The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-07-01
CARDINAL gibbons.
Description of the Ceremony Mt RaltlmOr,
Yesterdny-Tho Old Cathedral,

Description Of the Ceremony Mt baltimore
YesterIny-ThG Old Cathedral,
The old Baltimore Cathedral has been
the scene Of many important events in the
history Of the Catholic Church in America.
Many Archbishops and Bishops have re.
ceived the insignia Of the hierarchy within
its sanctuary, and the great Plenary Coun-
ella have there been held, Archbishop
Gibbons, however, will be the first to re.
ceiye the Cardinals hat in the Baltimore
Cathedral.
The ceremony at the cathedral will con.
slst Of POntaCal Mass, sung by one Of
the bishops, and Archbishop Gibbons will
assist at his throne, vested in the arOhi-
episcopal purple for the last time. Then,
when the mass is over, the commission
will deliver their papers and their precious
gift to the hands OF some archbishop, who
shall have been selected by the Holy See,
and the documents will be read. At their
conclusion the scarlet beretta will be
placed on the head Of the Archbishop, and
then he will be James Cardinal Gibbons.
He will then retire and divesting himself
Of the arChiepiscopal purple will come in
again dressed entirely in the scarlet robes
OF the CardlnalRte. The Cardinals have
three distinct sets OF robes, which they
wear according to the time OF the year.
His EminenCe having taken his seat at
the throne, all tho prelates ana clergy,
secular and regular, will approach and,
kneeling, kiss the hand OF him who repre-
sents the majesty Of Rome. Then the
Cardinal will bless all in the Cathedral
with the Apostolic BsnedlCtion, sent by
the Pope for this purpose.
Archbishop Gibbons will become Car
dinal Bishop, Tile Cardinals dress con-
sists OF tunic and mantle, a rochet or
aurpliCe OF fine lace and cap or three
Cornered hat. The color OF the dress is
red, unless the Cardinal belongs to q re.
ligious order, in which case he retains his
habit, but uses the same form OF dress as
the others. Innocent Nv conferred on
the Cardinals the distinction OF the now
famous red hat, which is so peculiarly the
ornament OF their rank that In common
psrlance to "reCeive the hat" Is the same
as to be raised to the Cardinalate. The
special meaning Of the hat is that the
Pope places II upon the head, the seat OF
the brain, to warn the Cardinal that he
must give learned aud loyal counsel to
the government Of the church, while its
color signifies that the wearer must be
prepared to lose the last drop Of blood
rather than betray his trust. This hat lie
one Of ceremony only and serves but
twice-onCe when the Cardinal receives 1t
| in Conslstory and next when 1t rests upon
tho Cataialque at his obsequies. II isthen
suspended from the ceiling OF the chapel
or church IN which he Is buried. The
form Of the hat is round, with low
crown and wide stiff brim, from the inside
OF which hang fifteen tassels, attached in
a triangle, from one TO five. At the Cere-
mony Of giving the ha: the Pope says in
Latin:
Receive for the glory Of Almighty God
and the adornment OF the Holy Apostolic
See this red hat, the sign OF the unequaled
dignity Of the Cardinalate, by which is de.
Clared that even to death by the shedding
OF thy blood thou should show thyselt in
trepid for the exaltation Of the blessed
The cornerstone Of the old Cathedal Of
Baltimore was laid July 7, 1906, by Bishop
Carroll. The site had been the camping.
ground Of portion Of the French troops
under Count RoChambeau, who, after the
surrender Of Yorktown, remained here
until the close OF the war. The cathedral
was fifteen years building 1t and the
archiepiscopal reaidOnce, with the grounds
attached, occupy one-half OF the large
square bounded by Cathedral, franklin
and Mulberry streets and Charles avenue.
/ uNl 80 has nj anI afk
It and the archiepiscopal residence on
Charles avenue-the two most fashionable
thoroughiares in the city. There Is an
ancient appearance about the great gran.
Ito walls Of the Cathedral and the general
architecture OF the massive structure is
unlike any other church in the country.
II will seat more people than any other
church in Baltimore. With It's old paint
ings and magnificent marble affairs the edi-
hCe is one oil the special objects OF interest
10 strangers, Not many years ago the debt
was cleared Of and the church Consecrated
over half a century alter 1t had been
built. 1t was, however, never fully com.
pleted-until about fifteen years ago, when
| the great brown stone pillars and portiCo
near the main entrance was finished. The
roof Is surmounted by q dome and tower,
the crosses on the top Of which can be
seen from all parts Of the city. The dome
IL said 10 be the largest on any church In
this country. Several noted artists were
engaged nearly two years In painting
SCfiptural designs. During the term Of
Archbishop Spalding tue Interior Of the
church was irescoed In blue and gold, en-.
tirely changing its appearance. The only
thing ordinary about the Cathedral is lie
pews. They are penitential arrangements,
and the only ones that have cushions,
either 10 kneel or cit on, are those owned
BY wealthy people. There are three gal.
leries, one Of which Is occupied BY. the
choir and the other by Sisters Of Charity
and the orphans from 81, Mary's Asylum,
Two grand organs, one In the sanctuary
and the other In the gallery, supply the
Accomplishments TO the regular choir and
the ChoriSters who chant the Gregoriau
music for the Masses. The sanctuary, ex.
tending In front Of tho three affairs, Ia
very large, and needs to DO, as Il has tre'
uuently 70 accommodate from fifty TO a
hundred priests and students from the
Seminary Of 81. SulpllCe.
The archiepisCopal throne 10 not cano.
pied with purple, but the hRngings are In
red gilk and cloth, There will DO no ne.
ceaalty iot changing the ColOrs when II
becomes the EpiScopal seat Of the Cardi.
NAL. Under the main altar 10 q marble
cFypt, In which reposB the remains oil
AfchbIshopB Kendrick, Spalding, BAyley
and other pfelateB. Their tomb ID almost
beneath tie throne they occupied ID life.
Cardinal Gibbons Is 4 busy 0hufChman,
a hard worker and q close student, Ad,
IiolnlnR The library ID bis bedroom and
nYiyAte oratofy. The rooms are comlorta.
biy furnished, after the fashion Of any
ordinary dwelling, but there ID on tttei
absence Of anything like gumptuousnets
There are many rooms In this double
winged oapaClouB mansion, but oittlmel
lhe house ID crowded with ptelates and
! priests IRON various parts OIL the country
nNnN a aasfNN Is.II AL "a