Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-16
FUNERAL SERVICES
York Cathedral-The Ceremonies Wit.
nessed by Five Thousand People.

NEW Ohh, oct 10.
The long night watch of those members of
the Society of ST. Vincent De Paul who
guarded the body of Cardinal McCloskev in
the great cathedral, last evening, came to an
end at daylight. A procession of priests with
uncovered heads then entered the cathedral
and knelt beside the altar Prayers for the
opening of a new day, the day upon which
the body of Americas first cardinal was 10 be
committed to earth, were said and then the
priests walked slowly down the centre aisles
on either sides of the catafalque and returned
to the sacristy. Two hundred policemen
kept back the great crowd thar had assem-
bled. Shortly after eight the doors of the
cathedral were opened. At S.45 the waiting
throng poured in. As the hour for beginning
the services was reached the crush without
the cathedral became greater, the streets for
several squares in every direction were
blocked with carriages and masses of people,
Guards stationed at the entrances allowed no
one TO pass in who was not provided with a
black bordered ticket of admission. In the
vicinity of the Hotel Buckingham few
tickets were offered for sale at SIS each
These were quickly purchased. The scene
within the cathedral was grand and impress
sive. The dead body of the Cardinal had
during the night been placed in mahogany
dered with bullion fringe hung about the
coffin and rods of gold extending the entire
length of the coffin, ornamented its sides.
The golden cozisr, the emblem of the bishops
authority, rested by the Cardinals side. The
head of the dead prelate was raised above the
level of the coffin and was easily seen from
below. Thirty wax candles threw a soft,
mellow light over the bier.
Five thousand people were gathered within
the walls of the cathedral before 10, where a
throng was waiting the opening of the solemn
requiem services. Papal servants in gold
lace and bright uniforms marched down the
center aisle and took up positions about the
catafalque. Later, the doors of the sacristy
were flung open and long procession of
whte-robed priests and acolytes filed down
the steps to seats directly in front of the high
altar.
Two hundred priests and boys chsnted the
office of the dead. Thea came the singing of
Pselm "a. Several more psalms were then
sung by the choir in unison. after which
came the chanting of the benedicites. While
the office of the dead was being chanted
Father Anacletus, Franciscan triar, assisted
by Rev. Father Kelley, passed around the
catafalque, swinging censer from which per-
fumed incense arose. After mass, Arch
bishop Gibbons ascended the pulpit and
preached the sermon.
The text of the sermon was Ecclesiastes
XIV, Douay version. These words spoken
originally of Aaron, said the speaker, NAV
fttingly be applied to the great high priest
whose mortal remains now lie before YOU
He also was chosen out of all men living to
fill the highest ecclesiastical position in this
nation, that he might teach Jacob his testi-
monies and give light to Israel in his law.
The glorious ornaments of the pontih to
which the text referred, had two-fold sig
MITIGATION. They symbolized in the eyes of
the people his spiritual dignity and authority !;
to the pontitf, himself, they represented the
interior ornaments of virtue with which he
should be adorned and without which the
most precious ornaments lose there lustre
The Cardinals death had brought sorrow to
the universal church, as well as to the church
of America and New York. 1t has filled with
grief the great heart of the sovereign pontiff,
and the college of cardinals, of which he was
an iliustrious member, and a distinguished
ornament. 1t has fallen heavily upon you,
venerable brethren of the clergy, and the sad
ness depicted upon your cOuntenances is the
expression of the grief which fills your heart.
Nor is the grief confined to those who were
OF the household of faith. 1t extends to all
classes and creeds of the community. The
great heart of New York has mourned him as
well became the empire city, lamenting the
death of one of its most illustrious and hon
ored citizens. Neither wealth, nor power,
nor rank can command such heartfelt and
universal respect as has been spontaneously
paid to the remains of your revered prelate.
lie has won the hearts of the people. The
Christian preate was always men of work,
a center of observation to the eyes of the
world, To the eye of faith the bishop is
exalted above angels, because he exercise 8
powers not given to angels.
The discourse concluded with glow ing
apostrophe to the dead Cardinal.
At the conclusion of the sermon prepara-
tions were made for the concluding rites by
the bestowal of Episcopal absolutions. These
were given by Archbishops Corrigan Of New
York, Gibbons of Baltimore, Ryan of Buffalo
Williams of Boston and Laughlin of Brook
lyn After the words of absolution were
uttered the coffin was removed from the cat.
afalque by attendants and gently carried to
its last resting place in the crypt under the
high altar where it was placed beside the
body of Archbishop Hughes The congrega-
ton and clergy then quietly dispersed.