, 1889-11-14
CHURCH
A Magnificent Spectacle
at Baltimore.
~
Triple Celebration of Three
Great Church Events.
SIX HUNDRED PRIESTS IN PROCESSION
Cardinals Gibbons and Taschereau
in Attendance--The Speeches
and Services.

the NutnOilC cn'lrCn In America occurred
here this morning. II was tho com
menccmcnt OF the triple cclebrat ion of
the Tooth anniversary of tho appoint
inent OF the first American Catholic
bishop, the Inauguration of the first
congress of Catholic laymen held In the
United States, and the dedication of the
new national university for Catholics.
Ten thousand strangers were in Baiti-
more to witness the spectacle, four
times as many people, not counting To-
cal Catholics, as could possibly be ac-
commodated in the cathedral, where the
initial scenes we're to be witnessed.
The hall in which tho priests assembled
was claborately decorated. Above the
doors were tue papal colors, yellow and
white, and over these, stretching upward
to the caves, were great streaniers OF rcd,
white and blue.
When nll was ready 600 clergy. walk
ing two and two, emerged, clad in white
surplices and black cassocks aud berettas.
AT the doorway OF the cardinals house
and leading up the broad steps, with
sabers and polished helmets glittcring in
the bright morning sunlight, were double
lines OF guards Here again the pa pal
colors and the stars and stripes were in
tcrminglcd.
In all directions the street seemed filed
with people, and the open windows Of
surrounding dwellings each had their
quota.
Presently, while tho white-surpliced
priests were opening ranks Il mass of
purpled-cnvelopcd figures were seen in
the cardinals doorway. IL was gath
ering of nearly all the Catholic bishops
and archbishops in the United States,
with representatives from Mexico, Cana
da, England and Home.
The prelatcs now came forth from the
big portico in pairs, and as each two
stepped into the street their robes were
caught up by diminutive altar boys in
waiting. Here and there among the
silkcn ard purple vestments of the bish-
ops could lie seen the coarse brown or
White garb of bearded abbot. Through
long lines of priests the prciatcs thread
ed their way all around the square to the
main entrance OF the cathedral, tho rear
of the procession being brought up by
Archbishop Feelian of Chicago who i'm
mcdiately preceded the golden vcsturei
cross bearer, followed by two spare,
slight looking men almost hidden In daz-
zling scarlet. The two men In scarlet
where cardinals of the Roman church In
America, Gibbons and Tascherau of
Quebec. Eight acolytes upheld their
long vestments, and surrounding them
were the monsignors with pugal dele
gates O'Comell and Satolli of Home.
WITHIN THE CATHEDRAL
Ten minutes later the scene was
simply magnificent. The pews through
out the church were crowded to their ut
most with laity. The aisles in the CEN
ter, front and sides were packed with
snow-surpliced priests Agnins, both
laity and priests shone the purple ranks
Of the prelates inside the sanctuary On
the other side was a dais for the carli-
mails. At the high altar stood q mitred
celebriat of mass Archbishop Williams
OF Boston, and over all was the great
white and gold dome OF the cathedral.
At the conservation OF the host the
cardinals advanced from the sides with
the mon5ignors and bowed themselves,
knceling at the prideauS facing the Iltar
Back of them WAS n row OF richly al
ranged acolytes bearing lighted bronze
torches.
As Cardinal Gibbons retired to his
dais, the reporters In the inprovscd
press gallery noticed, for the first time
tnot six feet from him),in the sanctuary,
among abbots and other special diyutta-
ries, the black face of Father lotion of
Chicago, the first colorcd priest ordained
in America.
Probably the most impressive part of
the mass, next to consecration, was tho
comforting of the papul blessing. Mass
ended with special interccssion for the
pope, chan'cd 10y the clergy.
ARCHBISHOP RYAN.
The first ovation of the centenary was
delivered by Archbishop Ryan of Phil
adelphia. The patriotic spirit of the
archbishop's address and his tribute to
the recent devotion of the colorcd peu-
pic and Indians seemed to awaken gen
eral enthusiasm; but the most telling
effect was made when lie vindicatcd the
rights of Catholic editors, If need be, TO
freely comment on the failings of tho
clergy.
In the course ofhis address Archbishop
Ryan said that of all the false charges
alleged against the Catholic church. the
most senscless and unfounded Is that
she fears science and Is the enemy of
education. Her opponents, almost in
the same breath, charge her with being
tho foe Mt once and monopolizcr of
education. Tho holy father was the last
man In the world TO fear intellectual
progress, whether the population or the
Individual Is Catholic. He well knows
that truth is ono and that God can not
contradict in revelation of scripture what
he exhibits in revelation OF science.
Hence mans fearlcssness of such science
will be IN proportion TO the certainty OF
his conviction of the truths OF revelation.
The arch hbishop continued addressing
the laity: "And on this great historic
occasion you must not be mere observers,
but we trust your representatives will
speak out freely and fearlessly in the lay
congress which forms so interesting n
feature of this centennial celebration.
You know how false Is the charge of
the enemies of the church tl,at you are
priest ridden. The clergy did not fear
the iiaft of day, and II mistakes were
made by Catholic editors regarding their
affairs II was not all an evil, for II clearly
showed the rightful independence of
Catholic journalists" ~
The archbishop gave general statistics
Of the church during century as fol-
lows: when Bishop Carroll was consc-.
Grated IN 1870, tho entire Lopnation of
1000, 600. The Catholic population
was estimated at 10000. 'Therc
is now "a Catholic, population
of 100000; 5000 priests, ,. TO- 100
churches and chapols, ~ seininaries, 05
colleges and academies and over 1000
parish schools.
These remarkable statistics urc quoted
because they are mnrvclous when we
consider the nntagonisip of tho great
majority of people to- the Catholic
church. As in pagan times In the his
tory Of this country aud Catholic
churches, perfect organization was