The New York herald., 1879-09-25
DEVOTED TO WORSHIP.

CONSIDERATION OF A ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
AT PRINCETON, N j. CLEARED FROM DEBT
by THE EFFORTS OF PASTOR AND coNGRE-
CATION.
PRINCETON. Sept. "a. 1879.
With all the pomp and solemnity for which the
Roman Catholic Church is noted the beautiful
church OF st. Paul's in this town was consecrated
to-day by Bishop Corrigan, who was assisted by
about twenty priests. The conservation of Cath
olic church is of very rare occurrence in this
country. because nearly every one las debt
hanging over it. This is the third edifce
in the diocese of Newark which has been
favored-the other two being the Cathedral and
"old' st. Johns. both in Newark. Father Moran.
the pastor of St. Pauls. felt in high spirits to-day
over the event. He told HERALD reporter that hs
has apoor congregation; that through the most uns
firing efforts for the last oevsn years. since the
stone laid by the Most Rev. Mgr. Seton,
now of St. Joseph's. Jersey City. both on his and
his peoples part they have ut last succeeded in
paying every cent of indebtedness. He added that
generous Presbyterian of the town contributed
$4,000 for the purpose.
SACRED EpIFIcE
The edifce formerly dedicated by Bishop
Becker, of Wilmington. the Sth of September.
1869. 1t is built of stone with brick lining, of tha
English style of architecture of the thirteenth CEN
tury, and altogether cost $25.oOO. The parsonage.
which is contiguous. cost $1,000. There is fne
cemetery in the of the edce, and the situation
OF all looks very pleasant.
The consecratiou services commenced at eight
o'clock in the morning and lasted until half.
past eleven to-day. Then grand high
was celebrated. Rev. Mgr Seton acting cele-
brant; Father Liberatus, of Pittsburg. as deacon;
Father McFau of Trenton. subdeacon. and
Father Downes, of New Brunswick, being master OF
ceremonies. Rev. Father II. c. Denny. of Balti-
more u graduate of Princeton College. preached
instructive sermon. during which he eulogized the
pastor and congregation for their zeal. and gave
brief history of the church and the nature and OBJ
ject of the consecrating ceremonies. The church
filled to overhowing during the ceremonies. st.
Marys Choir, of Trenton. rendered some fine music,
Professor Demmer presiding at the organ.
THE CONSIDERATION SERVICES
The history OF the conservation services was mar.
rated to the correspondent to-day in the following
terms The early Christians instructed by tha
apostles always apart by special prayer and
monies although OF a brefer and simpler kind than
those used, the chamber, oratories and chapes,
whether in private houses or in the Catacombs
where the holy Mysteries were celebrated. There is
the testimony OF St. Ambrose that the custom
of consecratng altars and churches was derived
from the hturgical practice universally observed
from time immemorial. At the beginning of the
fourth century, however, when Christianity, under
Constantine became the established religion Of the
and Christian churches began to vie in magnih-
cence with the pagan temples, these sacred edihces
were consecrated with greater solemn1ty and pomp
than had before been used The first one
to DO dedicated in this public manner in the pres
ence of tho Emperor and his Court. and with
the assistance OF all the clergy of Rome,
was the Church Of St. john erected by
Constantine in the Lateran Palace. It conse.
Grated by Pope Sylvester on the 9th Of November.
$40, with extraordinary religious rites-the same,
substantially, which have ever since been used on
similar occasions Twelve small crosses set into
the walls of the church which is be consecrated
and each OF them taper burns. These crosses
are anointed with holy chrism. The Bishop,
in his pontiical vestments. proceeds to the
main door. attended by his clergy, recitng the
seven penitential psalms and after q solemn pro.
cession around the external walls. which are thrice
sprinkled with holy water in the OF the Most
with his pastoral staff. repeating certain verses
'from the twenty-third psalm, to which deacon
who is with him replies from the same psalm. On
the admission OF the Bishop the hymn "veni
Creator" is sung and the Litany Of the Saints
chanted. Ashes strewn on the floor in the form
of st. Andrews cross. on which the pre-
late with the point his crozier the letters
of the Greek and Latin alphabet. The altar on
which tapers burn is then consecrated, and in .
cavity in tho middle relics OF saints and three
grains of incense indorsed and sealed with the
Bishops official SEAL The altar is ano inted with
chrism and washed with mixture of blessed water.
wine, salt and ashes, with the accompaniment OF
anthems and responses. Only bishop can conse-
crate u church. and 1t must be free from debt The
anniversary of its conservation must be religiously
observed.