The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-20
BLESSING THE BELLS.
Dedication of the Church of the SacreC
Heart by Bishop Junger.

Heart by Bishop Junger.
The Church OF the sacred Heart was dedicated
yesterday with imposing and appropriate cere-
monies, and the bells were blessed by Bishop
junger. Although the church was erected two
years ago the ceremony OF dedication was de-
ferred from time TO time, and performed with
the blessing OF the Angeius bell and the regular
church bell yesterday. Bishop Jungor, as ceie-
brant, sang pontihcial high mass, while Rev.
William Linduer ofiiciated as deacon, Rev John
Cronin as sub-deacon, Rev. p. Commit rs assist
ant priest, and Rev. c. Sgl master OF ccre-
monies. They were assisted by aleo'ytes and
. mass-servers.
The dedicstion services took place just before
mass at 1880 in the morning. The procession,
headed by one of the redemptorists fathers bear
ing q crucigix, passed down the center isle of
the church, then outside, where the bishop
sprinkied the walls OF the church with holy
water and blessed them. The procession then
returned TO the altar, and passed thence down
the lett isle Of the church and up the right,
cireling the building and sprinkling the inside
OF the walls with holy water the same as the
outside.
The dedication over, tho bishop celebrated
mass with the assistance of the priests men
toned. After the reading Of the first gospel
Father Sigl preached an appropriate sermon,
abiding to the church as the way 10 Christ. He
said that as the house of God, IL should be made
holy for there i've OF the holy saeraments OF the
church are administered there the infant 10
brought TO be baptized; there the sacrament of
confirmation is administered 70 strengthen
catholics in the faith: there the Holy Eucharist,
or body of Christ, is given TO the faithful there
the penitents confess their sins, and there the
sacrament of holy orders 10 administered which
makes q man a priest. "Ihe only sacrament"
said Father sigl, (which is not administered in
the church is extreme JUNCTION, or the last
amounting, which from its very nature must DC
done at the bedside of the dying.
1.-The church is not only the place where the
sacraments are administered. but il is the place
of prayer, and AZ such should be consecrated to
God.
1.-THE blessing of the bells which takes place
Immediately alter mass is another beautiful
ceremony which signifies great deal The bells
are washed by the bishop rs a symbol OF purity.
-Four crosses are placed upon them, on the north,
east south aud west. 70 indicate that every
Quarter Of the world % 70 be embraced in the
faith aud called into the church OF God by the
holy bells Holy incense is burned beneath
them, and the smoke is permitted 10 ascend and
spread in all directions, 10 show that the bless
ines Of God are showe-ed upon all alike who
obey his laws and practice his teachings.
THE church bell Is TO call together Sl those
who desire TO worship God. and 10 remind them
OF their sacred duties. Were it not for the bells
many would forget the hour Of mass and forget
their obligations 20 God. The Rugelus bel viii
ring at O'Clock in the morning, al noon ana al
seven in the evening. In the morning il will
call you Go PRAYER 81 the dawn OF day, N order
that You may seek the blessings of God 70 cheer,
help and comfort you in your days laeors. AT
noon the sngelus will remind you Of God when
you stop 10 refresh yourselves with your mid
siay ulsai and rest awhile from your daily tolls
In the evening, when your days WORK Is done
the solemn tones OF the sngelus bell will again
be heard, and you will sgain be called 20 prayer
to OFFER up Thanksgiving Tor the health, pretee-
ton and fsvors of the day ana TO invoke the
blessings of God and His care during the night
"The church is the way OF Christ and the bells
are the means of calling Us TO that way. We
should heed the calls and keep within the holy
way during this lifs and in the HE hereafter the
ligA; OF Christ will illumins our paths aud our
lot will be the Kingdom OF God"
At the conclusion OF mass Bishop Junger pro-
nouneed the benedietion aud then proceeded to
bless the BELLS which were the left side of the
church. near the front The ceremony was
rather lengthy, and during number OF prayers
and responses the bells were washed with holy
water, crosses were placed upon than, incense