Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-09
A CONSE GRAFTON.
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 vinton
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
built in the form of Greek cross 1t lie of
brick with stone trimmings and presents a fine
appearance. Inside 1t is quite roomy, affording
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 for this chapel. The altar
is of white marble beautifully carved in rich
but chaste designs. The organ is in the north
choir. Opposite are seats for the faculty and
visiting clergy.
THE CONSIDERATION SERVICE.
The conservation service took place at so
o'clock this morning, and was the most COM
plete that has ever been performed in this
country. There was a 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, s. j., rector Of George
town University, as archdeacon; Rev. C.
Gillespie, 3. j., rector OF Coinage College,
as deacon; Rev. Edward McTammay, S. j., as
subdeacon, and Mr.. ]. 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 htany of the saints marched three times
around the building, the cardinal each
water. This done the chapel was entered,
special prayers were said, the walls were
sprinkled with holy water, anointed with holy
oils and the floor sprinkled with ashes its en-
tire length. in which the cardinal
traced with his pastoral staff the
each ceremony. which had Its special signifi-
canoe. there were particular prayers said, and
the entire service occupied about three
hours At this service there were
no invitations to the public, but the particle
pants were the 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 Of
the other buildings, and at IL o'clock the first
mass in the new chapel was celebrated with q
pomp and impressiveness that has never
before been seen in this District
The walls of the chapel and the altar were
cardinals color lred) predominating. On the
south side Of the space within the
chancel railing was erected throne
for the cardinal and his attendants, while on
the opposite side was the seat of Bishop Van de
Vyver of Richmond, the ceiebrant Of the mass,
and his assistants.
AN IMPOSING PROCESSION.
The front pews were reserved for members
Of tine Dnhlgrea family and their personal
friends, while the body Of the house con .ained
many of the best known men and
women in Washington. 1t was but
a rev minutes past IL when
the main building, and then an imposing pro-
ccssion, including candle, cross aud incense
bearers, acolytes, 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
sistants took their places, the acolytes
ranged themselves in line and the
soft tones of the organ, PLAYED by
Rev. Francis Power Of Loyola College, Balti-
more. indicated that the mass was to begin
The celebration was more than usually impress
sive 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. F. O'Gor-
man, s. j. The regular organist Of the college,
Mr. Armand Gumprecht, sang in the choir.
cELEBRAsrs OF THE MASS.
The celebrant of the mass was Bishop Van
de Vyver Of Richmond, with Rev. J. J. Hogan.
president Of the Divinity College of the Catholic
University, as assistant priest; Rev. A. r. New
ms. rector Of st. Thomas College and novitiate
and Rev. Z. Dublanchy, 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. Josephs passionate retreat.
'ubdeacon. 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. F. A. Litz, provincial of the Re-
demptorists, as deacons of honor. All the dig
nitaries Of the church were robed in their
richest vestments and made an imposing ap-
pearance.
REV. FATHER srAFFoRps SERMON.
Rev. Father Stafford of St. Peters Church,
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 ediice in
position last year, and did il in 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
llty Of Georgetown University, and in
the name OF the Catholics Of America, for their
gift. he commenced his sermon by saying
that The age In which we live is one of great
metnal activity. In many respects it has no
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 day
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, but 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
Ind did not tend to a materialistic belief He
spoke Of the scientists who had been brought
by their investigations to recognize the
majesty, beneicence and love of the