The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-02-01
Dedication.

imposing ceremonies Of the dedication of the
beautiful chapel within the House of Prov
idence at Vancouver, an institution of char.
ity built and sustained by the Sisters of the
noble order of st. Vincent de Paul, who
furnish homes sustenance and an education
for the orphan children of our land The
Rt. Rev. Egdius Junger, Bishop of Ms
qualy, officiated, assisted by Fathers Schl ana,
Duffy, Boullet, Poaps, Claessens and Flohr.
The Rt. Rev. F. N. Blanchet, Bishop of
Ibora, L. P. l., graced the sanctuary with
his presence, too feeble to actively partici-
pate, but never too old to assist in the clor-
ification and perfection of his church. The
ceremonies commenced by the priests form
ing in procession, with Bishop Junger at the
head, marching around the outside of the
chapel with appropriate ceremonies, then
going within the chapel, after which the
people assembled followed them. The SER
vices were continued, at different times pro-
cessions of boys and girls beautifully dressed
marching in and taking their places. One
of these professions brought the remains of
the holy st. Victor, borne upon the shoulders
of four youths, who placed them upon the
shrine which will hold them for all time to
come, one of the most sacred objects within
the chapel. Bishop Junger delivered an ad-
dress appropriate to the occasion, comparing
this chapel with temple at Jerusalem,
wherein none but the elect could venture,
whereas in this temple every sinner was bid
den to approach, as well as those who had
already been embraced by the church. He
closed by extolling the noble work of the
Sisters, and impressing upon them the fact
that this sanctuary, in all times of trouble,
doubt and temptation, was their refuge, the
dwelling place of the Father who would ever
guide and protect. The Bishops remarks
were chosen, timely and very impressive
The closing ceremonies then took place, and
the people departed to their homes, having
witnessed one of the most impressive cere-
monies of the Catholic church.
The chapel is situated in the north wing
of the building. 1t has seating capacity
OF about 400 persons. The walls are
smoothly finished ia spotless white, the
windows of stained and figured glass The
ceiling is arched and paneed the panel d.
visions painted in colors blending finely in
the general effect. At the rear are two gal
leries, one above the other, for the choir,
and audience. At the north end are the al
tars and the shrines, presenting to the be-
holder at first a bewllderment of beautiful
statuary and pictures amidst the glitter of
architectural ornaments and the fittings of
the sanctuary, out of which gradually grows
the presence OF the sacred altar and its holy
purpose, the one thing prominent to the
eyes of the beholder. The altar is beauti-
fully constructed, supported by two small
statues, the center panels containing raised
| figures of the emblems of the passion and
the lamb. Upon the altar are the tall can
dies crosses and other emblems placed there
Above the altar is beautiful painting Of
Christ and the lamb, executed by an artist
in Quebec, and presented by Mr.. Petrain.
1t is placed in an elegant gilded and figured
oval frame, in the wall In the large niche
above the altar is fine group of life-sized
figures called "Our Lady of Sorrows" At
the right of the sanctuary are two inches,
in the upper of which are the figure and the
altar of St. Ann, mother of the Blessed Vir-
gin. In the lower niche is the figure of ST.
Vincent de Paul, the founder of the Sisters
order, holding in one arm little child.
Above the niche are in gold letters the
words Fear not, little flock, for am in
the midst Of you" This statue was made
and cast 10y the Sisters at Vancouver. To
the left of the sanctuary are two correspond
ing inches. In the upper is placed beau
tiful statue of Christ pointing to its barred
heart, and here also is an altar. This is
| designated as 1.-THE altar of the sacred heart. 3"
1t was presented by the pupils who have
been educated in the House of Providence
| by the Sisters during the past % years. and
| it is beautiful Remembrance OF the moth
erly care they received from them. In the
lower niche is placed the altar and statue of
| st. Joseph, and upon the arch is lettered in
gold, from the l0ith psalm, "He made him
master of his house, and ruler of all his pos
| sessions" Beneath, in front, is the sacred
Shrine of st. Victor large and beautiful
case, fronted with glass, containing a waXen
figure in repose. Within the waxen figure
are the bones of st. Victor one of the earli-
est Christian martyrs and who persisted in
the first century. His remains were re-
Gently discovered in the catacombs of st. Cal
lixtus, near ROME. and were sent to Bishop
Blanchet by his holiness thePope of Rome,
for this shrine
This chapel is a beautiful piece of archi-
lecture for one SO small and most appropri-
ate in all its parts for the holy uses to which
il has been dedicated. Most OF its construc-
tion has been the work Of the hands Of the
Sisters, even to the casting Of the architect
ural ornaments and the making of many
other things that are usually left to skilled
| workmen. Whether the Sisters are proud
of their beautiful chapel, their handiwork,
we cannot say, as the dedication to their
life werk does not allow them to indulge in