Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-17
UPON A BISHOPS THRONE.
IMPOSING CEREMONIAL AT THE
CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL.


clesiastical Spectacle-A Large
Gathering of Priests and Prelates
impressive Sermon by Bishor
Moore-Bishop BeclSer's Welcome
His Heartfelt Responsc-The New
Bishops Household.
The Roman Catholic Episcopate Of So
vannah, which has been vacant since the
elevation of Bishop Gross TO the arch
ipiscopacy OF Oregon over year ago,
was formally taken possession of yester-
day by Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas A.
Becker, recently appointed by the soyer-
eign Pontitf OF the Church, Leo Kill, TO
succeed Archbishop Gross.
The ceremonial attending the installa-
tion Of the new Bishop took place in the
Cathedral Of Our Lady ofPerpetual Help.
aud was one of the most solemn
and imposing religious ceremonials
that has ever been witnessed in the
South. The See Of Savannah is one OF the
oldest in this country. II includes the
entire State OF Georgia, within whose
boundaries are thousands of faithful
Catholics Never was the Cathedral so
densely filled. From all parts OF the See
Catholics came to witness the installation
OF their new ruler.
AWAITING THE NEW BISHOP.
BY 10o'clock the Cathedral was crowded
with people, many OF whom had hard
work TO find even standing room. A few
minutes before II long procession of
priests. clad in black soutanes and rockets
OF white lace, and altar boys in red and
white. with their arms demurely folded
together on their breasts, came from the
sacrsty and lied down the aisle TO the
vestibuie, where both clergy and laity
stood respectfully awaiting the entranceoi
the prelate, who was TO be installed ruler
OF one OF the most important sees In the
country.
The various s0dalities of the parish
were seated in the front pews facing the
sanctuary. Among them were the So
dality OF the Blessed Virgin, the Holy In
nOcents, the Holy Angels, the Holy In
fants, anu the societies, ST. Agnes Band,
and Children Urinary. Pews we're reserved
for the Catholic knights of America, the
st. Johns and st. Patrick's T. A. B. So
cieties, the Ancient Order Of Hibernians
and the Catholic Library Association,
which constituted a guard Of honor out
side the Cathedral.
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.
The scene inside the church was most
impressive. The affairs we're withouta any
decoration save the banners of the various
sOdalities. Twinkhng tapers cast a mel
low light over the shining marbles OF the
superb reredos OF the high altar, and the
smoke Of incense perfumed the sanctuary.
Upon the table OF the altar lay the vest.
ments Of the new Bishop.
Precisely at IL O'Clock the carriage
containing the Rt. Rev. Bshop-elect,
Bishops Moore Of st. Augustine and
Northrop OF Charleston, and Mgr. Quiglev
of Charleston, attended by the Catholic
siof al ont
arrived from the Episcopal residence. The
new prelate alighted, and, attended by the
escorIDg Bishops, marched up to the
Cathedral entrance, where he was met
by the Very Rev. Father Cafferty, adj
ministrator OF the See, and by the priests
OF the diocese.
GIVEN THE KEYS.
The keys of the Cathedral were deliv-
cred into his hands by the Vicar GEN.
eral. He was then attired in the cope
and mitre and assuming the crosier the
doors of the Cathedral were swung
open and the procession entered.
AT its head was the crossbeareT, Rev.
Father McNaily, of Augusta, bearing a
golden Episcopal cross. Following the
crOssbearer came % altar boys 10 red
cossacks and white surplices, and then
the priests of the diocese. Following
them came Mgr. Quigley, of Charles
ton, attended by Fathers Oswald
aud Hennessy as chaplains. The
Bishops, clad in their purple robes,
and each attended by Two train bearers,
followed the MonslgnOr and his chaplains.
Bishop NOrthrOp, OF Charleston, with
Rev. Fathers Shadier, OF Charleston, and
Begley, OF Augusta, came first and was
followed by Bishop Moore, OF st. Angus
tine, with Rev. Fathers OHara ana
Cyprian as chaplalns.
THE DISTINGUISHED PRELATE.
Last of all was Bishop Becker himself.
He was attended by Very Rev. Father
Cafferty. Vicar General uf the Diocese.
Rev. Fathers Colbert aud McNally, dea-
cons OF mass, Rev. Fathers Kelley aud Reb.
mon deac0ns OF honor, and Rev. Fathers
Bazin and Mccarthy as first and second
masters OF ceremonies.
Tha Bishop was clad in the insignia OF
his Office. In his right hand he clasped a
golden crosier, and the hem OF his purple
robe was held by two train bearers. His
step was firm and his bearing full Of grace
and stateliness. Thus attended the Bishop
entered his spiritual dominion.
As the cross beaFer appeared the con-
s.rsgatiOn arose and simultaneously the
first notes of "rhe Bishops March" were
heard from the organ and the fun orches-
ira in the ch0ir-lOft above. The process
sion moved slowly up the centre aisle, en-.
tered the sanctuary, and, parting at the
steps, passed TO each side of the high
altar. AZ the entrance to the sanctuary
be dipped silver aspersorium into a
vase OF holy water and aspersed the cler-
gy about MIN.
BLESSING UPON THE PEOPLE.
Having entered the sanctuary the Bishop
br9pOunced blessing upon the priests
anu people. LED by Bishop Moore be
then assembled the throne al the Gospel
SIDE OF the altar, and assumed the splri.
tual sway that ended in the elevation
of Bishop Gross 10 a higher Office and his
removal from the See. His attendants
sat beside him aud gthe altar boys nestled
upon the thrones steps at his feet.
Rev. Father Kelley. brother of the ex.
Minister TO Austria, and the special escort
Of Bishop Becker 10 mis- new diocese, as
cended the steps at the epistle side of the
altar and read the Papal bulls appointing
Bishop Becker ruler of the See of Savan-
nab. After the reading OF the bulls
Vicar General Caherty assembled the
steps TO the throne. aud kneeling, kissed
the signet on the right hand OF the Bishop,
which was extended 20 him. Then came
the suiiragan clergy OF the diocese in the
order Of their seniority aud rank, Father
Colbert following the Vicar General, and
In turn Fathers McNally, Bazin. Begley,
DeWald Gvprian. ~ Hara HeunpasV and