The morning call., 1891-01-12

The new St Mary's Cathedral on Van
Ness avenur was soiemnly dedicated to the
service Of God Yesterday morning by his
Grace tie NJ St Rev. P. W. Rordan, DID.
Tie day when a cathedral worthy Of San
Francisco would be consecrat-d had been
looked forward to by members of the old
St. Mary's parish and also 10y the greater
number of Catholics in this city for years
with longing and expectancy. And wien at
list It-dawue1 beautiful as the promised
land with heavenly sunshine it was full OF
promise for the great event that was OBJ
served by many people. To them 1t was
day of special SOlemuity, rejoicing and mu-
tual congratulations.
The genial skies were rs propitiOus as no
doubt they were IN the long ago on similar
occasions, when padres and Spaniards and
neo httes and soldiers gathered around the
stately Mission Churches to perform and
attend the same rites as were used in st.
Mary Cathedral yesterday.
GREAT OCCASIONS.
The,e were days of all days in the mis-
siouary period. And when the plain, old
church on California street was dedicated
thir-y-eight years ago as the Cathedral of
- san Francisco the same prayers were chant
great outTouring Of all creeds crowded its
interior and blocked the then sandy streets
around it. But yesterday was the crowning
one fcr pomp of ritual, grandeur of cere-
mony, solemnity and impressiveness of
services, and the dignity and devo ton pre-
scented in tie vast gathering Of worship
eTs.
To Catholics who had given years of
thoU-Et and action, as well as to those in
f.rrst. r sl.-.g,
occasion VIII be memorable. This was
PLAIN shown by the interest taken in the
GedlcatOry services. Thousands of deyout
WurshLpers gathered long before the ap-
pointed hour. and, if fortunate enough TO
have ticket OF sion, secured seats. At
10 O'Clock the galleries were packed with
people, the pews on the main floor well
filed, and a crowd was outside waiting to
be allowed inside.
RECEIVING THE PEOPLE.
Invitations had been issued to Governor
Markham and X. w. Waterman Mayor
Sandersou, L. b. Pond, the city officials and
gentlemen who mad shown themselves to be
friends of the undertaking OF building the
cathedral. Mr.. Waterman and Mayor San
CeTSon, with many prominent men, occu-
tied ats IN the galleries. Sisters of the
Holy Family, Sisters of Charity. Of Mercy,
Of NuTe Dame, Of St. Dominic and the
Ladies OF the Sacred Heart were accommo-
dated In the tranSepts.
At 10 40 o'clock the doors were thrown
open 10 the public, and then the large crowd
surged IN through the vestiDulp. Soon the
1OuT ti>ieS and the passages along the walls
were filed with people, ladies and gentle
men, who stood OF knelt patiently during
the long ceremonies. Even up to the very
aliaT-rsIls they crowded to find room.
Father PTendergast managed the throng
Yesy quietly, but effectively, with the
assistance OF the ushers A large detail OF
j lice officers was required to direct people
by careful attention to the duty assigned
them, there was no Inconvenience nor
trouble IN managing the biz congregation.
\ MAGEWICEHT SPECTACLE.
The sight Of such an immense gathering
OF people without single break IN the mass
tile ma Bnlilcent spectacle OF the sanctuary
with lis brilliant but harmonious colurs,
ahd The genl-hke interior OF the place, all
combined toward an effect at once pictur-
esque, imposing and inspiring.
The sunlight streamed in through the stain
glass windows IN a Hood Of softeued light.
bcarng prlSmatic culOr5 10 the clauceI
When the eye would turn from the pleasing
harmony Of t!nts on the windows il would
rest inYoluntarly upon the beautiful Byzan-
tine lrPsc0lng.
Everything inside presented gracious con-
traSis. The altar and its surroundings were
singdlary beautiful. In a chancei, high
arched aud eXquIsitely decorated in ByZan-
tine and Italian renaissance mural orna-
men atOns, stands the high altar, an arts
tic creation from the floor, including its an
preaching steps, in white marble II is
pane!cd and pillared with delicate tracerv
5nd carving, enriched with tapering decor
ated finals. and figures Of angeles at each
end. The decorations at the services yes
teTday were simple.
ALTAR DECORATIONS.
Only gilt candelabra, with loose punches
of white lilies and vivid green ferns in vases
between, were upon the altar The alars
Of the Blessed Virgin and st. Joseph, SINH
larry situated in chancels at either side, are
also OF white marble They were decorated
only with white flowers and green sprays,
which showed good taste and sense OF the
appropriateness of the 0rnamentatiOn.
lie Arch bishops throne, richly carved,
oaken one, Of generous proportions and
upholstered In leather stands against a
large pillar on the g,spel side of the altar.
when his Grace assembled it, clad in his pur-
pie ana scarlet robes, with his gold-emb Toid-
cred chausable and mitre, and the croZier
and gold cross held beside the throne. and
the goTgeously vested deaeons and attending
priests moving about, the sanctuary pre.
, scented a sight never before witnessed in
san Francisco. 1t was scene of regal
pomp and magniicence.
The veslments oil the officiating priests
We're of pOrpp0us finish of whita n,oira an,