The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-06-07
DOINGS AT THE CATHEDRAL.

Sunday last was a great day at the
Catholic cathedral. 1t was Penticos5 day,
and one of the best and most formally OBJ
served of the year. First communion was
given at O'Clock a. M, and was cere-
mony full of sacredness and holy rites
Some twenty-five were, for the first time,
given this holy ordinance, and the sight
was one long to be remembered and never
TO he forgotten by the COMMITMENTS. The
young ladies were all arrayed in white
with long flowing white walls, and as their
pure hearts and innocent lips were en-
gagged in the solemn ceremony,
the scene was indeed impressive
and like the angels described in
the valley seemed TOO pure for the
touch of word" The young men were
dressed in black, and their demeanor and
earnest manner indicated a well-resolved
purpose in life. All wore bouquets of
roses. Rev. Father Then addressed them
in earnest, forcible words as to the sacred
rite and the obligation they thus assumed,
and pictured in joyful words the happy
life resulting from an abiding trust in
these observances.
AT 1880 o'clock Rt. Rev. Bishop Hen
messy conducted pontifical high mass. This
is one of the grandest and most beautiful
ceremonies in the calendar of observances
that has come down with the church from
the early days, and can be performed only
by the bishop. He was assisted by
Rev. Father Then, who otficiated
as deacon, Father Horgan as sub
deacon, and Right Rev. Father Athana-
sius, high priest. Father Then delivered
the sermon from the words, The Spirit of
the Lord hath filled the whole earth" The
sermon was fine presentation OF Gods
power over the strongholds of evil and the
uprooting of sin aud its dominion, in the
high places of the earth, priucipalities and
powers, and the magic sweetness of the
love and grace of God in the hearts of
men. The Holy Ghost touches with gentle,
magic hand the burdened and sin oppressed
and opens TO the mind and heart revela-
tons ofwisdom, and delight only through
the sacrifices made by Christ. The sermon
was Il mastery review of the progress and
triumph of Christianity, and was full of
the spirit of which he spoke.
In the 3 o'clock p m. service, some forty
received confirmation and were addressed
10y the bishop. This was only to be ap-
preciated by being witnessed and heard.
1t is the grand induction into the church
by the highest authority. The bishop
WAS inspired with the high prerogative be-
longing TO him, and his words fell like
Balm of Gilead" on all hearts attentive
to the theme. This is an occasion of the
renewal of the baptismal vows, and was
closed with the bened ction by the bishop,
after which the children Assem- bled in the
school room and were privately addressed
and instructed by him.
The anthems, hymns and chant by the
choir were especially selected for the cere-
monies of the day, and were rendered in
sweetness and perfection.
The harmony and stately march of the
deep notes of the organ leading the softly
echoed voices of the cultured singers. or
the richer, higher notes of a swelling an
them, is beyond the expression OF language
10 describe. The cathedral seemed TO fairly
take up the diapason of the music and re-
echo it from its walls and TO lay them in
softest touch upon the altar, the images.
the burning tapers, and voice them in form
in thr ascending incense aud the solemn
prayers.
Ii was grand day in the church.