Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-10
A SOLEMN OCCASION.
Gathering of Catholic Clergy From
All Parts of the World.
ALL BALTIMORE DECORATING
For the Centennial of the Hierarchy of the
United States.
PAPAL REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT
u BALTIMORE DECORATING
PAPAL REPRESENTATIVES, PRESENT
nrrc1Ar TELEGRAM TO THE D1srAroH.I

rsPTcIAI TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArcH.I
BALTIMORE, November 9.-To-morrow
morning, at 10 o'clock, the Catholic Church
will begin to celebrate the centennial of the
hierarchy of the United States. No event
in the history of the church in this country
has been in vested with similar importance,
excepting perhaps the Plenary Council.
The latter, however, was distinctively
q gathering of American priests, while on
the present occasion famous men II the
Church from various sections of the globe
will, by their presence, invest the occasion
with more than passing importance. Rome
will be represented by the Pope's special
legate, Archbishop Satolli, while from Italy,
England, Canada, Mexico and elsewhere
come churchmen whose views and utter
anees have guided the destinies Of nations.
The historical significance of the occasion
is generally recognized, and the combined
Church in this country has lent its aid to
make it one of the grandest religious cele-
bratiOns of the nineteenth century. The
religious services will be conducted with
unusual splendor. All the Catholic
churches have commenced decorating. A
large United States flag floats from the win
dow of ST. Alphonsus Church at Saratoga
aud Park avenues.
SCENES OF BEAUTY.
The church is decorated with many flags,
and the papal colors and evergreen wreaths.
A number of residences opposite the Archi
episcopal palace have been supplied with
electric lights for the purpose of illumins-
ton. Catholics will very generally illumin-
ate and many will also decorate. About
the Cathedral will be strong electric lights,
hut no ornamentation of any kind
Within, however, the scene will surpass
in beauty and impressiveness that witnessed
on the day of the opening of the Plenary
Council. The sanctuary will be ablaze
with light, and the floral decorations ar
ranged BY an artist will be a revelation to
those who have the good fortune to be within
the church. The Cathedral cannot rank
among the ornate and richly decorated
Catholic buildings of the country, but it is
unsurpassed for antiquity. Eighty-three
years ago, on July z, the venerable Arch
bishop Carroll laid the corner stone. The
granite was brought in on wagons from the
EllicOtt City quarries. Its length, in
cluding the portico, is 100 feet; it's
width, including the arms of the cross, is III
feet and its height, from the floor of the
nave to the summit Of the cross which sur
mounts the dome, is 127 eet. The style is
Ionic, and the stately pillars of the portico
are impressive and pleasing to the beholder.
RESPONSIBLE POSITION.
1t will require some fine work to accom-
modate all those entitled to admission, but
Father McCallen, who was master of cere-
monies at the time of the Plenary
Council, and who will again have
charge on this occasion, Is a priest
of wonderful resources and decided
ability. His plans are mapped out with
methodical accuracy, and even should cir
cumstsnces compel q speedy change, ne can,
with the remarkable skill for which he is
noted, rearrsnge his programme and bring
the exercises to a close without hitch or a
tangle. 1t will be his province to provide
seats Tor the multitude.
Thr exercises as arranged are to last five J