St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-10
PLENARY COUNCIL.
Grand Opening Of the Third Plenary
Council Of the United
States Yesterday.

BALTIMORE, Nov. 9.--Under cloudless
sky in the midst Of brilliant sunshine,
with thousands Of eager on lockers and fer
vent worshippers, and with all the pomp,
pride and circumstance Of the form and
ceremony Of the Catholic church the thirty
nth plenary council in the United States
opened this morning at the cathedral of this
city. From early dawn the streets in the
vicinity Of the sacred building and Of the
archiepiscopal residence, were filed
with people. Carriage after carriage
left at arehiepiscopal residence containing
priest or bishop. Clusters Of people stood
around the doors of the cathedral in the
saeristy and robing rooms, altar boys, ,semina-
rians and masters Of ceremonies kept up a
constant change Of light and colors 1t had
evidently been determined that in brilliancy
aud in number the opening services should
exceed any religious event in the history of
the country, aud certainly the result went
beyond all expectations. With thirteen arch
bishops, sixty-fye bishops, scores of abbots,
monsignors, Wears, general supervisors
Oh religious orders, rectors of
seminaries and theologians, such process
sion and spectacle was not before seen in
this land. Old men aud old women went
home exclaiming: Snow | have seen nv
salvation" The minor clergy and the laity,
who were TO take part in the procession
assembled at st. AlphoRsus hall, about two
squares distant, and then marched tosthe
archbishop's residence to receive the great
dgnitaries OF the church. The street
through which the procession was to
move TO the cathedral were
hlled with spectators, reverent
In attitude, As the cross bearer was seen.
all uncovered, the Catholics ada ng genu-
nection. In order followed the secular and
regular clergy, semin arians, theologians,
bishops, srch-bishops aud mitred abbots,
All in full robes. The colors Of the vest
ments worn, the jewelled crosses borne,
sbone and sparkled in the sunshine. Oc-
casionally among the crowd of clean shaven
faces in the pro cession was one with patri-
arehal beard and venerable look, seeming as
II cut from some richly stained window.
glowing with the picture of saints and
apostles. After the bishops and arch
bishops was she censer bearers and their
apostolic delegate, Archbishop Gibbons, and
accompanying him was MS venerable vicar
general, Very Rev. Father McColgan. Arch
bishop Gibbons. supported by his deacons of
honor, was Rev. Fathers Lee and Devine.
his secretary and chancellor. The train
bearers followed. The episcopal ring spark
led. The archbishop, at all times ascetic In
his looks, his face seemed paler than ever
when in contrast with the purple
and crimson that met the eve al
every turn. Rich voices chanted psalm:
as the procession moved to the church
between the masses of men, women and
children, and all in sympathy. Up the Ions
aisles Of the cathedral moved these ''men ol
might"
The altars were ablaze with light, and tht
grand organ sent forth a welcome and I
triumph, The voices of the choir were soo1
heard, aud the opening service OF council
began. On reaching the sanctury the arch
bishops took their seats 10 the right of tho
altar, the abbots and and provincials to the
left The bishops occupied the recess of the
altar OF the Blessed Virgin, the seminarians
occupied the recess Of the altar OF St. Joseph
The priests were in chair in the
aisles and in front of the sanctuary
Archbishop Gibbons sat on the throne, anC
near him was the Very Rev. Edward NJ. c.
Colgan, vice general srchiepiscopal of the
See The main altar was adorned with ever
greens and white blooms. Most Rev. Arch
bishop Kenrick, of st. Louis, celebrated
grand high mass. Rev. Dwight Lyman wa.
deacon, Rev. j. A. McCallen was master OF
ceremonies. The choir consisted o.
upward Of fifty vocalists, unde
direction of Rev. Father Graf
The music was Of a high order, besides tn,
choir, the seminarians acted as choristers
and, with the reverend clergy and highel
dignitaries, chanted the litanies.
After the mass Most Rev Archbishop RYAN
of Philadelphia, preached on 'sThe Churcl
and her Councils" He selected for his text
the 18th, 10th and Goth verses, chapteI
xviii of the gospel Of Matthew. At tn,
close of the sermon Most Rev. Archbishop
Gibbons descended TO the front of the thron1
aud proceeded 10 the center of the sanctuary
in front Of the main altar, where he Offered
prayer for the plenary council.
! The following are the officers: Most Rev
Archbishop Gibbons, apostolic delegate pre
siding; chancellors, Revs. John Foley ant
George Devine; promoter, Rt. Rev. Bishol
kain, OF Wheeling; secretaries, Mgr. Cor
eoran, OF Philadelphia, Rev. Mr. Gabriel. O.
Iowa, Rev. Mr.. Mesmer, OF Newark ant
Rev. DR.. O'ConneIl, of Richmond; notaries