National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-04-11
THE pArH OF THE PILGRIM.
a Ramble Among the Repositories by n Re
porter of the Republican,

porter OF the NcpuDnCnu'
The weather yesterday prevented rs full an
attendance at the repositories in the various
Catholic churches as is usually the case. These
shrinos were decorated in the customary way
flowers and countless candles forming the
general features. Each one. however, had
some distinguishing Characteristic. A member
of the local staff Of THE REPUBLICAN made
the tour of these repositories, and endcavorcd
to note their respective or individual attrac-
tions. II was quite evident from the appear
ancc Of the various shrnes that much attcn
tion had been given by the ladies of the con-
gr,gotion to the work of adornment--a fitting
task for fair hands,
At st. Stephens the repository yos ,oo..-.
in the basement, The al. - ...'od
Ranked ~ - "..aaom of waxen tapors.
. :. "irh exquisite lilies, which crowned
IN" .eiled tabernacle. The statue Of an angel
1 in an adoring attitude occupied either size of
| the shrine.
At Trinity Church. Georgetown, the reposi.
tory was ON the right Of the main altar. 1t
| had crimson background. The satin veil,
located quite high up, was surmounted by
mass of choice flowers, which were crowned by
| lilies. The carpcted steps Of the shrine were
strewn with bouquets.
st. Augustine's repository was the least snowy
of them all, and appeared to the right of the
sanctuary. Three tall candles and three smaller
ones were on either side of the tabernacle in
| front of which were laid several bouquets Of
! fragrant blooms. The flowers here were most
| ~ in nourshcrs. At the base of the shrine
| few floral baskets had been placed.
The shrine at st. Matthew'S differs very lit
tie each year in its general appearance. The
low ceiling of the basement sanctuary, where
in it Is always fixed, aud the wide space given
for adornment are two features quito favora-
BILE to this repository, while the illuminated
space shows to good advantage from the wide
| and dalkened auditorium
The lofty alcove to the right of the main
altar at the Immaculate Conception Church
was used for the repository The entire shrine
| was surmounted by black cross, nearly
square in its proportions and edged with gold.
| A scarlet cloth was thrown around its arms.
The scenic frescOes in st. Patrick's Carroll
Hall are very appropriately located for shrine
purposes. The repository, to the left of the
main altar, seemed TO fit quite neatly into one
of these. There were very few flowers here,
aud of those the lily predominated.
At st. Mary's the repository was rather low,
although having high background of pink
covered with carleton. Lilies comprised the
chief floral adornments.
At st. AlOysius the niche on the right was
used. 1t had q crimson background, from
which extended n species of canopy for the de-
postory. This was gilt-edged, and from it de-
pended q crimson, scalloped border, edged with
white. A tall, slender white vase, containing
flowers, appeared on either side of the taber-
nacle. Few lilies were to be seen at this
shrine.
The left side of the altar contained the re.
postory at st. Josephs.
The curtained receptacle of the host was 10.
Gated high up, from which point, on either
side, wide slanting line of flowers appeared
An aduring angel, poised on either side OF the
| "a through
intervening tapcrs. An original feature of this
repository was p lfe-siZ, statue of the Sa-
viour in n sitting posture, which occupied a
space on the left Of the shrine and little o fl
from it. The figure is exceedingly liic-like
The hands are disposed upon the knee, one
palm resting on the other scarlet robe is here
worn by the Christ, which, being opened at the
breast, shows the vertable flesh tints. His
face is turned toward the repository, which He
regards with calm countenance
The special shrine at old St. Peters was on
the right hand side, but located within the
sanctuary proper The tabernacle was flank ed
with bcspangled aud transparent white cir
Gle, bordcred in purple. Through this could
be seen the light from invisible tapers. This
, circle was surrounded by golden glory
The centre Of this repository was guiltless o
adornment. Its sides, however, were filled
with floral offerings.
: st. Dominic's repository seemed to lack tho
, CndIdCttl VI apcO'a' 'ni ",'HO"S" ~
decorated. 1t occupied the right hand side Of
the altar, but was seemingly destitute of any
! particular adjoining feature.
PILGRIMAGE PARAGRAPHS.
!, Lilies appear to be the iavorite flower In the
decoration of the repositories.
g The female orphans of st. NinCenps Asylum
: made partial tour Of the shrines.
A lady pilgrim, conversing with friend
declared St. Mathews to be the prcttcst roposi
@ tory. / was, she said perfectly grand"
l., Two members of the knights of st. Joseph
n in full uniform aud bearing drawn swords
< guarded the repository Mt st. Joscph's.
The children of the sodality, yelled an,
:. wearing medals with blue ribbons, attended st
. Peters repository in a body.
s The rain falling at intervals caused raj j
transit among the pilgrims from church t.
\ church.
1 d " uItnI,II, MIMI MiI,rII nI,RnIfnIsE L 4 4