal robes-feless.
Father Alphonsus p. Peleticr for five years at
tended to the business affairs of St. Francis Xaviers
College, q
ripe scholar and polished gentleman. During his
term Of Office he managed the affairs of the cduca-
iona institution with distinguished ability. Father
Pelletier Canadian by birth. He the OF
the Quebec family of Peileters. scion Of
which sometime since Minister of Agricu-
ture in the Dominion He was educated
at Montreal and after matricuating he joined the
Order of Jesuits and ordained after the usual
course Five years ago he came to New York and
assigned to the functions in the college which he
formed until his DEATH He forty three years OF
age and is said to have anticipated sudden end from
hear