Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-09
A C0NSECR RATION.
A Memorial Chapel in the George
town University Grounds.
BUILT BY MRS. DAHLGREN.
The Conservation Service Took Place Early
This Morning-At IL O'Clock q Pontifical
Mass Was Celebrated.

Not since the celebration of its centennial an
niversary has Georgetown University been the
scene Of such an imposing event as occurred
there today. 1t was the conservation OF the
memorial chapel erected by Mrs. John yinton
Dahlgren in memory Of her dead son,
and which will be known as the
Chapel Of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The
chapel stands in the quadrangle back of the
main building and is handsome structure
brick with stone trimmings and presents a inc
appearance. Inside il il quite roomy, affordng
q seating for about 400
The interior Is plainly but substan TALLY
finished with roof Of grained arches of oak
Over the altar there is handsome
stained glass window which WAS made in
Munich especially Tor this chapel The altar
Is OF white marble beautifully carved in rich
but chaste designs. he organ is in the north
transept and here there is aieo space for the
choir. Opposite are seats for the faculty and
visiting clergy.
THE CONSIDERATION SERVICE.
The conservation service took place Mt $50
O'Clock this morning. aud was the mos. COM
piete that has ever been performed in this
country. There was long procession OF dis
tinguished prelates under the guidance
of Cardinal Gibbons, who conduc ted the conse
Grafton service. He was assisted by Rev. j.
Ravens Richards, 3. j., rector OF George
town University, as archdeacon; Rev. q.
Gillespie, s. j., rector OF Gonzaga College,
as deacon; Rev. Edward McTammay, s. j.. as
subdeacon, and Mir. j. Barry Smith. s. j.. as
master Of ceremonies. Students Of the college
performed the duties of acoytes.
The procession started from the main uni
versity building. and with the choir chanting
the litany Of the saints marched three times
around the building, the cardinal each
time sprinkling the walls with holy
water. This done the chapel was entered.
special prayers were said, the walls were
sprinkled with holy water, anointed with hoiy
oils and the floor sprinked with ashes its en-
IRE length. IN which the cardinal
letters of the Greek and Latin alphabet With
each ceremony. which had Its special signif-
canoe. there were particular prayers said, AND
the entire service occupied about three
hours. At this service there wese
no invitations to the pubic, but the partici-
pants we're t!ie dignitaries of the church, the
priests and students at the university.
THE FIRST MASS IN THE CHAPEL.
The cardinal then said low mass in one CT
the other buildings anS at IL o'clock the nrst
mass in the new chapel vas celebrated with a
pomp and impressiveness that has never
before been seen in this District.
The walls Of the chapel and the altar were
richly decorated with flowers and palms, the
cardinals color (red) predominating. On the
south side OF the space within the
chancel railing erected throne
for the cardinal and his attendants. while on
the opposite side was the seat of Bishop Van de
Vyver Of Richmond, the celebrant Of the mass.
and his assistants.
AN IMPOSING PROCESSION.
The front pews were reserved for members
OF tine Dahlgren family and their personal
friends. while the body Of the house contained
many of the best known men and
women in Washington. 1t was but
few minutes past IL when
the solemn chanting Of the choir was heard in
the main building, and then an imposing pro-
cession, including candle. cross aud incense
bearers, acoytes, priests, bishops and the cardi-
nal. marched slowly up the center aisle
and passed within the chancel rail. The choir
took its place, the cardinal and his attendants
assembled the throne, the celebrsnt and his as
sistants took their places, the acolytes
soft tones Of the organ, played BY
Rev. Francis Power Of Loyola College, RaIti-
more. indicated that the mass was to begin
The celebration was more than usually impress
sire from the distinguished prelates who took
part, and the music, rendered entirely
by male voices, was exquisite. The mass
sung was Gounods "Messe des Orpheausstes,"
and the choir. which was composed Of students
from the college, was led by Rev. p. +. O'Gor-
man, s. J. The regular organist Of the college,
MIR. Armand Gumprecht, sang in the choir
cELEBRASTs OF THE MASS
The celebrant Of the mass was Bishop Van
de Vyver Of Richmond, with Rev. ]. ]. Hogan,
president of the Divinity College of the Catholic
University, az assistant priest; Rev. A r. Ney-
ins. rector of Sc. Thomas College and novitiate
an" m Rev. Z: Dublaneh!; rector of the Marist
deacons of honor; Rev. E. A Allen,
rector of Mt St Mary's College |
deacon Of the mass; Rev. Xavier Sat
ton. rotor Of st. Joseph's passionate retreat. |
subdeacon. Cardinal Gibbons presided in
cappa magma, attended by Rev. A Magnien.
assistant priest, and Rev. Thomas ]. Camp,
bell, provincial Of Maryland and New
York and Rev. +. A. Litz, provincial Of the Re-
demptorists, as deacons OF honor. All the dig |
nltarles OF the church were robed in their
richest vestments and made an imposing ap-
pearance.
REV. FATHER srArFoRp's SERMON.
Rev. Father Stafford of st. Peters Church, !
Baltimore, and professor of oratory at the
Catholic University, delivered the sermon. He
preached ON "The Relation Of God
to the Intellect and to the Will"
He first addressed the cardi-
nal as follows: "lour eminence, you placed |
the corner stone of this beautiful edifce in |
position last year, and did it in a manner wor- |
thy Of the gift and givers. Nothing remains
for me to say on this happy occasion, when the |
structure Is finally consecrated to Divine /
service, than to again thank the generous bene-
factors In the name of the president and fac |
ulty OF Georgetown University, and in |
the name OF the Catholics of America, for their
gift" He commenced his sermon by saving |
that'Ihe age IN which We live is one of great /
metnal activity. In many respects it has no I
parallel in history, and whatever we NAV /
think OF the methods that are peculiar |
to it we cannot deny that in many depart.
ments OF thought it has made much progress.
We are assured by the prophets of the dav |
that the advances thus far made are as nothing
to the stupendous revelations that greet us in
the future. These mental revelations are to be |
the logical and necessary results of the future
We have delved into the earth TO find their
records Of deeds which occurred long ago and |
have been forgotten. We have studied ali from
the grave OF dust to the heavenly bodies The
prophet of old, overcome by the word
OF God, left all for his god, and, like
the blind man, returned to Jerusalem, with
God manufactured himself to the human race.
not as man, not as aparticular thing, butt as God.
That Is to say, Heis infinitely good, infinitely
holy and infinitely lovable. He referred to the
developments of science and claimed that the
discoveries made confirmed the belief in God
and did not tend to materialistic belief He
spoke OF the scientists who had been brought
by their investigations to recognize the |
benefcence and love OF the
I'D