The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-06
BLESSING THE STATIONS.

IMPOSING CEREMONY IN ST. STEPHENS
cnUEcH-rHE WHOLE OF THE '.srADAr
MATER SUNG by THE CHOIR
At st. stephens Roman Catholic Church in East
Tweny-eighth street, yesterday evening both the
ceremonies and the music of an unusually i'm
pressivc character. The occasion the blessing
of tho stations in the history over Lords pas
sion and death, from His condemnation by Pontius
piate His crucifxion. In all there are fourteen
pictures. copies of the paintings Of peranlt. by
Caban, OF Paris, who is the fortunate owner of
the originals. The copies ordered by
DR.. McCilnn when he was in Europe a year
ago. and procured through the in
strumcntallty of Father Iauquery. the artist
priest, who present last night to assist in tho
unveiing. Not fewer than three thousand five hun.
bred persons Witnessed the ceremony, which
one OF unusual grandeur and soIomnity. Since the
comforting OF the beretta upon Cardinal McCloskey
nothing approaching it in masnihcence has been
seen III any OF New York churches and addi-
tonal impressiveness was given to tho occasion by
the rendering OF the whole of Rossinis '.Stabat
Mater" by the choir OF tho church. Thechorus was
exceedingly well drilled and effective. The solo
artists Miss Annie Borie. soprano; Miss Agatha
AIunier. contralto; Mr. II. Il. Romano. tenor; Mr..
Eugene Oudin. baritone. and Mr.. W. b. Foreman.
bass. No other choir and probably oper.
near future could do difficult work such ample
and complete artistic Justice The "Cujus Anma'
sung by Mr.. Ronaine in way that would have
earned an encore at Stenway Hall. and the duet
louis est Homo" by Miss Borie aud Miss Munier,
with great power and with due regard to tho
solcnlnity of the occasion. Mr.. Oudin. in the
recitatlve Ella Mater. both assisted to maintain the
high musical reputation OF st. Stephens, ana III the
latter number the choir was heard to great advan-
ta..e.
SERVICE OF SONG.
Between the ella Mater and the 'Sancta Mater the
ceremony OF unvciling the pictures performed.
The CROSSES which were Intended to surmount each
Of the paintings were blessed at the altar by DR..
McGlinii assisted by the Rev. Fathers O'Callaeiian
and Mcclure. Preceding this solemn part or the
service the history Of the paintings and the pas
sages in the lite OF Christ they intended to COM
Then the procession passed down the main aisle
of the splendid aemple. stopping at each
station i'll the passion and death OF the
Saviour to utter a solemn "Pater noster." in unison
with the immense congregation. Father Sweeney
acted master of ceremonies, and the pictures
unveiled by the Rev. DR.. Curran. who affixed the
each. sctween the stations the chant Choir
under the direction of Mr.. William Edward Multi
gan, assistant organtst OF the church. sang the
hy mn 'ex lila regis 1t nearly halt past nine
when this ceremony was concluded, and the grander
numbers of Rossnis inspired nusic yet to
come. that after ten O'CLOCK before tho
tire service was ended.
The as meta NJ .,er was given by the quartet al
rca iy with great power ana solcmnity. Miss
Munier followed with the ciyatna "Fac III porem.
aud Miss Borie with the '.nfannlatus in which
chorus rendered invaluable service. Thea tie
quartet re idered the Qulndo Corpus. ana The grct
work fin shed with the naie ''In septerna secuia.
Amen" The final chorus done with u com plete-
ness of artistic execution and at the time with
a religious fcrvor which might not be attained
by artists excellent outside OF the temple OF
the Most High 1t is seldom that church
music of high order is attempted
in New York. In the rancs OF the proiane
muses.; but of last ught will give new
impetus to the cultivation of sacred music. When
the service was concluded the vast audience
streamed out of the immense and blazing temple of
Christian worship still outraiced by the soul inspr
ing strains kossini and daz.zed ut the gorgeous
pageant which had passed like vision OF the world
to come before their eyes,