The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-06-22
Church Dedication.

The announcement that the ceremony OF
re-ded icating the Catholic Church at Harri-
sonburg would take place, on Sunday, the
10th, and that Bishop j. j Keane would
officiate drew to that place very large
number of the people of the Valley, and
especially of the Catholic persuasion. An
excursion train went down from Staunton
carrying at least three hundred passengers,
numbering among them many of other de.
nom nations and religious belief. Rock
ingham also contributed largely to the at
tendance, and long before the services ccm-
menced the beautiful little church, located
| in the western portion Of the town on
commanding site. was filed to its utmost
capacity. At halfpast ten o'clock the SER
vices commenced, by the Bishop announc-
ing the order of proceedings. In intro
ducing the subject he stated that the church
had been dedicated before, but that recent
" the edifice had undergone some architec.
tural change, adding to it sanctuary and al
tar, which were the most important and sa-
cred of the appointments in the building.
He then announced that the ceremony of
dedication would consist in sprinkIing first
the outer walls of the building Nth holy
water, or water blessed by invocation, and
then the inner walls, repeating the liturgy
OF the church while this was being done
and repeating several psalms in the font of
the building. The ceremony, VIII ich was
participated In by the Bishop and Fathers
McVerry, Croson and O'Ferrall, were very
impressive and entertaining. After this
preliminary service, High Mass was cele-
brated, Father O'Ferrell leading in the GER
emony. At the conclusion of this solemn
service the Bishop congratulated the citi-
zens OF Harrisonburg on the completion of
the improvements of their handsome house
of worship, and then proceeded to discus
sion of the subject he had chosen for the
occasion-"The Sacrifice of the Mass"
reading from the 10th and 18th chapters of
lst Corinth ians, as the foundation for one
Of the ablest, clearest and most closely ar
ranged sermons to which we have ever lis
tened. While the line of thought was
mostly doctrinal, presenting in perspicuous
order the origin and reason for the sacrifice
OF the mass, there was wealth and beau
ty OF illustrat ion, simplicity and charm of
dictiOn which commanded the earnest
and unbroken attention of the large audience
during the delivery. many of whom were of
different denominations 4
In the evening the right OF confirmation
was administered to thirteen children andi
two adults, after which vespers were
chanted. During the ceremony of confir-
nation the Bishop made brief address in
which he pointed out the duty and obliga-
ton implied in the holy relations the can
didates had assumed, and the abstentions
required in order to make them worthy
members OF the church. His remarks were
searching and impressive. and there were
very few present, who did not feel their
force and importance, and somewhat re.
coil under their application. There is a.
deep earnestness and conspicuous devotion
in all OF the ceremonies Of the Catholic
Church, and no one, whatever may be his
denominational persuasion, can fail to feel
the influence of the symbols and ceremo-
MES, which bring to the mind the origin |
and source Of the Christian religion. and /
the sutierings .and sacrifices Of Him who
opened up the way of salvation for lost /
and ruined world. 4
The music on the occas ion was very fine |
Prof. Walters. of Staunton, presiding at |
the organ and Mrs. Lena Devine and Capt. I
John McQuaide, of this place, leading in
the vocal department.
A liberal collection was taken up, which,
we were afterwards Informed, relieved the
church of its remaining debt.