The herald., 1894-02-26
YESTERDAY IN THE CHURCHES,
Impressive Altar Services at
the Cathedral.
Rev. w. w. Tinker the Singing
Evangelist Commences Work.
Services at tho Young Women's Christian
Association Meeting - Church
Notes and Religious
Happenings.

Tho beautiful new altar Oh tno cntne-
dral OF St. Vibiana was dedicated yester-
day morning. The church was filed
with the largest assemblage Of wor-
clippers and sight-seers probably ever
known in it's history. Besides the large
number of pews being filed. the people
lined the aisles and back OF the church.
The new altar was brilliantly illum-
mated and presented magnificent ap--
peaEance. Every part OF the ceremony
was most impressive, the occasion being
one long to be remembered. The altar
is made entirely of marble aud WAS
erected at cost OF nearly $4,000. 1t is
the work of Boston firm and is said to
be the abandonment west OF Philadelphia.
The work OF erecting 1t has occupied
three months. 1t is in the Roman
style OF architecture. In front OF the
altar ia a wide platform formed OF q
single slab of Carrara marble. This 10
reached by three steps. The frontal Is
of Parian marble and three richly
carved panels, the Lamb OF God being
represented in the center one, while at
either side are the emblematlc lily and
rose. Delicstely carved columns OF
onyx separate the panels. Surrounding
the wings at the ends of the altar table
are two life-sized statues of angels,
which also face the tabernacle, an ar
tistic structure of veinless marble with
a door of gold and onyx. The throne
for exposing the holy sacrament
10 above the tabernacle. The carving on
this throne is very delicate and helps to
make it one OF the most effective parts
to the altar. On each side of the
throne are three columns of onyx. six
feet in height and six inches in diam
eter. The bases are finely carved as are
the capitals. Behind each column is o
square plaster of alabaster. Between
these are inches for reliquaries, GUS
tanned by richly fioriated brackets and
topped by semi-circular arches. A
heavy cornice surmounts the whole
reredos. Rising from the cornice are
two massive Corinthisn pilasters en-
closing the arch surrounding the
chapel of st. Vibians, patron
ess of the diocese of Monterey
and Los Angeles, also titular of the
Cathedral. A shield bearing the Cathe-
dral coat OF arms is imbedded above this
opening. The coat of arms is the Greek
monogram of Christ combined with the
initials of st. Vibiana's name, sur
rounded by garland of lilies and palm
branches which are symbolic OF the
saints purity as virgin and her forth
tude as martyr.
Great statelincss Ia impaired to the
structure by the triangular apex. The
table OF the altar was coneecrated about
IL years ago, so the new one is really but
dress for the old table. The taber-
nacls whore 10 kept the host was blessed
by his lordship Monsignor Francis Mora
in a most impressive manner. He &C.
cupied his throne and wore the cappa
magma, the, pontifcial mantle, the ring
of office and carried q gold cross. The
elegant long purple train was carried by
six pages. At the throne, which is hung
with festoons of crimson brocsde, he was
attended on either side by Rev. j.
Adam. vicar general, and Very Rev.
Jas. Doyle. Solemn mass was then cele-
brated by Rev. Mr.. VIM. Louis Dye, as
sisted by the Rev. VIM. LANCE, arch
deacon, and Rev. III. Eisas, subdeacon.
The music was of an exceptionally fine
order, the entire cathedral choir and
orchestra taking part. Marcos mass was
gwen. Miss Ethel Graham was the aoloist
and the following composed the quar-
tette, Miss Cecilia Gardner, soprano /;
Mrs. B. Gardner, alto; Mr.. A. Gabriel.
tenor; Mr.. F. w. Wallace, bass. Mrs.
Gertrude Dockweiler sang the soprano
solo, In1ammatus, from Rossini's 6tabat
Mater, during the offertory. She has q
sweet. sympathetic voice which she
handles admirably.
Rev. Thomas ]. Fitzgerald Of Beau
mont preached the sermon. His text
was the words of King David, Lord I
have loved the beauty OF Thy house and
the place where Thy glory dwelleth.
The speaker first told OF the sacrifices
of focks and fields that were offered
on the altar by Cain and Abel.
After which he briefly referred to
the thank Offering OF Noah ON Mt. Ara
rat after leaving the ark; he also re-
lated the circumstances OF how Abra-
ham nearly offered up his son Isaac as
sacrifice. The latter was referred to
as type of Christ. The bloody sacri-
fees Of the pagans and Hebrews, the
laet of which Was the sacrifice OF Christ
on Mt. Calvary. After dwelling briefly
on the Catholic doctrine OF sacrifice as
embodied in the mass. He closed by
congrstulating the bishop upon the
completion Of the altar: also praised the
priests for their zeal in helping raise
the fund and the people for their liber-
atty, which WAS almost unprecedented.
The procession through the church
then took place, Lambillot's Laudation
being played. Rev. Mr.. I've carried
the holy sacrament. The lol- litany
was then sung.
During the day the church was
crowded by worshipers and at vespers
another large congregation was present.
The holy sacrament was left exposed for
the alteration of the forty hours in COM
memoration OF the same space of time
when the body of Christ remained in
the sepulchre. The alteration will con-
tinue today. tomorrow and Wednesday.
The general custom is to expose the sac
ramsnt for forty consecutive hours, but
in this country the rule is altered, the
period of alteration being held in the
day time which extends the time for
several days.
EVENING SERVICE.
In the evening the Very Rev. Father
Hickey spoke on the Holy Eucharist, or
Sacrifice OF the Altar
The Catholic church regards the Holy
Encharist az a sacrament and sacri-
tce. Considered as a sacrament. 1t 10
the true body and blood Of Christ, under
the appearance Of bread and wine.
AS time will not permit me to treat of
the Eucharist az sacrifice, ] shall coniine
my attention to the subject, considered