The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-26
"A PoNTIFICAL HIGH MASS.
Archbishop Riordan Officiates at St.
MarV'S Cathedral.

Mary's Cathedral.
At 5 O'Clock in the morning the first
mass was celebrated in st. Mary's
Cathedral on Van Ness avenue. The
young mems choir sang at this early SER
vice and again at 8 o'clock. The Arch
bishop celebrated a solemn pontifical
mass at 1880 A. NJ. He was assisted by
Father Prendergast. Father Dempsey
was deacon. Father Vinodamat sub
deacon, Rev. p Mullgan master of cere-
monies, and Rev. Fathers Phrases and
Hickey. s. j.. deacons of honor. At the
close of the mass the papal benediction
was given from the altar.
During the cerem onies the altar was
brilliant spectacle with many lighted
candles and red fairy lamps looking like
glowing rubies on the white marble.
Masses of red blossoms were introduced
among the candelabra and formed a
striking contrast with surrounding coIors.
Theu all around the altar was forest of
palms a3d evergreens that appeared TO ad-
vantage 10 subduing the rich colors of the
walls. Against this BACKGROUND was pre-
sented to the congregation the gorgeous
cloth-of-gold vestmeDtS of the officiating
Archbishop and the assisting priests.
The choir rendered Haydn's Second
Mass in c, with organ and orchestra ac-
compartment. Professor X. PomerOy was
organist; Professor Ii. Holzhauer, con-
duct9E; r. Ublig. leader OF orchestra. For
the offprtory Adams Noel was sung by
Mr.. Apland. The members of the choir
were: Miss Clara MCGOWAN (Soprano
soloisp, Miss Mohun, Miss Lang. Miss
PaDba, Miss Minnie Z. Byrne. Miss Mary
II. Higgins, Miss Ida Hayes, Miss Schmidt,
Miss sullivan alto soIoisE. Mrs. Hughes,
Miss Al. Grace, Miss Quinn; tenor soloist
-Messrs. GOettinE anu Moody; bass SOLO
list. 5. j. Sandy.
Rev Joseph Byrne preached sermon
on :he Angels Song: GLORY TO God in
the Highest, and Peace on Earth to Men
of Good Will"
He said that the scene was an old one,
always interesting because it was beautiful
and sublime in its simplicity. Not the
least sublime Of all the great events of that
holy night was the song OF the angels,
which summed up. as it were. the incarna-
ton, because they told us why the incar-
nation took place and what it accomplished.
1t is full of harmony beyond the power OF
man TO tell, and YET the burden of the song
IS still full of thought.
God, in his almighty power, created
that he might be glorI1lsd In his creatures.
All this combined praise Of creatures was
inadequate to the perfect praise of God, be-
cause there existed wide chasm between
the finite and the infinite and when the
Word was made flesh ana dWelt among US
that was bTidged over aud the work of
creation was completed. Christ as mau
could truly praise his Father and. being
God, must be the head of his reverence.
For this end our Lord lived, in his own
words, that Thou, o Father, may De gloT-
fled in ME and In thee
The incarnation was principally for
the glory OF God, and Christians under
standing this the full meaning of the an
gels song comes home TO us with strik ing
force. Peace on earth to men Of good
Will was the effect of the incarnation.
which shows the beDevolence of the will
of God for man. Peace is essen
TALLY the harmony of wills and
of all dlSc0rdant elements. Man by
using his free will turned away from
God and perverted his will by The first sin.
Therefore there was long. painful en-
nifty existing between God and man. This
enmiIy existed until he came as the Prince
of Peace and restored peace between God
and man. Because be was born priest,
and as man he could offer sacrifice To his
father, and being GGd, it was efficacious to
atone for the sin Of man, and entirely &C.
cepta BILE to God.
''Then he made all men equal-sons Of
God and heirs TO the kingdom of Heaven
He gave peace to the individual through
the sacraments, which enable us to per-
form the duties of our lives with more
facility. Love, which prompted the in
earn alton, is the foundation of peace, and
our Lord promulgated 1t in his life as the
basis Of his teachings.
Let us heed the invitation of the shep-
herds; let US go over 10 Bethlehem and see
this word that has come 10 pass which the
Lord has showed us, ana there learn a
practical lesson OF love"