Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-10
ROMAN CATHOLIC PLENARY
COUNCIL.
A Grand Pageant and Inpssing Pro-
eeedings.
BALrIMokE, Md, Nov. 8.

and ceremony which have been associated
with the Catholic church for centuries, the
third plenary council in the United States
opened this forenoon at the cathedral in this
city. The minor clergy and laity, who were
to take part in the procession, assembled at
ST. AlPhonse's Hall, about two squares dis
tant. and then marched to the Archbishop's
residence to join in the ceremonies proper
The streets through which the pageant was
to pass to the cathedral were filled with spec.
tstors. As the cross bearer carrying the
professional cross was seen leading the pro-
cession. the faithful uncovered or made pioas
genufections. In order then there followed
secular and regular clergy, seminarians,
theolosiAas. bishops, archbishops and mitred
abbotts, all in full panopiy of their sacred
office. Slowly swinging bis censor, and
spreading around an odor Of frankincense,
came the censor bearer, and then bringing up
the rear. the apostolic delegate, Archbishop
Gibbons preceding him. walking with feeble
steps, the venerable Vicar General of the
Diocese, Father McCslgan, and then came
the Archbishop, supported by his deacons of
honor. Rev. Fathers Lee and Devine respect
lively his secretary and chancellor, with
Thousands OF devotees, bowling their heads I;
and even those who looked on the spectacle
az passing show, were impressed with its
beauty and its harmony. The church was
reached. Up the long aisles came the stately
movement. The affairs were ablaze with
light The deep dispason of the
organ swelled up to the dome in
peals of thunder. The voice of the choir
swelled the melody. Services began on
reaching the sanctuary. Archbishops occu-
pied seats to the right of the altar and sbbotts
and provincials the left Bishops occupied
et..~ ,f tl ols nf h. Al U.r,,
while seminarians occupied the recess of the
altar of ST. Joseph. The priests occupied
chairs in the aisles and in front of the sane
tuary, Archbishop Gibbons occupied the
throne, and near him Very Rev. Edward
Colgon, Vicar General of the Arch-Episcopal
See. The main altar was adorned with
evergreens and white blossoms. Most Rev.
Archbishop kenrich, of St Louis, celebrated
grand high mass, assisted by Rev. Dwight
Lyman as deacon. and Rev. J. A. McCallen,
S. s., was master of ceremonies. The choir
consisted of upwards of 90 vocalists under
the direction of Rev. Father Graf and the
music was of high order. Besides the choir
the seminarlans acted as choristers. and with
the reverend clergy and higher digntaries
chanted litsnies. After mass Most Rev.
Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia, preached
on "The church and her councils" He
selected for his text the 18th, 10Th and 20th
verses of chapter 2S of the gospel of St.
Matthew. He said it was not without emo
tion and some embarrassment that he attempt
ed to make the address on this august occa
sion. He was to speak of the church which
Christ established on the earth and of its head
The church recognized its head because God
| had placed him at the head of hi:
flock on earth. The church had been ex
| pnsad m rain and winds hut II fal1 nnt ha
cause it was founded on rock, and Chris
said it should continue to the consummation o.
the world. 1t was not deputed with ordinary
power, but the Holy Ghost had endowed it will
extraordinary power. Addressing himself tt
| the priesthood. who were brought more into
contact with the people, he said they were
present at the council to aid its deliberation;
by their experience and counsel. Archbishop
Ryan said he was present Is years agC
at the second plenary council, wher
there were 46 bishops and now there are over
| 20.
OF the 46 then, 40 had passed to bishops OF
their souls and their nearness tn God make.
them more Jealous for the glory of God anc
the salvation of the people.
| The church was fighting the battle of right
against wrong. There are men of different
religious denominations and men of no relig
ion at all who look to this council to Law the
basis of sounder morality, and the church
knows it is fatal to trust to human honor and
honesty, without supernatural aid Men say
they admire the preacher of the sermon on
the Mount, but don't connect themselves with
the institution founded by that preacher. He
said. Il will build my church and the gates
of hell shall not prevail against it. Whu
hears you, hears me; who despises you, des
pises me and despises the Father who sent
me-" He promised to send the Holy Ghosi
to abide with his people forever. Saul per
secuted not Christ, personally, but his church,
when the voice said, "Saul, Saul, why perse
cutest thou me?"
Divine law endowed the church with the
mission of verifcation and sactifcstion, and
it has come down to US through all the cen
| tures without break. or we should not know
it was the true church Of Christ.
He spoke of the life of Christ and of his
crucifxion and ascension. and the church cau
say that it stood with Mary and John at the
foot of the cross, and for nearly one thousand
nine hundred years it has sung his
praise. Where was the magnificent church
of God of which the Prophet spoke2 Behold
it in its representatives in this young repub.
lie, beautiful with the besuty Of God.
Ecumenical councils had resulted in stronger
duneIeOCc to tue Ihlti. w ItHDut tDe cnurcn
the world would he in chaos. The church
passes such salutsry laws as will protect the
conscience Of the people. ALI the people in
the church might not be good, for there was
Judas and Peter; but the abuses have been
corrected, and will be, for Christ said Il
am with you slways, even to the consunma-
ton of the world"
The Archbishop spoke agrinst free will,
and said the teachings of the church should
he accepted. Among the disciples was one
OF free will, and he went out and sold Jesus
Christ for 80 pieces of silver. Without the
church the world would GO back to worse
than pagan darkness, She has br night back
the most abandoned. and in this ypung repub-
tic will bring back the people 5y instruction,
teaching submission TO the will nf god: by
her love for the poor: b. her orders who
prefer poverty that they may better serve
God She will call all people into her en-
brace. She in SIC abolished slavery in Eng.
land, and in ll03 liberated all English slaves
in Ireland. Because Christ was the great
regenerator of humanity, the church has fol-
lowed him in aiding the poor and aiding
humanity.
At the close Of the sermon, Most Rev.
Archbishop Gibbons descended from the
throne and proceeded to the centre Of the
sanctuary in front of the main altar, where
he offered the inaugural prayer for the
plenary council. The following are the of
ficers: Most Rev. Archbishop Gibbons,
Apostolic delegate; Presiding Chancellors,