Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-07
CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN.
The National Union Holding Its An
nual Convention Here.
AN IMPRESSIVE OPENING.
Scenes at Carroll Hall Today-Re.
1igious Services at st. Patrick's
Church-A sermon by bishop keane-
The Cardinal I'm Attendance.

the celebration OF solemn high mass was be-
gun This service formed the opening of the
convention Of the Catholic Young Mems Ma
tional Union that is now being held in this
city. For some time before the commence
ment Of the service the main body of the
church was we'll filed, but the seats on either
side Of the center aisle we're reserved for the
delegates and visitors. They entered in a
double line, each young man wearing on his
breast handsome silk badge, one of the union
and one Of the particular society of which he
was a member. They were a fine looking body
of young men and presented an imposing ap-
pearance as they entered the church to begin "a
convention in a manner hardly common with
conventions
THE MASS.
The mass was celebrated by Rev. J. A.
Walter with Rev. ]. +. Donohue as deacon,
Rev. u. F. Sullivan, subdeacon. and Rev. ]. F.
McGee as master OF ceremonies In the
chancel of the church were a number of other
priests both from this CITY and from other
citles as all the visiting clergy were invited to
take seats within the sanctuary. 1t had been
expected that Cardinal Gibbons would be
present at the church, but he was unable to be
there.
BISHOP KEASE's SERMON.
The sermon to the union was preached by
RI Rev. J. ]. Keane. d. D., rector of the Cath
Ole University. 1t was q broad and earnest
appeal to the young men and eloquent
Bishop Keane's sermons always are He began
by giving hearty welcome to the union in
the name of the cardinal. Of the clergy of the
diocese and of the parish, and in the name of
all the parishes and all the people of the cap
ital city. He complimented the young men
because they were members of union that
had nothing to regret and to be ashamed OF
and that began the deliberations of its con-
yention by such a solemn religious ceremony.
There are many organizations" said the
bishop, that would be afraid to ask the bless
ing of God on the business they transact in
their conventions Happy are you, thrice
happy that YOU begin your deliberations by
asking the blessing and the assistance of your
Heavenly Father IN the good work you have to
do. He referred to the various objects
of the union, mental and moral advancement
and the mutual assistance in lettering the
common condition of all, as objects worthy of
Christian young men and each and all Of them
pleasing in the sight of the Lord. He said that
the formation Of the National Union of ali the
local societies was effort to prevent them
from becoming narrow and merely local. local
in aim and sympathy, but that instead they
should be broad and catholic. The spirit of
the country and of the church is universally
with unity. The church itself is catholic and
universal and all tendencies toward cOngrega-
tiOnalisn should be repressed and conquered.
y
precursors of so good a work that is spreading
through the land its noble influences every day
and every year.
AFTER THE SERVICE.
At tho conclusion of the services in the
church the delegates formed in a group on the
steps Of st. Patrick's and were photographed
in the pouring rain storm. Then the line of
march resumed and the procession filed
around the corner and into Carroll Hall. where
the day sessions of the convention are being
held.
IN CARROLL HALL.
''Old Carroll Hall" on street near 9th, as
the church edifce where the congregation of
81. Patrick's Church worshiped for SO many
years is now known, presented an attractive
appearance when the delegates came in to
attend the opening session of the convention.
comments were numerous. and the
delegates were unanimous in the opinion that
II was one of the finest halls that had ever been
for the meeting of the national con-
ventiOn. National flags and bunting had been
10 produce artistic effects. The walls
on each side were hung with banners. while
between the windows were shields draped with
colors. Lace curtains were hung at the win
dows, and above were busts designed in
bunting of pleasing Combinations of colors.
Over the gallery the rear was draped
an immense American flag, which was caught
mp in the center by an eagle designed in silver.
rom tnls point steamers were suspended to
different parts OF the hall. The large platform
was very handsomely decorated. American
flags were draped from the arch over the stage
with the central ornament. large gilt eagle
with Outspread wings, and beneath a small
American flag surrounding the center the
papal coat Of arms. The walls on each side
were hung with banners ana in each corner
were massed foliage plants. AS the central
point OF the decorations of the rear wall of the
stage was placed the symbol of the convention
containing the motto, God and our neigh
bors." Beneath the motto was a triple crown
on THE PLATFORM.
On raised platform in the center Of the
stage was the seat Of the president of the con-
ventIon. On his right sat the cardinal and on
the left Bishop Keane and District Commits
slOner Douglass. Rev. DIR. GarrIgan, vice
rector of the Catholic University, and Father
Walter also sat on the platform. The tables occu-
pied by the secretaries of the convention occu-
pied the extreme ends Of the platform In
order that the delegations from the different
cities could be seated together the hall was
divided into sections, which were marked by
standards bearing the names Of the cities
When the first session of the convention was
called TO order the hall was well filled among
the audience being number of young colored
men, representatives from different societies
Father Lavelle, the president Of the union
called the meeting to order.
REV. NJ. J. LAyELLE.
Father Lavelle is rector of the great ST
PAtrick's CATHEDRAL Of New York and is regarded
as the right hand Of Bishop Corrigan. He is
an eloquent speaker
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