National Republican., 1883-03-23
THE REPOSITORIES
OF the Various Catholic Churches-How They
Were Adorned and Visited
The Taste Displayed in their Arrangement
in the Different sncristies.

All the day yesterday STEADY stream Vi |
people poured into the Catholic churches oil
this city intent on devotional exercises The
institution of the repository called forth the
religious feelings of the community. The
repository is the place where the host is laid |
after being taken from the altar, when at
this season is occupied by Christ himself. |
Intended to illustrate the passion of our
Saviour and to wake the tenderest emotions
mt the suilerings of the Lord in atoning Tor
our sins, this service Of the repository is very
solemn, very elovating, very editying IN
the altar itself at this season the body OF
Christ reposcs, and to-day no mass Is saiu
The host is cnshrined in flowers and SEN
tiucled by waxen lights, thus appealing
strongly TO the holiest emotions OF the re-
ligiOus soul. ,
street northwest, representation of Our
Lady of Sorrows supporting the pierced and
bruised body of the dead Christ was very ef-
fective in its realistic presentation OF the
grapdest event in all sacred history next to
the resurrection. To the right of the altar
mnsses of flowers were banked tier above tier,
amid which the consccrated host was placed,
guarded by tall wax candles lighted in finely
wrought candelabra. The Office Of the tene-
brm was chantcd at night
Through the stained glass of the gothic
windows Of st. Aloysius poured the golden
March sunlight in u softened, subdued ra-
dance. Over all the vast church room hung
ap air of solemn silcntness behtting the dim
light. The door in the central altar was open,
and the host repOsed under crimson canopy
to the left, surrounded by mass of beautiful
flowers heavy with perfume, fresh as with
dew. There was from early morn till late at
night u continuous current of people passing
inside the church to their devotions, and then
making room for others. In front of the host
two altar boys in their rich, quaint costume,
knelt in one long silent prayer, and the sol
.N,N af fha an N p1 nnnEnlpn
the devotees
St. Patricks church was also thronged early
and late. The host here, as elsewhere, was
surrounded with flowers and lighted by can
dies. All was silent devotion in the vast
apartment Silk and SERGE cashmere and
calico, cloth and cassinet, mingled together
in the throng of worshippers kneeling around
the altar of a common humanity in prayer TO
a father God. In the dim twilight of the
church, in the silent but expressive attitudes,
in the hush that fell on the human lips i'll the
contemplation of tho divine love, there was
born the elevation Of soul, the spirit of sac
rifice, the instinct of worship which sent
those kneeling penitcnts back again into the
world purified, revived and exalted.
At st. Matthew's church the repository was
in the Sunday school room under the church.
Tho altar was a mass of the most eXqul-
site flowers, whose hues were made more vi
vid by the light of the numberless candles
which cleaned from silver candelebra. On
either side of the altar were luXuriant masses
of oriental palms, and the walls were covered
with ivy From the foot OF the altar arose
banks ofroses and violets and lilies reaching
to an exquisite chalice Of lilies of the valley
which surmounted the altar On either side
of this emblem were rows of blooming lilies
and geraniums There was a continuous
stream of faithful visitors during the day, wo-
men being largely in the majority.
At st. Augustine's church the repository
was at the northern side altar in the church
proper. The floral decorations here were
composed almost entirely OF growing lilies
and graceful undulating palms. The mellow
CLEANS of the waxcn candles upon the pure
whiteness oftbe lilies made perfect picture
OF chastity, embematic alike of He who died
for mankind and the church He founded.
The throngs that knclt with bowed heads
before the altar were emblematic, too, of the
great truth that Christ died for all men.
The humble colored woman, who had snatched
n few minutes from her daily labor to visit
the shrine of her devotion, knelt by the side
of her fairer but not more pious sister whose
attire was silken sheen and upon whose
breast sparkled rich and rare gems Their
lips moved in devOut concert; their hearts
beat in religious unison and their prayers
asccnded to tho infinite beyond to be an
swcred together by the granter of all mercies
and pardOns and benefits.
At st. Stephens church the repository was
in the Sunday school room. The large center
every point shone the lights OF candles which
rose from beds of flowers of every hue and
color. The prCdominance of lilies only served
to make the blue of the violets and the blush
of the roses more vivid by contrast, and sur
rounding them all were palms spreading their
protecting leaves over them. On either side
of the altar was the figure of an angel in the
attitude of prayer and the apex of tho pyra.
mid of flowers, which rose from their feet to
the top of the altar, was large cross of calla
lilies and lilies of the valley. Here, AS at the
other churches, there was n continual stream
of visitors, and the rich and the poor, the high
and the lowly knelt and prayed together for
the mercy and forgiveness of Him who died
for them nearly nineteen centuries ago on
Calvary.
At ST. Dominic's the attendance was per
haps greater than at other churches. The
repository was enshrined amid dense masse:
of fragrant flowers artistically arranged and
blended with glossy plants. Statuettcs of oul
Saviour and the Virgin served to heighten and
exalt the deep impressions conveyed. WaA
candles in great profuson threw soft and
mellow light over the scene. Here, as in al
the other churches, the conduct Of the
worshipers indicated that the solemnities OF
the season had taken deep root in their souls
II was impossible TO witness the spectacle
without feeling the SACRED influence of thu
occasion.
In most of the churches the charity offerings
were freely and generously made. The tender
compassion TO the poor aud wretched Of Hin
whose suferings awakened first alteration
stirred up noble desire of emulating Hi
loving example.
The tembrae services last night at st
DOninics were especially beautiful, and mos
acccptibly rendered. The holy week ritua
was chanted by the white robed priests from
the sanctuary, assisted by choir of splendiC
male voices. The grand old church wa
crowded The tenebre will be chanted agaiI
tonight.
The solemn office of the tenebrfe will b
chanted at 81. Matthew's tonight in the mos
impressive and beautiful manner. Fathe
Chapelle will preach the sermon, after whicl
the choir, assisted by full string orchestra
will render Mercedante's "Sevcn Last Words.
Columbia commandery will observe Goo
Friday with all the grand, beautiful mysticism
of the rites Of the order. A sermon will b
preached at Wesley chapel by the pastor a
o'clock.
The eloquent sermon last night of ReN
Father Sandellc, of st. Aloysius produced
deep impression upon the crowded audienc,
Tonight at the same church, Rev, Fathe
Prendergast, s, j., will preach the sermon
and the office of the tenebrp be chanted.
At the Church of the Immaculate ConceI
tion on n street the display of flowers wa
beautiful lilies predominatng. On the 81
pulcher repOsed figure of the Saviour, Will
there was also shown the spear and spong
cmbumatic of the weapon used at the cruc
D,,ip aud fha nf gpripturn Nyhia