Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-08-13

The Catholic Societies OF the City Pay
Respects TO Their Venerable Leader.
For several weeks the varie a. Catholic
societies and organizations 81 the city have
been making preparations 10 welcome the
RI Rev. Ii. }. Richter. ID. ID, Bishop Of
Grand Rapids. upon his return home from
his European trip. The welcome was plan
bed as a surprise 10 the Bishop, and ever
since his departure from Rome ms people
here have waited eagerly 10 receive mes-
sage announcing the day he would arrive IN
Grand Rapids. Yesterday forenoon the
Bishop. little thinking Of tile many happy
plans he MAS frustrating, quietly
arrived at home and went 10
his residence al l47 sheldon street. The
Catholic citizens coon learned OF how - c.
cessfully the tables had been turned. but
proceeded quietly and with haste TO carry
out their plans. Last evening a procession
was formed at the West Bridge street depot,
which was composed of members of the
Ancient Order of Hibernians, ST. Joseph's
Benevolent Society, ST. Johns Mutual Aid
Society, 81. Adelbert Society, two Catholic
Benevolent societies. two Polish Catholic so
cieties and Squiers's, the City and National
cornet bands. There were upwards of three
hundred and fifty in the procession, who
marched carrying Chinese lanterns and sew
eral OF the societies We're IN their regalia and
carried their banners. Hundreds of the mem
bers OF the various Catholic congregations
followed the procession. which would
have been much larger but for
the short n@tice upon which 1t
and spoke louder than words of the love
borne the Bishop by his people. The line of
march was on Bridge street to Canal, to
Monroe To Sheldon, thence south To St.
Andrews cathedral. halt was called in
front of the residence of Rev. 4. j. Nc
Manus, where also resides Bishop Richter.
There were present at the residence to as
sist in the cordial greeting Very Rev. G. j.
Roche, Reverends Il. j. McManus and Jas.
c. Pulcher and Father j. G.. Ehrenstrasser.
From the porch of the residence Bishop
Richter was welcomed and spoke briefly and
feelingiy He said he was completely taken
by surprise and little thought he would be
called upon 10 address his people upon
the evening of his home returning
that he felt not quite ready to receive them,
but gave his most hearty thanks for the kind
and magnificent welcome given. He further
said he had just come from the Great Father,
who rules over all the Catholic churches OF
the world, and he was surprised to see how
much he knew about Catholics here; he said
he thought of Us and would remember uE III
his prayers, and requested the Bishop TO tell
the people lucy nave MS cpcCldi blccciis III
their great mission. The Bishop then again
thanked his hearers and said IL wo1ld be to
his great pleasure 10 promote the interests of
his people assembled IN the blessed sacra-
ment, which should follow. He then bade
the audience good night promising TO meet
them again at the benediction in the church.
The people at once filed the vast Cathed-
raj for the celebration of the Pontitical
Benediction, there being but few vacant
seats. The musical part of the reception
was rendered by a chorus of about sixty
voices, which was made up from the mem
bers of the various choirs, assisted by a
number of other singers of local ability.
The different numbers were given with ex-
cellent precision and expression. The first
chorus ''Tu es Sacerdos," by StunZe, diff
cult composition with its intricate fugue
grandly ushered the Right Reverend Bishop
into the church. Then followed Falkens-
teins save Virum," chorus with soprano
obligato, abounding in effects of light and
shade exquisitely rendered. The third mum
| ber was Rossi's ''Tantum Ergo" which pre-
| ceded the pontifical benediction A,
| the close the 'Te Deum," by
| Zambillotte, was sung with Soprano, alto
and bass, solos and chorus. This ended the
| efforts of the chorus. Too much praise can
not be given the numbers of the chorus
who, on so short a notice, succeeded so we'll
| Prof. l.. NJ Kramer, the organist of St
i Andrews, was the musical director and i:
also deserving of great praise for the fine
manner in which he conducted his part o.
| the program. The reception as a whole wa.
royal one and the true expression of ;
warm hearted, earnest and devoted people