The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20
ARCH|EP|SCOPAL SERMON
His Grace Addresses a Large
Congregation in St. Fran
ciS Church.
SPOKE ON THE GOOD sHEPHErD
Many Boys and Girls Confirmed After
Mass and the Pledge Is Ad.
ninistered.

st. Francis Church, at Vallejo street
and Montgomery avenue, was the scene
OF impressive ceremonies yesterday morn
ing. The people of the parish crowded
into every available space and completely
filled the church, as great interest was
taken in the services, which consisted of
high mass, followed by administratio of
the sacrament of confirmation. There
was also a sermon by Archbishop Rior-
dan, and at the close a large number of
children were given the pledge of the
League of the Cross to abstain from in
toxicating drinks and keep out OF places
where liquors are sold until the boys reach
the age of 81 years.
Services began at IL o'clock, when
Father Giles celebrated high mass. The
altar was one great cluster of Gala lilies
and evergreens, through which appeared
white marble and rows of flaming candles.
The choir, comprising Mrs. B. f. Sides,
Miss Henneberry, T. j. Walsh and A. F.
Woodbridge, supported by large chorus
under the direction of Mrs. A. B. Collins,
rendered the "KyIie'' and "Gloria" from
Mozart's Twelfth Mass" "Credo" from
Mine, "Sanctus" and "Benedictus" from
Gounod, the "Agnus Del" from Haydn's
Second Mass" and offertory, 80 Jesu
Me" (Verdi), during the mass.
The sermon by Archbishop Riordan was
upon the Gospel of the day, in which
Christ says: 81 am the Good Shepherd"
His Grace said in introduction he wished
to draw out in few simple words the
beautiful lesson of the days Gospel. The
day is known in the church as Sunday of
the Good Shepherd" when the Redeemer
presents himself in the form of shepherd
looking after his flock.
Christ did not appear in the garment of
kings nor surrounded by the pageantry of
military display; for though he was a
great king and great ruler, yet he was
pleased to put himself in this days Cos
pei as a simple shepherd in the field tend
ing his sheep. 1--WE are the sheep of this
divine shepherd" said the Archbishop,
who drew picture of the good life of the
simple shepherd caring for flock on the
hills day after day leading pure and fru-
gal life, surrounded by his sheep.
The Archbishop said that Christ is now
as when he said 81 am the Good Shep-
herd'-the good shepherd. He provides
the word of divine truth, making his flock
understand what his commandments are,
putting into their minds these principles
of heavenly knowledge that the flock may
not pe sneep Cnat are going astray. Ih1S
is the way he provides nourishment for his
| flock. Christ has fixed for all time heay-
enly knowledge, brings his flock into the
light of revealed truth, and put them in
the way of reaching eternal happiness.
| This is the first nourishment which Christ
as the good shepherd provides for his flock.
! He has placed his flock here for a better
life which he has partly revealed, and yet
sufficiently that men may see him face to
face. But it is one thing to know the
| truth, another thing to live according to
the obligations of divine truth. Christ
gives light for the way and strength
through his grace. He has special in
dividual care for each member of his flock,
each one of whom stands revealed before
him.
The sermon was brought to conclusion
with an appeal to pray to the Good Shep-
herd for his blessing and his guidance.
Confirmation was administered to some
hundred boys and girls. The girls were
dressed in white and wore white lace wells,
and the boys were distinguished by white
bows on their arms. The ''Veni Creator
of La Hache was sung during the cere.
mony, and Miss Clotilda Devlin played
Schumann's "Traumerei" on the violin, to
the accompaniment OF the organ.
In the afternoon the Archbishop con-
firmed several boys and girls at st. James
Church.